Latest news with #LJCryer
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Warriors work out champion who shot 41.3 percent from 3-point land
The post Warriors work out champion who shot 41.3 percent from 3-point land appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the NBA Draft a little less than a month away, NBA teams have been conducting workouts for prospective draft prospects. With the draft combine having been completed last month, individual and group workouts will be the norm until the draft arrives. The Golden State Warriors recently conducted a workout ahead of the NBA Draft with former Houston guard LJ Cryer, as per Chris Baldwin of PaperCity Magazine. Advertisement LJ Cryer has done pre-draft workouts with six NBA teams so far, including the Warriors, and he's hoping to shed some of the misconceptions about him. 'You kind of hear some teams might think you're too small,' Cryer said. 'I'm not a traditional point guard. But some teams like the way I shoot the ball and how competitive I am. I'm just taking it all in and just trying to get my foot in the door.' Cryer spent the last two seasons of his college basketball career at Houston after playing the first three seasons at Baylor. He was a strong three-point shooter in college, something that might interest the Warriors. During his final season at Houston, he shot 42.4 percent from three-point range. He shot 42 percent or better in three of his five college seasons with a career average of 41.3 percent. The Warriors currently have only one pick in the 2025 NBA Draft at No. 41 in the second round. Most current mock drafts have Cryer going undrafted. It's possible that the Warriors could select him at No. 41 if he impressed enough during their workouts. Or if he does go undrafted, he could catch on with an NBA team as an undrafted free agent and possibly on a two-way contract. Advertisement Last season, the Warriors also did not have a first-round pick. They used their second-round pick at No. 52 on Quinten Post. Post became a regular in the rotation and had his two-way contract converted to a standard deal before the NBA Playoffs. Related: Why Warriors' Brandin Podziemski doesn't want a Giannis Antetokoumpo trade Related: Warriors' Brandin Podziemski on getting 'Stephen Curry Green Light'
The Guardian
08-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Florida roar back to break Houston hearts and capture third NCAA title
The Gators looked cooked. Down 12. Their star scoreless. The crowd roaring for the hometown favorites. And yet, Florida found a way – erasing the deficit, quieting the red sea inside the Alamodome, and capturing the program's third NCAA men's basketball championship. Florida 65, Houston 63. The Gators trailed by double digits in the second half, and didn't lead again until the final minute – but it was enough. Alijah Martin calmly knocked down two free throws with 46.5 seconds left to give Florida a 64-63 edge, their first since 8-6. After a frantic final sequence, the Gators held on to win their first national title since 2007. It was a comeback born of grit, poise and the kind of big-moment performances that championships require. Florida trailed 42-30 with just under 16 minutes to play, reeling from an 11-2 Houston run that included two LJ Cryer threes and five personal fouls on the Gators in less than four minutes. But they responded with an eight-point burst in a 78-second blur to get within three, then tied it on a Walter Clayton Jr free throw at 48-all. Clayton, the All-American guard who had been held scoreless in the first half, never found his shooting rhythm – but became the engine of Florida's comeback in other ways. He finished with just 11 points – a far cry from his back-to-back 30-point outbursts against Texas Tech in the Elite Eight and Auburn on Saturday night – but had seven assists and set up multiple easy baskets for Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh as the Gators clawed back. Will Richard carried the offense early, scoring 14 of his team-high 18 in the first half and keeping Florida afloat during a ragged opening stretch. Houston, seeking their first NCAA title in the program's 80-year history, led 31-28 at halftime and looked to be in control early in the second half with an estimated win percentage of more than 90% with 14 minutes left. Cryer finished with a game-high 19 points and Wilson added a spark off the bench with nine points, but the Cougars couldn't deliver the final blow. Despite the loss, this Final Four delivered everything. Both of Saturday's semi-finals went down to the wire, and Monday's final – with the score tied for the 12th time inside the last minute – capped one of the most thrilling Final Fours in recent memory. For Florida, the title is their third overall, joining the back-to-back wins in 2006 and 2007. For Golden, just 39, it cements his place in history as the youngest coach to win a national title since North Carolina State's Jim Valvano – whose own stunning victory came at Houston's expense in 1983. Full report to follow.
