Latest news with #Pac-12PlayeroftheYear
USA Today
19-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Oregon Duck Sabrina Ionescu wins WNBA 3-point Contest
On Friday night, former Oregon Ducks standout point guard Sabrina Ionescu added yet another impressive accomplishment to her resume, winning her second WNBA 3-point contest. Sporting her New York Liberty jersey, Ionescu scored 30 out of a possible 40 points in the second round, defeating reigning champion Allisha Gray, who scored 22. Ionesco's 30 points tied her with Allie Quigley for the second-most in the contest's history. Ionescu owns the record with an unthinkable 37 points, set in 2023. Prior to her six seasons with the New York Liberty in the WNBA, Ionescu was one of the top players in the nation when she donned the Oregon Ducks uniform from 2016-2020. She racked up the accolades, winning the Naismith Trophy in 2020 and the Wooden and Wade Awards in 2019 and 2020. She was also the Pac-12 Player of the Year in each of her sophomore, junior and senior seasons and was named the Pac-12 Tournament's Most Outstanding Player in both 2018 and 2020. It's safe to say that Ionescu left her mark at Oregon, leaving as arguably the most accomplished Duck women's basketball player of all-time and becoming a beloved figure in Eugene. Now in the WNBA, she continues to excel on the national stage. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Deandre Ayton's $132.9M journey hits a wall as Portland Trail Blazers move toward a stunning buyout decision
(Image Source - Getty Images) Deandre Ayton is on the brink of a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers. The center has been one of the favorites and superstars at Arizona and his current statistics are dwindling. Having $35.5 million remaining on his contract and younger players performing at a greater rate, the Blazers seem to be willing to start a new course. This ruling might accord Ayton an opportunity to start afresh at other fronts in the league. Deandre Ayton's steady NBA production faces a turning point in Portland In 2018, Deandre Ayton was picked in the first round by Jacksonville Suns as a number one pick. He was a three member of the trade sent to Portland in the high profile Damian Lillard deal in September 2023. Ayton received Pac-12 Player of the Year for the year 2017-18 at Arizona with an average of 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds. His move to the NBA has been characterized by regular performance with an average of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds in seven seasons of his career. — TheDunkCentral (@TheDunkCentral) Last season, Ayton played in only 40 games, averaging 30.2 minutes, 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists with a shooting percentage of 56.6%. This marked a clear decline from his usual performance and efficiency. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo At the same time, Buffalo's frontcourt dynamics have changed: rookie Donovan Clingan took the court as a starter for 37 games, and they also drafted another young big man, Yang Hansen. All of this happened while Ayton's hefty contract—$35.5 million for the last year of his four-year, $132.9 million deal—became harder to manage. Also Read: Golden State Warriors move fast in free agency and target Herb Jones and Nickeil Alexander-Walker for help Since there weren't any exciting trade deals, Portland has decided to take the most sensible route which was a buyout. As reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, Ayton is in the process of "finalizing a contract buyout" and will become an unrestricted free agent after being waived. This decision opens up space for Clingan, Hansen, and players like Robert Williams III and Duop Reath, while also allowing Ayton to choose his next destination — potentially a contender with some salary cap flexibility. Now standing on the verge of a significant buyout, his next steps are still to be determined: a smart risk on his end, a relief for Portland's budget, and a crucial moment for both parties. Will Ayton find a new opportunity or quietly fade into the background? Either way, Portland's choice represents a bold change. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Miami Herald
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Report: Blazers sign undrafted Arizona G Caleb Love
The Portland Trail Blazers signed former Arizona standout Caleb Love to a two-way contract after the former Pac-12 Player of the Year went undrafted Thursday, ESPN reported. The 6-foot-4 combo guard played three seasons at North Carolina from 2020-23 before joining the Wildcats for the past two campaigns. After averaging 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists and earning Pac-12 POY honors in 2023-24, Love earned a first-team All-Big 12 nod in 2024-25 with 17.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. In 174 career games (169 starts) with the Tar Heels and Wildcats, Love averaged 15.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals. He made 390 career 3-pointers but shot only 32.6 percent from beyond the arc and 38.0 percent overall. Portland selected Chinese 7-footer Yang Hansen 16th overall on Wednesday night with its only pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
Reuters
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Report: Blazers sign undrafted Arizona G Caleb Love
