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USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Which Duke players had the best NBA careers? Ranking Cooper Flagg's competition
It's going to be a big night for Duke basketball at the 2025 NBA Draft. Cooper Flagg is expected to become the sixth No. 1 pick in school history and third since 2019. Teammates Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach, meanwhile, are also projected to be top-10 selections in the draft beginning Wednesday, June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Multiple Duke players will be selected in the first round for the seventh time in eight years, and for the third time since 2018 the Blue Devils could have three players chosen in the top 10. There are 102 NBA players all-time who went to Duke, according to Pro Basketball Reference, including 23 active players this past season. But even though the Blue Devils have a storied college basketball history, and enjoyed unprecedented success (and five national championships) under former coach Mike Krzyzewski, ex-players' success in the pros has often been unpredictable. Flagg's status as the top prospect in this year's draft class comes with the promise that he can soon join the conversation about the best Duke product to play in the NBA. Where he ranks will depend on whether he can fulfill expectations that envision Flagg as one of the prominent players in the league right away. Only a select few Duke players have been able to do so as planned upon reaching the pros. With that in mind, USA TODAY Sports took a stab at subjectively ranking the best Duke players to play in the NBA based on their accomplishments, statistics and longevity: NBA draft 2025: What Duke player had the best NBA career? Note: Accomplishments include NBA championships, NBA All-Star Game appearances, All-NBA status and NBA awards. Also considered: Mike Dunleavy Jr., Mason Plumlee, Mike Gminski, Tyus Jones, Johnny Dawkins
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Starter Ruled Out for Chicago Sky-LA Sparks Game
Starter Ruled Out for Chicago Sky-LA Sparks Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 3-10 Chicago Sky will carry a three-game losing streak into Tuesday's contest against the 4-10 Los Angeles Sparks. The Sparks have also lost three straight contests, as well as seven of their last nine. Advertisement Chicago was defeated in all three games last week by the Washington Mystics, Phoenix Mercury and Atlanta Dream. Two out of the three contests were lost by 13 points or more. Los Angeles has been blown out in each of its last three games as well. They have lost by consecutive spreads of 23, 31 and 16 to the Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, and Lynx again. Los Angeles Sparks guard Odyssey Sims (0). Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Starting Sparks point guard Odyssey Sims has played well this season, averaging 10.5 points, 3.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game (via Pro Basketball Reference). She is the team's fifth-leading scorer behind Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby, Azurá Stevens and Rickea Jackson. Advertisement On Monday, however, the Sparks' official public relations account revealed that Sims would be out for the team's upcoming game against the Chicago Sky. This will be her fourth-straight game that she has missed. "#0 — Odyssey — NWT — Personal Reasons," the Sparks wrote. Six-year veteran guard Shey Peddy signed with the Sparks on June 14 and has started in each of the last two contests. She is averaging 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists through three games with Los Angeles. Chicago also lost its starting point guard this season, as Courtney Vandersloot went down with a torn ACL in a contest against the Indiana Fever earlier in June. She had been averaging 12.0 points and 6.2 assists per game prior to her injury. Advertisement The Sparks will likely start Peddy again on Tuesday against the Sky. Chicago, however, has rotated between Rebecca Allen, Kia Nurse and Rachel Banham to fill the void left by Vandersloot. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Tuesday evening. Sole possession of 10th place in the WNBA standings will be on the line in this game. Related: Dawn Staley's Message to Atlanta Dream Star After Chicago Sky Game Related: Chicago Sky Drop in WNBA Power Rankings After Dream Loss This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Angel Reese's Old Nickname Surfaces After Chicago Sky Game
Angel Reese's Old Nickname Surfaces After Chicago Sky Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky moved to 3-7 during the 2025 WNBA season after a 78 to 66 win against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. Advertisement This win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Sky and gave them their first win in the Commissioner's Cup as well. Second-year forward Angel Reese was in rare form, as she recorded her first career triple-double in the WNBA. She scored 11 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out 11 assists. Her 11 assists were a career-high, and the 2024 WNBA All-Star also chipped in three steals and two blocks in Sunday's win against the Sun. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5).Dale Zanine-Imagn Images After her 11-assist triple-double, Reese began to gain more notoriety around the WNBA as a strong passer. This caused an old highlight video of her from high school to resurface, which featured her nickname "Doctor Dime." Advertisement One fan made the effort to bring this footage back into the public eye after Reese's great passing performance and ahead of the Sky's game against the 4-7 Washington Mystics. "Its great that internet is forever," the fan wrote. "The same people that swore that Angel could never play point forward are right now moving the goalpost to make a triple double seem regular. Its hilarious scrolling the comments now😂." Reese is averaging 3.5 assists per game this season, up from just 1.9 in 2024. She also had just one game of four or more assists as a rookie, and she already has three such performances in 2025 (via Pro Basketball Reference). Advertisement Chicago is back in action on Tuesday when they host the 4-7 Mystics at Wintrust Arena. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET, and fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings will be on the line. Related: Mystics Star Responds to Recent Angel Reese Exchange Related: Hailey Van Lith Makes Admission About First Season With Chicago Sky This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hailey Van Lith Reacts to Chicago Sky's Decision for Her
Hailey Van Lith Reacts to Chicago Sky's Decision for Her originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky moved to 3-7 during the 2025 WNBA season with a 78 to 66 win against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. The victory also snapped a three-game losing streak and gave the Sky their first win in the Commissioner's Cup. Advertisement Angel Reese made history against the Sun by recording her first career triple-double, becoming just the second player in the WNBA to do so this season (via Yahoo Sports). Rookie guard Hailey Van Lith also had her best WNBA performance yet, as she recorded a career-high 16 points and a career-best five rebounds. Her 24 minutes were also the second-most she has played in a single game this season. Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2).David Butler II-Imagn Images Van Lith had only been averaging 3.7 points and 1.0 rebounds per contest during the 2025 WNBA season prior to Sunday's win against Connecticut. Her career highs were seven points and four rebounds, which came in different games, until she exceeded those against the Sun. Advertisement After the win, the rookie detailed a slight change that the Chicago coaching staff made for her before the contest. Van Lith talked at length about how the Sky decided to transition her more toward being a point guard rather than a shooting guard. 'I actually am not naturally a two anymore, I'm more naturally a one at this point,' Van Lith said. 'The reason that we have tried to do it, just talking with the coaching staff, is they're trying to get me more opportunities off the triple threat catch instead of always having a live dribble.' Van Lith is now averaging 5.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest through the first eight games of her WNBA career (via Pro Basketball Reference). Advertisement With 15-year veteran Courtney Vandersloot sidelined for the season with a knee injury, the No. 11 overall pick may find herself in an expanded role. Chicago is back in action on Tuesday evening when they host the 4-7 Washington Mystics for the last game of the Commissioner's Cup. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Related: Chicago Sky Coach Makes Hailey Van Lith Statement After Sun Game Related: Satou Sabally's 1-Word Angel Reese Message Catches Attention This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hailey Van Lith Makes Admission About First Season With Chicago Sky
Hailey Van Lith Makes Admission About First Season With Chicago Sky originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky snapped a three-game losing streak to earn their third win of the 2025 WNBA season on Sunday. They took down the Connecticut Sun by a score of 78 to 66 and now own a 3-7 record ahead of their final Commissioner's Cup game. Advertisement Second-year forward Angel Reese, who made the 2024 WNBA All-Star team, recorded the first triple-double of her career in the win. She scored 11 points and pitched in 13 rebounds and 11 assists, as well as three steals and two blocks. Hailey Van Lith, who was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, also turned in a career-best performance. She set season highs of 16 points and five rebounds against the Sun. Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2).Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Sunday was Van Lith's best performance of her rookie season. She had played in eight of the team's 10 games thus far, missing two contests with an ankle injury. After her career game against the Sun, a reporter asked Van Lith if this was the highlight of her rookie season so far. Van Lith then made an admission about her first year with the Sky. Advertisement 'Obviously, winning. Any time we win,' Van Lith said. 'I think even when we played Dallas, getting wins is the best feeling. I wouldn't say that I feel like this win was better than any other win, but obviously, I'm happy with my performance.' Van Lith is now averaging 5.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game through her first WNBA season (via Pro Basketball Reference). Chicago will return home for Tuesday's matchup against the 4-7 Washington Mystics. This will be the final game of the Commissioner's Cup for the Sky, who will look to move into fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a win. Advertisement Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Related: Hailey Van Lith Reacts to Chicago Sky's Decision for Her Related: Chicago Sky Coach Makes Hailey Van Lith Statement After Sun Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
