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Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sixers, Spurs highlight biggest winners of 2025 NBA Draft
The post Sixers, Spurs highlight biggest winners of 2025 NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints. ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas perfectly summed up the NBA Draft after the first round concluded on Wednesday: history will remember it as a coronation for No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, but there are several players in this class who will leave their mark in The Association. The Dallas Mavericks stumbled into the top spot, winning the sweepstakes that the league's cellar dwellers had been yearning for during these last several months. Advertisement Considering the whirlwind of vitriol that swallowed general manager Nico Harrison and the franchise, this dramatic turn of events will rightly command most of the public's attention. Flagg's superb skill set and outstanding accomplishments only accentuate that fact. But despite their GM's highly questionable 'fortune favors the bold comment,' the Mavs did not have to do anything of skill to bring about this momentous occasion. Thus, I cannot crown them a draft winner. There are other squads that, while also benefiting from a favorable bounce in the lottery, made shrewd moves and judgements that enabled them to come away with a promising haul on paper. While I am personally high on Flagg, I am going to temporarily pull the spotlight away from him and shine it on some other franchises and prospects who enjoyed their own big night in Barclays Center. Let's take a look at the biggest winners in the 2025 NBA Draft. Honorable Mention: Hornets Although I recognize the pure shooting ability that Kon Knueppel displayed in his lone season at Duke, Tre Johnson felt like the higher upside prospect at No. 4. The Texas star needs to improve his decision-making, but he oozes potential. That being said, Knueppel provides a vital trait that the Charlotte Hornets desperately require: long-range firepower. Advertisement The Second-Team All-ACC selection shot 40.6 percent from 3-point land last season, which should allow him to quickly earn an important role with the team. Charlotte kept things interesting by trading up to grab UConn standout Liam McNeeley at No. 29. The Big East Freshman of the Year is raw, but many expected him to come off the board a bit earlier. The Hornets are counting on him to fulfill his five-star recruit status. They also opted for more immediate production by drafting experienced center Ryan Kalkbrenner, who will try to fill the void left by Mark Williams' departure. He could add solid rim-protection and welcome floor-spacing with a competent 3-point stroke. Sion James, Knueppel's Duke teammate, adds on-ball defense and a decent shot. Overall, this franchise did enough positive things to earn a shoutout here. The 76ers are looking mighty intriguing after an eventful NBA Draft Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images It seems borderline negligent to express overwhelming optimism about the Philadelphia 76ers after their disastrous 2024-25 season. They went all in on Paul George in free agency and paid dearly for it. Injuries plagued the entire core trio, limiting Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and George to a combined 112 games. Who is to say the Sixers' horrible luck will improve going forward? Advertisement Well, even if it doesn't, polarizing president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is positioning the franchise for a bright future. He used the No. 3 overall pick on VJ Edgecombe, arguably the best athlete in the 2025 NBA Draft. With captivating explosiveness and two-way promise, this rookie should fit magnificently with speedy/crafty point guard Tyrese Maxey. Besides adding a new layer to their offensive attack, which on its own is worthy of celebration, Philly also shored up its depth by snagging All-American center Johni Broome early in the second round. Shutting down Embiid was probably the organization's best chance at ever seeing the big man return to MVP-form, but he is going to miss time. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse will want to preserve his health as much as possible, which means a trustworthy backup is essential. I will not deny the obvious red flags that stick to Broome. He has limited athleticism, can struggle to defend in space, shot just 60.3 percent from the free throw line during his college career and is still a largely unreliable shooter from distance. However, and this is important, the 2025 SEC Player of the Year is much more skilled than he was getting credit for in the lead-up to the draft. Broome has made notable strides as a passer, displays deft footwork in the low-post area, is a monster on the glass and is an effective shot-blocker. He will not be able to impose his will on opponents in the NBA like he did while playing for