Latest news with #ChanceMcMillian
San Francisco Chronicle
02-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bay Area native Chance McMillian's Warriors dream delayed but not denied
Chance McMillian didn't remember Wednesday how many Golden State Warriors games he attended at the former Oracle Arena. He didn't forget his vantage point. 'I was sitting way up in the stands,' McMillian said through a smile — from his seat in Chase Center's Bill King Interview Room. Raised in Vallejo a fan of the Warriors and signed to an Exhibit-10 contract by them last week, McMillian, a sharpshooting undrafted rookie guard, is living his dream … almost. A stress fracture in his left ankle intensified last season, requiring repair through surgery last month and he won't play for Golden State's summer-league team, his left foot braced by a walking boot. McMillian said he's set to undergo another evaluation Thursday to establish a return-to-play timeline, hoping to be healthy by training camp. 'That's my goal,' McMillian affirmed. The son of Muni operators turned Grand Canyon, Texas Tech and Golden State guard, McMillian said he's been watching the Warriors since Baron Davis played their point. He attended one of their camps during Stephen Curry's rookie season and met the four-time NBA champion. 'I'll never forget that,' he said, sharpening his handle, jumper and feel — and following along as their dynasty developed. McMillian's first three years of high school were played for St. Patrick-St. Vincent, where he averaged 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists in 2017-18 as a junior. He further flourished his senior season at Jesse Bethel, logging 28.8 points in conference play en route to Tri-County Athletic League Stone Division MVP honors. He played club basketball for the Oakland Soldiers and a postgraduate season at Golden State Prep preceded matriculation at Grand Canyon, where a breakout junior season (10.9 points, 44.4% 3-point shooting) triggered a trip through the transfer portal to Texas Tech. In two seasons for the Red Raiders, he'd average 12.5 points on 50% shooting and 41% shooting from deep on 5.2 attempts per game. The NCAA Tournament brought him to Chase Center, where his college career ended against the national champion Florida Gators. 'I was locked in' during play, McMillian, an All-Big 12 second teamer, said, 'but still, I was like 'I'm at the Chase Center right now.' … We came down here into the practice facility and I remember telling my friend (and former teammate) Darrion Williams — I was like 'I need to touch the basketball so I can get ready for this workout for after the season, just in case they call me or something like that.' And what do you know?' McMillian said he learned of Golden State's interest in him at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, a longtime pre-draft showcase and camp conducted every spring in Virginia. During conversations with Warriors officials, the 'whole time I was … jumping out of my body,' he said. 'I'm like 'Oh, I'm talking to the Warriors.' … We just went from there.' McMillian played through the ankle discomfort last season for five or six months, and though he won't play for the Warriors this summer, he's eager to spend it with their summer league team. He said he wants to 'pick up things as fast as possible' and operate with 'the mindset of playing.' Regarding his fit in Golden State's system as a seasoned 6-foot-2 guard, he said 'I can handle, I can play off of people, I can spot up in the corner, play defense. … I honestly feel like I can play within the system.' As soon as he heals. '(Playing for Golden State is) like a dream come true, honestly,' he said. 'But I still have some more work to do to really reach my goal, what I really plan on doing with the Warriors.'
