Latest news with #DraftCombine
New York Post
12-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Auburn star Tahaad Pettiford arrested on DUI charge
Auburn basketball star Tahaad Pettiford was arrested on Saturday morning with a DUI charge in Lee County, Alabama, per jail logs obtained by ESPN. The anticipated SEC Player of the Year contender for the upcoming season was released from jail midday and is no longer on the list as an inmate in the jail's log, the outlet reported. The incident comes just weeks after Pettiford withdrew from the NBA draft to rejoin the Tigers for his sophomore season, looking to prove he is ready for the next level. Tahaad Pettiford drives to the basket during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine on May 13, 2025 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NBAE via Getty Images 'We are aware of the situation, and we will handle it internally with Tahaad and his family,' Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said in a statement to ESPN on Saturday. 'We take these matters seriously and will learn and grow from it moving forward.' In his freshman year, Pettiford averaged 11.6 points per game while shooting 42.1 percent from the field across an average 22.9 minutes. He was a key member of an Auburn team that went on to reach the Final Four last season, averaging 15.2 points in the five tournament games. The Jersey City native will be a big highlight of the team's next chapter after star Johni Broome was selected by the 76ers at 35th overall. 'I was happy to go through the process, getting feedback from NBA teams,' Pettiford told ESPN at the time of leaving the draft. 'Going back to Auburn is a better situation for me. I see myself being a higher pick next year. It wasn't 100 percent this year, so I didn't want to take that chance.' Tahaad Pettiford dunks the ball during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. NBAE via Getty Images Pettiford wasn't a part of the big freshman conversation throughout last season, but for the upcoming year, he is on a short list of players as a possible preseason All-American. In the past, Pearl has applauded Pettiford's team-player mentality when it came to accepting his place and playing time among a team of veterans. 'I suppose some would just sort of expect that to be a problem,' Pearl said about Pettiford's situation in April. 'Not a word. Not a body language, shoulder shrug, roll eye ever from Tahaad.'
NBC Sports
27-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
What drama? Ace Bailey's representative says he is 'thrilled' to play for Jazz; he has yet to report to Utah
Ace Bailey did not work out for the Utah Jazz — or any NBA team — in the run-up to the 2025 NBA Draft as his agent tried to steer him to his reportedly preferred East Coast destinations of Washington D.C. or Brooklyn. It didn't work out as planned, and the Utah Jazz selected Bailey with the No. 5 pick — a team in need of high-end talent in its rebuild took the player with the highest ceiling still available. Since then, there has been minimal contact between Bailey and the Jazz, and — unlike the team's other first-round draft pick, Walter Clayton Jr. — he has yet to report to Utah, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Friday. That led to raised eyebrows and plenty of online speculation. However, one of Bailey's representatives, president of GSE Worldwide Andrew Witlieb, went on Front Office Sports' show Friday and threw cold water on all the rumors, saying Bailey is 'thrilled' to play in Utah. Ace Bailey's representation joined @FOS_Today to dispel rumors about Bailey not wanting to play for the Utah Jazz. Full conversation ⬇️ 'We think this is a great situation for him, basketball-wise,' Witlieb said, noting that Bailey would get a lot of touches and shots with the Jazz. Witlieb added that not working out for teams was not a big deal — there was plenty of film on him from Rutgers' season and the NBA Draft Combine, where the Jazz had interviewed him and obtained his medical records. He noted that teams drafting players who did not work out for them is common. Bailey is expected to report to Utah by Monday and participate in training camp for the Utah and then the Las Vegas Summer Leagues. There was never going to be any real drama until that deadline passed. Bailey has factions within his representation, which can lead to differing messaging. Whether or not Bailey is happy about being picked by Utah, he and his reps have no other option than to show up. The Jazz hold his draft rights, and anyone who thinks threatening to play overseas (the Jazz would retain his rights) or not reporting is going to get Danny Ainge and the Jazz organization to buckle and trade him has not been paying attention — the Jazz will not back down. Bailey is going to play for the Jazz or nobody else in the NBA. Bailey's only option to change teams would be to sit out a full year of basketball and re-enter the draft, which would hurt his draft stock while he spent a year not getting paid. (Utah would have the full support of the league office and other owners in any showdown, they do not want to create a situation where rookie players can force their way to the destination they desire.) All of that appears moot. The expectation in league circles has always been that Bailey would be there Monday, with the full support of his representation (who don't get paid unless he starts getting paid). There will be no drama, and the only question will be whether Bailey can play up to his potential working with coach Will Hardy and staff.