USA Today
08-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How Houston's LJ Cryer can be the first player to win 2 NCAA titles
How Houston's LJ Cryer can be the first player to win 2 NCAA titles LJ Cryer only played a bit role on the Baylor Bears' 2020-2021 team. But role players get championship rings too. The four-star recruit was a true freshman that season, appearing in only 20 games and averaging 3.4 points per night. That left him to sit and watch stars like Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell lead the team to the best season in program history and the Bears' only men's national basketball title to date. Cryer fulfilled his potential with more reps. By 2022-23 he was a full-time starter averaging 15.0 points per game and leading the Big 12 Conference in three-point percentage (.415). Despite Baylor's continued success, the 6-foot-1 guard struck out for a new challenge as a top 10 addition from the transfer portal. The Houston Cougars offered the opportunity for another breakthrough. Like the Bears, Houston had a record of near-misses in the NCAA Tournament but no national championship banner hanging in its home gym. Cryer committed to head coach Kelvin Sampson in 2023 and continued to shoot the lights out with back-to-back All-Big-12 campaigns. That's led the Cougars to the doorstep of a title following their thrilling comeback win over Duke in the Final Four. One more win puts Cryer in elite company. By beating the Florida Gators, he'd become the first player in NCAA history to win a national title with two different schools.
USA Today
07-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
BetMGM Bonus Code WIREBG150 Snags $150 in Bonus Bets for NCAA Men's Final, Masters & More
BetMGM Bonus Code WIREBG150 Snags $150 in Bonus Bets for NCAA Men's Final, Masters & More It's going to be a spectacular 40 minutes — and perhaps more — when Houston and Florida clash in tonight's NCAA championship game in San Antonio. You deserve the biggest welcome offer for this one, so get started with the BetMGM bonus code promos that we highlight on this page to lock in the best deal. For bettors in AZ, CO, DC, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, PA, VA and WV, use code WIREBG150 for a Bet $10, Win $150 in bonus bets offer. Wager on any odds and if that bet wins, you get three $50 bonus bets. AZ, CO, DC, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, PA, VA and WV, use code for a Bet $10, Win $150 in bonus bets offer. Wager on any odds and if that bet wins, you get three $50 bonus bets. Bettors in all other states where BetMGM is available can use the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE that refunds a losing first bet with bonus bets, up to $1,500. According to the BetMGM app — one of the best sports betting apps — the Gators are 1.5-point favorites. But Houston was a 5-point underdog against Duke and seems to thrive when it's being doubted. If you'd rather focus on player props or game props, BetMGM has you covered there, too. Clayton, for example, has an over/under of 19.5 for points. Houston's LJ Cryer is at 17.5. Before you wager on this potential classic, you need to capitalize on one of the classis sportsbook promos. Just tap any BET NOW on this page to get started or read on to learn more. 📱 BetMGM Bonus Code WIREBG150 / SBWIRE 🤑 BetMGM Promo Bet $10, Win $150 (AZ, CO, DC, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, PA, VA, WV); First-Bet Offer up to $1500 (all states) ✅ Terms and conditions New customers 21 and older in AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MA, MD, NJ, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA & WV. 18+ in WY, DC; 7-day expiration and 1x playthrough on bonus bets; casino credit has 10x playthrough ✔️ Last verified April 7, 2025 Sign-up Steps for the BetMGM Bonus Code Promos In way less time than an official replay review — dang, those are long — you can get started with the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE for the $1,500 offer and WIREBG150 for the Bet $10, Win $150 offer in AZ, CO, DC, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, PA, VA and WV. Tap any BET NOW button on your screen. You'll zoom to BetMGM's state selector page where you will pick your state. Tap the 'SIGN UP' button and type in your email address. You'll answer some basic questions to set up your account, which includes establishing your age and confirming your identity. The BetMGM bonus code offer should be automatically triggered by tapping BET NOW. Deposit $10 or more into your account. Now it's time to find out whether it's the Cougars or Gators who snip down the nets (or to bet on any other sport you like). Bet on Florida vs Houston Odds With the BetMGM Bonus Code Offers It's been a long time since we got to enjoy such great semifinal showdowns. Florida trailed by eight at the half and only led Auburn by one in the final three minutes, but All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr. pulled the Gators through. And Houston? The Cougars were down 14 with 8:14 to go and trailed by six with a minute to play, yet never quit to shock top-ranked Duke. A final of this magnitude deserves an offer of equal heft. That's why when you tap into the BetMGM bonus code today, you will secure one of the best offers available. Let's walk through how both deals work, using tonight's clash between Houston and Florida as an example. With the $1,500 BetMGM promo, let's say you put $500 on Florida to cover tonight. If the Gators win by 2 or more, you'll basically double your money. If Houston wins or loses by 1, then BetMGM returns the $500 to you as bonus bets. With wagers of $50 or more, it is broken intho five equal bonus bets – so in this case, you'll get five $100 bonus bets. With the Bet $10, Win $150 BetMGM promo, play any $10 first bet on any set of odds. If it wins, then you'll collect your profit AND $150 in bonus bets – paid as three $50 credits. To maximize your chances to win, we recommend putting your $10 first bet on a huge favorite. Handball is always a good place to check. A reminder that this deal is only available in AZ, CO, DC, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, PA, VA and WV. While bonus bets are non-withdrawable — that's the industry standard — the BetMGM bonus code abides by a 1X playthrough policy. This means any bonus bet needs to win just once for you to claim the profit in cash. Bet on Masters, NBA & UFC 314 with BetMGM Bonus Code Tonight's Florida-Houston championship game is an awesome way to start the week — and lots of people will take advantage of the BetMGM bonus code to collect their industry-leading welcome offer. But there's a ton of great stuff happening throughout the week. The Masters welcoming us back to Augusta National Golf Club means that it's officially spring. Scottie Scheffler won his second green jacket last April — and BetMGM has him as the favorite to win again at +480. Rory McIlroy, at +650, is the only challenger close to him. Sign up today and enjoy all the ongoing golf betting promos that BetMGM offers. The NBA and NHL regular seasons are winding down, so there are some games that mean nothing and others that mean everything. And if you enjoy a spectacle, UFC 314 will be live Saturday night from Miami with Alexander Volkanovski defending his featherweight title against Diego Lopes, and BetMGM is one of the top UFC betting promos as well.
