Latest news with #SECAll-Freshman
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama guard Labaron Philon announces final 2025 NBA draft decision
Alabama guard Labaron Philon announces final 2025 NBA draft decision According to ESPN's Jeff Borzello, a final NBA draft decision has now officially come from Alabama Crimson Tide guard Labaron Philon. Philon, who is one-of-three Alabama players participating in the combine this week, will remain in the 2025 NBA draft according to Borzello, and will not return to Alabama for the 2025-26 season. The guard played a prominent role for the Crimson Tide this past season as a freshman, starting 29-of-37 games where Philon averaged 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Named SEC All-Freshman also, Philon shot 45.2% from the field, 31.5% from three, and 76.7% at the free throw line. At the moment, Philon likely projects as either a late-first or early-second round pick. Philon is likely to be the first Alabama player selected in the 2025 NBA draft, as both Mark Sears and Grant Nelson are projected as either late-second round picks or undrafted. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida's Walter Clayton Jr, Alex Condon, Alijah Martin invited to 2025 NBA draft combine
Florida's Walter Clayton Jr, Alex Condon, Alijah Martin invited to 2025 NBA draft combine The 2025 NBA draft combine kicks off next week in Chicago, where the top prospects ahead of June's annual selection event will work out in front of members of all 30 professional basketball franchises. The list of 75 players was released on Saturday and included a trio of members of the national-championship-winning Florida basketball program. Point guard Walter Clayton Jr.'s name was among those invited to the combine, as well as fellow guard Alijah Marton and forward Alex Condon. Another Gator — guard Will Richard — was not selected to attend the main event, but did get the call from the NBA G League Elite Camp, which takes place just before the start of the main combine. If he performs well, he could be picked to join the other three at the mandatory NBA draft combine. Walter Clayton Jr. The graduating senior out of Bartow, Florida, averaged 18.3 points, 4.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game during the 2024-25 campaign. For his efforts, he earned First-Team All-SEC and All-American honors while being anointed Most Outstanding Player in the 2025 Final Four for his title-winning heroics. "Clayton is a fearless, uber-confident shot-maker who just carried his club to a national championship. The stakes and the spotlight clearly don't bother him, and when he really has it rolling, neither does the defensive pressure he faces," Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley notes. "He won't be for everyone, since he's already 22 and functions mostly as a 6'3" scoring guard. But for a team with win-now intentions and a need for additional shot-making... his production and skill could trump those concerns." Alex Condon Over two seasons in Gainesville, the Aussie played in 74 total games while starting exactly half of them (37), averaging 9.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 blocks per appearance. He played in all 36 games and earned SEC All-Freshman honors two seasons ago, totaling 277 points, 229 rebounds and a team-leading 45 blocked shots. Condon was the first Gator in program history to make his first career start in the NCAA Tournament against the Colorado Buffaloes in 2024. This year, the multi-talented forward averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while cementing his status as a starter in Florida's rotation during the 2024-25 campaign. He was recognized as the SEC Player of the Week three times and was named third-team All-SEC. "During the season, the 6-foot-11 playmaker fit a multitude of roles, learning through the bumps and bruises as he fit next to teammates who filled similar spaces or guarded opponents with a skillset he never faced before. Growing from each moment, the final result was an impact performance which shaped a national championship season," On3's James Fletcher III notes. Alijah Martin Martin was a very productive member of the roster during his lone season in Gainesville, averaging a career-high 14.4 points per game along with 4.5 rebounds with 82 assists, and 79 3-point field goals. He started 36 of his 38 appearances with the Orange and Blue, and his 546 points rank 17th in Florida history in a single season and the third-most by a transfer. His efforts helped him become the first player to start in a Final Four for two different teams. "Alijah Martin has not drawn widespread NBA draft praise, largely because of his 6-foot-2 frame as an off-ball guard. However, there is so much to like about his ability to compete on both ends that he should draw second-round interest and at least get the opportunity to play for a two-way deal this offseason," Fletcher's assessment begins. "Despite lacking the size needed to score and guard at a high level, standing well shorter than many of the matchups he could face in the NBA, there is a special tenacity present throughout his college career which promises to translate into a reliable bench role which could keep him on a roster with hopes of development." NBA draft combine information "The 2025 NBA draft combine will take place from May 11-18 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago, Illinois," according to the official website. "As set forth in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, all invited players are required to attend and participate in the NBA Draft Combine. The NBA may excuse an invited player's attendance or participation at the Draft Combine and require the player to complete Draft Combine activities at a later date." 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.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Will Florida basketball forward Alex Condon stay or go in the 2025 NBA draft in June?
