Michigan's Jordan Hobbs picked by Seattle Storm in third round of WNBA draft
University of Michigan senior Jordan Hobbs was selected on Monday as the 34th pick by the Seattle Storm in the 2025 WNBA draft.
Hobbs, who started every game of her last season with the Wolverines, finished her collegiate career with an average of 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 31.4 minutes per game in the 2024-2025 season. On March 21, she recorded a career-high of 28 points against Iowa State in the NCAA Tournament.
The 6-foot-3 forward earned the All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and the Academic All-Big Ten honors.
Hobbs joins Kansas State's Serena Sundell and TCU's Madison Connor, who were selected No. 26 and 29, respectively, by Seattle.
The Wolverines made it through the first round of the tournament with their win against Iowa State but fell short in the second round, losing to Notre Dame.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
11 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Nuggets Trade Idea Lands Nikola Jokic Perfect Co-Star
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Denver Nuggets are coming off a disappointing end to their postseason run, falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the second round. This marked the second straight year that Denver fell in the second round, and the team is expected to be very active this offseason. More NBA news: Suns Preparing to Make Big Decision on Devin Booker Amid Roster Rumors With star Nikola Jokic still in his prime, the Nuggets will look to maximize this core group in place. But there could be some changes coming to Denver following another failed title run. In a new trade idea from NBA writer Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, the Nuggets land a perfect co-star for Jokic. Swartz has Denver landing All-Star big Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz. Here is what the deal could look like: Denver Nuggets Receive: F Lauri Markkanen Charlotte Hornets Receive: F Michael Porter Jr. Utah Jazz Receive: G/F Josh Green, PF Grant Williams, F Josh Okogie, F/C Zeke Nnaji, 2027 first-round pick (lottery-protected via Miami Heat, from Charlotte Hornets), 2032 first-round pick (unprotected via Denver Nuggets) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 07: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz attempts to steal the ball from Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Footprint Center on February 07,... PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 07: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz attempts to steal the ball from Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Footprint Center on February 07, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. More Photo byLanding Markkanen could take some of the pressure off Jokic in the frontcourt for Denver. Jokic isn't the best defender, and teams will directly attack him to give themselves a better chance at scoring. But with Markkanen in the mix, teams would need to figure out a different way to gain an advantage. Markkanen could take on the tougher defensive assignments, giving Jokic more energy to run the offensive attack. A trio of Jokic, Markkanen, and guard Jamal Murray would be lethal to deal with offensively as well. All three can space the floor extremely well, and it would force teams to pick their poison on which big man to focus more on. Markkanen is a very capable shooter from deep, which would give the Nuggets even more room to space the floor. But he can also take defenders off the dribble to the basket, giving them a different type of big man than they have been used to. Losing Porter Jr. would be tough, but the writing has been on the wall for him in Denver for some time. Porter Jr. has been in trade rumors for years, and it seems that the Nuggets may want to move on. Denver has multiple different routes that it can go this offseason, but this could be a move to get them closer to winning another title. More NBA news: Russell Westbrook Could Receive Unprecedented Offer From EuroLeague Team: Report Hall of Famer Don Nelson to Wear Luka Doncic Shoes in Protest of Mavericks Trade For more on the Nuggets and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
17 minutes ago
- USA Today
'He was wonderful to coach': Nate Oats believes Clifford Omoruyi can flourish in the NBA
'He was wonderful to coach': Nate Oats believes Clifford Omoruyi can flourish in the NBA Clifford Omoruyi established himself as a dynamic player in college, and the former Alabama standout is looking to showcase that ability and more ahead of the 2025 NBA draft. Omoruyi was born in Nigeria and moved to New Jersey at the age of 14. He eventually committed to play at Rutgers in March 2020 after fielding over 20 offers, becoming the first consensus top-50 recruit to join the program since Kadeem Jack in 2010. The 6-foot-11 center saw steady improvement over his four years with the Scarlet Knights, culminating with two All-Big Ten Defensive Team selections. He played with a relentless motor, fighting for every rebound while protecting the rim at a high level. Omoruyi averaged 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks on 51.2% shooting from the field as a senior during the 2023-24 season. He ranked fourth in the country in blocked shots (93) and was the first player with at least eight blocks in multiple conference games since 1999-00. "Just being Nigerian, you've got to push yourself to be better," Omoruyi told Rookie Wire of his energetic playing style. "Everybody is trying to win and chase their dreams, so if I don't do it, someone is going to do it. It is just better if I push myself to do it." Fresh off a tremendous season, Omoruyi entered the transfer portal and was viewed as one of the top available interior defenders. He eventually chose the Crimson Tide over the likes of Georgetown, Kansas State and North Carolina, among other programs. Omoruyi helped Alabama advance to the Elite Eight for the second straight year, averaging 7.