Maryland guard Aaron Wiggins receives invitation to NBA draft combine

Wiggins averaged 13 points, two rebounds and 1.5 assists on 59% shooting from the field during scrimmage play.

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Maryland Terps guard Aaron Wiggins on Monday reportedly received an invitation to compete in the NBA draft combine, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Wiggins was among 40 prospects to attend the G League Elite Camp over the weekend in Chicago, Illinois. He averaged 13 points, two rebounds and 1.5 assists on 59% shooting from the field, including 50% from 3-point range, in two scrimmage games.

He recorded a 41-inch vertical jump, which ranked fifth among all players.

The 6-foot-6 guard was one of the standouts from the event, and emerged as perhaps the top scorer. He attacked the paint during his time on the court and looked to be one of the more versatile defenders with his athleticism and length.

Aaron Wiggins highlights from NBA G League Elite Camp game 1. He led all scorers. pic.twitter.com/fkrBrhgISk

— Rudy Gersten (@DCBarno) June 20, 2021

Wiggins earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors after averaging 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 31 games last season. He finished off the season on a high note, posting 17.9 points and 6.6 rebounds over his last 12 games.

He is currently not projected to be selected by most mock drafts, but another strong outing in the combine would certainly help improve his stock. He declared for the draft in April but left open the possibility of returning to school.

This year marks the second time the G League Elite Camp was held in its revamped format after first launching in 2019. Overall, 11 players were invited to the combine from the G League Elite Camp in 2019 and five were eventually drafted.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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NBA combine invitations suggest who could be heading back to the NCAA

We took a look at the participant list for the NBA draft combine and G League Elite Camp to tell us who might return to their college team.

While there is nothing final about our projections, now that those lists are finalized we know the names of the most notable players who have declared for the draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility.

These prospects, who are all classified as “testing the waters” at this point, are the ones facing the toughest decision for their pro future but may have more clarity now than they did during the college basketball season.

A look at the Big Ten basketball steals leaders in 2020-21

In the latest installment of this series looking back at the best of the Big Ten from last season, I will be reviewing the leaders in set…

Despite frequent struggles last season on the offensive side of the ball, the Wisconsin Badgers played solid team defense throughout most of last year. Two players who exemplified that were guards Brad Davison and Jonathan Davis, who both made the top 15 in steals for this season. It was exciting to see two Badger players create turnovers at such a high-level last season, especially Davis, who was playing limited minutes as a true freshman.

Below is the ranking of the top 15 players in steals per game from the Big Ten Conference 2020-21 season. Players from Wisconsin, Penn State, Illinois, Michigan, Rutgers, Northwestern, Nebraska, Minnesota, Maryland and Indiana have all made the list:

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Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion and analysis.

2021 aggregate NBA mock draft 2.0: How has the NCAA season changed rankings?

Now that the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball season is underway, we are getting a more clear picture of the top prospects in the upcoming class.

Former top recruits like Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs have made a great first impression and have confirmed why many already feel they are going to be solid future professionals in the NBA.

Of course, considering the unusual nature of the college basketball season, some players are struggling a bit more than others. The performance on the court will likely stray closer to the mean with a larger sample size as the year continues.

But to get a better sense of where everyone stands right now, we compiled mock drafts from ESPN, NBADraft.net, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, The Athletic and USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s For The Win to see where the prospects rank at the moment.

We highlighted the prospects who have been the biggest risers since we published our last edition of this exercise.

College basketball standouts who have most drastically improved their draft stock through the early parts of the season include Keon Johnson (Tennessee), James Bouknight (UCONN), Jared Butler (Baylor), Corey Kispert (Gonzaga), Day’Ron Sharpe (UNC), Aaron Henry (Michigan State), Ayo Dosunmu (Illinois), Marcus Bagley (Arizona State), Moussa Cisse (Memphis), Charles Bassey (Western Kentucky), Jason Preston (Ohio) and Luka Garza (Iowa).

Below are the rankings based on the latest mock drafts from top analysts and experts:

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report

Tracking top NCAA prospects who could still declare for 2020 NBA Draft

NCAA prospects have until April 26 to declare early entry for 2020 NBA Draft. There are several notable prospects who could join this class.

NCAA prospects have until next week to declare early entry for 2020 NBA Draft. There are several notable prospects who could join this class.

Two freshmen (Precious Achiuwa and Jahmi’us Ramsey) are widely projected as first-round prospects. Meanwhile, three sophomores (Isaiah Joe, Aaron Henry and Joel Ayayi) typically appear on mock drafts.

