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Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Has Paige Bueckers confirmed dating Azzi Fudd? All you need to know about their rumored relationship
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel As she prepared for her thrilling debut in the WNBA All-Star Game Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers appeared to confirm long-standing rumors about her relationship with fellow former Husky Azzi Fudd Fans have speculated for months that the bond between the two basketball stars went beyond friendship. Clever social media clues, affectionate photos, and a phone case reading 'Paige Bueckers' girlfriend' sparked headlines in June 2025. Bueckers, once a standout at UConn, recently reacted warmly to Fudd's ESPYs look on social media, further fueling the WNBA All-Star Orange Carpet, a fan asked Bueckers, "How well do you know your D1 girlfriend?" - a moment she didn't shy away from. Though she didn't directly call Fudd her partner, Bueckers didn't deny it either, leading many to see it as a quiet confirmation of their Azzi Fudd is far more than just Bueckers' rumored girlfriend. Born November 11, 2002, in Arlington, Virginia, Fudd was named the 2019 Gatorade National Player of the Year. Despite a serious knee injury in high school, she bounced back to shine at UConn, averaging 13.6 points per game with a stellar 43.6% shooting 22, the 5'11" shooting guard helped lead UConn to the NCAA championship in April 2025, earning the tournament's Most Outstanding Player honors. Fudd will return to UConn for one more season, aiming for a second straight title before entering the 2026 WNBA Draft Together, Bueckers and Fudd represent both elite talent and a new era of authenticity in women's sports.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
2026 NBA Mock Draft: Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, or Cameron Boozer at No. 1?
We are less than one month past the 2025 NBA Draft, but evaluators are already focused on all of the talent at the top of the 2026 NBA Draft. Now that Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper and V.J. Edgecombe have found their professional homes, it is time to figure out where the next crop of stars will land in the league. The early headliners for this class include Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Mikel Brown Jr., and Nate Ament. While last year it was fairly obvious that Flagg would hear his name called at No. 1 overall, there is no clear leader for that position at this point. Different evaluators have come to different conclusions, and each will make their case as the NCAA season progresses in the fall. It is far too early to predict the 2026 NBA Draft with much accuracy, but as of right now, these are our best guesses. Other notable players on our radar who did not get included but could easily crack this list in our next edition: Koa Peat, Dame Sarr, Isiah Harwell, Tahaad Pettiford, Patrick Ngongba Jr., Alex Condon, J.T. Toppin, Ian Jackson, Joseph Tugler, Paul McNeil, Milos Uzan, and Flory Bidunga. The draft order is based on projected over-under wins for each team provided from oddsmakers. Trades were accounted for by cross-referencing with Tankathon. All heights are based on their listed measurements, typically with shoes, via player profiles on RealGM. 1. Utah Jazz: AJ Dybantsa TEAM: BYU POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6-8 DRAFT AGE: 19.42 The Jazz have an obvious plan as they enter this phase of their rebuild process after losing key rotation players like John Collins, Collin Sexton, and Jordan Clarkson. They're trying to get a high draft pick, and the connections to AJ Dybantsa are obvious. The 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup MVP transferred to prep school in Utah before committing to BYU, where Jazz governor Ryan Smith and CEO Danny Ainge are both alumni and donors. Dybantsa would pair well on the wing with talented Utah rookie Ace Bailey. 2. Brooklyn Nets: Darryn Peterson TEAM: Kansas POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-5 DRAFT AGE: 19.45 After the Nets selected five players in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, they are likely going to continue swinging for the fences. With that in mind, even though they selected a lot of playmakers this year, incoming Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson is simply too talented to pass up if he is available. The Naismith Prep Player of the Year and McDonald's All-American co-MVP is everything you could want in a prospect with tremendous length and skill as a projectable star. 3. Washington Wizards: Cameron Boozer TEAM: Duke POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-9 DRAFT AGE: 19.55 Now that the Wizards may have already solidified their backcourt of their future with Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson, we can expect Washington to have Cameron Boozer high on their big board. The two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year and Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year is a proven winner at every level of competition as a hyper-skilled, double-double machine. He will look to continue that caliber of basketball at Duke with his twin brother next season. 