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Increasing number of teams using the floater in between the rim and the 3-point arc
Increasing number of teams using the floater in between the rim and the 3-point arc Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) shoots over Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson (4) and forward JT Toppin (15) during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Texas Tech guard Chance McMillian (0) shoots over Florida forward Alex Condon during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Texas Tech guard Chance McMillian (0) shoots over Florida forward Alex Condon during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) shoots over Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson (4) and forward JT Toppin (15) during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Texas Tech guard Chance McMillian (0) shoots over Florida forward Alex Condon during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) The 3-point shot has changed basketball, creating a spread out game that in turn opens avenues to the basket. In between the arc and the rim is a shot that balances the floor and serves as an equalizer for smaller players: the floater. Advertisement Also known as the teardrop, the floater has become one of the most effective shots in the game, a high-arcing counter to the long arms of the lane. 'You get into the lane against a shot blocker, it's a quick, deceptive shot — you can't see it coming,' Northern Arizona coach Shane Burcar said while watching Houston's Final Four practice in San Antonio last week. Monday's national championship game between Florida and Houston will be filled with 3s, dunks, step-backs and the occasional mid-range jumper. Keep an eye out for the floater. The smallest players on the court will likely use it the most. For them, getting to the lane often comes with a price, a rejection of ball or body — sometimes both. Even scoring at the rim is no easy task, an effort in shot angles and spin to avoid hands reaching well above the rim. Advertisement The floater takes some calculations of its own, a split-second geometry equation of time and space. The primary: determining whether the rim protector is hanging back or charging out. He hangs back a little, the shot can be a bit flatter. He charges, the teardrop takes its shape, often sailing well above the height of the backboard. Bank or no bank is another. Most players like the purity of all net, others have no problem banking it in. Sometimes the bank opens organically, a natural product of trying to get the ball over arms stretching 10, 11 feet in the air. Some players shoot the floater with a flick of the wrist, like a running jump shot. Others do more of a push shot, even from 12 feet out. Get in too close and the push becomes the only option, a way get the shot off while still keeping it out of reach. Advertisement Also, running wildly into the lane and throwing up a shot rarely works. The floater requires balance, even for a one-footed, one-handed shot. Keep the body in control and balanced, start the motion with two hands before letting one drop off, and the chances of success will be higher. And land where you shoot. Nothing ruins a good floater like an offensive foul. 'It's definitely about repetition,' said Tony Darden, who runs Darden Sports Skills Academy in the Phoenix area. 'When I have them in practice, it's about repping the right way, being on balance when you're shooting it, just being controlled, landing where you shoot.' The float game opens up a myriad of possibilities in the lane. Advertisement Undersized big men can use it to get shots off quickly over behemoths in the lane, sometimes in the form of a half hook or push shot. Threat of the floater also creates a dichotomy for potential shot blockers. Because it's a quick shot with a varying arc, timing it for a block can be like trying to swat a balloon that's losing air. Venturing too far opens up lobs behind the shot blocker or bounce passes to the dunker spot along the baseline. Kickouts to the wings are a possibility, too, should the wings collapse and try to help in the lane. 'If a good guard can utilize that float game to an alley-oop pass or a bounce pass to a layup, now that's an whole different type of guard,' Burcar said. Advertisement Origin of the teardrop is up for debate. Former San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker was one of the first players to consistently use the shot effectively while winning four NBA championships between 2003 and 2014. He even claims to have invented the shot, perfecting it while trying to score over much bigger players as a kid. But go back through history and other players had similar shots. Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Bob Cousy had a version of the floater while playing in the 1950s. Even further back, Stanford's Hank Luisetti was known for his running one-handers. From a pure elegance standpoint, George Gervin's finger roll may have had the silkiest one-hander in basketball history during the 1970s. Advertisement Players such as Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving and Chris Paul took what Parker nearly perfected and carried it to the next generations of floaters. Now floaters are floating everywhere. 'Almost every elite guard has like a floater in their package,' said Aden Holloway, Alabama's resident float-game specialist. 'Coach (Nate Oats) doesn't really like us shooting it all the time because there's better shots to get, but depending on the game and the game adjustments, he'll say, yeah, I'm going to need that shot tonight." Teams in all levels of basketball are finding they need the equalizing floater every night. Advertisement ___ AP National Writer Eddie Pells contributed to this story. ___ AP March Madness bracket: and coverage: Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chance McMillian available for Texas Tech in Elite 8 against Florida
