Tag: uga hoops news

Former UGA star Nic Claxton signs huge deal in return to Brooklyn Nets

Former Georgia Bulldog basketball standout Nic Claxton is returning to the Brooklyn Nets on a two-year deal

Former Georgia Bulldog basketball standout Nic Claxton is returning to the Brooklyn Nets. Claxton entered the 2022 NBA offseason as a restricted free agent.

The Nets are in the middle of a tumultuous offseason. Brooklyn’s superstar forward, Kevin Durant, requested a trade on the eve of NBA free agency. The Nets will likely look like an entirely different team to start next season.

Nic Claxton will have an excellent chance to have a large role with the Nets in the upcoming years. Claxton signed a two-year, $20 million deal to return to Brooklyn.

The Boston Celtics swept Nic Claxton and the Brooklyn Nets in the opening round of the 2022 NBA playoffs. Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The Nets have numerous questions this offseason. What will Brooklyn do with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving?

Nic Claxton is not one of Brooklyn’s questions. Claxton averaged 20.7 minutes per game in 47 games last season. The former Georgia basketball star is a versatile defender and averaged 8.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game throughout the 2021-2022 season.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Claxton’s deal to return to the Nets:

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Twitter reacts: UGA hires head coach Mike White away from Florida

The Georgia Bulldogs basketball program is hiring former Florida Gators coach Mike White. Fans of both schools are optimistic about the move

The Georgia Bulldogs are hiring former Florida Gators coach Mike White.

Mike White has a career record of 243-127 as a head coach. He helped Louisiana Tech achieve three first-place regular finishes in conference play. White made the NCAA Tournament four times with Florida, which does not include the canceled 2020 NCAA Tournament (Florida was projected to make the field of 68 teams).

White replaces former Georgia head coach Tom Crean following Georgia’s 6-26 season. The Bulldogs went 1-17 in SEC games in 2021-2022.

Georgia Bulldogs guard Kario Oquendo was a bright spot in 2021-2022. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

White will have an uphill battle to begin his Georgia career. He will have to improve the roster’s talent level. Georgia did have some bad luck with injuries in 2021-2022, but the Bulldogs need more talent.

Georgia had 10 players added to the roster last offseason. UGA needs to add some recruits or transfers to the class of 2022.

Mike White played college basketball in the SEC at Ole Miss from 1995 to 1999. He helped Ole Miss make three NCAA Tournaments and later served as an assistant coach for Ole Miss.

White served as the head coach of Louisiana Tech from 2011 to 2015. White had been Florida’s head coach since 2015.

How did Georgia basketball Twitter react to Mike White’s hiring at Georgia?

Georgia basketball has different expectations than Florida basketball:

Was Florida considering moving on from Mike White? Probably not, but if they were, then the Gators saved some money.

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5-star PF Michael Foster makes commitment

Georgia and FSU were in the top 3 schools for 5-star power forward Michael Foster. Instead, Foster committed to playing in the NBA G League

The Georgia Bulldogs were in the top three schools for five-star power forward Michael Foster. However, Foster committed to playing in the NBA G League as expected. Foster is a member of the class of 2021 and is 6 feet, 9 inches tall. The Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Arizona) star weighs 220 pounds.

Foster is a good at rebounding, is a viable rim protector, and shows touch when finishing inside the paint. The five-star power forward is a good passer and capable shooter as well.

In addition to Georgia, Foster was considering the Florida State Seminoles.

Foster is ranked No. 14 in his recruit class and No. 5 among power forwards. He was one of the top remaining uncommitted prospects in the nation.

Head coach Tom Crean and the Georgia Bulldogs have the 67th-ranked class of 2021, so Georgia needs to add more talented recruits. The Dawgs have lost several key players to the NCAA transfer portal. Fortunately, Georgia has added some transfers.

On the other hand, Florida State has the No. 5 recruiting class in college basketball.

Foster will be fun to watch in the NBA G League, but far more fans watch college basketball. Casual fans will not think of NBA G League stars until NBA draft rolls around. Take a look at some of Michael Foster’s highlights here:

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Georgia basketball in top three for 5-star PF Michael Foster

The Georgia Bulldogs are in the top three for five-star power forward Michael Foster

The Georgia Bulldogs are in the top three for five-star power forward Michael Foster. Foster is a member of the class of 2021 and is 6-foot-9.

The Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Arizona) star weighs 220 pounds. Michael Foster is a good at rebounding, is a viable rim protector, and has touch when finishing inside the paint. The five-star power forward is a good passer and capable shooter as well.

In addition to Georgia, Foster is considering the Florida State Seminoles and playing in the NBA G League. He’s projected to play professional basketball (NBA G League) at the moment.

Michael Foster is ranked as the No. 14 recruit in his class and the No. 5 power forward. He’s one of the top remaining uncommitted prospects in the nation.

Head coach Tom Crean and the Georgia Bulldogs have the No. 68 ranked class of 2021 at the moment, so Georgia needs to add talented recruit. On the other hand, Florida State has the No. 2 rated recruiting class in basketball.

Foster announced his top three contenders via his Twitter account:

Check out some of Michael Foster’s highlights right here:

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Georgia basketball adds huge final SEC game to schedule

The Georgia Bulldogs will have one final chance to boost their NCAA Tournament hopes on March 6 when they face the Alabama Crimson Tide

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The Georgia Bulldogs will have one final chance to boost their NCAA Tournament hopes on March 6 when they face the Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama is currently ranked No. 6 in the country and is the top team in the SEC.

If Georgia can defeat Alabama, then they will have a much better chance at sneaking into the NCAA Tournament field. Tom Crean and Georgia basketball are 7-9 in conference play this season. Georgia needs to finish conference play 9-9 to have a legitimate chance to make the NCAA Tournament.

