Latest news with #TransferPortal
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
7 fascinating players who decided to stay in the 2025 NBA Draft, including Cedric Coward
7 fascinating players who decided to stay in the 2025 NBA Draft, including Cedric Coward Show Caption Hide Caption 2025 NBA Draft Combine winners: Raynaud, Lendeborg and Byrd These 2025 NBA draft prospects are the biggest winners from the NBA Draft Combine The 2025 NBA Draft is less than a month away, and we now know exactly which players are eligible to hear their named called in New York City. Candidates had until May 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET to withdraw from the draft if they wish to play in the NCAA next season. The following players announced their intentions and will thus turn pro rather than use their remaining eligibility. Some of the most intriguing players who originally declared as early candidates but opted to return to school include Yaxel Lendeborg, Tahaad Pettiford, Boogie Fland, Alex Condon, and Miles Byrd. More: 12 players to withdraw from 2025 NBA Draft and return to NCAA, including Tahaad Pettiford The rankings below are based on consensus projections aggregated by our friends at Rookie Scale. Meanwhile, for more prospect coverage, here is our latest NBA mock draft at For The Win. The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 1. Carter Bryant TEAM: Arizona Wildcats ROOKIE SCALE RANK: 13 2. Thomas Sorber TEAM: Georgetown Hoyas ROOKIE SCALE RANK: 18 3. Cedric Coward TEAM: Duke Blue Devils (via Washington State) ROOKIE SCALE RANK: 30 4. Adou Thiero TEAM: Arkansas Razorbacks ROOKIE SCALE RANK: 32 5. Jamir Watkins TEAM: Transfer Portal (via Florida State) ROOKIE SCALE RANK: 47 6. RJ Luis Jr. TEAM: Transfer Portal (via St. John's) ROOKIE SCALE RANK: 54 More: Rick Pitino had a 7-word explanation for benching RJ Luis in St. John's loss to Arkansas 7. Yanic Konan Niederhäuser TEAM: Penn State Nittany Lions ROOKIE SCALE RANK: 56
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Former Arkansas standout Boogie Fland commits to national champion Florida, AP source says
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Former Arkansas standout Boogie Fland, widely considered the top guard in the transfer portal, chose to play for defending national champion Florida on Tuesday. Fland committed to coach Todd Golden following a two-day visit to Gainesville, according to a person familiar with his decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side has announced Fland's decision publicly. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Fland averaged 13.5 points, 5.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 21 games with the Razorbacks last season. The freshman from New York averaged nearly 32 minutes a game despite missing time with a right thumb injury that required surgery. He returned for three postseason games before entering the NBA draft. He withdrew his name from consideration Sunday and made the visit to Florida. Fland joins Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee and Ohio University transfer AJ Brown in Golden's revamped backcourt. The trio will replace Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin and Will Richard. The Gators also lost fellow guard Denzel Aberdeen to Kentucky. With Golden at the helm for his third season in Gainesville, the Gators finished 36-4 and beat Houston to clinch the program's third national title. They won their final 12 games, including four in the NCAA Tournament in come-from-behind fashion. Florida's style of play under Golden has drawn rave reviews, leading to sellouts in eight of the team's last 10 home games. Florida averaged 84.8 points a game this season after setting the program record (85.6) during the 2023-24 campaign. Golden became the third coach this century to win a national title within his first three seasons on the job, joining North Carolina's Roy Williams (2005) and UConn's Kevin Ollie (2014). Williams and Ollie accomplished the feat in their second seasons. Now, with Fland expected in the fold, the Gators could be favorites to repeat — especially if forward Alex Condon stays in school. The sophomore from Australia is exploring the NBA draft process. Florida center Rueben Chinyelu announced Monday that he was withdrawing his name from the NBA draft and returning to Gainesville. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: and
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida Loses Key Player From Championship Team to SEC Rival
The Florida Gators have lost a pivotal piece of their roster as guard Denzel Aberdeen has committed to one of the Gators' biggest SEC rivals in the Kentucky Wildcats through the NCAA Transfer Portal. The news, announced by On3's Joe Tipton, marks a significant blow to the reigning national champions, who are now navigating the departure of multiple players this offseason. Advertisement Aberdeen, a 6'5' junior guard, spent three seasons with the Gators, playing an underrated yet crucial role in their 2025 NCAA Tournament run. Known for his solid shooting and versatility, he dropped 22 points against South Carolina and 20 points against Mississippi State earlier this season, showcasing his ability to step up in big moments. His transfer to the Wildcats, a perennial powerhouse under head coach Mark Pope, adds fuel to the already heated Florida-Kentucky rivalry. Florida Gators head coach Todd GoldenBob Donnan-Imagn Images The Gators have been active in the portal, adding guard Xaivian Lee, but losing Aberdeen—alongside other departures like Sam Alexis—could impact their depth as they aim to defend their title. Advertisement Meanwhile, Kentucky fans are celebrating the addition, with Pope's transfer portal haul now ranking No. 3 nationally, according to 247Sports. Aberdeen's experience and scoring ability are expected to make an immediate impact for the Wildcats, who are building a formidable 2025-26 roster. As the transfer portal continues to reshape college basketball, this move underscores the competitive nature of the SEC. The Gators now face the challenge of replacing a key contributor, while the Wildcats gain a proven talent ready to shine in Lexington. Related: Chad Johnson Wants to Meet DJ Lagway's Superstar Teammate
