Latest news with #NaismithCollegePlayeroftheYear
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Lakers jersey history No. 1 — Joe Smith
Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary. As the Lakers approach their 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years. Here, we take a look at Joe Smith, a big man who played in the NBA for 16 seasons. Smith was a star at the University of Maryland, where he averaged 20.2 points and 10.7 rebounds a game over two seasons. He was named the AP Player of the Year and the Naismith College Player of the Year in 1995 before the Golden State Warriors made him the No. 1 overall pick in that year's NBA draft. He averaged 15.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks a game during the 1995-96 season and was named to the All-Rookie First Team. During the following season, he posted 18.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. However, that would be the apex of Smith's productivity in the NBA. In the years to come, he would bounce around from team to team, and by the late 2000s, he had become a definite journeyman. Early in the 2010-11 season, the Lakers participated in a three-team trade where they sent out guard Sasha Vujacic and a 2011 first-round pick and received Smith, along with two future second-round picks and a big man named Sergei Lishouk. Smith appeared in 12 games for Los Angeles and had a total of six points on 2-of-12 field-goal shooting, 18 rebounds, four blocks and three assists in 44 minutes. He got 11 minutes of playing time in five playoff games that year but didn't score a single point. That would turn out to be the end of Smith's NBA career.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers jersey history No. 1 — Joe Smith
Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary. As the Lakers approach their 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years. Here, we take a look at Joe Smith, a big man who played in the NBA for 16 seasons. Smith was a star at the University of Maryland, where he averaged 20.2 points and 10.7 rebounds a game over two seasons. He was named the AP Player of the Year and the Naismith College Player of the Year in 1995 before the Golden State Warriors made him the No. 1 overall pick in that year's NBA draft. He averaged 15.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks a game during the 1995-96 season and was named to the All-Rookie First Team. During the following season, he posted 18.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. However, that would be the apex of Smith's productivity in the NBA. In the years to come, he would bounce around from team to team, and by the late 2000s, he had become a definite journeyman. Early in the 2010-11 season, the Lakers participated in a three-team trade where they sent out guard Sasha Vujacic and a 2011 first-round pick and received Smith, along with two future second-round picks and a big man named Sergei Lishouk. Smith appeared in 12 games for Los Angeles and had a total of six points on 2-of-12 field-goal shooting, 18 rebounds, four blocks and three assists in 44 minutes. He got 11 minutes of playing time in five playoff games that year but didn't score a single point. That would turn out to be the end of Smith's NBA career. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 1 — Joe Smith
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Inside Paige Bueckers' net worth, girlfriend reveal and road to WNBA glory
Image: Paige Bueckers is officially living her best life on and off the court. The reigning 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year is bringing style, swagger, and serious game to the Dallas Wings. But the buzz is that she's now confirmed a romantic relationship with none other than her former UConn teammate and fellow star guard, Azzi Fudd. That reveal came during All-Star Weekend in July 2025 on WAG Talk's orange-carpet quiz titled 'How well do you know your D‑1 girlfriend?' When asked to name who she was dating, Bueckers grinned and said, 'Azzi Fudd' — officially ending months of speculation sparked by viral hints like Fudd's phone case declaring 'Paige Bueckers' Girlfriend', matching necklaces, cozy selfies, and public outings together. Their connection goes way back—they first bonded at USA Basketball camps as teenagers, played side by side at UConn, and helped lead the Huskies to their 2025 national championship. With Azzi set to return to college in 2025–26 and eyeing the WNBA in 2026, the duo is shaping up to be one of women's basketball's most compelling 'power couples.' Born October 20, 2001, in Edina, Minnesota, Paige Madison Bueckers grew up in nearby St. Louis Park. . Her dad, Bob Bueckers, is a software engineer who coached her youth basketball teams. Her mom, Amy Fuller (Dettbarn), was a college-level cross‑country and track athlete and later became a dental-equipment specialist. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo As of mid‑2025, reports suggestPaige Bueckers is estimated to have a net worth of roughly $1.4 to $1.5 million. This isn't your typical pro-athlete payday — she built most of that fortune during college due to Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) deals that set new benchmarks for female athletes. Her NIL earnings are estimated at around $1.4 million in 2024–25 alone. Now that she's been drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings, her four‑year rookie WNBA contract is worth about $348,000 total, starting at around $78,800 in 2025 and increasing modestly each year through 2028. Key achievements Won the 2021 Naismith College Player of the Year as a freshman, a first in NCAA history. Led UConn to another national championship in April 2025, ending a nine‑year title drought In 2025, she was unanimously voted AP first‑team All‑American and earned multiple top awards including the Wade Trophy, Nancy Lieberman Award, and Big East Player of the Year Averaged approximately 19.8 points, 4.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals per game, shooting around 54.5% from the field during her senior season Paige Bueckers is already a generational talent — on the court, off the court, and on your timeline. At just 23, she's smashing records, redefining what NIL can do for women's sports, and handling fame with an impressive mix of grace, honesty, and humor. She's building her legacy one trademark, one endorsement, and one clutch bucket at a time.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sabrina Ionescu is having a down year, but she's making it work
