Latest news with #Uzan
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
G Milos Uzan withdrawing from draft, returning to Houston
Houston guard Milos Uzan has withdrawn from the 2025 NBA Draft and will return to the Cougars. His representation, PNW Sports Group, confirmed his decision with ESPN on Tuesday. The deadline for players to withdraw from the draft and maintain college eligibility is Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Uzan, who has one season of eligibility remaining, averaged 11.4 points, 4.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds and shot 42.8 percent from 3-point range while starting all 40 games in his first campaign with the Cougars (35-5) in 2024-25. He made the All-Big 12 second team for Houston, which fell to Florida in the final of the NCAA Tournament. He scored 22 points in top-seeded Houston's 62-60 win against fourth-seeded Purdue in the Sweet 16, including the game-winning layup with 0.9 seconds left. Uzan also scored a career-high 25 points in the Cougars' 72-64 win against Arizona in the Big 12 tournament title game. Uzan, 22, transferred to Houston after two seasons at Oklahoma, where he averaged 8.3 points, 3.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 64 games (56 starts) from 2022-24. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Houston receives huge news regarding Milos Uzan following NBA draft decision
Houston receives huge news regarding Milos Uzan following NBA draft decision Houston junior Milos Uzan is reportedly withdrawing from the 2025 NBA draft and returning to school next season, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Uzan was named to the All-Big 12 second team this past season, averaging 11.4 points, 4.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds on 42.8% shooting from 3-point range. He ranked 19th in the country in minutes (1,261) and was third in the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0). The 6-foot-4 guard scored in double figures 25 times, including a career-high 25 points, four rebounds and four assists on March 15 in a win over Arizona in the Big 12 championship game. Uzan competed in the draft combine earlier this month, recording nine points, 10 assists, one rebound and one steal in two scrimmage games in Chicago, Illinois. He also completed at least six team workouts after visiting the likes of Golden State and Utah. The 22-year-old was among the notable prospects who were still weighing their decisions ahead of the early entrant withdrawal deadline on Wednesday. He was considered a second-round pick, with his ability to score and run different offenses. Uzan played an integral role in Houston advancing to the national championship game for the third time in program history. His return figures to help the Cougars emerge as one of the front-runners to enter next season with high championship odds.
UPI
27-05-2025
- Sport
- UPI
Houston's Milos Uzan withdraws from 2025 NBA Draft
Houston guard Milos Uzan (R) averaged 11.4 points per game over 40 starts last season for the Cougars. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo May 27 (UPI) -- Houston guard Milos Uzan withdrew his name from the 2025 NBA Draft and will return to the Cougars in 2025-26, he announced Tuesday. Uzan averaged 11.4 points, 4.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game over 40 starts last season. The 6-foot-4 guard, who spent two seasons at Oklahoma, announced his move to Houston in April 2024. Uzan earned All-Big 12 honors as well as All-Big 12 Tournament and NCAA Tournament All-Region selections. He helped the Cougars post a 35-5 record and to advance to the tournament finale, which they lost to Florida. The Cougars allowed a national-low 58.6 points per game during their 2024-25 campaign. Uzan scored a career-high 25 points against Arizona on March 15 in the Big 12 Conference tournament finale. He poured in 22 points in the Cougars' Sweet 16 win over Purdue. The 2025 NBA Draft will be held June 25 and 26 in Brooklyn. Uzan was a projected second-round pick.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Houston guard Milos Uzan reportedly withdraws from NBA Draft to return to school for his senior season
