Latest news with #PortsmouthInvitational
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NIL is giving college basketball players the power. Should the NBA draft wait?
NIL is giving college basketball players the power. Should the NBA draft wait? Show Caption Hide Caption Dwyane Wade shares thoughts on Dallas Mavericks getting first pick NBA Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade shares his thoughts on the NBA and whether or not the Mavericks getting the first pick in the draft is a "coincidence." Sports Seriously CHICAGO − Yaxel Lendeborg rubbed his hands together seated inside Wintrust Arena, a wave of excitement and anxiety coursing through him as he laid out the options again before his first official NBA audition was set to begin. The former UAB star is an intriguing figure among the group of players taking part in this week's 2025 NBA Draft Combine. He's facing the sort of decision prospects invited to this annual league event never did in the past. Lendeborg is a potential late first-round draft pick, according to draft experts, who could also slide into the second round – when contracts are not guaranteed – depending on how his pre-draft workouts go. The 6-foot-10 big man also committed to Michigan in April as one of the country's most coveted transfers amidst an explosion of money being paid to college football and basketball players through name, image and likeness compensation and the anticipated implementation of revenue sharing by the NCAA for the 2025-26 season. The 22-year-old has until the NCAA's May 28 withdrawal date to pull out of the draft and retain his college eligibility. And sounds torn about it right now. More torn than any of the other college hopefuls around him this week. 2025 NBA DRAFT: Why Cooper Flagg was 'surprised' when Mavericks got No. 1 pick 'The NBA is ultimately the goal for a lot of guys. It's just college is so tempting because of the money,' Lendeborg told USA TODAY Sports. 'I'm 50-50 between the NBA and Michigan, and I just hope that a team can let me know early so I don't mess anything up.' How NIL changed the 2025 NBA draft The dynamics and financial implications of the traditional NBA draft decision tree have changed because of the money players can now make at the college level. There were only 106 early entrants in the 2025 NBA draft, which is the lowest figure in a decade and down from 353 in 2021. There were also more players from the Portsmouth Invitational, a pre-draft event for college seniors, invited to the NBA Draft Combine (18) than recent years. The trends are in direct correlation to the rapid increase in NIL money being doled out by college basketball programs. For one season, the starter for a power conference team in college will often make more than an NBA player on the first year of a rookie deal. For many, it might be the most money they ever make in one season playing basketball. The attempts to thread that needle, of maximizing money made in college and in the NBA, has infused chaos into the college ranks through the transfer portal and constant roster churn. It played out this week in Chicago as numerous college coaching staffs were on hand to both support their participating players at the NBA draft combine, and quietly hope the feedback convinces them to come back to college for another season. 'A case of food poisoning – nothing serious – would be good for the University Michigan right now,' Wolverines assistant coach Mike Boynton joked on Tuesday before explaining they always knew there was a chance Lendeborg would go to the NBA. It's yet another ripple effect of the power shift within college sports. 'We've got the best of both worlds,' said St. John's star R.J. Luis, who entered the NBA draft and the NCAA's transfer portal this offseason. 'We're basically like semi-pros. We got like one-year contracts basically (in college). It's just about trying to find the best opportunity at the right moment.' 'Good for the basketball ecosystem' The NBA doesn't seem to mind this, either. Five league executives told USA TODAY Sports at the draft combine that the implementation of name, image and likeness at the college level has produced minimal disruptions for the league or its draft process. Some view it as a positive development despite the issues NIL created for college basketball teams. As one NBA general manager put it, 'The guys will come into the draft eventually.' 'You're still getting the top-end guys, but you're not going to get sophomores and juniors,' said an NBA front office executive who runs his team's college scouting operation. 'You're going to see a gap in the draft the next couple years, especially in the second round. But most guys choosing to go back (to college) would struggle to stay (in the NBA) anyways. Now these guys can build brands in college. In the long run, it might be better.' 'It's good for the basketball ecosystem,' added another NBA team executive. But there will still be players like Lendeborg placed in a precarious spot, hoping the measurements, scrimmage performances and meetings with NBA officials at the combine and a flurry of workouts the next two weeks provide more clarity. The Pennsauken, New Jersey native only played 11 varsity basketball games in high school and had to go the junior college route before arriving at UAB. There is no precedent for what he's going through because a fringe first-round pick five years ago wouldn't also be mulling NIL deals worth millions of dollars. He doesn't want to stay in school just because of the money. But he also doesn't want to go to the NBA and not have a chance to be a rotation player quickly. He only needs one team to promise him he will get one to stay in the draft. He just needs to know before May 28. 'If it doesn't happen by then," Lendeborg said, "then the decision is going to be really hard to make.'
