Latest news with #Basketball-Reference
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
VJ Edgecombe reveals why he chose to wear a rare jersey number with the Sixers
After wearing No. 7 at Baylor University, Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe will begin his career by donning a number never previously worn by a player in franchise history. Edgecombe was forced to choose a new number because No. 7 is currently occupied by 19-year veteran Kyle Lowry, who re-signed with the Sixers on July 7. With his favorite number off the board, Edgecombe opted to go with 77. The third overall pick will be the first Sixers player to wear No. 77, according to Basketball-Reference. Only 23 players in history have gone with that number, including Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić and Toronto Raptors guard Jamison Battle. Edgecombe was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, averaging 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals on 34% shooting from 3-point range at Baylor. He finished in double figures 27 times, including a season-high 30 points on Jan. 22 in a win over Kansas State. The Bahamian guard debuted with the Sixers in the NBA Summer League, averaging 21.5 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and 1.5 blocks on 42.5% shooting from the field. He was limited to two appearances due to a left thumb sprain. Edgecombe told teammate Paul George on "Podcast P" that he'd stick with No. 77 should he win Rookie of the Year or if the Sixers win the title next season. Currently boasting the third-best odds to win the annual award, Edgecombe may be wearing that number for a long time. Note: Throughout August, Rookie Wire is looking at every first-round pick and why each player selected their respective jersey number as they make the jump to the NBA. Previous: Cooper Flagg | Dylan Harper This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Sixers news: VJ Edgecombe reveals why he'll wear a rare jersey number
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jazz rookie Ace Bailey pays tribute to family member with jersey number choice
After wearing the same jersey number in high school and college, Ace Bailey will have a new look to begin his rookie campaign in the NBA with the Utah Jazz. Bailey donned No. 4 at McEachern High School and Rutgers University before the Jazz selected him with the fifth pick in the draft. With No. 4 retired by the Jazz to honor Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley, Bailey will wear No. 19 next season. The soon-to-be 19-year-old had a few different options to choose from with the Jazz, but elected for No. 19 to pay tribute to his grandmother, who died in 2021. He is the sixth player in franchise history to wear that number, according to Basketball-Reference. Bailey was a third-team All-Big Ten selection last season at Rutgers, averaging 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and one steal on 34.6% shooting from 3-point range. He ranked ninth among all freshmen in points (527) and 10th in rebounds (215). The 6-foot-8 forward debuted with the Jazz in the Salt Lake City Summer League, averaging 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists in two games. He was limited to those two appearances because of a hip injury and didn't suit up for the team in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bailey enters next season with the fourth-highest odds of winning Rookie of the Year. He will have tremendous expectations as a top-five pick and will do so with a new jersey number. Note: Throughout August, Rookie Wire is looking at every first-round pick and why each player selected their respective jersey number as they make the jump to the NBA. Previous: Cooper Flagg | Dylan Harper | VJ Edgecombe | Kon Knueppel This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Jazz news: Ace Bailey pays tribute to family member with jersey number
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
VJ Edgecombe reveals why he chose to wear a rare jersey number with the Sixers
After wearing No. 7 at Baylor University, Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe will begin his career by donning a number never previously worn by a player in franchise history. Edgecombe was forced to choose a new number because No. 7 is currently occupied by 19-year veteran Kyle Lowry, who re-signed with the Sixers on July 7. With his favorite number off the board, Edgecombe opted to go with 77. The third overall pick will be the first Sixers player to wear No. 77, according to Basketball-Reference. Only 23 players in history have gone with that number, including Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić and Toronto Raptors guard Jamison Battle. Edgecombe was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, averaging 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals on 34% shooting from 3-point range at Baylor. He finished in double figures 27 times, including a season-high 30 points on Jan. 22 in a win over Kansas State. The Bahamian guard debuted with the Sixers in the NBA Summer League, averaging 21.5 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and 1.5 blocks on 42.5% shooting from the field. He was limited to two appearances due to a left thumb sprain. Edgecombe told teammate Paul George on "Podcast P" that he'd stick with No. 77 should he win Rookie of the Year or if the Sixers win the title next season. Currently boasting the third-best odds to win the annual award, Edgecombe may be wearing that number for a long time. Note: Throughout August, Rookie Wire is looking at every first-round pick and why each player selected their respective jersey number as they make the jump to the NBA. Previous: Cooper Flagg | Dylan Harper
