College Basketball

Bronny James USC Debut Gets Encouraging Update From Head Coach

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The USC debut of Bronny James is coming very soon, according to Trojans head coach Andy Enfield. “Bronny has not been cleared fully yet from USC. He can participate without contact. He’s done a good job of getting his conditioning and his strength back and I think he’s on the path to being ready to play very quickly. “We hope to get Bronny on the court as soon as possible. The heart specialist, the doctors at USC, those are people that have to give the approval [to clear James for full-contact practice] and I know they’re working diligently on the whole process. I commend them for all they’ve done as part of this,” Enfield told ESPN.

Furthermore, he had high praise for Bronny himself. “Everybody’s excited to see Bronny on the court. The fans, teammates, everybody around our program and university. Bronny’s done a great job of mentally and physically getting back to this point and I think he’s very anxious to get back full-time playing. We’re excited to watch him play,” Enfield added. USC are 5-3, having dropped two of their last three games after starting 4-1.

Read More: Bronny James Messaged SteveWillDoIt’s Girlfriend, Streamer Claims

LeBron Will Miss Lakers Game To Watch Bronny Debut

Meanwhile, LeBron James recently revealed his intentions for Bronny’s debut. “Whenever he’s cleared and ready to have his first game, I already told my teammates that if they play on the same day we’re playing, I’m going to have to catch them the next game. Family over everything. But definitely got to see Bronny’s first game whenever he’s cleared and ready to go,” LeBron told reporters after the Lakers’ loss to the Thunder last week.

Furthermore, of the Trojans’ next 10 games from December 11 onwards, four coincide with a Lakers’ fixture. If Bronny’s debut comes against Oregon State (December 30), Cal (January 3), Colorado (January 13), or Arizona (January 17), LeBron would be skipping a Lakers fixture. Of the four, only the matchup against Cal is a home fixture for USC. Additionally, the Galen Center, USC’s home base, is a little over two miles from the Lakers’ Crypto.com Arena.

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Bronny James Cleared To Play For USC

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Bronny James has received medical clearance to resume practice and finally make his debut for USC. The announcement came via a statement from the James family earlier today. “Bronny will have a final evaluation with USC staff this week, resume practice next week, and return to games soon after. The James family would like to express their gratitude to the incredible medical team, the entire USC community, and especially the countless friends, family, and fans for their love and support. Fight On!” the statement, shared by Shams Charania, read.

Bronny has missed USC’s first seven games, in which they have gone 5-2. The Trojans were upset by UC Irvine before losing to Oklahoma at the Rady Children’s Invitational. The Trojans’ next game features their first ranked opponent of the season – No. 11 Gonzaga. The James family statement did not give a timetable for Bronny’s debut. However, USC will likely sit him until January out of precaution. The Trojans’ first game of 2024 is a Pac-12 matchup against Cal on January 3.

Read More: Bronny James Messaged SteveWillDoIt’s Girlfriend, Streamer Claims

Bronny Dances At USC

However, Bronny has made sure to remain around the team as the season got underway. Bronny made an appearance at the annual Trojan HoopLA but did not participate in the athletic festivities. The event is used to introduce the school’s team for the season and have the athletes put on some displays of skill. James was all smiles as he was introducing, hitting some sweet moves to “Teach Me How To Dougie” by Cali Swag District. However, that was the extent of James’ evening as he sat out the skills competition, dunk contest, and 3-point competition.

As for the cardiac arrest that derailed the start of his college career, experts diagnosed it as a congenital heart defect. Bronny has reportedly undergone surgery to address the issue, which will need to be monitored for the rest of his life but is no longer a major concern. However, he is the second USC player in two years to suffer a preseason cardiac arrest.

Read More: Bronny James And Shedeur Sanders Top NIL Earnings

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Cal Basketball Player Confronts Fan After Allegedly Being Called A “Terrorist”: Watch

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An investigation has been opened after Cal basketball player Fardaws Aimaq confronted a fan after allegedly being called a “terrorist”. The incident occurred at the SoCal Challenge tournament, with Aimaq confronting the man after Cal’s 75-72 loss to UTEP. “Throughout and after Monday’s game, Fardaws Aimaq was allegedly subjected to abhorrent and offensive comments from a fan. This included being called a terrorist. I have asked the SoCal Challenge tournament director that a formal investigation be conducted and that this fan be barred from the premises,” Cal coach Mark Madsen told reporters.

