Kings’ Sasha Vezenkov provides injury update on sprained right ankle

Sasha Vezenkov hasn’t played since before the All-Star break but the 28-year-old believes he is progressing in his recovery.

Sasha Vezenkov hasn’t played with the Sacramento Kings since before the All-Star break due to a sprained right ankle, but the 28-year-old believes he is progressing in his recovery.

Vezenkov missed seven games earlier this season after sustaining the injury on Jan. 22 in a win over the Atlanta Hawks. He returned to play in a pair of games before reinjuring the ankle in practice on Feb. 10 in Oklahoma City.

The former EuroLeague MVP said Thursday that he doesn’t have a timetable to return and is just working to get back to full strength before returning to the court.

I’m feeling better, getting to the right direction. I’m trying every day hard. Unfortunately, it is a second injury to the same leg (and has) been like 15 days. I’m trying. It is the first time in my career I’m out so long, so it is stressful. I want to help the team but I’m trying to be 100% to be ready to help the team.

Vezenkov is averaging 5.6 points and 2.5 rebounds on 38% shooting from 3-point range in 35 appearances this season with the Kings. He ranks third among rookies in 3-point percentage and has scored in double figures seven times.

He signed a three-year, $20 million contract with the Kings last summer after spending five years with Olympiacos in Greece. He was named the MVP last season after averaging 17.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists on 38.3% shooting from 3-point range.

Vezenkov has been a tremendous floor spacer for the Kings this season, given his quick release and pinpoint accuracy. He figures to bolster the Kings’ offense once he can return.

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Warriors’ Steve Kerr offers assessment of Trayce Jackson-Davis’ recent play

Steve Kerr is pleased with how the rookie has played down the stretch as the team prepares him for the postseason.

In an effort to prepare Trayce Jackson-Davis for the postseason, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has worked to increase his workload down the stretch.

He believes the rookie has impressed in that span.

Jackson-Davis played sporadically to start the season but eventually earned a place in the rotation. The team has been pleased with his scoring down low on offense and his ability to rebound and protect the paint on the other end of the floor.

The 57th pick averaged 12.8 minutes per game through games played in February but is up to 23.8 minutes in 13 games in March. He is averaging 10.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 blocks on 74.7% shooting from the field over that span.

Kerr is happy to see his production of late.

He has been great. Trayce has gotten even better with the extended minutes. I think he has extended his capability to play longer stretches at an effective rate. Every night in this league, as a young player, is so important because you’re learning about trends, personnel (and) game-planning. He is really a smart, young guy and he picks things up quickly. You only have to tell him something once. It has been really fun to watch Trayce grow.

Jackson-Davis logged a season-high 33 minutes on Wednesday in a 101-93 win over the Orlando Magic. He produced eight rebounds, 14 rebounds, three assists and one block to help the Warriors, who were without Jonathan Kuminga (knee) and Draymond Green (ejection).

The 24-year-old scored in double figures in six straight games in March and had at least two blocks in five consecutive games, the longest such streak by a Warriors rookie since Ekpe Udoh in March 2011. He leads the team in blocks this season (59).

Jackson-Davis has earned praise from the team throughout the season, given his ability to play mistake-free and affect games on both ends of the court. He appears ready to contribute at a high level to the Warriors’ run toward the playoffs.

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Check out these highlights of new Broncos WR Josh Reynolds

The Broncos are adding an underrated wide receiver on offense. Check out these Josh Reynolds highlights.

The Denver Broncos agreed to terms on a two-year deal with free agent wide receiver Josh Reynolds on Wednesday.

Reynolds is now set to join a wide receiver room that includes Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and Marvin Mims (among others).

Before joining the Broncos, Reynolds spent three and a half years with the Detroit Lions, half a season with the Tennessee Titans and four years with the Los Angeles Rams. Here are some highlights from Reynolds’ time in Detroit:

(If the video does not play here, you can watch it on YouTube.)

And here are some highlights from his time in Los Angeles:

(If the video does not play here, you can watch it on YouTube.)

Reynolds, 29, has totaled 220 receptions for 2,933 yards and 19 touchdowns in 107 career games (53 starts). Last year, Reynolds posted the second-most receptions (40) and receiving yards (608) of his career and he tied a career high with five touchdown catches.

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Rockets’ Ime Udoka: Cam Whitmore likely to return early from injury

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said that Cam Whitmore is close to returning from a sprained right knee.

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said Wednesday rookie Cam Whitmore is close to returning from a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee.

Whitmore sustained the injury on March 10 in a win over the Sacramento Kings. Two days later, Udoka said that Whitmore would likely miss three weeks, but left the door open for him to return early based on his recovery from treatment.

The 20th pick began doing some spot-shooting last week and is now progressing toward returning to contact practice. He has a couple of more hurdles to clear but will likely return before the initial three-week timeline, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

Whitmore is averaging 12.1 points and 3.9 rebounds on 36.1% shooting from 3-point range in 38 games this season with the Rockets. He has recorded four 20-point games, including a career-high 25 points and six rebounds on Feb. 2.

