The Oklahoma City Thunder's 136-120 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers was overshadowed by Luka ...

The Oklahoma City Thunder's 136-120 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers was overshadowed by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/68198" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/68198">Luka Doncic</a>'s stunning ejection midway through the fourth quarter.After making a basket, Doncic was <a href="https://x.com/BulletClubIta/status/1909790824977588359">exchanging</a> words courtside with Thunder fan Jeremy Price when referee J.T. Orr stepped in and assessed the Lakers star his second technical foul of the contest."That had nothing to do with the ref, so I don't really understand," Doncic told reporters postgame, including <a href="https://x.com/jovanbuha/status/1909808137000870124">The Athletic's Jovan Buha</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Price backed up Doncic's claim that the two were just talking trash with one another."During the game within the game, I mentioned that he was short and he missed it and he turned around and he shot an explicative (sic) back. And J.T. happened to see it, and (at) that point, T'd him up," Price told <a href="https://x.com/mcten/status/1909801223122747602">ESPN's Dave McMenamin</a> postgame.Crew chief Tony Brothers interpreted it a different way.Brothers told pool reporter Cliff Brunt of The Associated Press after the contest that Doncic "looked directly" at an official and used "vulgar language," according to <a href="https://x.com/jovanbuha/status/1909806316249301093">Buha</a>.Lakers big man <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60415" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60415">Jarred Vanderbilt</a> said the technical fouls on Doncic seemed "personal" and added that Orr said he'd talk to anybody on the Lakers "but Luka" after giving the five-time All-Star his first technical foul, according to <a href="https://x.com/mcten/status/1909808309323935819">McMenamin</a>.Doncic had 23 points at the time of his exit, and his last bucket put the Lakers up 108-107 with 7:42 play.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> and the Thunder took control from there, outscoring Los Angeles 29-12 the rest of the way."It was a tough. We were right there after we fought the whole game. We were down eight at halftime," Doncic said. "We came back in the third quarter. We were fighting. So it was tough to see that. ... This kind of situation happened. That's on me, too. I can't let my team down like that."

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 8: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers pleads with the officials after being ejected during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on April 8, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Luka tossed after bantering with fan: 'I don't really understand'

Creighton guard Pop Isaacs has committed to Houston for next season, he told The Field of 68's Je...

Creighton guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/103105" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/103105">Pop Isaacs</a> has committed to Houston for next season, he told <a href="https://x.com/GoodmanHoops/status/1909774196038942966">The Field of 68's Jeff Goodman</a>.Isaacs played just eight games for the Bluejays during the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 16.3 points, 4.8 boards, and 3.9 assists. His junior year was cut short in December after undergoing hip surgery.The former four-star recruit spent his first two seasons with Texas Tech, where he earned Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors and an All-Big 12 third-team nod.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Isaacs gives the Cougars some backcourt insurance with Milos Uzan potentially turning pro and leading scorer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/84316" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/84316">LJ Cryer</a> graduating.Houston suffered a heartbreaking 65-63 defeat to Florida in Monday's national championship game.

OMAHA, NE - DECEMBER 4: Creighton Bluejays guard Pop Isaacs (2) celebrates during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on December 04, 2024, at CHI Health Center in Omaha, NE.

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Houston lands Creighton transfer Pop Isaacs

Memphis Grizzlies wing Jaylen Wells sustained a broken right wrist in the second quarter of Tuesd...

Memphis Grizzlies wing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/121734" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/121734">Jaylen Wells</a> sustained a broken right wrist in the second quarter of Tuesday's 124-100 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, his agent told <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1909783349104685117">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.Wells took a hard fall after he was undercut by Hornets guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/121717" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/121717">KJ Simpson</a> on a dunk attempt.The Grizzlies rookie remained on the floor for several moments before he was <a href="https://x.com/rodboone/status/1909761218597851612">taken</a> off the court on a stretcher.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Wells is awake, alert, and moving his extremities, according to Charania, who added that the first-year player will continue receiving medical care.Simpson was assessed a flagrant-2 foul and ejected from the game."It puts everything into perspective seeing that situation and to see Jaylen there," Grizzlies interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo told reporters postgame, per <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jaylen-wells-injury-grizzlies-58bac07b406c54275ee044f3679d404f">Richard Walker of The Associated Press</a>. "He's an incredibly tough kid and had a great season."Wells is among the leading candidates for this season's Rookie of the Year award. The Washington State product has started 73 games and is averaging 10.5 points, 3.4 boards, and 1.7 assists.Memphis selected Wells with the No. 39 overall pick in last year's draft.

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 29: Jaylen Wells #0 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a photo during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 29, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Grizzlies' Wells suffers broken wrist after hard fall vs. Hornets

theScore runs down the top storylines from Monday's epic national title game between Florida and ...

