Jonathan Givony
@DraftExpress
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NBA Draft analyst at @ESPN. Founder and co-owner of @DraftExpress (also on IG/Tiktok), a private scouting/analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA & Int'l teams.
Joined May 2009
"I want to be NBA player." - mission accomplished!
Eight years ago I traveled to Athens, Greece to watch Giannis play, conduct his first ever interview in English and attempt to help tell the beginning of his story. I loved his talent and background; it's incredible to see what he's developed into since.
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"Basketball is about teammates," Nikola Jokic told me the first time I met him at the Nike Hoop Summit in April of 2014. "When I’m open, I score. When I'm not, I pass. I play basketball as simple as I can. I don't jump high. I don't run fast. I don't think so much about the NBA."
Flashback to April 8, 2014. Nikola Jokic was getting buckets on everyone at Nike Hoop Summit practice, including Jamal Murray. Now he's the best player in basketball.
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UCF's Tacko Fall official measurements at the NBA Combine: 7'5 1/4 without shoes, 7'7 with shoes, 289 pounds, 8'2 1/4 wingspan, 10'2 1/2 standing reach, 6.8% body fat. Tacko just broke every figure in our database for height, wingspan and reach, dating back to the 80s. 😳😲
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37 points, 5 blocks and 7 made 3s for Victor Wembanyama in his first ever game on US soil. Showed exactly why he's considered a generational talent and the projected No. 1 pick in a loaded draft class.
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Potential No. 1 NBA draft pick LaMelo Ball and his manager Jermaine Jackson have purchased his Australian NBL team, the Illawarra Hawks, Jackson told ESPN on Thursday.
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Bronny James is now a projected top-10 pick thanks to the significant jump he's made at Sierra Canyon, developing into arguably the best perimeter defender in his class while making strides with his shooting and playmaking . Full 2024 mock draft on ESPN:
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Bronny James just crushed the 3-point star shooting drill at the NBA draft combine. 19/25, good for second place.
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NBA teams have done a 180 on LaMelo Ball after seeing him dominate the Australian NBL Blitz this week. It's time to start talking about him as a real candidate for the #1 overall pick
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Victor Wembanyama makes it look easy with this absurd running pullup 3 falling out of bounds from the corner demonstrating his exceptional footwork and body control. We've never seen anything remotely close to this before from a player this size.
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Johni Broome standing vertical leap at the NBA draft combine
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Future No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama was unreal again today. 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks and the important road win in OT versus previously undefeated Le Mans, including plenty of dunks, 3s and tremendous defensive plays. 17 in a narrow win.
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Zach Edey says he has the 3-ball in his game right now already and he's looking forward to showing that. Doesn't look like a stretch here at the NBA draft combine.
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Nikola Jovic, a 6'10, 18-year old small forward from Serbia and projected first round pick, has declared for the 2022 NBA draft, his agent Misko Raznatovic told ESPN. Story:
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NEWS: Japanese guard Keisei Tominaga has agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with the Indiana Pacers, a source told ESPN. The Nebraska product was one of the best shooters in the Big Ten, averaging 15 points in 26 minutes.
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Rutgers’ Ace Bailey’s official measurements from the NBA Draft Combine:. 6’7 1/2 barefoot, 202.8 lbs with a 7’0 ½" wingspan and 8’11" standing reach
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Absolutely incredible performance from Victor Wembanyama leading France to the semis w/20 points and 8 blocks in an overtime win over Lithuania. Might be the most talented prospect I've ever scouted. Ridiculously skilled offensively w/DPOY-type potential. #1 pick favorite in 2023
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Potential No. 1 pick Ace Bailey put on a ridiculous show for Rutgers fans at his future college arena in the Battle of New Jersey. 40 points, 21 rebounds, 3 assists and a bunch of great defensive plays in McEachern's blowout win over Camden.
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We're hitting my favorite stretch of the NBA Draft process, when we get treated to strongly formed opinions from media members who didn't watch any college basketball outside of a handful of Duke games. 👀😊.
We’re hitting my fav stretch of NBA Draft social media — when we get treated to workout videos from shot gurus of big guys making multiple 3s in a row and then we’re supposed to pretend this means something and skip over how they looked in games with 9 other guys on the floor.
