Tag: Jamal Shead

Report: Raptors sign All-American Jamal Shead to 3-year contract

The 45 pick has reportedly agreed to sign a three-year contract with the Raptors.

Former Houston guard Jamal Shead has reportedly signed a three-year, $6.11 million contract with the Toronto Raptors, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Shead was a consensus first-team All-American and the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 12.9 points, 6.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals. He was also voted the Big 12 Player of the Year and the top defender in the conference.

The 45th pick left as the second-winningest Cougar after four years (120-18). He finished third in program history in assists (693) and is the only player to win 100 games with at least 1,300 points, 600 assists and 200 steals in a career.

The Raptors acquired the draft rights to Shead, along with Davion Mitchell, Sasha Vezenkov and a 2025 second-round pick, from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Jalen McDaniels. Shead will reportedly have the first two years of his contract guaranteed.

Shead is expected to suit up with the Raptors in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada. They will play at least five games, starting on July 13 against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Pavilion (8:30 p.m. EDT, NBA TV).

He will likely be joined by fellow draft picks Ja’Kobe Walter (20th pick) and Jonathan Mogbo (31st pick), and undrafted free agents Branden Carlson and Joe Girard III, among others.

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Report: Houston’s Jamal Shead had predraft workout with Thunder

Report: Houston’s Jamal Shead had predraft workout with Thunder.

The calendar has flipped to June, which means NBA teams are intensifying their predraft process and hosting players for workouts and visits. The 2024 NBA draft will take place from June 26-27.

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter this year’s class with a sole draft pick of the No. 12 selection. OKC was gifted the free lottery pick via the Houston Rockets.

The Thunder will host several meetings with draft prospects in the coming weeks. This includes players outside the lottery range as OKC will likely seek to add undrafted free agents or even buy back into the second round if it likes someone enough.

One possibility is Houston’s Jamal Shead. He had a predraft workout with the Thunder on Sunday, per Rookie Wire.

The 21-year-old played four college seasons from 2020-24 with Houston. He was a starter in his final three campaigns. The Cougars’ season ended in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s Tournament.

In 37 games last season, Shead averaged 12.9 points on 40.9% shooting, 6.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He shot 30.9% from 3 on 3.8 attempts. At 6-foot, 200 pounds, he’s a bit small for a guard.

Shead is a potential undrafted free agent target. He has a shot to join the Thunder’s summer league squad and possibly be added to the G League’s OKC Blue for next season if he impresses enough.

A full list of 2024 NBA draft prospects that have worked out or visited the Thunder in the predraft process can be viewed here.

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Jamal Shead: NBA draft scouting report

2002 | 6’0 | 6’3 WS | 200 LBS Team: Houston Agent: Bill Neff Best aggregate mock draft rank : 31 / Worst rank: NR 2023-24 stats: In 2023-24, Shead averaged 13.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. He shot 42.1 …

2002 | 6’0 | 6’3 WS | 200 LBS

Team: Houston

Agent: Bill Neff

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 31 / Worst rank: NR

2023-24 stats:

In 2023-24, Shead averaged 13.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. He shot 42.1 percent from the field, 32.7 percent from three, and 77.4 percent from the foul line.

Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Jamal Shead: ‘I don’t think I have anything to prove’

Fresh off of a legendary career at Houston, Jamal Shead wants to continue his run with a strong showing in the predraft process.

Fresh off of a legendary collegiate career, former Houston guard Jamal Shead wants to continue his successful run to the NBA with a strong showing in the predraft process.

Shead was a consensus first-team All-American and the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 12.9 points, 6.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals. He was also voted the Big 12 Player of the Year and the top defender in the conference.

The 6-foot-1 guard left as the second-winningest Cougar after four years (120-18). He finished third in program history in assists (693) and is the only player to win 100 games with at least 1,300 points, 600 assists and 200 steals in a career.

He wants to land with the right team at the next level.

“If they can see me impacting winning with them, that is a fit,” Shead said on Friday after working out with the Indiana Pacers. “I can figure out wherever I fit in at and whoever is ready to guide me and help me fit in with their organization, I’ll be ready for.”

Shead is healthy again after sustaining an ankle injury in the NCAA Tournament. He emerged as one of the top scrimmage performers last month at the draft combine in Chicago, Illinois, averaging 13.5 points, five assists, 2.5 rebounds and one steal in two games.

