Latest news with #WisconsinBadgers
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Wisconsin basketball center adds to his list of NBA workouts
Former Wisconsin Badgers center Steven Crowl is compiling a long list of NBA workouts. Crowl, whose Badgers tenure concluded with an NCAA Tournament round of 32 loss to BYU in late March, has reportedly worked out with the Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte Hornets and Denver Nuggets over the past few weeks. Advertisement The 7-foot center's most recent workout came with the Pelicans on Thursday, per The Athletic's Will Guillory. Crowl worked out alongside North Carolina's R.J. Davis, Arkansas' Johnell Davis and Kansas' Hunter Dickinson. Earlier this week, the Hornets worked out former Badger Chucky Hepburn alongside Crowl, per Hornets beat writer Rod Boone. The two spent three seasons in Madison together from 2021-24. Crowl isn't the only former Badger to dip his toes into NBA waters this offseason. Star guard John Blackwell worked out with the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trailblazers and Philadelphia 76ers before withdrawing from the 2025 NBA draft in late May. The Minnesota native started 141 of his 153 career appearances in five seasons from 2020-25. In those contests, the veteran averaged 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and two assists off a 52.5% shooting rate from the field, 36.3% mark from 3 and 82% clip from the charity stripe. Advertisement During Wisconsin's 27-10 season, Crowl started all 37 games and logged per-game averages of 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He did so while shooting 54% from the field, 41% from 3 and 82% from the free-throw line. At his size, Crowl's shooting ability is an unquestionable commodity in the NBA. Given modern spacing and skill at the center position, the former Badger's progression as a shooter, especially from the top of the key, headlines his potential professional portfolio. Nonetheless, Crowl's odds of being picked in the 2025 NBA draft or signing with an NBA franchise are slim. The workouts will expose him to some NBA personnel, but his most likely route involves a career oversees. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball center Steven Crowl NBA workout with Pelicans
Forbes
2 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
New York Sirens Select Casey O'Brien Third Overall In 2025 PWHL Draft
DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 24: Casey O'Brien #26 of the Wisconsin Badgers moves the puck down ice ... More against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Division I Women's Ice Hockey Championship game held at Whittemore Center Arena on March 24, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire. (Photo by Gil Talbot/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) With the third overall pick in the 2025 PWHL Draft, the New York Sirens selected standout collegiate center forward and 2025 Patty Kazmaier Award winner, Casey O'Brien. The pick was obtained through a trade that sent veteran defender Ella Shelton to the Toronto Sceptres in exchange for Toronto's first-round selection (third overall) and a fourth-round pick (27th overall). O'Brien was a driving force behind Wisconsin's 2025 national championship run, co-captaining the team while shattering school records with an astounding 88 points, 26 goals, and 62 assists, and dominating the nation with an average of 2.20 points per game. In addition to winning the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Award, she was named WCHA Player and Forward of the Year and earned a place on the AHCA First-Team All-American roster. Internationally, O'Brien demonstrated her skill early on, securing gold at the 2018 U18 World Championships and silver in 2019. Having spent 10 years growing up and playing sports in Manhattan, particularly at Chelsea Piers, O'Brien is now preparing to begin her professional career back in New York. We caught up with Casey to hear about her draft experience, her ambitions for the season, and launching her professional career with the New York Sirens. PWHL Draft Experience And New York Sirens DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 22: Casey O'Brien #26 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks to make a play ... More during the Division I Women's Ice Hockey Championship held at Whittemore Center Arena on March 22, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire. (Photo by Gil Talbot/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) Q: Casey, congratulations on being selected third overall in the PWHL Draft. Walk us through that moment of being selected and what it means for you to have this opportunity to play professionally in the PWHL. Casey O'Brien: Thank you! At first, I didn't think New York would be an option. They weren't supposed to have another pick until the second round, so I kind of accepted that the dream of being drafted by the Sirens might not happen. I was just waiting to hear who would call my name. Then the trade happened, and I got hopeful. When they called my name, I couldn't believe it. My family was so happy. Being from New York, it's always been a dream of mine to play professionally here. It was truly the best day of my life. I grew up playing at Chelsea Piers and a bit in New Jersey. That's where I fell in love with hockey. To come full circle and return to New York as a professional player, to give back to the community that shaped me, it's a dream come true. Q: Looking ahead to the season, New York is in the middle of a rebuild. What aspects of your skill set, both mentally and physically, do you think you'll bring to the team? Casey O'Brien: I see myself as a 200-foot player. I take pride in being responsible in the D-zone while also contributing offensively. Me and the other forwards drafted this year are a young, dynamic group. We're fast, creative, and a lot of us have played together or against each other before. We share a similar vision and playmaking style, and I think when we combine with the talent already on the roster, we'll bring something really special. We're going to be an offensively gifted team, and we plan to score a lot of goals next season. Inspirations And PWHL Goals With The New York Sirens MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 23: Wisconsin Badgers forward Casey O'Brien (26) celebrates with the trophy ... More after winning the Women's Frozen Four Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers on March 23rd, 2025, at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Q: Are there any players you're especially excited to be on the ice with, either as teammates or opponents? Casey O'Brien: Definitely. Anytime I get to share the ice with legends like Hilary Knight, Alex Carpenter, or Marie-Philip Poulin, it's surreal. I grew up watching them in the Olympics when I was eight, nine, ten years old, dreaming of one day being in their shoes. Now I get the chance to play alongside or against them, and it feels like a full circle moment. It's really special. Q: Who were your hockey idols growing up, on both the women's and men's sides? Casey O'Brien: Kendall Coyne Schofield was a huge inspiration for me. She's undersized but still one of the best in the