theScore runs down the top storylines from Monday's epic national title game between Florida and Houston.<h3>Clayton not Florida's only closer</h3>Few things in sports are more exciting than a massive comeback, and Florida produced no shortage of them throughout the NCAA Tournament. The Gators overturned deficits in almost every single game and fittingly rode another epic comeback Monday to win the 2025 national championship.UConn and Texas Tech fell victim to the Walter Clayton Jr. show earlier in the bracket, but this time around it was a team effort that delivered the Gators the biggest prize in the sport.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The deficit was 11 when Clayton subbed out at the 14-minute mark of the second half, and Denzel Aberdeen, Alijah Martin, and Thomas Haugh went to work immediately, cutting that deficit to three. The teams went back and forth the rest of the way, and Houston was clinging to a one-point lead in the final two minutes.The supporting cast then delivered once again. Will Richard's swarming defense produced a steal and a block, Alex Condon registered three steals in the final two minutes, and Martin and Aberdeen supplied the free throws that secured the the Gators' third title.Clayton was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player and etched himself into tournament lore with his performances throughout March Madness. However, it was the rest of the Gators that did the heavy lifting Monday when the team needed it most.<h3>Deja vu for Houston</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779434/cropped_GettyImages-2209101194.jpg?ts=1744085463" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779434/w220xh124_GettyImages-2209101194.jpg?ts=1744085463 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779434/w320xh180_GettyImages-2209101194.jpg?ts=1744085463 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779434/w640xh360_GettyImages-2209101194.jpg?ts=1744085463 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779434/w768xh432_GettyImages-2209101194.jpg?ts=1744085463 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779434/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2209101194.jpg?ts=1744085463 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Alex Slitz / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It was a familiar story for Houston, who came into the final boasting its best offensive unit of the Kelvin Sampson era. The Cougars' third championship game defeat was reminiscent of their futile showing in their first title matchup 42 years ago.Sampson's squad shot a season-low 34.8% from the field. Houston's strength all season had been its top-ranked 3-point accuracy, but it made only 6-of-25 attempts from deep. Starters LJ Cryer, Emanuel Sharp, and Milos Uzan were all 40% 3-point shooters entering play. However, the trio went a combined 5-of-22 from beyond the arc, with only Cryer making multiple threes.The Cougars had an opportunity to shut the door on the Gators but hit a dry spell down the stretch - just like Duke did two nights earlier. Houston didn't make a single field goal during a key five-minute stretch between the 11:29 mark of the second half and the 6:24 mark. During that span, the Cougars' six-point lead was cut to two. That slight opening was all Florida needed to complete another comeback victory.Gators head coach Todd Golden is the youngest bench boss to win a national championship since Jim Valvano, who famously led NC State to a 54-52 win over Houston in the 1983 title game.<h3>Defense wins championships, even for Florida</h3>Golden came to Florida as an offensive wizard, and that part of the game has been as good as advertised for the Gators. Led by Clayton, the offense ranks second in the country, according to <a href="https://kenpom.com/index.php?s=RankAdjOE">KenPom</a>'s ratings, and lit up scoreboards in both the regular season and NCAA Tournament.However, Houston showed throughout the season that it will drag just about anybody down to its pace and style of play, and that was the case for a large part of the game Monday. Nine turnovers in the opening half - an unfortunate trend in the tournament for the Gators - saw them trail at the break, with the Cougars very much playing on their terms.That changed drastically in the second half, but it wasn't the offense that was the catalyst for the comeback. Instead, it was the defensive unit that really turned the tables. Florida was whistled for five straight fouls to open the half, and while that helped balloon Houston's lead to 11, it showed the Gators were not going to be pushed around. It also put pressure on the officials to even things out - something that happened in short order with a slew of Houston fouls.Once the Gators made their charge to get things tight in the final two minutes, their defense came through. Florida forced four turnovers in the final 2:05 and didn't even allow the Cougars to attempt a tying or game-winning shot in the final 30 seconds.The defense was a very strong aspect of Florida's team this year, ranking as KenPom's sixth-best unit in the country. However, it entered Monday's game a distant second to Houston's outstanding defense, a perennial powerhouse under Sampson's watch. That matchup tilted down the stretch, and it's one of the main reasons the trophy is heading to Gainesville instead of Houston.<h3>Houston's uncharacteristic errors</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779439/cropped_GettyImages-2209098926.jpg?ts=1744087456" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779439/w220xh124_GettyImages-2209098926.jpg?ts=1744087456 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779439/w320xh180_GettyImages-2209098926.jpg?ts=1744087456 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779439/w640xh360_GettyImages-2209098926.jpg?ts=1744087456 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779439/w768xh432_GettyImages-2209098926.jpg?ts=1744087456 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779439/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2209098926.jpg?ts=1744087456 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Alex Slitz / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It's rare to see a disciplined Houston squad beat itself. It entered the national championship game with the 10th-best turnover margin and averaged just nine per contest. The Cougars did a great job taking care of the rock for the majority of Monday's contest, posting only four turnovers through the first 36:35. But the only thing that will be remembered are the five turnovers over the final 3:24, which led to six crucial points for Florida in what ended up being a one-possession game.The Gators immediately capitalized on the first miscue, as Clayton buried a game-tying three immediately after Cryer stepped out of bounds. Houston then coughed up the ball three more times over the final minute of regulation. Cryer got blocked from behind on a drive to the basket, while the last pair of errors were made by Sharp.With the Cougars down one with 26 seconds left, the junior guard got the ball knocked off his knee as he dribbled into a crowd of Florida players. Sharp had a chance to redeem himself on the game's final possession but stopped in the middle of his shooting motion when Clayton closed out his potential game-winning 3-point attempt.Houston went scoreless for the last 2:05 as a series of miscues prevented it from getting off a single shot. It's a bitter pill to swallow for the Cougars, who exhibited so much mental toughness throughout the campaign but were ultimately undone by themselves.

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Title game takeaways: Florida always be closing

UConn is once again the top dog in women's college basketball.  The Huskies ended South Carolina'...

