Latest news with #All-American
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball star worked out with four NBA teams before return to Madison
Wisconsin basketball star worked out with four NBA teams before return to Madison Wisconsin basketball star John Blackwell worked out with several NBA teams prior to officially withdrawing from the 2025 draft and returning to the Badgers for the 2025-26 season. Blackwell, who will officially don the Badger threads for at least one more season as a junior, worked out with the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trailblazers and Philadelphia 76ers before sharing his plans to return to school on Wednesday. While the Michigan native's NBA prospects remained slim throughout the pre-draft process, Blackwell capitalized on the opportunity to showcase his skill set in front of NBA scouts and executives. Outside of exposure, those workouts traditionally enable players to bolster their draft status down the line and hone in on specific facets of their games to improve. The rising junior guard did not receive an invitation to the NBA combine or the G League Elite Camp, but he did participate in Life Sports Agency's pro day at the Los Angeles Lakers' training facility, another NBA venue. For a player who will not lace up in the NBA this fall, Blackwell certainly loaded his offseason itinerary with professional basketball at the front of his mind. Blackwell will return to Madison as the unquestioned No. 1 option for Greg Gard's group. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 31.2 minutes, 15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game off 45% from the field and 32% from 3-point range as a sophomore during the 2024-25 slate, enough to earn an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection. The guard played second fiddle to All-American wing John Tonje, who projects to land in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft, throughout his second season in Madison. Still, Blackwell recorded eight games of at least 20 points, including a pair of games with 30 points or more. The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, native will take the hardwood alongside transfers Nick Boyd, Austin Rapp and Andrew Rohde in the starting lineup, with rising junior forward Nolan Winter also returning to help lead the team. That starting unit projects to be one of the more formidable in the Big Ten. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
French Open Day 6 picks: Best bets for Tommy Paul-Karen Khachanov, Lorenzo Musetti-Mario Navone
The French Open continues Friday with eight matches in the Round of 32. Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune, Tommy Paul and Lorenzo Musetti are all in action, but the headliner for folks on this side of the Atlantic is the All-American showdown between Frances Tiafoe and Sebastian Korda. Let's jump into our best bets for Friday's action on the clay at Roland Garros. 2025 French Open Day 6 best bets Tommy Paul (-130) vs. Karen Khachanov, approx. 6:30 a.m. ET Tommy Paul needed every bit of five sets to dispatch Marton Fucsovics in Round 2, but he advanced and his draw is pretty kind for the foreseeable future. Paul, who has never been past the third round at the French Open, dropped the first two sets against Fucsovics, but fought back to earn himself a date with Karen Khachanov. While going five sets in Round 2 is far from ideal for a player with sights set on a deep run at this tournament, Paul's endurance and stamina aren't a concern. Get the lowdown on the Best USA Sports Betting Sites and Apps Khachanov, like Paul, is also comfortable going deep in matches and has an impressive motor, but the American has the higher ceiling in this matchup and should be able to play a more comfortable style of tennis than he was forced to against Fucsovics. It looks like the betting market is overreacting a little bit to Paul's previous match, and he's got value as a slight favorite Friday. The Play: Tommy Paul (-130, FanDuel) Lorenzo Musetti is a trendy pick to make the semifinals at Roland Garros. Getty Images Mariano Navone (+570) vs. Lorenzo Musetti, approx. 5 a.m. ET The path is there for Lorenzo Musetti to go deep at the 2025 French Open. He's a massive favorite in the Round of 32 against Mariano Navone, and if he could navigate a potential showdown with Holger Rune in Round 4, he'd be a chunky favorite over whoever comes out of the bottom section of his quarter. That said, Navone is a trickier opponent than these odds imply. The Argentinian has already taken care of a couple of tricky opponents, Brandon Nakashima and Reilly Opelka, and he's had a couple of other encouraging performances on the clay during the European swing. Musetti hasn't put a foot wrong yet in Paris, but he's hardly been challenged. These odds look a little inflated, and Navone is worth a sprinkle as a massive underdog. The Play: Mariano Navone (+570, FanDuel) Why Trust New York Post Betting Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Clemson softball player named All-American after outstanding 2025 season
Clemson softball player named All-American after outstanding 2025 season A dynamic force on the field and at the plate 💪 Congrats to Maddie Moore on being named a NFCA First Team All-American! 📰 — Clemson Softball 🥎 (@clemsonsoftball) May 28, 2025 Clemson softball second baseman Maddie Moore has been named an All-American for her outstanding 2025 season. Moore was named a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American on Wednesday, the organization announced. It's her second straight All-America honor. A year ago, Moore was a third team All-America selection. A senior from Del Oro High School in Loomis, Calif., Moore batted .411 in 57 games for the Tigers during their run to the Austin Super Regional of the NCAA Tournament. She led the team in home runs (17), RBIs (71), and added 12 doubles to go with a .472 on-base percentage and a .771 slugging percentage. Moore's contributions helped Clemson win its first ACC championship in program history. The Tigers rallied on three straight days at the ACC Softball Championships to take down Virginia, Virginia Tech and Florida State for the conference title. Clemson finished the 2025 season 48-14 overall and went 3-0 at its on-site regional, beating USC Upstate, Northwestern and Kentucky at McWhorter Stadium to advance to the Austin Super Regional against the Texas Longhorns. The Tigers fell, 6-5, in the decisive Game 3 of the Super Regional. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wisconsin basketball star guard announces final NBA draft decision