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Longhorns land commitment from LHP Haiden Leffew through transfer portal
The Longhorns stay busy in the transfer portal, adding LHP Haiden Leffew BREAKING: LHP Haiden Leffew (@HaidenLeffew) has committed to # past season at Wake Forest, he struck out 59 over 34.1 innings & posted a 4.46 ERA. FB peaked at 97 mph and has an elite is the No. 14 player overall in the portal per @64Analytics. A busy month continued for Texas Longhorns baseball on Thursday. The Longhorns bolstered their bullpen with the addition of LHP Haiden Leffew. After a solid 2025 campaign for Wake Forest, Leffew will look to carve out a role with the Longhorns, who are fresh off an SEC championship. In 27 appearances this past season, Leffew posted a 4.46 ERA and struck out a career-high 59 batters. He also held opponents to a 2.63 batting average and only walked 18 batters, nine less than the year before. While those numbers may not jump off the page, Leffew's improved in almost every category. Coming out of high school, Leffew was a highly regarded prospect. The North Carolina native posted an 0.82 ERA as a junior and set a county record in strikeouts with 128 in 70 innings. Due to his play, Leffew was a participant in the 2023 MLB Draft Combine before deciding to go the college route. Lefffew did not only impressed with his arm, but he also filled up his trophy case in high school. He finished his career at South Rowan with numerous All-State, All-County, and All-Conference awards. That is partly why he was ranked as the No. 2 LHP out of North Carolina in his class, according to Perfect Game. With the transfer portal set to close on Tuesday, the Longhorns roster is almost set. Their additions include Kaleb Freeman, Jack Moroknek, Luke Dotson, Josh Livingston, Aiden Robbins, and Cal Higgins. They will be joining a program with high expectations that should bring out the best in their games. Although the regular season is still months away, the Longhorns are primed to do special things due to their work in the portal.
USA Today
25-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ace Bailey mock draft roundup: Where will the Rutgers star land?
The 2025 NBA Draft is set to begin in a few hours at the Barclays Center in New York City, where the top players will hear their names called. One of these top prospects is Ace Bailey from the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Bailey has been in the headlines leading up to the NBA Draft due to not working out with teams, including a cancellation with the Philadelphia 76ers that has raised questions about his mindset. This situation has led to speculation among teams and players, causing some doubts. Despite this, Bailey has stated that he is "focused on basketball," via ESPN. Bailey's scoring ability in the paint and his defensive range are his standout features. The freshman guard's impressive average of 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game during his only season with the Scarlet Knights, who finished 11th in the Big Ten. This is where experts predict Bailey will be selected and land during the NBA Draft. More: 2025 NBA Draft live updates: Start time, where to watch, draft order Ace Bailey mock draft roundup Here are the predictions about where Ace Bailey will be drafted. Staff writes: "Bailey is a hyper-athletic wing with length and size coming into a league that prioritizes players built exactly the way he is with exactly the skill set he has: an effortless and reliable shot and an attack-first mentality with an ability to finish at the rim. Needs to improve as a playmaker on the pass and free throws. But even when offense isn't easy, he remains active on defense. He had 17 points, seven rebounds, three steals and one block in season-ending loss to USC. He is the only U.S. player who has not worked out for any teams, and his approach to the draft could impact where he is drafted." Jonathan Givony writes: "Despite the negative publicity this move has generated, rival agents are closely monitoring Bailey's strategy, recognizing the clear benefits of guiding clients to more favorable situations with an eye on maximizing long-term earning potential. Bailey could potentially recoup the money he loses in his first contract with a much larger second contract, especially if he achieves his very high ceiling as an All-Star-caliber shotmaking wing." Kyle Boone writes: "Bailey's curious handling of the pre-draft process -- including canceling on a workout with the 76ers last week days before it was slated to take place -- has potentially cost him millions and imperiled his position as a top-five pick. But his combination of size, scoring and youth at this point feels tough to pass on. Washington could welcome him into a position where he walks in as a rookie averaging 18+ points per game." Kurt Helin writes: "Bailey's predraft decision not to work out for any team, along with interviews at the Draft Combine that teams described as 'immature' and 'poorly prepared' has front offices concerned about his choices and representation — he could fall a lot further than sixth. On paper, Bailey checks all the boxes of a prototypical modern NBA wing: Great size, freak athlete, high motor, can create his own shot, can shoot the 3 (36.7% this season), and is a tough shot maker. However, he doesn't show much desire to apply that athleticism in defense, he doesn't have a great feel for the game or polish, and he had to be a tough shot maker because of his questionable shot selection. He's a project. Washington is a team that has demonstrated patience and has shown, in recent years, that it can develop players, so he's worth the risk." Kevin O'Connor writes: "Maybe there's a method to the madness in Bailey's camp, steering him to a team where he can get more shots and be surrounded by veterans like he could be for the Wizards. There's a chance teams could move above Washington to get Bailey, but most executives around the NBA expect the Rutgers freshman to be the choice if he's still on the board. Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. But his raw edges as a shot creator and defender need sanding down to turn him into a full-on star." How to watch 2025 NBA draft? The 2025 NBA Draft will be held over two days: the first round on Wednesday, June 25, at 8 p.m. ET, and the second round on Thursday, June 26, at 8 p.m. ET. The first round will air on ABC and ESPN, while the second round will be shown on ESPN. You can also stream both days of the 2025 NBA draft with Fubo. Watch the NBA draft with Fubo
