Latest news with #FinalFour
USA Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida basketball star Walter Clayton Jr. earns NBA draft green room invite
Florida basketball star Walter Clayton Jr. has received a green room invitation for the 2025 NBA draft, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony. Clayton's invitation comes on the heels of a historic season under head coach Todd Golden, where he led the Gators to a national championship and delivered one of the most dominant campaigns in program history. Clayton, a 6-foot-3-inch guard from Lake Wales, scored a Florida single-season record 713 points, becoming the first player in school history to earn consensus first-team All-America honors. Throughout the 2024-25 season, Clayton was the engine of Golden's offense, delivering clutch performances in every major moment. He was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player, SEC Tournament MVP and a Wooden Award finalist. Clayton posted 30 or more points in back-to-back Elite Eight and Final Four wins–something no player had done at that stage since Larry Bird. Clayton finished his Orange and Blue career with 1,346 points, the most every by a transfer at Florida. His combination of scoring, leadership and performances under the national spotlight has propelled him into first-round territory, and the green room invite makes that momentum official. With Clayton set to represent the Florida Gators on the NBA's biggest stage, Golden and Florida continue to prove they can develop top-tier talent ready to shine at the next level. How to watch the 2025 NBA draft The 2025 NBA draft will begin with the first round on Wednesday, June 25 at 8 p.m. ET. It will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN. The second round of the draft will start the following day on Thursday, June 26. That will also start at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Recently Hired HBCU HC Adds Former Player to Staff
HBCU women's basketball is getting a powerful new pairing. When new Prairie View A&M head coach Tai Dillard needed someone to help shape the future of her program, she didn't have to look far. She reached back to a trusted former player. One who embodies toughness, leadership, and the kind of drive Dillard wants to instill at PVAMU. Enter Bria Patterson, who will join the Lady Panthers as the Director of Basketball Operations for the 2025–26 season. This move isn't just a hire-it's a full-circle moment. Dillard, a Texas basketball legend in her own right, spent nearly a decade at the University of Houston building one of the American Athletic Conference's most competitive squads. While serving as the Cougars' associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, she scouted and mentored standout players. Including a gritty guard from DeSoto High School named Bria Patterson. Now, Dillard and Patterson are teaming up again in women's basketball-this time at one of the Southwestern Athletic Conference's (SWAC) most tradition-rich HBCU institutions. "Bria was the kind of player every coach wants-disciplined, fearless, and coachable," Dillard said. "To now bring her into the operations side of the game is special. She knows what I expect, and more importantly, she knows how to connect with the student-athletes we're building around." Patterson, who starred at Houston from 2019 to 2023, was known for doing the dirty work. She made 29 starts in her senior year and set a school record for most minutes in a single game. Logging 54 in a triple-overtime classic against East Carolina. She routinely ranked among the team's leaders in rebounds, steals, and defensive stops, often guarding the opposing team's best perimeter scorer. While her box score stats were impressive-nearly 300 points and 66 steals her senior year-her true value came in her intangibles. Patterson led by example, grinded through adversity, and never backed down from a challenge. All of that will now carry over to her role at Prairie View A&M. The Director of Basketball Operations gig is more than just logistics. It's about setting a culture. Patterson will coordinate team travel, manage schedules, oversee day-to-day program operations, and serve as a liaison between coaches and players. For someone who lived the student-athlete grind under Dillard's demanding style, it's a role tailor-made for her. "Bria's voice matters because she's walked the walk," Dillard said. "She'll be a tremendous mentor for our young women because she knows what it takes to succeed in this system." The hiring of Patterson also signals something deeper: Tai Dillard is building her program with loyalty and trust. A San Antonio native and former WNBA player, Dillard is one of the most respected basketball minds in Texas. She played for legendary coach Jody Conradt at the University of Texas, where she helped lead the team to a Final Four appearance in 2003. She later played for the San Antonio Silver Stars and the Houston Comets (now known as the Houston Stealth). Her coaching stops include stints at Ole Miss, USC, UTSA, and, most recently, the University of Houston, where she became one of the most respected recruiters in the country. At Houston, she helped guide the Cougars to multiple WNIT appearances and mentored record-setting guard Laila Blair. Dillard was also selected for the NCAA Champion Forum, a premier leadership development program for rising head coaches. Now at Prairie View A&M, she's not just trying to win games. She's trying to build an HBCU program with staying power-and that starts with bringing in people who share her vision. In Patterson, Dillard has someone who knows the system, understands the standards, and can help bridge the gap between past success and future dominance. Patterson's journey from a three-time First Team All-District selection at DeSoto High to key contributor at Houston-and now to Prairie View A&M's operations team-embodies the values of grit and growth. "I'm excited to be part of something bigger than myself," Patterson said. "Coach Dillard changed my life as a player. Now, I get to help her change lives at Prairie View." With Tai Dillard steering the ship and Bria Patterson helping run the engine room, HBCU women's basketball just got a serious upgrade. The post Recently Hired HBCU HC Adds Former Player to Staff appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA Reacts to Caitlin Clark's Behavior Toward Kate Martin on Thursday