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"Finding Giannis," a new documentary on Giannis Antetokounmpo's unlikely ascent from total unknown to MVP candidate, airs Saturday on TNT at 630pm EST. Quite a few previously untold stories. Great intro for All-Star Saturday Night.
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Ace Bailey doing the NBA star shooting 3-point drill at a very different pace with his tremendous footwork and shooting mechanics.
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Projected No. 1 pick Alex Sarr pro lane agility test at the NBA draft combine.
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Scoot Henderson, projected No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, has been shut down by the G League for the remainder of Ignite's season, a league official told ESPN. Ignite is unlikely to make the playoffs and the G League feels Henderson has shown enough this season.
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A projected top-5 pick, Rob Dillingham's explosiveness, jittery handle, live-dribble passing and ability to hit pull-up, stepback and sidestep 3s makes him one of college basketball's most difficult covers -- drawing some comparisons to Trae Young.
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Source: Barring the unexpected, Memphis Grizzlies front office and ownership appear to have locked in on selecting Ja Morant with the No. 2 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and are informing parties in Chicago of such. That clears the way for R.J. Barrett to fall to the Knicks at #3.
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The 7'3, 18-year old Wembanyama, who boasts a 7'9 wingspan and 9'7 standing reach, has wowed NBA executives the past three years with his exceptional combination of fluidity, perimeter skill, shot-blocking instincts, and feel for the game. Highlights:
Victor Wembanyama, the top prospect in the world outside the NBA and the likely No. 1 pick in 2023, has opted out of his contract with ASVEL and is signing a two-year deal with Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92, a source told ESPN. NEWS: .
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Purdue's Jaden Ivey put his powerful first step, explosiveness and clean shooting stroke on display at the CAA Pro Day yesterday in front of a packed house of NBA decision makers.
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Victor Wembanyama looked like the No. 1 pick in the draft with a 23 point, 10 rebound, 3 block performance in his French season opener, including several jaw-dropping plays. Such a smooth, fluid mover at 7'5.
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Best game of the season for future No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama in France with 33 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks. Completely dominated on both ends to help Metropolitans 92 to a sixth straight victory and stay in second place.
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Back in 2017, then 16-year old Anthony Edwards told Mike Schmitz how he started to round into the prospect he is now. "I wasn't really that good". Eight years later, he's dropping 43 points on the Lakers to help put Minnesota up 3-1 in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
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UConn's James Bouknight put on an absolutely incredible shooting display at his NBA Combine Pro Day workout today. Shot the cover off the ball, showing phenomenal footwork, touch and body control.
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LaMelo Ball -- the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft -- is expected to miss four weeks with a foot injury, sources tell ESPN. There’s hope that NBA teams can resume scouting him in the Australian NBL in January.
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Eight years ago I traveled to Athens, Greece to watch Giannis play, conduct his first ever interview in English and attempt to help tell the beginning of his story. I loved his talent and background; it's incredible to see what he's developed into since.
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Favorite part of our ESPN Combine broadcast interviews was easily Ace Bailey's answer to Sean Farnham's question. "Ain't got no weaknesses and I got more than two strengths big dog" 😂😂
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Duke's Mark Williams official measurements from the NBA Combine: 7'2 in shoes, 7'6.5 wingspan, 9'9 standing reach, 242.4 lbs with 5.4% body fat 😳.
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Darius Garland will conduct a last-minute workout in Tarrytown with the New York Knicks tomorrow, a source told ESPN. Garland is in serious consideration for the No. 3 pick. Minnesota, Boston, Chicago are teams looking at potentially trading up to No. 4 with Garland in mind.
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Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, announced he's committed to Duke. The 6'9, 16-year old averaged 26.8points, 12.4rebounds, 5.2 blocks and 4.7 assists, shooting 37% for 3, in the Nike EYBL 16U for Maine United this summer.
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NEWS: Victor Wembanyama, the projected No. 1 pick in 2023, will face off against projected No. 2 pick Scoot Henderson and G League Ignite in a pair of ESPN televised games outside Las Vegas October 4 and 6, a source told ESPN. Story:
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Updated pre-lottery order:. 1. Houston.2. Detroit.3. Orlando.4. Oklahoma City.5. Cleveland.6. Minnesota (to Golden State if not top-3).7. Toronto.8. Chicago (Orlando if not top-4) .9. Sacramento .10. New Orleans.11. Charlotte .12. San Antonio.13. Indiana .14. Golden State.
