Tag: point guard

Surprising candidate in contention for Wisconsin basketball starting point guard job

Surprising candidate emerging as Wisconsin basketball starting point guard

This story was updated to add new information

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard met with the media on Tuesday after the Badgers’ open practice.

One surprising note from his comments came regarding the team’s ongoing battle for the starting point guard role. Gard said Kamari McGee has “consistently separated himself” at practice and has “played the best [of the point guards] over the two and a half weeks so far.”

Related: Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season based on KenPom rating

Gard was asked to specify if the job is McGee’s to lose at this stage of the preseason. His response: “We’re still a ways away from Nov. 4. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

The comments point toward McGee possibly leading a point guard group that includes top 2024 recruit Daniel Freitag and Central Arkansas transfer Camren Hunter.

Freitag joined the program this offseason as 247Sports’ No. 127 player, No. 11 point guard and No. 2 recruit in Minnesota in the class of 2024. Hunter  missed all of the 2023-24 season with an injury. He previously averaged 16.9 points in 34 minutes per game as a sophomore in 2022-23. The two projected to be the team’s primary options at the position.

McGee, on the other hand, played in 25 games for the Badgers in 2023-24. He finished with per-game averages of 8.2 minutes, 2.1 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.5 steals on 54% shooting. His six-week absence in January and February directly coincided with the Badgers’ losing skid. While McGee’s numbers don’t jump off the page, Wisconsin seemed to consistently win with him in the lineup and lose with him out of it.

This is the biggest story surrounding the Wisconsin program with less than three weeks remaining before the opener against Holy Cross.

Freitag figures to play a big role immediately as a true freshman. But his role, and Wisconsin’s entire lineup, is somewhat up in the air. The team does not lack talent or experience — but it is set to look extremely different from last year’s group after the offseason departures of Chucky Hepburn, A.J. Storr and Tyler Wahl.

Gard and his team continue their preseason preparation before opening the 2024-25 season at the Kohl Center on Nov. 4 against Holy Cross. All eyes should be focused on who is announced as the team’s starting point guard during the pregame introductions.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

Alabama lands in top 5 for 2025 5-star CG Jasper Johnson

2025 five-star combo guard Jasper Johnson narrowed his list of finalists down to five schools and Alabama made the cut.

The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball program has been trending in the right direction as of late. A large reason for that stems from the Crimson Tide’s success on the recruiting trail. The coaching staff has been able to sign some of the top high school propsects in the country. On Wednesday, Alabama was named a finalist to land 2025 five-star point guard Jasper Johnson. The other finalists were the Arkansas Razorbacks, Kentucky Wildcats, North Carolina Tar Heels, and Louisville Cardinals.

Johnson has taken official visits to Alabama, North Carolina, and Kentucky. When On3’s Joe Tipton asked Johnson about his thoughts on the Crimson Tide and where they stand in his recruitment, he had the following to say:

““They produce every year. They produce great guards and their guard play is really good and they just had a Final Four run. Coach (Nate) Oats does a really good job up there so I’ve been staying in contact with them. A couple of my teammates from last year (Derrion Reid, Labaron Philon) are there now as freshmen and they’re going to have a good year so I’m going to be watching them for sure.”

Johnson is a priority recruit for the Alabama coaching staff. He has been for quite a while. The fact that he was teammates with Alabama freshmen Derrion Reid and Labaron Philon cannot be overlooked. That will certainly help the Crimson Tide’s chances of landing the blue-chip recruit.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama men’s basketball program and its efforts on the recruiting trail.

Wisconsin basketball offers three-star 2025 PG Josiah Sanders

Wisconsin basketball offers three-star 2025 PG Josiah Sanders

Wisconsin basketball extended an offer to class of 2025 point guard Josiah Sanders on Monday.

The 6-foot-5 rising senior is 247Sports’ No. 32 point guard in the class of 2025 and the No. 1 recruit from his home state of Colorado.

Representing Colorado Prep High School, Sanders has received offers from several Division I programs, including from Tennessee, Colorado, Minnesota, Arizona State, Montana State, Northern Colorado and UC Riverside.

Sanders has yet to schedule an official visit to Madison, but Wisconsin’s staff has ample time to get the versatile point guard to campus.

