If you’re not on the Tajh bandwagon, we suggest you board soon.

The Southern California roots run deep for the 6-9 junior. Not only did his father, Trevor, win an NBA championship with the Lakers, but his mother, Lana, grew up on Nipsey and his impact. Now Tajh is forging his own path, not only with a West Coast staple, but also on the court at Westchester High School (where his dad starred back in the day).

The recently announced collaboration is very intentional. Comprised of graphic heavy tees, the limited edition capsule collection features designs inspired by both Ariza and his Westchester teammates. The color scheme—consisting of red, white and black—pays homage to Westchester’s palette and Tajh’s Japanese roots.

A bulk of the proceeds will go to support the Westchester High School basketball team, a local public school, and their efforts to grow as a program and compete nationally. 

The debut of this highly anticipated Los Angeles alliance takes place tonight during the Westside Tip-Off Classic, where Westchester will be seen rocking the collection on opening night.

The late Nipsey Hussle had a dream of building up his community. While he is no longer physically here with us, his legacy lives on and Tajh’s journey begins while carrying the torch. This newfound union between Ariza and TMC proves that.

To help support the Westchester basketball program, the Tajh Ariza x TMC Collection can be found here. 

The post HS Star Tajh Ariza Teams Up with Nipsey Hussle’s Brand The Marathon Clothing appeared first on SLAM.

In the wake of tragedy, Money stepped away from the team and has since coordinated a GoFundMe campaign with his sister to help cover funeral expenses and provide stability for their sibling’s education and new family challenges. While dealing with the weight of two seismic losses and assuming the responsibility of his younger sibling’s futures, Money’s simultaneously returned to fulfill his commitment to the program and his journey. After dropping 30 points against the Tennessee Volunteers on November 13, over $10,000 in donations reportedly poured in. 

As of November 15, the GoFundMe has raised over $100,000 with a goal set of $150,000.

“We understand that times are tough for everyone, and there is no obligation to contribute. However, any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated and will make a significant difference in our lives,” Money and Mo’Ney wrote in the GoFundMe post.

To help support the Williams Family, you can visit their GoFundMe here.

The post Help Support Montana Guard Money Williams After Tragic Family Losses appeared first on SLAM.

A popular saying created by the younger generation emphasizing the transition of eras. Basketball has gone through a massive culture shift. It’s definitely easy to forget how we got to where we are now as the memories and styles of years ago grow older. But some things remain timeless. Time for a quick trip down memory lane.

Baggy shorts and buzz cuts. These two ruled the ’90s. That era had some of the sickest swag the sport could offer. The Memphis State Tigers and Runnin’ Rebels are proof.

In honor of their upcoming matchup, which will only be the sixth time they’ve ever faced off (UNLV is leading the series 4-1), we’re paying tribute to the foundational elements of college hoops: the gear. 

The Memphis State Tigers have been around for a long time and their style has inspired plenty. They possessed a clean look that stood out, much like the players who came through the program (and notably their head coach, the late Larry Finch). But it was the 1991-92 season that those in Memphis still reminisce about. The glory days. Their home unis were crisp white. Striking blue accents lined the waist and trim while their away uniforms flipped the script with a sea of dominant blue and sharp white details. Thick grey block letters stitched above and below the numbers. The loose-fitting shorts, labeled with an MSU patch, were illuminated with their iconic tiger logo just above the knee, capping off the perfect blend of simplicity and style.

On the other side of the aisle, the Rebels were Runnin’ rampant in the ’90s with a timeless aesthetic. Black kicks, knee-length shorts, team huddles on the floor. When you see red, you think bold, tough and rigid. When you see UNLV on your schedule, the exact same feelings come to mind. Their jerseys evoked as much chaos as their open court offense, featuring a predominantly white home design with fresh red accents that extended onto the shorts that fans in Nevada still rock to this day. The away unis were just as fire; a powerful red with white details, creating a fierce and intimidating look. The baggy fit of the shorts with the stripes bleeding down the side and small UNLV logo completed the audacious yet encapsulating aesthetic of the era. This cohesive and fearless look mirrored the Rebels’ aggressive and high-energy play. Just ask Larry Johnson how formidable Las Vegas was.

As these two teams prepare to meet tomorrow, we can’t forget their past. The resurgence of the two programs this weekend doesn’t just exemplify the diverse landscape that continues to expand across the game, it’s cementing the eras that got us here. The ’90s brought flashy individualism both on and off the court, which we still see in today’s game and tunnels. The baggy styles we witness across the NBA and the high school ranks may look different now, but they originated from decades’ past. So respect the OGs for paving the way.

Still done with the ’90s? We thought so…

From the iconic shorts to throwback logos and gear, head over to the SLAM Store to rep your school, whether you’re runnin’ with the Rebels or rocking with the Tigers.

Action photos via Getty Images.

The post Timeless Threads: How Memphis State and UNLV Helped Pave the Way For Today’s ’90s Obsession appeared first on SLAM.

At the forefront of hoops and youth athletic development, ACES has transformed into a platform that’s impacting every aspect of the game, from the grassroots level to the pros. The numbers speak for themselves: 30-plus NBA and WNBA players and 100 Division 1 hoopers have all dropped buckets in the Classic. But this weekend is for the kids that are dreaming of getting there.

For its third annual installment, the Hustle & Heart Classic is bringing the nation’s top-ranked high school hoopers together on the national stage. Kiyan Anthony, Kayden and Dylan Mingo and Warren Keel headline the boys showcase while the girls showcase features both Mya and Mia Pauldo and the NJ Crusaders and Jordyn Jackson leading the DC Crimson Warriors.

The preseason action is just the beginning of the high school basketball season, but the Hustle & Heart Classic provides the nation’s top prospects with a diverse array of activations that bridges the sports, entertainment and corporate worlds. 

“ACES was born from the grassroots of basketball, earning its way into hoops cultural relevance by allowing athletes to tell their stories, bridging corporate to culture, while bringing local communities together through our annual events,” says founder and CEO Brian Kortovich. “AECS consistently attracts the top-ranked high school players in the country to New York City and empowers them with a platform to showcase their talents on a national level, organically share their stories and expand their opportunities.”

ACES will host a media day for all four teams on Friday, October 25 with a focus group featuring NBPA executives, followed by the Girls and Boys National Showcase at Elmcor Gym in Queens on Saturday, October 26. The Girls National Showcase tips off at 5 p.m. with the NJ Crusaders taking on the DC Crimson Warriors. The Boys National Showcase follows at 7 p.m. with the star-studded Long Island Crusaders going up against the Putnam Science Mustangs. 

If you can’t make it out to the games, you can catch all the action on the NBA App this year as the official streaming partner of the 2024 ACES Heart & Hustle Classic.

Portraits by 2BMedia LLC.

The post The Third Annual ACES Hustle & Heart Classic Returns to New York City on October 26  appeared first on SLAM.

Following a four-year career at Dayton, where he led the nation in three-point percentage last season, Washington Heights native Koby Brea is heading south to the school of his dreams, the University of Kentucky.

It all started at those courts on Nagle Ave. In the heart of Washington Heights, a neighborhood north of Harlem, tucked behind the hallowed main court of Dyckman Park, lies a smaller half-court lined with a singular black fence. It’s there that a young Koby Brea fostered his love for the game. Just a few blocks away from his parent’s apartment, Koby would go to the court and meet up with his friends and other local kids to draft their own teams and hoop throughout
the day.

When he was 6, he would lace up his kicks, grab his ball and head down the street with his dad, Stephan, to meet up with his pop’s friends. They’d travel from park to park, hooping to their hearts’ content. “They still play to this day. I don’t know how, but they do,” Koby says. And there was Koby, witnessing that love for the game in real time.

“Being around it, all you can do is really watch and enjoy the ride,” he says. “Any time they ran down one way, I’d be on the other half trying to shoot, trying to get my ball and be quick before they came back down.”

A few years later, he was waking up at 5 a.m. to work out at those same courts. Everyone sleeping while he was working? That was the best motivation.

Dyckman set the standard for who Koby Brea wanted to be. In 2024, that would be the best shooter in college basketball and the latest addition for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats.

Fifteen years after first being introduced to the concrete courts, Koby is back at Dyckman. It’s a piping hot mid-August afternoon and the sun is unrelenting. Pay it no mind, Koby’s suited in a full Eric Emanuel baby blue tracksuit with matching “Industrial Blue” Air Jordan 4s on-foot. After watching him learn to play and eventually compete in the summer Dyckman tournaments, his father, mother and youngest brother Tyler now stand off to the side as we snap photos. It’s a family affair. For the Breas and Washington Heights, that’s always been the case.

“Growing up in Washington Heights, it’s like having a really big family around you,” Brea explains. “You’re just around a whole bunch of people that are just like you, that come from the same culture, the same background. We have a lot of Dominicans, a lot of Latin people, and any time you’re walking down the street, you see somebody that’s just like you, that looks just like you, talks just like you. It just feels like family.”

The endless hours spent surrounded by his community, on and off the court, set the stage for his commitment to those who have poured into him. As he stands at center court with Tyler dribbling around his legs, he sees his own childhood mirrored back at him. It’s an eerily familiar feeling, one he experienced just a few weeks prior to our shoot when he first stepped foot inside the Joe Craft Center in Lexington. For years, Koby envisioned himself suiting up in the Big Blue. Now it’s a reality.

“You see all the blood, sweat and tears that was put into that gym that I just walked into,” he says of that visit.

When Koby wasn’t dicing it up at Dyckman, he was watching Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker and the rest of the mid-2010s Wildcats. He longed to get shots up underneath the weight of the eight banners that hung above. That level of prestige was captivating. So he aimed for it. 

Koby remembers the first time his coach at Monsignor Scanlan High School brought him to the campus in the Bronx. As they made small talk about the team and the school, the coach asked Koby where he wanted to play at the next level.

“I remember I was a kid with big dreams and I told him, I want to go to the University of Kentucky,” Koby says. “And he looked at my dad and he was like, You’ve got a wild one. I don’t know if I can get you to Kentucky, but I’ll make sure I get you somewhere. That just goes to show that when you have people around you that are confident in you, want to push you the most you can, you also have that confidence in yourself that this is what I want to be and that’s how I’m going to make it. It sets it off for yourself.”

Heading into the 2024-25 season, Koby Brea’s not only suiting up for Kentucky, he’s expected to help the program capture national prominence once again.

But the Washington Heights native didn’t just get to the blue blood of his dreams. He grinded his way toward the opportunity. Coming out of Scanlan as a second team All-New York selection, Koby set his sights on a career as a Dayton Flyer. He took home A-10 Sixth Man of the Year in his redshirt freshman season, but suffered a pair of stress fractures in each of his legs the following year that prevented him from taking that next leap he was ready for.

Instead, he spent the summer getting form shooting in while sitting in his wheelchair. It took the entirety of the offseason and a portion of the preseason to fully recover. With just two weeks of practices and conditioning under his belt, Koby proceeded to light nearly every net in the nation on fire, leading the Flyers into the second round of March Madness.

On 201 attempts, Koby led the nation in three-point percentage, nailing 49.8 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. Sorry, not sure if you caught that. Koby Brea hit damn near half of his shots from downtown. Throw in 11.1 points and nearly 4 boards a game and the accolades started to flow. A second A-10 Sixth Man of the Year honor was appropriately bestowed and just like that, Koby was instantly on the radar of every major powerhouse in the country. At the end of the day, Kentucky always had the upper hand.

“This year I just really wanted to take the opportunity to take a step back so I could take a couple steps forward. I came back to college with the expectation that all I was going to do this summer was work,” Brea says. “Work as hard as I could, work the hardest that I ever had, just to ensure that I had a great year at a great new place.”

The wait, the work, it was all worth it. He made his stamp at Dyckman. He found himself at Dayton and inscribed himself into the college basketball record books. Now he’s putting up shots in the same gym Booker did nearly a decade ago, as visions of the 2025 NBA Draft grow closer and closer to reality. But in the here and now, Koby Brea is letting those years worth of lessons guide him as he takes it day by day. He’s stronger, healthier and more lethal than ever with the ball in his hands. And as he turns the chapter to his collegiate epilogue, there’s a looming goal that Koby’s longed for ever since he took those walks to Dyckman with his dad.

“The expectation is simply to hang the ninth banner. Me, I’m a true competitor, and I pride myself on winning. I definitely want to leave my stamp everywhere I go. Being at Kentucky, the standard is so high and everybody expects success,” Koby says. “I just want to have the opportunity, day by day, to keep growing and be the best version of myself.”

Portraits by Alexander Zhang and UK Athletics.

The post Washington Heights Native Koby Brea Talks Realizing His Dream at Kentucky and Overcoming Obstacles as Best Shooter in College Basketball appeared first on SLAM.

Twin, where have you been? The Pauldo twins are breaking new ground as they become everyone’s favorite duo on and off the court. New Jersey’s very own Mia and Mya Pauldo have made a name for themselves nationwide, holding two spots in the top-50 rankings for the Class of 2025 and both committing to carry on the Lady Vols’ legacy starting next year.

As one of the toughest backcourts in the country, Mia’s playmaking skills and Mya’s command of the floor showcase their grit and determination. Together, they’ve etched their names in New Jersey hoop history.

Playing together is like “having two killers with you, because we’re both tough,” Mia says.

“She’s my best friend,” says Mya. “We do everything together, tell each other everything. Our bond is so close, and that translates to the court.”

Winning has always been a top priority for the twins, whether it’s state championships, Player of the Year awards or any game they compete in. While All-Star Games might split them up, their focus remains clear: to play hard for the name on the back of their jerseys.

“We want to see each other shine,” Mia says. “That’s my mindset. I’m cheering for her even if she’s on the other team.”

Minutes before the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 6, the twins were asked to send messages to each other. Almost in unison, they encouraged each other to “handle business and get the dub.”

The SLAM Summer Classic was a key goal for their senior year, with the hopes of also being invited to the McDonald’s All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic next spring.

Their sisterhood will extend to Tennessee next season, and hopefully the WNBA beyond that. What truly stood out during our time with the twins was their composure and affection for each other, but also their commitment to giving back to their family and community.

“We have to keep going,” Mya says. “Keep hustling, because we’re doing something right. We need to continue because people are watching us and looking up to us.”

“You always have to hold yourself to a higher standard and be respectful, knowing everyone is watching,” Mya adds.

With eyes on the sisters, how will they continue to build on their legacy? Young Mia and Mya initially set their sights on playing overseas, but now, with the WNBA closer than ever, their goal has evolved to make history as the first twins to play in the League simultaneously.

“We want to grow the game in this country,” Mya says. “We want more teams, better pay and more eyes set on women’s basketball.”

Being the first wouldn’t come as a shock. “That’s our life; we’re trendsetters,” Mia says. “We want to be the first to do it in our era.”

When asked what message they’d give their future selves as they look back on SLAM 252, Mia replies, “Always be inspired by something.” Mya adds, “Take a moment to learn something new every day.”

What more could one ask for than having your twin by your side to inspire and learn from every day?

Portraits by Marcus Stevens.

The post Two Good: Twins Mya and Mia Pauldo Are Ready to Make History as the Next Generation of Tennessee’s Backcourt appeared first on SLAM.

What would you do if you could bring a star down to eye level? What if you were just an arm’s length away? Would you try to recreate its shine? Or would you stare into its beauty, both incomprehensibly bright and painstakingly supernatural?

Being that close to greatness would make the average person’s eyes pop out of their head, like a scary gimmick in the windowsill of a Halloween store. However, for recent BYU freshman Kanon Catchings, he’s been holding onto stars since the time he was born.

The legacy begins in the fall of 1974 with Harvey Catchings, who made his NBA debut with the Philadelphia 76ers. In the middle of what would be an 11-year career in the L, Catchings became the basketball equivalent of Serena and Venus Williams’ father, Richard Williams Jr. Harvey’s daughters, Tamika and Tauja set the stage for a family-wide takeover on the hardwood.

If you were wondering what it would be like to touch a star, you’d have to either ask someone on the 2002-2016 Indiana Fever, or her own nephew to truly understand how bright of a star Tamika Catchings is.

“I looked up to her a lot,” Kanon reminisces. “She was one of the first basketball players I really knew.”

Tamika Catchings, despite an under-the-radar hearing disability, kick started her legacy winning three high school state championships in two different states (Illinois and Texas). Stepping into her college career, she made her presence known on the court, helping the Tennessee Lady Vols to an undefeated season and NCAA championship in 1998 under legendary coach Pat Summitt, paving the way for recent college stars like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.

Spending her entire career with the Fever, Catchings led the team to a championship in 2012 and racked up a long, decorated list of accomplishments, including WNBA MVP (2011), 10 All-Star selections and five Defensive Player of the Year awards. Not to mention, four consecutive Olympic Gold medals (2004-2016) and holding the all-time WNBA record for steals (1,074).

A unique star, Catchings transcended familial expectations, and set the precedent for what greatness moved like. “I wanted to be just like her,” Kanon explains. 

The next closest star in Kanon’s orbit was Tamika’s sister and Kanon’s mother, Tauja, who led her high school team to two state championships (’95-96), and was named Illinois’ Ms. Basketball in 1996. At the University of Illinois, Tauja became the first player in Illini history with more than 1,400 points, 700 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals, earning her All-Big Ten honors and the status of one of the best players in Illinois history.  

Almost a decade later, another branch of the Catchings family tree has emerged with Kanon. Standing at 6-9 and known for his athleticism, the youngest Catchings has stepped into new beginnings at Brigham Young University (BYU) where he’s quickly made a name for himself.

“An aspect I’d like to show a lot of people is that I can guard every position on the court,” he explains. Being able to be anywhere on the court is where Kanon feels like he has a leg up on other recruits.

Dating back to his junior season in high school, Kanon averaged 17.5 points and 4.8 rebounds before joining Overtime Elite (OTE). There, he maintained his collegiate eligibility, playing at a high level and averaging 14.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Kanon’s decision to suit up for the Cougars had a lot to do with a lot to do with his former OTE coach Tim Fanning.

“That was a big drawing point for me when I came to BYU,” he explains. “It means a lot to have somebody that knows you and has coached you before on the staff.”

At BYU, Catchings hopes to refine his shooting and physicality, notably looking forward to improving on his skill set in a way that transcends the expectation that comes with his family name. His defensive instinct—a hallmark of the Catchings family—is something that he wants to showcase, and with his Hall of Fame aunt as a mentor, he’s looking forward to growing all parts of his game.

“I feel like I’ve improved a lot,” he says. “In ballhandling, passing the ball, [and] defense especially, but also, just ripping out shots—[I’m] just trying to be as consistent as I can in everything that I do on the court.”

In the wake of what could potentially be a breakout freshman season, the four-star recruit has every bit of pressure on his shoulders come November. But, with that transcendent familial stardom looming in the background, Catchings has all the guidance and tools he needs to add to the legacy—perhaps not only reaching for the stars, but becoming one himself. 

Portraits via BYU Athletics.

The post Family Ties: The Beginning of Kanon Catchings’ Journey and The Continuation of the Catchings Legacy  appeared first on SLAM.

Growing up the youngest of four siblings, Nate Ament did everything his brothers did. It’s why when it comes to sports, soccer was the first thing he gravitated to. His older brothers played it, so he did, too. And when his third oldest brother Frederick started to pick up basketball, Nate was more than game.

By the time he was 10, the rapidly growing Manassas, VA, native realized that he was going to be too tall to stay on the pitch. So hoops it was. It started out as 1s and 2s at the local elementary school. After a two-minute walk, Nate and his brothers were on the blacktop, meeting up with Nate’s classmates and Frederick’s friends from high school. The battles were fun, but it was pride that Nate was seeking, even in middle school.

“The part that I fell in love with was being able to play a sport where you can take someone 1-on-1 and you can try to beat them, not just offensively but defensively,” Nate says. “Being able to have a matchup is being able to say, I’m gonna guard you the whole game. I’m gonna stop you from scoring on me. I’m gonna make sure my team wins. So, I really fell in love with the competitiveness of it.”

Seven years later, that will, love and determination serves as the foundation of Nate’s game, a game that has seen him blossom into a consensus top-5 player in the Class of 2025 and the No. 1 player in the state of Virginia. Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, UConn, Virginia and many, many others have stamped the five-star do-it-all wing as a future difference-maker for their squads.

Between the 3SSB circuit and his tape out at Highland High School, it’s easy to classify Ament as the modern NBA archetype. He’s a lengthy 6-9 forward who’s continuously fine-tuning the framework of his three-level scoring. The locks on defense are there, too. Mind you, with a handle and quickness to break down defenders in transition and off the wing. Size-ups, step-back treys and low-post fades, it’s all his game.

“From when I first started playing basketball to now, I knew that you just have to be consistent, always getting in the gym. In anything I did, I just knew that I wanted to be the best,” Nate says. “I just kept it consistent. I knew that I had the capabilities to be one of the best in the country. But for me, it was just important not to rush things and to stay patient with my journey, because my journey’s different than anyone else’s.”

As of late, the game has taken him from the gleaming lights of Times Square to the gold medal podium at the FIBA AmeriCup with the U18 USA Team. And to cap off a summer driven by years of commitment to his craft, he took home the Terrence Clarke Spalding MVP Award and the dub at the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 6. While he netted contested jumpers and rose up to meet the rim more than a few times while playing at the Rucker Park, memories from his days on the blacktop resurfaced. He wanted to get the best of his matchup, just like his brothers.

“They try to be the best at everything they can do, whether that’s sports, whether that’s school, life or anything. I try to do that with basketball as well,” he says. “They’re kind of my motivation. I play hard for them. Not just for my brothers, but for my whole family, just to make sure that I’m representing the name on the back of my jersey in the best way possible.”

Portraits by Marcus Stevens.

The post Smooth Operator: Class of 2025 Highland Park Star Nate Ament Details How Family and Competitiveness Shaped His Journey appeared first on SLAM.

The pair of six-story structures are wrapped in abstract silver paneling with crystal clear glass composing the full face of the main wing’s entrance. Ten white beams sit at an angle supporting the L-shaped walkway above. Black adirondack chairs and tables are sprawled out underneath the shade that the canopy above provides. It’s a sick scene. Flick worthy for sure. 

SLAM 253 featuring Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper is available now.

As we wipe away rain that fell on the chairs just 15 minutes before, the doors of the building swing open. Class is out. Students wearing sweatpants, backpacks, slides and with iPhones in hands pour out of the automatic double doors. 

Initially, the kids don’t pay any mind to the 6-10 and 6-6 freshmen who will be leading the Scarlet Knights into the 2024-25 season as one of the most talked-about teams in the country. And then Dylan starts messing with his boy.

“Free pictures with Ace Bailey! Ace Bailey’s here!” Dylan, who’s wearing a black Rick Owens jacket and black PRPS jeans, calls out to the crowd of students trying to make it to their next class. Ace isn’t having it. 

“THE Dylan Harper. Five dollars for a photo with Dylan Harper!”

The two go back and forth for 30 seconds, until a group of students starts to gather. This wasn’t the intention. They were just trying to mess with each other. A healthy balance of embarrassment, if you will. But before we know it, a line has formed and the two have created a routine that’s down pat. 

Dylan holds the adidas basketball stamped with the Rutgers R and stands to the right. Ace, who’s wearing a black sweatsuit with red accents from the Lifestyle Sports Agency, which was founded by Sharife Cooper’s dad, Omar, and currently reps the Tennessee native, stands to the left with room in between them. They wave someone over and Dylan asks if they want to hold the ball. They smile while a friend takes the photo. A few dap-ups follow and encouragement for the season, then it’s off to class, the dining hall or the dorm. After about five minutes, the line disperses, and Ace and Dylan go right back to posing for their SLAM cover shoot.

This has never been the norm for Rutgers basketball. Impromptu meet and greets. Sold-out season tickets months out from the season. Thirty-plus journalists showing up for media day. It all represents just a bit of the hype that this pair of freshmen have injected into the program. 

As the No. 2 and No. 4 players in the Class of 2024 (per ESPN), Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper are the highest-ranked recruits to ever suit up in the Scarlet red. And that’s no shade to the likes of Phil Sellers, James Bailey and other Rutgers legends, but the energy around campus this year is different. These kids don’t just walk with the gusto of rock stars, they play like it, too. NBA scouts, head coach Steve Pikiell and the students who just got out of class all know it. And to think it all started with a Big Ten win nearly two years ago.

It’s January 15, 2023, and Ace Bailey is on his official visit to Rutgers. He’s with now-sophomore Jamichael Davis, sitting behind the bench waiting for Ohio State vs. Rutgers to tip.

“And then Coach Pike’s coming down talking to me and J-Mike [Jamichael Davis] like, Come on, put your stuff on. Y’all ready? That just showed us right there that he’s excited for us to come down,” Ace says. “And I’m still a junior, I wasn’t even a senior yet. So, him saying that, it meant a lot to let us know he’s ready. He’s ready to pour into us and give it his all. So we’re ready to give our all for him.” 

Amid the hype and excitement in the locker room after watching the team rally together for a thrilling overtime win, Ace knew that this was where he was supposed to be. He leaned over to Coach Pikiell and verbally committed to the program on the spot. 

“I didn’t have any idea that I was going to commit that day, but what I felt in the locker room was something that I wanted to be a part of. So I committed, and from there we went out to eat,” Ace says. “B. Knight [associate head coach Brandin Knight] called Dylan and was like, Talk to Dylan. And I was like, I just did it, it’s your turn now. He was like, I got you.”

In truth, Ace had no idea who was on the other end of the line when Brandin Knight handed him the phone. It took a second for the two to figure out who they were talking to. But once they did, they fell right back into the brotherhood that’s been fostered since they first met at Sharife Cooper’s camp a few years ago. 

“Off the court, it was never about basketball for us. It was about building a friendship and a bond,” Dylan says. “I think from day one, we connected and clicked right away. And it would be little stuff. [I’d] call him, FaceTime him like, Yo, how was class? How was school? We got practice later. Stuff like that. So it was never about the basketball part, it was about being a brotherhood and coming together as one.”

It took around 11 months, but Dylan came through. Surrounded by his immediate and extended family, the No. 1 point guard in the country announced his commitment live from the Fanatics HQ in New York City. After going back and forth with his brother, Ron Harper Jr, about their battles growing up and passing the torch of the program, Dylan decided to return the favor to Ace. 

“I was in school when he called me, too,” Ace says. 

“Yeah, he was laying on the couch,” Dylan says while Ace laughs. “I think it was before practice. It was just, like, a brother thing. After you do something good, you want to call your family, your people, and tell them what happened. So that’s what I did right there.” 

Dylan’s connection to Rutgers runs deep. Between middle school and high school, he was running around the RAC (now referred to as Jersey Mike’s Arena), getting shots up while his older brother led the program’s resurgence with back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. 

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“His four years here, just seeing how the coaching staff really worked with him, I was just like, Why can’t that be me? So that was probably the biggest thing. The family lineage, I want to be myself and [know] I can come here and be myself,” Dylan says.

While Dylan was building out the framework of his game, he was equally immersed in the program’s cultural fabric. He watched Rutgers basketball climb from winning less than five games in Big Ten play to flirting with AP rankings. He witnessed his brother rise from being a four-star recruit (per Rivals) to making the League under the guidance of Coach Pikiell. Now it was his turn to build off of the foundation his brother constructed. 

For the past few months, Ace and Dylan have been building chemistry and rapport with their teammates and coaching staff. Workouts preceded and followed their daily practices from June to August. They’ve been putting in the work. No doubt about it. 

“We learned a lot from the summertime. That was just a time to bond with our teammates,” Ace says. “We’ve got great bigs, great guards, great shooting guards. We bonded, see how they play, they see how we play, and we just connected and put everything together.”

It’s only been a few months and they’ve already built out an uncanny cerebral connection. Dylan knows when it’s time for Ace to turn up. He can feel the pockets within the game where Ace can build his confidence through buckets, and vice versa. Backdoor cuts and alley-oops are signaled with the bat of an eye. At the same time, Ace knows when Dylan’s going to find him for a slashing cut off the baseline. He’s taking advantage of the moments where he can break open his bag and rain down pull-up threes while expanding his playmaking.

They’re adjusting to the pace of the college game and “not wasting your energy on doing a lot of moves. Being exact in what you want to do, stick right to it. Don’t try to play around,” Dylan explains. “These are grown men. Like 23, 24. You’re not going to have time to really do everything that you were doing in high school.”

“Get to your spots,” Ace chimes in. 

“Get to your spots,” Dylan repeats in affirmation.

Even when they’re not connecting on displays of basketball genius, Ace and Dylan are in sync. Target runs are routine, most recently copping a new comforter for Ace. So are late night stops at Shake Shack or hitting up the dining hall after practice. Since arriving on campus in the midst of June for summer workouts, Ace and Dylan have been stacking on the bedrock of their brotherhood. When one calls, the other answers. It’s been that way long before the commitments. 

“Yeah, we go to Target, like, every other week. If y’all want to catch us, catch us at Target. We’ll be at Target. All the time, I’m telling you,” Dylan says. “But, probably in the summertime it was more like, practice early, then the rest of the day we’re with each other. No class, chilling in the room, playing the game. Doing kids stuff, honestly, just being ourselves and bonding.”

Inside the third floor of the practice facility, Ace and Dylan pose for flicks in their Scarlet Knights uniforms. Despite standing in front of a matching backdrop, the bond between them is clearer than the panes of the business school they’ll be next to 30 minutes later. Jokes get thrown back and forth like the rock on the perimeter. They call out to passing teammates in unison, checking in to see what their guys have been up to. And when Josh Turner’s “Your Man” blares from the speakers above, an unanticipated karaoke session ensues.

Piscataway has become a second home. There’s a sense of comfort, family and loyalty that runs through the campus. Their commitment to Rutgers’ prominence is being met with a trust to be themselves, to keep their feet grounded in the present while holding each other accountable to what they set out to accomplish almost two years ago. Team up. Dominate.

Welcome to the new norm. Rutgers, you ready?

Portraits by Marcus Stevens.

The post Range Brothers: Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey Talk Coordinated Commitment to Rutgers, Building a Brotherhood and Sights on the NBA appeared first on SLAM.

Non-New Yorkers might think the Big Apple seems like one compact unit where everyone is familiar with the boroughs and neighborhoods, but that is definitely not true. Especially for a teenager who lived in The Bronx’s Mitchel projects in the 1980s.

“I never came to Brooklyn,” chuckles Long Island University’s men’s basketball coach Rod Strickland, a New York City Point God who spent 17 years in the League and more than a decade on high-level college staffs before getting this, his first head coaching job, in the summer of 2022. “I came here a couple of times to play, but I was so young I barely remember… I played in The Bronx, obviously, and we played in Harlem.

“So when I first got the job here, it was a whole different environment. I just had to get adjusted to that, which was fine. At the end of the day, it does look like The Bronx and Harlem. I just hadn’t been here. Now it feels like home.”

And isn’t that lovely for the LIU Sharks? If you’re doing a double take on what one of your favorite point guards ever is doing at a school you may not have even heard of…let’s take a step back.

LIU, formerly known as the Blackbirds, were a national power going back to the 1930s, when legendary coach and author Clair Bee led them to undefeated seasons in 1936 and ’39 and NIT championships in ’39 and ’41. The program crumbled in the 1950s after a point-shaving scandal and did not resurface in DI until ’68. The only reasons fans under 50 might be familiar with the program are the dope ’97 and ’98 teams that featured New York City ballers Mike Campbell, Charles Jones and Richie Parker or the ’10-13 teams that made three straight NCAA Tournaments.

Since that time, the university’s Brooklyn and suburban Brookville locations officially merged and the school has officially been known solely as Long Island University. What’s more, the sports teams are now the Sharks.

Rod Strickland, who in 1998 led the NBA in assists (he ranks 13th all-time in career assists) and was subsequently named second-team All-NBA, has been coaching the LIU Sharks for two years and we’re just getting around to covering them? Well, that’s OK with him, because it took about 24 months for him to get fully comfortable. “I had to get the experience and feel things out,” says Strickland (whose teams went a combined 10-48 in his first two seasons) from the comfort of his office in LIU’s Steinberg Wellness Center. “As of today, I feel like I have a great understanding of the environment. Now it’s a clean slate. These are my recruits. Whole new staff. It feels good.”

OG NYC hoop heads should consider this team a must-watch on the strength not only of Rod but his newly hired assistant Derrick Phelps, who starred at Christ the King in Queens before a stellar four-year career at UNC. But we get it; that demo is aging. Why should a modern hoop fan tune in to see the Sharks? Because they’re gonna be good!

