Latest news with #ACCRookieoftheYear
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paolo Banchero looks back on Mike Krzyzewski's impact on his growth as a player: "I didn't really understand it at the time"
Paolo Banchero is arguably one of the NBA's best rising stars. But his evolution as a player would not have been possible without Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Although he had a short stint with the Blue Devils, Coach K showered the 2022 ACC Rookie of the Year with lessons he initially couldn't understand. Only when he set foot in the pros did he realize what Krzyzewski was preaching. Advertisement "He always stressed, especially to me, was having a strong presence and a strong face. As an 18-year-old going into college, I didn't really understand it at the time," Banchero said on The Pivot Podcast. "Ever since kind of I've left, I've seen exactly what he means and exactly what he was talking about. You don't want to show weakness. You don't want to show any of that because you are being looked at as an investment." Coach K's impact The 6-foot-10 Orlando Magic star has a rare combination of size, skills, and basketball IQ. At his height, he can handle the ball as a guard and shoot it from anywhere on the court. Still, his mature approach to the game might be even more impressive. And according to Banchero, Krzyzewski deserves all the credit for it. Advertisement "He knew I wanted to be a star in the NBA. So I think he was preparing me for what comes with that and how I would have to handle myself," the 22-year-old stated. "Without him, I don't know if I would have understood that. I don't know if I would have had the maturity that I do now." Magic future looking bright Three seasons into his NBA career, Banchero's numbers — 22.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 198 regular season games — show he is meant for (super)stardom. Unlike other players they drafted in the past, he is someone who could lead the team to success. Luckily for the Magic, Banchero is dialed in and ready to repay the organization's trust from day one — the Magic drafted him even though he couldn't visit Orlando for the pre-draft process. Advertisement "We didn't meet, I didn't work out, but they just believed in me that much," the one-time All-Star shared. Banchero only has one goal: to deliver the club's first NBA championship. So far, the Magic has been to two NBA finals, in 1995 and 2009. Shaquille O'Neal led the team to its first Finals appearance, while Dwight Howard did the same in 2009. Could Banchero be next? Talented as he may be, the Duke product can't do it alone. And while guys like Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner are talented, the 2025 playoffs have shown that he'll need more help to make a deep postseason run — the Magic were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the first round. Advertisement Among the areas that the Magic need to improve is their long range shooting. They finished the season with the league's lowest 3-point shooting percentage (31.8), per ESPN. They also need someone to help distribute the ball better after finishing last in the league in assists, 23.0 per game. The good news for Magic management is that they don't need a high-priced star to fill those gaps. A good point guard and a reliable 3-point shooter should do the trick, especially if Banchero continues his rise toward NBA superstardom. Related: Banchero shares the pressure of being the top pick in the NBA Draft: "I've got to come in and be that guy from day one"
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Patrick Mahomes Called out by Chiefs Teammate Over Dallas Mavericks Posts
While most NBA fans were either confused or upset about the Dallas Mavericks, who had just a 1.8% chance of winning the 2025 NBA draft lottery, landing the No. 1 overall pick and the right to draft Duke freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes wasn't among them. Mahomes, a lifelong Mavericks fan who grew up just an hour-and-a-half outside of Dallas and played college football at nearby Texas Tech, which is just a few short hours away from the American Airlines Center, was notably disappointed when his hometown team traded away superstar Luka Doncic back at the beginning of February. Advertisement 'I've watched Luka since he was 18 years old,' Mahomes said at the time. 'I remember going to a practice and it was Dirk [Nowitzki] and Luka, and seeing his maturation and how great of a basketball player he's become, it's been fun to watch. As a Dallas fan, it hurts me.' Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II cheers during the second half of the game between the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets at American Airlines Jairaj-Imagn Images So after the season the Mavericks just endured—losing a significant number of fans in the aftermath of the Doncic trade, followed by a season-ending injury to Kyrie Irving and an early postseason ousting in the NBA play-in tournament—Mahomes will take any kind of win he can get. Moments after the NBA announced the Mavericks had won the No. 1 overall pick, the 29-year-old two-time NFL MVP took to X to celebrate presumably landing Flagg, the prize of the 2025 draft class. Advertisement 'OMGGGGG!! Let's goo!!!!!' Mahomes wrote, followed by a second post that read 'GOOO @dallasmavs.' Mahomes' celebration didn't last long—18 minutes, to be exact—before one of his teammates tried to rain on his parade. 