Tag: walker kessler

Ranking the 23 best NBA players under 23 years old, with a FIBA World Cup star leading the pack

Where should Victor Wembanyama rank? Here’s the answer, along with the other best young NBA stars.

We are entering a new era of the NBA with Victor Wembanyama as one of several young stars vying to become the face of the league.

Now that the NBA’s 2023-24 season is less than a month away from tipping off, as we did last year, we have decided to re-rank the 23 best players who are under 23 years old.

But why 23? Well, it is not just because that was the number worn by Michael Jordan. Typically, NBA publications rank 25 players under 25 years old. You can read versions of that here, here, and here. I wanted to try out a similar thought experiment but with a new twist.

By the time NBA players are 25 years old, many have already graduated to their second contract and are in vastly different chapters of their careers than the league’s young players. It is harder to compare players like Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum, who will each earn more than $30 million next season, to players on rookie scale contracts.

The following rankings, meanwhile, are based predominantly on how we see NBA projections for next season. It is not as predictive of their future success or their potential in the league.

NOTE: For this exercise, all players included must be born after Oct. 24, 2000. 

Ranking the Top 10 big men for Team USA if Joel Embiid declines invitation to Paris Olympics in 2024

Anthony Davis is the top option but there are some interesting sleepers, too.

After shockingly failing to medal during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Team USA has lots of questions to answer before the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

One of the reasons why Team USA struggled to even earn a bronze medal was due to a lack of size in the frontcourt. They struggled on the defensive end of the floor and had a massive deficiency when it came to rebounding the ball.

This is a team that will need legitimate big men in order to compete with tough international talent in the post such as Serbia’s Nikola Jokic as well as France’s Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama.

Team USA head coach Steve Kerr was asked about what changes may come before the Olympics and he mentioned that the team needed to have very specific intentions when it came to the types of big men they would target for the roster (via The Athletic):

“I think it’s a worthwhile point of discussion, but the discussion has to go to, ‘OK, then who is that?” […] “You can’t just say, we’re going to have size for size’s sake. You have to have players who are going to help you win, and you have to determine who those guys are. It’s not just the size, it’s the way the game is played. […] But I don’t think it’s as simple as saying it’s just size. I think you have to examine who you’re talking about if you go down that path.”

Of course, the first name that comes to mind is Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. He could join the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon, who helped lead Team USA to win a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta after he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

The six-time All-Star is an international free agent who is eligible to play for Team Cameroon (after they clinched a spot to compete in the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament) as well as Team France and Team USA.

Team USA managing director Grant Hill said Embiid “knows our desire” to have him on the team. According to Brian Windhorst, however, it’s too early to assume that the league’s reigning MVP will decide to actually suit up for the Americans at the 2024 Olympics in Paris (via ESPN):

“Team USA has done some recruiting of Joel Embiid, who holds both United States and French citizenship, but the Philadelphia 76ers star has thus far been noncommittal.”

So if Team USA is not able to successfully recruit Embiid, here are the other top options that they could consider:

Bruce Pearl hints at Auburn’s 2024 rotation

Auburn will have a very different looking rotation this season.

Auburn men’s basketball coach [autotag]Bruce Pear[/autotag]l addressed the media via Zoom on Friday. With fall camp fast approaching, Pearl pointed out four key areas where the Tigers need to make up for lost production from last season.

“We gotta replace [autotag]Wendell Green[/autotag], we gotta replace [autotag]Zep Jasper[/autotag], we gotta replace [autotag]Allen Flanigan[/autotag], and we gotta replace whoever backed up [autotag]Jaylin Williams [/autotag] last year.”

Pearl mentioned freshmen guard [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag] as the likely replacement for Green.

He called Holloway “a combination of a lot of the guards [Auburn] has had in the past.” Holloway was a McDonald’s All-American in 2022, leading his team to a 36-1 record while averaging 18.5 points, 5.1 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game as a senior.

Auburn’s head coach is high on the former five-star recruit, likening his work ethic to that of former Auburn first-round picks [autotag]Jabari Smith[/autotag], [autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag], and [autotag]Isaac Okoro[/autotag].

The starting point guard spot is Holloway’s to lose, although Pearl did mention [autotag]Tre Donaldson[/autotag] as a player who will see some minutes and push Holloway to be better.

Pearl’s next test will be replacing defensive wizard [autotag]Zep Jasper[/autotag]. While the loss of Jasper will hurt the Tigers defensively, Pearl did note the potential for the team to improve scoring the basketball, where he is opting to give transfer guard [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag] a run in the starting five over fan-favorite [autotag]K.D Johnson,[/autotag] at least for now, due to his high-volume scoring ability.

“Denver Jones could be a candidate for one of our top two or three scorers.”

It’s hard to argue with that statement, Jones was absolutely lethal as a scorer last season. The sophomore guard was one of only 26 players in Division 1 to average at least 20.0 points per game in 2022, helping him become the first-ever FIU Panther to win Conference USA first-team all-conference honors.

