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Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
"We're All Very Pleased and Proud of Him" - How Cooper Flagg's Draft Night United a Small Town in Pride
Dylan Harper and Cooper Flagg (right) gather for a photo before the start of the first round of the NBA basketball draft in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) Cooper Flagg went first overall to the Dallas Mavericks, injecting his 6-foot-8 two-way skill set and Duke-freshman resume into a star-studded roster on Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) Dylan Harper and Cooper Flagg (right) gather for a photo before the start of the first round of the NBA basketball draft in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) Cooper Flagg went first overall to the Dallas Mavericks, injecting his 6-foot-8 two-way skill set and Duke-freshman resume into a star-studded roster on Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) Dylan Harper and Cooper Flagg (right) gather for a photo before the start of the first round of the NBA basketball draft in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) 1 2 Cooper Flagg's meteoric rise from Newport, Maine, to the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has sparked a wave of pride and celebration in his hometown. As the Dallas Mavericks called his name first on draft night, the reaction in Newport was nothing short of jubilant. Cooper Flagg's NBA Draft Drew Heartfelt Reactions from fellow Newport Residents Newport, a close-knit town of just over 3,000 residents nestled on the shores of Sebasticook Lake, has always been proud of its local talent, but Cooper Flagg's achievement has elevated that pride to new heights. On the night of the NBA Draft, multiple watch parties were held across town, with locals gathering at venues like Hamlin Marina and The Grove to witness history together. The sense of community was palpable, with residents donning Duke jerseys and sharing stories of Flagg's formative years. Here's what locals had to say: - 'We are all very pleased. Proud of him. Obviously, a small-town boy doing good, and again, he's a good kid from good stock. The whole town is very proud of him.' - 'It's really cool, especially since it's such a small town that someone's doing that. It's really great.' - 'Quite incredible that somebody from Newport, Maine, has gone that far. It's great for the whole state.' Young fans look up to the NBA-bound star Flagg's influence extends beyond adults—kids in Newport see him as a role model. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain (Search Now) Knee Pain Treatment | Search Ads Undo One parent shared how their 9-year-old son, who attended Flagg's basketball camp last year, was in awe of his success. - 'We're actually really excited. My son, who's 9, looks up to him very much. He went to the camp last year, so it was kind of a surreal thing for him to see that.' Messages of support pour in for Flagg Cooper Flagg went first overall to the Dallas Mavericks, injecting his 6-foot-8 two-way skill set and Duke-freshman resume into a star-studded roster on Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) Locals didn't hold back in sharing their well-wishes for the young athlete. From store employees to longtime residents, the sentiment was the same: pride and encouragement. - 'Cooper, the town of Newport thanks you. Good job out there. Be a winner.' - 'Just keep doing what you're doing. He's a great kid, very humble, and doesn't forget his hometown.' - 'All I could say is congratulations from the Bartler family.' Cooper Flagg's Personal Connections and Hometown Memories For many in Newport, Cooper Flagg is more than just a basketball phenom—he's the kid who grew up down the street, the teammate, the friend, and the student. Missy and Peter Seehusen, whose children went to school with Flagg, reminisced about the playful rivalry between Cooper and their daughter, recalling how he and his twin brother Ace would 'steal snacks at recess'. Travis Turner, assistant fire chief, highlighted the town's tight-knit nature, noting that 'everybody is real close to each other, it brings that morale out'. Kendra Hartsgrove, whose son played alongside Flagg on the Nokomis High School team that won its first state title in 2022, described the atmosphere as 'heartwarming' and 'emotional,' underscoring how meaningful it is for the community to see one of their own reach such heights. Statewide Recognition: Cooper Flagg Day T he excitement in Newport was matched at the state level. Governor Janet Mills officially declared June 25, 2025, as 'Cooper Flagg Day' throughout Maine, praising Flagg's 'extraordinary talent and dedication' and calling