The 21-year-old is projected to be a second-round pick in the NBA draft this year, given his skill set on both ends of the floor. He has a good blend of offensive ability, while he can also lock up on defense and match up on the perimeter.

His workout with the Pacers was his fifth of the predraft process. He will have others scheduled ahead of the draft on June 26-27 and will be looking to find a team he can best fit with.

“I don’t think it’s anything about wanting to prove anything; it is just about finding the right fit and being around guys that want me to be there,” Shead said. “I don’t think I have anything to prove. I think I just got to be ready to work from Day 1 for wherever I go.”

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Jeremy Roach and Kyle Filipowski lead Duke to the Elite Eight after beating Houston 54-51

Duke hangs on in a rock fight of a game to advance to Elite Eight.

Friday night in Dallas felt like a fight night.

Kelvin Sampson and his No. 1-seeded Houston Cougars made the three-hour trip up I-45 South to Dallas to take on the Duke Blue Devils.

Much of the build-up to the game centered around Houston’s defense and Duke’s methodical yet explosive offense, and when the ball went up for tipoff, that was precisely what surfaced immediately. Houston hit Duke in the mouth early, going up 6-0 after forcing two Jeremy Roach turnovers.

Jon Scheyer called a timeout immediately to settle his team down, and from then on, it was game on. Duke worked back into the game, trading blows with the Cougars for the remainder of the half.

Just past the midway point of the first half, Houston’s fearless leader and Naismith Player of The Year candidate Jamal Shead drove to the rim but rolled his right ankle hard as he planted to rise for the layup. Shead fell to the floor and wouldn’t get up until after the game was stopped. He eventually tried to walk off the court under his power, but trainers helped him the rest of the way to the locker room. He would be diagnosed with a severe ankle sprain and would never return.

With Shead out, Duke eventually fought back to take a 23-22 lead into the break.

Houston, indicative of the toughness they have become known for, would not go away in the second half. Ramon Walker drilled a huge contested 3-pointer to cut the game back to a single possession with nine minutes to play. J’Wan Roberts, another senior leader for Houston, got a tough left-handed layup in the paint to cut it to just one point one minute later.

But that was as close as the Cougars got.

Jeremy Roach, Duke’s senior captain, has a highlight reel of big plays from his March exploits over the last four years. Tonight, he added to it with a masterful second-half performance. He locked in and poured in all 14 of his points after the break, including a dagger mid-range jumper to put Duke up 6 with just over a minute left.

Duke held on to secure its first win over a higher seed since the Blue Devils knocked off No. 1 seeded Purdue in the 1994 NCAA Tournament, then led by 19 points from former Duke assistant Jeff Capel.

Sophomore Kyle Filipowski played one of his best all-around games, contributing 16 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. Ryan Young was a massive X-factor off the bench, and the 6-foot-10 senior gave Duke four points and four rebounds while playing tough defense, helping Duke stay in the game when Houston punched first.

With the win, Duke ensures that at least one ACC team will make the Final Four. The Blue Devils will take on the NC State Wolfpack in the final game of the Elite Eight on Sunday at 5:05 PM EST.

Three keys to a Duke win versus Houston in the Sweet 16

Duke’s methodical offense and ability to handle Houston’s air-tight ball-trapping defense defense is a major key to winning this game.

The time continues to dwindle as we get closer and closer to Duke tipping off in Dallas to take on the Houston Cougars for the right to move on to the Elite Eight.

Duke’s journey this year has been up and down, but after an unfortunate blip of back-to-back losses right before the NCAA Tournament started, the momentum did not seem to favor the Blue Devils.

Yet, here we are after Duke dominated the tournament’s first two games and cruised to Dallas. Things won’t be nearly as easy on Friday night against Houston. The Cougars are tough, physical, and tested. Two-way guard Jamal Shead, Houston’s star player, will be playing in his 15th NCAA Tournament game on Friday evening. Kelvin Sampson has had a terrific tenure coaching this program, and he brings years of NCAA Tournament experience.

Duke will have its hands full. However, Houston can be beat. With that said, here are three keys to a Duke win.

Quick decisions are essential.

Houston runs a highly effective defense predicated on trapping the ball in the pick-and-roll. It blitzes ball-handlers and forces them to make lightning-quick decisions and passes that many teams at the college level can’t make or are too slow to make, thus leading to turnovers and rushed offensive sets.