However, Madsen also noted that Aimaq would be disciplined for responding the way he did. “Fardaws and I had an important conversation today about how he needs to maintain his composure regardless of what takes place in a game or what is said to him directly. I am disturbed that Fardaws was allegedly on the receiving end of such language. And I’m disappointed that he confronted this fan in the stands. Fardaws understands my expectations for how he as a student-athlete conducts himself. The consequences related to this situation will be managed internally,” Madsen added.

Read More: Chris Paul Ejection Deepens Beef With Veteran Ref Scott Foster

Marquette Coach Tries To Fight Kansas Players

However, the incident involving Aimaq was not the only thing viral incident that has come out of the various holiday tournaments. Marquette head coach Shaka Smart had to be restrained by his own players as he tried to throw down with members of Kansas’ roster. Late in the first half of the game at the AllState Maui Invitational, Kevin McCullar Jr. drilled a corner three for the #1 Jayhawks. Then , he appeared to say something to the Marquette bench as he moved back down the sideline. Moments later, the benches cleared as Smart appeared to try and chase after McCullar. However, the third-year head coach was held back by his players, and nothing more than an exchange of words occurred. Regardless of the lack of violence, a team technical was called on the #4 Golden Eagles.

The incident aside, the game was all positives for Marquette. With school legend Dwyane Wade sitting courtside, the Golden Eagles knocked off Kansas 73-59. Despite the game getting the deserved hype of a top-four matchup, Marquette led for all but 22 seconds of the game. With #2 Purdue also advancing in the Feast Week tournament, Marquette will become the 10th team in NCAA history to play the top-two ranked teams on consecutive days. Furthermore, they became the first to do so since 1972. However, the last time a team won both such games was in 1963.

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Bronny James Warms Up With USC Four Months After Cardiac Arrest

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Earlier this year, college basketball fans were shocked by the news that LeBron James’s son Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest. The news surprised many as he appeared to be in perfect health as a highly recruited college basketball player. He quickly recovered to stable condition in the days following the incident but his long-term future as a player was still unsure. One cardiologist claimed that the health scare could put his career in jeopardy.

A month after the shocking news broke though, the family shared a positive update on Bronny’s condition and his future. He was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, which sounds scary but it’s something that can be treated. That diagnosis also came with an improved outlook on his future in the sport. They shared that Bronny could hope to be back on the court soon and that the condition wasn’t expected to threaten his career. That came as good news for fans of the USC Trojans, who are hoping to see Bronny play this season before he likely takes off for the NBA next year.

Read More: Bronny James Messaged SteveWillDoIt’s Girlfriend, Streamer Claims

Bronny James Warming Up With His USC Teammates

Yesterday, USC hosted Brown for a game and James was there to warm up with his teammates. Bronny didn’t end up actually playing in the game itself. But it’s still a massive step forward for him and a great sign going forward. Bronny is yet to make his debut with USC but is expected to play for the team at some point this season.

Despite not having played a game yet, Bronny James is one of the leading college athletes in NIL deals. The NCAA only allowed college players to make money off of their own name, image, and likeness in recent years. But the move came just in time for celebrity players like Bronny. What do you think of Bronny James warming up with his teammates just a few months after his cardiac arrest? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Bronny James Dances At USC Event But Sits Out Athletic Contests

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Bob Knight, Basketball Coaching Legend, Dies At 83

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Legendary college basketball coach Bob Knight has passed away at the age of 83. The news was broken on October 1 by Knight’s family. Knight had recently been hospitalized and had struggled with ill health for several years. “It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family. We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy as Coach requested a private family gathering, which is being honored,” a statement from his family read.

After a national championship-winning playing career at Ohio State, Knight became the youngest DI head coach when he took over as the head coach of Army in 1965. Knight would coach the Black Knights to three NIT semifinals in 1966, 1969, and 1970. Furthermore, players under Knight at Army included future Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and gold medal Olympian Mike Silliman. However, Knight is best known for his time at Indiana. Joining the Hoosiers in 1971, Knight would spend the rest of the 20th Century in Bloomington. Under Knight, Indiana won three national titles (1976, 1981, 1987). Furthermore, they achieved the last undefeated season in men’s college basketball (1976).

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Basketball Remembers Bob Knight

While Knight was infamous for his short temper and violent outbursts, his passing was fondly remembered by the basketball world. “I am so blessed that he saw something in me as a basketball player. He influenced my life in ways I could never repay. As he did with all of his players, he always challenged me to get the most out of myself as a player and more importantly, as a person. His record as a basketball coach speaks for itself. He will be remembered as one of the greatest ever,” current Indiana head coach Mike Woodson said. Woodson played under Knight at Indiana between 1976 and 1980.

