Tag: Fardaws Aimaq

5 big men the Oregon Ducks should pursue in the transfer portal

The Oregon Ducks are awaiting decisions for both N’Faly Dante and Kel’el Ware, but the transfer portal has replacements if needed.

The frontcourt for the 2023-24 Oregon Ducks is about as unsettled as it could possibly get.

Nate Bittle plans to return after averaging 7.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18 minutes per game last year, but until either N’Faly Dante or Kel’el Ware announce their plans for next season this team will need to explore the transfer portal to make an addition to the frontcourt.

Dante is coming off a career year and could parlay that into a professional career, either in the NBA or overseas if that doesn’t pan out, while Ware’s first season in Eugene went extremely poorly and it seems unlikely he’ll choose to return, either trying his hand at the NBA or entering the transfer portal.

Assuming one (or both) of those players depart, the Ducks will turn to the transfer portal to find a post player who can compliment the trio of newcomers in KJ Evans, Mookie Cook, and Jackson Shelstad.

The portal is far from set, with 1500 or so players expected to enter when all is said and done, but here is a first look at five big men the Ducks could bring to Eugene for next season:

Mark Adams steps down at Texas Tech, Fardaws Aimaq to enter the transfer portal

Following his suspension, Texas Tech’s Mark Adams resigned.

On Wednesday, Hall of Fame head coach Jim Boeheim wasn’t the only head coach in the Power Five to step down from his post. Later that day, it was announced by Texas Tech that men’s head basketball coach Mark Adams would resign from his position.

The school announced the news on its team website. Adams was placed on suspension following an investigation into a racially insensitive comment made to the team. Corey Williams was named interim for their Big 12 tournament game against West Virginia.

“My lifelong goal was to help and be a positive influence on my players, and to be a part of the Texas Tech men’s basketball team,” Adams said. “However, both the University and I believe this incident has become a distraction for the Texas Tech men’s basketball team and the University, which I care about so deeply.”

The Red Raiders named Adams the head coach of the program prior to the 2021-22 season after Chris Beard left for the opening with the Texas Longhorns. That season, the Red Raiders made it all the way to the Sweet 16 before being eliminated. This past season, the team was a shell of their former selves. They lost four consecutive games to close the season to end the regular season at 16-16.

At one time it looked as though Texas Tech would make a run at the NCAA Tournament, but that appeared to be fool’s gold. The next head coach will need to rally the troops for next season. While the administration will now begin a search for the next head coach, the team is also expected to lose big man Fardaws Aimaq to the transfer portal. This was reported by Red Raider Sports on Wednesday night.

A lot is about to change as the team will welcome a new era of basketball at the United Supermarkets Arena by the time the 2023-24 season tips off.

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Can Andy Enfield get a transfer big man to replace Vince Iwuchukwu this season?

With Vince Iwuchukwu recovering from a heart attack and being unlikely to receive medical clearance, #USC needs a big man. A notable transfer just entered the portal.

USC’s 2023 men’s basketball team is in a difficult spot for one primary reason: The big man who was supposed to be the next great USC defensive star has been sidelined by health problems.

Andy Enfield has forged a successful tenure at USC by recruiting elite defensive big men and molding them into game-changing defenders who also rebound and score.

Onyeka Okongwu. Evan and Isaiah Mobley. USC has needed low-post anchors to form the backbone of Enfield’s recent teams.

Vince Iwuchukwu was supposed to be the next important and equation-shaping big man who made USC a top-tier defensive force.

USC’s defense has not been bad this season, but the Trojans would have a significantly better defense with Iwuchukwu on the floor. If Iwuchukwu had been able to play, USC would probably be allowing several fewer points per game.

That might have been the difference in close losses to Tennessee and Wisconsin, and it might have prevented the Florida Gulf Coast game from getting out of hand.

Imagine if Iwuchukwu had played: USC might be 10-1 instead of 8-3.

Iwuchukwu, of course, suffered from an instance of cardiac arrest, which reportedly occurred in July. He has not been medically cleared to play, and it’s unlikely he will receive medical clearance this season.

Given that hole on the roster, USC could sure use a big man in the transfer portal.

Guess what? A very attractive prospect is now on the open market:

Fardaws Aimaq would be a godsend for Enfield and USC. Can the Trojans pounce? It could save their season. Let’s see what happens.

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Pacers to host Josh Minott, others for pre-draft workout

Memphis freshman Josh Minott will be among the draft prospects to work out with the Pacers on Friday.

Memphis freshman Josh Minott will be among the draft prospects to work out with the Indiana Pacers on Friday, the team announced. It is their first workout ahead of the draft.

Minott, who does not plan to return to Memphis, was named to the AAC All-Freshman team after averaging 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 33 games. He produced his best game of the season on Jan. 23 with 18 points and nine rebounds in a win against Tulsa.

The 6-foot-8 forward is considered to be a potential first-round pick after a strong season with the Tigers. He has also worked out with the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, and will compete in the draft combine May 18-20 in Chicago, Illinois.

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In addition to Minott, the Pacers will also work out Utah Valley center Fardaws Aimaq, Michigan center Moussa Diabate, USC guard Boogie Ellis, Saint Joseph’s guard Jordan Hall and Davidson forward Hyunjung Lee on Friday.

Indiana enters the pre-draft process slotted fifth in the first round prior to the draft lottery after finishing with a 25-57 record. They also have the 31st pick from the Houston Rockets and the 60th pick from the Phoenix Suns.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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

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Hawks to host pre-draft workout with Julian Champagnie, others

Champagnie is among the six prospects set to work out with the Hawks on Monday.

St. John’s junior Julian Champagnie is among the prospects set to participate in a pre-draft workout with the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.