Others who are likely Top-100 prospects: Romeo Weems, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Filip Petrusev, Joe Wieskamp, Corey Kispert, Terrence Shannon Omer Yurtseven, Yves Pons, AJ Lawson, Charles Bassey, Anton Watson and Miles McBride.

Below is a list reviewing all of the key players in college basketball who have yet to make a public decision about their NBA futures, even if it is simply just to test the waters so long as they already applied to receive feedback from the Undergraduate Advisory Committee before April 16.

FRESHMEN

Precious Achiuwa, Memphis (Big)

Jahmi’us Ramsey, Texas Tech (Guard)

Romeo Weems, DePaul (Forward)

Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana (Big)

Terrence Shannon, Texas Tech (Wing)

Anton Watson, Gonzaga (Forward)

N’Faly Dante, Oregon (Big)

DJ Jeffries, Memphis (Forward)

Lester Quinones, Memphis (Forward)

Spencer Jones, Stanford (Big)

Nah’shon Hyland, VCU (Guard)

James Bouknight, UCONN (Guard)

SOPHOMORES

Isaiah Joe, Arkansas (Guard)

Aaron Henry, Michigan (Wing)

Joel Ayayi, Gonzaga (Guard)

Filip Petrusev, Gonzaga (Big)

Joe Wieskamp, Iowa (Wing)

AJ Lawson, South Carolina (Guard)

Charles Bassey, Western Kentucky (Big)

Emmitt Williams, LSU (Forward)

Isaac Likekele, Oklahoma State (Guard)

Marcus Zegarowski, Creighton (Guard)

Will Richardson, Oregon (Guard)

Kessler Edwards, Pepperdine (Forward)

Quentin Grimes, Houston (Guard)

Aaron Wiggins, Maryland (Guard)

Xavier Johnson, Pittsburgh (Guard)

Davion Mitchell, Baylor (Guard)

Marcus Bingham, Michigan State (Big)

JUNIORS

Corey Kispert, Gonzaga (Wing)

Omer Yurtseven, Georgetown (Big)

Yves Pons, Tennessee (Wing)

Colbey Ross, Pepperdine (Guard)

Oscar da Silva, Stanford (Forward)

Nahziah Carter, Washington Wing)

Dru Smith, Missouri (Guard)

Matt Mitchell, San Diego State (Forward)

Mark Vital, Baylor (Forward)

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Three Maryland players Badger fans need to know

Wisconsin plays hosts to the No. 17 Maryland Terrapins on Tuesday evening. Badger fans should be sure to know these three opposing players.

After picking up a critical road win against the No. 20 Penn State Nittany Lions over the weekend, Wisconsin (10-6) will look to keep the momentum going tonight when it hosts No. 17 Maryland (13-3) at the Kohl Center.

The Badgers and Terrapins split their two meetings last year, with the former getting the last laugh in a 69-61 February victory in Madison.

Maryland started off this season hot by winning its first 10 contests before stumbling in consecutive away games at Penn State and Seton Hall last month. Since then, head coach Mark Turgeon’s squad has won three of its last four, though the Terps were blown out the last time they took the court in Iowa City, falling to the Hawkeyes 67-49.

You have to feel pretty good about Bucky’s chances in this one at home coming off of a huge victory, but it’s going to be a battle: Maryland has got some major star power on this roster, including two of the Big Ten’s best players.

With that being said, here are the three players on the other side who Badger fans should keep a close eye on throughout tonight’s contest.

Anthony Cowan Jr. – Guard

Current stats: 16.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.2 spg, 38.8 FG%, 34.4 3P%

A four-year starter at point guard for the Terrapins, Cowan is the heart and soul of this team.

The 6-0 senior from Bowie, Md. has enjoyed a prolific career in College Park and is in the midst of an excellent final season as a collegian. Cowan has looked like a potential All-American thus far, leading Maryland in points, assists and steals per game and ranking fifth in the Big Ten in the former two categories. He was recently named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 list and should be a top contender for the Cousy Award, given to the nation’s top floor general.

Cowan averaged 17.5 points in his two games against the Badgers last year, though he shot a combined 26.8 percent from the field in doing so.

Jalen Smith – Forward

Current stats: 13.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.3 bpg, 50.7 FG%, 36.7 3P%

Dec 19, 2019; Newark, NJ, USA; Maryland Terrapins forward Jalen Smith (25) drives to the basket against Seton Hall Pirates guard Myles Cale (22) and center Romaro Gill (35) during the first half at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

After being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team a season ago, Smith has taken the next step and is playing like an all-conference level player and a potential first-round selection in this year’s NBA draft.