“Coach Knight … will forever be remembered as one of the top coaches in not only Texas Tech history but all of college basketball. He truly changed the game with not only his motion offense but his insistence that his teams be defined by their defense,” the athletics department of Texas Tech said in a statement. Knight coached the Red Raiders between 2001 and 2008 in what would be his last stint as a coach. He quit midway through the 2008/09 season and never returned to the sidelines.

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Bronny James Dances At USC Event But Sits Out Athletic Contests

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Bronny James made an appearance at the annual Trojan HoopLA but did not participate in the athletic festivities. The event is used to introduced the school’s team for the season and have the athletes put on some displays of skill. James was all smiles as he was introducing, hitting some sweet moves to “Teach Me How To Dougie” by Cali Swag District. However, that was the extent of James’ evening as he sat out the skills competition, dunk contest, and 3-point competition.

James is expected to see the floor this season for USC. However, it’s unclear as to when he will begin play as he continues to recover from a cardiac arrest suffered in July. The medical scare was attributed to a congenital heart condition that was discovered after James underwent extensive testing. He is the second USC player in two years to suffer a preseason cardiac arrest.

Read More: LeBron James Shares Relieving News About Bronny’s Chances To Play For USC

Bronny Still Tops NIL Earnings Despite Cardiac Arrest

However, not even a cardiac arrest can stop Bronny making bank. Sports Illustrated‘s annual Money Issue released last month showed that Bronny tops the list of NIL earners at the college level. According to On3, Bronny James is earning $6.1 million and Shedeur Sanders is earning $4.1 million. Rounding out the top five are LSU’s Livvy Dunne ($3.2M), Texas’ Arch Manning ($2.9M), and USC’s Caleb Williams ($2.6M). Only one other woman appears in the top ten. LSU’s Angel Reese sits at eighth in the current rankings.

However, NIL earners, especially female athletes, still receive criticism. There are many people, several in positions of power, who don’t believe that athletes should receive any compensation before the pro level of their respective sport. Livvy Dunne recently spoke out on this exact issue. “People definitely discredit what I do. People need to understand that I’ve worked for everything I’ve earned. I’ve spent years building an audience, and brands pay me for what they believe is worth the reach of the demographic that I offer,” Dunne said in an interview earlier this year.

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Drake Meets The Texas Women’s Basketball Team In New Video

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Even though Drake has been touring all summer, he’s still found time to make a few stops along the way. The rapper is no stranger to hanging out with high-profile athletes. He’s also often spotted sitting courtside at Toronto Raptors games so we know he’s a basketball fan. All of that came together when he made a recent stop to meet the University Of Texas Women’s Basketball team. The team is a regular in the women’s March Madness tournament but lost last year in the Round of 32. The team is largely expected to be ranked in the preseason poll for the upcoming season.

In the video Drake is seen wearing a Texas jersey and meeting the team in their locker room. Most of the players are filming their interaction with the rapper and it sparks various meme-worthy, reactions from different players. This isn’t the first time this offseason Drake has interacted with a college basketball team. Back in July, he invited the Kentucky Men’s Basketball team to practice in his personal gym. Check out the adorable clip of Drake meeting college basketball players below.

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Drake In The Longhorns Lockeroom

During a recent tour stop, Drake walked out on stage with a former Texas college basketball player. Before he was an NBA superstar Kevin Durant played his college ball at the university and walked out with Drake during a recent show in Texas. He’s the most recent NBA star to join the rapper on stage. Earlier this summer he walked out with Jayson Tatum during a show in Boston.

Drake is leading up to the release of his highly anticipated new album For All The Dogs. This week he’s begin teasing some of the artists who will appear on the project. On top of Bad Bunny he’s also given fans reason to expect to hear from both SZA and Yeat on the record. What do you think of Drake turning up to meet some college basketball players? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Paige Bueckers Signs Multi-Year Deal With Nike

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UConn star Paige Bueckers has inked a multi-year partnership with Nike. Bueckers was one of the hottest prospects in college basketball, winning National Player of the Year as a freshman in the 2020/21 season. However, injuries have derailed her promising career. She missed most of her sophomore year and all of her junior year. While she is still expected to be a top draft pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, the 2023/24 collegiate campaign is make-or-break for Bueckers. Most experts have Bueckers as the #3 prospect in the 2024 WNBA Draft behind Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

“I am blessed and honored to announce my partnership with Nike,” Bueckers said in a statement. “Joining the Nike family is a childhood dream come true. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together on and off the court.” Furthermore, According to Nike, her contract could stay with her if she chooses to go pro. Earlier this year, Nike partnered with former first-overall pick Sabrina Ionescu to produce the WNBA’s 12th signature shoe. Additional details of Bueckers’ deal with Nike were not made available.