UConn is once again the top dog in women's college basketball.The Huskies ended South Carolina's bid for back-to-back titles with an 82-59 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3260202" href="https://thescore.com/news/3260202">demolition</a> of the Gamecocks in the national championship game.Here are three takeaways from Sunday's title showdown.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Strong, Fudd take the lead</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779192/cropped_GettyImages-2208872852.jpg?ts=1743971997" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779192/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208872852.jpg?ts=1743971997 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779192/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208872852.jpg?ts=1743971997 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779192/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208872852.jpg?ts=1743971997 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779192/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208872852.jpg?ts=1743971997 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779192/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208872852.jpg?ts=1743971997 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Carmen Mandato / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/163466" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/163466">Sarah Strong</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/97669" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/97669">Azzi Fudd</a> set the tone for a second straight contest. Strong immediately established herself in the post, hitting a turnaround shot over Gamecocks forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/109918" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/109918">Chloe Kitts</a> on UConn's second possession. The freshman's first bucket served as a good omen, as she diced apart South Carolina all afternoon with her finishing around the basket, 3-point shooting, guard-like driving ability, and dribble-handoff sequences with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/92277" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/92277">Paige Bueckers</a>. Strong was just as effective on the defensive end, stonewalling the Gamecocks' drives, blocking three shots, and contesting countless other attempts. Her 114 points are the most scored by a freshman in NCAA Tournament history, and she's just the third first-year player to have a 20-point game in both the national semifinals and national championship game, according to <a href="https://x.com/alexaphilippou/status/1908988486369034462">ESPN's Alexa Philippou</a>.Fudd, meanwhile, returned to the Big Dance in a big way. The consensus No. 1 recruit coming out of high school, Fudd made just 17 appearances over the past two campaigns due to various injuries, including a torn ACL last season. But she tallied 17.5 points per contest during the Huskies' title run and capped her NCAA Tournament with a 24-point showing in the championship clincher. She finished through contact in the paint, knocked down pull-up midrange jumpers, and showed a soft touch on floaters. Fudd's improved defensive play was a significant factor as well. Her on-ball pressure on South Carolina guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/111389" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/111389">MiLaysia Fulwiley</a> resulted in a pair of steals. She also got a timely hand on the ball as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/92157" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/92157">Te-Hina Paopao</a> attempted to spark a comeback with a transition layup early in the second half. Fudd's two-way play during the Final Four earned her Most Outstanding Player honors."We as coaches felt like Azzi was the key to the tournament ... We felt that if she could have an Azzi-type game - didn't have to be a 28-point game like the one at (South) Carolina - that we would win," Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma <a href="https://youtu.be/i6mkknHMMkY?si=CdrFoD72tSFoE3G8&amp;t=1373">told</a> reporters after guiding the program to its 12th national title."We kind of know what we're going to get from Paige. We kind of know what we're going to get from Sarah. So, Azzi became the focal point for us of who has to really step up tonight. And she did magnificently."Strong and Fudd provided a glimpse of what to expect next season when the duo will lead UConn's title defense.<h3>Bueckers' prophecy fulfilled</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779222/cropped_GettyImages-2208890388.jpg?ts=1743980477" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779222/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208890388.jpg?ts=1743980477 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779222/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208890388.jpg?ts=1743980477 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779222/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208890388.jpg?ts=1743980477 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779222/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208890388.jpg?ts=1743980477 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779222/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208890388.jpg?ts=1743980477 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Bueckers constantly put the team ahead of herself throughout her time in Storrs. The former Wooden Award winner served as the Huskies' de-facto power forward last season when injuries ravaged the roster, and she plays an unselfish brand of basketball, often passing up a good look in favor of setting up her teammates. So when Strong and Fudd came out firing on all cylinders, it was no surprise that Bueckers deferred to the hot hand and did all the little things needed to get the desired result.Bueckers still put up 17 points against South Carolina, hitting contested jumpers in one-on-one coverage, floaters, and getting to the charity stripe, but her biggest contributions came on the defensive end, as she registered two blocks and one steal to go along with a game-high plus-29 rating. Bueckers held her own in the post against the taller Kitts, staying vertical and using her length to contest shots. She brought energy on the glass, too, constantly throwing herself into the mix against multiple Gamecocks players. There's nothing Bueckers won't do in order to get the job done.Bueckers was already in rarefied air with all of her individual school records. Her 19.8 points per contest over four seasons with UConn is the most in program history, and she topped Maya Moore for the most NCAA Tournament points scored by a Husky (477). Bueckers now has the ring to go along with those accomplishments. The All-American guard arrived in Storrs as a generational prospect, and she'll leave a winner - just like many of the other UConn greats that came before her."I know what she's going to do, and it's not always what I want her to do," Auriemma said. "But I know in the end, she's always doing what she thinks she needs to do for us to win."<h3>South Carolina lacked go-to star</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779219/cropped_GettyImages-2208872893.jpg?ts=1743979128" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779219/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208872893.jpg?ts=1743979128 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779219/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208872893.jpg?ts=1743979128 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779219/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208872893.jpg?ts=1743979128 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779219/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208872893.jpg?ts=1743979128 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779219/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208872893.jpg?ts=1743979128 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Thien-An Truong/ISI Photos / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>South Carolina touted its depth all season. The Gamecocks had the highest-scoring second unit in the nation. Six different players entered Sunday's championship clash averaging at least eight points. They have a number of players that can rise to the occasion on any given night. It's been the formula to this year's NCAA Tournament success despite some lacklustre showings. But perhaps the lack of a go-to player is what hurt the Gamecocks the most against UConn.Dawn Staley's best squads have always had a clear No. 1 option. The likes of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/41039" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/41039">A'ja Wilson</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/110192" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/110192">Aliyah Boston</a>, or <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/121631" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/121631">Kamilla Cardoso</a> could each get a bucket whenever South Carolina needed one. This season's edition of the Gamecocks didn't quite have that despite boasting multiple future WNBAers. South Carolina had many extended stretches without a field goal in the Big Dance, including a 7:06 stretch between the third and fourth quarter against the Huskies. Entering the final frame, Staley was asked by <a href="https://x.com/JenXperience/status/1908987953218527332">ESPN's Holly Rowe</a> where the team would find its offense. The Gamecocks head coach replied, "I don't know."Five-star freshman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/163076" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/163076">Joyce Edwards</a> could be the school's next great player, but putting the offensive burden upon the inexperienced forward is a tough ask. There's no denying Fulwiley's talent when she's got it going. However, the reserve guard's inconsistency kept her from taking the next step as a sophomore. South Carolina will be just fine with a pair of five-star freshmen joining its returning core next season. But it needs a lead horse to take charge when the going gets tough.

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National title takeaways: Fudd stars as UConn ends 9-year drought

theScore runs down the top storylines and developments from Saturday's Final Four games and what ...

theScore runs down the top storylines and developments from Saturday's Final Four games and what it all could mean moving forward to Monday's title contest.<h3>Houston drags Duke into the mud</h3><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/teams/471" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/teams/471">Houston</a>'s best shot at taking down <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/teams/329" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/teams/329">Duke</a> was mucking the game up and dragging the Blue Devils in the mud. The Cougars needed the contest to be played at a slower pace and with fewer possessions. There was no way they could keep up in a track meet against the most efficient offense in the KenPom era. Kelvin Sampson's squad executed its game plan perfectly, holding Duke to 58 possessions - 11 less than the previous round - and no fast-break points.It's not the prettiest brand of basketball, but it allowed Houston to hang around and set the stage for a furious 15-3 scoring run in the final 3:03. The Cougars kicked off their comeback bid with three offensive rebounds that eventually culminated in an <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/103134" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/103134">Emanuel Sharp</a> layup. On the ensuing possession, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/110355" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/110355">Joseph Tugler</a> forced a Blue Devils turnover by poking the ball off <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/103281" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/103281">Tyrese Proctor</a>'s leg. Tugler, a second-year forward, later came through with a swat on Duke freshman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/162168" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/162168">Kon Knueppel</a> to keep the score at 67-61 in favor of the Blue Devils with 1:14 to play.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Houston subsequently scored nine unanswered points, including a putback jam by Tugler off a Blue Devils turnover in the backcourt. The Cougars' identity under Sampson over the last 11 years has been its hard-nosed defense and offensive rebounding. It's only fitting that those two components are the primary reasons Houston's playing for its first national championship in program history.<h3>Duke ... what happened?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779127/cropped_GettyImages-2208751347.jpg?ts=1743915036" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779127/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208751347.jpg?ts=1743915036 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779127/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208751347.jpg?ts=1743915036 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779127/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208751347.jpg?ts=1743915036 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779127/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208751347.jpg?ts=1743915036 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779127/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208751347.jpg?ts=1743915036 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Brett Wilhelm / NCAA Photos / Getty</figcaption></figure>Houston undoubtedly made great plays down the stretch. But make no mistake, this was a collapse of epic proportions by Duke.The Blue Devils led by as many as 14 points with 8:17 to go. The most efficient offense in the KenPom era suddenly went ice-cold in the season's biggest game. Duke managed just two field goals in the final 13 minutes and none over the last three minutes. The Blue Devils' only shots made during that stretch came from freshman standout <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/162169" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/162169">Cooper Flagg</a>, who missed four of his final five attempts.Duke had done a great job taking care of the ball all season, ranking 354th in the NCAA with 9.4 turnovers per contest. However, they coughed up the rock five times over the final 13 minutes. It's not as if Flagg was responsible for the miscues either, as those turnovers were made by upperclassmen Proctor, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/89009" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/89009">Sion James</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/76567" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/76567">Mason Gillis</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/103336" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/103336">Maliq Brown</a>. Those mistakes proved costly in a one-possession game as Houston tallied seven more points due to their errors.<h3>Walter Clayton Jr. is that dude</h3>Oh, you thought <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/96362" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/96362">Walter Clayton Jr.</a> had peaked? Turns out the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/teams/380" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/teams/380">Florida</a> guard hadn't even given us his best until Saturday's contest against Auburn.Let's call his incredible closing stretch versus UConn a delicious pre-dinner cocktail. That makes the 30-piece on Texas Tech a mouthwatering appetizer to set the stage for the main course - a five-star Michelin dinner at the expense of the Tigers.By the time the horn rang in San Antonio, Clayton had 34 points - including 20 in the second half - to lead the Gators from an eight-point deficit to a six-point win and their first national title shot since 2007. Whenever Florida needed an answer against its SEC rival, Clayton was there.Need two triples in the game's opening four minutes to quell an early Auburn onslaught? Clayton was there. Trailing by eight at the half and needing to start the second with an 11-0 charge to flip the scoreboard? Clayton contributed five points to the cause. How about 10 points in the final five minutes to squash any comeback attempt? Yep, Clayton was more than happy to deliver.While Cooper Flagg claimed the Wooden Award as the nation's best player earlier Saturday, there's no question that Clayton has been 1-of-1 in this year's Big Dance. He became the first player since Larry Bird in 1979 to have at least 30 points in the Elite Eight and Final Four, and he's now Florida's all-time leading scorer in a single NCAA Tournament.The beauty of Clayton's game is the various ways he scores. He's just as likely to can an outrageous step-back contested triple as he is to blow by the defense for an easy layup. The Steph Curry comparisons Clayton has garnered throughout the tournament seem less and less ridiculous each game.<h3>Auburn ran out of gas</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779082/cropped_GettyImages-2208728907.jpg?ts=1743902458" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779082/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208728907.jpg?ts=1743902458 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779082/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208728907.jpg?ts=1743902458 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779082/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208728907.jpg?ts=1743902458 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779082/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208728907.jpg?ts=1743902458 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779082/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208728907.jpg?ts=1743902458 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The first 20 minutes of Saturday's contest painted the picture that injuries to Johni Broome and Chad Baker-Mazara wouldn't hold <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/teams/86" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/teams/86">Auburn</a> down. The senior duo combined for 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting in the opening frame to boost the Tigers to an eight-point edge at the break.Broome's status was a question mark all week, but he seemed to put any doubts to rest early by dominating the first half. He finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and two blocks in a performance that'll likely haunt Alex Condon, who struggled to contain the bruising big. The Gators continuously opted to leave Condon in one-on-one situations with Broome, a matchup the senior exploited virtually every time.However, Florida sent numerous players at Broome in the second, with Rueben Chinyelu and Mitch Handlogten experiencing some success. Even Condon got in the act as Broome tired significantly - an understandable display given his injuries. Broome attempted only four shots in the second half, making just one to post 15 points on the night.Baker-Mazara finished as the leading scorer with 18 points, but the Tigers didn't have a third option to pick up the slack in the second half. Florida's defense on electric freshman Tahaad Pettiford was particularly intense, with the Gators holding the point guard to seven points."We got down to seven guys. That's not enough. We just did not have enough help off the bench," Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said postgame, <a href="https://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=206652">according to ASAP Sports</a>. "I think to take a little heat off of Johni, we scored great in the first half with our two-point baskets. We went through him, and he did great. I don't know whether we got away from it a little bit, but we only had a handful of two-point baskets in the second half."The loss ends Auburn's season and perfect 25-0 record when leading by at least five points at half this campaign. One can't help but wonder how things might have played out if Broome had been fully healthy. But Florida's 2-0 record against Auburn this season proves the better team is heading to the title game.

