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USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
This local team eyes Florida basketball guard Walter Clayton Jr. ahead of NBA draft
This local team eyes Florida basketball guard Walter Clayton Jr. ahead of NBA draft Florida basketball head coach Todd Golden revealed that the Orlando Magic are among the NBA teams expressing strong interest in guard Walter Clayton Jr. after appearing on FanDuel's Run It Back podcast. Clayton is a projected first-round pick in this year's NBA draft after putting up one of the most decorated individual seasons in Florida Gators basketball history. "One of the teams that always wins will figure it out and take him," Golden said. "I know the Magic really like him, and they have two picks in the first round. One of those teams that really values a winning player, a guy who has a really good attitude and has won at the highest level in college, I think someone will figure it out in a big way and hopefully select him close to that lottery." Orlando holds the No. 16 and No. 25 overall picks in the 2025 draft, both falling within the range where Clayton has been consistently projected by analysts. Clayton, a 6-foot-3-inch guard, led the Gators to a national championship in 2025, capturing Final Four Most Outstanding Player, SEC Tournament MVP and consensus first-team All-America honors. He set a Gators single-season scoring record with 713 points while also hitting 117 threes–the second-most ever by a Gator in one season. After transferring from Iona and spending two seasons at Florida, Clayton scored 1,346 points, hit 210 three-pointers and maintained an .876 free throw percentage–all top marks in program history. Golden believes Clayton's versatility and intangibles will translate immediately at the next level. "The jump that he's made over the last 12 months, I don't think has been appreciated," Golden said. "Obviously, he was the darling of the NCAA Tournament and put us on his back at times and finished games for us and deserved to win Most Outstanding Player. I think he is a remarkable basketball player. He can shot-make with the best of them." The 2025 NBA draft will be held from June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. As for the Orange and Blue, they'll reload again for another title chase, but Clayton's departure marks the end of a historic chapter–and potentially the beginning of another just over 100 miles away in Orlando. 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
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wings Release Two of Paige Bueckers' Teammates on Saturday
Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and McKenzie Forbes are two players who have been vying for depth roles on the Dallas Wings alongside incoming No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers. Herbert Harrigan arrived in Dallas after a decorated college career at South Carolina, highlighted by a 2017 NCAA title and 2020 SEC Tournament MVP, and WNBA stints with Minnesota, Seattle and Phoenix. Advertisement Forbes, a third‑round pick in 2024, starred at Cal, Harvard and USC, earning All‑Pac‑12 and tournament MVP honors before forging a professional path overseas. On Saturday, the Wings trimmed their training camp roster by waiving both Herbert Harrigan and Forbes, per the Wings X account. Saturday's transaction officially removed two training‑camp signees from contention for Dallas's 2025 opening‑day squad. Herbert Harrigan, signed to a camp deal in February after being acquired in a four‑team trade, while Forbes earned her spot in camp following strong play with the Waverley Falcons (NBL1 South) in 2024. Advertisement Both will now seek opportunities elsewhere, while the Wings turn their full attention to integrating their core players and top draft choice. The Wings, fresh off a 9-31 campaign in 2024, will now finalize their roster around franchise players Arike Ogunbowale and rookie Bueckers. Dallas Wings star Paige Wings As a Husky, Bueckers earned multiple All‑American selections, led UConn back to the Final Four as a freshman (20 PPG), and capped her tenure by ending UConn's nine‑year title drought in April 2025. With the regular season tipping off on May 16, all eyes turn to how Bueckers integrates into a pro locker room and how quickly she and Ogunbowale can lead Dallas back to contention. Advertisement Related: Former Iowa Star Gabbie Marshall Upset About New Caitlin Clark Announcement Related: NCAA Sends Strong Message on Geno Auriemma After National Championship
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley teases Gamecocks' transfer portal plan
Coach Dawn Staley and the South Carolina women's basketball suffered a disappointing loss to UConn in Sunday's national championship game. But fear not, Gamecock fans: Help is on the way. Specifically in the form of transfer portal players. Advertisement Speaking after USC's 82-59 loss to UConn in Tampa on Sunday, Staley said multiple times that South Carolina will use the portal this offseason — and hinted that the Gamecocks already have plans in place to bolster their roster for 2025-26. 'I'm excited for what our team will look like next year,' Staley said postgame at Amalie Arena. 'I am, because I do think they'll be talented enough to get here. 