The newcomers LIU fans are most excited about include freshman Roc Lee, a highly touted shooting guard from Atlanta considered a contender for NEC ROY, and Malachi Davis, a senior transfer wing from the Toronto area by way of Power 4 program Arizona State who has NEC POY potential. We find Davis overlooking the Sharks’ court from an office across the hall from Coach Strickland. “The important thing is building the LIU brand,” Davis says. “We’re trying to change the culture. We’re trying to change the environment. And bring the community together and do something real special this year.”

Sophomore forward Jason Steele, a Queens native who played his high school ball at Our Saviour Lutheran in The Bronx, is one of a select group of returnees for the Sharks. “The realistic goal for us is to win,” Steele says firmly. “We have people who want to compete. I would refer to them as straight dogs. Everyone here wants to work and everyone wants to win.”

The de facto team leader is another returner with a very familiar last name: senior point guard Terell Strickland. Terell had a great high school career in the Tampa-St. Pete area (Dad used to coach at South Florida) before playing in 50 games for James Madison University between ’20-23. Rod got the job too close to the ’22-23 season for Terell to get up here, but there was no doubt he’d arrive for the ’23-24 season. Terell had a solid junior campaign at the point, averaging 7.2 ppg and 3.6 apg, and everyone expects an even better performance this year.

“There was no debate about me coming to play for him,” Terell says. “I really enjoyed my time at James Madison, but this was just too special of an opportunity to pass up. Not only is he my dad, but he’s an NBA player who’s played the game at a high level. The chance to learn from him was something I couldn’t pass up.”

As Rod says, “I was quoted as a player as saying I never wanted to coach because I wouldn’t want to coach five of me. But when I was done playing, I needed a job. I called my guy at Memphis—William Wesley—and he got me with Cal [John Calipari]. Cal was so forward-thinking; he knew I was a point guard, and he got Derrick Rose, Tyreke [Evans], J-Wall.”

Strickland followed Cal from Memphis to Kentucky and then did stints at South Florida and with the NBA G League. “I wasn’t ready to be a head coach at first. But after being in it—at a high level at Memphis and Kentucky, playing for national championships—I don’t know exactly when, but it just got to a point where it was like, the next step. I played. Then I was an assistant coach. Then the next thing was to be a head coach.”

It’s an all-around, feel-good New York story that just needs some success on the floor to reach the happy ending everyone in the building seems to think is inevitable.

When asked about his father, who is obviously the key to the whole LIU hoops rebuild, Terell says, “I’m really happy for him. Very proud of him. It really is an amazing opportunity for him, especially for him to be back in New York to do it, surrounded by his family and a big group of supporters.”

Action photos via Getty Images and David Patalano.

The post Shark Sighting: How the Legendary Rod Strickland is Leading Long Island University Back to Prominence appeared first on SLAM.

5 Dwayne Aristode just committed to Arizona! @ArizonaMBB @Dwaynearistode2 pic.twitter.com/ycaNrrssSg

— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) October 13, 2024

The post Arizona Secures a Commitment from Five-Star Dwayne Aristode appeared first on SLAM.

It’s a typical sunny day on the west side of L.A. and Trevor, Tajh and Tristan Ariza are trying to see who can hit a half-court shot first. It’s been two years since the NBA champion and L.A. native retired, and today, he’s back on the campus where his basketball dominance began. Except Trevor’s not the one in his old white, red and black threads. His oldest son, Tajh, is.

Tajh is currently one of the top 16-year-olds in the nation, and come next fall, he’ll be running the gambit on the same court his dad did. After finishing the basketball season at St. Bernard HS, Tajh soon after transferred to Westchester this spring.

Inside the school’s gymnasium, Tajh stands at halfcourt surrounded by a sea of red, black and white, from the “Comets” branded bleachers and walls to the shades of his dad’s original No. 4 home jersey that he’s wearing. The faded banners showcasing Trevor’s two state titles with the Comets hang proudly as father and son pose for flicks. Even in this moment, Trevor’s influence is ever-present. It’s surrounded Tajh since he was a baby, dribbling around with Kobe and Derek Fisher. Yes, he’s the son of an NBA player. But Tajh Ariza’s game is entirely his own.

“I gotta keep putting in work every day,” Tajh says. “You know, my dad [had a] great career, but I want to have my own name and show people like, Oh, I want to be like him, you know? So I just gotta keep working so I can get there.”

The 6-8 rising junior exploded on the recruiting circuit and is now considered top-10 in the class of 2026. After his freshman year, he held just three major DI offers. In the span of five months last year, he racked up five more. This past spring he received an invite to USA Junior National Minicamps, and over the summer he was playing up with Team Why Not 17U on the EYBL circuit. Things are just clickin’.

But the path wasn’t so easily laid out. Trevor let Tajh find his own love for the game. He didn’t push, he didn’t nudge; he sat back and watched his son discover their now shared passion.

“My idea for him was always right before he got to high school, if he was serious about it, I would give him all the tools that I use or the things that I learned to help him. So I would say when he got serious—about wanting to get better or actually work at basketball—was going into the ninth grade,” Trevor says.

Tajh agrees. He loved the game, but there’s a vast difference between loving to play and loving something enough to commit yourself to 5 a.m. workouts, two-a-days and a grueling 82-game season.

“I had to change my habits. Before maybe middle school, I didn’t really take it as seriously. It was just fun for me I guess. Of course, it’s still fun,” Tajh says, “but now I see that I have a real chance at what I want to do and be great. And I just kept going. I just took it.

Right before Tajh entered his freshman year, Trevor laid out what it would look like for his son to reach his highest potential. It ended with a soft yet subtle reminder: It’s time to kick it into the next gear. “I sat down with him and told him that it’s not gonna be fun. A lot of the time, it’s not gonna be easy. It’s gonna take a lot of sacrifice. And most kids, when they hear sacrifice or take away fun or free time, they kind of shy away from things. Lucky for me, he wanted to do it. So it was easy,” Trevor says.

In the year since, Tajh and Trevor have built out a dedicated plan. At least three times a week before school, they either lift or grind through sand drills with Trevor’s old Hoop Masters teammate. Working in the soft sand of L.A.’s beaches is taxing, exhausting, unnerving—all the above. But his explosiveness has taken off. “I started dunking on people, so that’s when I noticed that it started helping,” Tajh says. Off the court, he’s studying the ways larger guards like Paul George and Brandon Miller create space off the bounce.

After a shower, breakfast and school, Tajh will hit whichever program they didn’t do in the morning before heading to the court for myriad of shooting and ballhandling drills. From the gym to the sand dunes, Trevor is right there with his son.

Tajh’s dedication is persistent, a combination of witnessing the professional traits of his dad’s career and the will to carve out his own legacy. Getting up at 5:30 a.m. to run in constantly shifting sand is as much of a mental workout as it is a physical one. While Tajh embraces the results of his work, Trevor views it as a mile marker for how far his son has come since their freshman year conversation.

“It’s easy, for him especially being so young, to get the attention that he’s getting and kind of, like, be complacent and stuck in that. And my message to him is always just put your head down and focus on the work that you put in,” Trevor says. “Focus on the hours that you’re putting in, in the gym, in the sand, watching the game, learning the game, just focus on that. Everything else will take care of itself.”

When he moved from North Carolina to L.A. to attend Saint Bernard HS as a sophomore, Tajh says the talk around his game remained relatively quiet aside from the allure of his last name. That was until the beginning of the season when he received his first two offers from the University of Washington and USC. He’s still got the reaction video on his phone. “I was so excited. I was jumping up and down, yelling. It felt good to finally get, you know, what I felt like I deserved. But it also just motivated me to keep going. [To] just keep on stacking on that,” Tajh says.

Witnessing that joy in his own kin is a pride only a parent can experience. At the same time, Trevor has come to curtail his advice even after an 18-year career in the L that featured a 2009 championship with the Lakers and stops with 10 different organizations. The guidance he provides his sons is often rooted in the steps that he took in his journey to the NBA. And just like their games are different, so are the options and decisions available to them.

As Tajh prepares to enter his junior season and his younger brother, Tristan, gets set to start school, too, Trevor knows he can’t assume the roles of coach, dad and teacher all at once. He has to be selective and mindful of the hats he wears, and when he wears them.

“If there’s a week where I’m heavy on, like, Clean up your room or Take the trash out. How many times I gotta tell you to take the trash out? I gotta ease up on what’s going on on the court, because I’m hard on them at home,” Trevor says.

If Tajh is taking care of business at home, Trevor will drop some more knowledge. “But again, it’s his canvas. So he has to paint it the way he sees it. I can only tweak little things or give him little nuggets until he comes to me for big things.”

Big things like transferring to your dad’s alma mater.

As he looks up at the banners placed by his dad decades ago, Tajh can feel the target on his back expanding. Teachers are already flooding him with memories of the school’s past legendary battles with crosstown rival Fairfax. But the noise is just that: noise. And as his dad walks down the halls that he once occupied, he knows Tajh is ready to fully walk into his own. 

“I think for Tajh, he’s always been around it. So, it’s almost like second nature,” Trevor says. “He’s been around the environment since he could walk, since he could talk. It’s tailored for him. Some kids are born to do certain things. And to me, in my eyes, I feel like he’s one of those kids that was just born to be in this space.”

Portraits by Sam Muller.

The post Passing the Torch: With Guidance From His Dad’s Career in the League, Rising Junior Tajh Ariza is Ready to Make the Family Name His Own appeared first on SLAM.

After last year’s buzzer-beating thriller courtesy of Cooper Flagg, Vol. 6 is slated to match the energy as 28 of the top ranked hoopers from across the nation descend on the Mecca of Basketball.

If you can’t make it out to catch the action, don’t worry. Just like last year, the SLAM Summer Classic will be live streamed via the NBA App. For those in the city, doors open at 4 p.m. EST at Rucker Park. The Girls game starts at 5 p.m. EST, headlined by Aaliyah Chavez, Sienna Betts and Jerzy Robinson while the Boys game–featuring Kiyan Anthony, AJ Dybantsa and Caleb Wilson–kicks off at 7 p.m. EST.

For more information about the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 6 Presented by NBA2K25 and real-time coverage of the event later this weekend, follow @SLAM, @SLAMHS and @WSLAM on all social media platforms.

Photo via SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 5.

The post The SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 6 Presented by NBA 2K25 Returns on August 21 at Rucker Park appeared first on SLAM.

Darryn Peterson’s game is a lot more polished than you’re typical top-ranked high schooler. The No. 3 player in the Class of 2025 is a pure three-level scorer. Go check in with the adidas 3SSB, the dudes out at the NBPA Top 100 Camp and his teammates at Huntington Prep. They’ll tell you what’s good.

With offers from North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas and Baylor–just to name a few of the heavy hitters–there’s a reason that Peterson is widely regarded as one of the most heralded recruits in his class. 

But before he won Gold with Team USA at the 2023 FIBA U16 Americas Championship and was dropping buckets in front of James Harden out in Italy this past June, Darryn Peterson’s connection to the game was fostered in the backyard of his home in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.  

Basketballs wrapped in plastic bags, cones strewn about, a basketball hoop anchored by liquid cement and a well-used agility ladder; Darryn Peterson and his pops would train for hours outside growing up. 

“That’s where it all started,” Darryn says. “The stuff he was saying started to make sense. Cause you know, you feel like your Dad is just gettin’ on you and stuff, you don’t always want to understand it. But after a while, I started understanding what he was saying. I started to see it in games and stuff.”

Darryn’s Dad, former Akron guard Darryl Peterson II, had been invested in helping his son realize his dreams since day one. And as a massive Kobe fan, Darryl shared the same meticulous search for ambidextrous perfection. For as long as he can remember, Darryn’s been laying the ball off the glass with his right and left while finishing through contact. Now, he’s in the gym three to four times a week, wadding through pools in defensive slides and running hills. 

“Focus has been the main thing for me since I was a youngin,” Darryn says on what he’s learned from his Dad. “When you find something that you wanna get good at, you gotta really buy in and you gotta sacrifice. That’s the main thing. You gotta sacrifice, hanging out with your friends and staying up all night playing the game. [There’s] certain things you gotta sacrifice if you wanna be great at something.” 

Great doesn’t even begin to put things into perspective. 

The 6’5 consensus five-star recruit plays the game with an effortless finesse. One dribble pull-ups in the midrange, bottoms. Tomahawks in transition are paired with the smoothest of size-ups. Hop steps through the lane, post fades and sidestep treys; no matter where he stands, the ball always seems to find the net. He’s been touted as the best scorer in the country, but that belief wasn’t always so widespread.

“The knock was, ‘he’s getting 30 against guys that aren’t really good,” Darryn says. 

In his sophomore year at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Peterson was posting 31 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.3 assists a night. But he yearned for something more. He wanted to be surrounded by and play against like-minded players who shared in his aspirations of the League. He wanted to be pushed. He wanted to play the best. So he transferred to Huntington Prep. 

“I just wanted to be able to go to a school where I was playing against competition and showcase that I was really like that. That was something I wanted to show, that I could go play against top guys,” Darryn tells SLAM. “I just wanted to play against people that were gonna make it hard for me every night.”

Despite dealing with a nagging injury throughout the season, Darryn proved that those 30 pieces weren’t reserved for his hometown, anybody in the US of A could get it. He dropped 31, 10 boards and seven assists against the Kentucky Christian Knights to open the season in November. Then he went head to head with Jalil Bethea and Archbishop Wood and hung another 31-point performance to go with four steals and three blocks. 

As Darryn poured it in from across the states, he was eyeing his final eight major Division 1 programs. But by the midst of the spring AAU circuit, he decided to open up his recruitment back up. In late April, he let everybody know that it was open season. 

While an influx of additional coaches began inquiring, Darryn was putting his game on international notice. After averaging 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game with the USAB Junior National Team in 2023, Darryn was lighting Italy up at the adidas Eurocamp. That first week of June overseas served as another measuring stick as the combo guard played alongside and against fellow five-star hoopers in his class and walked away from the week with first-team honors.

“Now I feel like I gotta outwork everybody. I felt like that already, but now I’m taking it to an extreme,” Darryn tells SLAM. “Every day, I’m playing like it’s my last every time I’m on the court. So just, how hard I’m going every day. I’m just tryna get ready for college and the NBA.” 

Now back on the grind of the summer circuit, Darryn says he’s been making the push towards playing at the point guard position after hearing from numerous NBA scouts and college coaches that “on-ball is probably where I could have the most success at playing in the NBA at the next level.” At 6’5 with an otherworldly athleticism that only just surfaced a few years ago–in his words– he’s been leaning on those same backyard drills with his pops as he brings the ball up court and initiates the offense more frequently. 

He’s not the only one who’s realized his potential as the orchestrator of the offense. Former Sixth Man of the Year and NBA Champion Jason Terry recognized it too. 

As the coach of his team out at Eurocamp, The Jet was giving Darryn as much reps at the point as possible. At times, he thought Darryn was being too passive as the five-star guard worked through the balance of setting others up while getting his. Just because he was running the point, didn’t mean he couldn’t be a scoring point guard, Terry told him.

When Darryn eventually makes his collegiate selection, that lucky program will be getting one of the hungriest workers in his class. With the scoring on lock and a growing bag as the facilitator, it’s the defensive side of the ball where Darryn knows he’ll make his mark. Put all three together and you’ve got a surefire lock for the League.

“I’d say just a great guy, on and off the court. I wanna see everybody eat,” Darryn tells SLAM. “There’s going to be nights where I probably won’t be the best player on the court. I’m willing to not get any points and do everything I can to win. That’s my type of guy. Off-court, I’m a scholar first. So, they won’t have to worry about that, and [I’m] just a winner. So that’s a big thing for me that we get a winner, a hard worker and somebody that’s willing to do anything to get better and win.” 

Portraits by Christian Quezada.

The post After Transferring to Huntington Prep, No. 3 Ranked Rising Senior Darryn Peterson Is Proving Why He’s The Smoothest Scorer in the Class of 2025 appeared first on SLAM.

Organized by One Goal One Youth, an organization that’s dedicated to empowering youth athletes and provide educational opportunities, founder Rachel Naughton led the helm of putting together the first “Ballin’ HBCU” High School Basketball Showcase. They teamed up with AND1 to host an invitation-only tournament that featured over 40 of New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland’s best high school athletes. The goal? To be the bridge that connects these players with the academic and athletic programs of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

On the sidelines: Hall of Famer Ben Wallace—a long-time supporter of AND1—signed autographs for the fans in attendance, posed for pictures with the players and staff before tip-off while sharing pre-game words of encouragement to all the aspiring players.

“It’s important to me to come back and support events like these because I was in the same spot, playing on the same stage and it worked for me,” he said.

And it’s true. Before stifling the NBA’s best scorers with his near-unparalleled defensive tenacity and shot-blocking, Wallace made a name for himself through these basketball camps, where he got the attention of former All-Star Charles Oakley. From there, he transferred to and became an HBCU-alum at Virginia Union, and the rest is history. “It’s important to come back, show support, and let these players know anything is possible,” Wallace added.

Alongside the former four-time Defensive Player of the Year were various AND1 Mixtape Legends—including Shane “The Dribble Machine” Woney, Duke Tango, Leaky Roof and The Pharmacist—who were taking the sights and sounds while signing autographs for attendees with Big Ben. While all that transpired, the showcase incorporated a youth band performance and several giveaways to punctuate the day with more energy.

All this culminated in the showcase’s competitive girls’ and boys’ games on May 11th. The girls’ game tipped-off first, as the MEAC “Rise” overcame a ten-point deficit and outscored the SIAC “Overrides” 67-53, with guard Alyssa Febres winning Game MVP. In celebration of their achievements, five women from the showcase received full scholarships to Benedict College. The boys game closed out the double-header, where the SWAC “Attacks” outlasted the CIAA “Chosen Ones” 86-78, with guard D’Andre Gibbs awarded Game MVP.

But even as the buzzer sounds in the 76ers’ Chase Fieldhouse, with the first Ballin’ Showcase drawing to a close, the show goes on. To kick off the summer season, AND1 resumed their Open Run Tour at Coney Island, New York, on June 23rd, as their neverending mission of spotlighting the next generation of players and uniting individuals through the game continues.

Photos by Anthony Geathers.

The post AND1 and The Ballin’ HBCU High School Premier Basketball Showcase Shines Light on the Next Generation of Hoopers appeared first on SLAM.

He was in class that morning when the text came through. It was John Calipari: I’m coming to the game today. Knowing the guy who had just recruited him would be in the building, the Arkansas commit suddenly had even more motivation for that night’s game. “My family was there, my future head coach was there—and just for him to pop up like that was very special,” Fland says. “I just wanted to put on a show.” 

It all hit even harder at the gym that night. “I was tearing up before the game, and then once I saw they were honoring me for making the McDonald’s All American Team, the tears came running down,” he says. Once the game tipped, Fland immediately made clear that the emotion of the occasion wouldn’t derail him from performing at the level that has made him a top-20 recruit and arguably one of the top point guards in the 2024 class. The line: 29 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals to lead his Archbishop Stepinac (NY) squad to a senior-night dub. 

His only slight disappointment afterward? “Man, I was trying to get 50,” Fland says. “I was locked in.”

It was a dominant but not at all surprising showing from Fland, the 6-3, 175-pound, Bronx-born guard who checks all the boxes for an elite floor general. Explosive and in-control, he dictates pace as a scorer and playmaker, a skill set made clear by the players whose games he works to emulate: everyone from LeBron and SGA to Ja Morant, Tyrese Maxey and Immanuel Quickley. That includes working to perfect one of the game’s most unstoppable shots.

“If you go on YouTube and search my name, you’ll see a step-back as the thumbnail. Just watch how many step-backs I do,” he says. “I’m so quick, they try to play the shot and the drive, and when I see that they’re playing the drive, it’s easy for me to snatch back and step back.”

The path that took Fland from the Bronx to White Plains (where Stepinac is located) and will see him in Lexington leading a typically loaded Wildcat recruiting class next winter has included plenty of stops that allowed him to show his skill set and sky-high potential. He’s been among the best hoopers at his age level since anyone can remember. “When I was in, I think, second grade, we were ranked top 25 in the country,” he says of his AAU squad. “Yeah, second grade, but it was something to us.”

A few years later, he led his AAU team to the national championship game, where he missed what could have been a game-winning shot. “That moment taught me that, you know, there’s going to be lows,” he says now. “I was so used to winning. That was an eye-opener for me. That taught me I gotta get better.”

The improvement really hasn’t stopped, as he’s shown time and again against elite competition. He was a member of the U17 US national team that took gold at the 2022 FIBA World Cup and was selected to join the stacked US roster for the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit. With that résumé, where can he still improve? “Before Coach Cal left on senior night, he said I need to talk more, be more vocal—it helps everybody on the floor, and it helps me.”

That shouldn’t be too difficult. Fland brings the same energy to every court he steps on, with his Bronx roots always on display. 

“New York is different. When people say that, it definitely is true,” he confirm emphatically. “You gotta have some swagger to you. You can’t be stiff. When you walk in the gym, they gotta know, Oh, he’s from New York.”  

Portrait by Marcus Stevens.

The post Stepinac’s Boogie Fland is Ready to Put on a Show at Arkansas appeared first on SLAM.

Founded by Brian Kortovich, the initial vision was to put together a star-studded high school basketball All-American game in New York City, but since then, ACES has transformed into a platform that’s at the forefront of basketball, youth athletic development, and culture. The mission is to showcase young talent and help them gain exposure, all while introducing them to the business side of basketball and what it’s like to work with trusted brands like Google Pixel, Nike and Jordan Brand, to name a few. 

“At ACES, we’re positioning ourselves as the premier storytelling platform centered around sports, music & entertainment. What we’ve seen since the start, is how ACES resonates with iconic athletes, musicians & entertainers, and globally renowned brands. ACES is being recognized across the board for our unique ability to connect corporate partners with the real culture of sports and entertainment.”

What makes this year’s games even more special is that ACES is spotlighting the players who got next and right now—not only will seniors play, but incoming juniors and sophomores have also been invited to compete in the All-American Games. 

The ACES Elite Classic will give fans a front row seat at the future of the game and the value of investing in an innovative grassroots high school basketball experience. Notable alumni, which include Orlando Magic’s Cole Anthony, UCONN standout Azzi Fudd and Notre Dame phenom Hannah Hidalgo, who was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in her first season, all continue to praise ACES for giving them an alley-oop opportunity in exposure so early on in their careers. 

“I’m so excited to partner with ACES to host one of the premier high school games in the country. Supporting the next generation of hoopers has always been a passion of mine,” Sheryl Swoopes says, who is represented by LIFT Sports Management. “We’ve got the top ranked girls coming together for one of the final showcases of the season and the ACES Elite Classic in NYC is going to be a good one!”

“Being able to play at some of the historic courts in NYC is always special,” says Hidalgo. “This area has produced some of the best basketball players in the world and a game like the ACES Elite Classic showcases just that. I’m truly blessed to represent Jersey hoops and am excited to continue doing so at the next level.”

Meanwhile, North Carolina commit Ian Jackson is ready to carry the torch at this year’s games: 

“In NYC basketball is bigger than just a game, it’s a lifestyle, a movement,” he says. “New York produces some of the toughest players in the world and the ACES Elite Classic showcase is an event that highlights just that. There’s a lot of talent in NY right now and I can’t wait until we all showcase it at the next level.”

ACES will host a Media Day on May 21, followed by the ACES All-American Games on May 22 at the Gauchos Gym in the Bronx. The Girls National Game will start at 6pm ET and the Boys National Game is scheduled to start at 8pm ET. 

The game is will also stream live on the NBA App. Download on the App Store to watch! 

The post Top Players In The Country Will Compete at ACES Elite Classic in The Mecca on May 22  appeared first on SLAM.

From legends like Christian Laettner and Grant Hill to the rim-piercing Zion Williamson, there was always a star to carry on the legacy of the Blue Devils. Now, it’s Cooper Flagg’s time. Get ready, Cameron Crazies, because Flagg’s about to ignite a frenzy unlike anything seen before. 

The light is always green for Isaiah Evans. No matter the defender, no matter the team, the lethal scorer will never settle for anything less than a bucket. Despite being largely overlooked in his early playing career, bucket by bucket, Evans has climbed up the rankings. The forward—nicknamed “Baby Brandon Ingram”—will suit up for one of the nation’s most prestigious collegiate programs, where he will continue to prove the doubters wrong. 

The son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, Dylan Harper has all of his father’s best attributes and more. The shifty floor general wears mismatched shoes and talks his talk any chance he gets, but with the ball in his hands, he is also deadly composed. If his high school performances attest to anything, it’s that Harper is bound to be a star. 

V.J. Edgecombe is a blazing bolt of thunder in transition. The uber-athletic guard led the NIBC in scoring as a junior and stuffed the stat sheet en route to a 21-5 record in his senior season. Make no mistake—as soon as he touches down in Bears territory, the high-soaring scorer will be cleared for takeoff.

Go ahead and throw any defensive scheme at Tre Johnson, it won’t matter: the sharpshooter will always find a way to put the ball in the basket. Any spot on the floor is fair game for the guard who has made a living putting defenders on skates. The addition of Johnson alone is enough to make Texas hoops must-watch television.

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Here, we highlight five teams that made the Big Dance and left their mark on this season for one reason or another, each team embodying everything we love about the sport.

FAU

For most college basketball programs, the season starts in November. For the 2023-24 Florida Atlantic Owls, the season kicks off on a chilly March Friday afternoon in Brooklyn, New York. It’s the first round of the NCAA Tournament and they’re up against a tough Northwestern squad; if they lose, their season is over. It’s not to gloss over their 25-8 record entering this game, but another deep run in the Big Dance has been this program’s singular focus since last April. 

FAU, led by head coach Dusty May, is a year removed from the best season in program history. The 2022-23 Owls posted a 35-4 record, ultimately falling to San Diego State on a heartbreaking buzzer-beater in the Final Four. It was an impressive run for the Owls, who before last year hadn’t even made it past the quarterfinals of their conference tournament since Coach May took the helm in 2018. 

Final Four runs for mid-major coaches all but guarantee that high-major opportunities will follow; the same goes for mid-major players who lead their teams on deep tournament runs. Coach May had his fair share of high-major suitors looking to fill vacancies at the conclusion of last year. But instead of joining the yearly coaching carousel, he doubled down on his commitment to the program he helped build and signed a lucrative 10-year extension to stay put. A handful of his players, like standouts Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin among others, surely had their fair share of high-major suitors, too. But they didn’t even enter the transfer portal. This season, FAU returned every eligible player from last year’s roster (the only player they lost was Michael Forrest who graduated). In the land of NIL and the transfer portal, this is almost unheard of–FAU was one of only five Division I schools to do so.

FAU led by one at halftime; there are now about six minutes left in the second half, and the Owls are down nine points. It’s a neutral site, but the crowd is heavily favoring Northwestern. Coach May, in a navy blue long-sleeve shirt and khakis, is standing on the sidelines cool, calm, and collected. Nothing about his demeanor suggests even the slightest ounce of worry. His tendency to stay consistent in high-pressure moments translates to his players on the court. 

They’re chipping away at the lead—a layup here, a three-pointer there, a couple of floaters and free throws—and boom! The score is tied at 58. With seven seconds left on the clock, it’s FAU’s ball. Johnell Davis, the Co-AAC Player of the Year and unanimous All-AAC First Team selection, pushes the ball up the court. Coach May is signaling for him to attack the rim–defenders have struggled to stay in front of him all game. Johnell opts for a pull-up three instead. It’s tipped by the defender and falls flat. Zeros on the clock. Headed to overtime.

The game got away from FAU in the extra period. Northwestern ran away with the lead, and ultimately, the win.

There’s no place for moral victories in a program like FAU, which has such a high standard of excellence. But real college basketball fans should celebrate this team ten times over. This squad represents the essence of college basketball: Loyalty. Commitment. Camaraderie. Staying the course even when things get tough. Building a legacy. Sacrificing personal gains for the greater good. “The relationship we had as a unit, just the unselfishness that we play with and the togetherness we have was a huge factor in everybody coming back,” says Bryan Greenlee, a senior guard who transferred to FAU after spending his freshman season at Minnesota.

It’s amazing that college athletes are able to cash in on their likeness. It’s just unfortunate that this so often happens at the expense of integrity. It’s easier than ever to be swayed by the glitz and glam that surround the game. But FAU’s squad understands that everything that glitters isn’t gold. Or, just maybe, they understand that FAU is a goldmine in its own right.

“There probably was more NIL money and opportunities for players, but just the idea of bringing the same group back who loves playing with each other and trynna do something special again was more important than chasing the money,” says Greenlee. “At the end of the day, the money will find you if you’re a good player.”

Vladislav Goldin, a junior 7-1 big fella who transferred to FAU after his freshman season at Texas Tech echoed Greenlee’s sentiment. “It’s more than just NIL or something else,” he says. “We came [back] because we love each other, and that will pay off in the future.”

They may have fallen short of their goal of repeating their magical run from a year ago, but this is one of the most honorable squads in this new era of college basketball; they’re among the last of a dying breed.

—

All season long, Dusty May’s name was thrown around as the top priority for many high-major athletic directors looking to make a coaching change; all season long FAU ignored the chatter. But just a day after their first-round exit, it was reported that he’d agree to become the next head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, turning down offers from Louisville, Vanderbilt and West Virginia among others.

He leaves behind an FAU program that is worlds apart better than it was when he inherited it. It’ll be interesting to see if Coach May is able to maintain the same success in the more competitive Big Ten and bring a Michigan program back to prominence. Now that he’s at one of the most resourceful institutions in the nation, it’s hard to imagine he’ll have a hard time luring top-tier recruits and transfers. But he’s now a big fish in a big pond–unlike his situation at FAU–so keeping five-stars happy and committed to a team-first approach will be the new challenge that Coach May has to embrace.

If his ability to retain his entire roster after a Final Four run at a mid-major is any indication, it’s obvious that hoopers love playing for him and are willing to sacrifice personal gain to be a part of something bigger than themselves. That’s what basketball is all about. Well, that’s what it should be all about.

North Carolina State

This is the obvious one. NC State was 17-14 and on a four-game losing streak heading into the ACC Tournament. But the way March Madness is set up, that doesn’t matter. NC State unsurprisingly won their first two games in the ACC Tournament against Louisville and Syracuse. It was after beating Duke in the quarterfinals that the basketball world started to sense there may be some March magic surrounding the Wolfpack. They’d go on to beat UVA in an overtime thriller before punching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament by upsetting UNC in the ACC championship. That momentum (and a few stellar performances by DJ Burns and DJ Horne) carried them all the way to the Final Four, where their Cinderella story came to an end against Purdue. They hadn’t been to the Final Four since 1983. The ACC (and college basketball at large) is better when NC State is thriving; let’s see where they’re headed after this unprecedented and historic season.

Long Beach State

Long Beach State, led by their head coach Dan Monson, hadn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2012, and nobody expected this year to be any different, not even their athletic director. At the conclusion of the regular season and right before the Big West Tournament was getting ready to start, the AD let Coach Monson know he’d be relieved of his duties once the season was over. While the decision alone wasn’t unordinary, the timing of it was and drew a lot of criticism from the college hoops community. Well, Coach Monson’s players responded in the best way possible. After he shared the news with his team, they put their heart on the line for their coach and rattled off three straight victories, winning the Big West Championship and earning a spot in March Madness. It’s not very often a coach is fired before leading his team on a championship run. Long Beach State wound up losing in the first round to a tough Arizona team, but they did the unimaginable and sent off a well-respected coach in a dream-like fashion. “I’m proud, happy, reflective … mostly proud,” says Coach Monson in the press conference following his loss to Arizona. “Proud of my tenure. I’m proud of doing it the right way. Proud of the student-athletes that came out of here, that came in as young men, left as men. Came in without a college degree and left with a college degree. Came in here with skill development, leaving here with skills enough to go play professionally.”

Oakland

Another obvious choice. Oakland was by far this year’s biggest bracket-buster. They earned a 14-seed in this year’s Tournament and were set to face off against a 3-seed Kentucky squad many picked to win the whole thing. In interviews heading into the game, Oakland’s confidence was on full display; once the game started, it was apparent why they were so confident. You could point to the funky matchup zone they play that kept Kentucky’s offensive firepower out of sorts. You could point to a few lucky breaks that went their way. But mostly, you could point to this year’s most prominent “overnight celebrity” made by Tournament success, Jack Gohlke. He connected on ten threes en route to 32 points and an Oakland victory. Coming off the bench for Oakland, Gohlke was a transfer from Division II Hillsdale College. This one performance on the brightest stage positioned Gohlke to become a NIL star with deals ranging in the tens of thousands of dollars. Gohlke’s hot streak continued in the Round of 32, where he connected in six threes in a loss to NC State. But by then, they’d already overachieved. Led by Coach Greg Kampe, who’s been the head coach at Oakland for 40 years, this team will be etched in Tournament history for their major upset in the first round. Some will take pride in shifting the power of college hoops; their win catapulted a messy divorce between John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats, which will likely have major implications on the college basketball landscape.