4. Charlotte Hornets: Mikel Brown Jr. TEAM: Louisville POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-2 DRAFT AGE: 20.24 It's undeniable: Mikel Brown Jr. was the breakout star player during the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup. He recently led Team USA in points and assists while shooting a sensational 47.6 percent on 3-pointers during the tournament en route to winning a gold medal. Expect him to play a massive role at Louisville under head coach Pat Kelsey during his freshman campaign next season. This pick would give the Hornets insurance if (and when) they decide it's time to move on from LaMelo Ball. 5. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHX): Karim Lopez TEAM: New Zealand (NBL) POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-8 DRAFT AGE: 19.22 After trading away Desmond Bane to the Magic, the Grizzlies are in a position where they must simply collect as much talent as possible. One name that they will certainly have their eye on is Karim Lopez, an impressive forward from Mexico who averaged 14.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per 36 minutes while playing against competitive pros in Australia's NBL last season. If he can continue developing at a similar pace, this is a realistic range on draft night. 6. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP): Caleb Wilson TEAM: North Carolina POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-9 DRAFT AGE: 19.95 McDonald's All-American forward Caleb Wilson is a consensus five-star recruit and genuine do-it-all player who can pass, play out of the high post, make open 3-pointers, and rebound well for his position. He is also from Atlanta and was named Mr. Georgia Basketball earlier this year. North Carolina fans will have a lot to look forward to when he displays his absurd athleticism on the court and he could eventually become a hometown hero for the Hawks. 7. Chicago Bulls: Nate Ament TEAM: Tennessee POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-9 DRAFT AGE: 19.55 Nate Ament has two of the most important ingredients needed for success to translate to the pros: Size and shooting. Listed at 6-foot-9, the forward is shooting 38.4 percent on 3-pointers across 80 games tracked by Cerebro Sports. He can play off the bounce and create well for his position. He is already drawing comparisons to Kevin Durant (who was also coached by Rick Barnes while in college) and while those are lofty expectations before his time at Tennessee even begins, he is a player worth following for likely lottery teams like the Bulls. 8. Portland Trail Blazers: Tounde Yessoufou TEAM: Baylor POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6-6 DRAFT AGE: 20.13 Tounde Yessoufou has already earned a reputation in the scouting community as a disciplined, hard-working player who stays long hours in the gym to improve his craft. After breaking a California scoring record in high school, he led all scorers at NIKE Hoop Summit in Portland with 24 points for the World Team representing Benin earlier this year. He should have a large usage rate for Scott Drew at Baylor during his freshman campaign to give the program a top-20 pick for the sixth year in a row. 9. Toronto Raptors: Chris Cenac TEAM: Houston POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 6-10 DRAFT AGE: 19.41 While the 2026 NBA Draft has plenty of talent, there are not actually many big men projected in the lottery. The clubhouse leader to hear his name called first is former McDonald's All-American honoree Chris Cenac, who helped to lead Team USA to win a gold medal at the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup. As a standout at Link Academy earlier this year, Cenac also won MVP at the Nike EYBL Scholastic Tournament. Scouts have heard he is looking good in the preseason for Houston and could potentially even play the stretch-four at Houston alongside Joseph Tugler. 10. Sacramento Kings: Yaxel Lendeborg TEAM: Michigan POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 6-9 DRAFT AGE: 23.75 When he considered turning pro this summer, during which he had a pre-draft workout with the Sacramento Kings, it seemed like Yaxel Lendeborg was a big winner from the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. Instead, however, he was arguably the most notable player to withdraw from the draft and return to the NCAA. Perhaps the most significant collegiate player to use the transfer portal, we can expect a very big season for Lendeborg at Michigan. He is a versatile, pro-ready player who can contribute early and those are traits that several recent Kings draftees all share. 