him 'a source of tremendous pride for Maine'. The governor's proclamation encouraged all Mainers to celebrate Flagg's achievement and the inspiration he provides to youth across the state. Local businesses also joined in the celebration. Maine-based New Balance, which partners with Flagg, raised flags at its facilities in Norway and Skowhegan to mark the occasion, further cementing the connection between Flagg's success and his Maine roots. A Humble Star Who Remembers His Roots Despite his national acclaim and the bright lights of the NBA, Flagg remains grounded and deeply appreciative of his hometown. In interviews, he expressed gratitude for the support from Newport and the entire state: 'It means a lot to me to have the support of the whole state. I know how many people showed up today and support me and some of the draft parties back home. So, it feels amazing knowing that I can inspire younger kids. You know, I was in their shoes really not that long ago so just to know I can give those kids those feelings and have the whole state behind me. It means a lot,' Flagg said. The Biggest Thing to Ever Happen in Newport Locals agree that Flagg's achievement is unprecedented for their small town. ESPN's Marty Smith, reporting live from Newport, described the atmosphere as 'idyllic Americana,' with rows of American flags lining Elm Street and a palpable sense of excitement throughout the community. Residents spoke with pride about how Flagg's humility, work ethic, and team spirit have made him not just a basketball star, but a role model for Newport and beyond. As Cooper Flagg embarks on his NBA journey with the Dallas Mavericks, his hometown of Newport will continue to cheer him on, united by the pride of seeing one of their own reach the pinnacle of basketball. For Newport, Flagg's story is more than just a sports achievement—it's a testament to the power of community, perseverance, and staying true to one's roots. Also read: LeBron James Reflects on His Most Blatant Travel Violation on 'Mind The Game' Hosted By Steve Nash - "I Traveled Like a Mother!" In Newport, the flag will fly a little higher, and the sense of possibility for the next generation will burn a little brighter, thanks to Cooper Flagg. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
NBA Draft picks leaked? Fans ready for big Cooper Flagg-Mavericks shocker; Ace Bailey gets promotion
Hours before the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday, social media users claimed that picks were leaked and fans braced for a massive Cooper Flagg shocker. The Duke star, expected to go No 1 to the Dallas Mavericks, is, according to the leak, not at pole position anymore. Posting a screenshot of the alleged leak, X handle @NBACentel noted that Rutgers' Ace Bailey will be picked by Dallas instead. Cooper Flagg is expected to go No 1 at the 2025 NBA Draft(Getty Images via AFP) As per the screenshot, Flagg will be picked by the San Antonio Spurs at No 2. There is no concrete evidence to back the leak claims. Reacting to the post, one person tweeted: 'lmaoo cooper flagg is not going top 3 nice one centel.' Read More: LeBron James praises Cooper Flagg ahead of NBA Draft, calls Duke star 'amazing' 'Cooper Flagg is a spur,' another one added on X, platform formerly known as Twitter. The post further shows that Dylan Harper will be picked at No 3. This comes as the Mavericks are expected to take Flagg with the No 1 pick in the draft on Wednesday night. Flagg averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds and led Duke to the Final Four. The 6-foot-8 forward topped the Blue Devils in all five major statistical categories. He is a catch. The Spurs have the No 2 pick this year. Then it's Philadelphia, Charlotte and Utah. Read More: Top 2025 NBA Draft picks: Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey and more Other players to watch out at the NBA Draft Dylan Harper Son of former NBA guard Ron Harper, Harper offers size at the point (6-5, 213 pounds) and averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds ,and 4.0 assists as a freshman. He could join NBA rookie of the year Stephon Castle in the backcourt for star Victor Wembanyama. Ace Bailey The 6-8 forward is a versatile athlete capable of stretching defenses (five January games with at least four made 3s) and tools to develop defensively. He averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds, though for a losing team despite featuring Bailey and Harper as the NBA-bound headliners. (With inputs from the Associated Press)
Chicago Tribune
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
NBA draft: Here are the guards to watch for, including Kasparas Jakučionis and Dylan Harper
