Tag: Video

Georgia Tech freshman Baye Ndongo to withdraw from 2024 NBA draft

Baye Ndongo will reportedly withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft and return to Georgia Tech for his sophomore season.

Baye Ndongo will reportedly withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft and return to Georgia Tech for his sophomore season, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Ndongo announced on April 17 that he would declare for the draft while maintaining his remaining college eligibility. He participated in the G League Elite Camp, averaging nine points, seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks and 1.5 steals in two scrimmage games.

The 6-foot-9 forward was named to the ACC All-Freshman team after averaging 12.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and one assist on 55.8% shooting from the field. He ranked second in the country among freshmen in field-goal percentage and third in rebound average.

Ndongo emerged as an integral player last season as the Yellow Jackets’ second-leading scorer and leading rebounder. His return figures to be key for head coach Damon Stoudamire, who just completed his first season with the program.

Stoudamire and the Yellow Jackets secured commitments from four-star prospects Jaeden Mustaf and Darrion Sutton for next season. The team also adds Ryan Mutombo (Georgetown), Luke O’Brien (Colorado) and Javian McCollum (Oklahoma) via the transfer portal.

The Yellow Jackets finished 12th in the ACC this past season after posting a 14-18 record. The program last qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2022, when it lost in the first round.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=650262612]

Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama earns historic NBA All-Defensive first-team selection

Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama added to a historic rookie campaign after earning a selection to the NBA All-Defensive first team.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama added to an historic rookie campaign on Tuesday after the No. 1 pick was voted to the NBA All-Defensive first team.

Wembanyama, who finished as the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, became the first rookie in history to be selected to the All-Defensive first team. He is one of six first-year players to earn a placement on the All-Defensive teams and the first since Tim Duncan in 1998.

The 7-footer earned 86 of a possible 99 first-team votes from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters to finish second behind Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Robert, who was the Defensive Player of the Year.

Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals in 71 games. He led the league in blocked shots and registered the most 30-point games (11) by a rookie since Trae Young in the 2018-19 season.

The Frenchman is the second rookie to lead the league in blocks (Manute Bol, 1986). He ranked second in defensive box plus-minus (plus-3.3), fifth in defensive win shares (4.4) and eighth in rebounds. He also had the most games with at least five blocks (24).

Wembanyama was the Rookie of the Year, becoming the sixth player to win the award unanimously and the first since Karl-Anthony Towns in 2016. He was also a unanimous selection to the All-Rookie first team, announced on Monday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=650262956]

WATCH: Chiefs arrive to OTAs for offseason workouts

Check out these videos of #Chiefs players arriving for Kansas City’s practices at OTAs.

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to kick off their offseason workouts this week as organized team activities get underway at the team’s facilities in Western Missouri.

Chiefs players were seen making their entrance to the training program on Tuesday, walking to the locker room in their workout gear looking ready to get back on the field.

Offseason practices are a crucial part of every team’s training regimen and will be of particular import for Kansas City as the first get-together for Chiefs players after their victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

Check out these videos of Kansas City’s biggest stars walking from the parking lot to the locker room:

While players will not don pads for the offseason workouts, the practices will be a great opportunity for the defending champions to hone their craft and stay sharp ahead of the 2024 season, in which they hope to win a third consecutive Super Bowl title.

Kevin Garnett believes teams should take a chance on Bronny James in NBA draft

Kevin Garnett was impressed by Bronny James’ performance at the NBA draft combine last week and believes he has a place in the league.

Kevin Garnett was impressed by Bronny James‘ performance at the 2024 NBA draft combine last week in Chicago, Illinois, and the Hall of Famer believes he has a place in the league.

James measured in at 6 feet, 1 1/2 inches barefoot, with a 6-foot, 7 1/4-inch wingspan in the anthropometric testing of the event. He connected on 19-of-25 shot attempts in the 3-point star drill and also registered a 40 1/2-inch max vertical, the sixth-best mark.

The 19-year-old averaged 8.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, one assist and one steal on 33.3% shooting from the field in two scrimmage games. He produced four points and four rebounds in his first appearance and wrapped up the week with 13 points in his second game.

Garnett, speaking with co-host Paul Pierce on the “Ticket & the Truth” podcast, liked how James performed and said teams should consider drafting him.

Bronny looks really good, P. He looks really good. He looks poised. He looks like he wasn’t rattled by everything that was going around. He looked like he is used to the moment. He had a good session where he shot the ball well. If I am a team, bro, I would actually take a chance on that because greatness runs through bro’s veins. You got to know at some point he is going to have a growth spurt, and it’s going to click. … I saw it. I was watching it, and I was like, ‘Man, if somebody got that early and was able to develop that.’

