Latest news with #NaismithDefensivePlayeroftheYear
San Francisco Chronicle
10-08-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Julie Vanloo on returning to face Valkyries after abrupt exit: 'So many emotions'
In an early July blur, Julie Vanloo packed up her San Francisco apartment and flew to New York. Perched outside of Barclays Center, Vanloo anxiously waited to meet her new teammates. The Los Angeles Sparks had called on Vanloo when she was waived by the Golden State Valkyries, and Vanloo boarded a flight to the Big Apple where the Sparks were playing the Liberty. 'I just keep it moving. I was just hoping on another chance,'' Vanloo said. 'It was definitely very hard for me, but I'm always at peace with it at the end of the day. It's a business, and I do respect that.' Saturday evening at Chase Center was a reunion for Vanloo and her former Valkyries. Upon seeing Kate Martin and Veronica Burton on the court pregame, Vanloo quickly embraced the two — laughing, smiling. When Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase was asked about Vanloo's return to Chase Center during pregame availability, she said she felt like a 'proud parent.' While separated by 300 miles, Vanloo remains close with her coach and former teammates. Vanloo said she grabbed dinner last night with a couple of Golden State players: 'Definitely a special moment.' 'It's excitement, a bit anxious. It's a bit like, it's so many emotions together,' Vanloo said. 'There's a lot of people I love a lot here, and I do love playing for these fans, so I'm excited to be back in Balhalla.' Given the abruptness of her exit from Golden State — Vanloo learned she was being waived after her plane touched down at SFO upon returning from a successful EuroBasket campaign — Vanloo says she hasn't quite processed how events unfolded. She added that Saturday will likely be a vital step in helping her process it. 'I mean, this morning already, you're walking into the gym just knowing that it's not on my home court anymore and the locker room, like, everything is just different,' Vanloo said. 'I'm not here with hard feelings or whatever. Like I really embrace it, and I'm gonna enjoy it to be back here, because it's truly a special moment that I'm going to share. Especially between the fans and me, because I felt so much support from them.' When Vanloo entered the game late in the first quarter, Golden State fans didn't hesitate to show their pride for their departed Valkyrie — as Vanloo said, she remains firm in the hearts of Bay Area fans. Another homecoming: In the midst of a tight playoff race, both teams remained concentrated on the game ahead, but many couldn't help but muster sentimental feelings for returnees to the Bay Area. Cameron Brink also experienced some of that mushy stuff. Brink played all four years for the Stanford women's basketball team, quickly garnering national attention as she became an NCAA champion, three-time All-American and the 2024 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. Brink broke the program's record for career blocks (424), single-season blocks (127) and single-game blocks (10) en route to becoming the second overall pick in the WNBA draft behind Iowa's Caitlin Clark. Brink attended Warriors games at Chase Center during her time at Stanford, but never had the opportunity to play on the storied court herself. She said Saturday evening was a dream opportunity for her. 'I think wherever you go to college, you're kind of from there, too. I mean, I spent four years here,' Brink said. 'When we went out as a team, it was in San Francisco. So this is like my second home.' Brink had a cavalry of attendees at Chase Center for her on Saturday night. Stephen and Ayesha Curry, who are close family friends of Brink, were among those in the stands. In the wake of her recent return to the court — her fifth game back from a 13-month rehabilitation process for an ACL tear in June 2024 — Brink was on restricted minutes. But however many minutes she plays, Brink is grateful to suit back up in the purple and gold. 'It's been great. You know, I love what I do, and it was really hard to get away from it,' Brink said. 'So it's great to be back.'
USA Today
12-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack reveals mindset in NBA draft workouts
Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack reveals mindset in NBA draft workouts Jahmai Mashack established himself as a tremendous defender, and the former Tennessee guard is looking to showcase that ability and more in predraft workouts. Mashack was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team, averaging six points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.5 assists on 35.1% shooting from 3-point range in 38 games. He scored in double figures six times, including a season-high 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists on March 14. The 6-foot-5 standout completed his ninth team workout on Tuesday. He wants to demonstrate his overall skill set and ability, with a particular emphasis on his offensive capabilities. "My ability to catch and shoot, and my ability to play out of closeouts," Mashack said after working out with the Portland Trail Blazers. "The NBA is really going toward a closeout league where you've got to be able to shoot, pass or drive the ball effectively in point-five seconds. To be able to show that consistently and know I'm a good decision-maker when I get paint touches." Mashack was a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year finalist, ranking second in the country in defensive box plus-minus last season (plus-seven). He was one of 14 players, including one of six in a power conference, to record at least 60 steals (64) and 20 blocked shots (20). The 22-year-old competed in the G League Elite Camp last month, averaging five points, two steals, 1.5 rebounds and one assist in two scrimmage games. He also registered a 6-foot, 7 3/4-inch wingspan in the anthropometric measurement testing. Mashack isn't projected to be drafted, though he believes he has had some solid performances during his prior workouts. He is looking to finish the predraft process strong and secure a spot with the right team in the draft on June 25-26 in Brooklyn, New York. "I want to find the best fit possible, and I feel like there are a lot of NBA teams that like and enjoy the way that I play," Mashack said. "I want to just be with (a team) that is going to value that and cherish that and grow that as I try to become the best player I can be."