When you look at the Cougars’ defense, they are No. 2 in effective field goal percentage (44%), block rate (16.1%), and steal rate (15.5%). They are also within the top five in turnover percentage (24.7%) and 2-point defense (43.4 %) and they hold teams under 30 percent from three.

In other words, they are stout defensively. However, opponents have a shot if they can swing the ball and break the trap down off the dribble. Jeremy Roach has dominated the ball in the tournament thus far, sliding into a more conventional PG role like he did in the last few NCAA Tournaments. He must be decisive, make the right reads, and get the ball out so Duke can swing it, attack open gaps, or use numbers to their advantage when applicable.

If the ball sticks, Duke will be in trouble, generating offense. Luckily, Duke has found its rhythm in sharing the ball in the tournament. 22 assists on 33 made field goals against James Madison in the second round certainly helps. They may not make nearly as many baskets, but a similar ratio would likely mean they’ve been able to break down Houston’s defense.

Shoot, shoot, shoot

There are going to be plenty of 3-point opportunities available come Friday night. Duke needs to be ready to hit them. They shot the cover off the ball against JMU in their last game. Jared McCain had eight threes. It’s unlikely Houston will allow the number of open looks that JMU did, but for the ones they do, Duke has to cash in on them.

Per Synergy Sports, Houston is in the 98th percentile in spot-up points allowed per possession at an incredibly high rate (27% of defensive possessions.) In other words, McCain and Tyrese Proctor have to have good days like they did Sunday shooting the ball. The issue is that Houston plays such a hellacious defense that they will contest everything. Duke needs an inspired shooting performance like they had in the second round, or at least 40% in comparison to the 50% they were at against the Dukes.

Toughness wins

You would be hard-pressed to find a tougher team than the Houston Cougars. They play hard physically; if you are mentally and physically unprepared, things can spiral quickly. Duke’s knock this year is that they are soft. That has been the narrative all season long. Both games against UNC showcased that, as did their early loss to Arkansas.

Duke will be run out of the gym if it is not mentally and physically ready to battle this Houston team. In the aftermath of the JMU game, players and coaches talked about how the message preached was to throw the first punch. Come out and attack them. Set the tone on both court ends and let them know you’re here. That same message applies here.

Houston may not be nearly as dynamic offensively as the Tar Heels, but they are even better defensively, and both games against North Carolina did no favors for Duke. Duke is 18th in effective field-goal percentage. They can score with the best of them, but this is different. Duke hasn’t beaten a higher-ranked seed in 30 years. To win this game, they must showcase what they have been missing all year.

Despite losing to Houston in the round of 32, Andersson Garcia’s game tying 3-pointer will be remembered forever

Texas A&M’s tournament run may be over, but Andersson Garcia’s game tying 3-pointer will forever live in out memories.

Texas A&M’s (21-15) 2023-2024 season ended after falling to the No. 1-seed Houston Cougars on Sunday night, failing to complete what looked to be an epic comeback after taking the game to overtime.

With just 1:20 left in regulation, the Aggies battled back from their 82-71 deficit on the backs of Tyrece Radford, Wade Taylor IV, Manny Obaseki, and, most importantly, senior forward Andersson Garcia, who would go on to have his “one shining moment” at the buzzer.

Down 86-83 with 1.2 seconds on the clock, head coach Buzz Williams drew up a play that no one saw coming, as Radford inbounded to Garcia, who had only attempted 19 3-pointers on the year, quickly picked up the bounce pass at the top of the key, shooting what would become the most memorable shot in his playing career.

Fading away like a kid in his driveway shouting, “Kobe!” Garcia tied the game, causing an eruption from the crowd. He immediately placed his hands over his face, cemented on the ground while being tackled by his Aggie teammates in the process.

Sending the game into overtime, Houston, led by elite point guard Jamal Shead (21 points, ten assists) and Emmanuel Sharp (30 points, 7-10 3-point), continued to make shots while the Aggies failed to take advantage of the moment, eventually falling 100-95.

In contrast, a wave of disappointment briefly took over the A&M sideline. Still, despite the loss to one of the best teams in the country, Andersson Garcia’s Texas A&M career won’t just be remembered for setting the new program rebounding record.