'Pat you know this was rigged right ? @PatrickMahomes,' defensive end Charles Omenihu responded. While Omenihu was likely just having a laugh at Mahomes' expense, some fans in the comment section actually agreed that they believed the NBA rigged the draft lottery in Dallas' favor. 'Charles you are spot on here!' one fan commented. 'Charles ain't wrong,' a second fan agreed. '[Expletive] yeah let Pat know Charles!' another fan responded. Advertisement 'Yep rigged lol 🤣🤣🤣,' one user stated. '💯,' another user replied. Even if Omenihu's wild accusation was true, Mahomes would still likely be unbothered by his teammate's rebuttal given the prize is an 18-year-old superstar-in-the-making. Flagg was a consensus first-team All-American who won seemingly every major college award including National College Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year, and several others. Related: Jason Kelce's Taylor Swift Comments Have 'New Heights' Listeners Buzzing Related: Josh Allen Not a Fan of How Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift Handle Their Relationship
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cooper Flagg Reveals His Favorite NBA Player Without Hesitation
Cooper Flagg is now a month removed from completing a stellar freshman season with the Duke Blue Devils, having arrived as a five-star recruit out of Newport, Maine. He lived up to the high expectations, leading Duke to an ACC title and a Final Four appearance. His standout play earned him a sweep of major honors, including the Wooden Award for National Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, and ACC Rookie of the Year. Advertisement Now, Flagg is preparing for the 2025 NBA draft in June and is expected to participate—at least in some capacity—at the NBA draft combine, which begins Sunday, despite him already being the consensus projected No. 1 overall pick. Ahead of the combine, "NBA Future Starts Now" shared a Q&A with Flagg from before his time at Duke. When asked who his favorite NBA player was, he named fellow Duke legend and current Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum. Considering Flagg is from New England, his admiration for Tatum comes as no surprise. "Probably Jayson Tatum, just because I'm a Celtics fan," Flagg said. "I like his game a lot, and I kind of try and take pieces of his game." Flagg led the entire Duke roster in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks this past season. He averaged an impressive 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, while shooting 48.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc, and 84.0% from the free-throw line. Advertisement The NBA draft lottery is scheduled for Monday, May 12, and it will reveal where NBA fans will likely see Flagg land. Currently, the teams with the best odds to secure the No. 1 overall pick are the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Philadelphia 76ers. Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2).Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images However, if history has taught us anything, the draft lottery can be full of surprises. Any team with even a slight chance of landing the top pick can make a leap, and there are a few other intriguing teams with lower odds. The Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, and potentially even the San Antonio Spurs, who are already building around Victor Wembanyama, could all emerge as wild cards. Related: Old Video of LeBron James and Cooper Flagg Resurfaces After Duke's Final Four Berth
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Duke Sends Parting Message to Cooper Flagg After NBA Draft Decision
In a decision that just about everyone in college basketball and the NBA were expecting at some point, Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg declared for the draft on Monday. The decision comes after a tremendous season in Durham, even though he should've been a senior in high school. On the year, Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks, all of which led the team. While he flirted with the idea of making a return to college, and there were rumors that he wanted to avoid certain franchises, inevitably, it was time for him to spread his wings. Advertisement The program made sure to send a heartwarming message to him on social media, expressing its gratitude for his time with the brotherhood. "League next. Duke forever. Thank you @Cooper_Flagg‼️💙💙😈," wrote the program. In his one season with Duke, Flagg led the team to its best record (35-4) since the 2014-15 season. He was also named ACC Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC All-Defensive Team, a consensus first-team All-American, and the player of the year by multiple outlets. While the fans were hoping that the next great prodigy would end the program's title drought, Flagg and the Blue Devils ended up falling in the Final Four against Houston, the eventual runner-up. Advertisement In terms of where Flagg will end up for the start of his NBA career, there are three teams that share the best odds of securing the No. 1 pick. Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2).Dale Zanine-Imagn Images According to CBS Sports' Sam Quinn, the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets all share a 14% chance of securing the top pick. The NBA draft lottery is scheduled for May 12, which in all likelihood means that will be when Flagg finds out where he is going. That is, unless he truly decides to pull an Eli Manning of sorts, and force his way to a different team. Although his college career didn't end with him winning the title, he still had a spectacular career that won't be forgotten anytime soon. Related: Cooper Flagg Facing Backlash From Duke Fans After NBA Draft Decision