One of the best players on one of the best college-basketball teams from last season is going to run it back. Houston guard Milos Uzan will reportedly withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to school for his senior season, according to multiple reports. The decision comes as a major surprise. Uzan was listed as No. 38 on Yahoo Sports' NBA Draft big board, suggesting he would be selected early in the second round — with the possibility of going near the end of the first round. Advertisement It's not the first time Uzan has pulled himself out of the draft. Uzan also went through the NBA Draft process following his sophomore year at Oklahoma. He pulled out before the draft deadline and announced he would return to college, but transfer to Houston. He experienced a breakout season with the Cougars. Uzan, 22, averaged 11.4 points and 4.3 assists in his first season at Houston. The Cougars went 35-5 and finished No. 2 overall in the final men's poll of the season. During the NCAA Tournament, Uzan helped the Cougars reach the championship, where they lost to Florida in a tight game. Uzan scored six points in the contest. Following the end of the college season, Uzan again decided to go through the draft process. He opted to pull out Tuesday — a day before the deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft — and go back to Houston for a final year. Advertisement Uzan did not specify why he withdrew from the draft again. It's possible the guard was hoping to receive a higher draft grade from teams and experts. It's also possible he wanted to return the Houston to try and win a championship after the team nearly pulled off the feat last season. Uzan's return should ensure the Cougars are ranked high once again at the start of the 2025-26 college-basketball season. He'll combine with Emanuel Sharp — who averaged 12.6 points last season — and Joseph Tugler, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, to give Houston a formidable trio. Uzan could see his numbers increase once again in his senior season, especially after L.J. Cryer's departure. If Uzan can step up his game once more, he could further increase his NBA Draft grade before his college eligibility runs out after next season.
New York Times
02-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
2025 NBA Draft stay-or-go decisions: 11 who loom large for 2025-26 college basketball season
The call of the NBA is an ever-present threat for college basketball rosters. What can look like a stacked roster for next season could lose a surprising piece that undercuts a possible national championship contender. With the advent of name, image and likeness (and the resultant influx of cash for top players), college hoops has fought back. Potential draftees, especially those late in the first round and into the second, now have to consider the NIL payday they would forgo should they choose to start their professional careers. Advertisement That's led to some surprising returners to college. A year ago, Walter Clayton Jr. chose to chase a national title rather than enter the pro ranks; that turned out well for Clayton and the Gators. Johni Broome also eschewed the draft and helped power Auburn to the Final Four. As chaotic and entertaining as the transfer portal is, keeping star-caliber pieces in college is vital to building a truly elite team. The 2025 early-entry deadline already has some clear winners: Texas Tech managed to convince All-American JT Toppin to avoid testing the waters, and two-time national champion Alex Karaban is returning to UConn for a fourth season. The Red Raiders and the Huskies will likely find their way into many preseason top 10s in part due to this retention of potential draft picks. Many other decisions that will drastically impact the 2026 national title picture still hang in the balance, though. Following the NBA's release of the full list of early entrants, the below collection of players all have significant choices that could push their schools into the forefront of the college basketball world. Note: To illustrate the significance of each decision, we've included each team's national ranking at with and without the player on the roster using Torvik's Roster Cast tool, which allows you to alter teams' roster constructions to see the impact of individual players. Bart Torvik rank with Uzan: 1 Bart Torvik rank without: 1 (incredibly) Though most of the Houston headlines all season went to LJ Cryer, Emanuel Sharp and J'Wan Roberts, Uzan was the secret engine to a Cougars squad that came within a possession of a national championship. Taking over at point guard for program legend Jamal Shead, the Oklahoma transfer got off to a slow start, but his steady improvement — particularly as a potent offensive threat — mirrored the trajectory of Houston as a whole. Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson reiterated that point after Uzan's game-winning layup against Purdue in the Sweet 16. With Uzan back in the fold to join Sharp, defensive player of the year candidate JoJo Tugler and a loaded recruiting class, Houston would be a no-doubt top-five team in preseason rankings (and very arguably the No. 1 squad). Without him, though, Houston would need a serious lift from incoming transfer Pop Isaacs, as Uzan's shot creation — not to mention his smothering defensive presence on the perimeter — would be sorely missed. That would still be a top 10 or so team but with enough questions to perhaps fall below the top tier of contenders. Advertisement Torvik rank with Oweh: 11 Torvik rank without: 16 Mark Pope's first season in Lexington made it clear the