WNBA Reacts to Caitlin Clark's Behavior Toward Kate Martin on Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A game that many WNBA fans have been anticipating was set between Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin. Advertisement On Thursday, the Indiana Fever were set for a matchup against the Golden State Valkyries. Indiana entered the game as the No. 6 team in the WNBA standings, while the Valkyries, playing in their inaugural season, stood at No. 7 in the WNBA. Before Clark, Martin and the rest of each team faced off, the former Iowa Hawkeyes teammates met during warmups. Martin was shooting around with Valkyries personnel when Clark walked up to the Golden State guard and fake blocked her shot attempt. The two then exchanged laughs and split to opposing sides of the court for warmups. "No one's safe in warmups Former @IowaWBB teammates Kate Martin and Caitlin Clark reunite ahead of their 10pm/ET matchup on Prime," posted the official social media account of the WNBA. Kate Martin is currently playing in her first season with the Golden State Valkyries and her second season in the WNBA. She spent her rookie season with the Las Vegas Aces and was then drafted by the Valkyries in the expansion draft. Advertisement During her first season with the Valkyries, Martin has posted 5.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Caitlin Clark has averaged 21.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game. The Indiana Fever star leads the team in points and assists, continuing to establish herself as one of the best guards in the WNBA. Before Clark and Martin faced off, they played four seasons together at Iowa, leading the Hawkeyes to two Final Four appearances. Related: Indiana Fever Make Natasha Howard Announcement on Tuesday Related: Angel Reese Turns Heads With Announcement on Wednesday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Indianapolis Star
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
7-foot-4 sophomore becomes 7th Boilermaker since 2015 to make USA Basketball Under-19 team
It's official: Daniel Jacobsen's return to the court will be with USA Basketball. The 7-foot-4 sophomore suffered a broken tibia two games into his first season with Purdue basketball. But he returned to basketball activities and had survived several cuts to represent his country as part of the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Switzerland. Jacobsen went out to Colorado for camp, which began June 14, and was announced Friday as one of 12 players to make the team. He was ne of seven players with college experience among the 33 invited to the tryout. Jacobsen also has prior experience on that stage, helping Team USA win gold at the FIBA U18 Americup in Argentina last summer. He will continue to train at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training center in Colorado Springs. Competition is scheduled for June 28 to July 6 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Games will be live-streamed on the FIBA YouTube page and the first game is June 28 against Australia at 2 p.m. He debuted with 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in Purdue's season opener against Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Then He suffered a broken tibia one minute into the second game of the season and did not play again. Buy IndyStar's book on Purdue's 2024 Final Four run! He was cleared for full contact not long after Purdue's season ended with a Sweet 16 loss to Houston in Indianapolis. While he could not play, other aspects of his development continued. For instance, Jacobsen was listed at 230 pounds last season but has grown to 250. Jacobsen projects as half of a promising center duo with transfer Oscar Cluff. Combined with returning first team All-Big Ten starter Trey Kaufman-Renn, second-year Raleigh Burgess and veteran transfer forward Liam Murphy, Purdue's frontcourt depth has increased since the end of last season. 'His eyes lit up': Trials and tribulations have Purdue basketball freshman primed to contribute Jacobsen is the seventh Boilermaker since 2015 to make the U19 team. Kentucky, Duke and Oklahoma State are next with four each.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Longhorns women's basketball releases SEC schedule
Longhorns women's basketball releases SEC schedule Longhorns women's basketball reveals SEC slate With the women's college basketball season quickly approaching, expectations are high for the Texas Longhorns. After making it to the Final Four last season, they are in a great position to build on their success. Earlier this week, they were able to start planning for the season when their conference schedule was revealed. During the 2025-2026 campaign, Auburn, Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and LSU will all take a trip to Moody Center. The Longhorns will play eight games on the road and eight at home against SEC teams. This is the 17th season of the 16-game schedule for women's basketball. For the Longhorns, their home court has been where they thrived. Last season, Texas went 17-0 at home. At the Mooddy Center, Longhorns women's basketball has posted a 49-5 record. With a roster full of stars, that record should continue to improve. While the Longhorns have plenty to look forward to at home, they also have an exciting away conference schedule. They will go on the road to face LSU, Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Arkansas. That should be a good test for a team that has national championship aspirations. The regular season will wrap up with the 2026 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. It is set to include all 16 teams and begin on March 4. On March 8, a new champion will be crowned, and the Longhorns hope it is them. When the regular season begins, Texas will be led by Madison Booker and Rori Harmon. If they can once again make the most of their conference schedule, then they will have a memorable 2025-2026 campaign.
