Dane Goodwin will play for Sacramento Kings in NBA Summer League

Irish basketball fans will have at least one reason to watch summer action.

As expected, nobody from Notre Dame was selected in Thursday’s NBA draft. In fact, only five ACC players were picked. But that doesn’t opportunities don’t exist for undrafted free agents to land two-way contracts and NBA Summer League opportunities. For former Notre Dame guard [autotag]Dane Goodwin[/autotag], it’s the latter:

Goodwin just completed his fifth and final season with the Irish. Over his collegiate career, he averaged 10.8 points and 4.4 rebounds a game. In 2022, he made the All-ACC Third Team. Now, he’ll see how well he translates at a higher level of basketball.

If a certain trade hadn’t been made, Goodwin would have had a Notre Dame connection for a teammate. The Kings drafted Marquette’s Olivier-Maxence Prosper, the brother of Irish women’s basketball player [autotag]Cassandre Prosper[/autotag], with the 24th overall pick. They then traded  the rights Prosper to the Dallas Mavericks in an effort to gain cap space ahead of free agency. Oh well.

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Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Mavericks’ Olivier-Maxence Prosper drops 3rd straight 20-point game in G League

Mavericks rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper continued a productive run on assignment in the G League on Wednesday with the Legends.

Dallas Mavericks rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper continued a productive run on assignment in the G League Wednesday on the road with the Texas Legends.

Prosper produced 22 points, nine rebounds and one assist in a 119-112 loss to the Raptors 905. The Canadian shot 7-of-13 from the field, including 2-of-6 from 3-point range, in nearly 37 minutes in his fourth appearance with the Legends.

The 24th pick registered his third straight 20-point performance with the Legends, which have all come this week. He did the majority of his work early on Wednesday after recording 18 points and four rebounds alone in the first half.

Prosper has been out of the rotation this season with the Mavericks, playing in mostly mop-up duty. He has made 23 appearances and recorded a career-high 20 points and six rebounds on Dec. 22 in a 26-point loss to the Houston Rockets.

The 21-year-old is averaging 21.5 points, nine rebounds and 2.3 assists on 36% shooting from 3-point range with the Legends. He has registered one double-double and had a career-high 23 points in a win over the 905 on Tuesday.

With playing time scarce of late, Prosper has had the opportunity to log extended minutes in the G League. That playing time should help him stay in a rhythm on the court and be ready for when his number is called with the Mavericks.

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Victor Wembanyama among 13 rookies to sign shoe deals with Nike

Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller headline a talented rookie class to sign with Nike this year.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama and Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller are among 13 rookies to sign shoe and apparel contracts with Nike, according to Nick DePaula of Boardroom.

Wembanyama and Miller headline a talented rookie class for the Swoosh, which includes Amen Thompson (Houston), Ausar Thompson (Detroit), Anthony Black (Orlando), Bilal Coulibaly (Washington) and Cason Wallace (Oklahoma City).

They join a star-studded roster, including signature athletes LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George and Sabrina Ionescu. It has been estimated that nearly 70% of players in the NBA wear Nike on the court.

The group of players signed to Nike nearly makes up half of the first round of draftees this year. Other rookies, such as Scoot Henderson (PUMA), Jarace Walker (Under Armour), Jett Howard (Jordan) and Gradey Dick (Adidas), have also inked with apparel companies.

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10 NBA rookies make predictions for their first game before the season begins

There are so many great answers from this NBA rookie class.

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After completing their first offseason, a new class of NBA rookies are ready to step on the court to make their professional debuts.

While nothing can compare with the special moment of hearing their name called in the NBA Draft, it is assuredly a surreal feeling to have your lifelong dreams realized on the hardwood.

We spoke to 10 rookies from the 2023 draft class about all of the emotions they anticipate feeling once they officially begin their professional careers as NBA athletes.

Here is what each prospect said about what they expect when they play on the parquet courts in front of thousands of fans.

These interviews have been condensed and edited for clarity.

Jason Kidd reacts to Lively, Prosper starting Mavericks’ first preseason game

Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper earned the start on Thursday as the Mavericks tipped off the preseason.

Jason Kidd hinted that Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper could start in the preseason, and the two rookies were among the first five out for the Dallas Mavericks against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kidd said the Mavericks would experiment with their lineups throughout training camp and the preseason. The team has two spots open in the starting lineup next to Luke Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Grant Williams, and it is looking to audition Lively and Prosper in those roles.

The Mavs gained their first look on Thursday.

Lively recorded two points, five rebounds and one blocked shot in 14 minutes during the 111-99 loss in Abu Dhabi. Prosper had one point and one rebound in 17 minutes.

Kidd liked what he saw from them.

You look at the rookies starting tonight against a playoff team, and I thought they did a really good job. They were rookies. There was some good stuff that Dereck did going against (Rudy) Gobert and (Karl-Anthony Towns), and then O-Max I thought had some good looks. It just didn’t go down for him tonight.

The Mavericks largely used the contest to take a closer look at their backups. Doncic, Irving and Williams played only in the first half. Doncic led the way with 25 points and second-year guard Jaden Hardy added 13 points off the bench.

Kidd has been impressed by the rookies from their offseason workouts at the practice facility. They have hit their training hard and have stuck to their plan set forth by the team. Kidd expects them to play this season and believes they are a part of their long-term plans.

Lively and Prosper will likely start again on Saturday versus the Timberwolves in Abu Dhabi before traveling to face Real Madrid in Spain. They seemingly have a chance to make a name for themselves and will look to stand out in those games.