world. I'm not the biggest player either, so I really tried to model my game after hers. She turned what some see as a disadvantage into a strength, and that was really inspiring. On the men's side, I looked up to Martin St. Louis, especially when he played for the Rangers. I loved how players like him and Kendall never let their size define them. That's also why I wear No. 26. NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 18: A general view of the arena prior to the game between the New York ... More Sirens and the Toronto Sceptres at Prudential Center on December 18, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. The game is the first home game in the Sirens' second season in the PWHL. The Sirens defeated the Sceptres 4-2. (Photo by) Q: What are your personal goals heading into this first season with the Sirens and into the PWHL overall? Casey O'Brien: The Sirens roster has gone through a lot of change recently, and I'm one of several new faces. I think we're looking at this as a fresh start. I want to make an immediate impact on the ice, of course, but just as importantly, I want to make an impact off the ice. The PWHL has made huge strides, but there's still a lot of room to grow, especially in markets like New York. Being from here, I want to connect with the community, inspire young girls, and help grow the game.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin football's recruiting class of 2026 dips outside the nation's top 50
The Wisconsin Badgers have hit a cold spell on the class of 2026 recruiting trail. After a strong start to the month, especially after the May 30 official visit weekend, the program has landed just two players since June 5, plus none in the last 10 days. The Badgers' class ranked No. 33 in the nation and No. 11 in the Big Ten at the time of Zion Legree's addition on June 15. Since that date, the class has dropped to No. 51 in the nation and No. 16 in the conference, now ranked ahead of only Maryland and Nebraska. Several of the Badgers' top targets remain uncommitted, including four-star athlete Jackson Ford, four-star running back Amari Latimer, four-star wide receiver Jayden Petit, four-star offensive tackle Kamari Blair and three-star safety Nick Reddish. All five of those players were on campus during the Badgers' key May 30 official visit weekend, though each has taken several notable visits since that date. It's safe to say commitments from several of those top recruits is paramount to Wisconsin salvaging a successful cycle. Of course, the 2026 cycle is still far from over, which means time remains before a final verdict is given on the program's efforts. But with June coming to a close, it's hard not to compare this group to the program's previous two classes under Luke Fickell. Without commitments from Ford, Latimer, Petit and Blair, the Badgers' 2026 group won't threaten those strong classes from 2024 and 2025. It's challenging to pinpoint the exact reason for the program's subpar standing in this year's cycle. However, it's easy to point to the program's general on-field struggles and the February departure of general manager Max Stienecker as contributing forces. Badgers fans should tune in on Friday, June 27, as the first of Wisconsin's remaining top targets announces his commitment. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin football top 2026 target announces finalists, commitment date
Wisconsin football top class of 2026 target, athlete Jackson Ford, announced his final four schools and upcoming commitment date on Tuesday. Ford will announce his collegiate decision on Friday, June 27. He will be choosing between the Wisconsin Badgers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines and Penn State Nittany Lions. 247Sports lists Ford as a four-star recruit. He's specifically ranked as the No. 306 overall player in the class of 2026, the No. 18 athlete and the No. 8 player from his home state of Pennsylvania. The athlete, who will likely play edge rusher at the college level, took official visits to Wisconsin on May 30, Penn State on June 6, Ohio State on June 13 and Michigan on June 20. The recruiting service has yet to release a crystal ball for the top prospect's decision. On3 sees a tight race, giving Penn State a 27.6% chance to land his commitment, Michigan 20.8%, Ohio State 12% and Wisconsin 10%. Ford's recruitment is close to a must-win for the Badgers. The program's class currently ranks No. 51 nationally with 13 commitments. Notably, the class has now gone 10 days without a new addition. Ford is one of several top targets from Wisconsin's May 30 official visit weekend who remain uncommitted, along with four-star running back Amari Latimer, four-star wide receiver Jayden Petit and four-star offensive tackle Kamari Blair. The final verdict on the Badgers' 2026 class, which is currently without a blue-chip player, will depend on landing several of those top recruits. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Which Wisconsin natives are in a position to be selected during the 2025 NBA draft?
The fast-approaching 2025 NBA draft carries a lot of intrigue for Wisconsin Badgers fans. Much of that intrigue surrounds the draft stock of star wing John Tonje. The All-American is fresh off a dominant 2024-25 season that included per-game averages of 19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists, plus shooting rates of 46.5% from the field, 39% from 3 and 91% from the free-throw line. Although that top-end production should generate significant NBA interest, he's an older draft prospect at 24 and may have already reached his offensive ceiling. Tonje is a near guarantee to be selected during the draft's first two rounds. The questions are, how early, and by which team? Tonje's draft position aside, Wisconsin basketball fans aren't restricted to following the college level. High school basketball in the state has reached new heights over the past few years, with several notable in-state products excelling in the NBA. Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton's breakout run to the NBA Finals headlines that list. Another notable player is poised to join Haliburton and other Wisconsin natives during this week's draft. In addition, several others are projected as undrafted free agents. Here are those players, plus where they stand in CBSSports' latest top-100 player ranking: Which Wisconsin natives are in position to be selected during the 2025 NBA draft? Duke guard Kon Knueppel UCLA guard Kobe Johnson Memphis guard Tyrese Hunter Knueppel is the one Wisconsin native likely to hear his name called during the draft. He's a projected top-10 pick after a standout true freshman season at Duke. Both Johnson and Hunter are ranked about 30 spots too low to threaten the draft's 59 picks. Therefore, both will likely look for an NBA Summer League or G League opportunity to showcase their talents and earn a full-time roster spot. That trio of Wisconsin natives will look to join a group in the NBA that currently includes Patrick Baldwin Jr., Johnny Davis, Tyler Herro, Tyrese Haliburton, Sam Hauser, Jalen Johnson, Kevon Looney, Jordan Poole, and others. Don't be surprised if Knueppel is a household name sooner rather than later. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
