Tag: Kevin Obanor

Raptors sign former Texas Tech forward Kevin Obanor to Exhibit 10 contract

Former Texas Tech forward Kevin Obanor signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Raptors on Tuesday.

Former Texas Tech forward Kevin Obanor, who went undrafted this year, signed a contract with the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, the team announced.

The Athletic reported it is an Exhibit 10 contract.

Obanor was named to the All-Big 12 honorable mention team last season after averaging 14.4 points and 6.4 rebounds on 49.2% shooting from the field in 32 games as a fifth-year senior. He scored in double figures 24 times, including eight 20-point games.

He appeared in one game with the Raptors in the NBA Summer League.

Obanor will likely participate with the Raptors in training camp and spend next season in the G League with the Raptors 905 as part of his Exhibit 10 contract. He can receive a bonus of up to $75,000 if he is waived and stays with the 905 for at least 60 days.

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2023 Lakers draft prospect profile: Kevin Obanor

A look at Kevin Obanor, a forward from Texas Tech University.

After a disastrous 2021-22 season and a dismal start to this season, the Los Angeles Lakers turned things around drastically in February and became a very good team thanks to several trades.

They had the second-best regular-season record in the NBA after the All-Star break, and they reached the Western Conference finals, where they were swept by the Denver Nuggets.

While Los Angeles appears close to being a championship-caliber team, it has a few needs, including improved frontcourt depth.

On Tuesday, it worked out a forward named Kevin Obanor from Texas Tech University who could have some potential.

Notre Dame can’t close deal vs. Texas Tech, out of NCAA Tournament

That’s all she wrote for this season.

For 38 minutes, Notre Dame battled Texas Tech as well as it could have. In fact, the Irish had a three-point lead on the Red Raiders and just needed to hold on a little longer to earn a date with Duke in the Sweet 16. Instead, everything on both ends suddenly went south at the wrong time. The Red Raiders scored 10 unanswered points and eliminated the Irish in the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 59-53 win in San Diego.

The Irish (24-11) had a 52-49 lead thanks to taking care of the ball, playing solid defense and making shots when they needed to. All of that changed in the game’s final two minutes, and the Red Raiders (27-9) were the beneficiaries.

Out of an Irish timeout with the lead cut to 52-51, Terrence Shannon Jr. stole the ball from Blake Wesley to set up the possession that ended in two free throws for Kevin Obanor, which he earned after being fouled on an offensive rebound. Wesley tried to answer, but his go-ahead layup attempt was blocked by Marcus Santos-Silva, who hit two free throws himself after he was fouled immediately.

The nightmare wasn’t over for Wesley. He turned it over again, leading to another foul that resulted in two successful Red Raiders free throws, this time from Kevin McCullar. Down five and desperate for points, the Irish came up empty on three straight shots. The last of those was blocked and thrown down the court so a completely-alone McCullar could dunk with authority to erase any doubt about this game’s outcome.

Obanor was the star for the Red Raiders as he achieved a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds. McCullar had 14 points, as did Bryson Williams. Adonis Arms grabbed seven boards and a game-high four assists.

Dane Goodwin led the Irish with 14 points. In what likely will be his final game for the program, Wesley scored 11 and also had eight rebounds. However, those three turnovers he had in the final two minutes are sure to weigh on him and Irish fans for a long time.

While it was a tough way to end the season, surely any Irish fan would have taken how this team got after such a rough start. Now, we wonder who will be back next year to join highly-touted commit J.J. Starling. Maybe he will get the Irish even deeper in the tournament next year. It sure will be exciting to find out the answer to that question.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Oklahoma vs. No. 14 Texas Tech: injury report, broadcast info for Friday

Everything you need to know as the Oklahoma Sooners get set for their semifinal matchup with No. 14 Texas Tech in the Big 12 tournament.

Oklahoma added a jolt to its NCAA Tournament hopes by upsetting No. 3 Baylor in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament, 72-67. Junior forward Jacob Groves led the way with 15 points and nine rebounds, while redshirt senior guard Marvin Johnson added 12 points off the bench.