Auburn — 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 rejections per contest last season — but the 22-year-old is incredibly durable and dedicated to his craft. The 76ers were wise not to turn those attributes down. Advertisement While it may sound crazy, when surveying the injury-ravaged Eastern Conference, this group should have a legitimate chance to vie for an NBA Finals appearance during the 2025-26 campaign. Philadelphia must overcome its own health issues, but if it does, then these new additions are going to look even better. Spurs continue to build up their resources Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Similar to the Mavericks, the San Antonio Spurs do not deserve much praise for taking the consensus best player available at No. 2. However, when combining the size and physicality that Dylan Harper brings on offense with the high defensive ceiling that Carter Bryant boasts, it is hard not to feel enthusiastic about this team's draft loot. Advertisement Both incoming rookies have notable drawbacks — Harper's modest 33.3 percent 3-point shooting is not ideal for a Spurs squad that already struggles in that area and Bryant only logged 19.3 minutes per game at Arizona — but their respective physical gifts and abilities should mesh nicely in San Antonio. The former Rutgers guard diced through defenders and into the paint with regularity, while the 3-and-D wing progressed as the season went on. Victor Wembanyama is a superstar-in-the-making, De'Aaron Fox is a former All-Star and Stephon Castle is a prototypical glue guy. Together they form an ostensibly sturdy foundation for the Spurs to build upon in the years to come. The newcomers could add even more long-term stability. If Harper can expand his offensive repertoire a bit, something that will have to happen with De'Aaron Fox manning point guard duties, then this backcourt could be downright lethal. Bryant will be more of a project, which is not a huge problem given San Antonio's developmental timetable, but his 3-point prowess should eventually prove extremely useful. Put simply, it is all coming together for one of the most intriguing franchises in the NBA today. The Spurs are trying to implement their own version of the Oklahoma City Thunder model. They are a long, long way from reaching that standard, but they are gradually trending in the right direction. It is time for the growth to reveal itself in the standings, though. Hawks may have committed one of the biggest heists in recent NBA Draft history It did not take long for first-year general manager Onsi Saleh to cement his reputation as one of the biggest bandits in the league. The Atlanta Hawks executive, at first glance, ruthlessly robbed the New Orleans Pelicans during the first round of the NBA Draft. He convinced championship-winning president of basketball operations Joe Dumars to trade an unprotected 2026 first-rounder and the No. 23 overall pick just for the right to move up 10 spots on Wednesday. Advertisement Although Maryland center Derik Queen posted stellar numbers as a freshman, he does not jump out as the surefire talent that one needs to be to justify giving up a potential top-five pick in next year's draft. Moreover, many analysts actually prefer the player the Hawks snatched at No. 23, who just so happens to be Queen's ex-teammate from Florida's Montverde Academy. Asa Newell embodies the traits that many modern-day front offices desire in a forward. He is exceptionally versatile on defense and bounces off the court on offense. With Trae Young's top-notch playmaking and Dyson Daniels' active hands, Georgia's 2024-25 leading scorer could become a fast-break menace in Atlanta. He is a dunk machine who scouts believe has the touch to blossom into a dependable deep threat. I am not going to let him off the hook for a dismal 29.2 3-point shooting percentage, however. Yes, he is only 19 and has plenty of time to tweak his mechanics. And yes, he is a fine addition to the Hawks' transition offense. But I still need to see him withstand more imposing frontcourts before labeling him a hidden gem. Still, his undeniable potential, coupled with Saleh's masterful negotiating, earns the Hawks a spot on this list. They are heading toward a pivotal campaign that may determine Young's future standing with the team, but fans will be interested to watch it all unfold after a lively start to the offseason. Related: 10 greatest one-on-one NBA players of all time, ranked Related: 10 NBA teams that have produced the most MVPs
Miami Herald
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Florida State Football Preview 2025: Seminoles Season Prediction, Win Total Projection, Top Players