USA Today
07-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Houston's LJ Cryer looks to become first player to win national championship at 2 schools
Houston's LJ Cryer looks to become first player to win national championship at 2 schools Show Caption Hide Caption LJ Cryer, Houston guards preview matchup with Florida's Walter Clayton Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. is one of the stars in March Madness. Houston's starting guards previewed the matchup ahead of the NCAA final. Houston basketball's LJ Cryer ends his final season the same way he ended his freshman year: In the national championship game. The fifth-year senior and leading scorer for the Cougars also has the chance to make history with a record that didn't seem possible prior to the current era of college athletics with the transfer portal and name, image and likeness reigning supreme. REQUIRED READING: Florida, Houston face battle of wills in March Madness title game that is contrast of styles Cryer looks to become the first college basketball player ever to win a national championship at two different schools, as Cryer played his first three seasons at Baylor, where he won a national championship in 2021. The 6-foot-1 guard from Katy, Texas, will play a much different role in this national championship than his last, as well. Cryer played behind future NBA guard Davion Mitchell, Jared Butler, MaCio Teague and Adam Flagler in 2021, appearing late in the championship match against Gonzaga with the game already decided. Now, he's Houston's best scorer and is playing the best basketball at the right time as he looks to lead the Cougars to their first-ever national championship. Here's everything to know of Cryer and his potential record-breaking night on Monday against Florida: Players to win national championships at two schools In the 86 years of the men's NCAA Tournament and the 43 years of the women's NCAA Tournament, no player has won a national championship at two different schools. Cryer, obviously, has the chance to become the first on Monday. Another interesting note? His first championship was Baylor's first in college basketball ever. His second has the chance to do the same for Houston, should the Cougars win on Monday night. Cryer won the national championship as a freshman at Baylor in 2021, although he played sparingly. The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 3.9 points per game and 10 minutes per contest. He appeared a total of eight minutes in Baylor's NCAA Tournament run that season, playing a minute against Gonzaga in the national title game. Cryer emerged into a double-digit scorer in the next two years at Baylor but transferred to Houston ahead of the 2023-24 season. Cryer, from a suburb of Houston in Katy, Texas, has started all 76 of the games he has appeared in with the Cougars, and averaged 15.5 points per game last season before averaging 15.6 this season. The third-team All-American in 2025 has been sensational in March Madness, headlined by a 26-point performance in Houston's Final Four win over Duke on Saturday. He also dropped 30 points in the second round against Gonzaga. Duke forward Mason Gillis was close to doing the same, although he finished as the runner-up at Purdue last season before transferring to Duke and falling to Houston in the Final Four in 2025. Why did LJ Cryer transfer from Baylor to Houston? Cryer told 247Sports at the time of entering the transfer portal in 2023 that he was looking for a fresh start after a difficult three years at Baylor, despite having plenty of success at the high-major program. 'I am looking for a fresh start,' Cryer told 247Sports. 'My time at Baylor has been a lot of ups and downs. I feel like it is time for me to move on personally and I am just looking for a great fit that will let me play both guard positions.' Cryer is from the Houston suburb of Katy, Texas. That, paired with Houston losing former standout guard Marcus Sasser, gave him an opening at the successful program that was close to home. He also told 247Sports that he was recruited by Houston and coach Kelvin Sampson out of high school, mentioning Sasser and Quentin Grimes as guards that went to the Cougars and excelled. He said he also valued a winning program, which Houston certainly is. LJ Cryer stats Here are Cryer's season-by-season per-game averages:
