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USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA mock draft 2026: Way-too-early projections for next year's first round
Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, hasn't even played a summer league game, and we're turning our attention to the 2026 draft. Yes, it's way too early to look that far ahead. However, a year ago, USA TODAY Sports' way-too-early 2025 mock draft had Flagg going No. 1, Ace Bailey No. 2, Dylan Harper No. 3, VJ Edgecombe No. 4, Tre Johnson No. 6, Nolan Traore No. 7, Khaman Maluach No. 9, Egor Demin No. 10, Noa Essengue No. 12, Drake Powell No. 18, Collin Murray-Boyles No. 19 and Adou Thiero No. 28. Once again, there are talented projected picks in 2026, including AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Petterson and Cam Boozer, the son of ex-NBA player Carlos Boozer. That's a strong top-3. Here's USA TODAY Sports' way-too-early 2026 NBA mock draft, for the entire first round: Way-too-early 2026 NBA mock draft Forward, 6-foot-9, 200 pounds Guard, 6-5, 195 Forward, 6-9, 235 Forward, 6-9, 190 Forward, 6-8, 210 Forward, 6-9, 205 Forward-center, 6-10, 230 Forward, 6-9, 230 Guard-forward, 6-5, 215 Guard, 6-2, 175 Guard, 6-6, 199 Guard-forward, 6-5, 199 Forward, 6-6, 175 Guard, 6-3, 172 Guard, 6-4, 190 Guard, 6-4, 180 Guard-forward, 6-8, 190 Forward, 6-8, 235 Forward-center, 6-11, 230 Forward, 6-9, 240 Guard, 6-3, 190 Guard, 6-6, 180 Forward, 6-10, 231 Guard, 6-2, 180 Guard, 6-0, 190 Forward, 6-10, 205 Guard-forward, 6-6, 203 Forward, 6-9, 225 Forward, 6-9, 215 Forward, 6-6, 220
USA Today
23-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
4 theories on why there's so many NBA Achilles tears lately
The 2024-25 NBA season will be remembered for so much -- the Oklahoma City Thunder's first title in the city (we're not counting the Sonics' ring), the Indiana Pacers' incredible run that fell short in a Game 7 of the NBA Finals and beyond. But there's also the rash of Achilles woes that's led to eight players to suffer the devastating injuries this season: names like Tyrese Haliburton, Jayson Tatum, Dejounte Murray and Isaiah Jackson. So ... what gives? Why are there seemingly more Achilles injuries these days than in previous years? Is it heavier workloads? Too many games? The style of play? Let's share some theories that are going around: It could be the style of the modern NBA that's one factor There's this thought from Yahoo's Tom Haberstroh, after Tatum went down with the devastating injury against the New York Knicks: Tatum's assignment on the 7-foot [Karl-Anthony] Towns is representative of a growing expansion of the game's geometry. The wing player was tasked with banging down low and wrestling with Towns for rebounds, while also staying with him when he ventured out to the perimeter where Towns is comfortable launching from 30 feet. Guards are centers and centers are guards. Towns leads a growing trend of stretch 5s who demand defenders to follow big men for a much larger surface area on the floor. Whether it's Nikola Jokić in Denver, Chet Holmgren in OKC or Myles Turner in Indiana, having a stretch 5 is the norm for title contenders now. Hell, Draymond Green is averaging more 3-point attempts in this series (5.8) than Reggie Miller did in his postseason career (5.7). It's just a game of more movement now on both ends. That's an added load on the Achilles, possibly. Is it because there are too many games? This has been a discussion for some time now. There's 82 regular-season games, and if you're an NBA title contender, you're potentially going to play another 20-something contests on top of that. And what if it's an Olympics year? It just might be too much. Has it gotta be the shoes? This is a theory floated by ex-NBA point guard Nick Van Exel back in May: But this might be backed by science, per Basketball Network: That school of thinking is backed up by a 2010 clinical study, which concluded that the type of footwear can affect Achilles tendon loading during dorsiflexion. According to the research, high-top shoes reduce the tension on the Achilles tendon by 9.9 percent. With tied laces, high-top shoes also cut the peak dorsiflexion angle by 7.2% as compared to low-top sneakers. But in recent years and after the late Kobe Bryant started the revolution, players have preferred wearing low-top sneakers over high-tops because with more ankle freedom, it allows more agility which helps players make quick change in direction and fast lateral movement. But low-tops and mid-tops don't protect the ankle as much the the high-tops. Is it due to playing through other injures? Haliburton's injury came after a calf strain. Kevin Durant tore his Achilles after a calf injury back in 2019.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Kevin Durant responds sharply as fist fight rumors drag Phoenix Suns deeper into chaos