11. Miami Heat: Darius Acuff TEAM: Arkansas POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-2 DRAFT AGE: 19.62 According to one scout who spoke to For The Win on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on behalf of their team, nobody plays with a 'bigger chip on their shoulder' than incoming Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff. That screams like the type of player who would thrive for an organization like the Miami Heat. While he is a bit undersized, the former IMG Academy standout and McDonald's All-American should do well as a guard playing for John Calipari. 12. Dallas Mavericks: Labaron Philon TEAM: Alabama POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-4 DRAFT AGE: 20.6 One of the other most interesting players to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft was Alabama Crimson Tide guard Labaron Philon. While his decision shocked many fans, he could have a breakout sophomore campaign. His floater was one of the most efficient and prolific among all collegiate players last season. The guard was also one of the leaders in 3-pointers assisted among freshmen, per CBB Analytics. He would make for a fun floor general playing alongside Cooper Flagg. 13. Indiana Pacers: Jayden Quaintance TEAM: Kentucky POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 6-9 DRAFT AGE: 18.97 This is a particularly complicated evaluation because Jayden Quaintance is not only coming off a season-ending ACL injury last season, but he is also entering a new system after entering the transfer portal from Arizona State to Kentucky. However, his defensive upside makes him one of the most intriguing big men for teams looking to improve their frontcourt, which the Pacers need after losing Myles Turner. 14. Memphis Grizzlies: Thomas Haugh TEAM: Florida POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-9 DRAFT AGE: 22.98 Depending on how the season shakes out, the Grizzlies could potentially have two lottery picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. One of the prospects that could work there is reigning national champion Thomas Haugh, who improved his draft stock tremendously during March Madness. He fits the profile of some key elements the Grizzlies have valued in previous draft cycles. Especially with a more consistent jumper, Haugh could easily find himself in lottery conversations with a step forward at Florida. 15. San Antonio Spurs: Isaiah Evans TEAM: Duke POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-6 DRAFT AGE: 20.56 Every team in the NBA could use someone who can space the floor, and if you surround Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama with shooting, it's a recipe for success. Duke sophomore Isaiah Evans was great on his catch-and-shoot attempts last season and could continue to progress during his second year in the NCAA as a potential breakout candidate on the perimeter after testing the waters in the 2025 NBA Draft. 16. Boston Celtics: Miles Byrd TEAM: San Diego State POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-7 DRAFT AGE: 21.81 The Celtics are in an unusual situation because while they might have a decent pick in the 2026 NBA Draft after Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles tendon, they still project as contenders in 2027 once he's able to return healthy. They'll certainly have an eye on Miles Byrd, a big winner from the 2025 NBA Draft Combine who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with Boston. 17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI): Bennett Stirtz TEAM: Iowa POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-4 DRAFT AGE: 22.74 A smart NBA team is going to take a chance on Bennett Stirtz, who projects as one of the most impactful players to use the NCAA transfer portal after deciding to follow his former Drake coach Ben McCollum from Drake to Iowa. Perhaps the Big 10 is an adjustment for Stirtz, but he widely graded out as one of the best players in college basketball last season. 18. Milwaukee Bucks: Boogie Fland TEAM: Florida POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-2 DRAFT AGE: 19.97 After losing star point guard Damian Lillard first to a torn Achilles tendon and then to free agency, the Bucks need help in their backcourt. One of the most interesting players they could target is Boogie Fland, who decided to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft and then transfer to Florida. While undersized, he should play a key role as a floor general for the defending national champions. 