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top NBA free-agent centers: Myles Turner agrees to team with Giannis Antetokounmpo
Myles Turner, the top center on the market, agreed to join the Milwaukee Bucks, and, boy, is that a bad look for the Pacers. Turner agreed to a four-year, $107 million contract with Milwaukee, which isn't even exorbitant — all things considered. Advertisement Let's break down the rest of the potential top available centers in this year's free-agent market, as the negotiating window opened at 6 p.m. ET Monday. (Note: Positions are being determined off Basketball-Reference's positional breakdowns, meaning a player will be listed at the position in which he played the most minutes.) Free-agent position rankings: Point guards | Shooting guards | Small forwards | Power forwards 1. Myles Turner, Milwaukee Bucks Status: Agreed to four-year, $107 million deal Turner, one of the league's most potent 3&D centers, has undergone an offensive transformation over the past few years, to the point where the Pacers cannot afford to lose him. Advertisement But alas they did. They went cheap to avoid the luxury tax after Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles injury, and now the Bucks are stronger and the Pacers are pretty much done. What a blow for Pacers fans. 2. Deandre Ayton, Portland Trail Blazers Status: Unrestricted Unexpectedly, Ayton is now on the market after he and the Portland Trail Blazers decided to call it quits and end their relationship via a buy-out. The 7-footer is skilled, but lacks a motor. This means teams likely have him ranked much differently throughout the NBA. Some could see him as one of the top centers in the league, while others view him as primarily a backup. Advertisement What's wild is both are true, depending on the day. What makes sense: Ayton would be a tremendous addition to teams in need of a center like the Lakers and Hornets. 3. Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves Status: Agreed to 5-year, $125M deal There's no question some teams will view Reid as a starting center, especially given his touch from the outside. Yet, the Wolves have used him in a backup capacity throughout his career, which makes you wonder if Reid himself is open to chasing a starting role. Reid is ingrained in the local community and seems to genuinely treasure being a Timberwolf. Of course, that doesn't mean he'll just sign whatever is in front of him, but it does seem likely he could be willing to sacrifice something to stick around. Is $125 million a sacrifice? Perhaps, but he's sticking around. 4. Brook Lopez, Los Angeles Clippers Status: Agreed to two-year, $18 million deal Advertisement Lopez might be 37. He might be slow. He might be declining. But the man is still a physical behemoth who will clog the paint, block shots and drain a ton of 3-pointers. Those are valuable marks in today's NBA, even if Lopez doesn't necessarily fit into the 'switch everything' ideology. The Clippers got someone who is reliable and has championship experience. 5. Clint Capela, Houston Rockets Status: Agreed to three-year, $21.5 million deal Capela is getting older and less dynamic, but he's still a tough rebounder who challenges shots at the rim and remains a solid lob threat. His compensation level diminished due to his age and a starting role no longer being a sure thing, but his return to a deep Houston team is a nice landing spot. 6. Moritz Wagner, Orlando Magic Status: Team option declined Value of option: $11,000,000 Advertisement Wagner tore his ACL in December, so we should see teams offer him deals that greatly benefit them in terms of flexibility. If we assume he returns to full health, Wagner immediately becomes one of the best backup scoring big men in the league, with the capability of stretching the floor and providing necessary spacing. What makes sense: Despite the injury and the fact that he's now an unrestricted free agent, the Magic should try to keep him long term. Perhaps Wagner is inclined to agree to a longer deal worth less money than he's earning now in the hope that he can bounce back after his injury. 7. Guerschon Yabusele, New York Knicks Status: Agreed to two-year, $12 million deal Advertisement Using last year's Olympics as a display window, Yabusele made the most of his NBA return, becoming a key offensive contributor for the Sixers. The 29-year-old, affectionately known as The Dancing Bear, is at a stage in his career when optimizing his own salary and role should be his top priority. The Knicks were ready to play ball. Best of the rest Jaylin Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder Status: Agreed to three-year, $24 million extension Williams is a solid talent, even if he isn't playing a ton of minutes. The 6-foot-9 big man has multiple double-doubles to his name, which underlines the vastness of his skill set. Andre Drummond, Philadelphia 76ers Status: Exercised $5 million player option Advertisement One of the greatest rebounders of his generation can dictate his own future, but the market for him hasn't been strong these past few years, so he's staying in Philly. He'll get a ton of minutes should Joel Embiid not be available.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top NBA free-agent power forwards: Julius Randle increased his value with a fine postseason