There's a deep set of high-end guard prospects in the upcoming NBA draft. Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper is positioned to be the first name called after projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, while Baylor's VJ Edgecombe, Texas' Tre Johnson, Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears and Illinois' Kasparas Jakučionis are possible top-10 picks as one-and-done prospects. Here's a look at the guards entering Wednesday's first round. Strengths: Jakučionis brings size (6-5, 205) and an all-around floor game to the perimeter. He averaged 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists with four double-digit rebounding games and eight games with at least seven assists. He was also one of the nation's best freshmen at getting to the foul line (5.1 attempts per game). Concerns: Jakučionis shot just 31.8% on 3s, including 5 of 22 (22.7%) in four bright-spotlight games during the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments. He averaged 3.7 turnovers — sixth-most in Division I, most among freshmen — and had 13 games with at least five turnovers. Strengths: The 6-foot-5, 213-pound son of former NBA guard Ron Harper has size at the point and two-way potential. The lefty thrived as a scorer (19.4 points) with athleticism to finish at the rim, score on stepbacks and hit catch-and-shoot looks. Notably, he went for 36 points in an overtime win against Notre Dame, then 37 more a day later in a loss to then-No. 9 Alabama during the Players Era Festival in November. Harper is a playmaker with good court vision, averaging 4.0 assists. He also averaged 1.4 steals, including six against Southern California and four more against a ranked Illinois team in February. Concerns: He shot 33.3% on 3-pointers while launching 5.2 per game, though shot selection against contested looks didn't always help. There's also the optics of being the NBA-bound floor leader on a team that finished with a losing record despite featuring a second one-and-done talent in forward Ace Bailey. Strengths: Explosive athleticism stands out at both ends, notably as an above-the-rim finisher who creates highlight-reel moments. The 6-4, 193-pound Edgecombe finished in the combine's top 10 with a 38.5-inch max vertical leap, had seven games with at least three made 3s and 11 games with three-plus steals. 'I think for freshmen, the universal (issue) is just being able to sustain the level of intensity required as long as they're on the court,' Baylor coach Scott Drew said recently. 'The size, length, speed is one thing, but just to be able to compete each and every play, it's a different level. And VJ has that.' Concerns: Edgecombe shot just 34% on 3s, though Drew said Edgecombe could see gains after refining his shot mechanics. He could also improve in shot creation, such making just 25% (13 of 59) in off-dribble jumpers, according to Synergy's analytics rankings. Strengths: The 6-5, 190-pound Johnson averaged 19.9 points to lead all Division I freshmen, as well as being the Southeastern Conference's overall scoring leader. The highlight was Johnson going for 39 points against Arkansas in February to break Kevin Durant's Longhorns freshman single-game record. He thrived off screens (shot 52.1% in those scenarios to rate in the 91st percentile in Synergy) and shot 39.7% from 3-point range, including 12 games with at least four made 3s. He also shot 87.1% at the foul line. Concerns: The 19-year-old could use some bulk on a slender frame to help him hold up against bigger and stronger opponents at both ends. Strengths: The combo guard pressures defenders with his ball-handling and space creation, averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. He got to the line 6.3 times per game and ranked tied for 11th among all Division I players by making 183 free throws. Fears also had a knack for clutch plays, including a four-point play to beat a ranked Michigan team along with a tough late scoring drive for the lead in the SEC Tournament loss to Kentucky. Concerns: He needs to get stronger (6-3, 180) and improve his outside shot. He made 28.4% of his 3s, including nine games of going 0 for 3 or worse. Reducing turnovers (3.4) would help, too. Egor Demin: The BYU freshman from Russia is a possible lottery prospect as a playmaker with size (6-8, 199), known for elite passing and vision. He averaged 5.5 assists to rank second among all Division I freshmen. Jase Richardson: The Michigan State freshman and son of former NBA guard Jason Richardson is small (6-1, 178), though the first-round prospect is a 41.2% 3-point shooter. Nolan Traore: The 6-5, 175-pounder is a scoring playmaker from France. The first-round prospect had previously drawn interest from programs like Duke, Alabama