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Final Four takeaways: Duke suffers historic collapse

Duke star Cooper Flagg won this year's Wooden Award as the most outstanding men's college basketb...

Duke star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/162169" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/162169">Cooper Flagg</a> won this year's Wooden Award as the most outstanding men's college basketball player.Flagg beat out Auburn's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/87250" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/87250">Johni Broome</a>, Florida's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/96362" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/96362">Walter Clayton Jr.</a>, Alabama's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/93780" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/93780">Mark Sears</a>, and Purdue's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/102884" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/102884">Braden Smith</a> for the prestigious honor.Only 178 points <a href="https://x.com/CollegeGameDay/status/1908633953285664772">separated</a> Flagg and runner-up Broome in the final voting.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 6-foot-9 forward joins <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/345" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/345">Kevin Durant</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/11373" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/11373">Anthony Davis</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/69536" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/69536">Zion Williamson</a> as the only freshmen ever to win the Wooden Award.Flagg already earned consensus All-American first-team honors, ACC Player of the Year, and an All-ACC first-team selection.He averaged 18.9 points, 7.5 boards, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks over 36 appearances this season. The 18-year-old led the Blue Devils in all five of those categories.Flagg broke the ACC single-game scoring record by a freshman earlier this season, dropping 42 points in a win over Notre Dame.He's widely projected to go No. 1 overall in the upcoming NBA draft. Flagg is attempting to lead Duke to its first national championship since 2015.

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MARCH 29: Cooper Flagg #2 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles the ball during the first half of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the Elite Eight round of the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Prudential Center on March 29, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey.

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Duke phenom Flagg wins Wooden Award

theScore runs down the top storylines and developments from Friday's Final Four games and what it...