Yet another formidable big man the Badgers must go up against in a Big Ten slate chock-full of them, the former five-star recruit out of Baltimore has made his presence felt on both ends of the floor this season. Smith is Maryland’s No. 2 scorer and leads the team in both blocks and rebounds per game, ranking No. 3 and No. 5 in the Big Ten, respectively, in the latter two categories.

Aaron Wiggins – Guard

Current stats: 10.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.1 spg, 35.0 FG%, 28.7 3P%

After a nice freshman campaign coming off of the bench, Wiggins was considered a major breakout candidate with NBA draft pick-type potential leading into this season. However, the 6-6 guard has struggled a bit through Maryland’s first half.

Wiggins provides great value defensively and on the glass, but where the Terrapins really need him to step up if they are to reach their ceiling this year is as a shooter.

Granted, he is third on the team in points per game and has reached double figures in 10 of Maryland’s 16 outings, but his efficiency has taken a dive this year. His poor shooting from long range has been especially disappointing after he was one of the Big Ten’s top marksmen (41.3 percent) as a freshman.

Wiggins is probably Maryland’s X factor. He may have yet to hit his groove, but sometimes all it takes is one breakout performance for shooters like him to take off. If/when he does, the Terrapins will become significantly more dangerous than they already are. Perhaps that performance comes in Madison this evening.

2020 aggregate NBA mock draft 3.0: Michigan State players are climbing

After over a month of the college basketball season, we are starting to get a better picture of what the 2020 NBA Draft will look like.

After over a month of the college basketball season, we are starting to get a better picture of what the 2020 NBA draft will look like.

For example, Georgia Bulldogs freshman Anthony Edwards is beginning to separate himself as a near-consensus No. 1 overall pick. On the other side of the coin, though, several of the projected top selections (LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman, Cole Anthony and RJ Hampton) will miss extended time due to either injury or suspension.

In order to get a better read of the bigger picture, we collected opinions from the top experts and analysts that cover the draft. The latest 2020 NBA mock drafts from ESPN, CBS Sports, SI.com, Bleacher Report, NBADraft.net, The Athletic as well as USA Today Sports Media Group’s Rookie Wire were used for these rankings.

Cassius Winston, Aaron Henry, Xavier Tillman in top-45 of The Athletic's NBA Draft Big Board https://t.co/LFrVsMcvZD

— SpartansWire (@TheSpartansWire) December 15, 2019

One of the most interesting takeaways is that the Michigan State Spartans have three players (Cassius Winston, Aaron Henry and Xavier Tillman) all trending up.

After making the Final Four in last year’s March Madness, the program was expected to take another leap forward for their 2019-20 campaign.

Despite three losses in their first 10 games, the Spartans still rank No. 15 overall this season. This can be attributed to the fact Michigan State currently has the third-best offense in college basketball, per KenPom.com.

They also have three of the most improved players since our last aggregate mock draft. The full list, and more on each of the MSU players moving up draft boards, is included below.

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Cassius Winston, Guard

AMD Rank: 29

Since our last AMD, this has moved up 17 spots in our rankings.

Despite already being 21 years old, the 6-foot-1 guard currently has a first-round grade from ESPN as well as Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports.

Winston has been one of the best distributors since he began at MSU. 67.1 percent of all field goals for the Spartans have been assisted, which is the sixth-most among all teams so far this season. His career assist rate (44.1 percent) ranks No. 1 overall among all college players who have played at least 50 games since 2009-10, via Sports-Reference.

With 7 assists today vs Rutgers, Cassius Winston now has the 2nd-most career assists (770) in Big Ten History, passing Illinois’ Bruce Douglas.

Winston is now just 46 assists behind Mateen Cleaves for the conference career record (816). pic.twitter.com/BLzMQGjpzx

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 9, 2019

During his freshman season, he had the second-best assist rate (46.7 percent) in the NCAA. Then as a sophomore, his assist rate (43.5 percent) trailed only Trae Young for the best in college basketball. Last season, his assist mark (44.8 percent) ranked third-best and behind only Ja Morant among all who played for teams that made the tournament.

But he has also shown strength as one of the more accurate shooters in the NCAA.

Winston was 75-for-151 (49.7 percent) from beyond the arc in 2017-18. That helped him join the exclusive 50-40-90 club for field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and free-throw percentage. Even as a sophomore then, the guard was one of the few to have a membership with at least two three-point attempts per game.