June 27 - The Portland Trail Blazers signed former Arizona standout Caleb Love to a two-way contract after the former Pac-12 Player of the Year went undrafted Thursday, ESPN reported. The 6-foot-4 combo guard played three seasons at North Carolina from 2020-23 before joining the Wildcats for the past two campaigns. After averaging 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists and earning Pac-12 POY honors in 2023-24, Love earned a first-team All-Big 12 nod in 2024-25 with 17.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. In 174 career games (169 starts) with the Tar Heels and Wildcats, Love averaged 15.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals. He made 390 career 3-pointers but shot only 32.6 percent from beyond the arc and 38.0 percent overall. Portland selected Chinese 7-footer Yang Hansen 16th overall on Wednesday night with its only pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Here for a reason.' Aari McDonald reminds herself she belongs in Fever 'audition'
INDIANAPOLIS — Aari McDonald meditated to calm her nerves before her first game with the Indiana Fever on Tuesday. The former third overall pick took slow breaths and told herself, "You're here for a reason." McDonald's debut performance vindicated her pregame affirmation. Advertisement McDonald finished with seven points, five assists with zero turnovers and three steals in 27 minutes to help end the Fever's three-game losing skid with an 85-76 home victory over the Washington Mystics. 'It felt good tonight to finally get back. The team, the fans and the staff were all very welcoming and made sure I had everything to be very successful tonight. And shout out for the win,' McDonald said postgame. 'When your number is called, you have to be ready to deliver, and I felt like I did just that. 'The best I've seen it.' Fever snap skid, show signs of adapting to Stephanie White's system 'The team made me feel comfortable. They know what I can do, and just taking that and applying it to the court made me feel better. No pressure at all tonight, just going out there and playing my game." Advertisement Indiana signed McDonald on Monday on an emergency hardship contract following injuries to Fever star Caitlin Clark (left quad strain) and guard Sophie Cunningham (right ankle). McDonald spent three seasons with the Atlanta Dream before being traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in early 2024. The Sparks waived McDonald in March. The former Pac-12 Player of the Year said the past few weeks without being on a roster was 'tough' and called it 'weird' to watch WNBA games from home. However, the time away makes McDonald value her return to the court. 'Being away taught me not to take anything for granted,' McDonald said. 'I didn't do that with my previous team, but being away for a couple of weeks makes me appreciate this more and when you go out on the court, it's all or nothing. You just have to leave it out there.' The Fever held a 14-point lead entering the fourth but found themselves only up by five with under two minutes left. With 1:28 remaining, McDonald drove to the basket and found a cutting Kelsey Mitchell under the rim. Mitchell made the layup, drew a foul and completed a three-point play to extend the Fever lead to 81-73. Advertisement After practice Monday, Fever coach Stephanie White said she was impressed by McDonald's defensive prowess and ability to make wise decisions in the paint. The late game play validated why White signed the 26-year-old. "Aari was terrific," White said. "She was the ultimate point guard. She got us settled when we needed to. Five assists and zero turnovers, that's huge. Not just that, but she set the tone on the defensive end, and that was big time for us." McDonald acknowledged the anxiety associated with watching film to learn about players and a system she wasn't familiar with. McDonald said she was a "sponge" and wasn't afraid to ask questions about the Fever's play style, which helped her quickly acclimate. White credited McDonald for absorbing information quickly and Mitchell called her the 'ultimate pro,' praising McDonald for doing an 'unbelievable job' at learning the plays. Advertisement 'Someone said in the locker room, 'We feel like you know the plays more than us already,'' Mitchell told reporters after the game. 'She's on it, and it goes to show what pros are and how they are supposed to operate. She did everything amazingly and with such grace. I think for us, we can use what she brings to the table offensively and defensively.' Mitchell added McDonald was 'fun to play with' and credited her with creating shots for the team. Mitchell believes McDonald also offers the Fever a 'scrappy' defensive presence. McDonald's first points of the game Tuesday came off a steal that turned into a transition layup. 'On the defensive end, I'm hungry. I don't like my person to score on me,' McDonald said. 'It happened a couple of times (Tuesday) and was frustrating, but it's just next-play mentality. I'm in survival mode, so I got to be hungry, and I've always had that in me, so you can't take it out. It was definitely brought out tonight. McDonald said it's imperative to maintain confidence in her game and remember the Fever have faith in her. McDonald knows nothing is promised in the WNBA and called her stint with the Fever an 'audition.' Before tip off on Tuesday, the former Arizona standout addressed mentally balancing the uncertainty that comes with playing in the league and staying positive when an opportunity arises. Advertisement 'I have to constantly remind myself with the uncertainty that these moments don't define me,' McDonald said. 'You could easily crumble or keep working on your game and getting better. I stayed humble and grounded and the Fever called. I'm ready to rise to the occasion.' Get IndyStar's Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Fever guard Aari McDonald impresses in debut vs Mystics
