Latest news with #BlueDevil
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is Nets' Dariq Whitehead heading into a make-or-break 2025-26 season?
NEW YORK -- Brooklyn Nets forward Dariq Whitehead is heading into his third season in the NBA after being selected by the Nets with the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Prior to the beginning of the 2025-26 season, Whitehead will be competing for a spot in head coach Jordi Fernandez's rotation. However, there is a possibility that the former Blue Devil could be vying for his spot on the team as well. "I feel about better now than I did in college. College, I was hurting, but it's there. I feel like (this is) the last step for me. Like I said, this is gonna be an important summer for me," Whitehead said following a 119-114 win over the New Orleans Pelicans in April. Whitehead was coming off one of his best games of the 2024-25 season while foreshadowing how big next season will be for him. "Since I've been hurt, I haven't been able to just work on those things, get my athleticism back, and, just doing certain movements," Whitehead continued while explaining how his past injuries have hindered his development in the NBA. "Just me attacking this summer is gonna be really important for me, and being able to, listen to coach (Fernandez) when we have exit meetings and whatever he want me to do, making sure I implement that to my summer routine so that I'm coming back stronger next year." Whitehead, 21, is coming off a 2024-25 campaign in which he averaged 5.7 points and 1.5 rebounds per game while shooting 40.6% from the field and 44.6% from three-point range. Compared to his rookie season two years ago, Whitehead had significantly more playing time (246 minutes last season compared to 24 minutes his rookie year) and improved in virtually every statistical category. After Whitehead gave his last interview of the 2024-25 season following the win over the Pelicans, Brooklyn selected five players in the 2025 NBA Draft, including Drake Powell, who plays the same position as Whitehead. While that isn't to say that Powell will immediately step into Whitehead's role coming out of training camp, but with players like Michael Porter Jr., Ziaire Williams, and Terance Mann on the roster, Whitehead will have his work cut out for him. This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Is Nets' Dariq Whitehead heading into a make-or-break 2025-26 season?
Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Duke basketball brings back alum after HBCU stint
Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer is bringing a familiar face back to Durham: former Blue Devil Tyler Thornton will join the coaching staff as an assistant. Thornton, who played at Duke from 2010 to 2014, returns after a successful coaching stint at Howard University, an HBCU where he served under fellow Duke alum Kenneth Blakeney. Thornton joined Howard's men's basketball program in 2019 and played a pivotal role in the Bison's resurgence. During his tenure, Howard achieved back-to-back MEAC tournament championships in 2023 and 2024, marking their first NCAA tournament appearances since 1992 . In the 2022–23 season, the Bison finished with a 22–13 overall record and an 11–3 mark in conference play, clinching the MEAC regular-season title . They secured the tournament championship with a gritty 65–64 victory over Norfolk State. Thornton's impact at Howard extended beyond team achievements. In his first season, he coached Charles Williams, the MEAC's all-time leading scorer, to All-MEAC honors. He also guided Wayne Bristol Jr. to the 2019–20 MEAC Rookie of the Year award. In the 2020–21 season, Thornton was instrumental in the recruitment and development of Makur Maker, who became the first five-star recruit to commit to an HBCU since ESPN began ranking prospects in 2007. Thornton's return to Duke basketball brings valuable experience from his time at an HBCU, where he contributed to significant program milestones. His coaching journey, marked by player development and championship success, positions him as a promising addition to Scheyer's staff. As Duke basketball continues to evolve under Scheyer's leadership, the inclusion of coaches like Thornton, who have demonstrated success at HBCUs, underscores the program's commitment to excellence. The post Duke basketball brings back alum after HBCU stint appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Duke Raises Eyebrows With Latest Cooper Flagg Post in Mavericks Jersey