There is some enough NBA readiness to show he can contribute right away for a winning team.

Aaron Henry, Wing

AMD Rank: 33

Since our last AMD, this has moved up 26 spots in our rankings.

Henry was of the players who helped himself the most during the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Then a freshman, he put up 20 points with 6 rebounds and 6 assists during a victory over LSU.

While he has not yet taken the leap some expected as a sophomore, draft experts still have confidence in him as a prospect. His highest ranking right now comes from Jonathan Wasserman, who has him at No. 28 overall (via Bleacher Report):

“The eye test on Henry looks more convincing than the numbers. He isn’t a high-level creator, which limits him in Michigan State’s offense. But the 6’6″ guard is hitting open shots, capitalizing on driving lanes and making impact defensive plays. This late, teams will overlook Henry’s production for his fit.”

Perhaps the best news for the wing is that there is room for improvement. However, there have also been moments that show what Henry is capable of accomplishing at the next level.

This season, for example, the sophomore has been one of the most effective shooters off the catch. He is averaging 1.78 points per possession on catch-and-shoot attempts in a set offense, per Synergy Sports, which ranks in the 98th percentile.

Henry is also shooting 72.7 percent at the rim, which is an especially solid rate for a wing. Overall, he looks like someone capable of being a 3-and-D player in an NBA rotation.

Xavier Tillman, Big

AMD Rank: 50

Since our last AMD, this has moved up 13 spots in our rankings.

Michigan State has always been a team that plays better with Tillman on the court. Last season, for example, the big actually had the third-best box plus-minus in the NCAA — trailing only Zion Williamson and Brandon Clarke.

Jeremy Woo recently helped contextualize what professional teams may like about the 6-foot-8 junior (via SI.com):

“Tillman specializes in doing the dirty work and has been a largely unheralded yet invaluable piece of the Spartans’ success dating back to last season. He’s not particularly tall for a center but has a chance to be a quality rotational big in the pros with what he adds defensively and on the glass. Tillman has worked on extending his shooting range, and if he ends up being able to shoot the three, he’ll have a fairly strong window of opportunity as a role player. A lot of the things he does as a screener and defender don’t show up in the box score, and while he’ll never be more than a fourth or fifth offensive option, he might be able to thrive in that capacity.”

His best trait so far this season has been his ability to cut to the basket. He is shooting 15-for-17 (88.2 percent) on these attempts, per Synergy.

But he has also added value on the offensive glass and as a rim protector for Michigan State. His willingness and ability to make the most of time on the floor makes him a draftable professional prospect.

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Watch – Notre Dame Basketball Routed at No. 3 Maryland

The first half particularly was challenging for the Irish, who made only eight field goals and shot 1 for 11 from 3-point range.

Despite keeping pace early with No. 3 Maryland, Notre Dame found itself on the short end of a 19-7 run to end the first half and never recovered in a 72-51 road loss Wednesday. The Irish (6-2) began this ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup by jumping out to a five-point lead in the first five minutes. They kept pace for another 11 minutes, tying the game at 13 before the Terrapins (9-0) blew it open and never looked back, leading by as much as 27 in the second half. The Irish dropped to 4-3 all-time in the annual challenge between the two power conferences.

Jalen Smith led the Terrapins with a double-double of 15 points and 16 rebounds to go with five blocks. Eric Ayala scored 14, and Aaron Wiggins had 11, two of which came on a thunderous put-back dunk of his own shot to end the first half. The Terrapins never allowed the Irish to get into a shooting rhythm, limiting the guests to 29 percent from the field. The first half particularly was challenging for the Irish, who made only eight field goals and shot 1 for 11 from 3-point range.

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John Mooney continued to be Notre Dame’s most dependable player, achieving his fifth double-double of the season with a game-high 17 points and 12 rebounds. Prentiss Hubb matched Mooney’s team highs of five field goals and three 3-pointers, finishing with 13 points and leading the Irish with three assists. Rex Pflueger was held scoreless, missing both of his 3-point attempts, and committed a game-high five turnovers. It was a surprising off night for Pflueger, who has enjoyed a balanced season to this point.

The Irish were unable to keep up with the quicker Terrapins, who held a 15-7 advantage in fast break points. They also outscored the Irish in points in the paint, 36-22.

With time winding down Notre Dame’s Robby Carmody went down with what appeared to be a significant knee injury and initial reports do not sound good for the Irish sophomore guard.

The Irish return to action Saturday when they host a struggling Boston College squad.

This article was written by new Fighting Irish Wire contributor Geoffrey Clark