While the Aggies can undoubtedly learn from the defeat, primarily caused by the 16 missed free throws coupled with a bad shooting night from Wade Taylor IV, the NCAA Tournament is beautiful and cruel. After falling in the first round last season, almost defeating a championship favorite is undoubtedly a step in the right direction heading into next season.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Best photos from the Oklahoma Sooners 87-85 loss to the No. 1 Houston Cougars

Best photos from the Oklahoma Sooners 87-85 buzzer-beater loss to the Houston Cougars on Saturday night.

Close losses all count the same, but after the Sooners’ disappointing effort in Ames earlier this week, going toe to toe with the No. 1 team in the nation was an encouraging site.

When the Oklahoma Sooners are hitting their shots, they’ve proven this season that they can hang with just about anyone. And in this contest, the Sooners shot very well. Oklahoma had a chance to send the game to overtime, getting an initial stop on Jamal Shead’s game-tying attempt on Houston’s final possession.

However, the Sooners couldn’t collect the rebound, and the ball found Shead again, who did what good players do when given a second chance and buried the game-winner and Oklahoma’s upset bid.

Still, it was an encouraging performance for the Sooners as they head into the final week of the regular season. Sure, you hate to lose any game but the 2023-2024 season has shown improvement. Oklahoma sits 7-9 in Big 12 play after they won just five games a year ago. Overall, the Sooners are one win away from a 20-win season.

Despite how the rest of the season goes, this team looks like they’re heading for the NCAA tournament. Now it’s about earning the best seed they can in March Madness.

Check out the best photos from the Oklahoma Sooners loss to the Houston Cougars.

 

Oklahoma falls to No. 1 Houston 87-85 on last second jump shot by Jamal Shead

Oklahoma comes up short 87-85 in upset bid of No.1 Houston.

Oklahoma emptied the tank on Saturday evening before a packed-out Lloyd Noble Center as they took on the nation’s number one team, the Houston Cougars.

Though the Sooners failed to knock off yet another highly-ranked Big 12 foe on Saturday evening, there’s certainly no shame in the effort they put on the court.

Jamal Shead, one of the nation’s best players, sent the Sooner faithful home in disappointed after hitting a mid-range jump shot as the seconds ticked down to give the Cougars and former Oklahoma head coach [autotag]Kelvin Sampson[/autotag] the 87-85 win.

In what many figured would be a defensive, grind-it-out affair, the Sooners and Cougars exploded offensively from the opening tip throughout the contest.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair with threes raining from each side in a free-flowing game. OU was 7 of 13 from beyond the arc and 10 of 10 from the free throw line in the game’s first 20 minutes. Overall in the first half, they shot 14 of 28 from the field, while Houston shot 67% percent in the first half.

Rivaldo Soares led the way with 10 points on 3 of 3 shooting and 3 of 3 from the charity stripe. Sam Godwin added eight of his team-leading 17 points.

Houston adjusted at the break before racing out to a 56-47 lead before pushing it out to 63-51with over 13 minutes left.

The Sooners responded to fight back into the game with clutch shooting and timely stops. With the Sooners down 85-82, Sam Godwin was fouled. He made the first of two free throws, but the rebound was saved by point guard Milos Uzan. After a timeout, the Sooners scored off the ensuing inbound pass on a nifty drive to the cup by [autotag]Javian McCollum[/autotag].

On the Cougars’ final possession, Oklahoma got the initial stop, but Shead collected his own rebound from the scrum and hit the buzzer beater to end the Sooners’ upset bit.

The Sooners had five players finish in double figures while shooting over 50% from the field and 40% from three.

Houston will head to Orlando to take on UCF Wednesday evening.

The Sooners will host Cincinnati on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for their final Big 12 home game before heading on the road to face Texas in Austin on the final day of the regular season.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.

Catching up with the Boston Celtics’ 2023 NBA draft workouts Part IV

Let’s dive into who the Celtics might be targeting at No. 35.

Even with the offseason here in earnest, the Boston Celtics have plenty on their plate regarding their future as they continue to work out prospects projected to go in the second round of the ’23 NBA draft.

With the Celtics likely to need cheap depth in the future, look for prospects who are either polished enough to get some real minutes in their rookie campaign or who might be okay with a season or two stashed abroad while the team makes decisions about how it will use the new two way player slot added to rosters in the latest collective bargaining agreement recently adopted by the league.

Adding to our previous reporting of the team’s known workouts comes a new wave of prospects Boston has been working out — let’s dive into who the Celtics might be targeting at No. 35.