Latest news with #JavonSmall
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Should the Boston Celtics take West Virginia guard Javon Small in the 2025 NBA draft?
Should the Boston Celtics take West Virginia guard Javon Small in the 2025 NBA draft? Should the Boston Celtics take West Virginia point guard Javon Small in the 2025 NBA draft? With the Celtics likely to move on from veteran guard Jrue Holiday this offseason to shave some money off of their potentially historic payroll and tax bill (and to avoid the harshest penalties of being a second apron ball club under the new collective bargaining agreement), Boston could use some additional backcourt depth for the future. Would Small be the right prospect to add to the team's roster for the coming 2025-16 NBA season with their Nos. 28 or 32 overall pick? A 6-foot-2, 190 lb. floor general, the 22-year-old guard is projected to go somewhere in the second round, and could be a candidate for Boston to trade back to if they are interested. The hosts of the CLNS Media "How Bout Them Celtics!" podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over. Check it out below! If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network:
Dominion Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- Dominion Post
COLUMN: Javon Small's lack of love from NBA draft predictions not a statement of his own abilities
MORGANTOWN — In a perfect world, former WVU point guard Javon Small would be in high demand these days. His toughness, talent, experience and determination that was on display all of last season with the Mountaineers would seemingly make him a perfect candidate for the next level. Alas, the NBA Draft — June 25-26 in Brooklyn, N.Y. — is about as far from a perfect world as sugar is to being a steady part of Tom Brady's diet. And so Small is delegated to the ever-growing pool of college stars with limited NBA upside. He is currently slotted as the No. 48 overall pick — 18th overall in the second round — according to ESPN. The news there is that's actually an improvement for Small based on earlier mock drafts that had him going in the 50s or not being selected at all. That improvement likely came after Small's showing at the NBA Draft Combine last month, in which he drained 46 consecutive 3-pointers from the corner (that's not a typo) during a shooting drill and then performed well during two team scrimmages. In those scrimmages, Small combined for 13 points and 10 assists, while shooting 43% (3 of 7) from 3-point range. So, why is Small not getting more love? The answer to this falls more on the NBA Draft itself, or more to the point, how NBA teams approach the draft. There are distinct differences between how an NFL team is built and how an NBA team is built — and we do not mean at all the difference in roster sizes — thus the approach to the draft in each league is distinctly different. First off, NFL teams basically draft on needs, while NBA teams draft on a player's potential. An NBA team may desperately need a point guard, but instead trades up for a power forward, because of that player's measurables, young age and his potential for what he could bring to the table three years down the road. If NFL executives drafted that way, they're fired within a year. In the NBA, executives are applauded for their forward thinking and evaluation skills for being able to draft potential and not for immediate help. And it leads to some awful picks. Kwame Brown and Michael Olowokandi, remember them? Markelle Fultz? He's actually still in the league, which is sort of a shock. They were all former No. 1 overall picks, an indication the NBA Draft is not an exact science. A player's youth is more prized than his skill set in the NBA, and Small will turn 23 in December. Now, most of us would kill to be 23 again, but in the NBA Draft, 23-years old might as well be over the hill as crazy as that sounds. Of the seven point guards ESPN predicts will go in the first round next week, six are under the age of 20. The one who isn't, Florida's Walter Clayton Jr., just led the Gators to the national championship. And he's predicted to go 29th overall, the next-to-last selection in the first round. That's how unconventional the NBA Draft is. If it were the other way around — meaning NBA teams drafted for immediate help — the guess here is Small would be considered a much better prospect than the 48th overall pick. The other thing about the NBA is there is no prized position like the quarterback in the NFL. At one time, centers were the crowned jewels of NBA rosters, but those days are long gone. Now, guys flow in and out of NBA games with no true positions. LeBron James handles the ball and runs the offense for the