Senior guard Umoja Gibson finished with 14 points and it was his driving and-one finish that put the Sooners in front 68-62 with 49 seconds remaining. Redshirt senior point guard Jordan Goldwire and junior forward Jalen Hill each scored 10 points apiece to also help pace OU.

“Really happy for the guys to stick with this and be resilient. When we lost Elijah Harkless, we found out like the day before I think it was the Iowa State game and it kind of took us by surprise. Now, we’ve regrouped. We’ve regrouped and we’ve won four in a row and we’re confident, we’re hot.

“That was a huge win for us. People kind of counted us out and we started one at a time, beating Oklahoma State, then West Virginia, then had to go to Kansas State on their senior night and now this. But it’s a testament to this group on how close they’re becoming and how resilient they’re becoming of blocking out all the outside noise and just trying to focus in on what we need to do to win games,” Oklahoma head men’s basketball coach Porter Moser said following the win over Baylor.

Meanwhile, No. 14 Texas Tech dominated Iowa State from start to finish in its 72-41 win over the Cyclones. Texas Tech junior guard Terrence Shannon Jr. led all scorers with 15 points. It sets up a third meeting between Oklahoma and Texas Tech. The two teams split their season series with OU winning in Norman on Feb. 9, 70-55, and Texas Tech capturing the second tilt in Lubbock on Feb. 22, 66-42.

How to watch

Date: Friday, March 11

Time: 8:30 p.m. CST

TV: ESPN2

Radio: 107.7 FM The Franchise

Stat leaders

Oklahoma:

  • Umoja Gibson: 12.4 points per game, 37.4 percent 3-point field goal shooting
  • Tanner Groves: 12.1 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 38.2 percent 3-point field goal shooting
  • Jordan Goldwire: 10.3 points per game, 3.5 assists per game
  • Jalen Hill: 8.9 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game

Texas Tech:

  • Bryson Williams: 13.8 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 42.1 percent 3-point field goal shooting
  • Terrence Shannon Jr.: 10.6 points per game, 2.9 rebounds per game
  • Davion Warren: 10.1 points per game, 3.1 rebounds per game
  • Kevin McCullar: 10.0 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game
  • Kevin Obanor: 9.8 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game

Injury report

Oklahoma:

  • Elijah Harkless: Harkless suffered a season-ending injury during the Texas game on Feb. 15.

Texas Tech:

  • Ethan Duncan: Duncan’s status is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury according to oddschecker.com.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

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Oklahoma Sooners among top 10 for Oral Roberts transfer forward Kevin Obanor

The Oklahoma Sooners found themselves among the top 10 for Oral Roberts transfer Kevin Obanor.

Oklahoma Sooners head basketball coach Porter Moser had plenty of work to do when he accepted the job. Taking over for the retired Lon Kruger, Moser had to completely rebuild his roster with so many leaving through the transfer portal and NBA draft. The top three scorers from a season ago are now moving on. Austin Reaves declared for the NBA draft, and both De’Vion Harmon and Brady Manek put their names in the transfer portal.

Moser has done a good job of adding talent to the team through the portal and there could be yet another top transfer heading to Norman, Oklahoma. Top transfer Kevin Obanor of Oral Roberts has listed the Sooners among his top 10 schools.

While no official date has been set for his announcement, it is expected to come soon. The Sooners are joined by fellow Big 12 school Texas Tech among the final list. Despite the fact that Chris Beard left Lubbock for Austin to become the head coach for the Texas Longhorns, the Red Raiders are still a premier basketball program.

Obanor is a 6’8″ forward that averaged 18.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. He was as close to a walking double-double as you might find in the portal at this point in the process.

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

Did he stay or did he go? Tracking the biggest NBA draft decisions

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

While the official date from the league is not actually until July 19, the NCAA has mandated the deadline of July 7 for players who wish to play college basketball next season.

Prospects who declared as early entry candidates but were just “testing the waters” often opt to return to the collegiate ranks so as to improve their draft stock for the subsequent year instead. But there are several reasons why a player might be even more willing to return to college for another campaign than usual.