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN places Dan Lanning among best coaches in college football
Dan Lanning has become one of the most recognizable names and faces in all of college football. He introduced himself to the world by leading the vaunted Georgia Bulldogs defense as their coordinator from 2019-2021. Before the 2022 season, Lanning was named the head coach of the Oregon Ducks who were an inconsistent program at the time. They have since been stabilized and Lanning has managed to improve their record each year he's been in Eugene. Advertisement ESPN recently published an article which ranked the 10 best coaches in college football and Lanning made the cut unsurprisingly. They ranked him No. 6 and specifically cited Oregon's dominance since his arrival, ranking fourth among all FBS schools in that span with 35 wins. It's hard to have collective success without a great roster and the star coach has been one of the best at acquiring talent from the transfer portal. The Ducks are among the top 10 teams with the most transfer players acquired since Lanning was hired which is a skill that is required to be an excellent coach in today's game. Oregon reached their first College Football Playoffs in a decade last season which is just the cherry on top of what has been an illustrious coaching career in Eugene already. The Ducks lost many players to the draft and the transfer portal this offseason, but it is the perfect opportunity for Lanning to demonstrate what makes him so special. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions. This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: ESPN names Dan Lanning as top 10 coach in college football
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Purdue women's basketball adds 2025 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year
WEST LAFAYETTE ― Purdue women's basketball added more depth at guard when former UNC Greensboro freshman Nya Smith announced her commitment to the Boilermakers on Sunday afternoon. Smith made her announcement through her Instagram account. The soon-to-be sophomore helped the Spartans advance to the NCAA Tournament last season after finishing 25-7, beating Chattanooga 64-57 to capture the Southern Conference Tournament title. Advertisement UNC Greensboro entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 16 seed and lost to the JuJu Watkins-led USC Trojans, 71-25. Smith becomes the third Purdue addition from the transfer portal after former Arkansas standout Kiki Smith (no relation) joined Purdue on Saturday afternoon. A native of Roswell, Georgia, Smith averaged 10.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and was named the Southern Conference Sixth Woman of the Year and Freshman of the Year to end the 2024-25 season. It's been an active Easter weekend for Purdue with the addition of both Smith guards. Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; UNC Greensboro Spartans guard Nya Smith (22) is double teams by USC Trojans guards JuJu Watkins (12) and Kennedy Smith (11) during the second quarter at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images The Smith from Topeka, Kansas and former Razorback shot 40.6% from 3-point range, started in 22 of 27 games during her sophomore year with the Razorbacks. Advertisement Nya and Kiki Smith are joined by Purdue's first transfer portal arrival, Taylor Feldman from Northern Arizona. Feldman averaged 16.4 points, 3.9 assists and three rebounds per game, including 40.9% from the field, 38.3% from 3-point range and 80.4% from the free throw line and was named All Big Sky Conference first team as a junior last season. The Boilermakers will also the return of Madison Layden-Zay, who starred from 2020-21 to 2023-24 before taking a year off last season. Layden-Zay is eligible to play a grad season having with the Boilermakers through COVID. More: Purdue women's basketball guard Madison Layden fueled by family and closure Purdue will also have experience in the paint as well with the returns of incoming sophomore forwards Lana McCarthy and Kendall Puryear. Puryear averaged 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds last season primarily off the bench with one start, while McCarthy averaged 6.4 points and 4.8 rebounds in 26 starts. Advertisement Junior guard McKenna Layden is the lone returning guard for Purdue from 2024-25 after making nine starts, averaging 4.6 points and 4.2 rebounds. Along with the transfer portal talent and reemergence of Layden-Zay sees the incoming 2025 class led by 4-star recruits guard Keona Douwstra of Netherlands and 6-foot-7 center Avery Gordon. Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@ on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson . This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue women's basketball receives former UNC Greensboro guard Nya Smith