He started the year in the G League, logging 13 appearances with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He entered the rotation with the Rockets at the start of January and had played in every game, with the exception of three last month due to an ankle injury.

Whitmore has emerged as a key rotation player over the second half of the season. The team is also dealing with injuries to Tari Eason (leg) and Alperen Sengun (ankle) and looks forward to his return.

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Projected first-round pick Kel’el Ware declares for 2024 NBA draft

Ware was named to the All-Big Ten second team after averaging 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.5 assists.

Indiana sophomore Kel’el Ware announced Tuesday on Instagram that he will declare for the 2024 NBA draft and forgo his remaining college eligibility after one season with the Hoosiers.

Ware was named to the All-Big Ten second team after averaging 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.5 assists on 58.6% shooting from the field in 30 games. He was one of two players in the conference to average at least 15 points and nine rebounds (Zach Edey, Purdue).

The 7-footer led the Big Ten in rebound percentage (26) and finished second in rebounding, field-goal percentage and double-doubles (15). He was fifth in blocks and 12th in scoring.

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Ware transferred to Indiana after playing his freshman year at Oregon. He started that season projected to be a first-round pick in the draft, but after an inconsistent campaign, he decided to enter the transfer portal and move to Bloomington.

He is considered a mid-to-late first-round pick after a strong year. He impressed in a larger role with his rebounding and ability to block shots, and has shown some floor spacing ability after converting 42.5% from 3-point range on 1.3 attempts per game.

Ware projects to provide teams drafting in the first round with some versatility in the frontcourt, with his size and ability. He will be able to showcase himself in front of teams in workouts, and the draft combine May 12-19 in Chicago, Illinois.

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USA TODAY High School Sports Stars of the Week: Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, Indya Davis, Jack Zapolnik, Travis Perry, Sean Kelly

The USA TODAY High School Sports staff unveils the Stars of Week for March 25, 2024.

The USA TODAY HSS staff’s “Stars of the Week” picks include a trio of state title standouts, a sensational buzzer-beater in Michigan, and one of the most dynamic performances on the volleyball court so far in 2024—one that helped top the No. 1 team in the country.

Standing-O to these five high school athletes who put on a show last week…

Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, Totino-Grace (Minn.)

–  Indya Davis, West Bloomfield (Mich.)

– Jack Zapolnik, St. Ignatius (Ohio)

– Travis Perry, Lyon County (Ky.)

Sean Kelly, Loyola (Calif.)

Wizards’ Tristan Vukcevic credits teammates for helping with transition to NBA

Tristan Vukcevic joined the Wizards this month and the 21-year-old is getting a crash course in playing in the NBA.

Tristan Vukcevic joined the Washington Wizards this month after starting the season in Serbia, and the 21-year-old is getting a crash course in playing in the NBA.

Vukcevic was selected with the 42nd pick in the 2023 NBA draft by the Wizards after emerging as one of the top international prospects. The team signed him on March 14 after agreeing to a seven-figure contract buyout with Partizan and Real Madrid, his first professional club.

The 7-footer debuted with the Wizards on Saturday, logging three minutes in a win over Toronto. He registered his first career points on Monday in a 107-105 win against Chicago, knocking down two 3-pointers and hauling in three rebounds in nine minutes.

“He hit a couple of 3s (and) had good protection at the rim,” Wizards interim coach Brian Keefe said. “(We are) thrilled to have him in our program. He has a high basketball IQ, and we’re excited he is here with us.”

Vukcevic averaged 7.7 points and 3.2 rebounds on 43.2% shooting from 3-point range in 30 games this season with Partizan. He has spent the past two-plus seasons with the team and helped it claim the ABA League championship last year.

He played with the Wizards in the NBA Summer League before returning to Partizan. He averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and one steal in four appearances in Las Vegas. He scored in double figures twice, including a summer league-high 15 points on July 15.

Vukcevic will  begin the transition by joining the team for the last month of the season. The game in the United States is much different than in Europe and will take some time to learn.

“It is a different game,” Vukcevic said on Saturday. “It is more fast-paced, less plays. I think in Europe, it is more textbook basketball and it is just something I have to learn. It is a learning process: Speed, pace and everything.”

Vukcevic is viewed as a highly skilled big man and is touted for his ability as a scorer and shooter, with his smooth stroke and ability to work in the post. He impressed at the combine last year and drew interest from several teams drafting in the second round.

With 10 games left to play and the Wizards out of postseason contention, Vukcevic projects to have the opportunity to log extended minutes. He will be leaning on his teammates for help.

“They’re just helping me transition to the NBA and teaching me what to do and what not to do, like my positioning because it is very different,” Vukcevic said. “(Anthony) Gill is doing a good job of telling me where to be at and what to do because he was in Europe and knew how the transition is. I’m very glad that he is helping me.”

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Trail Blazers make history with all rookie starting lineup in consecutive games

With the Trail Blazers down several veterans, coach Chauncey Billups has been forced to lean on his rookies of late.

With the Portland Trail Blazers down several veterans, coach Chauncey Billups has been forced to lean on his rookies and it has resulted in a rather rare starting lineup combination.