For example, seniors have the option to use another year of eligibility because of the massive impact of COVID-19. Others may be interested in playing another year of college in front of fans after last season was met with many restrictions.

Meanwhile, all NCAA athletes also now have the ability to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) for the first time. This offers an avenue to collect some money while still in college without needing to fully commit to turning pro.

Here are the latest updates about who is still testing the waters, who will be turning pro and who will be returning to the NCAA.

Did he stay or did he go? Tracking the biggest NBA draft decisions

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

While the official date from the league is not actually until July 19, the NCAA has mandated the deadline of July 7 for players who wish to play college basketball next season.

Prospects who declared as early entry candidates but were just “testing the waters” often opt to return to the collegiate ranks so as to improve their draft stock for the subsequent year instead. But there are several reasons why a player might be even more willing to return to college for another campaign than usual.

For example, seniors have the option to use another year of eligibility because of the massive impact of COVID-19. Others may be interested in playing another year of college in front of fans after last season was met with many restrictions.

Meanwhile, all NCAA athletes also now have the ability to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) for the first time. This offers an avenue to collect some money while still in college without needing to fully commit to turning pro.

Here are the latest updates about who is still testing the waters, who will be turning pro and who will be returning to the NCAA.

Did he stay or did he go? Tracking the biggest NBA draft decisions

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

While the official date from the league is not actually until July 19, the NCAA has mandated the deadline of July 7 for players who wish to play college basketball next season.

Prospects who declared as early entry candidates but were just “testing the waters” often opt to return to the collegiate ranks so as to improve their draft stock for the subsequent year instead. But there are several reasons why a player might be even more willing to return to college for another campaign than usual.

For example, seniors have the option to use another year of eligibility because of the massive impact of COVID-19. Others may be interested in playing another year of college in front of fans after last season was met with many restrictions.

Meanwhile, all NCAA athletes also now have the ability to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) for the first time. This offers an avenue to collect some money while still in college without needing to fully commit to turning pro.

Here are the latest updates about who is still testing the waters, who will be turning pro and who will be returning to the NCAA.

Can Penn State land a key mid-major transfer against a growing list of interested schools and the NBA draft?

Penn State basketball in deep competition to secure a key mid-major transfer against UNC, Notre Dame, the NBA draft, and more

Penn State men’s basketball coach Micah Shrewsberry has been keeping tabs on the activity in the college basketball transfer portal, and another potential target may have just become available. But to secure the transfer, Shrewsberry may have to win a pretty tight recruiting battle against Texas Tech, a pair of SEC programs, and the NBA draft.

According to Jeff Goodman of Stadium, Kevin Obanor of Oral Roberts is looking to enter the NBA draft. However, as a way to keep all of his options on the table, he has also added his name to the transfer portal database, which is not a bad strategy given the uncertain nature of a two-round NBA draft.

As of now, Obanor reportedly prefers to head to the NBA with the hope of being drafted by an NBA franchise in need of a 6′-8″ forward who helped Oral Roberts advance to the Sweet Sixteen in this past season’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament following upset victories over Ohio State and Florida. He has already worked out for the Golden State Warriors and has workouts scheduled with the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic.

But now that he is in the transfer portal, Obanor is getting calls from interested programs. Among those reaching out, according to Goodman, has been Penn State.

Goodman went on to add some other names to the list of schools reaching out to Obanor. Among them were Notre Dame, North Carolina, and Georgetown. Don’t be surprised if more schools are added to the list.

Penn State could certainly benefit from the addition of one of the nation’s top mid-major forwards if Obanor were to join the program. Seth Lundy has already made the decision to remain with the Nittany Lions after testing the waters of the transfer portal this offseason. John Harrar will also return for another season. Penn State has also added Greg Lee from the transfer portal via Cal State Bakersfield. Penn State isn’t exactly short on forwards, but any time a program can add a good quality player to the roster, it is worth examining.

Shrewsberry’s experience in developing NBA talent could also come into play as an advantage in recruiting Obanor to Happy Valley. But Penn State may be considered a bit of a longshot to land Obanor as he makes his decision on his future.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.

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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.

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.