New York Times
23-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
NBA Draft early entry tracker: Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey becomes latest entry
As the excitement builds for the NBA Draft, which will take place on June 25-26 in Brooklyn, a host of top underclassmen will declare their intention to leave college early for the pros. Who's in, and who's out? The Athletic is here to help. We're tracking the top draft-eligible underclassmen as they declare their intentions to enter the draft or to stay in school. From standout freshmen to breakout sophomores, our team is watching the announcements, analyzing performances, and projecting draft stock as the road to the draft heats up. Advertisement The deadline to apply for early entry is April 26, but players have until June 15 to withdraw from the draft and maintain their college eligibility. Here are the prospects who have already declared so far, as well as an analysis of the top players yet to decide: Ace Bailey, forward, Rutgers Bailey is arguably the most talented player in this class and might also possess the highest upside. The 6-foot-10, 200-pound forward has a variety of moves offensively and can score from anywhere on the floor. Just 18, Bailey averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He has the tools to be a multi-time All-Star and a primary option for his team at the next level. He's raw in some areas, but the talent is undeniable. Vecenie projects Bailey as a top-five pick due to his pure talent. 'Some see real star upside, while some see a good, Michael Porter Jr.-like role player, and yet others worry significantly about his decision-making. The pre-draft process will be incredibly important,' Vecenie wrote. Cooper Flagg, forward, Duke Flagg had one of the greatest freshman years in college basketball history, bringing home awards for AP Player of the Year, ACC POY and ACC Rookie of the Year while averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Flagg is the most versatile prospect in the draft. With his length, athleticism and motor, he can impact the game defensively. He may not be his team's best player at the next level, but he could be its most impactful. The 6-foot-9, 205-pounder led the Blue Devils in every statistical category this season. Like most analysts, Vecenie has Flagg going No. 1 overall in his mock draft, writing: 'More than anything, what stands out is his elite level of competitiveness. There is not a second in which he's on the court that he's not playing hard or totally locked into what he's doing.' Kon Knueppel, forward, Duke Knueppel looked like a future NBA player when he led the Nike EYBL regular season in scoring two years ago. This season, he was one of the best 3-point shooters in the country and may have improved his stock more than any other player. His 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists — and 47.9/40.6/91.4 shooting splits — earned him ACC Tournament MVP and All-ACC second-team honors. Advertisement Prospects like Knueppel will always have value at the next level as a floor spacer (47 percent on spot-up 3s). He also has the IQ to match, able to operate in the pick-and-roll and make good decisions as a secondary ball-handler. Vecenie projects Knueppel as a top-10 pick, writing that in addition to his shooting, he is competitive on defense. 'There are some real issues with his foot speed that will become exacerbated as he moves up to the NBA, and teams are intrigued to see how he'll defend perimeter players effectively in the increased space. But his ability to play both on and off the ball is extremely interesting,' he wrote. Collin Murray-Boyles, forward, South Carolina Murray-Boyles is a unique prospect — a jack of all trades and a master of none — yet one who is wildly productive. The 6-foot-7, 231-pounder averaged 16.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. What he lacks in athleticism and 3-point shooting, he makes up for with his instincts, footwork and IQ. NBA teams love to play small but keep the versatility. Well, here comes Murray-Boyles, a player who can either overpower defenders or use his skill and ability to change speeds going downhill. Notes Vecenie: 'His stock is all over the map, with some scouts seeing him as high as a top-six player in the class and others seeing him as more of a top-20 guy.' Kasparas Jakucionis, guard, Illinois The 6-foot-6, 200-pounder from Lithuania is one of the most creative passers in this class, averaging 4.7 assists per game while adding 15.