James announced on April 5 that he would test the draft and enter the NCAA transfer portal after playing one season at USC. He averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games on 36.6% shooting from the field with the Trojans.

He was among the 80-plus prospects who participated in the draft combine. He said at the event that he hadn’t yet met or worked out with teams, though that should change after his productive showing in the scrimmages and other drills.

James, who has until May 29 to withdraw from the draft and return to college, was viewed as a potential first-round pick before his health situation last year sidelined him for four months. He is attempting to show teams he deserves to be drafted this year.

Whether it happens this year or later, James should have the opportunity at the next level. He will soon make his decision on what the next step is in his career.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=650262612]

WATCH: Chiefs 2024 schedule release explained by Taylor Swift fans

#Chiefs 2024 schedule release explained by Taylor Swift fans | @EdEastonJr

The 2024 NFL schedule has been released, and analysts and fans are already making predictions for their favorite teams. Kansas City Chiefs fans hope this is the start of the journey to a three-peat, while new fans to Chiefs Kingdom via music star Taylor Swift are slowly adjusting before the new season gets underway.

The blossoming romance of Chiefs Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce and Swift had everyone’s attention last season. A new season is officially on the horizon following the release of the new schedule, with many of Swift’s fans looking forward to seeing the award-winning music star attend more games. NFL Network Anchor Taylor Biscotti and TCL, the official TV partner of the NFL, took to the streets of Los Angeles, testing the knowledge of some diehard Swifties to see how well they knew the Chiefs opponents.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7AklzYJfGu/

The Swifties’ team names were questionable, but their support for the Chiefs heading into the 2024 season couldn’t be questioned. It is a fun, lighthearted view of the new season that could go down in football history with a third consecutive Super Bowl title.

Conference USA Player of the Year Isaiah Crawford to remain in 2024 NBA draft

Crawford was just the third player in Conference USA history with at least 60 steals and 50 blocks in a season.

Louisiana Tech senior Isaiah Crawford will reportedly remain in the 2024 NBA draft and forgo his final year of eligibility, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Crawford was named the Conference USA Player of the Year after averaging 16.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.7 blocks on 41.4% shooting from 3-point range. He registered nine 20-point games, including a career-high 30 points on Jan. 20.

The 6-foot-6 forward was also named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year. He ranked 16th in the country in defensive rating and was just the third player in conference history with at least 60 steals and 50 blocks in a season.

Crawford was invited to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament last month as one of the top seniors in the country. He also participated in the G League Elite Camp, averaging seven points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in two scrimmages.

The 22-year-old isn’t projected to be drafted but is viewed as one of the top defenders in the class. He likely received positive feedback from team executives and scouts, prompting him to remain in the draft rather than return to school for one more year.

Crawford will have the opportunity to improve his stock in team workouts and interviews over the remainder of the predraft process. He has already worked out with Minnesota.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=650262612]

Projected top-5 pick Donovan Clingan explains his potential impact in the NBA

After helping UConn win back-to-back national titles, Donovan Clingan is confident he can continue that success in the NBA.

After helping the UConn Huskies win back-to-back national titles, projected top-five pick Donovan Clingan is confident he can continue that success in the NBA.

Clingan was an Associated Press All-American honorable mention after averaging 13 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.5 assists on 63.9% shooting from the field. He had the second-best player efficiency rating (34.8) and ranked fifth in blocked shots.

He was an integral player in the Huskies winning their second straight national championship. He was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team after posting 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and 1.7 assists in six games.

The 7-footer is in the conversation to be the No. 1 pick on June 26, given his size and ability to protect the paint with his 7-foot, 6 3/4-inch wingspan. He also showed improvement on the perimeter to switch onto smaller players in certain situations.

He believes he brings that and more to the NBA.

It is all of the little things, whether that is defense, protecting the rim, finishing around the rim, being able to step out to shoot the 3, passing, which I love to do.

The 20-year-old is working to expand his offensive game during the predraft process. He is focusing on improving his shot from 3-point range and showing teams he can develop into a consistent floor spacer at the next level.

Clingan showed off that ability a bit at the draft combine in Chicago, Illinois. He impressed during the shooting portion of the workouts, converting over 60% of his attempts in the off-the-dribble and spot-up 3-point drills.

He rose rapidly up draft boards and is a proven winner at the collegiate level. He still has plenty of room to grow on the court, but believes he is more mature to handle playing in the NBA than he was after testing the process last year.

“Last year, I knew I was too young and wasn’t mature enough to play in the NBA,” Clingan said. “I realized I had to go back and just take my game to the next level.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=650262612]

Arizona freshman KJ Lewis to withdraw from NBA draft, return to school

Arizona guard KJ Lewis announced on Friday that he will withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft and return for his sophomore season.

