Tag: NCAA

2-time NCAA Player of the Year Zach Edey declares for 2024 NBA draft

Edey became the first player in over 50 years to win to be named Player of the Year unanimously in consecutive seasons.

National Player of the Year Zach Edey told Jonathan Givony of ESPN on Tuesday that he had declared for the 2024 NBA draft after four years at Purdue University.

Edey led the Boilermakers to the national title game after averaging 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and two assists on 62.3% shooting from the field. He became the first player in over 50 years to win to be named Player of the Year unanimously in consecutive seasons.

The 7-footer leaves the program as the all-time career leader in points (2,516), rebounds (1,321), field goals (925) and field-goal percentage (62.1). He became the sixth player in history and the first since 1990 to finish with at least 2,516 points and 1,321 rebounds in a career.

Edey, who started playing basketball in 2017, is projected to be a first-round pick, given his ability to dominate in the paint and protect the rim. He is one of the most accomplished collegiate players in history and affected winning at a high level.

The 21-year-old will also be a step above his peers in terms of his experience. He helped Canada win the bronze medal last year in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, averaging 3.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in five games, and will likely be with the team again for the Olympics.

Edey is preparing for the pre-draft process; team workouts and interviews will take over the next several weeks. He proved himself to be one of the most dominant collegiate players in recent memory and looks to continue that success at the next level.

The 2024 NBA draft will occur June 26-27 in New York City.

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Legislation that grants immediate availability to multi-time transfers approved on Monday

Effective immediately, players who transfer will be immediately eligible at their new schools regardless of whether they have transferred before.

In a Monday vote, the NCAA Division I Board approved a motion that grants immediate eligibility for players who transfer for a second time.

The Division I Council already approved the suggestion last week, meaning Monday’s vote was the last step in the ratification process.

The new eligibility rules went into effect immediately, so if the Blue Devils pursue any players who have already transferred this offseason, head coach Jon Scheyer doesn’t need to worry about legislation snags. After commitments from former Purdue guard Mason Gillis and former Syracuse forward Maliq Brown, the Blue Devils coach still has three scholarship spots left to fill.

The new rule also applies to the seven former Duke players who left the program this offseason. For example, if Mark Mitchell decides he wants to leave Missouri after a season, he’ll be free to do so.

Projected lottery pick Cody Williams declares for 2024 NBA draft

Williams was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team after averaging 11.9 points, three rebounds and 1.6 assists.

Colorado freshman Cody Williams told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN on Monday that he will forgo his remaining college eligibility and declare for the 2024 NBA draft.

Williams was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team after averaging 11.9 points, three rebounds and 1.6 assists on 41.5% shooting from 3-point range in 24 games. He was second on the team in shooting percentage and blocks (16) while ranking third in scoring.

The 6-foot-8 forward entered the season in the conversation to be the No. 1 pick this year but missed time with various injuries. He showcased himself at a high level over the first half of the season and had flashes of what made him a top prospect.

Williams, the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, is projected to be a lottery pick with his size and reported 7-foot, 1-inch wingspan. On offense, he can easily get into the paint and throw down emphatic dunks.

The 19-year-old projects to fit well with any team drafting early in the first round. He has all of the necessary tools that should make for a smooth transition to the next level, though he will need to show teams he is healthy during the pre-draft process.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

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Report: Angel Reese had second-most NIL deals across all college sports

Reese will be carrying major deals into the WNBA, including her multiyear, exclusive partnership with Panini America.

SponsorUnited recently released its Name, Image, Likeness
Marketing Partnerships 2023–24 report, which offers an in-depth analysis of brand endorsements and social media collaborations across 17 college sports. According to the report, former LSU player Angel Reese had the second-most NIL endorsements over the past year with 26 deals, tied with UCLA quarterback Chase Griffin.

Reese also had the highest follower growth of any athlete across her social media accounts and the highest number of deals in SEC women’s basketball. The report also found that 35% of brands invest exclusively in NIL athletes versus major pro sports athletes. However, players like Reese will be carrying major deals into the WNBA, including her multiyear, exclusive partnership with Panini America, which includes autographed trading cards and memorabilia.

The report also found that while male athletes currently represent 65% of all NIL athletes, women athletes average a higher number of brand deals than their male counterparts at a rate of 3.5 to 2.5. There is also a broader distribution of deals across sports for women than men. NIL deals for male athletes are predominantly seen in football at 72%, while women’s deals are more evenly spread across basketball (35%), gymnastics (18%) and volleyball (15%).

Additionally, NIL deal distribution among the top 100 most endorsed athletes is balanced between women (52%) and men (48%), which is a marked difference from the previous year’s distribution of 62% men and 38% women.

Reese is no longer in college athletics, as the Chicago Sky drafted her No. 7 overall in the 2024 WNBA draft. However, her partnerships will continue to increase, and she will continue to make waves in professional sports, just like she did in college.

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Dan Hurley reacts to Stephon Castle declaring for 2024 NBA draft

Castle was named the Big East Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

UConn freshman Stephon Castle told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN on Friday that he will forgo his remaining college eligibility and declare for the 2024 NBA draft.