Grambling State

Many teams experienced “firsts” in this year’s Tournament. There are arguably none that meant more to their respective programs than Grambling State. Despite their impressive historical success, this was the first time Grambling State made the Big Dance in program history. Not only did they make the Tournament, but they won a game in the First Four and advanced. Simply making the Tournament can elevate a program beyond measure, let alone winning a game. For HBCUs, it’s even more heightened. Coach Donte Jackson and the Tigers have been knocking on the door for quite some time; this year, they finally forced their way in. Despite their loss in the Round of 64 to the eventual Championship runner-ups, Purdue, Grambling State (and fellow HBCUs) can rest assured that they’re putting the college basketball world on notice for all the right reasons.

Photo via Getty Images.

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We were originally going to do this on Friday ahead of the Final Four. Then DJ Burns Jr. and both of the men’s and women’s squads at NC State completely captivated the nation. For the first time since 1983, the Wolfpack are back in the Final Four. So we adjusted to honor history, as we’ve always done. 

It’s been 41 years since the “Cardiac Pack” captured the program’s first-ever national championship in New Mexico. And while decades have passed, Raleigh still remains encapsulated by the greatness of Sidney Lowe, Thurl Bailey, Dereck Whittenburg and the late Jim Valvano. 

Society loves underdogs. The sporting landscape loves them even more. In March of 1983, the NC State Wolfpack became America’s team. Cinderella’s? Yes. Overlooked? Heavily. Legendary? History says yes. 

Tumultuous doesn’t even begin to describe the journey that the 1982-83 team embarked upon. After lighting up Virginia for 27 first-half points in NC State’s first ACC regular season game, senior guard Dereck Whittenburg went down with a broken right foot. While they danced through the preseason with seven wins in nine games, a potential season-ending injury to their All-ACC guard left the Wolfpack searching for answers as they dropped their next three of four. Michael Jordan, Sam Perkins and UNC trounced them on the road by 18. Then Wake Forest copy and pasted with their own assertive 18-point win. 

In the meantime, All-American Thurl Bailey and senior guard Sidney Lowe kept the hopes of Raleigh afloat. The 6-11 forward dominated the ACC with 16.7 points and 7.7 boards a game while Lowe would orchestrate the offense with 11.3 points and 7.5 dimes per. 

Eventually, the Pack found their rhythm again. But the landscape was daunting. Valvano had preached the promised land of Albequrque over and over. Starting the season 7-1 and finding yourself with a 9-7 record heading into February didn’t exactly reflect a championship destiny. But then again, no one in the country had the legendary Jim Valvano leading the way. 

“Every single day, in every walk of life, ordinary people do extraordinary things. Ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things,” Jim Valvano famously said, quoting Olympian Pole Vaulter Bob Richards. 

The historical impact of Jim Valvano is straight up illustrious, permeating from his tenure at NC State to the annual Jimmy V Week that’s taken place posthumously every year since 1993. More than a coach, more than a mentor, Valvano was a walking inspiration to everyone from elementary school teachers to fellow coaches and rival teams. And while rankings, local news outlets and the national media had written off NC State’s championship hopes, Valvano refused to waver. 

You know those coaches that you’d run through a wall for? Yeah, that’s Valvano in a nutshell. Even after trotting out to a subpar record, the Wolfpack still believed. Valvano made it so; teaching, showing and envisioning that belief. 

That belief brought forth a rejuvenated second half of the season where the Wolfpack carved eight wins out of their next 10 games. That belief found its way into the return of Whittenburg, who suited up with the team weeks ahead of his initial recovery schedule.

With Lowe and Whittenburg bolstering a healthy backcourt – that dates back to their days at DeMatha Catholic – Bailey dominating the paint and sophomore Lorenzo Charles igniting runs with an endless array of hustle plays, NC State fully bought into Valvano’s vision. And those Demon Deacons that embarrassed them on the road? Yeah, they received a 41-point whooping in the final game of the season. 

An 8-6 record in the ACC failed to truly reflect the potential of the Pack. The conference tournament would be their last saving grace at the big dance. And in their way stood giants. Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins at UNC. Ralph Sampson and Othell Wilson at Virginia. Mark Price and John Salley at Georgia Tech. Delaney Rudd and Danny Young at Wake Forest. An underdog story was brewing while the rest of the nation pegged future lottery picks to lead their teams to New Mexico. 

After defeating Wake Forest, North Carolina and Virginia, NC State had secured their first ACC Tournament Championship since the 1974 season. Sampson saw it, MJ saw it, Valvano knew it; NC State could go all the way. And now America was waking up to that possibility as well.

The Wolfpack received the six seed in the West region where they took No. 11 Pepperdine to double-overtime. Then came Thurl Bailey’s game-winner against No. 3 UNLV, capping off a double-digit comeback in the second half. They cruised to a 19-point dub over No. 10 Utah in the Sweet Sixteen before reaching the Elite Eight against Sampson and the Cavaliers. Two clutch free throws from Lorenzo Charles gave the Wolfpack their second upset of the tournament. Then, a narrow seven point win over No. 4 Georgia. The Wolfpack had reached the land that Valvano had promised. 

And there stood Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon and a stacked Houston squad. No. 1 vs. No. 6 in the championship. Everyone and their momma was picking Houston. And then, the unthinkable happened. 

You’ve probably seen it tens of times. The airball by Whittenburg, the putback from Lorenzo Charles, Jimmy V racing and spinning around the court frantically trying to find someone to hug. 

44 seconds left, tied at 52 a-piece. The ball whipped back and forth as the Wolfpack looked to expose the slightest gap in Houston’s towering defense. As the play fell apart, Whittenburg cast up a three from Caitlin Clark’s range with four ticks left. Not enough juice. The ball sailed inches in front of the rim where Lorenzo Charles was tracking its trajectory. As Hakeem turned and watched his championship hopes rise, Charles met the ball just short of the rim and flushed it back through the rim as time expired. 

Defeating the number one team in the country is underdog material, but NC State’s journey is so much grander than their final game. Every moment where they found their backs against the wall, they’d respond. When the season seemed to slip away, Valvano refused to let go. When their best player went down, the bench filled in the gaps. When an ACC Championship was the only hope for a spot in March Madness, they won the whole damn thing. Survive and advance. Survive and advance. The Wolfpack survived all season long. Advancing just came with the territory. And they did it, again and again until a net was draped around Valvano’s neck.

Photos via Getty Images.

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Bird vs. Magic. Larry vs. Earvin. The Hick from French Lick vs. Buck. A folk hero vs. a showman. No matter which way you slice it, there’s only ever been one matchup that built college basketball into the living, breathing sensation it is today. The historic rivalry between Larry Bird and Earvin “Magic” Johnson has been referenced ad nauseam. The Finals appearances, the championships, the rings; their legends were first intertwined on that one fateful night, March 26, 1979, when college basketball sprouted from a simple pastime on tape delay into a gargantuan titan. 

The two were polar opposites. Bird despised any and all attention from the media; Magic welcomed it. Bird was methodical; Magic put on a show. One was a forward who could pass and shoot like a guard. The other was a guard the size of a forward dishing out no-look dimes in transition. The arrival of two superstars who went decidedly against the grain of the game’s positional rigidity served as the catalysts for the evolution of college basketball. 

Behind the immaculate play of senior forward Larry Bird and a supporting cast featuring Carl Nicks, Alex Gilbert and Bob Heaton, Indiana State University had achieved their first-ever postseason appearance. With season averages of 28.6 points, 14.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game, No. 33 would lead the Sycamores to topple No. 8 Virginia Tech, No. 5 Oklahoma, No. 2 Arkansas and No. 2 DePaul in March.

Bird’s star had been rising in Terre Haute for years, deciding to forgo his selection in the 1978 Draft for his final year of college eligibility. The latter would institute a massive shift in attention toward the Hoosier State and ISU’s bright baby blue threads. Winning 33 straight that season helped a bit, too. 

A 35-piece in the Final Four from the collegiate Player of the Year, on 16-19 shooting, would send ISU to its first NCAA Championship game against the Michigan State Spartans and a dime-dropping 6-8 point-forward from the factory side of Lansing, MI. 

The Spartans hadn’t fared as well leading up to March, losing four of their six contests in January. Yet the smile, humor and larger than life personality of Magic Johnson refused to let the team dwell on missed opportunities. Greg Kelser, Jay Vincent, Ron Charles and Co. responded in kind. 

After averaging 17.1 points, 8.4 dimes and 7.3 boards throughout the season, Magic’s Spartans (25-6) would knock off No. 3 LSU, No. 1 Notre Dame and No. 9 Penn for the collegiate showdown of the century. 

Formerly known as the Special Events Center at the University of Utah, now the Huntsman Center, the Sycamores and Spartans would meet for the first time in the history of their respective programs. Looking back 45 years later, the true essence of the game didn’t lie on the court, but rather in the grandeur of the moment. In a post-John Wooden era, two stars injected the college game with a level of anticipation that even the release of Avengers Endgame couldn’t match. 

After leading by nine at half with Dick Enberg on the call, Michigan State refused to look back, trouncing Indiana State 75-64 and capturing the program’s first NCAA Championship. Despite leading the tournament in points and rebounds, Larry Legend was uncharacteristic in his final collegiate game, going 7-21 from the field with 19 points and 13 boards. Meanwhile, Magic Johnson put on yet another historic March performance. The tournament’s Most Outstanding Player poured in a game-high 24 points with 7 rebounds and 5 assists. 

The sheer impact of that 1979 championship game hasn’t been replicated. And it probably never will. All these years later, college basketball still hasn’t seen a game draw anywhere near the level of audience it did in the late ’70s, equaling a 24.1 overall viewer rating. For the non-stat historians, that equates to roughly two out of five television viewers tuning into the game.

The hype wasn’t just felt in family rooms across America. Shockwaves from the historic matchup were simultaneously sent throughout the nation’s broadcast boardrooms. It was time to fully capitalize on college basketball. Magic and Bird had cemented it, so much so that CBS eventually made the push to completely overtake the tournament’s television rights in 1982. Bird and Magic were the only justification they’d need. College basketball deserved the primetime spotlight.

TV deals skyrocketed and the playing field was opened from 40 to 64 total teams. March Madness had been born. Before the 24-hour news cycle and the dedicated Selection Sunday special, Bird and Magic had successfully propelled the game to unseen heights. In just a few years, the arrival and obsession with “superstars” in the NBA would catapult the L into unequivocal success. And who would be credited with that impact? Bird and Magic.

Photos via Getty Images

The post When March Went Mad: Looking Back at the Legendary Matchup Between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson appeared first on SLAM.

Alright, let’s take a collective moment and rummage through the memories. Think of the greatest game you’ve ever seen. Michael Jordan’s “last shot” over the Utah Jazz for the 1998 Finals? Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals? How about Syracuse and UConn’s six-overtime bout in 2009? The question is honestly subjective. These are all fair responses, but if we’re talking star power and buzzer-beaters, it’s got to be the 1992 Elite Eight matchup between Duke and Kentucky. 

Two legendary coaches, two legendary squads and a litany of future NBA staples. Last week we chronicled the game that jump-started the allure of March Madness. This week, we’re diving into the two teams that epitomized the glory, emotions and thrills of what Larry Bird and Magic Johnson started. 

But this game wasn’t just a game. It was an epic, a heavy-weight showdown, like if Hov and Biggie battled in a cypher. Shot for shot, bar for bar. 104-103, Duke. 

The image of Christian Laettner spinning and rising over Deron Feldhaus is seared into the minds of Dukies, Kentucky diehards and basketball fans alike spanning generations.

After putting together a 26-6 record and securing the No. 2 seed in the East region, Kentucky ran through Old Dominion, Iowa State and No. 3 UMass leading up to the matchup of the century. Led by sophomore Jamal Mashburn and “The Unforgettable’s” – four seniors in John Pelphrey, Feldhaus, Richie Farmer and Sean Woods – Rick Pitino and the Kentucky Wildcats weren’t to be trifled with. Matter of fact, they’d steamroll you. 

On the other side of the aisle, Mike Krzyzewski had assembled one of his most treasured rosters. Senior center Christian Laettner, sophomore Grant Hill and two juniors in Bobby Hurley and Thomas Hill were seemingly unstoppable, aside from those two measly losses on their record. The reigning national champions had hardware on the brain. 

The tension inside of The Spectrum in Philadelphia – now known as the South Philadelphia Sports Complex – could have been cut with the dullest of knives. Duke in their home whites, Kentucky in their away blues. 

With just under eight minutes to go, Duke had assumed complete command with a 79-69 lead. Yeah, Kentucky wasn’t having that. In just over two minutes, the Wildcats had enacted an emphatic 12-2 run to tie the game at 81 a-piece. The catalyst? Returning to Pitino’s pressure man-to-man defense that extended the full 94 feet of the court. 

The Cats attacked, clawing their way back into the game. Duke’s frustrations mounted and then boiled over when Laettner emphatically stomped on the chest of Kentucky’s Aminu Timberlake. Ejection? Up to you. Technical? For sure. Game changer? Kind of. 

The final five minutes of the game turned into a slugfest. I mean yes, it was physical. Physical to the point of frustrated stomps. But the greatness in the contest lies in both teams’ complete refusal to simply miss shots. The last 25 minutes of the game saw both teams shoot a scintillating 63 percent from the field. 

“It was like being in Carnegie Hall and just seeing the best musician or the best singer, and just sitting there in amazement at what they were doing out on the basketball court,” Pitino said to the media ahead of Louisville’s matchup against Duke in March of 2019. 

When the buzzer had sounded, Kentucky knocked down just under 57 percent of their attempts and a whopping 54.5 percent from downtown. Meanwhile, Duke went OFF, hitting over 65 percent from the field and a clean 50 percent from deep. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, there’s still time on the clock. Precisely one minute. 

Thomas Hill had just tied the game at 93 with a step-through floater. Now was the time for Kentucky to capitalize on their forceful second-half run. The play was discombobulated from the start, but Deron Feldhaus came through with a put-back that eventually sent the game into its impending, and illustrious, overtime. 

6-7 forward John Pelphrey knocked the lid off the rim with four minutes to go, giving Kentucky a narrow three-point lead before racing back to the other end and drawing a momentous charge against Brian Davis. All-American Bobby Hurley responded in kind with a trey of his own. Meanwhile, Kentucky’s best player – Jamal Mashburn – had fouled out midway through the period. 23 points, 10 boards and two steals were sitting on the pine. And one after another, the Blue Devils and Wildcats answered buckets with buckets. 

With 7.8 seconds left, Sean Woods caught the sideline inbound, immediately deployed a rapid double cross against Hurley, drove into the paint, and cast up a contested floater over the outstretched hands of Laettner. Glass then net. 103-102 Kentucky. 2.1 seconds left. 

“I was always the playmaker. I was known for and good at getting people the ball. At this particular time, it was just my time to go get a shot,” Woods told the NCAA in 2017. 

That was until Grant Hill and Christian Laetner connected on one of the most spectacular passes in basketball history. 

In the huddle, Pitino devised a strategy based on Clemson’s loss to UConn in an eerily similar situation during the 1990 tournament. No one would defend the inbounder. Send two on Laettner instead. In the end, it didn’t matter. We all know what happens next. 

To be honest, the pass was just as tough as the shot that ended numerous collegiate careers. We’ve seen far too many failed full-court heaves to not acknowledge the precision with which Grant Hill threw that 75-foot dot. The leather met Laettner’s palms perfectly, who faked to his right before pivoting his left foot to meet his right. The most hated 6-11 man in America rose over Feldhaus and sent the Blue Devils back to the Final Four. 

Antonio Lang immediately dropped to the paint. Thomas Hill was in tears. And Laettner was mobbed by a pile of blue and white threads in front of the Wildcats bench. 

“The Shot” and Laettner were immortalized along with Duke’s eventual national championship. And while there’ve been plenty of March buzzer beaters since ‘92, even ones for the chip, nothing can really touch the magic between Duke and Kentucky’s matchup all those years ago. Hell, we’re still writing about it 32 years later. 

Photos via Getty Images.

The post The Greatest Game Ever Played: Chronicling Duke and Kentucky’s Illustrious 1992 Elite Eight Matchup appeared first on SLAM.

See the full schedule below:

The showcase is set to be movie-worthy and features an array of talent and players to watch, including Ian Jackson, Don Boscoe, Brady Laughlin, Kevin Kearney, Jakai Sanders, Kaylar Barr, Ariel Little, Olivia Vukosa, Maddy McDaniel and Jayden Holman.

We’ll see you there and don’t forget to RSVP.

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Here’s our official 2023-24 Women’s College Basketball season preview.

1. LSU: Nobody can predict what Tigers coach Kim Mulkey will be wearing while prowling the sidelines, but everybody knows All-American Angel Reese is an unstoppable force. Louisville transfer Hailey Van Lith is a standout, and the backcourt is top-shelf. 

2. Connecticut: Paige Bueckers is back and healthy and will join Azzi Fudd in the nation’s top backcourt. Assist machine Nika Mühl is another top guard, while forward Aaliyah Edwards is a big-time talent up front. If she gets help in the paint, UConn could hang another banner. 

3. Iowa: If you don’t know about Caitlin Clark, you must have been watching hockey all last winter. The high-scoring guard is one of the nation’s best, but she needs help. Guards Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall are top candidates, but Clark is the big show. 

4. UCLA: Guards Charisma Osborne and Kiki Rice are the big names, but the Bruins welcome back eight players from last year’s rotation and add 6-7 center Lauren Betts from Stanford. Forward Emily Bessoir is ready to bust out. 

5. South Carolina: Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks are now Final Four fixtures, and there’s no reason to think they won’t get there this year. Oregon transfer Te-Hina Paopao is a big-time guard, and Kamilla Cardoso will be unstoppable inside. 

6. Utah: Nobody knew about the Utes before last year, but they know now. A Sweet 16 appearance and the return of all five starters, led by star forward Alissa Pili, means Utah will attract way more attention this time. 

7. Ohio State: The Buckeyes may need some time for the offense to develop, but OSU will play some nasty D from day one. Adding a backcourt ballhawk like Celeste Taylor from Duke will make Ohio State even tougher to handle. 

8. Texas: Some might think this is a bit high for the ’Horns, but if forward Aaliyah Moore’s knee is healed, it might not be high enough. Rori Harmon is a two-way dynamo at guard, and Shaylee Gonzales is another dangerous backcourt weapon. 

9. Indiana: Yes, Grace Berger is gone, but have you met Mackenzie Holmes? If not, get acquainted with her. She’s a big threat inside, and should opponents double her, there are a bunch of shooters outside to loosen up the D. 

10. Virginia Tech: The Hokies are loaded with talent, and if everybody gets along like last year, look out. Center Elizabeth Kitley will team with standout guards Georgia Amoore and Cayla King in a tough, inside-out combo, while Minnesota transfer Alanna Micheaux will help plenty inside. 

11. Tennessee: It’s hard to believe the Vols haven’t won the SEC in 10 years, but this crew will mount a big challenge. Forward Rickea Jackson is a standout, while 6-6 pivot Tamari Key can lock down the middle. Belmont point guard transfer Destinee Wells can dish and score. 

12. Notre Dame: It’s all about the backcourt in South Bend, and the top guard is Olivia Miles—provided her knee is healed. Sharpshooter Sonia Citron is a great weapon, while freshman Hannah Hidalgo could be special right away.  

13. Baylor: These Bears will pile up the points, thanks to a roster loaded with bucket-getters. Guard Sarah Andrews leads the way, but Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, Aijha Blackwell, Jada Walker and Dre’Una Edwards can all fill it up. 

14. Mississippi: Not everybody on the Rebel roster started at Ole Miss, but fans are sure happy they came to campus. Marquesha Davis, Madison Scott, and Snudda Collins are the core of a tough defensive unit fortified by talented transfers. 

15. Louisville: Yes, the Cards lost Hailey Van Lith to the portal, but they added slick point guard Jayda Curry to a team with high-scoring guards Sydney Taylor and Kiki Jefferson. U of L will miss Van Lith, but this year’s aggregation can be special. 

16. North Carolina: The Tar Heels are deep, experienced and dangerous. Expect newcomers Lexi Donarski and Maria Gakdeng to contribute right away, while Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby are back after earning first-team All-ACC honors a year ago. 

17. Florida State: Ta’Niya Latson’s injury late last year hurt the Seminoles greatly. But she’s back, along with high-scoring Makayla Timpson and Sara Bejedi, an inside-out tandem. Look out for transfer guard Alexis Tucker.  

18. Maryland: You never have to worry about the Terps making enough outside shots. They can launch. The arrival of transfer Jakia Brown-Turner will make Maryland even more dangerous. Shyanne Sellers is a fine distributor, but depth could be a problem. 

19. Colorado: Everybody’s talking about Coach Prime and the CU football team, but the Buffs should be tough on the hardwood, too, thanks to six top returnees, most notably guard Jaylyn Sherrod and forward Quay Miller. 

20. Stanford: The Cardinal lost a ton of players from last year’s squad, and Tara VanDerveer’s rotation will be thin, but forward Cameron Brink is a star, and Talana Lepolo has a lot of potential at the point.  

21. USC: The big news will be made by the newcomers. Former Ivy League snipers McKenzie Forbes and Kayla Padilla have talent, but the big name is freshman JuJu Watkins, who is almost unstoppable off the dribble.  

22. Creighton: Defending the Bluejays is hardly an easy job because they move the ball so well and end up with a bunch of open three-pointers. Four key players—Lauren Jensen, Morgan Maly, Emma Ronsiek and Molly Mogensen—are back to fire away. 

23. Washington State: The Coogs are hoping to get their first-ever NCAA tourney win this year, and a deep returning cast, led by Charlisse Leger-Walker, could well make it happen. Wazzu is knocking. It’s time to get through the door. 

24. Nebraska: Cornhusker fans prefer to forget the end of last season, but the returning duo of Jaz Shelley and Alexis Markowski should make ’23-24 memorable. Montana State transfer Darian White is first-rate. 

25. Kansas State: Gabby Gregory decided one more year in Manhattan was a good idea, and that means big things for the Wildcats. If 6-6 center Ayoka Lee is healthy, K-State will be a major Big 12 factor. 

Photos via Getty Images. LSU portrait by Marcus Stevens.

The post WSLAM’s 2023-24 NCAA Women’s College Basketball Preview appeared first on SLAM.

There will be tons of upsets throughout the 2023-24 college basketball season, of course, but we’re betting the last teams standing next April will be some familiar names. Don’t @ us.

Here’s our official 2023-24 Men’s College Basketball season preview.

1. Duke: The returns of Kyle Filipowski, Jeremy Roach, Tyrese Proctor, and Mark Mitchell, along with another crop of four and five-star standouts, will make Jon Scheyer look like a pretty darn good coach this year.  

2. Kansas: The Jayhawks are deep, versatile, and nasty on defense. Adding Michigan center Hunter Dickinson makes them lethal in the pick-and-roll. If KU can stroke it from the outside, it will be national title time. 

3. Michigan State: Tom Izzo says a Big Ten team has to win it all to prove the conference is elite. Here’s a squad that can do it. The Spartans will grind like no other team, have plenty of experience and boast a first-rate backcourt.  

4. Marquette: The Golden Eagles aren’t that big, and they don’t bang the boards like Visigoths, but oh, that backcourt. Tyler Kolek, Stevie Mitchell, and Kam Jones can pile it on, and there should be enough inside for a shot at the Final Four. 

5. Tennessee: Behold the college basketball equivalent of oral surgery. The Vols play like someone wants to steal their rent money. The guards are rugged, and if Zakai Zeigler’s knee is healthy, big things—and sore opponents—lie ahead. 

6. Purdue: He’s back! The Big Maple, unguardable 7-4 center Zach Edey, returns to own the paint. The question is whether Fletcher Loyer and the perimeter team can hit shots. If they can, the Boilermakers will thrive. 

7. Houston: Kelvin Sampson has done a masterful job creating a sustainable powerhouse with defense and tough love. The Cougars aren’t pretty and certainly aren’t fun to play, but they have won big—and will continue to do so. 

8. Creighton: The Bluejays lost some talent to the portal but then added experienced contributors the same way. Call it a wash. Ryan Kalkbrenner is a two-way force inside, and he’s surrounded by strong perimeter scorers. 

9. Baylor: There are a bunch of new Bears, but they are good. Really good. Look out for freshmen guards Ja’Kobe Walter and Miro Little. Transfer RayJ Dennis can fill it up, and holdover Jalen Bridges is a steady frontcourt piece. 

10. Florida Atlantic: Last year was a magical one-off, right? Right? Nope, all but one of the key Owls are back and ready for more. FAU is loaded with talented, experienced guards and has good depth. This encore should be fun. 

11. Arizona: The Wildcats were big and slow last year. They’re a lot quicker this time. Transfers Caleb Love and Keshad Johnson will be immediate standouts, and big man Oumar Ballo will cause all sorts of problems inside. 

12. Villanova: It’s time for Nova to head back to where it belongs. Last year was an anomaly. Guard Justin Moore and big man Eric Dixon are major producers, and four transfers will add depth and versatility.  

13. Connecticut: The defending champs lost some real stalwarts, but big man Donovan Clingan is a budding star, Tristen Newton and Alex Karaban have plenty of experience, and Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer and a loaded crop of freshmen have arrived. 

14. North Carolina: Armando Bacot and RJ Davis are back for their ninth seasons in Chapel Hill. At least it feels that way. Freshman point man Elliot Cadeau is the human assist and transfers Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan are welcome additions. 

15. Gonzaga: You want points? The Zags score plenty of them. Drew Timme’s gone, but Mark Few found a bunch of high-octane newcomers to join returning starters Nolan Hickman and Anton Watson. Time to spin the scoreboards again. 

16. Kentucky: It’s been a while since John Calipari’s bunch has made a national splash. It could happen this year. The freshman class is ridiculous. There are actual seniors (Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell) on the roster. UK is back. 

17. Illinois: The Illini were supposed to be tough last year, but they sagged. Terrence Shannon Jr is back to make ’23-24 different. He’s joined by the usual strong cast of transfers. If Illinois can shoot it, plenty of wins will follow. 

18. Miami: Wonder why Jim Larrañaga keeps hanging around Coral Gables? It’s teams like this. Nijel Pack is a top-shelf guard, Norchad Omier can cause big problems inside, and wing Wooga Poplar is ready for big things. 

19. Texas A&M: The Aggies waited until after the calendar turned to 2023 last season to play their best ball. There should be no delay this season, thanks to point man Wade Taylor IV and three other returning starters. 

20. Arkansas: Mr. Transfer is at it once again in Fayetteville. Eric Musselman imported seven players from other schools, with Tramon Mark and Khalif Battle expected to team with returnee Davonte Davis in a potent backcourt. 

21. San Diego State: The Aztecs lost a lot, but they will still grind and defend and fight. That’s worth a lot. Lamont Butler leads four key holdovers, and USC transfer Reese Dixon has plenty of talent. 

22. Texas: High-scoring Oral Roberts transfer Max Abmas brings serious juice to the Longhorns’ attack. Rodney Terry is now the full-time boss, and he has guard Tyrese Hunter and forward Dylan Disu as featured performers. 

23. UCLA: Presenting the most interesting roster in college hoops. The Bruins are filled with international players, could start two centers, and could look like a Euro professional team, style-wise. They might even try to play with one of those orange-and-white FIBA basketballs. 

24. Virginia: The Cavs lost in the first round again last year. When that happened in 2018, they won it all the following season. It will be about defense again at UVA, with Reece Beekman up top and a bunch of stingy friends around him. 

25. St. John’s: Fast-talking Rick Pitino spent the offseason convincing a pile of high-scoring transfers to join potent pivot Joel Soriano in Queens. Jordan Dingle and Chris Ledlum were Ivy League killers, and Daniss Jenkins was a big producer at Iona. 

Duke fans, this one’s for you. Get your copy of SLAM 247 copy and cover tees.

Photos via Getty Images

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The SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 5 took place at Rucker Park this weekend and featured many of the top high school standouts in the country.

Mikayla Blakes showed up and showed out to win MVP with her speedy, elite game; meanwhile, Ian Jackson dropped 45 points and took home the MVP award for the boys, while Flagg’s crazy buzzer shut down the park and has already been the subject of headlines.

SSC Vol. 5 started Friday at Gauchos with a dunk contest, 2v2 and celebrity game.

Jalil Bethea took home the dunk contest title and Tre Johnson and Aaliyah Chavez won the 2v2 tournament. For the celebrity game, none other than Cam Wilder pulled up and got busy.

On Saturday, fans lined up outside of Rucker Park in Harlem, NY hours before the girl’s game even started. Miami commit-Leah Harmon was in her bag with moves like this to the basket…

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All the girls, from Alabama commit-Chloe Spreen to Jaloni Cambridge, kept that same energy and more throughout the entire game. Me’arah O’Neal showed she’s got crazy bounce while Chavez’s court vision was top tier.

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With Quavo sitting courtside, the boys game lived up to the hype. Between high-flying dunks by AJ Dybantsa and a major comeback thanks to Flagg’s clutch shot making, the competitive energy was next level.

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Follow SLAM, WSLAM and SLAM HS for even more coverage and behind the scenes moments.

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The NBA App will stream the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 5 on Saturday, Aug. 19, adding to the growing list of elite basketball programming available year-round on the new platform. The fifth annual basketball showcase at Rucker Park in New York City will feature 28 of the top high school age players in the U.S.  Headlined by Jaloni Cambridge, Aaliyah Chavez and Kennedy Smith, the girls game tips off at 5 p.m. ET followed by the boys – featuring top high school prospects Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and Tre Johnson – streaming at 7 p.m. ET. Additionally, several members of the Jr. NBA Court of Leaders will participate in the event.

The addition of the SLAM Summer Classic is part of the NBA’s larger commitment to make the NBA App an all-in-one destination for global basketball programming. Over the past year, premier basketball content available on the app has included select WNBA, Basketball Africa League and NBA G League Ignite games, as well as Nike Elite Youth Basketball League’s (EYBL) Peach Jam, Jr. NBA Showcase, LNB Betclic ELITE, top pro-am leagues such as the Drew League, Miami Pro League and AEBL, and more. 

The NBA will produce and distribute the SLAM Summer Classic games on the free-to-download NBA App and on NBA.com.   Below are the full team rosters.  

BOYS ROSTER

 GIRLS ROSTER

* Member of the Jr. NBA Court of Leaders

The post The SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 5 Returns this Saturday at Rucker Park appeared first on SLAM.

Whether it’s through playmaking, hitting clutch shots, or having a major impact on defense, this group can make things happen from anywhere on the court. All the while, they’re building their personal brands off of it.

The future is HER. Meet our 2023 SLAM HS Girls All-Americans:

Juju Watkins’ game is showtime. After leading Sierra Canyon to a state title, being named Gatorade National Girls Player of the Year and winning two gold medals with Team USA, she’s decided to stay close to home and suit up for the USC Trojans next season. We can only wonder what big-name rappers and superstars will be sitting courtside at the Galen Center to see the “Juju Show” in-person.

Mikaylah Williams is a generational talent. With one of the most well-rounded games in her class, the USA Basketball gold medalist and Gatorade Louisiana Girls Basketball Player of the Year is set to thrive on a very stacked LSU roster.

Jada Williams is an absolute dawg. She helped the USA Basketball team win a gold medal at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup, led her high school squad to the 2022 San Diego Open Division Championship and plays with a passion that is unmatched.

When Hannah Hidalgo hit that Eastbay layup at the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 4, she nearly shut down Rucker Park. The certified bucket was named the Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year award after averaging 28.8 points, 7.3 steals, 6.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists this season.

Jadyn Donovan is a special talent. She’s a two-time gold medalist who helped lead Sidwell Friends to an undefeated record and a DCSAA Championship in 2022. Donovan committed to Duke and will soon join head coach Kara Lawson in Durham.

Meet our 2023 SLAM High School Boys All-Americans

Photo credits for entire series include Jineen Williams, Jamal Martin, Jon Lopez. Marcus Stevens, Getty Images, Matt Odom. // Design by Erica Davis.

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As the game continues to evolve, this group of young standouts represent the future ahead. From elite guards to versatile small forwards, they’ve caught the attention of top college programs around the country, as well as the world.

Meet our 2023 SLAM HS Boys All-Americans:

Basketball runs in DJ Wagner’s blood. He’s the son of former Memphis one-and-done star and NBA player Dajuan Wagner, and the grandson of Louisville legend and NBA player Milt Wagner. Wagner was the NJ Gatorade Player of the Year and is a top name in the No. 1 ranked recruiting class at Kentucky

Home is where his heart is. Isaiah Collier is one of the top ranked guards in his class and has family roots in Cali: his mother originally lived in Compton and his brother currently lives in Los Angeles. The talented guard is sure to make a statement at USC.

