Latest news with #IllinoisFightingIllini
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Are Heat in Trouble After First Round Pick's Ice Cold Start to Summer League?
Are Heat in Trouble After First Round Pick's Ice Cold Start to Summer League? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Heat's 2025 NBA Draft selection, Kasparas Jakucionis, has stumbled out of the gate in his initial Summer League appearances at the California Classic, raising questions about his early development. Advertisement As highlighted by a recent X post from HeatMuse, the 19-year-old Lithuanian guard has struggled significantly, shooting a mere 2-for-22 (9%) over three games. This ice-cold start has cast a spotlight on the Heat's 20th overall pick, who arrived with high hopes after honing his skills with FC Barcelona's youth system and later with the Illinois Fighting Illini. Jakucionis' early struggles contrast sharply with the potential he displayed in college, where his versatility and basketball IQ earned praise. However, the transition to the NBA's competitive pace appears challenging, with his Summer League performance suggesting an adjustment period is underway. Advertisement Kasparas Jakucionis stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 20th pick by the Miami Heat. Brad Penner-Imagn Images At this stage, his shooting woes could be attributed to the steep learning curve faced by many young prospects adapting to professional play. Victor Wembanyama, one of the most promising players in the league, shot 2-13 in his Summer League debut two years ago. Historically, Summer League statistics are not definitive predictors of long-term success. Players often use this platform to refine their game, and a slow start does not necessarily doom a career. Pat Riley and the Heat's front office likely views this as a developmental hiccup rather than a cause for alarm. Jakucionis' ability to adapt and build confidence under head coach Erik Spoelstra will be critical moving forward. Advertisement For now, the Heat are not in trouble, but Jakucionis' progress will be a key storyline as he works to translate his potential into on-court success. Patience and coaching will likely shape his NBA journey. Related: Bam Adebayo Sends Awkward Message After Duncan Robinson Trade This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Four-Star Corner Nick Hankins Dismisses Mizzou for Border-State Rival
Four-Star Corner Nick Hankins Dismisses Mizzou for Border-State Rival originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Missouri Tigers have suffered another recruiting loss, as four-star cornerback Nick Hankins has committed to the Illinois Fighting Illini. This marks the second four-star recruit Mizzou has dropped in the past week after losing running back recruit Ryan Estrada to Minnesota. Advertisement After his announcement, Hankins had a message for other Illinois recruits, calling for them to stay home as well. "I want to start a wave. Everybody goes to Mizzou, everybody goes out of state. I want everybody from Illinois to stay in Illinois." From Belleville, Illinois, Hankins is ranked as the No. 352 player in the country and ranked No. 28 among all cornerbacks. He's also No. 10 in the state of Illinois. Hankins seemed to be deciding between Mizzou, Illinois, Ole Miss, Iowa and Tennessee. Illinois and Missouri appeared to be the front runners, but Hankins ultimately chose to stay home. Hankins visited Columbia for his first official visits between May 30 and June 1, but it was pretty clear after his visit to Illinois from June 6-8 that he would choose the Illini instead. Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz© Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images Mizzou fans were quick to criticize Hankins' decision, arguing that an SEC school is a better option to develop. Advertisement "I can't hate on his reasoning; I want Missouri kids to stay in Missouri. But Mizzou is the better program," one user wrote. "Poor choice young man. MIZ will get you to the NFL with SEC exposure and playing real college ball. Illinois will get you to the United Football League," another wrote. Other than picking up four-star linebacker Keenan Harris, who has some experience at safety, the Tigers haven't gained much traction in adding to their secondary. However, four-star safety Jayden McGregory and three-stars Tony Forney and Jowell Combay are all still up for grabs and could help to change that. Related: Mizzou Football's Top 25 Games Since 2000: No. 21-25 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alabama Flips 4-Star RB From Big Ten Program
Alabama Flips 4-Star RB From Big Ten Program originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Entering June, the Alabama Crimson Tide had just five hard commits for the 2026 class, a stark contrast from their elite recruiting efforts in years prior. Advertisement On Monday, Alabama landed their fourth verbal commit in the last three weeks in the form of four-star running back Javari Barnett. An Illinois Fighting Illini commit, Barnett flipped his commitment to the SEC power. Barnett visited Tuscaloosa this weekend, marking just his second official visit of his recruitment, with the running back touring Illinois last April. Jan 13, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; The University of Alabama introduced new head football coach Kalen DeBoer with a press conference at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Nicole and Kalen DeBoer hold up an Alabama jersey after the press conference. © Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK Head coach Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide staff undoubtedly made a good impression on Barnett, as the Tampa, Florida native ditched his plans to join the Fighting Illini. Barnett is the second of two commitment flips for the Alabama Crimson Tide on Monday. Alongside Barnett, three-star safety Rihyael Kelley flipped his commitment from the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to the Tide. Advertisement As for Barnett, he becomes the first running back to give a verbal commitment to the Crimson Tide for 2026. At Tampa Bay Tech last season, the six-foot rusher averaged 83 rushing yards per game on 8.3 yards per attempt. He ran for 482 yards and eight touchdowns the year prior. Alabama's 2026 recruiting group continues to strengthen as the summer months continue. According to 247Sports, they now have the 28th-ranked recruiting class for 2026, following the verbal commitments of Barnett and Kelley. Five-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds highlights the recruiting class. He is the top-ranked corner in the country and the second best player in the state of Georgia, according to the 247Sports database. Related: Alabama 4-Star Commit Shuts Down Recruitment This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Miami Herald