Pearl was a little more ambiguous when discussing how he would deploy his front-court options.

He did take time to praise JUCO transfer [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag] and Division 2 transfer [autotag]Chaney Johnson[/autotag], calling Baker-Mazara “really good,” while citing his accomplishments at Northwest Florida State College and San Diego State.

The issue with Baker-Mazara is his size, where he measures 6 feet 7 inches but weighs only 190 pounds. That body type does not bode well for a healthy season, especially in the physical SEC.

As for Johnson, Pearl called him “one of the best athletes on our team,” citing his ability to shoot, guard multiple positions, and dribble the basketball.

Of course, returning Tigers [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag], [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Dylan Cardwell [/autotag] will see ample minutes in the front court as well.

Pearl still has plenty of time to figure out his final rotation ahead of Auburn’s season opener against Baylor on Nov. 7, but it seems like he at least has an idea of how he would like to deploy his roster ahead of this season.

Fall camp performances and injuries will surely change some things too.

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Auburn promoting Steven Pearl to associate head coach

He is entering his 10th season with the program.

[autotag]Steven Pearl[/autotag] has received a promotion ahead of his 10th season on the Plains. Auburn announced on Tuesday that he was being named associate head coach.

“Steven has been an integral part of the success that we’ve had at Auburn from the beginning,” head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] said. “Many people may forget that he started as an assistant strength coach and worked his way up through our program. He has been able to recruit and coach at a very high level. His ability to communicate and teach our system to our players is second to none. He is truly one of the best assistant coaches in the country and has earned this promotion.”

With Steven on the bench, Auburn has won three SEC Championship titles and made four NCAA Tournament appearances, including the first Final Four in program history in 2019.

“I am so incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the trust so many people here at Auburn have put in me,” Steven said. “To BP, our administration, the board, our amazing coaching staff, our student-athletes, supporters of our program and the Auburn Family at large – thank you for this honor. I recognize how privileged I am to be able to come to work every day for the Auburn men’s basketball program, and I do not take that for granted.

“I couldn’t be more fired up about the direction and future of our program. I promise you I will stop at nothing to help the program bring home more championships to Auburn. We are just getting started. War Eagle!”

He has helped bring several talented transfers to Auburn, being the primary recruiter for [autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag], [autotag]Wendell Green Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] and [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag].

Auburn is set to open the 2023-24 season on Nov. 7 against Baylor. The game will be a neutral-site matchup in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

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Utah Jazz making Collin Sexton available in trade discussions

Collin Sexton could be traded by the Utah Jazz

After just one year with the Utah Jazz, it appears that former Alabama basketball superstar [autotag]Collin Sexton[/autotag] could have a new home ahead of the 2023 season. Sexton was originally drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the No. 8 overall selection in the 2018 NBA draft, but after his fourth year in the league, he was part of a trade that sent Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland for Sexton, former Auburn stand-out Walker Kessler and other assets.

The 2023 NBA draft takes place Thursday evening and the Jazz currently hold the No. 9 overall selection. Utah is rumored to have an interest in drafting a guard as they have made Sexton available in trade talks, according to recent reports from Yahoo’s Jake Fischer, so there is a very solid chance that he gets moved during the draft.

Sexton is only one year into a four-year, $72 million contract and will have plenty of suitors on the market. The Wizards, Hornets, Clippers and Bucks are reported to have the most interest, but a 24-year-old PG on a team-friendly deal will have options. Sexton shot over 50% from the field and 39.3% from 3 point range in 2022-2023. Sexton had a career-low in both points and rebounds with the Jazz, so it appears as if the move would be best for him as well.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to monitor the trade rumors surrounding Sexton.

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Team USA roster: Here are the players heading to the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the Philippines

Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards and Mikal Bridges are the headliners.

The U.S. men’s national team is headed to the Philippines to participate in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the roster will have many new faces.

The United States had a stacked roster (including James Harden, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, and Kyrie Irving) and won a gold medal during the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

But, while led by Donovan Mitchell as well as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the United States failed to medal during the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.

Quite a lot has changed since then, however, with Steve Kerr replacing Gregg Popovich as the head coach. Meanwhile, under the leadership of Grant Hill instead of longtime director Jerry Colangelo, NBA players are reportedly no longer required to “try out” for Team USA.

The Americans who were tapped for the roster will play their first game against New Zealand on August 26. They will then face off against Greece, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, on Aug. 28.

Team USA (-180) is currently the favorite to win the tournament, per DraftKings. Serbia (+800), Greece (+900) and Slovenia (+1000) are also projected with the next-best odds.

Based on reporting so far, here are the 10 players who will be heading to the Philippines. Expect two more NBA players (potentially Desmond Bane and Alex Caruso) to commit to the roster before the official roster is announced.

Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith Jr. make NBA All-Rookie teams

Walker Kessler made the first team and Jabari Smith Jr. made the second.

[autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag] and [autotag]Jabari Smith Jr.[/autotag] were both named to the NBA’s All-Rookie teams on Monday.

Kessler made the first team at center while Smith made the second team as a power forward.

Kessler, who finished third in Rookie of the Year voting, averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game for the Utah Jazz. His 72% shooting percentage led the league and his 2.3 blocks were fourth most.

Smith averaged 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Houston Rockets after they drafted him with the No. 3 overall pick. He struggled from deep in his first season, making just 30.7% of his shots from behind the arc.

He recorded three straight 20-point, 10-rebound games in March for the Rockets to become the first teenager in NBA history to do so. and the first Rockets rookie since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984.

They are the fifth and sixth former Tigers to be named to the NBA All-Rookie teams, joining Charles Barkley (1985, first), Chris Morris (1989, second), Chuck Person (1987, first), and Wesley Person (1995, second).

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2023 NBA All-Rookie: Paolo Banchero unanimously selected to first team

Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero was the only unanimous first-team selection this year.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams and Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler headlined the NBA All-Rookie first team announced on Monday.

Banchero, who was named Rookie of the Year, was the only unanimous first-team selection, appearing on all 100 ballots from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Williams earned 99 first-team votes and Kessler garnered 95 votes.

Joining the trio of players on the first team are Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray and Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin. Murray was on 88 first-team ballots while Mathurin was on 71 in the final tally released with the announcement.

2022-23 NBA All-Rookie First Team

Player First Team Votes Second Team Votes Total Points
Paolo Banchero 100 0 200
Jalen Williams 99 1 199
Walker Kessler 95 5 195
Keegan Murray 88 9 195
Bennedict Mathurin 71 28 170

Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons), Tari Eason (Houston Rockets), Jaden Ivey (Detroit Pistons), Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston Rockets) and Jeremy Sochan (San Antonio Spurs) were named to the All-Rookie second team.

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Auburn to receive visit from Vanderbilt’s leading scorer

Another big-name guard is considering Auburn for a new home.

As usual, Auburn basketball head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] is going above and beyond in his efforts to bring in top talent from the transfer portal.

He is doing so on Friday as Nathan King of Auburn Undercover reports that Vanderbilt’s leading scorer from last season, [autotag]Tyrin Lawrence[/autotag], is taking an official visit to Auburn ($).

Lawrence is a rising senior guard from Monticello, Georgia, who signed with Vanderbilt as a member of the 2020 signing class. Auburn had amazing success recruiting in the Peach State during the 2020 cycle, as the state’s top-three recruits: [autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag], [autotag]Sharife Cooper[/autotag], and [autotag]J.T. Thor[/autotag], all played for Auburn. [autotag]Dylan Cardwell[/autotag] was the state’s No. 11 prospect for the 2020 class.

Since arriving at Vanderbilt, Lawrence has played in 77 games and has an average of 8.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. He has a field goal percentage of 48% and shoots 73% from the free-throw stripe.

As a junior during the 2022-23 season, Lawrence led the Commodores in scoring by averaging 13.1 points per game. He turned in 24 games of double-figures and scored 20 or more points in six games. During Vanderbilt’s NIT run, Lawrence averaged 19 points and eight rebounds per game. During the first two games of the NIT, Lawrence had a 25-point game against Yale in round one and scored 24 points against Michigan in round two.

Auburn has added two transfers in [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag] from FIU and [autotag]Cheney Johnson[/autotag] from Alabama-Huntsville so far in this window and recently received a visit from [autotag]Matthew Cleveland[/autotag] of Florida State.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

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Magic forward Paolo Banchero named 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year

Banchero became the third Magic player to be honored as the Rookie of the Year, joining Shaquille O’Neal and Mike Miller.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero on Tuesday was named the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the first No. 1 pick to win the award since Ben Simmons in 2018.

Banchero received 98 out of 100 first-place votes from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. He finished with 494 out of a possible 500 points in the final voting, topping the 241 points that Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams received.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler finished third with 114 points.

Banchero was viewed as the front-runner to win after averaging 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 72 games. He led the rookie class in a number of categories, including scoring, field goals per game (6.7), free throws (5.5) and 30-point games (6).

The 20-year-old became the third rookie in team history to be honored as Rookie of the Year, joining Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) and his agent, Mike Miller (2000-01). He is the sixth rookie in the last 50 seasons to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Banchero kicked off his rookie campaign with a historic start.

He became the third No. 1 pick since the 1969-70 season to record at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in a debut, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James. He had the most 20-point games to start a career since Grant Hill during the 1994-95 season (6).

Banchero continued that success throughout the year, producing 40 20-point games, which were the ninth-most by a rookie age 20 or younger. He was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month four times, tying O’Neal for the most in team history.

In all, the former Duke All-American finished with one of the most productive rookie campaigns in recent memory and was rewarded accordingly. He established himself as the top first-year player and projects to be a franchise cornerstone for years to come.

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