Florida State Seminoles Key to the Season Get better offensive line were 134 FBS teams last season, and 133 of them allowed fewer than four sacks per game. Florida State is the one team that didn't. In 2023, the Noles allowed 1.79 sacks per four teams allowed more tackles for loss, only five teams were worse at running the ball, and all this from an attack that was among the best in the country at cranking out big runs just two seasons starts with this. More time to work, longer drives, and a more productive defense, so … X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN 2025 Florida State PreviewFlorida State Offense BreakdownFlorida State Defense Breakdown Florida State Seminoles Key Player Luke Petitbon, C enough versatility to figure out the other four spots up front, but Petitbon has to be a true leader for the completely rebuilt line. An All-ACC blocker for Wake Forest, the 6-2, 303-pound veteran of four seasons has to be the steadying force for an offense that changes out just about everyone. Florida State Seminoles Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss Top Transfer In: Duce Robinson, WR passing game didn't work. The quarterbacks didn't have time, the rushing attack failed to help the cause, and the receivers weren't able to show off. There were plenty of talent losses, but getting Robinson from USC makes up for wasn't a volume catcher in his first two seasons, but he made huge things happen, averaging over 19 yards per grab. Top Transfer Out: Patrick Payton, EDGE Sr.A future NFL starter, Payton was a key part of the defense over the last three years with 110 tackles, 16 sacks, and 32 tackles for loss. FSU was able to find a few nice options up front to pick up the slack, but they don't have anyone like Payton, who's now off to LSU. Florida State Seminoles Key Game Alabama, Aug. 30After going 1-11 in its last 12 games against FBS teams, no team in college football needs a big Week 1 showing more desperately than Florida State. Pull this off, and everything last time these two met, the hype was high for a good Seminole team coming off a big 2016. Bama hurt quarterback Deandre Francois in a season-opening 24-7 win, and the FSU program wasn't good at football again until 2022.- 2025 Florida State Schedule Breakdown Florida State Seminoles Top 10 Players 1. Darrell Jackson, DT Sr. 2. Duce Robinson, WR Jr.3. Jeremiah Wilson, CB Sr. 4. Shyheim Brown, S Sr.5. James Williams, EDGE Jr.6. Tommy Castellanos, QB Sr.7. Luke Petitbon, C Sr.8. KJ Kirkland, S Soph.9. Stefon Thompson, LB Sr.10. Elijah Herring, LB Sr. Florida State Seminoles 2024 Fun Stats - First Half Scoring: Opponents 167, Florida State 82- Fumbles: Florida State 22 (lost 9), Opponents 9 (lost 2)- Interceptions Thrown: Florida State 13, Opponents 4 Florida State Seminoles 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen Really, is Florida State back to where it's supposed to be?There's talent, and things will be far better than they were last year, but it won't be 2023. This year's schedule is far more difficult than that, but it's not quite as tough as last year's, when FSU played five teams that finished with ten or more Alabama opener is an obvious problem, but the Noles should be, at worst, 3-1 when Miami comes to town. There's a real shot at a 6-2 record, and maybe 7-1 with a little luck before going to Clemson. Clemson, NC State, and Florida - FSU closes with three road games in the final four put the win total a tad too low, just because of all the turnover. This should be a 7-to-8-win team, and at the very least, it should get back to a bowl game for the third time in six The Florida State Win Total At … 6.5Likely Wins: East Texas A&M, Kent State, at Stanford, Wake Forest50/50 Games: at Florida, Miami, at NC State, Pitt, at Virginia, Virginia TechLikely Losses: Alabama, at Clemson 2025 Florida State PreviewFlorida State Offense BreakdownFlorida State Defense Breakdown © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
LSU baseball transfer portal: Could Tigers add elite west coast infielder?
Fresh off its eighth national championship, LSU baseball is looking to reload in the transfer portal. One major hole to fill is at second base with every starter Daniel Dickinson heading to the MLB. The Tigers have a few options to plug in, but it would serve them better to bring in an experienced addition. Enter Jarren Advincula, who started all but one game in the middle infield for Cal since he stepped on campus. A 2025 second-team All-ACC honoree, he batted .334 with 150 hits and 64 RBI through two seasons with the Bears. The Santa Clara, CA native boasts a .970 fielding percentage over his two years of collegiate baseball. He enjoyed a 22-game hit streak midseason, which included three hits in a win at Duke, and then stroked three hits between Cal's two upsets over Miami and Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament. Advincula has enough quality experience as a hitter and fielder to join LSU's starting lineup. The Tigers already received commitments from transfers Brayden Simpson and Seth Darder, but both are more suited for third base, as is returner Tanner Reaves. LSU has become a premier transfer portal destination, but the Tigers have some competition for Advincula with Tennessee also making a push.