Wildcats are firmly entrenched as contenders in the SEC. Kentucky's spending in the transfer portal this offseason — basically a Los Angeles Dodgers-esque spree — has given Pope an extremely promising roster for his encore campaign. To truly be a national championship contender, though, Pope needs Oweh to return for his senior season. The hyperathletic wing, who like Uzan began his career at Oklahoma (apologies to Sooners fans), ascended to stardom for Big Blue Nation. On a deep and balanced roster, Oweh's athletic slashing and harassing defense became indispensable. He'd give Kentucky the All-American candidate needed to exist in the highest echelon of preseason prognostications. Torvik rank with Lendeborg: 4 Torvik rank without: 20 Led by a dominant big man duo in Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin, Michigan made the Sweet 16 in Dusty May's first season in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines tripled down on the frontcourt this offseason, reeling in three more gems via the portal: Lendeborg (UAB), Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois) and Aday Mara (UCLA). That combination would terrorize opponents for 40 minutes at the rim and on the boards. Whether the trio ever plays together, though, hinges on Lendeborg's NBA Draft decision. The former junior college star is already an older prospect (he'll be 23 in September), and he could choose to take his versatile, physical game to the pros. Michigan would still be in good shape without him as a chief contender to Purdue in the Big Ten, but having Lendeborg as a do-it-all double-double machine would raise the ceiling in Ann Arbor considerably. Torvik rank with Condon: 9 Torvik rank without: 19 Advertisement 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. Todd Golden could cycle body after body in the paint to bludgeon opponents and wear them down over 40 minutes, and both 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 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. Torvik rank with Bryant: 4 Torvik rank without: 15 Like Florida, Arizona has two players testing the draft waters, with Jaden Bradley joining Bryant in that endeavor. Bradley is strongly expected to return, though, while the uber-talented Bryant feels like a true coin flip on where he will end up. He came on strong as Arizona's season progressed; he logged 20-plus minutes just once in Arizona's first 10 games, but he cracked that mark in 16 of the final 18 contests. In doing so, he displayed the kind of versatility and floor-stretching game that will make pro scouts pay attention. That seemed like just the beginning for the high-upside forward. He was frequently deferential to Arizona's veterans on the offensive end, registering the lowest usage in the team's rotation. Should he return, he's an obvious breakout candidate with more touches and shots headed his way. If he's back for that potential star turn, Arizona will be in the Big 12 and national mix, but if not, the Wildcats will be in the second tier of both. Torvik rank with Coward and Evans: 4 Torvik rank without Coward, with Evans: 4 Torvik rank without Evans, with Coward: 5 Torvik rank without both: 7 Duke came within a monumental final-minute collapse against Houston of playing for a national title. Jon Scheyer has done a tremendous job of maintaining Duke's status among the elite in college basketball, and although his 2025-26 team will not have Cooper Flagg on it, the Blue Devils have the talent to make a return trip to the Final Four. Advertisement Even with a killer freshman class, though, a large portion of the upside hinges on whether the nucleus will include Coward, a transfer from Washington State, and Evans, an incendiary scorer due for a major role increase as a sophomore. Both players offer enticing wing skill sets to the NBA, but both could maximize their draft position with a banner year in big roles for an elite team. Every member of this foursome remains in the transfer portal as of this writing. Any member of this group could drastically alter the outlook of a team, pushing that squad toward the national title picture. Haggerty, an All-American scoring guard at Memphis, is an instant cheat code to an efficient offense thanks to his devastating dribble moves, finishing ability inside and knack for getting to the charity stripe. Williams is a quintessential do-it-all winner capable of serving as a mid-post hub on offense and multipositional force on defense. Fland showed off his scoring and passing genes at Arkansas as a rookie, and he could explode as a sophomore thanks to his prodigious talents. And finally, Watkins is a matchup problem, a big wing/forward who could be an ace second banana for a great team. Keep an eye on whether any of this group chooses to return to college — and where they end up if they do. (Top photos of Otega Oweh and Isaiah Evans: Andy Lyons, Grant Halverson / Getty Images)