Playing without Deandre Ayton (elbow), Malcolm Brogdon (elbow), Jerami Grant (hamstring), Shaedon Sharpe (core muscle), Anfernee Simons (knee), Robert Williams III (knee) and Matisse Thybulle (ankle), the Trail Blazers have had been short-handed.

Billups started five first-year players on Saturday against Denver: Kris Murray, Toumani Camara, Duop Reath, Rayan Rupert and Scoot Henderson. It marked the second time a team started five rookies in a game since starters were first tracked on box scores in the 1970-71 season; Golden State became the first team to do so in April 2012. Billups kept that starting lineup on Monday against Houston, making them the first team to start five rookies in multiple games in the same season.

The lineup dropped to 0-2 after losing 110-92 to the Rockets in the first of a seven-game road trip. Dalano Banton paced the team with 28 points, 11 rebounds and five assists off the bench, while Henderson had 15 points and Camara added 12 points for the Trail Blazers (19-53).

Murray (4 points), Reath (8) and Rupert (9) combined for 21 points.

Billups expects some of their injured players to return at some point over their last 10 games of the season. However, in the meantime, that starting group of rookies will have the opportunity to log extended minutes to close out the season.

“I think we have so much growth and development that needs to happen,” Billups said, via Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian. “Obviously, we know we’re not going to the playoffs. But these dudes need to get better. They need to get to know each other while paying. The only way you get better at basketball is playing basketball.”

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Jaime Jaquez Jr. names most the difficult challenge of his rookie year

Jaime Jaquez Jr. has emerged as one of the top rookies, but his success hasn’t come without numerous challenges throughout the year.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. has emerged as one of the top rookies this season with the Miami Heat, but his success hasn’t come without numerous challenges throughout the year.

Jaquez missed two weeks in the preseason and another 10 days last month with a hamstring injury. He sat on Sunday with an ankle injury, though has mostly been available for the Heat as a starter or a contributor on the second unit.

Speaking with JJ Redick and Tommy Alter on the “Old Man & the Three” podcast, Jaquez cited the higher competition level and improving his on-ball defense as some of his biggest adjustments this season.

The lengthy schedule, though, stands out the most to him.

I think there have been a lot of challenges, although I think those are also extremely fun. I’ll say this: I think the longevity of a season can really get to you. I remember at the beginning of the year, there was a point in time where I thought there was going to be no way in hell I was going to make it to 82 games.

To make it this far and start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I know I can do this now. The sheer longevity of just game after game, back-to-backs and never really getting a break and it is always just basketball, was a big adjustment from college having just two games a week.

Jaquez is averaging 12.3 points, four rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals on 48.6% shooting from the field in 64 games. He ranks fifth in total scoring among all rookies and is one of eight first-year players with a 30-point game this season.

The 18th pick became the first Heat rookie since Dwyane Wade in 2003 to score in double figures in 13 straight games earlier this season. He is also one of five rookies in franchise history to record four 20-point games off the bench.

Jaquez projects to be a lock to make an NBA All-Rookie team after his stellar season. With his energy and scoring, he has contributed at a high level throughout the year in various roles and should be a key player in their postseason run.

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Trail Blazers’ Scoot Henderson reacts to NBA shutting down G League Ignite

The NBA and the G League announced on Thursday that the Ignite will conclude their final season this year.

The NBA and the G League announced on Thursday that the Ignite will conclude their final season after serving as a development program for the top prospects for four seasons.

The decision to shut the program down was made amid the changing basketball landscape, including the emergence of name, image and likeness licensing and the rising role of collectives and the transfer portal in the college game. Ultimately, the league opted it was best to end the program altogether.

The Ignite helped produce 10 NBA draft picks over their first three seasons, including Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Dyson Daniels, MarJon Beauchamp and Scoot Henderson. Nine former players were on rosters entering this season.

Henderson, speaking with Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report, wasn’t surprised to see the program end, but he was very thankful for his two years with the team.

There were multiple reasons that it shut down. But whoever played on the team and made an impact for ourselves and in the world, that’s all you can think about. I really thank the people at Ignite. The little people that you don’t see. They don’t really get enough credit for how much they have to pour into us.

The coaches, they don’t get enough credit for having to get guys from high school, to get them up to speed in a few weeks to play some grown men that have children to feed. You don’t see that. You see them getting beat a lot and having a horrible record. You don’t see the things that they go through day-to-day.

Launched in April 2020, the Ignite provided a professional platform for players in the United States. The team gave those prospects the opportunity to compete against existing teams in the G League in front of scouts, executives and coaches.

Henderson became the youngest professional basketball player in U.S. history when he signed with the team in May 2021 (17). He was the No. 10 overall prospect in his class and was the first player to spend two years with the program.

The Ignite this year, who have projected draft picks Matas Buzelis, Ron Holland and Izan Almansa, have the worst record in the G League during the regular season (2-30) and are last in point differential among all teams (minus-15.1).

Despite the decline of the program and the decision to end it, Henderson remains thankful for the opportunity the Ignite gave him to prepare him for the NBA.

“From my viewpoint, they helped me in a huge way to be where I am right now,” Henderson said. “I can’t thank them enough.”

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