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Two Wildcats Will Represent Kentucky at 2025 NBA Draft Combine
The Kentucky Wildcats will have at least two players participating in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, as guards Otega Oweh and Koby Brea have officially been invited to the showcase, set for May 11–18 in Chicago. The pair headline Kentucky's representation in what is widely considered the most important pre-draft evaluation event for NBA hopefuls. Contrasting Journeys to the Same Stage Though teammates under first-year head coach Mark Pope, Oweh and Brea took very different roads to reach this point. Advertisement Oweh, a dynamic transfer from Oklahoma, evolved into one of Kentucky's most reliable scoring options this past season. He raised his profile significantly, increasing his scoring average to 16.2 points per game and emerging as a consistent offensive threat. Perhaps most notable was his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments including a 28-point performance against his former team and a 27-point showing capped by a game-winner in the SEC Tournament. His only single-digit scoring outings came in Kentucky's few defeats, underscoring his value to the team. While Oweh's combine invite boosts his draft stock, his future remains undecided. With college eligibility remaining, there is speculation that he may return to Lexington, potentially becoming the focal point of next season's squad. Brea, by contrast, enters the combine with no ambiguity. After completing his eligibility, the former Dayton standout is fully committed to the professional ranks. Regarded as one of the most lethal three-point shooters in college basketball, Brea brought perimeter efficiency and veteran poise to Kentucky's backcourt. His ability to space the floor and contribute on both ends was instrumental in helping Kentucky return to the NCAA Tournament's second weekend, a feat the program hadn't achieved since 2019. Who Missed the Cut Notably absent from the combine list are Amari Williams, Andrew Carr, Lamont Butler, and Jaland Lowe, a transfer point guard who has committed to Kentucky while also exploring the NBA Draft process. Lowe, along with others, could still receive an invitation through the NBA G League Elite Camp if they perform well enough. Advertisement Among those not invited but likely heading to the pros are Jaxson Robinson, who continues to rehab from a wrist injury, and Andrew Carr, who recently competed at the Portsmouth Invitational but failed to stand out. As the combine approaches, all eyes will be on Brea and Oweh. Whether it marks the next step in their professional journeys or, in Oweh's case, a pivotal decision point between the NBA and a return to college, their presence in Chicago is a reflection of Kentucky's evolving identity under Pope one grounded in development, opportunity, and high-stakes potential.
Indianapolis Star
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Dawg Talk Podcast: Incoming transfers, lineup projections and more
On the latest Dawg Talk podcast Butler Insider Akeem Glaspie and assistant sports editor Aaron Ferguson breakdown all of Butler's incoming transfers, Patrick McCaffery at the Portsmouth Invitational, lineups projections and more.
Indianapolis Star
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Patrick McCaffery's time at Portsmouth Invitational cut short, but valuable for pro career
Butler forward Patrick McCaffery 's time at the 71st annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament was cut short due to a concussion, but the sharpshooter hopes he did enough on and off the court to catch the eyes of pro scouts. McCaffery played for Mike Duman, Inc. and competed in the first two games of the tournament last week at Churchland High School in Portsmouth, Virginia. The Portsmouth Invitational is a pre-NBA combine tournament started in 1953 where international and NBA scouts can evaluate some of the top seniors in college basketball. McCaffery scored 10 points on 3-for-7 shooting, going 1 for 3 from 3, with six rebounds and one assist in his first game. In his second game the following day, McCaffery took a hard foul on a drive to the basket and hit his head on the court, suffering a concussion. He finished with three points (1 for 5 on 3s), four rebounds and one assist in 13 minutes. "My overall experience was definitely great," McCaffery said. "It was a really cool event, a really cool field. ... A field they were saying was one of the best in that tournament in the last several years. Got to meet with NBA teams, that was a cool experience. ... (Teams) could learn more about me and I could learn more about them.' Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. McCaffery said he had formal meetings with three to four NBA teams and informal meetings with several others. McCaffery and fellow Butler forward Jahmyl Telfort competed in a field of 64 players split into eight teams. McCaffery's team played Telfort's team on the final day of the tournament. McCaffery didn't play, but Telfort helped lead his team to a 106-85 win. Telfort finished with 19 points, six rebounds and eight assists. McCaffery played 158 games during his six-year career. There isn't much he hasn't done on a basketball court, but the son of longtime Iowa coach and first-year Penn coach Fran McCaffery, relishes every opportunity to show his skills. "I just wanted to show that I'm a good basketball player and that I can play with all sorts of players in any kind of system and contribute to winning basketball," McCaffery said. "Unfortunately, my time got cut short, but I do think I was able to show certain things and put forth a good showing for myself." McCaffery is in Chicago preparing for the NBA Draft. He works out daily at Hope Academy with his agent, former Notre Dame guard, Kyle McAlarney and a group of NBA hopefuls including former UConn forward Alex Karaban and former Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner. Playing at Butler, Indianapolis became a second home of sorts for the Iowa City native. His older brother Connor is entering his second season as an assistant coach under Thad Matta, and his younger brother, Jack, is an incoming freshman forward. McCaffery said he had a chance to grow as a person and learn more about life outside of Iowa. "Butler was the first time I went by myself and did my own thing," he said. "That was really important for my life moving forward. ... Figuring out new dynamics, having fun and building new relationships. I think I really accomplished that. To be independent, play in a new conference, play against new teams, play in a new style, in a new system, it was great for me, and I learned a lot about myself and what's good for me. Overall, I just really enjoyed my time at Butler."
USA Today
17-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jaden Akins plays solid in the first game of the Portsmouth Invitational
Jaden Akins plays solid in the first game of the Portsmouth Invitational Following his four year career in East Lansing with Michigan State, Jaden Akins is attempting to make his way into professional basketball, starting what he hopes to be a successful career. Akins, a fan favorite who did everything right, has the body type, skill set and work ethic that could find success at the next level. The first step for his post Michigan State journey is playing in the Portsmouth Invitational, an annually held tournament serving as a pre-combine event for college seniors to showcase their talent and abilities in preparation for the NBA Draft. Akins had a great showing in his first game at the event, the first of three he will play. Akins played 28 minutes in the game, finishing with 10 points on 4-for-8 shooting to go along with four rebounds, three assists and three steals. He was one of three players on his team in double digits. Spartan fans will look to continue supporting and cheering for Akins as he pushes to break into the professional basketball landscape. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