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest. Jakucionis fits the mold of a cerebral player who might not be the fastest or the most athletic but who has a feel for the game and knows how to make the right plays. That's Jakucionis in a nutshell. He also has excellent size for his position and craftiness that allows him to score at the rim. Advertisement In his mock draft, The Athletic's Sam Vecenie notes that scouts would love to have seen Illinois make a run in the NCAA Tournament to get a better look at him outside of Big Ten play. Where will he be picked? 'I would say it's anywhere from No. 5 to No. 10.' Tre Johnson, guard, Texas Some people are born to score, and Tre Johnson fits that category. The 6-foot-6, 190-pounder averaged 19.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 39.7 percent from 3. Johnson is the most talented scorer in the class, and he can do it from all three levels with consistency. Johnson gets a lot of his points off the dribble, as he made 95 dribble pull-up 2s and 99 dribble pull-up 3s. The 19-year-old led the SEC in scoring and finished second in 3-point percentage. He was named SEC Freshman of the Year and was a second-team All-SEC selection. Vecenie projects Johnson as a top-10 pick, primarily because 'there are evaluators who truly believe there are some star upside outcomes for him.' He does offer a word of warning, writing that Johnson 'does not create easy shots for himself. He's a big-time contested shot-maker.' Asa Newell, forward, Georgia The NBA loves plug-and-play players, and Newell is a guy who can fit into most systems. The 6-foot-10, 220-pounder averaged 15.4 points and 6.9 rebounds, along with a steal per game. Newell has an elite motor and has shown that he can guard multiple positions. As for offense, he uses his IQ, length and athleticism to create scoring opportunities. Newell, 19, has the potential to be a high-end two-way player at the next level. Vecenie projects Newell as a late first-rounder: 'There's just a lot to work with and develop, although scouts do wonder if he's a bit of a tweener positionally.' Jase Richardson, guard, Michigan State Richardson was one of the biggest breakout players in college basketball this season. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder averaged 12 points while shooting 49 percent from the field, 41 percent from 3 and 84 percent from the line. Richardson excels as a playmaker and a connector with a well-rounded offensive game. Richardson lacks size and doesn't do anything in particular that will wow you. But his poise and IQ are impressive, as are his shot-making, pace, efficiency and overall skill set. These things make him productive and can help win games. Advertisement In Vecenie's mock draft, Richardson was projected as a lottery pick. Vecenie called the guard 'one of the true breakout risers of this draft class. … Few players navigate tight spaces quite like Richardson, as he has a Jalen Brunson-like ability to find creases in the defense with his pristine footwork.' Egor Demin, guard, BYU Demin is the best all-around passer in this class, chipping in 5.5 assists while scoring 10.6 points and grabbing 3.9 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-9, 190-pound prospect from Russia isn't the most athletic player, nor is he a polished shooter, but he distributes the ball well and can see the play before it happens. He also can use his size to get to the middle of the floor and finish over defenders. Demin showed flashes as a capable shotmaker, starting the season by making 13 of 23 3s, but his percentages later dipped. He could thrive in a role as a secondary ball-handler with his ability to consistently put his teammates in scoring position. In his mock draft, Vecenie projects Demin as a late first-rounder. 'He looks like a player who would be helped by returning to college for another year,' he wrote. 'However, some scouts still genuinely adore his game because of his vision and playmaking. If he goes in the lottery, it won't stun me, because the people who really buy the upside tend to really buy into it.' Derik Queen, center, Maryland Queen brings a unique combination of size, skill and IQ. The 6-foot-10, 245-pound Baltimore native averaged 16.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. He shot 55.8 percent inside the arc and 68.4 percent at the rim. Basketball has evolved significantly over the last half-decade, particularly at center. Bigs like Nikola Jokić, Domantas Sabonis and Alperen Şengün have taken the game by storm, and Queen possesses similar traits. He has elite passing tools and fires precision passes with either hand, which leads to assists. Vecenie tabs Queen as a late lottery pick, writing that he is the 'exact kind of offensive playmaking center whom teams would love to have, especially if you believe he has the potential to shoot from distance.' His defense, though, could be a problem. Jeremiah Fears, guard, Oklahoma Jeremiah Fears is an anomaly; very few players in college basketball history have reclassified to enter college early and had the success he has. The Joilet, Ill., native averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while leading his team to the NCAA Tournament. Fears, who does not turn 19 until October, is one of the youngest prospects in this class and has several traits NBA teams desire, such as his ability to get paint touches. At 6-foot-4 and 182 pounds, he has good size, speed and burst to be a productive NBA player. As electrifying as he is with the ball in