Incoming class of 2024 PG Daniel Freitag looks to contribute as Wisconsin’s offensive orchestrator for the long term, but Sanders’ size and tenacity down low could unlock an offensive duality for UW down the line.

Wisconsin reworked its roster this offseason with the addition of three top transfers: Central Arkansas guard Camren Hunter, Missouri guard John Tonje and Northern Illinois forward Xavier Amos. Those three project to fill the voids left by Chucky Hepburn (transfer), A.J. Storr (transfer) and Tyler Wahl (graduation).

247Sports has Greg Gard’s 2025 recruiting class as No. 15 in the nation. Thus far, the Badgers have one verbal commitment for 2025: shooting guard Zach Kinziger from De Pere, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin top 2024 point guard Daniel Freitag reaffirms commitment to Badgers

Wisconsin top 2024 signee Daniel Freitag is ready to fill the void left by Chucky Hepburn

Wisconsin basketball fans are reeling after starting point guard and team leader Chucky Hepburn entered the transfer portal on Thursday.

The news came directly on the heels of Badgers star guard A.J. Storr officially committing to Kansas. It was a 20-minute span that reinforced the severity of Wisconsin’s roster turnover, and showed the work head coach Greg Gard must do this offseason to improve the team.

Related: Wisconsin basketball’s potential replacements for transfer guard Chucky Hepburn

One potential long-term replacement for Hepburn is top 2024 point guard Daniel Freitag — a Wisconsin signee. He is 247Sports’ No. 104 player in class of 2024, No. 11 point guard and No. 3 recruit from his home state of Minnesota. By all accounts, he could be one of the more talented Badger point guards in some time.

Wisconsin fans were predictably angered by the current state of college basketball after Hepburn’s departure. If there was any fright Freitag could follow the veteran out the door, that was put to rest later Thursday afternoon:

 

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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Utah Jazz trading for former Alabama PG Kira Lewis Jr.

Former Alabama PG Kira Lewis traded from New Orleans to Utah

Former Alabama point guard [autotag]Kira Lewis Jr.[/autotag] is on the move to Salt Lake City as part of a trade between the Utah Jazz and Toronto Raptors. The Jazz traded away C Kelly Olynyk and G Ochai Agbaji to the Raptors in exchange for Lewis, F Otto Porter and a 2024 first-round pick.

Alabama fans may as well go ahead and buy their Jazz jerseys now as Lewis will get to share a backcourt with Collin Sexton. The former 2020 first-round draft started the year with the New Orleans Pelicans but was traded to Toronto on Jan. 17. Lewis only appeared in one game with the Raptors.

Lewis has averaged just under ten minutes a game and 2.8 ppg, 1.1 apg and 0.9 rpg. The Jazz are currently the 10-seed in the Western conference and will have no aspirations of a title in 2024. So, hopefully, they use this time to develop their young assets.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Former Alabama PG Kira Lewis Jr. headed to Toronto Raptors in three-team deal

On Wednesday, former Alabama point guard Kira Lewis Jr. was traded from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Toronto Raptors as a part of a three-team deal.

On Wednesday afternoon, a three-team deal was agreed upon by the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, and New Orleans Pelicans. According to ESPN senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, former Kira Lewis Jr. was traded from the Pelicans to the Raptors as a part of the trade.

Lewis Jr. has spent the past four seasons as a part of the Pelicans organization. He was drafted No. 13 overall in the 2020 NBA draft by the Pelicans.

This appears to be a good opportunity for Lewis Jr. The native of Meridianville, Alabama played sparingly during his four seasons with the Pelicans. With the Raptors struggling this season, it could be a promising move for both parties moving forward. Lewis Jr. could provide some valuable minutes in the Raptors backcourt.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest news regarding the Alabama men’s basketball program and its former players in the NBA.

Alabama lands in top 5 for 2024 PG Travis Perry

Alabama is one of five finalists to land 2024 point guard Travis Perry. The Kentucky native took an official visit to Alabama over the weekend.

Following his official visit to Alabama this past weekend, 2024 point guard Travis Perry has announced his top five schools as well as a decision date. Alabama was named as a finalist and Perry will announce his commitment on Sunday, Nov. 12th.

