Latest news with #FreshmanoftheYear
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Paul George Raves About the Philadelphia 76ers' Top Pick VJ Edgecombe: A Star on the Rise
VJ Edgecombe shrugs off criticism as he led Philadelphia 76ers to an exciting win (Image Credit: Getty Images) The Philadelphia 76ers turned heads at the 2025 NBA Draft by selecting VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 overall pick, and the buzz surrounding the rookie intensified when All-Star Paul George showered the young guard with praise. As the Sixers look to reshape their roster, Edgecombe is quickly emerging as a potential cornerstone of the franchise's future. VJ Edgecombe's Impressive College Pedigree Before landing in Philadelphia, VJ Edgecombe made waves at Baylor University, where he earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors in the 2024-25 season. He averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, setting a new freshman record for steals at the school. His blend of scoring, defense, and athleticism positioned him as one of the most complete prospects in the draft. Scouts lauded his high motor and defensive tenacity, while executives took note of his maturity and professionalism - qualities that made him a perfect fit for a Sixers team hungry for young talent with immediate impact. Paul George Endorses the Pick Paul George didn't hold back his admiration for VJ Edgecombe during a recent episode of his podcast. 'We know who we're taking. VJ's our guy. Great kid, works hard. You got the resume. The footage backs up everything,' George said, underlining the team's confidence in their selection. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No More Belly Fat! A Few Minutes a Day Can Transform You! Learn More Undo Following Edgecombe's electrifying summer league debut—28 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal - Paul George compared his game to a young Jimmy Butler. 'He has that competitive edge. Watching him felt like observing a young Jimmy… that same mid-range aggressiveness,' he said. The comparison to Butler - a former Sixer and two-way star—highlighted the expectations surrounding Edgecombe's development. Edgecombe's Reaction and Rookie Outlook VJ Edgecombe admitted he was caught off guard by the Sixers ' pick, recalling, 'I didn't know till like 15 seconds before they called my name… I'm really going to Philly now.' Now, he looks forward to growing under the guidance of veterans like Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, soaking up knowledge and embracing the challenge ahead. Philadelphia's Future Core Taking Shape Edgecombe joins a promising young core in Philadelphia, alongside Tyrese Maxey and fellow rookie Jared McCain. With the team navigating injury concerns around stars like Embiid and George, the emergence of young, dynamic players could define the next phase of Sixers basketball. George's presence adds value not just on the court but as a mentor. His vocal support for Edgecombe speaks volumes about the rookie's potential, and his comparisons to high-character, high-impact players signal the franchise's long-term vision. Why Edgecombe Stands Out VJ Edgecombe's selection wasn't just about his stats - it was about his mindset. The Sixers front office praised his competitiveness, especially his refusal to let opponents score easily. That intensity, paired with his physical tools, could solve some of the team's defensive struggles from last season. Draft analysts gave Philadelphia a respectable 'B' grade for their draft class, citing Edgecombe as a great match for the team's current needs with All-Star potential down the road. With the season fast approaching, Sixers fans are buzzing with optimism. Paul George's high praise isn't just lip service - it's a sign that Edgecombe has already earned the respect of one of the league's most respected veterans. If the rookie can channel that belief into continued growth and performance, Philadelphia may have found its next breakout star. Also read: Tyrese Haliburton Proposes to Longtime Girlfriend Jade Jones in Heartfelt Arena Moment Edgecombe's journey is just beginning, but with strong mentorship, a relentless work ethic, and the spotlight of a passionate fanbase, the 76ers' No. 3 pick is poised to make a lasting impact. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Dominion Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- Dominion Post
COLUMN: At first glance, Mark Kellogg has WVU in prime position in post-J.J. Quinerly era
MORGANTOWN — The doors opened to the WVU women's basketball practice facility on Thursday morning. On the inside was a shiny new car of sorts. We've all been there at one time or another. Our eyes can't escape the smooth paint job, the glossy look and the fancy features. Our hearts want to believe the rest of that car is in pristine condition, too, but we have no idea what it looks like under the hood or if that car will even make it 10 miles down the road before breaking down. In a sense, that's what was on display in that practice facility. If first impressions mean anything in college basketball, WVU head coach Mark Kellogg just may have a Sweet 16-caliber team on his hands. It's an athletic bunch that gets up and down the floor in a hurry. It just may be Kellogg's best rebounding team at WVU. It also appears the Mountaineers will be able to match up better physically with upper-tier teams, a question in the past. 'This is definitely going to be the deepest team we've had,' Kellogg said. 'I think we could go 10 or 11 deep.' Carter McCray, a 6-foot-1 transfer forward who played last season at Wisconsin after she was the Horizon League's Freshman of the Year in 2024 at Northern Kentucky, doesn't take much time to catch your eye. 'I feel like I'm a really tough player,' McCray said. 'Rebounding is my forte, that's what they have me here for. I just go after it every day in practice and go after as many rebounds as I can.' Gia Cooke, a 5-10 guard, took a big step forward in her game last season at Houston and it appears she's on track to do the same at WVU this season. She was once a highly-recruited 4-star prospect out of Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), who first committed to Texas A&M, before changing her mind and staying home to play at Maryland. 'They are living up to what we thought,' Kellogg said about his newcomers of five transfers and one freshman. 'We haven't had any negative surprises, like we missed in a certain area with a portal kid. They've been what we thought they were.' WVU sophomore center Jordan Thomas showed flashes of star power as a freshman. A season later, she appears set to meet some higher expectations. 