and Gonzaga. Nique Clifford: The 6-5, 202-pound Clifford spent three years at Colorado then two at Colorado State. The first-round prospect is older (23) but had career-best numbers last year (18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 37.7% on 3s). NBA mock draft: Guards — including Illinois' Kasparas Jakučionis — could be big in Round 1Ben Saraf: The 6-6, 201-pound lefty from Israel is a scoring playmaker and first-round prospect. He averaged 12.8 points and 4.6 assists last season with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany. Cedric Coward: The 6-5, 213-pound senior started at Division III Willamette, spent two years at Eastern Washington, had an injury-shortened season at Washington State and was set to transfer to Duke. Now he's a first-round prospect after testing well at the combine. Walter Clayton Jr.: The 6-2, 199-pound combo guard was a first-team Associated Press All-American and Final Four's most outstanding player in Florida's national title run. He's a first-round prospect and gamer who thrived in pressure moments. Drake Powell: The North Carolina freshman wing has perimeter size (6-6, 195), athleticism, 3-point range and defensive potential to be a possible first-round pick. He has a 7-foot wingspan and had combine-best marks in standing and max vertical leap. Kam Jones: The Marquette senior and potential first-rounder was a finalist for the Cousy Award presented to the nation's top point guard after averaging 19.2 points and 5.9 assists. He missed two games in his career.
20-06-2025
- Sport
Rutgers' Harper headlines a bevy of 1-and-done guards set to go high in the NBA draft
There's a deep set of high-end guard prospects in the upcoming NBA draft. Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper is positioned to be the first name called after projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, while Baylor's VJ Edgecombe, Texas' Tre Johnson, Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears and Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis are possible top-10 picks as one-and-done prospects. Here's a look at the guards entering Wednesday's first round: STRENGTHS: The 6-foot-5, 213-pound son of former NBA guard Ron Harper has size at the point and two-way potential. The lefty thrived as a scorer (19.4 points) with athleticism to finish at the rim, score on stepbacks and hit catch-and-shoot looks. Notably, he went for 36 points in an overtime win against Notre Dame, then 37 more a day later in a loss to then-No. 9 Alabama during the Players Era Festival in November. Harper is a playmaker with good court vision, averaging 4.0 assists. He also averaged 1.4 steals, including six against Southern California and four more against a ranked Illinois team in February. CONCERNS: He shot 33.3% on 3-pointers while launching 5.2 per game, though shot selection against contested looks didn't always help. There's also the optics of being the NBA-bound floor leader on a team that finished with a losing record despite featuring a second one-and-done talent in forward Ace Bailey. STRENGTHS: Explosive athleticism stands out at both ends, notably as an above-the-rim finisher who creates highlight-reel moments. The 6-4, 193-pound Edgecombe finished in the combine's top 10 with a 38.5-inch max vertical leap, had seven games with at least three made 3s and 11 games with three-plus steals. 'I think for freshmen, the universal (issue) is just being able to sustain the level of intensity required as long as they're on the court,' Baylor coach Scott Drew said recently. 'The size, length, speed is one thing, but just to be able to compete each and every play, it's a different level. And VJ has that.' CONCERNS: Edgecombe shot just 34% on 3s, though Drew said Edgecombe could see gains after refining his shot mechanics. He could also improve in shot creation, such making just 25% (13 of 59) in off-dribble jumpers, according to Synergy's analytics rankings. STRENGTHS: The 6-5, 190-pound Johnson averaged 19.9 points to lead all Division I freshmen, as well as being the Southeastern Conference's overall scoring leader. The highlight was Johnson going for 39 points against Arkansas in February to break Kevin Durant's Longhorns freshman single-game record. He thrived off screens (shot 52.1% in those scenarios to rate in the 91st percentile in Synergy) and shot 39.7% from 3-point range, including 12 games with at least four made 3s. He also shot 87.1% at the foul line. CONCERNS: The 19-year-old could use some bulk on a slender frame to help him hold up against bigger and stronger opponents at both ends. STRENGTHS: The combo guard pressures defenders with his ball-handling and space creation, averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. He