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USA Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USA TODAY Sports' post-combine mock NBA draft has this Gators guard taken in first round
USA TODAY Sports' post-combine mock NBA draft has this Gators guard taken in first round The 2025 NBA draft is a month away following the completion of the NBA G League Elite Camp as well as the NBA draft scouting combine. Those events have helped weed out the aspiring amateurs who seek to take their talents to the next level. Making the leap to the professional ranks requires both skill and timing, which is why many of those who participated in the pre-draft workouts will return to the college ranks. However, what they bring back is a better idea of where they stand among their peers and what improvements need to be made in their game to guarantee a high selection. The Florida Gators had a few members of their 2025 national championship-winning roster who showed up for the camp and combine, though only one has truly emerged as a potential first-round draft pick: star guard Walter Clayton Jr. Here is where he is projected to be taken in the NBA draft, according to USA TODAY Sports Jeff Zillgitt, Lorenzo Reyes and James H. Williams in their post-combine mock draft. Boston Celtics: Walter Clayton Jr., Florida (No. 28) Senior, guard, 6-2, 199, 22 2024-25 stats: 18.3 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.7 rpg, 1.2 spg, 44.8% FG, 38.6% 3PT, 85.7% FT "Named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, Clayton had 34 points in the national semifinals against Auburn and 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds in the championship victory against Houston. He also scored 30 points in a regional final against Texas Tech and was 21-for-42 from the field in the Gators' final three games. Has range on 3-point shots and can shoot off the dribble or pass but needs to improve as a playmaker and defender." USA TODAY Sports full post-combine 2025 NBA mock draft Here's a look at USA TODAY's post-combine NBA mock draft: Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, Duke San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper, Rutgers Philadelphia 76ers: Ace Bailey, Rutgers Charlotte Hornets: VJ Edgecombe, Baylor Utah Jazz: Tre Johnson, Texas Washington Wizards: Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma New Orleans Pelicans: Kon Knueppel, Duke Brooklyn Nets: Khaman Maluach, Duke Toronto Raptors: Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois Houston Rockets: Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina Portland Trail Blazers: Derik Queen, Maryland Chicago Bulls: Noa Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) Atlanta Hawks: Egor Demin, BYU San Antonio Spurs: Carter Bryant, Arizona Oklahoma City Thunder: Asa Newell, Georgia Orlando Magic: Jase Richardson, Michigan State Minnesota Timberwolves: Danny Wolf, Michigan Washington Wizards: Liam McNeeley, UConn Brooklyn Nets: Nolan Traore, Saint-Quentin (France) Miami Heat: Thomas Sorber, Georgetown Utah Jazz: Joan Beringer, KK Cedevita (Adriatic League) Atlanta Hawks: Nique Clifford, Colorado State Indiana Pacers: Will Riley, Illinois Oklahoma City Thunder: Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph's Orlando Magic: Ben Saraf, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) Brooklyn Nets: Yaxel Lendeborg, UAB Brooklyn Nets: Hugo Gonzalez, Real Madrid (Spain) Boston Celtics: Walter Clayton Jr., Florida Phoenix Suns: Noah Penda, Le Mans (France) Los Angeles Clippers: Drake Powell, North Carolina Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida's Will Richard Invited to NBA G League Elite Camp
The Florida Gators won their first national championship in college basketball since the 2006-2007 season. On Saturday, Draft Express' Jon Chepkevich reported that guard Will Richard, a key member of Florida's national championship team, received an invite to the NBA G League Elite Camp. Advertisement Richard is ranked 92nd in the DX Top 100 and was a reliable scoring option for the Gators last season. He averaged 13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists for Florida in the 2024-2025 campaign. Florida beat the Houston Cougars 65-63 to win the national title. Florida head coach Todd Golden took just three years to secure the program's massive achievement. Florida Gators guard Will Richard. © Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Richard's college basketball career started at Belmont in 2021. He spent one season there before transferring to Florida in 2022. Richard averaged 12.1 points as a true freshman for Belmont. He had an instant impact at Florida in 2022, starting in 30 of his 32 games. That season, Richard averaged 10.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Advertisement Richard improved his scoring numbers in the 2023-2024 season, averaging 11.4 points per game for the Gators in 36 games. Last season, he set a career-high in points per game and started all 40 games for Florida. His efforts earned him spots on the 2025 Final Four All-Tournament Team and the 2025 All-SEC Tournament Team. In his final game with the Gators, he led the team with 18 points, had eight rebounds, and two assists. Florida's roster will look very different in the 2025-2026 season, with key losses like Walter Clayton Jr., Richard, Denzel Aberdeen and Alijah Martin. If Richard performs well enough at the NBA G League Elite Camp, which will be held from May 9-11, he will be invited to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. Related: Former Florida Quarterback Expected to Join Big Ten Program in Assistant Role
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jay Bilas Makes Unexpected Admission About Florida