19. Detroit Pistons: Alijah Arenas TEAM: USC POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-6 DRAFT AGE: 19.29 Among all players we have projected in the first-round of the 2026 NBA Draft, perhaps no one has more variance than Alijah Arenas. The former McDonald's All-American, who is the son of three-time NBA All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas, was in a coma after a car crash earlier this year. The incoming USC freshman has one of the most fun highlight mixtapes you will see and could hear his name called far sooner than this with a strong NCAA campaign. 20. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Hannes Steinbach TEAM: Washington POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 6-9 DRAFT AGE: 20.16 Another standout performer at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup was German big man Hannes Steinbach. He averaged an absurd 17.4 points and 13.0 rebounds with 1.3 blocks per game during the tournament, showcasing occasional playmaking from his position as well. He will play college basketball for Washington next season and he could exceed expectations. 21. Atlanta Hawks: Dash Daniels TEAM: Melbourne (NBL) POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-5 DRAFT AGE: 18.53 Dash Daniels is the younger brother of Hawks guard Dyson Daniels. He also developed overseas at Australia's NBA Academy. Also known as a defender like his brother, Daniels played very well at the U17 World Cup in 2024, averaging 3.6 steals per game. But he recently struggled during the U19 World Cup, shooting just 28.8 percent from the field across his seven games. 22. Golden State Warriors: Kam Williams TEAM: Kentucky POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-8 DRAFT AGE: 20.6 One of the most easily projectable players in the 2026 NBA Draft is Kam Williams, who used the portal to transfer to Kentucky from Tulane. He is a prototypical 3-and-D forward and shot 41.2 percent on 3-pointers during his freshman campaign in the NCAA. His unique ability to shoot well from beyond the arc and at the rim, coupled with his blend of defensive playmaking, will appeal to teams around the league. 23. Los Angeles Lakers: Kingston Flemings TEAM: Houston POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-3 DRAFT AGE: 19.49 While his stock will depend on how much playing time he gets alongside Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp, there is already some buzz growing about Houston freshman Kingston Flemings. He is one of the most exciting point guards in this class and should have solid development playing under head coach Kelvin Sampson. 24. Minnesota Timberwolves: Brayden Burries TEAM: Arizona POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6-4 DRAFT AGE: 20.78 Another former McDonald's All-America to watch is incoming Arizona freshman Brayden Burries, who was named 2025 California Mr. Basketball. He has shot 40.4 percent on his 3-pointers across 60 games tracked by Cerebro Sports. The wing is one of the headlining players of a strong recruiting class at Arizona, and any team drafting him is buying the pitch betting on his potential. 25. Charlotte Hornets (via ORL): Nikolas Khamenia TEAM: Duke POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-8 DRAFT AGE: 19.51 The Hornets have shown an affinity for drafting players from Duke and the next player on their radar is potentially former McDonald's All-American forward Nikolas Khamenia. He shot 44.0 percent on 3-pointers en route to a gold medal for Team USA during the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup. He also won MVP at the 2024 FIBA 3x3 U-18 World Cup. He should slot in well playing for the Blue Devils next season and scale even better to the pros. 26. New York Knicks: Meleek Thomas TEAM: Arkansas POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-4 DRAFT AGE: 19.9 Arkansas incoming freshman Meleek Thomas is an electrifying scorer from Overtime Elite Academy. He was one of the top recruits in college basketball and earned a McDonald's All-American nod. While he isn't an elite playmaker at this point, he should fare well playing a bit more off the ball in the NCAA. 27. Denver Nuggets: Karter Knox TEAM: Arkansas POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-6 DRAFT AGE: 21.12 After an intriguing freshman campaign, Karter Knox tested the waters about turning pro deciding to return to school. He tested well at the NBA Draft Combine, measuring with a 39.5-inch max vertical and a wingspan greater than 6-foot-10. Among all freshmen, Knox was one of the best 3-point shooters in the NCAA down the stretch. 28. Oklahoma City Thunder (via HOU): Sergio De Larrea TEAM: Valencia (Spain) POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-5 DRAFT AGE: 20.57 One of the bigger surprises from the past cycle is that Sergio De Larrea did not declare for the 2025 NBA Draft. Last season, while playing against pros in Spain, he shot 43.2 percent on his 3-pointers. He had limited playing time but averaged 15.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per 36 minutes while on the court. 