Justin Edwards has proven why he’s a top recruit with his shot making, defensive versatility and toughness as a finisher. After leading Imhotep to its second consecutive state championship, he’ll bring that winning experience to Kentucky this fall.

Jared McCain is a straight-up star. Whether he’s putting on a scoring clinic on the court or continuing to build his brand off of it on social media, McCain makes waves no matter what he’s doing. With his high IQ and work ethic, he’ll fit right in at Duke.

Matas Buzelis’ pro-ready game speaks for itself. The 2022-23 Kansas High School Basketball Player of the Year has decided to bypass college and take his talents to the NBA G-League Ignite next season. He also has his sights set on the NBA Draft, but until then, it’s all about dominating.

Meet our 2023 SLAM High School Girls All-Americans

Photo credits for entire series include Jineen Williams, Jamal Martin, Jon Lopez. Marcus Stevens, Getty Images, Matt Odom.

The post Meet the 2023 SLAM High School Boys All-Americans appeared first on SLAM.

As for the talent level, well, there’s a reason why your favorite celebrities pull up to their games to watch them drop buckets. Before they go compete at top programs in college, we’re hyped to announce our 2023 HS All-Americans.

Jadyn. Jada. Mikaylah. Hannah. Juju.

Isaiah. Matas. Jared. DJ. Justin.

This story appears in SLAM 244

Featuring cover stars Rhyne Howard, Scoot Henderson and Paolo Banchero, SLAM 244 spotlights the standouts and rising stars who have next, and right now.

Photo credits for entire series include Jineen Williams, Jamal Martin, Jon Lopez. Marcus Stevens, Getty Images, Matt Odom. // Design by Erica Davis.

The post The Future: SLAM Announces 2023 High School All-Americans appeared first on SLAM.

The AEC has built an extensive alumni base of top-tier players, including McDonald’s All-Americans, major D1 college stars, and current NBA and WNBA players.

This year’s AEC game features the following top Boys & Girls from across the country: 

ACES® is a storytelling platform for athletes to authentically share their stories through products, brand collaborations and events. It was founded by former pro hooper turned CEO, Brian Kortovich, who joined the ranks of Kevin Durant and Dr. J, Joe “The Destroyer” Hammond, when he won a scoring title at Rucker Park in the summer of 2012. Since its inception, ACES has always been rooted into the heart of hoops culture, which continues this year as they spotlight some of the nation’s best high school basketball players. 

“ACES was born from the grassroots of basketball, earning its way into hoops cultural relevance by allowing athletes to tell their stories, augment their brands, while bringing local communities together through our annual events, such as the upcoming ACES Elite Classic (AEC), our annual High School All-American Games,” says Founder and CEO Brian Kortovich. AEC consistently attracts the top ranked high school players in the country to New York City and empowers them with a platform to showcase their talents  on a national level, organically share their stories and expand their opportunities. We look forward to building upon that tradition this year.”

Over the past few year’s, the ACES talent showcase has featured standout participants including UConn and SLAM 235 co-cover star Azzi Fudd and NCAA national champions in both Kansas’ Kyle Cuffe Jr and LSU’s Katie Poole. In the past, Jahvon “JQ” Quinerly from Alabama, Minnesota Timberwolves’ center Naz Reid, Orlando Magic’s PG Cole Anthony, Los Angeles Lakers’ forward Mo Bamba, Pelicans’ PG Jose Alvarado, Warriors’ SF Johnathan Kuminga, Charlotte Hornets’ SG James Bouknight, and the No. 3 pick by the Dallas Wings in this this year’s WNBA Draft, Villanova standout Maddie Siegrist—to name a few. 

The post Nation’s Best to Compete in the ACES Elite Classic in NYC on May 10 appeared first on SLAM.

But there are two pieces that have led this team through the whole season: Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson. 

SLAM 243 featuring LSU’s Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson is out now.

It’s a bright, sunny Tuesday afternoon in Baton Rouge. Walking past Tiger Stadium, which resembles more of an NFL stadium than a college one, to the spaceship-looking Pete Maravich Assembly Center (better known as the PMAC), there’s a sense of grandeur to just about everything you pass. As Angel and Flau’jae arrive for their SLAM shoot, they walk past a sign that reads “Respect the Past, Embrace the Future” on the practice facility walls, which are adorned with images of LSU greats like Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles. 

The air is refreshing, the atmosphere is calm, a complete contrast to what it was like just a few weeks prior. 

The PMAC was packed and fans were roaring so loud that there was no point in trying to communicate on the court. LSU was facing Arkansas and it was a tightly contested back and forth game. There were about five minutes left and LSU had just extended the lead to 10. As Angel and Flau’jae made their way down the court to get back on defense, Arkansas’ Chrissy Carr drove down the baseline and dished out to the free-throw line. Somehow, as Angel closed in on help defense, she slid out of her shoe. As she tried to quickly pick up her shoe and get the referees’ attention, the Razorbacks’ Samara Spencer drove into the lane. Angel didn’t hesitate to toss her Nike Freak 4 to her left hand so that she could get the block with her right. The block was emphatic, sending Spencer to the floor. Angel stood above her screaming “GIMME THAT SHIT!” while still holding her sneaker with her left hand. Flau’jae was right next to her hyping her up. The PMAC was going wild. 

“I don’t know how I got out [of] my shoe,” Angel tells SLAM. “I know if I took that play off and they had scored, the coach would have been upset with me because I didn’t get to help defense. I was trying to get the ref’s attention to be like, Can I put my shoe on? She didn’t respond to me. So, I just picked [up] the shoe, I put it in my other hand and I just blocked the shot. I was in that mode.”

It was a viral highlight that amassed millions of views across social and TV. It’s a highlight that perfectly exemplifies the type of showtime basketball that this program brings every time they step on the floor. Top to bottom, the roster is filled with dawgs. In a season that was supposed to be a “rebuild year” after adding nine newcomers last summer, they far exceeded what anyone thought this team could achieve. 

“We don’t have expectations,” Reese says in early February. “We’re not supposed to be 23-0 right now.” 

Just a few days after our shoot, the Tigers suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of the reigning national champs, the South Carolina Gamecocks. But what makes this team so scary is that they have no fear, because they’re not supposed to be here. Just two years ago, no one would’ve believed you if you said LSU would be a top team. 

In 2021, Reese was trying to find her way as a freshman at Maryland, coming off the bench, while Johnson was barely ranked in the top 100 in her recruiting class. And Kim Mulkey? She was still at Baylor. 

After 21 years of building Baylor’s women’s basketball program, which amassed three national championships and counts a plethora of WNBA greats among its alumni, Mulkey was ready for something new, and in April of 2021, she was officially announced as LSU’s new head coach.

“This doesn’t just happen with a phone call,” the Hall of Fame coach shared during her introductory press conference. “It takes a lot of people pulling a lot of strings and committing to women’s basketball.” 

“I want you to look at those banners,” Mulkey continued, as she looked up at the rafters of the PMAC. “Final Four, Final Four, Final Four, Final Four, Final Four. Nowhere on there does it say National Champion. That’s what I came here to do.”

And with that, the new era of LSU women’s basketball began.

The first order of business for the new Tigers head coach was to get acquainted with the pieces she had inherited while also lighting a fire on the recruiting trail to start building the winning culture she expected. 

Around the same time, Flau’jae Johnson was wrapping up her junior year. At the time, she was more known for rapping than hooping. Just three years earlier, a 14-year-old Flau’jae stepped on stage at NBC’s America’s Got Talent and shocked the world with her bars. 

“I did a song about gun violence, it’s called ‘Guns Down,’” the Savannah, GA, native explained on stage to Simon Cowell in 2018. “My dad’s name was Camouflauge, he was an up-and-coming rapper, he was gonna be signed to Universal Records, but two days before he was gonna sign the contract, he was murdered, and my mom was pregnant with me. My whole goal is to continue my father’s legacy,” she told the AGT judges as she wiped tears from her eyes. 

She went on to give a performance that went viral and earned her the Golden Buzzer, and at the same time that her music career was taking off, she was hooping, too, although she wasn’t seeing the same level of success. Yet. 

“My journey in basketball is unbelievable,” Johnson tells us. “Like, I came out of my junior year and I wasn’t ranked, I didn’t have any offers.”

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That summer, the 5-10 guard joined the Atlanta-based FBC BounceNation21 AAU program to get on the grassroots travel circuit, and she quickly started making some noise. After just a few months, she went from unranked to No. 55 in her class.

“I don’t think she realized how good she was,” Sprayberry coach Kellie Avery told the Washington Post last summer. “She does so much in her off time with her music that I don’t think basketball had balanced out until her sophomore year. Then she was like, Maybe I could do both. She got on the right AAU team this year, and it showed.”

She then got a coveted invite to the 2021 SLAM Summer Classic and really showed out. As the lowest ranked player in the game, she knew there were haters doubting her skills. Puzzled people asked, Isn’t she the girl from The Rap Game? when she arrived in New York for the weekend. But just a couple days later, they not only knew Flau’jae the rapper but also Flau’jae the hooper, when she walked away with the game’s Terrence Clarke MVP award. 

“Man, that was the game I was like, Oh, this my opportunity,” the LSU guard remembers. “I always said just give me an opportunity, I’m gonna make it happen. I saw they had all the top kids—Kiki Rice and Janiah Barker—that’s all I needed to see, because I knew that they were the top in my class. So I was like, Oh, yeah, I gotta go up there and dominate, and I came out MVP. I did what I had to do. I was working because I knew when I get that call, I’m gonna be ready.” 

Many college coaches took notice that summer, but one stood out: Kim Mulkey. 

Within just a few months of receiving a list of offers to different schools, Flau’jae committed to LSU in the only way Flau’jae “Big Four” Johnson could—with a track titled “All Falls Down,” featuring Baton Rouge’s Lil Boosie and a music video with special words from Mike WiLL Made-It. 

“I don’t think I would want to have experiences at any other college,” the freshman phenom shares with a smile. “Because it feels like home.”

She went on to finish her senior year of high school as the No. 6 guard in her class, and at the time of our shoot, was the Tigers’ second leading scorer behind Angel, averaging 13 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 47 percent from the field.

In Flau’jae Johnson, Mulkey found her very first puzzle piece. 

While Johnson was finding her way through the recruiting process, Angel was trying to find her place at the collegiate level. 

Reese was the No. 2 overall player in the Class of 2020 coming out of the DMV. Being near family was a big factor for her, and she chose to play close to home at the University of Maryland. 

By her sophomore year, Reese was averaging an impressive 17.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, but something didn’t feel right. At the end of April, Angel sent the NCAA hoops world into chaos after announcing that she would be transferring out of Maryland. She immediately became the top player in the transfer portal. 

“I actually didn’t want to be in the portal that long,” the National Player of the Year candidate recalls. “I think I was in the portal for maybe 12 days, if that. I didn’t want to deal with it.”

During those near two weeks, Angel and her family went through the process of setting up visits and speaking with coaches, but LSU wasn’t on the list of potential schools. 

“Well, technically, I didn’t think I was coming to LSU,” the 6-3 forward says. “Kateri [Poole] was the one that called me to ask about LSU. And I was like, I don’t know, I already have visits set up. I’m not sure. So, I don’t think Coach thought she could get me because she already thought I was going somewhere else. So, when she called me, I was like, Alright, I’ll take a visit, I guess, and, happily, she was the first visit I had set up. After I came down here for my visit, I canceled the rest of my visits. It was wrapped.”

Angel was looking for a family outside of basketball, one that she could feel at home with beyond the court. She also wanted a program that would help her grow as a person just as much as a player. 

“I just wanted to figure out who really is Angel Reese,” she says. “Coming to LSU, I feel like I figured out who I am. I’m able to be myself here. It’s just something I really love.”

It’s clear to see that now in the way she’s playing this season, putting up Kareem Abdul-Jabbar-type numbers— averaging 23.4 points and 15.5 rebounds a game, at the time of our shoot. The “Bayou Barbie” (which she’s dubbed and trademarked) is appointment TV, making viral highlight plays seemingly every night of the week. 

In Angel Reese, Kim Mulkey found her second puzzle piece. 

With a host of other notable transfers—Kateri Poole, LaDazhia Williams, Jasmine Carson and Last-Tear Poa—along with the players who stayed, including Alexis Morris and Sa’Myah Smith, the Tigers have the best show in college basketball. But it’s taken time to hone everyone’s skills, as every player finds their role on this team. 

“We just really enjoy playing with each other,” Flau’jae says. “Once we’re in our rhythm and we’re bouncing off each other, Angel doing her thing, Jaz hitting threes, it’s like we’re really going. Like, we really get the flow on the floor [going] and nobody can roll with it.”

And that comes from this roster putting in the work from top to bottom, pushing each other, day in and day out. 

“This team is really competitive,” the Bayou Barbie says. “We can critique each other, and I think that’s just something that you don’t really see, being able to critique each other and not take it personal. It’s just fun how we compete against each other, so by the time we compete on the court, it’s just, like, we’re all together.” 

It’s a team no one expected to be among the best going into March. The Tigers had a lot of doubters at the start of the season, with many shaking their heads at a perceived easy out-of-conference schedule.

“People are going to say our out- of-conference schedule was terrible,” Angel says while laughing. “That’s fine. Y’all can say that. But it’s the Free Smoke Tour. I don’t think anybody on the team is scared of anything.” 

“They mistake our confidence for arrogance,” Flau’jae quickly adds. “We’re gonna pop it regardless.”

There’s truly nothing scarier than a team that has nothing to lose. 

Angel and Flau’jae are the puzzle pieces that were needed to put together this new era of LSU basketball. When those lights come on, you know it’s showtime. 

Portraits by Marcus Stevens

Johnson hair: Dinesha Wells; Reese hair: Devon Williams at Divine Allure; Makeup: Diamond Nikole Standifer

The post Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson are the Missing Pieces Needed to Transform LSU appeared first on SLAM.

Fudd suffered the injury after bumping into teammate Aaliyah Edwards in the final minute of the first quarter. Head coach Geno Auriemma called a timeout so a trainer could look at Fudd’s knee on the bench. She ended up walking to the locker room and didn’t come back to the court until midway through the second frame.

Prayers up to Azzi https://t.co/GTwnI1dzBP

— WSLAM (@wslam) December 6, 2022

She ended up playing for a little over three minutes until Auriemma took her out because she “didn’t look like she could move,” out of an abundance of caution, according to CT Insider. Fudd went scoreless in 13 minutes (with two assists) before she left the game for good. UConn ended up losing to Notre Dame, 74-60. The double-digit loss was UConn’s first of the season.

Fudd had previously suffered a significant knee injury after tearing her ACL and MCL in 2019 and missed time last season with a foot injury. The Huskies are already down Paige Bueckers (torn ACL) and ice Brady (dislocated patella), and Caroline Ducharme and Dorka Juhász have already missed at least two games each due to injuries (Ducharme’s neck stiffness and Juhász’s broken thumb).

Fudd is averaging 20.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.7 dimes per game on 53.3 percent shooting and 42.6 percent from beyond the arc.

The post Azzi Fudd Out 3-4 Weeks Due to a Knee Injury appeared first on SLAM.

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Fudd’s hot streak has reminded us just how cold she is. The guard made history with the most points (58) any UConn player has scored through the first two games of the season over the past 20 years, besting seven-time WNBA All-Star Diana Taurasi’s record from the 2003-04 campaign. Fudd’s 32-point performance also matched Taurasi’s record for the most points a UConn player has ever scored against a top-five opponent.

Coach Geno Auriemma told Fudd she would have to step into a more Paige Bueckers-like role to provide what the team needs this season.

“She goes, ‘That’s a lot, coach — but it’s not something I can’t handle,'” Auriemma said per ESPN. “Well, she’s starting to find out now it’s going to be a b—- to handle that. But if you’re as good as she is, you live for those moments, right?”

On what led to her second half domination, Fudd said she her teammates encouraged her to shoot more.

“I don’t know why I didn’t shoot much in the first half, but I was open a couple of times, my teammates kept telling me to shoot and I let ’em go in the second half and they went in,” Fudd said. “I think we settled more in the second half. We were able to run more stuff.”

While Fudd did not beat Texas by herself – Lou Lopez, Aubrey Griffin, and Aaliyah Edwards all scored in double digits – Auriemma called her game “an All-American performance. That’s, like, player-of-the-year performance there tonight.”

Fudd’s performance lead UConn to an 83-76 win, moving them from No. 6 to No. 5 in the national rankings. The Huskies host No. 10 NC State on Sunday. 

The current mood in Storrs:

Azzi Fudd is one in a million.

The post The Hot Streak Continues: Azzi Fudd Drops 32 as UConn Topples No. 3 Texas appeared first on SLAM.

Syracuse legend and free agent Carmelo Anthony started his legend playing for the Orange and had arguably the best freshman run any college hooper could embark on, averaging 22.2 points and 10 rebounds, and eventually led the school to its first NCAA championship.

Almost 20 years after shocking the college basketball scene, Anthony’s son, Kiyan, received an offer to play for Syracuse.  

Beyond blessed to receive an offer from Syracuse University! #GOORANGE pic.twitter.com/uBMq5Kwdv7

— Kiyan Anthony (@kiyananthony) November 13, 2022

Kiyan is a four-star sophomore playing for Christ The King High School in New York. He already has other offers to play for Memphis, George Mason, Bryant, and Manhattan, per 247sports. The 15-year-old is a shooting guard, unlike his dad who played small forward. Kiyan already ranks amongst the best in his class in the position at No. 14 and No. 62 nationally. 

“I feel like I have made big improvements since EYBL,” the younger Anthony said. “I’ve been In the gym every day working on my body and my jump shot and I’m looking forward to the season. I’m looking forward to show people what I can do on and off the ball. We got a lot of big talent on (Christ the King) and I’m looking forward to playing with these guys.”

In an interview with Dushawn London of 247sports in early October, Kiyan confessed he couldn’t go wrong playing for Syracuse if he chooses to go there.

“Syracuse is a big one for me because of my Dad,” Kiyan said. “He set the foundation over there so I won’t go wrong if I went there. My options are really open though since I’m only a sophomore.”

The post Carmelo Anthony’s Son Kiyan, Received Offer to Play for Syracuse appeared first on SLAM.

In her freshman season at UConn, Fudd averaged 12.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.0 steals on 43 percent shooting from three. For a typical rookie, Fudd’s performance would be considered a success. But for the D.C native, she came in the type of hype that gives you bigger expectations.

“Looking back,” she said, per The Athletic. “I’m, like, embarrassed. That wasn’t me playing.”

The “next Steph Curry” suffered a nagging foot injury that prevented her from playing the way she wanted last season. The pain, coupled with the pressure she felt from the “idea that [she’s] at UConn, so [she] has to be perfect,” eroded her confidence. Her foot holding her back from being the explosive scorer we came to know at St. Johns College High School, Fudd did not hold back on her mindset throughout her rookie season.

“My confidence in my abilities shattered,” Fudd said. “I felt like I couldn’t do it, so I didn’t.” 

Fortunately for UConn fans, the 19-year-old is confident: “freshman Azzi is gone. I’m a totally different player now”. 

In UConn’s exhibition game vs. Kutztown and their season opener vs. Northeastern, the superstar undoubtedly returned to being a superstar. With a new understanding that she “can’t be perfect” and can only be herself and “go out there and go after it,” Fudd is BALLING.

The guard casually dropped 29 points and nine threes (56 percent) in a 115-42 win against Kutztown on Sunday. 

She followed up with 26 points, four assists, and a career-high six steals in a 98-39 win against Northeastern.

“Just attacking, getting to the rim, doing other things helps me get at least in that rhythm to make the one three that I did make,” Fudd said postgame, per YahooNews. “Just having my teammates in my ear telling me to keep shooting and keeping my confidence up means the world.”

Self-assured, unflappable, and with “absolutely perfect” practice habits, according to Coach Geno Auriemma, Fudd is more than just her long-distance shooting. As a matter of fact, Fudd is just playing strong basketball right now. Auriemma added that he was most impressed by the sophomore’s shooting and self-assurance.

“I mean, I would think that everybody knew that,” Auriemma said, per Yahoo. “But if they didn’t know — that’s the way she played when she was in high school. She didn’t just stand in one spot and fire up 3s. She scores a lot of different ways, and I was happy to see her be so aggressive with the ball.”

Auriemma laid out a high ceiling for Fudd this season, but the sophomore prefers not to lay out accolade-related goals for fear of sounding boastful. When asked what she is capable of this year, Fudd simply said, “I want to be one of the leaders on this team. I know I can be a playmaker, but I want to be a person that my team can rely on in every game, and that starts with my mindset and my confidence”

The standard at UConn is an NCAA Championship. With no Paige Buckets, no Ice Brady, and for now, no Ducharmania, the path to the NCAA Finals will not be easy this season. But, like Fudd says, “The Obstacle is The Way.”

Fudd and UConn host No. 3 ranked Texas at home on Monday.

The post Azzi Fudd Off to a Hot Start as She Leads the Way for UConn Against Northeastern appeared first on SLAM.

Go behind the scenes of the entire weekend with your favorite high school hoopers, including Jared McCain, Rob Dillingham, Trey Parker, Mookie Cook, Gabe Cupps, and many more. Check it out.

The SSC Vol. 4 showcase also featured an incredible girls roster, including Juju Watkins, Jada Williams, Milaysia Fulwiley, Taliah Scott, Hannah Hidalgo and many more. Watch the official SSC Vol. 4 Girl’s Movie below.

The post WATCH: SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 4 The Movie appeared first on SLAM.

James joins Caitlin Clark, Haley Jones, DJ Wagner, and Juju Watkins as the newest members of the Nike family. Bronny’s father, LeBron, signed a lifetime deal with the legendary sports apparel company in 2015 after becoming as synonymous with the company as Michael Jordan due to his signature line of LeBron sneakers. Nike has released 20 in LeBron’s sneaker line.

James is the No. 41 overall player in the class of 2023, according to 247Sports, and is likely a long way off from making a decision on hoopin in college or professionally in the G League, Australia, or China. The NBA and players union recently announced that they are “expected to agree on” lowering the requirement for draft-eligible players to be one year out of high school to be 18-years-old.

Bronny James has signed a NIL endorsement deal with Nike @SLAMKicks pic.twitter.com/Hcd2yNP6F2

— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) October 10, 2022

The stunning move could open the door to the NBA deciding to move on from its controversial one-and-done rule. If completed this year, Bronny James, Wagner, and Mikey Williams could be on the shortlist of high school superstars looking to make the prep-to-pro jump.

Wagner, the son of former NBA player Dejuan Wagner, is the No. 2 overall player in the 2023 class per 247Sports and has taken official visits to Kentucky and Memphis. He is unsigned as of Monday. If he makes it to the League, Wagner will be the first-ever third gen hooper in the NBA after his dad and grandfather, Milt, played in the NBA.

According to ESPN, Watkins is the No. 2 overall player in the 2023 class. She’s a classmate of James and has been recruited by many of the nation’s top college programs. Clark was named the 2022 Big Ten Player of the Year and a first-team All-American after averaging 27.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game while leading Iowa to a second-round appearance in the NCAA tournament.

Jones has led Stanford to back-to-back Final Four appearances and helped the Cardinals won their third championship in program history in 2021. As a junior, Jones earned All-American honors after averaging 13.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.

Amateur athletes were given the ability to profit off their name, image, and likeness in 2021. The ruling applies to all student-athletes in the NCAA and high schoolers in certain states, including California and New Jersey, where Bronny, Watkins, and Wagner reside.

The post Bronny James, Caitlin Clark, and More Sign NIL Deal With Nike appeared first on SLAM.

The four-time NBA champ won three Big 10 titles with Michigan State and led the Spartans to two Final Four trips. Green’s efforts for the program were recently recognized after MSU notified him would be inducting him into the Athletics Hall of Fame. Upon finding out the news, the former Spartan was in complete shock.

“Absolutely insane,” said Green on his podcast “The Draymond Green Show. “Hall of Fame? That’s forever. We won’t be here forever. We’ll leave, we’ll leave this world. But that’s a forever thing as long as this world is here — As a kid that went to Michigan State, everybody told me I was dumb for going there. That I would never play there, well, I’m going to the Hall of Fame.”

It’s official

Draymond Green is the newest addition to the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/71pY5FoXwO

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) September 9, 2022

Green, along with the other members of the Michigan State Hall of Fame Class of 2022, was acknowledged at halftime for their legendary contributions during halftime of the Spartans’ 52-0 win over Akron.

Moments of work, for a lifetime of memories @united || Champions Tour pic.twitter.com/uVM9zL9xa4

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) September 10, 2022

Green was inducted into the Hall of Fame over the weekend. The Warriors start their title defense against the Lakers on Oct. 18.

The post Draymond Green Inducted Into Michigan State’s Athletic Hall Of Fame appeared first on SLAM.

Over her 15-year playing career as the floor general for the Connecticut Sun and Minnesota Lynx, she made eight WNBA Finals and won four WNBA championships. Whalen is also a five-time All-Star and five-time All-WNBA selection, as well as a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist with USA Basketball.

She averaged 11.5 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 4.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game over her career, retiring with the fourth most assists in WNBA history. 

“I carried a chip on my shoulder all the time because people thought it can’t be done in Minnesota,” Whalen said, per SI. “I loved to prove people wrong, and that’s how I played.”

Fellow legends Charles Barkley and Dawn Staley were selected as Whalen’s presenters. Both doubled as her favorite basketball players and hugely influenced her game.

“Charles, you were my first favorite basketball player growing up. I was going to be a 6’2, 6’3 power forward with a great turnaround jumper and a rebounding machine, that was until I stopped growing at 5’8,” Whalen said. But plans change a little bit. Thank you for giving inspiration to a young girl from Hutchinson, Minnesota.”

She also honored Dawn Staley and noted that she’d followed a path Staley blazed years prior, going from being a WNBA point guard to head coach of a powerhouse college program. Staley won her second national championship in April, while Whalen is looking to guide Minnesota to national prominence in the Big 10.

Whalen made sure she exalted her parents for instilling a work ethic and dedication in her. Her father, Neil, was her first coach, and the lessons he passed on to her have been integral to her development as a player and a coach throughout her athletic career.

Whalen also thanked her husband, Ben Greve, for supporting her and sticking beside her throughout the rigors of being a women’s professional basketball player.

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In an enshrinement speech that primarily reflected on the past, Whalen ended by looking to the future—she even reminded her players at Minnesota that the’d have practice the following week. With Whalen’s work ethic, it would be no surprise if she finds herself back at Springfield for another induction in years to come.

The post WNBA Legend Lindsay Whalen Honored at Naismith Hall of Fame appeared first on SLAM.

She also won the Defensive Player of the Year last week, the Commissioner’s Cup, was voted a WNBA All-Star captain, and earned two Player of the Month and four Player of the Week nods.

Can’t put into words how truly blessed I am! forever grateful to compete in such a talent league! BIG BLESSINGS! https://t.co/bGWG9DW5lj

— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) September 7, 2022

Over the weekend, Dawn Staley, Wilson’s head coach at South Carolina and the former head coach of TeamUSA’sswomen’ss basketball program, commented on Wilson winning the 2022 MVP.

“Big A, you know I am never shocked by the success that you’ve had. The MVP is something you wanted, probably not the Defensive Player of the Year. You could care less about that — you don’t really play defense, but they gave you the award.”

“Thank you, though, thank you for the work that you put in in the off-season, and thank you for believing in yourself even on your worse day. The MVP is your resume throughout the entire year, and there was nobody better, nobody more consistent than you. So I am super happy for you; get that hardware right.” 

.@dawnstaley with a message (via @WNBA) pic.twitter.com/2VszQswNZm

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 12, 2022

Wilson and the Aces are up 1-0 in the WNBA Finals heading into Tuesday’s Game 2 at Michelob Ultra Arena.

The post Dawn Staley: ‘Nobody Better’ Than Reigning MVP A’ja Wilson This Season appeared first on SLAM.

Whitehead will begin rehab immediately and is expected to play this fall, per Duke.

Whitehead arrived on campus after winning the 2022 Naismith High School Player of the Year and back-to-back national championships at Montverde Academy. When he committed to playing at Duke, Whitehead was the No. 6 overall player and No. 3 small forward in the class of 2022, according to 247Sports Composite Rating.

The freshman wing is projected to be a one-and-done player. At 6’6 with elite athleticism and scoring instincts, Whitehead is the kind of versatile wing that NBA scouts and execs seek after during the draft process. With his skill set, it’s only natural that he’s considered a lottery-level talent months before the 2023 NBA Draft.

When Whitehead returns, he will have to quickly integrate himself into a young lineup that he is expected to headline alongside junior point guard Jeremy Roach and fellow one-and-done prospect Derek Lively. Roach is the only player in Duke’s lineup that played significant minutes during the Blue Devils’ Final Four season.

The post Dariq Whitehead Out Indefintely After Undergoing Foot Surgery appeared first on SLAM.

The 2023 women’s Final Four will be played at American Airlines Center in Dallas, with the title game being slated for 3 p.m. on April 2. ESPN will air the semifinal on Friday, March 31. This will be the first non-cable appearance for the women’s title game since ESPN bought the broadcasting rights in 1996. CBS owned the rights the year before.

“Scheduling the Division I Women’s Basketball Championship on ABC has been a goal for quite some time in our ongoing efforts to maximize the exposure of women’s sports in collaboration with the NCAA,” ESPN president Burke Magnus said in a statement. “Women’s NCAA Championships continue to generate strong audiences across the ABC/ESPN networks, and this move represents yet another unique opportunity to showcase this marquee event and the student-athletes who are competing for a national championship.”

ESPN began airing the two first-round select tourney games on ABC in 2021, including two first-round matches and four Sweet 16 games on the network. ESPN added two more regular-season games and numerous tournament games to its women’s basketball slate.

The decision to air the women’s championship game after last year’s Final Four games drew 2.7 million viewers (up 21 percent year-over-year), and the bout between South Carolina and UConn earned the highest ratings (4.85 million viewers) for a men’s or women’s game on ESPN since 2008. Full tournament coverage drew 634,000 viewers, up 16 percent from last year’s coverage.

“It’s a benchmark announcement for women’s basketball in being able to showcase the national championship game in Dallas for an expanded audience on ABC for the first time in 2023,” said Beth Goetz, chair of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee and director of athletics at Ball State. “We are grateful to ABC/ESPN for the partnership in the continued growth of the game and championship.”

South Carolina will look to start its title defense with a home game against Texas A&M.

The post ABC Set to Broadcast NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Game for the First Time appeared first on SLAM.

From Jada Williams to JuJu Watkins and many more of the nation’s top talent, the girls didn’t hold back and brought a level of competitiveness that was truly next level. Meanwhile the boys—including Robert Dillingham, Trey Parker and more—kept that same energy with high-flying dunks and a game that went down to the wire.

Check out the full highlights from both games:

The post WATCH: SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 4 Boys and Girls FULL Game appeared first on SLAM.

Then on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, pull up to Rucker Park in Harlem, NY for the girls’ game at 5 PM EST, followed by the boys at 7 PM. 

Here are the rosters for this weekend’s showcase:

Girls:

• JuJu Watkins
• Breya Cunningham
• Milaysia Fulwiley
• Jadyn Donovan
• Jada Williams
• Angelica Velez
• Hannah Hidalgo
• Aalyah Del Rosario
• Taliah Scott
• Delaney Thomas
• Chloe Kitts
• Ashlynn Shade
• Mackenly Randolph

Boys:

• Robert Dillingham
• Jared McCain
• Sim Wilcher
• Mackenzie Mgbako
• Gabe Cupps
• Trey Parker
• Ian Jackson
• Mookie Cook
• Justin Edwards
• Matas Buzelis
• Aden Holloway
• Tre Johnson
• Rayvon Griffith
• Xavier Booker

For more information about the SLAM Summer Classic and real-time coverage of the event later this weekend, follow @SLAM, @SLAM_HS and @WSLAM on all social media platforms. 

The post The Official Roster for the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 4 appeared first on SLAM.

Cheryl Reeves is the head coach of the World Cup team and will be joined by Mike Thibault, Kara Lawson, and Joni Taylor as her assistant coaches.

The training camp will take place September 6-12 in Las Vegas. An intrasquad Red-White game will headline the camp on Sept. 10 before the final roster comes out for the FIBA World Cup that runs Sept. 22-Oct. 1 in Sydney, Australia.