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Illinois Football Preview 2025: Fighting Illini Prediction, Win Total, Top 10 Players, Keys to the Season
X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN2025 Illinois PreviewIllinois Offense BreakdownIllinois Defense Breakdown Illinois Fighting Illini Key to the Season The defensive front has to get into the has the guys, and now the pressure has to come. The 2022 defense lived behind the line, making 81 tackles for loss and 28 sacks. The 2023 bunch stalled a bit too often - 24 sacks and 57 tackles for loss - and last year, despite all of the success, the line managed just 54 tackles for loss and 24 sacks. Illinois Fighting Illini Key Player Malik Elzy, WR Illini have defensive options to get behind the line. What they don't have is a sure-thing No. 1 target to make defenses worry. There's talent and depth to be fine overall as a corps, but it would be a huge help if Elzy, who has all the tools in the box to be special, can blow up on the outside. Illinois Fighting Illini Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss Top Transfer In: James Thompson Jr. Out last year banged up, the 6-6, 300-pound former Wisconsin Badger made five sacks and 52 tackles in his previous two seasons. One of the top linemen in the portal, he's a 3-4 NFL-caliber end who can stuff things up inside, Transfer Out: Josh McCray, RB Illini have options, but losing a 240-pound veteran back who averaged over five yards per carry with ten scores last year isn't a plus. McCray is off to Georgia. Illinois Fighting Illini Key Game at Washington, Oct. 25Illinois might have dreams of playing for the Big Ten Championship, and those aren't wrong. But big picture, get to 10-2, get into the College Football Playoff. Beating Ohio State would obviously be huge, but that's a massive lift. After that, there's a week off, and then comes a trip to Seattle. Get through that - it's the first meeting since a 44-19 loss in 2014 - and there's a real shot at something big.- 2025 Illinois Schedule Breakdown Illinois Fighting Illini Top 10 Players 1. Gabe Jacas, LB Sr.2. Xavier Scott, S Sr.3. Luke Altmyer, QB Sr.4. JC Davis, OT Sr.5. Matthew Bailey, S Jr. 6. Melvin Priestly, OT Sr.7. Josh Kreutz, C Sr.8. Miles Scott, S Sr.9. James Thompson, EDGE Sr.10. David Olano, PK Jr. Illinois Fighting Illini 2024 Fun Stats - Yards Per Game: Opponents 373.8, Illinois 364.8- Touchdowns Scored: Illinois 45, Opponents 33- First Quarter Scoring: Illinois 82, Opponents. 59 Illinois Fighting Illini 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen The Illini have got to take advantage of the hand they've been they have to face Ohio State, but that's in Champaign. They miss Michigan, Oregon, and Penn State. This year, you don't want Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska, and the Illini don't get it's Illinois. It wouldn't be the slightest bit shocking if it lost at Purdue and beat Ohio State a week later. Going to Duke is sneaky-nasty, making the trip to Indiana is no longer a given win, and a date at Washington is is dangerous, and Wisconsin should be better ... maybe. USC is still a restaurant quality program, going to Washington won't be a speed bump, and ...If Illinois is the real deal, it should win ten games The Illinois Fighting Illini Win Total At … 8Likely Wins: at Purdue, Western Illinois, Western Michigan50/50 Games: at Duke, at Indiana, Maryland, Northwestern, Rutgers, USC, at Washington, at WisconsinLikely Losses: Ohio State 2025 Illinois PreviewIllinois Offense BreakdownIllinois Defense Breakdown © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
Newsweek
03-06-2025
- General
- Newsweek
US Open: High School Junior Shoots 63-63 to Earn Spot at Oakmont
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In one of the biggest upsets of the so called 'Golf's Longest Day', 17-year-old Mason Howell won the U.S. Open final qualifier at the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta, Georgia. The high school junior secured his spot at the Oakmont Country Club in two weeks with consecutive scores of 63. Howell, a native of Thomasville, Georgia, tied for medalist honors with Jackson Buchanan, who is just starting his professional career after a successful stint with the Illinois Fighting Illini in college golf. If you think this is the highlight of Howell's young career, you're right. He didn't hide his emotions at the end of the 36-hole event. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous," Howell told Golf Channel. "Hugging my mom and my dad walking off 18 green, just a feeling I don't know I'll feel again, but that was one of the greatest moments of my life." "That was one of the greatest moments of my life." Nobody better than mom and dad to celebrate a trip to the U.S. Open! — U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 2, 2025 Howell and Buchanan earned two of the five spots awarded in the final qualifier in Atlanta. The other three tickets went to the Florida State Seminoles star Tyler Weaver, to Jackson Koivun, the world's second-ranked amateur, and PGA Tour player Will Chandler, who were all tied at 11-under. Several experienced players were present at the Piedmont Driving Club but were unable to advance. Among the participants were two-time major champion Zach Johnson, Hayden Buckley, Greyson Sigg, and Christo Lamprecht. Mason Howell is not an unknown name in the golf world. The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) recognizes him as the eighth top-ranked junior golfer in the country. However, it's worth noting that this ranking only considers 10 of the tournaments he has played from 2024 to the present. Mason Howell of the United States plays a shot on the 16th hole during day two of the 76th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship on the South Course at Oakland Hills Country Club on July 23,... Mason Howell of the United States plays a shot on the 16th hole during day two of the 76th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship on the South Course at Oakland Hills Country Club on July 23, 2024 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. More Getty Images/Raj Mehta His key results include winning the 2023 Billy Horschel Junior Championship and finishing second in the 2024 Wyndham Invitational. His other impressive results include a 5th-place finish in the 2024 Junior Players Championship, a 7th-place tie in the 2025 Dustin Johnson World Junior Championship, and an 8th-place tie in the 2025 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. While most of the events he has participated in are in the junior category, he also earns points toward the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) through them. Howell currently holds the 496th spot in that ranking. More Golf: Rockies fans will be left crying at this insane Scottie Scheffler stat
