
'He's a clear NBA talent.' Purdue basketball fans like what they see from Omer Mayer in FIBA U19
Mayer led Israel in its 102-77 FIBA U19 World Cup opening win over Switzerland with 24 points on 4-of-7 3-point shooting, as well as 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. It's Israel's first win in tournament history.
Mayer, a 6-4 guard, is drawing comparison to Boilers senior Braden Smith, the 2025 Big Ten Player of the Year.
Purdue Commit - PG Omer MayerImpressed in Israel's opening 102-77 win at the U19 World Cup:24 Points (8/13 FG | 4/6 3pt | 4/5 FT)4 Rebounds4 Assists2 Steals24 minutes played @BoilerBall pic.twitter.com/SNODaa3K00
😎 Just filthy.Omer Mayer with 24 now. pic.twitter.com/zoDjxM1uMZ
Obviously, it was very exciting to watch Omer Mayer today and project how he fits with PURDUE this season and beyond.He's a clear NBA talent.But, beyond his physical ability, I decided to also observe his attributes during the game - mainly his leadership.There wasn't a… pic.twitter.com/JMFEuAjQJK
My thoughts on Omer Mayer (Purdue commit)HIGH level handles & feel for the game.Will rarely get by his defender with speed but uses change of pace & angles to obtain same result.True lead guard with NBA ready body. Makes everyone around him better. Developing outside shot.
Omer Mayer is a pro.Beyond impressed with this kids skill set, especially at such a young age.
Love Israel's Omer Mayer. Strong bodied point guard that plays with terrific poise.Brainfart forgetting that he's going to be suiting up at @BoilerBall.They could make run at having the best backcourt in college hoops next season. He's that good.19pts in the 1st half
Israel won Sunday's game by forfeit when Jordan refused to play.
2024-25 at Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israeli league: 5.5 points, 2.1 assists in 13 games
2024-25 at Maccabi Tel Aviv in EuroLeague: 2.6 points, 2.0 assists
2023-24 at Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israeli league: 3.8 points
2023-24 at Maccabi Tel Aviv in EuroLeague: 0.6 points
Mayer has four years of eligibility.
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Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith (98) The game's other co-cover star is the highest-rated player in "College Football 26." Entering his freshman season, there was some buzz that Smith could've been a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft if he were eligible. Obviously, there's no way to know that for certain, but he certainly played like a future top-10 pick as a freshman. He recorded 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024, setting program and Big Ten records in Ohio State's path to winning a national championship. Quarterbacks 10. Florida's DJ Lagway (90) No quarterbacks were included in the top-10 highest-rated offensive players in "College Football 26," but there are plenty who have an overall rating of at least 90. Lagway is among that group, going 6-1 in games he started for Florida as a true freshman last season. 9. Texas' Arch Manning (90) As Manning's set to become Texas' starting quarterback in 2025, EA Sports already views him as one of the best quarterbacks in the sport. The redshirt sophomore impressed in the two starts he made last season as he threw for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions to go with four rushing touchdowns over 10 games. 8. Navy's Blake Horvath (90) You might not be accustomed to seeing a Navy player being featured on a top quarterbacks list, but Horvath has made a strong case to be included on those lists entering 2025. While he threw for 1,353 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions last season, Horvath did much of his damage on the ground. He rushed for 1,246 yards and 17 touchdowns. 7. Miami (Fla.)'s Carson Beck (91) Back for another year of college ball, Beck is arguably the most accomplished returning quarterback in the nation. He backed up Stetson Bennett for Georgia's two national title wins earlier this decade before becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC over the last two years. But after he suffered a season-ending UCL injury in the SEC Championship Game, Beck opted to leave Georgia, initially entering the NFL Draft before transferring to Miami. 6. Oklahoma's John Mateer (91) Mateer was arguably the best quarterback to transfer this offseason. The former Washington State quarterback showcased strong dual-threat ability in 2024, throwing for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions to go with 826 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. 5. South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers (91) Sellers was a revelation for South Carolina, giving its offense a pop to pair well with its strong defense. He threw for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions to go with 674 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, winning SEC Freshman of the Year. 4. Arizona State's Sam Leavitt (91) As Tyson is one of the highest-rated offensive players in the game, his quarterback is highly regarded. In his first year as a starter, Leavitt threw for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions to go with five rushing scores, helping Arizona State win the Big 12 after transferring from Michigan State. 3. Penn State's Drew Allar (92) Allar enters the 2025 season as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. He took a leap as a junior in 2024, throwing for 3,327 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions to go with six rushing touchdowns. But the pressure is definitely on Allar entering 2025 as Penn State seeks to take the next step. 2 LSU's Garrett Nussmeier (92) If Manning doesn't declare for the 2026 NFL Draft (or he doesn't live up to the hype), Nussmeier has been viewed as another potential candidate to be the No. 1 overall next spring. He impressed in his first season as a starting quarterback, throwing for 4,043 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as he had the task of replacing Jayden Daniels. 1. Clemson's Cade Klubnik (92) Coincidentally, FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt also has Klubnik as his No. 1 quarterback for the 2025 season. Klubnik made a major leap in his second season as a starter in 2024, throwing for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions to go with seven rushing touchdowns as he helped Clemson reach the CFP. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. recommended Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more