The following is a complete list of expected training camp participants: Ariel Atkins, Shakira Austin, Boston, Kahleah Copper, Elena Delle Donne, Diamond DeShields, Stefanie Dolson, Allisha Gray, Chelsea Gray, Dearica Hamby, Myisha Hines-Allen, Natasha Howard, Rhyne Howard, Sabrina Ionescu, Brionna Jones, Betnijah Laney, Jewell Loyd, Kayla McBride, Angel McCoughtry, Arike Ogunbowale, Kelsey Plum, Aerial Powers, NaLyssa Smith, Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas, Courtney Williams, A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young.

Invitees will report “pending the conclusion of their WNBA seasons and the progression of the national team selection process,” USA Basketball said in a release.

“I am looking forward to welcoming this amazing group of athletes to a productive training camp as we prepare for the 2022 FIBA World Cup,” national team coach Cheryl Reeve said in a release. “These athletes will report to camp having just completed their WNBA seasons, and it says a lot about their competitive drive and commitment to USA Basketball that they will come to Las Vegas prepared to participate at the highest level.”

Atkins, Chelsea Gray, Loyd, Stewart, and Wilson won gold with Team USA in Tokyo. Alisha Gray, Dolson, Plum, and Young — members of the gold-medal-winning 3×3 team — will be headed to Vegas. Wilson, Stewart, Delle Donne, Loyd, Plum, and Young were members of Team USA’s World Cup team that won gold in Spain in 2018.

Delle Donne and McCoughtry didn’t play in Tokyo due to injuries but were contributors to the 2016 Olympic team in Rio de Janeiro. McCoughtry had appeared in three WNBA games in two years due to knee injuries and is currently a free agent after the Lynx bought her contract out before the season started.

This will be the first Team USA roster that won’t feature Sue Bird, and Sylvia Fowles is retiring. Tina Charles, Diana Taurasi (season-ending quad injury), Skylar Diggins-Smith (personal reasons), Napheesa Collier (played one week of basketball after giving birth in May), and Brittney Griner, who is controversially imprisoned in Russia due to drug possession and smuggling charges.

The post Aliyah Boston Headlines Invitees Tor Team USA Training Camp appeared first on SLAM.

The coast-to-coast finish was a display of speed, power, and athleticism reminiscent of Bronny’s father, 18-time NBA All-Star LeBron James. Even the four-time MVP couldn’t hold back as players across the League, from Stephen Curry to Ja Morant, reacted to one of the nastiest jams we’ve seen in a while.

Bronny finished with a game-high 25 points, but it wasn’t enough to pull out the dub as the California Basketball club fell 97-85. The team will finish its European tour against an Italian squad on Thursday.

The 17-year-old James, who is entering his senior season, is reportedly being recruited by teams such as UCLA, USC, Michigan, Ohio State, and Oregon, among others, according to ESPN’s Paul Biancardi. The G-League Ignite and Australia’s National Basketball League are also viable options for James, according to The Athletic.

Bronny is set to play another season at Sierra Canyon High School in the fall, where he’ll play with a star-studded core, including his brother Bryce, Justin Pippen (the son of Scottie Pippen), and the recently transferred Ashton Hardaway (the son of Penny Hardaway). Isaiah Elohim, the No. 4 player of the 2024 class, per 247Sports.com, will also play with Sierra Canyon next season.

Expectations are high for James and Sierra Canyon, with a stacked roster and national attention heading into the season. If his recent EYBL and international performances are any indications, James will be just fine as he continues to grow in the national spotlight.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post WATCH: NBA Players React to Bronny James’ Ridiculous Poster Dunk appeared first on SLAM.

The details for the Champs Sports SLAM Summer Classic Sweepstakes are below.

Email contests@slammediainc.com to submit.

The post Win VIP Access to the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 4 appeared first on SLAM.

Since 1995, Izzo and the Spartans have made the NCAA tournament in all but two seasons as head coach. Izzo has coached in eight Final Fours, won the 1999-2000 National Championship, coached seven consensus All-Americans, won three Big 10 Coach of the Year awards, was the 1997-98 AP Coach of the Year and has won 666 games in his career.

The contract extension also comes after Izzo signed one of his best-recruiting classes in recent memory, signing four top 100 players in the class of 2023, which ranks No. 3 overall in the nation. Izzo also signed two incoming freshmen who were top 100 prospects, Jaxon Kohler and Tre Holloman, that will suit up for Michigan State.

Izzo is the winningest coach in Big 10 history, passing Bob Knight’s 659 wins at Indiana. Based on his recent recruiting work, Izzo is gearing up for one more NCAA Championship run before he decides to step away from the sidelines.

The post Michigan State’s Tom Izzo Signs an Extension at Michigan State appeared first on SLAM.

Ashton Hardaway, son of NBA legend and Memphis Tigers Coach Penny Hardaway, has transferred to Sierra Canyon, a school spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times.

Hardaway, a four-star recruit and the No. 115 ranked player in the 2023 class according to Rivals.com, transferred from Duncanville High School in Texas. He averaged 10 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game and helped Duncanville finish with a 35-1 record and a third-straight 6A state championship last season.

The 6-7 senior holds scholarship offers from USC, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Boston College, among others. Sierra Canyon will now feature four sons of NBA legends, as Hardaway will join Bronny and Bryce James, and Justin Pippen to only build upon Sierra Canyon’s powerhouse of a roster. But the star power doesn’t end there, as Isaiah Elohim, the No. 4 player of the 2024 class per 247Sports.com, will make Sierra Canyon a national favorite in the Mission League this coming season.

Hardaway is expected to play on Sierra Canyon’s upcoming foreign tour next week. A club team consisting of mostly Sierra Cayon players will play exhibition games in London, Paris, and Rome that will be aired on the ESPN networks.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post Ashton Hardaway, Son of Penny Hardaway, Transfers to Sierra Canyon appeared first on SLAM.

Prayers up to P https://t.co/HwGekr3Hyr

— WSLAM (@wslam) August 3, 2022

According to a team statement released Tuesday, Bueckers suffered the season-ending injury during a team scrimmage on Monday. Her MRI on Tuesday confirmed the team’s worst fear. She will undergo surgery to repair her knee on Friday, and UConn will provide a recovery timetable after the procedure is finished.

“We’re all devastated for Paige,” Coach Geno Auriemma said. “She’s worked really hard to get stronger and healthier this offseason, and this is an unfortunate setback. Paige is obviously an amazing basketball player, but she’s a better person and teammate, and it’s really unfortunate that this has happened to her. We’ll miss her presence on the court, but she’ll do everything she can to still lead and help her teammates this season. Our program will support Paige through her healing process to help her come back better and stronger.

“It’s really like yin and yang.” Azzi and Paige cover SLAM 235.

Azzi and Paige cover SLAM 235: https://t.co/6RZHNWcIyP pic.twitter.com/wAabvFeLTx

— WSLAM (@wslam) November 30, 2021

The Huskies went 15-4 over the 19 games Bueckers missed after she suffered a torn meniscus injury. As a sophomore, Bueckers averaged 14.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. As a freshman, she swept the national player of the year awards after averaging 20.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game.

Bueckers is a two-time SLAM cover star; she graced the front page of SLAM 225 and SLAM 235 with her best friend and teammate, Azzi Fudd.

“It was a dream to play here, not even knowing what the future would hold—who I would play with, who I would play against,” Paige told SLAM. “Just me wanting to come here for school and to be able to do it with my best friend, it makes it so much better.” 

PAIGE BUECKERS. The one and only.

The No. 1 HS player in the country covers SLAM 226: https://t.co/6swe8zwqPX pic.twitter.com/hElx8TH4gK

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 29, 2020

The post Paige Bueckers Out for 2022-23 Season After Tearing ACL appeared first on SLAM.

Known as the elite high school basketball players’ favorite all-star game, the SLAM Summer Classic will again bring together the top boys and girls from across the country to take part in a weekend filled with community, culture and competition. 

For the first time, the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 4 will take place at the famed Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, NY. The girls game will tip off at 5 p.m. and the boys game will tip off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022.

Among the players taking part are:

Mackenzie Mgbako, Gill St. Bernard School (Gladstone, NJ), Robert Dillingham, Donda Academy (Simi Valley, CA), Simeon Wilcher, Roselle Catholic HS (Roselle, NJ), Jared McCain, Centennial HS (Corona, CA), Judea Watkins, Sierra Canyon HS (Los Angeles, CA), Jadyn Donovan, Sidwell Friends School (Washington DC), Hannah Hidalgo, Paul VI HS (Haddonfield, NJ).

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More than a few previously under-the-radar players have made their mark at the Classic and saw their college and pro stocks rise after the weekend. Previous SLAM Summer Classic participants include NBA stars Jalen Green, James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, Chet Holmgren, RJ Hampton, Josh Christopher, Jalen Suggs and Cassius Stanley, as well as rising NCAA stars Flau’jae Johnson, Diamond Johnson, Kiki Rice and Angel Reese.  

Partnering with SLAM to put on the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 4 are Gatorade, Spalding, Def Jam, CLOT, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), Champs Sports, SHOWTIME^® and Nike.

“The SLAM Summer Classic is unlike any other high school basketball game! We’re so excited to bring it to the legendary Rucker Park and give these athletes an authentic NYC hoops experience,” says Les Green, CEO of SLAM Media Inc. “SLAM is all about celebrating the game of basketball as well as the culture surrounding the game. We’ll give all the young men and women a weekend to remember, full of energy, competitionand fun. With a roster of 24 amazing athletes and eight great partners, this year’s Classic will be the biggest one yet.”

For more information about the SLAM Summer Classic and real-time coverage of the event later this month, follow @SLAM, @SLAM_HS and @WSLAM on all social media platforms. 

The post SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 4 Returns on August 20 at Rucker Park appeared first on SLAM.

Things have now come full circle for the co-owner of the Atlanta Dream, whose squad is currently sitting at No. 4 in the Eastern Conference. Montgomery recently had the opportunity to attend the Gatorade Athlete of the Year Award Show in Los Angeles and support some of the brightest and best high school hoopers from around the country. “What makes [the Gatorade Athlete of the Year Award] so exciting is this is a step further. I was the Gatorade Player of the Year for West Virginia, but this is Athlete of the Year for the entire year across various sports.  It’s the best [of the best] here, not only their sport, but what they’re doing off the court. It’s exciting to see the next generation and also be here to give them energy and pump them up and let them know, like, you’re doing something right. Don’t let nobody tell you anything different.”

The award show, which took place at Goya Studios, made its highly-anticipated return last week after a two-year hiatus and featured a star-studded group of college and pro athletes in attendance, from Montgomery to Pistons rookie Jaden Ivey and Stanford’s Haley Jones. During the award ceremony, Gatorade honored all 12 National Gatorade Players of the Year winners—which includes Kansas-commit Gradey Dick—for their excellence within athletics, academics, and how they’re committed to making an impact in their communities. SLAM All-American Kiki Rice was named the 2022 Gatorade Female High School Athlete of the Year, adding yet another award to her already illustrious, multi-sport high school career at Sidwell Friends—she won the 2018-19 Gatorade Washington D.C. Girls Soccer Player of the Year and Basketball Player of the Year award twice throughout her high school career. On the boy’s side, cross country standout Colin Sahlman was named the 2022 Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year. 

Rice led the Quakers to a 28-0 record and a DCSAA Tournament title this past season while maintaining a B-plus average and volunteering with So Others Might Eat, an organization that supports those experiencing homelessness and poverty. She also mentors younger Sidwell Friends students and is a veteran leader in the Sidwell Friends Athletic Leadership Academy.

For Montgomery, it’s that type of unwavering commitment to making a difference and pursuing their passions, both on and off the court, that makes watching the next generation of young hoopers so exciting. “I would say what stands out to me about this next generation of hoopers is the fact that they can do whatever they want to do. I was talking to some of them on the [Gatorade] orange carpet and asking them about what kind of style they like [and] what kind of music. Yes, you’re an athlete, but you can be an ambassador for so much more. So, that’s what’s most exciting about the next generation. They can literally do whatever they want.”

Ivey, who pulled up to the Gatorade Athlete of the Year Award Show rockin’ a leather fit, echoes those same sentiments while offering a bit of advice to all the young standouts. Although his trajectory to the NBA has been different than many others in his draft class—Ivey was a four-star recruit out of La Lumiere School and ranked No. 84 on the ESPN 100 list for the Class of 2020— he knows firsthand that it’s all about trusting the process.

“My journey was a bit different,” he says. “I wasn’t heavily recruited [and] I didn’t really have all the spotlight. So, I would say to just embrace it, your journey. That’s the biggest thing, embrace whatever you do.”

Photos via Gatorade.

The post Renee Montgomery and Jaden Ivey Support the Next Generation of Standouts at Gatorade’s Annual Athlete of the Year Award Show appeared first on SLAM.

It’s that effort, beyond just scoring, that Hood is trying to emphasize to his own players as a coach at this year’s NBPA Top 100 Camp. “Everybody can’t score 30 points every single game, you know, it’s just not like that,” Hood explains over the phone. “So you have to find little ways to get noticed in camps like this. And I related to them. And then, you know, you see them go out on the court and they’re trying, these kids are hungry. They want to get better.”

The 2022 NBPA Top 100 Camp features some of the best high school players in the country, with standouts including Vyctorius Miller, Kwame Evans and LeBron James Jr. This exclusive, invite-only event is focused entirely on player development, rather than self-promotion or self-branding, and for Hood, he noticed his players getting better throughout the week.

“A lot of guys on the team are really excelling and everybody’s playing well right now. We’re gonna keep going and they’re going to keep impressing,” Hood says. 

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After his standout performance at the NBPA Top 100 Camp back in the day, Hood went on to attend Mississippi State. He then made his name at Duke, where he earned All-ACC honors and averaged 16.1 points before embarking on a career in the NBA. 

SLAM recently caught up with Hood, who was still coaching at the camp when we spoke with him on the phone, to learn more about his experience there, what he was trying to teach this year’s group, and what he’s learning about himself when it comes to a potential future career in coaching.

SLAM: What’s been the best part about returning to the NBPA Top 100 Camp this year?

RH: The biggest thing is just being around the kids. They’re just hungry for information, they want to know how to get to the NBA level and what to expect. And teach what I know, it’s just about paying it back [and] trying to be somewhat of a mentor to them for this week. And that’s the best part about it. I think the challenge with the camp is just trying to get guys who are so talented to play together. My group has been special to coach, they’re a lot of fun. Hopefully one of these days I get a chance to play against them one day.

SLAM: You mentioned getting them to play a certain way. As a first-time coach at this level, what were you emphasizing to your group?

RH: Just for them to play hard. I mean, at all levels, regardless of how good you want to be, whether it’s college or NBA, you gotta play hard. The best players in the world play hard, and then just play together. Everybody is from where they at, they get all the shots and they’re the best player. But when you’re playing with better players, which they will, in college and in the NBA, you have to learn how to play without the ball and just make the right play. They’re getting better as the game goes along. So that’s all you can ask for.

SLAM: What was your favorite moment from the Top 100 Camp when you played?

RH: I can’t remember any funny moments ’cause I’m kind of old, but I just remember the camaraderie, guys that I see in the NBA [now] that I played with, whether it was Anthony Davis being there, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Bradley Beal—all those guys was in the same class. And we talked about it. When we see each other every now and then, we talk about Top 100 Camp [or] when we played AAU ball. It’s the best time. They’ll remember this for long years to come.

SLAM: You played at Duke and you improved quite a bit when you transferred from Mississippi State to play for Coach K. As a coach, what have you learned from this experience so far and have you talked to any other coaches for advice?

RH: I’ve reached out to a few coaches; Quin Snyder, Johnnie Bryant—those guys really helped me out throughout my career. I told them ‘thank you’ because I didn’t know how much they put up with as coaches. It’s been fun, though, you know, just learning. It’s a great learning experience for me, seeing if I’m a coach in the future. I think I’ve learned a lot from this camp.

SLAM: You’ve mentioned doing the little things, like taking charges and diving for loose balls. What have you been working on with your group and what have they excelled at?

RH: All of it. I think we grew, especially on the rebounding end. Everybody would leak out to get buckets, which I understand, but, just them helping people, when your teammate falls, help them up. Get back on defense, talk on defense, run the court. Somebody gives you a good pass, tell them ‘good pass.’ Those things go a long way. College looks for that. So they’ll just continue to get better at that. It’s been good.

SLAM: Being a good teammate sometimes gets overlooked by a lot of young players at the high school level. How have you tried to show them this week that it’s just as important as their skill set?

RH: It’s very important, that’s what winning teams do. On every level, when you come out of high school, college, and definitely in the pros, the teams are the most together. They help each other up. They make the right pass and encourage each other. Those are the teams that have the most success, those are the things that you have to do. These are not things that you do [only] when you want to. You have to do these things in order to be successful as a team and as a player. I think they’re getting the hang of it. It’s new to them [and] how young they are, just because of their talent, but they’re picking up on it.

The post Rodney Hood on Coaching the Next Generation of Elite Hoopers at the NBPA Top 100 Camp appeared first on SLAM.

Rod Strickland officially named the head coach at LIU in Brooklyn. He had been director of the G League Ignite.

— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) June 30, 2022

Strickland grew up in the Bronx, eventually getting drafted by the Knicks in the first round of the 1998 first-round pick after three seasons at DePaul. He previously worked as an assistant at South Florida before becoming a key figure in developing and launching the G League Ignite program over the last three years.

“Rod Strickland has a demonstrated eye for recruiting and developing student-athletes, and we are confident he will elevate Long Island University’s winning tradition to even greater heights,” Long Island University President Kimberly R. Cline said Thursday in a statement announcing the hire. 

“Rod has done a tremendous job as program director for NBA G League Ignite, from leading our recruiting efforts to aiding in the development of our young players, including six NBA Draft picks in the last two seasons,” Shareef Abdur-Rahim, President of the NBA G League, added. “We wish him the best with Long Island University. LIU is getting an amazing person and great basketball man.”

LIU is coming off a third-place finish in the Northeast Conference, and he inherits a program that hasn’t finished worse than .500 in conference play since Kellogg, 74-74(49-41 NEC) took over in 2017. Kellogg led the Sharks to one NCAA tournament appearance in 2018.

Strickland will bring a player’s perspective and an NBA point guard’s basketball IG to a program that could be on the rise as LIU’s profile grows with a former NBA player’s presence at the helm of its program. Strickland’s G League Ignite program has been an alternative for top high school players to pursue an immediate pro-style development and career instead of going to college.

“Developing young players on and off the court has always aligned with my passion while I was playing and after retiring from the NBA,” Strickland said. “I am appreciative to Long Island University for the opportunity to become a head coach at home, in New York City. The Sharks are going to be a competing program for top athletes who not only want to take their game to the next level but prepare for success.”

The post Rod Strickland Leaving G League Ignite to Become Head Coach of LIU Brooklyn appeared first on SLAM.

Leading up to tonight’s festivities, we’re taking a look at the cant-miss prospects you should have on your radar. Let’s get it.

Bennedict Mathurin

A native of Montreal, Quebec, Bennedict Mathurin leads the next generation of Canadian hoopers.

A true shot-maker with the ability to score in the catch-and-shoot or off the dribble, Mathurin should be able to provide instant offense for a team at the next level. He scored 17.7 points per game on 45.0 percent shooting from the field, and 36.9 percent shooting from three and displayed the capability to take a game over at Arizona (look no further than his career-high 30 points against TCU in the second round of the NCCA Tournament).

In addition to his shooting prowess, Mathurin has a powerful first step when attacking the rim and has shown the physicality to destroy rims.

His efficiency as a long-range shooter is something teams across the League love. During his freshman season, Mathurin hit 41.8 percent of his three-point attempts as a spot-up shooter. When asked to do more during his sophomore campaign, Mathurin improved his accuracy despite jumping up to 6.1 shots per game (while also managing ball-handling and playmaking duties).

Mathurin also has an excellent in-between game and is reliable at the free-throw line, 78.9 percent as a sophomore. His maturation from a spot-up shooter to a dynamic three-level scorer makes him one of the most dangerous prospects in the draft. He’s also a willing rebounder with good size and strength, pulling down 5.6 boards per game last season.

The 2021-22 PAC-12 Player of the Year and consensus second-team All-American has earned comparisons to the likes of Jamal Crawford and Victor Oladipo with his length and ability to score off the dribble and in catch and shoot sets.

A product of the NBA Academy Latin America, Mathurin’s refined offensive game makes him a flat-out baller and a player who should be a productive scorer for years to come.

Keegan Murray

Improvement was the key to Keegan Murray’s college career at Iowa. Nearly every major statistical category of Murray’s game improved from year one to year two. His rebounding improved by over 3.5 boards per game; he transformed into a knockdown outside shooter, dished one more assist per game, and saw improved steal and block numbers. The result of this? A projected top-five pick with the tools to be a two-way star.

At 6’8, Murray’s a versatile defender with the length and mobility to guard nearly every position on the court. He averaged two blocks and a steal per game last season and used his leaping ability to contest shots at the rim. The Iowa native isn’t afraid to mix it up with big men on the boards, averaging 8.7 rebounds per game.

On offense, Murray is a scorer who can be productive without the ball in his hands. Between timely cuts to the basket and a robust pick-and-pop game, Murray knows how to contribute without demanding isolation or ball-dominant sets effectively. He’s comfortable in the post and is productive in the paint because of his superb shot selection (a career 54.3 percent from the field).

Murray didn’t shy away from the pressure of being a number one option for the Hawkeyes, recording 23.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while shooting 55.4 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from three last season.

After averaging just 7.2 points per game as a freshman, Murray was a consensus first-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten, and Big Ten Tournament MVP as a sophomore. He was also the winner of the Karl Malone Award, given annually to the nation’s top power forward.

Murray could be considered a strong wing player or even a small-ball center in the League. His versatility presents mismatch nightmares for opposing teams. The ability to serve as a solid defensive presence while scoring from all three levels on offense is a rare trait. A late bloomer who was unranked in high school, Murray’s enormous improvements and potential as a do-it-all contributor on both sides of the floor make him one of the most intriguing prospects of the 2022 draft class.

Dyson Daniels

An Australian guard with elite defense and passing? We know what you’re thinking. No, Dyson Daniels is not a Ben Simmons replica, but he certainly shares a similar skill set as the 2016 No. 1 overall pick.

Daniels is a crafty playmaker and high-IQ defender who played in the NBL1 and NBA Global Academy in Australia before joining the G League Ignite in 2021. In the G League, he displayed his skill as a reliable ball-handler and master in the pick-and-roll with the ability to hit the open man or make defenders pay with his patented floater, a move that’s become a go-to option for the 19-year-old.

Daniels averaged 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game when matching up against NBA-caliber talent last season. The 2018 FIBA Oceania U15 Gold Medalist emerged as a two-way threat with his 6-10 wingspan and solid frame. Excellent court vision and ability to be a disruptor on defense allowed Daniels to set himself apart from the rest as this year’s top G-League prospect.

Speaking of defense, Daniels recorded 1.9 steals in 2021-22 while showcasing the ability to lock up both traditional guards and larger wing players. His high basketball IQ serves him well on this end, as he knows when to switch and send help, but his one-on-one defense is what could make him a bag in the League. He sticks to his matchup, and because of his active hands and ability to slide his feet, he can be trusted on an island to put the clamps on.

The Australian only averaged 2.1 fouls per game last season, so he knows how to play defense without fouling. Daniels is also the first to dive on a loose ball and set the tone of the game, an invaluable asset not always shown on the stat sheet. Because of that mindset, Daniels contributed in ways you don’t see in the box score with his instincts, feel for the game, and hustle.

On offense, Daniels will have to boost his three-point shot (he shot 25.5 from three last season) to become an all-around threat, but he has the potential to turn into a spot-up shooter with his already much-improved jumper. He could potentially contribute immediately as a perimeter defender and facilitator as the two-way prospect teams desire in a top pick.

Ochai Agbaji

No prospect has improved over his four years in college more than Ochai Agbaji. He went from bench piece to regular starter to star player and has progressed at every point to find himself as a potentially coveted piece for an NBA team. 

It starts with his physical tools: Agbaji possesses a 6’10 wingspan and a 6’6 frame, making him an ideal wing defender for today’s NBA. Agbaji’s advanced defensive metrics suggest he is a wildly optimistic defender, something many NBA teams will find valuable. In his four years at Kansas, Agbaji hasn’t had a defensive plus/minus of less than 2.2. His vertical was measured at 39 inches at the combine, which will also serve him well in cutting situations and rebounding. 

Agbaji’s three-point shot has also steadily improved over his time in college, as he shot over 40% this past year, delivering several clutch moments throughout the college year. His most important moment was shooting 6/7 from three in the Final Four matchups against Villanova. He also went 7/12 from the field against Texas Tech at home and was a key performer in the Big 12 tournament championship going 3/6 from downtown, finishing with 16 points and seven boards.

When asked about staying for a fourth year in college, Agbaji opened up about his thought process.

“Sometimes you’ve gotta stay patient; sometimes it’s not going to be there right away, the first two years or first three years. But if you stay the course, things will come to fruition,” Agbaji said.

It seems as if staying one more year at Kansas helped his draft stock after testing the waters last year, which resulted in a consensus All-American year with a Big 12 & National championship at a blue blood program under an all-time great coach in Bill Self. The stars have aligned for him as the ideal “Three and D” prototype that teams demand after four years of steady improvement and being a late bloomer, which has been for the better.

Shaedon Sharpe:

Shaedon Sharpe technically hasn’t played since his senior year of high school, where he was the number one ranked player in the 2022 class until he reclassified to the 2021 class. Sharpe sat out the entire 2021-2022 college season, choosing to develop on-campus without playing a game; however, that hasn’t seemed to hurt his draft stock in any capacity. 

“My thought process as an athlete, as a basketball player, was really just getting better,” Sharpe said per Sporting News. “So I was just in the gym every day, working out. Really for me, whatever happened, I’d be ready for it.

“Like I said before, everything happens for a reason. So I really don’t regret [not] playing,” Sharpe said. “I mean, I’m working with NBA teams now. So I guess I did something right.”

According to Eric Bossi, the National Basketball Director of 247sports, “Sharpe is an explosive athlete with a nose for the rim.” Bossi also said Sharpe had developed his handle “tremendously,” which has allowed him to become a creative scorer and playmaker.

According to Bossi, Sharpe also has an “electric first step and his ability to get downhill, into the lane, and then finish around the rim.” Bossi also likes Sharpe’s length and ability to move well laterally and believes he “has all of the tools to develop into a player who is just as disruptive on the defensive end of the floor as he is on offense.”

Like Agbaji, his physical tools allow him to be a coveted prototype NBA wing that plays defense and can score at all three levels. His explosive athleticism will keep him a step ahead of everyone else in the League, much of that credit going to his above-average first step. If he can just control the ball-handling a little bit more and prove to be healthy, he could be THE steal of the draft.

The post 2022 NBA Draft Preview: Can’t-Miss Prospects appeared first on SLAM.

Leading up to tonight’s festivities, we’re taking a look at the  “who’s who” of the 2022 NBA Draft class, specifically the blue chip prospects. Let’s get it.

Paolo Banchero

Immediately following Paolo Banchero’s first game at Duke —a 22-point, seven-rebound performance against then-No. 10 Kentucky—it was clear the consensus five-star recruit was destined for stardom. Not every player can live up to the expectations of being Duke’s next star, but Banchero did so easily.

While Duke was the biggest stage the 19-year-old’s played on thus far, he’s never shied away from the spotlight.

He finished his one-and-done year at Duke, averaging 17 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game on 47.7 percent shooting from the field, leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four. The 2021-22 ACC Rookie of the Year scored at least 17 points and played at least 33 minutes in all five of Duke’s NCAA Tournament games.

Banchero’s a well-rounded player with good size (6-10, 250 lb. frame) that can do a bit of everything. With a mix of post moves and faceup versatility, Banchero is arguably the best shot creator in the class. He possesses excellent body control and uses his frame to fend off defenders before bursting with an explosive spin move or up-and-under when attacking off the bounce.

Banchero is also an unselfish playmaker. Since he often draws double teams, Banchero has no problem trusting his teammates and kicking the ball out to the open man. In college, he showed comfortability with having an offense run through him, and he projects as a player who could serve a similar role in the League.

“My passing is probably my favorite part of my game if I had to choose one,” Banchero said during his SLAM 235 cover shoot. “I don’t know; it’s just something that I always thought was so cool; I don’t know why. Growing up, I fell in love with no-look passes, and I don’t know why, but I thought that was the coolest thing you could do on the court. So, I would go practice them, go to the playground and practice them, do crazy stuff. Eventually, that stuff turns into a real skill.”

While he dominated nearly every aspect of the game in college, Banchero will look to refine his three-point shot at the next level. His 33.8 percent mark was good enough to keep defenses honest, but with the League’s current emphasis on spacing and three-point shot-making, Banchero will look to become a more significant threat from deep to become an even more outstanding offensive player.

Between his size, rebounding ability, and offensive versatility, Banchero has the tools to thrive as a power forward, or even a small-ball center, at the next level.

“I don’t think there’s anything on that court that I can’t do,” Banchero said. “I’m gonna always play hard, I’m going to always bet my teammates involved, but like I said, you know, I can score, pass, defend. I’m just going to be able to do whatever the team needs me to do.”

Jaden Ivey

Like sunlight traveling to the Earth, Jaden Ivey has grown considerably from his freshman to sophomore year with the Purdue Boilermakers. Showing promise as a freshman making the Big 10 All-Freshman team, Ivey made the jump to consensus All-American status as a sophomore.

Ivey’s production jumped dramatically, going from 11.1 points to 17.3 points per game this past year, with increased efficiency from the field (46 percent), the free-throw line (74 percent), and from three (35.8 percent), all while playing 31.4 minutes per game. 

But what makes him so lethal is his speed on the open floor; in the blink of an eye, Ivey will be grabbing a rebound on one end, then he is jamming it home just a few mere seconds later. Purdue played at the fifth slowest pace last year in the Big 10, primarily due to their big lineup; Ivey was the one exception where he would speed past everyone for easy drives and transition buckets. Ivey plays in turbo mode throughout the game, always looking to draw contact for free throws, as hinted by his almost six free throw attempts per game.

His defense is much improved as well, especially going beyond the regular box score stats of steals & blocks. He was overall a positive defensive player for the Boilermakers. As mentioned, his north & south speed, his lateral quickness, and quick hands give Ivey the physical tools to be a great defensive player.

He also looks to cause disruption wherever he can, averaging only 1.8 fouls last year which is a rarity for someone of his playstyle on defense. With all that intensity, he seems fine going deep into games while playing heavy minutes. 

NBA scouts love his potential, knowing he was going top five at the early stages of the college season.

“That first round of games in Indy, he was one of the most impressive players on the court in terms of NBA upside,” said one NBA scout per YahooSports. “After we all started going to practices at Purdue last fall, it was clear he was a top-five lock.” 

Despite being held to nine points by Saint Peter’s, Ivey’s talent was verified even more during the NCAA Tournament last March. Ivey dropped 22 points in the opening round against Yale and followed that up with an 18-point performance against Texas, where he shot 57 percent from the field.

Talent must run in the family, given that Ivey’s mom, Niele, played in the WNBA for the Indiana Fever, Detroit Shock, and the Phoenix Mercury. Niele Ivey is also the head coach for the Notre Dame women’s basketball team. 

Scoring wings are hot commodities in the modern NBA, especially if Ivey can turn a franchise around in a short amount of time. When he steps into the League, he’ll bring an energy that can change the dynamic from day one.

Jabari Smith

Franchise saviors come around occasionally, but when they do, they take over the NBA with their powers. This year it’s Auburn’s Jabari Smith, a 6’10 forward native of Georgia who is currently seen as one of the top three picks in the upcoming Draft.

At Auburn, Smith was a consensus second-team All-American, First-team All-SEC, and won SEC freshman of the year and the Wayman Tisdale Award in one year. Smith also helped lead the Tigers, to, at one point, the top spot in the AP rankings and earned a two seed in the NCAA tournament. Though the Tigers were bounced in the second round, Smith came of age when he posted 20 and 14 in Auburn’s first-round win over Jacksonville State.

Smith, from the moment he walks into the NBA, will be one of the better shooters in the rookie class. Besides his physical build, Smith’s high release point has drawn people to call him a Kevin Durant-like player. 

“The comfort level he has in the halfcourt is the biggest thing,” one NBA scout said per Nathan King of 247 Sports. “He thinks he can make any shot over anyone. That smooth confidence is big for the League.”

Without question, Smith’s physical tools allow him to do things few and far between have been able to do in the League. The pro game has embraced an outside-in playstyle, and Smith’s ability as a 6’10 forward who can shoot will be coveted by many. Shooting 42.0 percent from three in college cannot be glossed over, nor can his 42.9 percent shooting from the field.

Smith also presents advanced defensive skills for his age, a side of the game other prospects take longer to develop. In college, Smith showcased a feel for how to move his feet, communicate, and give effort on each defensive possession. As basic as that sounds, those skills are essential to being a quality NBA defender.