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Mavericks’ Jason Kidd details potential role for Dereck Lively, Olivier-Maxence Prosper

When the Mavericks take the court this preseason, there is a possibility that Lively and Prosper will be in the starting lineup.

When the Dallas Mavericks take the court this preseason, there is a strong possibility rookies Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper will be in the starting lineup.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said over the weekend the team will experiment with its lineups throughout the preseason. The group projects to have a couple of spots open in the starting lineup, which could go to the rookies.

They will open training camp on Wednesday, which is a bit earlier than other teams thanks to them playing three games overseas. The Mavericks will face Minnesota twice in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 5 and Oct. 7 before seeing Real Madrid in Spain on Oct. 10.

Kidd, speaking with Marc Stein on 97.1 The Freak in Dallas, explained the plan to start Lively and Prosper next to Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Grant Williams.

These last couple of weeks, our rookies have taken jumps as I’ve talked to the coaching staff and (team president) Nico (Harrison) about starting Lively with Luka, Kai and Grant. We’ll see how that goes but I can say that we’ll probably start both rookies here early in camp probably in one or if not both games in Abu Dhabi just to see how they handle the situation.

The two first-round picks each had strong debuts with the Mavericks in the NBA Summer League. Lively averaged 8.4 points and eight rebounds in five games. Prosper posted averages of 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists.

Lively and Prosper have been among the players getting in work at the practice facility of late ahead of the start of training camp. They have hit their training hard and earned praise from Kidd.

They’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do. Each week they get better so we’re excited. I look for those rookies to play a lot this season. They’re going to be a part of our fabric. There could be a chance of one of them starting so we’ll see.

Preseason in the NBA is often a period of time when teams will experiment with different lineups and rotations ahead of the season. The Mavericks will be no different this year and it could result in two first-year players starting early on.

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Olivier-Maxence Prosper working out with Seth Curry, other Mavericks

Prosper was among several Mavericks players pictured working out at the practice facility this week.

With the offseason starting to wind down, dozens of players around the NBA are returning to their home markets ahead of the start of training camp next month.

That includes the Dallas Mavericks.

A large contingent of players was pictured getting in some work at the team practice facility. Among them were Seth Curry, Tim Hardaway Jr., Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell and rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Josh Green and Jaden Hardy were also on hand at the session.

Prosper appeared in five games with the Mavericks in the NBA Summer League, averaging 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 43.9% shooting from the field. He scored in double figures four times and recorded one double-double.

The Mavericks open the preseason with three games overseas. They will play two games against Minnesota on Oct. 5 and Oct. 7 in Abu Dhabi with one contest versus Real Madrid in Spain on Oct. 10. The group will wrap up its exhibition run on Oct. 20 versus Detroit.

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NBA 2K24: Ratings revealed for the first round of the 2023 NBA draft

The official player ratings and other features for NBA 2K24 have been unveiled as the popular video game hit stores on Friday.

The official player ratings and other features for NBA 2K24 have been unveiled as the popular video game hit stores on Friday across all platforms around the world.

The latest installment of NBA 2K features three distinct editions, each honoring Kobe Bryant. The game, for the first time, also allows for crossplay, meaning users on different gaming consoles can still play with their friends online.

In addition to many of the new features and updates unveiled in the game, fans are equally as excited to see the initial player ratings. Of course, with a new group of players set to enter the league, many are curious to see how the rookie class would be graded.

The franchise, led by marketing director Ronnie 2K, previously revealed the ratings for several first-rounders this year. With the game officially available for purchase around the world, the grades for each rookie have been unveiled.

Here are the ratings for the first round of the 2023 NBA draft.

Cassandre Prosper, Canada win bronze medal in FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup

The Canadian women’s team defeated France on Sunday to win the bronze medal in the 2023 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.

On Sunday, the Canadian women’s under-19 team claimed the bronze medal in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup with an 80-73 overtime victory over France in Madrid, Spain.

Syla Swords produced 26 points, six rebounds and six assists to lead Canada to the overtime win, which was its second podium finish in the event. Toby Fournier added 15 points and eight rebounds and Delaney Gibb chipped in 11 points.

The group pulled out the win without its leading scorer, Cassandre Prosper. Prosper, the younger sister of DallasOlivier-Maxence Prosper, averaged 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in six games.

The Mavericks’ recent draftee, who has also represented Canada, was on hand to support Canada in Spain during the tournament as the group had one of its best runs.

Canada went 3-0 in the group phase to advance to the knockout rounds. It defeated Brazil and Mali before falling in the semifinals on Saturday to Spain, who faced the United States for the gold medal.

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Mavericks sign 24th pick Olivier-Maxence Prosper to rookie contract

Prosper appeared in five games with the Mavericks in summer league, averaging 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists.

Former Marquette forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper, the 24th pick in the NBA draft, signed his rookie scale contract with the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, the team announced.

Prosper, who was born in Canada, averaged 12.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and nearly one steal on 51.2% shooting from the field as a junior last season. He recorded four 20-point games, including a career-high 31 points on Nov. 17 in a win over LIU.

He is the last first-round pick to sign his contract this year.

The 6-foot-8 forward appeared in five games with the Mavericks in the NBA Summer League, averaging 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 43.9% shooting from the field. He scored in double figures four times and recorded one double-double.

Prior to playing collegiately, Prosper spent time at the NBA Academy Latin America in Mexico City and was teammates with Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin. He became the fourth graduate of the NBA Academy to be drafted.

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