Georgia basketball is 14-9 overall on the season and could use a win versus a top ten opponent. UGA faces South Carolina, then Alabama in their final two games of the regular season.

Georgia basketball announced the additional game via their Twitter account:

Alabama defeated Georgia 115-87 just two weeks ago. The Dawgs must have a better effort on March 6.

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Former Georgia star Anthony Edwards struggles in Timberwolves loss

Former Georgia star Anthony Edwards did not have his best game against the Bucks.

After going viral earlier this week thanks to a massive dunk, which was followed with a hilarious postgame interview, former Georgia basketball star Anthony Edwards is beginning to look like he was worthy of being the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Last night, though, in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Edwards struggled. He shot just 3/13 (3/8 3PT) and had 4 turnovers while scoring just 9 points in 28 minutes. Minnesota would lose the game 139-112.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etrtycyQpfI

The Timberwolves rookie has had a solid first year, posting an average of 4.1 points per game, but he had his best showing to date last week against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Versus Los Angeles, Edwards put up 28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal while shooting 5/10 from deep.

Anthony Edwards throws down poster dunk

The Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Anthony Edwards (University of Georgia) dunked on Yuta Watanabe in an incredible highlight.

The Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Anthony Edwards is off to a great start to his basketball career. Edwards, who is the No. 1 pick out of the University of Georgia, has looked explosive and is improving each and every game.

Edwards dropped some jaws with an incredible dunk last night. He deserves an invitation to the slam dunk contest as a part of the NBA All-Star weekend.

Anthony Edwards threw down the best dunk of his young NBA career against Yuta Watanabe and the Toronto Raptors. Here’s the poster dunk that could end up as the top dunk of the NBA season:

What a highlight for Anthony Edwards. The Raptors went on to defeat the Timberwolves 86-81 in one of the lower scoring games of the NBA season.

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Anthony Edwards has impressive game against Lebron James and Lakers

Former Georgia basketball star Anthony Edwards goes for a career night against Lebron James and Lakers in their second career matchup.

Two No. 1 overall NBA Draft selections went at it Tuesday night in a very exciting matchup.  Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers got the best of former Georgia guard Anthony Edwards and his Minnesota Timberwolves, but not without a fight.

Edwards, who was selected first overall by the Timberwolves in the 2020 NBA Draft, put on a show against arguably the greatest basketball player to ever walk the planet, dropping a career-high 28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal.

Midway through the third quarter, tied up at 68 a piece, Edwards lined up James and cashed a three pointer right in his grill to put Minnesota up three.  You could see Edwards’ excitement oozing out of him after hitting a shot most kids can only dream of.

WATCH:

Lebron closed the gap and took care of business, winning by a score of 112-104.  He finished with 30 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists on 65% shooting.

Edwards is playing very well so far, averaging 14.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists.  He still trails fellow rookie LaMelo Ball, who leads all rookies in points, rebounds and assists per game.  Edwards is currently second in rookie points per game, trailing Ball by just a mere .05 points.

Twitter reacts as Timberwolves pick UGA’s Anthony Edwards first

Social media reacted as the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Georgia Bulldogs star Anthony Edwards number one overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Georgia Bulldogs standout basketball player Anthony Edwards number one overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. Edwards is the first Georgia basketball prospect to be selected with the top pick.

Edwards is considered one of the top NBA prospects to ever come out of the University of Georgia. In fact, Edwards is the highest selected played in UGA basketball history. NBA legend Dominique Wilkins was the previous record. Wilkins was picked third overall in the 1982 NBA Draft.

Here’s how social media reacted to the selection of Georgia Bulldogs star Anthony Edwards:

It is a memorable day for Anthony Edwards, who honored members of his family:

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Georgia’s Anthony Edwards goes No. 1 in latest 2020 NBA mock draft

Georgia basketball SG Anthony Edwards is projected to be selected first overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Star Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards declared for the NBA draft this past September, following an absolutely electric freshman year at UGA.

Edwards averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists for the Dawgs during the 2019-2020 season.  He has been in the talks of being a top three pick in the draft this year, along with Memphis center James Wiseman and the Illawarra Hawks point guard LaMelo Ball.

In NBC’s final version of its 2020 NBA Mock Draft Edwards goes No. 1 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

NBC’s Top 5:

  • 5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Obi Toppin (Dayton, PF)
  • 4. Chicago Bulls: Deni Avdija (Maccabi Tel Aviv, SG/SF)
  • 3. Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball (Illawarra Hawks, PG/SG)
  • 2. Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman (Memphis, C)
  • 1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards (Georgia, SG)

There isn’t quite a consensus on who is the best of these three but Edwards, Ball and Wiseman present the biggest upside in the draft.

Here’s what NBC’s Tyler Byrum and Chase Hughes had to say about Edwards going No. 1 over the other two prospects:

Despite all the momentum for LaMelo Ball to be the first pick, we are sticking with Edwards who presents a super high ceiling due to his explosive athleticism and makes a perfect fit within the core Minnesota is building around. Fit often doesn’t determine the first overall pick, but it may in a year like this with little separating the top three guys. Edwards could be an ideal complement to Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell as a slasher on the wing.

Edwards would fit in with Minnesota very well.  They have their stars in point guard D’Angelo Russell and center Karl Anthony Towns but could use some serious help at the shooting guard position.

Edwards would provide the Timberwolves with a great wing threat that could add a whole new aspect to their offensive scheme.

If Edwards is to go No.1, he will be the first Georgia Bulldog to ever do so.  The closest to that accomplishment are Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at the No. 8 pick in 2013 and Dominique Wilkins at the No. 3 pick in 1982.

The 2020 NBA Draft begins tonight at 7:00 P.M. ET on ESPN.