It's time to raise the Flagg in Dallas. Duke made its feelings known on Wednesday after the Dallas Mavericks landed the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft Lottery and the right to select Cooper Flagg—posting a not-so-subtle graphic on social media with a simple caption. Advertisement "Coop ready for that @dallasmavs uni." The image? Flagg standing confidently between former Duke greats Kyrie Irving and Derrick Lively II—both now Mavericks. Duke sees the NBA's newest lottery prize as next in line. Flagg is a Blue Devil through and through, and the graphic reinforced just how deep those Duke-to-Dallas ties could now potentially run. The Mavericks had just a 1.8% chance to land the top pick but defied the odds. With Luka Doncic now in Los Angeles after the blockbuster trade that brought Anthony Davis to Dallas, the team is entering a new era. And Cooper Flagg is expected to be the face of it. Advertisement Duke's nod to Flagg seemed to be a symbolic passing of the torch. Kyrie Irving is one of the most iconic Blue Devils to ever play in the league. Lively is coming off a breakout season as a key rim protector. And now Flagg, the presumed No. 1 pick, joins that mix. Fans, of course, had a lot to say. "Nico is trading the pick," one fan said. "The Dallas Blue Devils," another said. "You guys forgot to add Dwight Powell to the picture," one fan quipped. "Brotherhood taking over Dallas soon," said another Duke fan. "In the #32 is perfect," another fan said. Flagg spent just one year in Durham, but it was enough to cement his place in Blue Devil lore. Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg. Zachary Taft-Imagn Images He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while leading Duke to a Final Four appearance. Advertisement Now, the next chapter begins in Dallas—and Duke is already writing the headline. Related: Duke Suffers Major Recruiting Blow in Elite International Battle
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cooper Flagg impresses at NBA Draft Combine after Dallas Mavericks secure the No. 1 pick in draft lottery
Cooper Flagg showed impressive flashes at the NBA Draft Combine on Tuesday, as the former Blue Devil is poised to become the No. 1 overall pick in June's draft. After a short break following the NCAA tournament, Flagg joined his fellow aspiring rookies for the first step into their NBA careers. During the session, Flagg recorded 10.83 seconds in the pro lane drill, a 29-inch standing vertical leap, and a 35.5-inch maximum vert. "I thought it was really good," Flagg said of the session in Chicago. "A lot of testing. Guys go out there, working hard, showing what they can do, so I thought it was a really good day." 'Versatility, speed, athleticism, vertical'Cooper Flagg on what he got to show off today at the #NBADraftCombine 🔥 — NBA Future Starts Now (@nbafuturenow) May 13, 2025 When asked what he showed in the drills, Flagg said, "I think just the versatility, the speed, the athleticism and the vertical altogether. And then just the ability to keep working on my shot." Flagg's performance at the combine came the morning after the Dallas Mavericks secured the first pick in the NBA Draft. According to ESPN, the Mavs plan to keep the pick and draft Flagg, rather than trade it. His entry would team him up alongside Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, who could return from his ACL injury in January 2026. After trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February, Dallas suffered several injuries, including to Davis in his first game for the Mavericks and Irving later in the season. The team finished 10th in the Western Conference with a 39-43 record before losing to Memphis in the Play-In Tournament. Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his lone season at Duke, which lost to Houston in the Final Four.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cooper Flagg impresses at NBA Draft Combine after Dallas Mavericks secure the No. 1 pick in draft lottery
Cooper Flagg showed impressive flashes at the NBA Draft Combine on Tuesday, as the former Blue Devil is poised to become the No. 1 overall pick in June's draft. After a short break following the NCAA tournament, Flagg joined his fellow aspiring rookies in the first step into their NBA careers. During the session, Flagg recorded 10.83 seconds in the Pro Lane Drill, a 29-foot standing vertical leap, and a 35.5-foot maximum vert. "I thought it was really good," Flagg said of the session in Chicago. "A lot of testing. Guys go out there, working hard, showing what they can do, so I thought it was a really good day." 'Versatility, speed, athleticism, vertical'Cooper Flagg on what he got to show off today at the #NBADraftCombine 🔥 — NBA Future Starts Now (@nbafuturenow) May 13, 2025 When asked what he showed in the drills, Flagg said, "I think just the versatility, the speed, the athleticism and the vertical altogether. And then just the ability to keep working on my shot." Flagg's performance at the combine came the morning after the Dallas Mavericks secured the first pick in the NBA Draft. According to ESPN, the Mavs plan to keep the pick and draft Flagg, rather than trade it. His entry would team him up alongside Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, who could return from his ACL injury in January 2026. After trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February, Dallas fell to several injuries, including to Davis in his first game for the Mavericks and Irving later in the season. The team finished 10th in the Western Conference with a 39-43 record before losing to Memphis in the Play-In Tournament. Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his lone season at Duke. The Devils' NCAA tournament ended in the Final Four, where they lost to Houston.