Read More: LSU signs Kim Mulkey to 10-year, $32 million extension, the richest contract in women’s basketball history

Bueckers Ready For Comeback

Bueckers has only appeared in 46 games for the Huskies since joining them three years ago. However, she has an average of 18 points and 5.1 assists per game in those appearances. Last month, Bueckers announced that she had been cleared to resume playing. However, she opted not to participate in the team’s tour of Europe. UConn opens their season against Dayton. Other non-conference highlights include UCLA, Notre Dame, South Carolina, and Texas.

However, UConn is in an interesting position this season, with a much bigger focus on the players already on the roster. Their top recruit is KK Arnold, ranked #6 in the 2023 class by ESPN. DraftKings has given the second-best odds to win the 2024 National Championship at +500. However, they are significant behind LSU, who spent the offseason building a superteam with transfers Hailey Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow. How do you think UConn will do this year? Let us know in the comments.

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LSU Make Kim Mulkey The Richest Coach In Women’s Basketball

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As their title defense season approaches, LSU has locked down their head coach. The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a 10-year, $32 million contract for Mulkey, which will set the mark as the richest contract in the history of collegiate women’s basketball. Prior to his contract, Mulkey was already one of the top-paid coaches in the game, alongside the likes of Geno Auriemma (UConn) and Dawn Staley (South Carolina).

Mulkey came to LSU ahead of the 2021-22 season after spending the last two decades turning Baylor into a national powerhouse. However, 2022-23 was her statement year with the Tigers, using the portal to create a super team that would go on to win the school’s first National Championship. With her new contract in place, Mulkey will be free to continue building LSU into a true dynasty, even after the departure of superstar Angel Reese.

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LSU Ready To Run It Back With Superteam 2.0

Mulkey leads another superteam heading into the school’s title defense campaign. LSU stands as far and away the best roster in women’s basketball heading into the 2023-24 season. The addition of Hailey Van Lith raised them above UConn to the #1 spot on ESPN‘s “Way Too Early Top 25” back in April. However, the addition of Aneesah Morrow made that ranking unarguable. Alongside Reese, Van Lith, Morrow, Kim Mulkey’s squad is stacked. Alongside sophomore-to-be Flau’jae Johnson, LSU welcomes two top-10 freshmen to Baton Rogue in the fall. With South Carolina rebuilding after the loss of their generational class, this may be the year LSU wins the SEC. LSU last won the SEC regular-season championship in 2008 but has not claimed the tournament title since 2003.

LSU recently revealed that they will open their season against Colorado in Vegas on November 6. Other highlights of their non-conference schedule include Virginia and Virginia Tech. While it’s not as much of a cupcake schedule as last season, Mulkey is still clearly avoiding any true coin-toss matchups before the start of SEC play in January. Despite this, DraftKings lists LSU at +350 as their favorite to win the 2024 National Championship. Do you agree? Let us know your predictions for the 2023-24 women’s basketball season in the comments.

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Drake Had The Kentucky Men’s Basketball Team Come Over To His House

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Drake‘s love of Kentucky men’s basketball is pretty well documented by this point. For years, Drake has made appearances in Lexington, like the time that he appeared at the team’s Big Blue Madness event and got to warm up with the rest of the roster, although he did find himself on the receiving end of some jokes due to a pretty ugly airball he launched from behind the three-point line.

Regardless, Drake and John Calipari’s squad are basically tied together at the hip at this point, and recently, this meant that the young men who suit up for the Wildcats got the chance to go hang out at Drake’s place. The Wildcats were greeted by a gigantic banner in front of the place and then got the chance to practice a bit on his basketball court.

Calipari, the longtime Kentucky coach, posted a video from Drake’s pool, confirming that they were, indeed, at Drake’s.

The Wildcats are in Toronto for Globl Jam, a tournament that features men’s and women’s teams from several different countries, with Kentucky basketball representing the United States. The team played against Canada on Thursday, and there is no word on who Drake wanted to win that game.