Editor's Note: This story is part of a series from SB Nation profiling the 2025 WNBA All-Star teams. Today, let's get to know Sabrina Ionescu. Sabrina Ionescu hit one of the biggest shots in basketball history last October, a Game 3 game-winner in the WNBA Finals, en route to her first WNBA championship. 'It's a shot that I take often,' she said. 'I take it in practice, I take it before the games. It's not like a Hail Mary, hope-this-goes-in. Once I got it off, I was like, 'Yeah, this is it.'' She followed that massive moment up with another All-Star season, this time averaging a career-best points per game. Ionescu is an All-Star for the fourth time in her career, adding another accolade to an accolade-filled resume. The 5'11 guard is the NCAA's all-time leader in triple-doubles, was the Naismith College Player of the Year her senior year at Oregon, and has been a three-time member of the All-WNBA Second Team. And, she famously holds the record for most threes made at an All-Star three-point contest at either the NBA or WNBA level — that record was set when she hit 25 of 27 attempts en route to 37 points in 2023. This season, Sabrina Ionescu has struggled offensively The Liberty's title defense season hasn't been all smooth sailing. While the team was dominant at full strength, things haven't been the same since last year's Finals MVP, Jonquel Jones, went down with injury. They've dropped five of their last ten games, and Ionescu has been in a bit of a slump herself. On Saturday, in a narrow win over the Dream, Ionescu scored 9 points on just 3 of 20 shooting. On Wednesday, she followed that up with a 15-point, 5-14 shooting performance (albeit alongside 9 assists). This season, the former Oregon star has averaged 18.8 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. She's shooting 38% from the field and 30.9% from three, both career lows. Still, she'll partake in the WNBA All-Star three-point contest on Friday, where she'll instantly be one of the headliners, alongside Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and several others, including Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, and Washington Mystics rookie Sonia Citron. And, almost inevitably, she'll soon find her rhythm. The Liberty guard holds the record for most threes made in a single WNBA season (128 in 2023). That season, she shot a ridiculous 44.8% from three. Since then, she's hit plenty of big ones. Amid the shooting struggles, Ionescu is getting to the line more than ever before, attempting 4.9 free throws per night on a ridiculous 93.4% shooting. Her defense is better than ever, and she's averaging a career-best 1.6 steals. Ionescu, despite some uncharacteristic shooting struggles, remains critical for the Liberty's repeat hopes.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mavericks' Cooper Flagg grabs attention with 1-word post after NBA Draft
The post Mavericks' Cooper Flagg grabs attention with 1-word post after NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints. Cooper Flagg and the basketball-watching world knew he was going to be selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. That distinct honor was projected before the 6-foot-9 forward even suited up for the Duke Blue Devils, and he solidified his spot on the top of the board with a historic freshman campaign. Even so, the Dallas Mavericks rookie still made sure to truly appreciate this once-in-a-lifetime moment Advertisement Following a celebration and interview-filled Wednesday night, Flagg was able to process everything that transpired in Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center. He took to social media and described the unforgettable experience with just one word. 'Blessed,' the 18-year-old posted on Instagram, along with some photos that he and his family should look back on with the utmost pride and satisfaction. The sport's latest phenom has officially arrived in The Association. He has the versatile skill set, composed demeanor and on-court intensity to ensure that this is only the beginning of what many anticipate will be a long and prosperous NBA career. Cooper Flagg is inspiring a ton of confidence Although the Mavericks will not publicly say it, they are hoping Flagg can immediately take a leap toward stardom. Actually, it is reasonable to call him the team's X-factor going into the 2025-26 season. Most rookies do not have to carry such a label, but the Naismith College Player of the Year is a unique prospect. Furthermore, he is walking into a unique situation. Advertisement Dallas has a potential long-term answer after controversially trading Luka Doncic, but make no mistake, there is still a strong sense of urgency percolating through American Airlines Center. Anthony Davis is a two-way powerhouse, Kyrie Irving remains an offensive dynamo when healthy, and the supporting cast is comprised of promising and valuable contributors. Cooper Flagg could potentially boost the Mavs' ceiling to another level, and not just in the long run. Expecting the Newport, Maine native to make an immediate impact and carry a decent workload while Irving recovers from his torn ACL is admittedly ambitious. It also places a great amount of pressure on his shoulders. But as his latest Instagram post suggests, this young man is grounded and eager to challenge himself. Flagg will try to further capitalize on his blessings as he gets to work with the Mavericks. Related: Shams gives Mavericks 'best frontcourt in NBA' label Related: Potential Cooper Flagg-Bronny James faceoff gets a date