The power forward market offers an interesting mix of proven players and young talent still carving out its place in the league. Let's break down the potential top power forwards in this year's free-agent market, with the negotiating window opening at 6 p.m. ET June 30. Advertisement (Note: Positions are being determined off Basketball-Reference's positional breakdowns, meaning a player will be listed at the position in which he played the most minutes.) Free-agent position rankings: Point guards | Shooting guards | Small forwards 1. Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves Status: Player option Value of option: $30,935,520 It was genuinely nice to see Randle break his pattern of poor playoff performance and raise his value. His timing couldn't have been better, as he can opt out and perhaps squeeze the Wolves for a little more dough, knowing full well how much they need his all-around offensive game and how well he seems to mesh with Anthony Edwards. Advertisement What makes sense: With money widely unavailable on the open market, the Wolves might try to squeeze Randle, but that would seem shortsighted, as he can pick up his option and then leave in a year. Minnesota should find common ground on a contract that's three to four years and extend the party. 2. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors Status: Restricted free agent Oh boy. Kuminga and the Warriors will need to figure this one out together, even if it looks like the two sides want to desperately split. Kuminga's contract status makes it difficult for the Warriors to explore sign-and-trades and losing him for nothing would be a significant hit. Advertisement Kuminga's athleticism, overall scoring prowess and raw upside are intriguing, so his camp will undoubtedly hope the Nets take a kind eye to him and hand over an expensive offer sheet. What makes sense: If no offer sheet comes, Kuminga should sign a short-term deal with the Warriors, with the shared understanding they'll try to move him before the 2026 trade deadline. 3. John Collins, Utah Jazz Status: Exercised $26,580,000 player option Collins has enjoyed two good years in Utah, finally showing his decline in Atlanta was due to situational factors outside of his control. That said, Collins is who he is: a high-scoring power forward who can rebound the heck out of the ball, and that's … mostly it. This isn't to say he doesn't have value, but interested teams have to be aware of the kind of player he is and not expect him to do much more. Advertisement While Collins has spent two years reshaping the narrative around him, there just isn't a lot of money out there this summer. Picking up the player option and kicking the decision down the road for a year is a wise decision. 4. Al Horford, Boston Celtics Status: Unrestricted free agent The 39-year-old big man remains as fundamentally solid as ever, but his athleticism has taken a hit, and it's clear Father Time is hastily tracking his steps. Horford, though, is a thinker — and a damn good one — who has a knack for finding solutions to the limitations attached to his own game. He should have at least one more year in him, if he so chooses. Advertisement What makes sense: Horford and Boston go well together. The system allows him to be the best possible version of himself, and the Celtics still need big-man depth. A one-year deal seems logical. 5. Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies Status: Restricted free agent Aldama, 24, is just getting started. The 6-11 big man has the touch of a wing, is capable of making 3-point shots and still does a lot of the big-man stuff in which he utilizes his size. It's not great timing for Aldama to reach the free-agent market, given the lack of available money, but that doesn't mean there won't be interest. Advertisement What makes sense: Aldama shouldn't settle for a highly discounted deal. He's simply too good and too young to end up on a long-term deal that's too team-friendly. If anything, he can offer Memphis a short-term solution, which allows him the flexibility to become an unrestricted free agent sooner and for Memphis to possibly shop him later and get something in return. Best of the rest Khris Middleton, Washington Wizards Status: Exercised $34,012,345 player option There's no denying the current version of Middleton is a far cry from the prime version. Injuries and age have turned him into a role player as opposed to a two-way star. But that doesn't mean he can't be effective. He's broadly seen as a leader. Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks Status: Player option Value of option: $13,445,754 Advertisement From a production perspective, Portis should probably be in a higher salary bracket, albeit not aggressively higher. The Bucks should unquestionably be interested in getting Portis back, even if they have to pay him more on a new deal. Dorian Finney-Smith, Los Angeles Lakers Status: Player option Value of option: $15,378,480 Defensively versatile combo forwards who can play a bit of center should have a market. Finney-Smith is no exception. That said, will that market pay him more than his option? If he's given long-term money, probably, but then it'd have to be worth it.