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 37 appearances. He registered two double-doubles and ranked ninth in the country in 2-point field goal percentage (73.9). The 23-year-old finished in double figures 13 times this past season, including a season-high 17 points, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks on March 21 in a win over Robert Morris in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. "The best thing he does is protect the rim and rebound, and you've got to have that to win," Alabama head coach Nate Oats told Rookie Wire. "We are the only school in the country that has made the last two Elite Eights, so he helped us have a really successful year. We competed for an SEC championship, and the SEC was the best conference in the history of college basketball this year, and we were one of the top teams. He helped us with all of that." Omoruyi stepped into a starting role at Alabama, averaging 19.2 minutes per game, a decrease from 26.9 minutes per game the previous season. Oats and the team used a more pro-style approach designed to maximize their personnel, including Omoruyi. Because of their depth, Omoruyi wasn't required to log 30-plus minutes a night. By keeping him mostly in the 18-24 range, Omoruyi was able to continue to make high-energy plays by chasing loose balls, crashing the glass and protecting the paint. Omoruyi adjusted well to how the Crimson Tide operated on offense by serving as a consistent lob threat, with his athleticism and 7-foot, 6 1/4-inch wingspan. He put pressure on the rim as a roller in pick-and-roll situations and expanded his offensive game by handling the ball more. "He definitely wasn't used to playing at the pace we did, but I think he picked that up as it went on," Oats said. "He was used to getting the ball a lot more in the post, coming from Rutgers. He had no complaints ever about scoring less. He was really just a team guy and did whatever we needed him to." Omoruyi is now focused on proving himself, with team workouts and interviews ramping up before the draft on June 25-26 in Brooklyn, New York. He signed with Edge Sports, which also represents Indiana Pacers forward Enrique Freeman, among other players. The Nigerian has made his 3-point shooting a point of emphasis during his offseason workouts, putting up at least 500 shots in the gym on most days. He is also working on various other elements of his game, such as pick-and-rolls, ball handling and attacking the rim. "I have really improved greatly because I've been working on everything," Omoruyi said. "During the season, my coaches knew I could shoot, but that wasn't my game. They just wanted me to be a better player and work on what I'm good at, so I've been working on adding the 3-pointer to my game, and that is going well." Omoruyi previously tested the predraft process in 2023, competing in the G League Elite Camp in Chicago, Illinois. He views himself as a completely different player than he was at that time, and is more comfortable doing different things on the court. That experience prepared him for this year, after he finished his collegiate career with the Crimson Tide. He is looking to make the most of this process and is eager to show teams that he can be a reliable player at the next level. "I can be the best version of myself, I just need the opportunity to get there and keep doing what I'm doing," Omoruyi said. "I'm already a great defensive player, and I can improve more. I just have to keep improving on my shooting and everything." Omoruyi is considered a potential second-round pick, with many projecting him to be a productive backup center. He has completed several workouts with teams, including the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, and has additional visits scheduled this month. After a productive five years in college, Omoruyi is on the verge of advancing to the next stage of his career. He left his mark at each stop over that span, and is looking to do it again in the NBA. "He is one of the best kids I've ever coached," Oats said. "He is great. He has a high IQ and is all about the team. He was wonderful to coach. Whoever gets him is going to get a great kid. I hope he ends up in a great situation where he gets a real chance to play. I think he'll take full advantage of it."
Newsweek
21 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Suns May Make Major Decision on Devin Booker This Offseason
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Phoenix Suns are among the handful of teams expected to make a significant roster moves. The Suns are coming off a season in which they failed to meet expectations, resulting in a disappointing season for Phoenix. However, the Suns are hoping that their future is bright. Phoenix hired its 23rd head coach in franchise history, Jordan Ott. Ott will try to lead Phoenix back to the heights they reached during the 2020-21 season, but it may take some time. The Suns are expected to make some huge moves this summer, but one of those may not include their superstar guard Devin Booker. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Suns are expected to make a seismic contract offer to Booker this summer. Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns waits for a free throw during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 01, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns waits for a free throw during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 01, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo byREPORT: The Suns are expected to offer Devin Booker a 2-year, $150M extension, per @TheSteinLine. ( — Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 8, 2025 The future of Booker in Phoenix was a bit unclear, but it appears that the Suns will do all they can to keep him in the Valley of the Sun for the foreseeable future. Booker becomes eligible for a two-year, $150 million extension on July 6, and all signs point to the 28-year-old locking in that massive deal once the window opens. Booker is coming off a season in which he was healthy and played like his All-Star self. In 75 games, the former Kentucky Wildcat averaged 25.3 points per game, 7.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 0.9 steals while shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 33.2 percent from beyond the arc. It's clear Phoenix still values Booker as a centerpiece, and they'll have the chance to show it in just a few weeks. This massive extension wouldn't just keep him under contract through the 2029-30 season — it would further cement his legacy as a Suns icon and long-term franchise pillar. Will Kevin Durant Remain in Phoenix? While this is good news for the Suns, it could spell trouble for Kevin Durant's time in Phoenix. The expectation for Durant and the Suns is that he will be traded as the offseason looms. Not only is Booker younger, but he is their first great, home-grown Sun in a long time. That is not the case with Durant, and that may be one of the many reasons why the front office will be willing to trade him this summer. Even at 36 years old, Durant will demand a massive package in return that the Suns could and should benefit from. Booker has played all 10 seasons with the Suns. In his career, he averages 24.4 points per game, 5.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 673 games. More NBA news: Russell Westbrook Could Receive Unprecedented Offer From EuroLeague Team: Report Hall of Famer Don Nelson to Wear Luka Doncic Shoes in Protest of Mavericks Trade Kevin Durant Trade Speculation Will Reportedly Get Aggressive in Coming Weeks For more on the Phoenix Suns and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