Champagnie, who was named to the All-Big East first team, averaged 19.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, two assists, two steals and 1.1 blocked shots in 31 games. He finished second in scoring in the conference and 35th in the country, overall.

Atlanta enters the pre-draft process with the 16th and 44th picks, respectively. They also hosted workouts on multiple days last week and appear to be ramping up their draft preparation with the combine set to take place May 16-22.

Champagnie is most commonly projected to be a second-round pick. He will also work out with the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets this week and was recently invited to compete in the draft combine May 16-22 from Chicago, Illinois.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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

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Connor McCaffery announces return to Iowa Hawkeyes

After sharing the Chris Street Award with teammate Keegan Murray, Connor McCaffery announced his intention to return to Iowa.

After a series of departures to the 2022 NBA draft, graduation and the transfer portal, the Iowa men’s basketball team got some good news. Redshirt senior guard [autotag]Connor McCaffery[/autotag] announced his intentions to return to the Hawkeyes and make use of his sixth season of eligibility.

After being named co-winner of the Chris Street Award alongside teammate [autotag]Keegan Murray[/autotag] at Iowa’s team awards ceremony, McCaffery grabbed the mic and delivered a message.

“Last night, I sat down thinking of what I was going to say for my senior speech. So, then I thought, ‘You know what? I’ll wait to do it next year,'” McCaffery said.

McCaffery averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 assists per game this past season for Iowa. The 6-foot-5 guard connected on 33.8% of his 3-point tries and dished out three or more assists in 11 contests during the 2021-22 season. McCaffery had a big month of February where he made 12-of-19 3-pointers.

In fact, he knocked down 11-of-15 in the final four games of the month at Ohio State, versus Michigan State, at Nebraska and versus Northwestern. That Northwestern performance on Feb. 28 included McCaffery’s season-high 17 points and a career-best five 3-pointers.

With McCaffery’s decision to return, the outlook for the Hawkeyes in 2022-23 is a little clearer. Connor’s younger brother and one of Iowa’s best players returns in Patrick McCaffery. Patrick averaged 10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game this past season. Guards Tony Perkins, Payton Sandfort and Ahron Ulis are all returning. Forward Filip Rebraca is as well. Perkins, Sandfort and Ulis averaged 7.4, 5.0 and 3.1 points per game, respectively. Rebraca added 5.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

The Hawkeyes are still waiting on sophomore forward [autotag]Kris Murray[/autotag]’s final decision. After averaging 9.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, Murray announced on April 14 that he would be testing the 2022 NBA draft waters.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to play the game I love every day and to wear the Black and Gold. My focus is being able to grow as a player in every way possible. The opportunity to get feedback and experience working out for NBA teams will help me become the best player I can possibly be and take my game to the next level. I have big plans for next year and this experience will help me do that. I appreciate everyone’s support,” Murray said.

Murray didn’t sign with an agent, so he’s maintained his collegiate eligibility if he chooses to return to Iowa. Underclassmen have until June 1 to either remain or remove their names from the draft and the expectation is that Murray will indeed return to Iowa City.

Of course, guard [autotag]Jordan Bohannon[/autotag]’s college eligibility has expired and Kris’ twin brother, Keegan Murray, announced that he would be entering the 2022 NBA draft where he’s regarded as a likely lottery pick. Beyond that, three players have transferred out. Guard Joe Toussaint is transferring to West Virginia and guard Austin Ash and forward Josh Ogundele announced they aren’t returning either.

Iowa signed a pair in the 2022 class, three-star point guard [autotag]Dasonte Bowen[/autotag] out of the Brewster Academy in New Hampshire and three-star shooting guard Josh Dix from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The Hawkeyes are in the running for Utah Valley transfer center [autotag]Fardaws Aimaq[/autotag] as well. Aimaq averaged 18.9 points and 13.6 rebounds per game last season while shooting 43.5% from 3-point range. He included Iowa in his top five along with Gonzaga, Texas, Texas Tech and Washington.

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Iowa makes top 5 for Utah Valley transfer center Fardaws Aimaq

Iowa made the cut for Utah Valley transfer center Fardaws Aimaq.

Iowa is in the process of replacing national player of the year candidate and probable 2022 NBA draft lottery pick [autotag]Keegan Murray[/autotag] as well as Iowa’s and the Big Ten’s career made 3-pointers leader in guard [autotag]Jordan Bohannon[/autotag].

At least one reporter expects the Hawkeyes to be better off than maybe some naysayers would think. 247Sports national college basketball writer Kevin Flaherty recently ranked Iowa No. 16 in his way-too-early top 23 for 2023. Fellow 247Sports writer Isaac Trotter included Hawkeye forward Patrick McCaffery among his players poised to emerge as potential breakout stars in the 2022-23 season.

McCaffery and forward Kris Murray should both see elevated minutes and usage rates. It only makes sense that McCaffery’s 10.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game should go up as well. That should be the case with Kris Murray’s 9.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, too.

Still, Iowa is losing some serious production in both Keegan Murray and Bohannon. Keegan Murray finished averaging 23.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Murray joined former Texas star Kevin Durant in becoming just the second player in Division I history to amass more than 800 points, 60 blocks, and 60 3-pointers in a single season. Meanwhile, Bohannon ended his career having made an Iowa and Big Ten record 455 3-pointers. He also averaged 11 points per game last season for the Hawkeyes.

With those losses in mind, Iowa is looking to replenish via the transfer portal. One of the names Iowa has been linked to is Utah Valley center Fardaws Aimaq. The 6-foot-11 center trimmed his list of potential transfer destinations down to five and Iowa made the cut.

Along with the Hawkeyes, Aimaq is still reportedly considering Gonzaga, Texas, Texas Tech and Washington.