Smith also rotates well from the weak side providing help defense as an extra shot blocker. He averaged 1.0 blocks per contest; although that isn’t the end-all for determining defense, Smith has shown that he’s a willing and able defender who can only improve as a pro. 

Smith is currently seen as a transcendent talent going into the NBA Draft, likely to land as a top-three pick; whoever lands the Auburn product will be getting a player who likely turns their fortunes around and perhaps can one day be an NBA superstar.

Chet Holmgren

What makes a great NBA draft prospect? Is it dominance? Versatility? Potential? Whatever it maybe, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren has it all.

Quite possibly the most unique and versatile prospect we’ve ever seen, Holmgren embodies the skillset of the vaunted basketball unicorn. He has the perimeter skills of a guard and has displayed the inside dominance to be compared to some of the game’s greats. 

He first went viral in high school for crossing up two-time MVP Stephen Curry at the SC30 Camp in 2019, and since then, the Minneapolis native hasn’t looked back.

A consensus five-star recruit and the No. 1 player of the 2021 class, Holmgren joined one of college basketball’s national powerhouses and didn’t disappoint. Holmgren averaged 14.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game in his only season with Gonzaga and displayed his dominance on both ends of the floor.

Holmgren is the total package in nearly every sense of the word.

Standing at 7’0 with a ridiculous 7’6 wingspan, he established himself as college basketball’s premier rim protector last year, racking up 3.7 blocks per game, good for fourth in the nation. His size allows him to alter nearly every shot in his vicinity, and his skill as an ambidextrous shot-blocker could translate into elite interior defense once he gets to the League. 

And once Holmgren blocks a shot, he can lead the pack in transition. He’s comfortable with the ball in his hands and doesn’t hesitate to initiate his own offense. The consensus second-team All-American and first-team All-West Coast Conference selection shot 60.7 percent from the field last season with an absurd 73.7 percent shooting on two-point field goal attempts. Whether it’s in the low post or as an off-ball cutter, Holmgren’s defensive assertiveness is matched on offense.

But he isn’t a one-trick pony—like we said, he’s a unicorn. In addition to his paint dominance, Holmgren shot 39 percent from beyond the arc. It was on 97 attempts, but Holmgren has showcased a smooth jumper with a quick trigger that keeps defenses on their heels. And since he has an above-average basketball IQ for a player his size and age, Holmgren is as dynamic as they come.

“Coming to see me would definitely be a unique sight or experience,” Holmgren told SLAM in 2019. “Not a lot of guys play the way I do, especially at my height.”

At 195 lbs., he’ll likely have to put on some extra weight to handle the 82-game schedule and sheer size of the big men he’ll face in the NBA, but he won’t back down. Don’t get it twisted. Holmgren has the aggressiveness of a ’90s big and will mean-mug his way down the court after a thunderous dunk or smacking an opponent’s shot off the backboard.

His skillset and limitless potential force us to bear the question: is there anything Chet Holmgren can’t do?

The post 2022 NBA Draft: The Blue Chip Prospects appeared first on SLAM.

Shareef spoke to the media Monday after his pre-draft workout with the Lakers, and the topic of his father came to the forefront.

“I felt like in college; I wasn’t getting enough opportunity. I wasn’t feeling like myself in college,” Shareef said. “I got that invite to the G League Elite camp, and that opened a lot of doors for me. I feel like it really brought me back and kind of showed a little bit (of) what I can do. And once I started getting calls from teams to work out, I was like, ‘Man, this is what I want to do.’ I mean, I’m here; it’s right in front of me, so just go for it. So I continued to work.”

But his father, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 draft, preferred the 22-year-old to spend another year in college.

“He didn’t like that idea at all,” O’Neal said. “It sucks that he didn’t like that idea, but I’m a grown man, I’m 22 years old, I can make my own decisions. It was right in front of my face. I’m not backing up from it. I’m going to go get it if I see it. That’s just how I’m built. I take everything the same way. I took my heart surgery the same way. Being cleared was right in front of me, being healthy was right in front of me, and I went for it. I’m not backing down from nobody. I know he’s an NBA legend; I know he’s my dad, but it was right in front of me; I had to go get it. So, if he likes it or not, it’s not really going to stop me from doing what I want to do.”

Shaq didn’t graduate from LSU before being drafted to the NBA but eventually returned to LSU to complete his degree. He then received his master’s at the University of Phoenix online and a doctorate at Barry University in Florida.

“He knows I’m working out with teams. But I’m not going to lie; we ain’t talked about this. I’m kind of just going through it. He didn’t do any pre-draft workouts; he just got straight on the [Orlando Magic], so it’s a different grind.

“So, he didn’t want me to do this, and I know he probably doesn’t want me saying this, but sorry. We’re both grown; we’ll get past it.”

The younger O’Neal played 37 collegiate games in one season with UCLA and his father’s father’s alma mater, LSU. He has career averages of 2.6 points and three rebounds per game on 40.5 percent shooting from the field. 

The post Shareef O’Neal Says Father ‘Didn’t Like the Idea’ of Him Staying in Draft appeared first on SLAM.

Northeast offers individual and small group training, limited competitive team play, as well as NBA pre-draft training for players looking to make the League. Northeast Run, an invite-only open gym competition for highly-skilled players, features high school All-Americans and NBA vets.

 Founder and director Trevor Harris has just announced NEBC’s inaugural “Club Member” ambassadors, which features of group of young players making an impact in their community both on and off the court.

“I greatly appreciate the athletes and families that came out to celebrate this year’s ambassador class,” Harris says. “Each and every athlete is extremely special both on and off the court, and I’m happy to have them a part of our program at Northeast. I couldn’t imagine a better group of individuals to represent our inaugural  club members class.”

That list includes Alabama guard Jahvon Quinerly, who is hosting his own basketball camp, powered by the club, in August. There’s also Bergen Catholic’s Elliot Cadeau, who is the No. 1 point guard in the Class of 2024, Roselle Catholic guard and North Carolina commit Simeon Wilcher, Hudson Catholic’s Tahaad Pettiford, The Webb School’s Angelica Velez, St. Peter’s Prep’s Jackson Tindall, Rutgers Prep’s Jordan Atkins and Kent School’s Keith Mency.

“I’ve been playing with Northeast since I was in the 8th grade and Trev always allowed me to challenge myself and play up with the older guys while I was still an underclassman in high school,” says Quinerly. “I feel like that really helped my development as a player before I got to college. Northeast has been a great asset for players in New Jersey who love getting better. Trev is a testament of building a brand and program from the ground up and it’s came a long way. The event in Soho was really cool to be a part of. The venue was really chill and I feel like everyone who came through had a good time.”

“Northeast is great, every time I get in the gym whether it’s runs, a game, or just a workout, there is always elite players right next to me. Even when I go out to events that have nothing to do with basketball, I’m always surrounded by elite athletes,” adds Cadeau.

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The Northeast Basketball Club also hosts the Northeast Classic, an annual all-star game in North Jersey showcasing some of the nation’s top talent, as well as “Point Guard University,” an invite-only one-day guard training session featuring some of the top guards in the country.

“Being apart of the northeast ambassadors crew is something I truly feel humbled and honored by!” says Velez. “Especially, being the only female to work and develop along side some of the most elite level male athletes in this area is something that I hold near and dear to me. The event recently hosted in NYC was my first chance seeing the impact and movement we have and are creating. Through our ambassadors program, I get to develop me as a woman and as a basketball player and I am excited about the future of what we will all do together.”

To learn more about the Northeast Basketball Club, read here.

The post Northeast Basketball Club Announces 2022 ‘Club Member’ Ambassadors appeared first on SLAM.

Incoming Villanova freshman Cam Whitmore led the United States to victory in a wild game. Whitmore is ranked as the top small forward in the 2022 class, third in the state of Maryland, and finished the year in the top 15, according to 247sports.com.

Going into the halftime break, Whitmore had 23 points on his own while the entire Brazilian team had 22. He would finish with a game-high 30 points overall to lead the USA to a dominant win, claiming the gold medal as the Yanks went 6-0 in the tournament while allowing no more than 65 points throughout the tournament.

Whitmore himself had an excellent tournament, averaging 18.7 points on 63 percent shooting from the field. Whitmore also took him tournament MVP honors as a result.

His 30-point effort was the most ever scored by a USA player in a gold medal game. Whitmore punctuated the tournament with a monstrous baseline dunk. The incoming freshman also posted a ridiculous put-back slam, impressing everyone in attendance and watching online as he jumped to the heavens to grab the ball.

Whitmore will be attending Villanova this fall alongside Mark Armstrong, his teammate on Team USA and fellow future Wildcat. Coach Kyle Neptune, who spent the previous season at Fordham, will look to make good use of his star freshman, given the performance he just had. He’ll only make Neptune’s adjustment to the Big East easier and keep Villanova in contention for the Big East crown.

The post Cam Whitmore dominates at FIBA U18 for Team USA appeared first on SLAM.

LSU junior Shareef O’Neal – son of Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal – is now eligible to be selected in the 2022 NBA draft, the league informed teams. A prior list of withdrawals mistakenly included O’Neal. The 6-foot-10 prospect stays in Draft and has upcoming team workouts.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 6, 2022

The former LSU forward was mistakenly included on a list of prospects who withdrew his name. The 6’10 prospect has upcoming team workouts as well.

O’Neal played 37 games in three seasons for UCLA and LSU, averaging 2.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in his college career. The small sample size was defined by injuries, starting with O’Neal undergoing heart surgery that cut his true freshman season short. O’Neal’s sophomore season was derailed by foot injuries that caused him to miss nearly a year of action, making his return to the lineup in January.

In his 14 appearances last season, O’Neal averaged 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per game.

O’Neal participated in the G League Elite Camp in May and averaged eight points and six rebounds in two games per 247Sports’ Travis Branham. Due to O’Neal’s injury-ridden college career, he will likely have to earn his stripes on a two-way contract before playing in the NBA.

The post Shareef O’Neal Eligible For 2022 NBA Draft appeared first on SLAM.

Wallace spent the previous year as an assistant coach under Penny Hardaway at the University of Memphis. Before that, he was the head coach at Charles E. Jordan High School in North Carolina from 2019-21. He also had a stop as an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons from 2013-14.

Wallace played 16 seasons in the NBA, where he was a four-time All-Star and a member of the Detroit Pistons championship squad that defeated the Shaq and Kobe Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals.

Hardaway told The Commercial Appeal that he knew Wallace would leave if Ham had gotten a head coaching position in the NBA.

“I think Rasheed might be going to LA with Darvin Ham. That was the deal from the beginning. If Darvin had gotten a job last year, Rasheed had already promised him that he was going to go with him. So, I’m thinking this year, with him getting the Lakers job, [Wallace] might still be going along with that process,” said Hardaway.

Wallace is the first known name to join Ham’s staff in LA. Ham and Wallace were teammates on the 2004 Detroit Pistons championship team.

The post REPORT: Rasheed Wallace to Join Darvin Ham’s Lakers Coaching Staff appeared first on SLAM.

From Amari Bailey to Naismith Player of the Year Dariq Whitehead, here’s who we’ve selected to our SLAM All American roster:

Amari Bailey

6-5, SG

Sierra Canyon High School (Chatsworth, CA)

UCLA

His time is now. Moving from Chicago to the bright lights of Sierra Canyon in Los Angeles, Amari Bailey has been a staple for the Trailblazers in his four years with the program. A state champion, gold medalist, McDonald’s All American—there’s not much else for Bailey to achieve. That is, until he goes across town to UCLA’s campus, where he will look to elevate the excellence of Mick Cronin’s program in the hills.

Kyle Filipowski

6-10, C

Wilbraham & Monson (MA) Academy

Duke

Modern day basketball loves Kyle Filipowski. Whether you need a bucket, a dime from the top of the key or a defensive stop, the big man can do all of the above and more. Son of former Parade All American and Long Beach State center Rebecca (Hagerdon) Filipowski, Kyle was born into basketball, like his brother Matt, who will play for Harvard in the fall. Kyle will head to Durham to form a frightening frontcourt duo with Dereck Lively.

Keyonte George

6-4, SG

IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)

Baylor

He’s one of one. Keyonte George is a crafty guard who can score on all three levels at will. Just ask those who he gave buckets to at the 2021 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup tournament en route to a gold medal. He’ll be heading to Baylor this fall to join Scott Drew’s squad with the hopes of raising a different type of gold next spring.

Dereck Lively

7-1, C

Westtown School (West Chester, PA)

Duke

Seven-footers shouldn’t move like this. Then again, basketball runs through Dereck Lively’s blood. His mother, Kathy Drysdale, was a 1,000-point scorer at Penn State University. His hooper genes helped him go from a 7-year-old hesitant to play basketball to one of the top prospects in his class. After an outstanding high school career, he’ll be the anchor down low for a new era of Duke basketball post-Coach K. Housing a winner’s heart, Lively is sure to make some noise with the Blue Devils.

Nick Smith Jr

6-4, SG

North Little Rock (AR) High School

Arkansas

Hometown legends live forever. Nick Smith Jr will be no exception to this rule, as the Arkansas born-and-raised hooper will join Eric Musselman’s squad at the University of Arkansas in the fall. Smith Jr has had a prolific senior year, capturing the 6A Arkansas State Championship, being named a McDonald’s All American and winning the 2022 Jordan Brand Classic MVP, along with many others. Simply put, this kid will give opposing teams nightmares for years to come.

Dariq Whitehead

6-6, SF

Montverde (FL) Academy

Duke

Watch your head. Newark’s Dariq Whitehead is an uber-athletic wing destined to break his family’s football traditions. All of his older siblings played football, and his brother Tahir has played 10 years in the NFL. However, at 13 years old, Dariq made the difficult decision to attend Montverde Academy and commit to basketball full-time. Since then, he’s won two national championships and was named the 2022 Naismith HS Player of the Year and the 2022 McDonald’s All American Game MVP. Whitehead will look to continue his winning ways at Duke this fall.

Read here to find out who was selected to our SLAM 2022 Girls All American roster.

Photos by Oscar Castillo.

The post Meet SLAM’s 2022 High School Boys All Americans appeared first on SLAM.

Meet this elite group of high school standouts who are continuing the elevate the women’s game.

Janiah Barker

6-2, SF

Montverde Academy (Montverde, FL)

Texas A&M

A unique talent. Just because Janiah Barker’s one of the biggest people on the court, don’t expect her to stay in the post. The dynamic two-time FIBA gold medalist can do it all between the lines. Her elite game was on full display when she led Montverde Academy to the GEICO Nationals championship this past April. Barker is heading down to Texas A&M to join Joni Taylor’s first year in the Lone Star State.

Lauren Betts

6-7, C

Grandview High School (Aurora, CO)

Stanford

Towering over the competition, Lauren Betts, the near-consensus No. 1 overall prospect of her class, has a list of accomplishments that far outgrew her frame. Two-time FIBA gold medalist, state champion, two-time Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year—the list goes on. She’ll join a loaded Stanford roster in the fall, teaming up with fellow Colorado hoopers Francesca Belibi and Ashten Prechtel.

Paris Clark

5-10, PG

Long Island Lutheran High School (Brookville, NY)

Arizona

Never doubt New York basketball. Bronx-born Paris Clark has been balling for the Lady Crusaders at Long Island Lutheran, earning herself national recognition. McDonald’s All American, an invite to the Jordan Brand Classic, New York’s Gatorade Player of the Year—you name it, Clark’s done it. But don’t let her reserved personality fool you, she’s one hell of a player. Clark’s taking that New York swag to Arizona, joined by fellow SLAM All-American Maya Nnaji.

Flau’jae Johnson

5-10, G

Sprayberry High School (Marietta, GA)

LSU

Poetry in both arenas. Not only is Flau’jae Johnson a rapper who’s accumulated over 3.7 million views on YouTube and signed a distribution deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, she’s also a poetic hooper. Earning MVP at the Jordan Brand Classic, she proved to those who know her for her music that she’s more than just a rapper. Johnson is now headed to LSU to join Kim Mulkey’s ascending squad.

Maya Nnaji

6-4, PF

Hopkins High School (Minnetonka, MN)

Arizona

A dual-threat on and off the court, Maya Nnaji is an aspiring doctor currently enrolled in Arizona’s Accelerated Pathway to Medical Education and a trustee in the Nnaji Family Foundation, which builds basketball courts and educational hubs across Nigeria. However, don’t let Nnaji’s off-the-court kindness fool you—she’ll cross you over eight different ways and leave you in the wind. A three-time state champion in high school, Nnaji will be headed to Arizona to continue adding to her otherworldly résumé.

Kiki Rice

5-11, PG

Sidwell Friends School (Washington, DC)

UCLA

A natural-born phenom. Kiki Rice has brought winning wherever she goes. She’s a two-time state champion in soccer, a two-time FIBA gold medalist and has racked up countless individual awards in basketball, including both the Gatorade and Naismith National Player of the Year awards. Looking to compete for a national championship all four years of college, she chose to attend UCLA this fall. Can the California-born bucket do just that? It wouldn’t be wise to bet against her.

Photos by Oscar Castillo.

The post Meet SLAM’s 2022 High School Girls All Americans appeared first on SLAM.

The girl’s national game starts at 6pm ET, while the boys play at 8pm. Here’s the tentative roster for this year’s event: 

Girls Roster:

Kymora Johnson (USA Trials ‘23) 

Zoe Brooks (USA Trials ‘23) 

Angelica Velez (ESPN top 50 ‘23) 

Aalyah De Rosario (ESPN Top 20) 

Paris Clark (MAC Jordan NY Gatorade POY + Arizona ‘22) 

Ayanna Patterson (MAC + UConn ‘22) 

Paulina Paris (UNC commit ‘22 & Jordan Cllassic)

Kate Koval ‘24 fro Ukraine JR National team )

Caroline Lau ( ‘22 Northwestern)

Mackenzie Nelson (‘23 Connecticut Gatorade POY)

Carys Baker (‘23 ESPN #60))

Grace Sundback (‘23)

Zhara King(‘24)

Sahnya Jah (‘23 ESPN top 25) 

Ariel Little (‘24)

Talayah Walker (24)

Qadence Samuels(‘23)

Mia Pauldo (‘25 ESPN #17)

Mya Pauldo (‘25 ESPN #18)

Boys Roster: 

**Subject to change**

Tahaad Pettiford (ESPN #34 ‘24)

Elliot Cadeau (ESPN #10 ‘24)

Chance Westry (Auburn ESPN #33)

TJ Robinson (Bishop Walsh ‘24)

Darryn Peterson (Cuyahoga ESPN #4)

Ian Jackson (ESPN #3 ‘24)

Jaquan Sanders (Seton Hall Commit)

Jerry Easter II (Emmanuel Christian)

Quadir Copeland (Syracuse Commit) 

Rowan Brumbaugh (Texas ESPN #90) 

Malik Bowman (OTE)

Akil Watson (ESPN #24 ‘23)

Christian Watson (Miami ESPN #92)

Tarik Watson (Rivals 41 ‘24)

Ryan Bewley (OTE) 

Elijah Jones (East Carolina Commit) 

Tobe Awaka (Tennessee Commit ‘23)

Aaron Bradshaw (ESPN #20 ‘23)

Kyle Filipowski (Duke Commit) **

Brandon Miller (Alabama Commit) ** 

Desmond Claude (Xavier Commit) **

Justin Edwards (ESPN #13 ‘23) **

Youssouf Singare (Bella Vista Prep) ** 

Isaiah Miranda (ESPN #26 ‘23) **

ACES is a cultural lifestyle brand platform that’s focused on storytelling through collaborations, products, and unique event activations. Founded by former pro hooper turned CEO Brian Kortovich (who joined the ranks of Kevin Durant and Dr. J, Joe “The Destroyer” Hammond when he won a scoring title at Rucker Park in the summer of 2012) the brand has always been tapped into the culture. That impact continues this year as they spotlight the elite talent that hails not only from the five boroughs, but nationally.    

“Grassroots basketball has always been a part of the Brand ACES ethos,” says founder and CEO Brian Kortovich. “The Omni Elite Classic (OEC) is unique because of its organic inception, relevance to hoop culture and how it rallies the local community together. The OEC platform consistently attracts some of the top ranked HS players in the country to NYC, the Mecca of Basketball. We will continue to impact and empower these student athletes by giving them a stage to shine on a national level and organically giving them an outlet to tell their stories.

Special shoutout to the OEC Team. Trevor Harris & Jess Villaplana, Dwight Shaw, Mark Westman, Eric Jones & Dayon Floyd for all of their hard work and efforts.”

Last year, the showcase featured standouts including UConn and SLAM 235 co-cover star Azzi Fudd and NCAA national champion, Kansas’ Kyle Cuffe Jr. In the past, New York’s very own Jahvon “JQ” Quinerly, who just graduated from Alabama, Minnesota Timberwolves’ center Naz Reid, Orlando Magic’s Cole Anthony and Mo Bamba and Pelicans’ PG Jose Alvarado have suited up in the OEC as well.

“Omni Elite Classic is a great platform to allow student athletes to come out and compete at the highest level, in the Mecca of basketball,” says the program’s Boys Director, Trevor Harris. “While the focus is on putting together a roster of high caliber athletes, we also focus on rewarding those that equally excel in the classroom.”

“I am excited for this year’s Omni Elite Classic showcase. It’s the last exclusive HS basketball event of the year where we bring some of the top players in the country from different classes to compete against each other in NYC,” adds Girl’s Director Jess Villaplana.

Read here for more information on the Omni Elite Classic. 

For live coverage of the event, and all things high school hoops, follow @slam_hs.

Photos by Luke Schlaifer, Moving Pictures and Johnnie Izquierdo.

The post The ACES Omni Elite Classic Makes Its Return to the Mecca on May 24 appeared first on SLAM.

Duren was the leading scorer for the Tigers, averaging 12.0 points point game. He was also their leading rebounder (8.1) and shot-blocker (2.1). Duren stuffed his trophy case in his one year with the program, given multiple awards during his time with Coach Penny Hardaway at Memphis.

Duren was named the AAC Freshman of the Year and made the All-AAC First Team and All-AAC Tournament Team.

Duren is likely a top-10 pick after showcasing an intriguing combo of physical tools 6’11, 250 points, 7’5 wingspan), power, explosiveness, and a growing skillset. As the youngest player in the NBA Draft, Duren will also be drafted based on his potential and whoever drafts him hopes they can pull out of him while he’s on a rookie contract.

Duren will join a growing list of future NBA stars that have committed to entering the 2022 NBA Draft, which will take place on June 23rd at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The post Memphis’ Jalen Duren Will Enter the 2022 NBA Draft appeared first on SLAM.

In the girls’ game, LSU-commit Flau’jae Johnson scored 27 points to win MVP for Team Air, and ultimately led her team to a 93-85 victory over team Flight, while Oregon State-commit Timea Gardiner won MVP for the other side after chipping in eight points. 

On the boys’ side, Team Air won 118-109 after Michigan signee Jett Howard dished it out to Duke commit Dereck Lively on the break for the game-winning dunk. Texas signee Dillon Mitchell (18 points) took home MVP honors back to Florida while Arkansas signee Nick Smith Jr (27 points) headed back to Little Rock with the MVP hardware for Team Flight.    

The post LSU Commit Flau’jae Johnson and Arkansas Commit Nick Smith Jr Among the MVP Standouts at the 2022 Jordan Brand Classic appeared first on SLAM.

#BREAKING: Nyara Sabally will miss the 2022 season, per New York Liberty GM Johnathan Kolb.

“We knew heading into the selection for Nyara that there’s a very strong chance that she will not play this year because of her current health condition.” @nyliberty | #WNBA

— Women’s Hoopz (@WBBWorldWide) April 15, 2022

When asked about the process of Oregon Duck forward, Liberty GM Johnathon Kolb stated they decided to draft Sabally being fully aware of her health concerns. Sabally has been held back from multiple ACL tears in her right knee. Due to knee injuries, she missed eight games during the 2021-2022 season. Sabally played just 47 games while she played for Oregon, the majority of which came last season.

“We knew heading into the selection for Nyara that there’s a very strong chance she will not play this year because of her current health condition.” Kolb said.

Here’s the full video of Jonathan Kolb’s answer regarding Nyara Sabally’s health in 2022, within the context of the question asked by @GeoffJMags about the draft process. @Winsidr @NetsRepublic #WNBA #OwnTheCrown https://t.co/8LGKmIeIH3 pic.twitter.com/ogswWR3ecN

— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) April 15, 2022

Last season during the 24 games where she was on the court, Sabally was Oregon’s best player as she averaged a team-high 15.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game on 52.7 percent shooting from the field and 72.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line. Sabally led the Ducks (20-12) to a second-place finish in the Pac-12 and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, where they lost in overtime to Belmont in the first round.

The post New York Liberty Announce Nyara Sabally Will Miss 2022 Season appeared first on SLAM.

Bacot earned first-team All-ACC honors after leading the nation with 31 double-doubles tying David Robinson for the NCAA single-season record. He also led the ACC in rebounding with 13.1 boards per game while leading the Tar Heels team in scoring (16.3 points) on 56.9 percent shooting from the field and total blocks (65).

During the March Madness tournament, Bacot became the first player to have six double-doubles during the NCAA Tournament. In the Final Four matchup against Duke, Bacot recorded his fifth 20-rebound game, snagging 21 to send the Tar Heels to the National Championship.

In a video captioned ‘Tar Heel forever,’ Bacot elaborated on why he decided to stay one more season being so close to winning the title.

“This year’s experience showed me that I don’t want to miss the chance to do it again,” Bacot said. “On the court, we got so close this year. I know there are no guarantees, but I want to have the opportunity to play in those big games to keep Carolina on that national stage. My Carolina story is not finished yet, and next season starts right now. My name is Armando Bacot, and I’m a Tar Heel.”

The post Armando Bacot Returning to Carolina For His Senior Season appeared first on SLAM.

One of those stars is Tennessee’s Kennedy Chandler, who declared for the NBA Draft on Tuesday via Twitter.

“After much prayer and deliberation, I am extremely excited to announce that I will be declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft and hiring agent Ryan Davis,” Chandler wrote on Twitter, announcing his departure from the Volunteers.

With Chandler deciding to hire an agent, Ryan Davis of Rep 1 Sports, representing Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Nowell`, he is forfeiting his remaining eligibility. Which means he can no longer return to college to play basketball.

Chandler will join the NBA Draft waters by some other members of the SEC, including LSU’s Tari Eason and Auburn’s Jabari Smith.

Chandler just wrapped up an immensely successful freshman season for the Vols. Chandler averaged a team-high 13.9 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game and was a member of the All-SEC Freshman Team and the All-SEC Team.

Backed by the solid play of Chandler and his teammates, the Volunteers finished the season 27-8 and won the SEC tournament, where Chandler was named tournament MVP. Tennessee ended its season in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, losing to the 11th-seeded Michigan Wolverines.

Most draft experts consider the speedy point guard Chandler a first-round pick and is a borderline lottery pick to some.

The NBA Draft is on Thursday, June 23, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The post Tennessee’s Kennedy Chandler Declares for the 2022 NBA Draft appeared first on SLAM.

On his radio show, Keyshawn, JWill, and Max, Williams said that the main reason he thinks Coach K would come out of retirement is that Duke could lose the No. 1 recruiting class for 2022.

The concern of Duke recruits jumping ship stems from Duke great Nolan Smith leaving the Blue Devils to become the new associate head coach at Louisville. Since the Cardinals and Blue Devils are conference rivals, Williams believes he could recruit against Duke for his newest program and that the ranking could change if any 2022 commits decide they want to go elsewhere.

“Here’s why I give it [Coach K returning] a legit chance because if you’re Nolan Smith, and you have a great relationship with all these players, you’re in the conference, man. You’re at Louisville,” Williams said. “It turns into recruiting battles, man, and it weakens your hold on the number one class. So, if you’re Coach K, how do you strengthen that hold? By coming back.”

Duke has the consensus No. 1 ranked recruiting class of 2022, highlighted by Derrick Lively and Dariq Whitehead. The class was recruited mainly by head-coach-in-waiting Jon Scheyer. It’s unknown if Coach K will come out of retirement, but the program seems to be in good hands with Scheyer taking over.

The post Duke Legend Jay Williams Believes Mike Krzyzewski Could Return Next Season appeared first on SLAM.

THE HOUSE THAT DAWN STALEY MF BUILT https://t.co/p1aUCer4sr pic.twitter.com/U0n2cnUGNE

— WSLAM (@wslam) April 4, 2022

Boston led the Gamecocks to a wire-to-wire finish as the no. 1 team in the polls, leading the team in scoring, rebounds, and blocks by averaging 16.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 24 blocks per game on 54.2 percent shooting from the field. The 6’5 center set an SEC record when she posted 27 consecutive double-doubles.

CHAMPIONS @GamecockWBB @jnglert pic.twitter.com/Uuwz3fsSKj

— WSLAM (@wslam) April 4, 2022

Boston is the second Gamecock to win the Wooden Award, joining A’ja Wilson, who won it as a senior in 2018, as the only winners in program history. Boston has already won the SEC, Naismith, Associated Press, and WBCA Player of the Year. She also won the SEC and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year awards.

THE HOUSE THAT DAWN STALEY MF BUILT https://t.co/p1aUCer4sr pic.twitter.com/U0n2cnUGNE

— WSLAM (@wslam) April 4, 2022

The post Aliyah Boston Brings 2022 Wooden Award Back to South Carolina appeared first on SLAM.

Round of applause for the National Champions.

(: @Silkyyphotos) pic.twitter.com/qYfGaTsrub

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 5, 2022

The fact that the Jayhawks were able to be in that position after being down 40-25 at the half is astounding. The Jayhawks overcame the largest halftime deficit in Final Four history and the biggest comeback bid in title game history by applying more pressure to Tar Heel point guard R.J. Davis, clogging up the passing lanes, and forcing UNC into rushed shots. All staples of a championship-level defense.

The switch-up in their defensive effort helped Kansas score eight fast break points and turn their 16-point deficit into a six-point lead with 10 points left.

“With the group of guys as experienced as this and been around and know each other so well, it’s kind of hard to see us get rattled,” said sixth-year Kansas forward Mitch Lightfoot, per ESPN. “Coach had a great message for us, and he challenged us to be better and to have more pride.”

McCormack sealed it @slam_university (via @CBSSports) pic.twitter.com/nkP9AGkDIn

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 5, 2022

When things got tight late in the game, the Jayhawks leaned on their blooming big man in the middle, David McCormack (15 points and 10 rebounds), who provided back-to-back clutch buckets, including the game-winner, a hook shot over Brady Manek (13 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks) with 22 seconds left on the clock.

“All year in the most clutch times, times when the game is on the line, he put the ball in my hands,” McCormack said per The Athletic. “It shows that he loves me. He feels that I deserved that and that I worked hard to get in this position.”

On the subsequent possession, UNC guard Caleb Love (13 points) attempted a deep three-pointer that fell short, but Davis corralled the offensive rebound; Puff Johnson tried to hit the game-tying three but was off. When Manek secured their second offensive rebound, he turned it over after attempting to pass it to the corner. However, hope was not lost after Dejuan Harris turned the ball over, trying to tight rope the sideline.

Love had another chance to tie the game with just one second left, but that attempt also fell short, sealing their fate and cementing Kansas in the record books as NCAA champions.

Okay… who else is counting down the days until next season already?? pic.twitter.com/R1tjSTd9R1

— SLAM University (@slam_university) April 5, 2022

Armando Bacot paced the Tar Heels with 15 points and 15 rebounds.

The post Kansas Crowned Men’s 2022 NCAA National Champions appeared first on SLAM.

San Antonio Spurs icon Manu Ginobili will be a first-ballot induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame @Hoophall Class of 2022, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 31, 2022

WNBA legend Swin Cash – a four-time All-Star and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist – will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame @Hoophall Class of 2022, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Cash is currently part of the New Orleans Pelicans front office.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 31, 2022

On the NBA and WNBA side, Spurs legend Manu Ginóbili will be inducted into HOF for his first time on the ballot. Heat and Warriors legend Tim Hardaway will also be inducted. Swin Cash, a four-time All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist who is currently working in the front office of the Pelicans, will be inducted too.

Two longtime coaches in the NCAA and NBA will be enshrined as well. Bob Huggins, head coach of the West Virginia men’s basketball program and two-time Coach of the Year winner, and George Karl, the sixth-winningest head coach in League history, will be entering the HOF.

Finalists must receive 18-24 votes from the HOF committee to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The class of 2022 will be announced on Saturday during the men’s Final Four in New Orleans, with the ceremony taking place on Sept. 10.