NBC Sports
02-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Kalkbrenner's top moments from 2024-25 season
Ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, look back on highlights from All-American center Ryan Kalkbrenner's 2024-2025 season, where he won Big East Defensive Player of the Year and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
Reuters
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Duke star Cooper Flagg wins Naismith Trophy
April 6 - Duke star Cooper Flagg won his second major award in two days when he received the Naismith Trophy as the national player of the year on Sunday. One day earlier, Flagg won the Wooden Award. Flagg became just the fourth freshman to win the Naismith Trophy, which is presented by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. The others are Texas' Kevin Durant (2007), Kentucky's Anthony Davis (2012) and Duke's Zion Williamson (2019). The same quartet are the only freshmen to win the Wooden Award. Flagg's latest award was announced in San Antonio, one day after the Blue Devils lost 70-67 to Houston in the Final Four. "This is an incredible honor and I am truly grateful for the recognition," Flagg said. "This whole year, this (NCAA) tournament, has gone by so fast. It's been a blur and an incredible year. I have to give a lot of credit to my teammates, Coach (Jon) Scheyer, the rest of the staff and everyone who had me ready to go every single night. They believed in me and let me be me out there on the court." Flagg emerged as the favorite for the award over the second half of the season. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 37 games. The other finalists were Auburn's Johni Broome, Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. and Purdue's Braden Smith. Among Flagg's other accolades are being named Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year as well as being a consensus first-team All-American. Flagg is expected to be the No. 1 choice in the NBA draft if he chooses to enter his name. Rick Pitino was named the Werner Ladder Coach of the Year award after leading St. John's to a 31-5 record in his second season at the school. The 31 wins matched the school mark reached twice in the mid-1980s. The Red Storm received a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament before exiting in the second round with a loss to Arkansas. The first-round victory over Omaha was the school's first NCAA tourney win since 2000. "I'm truly honored to be the recipient of the Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year award, especially with the incredible coaching of the other finalists this past season," the 72-year-old Pitino said. "I want to thank my players and coaches for making this possible after a historic season for St. John's Basketball. I am also grateful to the Atlanta Tipoff Club and the Naismith Awards selection committee for this prestigious honor." The other finalists were Auburn's Bruce Pearl, Houston's Kelvin Sampson and Scheyer. Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner won Naismith Defensive Player of the Year honors. The senior blocked 93 shots this season while winning Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors for the fourth straight season. Kalkbrenner also averaged 19.2 points and 8.7 rebounds and shot 65.3 percent from the field this season. "It is a huge honor to be named Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and I am most appreciative to my teammates, coaches and the Atlanta Tipoff Club for recognizing our success," Kalkbrenner said. Houston's Joseph Tugler and two Tennessee players -- Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler -- were the other finalists.
USA Today
06-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Joseph Tugler injury update: Houston F turns ankle, returns to game vs. Duke
Hear this story Houston basketball's Joseph Tugler suffered an apparent ankle injury early in the Cougars' Final Four matchup with Duke on Saturday in San Antonio. Tugler, one of 10 finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year this season, was shown working out his ankle on the sideline's training bike after tweaking his ankle. Tugler was attempting to deny a pass to Duke's Khaman Maluach before coming down awkwardly on his ankle. The 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 5.5 points with 5.9 rebounds per game this season, but his averages don't show his impact on the floor. Tugler would be quite the loss for Houston, given his defensive versatility and expected impact on Cooper Flagg, the Naismith and Wooden Award winner this season. Tugler has started 32 of Houston's 39 games this season. He later returned to the court midway through the first half, but his effectiveness will be covered closely throughout the rest of the game after the tweak. Here's what to know of Tugler's injury on Saturday: Joseph Tugler injury update Tugler landed awkwardly on his ankle in the first half of Houston-Duke in the Final Four on Saturday. He stayed on the sideline and was shown working through the ailment on the training bike. The 6-foot-8 forward attempted to deny a pass to Maluach early in the first half but twisted his ankle as he landed on the court. It's seemingly good news he never went to the locker room, however. Tugler later reentered the game with 11:51 left in the first half, but it'll be interesting to see if the ankle tweak limits the star defender's impact at all.