theScore runs down the top storylines and developments from Friday's Final Four games and what it all could mean moving forward.<h3>UConn's offense stays hot</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778990/cropped_GettyImages-2208578285.jpg?ts=1743826093" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778990/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208578285.jpg?ts=1743826093 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778990/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208578285.jpg?ts=1743826093 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778990/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208578285.jpg?ts=1743826093 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778990/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208578285.jpg?ts=1743826093 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778990/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208578285.jpg?ts=1743826093 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Although <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/92277" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/92277">Paige Bueckers</a> had an off night with her shot, UConn's offense remained a buzz saw. The Huskies recorded 85 points on 55% shooting, including a 7-of-16 clip from downtown. They manufactured their offense in various ways, scoring 34 points in the paint, 13 on the fast break, and 11 off second chances against UCLA's top-10 defense.Top-ranked recruit <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/163466" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/163466">Sarah Strong</a> led the attack with 22 points, eight boards, and two assists. She joins <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/27502" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/27502">Breanna Stewart</a> and Maya Moore as the only freshman in school history with 20 or more points in a Final Four game, per <a href="https://x.com/alexaphilippou/status/1908356109695386029">ESPN's Alexa Philippou</a>. Strong also matched Moore and Bueckers for the most 20-point contests (14) by a UConn freshman in the last 25 seasons. The 6-foot-2 forward ran the floor in transition, drained threes off the pick-and-pop, and showed her ball-handling skills when she ran off the 3-point line.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/97669" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/97669">Azzi Fudd</a> was just behind Strong with a 19-point effort following subpar showings in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. She asserted herself from the opening tipoff, scoring the game's first points on a strong take to the rim and converting six of her first eight field goals. Fudd punished the Bruins' drop coverage with her jumper and capitalized on give-and-go plays with her bigs. She scored and assisted on 22 points in the first half, matching UCLA's point total in the first 20 minutes. Strong, Fudd, and Bueckers alone outscored the Bruins' total output.It's hard to see Bueckers struggling for a second straight game. But the Huskies can at least take comfort knowing that Strong or Fudd can pick up the slack.<h3>UCLA flustered by UConn's defense</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778983/cropped_GettyImages-2207949569.jpg?ts=1743824575" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778983/w220xh124_GettyImages-2207949569.jpg?ts=1743824575 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778983/w320xh180_GettyImages-2207949569.jpg?ts=1743824575 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778983/w640xh360_GettyImages-2207949569.jpg?ts=1743824575 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778983/w768xh432_GettyImages-2207949569.jpg?ts=1743824575 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778983/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2207949569.jpg?ts=1743824575 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> C. Morgan Engel / NCAA Photos / Getty</figcaption></figure>The talk surrounding UConn's explosive offensive trio of Bueckers, Strong, and Fudd has certainly been warranted. But the Huskies have been equally elite all season on the defensive end. Going into Friday's game, they allowed the fewest points in the nation (52 points per contest) and ranked fourth in opponent field-goal percentage (34.6%).UCLA posed a challenge with Wooden Award finalist <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/104621" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/104621">Lauren Betts</a> spearheading the NCAA's fourth-best offense, per <a href="https://barttorvik.com/ncaaw/?sort=AdjOE&amp;begin=20241101&amp;end=20250501&amp;conlimit=All&amp;year=2025&amp;top=0&amp;hteam=&amp;quad=5&amp;rpi=#">Bart Torvik</a>. However, the Bruins failed to establish any rhythm as the Huskies constantly created havoc. UConn tallied 27 points off turnovers and limited UCLA to 0.77 points per possession. The Huskies' full-court pressure sped up the Bruins' guards, leading to a number of errand passes in the backcourt. UCLA had trouble just delivering an entry pass into Betts on the low block, with UConn's guards often deflecting attempts to feed the 6-foot-7 center.Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma did a great job mixing man-to-man and zone defenses against Betts. Redshirt freshman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/110105" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/110105">Jana El Alfy</a> was the unsung hero. She made Betts catch the ball as far away from the basket as possible, broke up a pair of entry feeds, and used her length to make each shot difficult. When UConn shifted to a zone, it allowed multiple defenders to collapse on Betts in the paint. The Bruins star still had a respectable showing, but none of her teammates registered double digits in scoring.UCLA didn't have the inside-outside balance it had in the previous round, making 4-of-16 attempts from deep and putting up only 14 points on 21% shooting outside of the paint.<h3>Edwards rises to the occasion</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778963/cropped_GettyImages-2208565757.jpg?ts=1743820401" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778963/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208565757.jpg?ts=1743820401 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778963/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208565757.jpg?ts=1743820401 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778963/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208565757.jpg?ts=1743820401 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778963/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208565757.jpg?ts=1743820401 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778963/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208565757.jpg?ts=1743820401 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Carmen Mandato / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>South Carolina's strength in numbers has been the foundation of its success all season. The Gamecocks have multiple players who can take over a game on any given night and don't rely on one individual to do the heavy lifting. Their top point-getters - <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/163076" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/163076">Joyce Edwards</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/111389" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/111389">MiLaysia Fulwiley</a> - come off the bench and lead the NCAA's highest-scoring reserve unit (40.6 points per contest).That formula hasn't changed in the Big Dance. Four different scorers have led South Carolina during its Final Four run, including Edwards, who again took command in the national semifinal versus Texas. The point forward managed just 15 points in her previous three NCAA Tournament games but bounced back against the Longhorns with 13 points, 11 boards, six assists, and one steal. Edwards is the second freshman in Final Four history to register at least 10 points, 10 rebounds, and five dimes in one contest, according to <a href="https://x.com/alexaphilippou/status/1908323804243190046">Philippou</a>.Edwards played a significant role in the Gamecocks' 15 fast-break points, making hit-ahead passes to set up teammates in transition and taking the ball coast-to-coast. She also facilitated some of the team's half-court offense, and her quickness off the bounce was a mismatch for Texas' post players. Edwards led a balanced effort from the reserves, who poured in 35 points after mustering a season-low nine points against Duke in the Elite Eight.<h3>Booker's early fouls prove costly</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778962/cropped_GettyImages-2207937185.jpg?ts=1743820346" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778962/w220xh124_GettyImages-2207937185.jpg?ts=1743820346 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778962/w320xh180_GettyImages-2207937185.jpg?ts=1743820346 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778962/w640xh360_GettyImages-2207937185.jpg?ts=1743820346 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778962/w768xh432_GettyImages-2207937185.jpg?ts=1743820346 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778962/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2207937185.jpg?ts=1743820346 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> C. Morgan Engel / NCAA Photos / Getty</figcaption></figure>The margin of error is slim against a team of South Carolina's caliber, which made a strong start crucial for Texas. The Longhorns came out of the gates with the right game plan, establishing leading scorer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/111856" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/111856">Madison Booker</a> in the mid-range. The reigning SEC Player of the Year had her way early, knocking down her first three shots within the opening seven minutes.But Booker went to the bench with 3:04 remaining in the first quarter after picking up her second foul. When she checked back in at the 5:01 mark of the second frame, the Gamecocks had outscored Texas by six points. Booker was on the court for only three more minutes when she picked up her third foul. She subsequently sat for the remainder of the first half, allowing South Carolina to turn a two-point deficit into a three-point halftime lead.The Gamecocks never looked back from there as they broke the game open with a 20-9 scoring run in the third quarter. Booker never regained her early rhythm, scoring four points on 2-of-7 shooting in the second half. So much of the Longhorns' offense runs through Booker. When South Carolina took her away, that effectively ended any chances of a Texas upset.

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Final Four takeaways: UConn's 2-way dominance, Edwards steps up for South Carolina