L.A. Lakers, but he's no point guard. Kevin Durant is 6-foot-11, but he's no center. Nikola Jokic was one of two players in the NBA this season to average more than 10 assists per game, but he's certainly not a point guard. There is less demand for a true point guard like Small, because most NBA teams already have four or five guys on the roster who can handle the ball and run the offense. They're just not listed on the roster as a point guard. What Small has going for him is everything we mentioned in the beginning. He's got talent, a will to win and gritty toughness. Problem is, those attributes don't really amount to anything on draft night, but can mean the world to NBA teams in the days and months after the draft. Still, Small deserves a better draft experience. He likely won't get it. That's not a judgement on Small's abilities, but rather one on how foolish NBA executives can be heading into the draft.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Draft scouting report: Javon Small, G, West Virginia
For a two-round mock draft and a big board with full scouting reports, check out my NBA Draft Guide. Javon Small, G, West Virginia Height: 6-1 • Weight: 190 • Class: Senior • Age: 22 Summary: Small is an undersized guard who plays bigger than his body thanks to his excellent athleticism and gritty nature. He's a knockdown shooter off the catch and a solid lead guard, though his lack of size puts a natural cap on his upside. Advertisement Comparisons: Terry Rozier Strengths Shooting: Small has elite touch from the line at 87.1% in four college seasons. As an upperclassman, he figured out his jumper, making 42.5% of his catch-and-shoot 3s. Playmaking: Demonstrates solid vision and decision-making in pick-and-roll situations, improving each year in college to become a steady hand running an offense. Athleticism: Small plays bigger than his body, often finding himself above the rim on the break or off cuts in the half court. He logged 14 dunks as a senior and finished 56.6% of his layups. Defense: Small is a pest on defense who frequently gets his hands in the passing lanes, including in clutch moments. But at his stature he could become a target. Concerns Shooting off the dribble: Small made 32.1% of his dribble jumpers as a senior, which is pretty consistent with his production throughout college. Because of his size, his shots are more easily contested. Size: Small is in the name. He'll get picked on defensively. For a two-round mock draft and a big board with full scouting reports, check out my NBA Draft Guide.
Washington Post
09-03-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
West Virginia hangs on to beat UCF 72-65 after almost blowing 25-point second-half lead
MORGANTOWN, — Javon Small scored 25 points, freshman Jonathan Powell scored 12 of his 15 in the second half and West Virginia held off UCF 72-65 on Saturday after nearly blowing a 25-point lead in the final 20 minutes. Powell and Small each made five 3-pointers. Amani Hansberry added 18 points and 10 rebounds for West Virginia (19-12, 10-10 Big 12).
USA Today
08-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. UCF Knights live stream, TV channel, start time, odds
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. UCF Knights live stream, TV channel, start time, odds | March 8, 2025 The UCF Knights (16-14, 7-12 Big 12) will hope to stop a six-game road skid when visiting the West Virginia Mountaineers (18-12, 9-10 Big 12) on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at WVU Coliseum, airing at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+. In its most recent game, West Virginia beat Utah 71-69 on the road, with Javon Small (18 PTS, 7 AST, 50 FG%, 2-7 from 3PT) and Amani Hansberry (12 PTS, 2 STL, 36.36 FG%, 2-4 from 3PT) leading the way. In its most recent game, UCF won at home over Oklahoma State 83-70, with Darius Johnson (36 PTS, 5 AST, 55.56 FG%, 7-12 from 3PT) and Keyshawn Hall (18 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST, 30.77 FG%) leading the way. Before this college hoops matchup, here is everything you need to get ready for Saturday's action. Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll Watch college basketball on ESPN+! West Virginia Mountaineers vs. UCF Knights Game day: Saturday, March 8, 2025 Saturday, March 8, 2025 Game time: 5 p.m. ET 5 p.m. ET TV: ESPN+ ESPN+ Live stream: ESPN+ - Watch NOW NCAA Basketball Odds and Betting Lines Spread: West Virginia -7.5 West Virginia -7.5 Total: 145.5 College basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Saturday at 11:59 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Watch college basketball on ESPN+! Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.