his hand, Fears will need to clean up his 3-point shooting at the next level. Advertisement Vecenie writes of Fears in his mock draft: 'There are scouts who see him as an end-of-the-first-round gamble. There are others who see him as a clear lottery pick who could end up in the top half. His pre-draft process will be fascinating to track as it could lead to a real rise, or he might end up going a bit lower than this.' Liam McNeeley, forward, UConn This draft has several polarizing prospects and McNeeley is one of them. A versatile player who played some point forward for the Huskies, he can read defenses and make good decisions with the ball in his hands. He's another cerebral prospect who won't 'wow you' with his athleticism but is a better athlete than some might think. The 6-foot-7, 210-pounder averaged 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He didn't shoot the 3 as well as many expected (31.7 percent), but he has excellent mechanics and did make 38 percent of his 3s off the catch. Vecenie tabs McNeeley as a late lottery pick, though he noted that there are concerns about his offensive game. He also wrote that while McNeeley is very competitive on defense, there are worries there, too, that he is a bit slow-footed. Dylan Harper, guard, Rutgers Harper has a very advanced offensive game that features step-backs, euro-steps and spin moves. But what stands out the most is his patience. Typically, younger guards look to make the home run play and won't take what the defense gives them. But the 6-foot-6, 215-pounder has a mature game, similar to his father, five-time NBA champion Ron Harper Sr. He operates well in the pick-and-roll, setting his teammates up for easy baskets while also being an offensive threat as a downhill driver. Harper averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. In his mock draft, Vecenie writes that Harper 'is an elite player, and most NBA executives see him as the clear No. 2 pick in the class.' V.J. Edgecombe, guard, Baylor You may not find a better athlete in this class than the 19-year-old Edgecombe — search his clips and you'll find a healthy collection of furious dunks. He could be one of the best shot-blocking guards in the league. Edgecombe started the year slow, but the 6-foot-4, 180-pounder ended up being the Big 12 Rookie of the Year with averages of 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Advertisement Edgecombe also has great defensive instincts and puts a ton of pressure on ballhandlers. He played on the Bahamian national basketball team in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and was one of the best players on a roster that featured several current NBA players. Vecenie has Edgecombe going No. 3 in his mock draft, primarily due to the perception that he is a safe pick. 'Because he plays really hard and defends, the intel is quite positive; it's hard to see how exactly he fails totally, and he maintains a degree of upside long-term if the ball skills continue to improve,' he wrote. Mark Few got his son some closing minutes in Gonzaga's blowout win over Baylor. And then Joe found himself on the wrong end of a mammoth poster dunk from V.J. Edgecombe 😅 🎥 @ — The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 5, 2024 Khaman Maluach, center, Duke Maluach burst onto the scene last summer, playing in the 2024 Olympics for South Sudan as the youngest player by a wide margin. But made headlines a few years prior as he was the third youngest prospect to play in the FIBA World Cup. The 7-foot-2, 250-pound big man has the tools to be a defensive anchor and a lob threat at the next level. In 39 games for Duke, he averaged 8.6 points and 6.6 rebounds and led the ACC in total blocks, with 51 (1.3 per game). Maluach has a 9-foot-8 standing reach, 1 inch longer than San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama and 1 inch shorter than four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. Vecenie projects Maluach as a late lottery pick: 'Everyone at least sees Maluach as sticking in the NBA as a backup center because players this big who can move like he can just don't wash out of the league, especially when the league itself has a dearth of backup bigs. But others see real upside for him as a league-average starter with potential for more if his jumper comes around.' Carter Bryant, forward, Arizona You can't have enough 3-and-D players on your roster in the NBA, and Bryant is an archetypal 3-and-D athlete. He shot 37 percent from 3 on 2.8 attempts while scoring 6.5 points and grabbing 4.1 rebounds per game. His numbers aren't flashy, but he has the tools to be a key piece in the NBA. During conference play, he shot 38.6 percent from 3 and averaged 7.5 points per game. Advertisement His best skill, though, is what he does defensively. Bryant makes plays with his quick-twitch athleticism and instincts, and he has a knack for blocking shots and jumping passing lanes. Bryant can offer a winning team valuable minutes as a role player. Vecenie projects Bryant as a late first-rounder. 'He looks like the exact kind of big wing NBA teams are constantly searching for,' he wrote. 'Yes, it would probably behoove him to return to school. However, scouts are excited by his tools and are intrigued to see if he can be a serious defensive playmaker as a 3-and-D style weapon.'