'Especially with (us) getting in the transfer portal and getting some experienced pieces that can help with this young group.' Staley doubled down on those comments minutes later in an off-podium interview with local media, saying that her team will prioritize adding veteran players. Advertisement The Gamecocks are losing three senior starters this year: guard Te-Hina Paopao, guard Bree Hall and forward Sania Feagin. Guard Raven Johnson could also leave, but she has a fifth year of eligibility remaining and is still weighing that decision. Staley said she didn't feel like there was 'glaring need' for USC in the portal. 'No, we just need some players,' she said. 'We need some experienced players that can come in and contribute right away and bring some leadership to a core group of young players that are pretty talented.' The Gamecocks take ta time out during the second half of action against the University of Connecticut for the NCAA National Championship at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. on Sunday, April 6, 2025. South Carolina's portal plan Among the 13 players on this year's South Carolina roster, 10 have least one year of eligibility remaining. USC is also bringing in two 2025 McDonald's All Americans from the high school level this summer. Advertisement Prominent players expected to return include freshman forward and first team All-SEC pick Joyce Edwards; sophomore guard and second team All-SEC honoree MiLaysia Fulwiley; and senior forward Chloe Kitts, the 2025 SEC Tournament MVP and Birmingham 2 Regional MVP. There's also Tessa Johnson and Ashlyn Watkins. 'We've always been good when we've had that — when we've had some experience, some youth, and everything in between,' Staley said. South Carolina has taken transfers frequently during Staley's tenure. Some of the Gamecocks' recent hits in the portal: center Kamilla Cardoso, who came from Syracuse, and Paopao, who came from Oregon. Both won national championships. Naturally, South Carolina has an excellent recruiting pitch for transfers. Advertisement The Gamecocks have made five straight Final Fours. They have won two of the last four national titles (2022, 2024) and three since 2017. They produce WNBA Draft picks, play in front of the nation's largest home crowds at Colonial Life Arena and are led by one of the most successful and recognizable coaches in the country. Staley said earlier in the NCAA Tournament that she and her staff were already in talks with several players and she had calls scheduled for later that day to check in with potential transfers. The women's basketball portal is open through April 23. 'Just because you've got to let them know, 'Hey, we're thinking about you. We got this run we're trying to (focus on) ... But you are a priority for us,'' Staley said then. Advertisement Now, with USC's tournament run over, how quickly will the team move in the portal? Staley laughed. The Gamecocks have already been doing that. 'There's some things in the works that will make our team better,' she said.
USA Today
21-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Al Horford's best highlights with the Florida Gators during their 2007 March Madness win
Al Horford's best highlights with the Florida Gators during their 2007 March Madness win Big man Al Horford is the sage veteran of the Boston Celtics, and one of the oldest players in the entire NBA. But long before helping Boston raise an 18th banner at TD Garden, Horford was a bonafide champion of a different sort. Horford won two NCAA titles in college as a member of the University of Florida men's basketball team. In Gainesville, Horford played for coach Billy Donovan alongside Joakim Noah, David Lee, Corey Brewer. In 2006, Horford's 14 points and 6 rebounds helped Florida capture its first ever March Madness title. However, in the following season, Horford and the Gators were even better. He was the SEC Tournament MVP in 2007, and landed was AP Third-team All-American. That year, the Gators went on to defeat Greg Oden and the Ohio State Buckeyes to win yet another March Madness championship. You can revisit the best plays from Horford and the entire Gators team below with a highlight package of the 2007 NCAA men's basketball championship game, courtesy of "In All Kinds of Weather" on YouTube. Listen to the "Celtics Lab" podcast on: Apple Podcasts: Spotify:
USA Today
20-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Charles Barkley said Johni Broome can beat him as Auburn's best player ever
Charles Barkley said Johni Broome can beat him as Auburn's best player ever Auburn basketball star Johni Broome is one of the best players competing in March Madness and he received some high praise from Charles Barkley. Broome averaged 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game as a senior for Auburn this season. He helped lead Auburn (28-5) to become a No. 1 seed in the southern region of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. The big man was named SEC Player of the Year and he was named a unanimous collegiate All-American. He projects well as a future pro and has earned the respect of Barkley, who is is an analyst for the tournament with Turner Sports. Barkley, who was the No. 5 overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, was a standout star at Auburn as well. He was named SEC Tournament MVP and Player of the Year in 1984 before he turned pro. According to Barkley, though, Broome can become the greatest player in Auburn basketball history if he wins a national championship this season. He also added that Broome is "better" than he was during college. This speaks well to Broome's talent and what he can potentially accomplish during the Big Dance.