Paige Bueckers is playing with a greater sense of urgency.  The UConn star has already declared f...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/92277" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/92277">Paige Bueckers</a> is playing with a greater sense of urgency.The UConn star has already declared for this year's WNBA draft, where she's virtually guaranteed to be taken with the No. 1 overall pick.But Bueckers' focus remains on the present and capturing the one thing that's eluded her over the last five years in Storrs: a national championship.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"Little by little, it's dawned on her that there is no next year. There is no, 'I can get this anytime I want,'" Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma <a href="https://youtu.be/GbP-ABcytB0?si=bMrSTUUI9bBwYyOi&amp;t=936">told</a> reporters following the team's Sweet 16 victory. "You're going to have to get it now or it won't be available anymore."It seemed like a matter of when - not if - UConn will hang banner No. 12.Bueckers was one of the most heralded women's basketball prospects in recent memory. The Minnesota native was the consensus top-ranked recruit in the 2020 class, the Gatorade National Player of the Year, and a McDonald's All-American. She starred for Team USA at the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, winning tournament MVP honors on a stacked American squad which included eventual No. 1 overall WNBA draft picks <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/121626" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/121626">Caitlin Clark</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/110192" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/110192">Aliyah Boston</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/102686" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/102686">Rhyne Howard</a> as well as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/121610" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/121610">Cameron Brink</a>.Bueckers' first season with the Huskies was almost like a Hollywood script. She was the first freshman in women's college basketball history to sweep all four major national player of the year awards, but the school fell two wins short of the ultimate prize.Injuries then started to take a toll on Bueckers. The 6-foot guard made just 17 appearances as a sophomore due to a tibial plateau fracture and a meniscus tear. She subsequently missed the entire 2022-23 campaign after sustaining an ACL tear during a pickup game in the summer.Bueckers returned to All-American form in the 2023-24 season. She led an injury-depleted roster back to the Final Four, only to suffer a heartbreaking 71-69 defeat to Clark's Iowa squad.The Huskies are on the doorstep of a national title once again. They boast arguably their strongest supporting cast around Bueckers and a healthy lineup ahead of Friday's national semifinal showdown with No. 1 overall seed UCLA."Last year, a huge part of my journey was wanting to inspire people who have gone through terrible injuries, devastating blows that you can come back better and stronger," Bueckers <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/cv78xiavCYM?si=GoSqB3kvp7W0Sd2u&amp;t=3949">said</a> prior to UConn's Elite Eight matchup versus USC."Nobody can write you off. Nobody can put you in a box to injury-riddled narratives. ... You can break all those narratives, and you can come back better than ever mentally, physically, emotionally."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778553/cropped_GettyImages-2207550326.jpg?ts=1743618720" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778553/w220xh124_GettyImages-2207550326.jpg?ts=1743618720 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778553/w320xh180_GettyImages-2207550326.jpg?ts=1743618720 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778553/w640xh360_GettyImages-2207550326.jpg?ts=1743618720 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778553/w768xh432_GettyImages-2207550326.jpg?ts=1743618720 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778553/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2207550326.jpg?ts=1743618720 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Bueckers is playing at a higher level than she did during her Wooden Award-winning campaign. The 23-year-old is consistently using her length and instincts to make plays on the defensive end. She's developed a post-up game and can withstand more contact on drives, thanks to her improved physique.Through the Round of 32, Bueckers was on track to become the first player in NBA, WNBA, or NCAA history to record 50/40/90 shooting splits while leading in assist-to-turnover ratio. She's since dropped to 88.8% at the free-throw line and second in assist-to-turnover ratio but continues to lead the nation in player efficiency rating (41.4), win shares (11.8), and box plus-minus (23.6).The three-time Big East Player of the Year has also saved her best basketball for the Big Dance. She's averaging 29 points on 58.7% shooting, including a 58.3% clip from deep, to go along with 3.8 assists, 3.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per contest. She went off for a career-high 40 points in the Sweet 16 against Oklahoma, setting a new program single-game scoring record with her second-half takeover.Bueckers' 31-point showing in the next round against the Trojans made her the only player in NCAA Tournament history to have four 25-point games in the Elite Eight, according to <a href="https://x.com/alexaphilippou/status/1906940793857982809">ESPN Stats &amp; Info</a>. She also became the lone Husky to crack 30 points in three consecutive contests. Bueckers' 105 points over that span are the most in any three-game stretch in school history. Not even Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, or <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/27502" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/27502">Breanna Stewart</a> produced such numbers during their standout collegiate careers.Whatever transpires this weekend in Tampa won't tarnish Bueckers' legacy. She's unquestionably one of the best to ever put on a UConn jersey. But there's no question a national championship is on Bueckers' mind. It's the one shining moment she craves the most."She wants it an awful lot. Wants it for herself. Wants it for her teammates," Auriemma told <a href="https://x.com/SNYUConn/status/1906938014774727129">SNY's Chelsea Sherrod</a> after the Huskies secured their 24th Final Four berth."It's like a storybook that's being written, and it's like a four-year, five-year story of all the things that she's been through. And maybe this is a fitting way for her career to end by having an opportunity to compete for a national championship."

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 31: Paige Bueckers #5 of the UConn Huskies celebrates on the court with her teammates after beating the USC Trojans 78-64 to advance to the Final Four during the Elite Eight round of the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament held at Spokane Arena on March 31, 2025 in Spokane, Washington.

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Paige's last dance: Bueckers ups game in bid for elusive national title

Oklahoma freshman Jeremiah Fears is entering the NBA draft and forgoing his remaining college eli...

Oklahoma freshman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/163591" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/163591">Jeremiah Fears</a> is entering the NBA draft and forgoing his remaining college eligibility, he announced Wednesday on ESPN's "The Paul Finebaum Show," per <a href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44504249/oklahoma-freshman-guard-jeremiah-fears-entering-nba-draft">Jonathan Givony</a>."I was lucky to walk into a great situation at Oklahoma with a lot of opportunity," Fears said. "I had great teammates and coaches working with me every day to help a young freshman achieve his dreams."Fears is widely projected to be taken in the lottery. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 boards, 4.1 assists, and 1.6 steals across 34 appearances during his lone season with the Sooners. He finished seventh in the SEC in both scoring and assists.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Fears was also second in the conference in free-throw attempts (215), but he committed the 12th-most turnovers in the NCAA. The 18-year-old was an SEC All-Freshman Team selection and named to the Wooden Award's midseason watch list.He averaged 22.4 points and 5.4 assists over his last eight appearances, helping Oklahoma earn a berth in the Big Dance.Fears tallied 20 points, five boards, four assists, and two steals in the Sooners' opening-round NCAA Tournament loss to UConn.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: Jeremiah Fears #0 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament - First Round at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Oklahoma star Fears declares for NBA draft

The NBA is looking into Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant after he appeared to give the Golden Sta...

The NBA is looking into Memphis Grizzlies star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/62077" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/62077">Ja Morant</a> after he appeared to give the Golden State Warriors' bench a finger gun motion during Wednesday's contest, sources told <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1907489722035036497">ESPN's Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon</a>.The incident occurred late in the fourth quarter during a stoppage in play.As Morant made his way back to the bench for a timeout, he gave a gesture to the Warriors' bench, prompting a response from Golden State guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/24735" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/24735">Buddy Hield</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The NBA will also look into Hield's reaction to Morant, sources told <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1907492791413841996">Charania</a>, who added that league officials will speak to the parties involved as soon as Wednesday.Morant and Hield were assessed offsetting technical fouls.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZFw69nM7U_0?si=KqKrXi9lopEsw--n" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure>The NBA has twice previously suspended Morant for flashing a gun on social media.

MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 1: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors on April 1, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Report: NBA investigating Morant for apparent gun gesture vs. Warriors

Former New York Knicks and Syracuse star Carmelo Anthony has been elected to the Naismith Hall of...

Former New York Knicks and Syracuse star Carmelo Anthony has been elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame, sources told <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1907468669770420417">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.Anthony was among the notable first-time nominees for this year's Hall of Fame class.The former third overall pick earned 10 All-Star selections, six All-NBA nods, one scoring title, and All-Rookie first team honors over his 19-year career in the Association.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Anthony began his career with the Denver Nuggets, leading the franchise to seven straight playoff appearances, including a trip to the 2009 West finals. He sits fourth on the club's all-time scoring list.The Nuggets dealt Anthony to the New York Knicks midway through the 2010-11 campaign. He remained a perennial All-Star in The Big Apple and tallied an NBA-leading and career-high 28.7 points per contest in 2012-13. However, Anthony was unable to lift New York past the second round of the postseason.He also had brief stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Lakers. He was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team and sits 10th on the league's all-time scoring list.Anthony led Syracuse to their first and only national championship in 2003. He was a consensus All-American second-team selection and took home Most Outstanding Player honors at the Final Four.A native of Brooklyn, New York, Anthony also thrived on the international stage, winning three Olympic gold medals for the United States.