(Image Source - Getty Images) The Phoenix Suns are already under the spotlight for a lackluster season, but a new twist just added heat. DeMarcus Cousins dropped a claim about locker room fist fights—and Kevin Durant fired back without holding back. As trade rumors swirl and a franchise hits reset, this latest drama could reshape everything. Kevin Durant fires back after DeMarcus Cousins droping bombshell In the past few days, ex-NBA star DeMarcus Cousins made headlines by stating that the Phoenix Suns "had a couple of fist fights" in their locker room while on Run It Back. Cousins claimed that the rumors were rooted in insider knowledge, asserting that actual physical fights had taken place—and he noted that the toxicity "carries over to the court." Given that the franchise is already reeling from a poor 36–46 season and no playoff appearance, these claims only added fuel to the fire of speculation regarding deeper dysfunction. Kevin Durant wasn't having any of it. On June 20, 2025, he took to X to deliver a swift, cutting rebuttal — "I have to contest this 94-footer…we were trash this year ha ha ha but we NEVER got close to this. NEVER". Aside from the brawl, Phoenix is dealing with a lot of instability. The Suns racked up 46 losses, missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020, and let go of head coach Mike Budenholzer after just one season. At the same time, the team's star trio—Kharlé Beal ($50.2M), Devin Booker ($49.2M), and Durant ($49.86M)—made up the highest-paid starting lineup in the NBA , but they couldn't even snag a play-in spot. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo The outcome? Soaring expectations, fading patience, and heavy pressure on the future of the franchise. With the trade chatter ramping up—Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves are regular contenders—Durant's statements are gaining importance. As teams scramble for an edge, the star's public reaction to the rumors makes it clear: he's not going to stand for any fake drama. But this might only be the tip of the iceberg. Also Read: The Los Angeles Lakers took a risk on Luka Doncic and now the weight of that decision is starting to show Kevin Durant's strong public rejection of locker room brawls might not change the Suns' challenging season, but it clearly separates genuine problems from exaggerated gossip. As Phoenix starts fresh—with a new coach, a hefty payroll, and possible trade chaos—Durant has taken charge of the story. After finishing his 36‑46 season with straightforward honesty, the focus now turns to what lies ahead: rebuilding trust, team chemistry—and fingers crossed, victories. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Gulf Today
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
'Moving Great Wall:' China unleash towering teen basketball star
China look set to unleash their 2.26m (7ft 5in) "moving Great Wall" at the Women's Asia Cup after teenager Zhang Ziyu put in another towering display days after her debut. The 18-year-old centre scored 18 points as China beat great rivals Japan 101-92 on Wednesday in Xi'an in a warm-up for the regional tournament next month on home soil. It was her third appearance for the senior Chinese squad, having helped them to blowout victories over Bosnia and Herzegovina over the weekend. Chinese state media dubbed her and gangly centre Han Xu the "Twin Towers." Zhang's looming presence on court — footage showed her barely needing to jump to make a basket — seemed to stump Japan head coach Corey Gaines. Asked if he had figured out a way "to deal" with the teenager, the American ex-NBA guard told reporters: "We'll just say: Interesting. Very interesting." Zhang Ziyu (#28) shoots as Japan's Azusa Asahina (#14/R) blocks during a warm-up game in Xian. AFP Zhang hails from northern China's Shandong province and had reached 2.10m by the end of primary school. She has been likened by Chinese fans to Houston Rockets great Yao Ming. Yao, who at 2.29m was one of the tallest NBA players in history, was known as the "moving Great Wall" before retiring from basketball in 2011 and Zhang has now taken on the nickname. Both of Zhang's parents played professional basketball. Her father, Zhang Lei, turned out for the Chinese Basketball Association's Jinan Military Region while her mother Yu Ying played as a centre for Shandong, according to local media. Zhang Ziyu (#28) shoots as Japan's Miwa Kuribayashi (#77) and Nanako Todo (#75) try to block during a warm-up game. AFP The teenager may have a distinct height advantage but she has been told she needs to sharpen up. Experienced centre Yang Liwei said after Wednesday's win that Zhang "could have been tougher on some shots". "I think she played at her normal level," added Yang, who helped China win the Asian title in 2023. China meet Japan again on Friday at home for another warm-up. Both will play at the Women's Asia Cup in Shenzhen from July 13. Agence France-Presse
Hamilton Spectator
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Raptors NBA draft: Kasparas Jakucionis seen as a ‘safe' pick if Toronto keeps its No. 9 selection
