He is the Maine Event. The Great White Hype. The next Larry Legend. Everything you’ve heard, read, or seen about Cooper Flagg is true. He’s the real deal. Flagg has been on the radar of practically every NBA executive ever since his buzzy performance as a then 17-year-old against the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team … [Read more…]
Cooper Flagg and Johni Broome have they eyes on an NCAA tournament title run. (Getty Images) Jack Gohlke and DJ Burns weren’t household names at the start of March Madness last year. By the time the tournament reached peak interest, Gohlke and Burns became major headlines. Gohlke starred in the opening round of the 2024 … [Read more…]
The NBA Summer League is the best teaser on what to expect from the incoming rookie class. As expected, the top lottery picks didn’t disappoint, while others have obvious weaknesses that need to be corrected. The California Classic in San Francisco and Sacramento kicked off the summer league season, with games at Chase Center and … [Read more…]
To say Purdue’s Zach Edey is the most polarizing prospect in the 2024 NBA draft would be a gigantic understatement. Edey is a throwback center who plays in a phone booth. He’s an old-school, back-to-the-basket big man who uses his imposing size (7-4) and strength (300 pounds) to physically beat up and wear down his … [Read more…]
Victor Wembanyama doesn’t like being called “The Unicorn.” It’s the nickname mostly associated with Latvian standout Kristaps Porzingis. About the only thing Wembanyama and Porzingis have in common is their height. Both are extremely tall men raised on European soil. But the comparisons end there. Wembanyama is a far, far better prospect at this stage … [Read more…]
NBA teams looking for a big man are in luck. This year’s draft is loaded with big men who could change the fortunes of several franchises. Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Duke’s Paolo Banchero are two of the three best prospects in the 2022 NBA draft. The two went head-to-head last November and the 20,000 fans … [Read more…]
Mark Few is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in college basketball. His resume speaks for itself. He has an incredible .830 winning percentage and has led Gonzaga to the national championship game in 2017 and 2021. His program has produced five first-team All-Americans (Dan Dickau, Adam Morrison, Kelly Olynyk, Nigel Williams-Goss, Rui … [Read more…]
Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver and the rest of the Pistons’ basketball decision-makers hold the top card in the 2021 NBA draft. The Pistons have an opportunity to change the fortunes of a franchise that’s been to the playoffs twice in 12 years and haven’t had a playoff win in 14 years. Detroit fans … [Read more…]
It took one of the all-time great Final Four buzzer-beaters to eliminate the UCLA men’s basketball from the 2021 NCAA tournament. Jalen Suggs’ near-halfcourt bank shot in overtime lifted top-seeded Gonzaga to a 93-90 victory over 11th-seeded UCLA in the national semifinals. Suggs’ “banked robbery” (a great headline from the Los Angeles Times) ended one … [Read more…]
Memo to rebuilding NBA franchises. When evaluating LaMelo Ball, let your eyes dictate. Ignore the noise. If you’re an NBA scout or executive, don’t judge LaMelo because of what you’ve read or heard about him. Don’t let your disdain for his outspoken father, LaVar Ball, influence your decision. Don’t listen to the noise from pundits … [Read more…]