Indianapolis Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Six players the Pacers could target in the NBA Draft second round
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pacers didn't have a first-round pick Wednesday's NBA Draft after trading it last week to the Pelicans to retrieve their 2026 first-round pick. However, Wednesday evening, they traded back into the draft to get another second-rounder, acquiring the No. 38 pick from the Spurs for a second-round pick from 2030 and cash. That means the Pacers have the No. 38 and No. 54 overall pick in the second round, which begins Thursday at 8 p.m. on ESPN. The Pacers could potentially use those picks for any type of players. If they re-sign center Myles Turner, they will return key players from their NBA Finals run at every position and they have enough depth that they might not necessarily need anyone they draft to play right away. However, with All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton likely to miss all of next season thanks to an Achilles tendon tear, they could use some depth at each spot. They will need a third point guard behind Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell, who will handle the job in Haliburton's absence. Bennedict Mathurin will likely move into the starting lineup at shooting guard, so the Pacers could use a wing to backfill that move and they could also use perimeter shooting with Haliburton having led the team with 218 3-pointers in 2024-25. And the Pacers could go in a number of directions for depth at center, and the draft is one of them. With that in mind, here are six players the Pacers could target with Round 1 in the books. The 6-10, 235-pound Broome was the only other unanimous Associated Press first-team All-America pick along with NBA No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg and helped lead Auburn to its second Final Four in school history. The 22-year-old Broome obviously doesn't have anywhere near Flagg's ceiling, but he has the frame, athleticism and motor to be a very effective backup center or power forward in the NBA. Broome averaged 18.6 points per game as a fifth-year senior, making 55.9% of his 2-point shots including 78.6% of his field goals at the rim according to He led the SEC in rebounding (10.8 per game) and blocks (2.1 per game) to earn SEC Player of the Year honors. He also averaged 2.9 assists per game, showing excellent feel for the game as a passer out of the post. He's not a great outside shooter, making just 30.2% of his career 3-pointers including 27.8% (25 of 90) in his fifth year. However, his motor on defense and at the glass and ability to score around the rim and pass should be enough for him to make an impact as a backup center and he should be game-ready to step in behind Turner or share minutes with Isaiah Jackson or Thomas Bryant if the Pacers decide to keep one of them. The 6-7, 210-pound Watkins blossomed in his last two years at Florida State after starting his career at Virginia Commonwealth, averaging 15.6 points per game as a junior and 18.4 as a senior to earn All-ACC honors. He has some offensive inefficiencies, shooting just 32.1% from 3-point range this season. However, he's a strong ball-handler and creator and perhaps most importantly for the Pacers, a long-armed, switchable defender. His wingspan is nearly 7-feet and he has a 37-inch vertical leap, so he can keep ball-handlers in front of him and rebound well for his position. He averaged 1.9 steals and 6.0 rebounds per game as a junior. He could give the Pacers a fourth multi-positional wing option off the bench behind Ben Sheppard, Jarace Walker and Johnny Furphy. The Pacers could use another player capable of handling the point beyond Nembhard and McConnell who could still serve a purpose after Haliburton returns. Jones fits that bill, having operated both as a shooting guard next to Tyler Kolek and then a starting point guard at Marquette. Jones can create off the bounce for himself or for others, and is an excellent passer and rim finisher. He averaged 17.2 points per game as a junior, but then as a senior Kolek went to the NBA, Jones averaged 19.2 points and 5.9 assists per game, career-highs in both categories. The 6-4, 185-pounder is a strong defender, willing to pick up ball-handlers full-court, and he averaged 1.4 steals per game as a senior. He is a streaky shooter. He made 40.6% of his 3-pointers as a junior but just 31.1% as a senior. He's been strong as a spot-up shooter but not as accurate shooting off the dribble and if the Pacers need him to handle the ball off the bench, that might be an issue. But he can give the Pacers another creator and pressure defender