got to the line 6.3 times per game and ranked tied for 11th among all Division I players by making 183 free throws. Fears also had a knack for clutch plays, including a four-point play to beat a ranked Michigan team along with a tough late scoring drive for the lead in the SEC Tournament loss to Kentucky. CONCERNS: He needs to get stronger (6-3, 180) and improve his outside shot. He made 28.4% of his 3s, including nine games of going 0 for 3 or worse. Reducing turnovers (3.4) would help, too. STRENGTHS: Jakucionis brings size (6-5, 205) and an all-around floor game to the perimeter. He averaged 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists with four double-digit rebounding games and eight games with at least seven assists. He was also one of the nation's best freshmen at getting to the foul line (5.1 attempts per game). CONCERNS: Jakucionis shot just 31.8% on 3s, including 5 of 22 (22.7%) in four bright-spotlight games during the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments. He averaged 3.7 turnovers — sixth-most in Division I, most among freshmen — and had 13 games with at least five turnovers. — EGOR DEMIN: The BYU freshman from Russia is a possible lottery prospect as a playmaker with size (6-8, 199), known for elite passing and vision. He averaged 5.5 assists to rank second among all Division I freshmen. — JASE RICHARDSON: The Michigan State freshman and son of former NBA guard Jason Richardson is small (6-1, 178), though the first-round prospect is a 41.2% 3-point shooter. — NOLAN TRAORE: The 6-5, 175-pounder is a scoring playmaker from France. The first-round prospect had previously drawn interest from programs like Duke, Alabama and Gonzaga. — NIQUE CLIFFORD: The 6-5, 202-pound Clifford spent three years at Colorado then two at Colorado State. The first-round prospect is older (23) but had career-best numbers last year (18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 37.7% on 3s). — BEN SARAF: The 6-6, 201-pound lefty from Israel is a scoring playmaker and first-round prospect. He averaged 12.8 points and 4.6 assists last season with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany. — CEDRIC COWARD: The 6-5, 213-pound senior started at Division III Willamette, spent two years at Eastern Washington, had an injury-shortened season at Washington State and was set to transfer to Duke. Now he's a first-round prospect after testing well at the combine. — WALTER CLAYTON JR.: The 6-2, 199-pound combo guard was a first-team Associated Press All-American and Final Four's most outstanding player in Florida's national title run. He's a first-round prospect and gamer who thrived in pressure moments. — DRAKE POWELL: The North Carolina freshman wing has perimeter size (6-6, 195), athleticism, 3-point range and defensive potential to be a possible first-round pick. He has a 7-foot wingspan and had combine-best marks in standing and max vertical leap. — KAM JONES: The Marquette senior and potential first-rounder was a finalist for the Cousy Award presented to the nation's top point guard after averaging 19.2 points and 5.9 assists. He missed two games in his career. ___
San Francisco Chronicle
20-06-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Rutgers' Harper headlines a bevy of 1-and-done guards set to go high in the NBA draft
There's a deep set of high-end guard prospects in the upcoming NBA draft. Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper is positioned to be the first name called after projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, while Baylor's VJ Edgecombe, Texas' Tre Johnson, Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears and Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis are possible top-10 picks as one-and-done prospects. Dylan Harper, Rutgers STRENGTHS: The 6-foot-5, 213-pound son of former NBA guard Ron Harper has size at the point and two-way potential. The lefty thrived as a scorer (19.4 points) with athleticism to finish at the rim, score on stepbacks and hit catch-and-shoot looks. Notably, he went for 36 points in an overtime win against Notre Dame, then 37 more a day later in a loss to then-No. 9 Alabama during the Players Era Festival in November. Harper is a playmaker with good court vision, averaging 4.0 assists. He also averaged 1.4 steals, including six against Southern California and four more against a ranked Illinois team in February. CONCERNS: He shot 33.3% on 3-pointers while launching 5.2 per game, though shot selection against contested looks didn't always help. There's also the optics of being the NBA-bound floor leader on a team that finished with a losing record despite featuring a second one-and-done talent in forward Ace Bailey. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor 'I think for freshmen, the universal (issue) is just being able to sustain the level of intensity required as long as they're on the court,' Baylor coach Scott Drew said recently. 'The size, length, speed is one thing, but just to be able to compete each and every play, it's a different level. And VJ has that.' CONCERNS: Edgecombe shot just 34% on 3s, though Drew said Edgecombe could see gains after refining his shot mechanics. He could also improve in shot creation, such making just 25% (13 of 59) in off-dribble jumpers, according to Synergy's analytics rankings. Tre Johnson, Texas STRENGTHS: The 6-5, 190-pound Johnson averaged 19.9 points to lead all Division I freshmen, as well as being the Southeastern Conference's overall scoring leader. The highlight was Johnson going for 39 points against Arkansas in February to break Kevin Durant's Longhorns freshman single-game record. He thrived off screens (shot 52.1% in those scenarios to rate in the 91st percentile in Synergy) and shot 39.7% from 3-point range, including 12 games with at least four made 3s. He also shot 87.1% at the foul line. CONCERNS: The 19-year-old could use some bulk on a slender frame to help him hold up against bigger and stronger opponents at both ends. Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma STRENGTHS: The combo guard pressures defenders with his ball-handling and space creation, averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. He got to the line 6.3 times per game and ranked tied for 11th among all Division I players by making 183 free throws. Fears also had a knack for clutch plays, including a four-point play to beat a ranked Michigan team along with a tough late scoring drive for the lead in the SEC Tournament loss to Kentucky. CONCERNS: He needs to get stronger (6-3, 180) and improve his outside shot. He made 28.4% of his 3s, including nine games of going 0 for 3 or worse. Reducing turnovers (3.4) would help, too. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois STRENGTHS: Jakucionis brings size (6-5, 205) and an all-around floor game to the perimeter. He averaged 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists with four double-digit rebounding games and eight games with at least seven assists. He was also one of the nation's best freshmen at getting to the foul line (5.1 attempts per game). CONCERNS: Jakucionis shot just 31.8% on 3s, including 5 of 22 (22.7%) in four bright-spotlight games during the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments. He averaged 3.7 turnovers — sixth-most in Division I, most among freshmen — and had 13 games with at least five turnovers. Others of note: — EGOR DEMIN: The BYU freshman from Russia is a possible lottery prospect as a playmaker with size (6-8, 199), known for elite passing and vision. He averaged 5.5 assists to rank second among all Division I freshmen. — JASE RICHARDSON: The Michigan State freshman and son of former NBA guard Jason Richardson is small (6-1, 178), though the first-round prospect is a 41.2% 3-point shooter. — NOLAN TRAORE: The 6-5, 175-pounder is a scoring playmaker from France. The first-round prospect had previously drawn interest from programs like Duke, Alabama and Gonzaga. — NIQUE CLIFFORD: The 6-5, 202-pound Clifford spent three years at Colorado then two at Colorado State. The first-round prospect is older (23) but had career-best numbers last year (18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 37.7% on 3s). — BEN SARAF: The 6-6, 201-pound lefty from Israel is a scoring playmaker and first-round prospect. He averaged 12.8 points and 4.6 assists last season with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany. — CEDRIC COWARD: The 6-5, 213-pound senior started at Division III Willamette, spent two years at Eastern Washington, had an injury-shortened season at Washington State and was set to transfer to Duke. Now he's a first-round prospect after testing well at the combine. — WALTER CLAYTON JR.: The 6-2, 199-pound combo guard was a first-team Associated Press All-American and Final Four's most outstanding player in Florida's national title run. He's a first-round prospect and gamer who thrived in pressure moments. — DRAKE POWELL: The North Carolina freshman wing has perimeter size (6-6, 195), athleticism, 3-point range and defensive potential to be a possible first-round pick. He has a 7-foot wingspan and had combine-best marks in standing and max vertical leap. — KAM JONES: The Marquette senior and potential first-rounder was a finalist for the Cousy Award presented to the nation's top point guard after averaging 19.2 points and 5.9 assists. He missed two games in his career. ___