Will Florida basketball forward Alex Condon stay or go in the 2025 NBA draft in June? The 2024-25 men's college basketball campaign was one to remember for Florida fans after the Gators brought home the bacon with their third-ever national championship. The achievement was a result of talented players being coached by a sensational staff, which ultimately amounted to a sum greater than its parts. Among the cornerstones of the Orange and Blue's epic run last season was sophomore forward Alex Condon, an athletic 6-foot-11-inch, 230-pound bruiser from Australia who elevated his game to anchor one of the best front courts in the sport. Last month, he decided to test the NBA draft waters but has yet to decide whether or not to take the plunge. The Athletic's Jim Root recently took a look at 11 NBA draft stay-or-go decisions that will play a huge role in how the 2025-26 season plays out. On his list, Condon comes in at No. 4. Looking at Alex Condon's NBA draft option "The Gators' shocking run to the national title came in large part due to a supremely talented trio of shot makers on the perimeter. Clayton, Alijah Martin and Will Richard all had major moments of brilliance during their March run. But Florida's deep and physical frontcourt was an overlooked aspect of its success," Root begins. "Todd Golden could cycle body after body in the paint to bludgeon opponents and wear them down over 40 minutes, and Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, the Gators' two starters, were crucial parts of that rotation. Chinyelu is also gauging NBA interest but is generally expected to return to school; however, the physical Australian Condon is much more of a true toss-up," he continues. "He struggled in the NCAA Tournament after an ankle injury late in the season, so he could be best served to return to school and show off his talents once more while leading the Florida front line for what would be a top 10-15 team heading into the year." It is worth noting that according to Torvik's Roster Cast tool, the Gators rank ninth with Condon while falling all the way to 19th without the power forward. Condon's collegiate career stats, accolades Over two seasons in Gainesville, Condon played in 74 total games while starting exactly half of them (37), averaging 9.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 blocks per played in all 36 games and earned SEC All-Freshman honors last season, totaling 277 points, 229 rebounds and a team-leading 45 blocked shots. Condon was the first Gator in program history to make his first career start in the NCAA Tournament against the Colorado Buffaloes in 2024. This year, the multi-talented forward averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while cementing his status as a starter in Florida's rotation. He was recognized as the SEC Player of the Week three times during the 2024-25 campaign and was named third-team All-SEC. 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.
New York Times
25-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
49ers draft edge Mykel Williams: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
The San Francisco 49ers selected Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams with the No. 11 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Williams played in 12 games, starting five, last season as a junior and posted career bests in tackles for loss (8 1/2), sacks (five) and forced fumbles (two), and added 21 tackles and a pass defended for a Georgia team that won the SEC Championship Game and advanced to the Sugar Bowl. Advertisement He was a second-team All-SEC selection in each of the past two seasons and a freshman All-American and SEC All-Freshman selection in 2022, when Georgia won the College Football Playoff national championship. In three college seasons with the Bulldogs, Williams played in 40 games, including 17 starts, and posted 67 tackles, 21 1/2 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three passes defended. Williams ranked No. 21 in Dane Brugler's top 300 big board. Here's what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide: 'A consensus top-10 recruit out of high school, he made an immediate impact as a freshman (several key plays vs. Ohio State in the playoffs) and consistently flashed over his career. His junior season wasn't the true breakout year many expected on the stat sheet, but he set career bests in sacks and tackles for loss, despite dealing with a left ankle sprain that he reinjured 'multiple times' during the season. 'Williams has a rare mix of bend and length for a pass rusher and can be a battering ram when he wants to be, but NFL teams want to see him develop finesse and more easily accessible counters in his rush attack. Though there are plenty of examples on tape of Williams maximizing his length and power advantages to push the pocket or set the edge, he needs to do it more consistently for quicker wins and block sheds. Overall, Williams is more toolsy than nuanced and needs to develop a more unified pass-rush plan. The individual traits (length, strength, explosiveness), promising toughness and football character, however, are reasons to bet on his upside. Similar in ways to Jason Pierre-Paul, he projects as an NFL starter on the edge.' What anonymous coaches had to say about Williams in Bruce Feldman's mock draft: 'He was banged up a lot this year, but when he was close to 100 percent, he's super twitchy. He's a freak.' 'He's more of the traditional defensive end guy than (Jalon) Walker. He can either be that 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 end. He has real pass-rush ability. I think he's an elite edge rusher. He's great chasing from behind, and he can play the run well enough.' Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams (13, bottom of screen): 6-5, 265, long, quick and fast — can drop, cover and tackle in space. 😳 — Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) August 31, 2024 Come back later for more analysis of Williams.