The post REPORT: Manu Ginobli, Swin Cash Elected to 2022 Hall of Fame Class appeared first on SLAM.

Incredibly humbled to be appointed to President Biden’s HBCU Board of Advisors. Looking forward to working with this amazing group to continue to elevate these historical institutions. #HBCUlove pic.twitter.com/Zc5Im0Alqb

— Chris Paul (@CP3) March 31, 2022

According to the White House, the goal of the Advisory Board is to advance the HBCU Initiative, which the Carter administration started in 1980. The Biden Administration has committed more than $5.8 million towards supporting its financial commitment to HBCUs.

CP3 has become a well-known advocate of the HBCU community, co-producing Why Not Us, an eight-episode docuseries on ESPN that covered the North Carolina Central men’s basketball program. Spike Lee, Henson, and Jerry Lorenzo were also a part of the series. Paul was a part of the push to help start the inaugural NBA HBCU Classic featuring Morgan State and Howard.

Both schools received a $100,000 donation from the League and AT&T to support student-athletes continuing their education.

The 12-time All-Star also partnered with the Harvard Business School to bring its entertainment, media, and sports program to North Carolina A&T and will bring the program to other HBCUs in the future to help provide those opportunities in the same career fields. Paul was also partly responsible for starting voting initiatives to encourage HBCU students to vote.

The post Chris Paul Appointed to President Biden’s HBCU Board of Advisors appeared first on SLAM.

His sophomore year was a much different story, resulting in Davis on Thursday announcing on NBA Today that he would forgo his remaining eligibility to enter the 2022 NBA Draft.

“My time here at Wisconsin was great. It was an unforgettable experience. I thank all the coaches and teammates I had in my corner,” Davis said. “With that being said, I would like to announce that I will be declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft.”

Davis’ sophomore season was one of the best individual seasons ever for a member of the University of Wisconsin, averaging 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game on his way to being named a first-team All-American and the Big-Ten Player of the Year.

Davis joined fellow All-Americans and Big 10 members Jaden Ivey and Keegan Murray in declaring for the NBA Draft.

The Badgers, on the back of Davis, had a strong season, winning a share of the Big 10 regular-season title alongside the University of Illinois, going 25-8 (15-5 Big 10). Unfortunately, success in the regular season didn’t translate to success in March Madness for the Badgers, who were knocked out in the second round by Iowa State University.

The NBA Draft is on Thursday, June 23, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The post Big 10 Player of the Year Johnny Davis Declares for NBA Draft appeared first on SLAM.

On Thursday, the University of Purdue’s Jaden Ivey announced via Twitter that he would be forgoing his remaining college eligibility to declare for the NBA Draft.

“To Boiler Nation, you made every game special. Thank you for all of your support,” Ivey wrote. “With that being said, I will be entering my name in the 2022 NBA Draft. This has been a lifelong dream of mine, and I am beyond excited for this journey.”

Ivey is currently in his sophomore year at Purdue, where he had a tremendous season for the Boilermakers averaging 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. For his performance this season, Ivey was named a second-team All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten member.

Ivey will join fellow Big-Ten stars Keegan Murray, Johnny Davis, and E.J. Liddell in pursuing a career in the NBA.

Backed by their star guard, the Boilermakers finished the year 29-8 and made a run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament before being eliminated by the St. Peter’s Peacocks.

Thanks to his elite athleticism, touch at the rim, and distance shooting, Ivey is a consensus top-10 pick with several experts, including ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone, projecting him to go as high as fourth overall.

The NBA Draft is set to take place on Thursday, June 23, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The post Purdue’s Jaden Ivey Declares for the NBA Draft appeared first on SLAM.

Staley, who last won Coach of the year honors in 2020, is the only coach – male or female – to have won the Coach of the Year award and Naismith Player of the Year. While playing for Virginia, Staley won Naismith Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992. 

In our SLAM 237 issue, Coach Staley opened up about coming to South Carolina and changing the culture of the school.

“When I first took the job here at South Carolina, I wanted to change the culture. I wanted to make sure that we’re all cut from the same cloth. I work hard, everybody around me works hard. So, we wanted that reciprocated, with everybody that has a hand in our program and the players are a big part of it.”

The culture has indeed changed for South Carolina, bringing home the school’s first national title in 2017 with WNBA star A’ja Wilson. In 2019, the Gamecocks brought in Aliyah Boston, and many believed she would be the next Wilson for the program.

This season, Boston has averaged a team-high 16.8 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, tallying a total of 428 rebounds and 87 blocks, which rank second and ninth nationally. She led the nation in double-doubles with 28, and her streak of 27 straight double-doubles from November 29 to March 25 was an SEC record.

In last week’s 80-50 Elite Eight win against Creighton, Boston finished with 19 points and seven rebounds to send the Gamecocks to its fourth Final Four in the last seven seasons.

The Gamecocks look to redeem themselves in the Final Four this year after last year’s loss to Stanford in that same round. Boston, who showed a lot of emotion after the game last year, told Slam they are using that loss to fuel this year’s run to another title.

“After the game, we were sad, obviously. But when the coaches came in, Coach Staley told us that she was proud of us and that we worked hard and basically that we’re going to use this to continue to fuel us. We didn’t get what we wanted this year, but we still have another shot,” Boston says. 

South Carolina will meet Louisville Friday at 7 PM to punch a ticket to the national championship game.

The post South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston and Dawn Staley Awarded Naismith Player of the Year and Coach of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

“Life has a way of coming full circle,” said Holloway, who starred at Seton Hall as a player and later was an assistant coach. “This is certainly a full-circle moment for my family and I. Seton Hall is near and dear to my heart; it’s where I became a man, where I met the love of my life, where I spent countless hours honing my crafts as a basketball player and a basketball coach.

“To say that I’m excited to get started as the head men’s basketball coach at Seton Hall University would be an understatement.”

Holloway played for the Pirates from 1996-2000, where he set the program record for career assists and led the Pirates to a Sweet 16 appearance as a senior. Holloway was also a three-time All-Big East selection and was named the Most Improved Player of the Year during his senior season.

In 1996 he played alongside NBA veterans Mike Bibby, Stephen Jackson, and Kobe Bryant in the 1996 McDonald’s All-American game. Holloway was awarded the Most Valuable Player after recording seven points, eight assists, and six steals.

After ending his playing career overseas, he began coaching in 2007 as an assistant for Iona. He returned to his alma mater Seton Hall in 2010 as an assistant and spent eight seasons under the Pirates.

In 2018, Holloway got his first head coaching position with St. Peter’s. He was named the MAAC Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2022 and won the MAAC conference tournament this season to send the Peacocks to their fourth NCAA tournament appearance in program history and first since 2011.

During the 2022 NCAA tournament, St. Peters upset the two-seed Kentucky Wildcats in the first round, followed by wins against seventh-seed Murray State and third-seed Purdue. St. Peters became the first 15-seed to advance to the Elite Eight in tournament history.

The post St. Peter’s Coach Shaheen Holloway Has Been Named the New Coach For Seton Hall appeared first on SLAM.

On Tuesday, the University of Iowa’s Keegan Murray announced via Twitter that he would leave college early and declare for the NBA Draft.

“I’m excited to announce I will be entering my name into the 2022 NBA Draft,” Murray wrote in his Twitter post. “Iowa will always be my home, and I’m forever grateful to be a part of Hawkeye Nation!”

Murray is currently in his sophomore year at the University of Iowa, where he just got done having one of the best individual seasons in the country. Murray was named a consensus first-team All-American after averaging 23.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.

The Hawkeyes, thanks in large part to Murray, would go on to finish 26-10 and win the Big 10 conference tournament at the end of the season. Unfortunately, their NCAA Tournament run would end before it began after getting upset by the 12th seeded Richmond Spiders in the first round.

After a sensational season, Murray is projected by many, including ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, and The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, to be a top-six player in the NBA Draft, and is a near consensus top-10 choice.

The NBA Draft will take place on Thursday, June 23, and will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The post University of Iowa’s Keegan Murray Declares for the NBA Draft appeared first on SLAM.

The 15th-seeded Peacocks led by Coach Shaheen Holloway have made history by becoming the lowest-seeded team in tournament history to reach the Elite Eight by shocking the third-seeded Purdue Boilermakers 67-64. Even more stunning was the 15-8 run over the final four minutes to close out the victory in crunch time.

The Peacocks are the first New York City/New Jersey college team to advance this far in the tournament since St. John’s did it back in 1999. St. Peter’s will play in the East Region final Sunday against North Carolina, who defeated UCLA.

The Peacocks are no longer the unknown team full of unheralded recruits. Just like the previous games against Kentucky and Murray State, they won the game with huge defensive stops, clutch shots, and hitting big free throws late.

Coach Holloway showed his appreciation for the fanbase’s support throughout the Peacock’s unlikely run.

“I can’t believe the support that we’re having. … Jersey City’s been unbelievable for us.”

Shaheen Holloway shouts out the love New Jersey has shown @PeacocksMBB on their #MarchMadness run pic.twitter.com/IRQcmyR2Vf

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2022

The Peacocks overcame a porous 38 percent shooting performance hitting only six three-pointers with their defense on Purdue’s projected top-five NBA lottery pick Jaden Ivey and 7’4 center Zach Edey. Something Holloway talked about after the game via the New York Post.

“When you’re playing against teams like that who are supposed to win, when you keep it tight, certain things can happen,” Holloway said. “I told my guys, ‘Just keep battling, keep battling, let’s see what happens.’ We kept battling; I knew the ball was going to bounce our way, and it did.”

St. Peter’s is 40 minutes from a Final Four berth at Wells Fargo Center Sunday.

The post St. Peter’s Peacocks On Historical NCAA Tournament Run Shocking Purdue appeared first on SLAM.

The Wichita native, who is also a two-time Gatorade Kansas Boys Basketball Player of the Year, has been ballin’ for Sunrise Christian Academy this season and averaged 17.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. The 25-1 Buffaloes are the top seed in this year’s GEICO High School Nationals Tournament set to start later this month.

Ranked No. 8 in the Class of 2022, the elite, 6-7 wing is also a 2022 McDonald’s All-American and will represent the United States at the Nike Hoop Summit next month.

On Tuesday, Dick was presented with the honor by Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum alongside friends, family, teammates, and coaches. Tatum was the 2015-16 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

Moments after being presented the award, SLAM caught up with Dick to talk about his prolific high school career, meeting Tatum virtually, and what he’s hoping to achieve at Kansas.

SLAM: What’s up Gradey! How are you doing, what emotions are you feeling right now?

Gradey Dick: Man it’s crazy, it’s been a wild day so far but I’m blessed for everything.

SLAM: You’re the first Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year to come from the state of Kansas, what does this honor mean to you and your community?

GD: I hope that it kind of puts Kansas on the map, I know we’re not really thought of too much of a basketball state but, to show our history and all the guys that have gone through this, guys and girls, I think it’s huge. For me to kind of help do that is just…it’s crazy. I’m blessed and thankful.

SLAM: What was going through your mind when you first saw Tatum on the live feed?

GD: It was wild, I mean, we weren’t expecting it at all. My whole team was there and just a few coaches and some of the faculty, and then he popped up on this big projector and kind of talked to me individually and then once he announced that I was the National Gatorade Player of the Year, everyone came kind of rushing in with the trophy and everything. I was extremely surprised and just at a loss at words.

SLAM: How does it feel to be virtually handed this award by one of the brightest stars in the game today?

GD: It was huge to see and to talk with one of the guys I watch, probably one of the most in the League right now. And just taking some of his [film] and watching [it] and seeing different kind of moves I want to add into my bag, and being able to talk to him personally and hearing from him, just kind of his reactions of when he was handed the award is just a dream come true.

SLAM: What goes through your head as you start to reflect on your four years in high school?

GD: All these awards and just the prestigious different things that have been coming, its just really huge and all the goals I written down with my dad at the start of the year and being able to have the ability to achieve them by the end of the year is just a dream come true. But I feel like off the court is what’s most important. What I do in my community and kind of leaving that legacy for the future.

SLAM: Soon, you’ll be making that two and a half hour trek to Kansas. Aside from its close proximity to home, why did you chose Kansas over other programs such as Texas Tech and Baylor?

GD: Just the family aspect that’s all around Lawrence with the coaches, the players, and even some of the teachers on some of the visits I went on. Especially the fans at Allen Fieldhouse, it’s one of the craziest venues in college basketball and when I envision myself stepping on the floor for the first game, it’s just adrenaline pumping. It’s going to be one of the craziest feelings I’ll never forget.

SLAM: You’ll also be joining former teammate Zach Clemence in the locker room at Kansas, what are you most looking forward to when you reuniting with him and the rest of the team?

GD: Just being back together, and just hanging out with the new guys, not being so far away from them. Zach was actually like my roommate at Sunrise last year, so just to be back with him at the school is going to be the time of our lives.

SLAM: What do you think that you can bring to the table for the Jayhawks to continue to compete at such a high level?

GD: I think I bring my versatility just as a player and due to my size and everything like that. I have a lot of different ways to score the ball, so I feel like coming in with that versatility, and [I’ll] just hit the ground running right from the get-go as a freshman.

SLAM: You’ll also be joined by two other standouts in your class, MJ Rice and Ernest Udeh Jr. What do you think you guys will achieve as a group?

GD: I think sky’s the limit, for us. Even if we’re young, guys will see who’s returning and who’s not, and just us freshmen coming in, I know we’ve talked a lot about how we need to be prepared right from the start. Just coming in early and leading the team.

SLAM: How are you going to prepare for your freshman season?

GD: I think we know after talking with Coach Self that he expects us to kind of just throw us into the fire early. So like I was talking about earlier, just being prepared and being consistent on a daily basis [in] our workouts and everything like that so we can be confident right from the start.

SLAM: Going back to the Gatorade award, where would you rank this moment thus far in your basketball career and why?

GD: It’s definitely number one. I mean it’s one of the most prestigious award that a basketball player can achieve, and I think the thing that makes this award so special is not only what I did on the court this year, but what I did off the court in my community and at my school. That makes this thing so much more special.

SLAM: How do you want to be remembered at both Sunrise Christian Academy and Wichita Collegiate School?

GD: Just someone that’s always going to be themselves and is confident in whatever they do.

Holden Velasco is an editorial intern at SLAM and a sophomore at CUNY Queens College with a Media Studies major and Writing minor. When he’s not emerged in the basketball world, you can find him rewatching Revenge of the Sith or the latest Marvel movie. Follow him on Twitter, @HoldenVelasco.

Photos courtesy of Gatorade.

The post Kansas Commit Gradey Dick Earns Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

The girls team continued its dominance in the PSAL by securing its sixth consecutive PSAL AA championship, after capping off their undefeated season with a comfortable 24-point victory over the Susan Wagner Falcons. 

Despite a slow start to the game for both sides (the first basket of the game was scored by South Shore’s Zakieya Williams at about the six-minute mark of the first quarter), South Shore would get into rhythm soon after. A 10-2 run by the Falcons, led by Nicole Melious, cut the deficit down to four at the end of the first quarter (18-14). But that’s as close as Wagner would ever get, though, as the rest of the game would prove to be all one-sided. In the second quarter, the Lady Vikings went on an offensive attack led by Yahmani Mckayle and Natalia Williams—ultimately outscoring the Falcons 21-4 in the quarter. 

A strong defensive performance from freshman Isabela Grant (who finished the game with 10 rebounds) also made it very difficult for Susan Wagner to get back in the game. The Falcons never lost hope, though; they came out and started the second half on a small run, with Shanelle Smith (who finished with 18 points) trying to provide a helping hand to Melious—who had 15 points in the fourth quarter alone (27 for the game), en route to scoring her 2,000^th career point. “I wanted [2,000 points] bad and I wanted to do it with this group of girls,” Melious said after the game, according to the Staten Island Advance. “It’s crazy to do it at the Barclays Center. I think I was meant to do it here and it was awesome.” Unfortunately, her offensive onslaught would prove to not be enough, as South Shore maintained their lead in the fourth to secure their sixth city championship in a row. South Shore’s Natalia Williams was named MVP of the game, finishing with 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting to go with eight rebounds.

The boys’ team at South Shore isn’t too far behind and was looking to repeat as city champs as well. More like, three-peat, which they indeed did after defeating Eagle Academy Brooklyn to win the PSAL Boys AA city title for a third straight year. The Vikings were looking to avenge their only loss of this season, which came at the hands of Eagle Academy Brooklyn back on February 19^th (Eagles won that game 74-69.) 

South Shore started the game strong, kicking things off with a 12-0 run. The Eagles did not score their first basket until the 2:23 mark of the first quarter. Max Ragusa of South Shore started the game with lots of assertiveness and really never took his foot off the gas the rest of the way. The Eagles made attempts at a comeback, though, going on a run in the second quarter to cut the Vikings’ lead to eight. Jaquel Morris of Eagle Academy was strong on the boards, nabbing eight in the first half alone (he finished the game with 11 total). But Ragusa would prove to be just too much for Eagle Academy to handle. 

Though the Eagles were able to cut the lead down to nine in the fourth quarter, Ragusa scored 18 second-half points, including 10 in the fourth alone, to help seal the victory. Nivek Borden also provided a strong performance for the Vikings, finishing the game with 11 points and 8 rebounds. Eric Acker of Eagle Academy Brooklyn was awarded the PSAL Sportsmanship Award, while South Shore’s Ragusa was named the MVP after finishing with 26 points on 9-of-12 shooting to go with five assists.

Photos by Nicole Sweet.

The post South Shore Continues its NYC Dominance, Claiming the Boys and Girls PSAL ‘AA’ Championships—Again appeared first on SLAM.

That woman is Sister Jean, a 102-year-old religious sister from Loyola Chicago. She initially gained national prominence during the Ramblers’ historic run during the 2018 NCAA tournament, making their first Final Four appearance since 1963, in which she attended each tournament contest.

The basketball superfan will reportedly continue her tradition of traveling with the team for their Friday morning matchup against the Ohio St. Buckeyes in Pittsburgh.

Sister Jean spotting in first class on Air ‘Bler One.

Chicago Pittsburgh. #OnwardLU pic.twitter.com/TthAR6yYmi

— Austin Hansen (@AustinHansenTV) March 16, 2022

Sister Jean has accompanied the Ramblers to their past three NCAA Tournament births, witnessing school history once again after they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen following an upset win over top-seeded Illinois in last season’s tournament.

Loyola Chicago earned their second-straight automatic bid to the tournament with a 64-58 win over Drake in the Missouri Valley championship in the second week of March, in which Coach Drew Valentine dedicated the win to their longtime supporter.

“For Sister Jean.” #WIF | #OnwardLU pic.twitter.com/vtI28Tar64

— Loyola Men’s Basketball (@RamblersMBB) March 9, 2022

Loyola Chicago will face off against Ohio State in the first round of the South region at 12:15 p.m. EST on Friday.

The post Sister Jean to Travel to Pittsburgh for Loyola’s First Round Matchup appeared first on SLAM.

Notre Dame went up against Rutger in a play-in game to determine who would match up with Alabama in the Round of 64.

In a game of back and forth, action from both teams, and double overtime, the Fighting Irish came out on top, winning 89-87 after a last-second shot by Paul Atkinson Jr. with 1.4 seconds left on the clock.

With the tournament starting on Thursday, the turnaround for Notre Dame is quick as they must travel to San Diego to play their first-round game against Alabama on Friday.

After the game, Coach Mike Brey told his team on the plane that “Sleep is overrated” as the team celebrates their bid into the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

The post Notre Dame Coach Mike Brey On Quick Turnaround: ‘Sleep is Overrated’ appeared first on SLAM.

If you are so unlucky to run into the Richmond Spiders, the first thing on a smart scouting report will be a warning about Jacob Gilyard. But it won’t matter, cause that little dude you thought was too small, well, he will commit a 211 in broad daylight while he adds to the all-time Division I steals record that may well never be broken.

For the last five seasons at Richmond, Gilyard has hounded guards, delivered jaw-dropping dimes, and made game-winning plays with his defense, court vision, and shooting. And on December 6, 2021, in a game at Northern Iowa, Gilyard corralled career steal No. 386, topping the Division I mark long held by former Providence guard and current Georgia assistant coach John Lineham.

Those defensive chops run in the family, as Gilyard’s dad, Rodney, owns the all-time steals record at Ottawa University, an NAIA school in Kansas. The proud father was present at the record-breaking game and can’t help but smile when talking about his son. “I just really enjoy watching him do what he does,” Rodney says. “And just knowing that he’s done something that nobody else has done. I mean, he’s done it as well as anybody that’s ever played the game, which is just incredible.” For his part, though, Jacob says the record still doesn’t quite feel real. “It’s truly special, for sure,” says Gilyard. “But it’s hard to understand the magnitude of it while you are still in college.”

Gilyard landed as a high school freshman at Kansas City’s Barstow School under the tutelage of coach Billy Thomas. The former NBA player said that within the first 10 minutes of seeing Gilyard scrimmage he knew he had his starting point guard for the next four years. What struck Thomas the most was Gilyard’s will, work ethic, and adaptability to any situation on the floor.  “A lot of kids want to play Division I, but don’t have an inkling of how hard it’s gonna be,” says Thomas, now the head coach at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo, “and Jacob said, ‘Bring it on, however hard it is, I’m willing to do that because this is what I am trying to attain.’”

Gilyard would lead his Knights to three straight trips to the Missouri Class 3 State Championship game alongside running mates Jeriah Horne (now at Tulsa) and Shea Rush, who walked-on at North Carolina. The Knights won one of those championships in 2015. The following year, the team suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Michael and Jontay Porter-led Father Tolton team, 62-60. Gilyard nabbed six steals in that championship game. In his senior campaign, Gilyard averaged 33.2 points per game and was named the winner of the DiRenna Award, annually given to the best player in the Kansas City metro. Former KC standouts Alec Burks, Semi Ojeleye, and Kareem Rush also have won the award. No matter Gilyard’s accolades—three all-state selections and 2017 Class 3 Missouri player of the year—at 5-9, the blue bloods weren’t calling. But Richmond coach Chris Mooney did.

Mooney didn’t see an under-sized point guard, he saw a young man who not only dazzled with his energy but also had the mental toughness to compete at the highest levels. Gilyard’s enthusiasm, communication, and alertness gave Mooney the confidence to hand the keys to a freshman. Mooney raves about Gilyard’s memory and ability to apply what has happened in the past to his next split-second decision. That mental acuity, coupled with a highly-competitive nature, translates into the winning plays. “He’s always engaged and ready and able to make great plays because it’s never really turned off,” says Mooney. “He has incredible instincts, the best instincts I’ve seen, and he’s so confident and comfortable.” And time after time, those instincts lead to clampdown defense and fast-break points, like his five-steal, six-assist game in a road win against then-No. 10 Kentucky on Nov. 29, 2020.

That signature win also featured one of Gilyard’s most dramatic steals. Down early in the second half, Gilyard poked away a Devin Askew entry pass. As the ball bounced toward the sideline, Gilyard leapt, snagged the rock, and just before landing out of bounds, uncorked a behind the back rainbow pass that settled into the hands of Blake Francis for an uncanny assist and an easy two. Later that night, the play was No 1 on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays.

Gilyard’s skill even draws the praise of opposing coaches, including Mike Rhoades, who leads Richmond’s A-10 rival VCU. Rhoades has faced Gilyard nine times over the last five years, and twice Gilyard has pick-pocketed the Rams for five steals in a game. “Jacob causes lots of problems due to him anticipating the next play at a high level. He is innate with his feel to get his hands on a dribble, pass, or even a simple loose ball,” Rhoades says. “If it’s there to take, he takes it. Like the last piece of candy at the candy store. It’s over. His ball.”

When Gilyard walks across the Richmond campus with 6-10 Grant Golden, students see the oddest couple. To hear Gilyard tell it, he didn’t know that the center would end up being his best friend. Gilyard likes to cut it up, and Golden’s more of a quiet type who’s armed with a subtle humor that routinely leaves Gilyard laughing on the floor in their apartment. The Princeton offense the two anchor exacerbates the duo’s connection on the floor. “We have a feeling for how each person likes to play,” Golden says. “And we’ve been really successful.”

Golden remembers Gilyard hopping into the mix during his first visit to Richmond. Gilyard played like he already belonged in college, Golden says, strictly from his IQ and understanding of the game. But everyone in the gym was shocked by Gilyard’s speed. “I’ve never seen someone that fast on the basketball court,” Golden says, who also adds that he still gets a thrill from playing with Gilyard. “There are steals he’s gotten this year I wouldn’t expect anybody to get. But if anyone is going to get them, it would be him.”

Two of those steals came on December 11, 2021, when the Spiders were hosting Toledo. Before the game, Gilyard, as he always does, put his iPhone in Focus-Work mode and took a dip in the hot tub. Out on the floor before the game, Gilyard stood by himself in a spotlight at center court. Above him, the video board showed a montage of various thefts, starting with his first and closing with 386. Then a banner featuring his picture was hoisted to the rafters to enshrine the steal record. The Robins Center crowd chanted “Gilly…Gilly…Gilly.”

Once the tip went up, though, Richmond promptly laid an egg and found themselves down 17 at the half. Gilyard was scoreless from the floor and had just one steal and one assist. “I was thinking, Man, we can’t lose this one,” Gilyard recalls. “This will all fall back on me if we lose this. I can’t let that happen.”

And he didn’t. Under his leadership and better overall second half execution, the Spiders clawed back into the game. With 34 seconds left, Gilyard drained a three-pointer to take a 71-69 lead. After a missed free throw by Richmond junior Tyler Burton, Gilyard squared up against Toldeo standout sophomore Ryan Rollins.

Gilyard wondered if Rollins would pull a three, but then he saw the guard lift his eyes. Gilyard salivated. Rollins didn’t get into Gilyard on the first dribble and the crafty guard already knew what would happen next. “Okay, yeah, he’s definitely pulling up on the second dribble,” Gilyard recalls thinking to himself. “Sure enough, he takes a second dribble and lifts and I get my hand on it.”  

With three seconds left, Toledo has one last chance and heaved a Hail Mary inbound pass to forward J.T. Shumate. And you already know who swiped it away from the big man to seal the victory.

391.

And counting.

Mark S. Luce lives, writes and teaches in Kansas City.

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No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Mercer

UConn will be going against Mercer in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Mercer enters the competition with an impressive 23-6 record after coming off a win over Furman in the Southern Conference Championship. The Bears are led by senior guard Amoria Neal-Tysor, who averages 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting at 43.4 percent from the field. Alongside her is fellow guard Shannon Titus and senior forward Jaron Dougherty, who average 11.7 and 10.9 points per game respectively.

As for the UConn Huskies, this is far from their first time in the tourney. Their win over Villanova in the Big East championship game gives the Huskies the necessary momentum entering the tournament. The Huskies have relied on several contributors, including Christyn Williams and Olivia Nelson-Ododa while Paige Bueckers missed most of the season due to a knee injury—Williams is currently averaging 14.6 points per game, with Nelson-Odada adding on 9.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

No. 6 Kentucky vs. No. 11 Princeton

It wouldn’t be a proper preview without respectfully acknowledging the incredible game-winning shot by Wildcats’ own Dre’una Edwards. Edwards, who averages 16.9 points per game, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, banked in the buzzer-beater three-pointer to upset No. 1 South Carolina in the SEC Championship, marking their first title since ’82. Hoopin’ alongside Edwards is senior guard Rhyne Howard, who is continuing to solidify herself as one of Kentucky’s greats. She averaged 20.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.4 dimes, and 2.4 steals per game this year season.

On Princeton’s side are guards Abby Meyers, who is averaging 17.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, and Julia Cunningham, who adds in 13.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists to the team’s depth. With both teams coming in hot off conference championship wins, look for one of these two teams to play this year’s Cinderalla in the national tournament. There’s no telling who will come out as the winner in a matchup of this magnitude.

No. 5 Virginia Tech vs. No 12. FGCU

“I’m surprised where we’re seeded, but we’re excited to be in the tournament. We know Virginia Tech has an excellent program and is really well coached. We can’t worry about the seedings; we know we’re capable of winning games away from home,” said head coach Karl Smesko.

After holding their own throughout the ACC Tournament, ultimately losing to NC State, Virginia Tech enters the tournament with a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. For the Hokies, this makes it their 11th appearance in the National Tournament, entering with a 23-9 overall record (13-5 ACC). They’re led by junior center Elizabeth Kitley, who averages a team-high 17.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Then there’s graduate student guard Aisha Sheppard, who is posting 13.4 points in 30.8 minutes per game and 2.6 assists.

With the 69-54 victory over Jacksonville State on Saturday night, the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles now have their eighth ASUN championship title. They’re led by Kierstan Bell, an All-American candidate who is now averaging 23.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, as well as Kendall Spray and Tishara Morehouse, who average 11.1 and 15.0 points per game, respectively.

No. 7 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 South Dakota

For South Dakota University, this trip to the NCAA Tournament marks their third consecutive appearance under head coach Dawn Plitzuweit. South Dakota (27-5) is led by Summit League Player of the Year Chloe Lamb, who averages the Coyotes with 15.9 points per game. Playing alongside her is Hannah Sjerven, a three time Summit League Defensive Player of the Year who is averaging 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. The league’s Sixth Woman of the year, Grace Larkins, brings along 6.8 points per game.

On the other hand, Ole Miss (23-8) (10-6 SEC) is a force to be reckoned with. The Rebels will be entering this matchup with a 23-8 record, and are led by senior center Shakira Austin. The 6’5 forward is averaging 15.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Alongside the two-time First Team All-SEC honoree is senior Angel Baker, who is averaging 10.7 points per game. The Rebels finished fourth in the SEC.

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Kentucky Wildcats

After one of the most historic runs in conference tournament history, the Kentucky Wildcats won its first SEC title since 1982 after taking down the number one seed South Carolina Gamecocks. Less than a month ago had a sub .500 record and weren’t in tournament consideration.

They entered the conference tournament with a 19-11 record (8-8 in conference) and took down three top-20 teams in the span of three days No. 6 LSU (78-63), No. 18 Tennessee (83-74), and No. 1 South Carolina 64-72 after a last-second shot by Dre’una Edwards sealed the deal for the Wildcats. Edwards finished the game with 27 points, and nine rebounds as Kentucky punched their ticket to the tournament for the 17th time in program history. The Wildcats will be the sixth seed in the tournament and will play Princeton to kick off their march madness.

Miami Hurricanes

Miami was a huge shocker in the ACC tournament, first stunning the four seeded Louisville Cardinals in ACC quarterfinals 61-59 on Destiny Harden’s buzzer-beating turn-around jumper. The upsets were not done yet as they edged passed No. 3 Notre Dame 57-54, advancing to the program’s first-ever ACC Championship game. 

Though they did not win it all, falling short to NC State 60-47 in the title game, All-ACC Team honorable mention Kelsey Marshall put up 24 points, four rebounds, and two assists for the Canes. This year Marshall averaged 14.0 points (No. 10 in ACC), 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists leading Miami to their 15th national tournament appearance as a program. Miami will be the eighth seed in the tournament and will matchup against South Florida in a battle of state supremacy to kick off the madness.

Michigan Wolverines

The Michigan Wolverines finished the season with a 22-6 record (13-4 conference play), tying for the most conference wins in program history. On Dec.19, they defeated then fifth-ranked Baylor Bears  74-68, making this the programs’ first-ever win over a Top-Five team. The Wolverines fell short in the Big 10 conference tournament losing to Nebraska 76-73 in the quarterfinal.

However, they still punched their ticket to the national tournament for the ninth time. Overall the year has been great for the Wolverines as head coach Kim Arico was voted Big Ten Coach of the Year by coaches and media. In addition, star player Naz Hilmon became the first player in program history to earn four first-team honors and the first player in Michigan basketball history to record 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in their career. Hilmon averaged 21.0 points (No. 4 Big Ten)and 9.4 rebounds (No. 4 in Big Ten) while shooting 56.5 percent from the field this season. Michigan will be a three-seed in this year’s tournament and face American in their first-round matchup.

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There are a few new changes this time around, though:

For the first time since the tournament’s inception in 1982, the NCAA has decided to feature the historic March Madness branding for the 2022 tournament, while the increased 68-team pool will be seeded for the first time this Selection Sunday on March 13. 

The first four games of the tournament will take place on Wednesday and Thursday of this week while the first and second rounds begin on Friday and run through next Monday the 21st.

The Heavy Hitters

This year’s No. 1 Seeds: South Carolina, Stanford, NC State and Louisville are stacked to the brim with talent, as we take a deep dive into how the heavy hitters got to the first round of the tournament.