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15 points (5/8 3P) for projected top-10 pick Bronny James showing why he's so highly regarded by some with an outstanding McDonald's All-American game showing. Also played strong defense and showed off his advanced feel for the game.
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VJ Edgecombe cracks 40 inches on his max vertical leap at the NBA draft combine.
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Duke’s Cooper Flagg’s official measurements from the NBA Draft Combine:. 6’7 ¾ barefoot, 221 lbs, with a 7’0” wingspan and 8’10 ½" standing reach. Flagg grew nearly an inch in the past year, while adding 12 pounds.
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Ahead of a 1pm eastern formal announcement, Jalen Green has started to inform college suitors that he plans to enter the NBA/G League's professional pathway program, sources tell ESPN. He is ESPN's #1 prospect in the 2020 high school class.
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Great showing for Sharife Cooper at his NBA Combine Pro Day. Shot the ball really well, showed his blazing quickness and terrific ball-handling skills. Went super hard and got a big ovation from the executives in attendance at the end.
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LaMelo Ball has signed with the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian @NBL, he just announced on ESPN's the Jump. "My goal is to be the top pick in next year's Draft and I feel they can help me reach that goal," Ball told ESPN.
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Victor Wembanyama helps Metropolitans 92 to a seventh consecutive win dropping 30 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks over his childhood team Nanterre. The projected No. 1 pick is leading the league in scoring and has his team in first place.
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NEWS: Serbian 7-footer Tristan Vukcevic, ESPN's No. 35 prospect, will remain in the 2023 NBA Draft at today's withdrawal deadline, a source told ESPN. Some footage from the NBA Draft Combine, where Vukcevic had a strong one-game showing with 21 points in 17 minutes.
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NBA Draft tiebreaker results: . No. 4 pick: Oklahoma City Thunder.No. 5 pick: Cleveland Cavaliers.
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Bronny James pro lane agility drill at the NBA draft combine.
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Kentucky's Rob Dillingham - our No. 3 ranked prospect - polarizes NBA scouts, but it's hard to argue with the star power he offers in a draft lacking in that category. His shiftiness, creativity, shot-making and scoring instincts are all-star caliber, projecting long-term.
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Reed Sheppard showing off his picture perfect shooting stroke in the 3-point shooting drill at the NBA draft combine.
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36 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks for Victor Wembanyama against G League Ignite. Was +25 in a 6 point win. Extraordinary two games in the US in front of 200 NBA scouts and executives showing he has a chance to potentially be one of the all-time greats.
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Duke’s Khaman Maluach’s official measurements from the NBA Draft Combine:. 7’0 ¾ barefoot, 252.8 lbs with a 7’6 ¾" wingspan and 9’6" standing reach. We already knew, but sheesh👀
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NEWS: Purdue center Zach Edey was being invited to attend the NBA Draft, a source told ESPN, but has elected to decline and watch the draft with his teammates, coaches and family at Purdue instead.
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Flashback to April 8, 2014. Nikola Jokic was getting buckets on everyone at Nike Hoop Summit practice, including Jamal Murray. Now he's the best player in basketball.
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Projected No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama drops 30 again in leading Metopolitans 92 to their eighth straight win, adding 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks. Leading the league in scoring, rebounding and blocks and has his team in 1st place.
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Several eye-opening plays for projected No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama in Metropolitans' blowout win over Pau-Orthez. Finished with 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks in 20 minutes after early foul trouble. Next game will be versus G League Ignite October 4th in Las Vegas.
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Went to watch Dominique Malonga -- the No. 2 pick in the WNBA Draft -- work out in NYC. Blown away by how talented she is. 6'6, 7'1 wingspan, huge hands. Dunks with ease. Makes NBA-range pullup 3s effortlessly. Only 19 years old. The Seattle Storm got a good one.