'In time, we will be able to finish and we can throw the ball to some bodies inside,' Kellogg said. 'We should be able to finish around the rim at a higher clip. I anticipate that happening.' Add in what you already knew about this team — the leadership of Jordan Harrison, the shooting of Sydney Shaw — and WVU has one impressive paint job, complete with the sharp racing pinstripes and the glossy finish. It simply becomes a question of whether or not this team can make it 10 miles down the road without breaking down. 'I feel really good with where we're at,' said Shaw, who averaged 11.4 points per game and led WVU with 67 3-pointers last season. 'I think we're meshing well on and off the court. That's really showing, so we can speed things up on the court. I think we're in a good space right now.' If it works out, it would equate to the highest stamp of approval possible for Kellogg's ability to sustain a major program. To be sure, his mark has been left on this program since he took over the Mountaineers in 2023, but it's a heck of a lot easier to leave that mark when you inherit a player like J.J. Quinerly. She's in the WNBA now, meaning Kellogg doesn't have that safety pin of sorts. He doesn't have that player to lean on and say, 'Hey, just go take over this game.' And if this WVU team ends up being just as highly-ranked in the top 25 polls, contending for another Big 12 title and pushing for a Sweet 16, well, simply put, Kellogg would be the man. 'You replace points. You replace certain things,' Kellogg said. 'It happens every year that you lose players. Yes, J.J. was an extremely talented kid, but it was some of her intangibles that you miss. 'Her on-ball defense, the calmness that late in a game we could get the ball to her and she would go make a play. Those are the things you have to talk through and try to overcome.' Some programs lose a generational talent and are never heard from again. Then there's UConn, which loses generational talent every two or three seasons, only to have the next one step right in. Going only on first impressions here, Kellogg is likely somewhere in the middle, but he just may be leaning closer to the latter.
Miami Herald
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Former FIU football star TY Hilton to be inducted into school's Sports Hall of Fame
T.Y. Hilton, regarded as the greatest football player in Panthers history, will be inducted into the FIU Sports Hall of Fame later this year, The Miami Herald has learned. The Hall of Fame ceremony – the first to be held by FIU since 2005 – will take place on Sept. 12. Hilton, who starred at Miami Springs High, was a Herald first-team All-Dade performer in both football and basketball. In 10 football games as a senior, he scored 20 touchdowns, including four on kick returns. At FIU from 2008 to 2011, Hilton was an immediate star, making first-team All-Sun Belt Conference all four years. He was also the Sun Belt's Freshman of the Year in 2008 and the league's Player of the Year in 2010. He played his FIU career under Mario Cristobal, who is now Miami's coach. In 2012, the Colts drafted Hilton in the third round, and he became a four-time Pro Bowl player with Indianapolis. In fact, in 2016 he led the NFL in receiving yards (1,448). It was one of his five 1,000-yard seasons in the NFL.
New York Post
14-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Mavericks shut down Cooper Flagg for rest of NBA summer league after breakout performance
The Dallas Mavericks have seen enough. No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg was pulled from 2025 NBA Summer League action this weekend, not due to injury, but as a strategic move by the Mavs, who have apparently seen what they wanted to see. Flagg scored just 10 points in his debut against the Lakers on only 5-of-21 shooting before exploding for 31 points in his second outing when facing the Spurs, going 10-of-21 from the field and grabbing four rebounds in 31 minutes. Cooper Flagg played just two Summer League games. NBAE via Getty Images 'I think it's a new environment, new setting,' Flagg said after Saturday's loss against the Spurs, in which he had his best game of the summer. 'They want to see me be aggressive and do that type of stuff. 'I think I did that a lot better today, just getting to the line, getting fouled, and that helped me to get comfortable and get settled in early. Still missed a bunch of free throws. I know my mom probably wasn't very happy with that,' Flagg added. Despite the 76-69 loss to San Antonio, it appeared as if Flagg had done enough to warrant holding him out until training camp this fall. His dominant performance included multiple highlight-reel dunks and a variety of scoring prowess shown from different parts of the floor. ESPN confirmed that Dallas officially shut Flagg down from further summer league play to protect their prized rookie and preserve him for the regular season, first reported by Marc Stein. Flagg, who was born on December 21, 2006 and is still just 18, reclassified academically and enrolled at Duke for the 2024–25 season, making him one of the youngest players in his NBA draft class. Cooper Flagg scored 31 points against the Spurs on Saturday. Getty Images At Duke, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, earning a litany of awards, including ACC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors while leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four. Nationally, he won the Wooden and Naismith Awards for Player of the Year, and he was also a consensus All-American. The Mavericks secured Flagg via the 2025 NBA Draft lottery months after stunningly trading away Luka Doncic before February's trade deadline.
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Son of former MLB player transfers to Tennessee baseball
Tennessee baseball received a transfer commitment on Thursday. San Diego State transfer infielder Finley Bates committed to the Vols. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound rising junior appeared in 110 games for the Aztecs from 2024-25. He recorded a .296 batting average, 128 hits, four home runs, 26 doubles, one triple, 34 RBIs, 83 runs, 62 walks, eight stolen bases and was hit by six pitches in two seasons. Bates earned Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors in 2024. He totaled a .292 batting average, 64 hits, three home runs, 87 total bases, 11 RBIs and 35 runs in 53 games as a freshman. Bates is from Douglas County High School in Castle Rock, Colorado. He is the son of former Major League Baseball player Jason Bates. Jason Bates played for the Rockies from 1995-98. His final MLB game was on Sept. 27, 1998 with Colorado. More: ACC graduate transfer commits to Tennessee baseball Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
