Latest news with #FIBAU18EuropeanChampionship
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
UM men's basketball lands Slovakian forward and Texas point guard for 2025-26 season
University of Miami men's basketball head coach Jai Lucas added two more players to his 2025-26 roster, Slovakian forward Timotej Malovec and point guard John Laboy II, a Houston, Texas, native with whom Lucas has strong ties. Malovec, who is 6-8, played for Mega Superbet in the ABA League First Division in Serbia. 'Timotej is an extremely versatile player who can not only attack the basket, but also be a threat from the perimeter,' Lucas said. 'His maturity and experience playing overseas make him a great fit for our program and we cannot wait for him to get to Miami.' In 2024-25, Malovec averaged 6.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 36.5 percent from 3-point range for Mega Superbet. He has represented Slovakia at the senior and junior national team levels. At the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers, Malovec averaged 8.7 points, 6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in six games. In the 2022 FIBA U18 European Championship Division B, Malovec averaged 16.4 points and 5.9 rebounds. Laboy II, 6-2, is a three-star recruit per 247Sports and was named to the Houston Chronicle's All-TAPPS (Texas Association of Private and Prochial Schools) Second Team as a senior. 'I have known John and his family a long time through our Houston roots and I am very excited to welcome him to the Miami family,' Lucas said. 'John has a high basketball IQ and is the ultimate teammate. He is someone I see growing with the program and I know that he will positively impact the culture we want to build at The U.' He averaged 14.2 points, 4.0 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game while also shooting 45 percent from the field in 2024-25 and led St. Francis Episcopal to the TAPPS 4A State title.
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan State basketball reportedly showing interest in a European point guard
Michigan State basketball reportedly showing interest in a European point guard Noam Yaacov could be the perfect addition for the backup PG role Michigan State basketball has one more void left on their roster ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, needing to fill a chunk of minutes in the backup point guard role, while also needing to potentially squeeze some minutes out at the shooting guard spot. While this is Jeremy Fears Jr.'s team, and he will be the primary focus at point guard, he cannot play all 40 minutes, and even deeper, foul trouble and potential injury is something that needs to be considered. As of now, there is not a backup ball handler on the roster, meaning Tom Izzo is forced to make one more addition this offseason. Spartans Wire broke down six potential candidates for the backup point guard role While the Spartans are perusing the transfer portal for candidates at the position, a new intriguing option via the European route has emerged for MSU. Several in the Michigan State media sphere, including Sleepers Media and Matt Sheehan of LockedOn Spartans, have mentioned that the Spartans are inquiring about Noam Yaacov, a 6-foot-1 point guard that plays in the Israeli Premier League. Originally from Denmark, and of Israeli descent, Yaacov is 20-years-old and has made his rounds around European pro basketball in his young career. Currently, a member of Hapoel Tel Aviv, where he plays with former Spartan Marcus Bingham Jr., Yaacov fills the hole the Spartans possess. Most notably, Yaacov excelled in his time with ASVEL Basket of the LNB Pro A, a French Professional League, averaging 17.8 points, 8.2 assists, and 1.5 steals in 31.0 minutes per game. Playing for Israel in the 2022 FIBA U18 European Championship, he averaged 19.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game in seven games of action. He followed that performance up with a 13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game in the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship. He was selected to the all-tournament teams in both tournaments. Ultimately, Yaacov has the perfect blend of scoring prowess, while being able to run an offense. Further, he would put pressure on Fears to elevate his game, with a capable replacement sitting right behind him. But also, Yaacov could slide in at the two right next to Fears, giving the Spartans a spicy backcourt dynamic. While further information is hard to come by in European recruitments, the confirmation that MSU has at least inquired about the prospect makes it an intriguing option to think about, and would be the perfect final addition to the Spartans roster. Stay tuned for any further developments with Yaacov and the Spartans moving forward. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Serbian forward Bogoljub Marković to miss 2025 NBA draft combine
Serbian forward Bogoljub Marković to miss 2025 NBA draft combine Serbian forward Bogoljub Marković will miss the 2025 NBA draft combine on May 11-18 in Chicago, Illinois, his agent, Miško Ražnatović, announced on X. Marković is averaging 13.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 38.8% shooting from 3-point range in 32 games with Mega Basket in Serbia. He has registered five 20-point games, including a season-high 27 points, five rebounds and four assists on March 9. The 6-foot-11 forward was among the prospects invited to the annual scouting event at the Wintrust Arena. However, with Mega Basket on track to make the ABA League playoffs, he will not arrive in the United States in time to participate in the festivities. Marković is projected to be a second-round pick this year, given his offensive versatility, ability to handle the ball and work inside the paint. He also showcased his vision by making several timely passes on the break or in pick-and-roll situations. The 19-year-old dazzled at the Nike Hoop Summit with Team World last month, recording 16 points and 10 rebounds in an overtime loss against the United States. He emerged as one of the top players, displaying each area of his game on both sides of the ball. Marković has represented Serbia several other times, including the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship. He led his team to the gold medal, averaging 14.1 points, seven rebounds, 1.7 assists, one steal and one block on 44.8% shooting from the field. The 2025 NBA draft will occur June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
USA Today
18-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Projected first-rounder Noa Essengue declares for 2025 NBA draft
Projected first-rounder Noa Essengue declares for 2025 NBA draft French forward Noa Essengue told ESPN on Friday that he will declare for the 2025 NBA draft after playing this season with ratiopharm Ulm. Essengue is averaging 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and one steal on 51.4% shooting from the field in 45 games across all competitions in the BBL and EuroCup. He has registered four 20-point games, including 21 points, four rebounds and four assists on March 22. The 6-foot-10 standout is considered a potential lottery pick, with his size and defensive versatility. He has a good interior game and dazzled in the open court in fastbreak situations after creating turnovers with his length and instincts on defense. Essengue has also represented France internationally several times at the junior level, most recently in the FIBA U18 European Championship last year. He was promoted to the senior team in November for the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers, totaling 15 minutes. The 18-year-old joined teammate Ben Saraf on Friday by announcing his draft intentions. They comprise a talented group of international prospects, along with the likes of Joan Beringer, Hugo González, Noah Penda, Alex Toohey and Nolan Traoré, among others. Essengue will be a late arrival to the United States for the predraft process, with ratiopharm Ulm on track to qualify for the playoffs next month. He will likely have the opportunity to participate in a draft combine in June for prospects still playing with their international teams. The 2025 NBA draft will occur June 25-26 in New York City.