29. Cleveland Cavaliers: Braylon Mullins TEAM: UConn POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6-5 DRAFT AGE: 20.2 Braylon Mullins is expected to compete for a spot in the starting lineup for UConn next season. The former McDonald's All American is shooting 45.6 percent on 3-pointers across 23 games tracked by Cerebro Sports and could continue to rise up draft boards if he plays well to start his tenure in the NCAA. 30. Washington Wizards (via OKC): Cayden Boozer TEAM: Duke POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-4 DRAFT AGE: 18.95 As of right now, there are two teams that project to have one lottery pick and one non-lottery pick: The Charlotte Hornets and the Washington Wizards. Expect the Boozer twins to rate very highly on big boards for both teams as yet another potential first-round pick playing for the Blue Devils next season. Cayden is a legitimately impressive playmaker and solid rebounder for his position, averaging 8.8 assists and 5.3 rebounds per 40 minutes in his 116 games tracked by Cerebro Sports.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Dallas Mavericks star rookie Cooper Flagg shares the heartwarming reason behind his love for jersey number 32
Cooper Flagg, Image via Getty Dallas Mavericks star rookie Cooper Flagg is the current talk of NBA town, for all great reasons. The Duke alum had a perfect start to the Summer League games. With hard work and dedication, he went on to prove why he was the number 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft. The 18-year-old recently spoke about his reservation for Jersey number 32, and the reason would surely leave anyone teary-eyed. Cooper Flagg reveals the heart-touching reason behind always opting for jersey number 32 Dallas Mavericks' newly minted star rookie Cooper Flagg has been very particular about his jersey number ever since he started playing basketball. Initially, he started off with jersey number 32 but stuck with it till now for a very profound reason. According to a clip shared by the official page of NBA on Instagram, Flagg revealed that his mother had the same jersey number during her college time. He said- "My mom had worn [No. 32] in high school and then her teammate in college, Donovan Clingan's mom, had also worn it, and she had passed away. So I think I started wearing it because [my mom] wore it originally.' He further elaborated, 'Then having learned that story and hearing that, it gave me more of a reason to want to wear it. Just having that reason of my mom's teammate and wearing that number, it kind of just made me feel good about it. I just fell in love with the number." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cách giao dịch ETH/USD mà không cần nắm giữ Ether IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo However, wearing the jersey number 32 turned out to be perfect for Cooper Flagg. He wrapped up his high school career as the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2024, according to 247Sports, and led a stacked Montverde squad that ranks among the most talented high school teams ever assembled. Along the way, he earned honors like Gatorade National Player of the Year and McDonald's All-American. Cooper Flagg's mother turned emotional during the 2025 NBA draft As Adam Silver called out Cooper Flagg's name for the No. 1 pick during 2025 NBA draft, the only person that crossed his mind was his mother, Kelly. During a post-draft session interview, Flagg said, 'I just looked at my mom. She was crying. And from then, it was just kind of a blur.' Cooper Flagg further mentioned, 'She's probably just going to start crying. She's going to be happy. My oldest brother, Hunter, he just told me how proud he is of me. So that was really special. ' The Dallas Mavericks star revealed that his mother was the first one to hug him and even pointed out that he was quite sweaty all thanks to feeling a mix of emotions. Also Read: Cooper Flagg reveals being hyped up by coach Jason Kidd and Mark Cuban after being defeated by the San Antonio Spurs Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Oklahoma quarterback speaks about his time at OU during SEC media days
Former Oklahoma starting quarterback was back at SEC Media Days on Tuesday, this time as the starter under center for the Auburn Tigers. The player who was once thought to be the next great Sooners QB played just two seasons in Norman, managed only 10 starts, and went 5-5. Arnold hit the transfer portal after the regular season ended, eventually landing with Auburn. The former consensus five-star plus prospect in the 2023 recruiting class out of Denton Guyer High School in Texas will be trying to regain the form that made him the Gatorade National Player of the Year, the Elite 11 winner, and one of the most sought-after high school quarterbacks in his class. Naturally, questions on Tuesday were going to come up about his time at Oklahoma, and Arnold answered them with grace and poise. His pairing with former offensive coordinator