Led Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks (29-2) are equipped with an array of talent, including the frontrunner for National Player of the Year, Aliyah Boston. The Gamecocks will make their 18th national tournament appearance since ’82 through the Greensboro Region. Throughout the 2021-22 season, the Gamecocks have remained favorites to cut down the nets in Minneapolis. Despite suffering only their second loss (29-2) on the season to Kentucky in the SEC tournament final, South Carolina leads the nation with 11 wins over ranked opponents, facing off against the winner between Howard (20-3) and the Incarnate Word Cardinals (13-16).

The Stanford Cardinal (28-3) cruised their way to their second-straight Pac-12 championship with wins over Oregon St., Colorado, and Utah, behind the tournament’s Player of the Year in Haley Jones. With 6-4 conference Defensive Player of the Year and the Pac-12’s leading rebounder Cameron Brink commanding the paint, the Cardinal are coming off of a 20-game win streak heading into the Spokane Region. First, though, they’ll have to take care of business against No. 16 Montana (22-12).

The ACC has been one of the strongest conferences top-to-bottom this season—boasting eight teams from the conference making the big dance—as both NC State and Louisville round out our heavy hitters. The Wolf Pack added to what’s already been a historic season after securing the No. 1 seed in the ACC tournament for the first time in 32 years. Led by first-team All-ACC center Elissa Cunane, NC State makes their 27th national tournament appearance.

This list is nowhere near short of star-power, and that’s where Hailey Van Lith and Louisville (25-4) round out our heavy hitters. Finishing second behind NC State in the ACC, the Cardinals are set to make their first national tournament appearance since 2019. They’re set to match up against No. 16 Albany (23-9) in the first round.

Best Not Be Sleeping

They may not be the highest-seeded teams, but you just can’t be caught sleeping when it comes to Kentucky, Miami, DePaul, and the Michigan Wolverines.

Coming off of the stellar play of All-SEC First Team forward Rhyne Howard and standout Dre’una Edwards, the Kentucky Wildcats upset the No. 1 seed South Carolina Gamecocks in historic fashion for the SEC Championship, the program’s first since 1982. Riding a 10-game win streak into the Bridgeport region, the No. 6 Wildcats had a sub .500 record less than a month ago, and yet, they’ll enter the first round of the tournament with possibly the most momentum in the tournament. But first, they’ll have to go through Princeton (24-4) to keep on dancing.

The Canes have been synonymous with upsets during March, stunning Louisville in the ACC quarterfinals courtesy of Destiny Harden’s buzzer-beating turn-around jumper and Notre Dame in the semis. The No. 8 Miami Hurricanes (20-12) arrive in the Greensboro region after advancing to the program’s first-ever ACC Championship game.

The No. 3 Wolverines (22-6) enter the fold in the Wichita region with a first-round matchup against the No. 14 seeded American Eagles (23-8). Their resume includes quality wins over Baylor in late December—the program’s first win over a top-five team—Maryland in January and Iowa in early February. Led by projected top-five pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, Naz Hillmon, the Wolverines will be looking to make history once more in March.

While they finished fourth in the Big East, the Blue Demons earned quality wins over Kentucky and Northwestern. Led by double-double machine Aneesah Morrow, the conference’s Freshman of the Year, DePaul (22-10) will match up against No. 11 Dayton.

Games You Can’t Miss

After all 68 teams were seeded on Selection Sunday, the opening round matchups are set. Here’s some games that you’ve got to tune into this weekend.

Photos via Getty Images.

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The Mountain Top – No. 1 Seed South Carolina

Despite losing the SEC Championship game to Kentucky last weekend, the Gamecocks remain atop the AP Top 25. They’ve asserted their dominance all season long, consistently holding down the top spot in the AP poll since the preseason, dropping just one loss in conference play to Missouri in late December. Under SEC Coach of the Year, Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks boast a nation-best 11 wins over ranked opponents, culminating in defeating No. 2 Stanford 65-61 at home.

The regular season champs are headlined by SEC Player of the Year and frontrunner for National Player of the Year Aliyah Boston, who’s been damn-near unstoppable this season, breaking Sylvia Fowles’ SEC record with 20 consecutive double doubles. Boston continued her career sweep as SEC Defensive Player of the Year, posting 16.8 points, 12 boards 2.6 blocks and 1.3 steals per game while shooting a commanding 54.4 percent from the field and becoming just the fifth player in school history to record 1,000 career boards.

Aliyah Boston is truly, THAT girl. @aa_boston pic.twitter.com/5P2vvN5FPg

— WSLAM (@wslam) February 25, 2022

Establishing an uptempo pressure on the game is key for the Gamecocks, with 5-7 senior Destanni Henderson, aka “Henny” leading the charge with her lighting quick speed, playmaking ability and defensive prowess, dropping 11.3 points, 4.3 dimes (7th in the SEC) and 1.4 steals while shooting a conference fifth-best 40.6 percent from deep.

Destanni had 6 STEALS.

Defense was LOCKED IN. pic.twitter.com/65YSOkpUxj

— WSLAM (@wslam) November 22, 2021

Top of the Pac – Stanford Cardinal

Undefeated in conference play (28-3, 16-0) the Cardinal cruised through the Pac-12 tournament en route to their second-straight conference championship behind the magnificent play of the tourney’s Most Outstanding Player, Haley Jones. Defeating Oregon State, Colorado and Utah, Stanford extended their win streak, which is the longest active streak in the nation, to 20-straight ahead of the national tournament.

Haley Jones dropped a light TRIPLE DOUBLE last night for Stanford.

The school’s first in 19 years pic.twitter.com/12X7l6Qy3z

— WSLAM (@wslam) November 17, 2021

Alongside Jones, sophomore Cameron Brink has continued to expand her game since taking being named to the All-Freshman Team last year. The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year led the conference in 2.8 blocks a game while averaging 13.6 points.

HAVE A DAY CAM BRINK:

21 points
22 rebounds

Brink helped Stanford take down No. 4 Indiana! pic.twitter.com/3h1UxMdZC8

— WSLAM (@wslam) November 25, 2021

Coming off of their first NCAA championship since ‘92, the Cardinal will look to defend their title and repeat as champions in Minneapolis. Utah’s head coach Lynne Roberts mirrored that same sentiment after losing to Stanford, 73-48, in the conference championship.

“I actually think they’re better than they were last year, and last year they won the national championship,” Roberts said after the game. “I do think they’re the best team in the country.”

Pack Life – NC State

After securing the No. 1 seed at the ACC Tournament for the first time in 32 years, the Wolf Pack added to what’s already been a historic season this past weekend, winning the ACC Tournament Championship for the third-straight season in a 60-47 win over the Miami Hurricanes. Elissa Cunane led the way with 20 points and 13 boards in the semis, and 17 points and eight boards in the ‘chip.

The now two-time ACC Tournament MVP cemented her legacy in tournament play, scoring double figures in all 11 of her career ACC Tournament appearances.

Elissa came to HOOP today. @ecunane_ pic.twitter.com/OuoUL4U5L9

— WSLAM (@wslam) March 5, 2022

Card Nation – Louisville

Led by sophomore All-ACC First Team guard Hailey Van Lith, the No. 1 Louisville Cardinals (25-4) find themselves in their 24th NCAA tournament appearance as a program despite being knocked out of the ACC quarterfinals by the Miami Hurricanes. Finishing second (16-2) in the ACC behind NC State, the Cardinals have notched eight dubs over top 25 opponents in their belt, snagging a quality win over No. 7 UConn 69-64 this season. Van Lith dropped 16 points, four boards and three assists.

HVL is in her DUFFIE tonight. @haileyvanlith @UofLWBB pic.twitter.com/taaUf0fLl8

— WSLAM (@wslam) November 12, 2021

Van Lith’s show-stopping dimes, limitless range and command of the offense has been on display since her days at Cashmere High School in Washington, but the basketball world was reminded of them once again in early February when she lit up Clemson for 34 points on 13-16 shooting from the field and a scintillating 6-for-6 from beyond the arc. Holding it down on defense is All-ACC First Team senior, Emily Engstler, who simultaneously earned All-Defensive honors.

Now the tandem and the Cardinals face off against No. 16 Albany in the first round of the Women’s March Madness Tournament.

Photos via Getty Images.

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Tennessee Volunteers

The Tennessee Volunteers finished the regular season 26-7 (14-4 SEC) as they entered the SEC tournament as a two-seed. In their first game, they defeated Mississippi State 72-59, Then defeated seed 3 Kentucky Wildcats 69-62 behind a 19 point performance by freshman guard Kennedy Chandler to send the Vols to the SEC championship.

The Volunteers would go on to dominate Texas A&M 65-50 to secure the school’s first conference championship since 1979. Chandler was named the most outstanding player of the tournament as his stellar shooting has continued to dazzle the country. He averaged 13.8 points and 4.6 assists on the season.

Tennessee will enter the NCAA tournament as a two-seed and will face Longwood in the first round of the tournament. Tennessee is a team that needs to advance far in every bracket entry submitted.

Virginia Tech Hokies 

Before the ACC tournament, The Virginia Tech Hokies’ ticket to the tournament was not secure after finishing the regular season 23-12 record (11-9 ACC). Entering as the seven seed a big run in the conference tournament would’ve kept the Hokies dancing in march, and they did just that.

In the first round, the Hokies took down the Clemson Tigers 76-75 from a buzzer-beater by guard Darius Maddox as time expired on the clock. They defeated Notre Dame, 87-80, and North Carolina, 72-59, to reserve their spot in the ACC championship game. In a classic David and Goliath matchup, the Hokies faced the Duke Blue Devils and stunned the basketball world by dominating them 82-67 to take home the school’s first ACC championship.

Junior guard Hunter Cattoor led the Hokies in scoring, finishing with 31 points, knocking down seven out of nine three-pointers. Virginia Tech will enter the NCAA tournament as an 11-seed and face the six-seeded Texas in the first round.

Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa came into the Big 10 tournament with a 26-9 regular-season record (12-8 Big 10), with most of their losses coming in the conference. In the first two rounds of the Big 10 tournament, they blew out Northwestern 112-76 and bested Rutgers 84-74. Their next round matchup against the Indiana Hoosiers was nail-biting finished as guard Jordan Bohannon sank a bank shot as time expired to give the Hawkeyes the 80-77 edge over the Hoosiers.

They matched up against the high-powered Purdue Boilermakers in the conference championship. Behind sophomore star Keegan Murray’s 19 points and 11 rebounds, Iowa took home the Big 10 title crown in a 75-66 victory. Iowa is entering the NCAA as a five seed and will play the University of Richmond in the first round.

With three Iowa players averaging double-digits in Keegan Murray, Jordan Bohannon, and Patrick McCaffery, the Hawkeyes can be a real threat this year.

Murray State Racers

After an impressive tournament run back in 2019 led by Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant the Murray State Racers looks to put the country on notice once again. Entering this year with an impressive 30-2 record going undefeated in conference play (18-0 OVC), the Racers have won 18 straight games since losing to Auburn, 71-58, on Dec. 22.

They knocked out Morehead state 71-67 to capture the school’s 18th OVC conference championship. Junior guard Tevin Brown scored 23 points and six rebounds to help the Racers continue dancing into the NCAA men’s championship tournament. Brown, who played along with Morant as a freshman back in 2019, has been the teams’ anchor averaging 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 44 percent from the floor.

The Racers will be a seven-seed in the tournament and match up with San Francisco in the first round. If you are a fan of Cinderella teams, Murray State is the perfect team to bet on.

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The tourney hasn’t even begun, and yet we’ve witnessed Hunter Cattoor light it up against Duke en route to Virginia Tech’s first ACC Championship, Murray State earn their first tournament bid since Ja Morant was the Racers point guard, and Iowa secured their first Big Ten Tournament Championship since 2006.

With Selection Sunday and conference tournaments wrapping up this past weekend, there’s a lot to preview, and SLAM Newswire has got you covered.

The Heavy Hitters

This year’s No. 1 Seeds: Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas, and Baylor are loaded with talent as we take a deep dive into how the heavy hitters on the men’s side got to the first round of the tournament.

Led by two Wooden Award Candidates while boasting a nation-best 87.8 points per game, the hype around Gonzaga (26-3) is real. With WCC Player of the Year Drew Timme, who averaged 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, and top-three projected pick in this year’s draft Chet Holmgren patrolling the paint, the Bulldogs have been one of the most dominant teams in college basketball this season – dropping just three games to tournament-bound teams (Duke, Alabama and St. Mary’s).

The No. 1 team in the West region boasts 10 Quadrant 1 wins, making their 24th appearance as a program in the tournament with a matchup against No. 16 Georgia St (18-10) in the opening round.

Fresh off of their 12th Big 12 tournament championship in program history, Kansas (28-6) enters the Midwest region as one of the most battle-tested teams in the tournament. Bill Self leads a loaded roster full of experienced hoopers, headlined by conference-leading scorer and Player of the Year Ochai Ogbaji. Ogbaji averaged 19.7 points per game while shooting 40.5 percent from three – the Jayhawks lead the nation with 12 Quad 1 wins while snagging a Big 12 regular-season and conference tournament championship.

Possessing one of the strongest resumes in the country, Kansas ranks as the top seed in the Midwest region, facing off against Texas Southern in the first round.

In his first season as a Division One coach and head honcho at Arizona, Tommy Lloyd led the Wildcats (31-3) through a famed season, securing the regular season and Pac-12 tournament championship while gathering quality wins against UCLA, Illinois, Michigan, and USC.

Led by Pac-12 Player of the Year Bennedict Mathurin (17.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game) alongside the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and its Most Improved in 7’1 junior Christian Koloko (11.9 points and 7.2 boards per game), the Wildcats are ranked as a one seed for a reason, as their balanced offensive and defensive schemes have been giving teams trouble all season long.

First, though, they’ll meet the winner between Bryant and Wright State in the opening round.

Rounding out our heavy hitters is the Baylor Bears (26-6), defending their national championship out of the East region. Scott Drew’s Bears feature a bevy of offensive talent with six players averaging more than 8.0 points per game, led by junior guard Adam Flager (13.4 points and 3.1 assists) and senior Big 12 First Team selection, James Akinjo (13.4 points and 5.7 assists). Snagging wins against Villanova, Iowa State, Texas, and Kansas contributed to the program’s 10 Quad 1 dubs. The Bears will be matching up against No. 16 Norfolk St.

Best Not Be Sleeping

You cannot be caught sleeping against Tennessee, Murray St., Virginia Tech, or Iowa despite the seeding.

The No. 3 seeded SEC champions enter the tourney on a seven-game win streak, having defeated Kentucky, Auburn, and Arkansas since mid-February. Led by freshman sensation Kennedy Chandler, the Volunteers (26-7) are a two-seed for a reason. The Volunteers are built to make a deep run this March in a stacked South region that features No. 1 Arizona, No. 2 Villanova, No. 4 Illinois, and No. 5 Houston. Behind 11 Quad 1 wins, Chandler’s 13.8 points and 4.6 assists, and 53.8 percent shooting splits, the Volunteers will face off against No. 14 Longwood this weekend.

Virginia Tech (23-12) is riding high after upsetting No. 1 Duke in the ACC Championship game, grabbing their first tournament championship in program history. Despite dropping nine games in conference play, the Hokies’ 82-67 upset win over the Blue Devils behind senior Keve Aluma’s 19 points and Hunter Cattoor’s 31, the No. 11 seeded Hokies are a veteran-heavy squad with enough momentum to carry them deep into the tournament. First, though, they’ll meet No. 6 seeded Texas in the first round of the East.

For the first time since 2006, the Iowa Hawkeyes (26-9) are Big Ten tournament champions. Sophomore All-Big Ten First Team selection Keegan Murray has blossomed into a projected lottery pick in late June, averaging 23.6 points and 8.6 rebounds on 55.5 percent shooting from the floor. Competing in the conference that leads the nation with teams seeded in the tournament, the Hawkeyes grabbed nine Quad 1 wins, defeating Michigan St., Ohio St. and No. 3 Purdue in the Big Ten Championship behind Murray’s 19 points and 11 boards. With four players averaging above double-digits, No. 5 Iowa will have a battle on their hands when they face off against No. 12 Richmond in the first round of the Midwest region.

In case you haven’t been following along with the mid-majors or Ja Morant’s Twitter this season, the Murray State Racers (30-2) are for real. Since dropping a 71-58 road loss to Auburn in late December, the Racers have gone undefeated in conference play and are riding an 18-game win streak. The Ohio Valley Conference champions are led by junior Tevin Brown – who played with Ja Morant and Murray State as a freshman during the Racers’ last tournament run in 2019 – is averaging 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, three assists, and a conference-best 3.1 made threes a game. The No. 7 seed in the East will see No. 10 San Francisco in the tournament’s first round.

Games You Can’t Miss

With the first round of the tournament set to start this Friday, here are the games you can’t miss.

No. 3 Texas Tech Vs. No. 14 Montana State

Texas Tech boasts a bevy of veteran players who hang their hat on defensive pressure and home-court advantage – going undefeated in conference play at home. But the No. 14 Bobcats cannot be counted out solely based on their seeding luck as they’ve made their second national tournament appearance in three years.

No. 6 Texas Vs. No. 11 Virginia Tech

Anchored by wins over Kansas and Tennessee, the Texas Longhorns are ready to start the tournament anew after dropping 3 of their last four regular-season matchups. However, the No. 11 seeded Hokies and sharpshooter Hunter Cattoor could pose an upset level threat, having just beaten No. 2 seed Duke in the ACC Championship.

No. 8 San Diego State Vs. No. 9 Creighton 

The 8/9 matchup is always intriguing. With both the Aztecs and Creighton losing their respective conference tournament championships, both teams will be looking to exact revenge and start the tournament with a dub.

No. 5 Houston Vs. No. 12 UAB

Houston has weathered a storm of injuries and adversity all season long. With another AAC tournament championship under their belt, the Cougars will have to get past UAB and Jordan Walker’s 20.2 points per game on 40 percent from beyond the arc.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post SLAM’s 2022 NCAA Men’s March Madness Preview appeared first on SLAM.

The Dog House – Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-3)

Simply put, this Gonzaga team is different. They’re led by an unlikely duo — a mustache-donning junior from Texas and a seven-foot unicorn freshman from Minnesota. That duo is Drew Timme and Chet Holmgren, who are both John R. Wooden Award candidates.

Timme, the 2022 WCC Player of the Year, averages 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. He’s made it clear that he wants to win it all,

“I came back [to Gonzaga] to win a championship and get better,” he said. “That’s all I’m focused on.” 

Holmgren averages 14.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game, good for fourth in the NCAA. He projects to be a top-three selection in the upcoming NBA Draft due to his unique skill set for his physical stature at such a young age.

However, it’s not entirely the Timme and Holmgren show. After all, you don’t lead the nation in points per game (87.8) with just two elite players. This Bulldogs team has multiple threats. Sophomore Julian Strawther is an outstanding player, averaging 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting the long ball at a 39.6 percent clip. Strawther’s backcourt partner Senior Andrew Nembhard averages 11.7 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Then there’s the sharpshooter Rasir Bolton who’s shooting a ridiculous 46.7 percent from deep.

This Bulldogs team is well-rounded and dangerous. They will take on No. 16 Georgia St in the first round.

Top of the Pac – Arizona Wildcats (31-3)

It’s not often that a first-year head coach leads a team to be so dominant in college play. Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd has done just that in his first season as a Division I coach. Of course, Coach Lloyd didn’t put on a jersey himself, but he was able to direct some top-tier talent in the right direction. Two players come to mind when it comes to Lloyd’s coaching ability.

Pac-12 Player of the Year and a potential high lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft Bennedict Mathurin and Pac-12 Defensive and Most Improved Player of the Year Christian Koloko.

Mathurin — a product of the NBA Academy Latin America in Mexico City — averages 17.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while Koloko averages 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. Those two are the primary anchors on this well-rounded Wildcats team with few weaknesses. Other huge contributors are Azuolas Tubelis (14.5 points, 6.4, and 1.1 steals) and Kerr Kriisa (10.1 points and 4.9 assists).

In the opening round, this dynamic Arizona team will face the winner between Bryant and Wright State.

Flying Above the Competition – Kansas Jayhawks (28-6)

The hard-nosed Kansas Jayhawks team is ready to make a run at a title. The lead man for the Jayhawks is Big 12 Player of the Year Ochai Agbaji, who’s currently projected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Agbaji averages 19.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 40.5 percent from three-point range.

Aside from Agbaji, Kansas also has homegrown Christian Braun (14.6 points, 6.3 rebounds), Jalen Wilson (10.9 points and 7.0 rebounds), and David McCormack (10.1 points and 7.0 rebounds). This team is loaded with a roster of experienced players, with nine-time Big 12 Champion Coach Bill Self at the helm, looking to win their first NCAA crown since 2008.

In the first round, this tested Kansas team will face the winner between Texas Southern and Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Leaving the Den – Baylor Bears (26-6)

At this time of year, green is associated with St. Patricks Day. However, the Baylor Bears will need no ‘Luck of the Irish’ to compete deep into this year’s NCAA tournament. The defending National Champions will look to repeat their success, with their loaded offensive unit at the forefront.

Baylor has an impressive seven players that average eight or more points per game, showcasing their well-rounded offensive prowess. While Baylor puts up 76.5 points per game as a unit, they’re led by a few standout players. Big 12 First-Team selection James Akinjo averages 13.4 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, while his backcourt partner Adam Flager averages 13.4 points, 3.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. LJ Cryer is averaging 13.5 points per game in large part due to his elite 46.8 percent clip from deep.

The defending champions will face No. 16 Norfolk St in the first round.

The post The Heavy Hitters: Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas, and Baylor appeared first on SLAM.

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At 6’7, the Grandview High School senior center has emerged as the No. 1 recruit in the country through her incredibly dominant and elite style of play, which has helped her earn numerous accolades, including back-to-back Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year, 2021 MaxPreps All-America First-Team honors, and Colorado Player of Year, as well as an All-State and Academic selection in 2019.

The Colorado-native is also a two-time gold medalist and helped lead the United States to the FIBA Americas U16 Championships and the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup.

Betts will add another achievement to her high school career when she plays in the McDonald’s All American Game on March 29.

“Lauren has always presented problems since she arrived at Grandview at 6-foot-7,” Arapahoe High School head coach Jerry Knafelc said in a news release after Betts won her second straight Gatorade POY award. “This season, Lauren has really improved her overall game. She has developed a consistent mid-range shot, improved her free throws, and, more importantly, she has improved her passing and decision-making.”

Even with all of her success so far, this is just the beginning for the future Cardinal. Betts averaged 17.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.6 blocks per game this season.

The post Stanford Commit Lauren Betts is Signing With Excel appeared first on SLAM.

Texas Tech Vs. Montana State

Texas Tech’s men’s basketball team was chosen to be the No. 3 seed in the West Regional Division of the 2022 NCAA National Tournament. Their first match-up will be against No. 14 seed Montana State. Considered a well-balanced head-to-head match-up, Texas Tech (25-9) (12-6 Big 12) conference play record. Montana State is primed to put on a show on the other side and look capable of holding their weight at (27-7) (16-4 Big Sky).

The two veteran guards, Jubrile Belo (13.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game) and Xavier Bishop (13.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game) lead the Bobcats as two-way forces from the forward and guard spots, respectively.

Meanwhile, Texas Tech’s lineup is filled with depth. Bryson Williams, the 6’8 forward, is averaging 13.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 53.4 percent from the field. Terrance Shannon Jr. is the second player averaging double digits with 10.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. With numbers like these going head to head with what Montana State brings to the table, there’s no denying how great of a game this could be. 

Texas Vs. Virginia Tech

The Texas Longhorns will face off against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first round of the NCAA Men’s National Tournament. The Hokies pulled off an impressive 82-67 upset win over Duke in the ACC championship game, the first ACC title in program history. The Hokies were led to the title by Hunter Cattoor, who scored 31 points and four rebounds.

As for the Longhorns, they have entered the postseason on a downward spiral after winning just five of their last 10 games, including losing four straight that began with a 65-60 loss to TCU. Texas is now ranked number 68 in the country in steals (averaging 7.7); fans can only hope this defense carries over in their game against a Virginia Tech team looking to continue their championship run for as long as possible.

Timmy Allen, star forward, standing at 6’6, is averaging 12.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 steals a game while shooting close to 50.5 percent from the field. The Hokies seem to have something to match that with 6’9 forward Keve Aluma. Keve Aluma averages 15.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists per game on 53.4 percent from the field.

San Diego State Vs. Creighton 

Creighton, who made a solid run for the Big East conference championship, fell short in the final match-up against a skilled and willed Villanova. Don’t count the Blue Jays out yet, though. Creighton now has a shot at redemption, with the selection committee giving them a No. 9 seed in the Midwest Conference. In the first round, they are set to face the No. 8 seeded San Diego State.

San Diego State has also lost in the Mountain West conference championship game, taking a tough 53-52 loss to Boise State. Creighton reached the Sweet 16 last year, losing to Gonzaga. They currently shoot 30.7 percent from the three-point line, 72.9 percent from the free-throw line, and 45.0 percent from the field collectively.

San Diego State suffered the same fate with losing to Gonzaga last year in the round of 64. The Aztecs are currently shooting 35.8 percent from the three-point line, 69.5 percent from the free-throw line, and 43.3 percent from the field. Both teams’ overall records show that they can make a run if they all play with high levels of effort and intensity and as a team. San Diego State currently has a 23-8 record (13-4 Mountain West), while Creighton has a 22-11 winning record (12-7 Big East).

The winner will likely face No. 1 Kansas in the round of 32.

Houston Vs. UAB

The UAB Blazers will face off against the Houston Cougars on Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Men’s National Championship Tournament. The Blazers (27-7) have won their last five games, including the Conference USA championship against Louisiana Tech, 82-73.

The Cougars are entering this game with an impressive 29-5 record, bringing along the AAC Championship that they beat Memphis for, 71-53. Kyler Edwards averages 13.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 36.9 percent from the field and 71.8 percent from the free-throw line. Another key for the Cougars is Josh Carlton, who leads the team with 6.4 rebounds per game.

As far as Blazers go, Jordan Walker has made his stamp as the leader for the Blazers. The New Jersey native currently leads the team with 20.4 ppg this season while shooting 40.3 percent from the field and 88.3% from the free-throw line. Walker played 31.6 minutes this season, leading the Blazers in minutes while dishing 4.8 assists per game.

Expect an all-out brawl in this match-up with the Houston Cougars facing the UAB Blazers this Friday at 9:20 pm ET.

The post Games You Can’t Miss: San Diego State Vs. Creighton, Texas Tech Vs. Montana State, and More appeared first on SLAM.

The seven-footer is the team-leading scorer averaging 14.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game while shooting 61 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from three-point territory this season. Holmgren also became the second player in school history to block 100 shots in a single season.

Gonzaga Coach Mark Few shared his thoughts on Holmgren in a press conference after the WCC championship game on how much the freshman has grown and adapted to college play.

“He’s had his bouts with struggling early this season; he’s adapted extremely well this year. I think the officials this year has gotten away with letting players hold and grab on to him, and when it turns into a wrestling match, it can be hard for him to function. He’s incredibly gifted, strong, and tough. The stature may not show, but as we get into March, if the games are called correctly, he can be a really effective player.”

Selection Sunday for March Madness will be this weekend, and Gonzaga will likely be a one-seed going into the tournament. Winning the last 19 of their previous 20 games, Gonzaga looks to finally be the last team dancing this year after two devastating national championship losses in 2017 and 2021.

The post Mark Few on Freshman Chet Holmgren: ‘He’s Adapted Well This Year; He is Physically and Mentally Tough’ appeared first on SLAM.

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The projected lottery pick made the All-ACC first-team after earning 372 points in coach-media voting. The 19-year-old forward averaged 17.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game on 46.3 percent shooting from the field. Banchero won Freshman of the Week six times and posted eight double-doubles. Banchero finished the regular season fifth in the ACC in scoring (17.4) and second in rebounds in conference-only games (8.0).

Banchero is also a finalist for the Karl Malone Award and the only ACC representative to be named a finalist for the Wooden Award. He is also the Blue Devils’ 76th All-ACC first-team selection and the 51st player to earn first-team honors under Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski, most in conference history.

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Banchero wasn’t the only Blue Devil to earn some regular-season accolades. Wendell Moore made the second team. Mark Williams was named Defensive Player of the Year and made the third team. AJ Griffin was an honorable mention. Griffin, Banchero, and Trevor Keels made the All-Rookie team. Moore and Williams were named to the All-Defensive team as well.

The post Duke Phenom Paolo Banchero Wins ACC Freshman of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

The bucket that sealed the deal @KentuckyWBB pic.twitter.com/e9rlNtlPNZ

— WSLAM (@wslam) March 6, 2022

The Kentucky women’s basketball team outlasted the No. 1 ranked South Carolina 64-62 to win the SEC tournament title for the first time since 1982. Dre’una Edwards provided a huge three-pointer with five seconds left to finish off a 27 point, nine-rebound afternoon to preserve the Lady Wildcats’ shocking upset.

The 7th seeded Wildcats won four games, beating the three top seeds in the tournament that included South Carolina, No. 2 LSU, and No. 3 Tennessee after beating No. 10 seed Mississippi State in the first round.

Since winning their previous title in 1982 over Tennessee, the Wildcats had lost four SEC finals from 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014.

Kentucky punched their ticket to March Madness with a ten-game winning streak that wiped out a 2-8 record in the SEC and a 9-11 record overall just a month prior.

SHOWTIME SHOWING OFF WITH ANOTHER 3! @IAmRobynnnn

@espn
https://t.co/KWHV25XEYt#CommitToIt x #SECWBB pic.twitter.com/q7CRzcAUaX

— Kentucky WBB (@KentuckyWBB) March 6, 2022

Two-time SEC player of the year, Rhyne Howard started a 14-2 run with a huge three-pointer with 5:30 left in the game to showcase why the Wildcats have turned around as the NCAA tournament inches closer and closer.

“We started having fun,” Howard told ESPN of Wildcats’ dramatic turnaround. “When things were getting tough, basically we acted like we didn’t want to be there. That’s how it looked and how it appeared to our fans.”

“We had a team meeting where we were like, ‘This is it. We cannot end like this.’ Especially with a lot of us being seniors. We knew we had to get it together.”

Wildcats Coach Kyra Elzy never doubted that things would turn around.

.@UKCoachLZ helped lead the Cats to a @SEC regular season title in 2012 as an assistant coach.

10 years later, she gets to cut the net again as a head coach#CommitToIt x #SECWBB pic.twitter.com/wv1d3WZ367

— Kentucky WBB (@KentuckyWBB) March 6, 2022

“We had been put in situations when our back was against the wall, and we had enough to step up,

“We’re a talented team.”

The post Kentucky Wildcats Women’s Basketball Crowned SEC Champions for the First Time in 40 Years appeared first on SLAM.

With 20 consecutive double-doubles on the season, Boston averaged 16.8 points and 11.9 rebounds to lead the Gamecocks to an impressive 27-1 record and the No.1 seed in the upcoming SEC tournament.

In addition to this, Boston and point guard Destanni Henderson was voted First Team All-SEC by the league’s head coaches. Henderson averaged 11.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Junior guard Zia Cooke was named Second Team All-SEC after putting up 11.5 points per game, good for third on the team. After leading the Gamecocks to their sixth regular-season title, coach Dawn Staley was named SEC Coach of the Year for the fifth time.

“The main goal is just coming here, winning every game and making it all the way,” Boston said after a February 17 victory over Auburn. 

The Gamecocks have their sites set on the SEC tournament in Nashville this weekend after leading the women’s basketball rankings for much of the season. The Gamecocks will meet the winner of the Arkansas and Missouri matchup in the quarterfinal round. Winning the SEC tournament will likely cement their status as No.1 overall seed for the NCAA Tournament.

South Carolina is also looking for their seventh conference title since 2015 and completing a three-peat for the first time since winning four straight championships from 2015-2018.

The post SEC Names Aliyah Boston The 2022 SEC Player of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

Before tipoff, Pittsburgh played a tribute video to Krzyzewski where Sam Clancy, Dick Groat, and Coach Jeff Capel shared heartwarming remarks to the Duke coach.

“Coach, congratulations on the most amazing career in basketball. You have given so much to the game and given so much to us that have been fortunate enough to play for you. I’m grateful for you, I appreciate you, I love you and wish you nothing but happiness and joy in stepping away from the game” Capel said.

Capel played for Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils from 1993 to 1997. In 2011, he joined the Blue Devils coaching staff as an associate head coach until 2018, when he took the Pittsburgh head coaching position.

Duke’s 86-54 dub over Pittsburgh clinched a share of the Blue Devils’ first ACC regular-season title since 2010-2011 and ensured that they’re the No. 1 seed in the upcoming ACC tournament with a 27-4 record.

This weekend, Krzyzewski will coach the final home game of his career against bitter rival North Carolina in the last chapter of his rivalry with the Tobacco Road powerhouse.

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