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Tre Johnson doesn't miss in the mid range pullup shooting drills at the NBA draft combine
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Baseline turnaround fadeaway off the shimmy from Victor Wembanyama, who is already up to 32 points, 10 rebounds today. Footwork, touch, and high release point makes this basically an unguardable move.
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NEWS: Spanish guard Juan Nunez will remain in the 2024 NBA Draft at this evening's withdrawal deadline, his agent Doug Neustadt told ESPN.
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Best Euroleague game of the season for 17-year old Victor Wembanyama with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 blocks, 2 assists, 2 steals and a road win. The 7-3, projected No. 1 pick in 2023 showed his fantastic mobility, length, skill and feel for the game against high-level competition.
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Big audience of NBA decision makers on hand to watch Bronny James at the Klutch pro day at the Lakers practice facility.
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Why the 2022 first round draft pick matters:. 1) There's a major premium on 2021 picks, as NBA teams are anticipating what appears to be an outstanding upcoming class. 2) Growing pessimism around the possibility of the age limit being eliminated in time for the 2022 draft.
The deal sends Chris Paul and Abdel Nader to the Suns for Kelly Oubre, Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a 2022 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
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Bol Bol conducted a Pro Day in LA yesterday in front of approximately a dozen NBA teams, including five GMs, to ease concerns around his health and remind them of his ultra high skill-level. Bol showed why he's considered a top-five talent in this draft in terms of pure upside.
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Reed Sheppard measured a 42 inch max vertical leap. Best at the NBA draft combine so far.
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First stab at projecting the 2024 NBA Draft now that the order is set. Full 58-pick mock draft at ESPN. STORY:
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Purdue's Zach Edey showed off his mobility, 7'10 1/2 wingspan, shooting potential and finishing ability in front of quite a few NBA executives at the Priority Sports Pro Day in Chicago.
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LaMelo, Lonzo and LiAngelo Ball are signing representation agreements with Jay-Z’s agency, Roc Nation Sports. ESPN News story:
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Terquavion Smith, a projected first round pick, is withdrawing from the NBA draft and returning to NC State for his sophomore season, he told ESPN. "I want one more season to just be a college student." Story:
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Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe’s official measurements from the NBA Draft Combine:. 6’4 barefoot, 193.2 lbs with a 6’7 ½" wingspan and 8’5 ½" standing reach
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UConn's Donovan Clingan, projected No. 8 pick in 2024, is the highest ranked returning college player. After an outstanding NCAA tournament run culminating in a national championship, NBA scouts expect the skilled 7'2 center to explode next season.
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Kentucky's Reed Sheppard showed why he's a projected top five pick in a huge road win over Tennessee. 27 points (7/10 3P), 6 rebounds, 5 assists for the best freshman in college basketball.
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Unfortunately Luka Doncic was playing 5 on 5 and not one on zero in the ACB finals tonight, so NBA teams picking in the top five came away unimpressed with his performance, and his draft stock continues to falter.
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Great day for Cooper Flagg at Nike Academy. Locking up defensively, making shots from all over, showing his one on one scoring ability and bringing nonstop intensity.
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Kansas State's Markquis Nowell showing his tremendous vision, creativity and unselfishness in the first half of the G League Elite Camp with some impressive passes. Really making the game easy for teammates.
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Bronny James showing his explosiveness in the open floor at USA Basketball's Nike Hoop Summit scrimmage, which they won handily.
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Zaccharie Risacher exploded for 28 points (5/7 3P), 6 rebounds in 29 minutes in game two of the French playoff quarterfinals. Career high outing in any platform for the No. 1 ranked prospect on ESPN's Top 100, in an ultra aggressive performance.
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More from Jackson: "Melo is 18, but he has a 27 year old brain. All he talks about is 'let’s do it for the kids. Let’s make sure my former teammates aren’t out of a job,' people that are in the Hawks organization. I played overseas and know what it’s like when a team shuts down.".
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Rich Paul also says that there is no package deal option for LeBron and Bronny with the Suns or Lakers:. "The Lakers can draft Bronny, and LeBron doesn't re-sign. LeBron is also not going to Phoenix for a minimum deal. We can squash that now.".