Castle was named the Big East Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 47.2% shooting from the field. He is the sixth player in program history to win the award and the first since Daniel Hamilton in the 2014-15 season.

The 6-foot-6 guard emerged as a key player for the Huskies this year, helping them win their second straight national championship. He totaled 36 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in two games in the Final Four as UConn knocked off Alabama and Purdue.

His coach, Dan Hurley, praised him after his draft announcement.

Castle is viewed as a potential lottery pick after a strong campaign. He has emerged as a great perimeter defender with his size, versatility and instincts. He was often matched up with the opposing teams’ best players and made life difficult for them.

He will have the opportunity to improve his draft positioning in team interviews and workouts over the pre-draft process. He could also be invited to compete in the G League Elite Camp or draft combine next month in Chicago, Illinois.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

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Helmet communications and two-minute warning to be a part of College Football in 2024

We think this will be well-received. #GoBucks

Ever since the sign-stealing allegations hit the news involving the Michigan football program, many have been calling for the NCAA to embrace helmet communications much like what we see in the NFL. The thought is that it would take the temptation and ability away from teams cheating to gain an advantage.

Well, after months of hearing many lobby for it, it appears the governing body of college athletics has listened and approved the use of helmet communications beginning this coming season.

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight panel officially approved both helmet communications and the adoption of a two-minute warning on Friday.

As far as the helmet comms go, each team will be allowed one player with the communication helmet that will go directly to the coaching staff. That helmet will be identified by a green sticker on the back. Communication will be cut off based on what comes first — either with 15 seconds to go on the play clock or whenever the ball is snapped.

The two-minute warning will work just like what you see in the NFL with a dead ball timeout coming either at 2:00 or less than that whenever a play ends.

As we’ve seen, college football is an ever-evolving sport, and that includes rule changes annually. Count all Ohio State fans and most non-Michigan fans as big fans of helmet communications.

Connor Stalions would not approve.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

UConn sophomore Alex Karaban to declare for NBA draft, retain eligibility

Karaban helped the Huskies to their second straight title, averaging 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range.

UConn sophomore Alex Karaban announced Thursday on social media that he will declare for the 2024 NBA draft while retaining his remaining college eligibility.

Karaban helped the Huskies to their second straight championship after averaging 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range. He produced eight 20-point games, including a season-high 26 points and seven rebounds on Dec. 9.

The 21-year-old joins teammate Donovan Clingan in declaring for the draft this year, while Stephon Castle, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer are also expected to enter. Clingan and Castle are projected to be lottery picks.

Karaban isn’t projected to be drafted, though he will have the opportunity to improve his stock in team interviews and workouts. He could also be invited to compete in the G League Elite Camp or draft combine next month in Chicago, Illinois.

He has until May 29 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.

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Report: All-Pac-12 guard Pelle Larsson to forgo eligibility after declaring for NBA draft

Larsson was named to the All-Pac-12 second team after averaging 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

Arizona senior Pelle Larsson will reportedly forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2024 NBA draft, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Larsson was named to the All-Pac-12 second team after averaging 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 42.6% shooting from 3-point range in 36 games. He scored in double figures 27 times, including a season-high 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds on Feb. 8.

The 6-foot-6 guard became the 55th player in program history to score 1,000 career points after three years (1,073). He is one of seven players in the country since the 1996-97 season to record at least 1,200 points, 500 rebounds and 100 steals on 49% shooting from the field.

Larsson, who was born in Sweden, began playing professional basketball at 16 years old. He played one season each with RIG Lulea and BC Lulea in the Swedish Basketball League before joining Utah as a freshman for the 2020-21 season.

The 23-year-old has represented Sweden at the junior several times and once at the senior level, most recently in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup European qualifiers. He averaged 6.3 points and two rebounds in four appearances.

Larsson is considered a potential second-round pick in the draft this year, given his ability to affect games in a variety of ways. He can score at each level and is highly touted for his vision, acting as a connector on offense at times.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

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Sharpshooter Reed Sheppard announces decision to declare for NBA draft

Sheppard was the only player in the country to record at least 145 assists, 80 steals and 75 3-pointers.

Kentucky freshman Reed Sheppard announced Thursday on social media that he will forgo his remaining college eligibility and declare for the 2024 NBA draft.

Sheppard was named the SEC Freshman of the Year after averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals on 52.1% shooting from 3-point range. He had seven 20-point games, including a season-high 32 points and the game-winning shot on Feb. 27 against Mississippi State.

He was also named to the All-SEC second team.

The 6-foot-3 guard led the country in 3-point percentage and finished 10th in total steals (82). He was the only player in the country to record at least 145 assists, 80 steals and 75 3-pointers, and just the second in program history with 80 or more steals in a season.

Sheppard is projected to be a lottery pick this year. He is considered perhaps the best shooter in the draft after converting at an absurd clip on 4.4 attempts per game. He connected on at least three 3-pointers 12 times and twice hit seven 3s in a game.

The 19-year-old has been more than a shooter, though, ranking 13th in the country in defensive box plus-minus (plus-5.0) and 12th in steal percentage (4.6). He has a knack for picking up full court at times and has shown tremendous instincts on that end of the floor.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

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