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Forbes
7 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
17-Year-Old Danish Breakout, Noah Nørgaard, Could Eye 2026 NBA Draft
On Sunday night, the U18 Danish national team won EuroBasket Division B, with 17-year-old Noah Nørgaard making yet another strong statement about his future. Right on the heels of having participated - and flourishing - at this year's NBA Academy Games, the youngster cemented himself as one to watch. Explosive scoring touch Nørgaard, who scored 30 points in the final against Estonia, averaged 18.3 points in the tournament, in just 25.1 minutes per game. As a result of the gold medal, and his efforts, he was named MVP of Division B. The 6'2 guard is a high-volume three-point shooter, who took 6.6 attempts per game, making 37.7% of them, but he's not limited to the outside, as he forced himself to the line five times per game, in aforementioned limited minutes. The long-range shooting tracks with his performance at the NBA Academy Games, where he drained 13 three-pointers in 155 minutes, and had back-to-back performances where he scored 20 and 22 points respectively. (Last year, the NBA Academy Games had two Danes, and the invitation of Nørgaard this year only will likely bring even more attention to the Northen European country.) Nørgaard, who received his basketball education in Spain, across both academy and club, has big ambitions and is making no secret that he aspires to making the NBA, which only one Danish player before him - Iffe Lundberg - has achieved. The next steps For Nørgaard, it's all about continued development. At 6'2, he's keenly aware that he has to be multifaceted to make it to the league, especially given the NBA's recent trend of prioritizing positional size. Yet, he leans into his scoring as his primary element, and it's probably the right decision. The mechanics on his jumper are clean, and his broad shoulders and physical frame allows him to absorb contact, even from bigger defenders. At 17, he's not a finished product by any stretch of the imagination, but his successes this summer represented a real moment of leveling up, to the point where a strong 2025-2026 season could offer him a look at the 2026 NBA Draft, in which he'll be eligible. For Nørgaard, there are still steps he needs to take to be fully ready. While his scoring is well-established, there is a need for him to cut down on his turnovers (3.1 at EuroBasket, and three 3+ turnover games at the NBA Academy Games), and lean into his playmaking more. This is often the path forward for young players who are gifted scorers. As they learn to use the threat of their own offense to create leverage, they in turn get a chance to make plays out of those situations. Nørgaard is no exception, and that has to be a real addition to his game for next season if he hopes to make NBA teams interested in about 10 months. Unless noted otherwise, all stats via PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Boston Globe
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Five things to know about Celtics' second-round draft pick Amari Williams
He was productive at the mid-major and high-major levels Williams came off the bench as a freshman for Drexel, which plays in the mid-major Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), but emerged as one of the league's top players in his sophomore year. Advertisement He won CAA Defensive Player of the Year three consecutive seasons and was a first-team All-CAA selection in his final two years at Drexel, averaging 12.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a senior while leading the Dragons to a second-place finish in the league. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Williams received a major jump in competition with his transfer to Kentucky in a loaded SEC, and he was a key piece for a Wildcats team that reached the Sweet 16. At Kentucky, he became just the second men's player in SEC history — and 25th in NCAA history — to record at least 375 points, 300 rebounds, 100 assists, 40 blocks and 20 steals in a single season. He has a history with Great Britain's junior national teams Advertisement The Nottingham, England, native grew up playing both basketball and soccer before deciding to focus strictly on basketball in his mid-teens. He took part in Great Britain's national program at the Under-16, Under-18, and Under-20 levels, and got onto the radar of college coaches with his performances at global tournaments including the NBA Academy Games and Basketball Without Borders. When he debuts with the Celtics, he will become just the third active NBA player from England. He is an excellent passer One of Williams's top attributes is his playmaking ability. He averaged 3.2 assists per game at Kentucky and was lauded for his ability to find backdoor cutters and use his long reach to pass over the top of defenses. He was tied for the Wildcats' team lead in assists with 115, the most ever tallied by a 7-footer at Kentucky in a single season. The Athletic's Sam Vecenie wrote that 'Williams could be a terrific passing big man in an era when just about every team is playing five-out even with non-shooting bigs.' His offensive game is primarily around the basket Williams is a traditional center on the offensive end, with a game predicated on post touches, finishing around the rim, and crashing the offensive glass. He took only four three pointers last season, and 30 in 141 collegiate games. Williams was efficient around the rim last season, shooting a team-high 56.1 percent from the field and 64 percent on shot attempts at the rim. He also has displayed a consistent ability to get to the line over his college career, averaging above five free throw attempts per game each of the past three seasons (he shot 62.3 percent at the stripe last year). Advertisement His defensive versatility will be critical to NBA success Williams has all the requisite measurables of an NBA big man and racked up numerous defensive accolades in college for his high-end interior defense. But his future with the Celtics will be determined in large part by his ability to translate his defensive game against the talent and screen-heavy play style of the modern NBA. Yahoo's Kevin O'Connor writes that 'he does a great job of playing his angles as a drop coverage defender,' but warns that 'he struggles to recover when he's pulled out to the perimeter. He can't be relied on to switch screens. Asking him to defend a 3-point shooting big would not go well at this stage of his career.' Likewise, Vecenie notes that 'NBA players will turn the corner against him far too easily. The good news is that he has the length to recover in these circumstances. But he needs to become utterly elite with his angles in drop coverage to make this work.' Matty Wasserman can be reached at