Florida forward Alex Condon (21) shoots over Maryland center Derik Queen (25) during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament Thursday, March 27, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Texas Tech guard Chance McMillian (0) prepares to shoot during practice Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in San Francisco, ahead of a Sweet 16 game against Arkansas in the NCAA college basketball tournament. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Texas Tech guard Chance McMillian (0) prepares to shoot during practice Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in San Francisco, ahead of a Sweet 16 game against Arkansas in the NCAA college basketball tournament. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Florida forward Alex Condon (21) shoots over Maryland center Derik Queen (25) during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament Thursday, March 27, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Texas Tech guard Chance McMillian (0) prepares to shoot during practice Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in San Francisco, ahead of a Sweet 16 game against Arkansas in the NCAA college basketball tournament. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Texas Tech star outside shooter Chance McMillian was listed as available for the Red Raiders' Elite Eight game against Florida after missing the previous four games with an oblique injury. McMillian took part in warmups before the game Saturday and the school listed him as available as a reserve. McMillian grew up in San Francisco and went to high school in nearby Vallejo and had been looking forward to playing in front of friends and family. Advertisement McMillian leads the Red Raiders with 69 3-pointers this season and is shooting a team-best 43.4% from long range. He is third on the team in scoring at 14.2 points per game. Florida forward Alex Condon was in the starting lineup for the top-seeded Gators after missing time in their Sweet 16 game with a sprained right ankle. Condon returned for the second half in the win over Maryland. The 6-foot-11 Condon leads the Gators with 7.7 rebounds per game and is fourth in scoring at 10.9 points. He missed two weeks in February with a sprained right ankle. ___ AP March Madness bracket: and coverage: Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas Tech top shooter Chance McMillian misses March Madness game against Arkansas
Texas Tech guard Chance McMillian speaks to reporters during a press conference, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in San Francisco, ahead of a Sweet 16 game against Arkansas in the NCAA college basketball tournament. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Texas Tech was forced to play without its best outside shooter for its NCAA Tournament matchup against Arkansas. Chance McMillian was ruled out of the Sweet 16 game Thursday night because of an oblique injury sustained in the Big 12 Tournament earlier this month. McMillian had expressed hope that he would be able to play in his homecoming but instead missed his fourth straight game. McMillian grew up in San Francisco and went to high school in nearby Vallejo. Advertisement McMillian leads the Red Raiders with 69 3-pointers this season and is shooting a team-best 43.4% from long range. He is third on the team in scoring at 14.2 points per game. Arkansas was expected to get forward Adou Thiero back for the first time since he injured his knee on Feb. 22. Thiero was in uniform and took part in warmups. He was not listed as a starter but was expected to be able to play at least a few minutes. Thiero leads the Razorbacks in scoring at 15.6 points per game and rebounding with 6.0 per game. ___ AP March Madness bracket: and coverage: Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.
Associated Press
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Texas Tech Red Raiders face UNC Wilmington Seahawks in opening round of NCAA Tournament
UNC Wilmington Seahawks (27-7, 17-4 CAA) vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (25-8, 16-6 Big 12) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Red Raiders -15.5; over/under is 143.5 BOTTOM LINE: No. 9 Texas Tech takes on UNC Wilmington in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The Red Raiders are 16-6 against Big 12 opponents and 9-2 in non-conference play. Texas Tech has a 2-3 record in games decided by less than 4 points. The Seahawks are 17-4 against CAA opponents. UNC Wilmington has a 3-1 record in one-possession games. Texas Tech scores 80.9 points, 11.0 more per game than the 69.9 UNC Wilmington gives up. UNC Wilmington has shot at a 47.2% rate from the field this season, 4.6 percentage points above the 42.6% shooting opponents of Texas Tech have averaged. TOP PERFORMERS: Chance McMillian is shooting 43.4% from beyond the arc with 2.3 made 3-pointers per game for the Red Raiders, while averaging 14.2 points. JT Toppin is averaging 23.6 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks over the last 10 games. Donovan Newby is shooting 35.7% from beyond the arc with 2.2 made 3-pointers per game for the Seahawks, while averaging 14.6 points and 3.5 assists. Khamari McGriff is averaging 12.4 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Red Raiders: 7-3, averaging 81.4 points, 33.4 rebounds, 16.4 assists, 5.5 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 71.5 points per game. Seahawks: 8-2, averaging 77.6 points, 34.7 rebounds, 15.1 assists, 6.4 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 48.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 70.1 points. ___