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 4: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks celebrates scoring a 3 point shot in an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings on December 4, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Knicks won 106-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

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Report: Melo elected to Naismith HOF

Glen Taylor has agreed to give full ownership of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA's Minn...

Glen Taylor has agreed to give full ownership of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA's Minnesota Lynx to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez at the same $1.5 billion price tag they originally came to terms with in 2021, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44504541/sources-rodriguez-lore-own-timberwolves-standoff">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.Taylor won't appeal an arbitration panel's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3215200" href="https://thescore.com/news/3215200">decision</a> in February to cede control of the franchises to Lore and Rodriguez, according to <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1907445576066568636">Charania</a>, who added that the NBA will now start the transfer process.The transaction is subject to approval by the league's board of governors.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Lore and Rodriguez agreed to buy the teams from Taylor in three separate installments. They purchased approximately 20% of the franchises in 2021 and another 20% portion in 2023.A third payment would've given Lore and Rodriguez an approximate 80% ownership stake, but Taylor announced in March 2024 that the T-Wolves were off the market because Lore and Rodriguez hadn't completed their final payment within the 90-day deadline.Lore and Rodriguez disputed Taylor's claim, and an arbitration panel sided with the duo.Taylor bought the T-Wolves for $94 million in 1994 to prevent the franchise from moving to New Orleans.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN. - APRIL 2024: Minnesota Timberwolves minority owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez during Game 1 on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. NBA playoffs, first round, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Phoenix Suns, Game 1, Target Center, Minneapolis, Minn.

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Report: Lore, A-Rod to acquire full ownership of T-Wolves, Lynx

Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer made his return to Milwaukee for the first time since be...

Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer made his return to Milwaukee for the first time since being fired by the Bucks in May 2023.Budenholzer guided the club to its first NBA title in 50 years and looked back fondly on his time with the franchise."I've always said it was a great five years here in Milwaukee," he told reporters after the Suns' 133-123 defeat, per <a href="https://apnews.com/article/phoenix-suns-milwaukee-bucks-budenholzer-4378033aca5c91aef78f4fc3da6c1e8c">Steve Megargee of The Associated Press</a>. "I'm forever appreciative to the organization, to the players, to the fans here. The people here were great to me.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"It's tough to lose tonight. I want to keep the focus on my guys, my team. But I've said it a million times: It was five great years here."Budenholzer enjoyed a respectable tenure in Milwaukee, posting a 391-271 mark, including four 50-win campaigns. He ranks third on the team's all-time wins list behind Don Nelson and Larry Costello.The 55-year-old won NBA Coach of the Year honors in 2019 and guided the Bucks to an East finals appearance that same season before their championship breakthrough in 2021.Budenholzer was relieved of his head coaching duties just two years later after a shocking opening-round playoff exit to the eighth-seeded Miami Heat.Milwaukee opted to display a "Welcome back, Coach Bud" message on the video board during a stoppage play instead of a video tribute."I thought they were going to play like a video for him," said Bucks star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30611" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30611">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a>. "They didn't, which was surprising to me. I felt like they should."

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 1: Head Coach Mike Budenholzer of the Phoenix Suns smiles during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 1, 2025 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE .

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Bud 'forever appreciative' for 5 years with Bucks

The Minnesota Timberwolves came away with a thrilling 140-139 double-overtime victory, but that d...

The Minnesota Timberwolves came away with a thrilling 140-139 double-overtime victory, but that didn't make <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37604" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37604">Nikola Jokic</a>'s 61-point triple-double feel any less significant."That might've been the best game of my life that I've been a part of," T-Wolves star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93912" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93912">Anthony Edwards</a> <a href="https://x.com/NBA/status/1907316902969639144">said</a> postgame."Nikola Jokic. Oh my god, he might be the best basketball player I've ever seen like close up, besides myself. He's incredible. The MVP race is tough. I don't know. He had 60. That is crazy."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jokic's 61-point performance is an NBA season-high and the most points scored in a triple-double in league history. The three-time MVP joined <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/68198" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/68198">Luka Doncic</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/351" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/351">James Harden</a> as the only players to record a 60-point triple-double.Jokic is only the second player in NBA history to lose despite posting a 50-point triple-double. Wilt Chamberlain also did it in a loss over 60 years ago.Jokic had 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and a pair of steals to go along with his new career-high in scoring. He played 53 minutes and didn't leave the court after checking back into the contest with 6:38 remaining in the second quarter."Nikola came up to me after the third quarter and said, 'Coach, I'm good. Leave me in there. I don't want to come out. Let me just keep playing,'" Nuggets head coach Michael Malone told reporters following the contest, per <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44500515/timberwolves-overcome-nikola-jokic-61-point-triple-double-nuggets-2ot-thriller">ESPN</a>."He was in a good rhythm, obviously - 61 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds, 2 steals. The guy is Superman."

DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 1: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is defended by Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in overtime of a game at Ball Arena on April 1, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.

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Ant: Jokic 'might be the best basketball player I've ever seen'

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone had Russell Westbrook's back after the veteran made cost...

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone had <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/347" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/347">Russell Westbrook</a>'s back after the veteran made costly errors that allowed the Minnesota Timberwolves to prevail 140-139 in double OT."He's a guy that hates to lose," Malone told reporters postgame, per <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44500515/timberwolves-overcome-nikola-jokic-61-point-triple-double-nuggets-2ot-thriller">ESPN</a>. "So he may not want to hear any of that stuff because he's a perfectionist and he's a competitor."And knowing (him) the way I do, he's probably going to put a lot of this on him. But we lost tonight. The Denver Nuggets, we as a collective group, lost a game tonight, not one player." <div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>With the Nuggets up 139-138, Westbrook caught an errant pass from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93912" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93912">Anthony Edwards</a> and went flying upcourt on a 2-on-1 sequence. Instead of running some more clock, he went for the layup and missed an uncontested point-blank attempt.On the ensuing possession, Westbrook fouled <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60881" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60881">Nickeil Alexander-Walker</a> on his 3-point attempt just before the buzzer. The T-Wolves guard made the first two free throws to put Minnesota ahead and intentionally missed the third.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PDcrOUXoDWw?si=sBok6S1wiUu6J4qQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure>Westbrook left the arena before the Nuggets' locker room was open to media."Obviously, I feel awful for Russ," Malone said. "That last play we get the turnover, we don't convert, and then the foul. It was not from a lack of effort or care."Sometimes it goes like that, and that's why we've just got to be strong. We've got to be resilient."