The Florida Gators are the undisputed national champions in college basketball, but not everyone predicted their tremendous season. ESPN's Jay Bilas sat down with On3's Pete Nakos to discuss top offseason hires and college basketball as a whole. Bilas even revealed that he did not consider Florida a Final Four team or national title contender at the start of 2024. Advertisement Florida entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed after beating the Tennessee Volunteers in the SEC Tournament. The Gators were the top seed in the West Region. Florida head coach Todd Golden led his team to a national title after beating the Houston Cougars 65-63. Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden. © Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 'I don't know if I could name five for you right now,' Bilas said. 'I think Duke will be really good, Houston. There are going to be so many teams that have new pieces that we're going to have to see a little bit before we can make some of those pronouncements. Because I don't remember whether I thought Florida would be there. I thought Alabama would be there. But I don't remember at the beginning of the year, thinking, 'Man, Florida is going to be the best team.' It's even more difficult now.' Advertisement Florida will have to rebuild its roster following its national title run. The Gators are losing Walter Clayton Jr., Denzel Aberdeen, Alijah Martin and Will Richard. Golden went on a podcast and discussed how "tough" it was to lose Aberdeen to the portal. However, the Gators have added talent through the portal, bringing on Xaivian Lee from Princeton, Boogie Fland from the Arkansas Razorbacks and AJ Brown from Ohio. Florida's 2025 class is highlighted by four-star shooting guards CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd. Fland is the latest addition to Florida's transfer class. He played for John Calipari at Arkansas and averaged 13.5 points per game last season. Florida hosted Fland for a visit recently, and he committed on Monday. Related: Florida's Will Richard Invited to NBA G League Elite Camp
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
All-SEC Star Makes Final NBA Draft Decision on Wednesday
The 2025 NBA Draft combine has come and gone, and many notable college basketball stars are deciding whether to return to their respective programs. With the NCAA's early entry withdrawal deadline approaching on May 28, the final list of NBA Draft prospects is beginning to take shape. However, one major SEC star has decided to return to school. Advertisement After falling in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Mississippi State Bulldogs point guard Josh Hubbard declared for the 2025 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility. However, despite making the second-team All-SEC in his sophomore season (2024-25), Hubbard wasn't invited to either the NBA draft combine or the NBA G League Elite Camp. Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears and Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Josh HubbardWill McLelland-Imagn Images During the draft process, Hubbard made it clear that he was eyeing feedback from NBA teams, hoping for some constructive criticism. 'We just wanted to take advantage of that rule and see what was out there,' Hubbard said. 'Just hearing feedback from the NBA teams, and seeing what I need to improve on for as far as the league and in college. Just to know what I can do better.' Advertisement With that being said, it appears Hubbard has found what he needs to improve on. On Wednesday, On3's Joe Tipton reported that the sophomore will be withdrawing from the draft, returning to Mississippi State for his junior season. "NEWS: Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard is withdrawing from the NBA Draft and will return to Starkville next season, he told @On3sports," Tipton wrote on X. "Expected, but exciting news for Chris Jans." Hubbard has been one of the best players for the Bulldogs since joining in 2023. In his freshman season, he came off the bench in 19-of-35 games, averaging 17.1 points on 38.5% shooting and 1.7 assists. Advertisement He improved his numbers this past season as a full-time starter, tallying 18.9 points on 40.2% shooting and 3.1 assists per game. Related: Hunter Dickinson Makes Hilarious Career Decision After Final Season at Kansas
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rueben Chinyelu to withdraw from 2025 NBA draft, return to Florida
Florida center Rueben Chinyelu will reportedly withdraw from the 2025 NBA draft and return to the program for his junior season, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports. Chinyelu declared for the draft while maintaining his remaining college eligibility. He was among the prospects invited to the NBA G League Elite Camp last week, averaging 5.5 points, five rebounds, 4.5 assists and one steal in two scrimmage games in Chicago, Illinois. Advertisement The 21-year-old also had the opportunity to work out with the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings as he tested the predraft process. After receiving feedback from teams, Chinyelu will forgo the draft and play with the Gators next season. Chinyelu helped the Gators to their third national title, averaging six points and 6.6 rebounds on 59.9% shooting from the field in 40 games. He scored in double figures 10 times, including a season-high 19 points and 13 rebounds on Feb. 22. With Chinyelu set to return, the Gators add another key player from their title run last season. Gators coach Todd Golden and the program also returned Thomas Haugh and will now await the decision of Alex Condon, who is also testing the predraft process. Advertisement Chinyelu will have the opportunity to play next season with the Gators and work to improve his draft stock. He will also look to help the team repeat as national champions. This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Florida Gators news: Rueben Chinyelu to withdraw from 2025 NBA draft