Perry plays for Lyon County High School in Eddyville, Kentucky. As a junior, Perry reportedly became the 37th player in Kentucky high school basketball history to surpass 4,000 career points. He also set a record for most three-pointers with 464 made shots from beyond the arc.

While Alabama just entered the mix to land the sharpshooter, there is still some optimism on Alabama’s side. Perry released his top schools and a commitment date soon after a trip to Tuscaloosa has to be a good sign. Regardless if he chooses to commit elsewhere, Alabama will likely continue to push for the Kentucky native.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Travis Perry’s recruiting profile.

Alabama lands in top 4 for 2024 PG Labaron Philon

2024 point guard Labaron Philon announced his top schools list on Monday. Among those listed was Alabama.

Class of 2024 point guard Labaron Philon released his top schools list on Monday. Among those listed was the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Philon is an intriguing prospect to say the least. Prior to re-opening his recruitment, Philon was committed to in-state rival, Auburn.

Philon was named Mr. Basketball in Alabama following his junior season at Baker High School. He averaged 35 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game, and 3.9 assists per game.

Now, Philon will be suiting up for Link Academy (Mo.) for his senior season. Philon transferred to the Lions during the summer.

The move should not affect Philon’s recruitment. As it stands, Alabama and Ole Miss are in the best position to land his commitment. Cincinnati and Kansas are pushing but have more work to do in the coming months.

Needless to say, it will be interesting to see if Alabama’s coaching staff can get Philon on campus for a visit. That would certainly increase Alabama’s chances of landing the star guard prospect.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Labaron Philon’s recruiting profile.

Alabama MBB offers 2025 5-star PG Darius Acuff Jr.

2025 point guard Darius Acuff Jr. received an offer from Alabama on Thursday. Acuff is a five-star prospect out of Detroit, Michigan.

The Alabama coaching staff extended an offer to 2025 point guard Darius Acuff Jr. on Thursday.

Acuff Jr. plays for Cass Techincal High School in Detroit, Michigan. As a junior, Acuff Jr. was named the 2022-2023 MaxPreps Michigan High School Basketball Player of the Year. He averaged 21.4 points per game and 5.7 assists per game.

Acuff Jr. helped the school win its first Division 1 State Championship.

Alabama head coach Nate Oats was formerly the head coach of Romulus High School (MI) which is located 30 minutes outside of Detroit. He has experience recruiting and coaching in the state of Michigan. Oats and the Alabama coaching staff will continue to recruit Acuff Jr. in the coming years.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Darius Acuff Jr.’s recruiting profile.

Alabama guard Jahvon Quinerly transferring to Memphis

Alabama point guard Jahvon Quinerly announced that he was transferring to Memphis via his Twitter. Quinerly spent the last three seasons playing for Alabama.

Alabama point guard Jahvon Quinerly announced that he was transferring to Memphis on Thursday via his Twitter account. Quinerly will spend his sixth and final season playing for former four-time NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway.

Coming out of high school, Quinerly was a McDonald’s All-American. The New Jersey native fielded offers from programs across the country but ultimately chose to commit to Villanova.

Quinerly spent just one season playing for Jay Wright’s Wildcats. He played in 25 games averaging 3.2 points per game. Following the conclusion of his freshman season, Quinerly chose to transfer to Alabama to play for Nate Oats.

Quinerly would go on to spend the next three seasons playing for the Crimson Tide. He played in 98 games total and made 40 starts. Quinerly averaged 11.7 points per game, 2.3 rebounds per game, and 3.7 assists per game during his Alabama career.

Several of Quinerly’s most memorable performances came during the postseason. He was named as the SEC Tournament MVP in 2021. Quinerly was a key reason for why Alabama was able to win two SEC Championships in 2021 and 2023.

Quinerly will be joining a Memphis team that lost some firepower last season with Kendric Davis heading to the NBA. However, Hardaway and the rest of the coaching staff have assembled a competitive squad. Five-star Mikey Williams, Louisiana transfer Jordan Brown, and Florida State transfer Caleb Mills are few of the newcomers that will join Quinerly

The Tigers are poised to have a good season in 2023-2024. Quinerly will be a key piece to the roster and will look to lead the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama basketball program.

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