This is the 10th and final part in a series on prospects who could be drafted at No. 9 by the Raptors on June 25. One of the difficulties of nailing NBA draft picks is the lack of experience each teenage selection has limits the information available. A season, maybe two, at an American college hardly provides a long and detailed baseline, leaving teams to work mainly off their own projections. It's not the case with guard Kasparas Jakucioni s, who brings more experience to the process than anyone else touted as a Top 10 selection. Kasparas Jakucionis boasts an impressive combination of size (6'6"), toughness, pace, feel for the game, playmaking, and shot-making prowess. He's an outstanding pick-and-roll player who plays an intelligent and unselfish style, helping him transition from Europe to college. The just-turned 19-year-old has been in the Lithuanian national program, one of the best in the world. He spent two seasons with the vaunted Barcelona program, both in the junior development system and graduating to the EuroLeague senior team and the prestigious Spanish league. And for a taste of the style of play in North America, he's coming off a good year as the point guard at Illinois where he averaged 15.0 points, 4.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds on 44.0 per cent field goal shooting . It's an impressive resume for a youngster sure to be on Toronto's radar heading into Wednesday's NBA draft. 'I like to go to challenges,' Jakucionis told ESPN during the run-up to the draft. 'That's why I moved to Barcelona when I just turned 15 because I thought that it would help me grow a lot more as a basketball player and as a person.' The time at Barcelona gave him a solid grounding in what expectations will come at the NBA level after working with Spanish league stars who have first-hand knowledge. 'Just the experience of working out with pros … Ricky Rubio, Jabari Parker — a lot of ex-NBA guys who were on my team. Just getting advice from them and being with them every day just makes you better overall. You can ask them questions, so you can improve a lot more.' Jakucionis has said. The six-foot-five guard, a teammate of Kitchener's draft-destined Will Riley at Illinois , has a wealth of experience. Comparatively, that makes him one of the more well-rounded players in the top echelon of draft-eligible players. Scouts see him as combo guard, comfortable running a team or playing off the ball. He's considered a creative player, a top-level passer who is a multiple-threat. That may also been his downfall, though. The 200-pounder is good but not great at anything and whether he'll grow into a top-level NBA starter is debatable. He fought an arm injury for most of his one season at Illinois and wasn't a great shooter — just 32 per cent from three-point range — and he has problems with turnovers, although they were chalked up to his over-creative style that NBA teams will temper. Mock drafts , for what they're worth, have Jakucionis right in the thick of consideration for Toronto and the ninth pick. Whether the Raptors need another backcourt youngster who figures to be a backup to start his career is open to debate but with so much chatter churning about possible deals, taking Jakuciounis can't be totally discounted. If some other transaction is going to rob Toronto some of its youth and depth, or if the No. 9 selection is in play in trade talks with teams that need backcourt players, Jakucionis might make sense. What he is, according to reports about him, is a somewhat 'safe' pick, not overly athletic, not particularly blazingly quick or impressively strong. But he's good, no question. And No. 9 picks aren't generally considered automatic starters or contributors and if the Raptors want to continue stockpile talented assets and seeing which one pops, there's a case made for him. There is also a chance the team that takes Jakucionis will get an even more experienced rookie. He's going to get consideration to play for Lithuania at the late-summer EuroBasket because he's so highly-touted by the program. 'I firmly believe Kasparas is the most talented perimeter player and the second most talented guy overall we've had only behind Matas Buzelis,' said Augustas Suliauskas, an analyst with the website BasketNews. 'I even think Jakucionis is the best guard prospect we've had since both Sarunas — Marciulionis and Jasikevicius. Two big names, but I expect huge things from Kasparas.' The NBA Finals winding up, the draft coming next week, free agency in the near future, the start of the FIBA senior season and the rest of the sports world ticking along. Lots of fodder for Ye Olde Mailbag so send along any questions to askdoug@ . Our series on potential picks for the Raptors in the June draft. The ship has sailed Cooper Flagg Dylan Harper VJ Edgecombe Could they fall? Khaman Maluach Tre Johnson Kon Knueppel In the range Derik Queen Collin Murray-Boyles Noa Essengue Canadian content Will Riley