and as a third point guard, that's plenty. The Pacers might be able to wait until No. 54 to get Andrew's younger brother, but they might not considering how well he played at the NBA Draft Combine, following in his older brother's footsteps. Like Andrew, Ryan thrives by doing whatever his team requires and by making his teammates better. He led Division I in assists with 9.8 per game against just 2.5 turnovers per game, and he put pressure on the ball, averaging a West Coast Conference-leading 1.7 steals per game. After earning Big East Rookie of the Year honors at Creighton to start his career, Nembhard was named first-team All-West Coast Conference in each of his last two seasons at Gonzaga. He won at least one NCAA Tournament game in each of his four seasons, helping Creighton to the Elite Eight as a sophomore and Gonzaga to the Sweet 16 as a junior. One thing Ryan doesn't have that Andrew does have is size. While Andrew is listed at 6-5, 195 pounds, Ryan was measured at 5-11 without shoes at the NBA Draft Combine and 176 pounds. The lack of size will make it difficult for Ryan to defend multiple positions the way Andrew can, but he can run an offense and pressure the ball and that could give him a chance to make an NBA team and possibly the Pacers. The 6-7, 218-pound Thiero followed John Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas and broke out as a junior from Fayetteville. He averaged 15.6 points per game, more than double the 7.2 per game he averaged as a sophomore at Kentucky, but more importantly he established himself as one of the top wing defenders in the class. He's powerfully built with lateral quickness and good hands and a 7-foot wingspan, and that combination led to 1.6 steals per game in his junior year. Whoever lands him will certainly want to see better outside shooting from him as he made just 11 of 43 3-pointers this year (25.6%) and 21 of 74 for his career (28.4%). But his defense should be enough to get him on the floor as a second-unit wing. The 7-1, 235-pound Kalkbrenner's dominating length could make him an elite-level rim protector, not to mention an excellent lob finisher. He led the Big East in blocks in each of the last three seasons and field goal percentage the last four. He made 65.8% of his career field goals including 69.6% of his 2-point shots and averaged 2.4 blocks per game in his career including 2.7 per game this year.
Mint
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Jaire Alexander signs one-year deal with Baltimore Ravens; check details
Baltimore Ravens have signed former Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander to a one-year deal, in a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL. The announcement came just hours after Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson publicly urged the team to bring in his former college teammate from Louisville on their side. The high-profile signing has reunited two remarkable players and has strengthened the Ravens' defense. The specifics of Alexander's one-year deal with Baltimore remain undisclosed. However, there are speculations on why Alexander chose to exit Green Bay. According to reports, the Packers were hesitant to offer significant guaranteed money during contract restructuring talks. Even though Alexander was open to a reduced salary for 2025, the lack of guaranteed funds created tension, ultimately leading to his departure. Lamar Jackson and Jaire Alexander share a history that dates back to their time at the University of Louisville. Jackson, the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner, and Alexander, an All-ACC standout, formed a tight bond during their college days. Lamar Jackson's public call to 'go get him' was a rare glimpse into the Ravens' swift action showing their trust in Jackson's vision for the team. Jaire Alexander is widely regarded as one of the NFL's elite cornerbacks. A second-team All-Pro in 2020 and 2022, he also earned Pro Bowl honors in those seasons. His ability to lock down top receivers and stop passing games makes him a game-changing player in the secondary. However, injuries have been a persistent issue. Over the last four seasons, Alexander has missed significant time, averaging just 8.5 games per year. He played only four games in 2021 and seven in each of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Despite these setbacks, his on-field production remains undeniable. The signing sets the stage for a highly anticipated matchup in Week 17 when the Ravens will travel to Lambeau Field to face the Packers. With Alexander now donning a Ravens jersey, the matchup will become interesting as he will face his former team.