Arizona guard KJ Lewis announced Friday on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he will withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft and return for his sophomore season.

Lewis was a Pac-12 All-Freshman honorable mention after averaging 6.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals on 34.1% shooting from 3-point range. He scored in double figures seven times, including a season-high 18 points, five rebounds and four assists on March 7.

The 6-foot-4 standout registered 38 steals in 36 games, tied for the ninth-most by a freshman in program history. He also recorded an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.3, which ranked ninth among all freshmen in the country who had at least 69 assists.

Lewis, who declared for the draft on April 23, was among 201 players who filed as an early-entrant candidate. He will return to the Wildcats after testing the process and receiving feedback on his game from team executives and scouts.

His return projects to be a big addition to the team, which signed four-star prospects Carter Bryant, Jamari Phillips and Emmanuel Stephen. The team is also adding Anthony Dell’Orso (Campbell), Tobe Awaka (Tennessee) and Trey Townsend (Oakland) via the transfer portal.

The Wildcats have made three straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including two trips to the Sweet 16 (2022, 2024). They finished 27-9 last season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=650262612]

Why are pros using laser rangefinders, GPS at the 2024 PGA Championship?

A reminder, this is the only major that allows the devices.

The PGA of America announced back in 2021 that it would allow the use of distance-measuring devices in its three professional major championships – PGA Championship, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship – starting that year.

The devices made their first appearance at the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course in South Carolina.

“We’re always interested in methods that may help improve the flow of play during our Championships,” said Jim Richerson, then the president of the PGA of America. “The use of distance-measuring devices is already common within the game and is now a part of the Rules of Golf. Players and caddies have long used them during practice rounds to gather relevant yardages.”

The PGA of America became the first major body to allow the devices in all its premier professional events. There had been speculation for years that such devices might help speed play, as players and caddies don’t have to walk off yardages to sprinkler heads and other fixed positions.

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP: How to watch | Tournament hub | Friday tee times

The United States Golf Association’s Rules of Golf have allowed the use of laser rangefinders and GPS devices in casual play and tournaments since 2006, but a local rule allowed a tournament committee to ban such devices. At elite professional levels of play, the devices still have not been embraced for competition rounds, though they have been allowed in the U.S. Amateur since 2014. They are still not allowed during competition rounds at PGA Tour events or at the U.S. Open and British Opens.

In keeping with Rule 4.3a (1), the devices allowed can report only on distance and direction. Devices that calculate elevation changes or wind speeds, or that suggest a club for a player as well as other data, will not be allowed.

2024 PGA Championship
Wyndham Clark checks the distance to the 11th hole during the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. (Photo: Clare Grant/Louisville Courier Journal)

The devices aren’t new for the pros, many of whom already use laser rangefinders and GPS in practice rounds.

Many laser rangefinders provide information on elevation changes and “plays-like” distances. Most of those devices come with a switch to turn off such information, but many elite players opt for devices that do not provide elevation and other data as a precaution against forgetting to turn off those functions.

[jwplayer 7NBaZ2A0-vgFm21H3]

Rumor: French prospect Tidjane Salaün is now projected to be a top-10 pick

Salaün is reportedly now viewed as a potential top-10 pick in the NBA draft after a strong finish to his season with Cholet Basket.

Tidjane Salaün, a 6-foot-9 forward from France, is now viewed as a potential top-10 pick in the 2024 NBA draft after a strong run with Cholet Basket.

Salaün, who will turn 19 in August, dazzled in his latest performance, producing 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal in a win over Paris in Game 1 of the French League playoffs. He finished 8-of-13 from the field, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range.

The performance vaulted Salaün to be one of the top players off the board on June 26, with many teams penciling him to go eighth to the San Antonio Spurs, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Salaun clearly didn’t hurt his draft stock, and a big contingent of NBA executives is now en route to France to take in the rest of the LNB quarterfinals, where both him and potential No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher are competing against Parisian-based teams, making for one-stop scouting shopping for lottery teams.

Salaün is averaging 9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals on 40.5% shooting from the field in 52 games. He started 38 games between all league competitions and is among the leaders on the team in scoring and rebounding.

He has dazzled this season with his ability to handle the ball in transition, drive and finish at the rim. He crashes the glass on both ends of the court with force and can defend multiple positions with his reported 7-foot, 2-inch wingspan.

With Cholet Basket still competing in the playoffs, Salaün likely won’t arrive in the United States until later this month at the earliest. He will have the opportunity to meet with teams for interviews and workouts once his season is over.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=650262612]