Miami Herald
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Former Archbishop McCarthy infielder Antonio Jimenez stands out at MLB Draft Combine
Major League Baseball's Draft Combine remains a hidden gem in the evaluation process for next month's MLB Draft. The showcase at Chase Field, the retractable-roof home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, features hundreds of draft-eligible high school and college players. This week, the participants went through pro-style workouts, including batting practice, fielding drills, while pitchers threw off the mound for scouts and executives of all 30 Major League teams. Those basic drills were conducted the first two days, and after that, players who chose to, had their running times tested. Players were medically checked as well. From the club's perspective, perhaps the most significant part of the combine is it provides a chance to meet individually with players. In its fifth year, the MLB Draft Combine has a strong track record of getting those who participated selected in the annual draft. In 2024, according to 224 of the 305 who made the trip to Phoenix, had their names called on draft days. Among them was PJ Morlando, who put on an exit-velocity show, which factored heavily in the Miami Marlins selecting the outfielder with the 16th overall pick. Morlando signed for $3.4 million. This year, a total of 322 players accepted invitations. Noticeably absent, however, were players from South Florida. Just one, Central Florida shortstop Antonio Jimenez, who attended Archbishop McCarthy, is the lone South Florida player on hand. Being invited is a process that involves rankings by outlets like MLB Pipeline, as well as recommendations by all 30 MLB clubs. A year ago, from the prep ranks alone, a handful of players from Miami-Dade and Broward counties attended: Devin Fitz-Gerald (Stoneman Douglas), Ronny Cruz (Miami Christian), Michael Torres (Doral Academy) and Manny Marin and Lazaro Collera (Westminster Christian). Of that group, Fitz-Gerald and Cruz were drafted by the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs, respectively. Torres and Collera ended up at Miami, and Marin went to Tennessee. For his part, Jimenez represented South Florida well, dramatically improving his chances of getting selected during the MLB Draft on July 13-14. Formerly a switch-hitter, Jimenez now exclusively bats from the right-side, and the power is evident. The shortstop posted a maximum exit velocity of 108.4 mph during BP, and had several other balls struck more than 100 mph. 'I just wanted to go up there and be nice and loose,' Jimenez told the Miami Herald. 'Not try to do too much. Focus on my breathing and being calm at the plate. Just try to put the barrel on it and see what happens. I was lucky enough to hit the ball that hard.' Jimenez's 108.4 mph EV performance brought back memories of the 2024 combine when Cruz opened eyes with 107.9 mph EV. From the Combine, Cruz's stock skyrocketed, and the shortstop skipped a chance to play for the Miami Hurricanes after being taken in the third round. The Cubs signed Cruz for $620,000, and he is currently ranked 13th in their system, per MLB Pipeline. 'I'm trying to do anything I can to help my stock a little bit,' Jimenez said. 'That kid, Ronny Cruz, is a great player, and he put himself in a great position. I'm learning from different players and what they did. I'm trying to follow their footsteps.' After graduating from Archbishop McCarthy in 2023, Jimenez spent one season at Miami, before transferring to Central Florida. This year he ended up being second team All-Big 12, posting a .329 batting average with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs. During fielding drills at the Combine on Wednesday, Jimenez showed off his plus arm with several on-the-money throws. 'Around this time, the [on-field] evaluation is done,' Jimenez said. 'My job is to come out here, put a smile on my face, and get to hit BP in a big-league ballpark, and hit the ball hard. Show pretty good actions for my position and have fun. Ultimately, just try to be the best person I can at these meetings.' Jimenez is ranked 167th on MLB Pipeline's Top 200 pre-Draft rankings. In its fifth year, the MLB Draft Combine continues to find its footing on how best to assemble players at one venue, while increasing its popularity and the overall popularity of the MLB Draft. For a market like South Florida, having just one player invited is a little disappointing, considering Miami-Dade and Broward counties have at least a half dozen deserving prep players, including Gabriel Milano (Doral Academy), Mario Magana (Columbus), Jordan Rich (American Heritage), Dylan Dubovik (American Heritage), Nick Diaz (Stoneman Douglas) and Zachary Malvasio (St. Thomas Aquinas). Next year, it should be a different story with Jacob Lombard (Gulliver Prep), Gio Rojas (Stoneman Douglas) and former Archbishop McCarthy infielder Justin Lebron (at Alabama, for now), eligible to be invited. Who wasn't invited, however, doesn't take away from who was. Jimenez capitalized on his opportunity to perform at Chase Field, and in the process checked a lot of boxes that MLB teams covet. 'Who can just carry themselves like a big leaguer,' Jimenez said. 'How calm can they be when every signal scout in the world is watching them hit BP, and take ground balls. How loose and how fun can you be, and how can you handle yourself professionally.'