Wisconsin basketball star guard John Blackwell is withdrawing from the 2025 NBA draft and returning to college, Jon Rothstein reported on Wednesday. The significant news falls on the deadline day for early-entry NCAA players to withdraw from the draft, just 28 days before the event itself. Advertisement Blackwell will return to the Badgers after a moderately quiet pre-draft process. The rising junior guard was not invited to the NBA combine or the G League Elite Camp, signaling a projection several steps below the draft's two rounds. The draft process, specifically private workouts and pro days, likely gave Blackwell specific areas for improvement entering the upcoming college season, to then bolster his draft status for 2026. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 31.2 minutes, 15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, while shooting 45% from the field and 32% from 3-point range, as a sophomore last season, earning an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection. He was the team's clear No. 2 option behind All-American wing John Tonje. With Tonje gone to the NBA, Blackwell is in line to claim that lead role this season. The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, native headlines a projected Wisconsin starting lineup that also includes transfers Nick Boyd, Austin Rapp and Andrew Rohde, as well as rising junior forward Nolan Winter. If the notable transfer additions click, that starting group has the potential to be among the best in the Big Ten. Advertisement While signs pointed toward Blackwell's return for the last several weeks, the official news is a major boost to Wisconsin basketball's chances next season. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball guard John Blackwell withdraws from NBA draft
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wisconsin basketball updated roster, projected lineup with John Blackwell's return
Wisconsin basketball received major roster news on Wednesday, as rising junior guard John Blackwell withdrew from the NBA draft and returned to the program. Blackwell had previously declared for the draft while maintaining his eligibility, also noting that if he were to return to college, it would be to Wisconsin. He did not crack any two-round mock draft projections over the last two months, portraying his place outside of the draft's top 60 prospects. That made the star guard's return a likely outcome throughout the pre-draft process. Advertisement With that decision now official, Wisconsin can finalize a 2025-26 team that projects as one of the Big Ten's best. Blackwell will be that team's lead option with All-American wing John Tonje off to the NBA. The 2025 Big Ten honorable mention guard averaged 31.2 minutes, 15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game as a sophomore in 2024-25, while shooting 45% from the field and 32% from 3-point range. That production gave a glimpse of an NBA-level ceiling with further development. While he was not invited to the NBA combine or G League Elite Camp, his pre-draft process likely highlighted areas for improvement during the upcoming college season. A further breakthrough as the Badgers' top option will cement his status as a 2026 draft prospect. Blackwell's return is pivotal to Wisconsin basketball's chances in 2025-26. Here is the team's updated starting lineup and rotation projection with his return now finalized. Wisconsin Basketball Updated 2025-26 Starting Lineup Projection Mar 22, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) shoots the ball against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Guard: John Blackwell (Junior) Guard: Nick Boyd (Senior -- San Diego State transfer) Wing: Andrew Rohde (Senior -- Virginia transfer) Forward: Austin Rapp (Sophomore -- Portland transfer) Forward: Nolan Winter (Junior) Advertisement Wisconsin's projected starting lineup is now finalized after Blackwell's decision. The unit projects as one of the best in the Big Ten, with two potential all-conference players in Blackwell and Winter, and three high-impact transfers. Among those transfers, Nick Boyd is a key player to watch entering the year, as he jumps to the Big Ten level after a strong multi-year run at Florida Atlantic (2020-24) and San Diego State (2024-25). Wisconsin beat several high-major programs for his transfer commitment. He joins the program with significant NCAA Tournament experience, having helped lead FAU to the Final Four in 2023. Wisconsin's Projected 2025-26 Bench/Reserves Mar 16, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers bench players cheer during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images Guard Jack Janicki (Sophomore) Guard Braeden Carrington (Senior) Forward Aleksas Bieliauskas (Freshman) Guard Zach Kinziger (Freshman) Center Riccardo Greppi (Sophomore) Guard Jack Robison (Sophomore) Guard Hayden Jones (Freshman) Center Will Garlock (Freshman) Advertisement Wisconsin is still somewhat thin in the frontcourt. Bieliauskas will be tasked with a major role immediately, with an inexperienced sophomore in Riccardo Greppi and a true freshman in Will Garlock as the only other depth options at the position. Meanwhile, the team is loaded in the backcourt, with Janicki and veteran transfer Carrington as the rotation's sixth and seventh players, respectively. Incoming freshmen Kinziger and Jones are also promising prospects to watch. Look out, the 2025-26 Badgers could be one of the better teams of the Greg Gard era. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball projected rotation with John Blackwell's return