Forbes
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
From The NBA Africa Academy To The NCAA Championship: Ruben Chinyelu And The Gators' Unlikely Blueprint
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - APRIL 07: Rueben Chinyelu #9 of the Florida Gators cuts the net after defeating ... More the Houston Cougars in the National Championship of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on April 07, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by) When the final buzzer sounded and confetti fell in San Antonio, it marked Florida's return to the pinnacle of college basketball. This wasn't just another championship; it was a blueprint for success in an evolving game. In the NIL era, where teams often build rosters for short-term impact and brand recognition, the Gators took a refreshingly different approach. They built a cohesive team based on trust, role clarity, and unity. In the middle of this success was Rueben Chinyelu—a sophomore from Nigeria who arrived without much fanfare but evolved into one of the Gators' most reliable players. A product of the NBA Academy Africa, Chinyelu's presence in the starting lineup of a national title game represented not only his personal triumph but also symbolized Florida's unconventional yet effective path to glory. KIGALI, RWANDA - MAY 27: Rueben Abuchi Chinyelu #23 of the NBA Academy Africa drives to the basket ... More during the game against the Rwanda U23 National Team on May 27, 2022 at the Kigali Arena. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Pape Emir/NBAE via Getty Images) Born in Enugu Agidi, Nigeria, Rueben's basketball journey began thousands of miles from Gainesville. His potential caught the attention of scouts and coaches at the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal—a program designed to identify and nurture elite basketball talent from across the continent. There, he honed his footwork, timing, and instincts. The result was a high-energy, rim-protecting big man with a strong desire to learn. In 2022, Chinyelu's talents were showcased at the NBA Academy Games in Atlanta, where he helped his team secure a first-place finish. This exposure opened the door to U.S. college basketball, and he began his NCAA career at Washington State. As a freshman in the 2023-24 season, he made 35 appearances and posted impressive statistics—4.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, shooting 61.7% from the field. He recorded multiple double-figure scoring and rebounding games, including a notable double-double in an upset victory over #4 Arizona. However, after that season, Chinyelu sought a better fit for his game, which led him to Florida. In just his second season of college basketball, Chinyelu transitioned from a promising freshman to a starter in the national title game. This transformation didn't happen overnight; it was built on consistent improvement, film study, conditioning, and trust. By his sophomore year, he had become Florida's defensive backbone. He didn't require the ball to impact the game. His rim protection, rebounding, and disciplined positioning in pick-and-roll defense made him indispensable. In the game against Houston, a team known for its toughness and offensive rebounding, Chinyelu's ability to absorb contact, box out relentlessly, and contest shots without fouling proved essential. He wasn't chasing individual statistics; he was making winning plays by rotating early, setting hard screens, and anchoring Florida's paint defense. In a game decided by narrow margins, those actions made the difference between silver and gold. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Rueben Chinyelu #9, Micah Handlogten #3 and Walter Clayton Jr. ... More #1 of the Florida Gators celebrate from the bench against the Maryland Terrapins during the second half in the West Regional Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Chase Center on March 27, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by) In today's competitive landscape, many programs chase high-profile transfers or top-50 recruits with major NIL deals. Florida, however, took a different route. They built their roster around fit, not flash, targeting players who were hungry, overlooked, and willing to develop within a system. This approach led to a championship team composed of players who complement one another, rather than just flashy names. Chinyelu embodies this philosophy. He wasn't a household name coming out of high school and did not arrive with a high valuation. However, his contributions; effort, humility, and toughness—were invaluable. He solidified Florida's interior defense, embraced his role, and became a key asset. In an era where ego can disrupt team chemistry, Rueben leaned into the unsung tasks. Ultimately, this approach paid off. Chinyelu's rise is representative of a larger trend in the global game and illustrates how African talent can thrive when nurtured and given opportunities at the highest levels. The NBA Academy Africa continues to produce players who not only fill U.S. rosters but also elevate them. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - APRIL 07: Will Richard #5 of the Florida Gators during the NCAA Men's ... More Basketball National Championship game at Alamodome on April 07, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) For young athletes in Nigeria and across the continent, Rueben's journey serves as an inspiring roadmap. It demonstrates that one doesn't have to follow the traditional American path to achieve success. Instead, the right training, mindset, and system can lead to the ability to compete, and win—against anyone. As Rueben looks toward his next chapter, he carries with him the pride of a continent and exemplifies how belief and structure coincide with success. Florida's championship wasn't merely about talent—it was about teamwork. No player personified that better than Rueben Chinyelu. From his early days at the NBA Academy to the bright lights of March Madness, his journey has been characterized by humility, resilience, and purpose. He may not have been the loudest voice in the locker room or the star of every marketing campaign, but when the Gators needed someone to anchor their efforts, Rueben stepped up. Not with flashy highlights, but through contributions that win championships. In a game often decided by fine margins, Rueben Chinyelu didn't just play his role—he helped elevate his team to greatness.