Seth Littrell didn't work out as a myriad of injuries at wide receiver and along the offensive line derailed his development in 2024. However, specific performances in losses against Tennessee and Missouri in 2024, among others, stand out as games where Arnold really hurt Oklahoma's chances of walking away with a victory. Arnold is trying to use that disappointing 2024 season, one in which he went from projected savior to benched to shaky starter to outgoing transfer, all in a span of three months, as a learning experience in his new home. "It was tough, but it was a pivotal point in my life where you flip a switch and something wakes up inside you that makes you push and work a little harder," Arnold said to ESPN's David Hale. "It was a combination of a bunch of things. Everything that could go wrong went wrong last year. It's just part of the journey and something that had to happen to get me on this track now .. I'm not going to blame anything on my play last year, but I feel like now I'm in a situation where I can go out and thrive." Arnold's performance was a big issue for Oklahoma last year. But, those are far from the only issues the Sooner offense had to deal with. A porous offensive line that was dealing with injuries couldn't protect the QB and couldn't open up holes in the running game. Wholesale injuries at wide receiver meant the passing game was stuck in the mud as well, and to top it all off, the Littrell promotion to play-caller didn't work out, one that head coach Brent Venables admitted to during the season. By the time Arnold was re-inserted as the starter, Littrell had been fired, and Joe Jon Finley had assumed play-calling duties in the interim. Oklahoma's offensive turmoil and Arnold's performance had the former five-star quarterback looking for a new destination in the transfer portal. He believes he's a perfect fit in Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze's RPO-heavy scheme, and his head coach agrees. "I thought he was the best player coming out [of high school], but so did everybody else," Freeze told Hale. "So you have to ask, what happened ... But, you combine all that (Arnold's high-level physical traits) with what I knew from high school and that he fits my ball-in-the-belly system and his mechanics and flipping his hips and getting the ball out fast, Jackson's really good at that." On the flip side, it would have been easy for Arnold to come out on Tuesday and bash the program that is at least somewhat responsible for getting his career off track. However, Arnold didn't do that, demonstrating yet again the maturity and accountability that Venables and his staff admired about him coming out of high school. It's the same maturity he showed when, instead of pouting or shutting things down after being benched last season, Arnold kept working and eventually became OU's starter again later in the year. He burned through another year of eligibility to try and help the Sooners stack up some wins, and was the starter for the upset victory over Alabama. Most players wouldn't have done that, and most wouldn't have refused the opportunity to go in on their former team with the cameras rolling. However Arnold's career went in Norman, he deserves credit for handling things the right way off the field. Hopefully, both parties will benefit from the breakup. Oklahoma's new offensive duo of John Mateer and Ben Arbuckle figures to be a heavy improvement over the Arnold-Littrell pairing we all were excited about this time last year. Additionally, Arnold should benefit from having better weapons and playing in a clearer scheme with the Tigers. After all, plenty of QBs have had success after leaving Oklahoma for other schools. Trevor Knight (Texas A&M), Spencer Rattler (South Carolina), Caleb Williams (Southern California), and Dillon Gabriel (Oregon) all had their best individual statistical seasons after transferring away from Norman. Arnold is hoping to join those ranks at Auburn and get his once-promising career back on track. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
Miami Herald
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Cameron Boozer, Sydney Wilson are the Miami-Dade 7A-4A Athletes of the Year
One is a generational talent. The other is a marvel of versatility in two sports less commonly seen these days at the high school level. Both Columbus' Cameron Boozer and Sydney Wilson, who became a basketball star at Miami High and a volleyball star at Mater Lakes, wrapped up careers, which will long be remembered at their respective schools. And as such, they are the 2024-25 Miami Herald Miami-Dade County Athletes of the Year for Classes 7A-4A. Boozer wins the Male Athlete of the Year award for the second time in his career, after winning it as a sophomore. It's one of numerous accolades that Boozer has garnered over a historic career that has him on a path to the NBA with a stop for at least one year at Duke University. Boozer, a 6-10 forward with the agility and shooting range of a guard, and his brother, Cayden, elevated the Columbus program to new heights. Boozer helped the Explorers become the second Dade team to win four consecutive state championships and the first to be voted national champions following their triumph at the Chipotle Nationals this past April. Boozer has been named Mr. Florida Basketball and the Gatorade National Player of the Year twice during his career. Boozer and his brother, Cayden, who is also headed to Duke, were both McDonald's All-Americans, and members of Team USA's gold medal-winning Under-16 and Under-17 teams. Boozer averaged 21.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.6 steals per game over his four-year career at Columbus and led the Explorers to a 109-13 record over that span. He and his brother had their numbers retired at the school, after they helped Columbus make history. 'We really appreciate Columbus because they welcomed us and you really can feel the brotherhood here,' Boozer said earlier this year. Wilson proved to be a skilled athlete at multiple sports from a young age. But it was her work ethic that made her stand out even more on the court and in the classroom. In addition to her athletic honors, Wilson was recently named the Miami Herald's Girls' Scholar-Athlete of the Year. In the fall, Wilson helped Mater Lakes Academy make history, leading the Bears to their first appearance in the state finals and earning first team All-Dade honors. She was one of the most versatile hitters and setters in the state, and finished this past fall with 268 kills, 61 aces, 286 digs and 191 assists. Wilson then followed it up in basketball at Miami High. She was part of two state semifinalist basketball teams at Miami High and earned Miami Herald Co-Player of the Year honors this past season after leading the Stingarees to the regional finals in Class 7A. She was one of the county and state's best point guards, averaging nearly eight assists per game. Wilson, who has signed with FIU, joins her older sister, Joelle, as Miami Herald Overall Athlete of the Year winners. 'It's just putting in the work early on and getting the fundamentals down,' Wilson said earlier this year. In basketball, Wilson was one of the best point guards in the state averaging nearly eight assists per game. BOYS' FINALISTS ▪ Cayden Boozer, Columbus (basketball): Like his brother, Cameron, Boozer was an integral part of the Explorers' historic run to four consecutive state championships and was ranked among the top 20 prospects in the country overall as a point guard. ▪ Terrence Honeywood, Norland (football, track and field): An accomplished track and field athlete, Honeywood was a state qualifier in both the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles. He was also a versatile athlete, who played multiple positions on the Vikings' football team. Honeywood was a big-play receiver, catching 39 passes for 867 yards and had three interceptions on defense. ▪ Shaddai Carter, Columbus (football, track and field): Carter became a force on defense and special teams for the Explorers' football team, which advanced to the state semifinals. He followed up in the spring by leading Columbus' track team to a state title, winning a state title in the 400-meter relay and posting the best marks in the county in the long jump and triple jump. ▪ Ryan Miret, Southridge (football, wrestling): Miret made a huge splash on the wrestling mat, winning a state title in the heavyweight division and going undefeated. He was also a key cog on the Spartans' offensive line, helping Southridge advance to the Class 6A state semifinals. ▪ Marcelo Mantecon, Belen (cross-country, track and field): Mantecon joined the long-lasting tradition of Wolverines' cross-country, winning a state individual title. He then followed that success during track season, winning the state title in the 3,200 meters and the 3,200-meter relay. GIRLS' FINALISTS ▪ Anabela Abdullah, Doral (softball): A University of Texas signee, Abdullah thrilled fans with her spectacular glove at shortstop and added more power this season to finish her junior year with 16 home runs. Her efforts helped Doral win its second-ever state championship. ▪ Mya Bethel, North Miami (wrestling): Bethel capped an undefeated career in wrestling by winning another state championship and cementing her status as one of the greatest of all-time in Dade in her sport. ▪ Daniela Fraga, Lourdes (cross-country, track and field): A consistent runner in both cross-country and on the track, Fraga earned first team All-Dade honors in the fall and followed up by earning second-team honors in the spring. ▪ Sarah Breaux, Doral (softball): Breaux established herself as one of the best hitters in the state in recent memory and did so again this season to lead the Firebirds to a state title. She is headed to Clemson.