DENVER, CO - APRIL 1: Russell Westbrook (4) of the Denver Nuggets rushes off the court after committing a foul on Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) of the Minnesota Timberwolves that set up a pair of free throw conversions to take the game during the Timberwolves' 140-139 win at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

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Nuggets' Malone backs Westbrook after disastrous late-game sequence

Maryland has hired Texas A&M's Buzz Williams as its next head coach, Terrapins interim athletic d...

Maryland has hired Texas A&amp;M's Buzz Williams as its next head coach, Terrapins interim athletic director Colleen Sorem announced Tuesday.The two sides reportedly finalized a six-year deal, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44492960/sources-buzz-williams-hired-maryland-men-basketball-coach">ESPN's Pete Thamel.</a>Williams will replace Kevin Willard after the latter left Maryland to fill Villanova's head coaching vacancy.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>His buyout to leave the Aggies dropped to $1 million on Tuesday, adds Thamel.The Terrapins made their first Sweet 16 in nine years this past season."We are thrilled to bring a coach of the caliber of Buzz Williams to the University of Maryland," Sorem <a href="https://umterps.com/news/2025/4/1/mens-basketball-coach-announcement.aspx">said</a> in a statement. "His incredible record of success at three prominent basketball programs speaks for itself, but we were equally impressed with his tireless work ethic and his dedication to building a program the right way."He embraces the high expectations here at Maryland and we are all excited to get started on this new era in Maryland basketball."Williams spent the last six seasons in College Station, leading the school to a 120-73 mark. He was named SEC Coach of the Year on two occasions.The Aggies made the last three NCAA Tournaments, but advanced no further than the Round of 32 in each trip."We would like to thank Buzz for his years of service heading up our men's basketball program," Aggies director of athletics Trev Alberts <a href="https://x.com/12thMan/status/1907131698896142365">said</a> in a statement.Williams' other notable stops were at Marquette and Virginia Tech. The 52-year-old guided the Golden Eagles to the Big East regular-season crown in 2013.

DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 22: Head coach Buzz Williams of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Ball Arena on March 22, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.

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Maryland signs Buzz Williams to reported 6-year deal

The NBA has suspended five players for their roles in an on-court altercation during Sunday's mat...

The NBA has suspended five players for their roles in an <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3254476" href="https://thescore.com/news/3254476">on-court altercation</a> during Sunday's matchup between the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves, the league announced Tuesday.Pistons big man <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93867" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93867">Isaiah Stewart</a> was issued a two-game ban, while teammates <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/121707" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/121707">Ron Holland</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110236" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110236">Marcus Sasser</a> will serve a one-game suspension. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/69736" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/69736">Naz Reid</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45225" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45225">Donte DiVincenzo</a> of the Minnesota Timberwolves were also given a one-game ban from the league.The NBA gave Stewart an extra game partly because of his "repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Stewart, Holland, and Sasser will miss Wednesday's road contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder.Reid and DiVincenzo won't be in action for Tuesday's clash versus the Denver Nuggets.Tempers flared between both clubs after Holland <a href="https://x.com/SportsCenter/status/1906502014088913337">committed</a> a defensive foul on Reid, prompting the T-Wolves big man to confront the rookie forward.Holland pushed DiVincenzo as he was exchanging words with Reid, and the T-Wolves guard immediately retaliated with a shove. The three players became entangled and fell into the front row of the stands.Stewart and Sasser then joined the scrum and shoved Reid and DiVincenzo.All five players were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the contest. Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and T-Wolves assistant Pablo Prigioni were also tossed for getting into their own verbal altercation following the melee.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 30: Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter at Target Center on March 30, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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Pistons' Stewart among 5 players suspended after T-Wolves' scuffle 

UConn is off to its 16th Final Four in 17 years and 24th overall under Geno Auriemma after Monday...

UConn is off to its 16th Final Four in 17 years and 24th overall under Geno Auriemma after Monday's 78-64 Elite Eight victory over USC.The Hall of Famer is the all-time winningest coach in NCAA history but even he can't fully comprehend the Huskies' continuous postseason success."There's Disneyland, there's Disney World, and then there's UConn World," Auriemma told reporters postgame, including <a href="https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44485673/paige-bueckers-leads-uconn-another-final-four-win-usc">ESPN's Alexa Philippou</a>. "These are fantasy numbers that make no sense. You couldn't predict this and you couldn't script this at all."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>UConn steamrolled its way to the national semifinal, winning its four NCAA Tournament games by an average of 35 points. The Huskies have been dominant on both sides of the ball, making 51.3% of their field goals and limiting opponents to 30.7% shooting.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcbk/players/92277" href="https://thescore.com/wcbk/players/92277">Paige Bueckers</a> has been front and center during the Huskies' latest tourney run, tallying 29 points, 3.8 assists, 3.3 boards, 3.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per contest. She registered a career-high 40 points in the school's Sweet 16 victory over Oklahoma.However, UConn hasn't won a national title since 2016.Auriemma hopes he can end that championship drought and send Bueckers out on top next weekend."At this time, you know it's coming to an end, and it's going to end whether you want it to or not," Auriemma said. "You just want to make it the best weekend of her career at UConn, and it's my job to help her do that."

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 31: Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies celebrates after defeating the USC Trojans 78-64 in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Spokane Arena on March 31, 2025 in Spokane, Washington.

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Geno on UConn's 24th Final Four: 'Fantasy numbers that make no sense'

Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper has declared for the NBA draft, he announced Monday on ESPN's "NBA ...

Rutgers freshman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/162652" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/162652">Dylan Harper</a> has declared for the NBA draft, he announced Monday on ESPN's "NBA Today," according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44480028/dylan-harper-projected-no-2-pick-declares-nba-draft">Jonathan Givony</a>."I'll remember all the life lessons this season," Harper told ESPN. "The ups and downs and good and bad. Staying leveled."Harper is widely projected to be taken second overall after Duke phenom Cooper Flagg.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 6-foot-6 guard was the fourth-ranked recruit on the <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/250614/dylan-harper">ESPN 100</a> for 2024. He excelled during his lone campaign with the Scarlet Knights, averaging 19.4 points, 4.6 boards, four assists, and 1.4 steals across 29 appearances.Harper was an All-Big Ten third-team selection and named to the Wooden Award top 15 watch list.Harper boasts elite size at the point, shot-creating ability, and superb finishing around the basket. He made 69.5% of his attempts at the rim and 33.1% of his threes, per <a href="https://hoop-explorer.com/PlayerLeaderboard?filter=Harper%2C%20Dylan%3A%3B&amp;showInfoSubHeader=true&amp;sortBy=desc%3Ayear&amp;tier=All&amp;year=All&amp;">Hoop Explorer</a>."NBA teams saw I am an all-around player," Harper said. "I can do whatever it takes to win. Whether it's score, defend or facilitate. Anything coach needs me to do."

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 12: Dylan Harper #2 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights brings the ball up court during the first half against the USC Trojans in the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament first round at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 12, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Projected No. 2 pick Dylan Harper declares for NBA draft

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Chicco Nacion

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