NEWS: Rich Paul confirms Bronny James has worked out for just two NBA teams to this point – the Phoenix Suns and LA Lakers – and says that is by design. "This has always been the strategy with my clients throughout the years.". STORY:
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Best 2022 Undrafted Prospects: . Justin Lewis.Dominick Barlow.Michael Foster Jr.Jean Montero.Ziga Samar.Dereon Seabron.Trevion Williams.Ron Harper Jr.Alondes Williams.Keon Ellis.Collin Gillespie.Kofi Cockburn.Kenneth Lofton Jr.John Butler.Scotty Pippen Jr.Julian Champagnie.
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Future No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg had perhaps the best NCAA Tournament performance ever for a freshman, doing everything on both ends of the floor; finishing with 30 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks in Duke's Sweet 16 win over Arizona.
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Tacko Fall will sign an Exhibit 10 contract with the Boston Celtics, a source told ESPN. Pencil in July 8th at 430 at Thomas and Mack for your first TACKO Vegas Summer League fix.
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Zaccharie Risacher maintains the No. 1 spot on our board thanks to the remarkable productivity, efficiency and consistency he's displayed all season. The 18-year-old averages a point every two minutes, shooting 46% for 3, while impacting the game in a myriad of ways.
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New mock draft and stock watch on ESPN today, including a deep dive on Duke, a look at two international first rounders and three polarizing freshmen college prospects. Dig in:
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Cooper Flagg's two-way versatility and elite instincts were on full display in Montverde's opening game win at the Border League. 20 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks for the 16-year old projected No. 1 pick in 2025.
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A significant audience of NBA executives in Tasmania came to watch Alex Sarr in Perth's regular season finale. 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks in 21 minutes for the projected No. 2 pick.
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Cooper Flagg just announced he's reclassified from 2025 to 2024, making him NBA draft eligible in 2025. He just narrowly made the cut age-wise with his late December birthday, and looks like a strong candidate to be the No. 1 pick in that class.
Great day for Cooper Flagg at Nike Academy. Locking up defensively, making shots from all over, showing his one on one scoring ability and bringing nonstop intensity.
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A 6'7 point guard, Anthony Black showed impressive creativity, pace, physicality and smarts operating out of ball screens. He played more minutes than any freshman in college basketball, establishing himself as one of the best defenders in this draft class.
NEWS: Arkansas freshman Anthony Black, a projected top-10 pick, will enter the 2023 NBA draft and forgo his remaining college eligibility, he told @malika_andrews on NBA Today. STORY:
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Shaedon Sharpe put on a show for NBA teams at his Pro Day in Chicago today, showing his shot-making prowess and explosiveness in front of quite a few decision makers.
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Amen and Ausar Thompson - - born within one minute of each other; drafted five minutes apart.
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Victor Wembanyama helped Metropolitans 92 to a fourth straight win in France, over second place Blois, posting 17 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 blocks in yet another dominant two-way performance showing why he'll be the No. 1 pick in the draft this June.
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Big news from the G League. President Malcolm Turner tells ESPN they are implementing a “professional path” for would-be one and done players. They're offering $125k contracts, as well as access to NBA infrastructure and development tools. ESPN News Story:
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Projected top-10 pick Onyeka Okongwu has a fractured left toe, a source told ESPN. The injury is considered minor, will require 1-3 weeks of rest and is not expected to impact his draft stock or availability for the start of the season. News story:
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Jonathan Mogbo is the most unique story in college basketball, a 5-9, 125-pound combo guard entering high school with zero DI offers upon graduating. Now 6'8, 225, he's lighting up NBA draft models averaging 21 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.6 blocks per-40.
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NEWS: Players who decline to fully participate in the NBA Combine will be ineligible for selection in the NBA Draft starting in 2024, according to a memo obtained by ESPN. STORY:
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Story with @wojespn: Amid a historic "race to the bottom," Victor Wembanyama's agent Bouna Ndiaye shoots down notion top prospect should shut it down until NBA draft
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40 1/2 inch max vertical leap for Bronny James at the NBA draft combine
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First career triple-double for Victor Wembanyama with 16 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists in just 21 minutes in San Antonio's win over Detroit.
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Kansas' Ochai Agbaji has received a green room invite to attend the NBA Draft with his family on June 23rd, a source told ESPN.
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