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Archives for May 2023

St. Louis Hammers Red Sox for Sweep

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) St. Louis’ Paul DeJong, Andrew Knizner and Nolan Arenado each homered as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals beat the Boston Red Sox 9-1 on Sunday night to complete a three-game sweep.

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DeJong hit a solo home run before Knizner and Arenado each added two-run homers. Arenado homered in each game of the series.

St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas (2-1) pitched six strong innings to earn the win. He limited Boston to a run on four hits. Genesis Cabrera, Jordan Hicks and Chris Stratton each tossed a scoreless inning of relief.

Boston’s Corey Kluber (2-5) surrendered four runs on seven hits in five innings. He struck out five and walked three.

Lars Nootbaar had three hits (two doubles, single) for the Cardinals, who have won six of their last seven games. Arenado, Knizner, Paul Goldschmidt and Alec Burleson each added two hits for St. Louis. Arenado also drove in four runs.

The Cardinals beat the Red Sox 8-6 on Friday night, and 4-3 on Saturday.

The Red Sox received two hits from Rafael Devers, who drove in Boston’s only run.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notebook | May 14

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While We’re Young (Ideas) Wishes Happy Mother’s Day to All the Wonderful Mothers and Families Honoring Mom Today

By TERRY LYONS

NEW YORK – “Here, I never want to see this again,” said USA guard Michael Jordan, adorned with a Gold Medal at the USA Basketball locker room door at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Jordan uttered the words as he handed his “Reebok” branded Olympic Medal Ceremony jacket to the head of the NBA’s Communications Group, Brian McIntyre, who had “drafted” Jordan in a pre-Olympic selection of the entire Dream Team players and coaches just before the Games began.

Actually, with McIntyre hailing from Chicago, Jordan was a territorial pick amongst the “Dream Team PR Team” for the Games by a man who would eventually be recognized with the John Bunn Award at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the highest honor a non-player can receive in the world of basketball.

Said the Associated Press’ Tim Reynolds this week: “The jacket that Michael Jordan famously and grudgingly wore while receiving an Olympic Gold Medal has been in (former NBA PR man) Brian McIntyre’s possession for more than three decades now.

He figures the time is right to let someone else enjoy it.

The red, white and blue Reebok jacket that Jordan — a Nike athlete — was forced to wear on the medal stand alongside the other members of USA Basketball’s (first) “Dream Team” at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics is headed to auction.

Sotheby’s, which has the offering that will run through June 28, estimates that the jacket could fetch anywhere from $1 million to $3 million. Other experts in the world of basketball and collective memorabilia think the bidding could go as high as $5 million, citing the fact game-worn Jordan uniforms have been valued north of $10 million and their are dozens of those available. There is only one Jordan-worn Olympic Medal Ceremony jacket and it has a history all of its own.

Many years later, Jordan signed it: “To Brian, Thanks for Everything, Michael Jordan.”

McIntyre kept it the last 29 years, wearing it occasionally. The jacket and Jordan’s reluctance to wear it was a big story in Barcelona and became a talking point again when “The Last Dance” documentary re-told part of the story with sound from Jordan in 1992 revealing his frustration with the situation.”

That said, anything involving that team, and those Olympics, has obvious historical value. It was the first time the NBA sent its players to an Olympics, and the game was forever changed.

“We watched the ‘Dream Team’ in the ’92 Olympics fast-forward the growth of basketball, by a lot,” McIntyre said. “I mean, it really helped develop the game worldwide — not just for the NBA, but in basketball in general.”

Sotheby’s is offering the auction online and will display the jacket in New York from June 24-28.

Sotheby’s went to great lengths to authenticate the Jacket, but they could’ve saved a lot of time and money. All they had to do was ask, because this reporter was posted-up right inside the locker room door – a few feet away from the historic “give and go.”

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: With the NFL Draft in the rearview mirror and the league schedule issued earlier this week, the odds-makers have placed the Kansas City Chiefs as favorites to win the 2024 Super Bowl. Here are the favorites, including the Chiefs and overall Top 5:

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (+600)
  2. Philadelphia Eagles (+700)
  3. Buffalo Bills (+800)
  4. San Francisco 59ers (+825)
  5. Cincinnati Bengals (+850)

TIDBITS: With all this talk about Debt Limits, don’t we all face a rather daunting debt limit every month of the year? For years? Surely any family that’s been fortunate enough to have children attend some of the best Higher Educational Institutes in the country know a little about Debt Limits. … In 2023, surely there are Debt Limits that come into play when any fan tries to purchase game tickets to any sporting event, especially playoffs, Super Bowls, or major rock shows. So many times, these days, you simply have to take a pass, maybe watch on TV or read about the rock show in a critics’ review. … CNN’s Kaitlan Collins had her hands filled this week, hosting a CNN Town Hall meeting in New Hampshire with convicted sexual abuser and deviant Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee. Collins is used to tough assignments as she’s witnessed The University of Alabama face formidable opponents from the Southeastern Conference when the Crimson Tide play college football every Saturday in the Fall. … Collins needed an Air Horn to nip any and all blatant lies that flowed like active Hawaiian volcano lava during the Town Hall, which devolved into a Trump rally of sorts this past Wednesday evening. … It has been determined that the presumptive GOP presidential candidate is the Navage residue of Politicians.

BUZZWORD BINGO: We’re taking our sports commentary and studio analysis to a new level to create “NBA Bingo,” a new game that can be played in any single night, throughout a seven-game series or a single game of the 2023 NBA Finals. Here’s your very own game board.

NBA Buzzword Bingo

FENWAY IS A TREASURE: It’s so wonderful to live in Boston and be a regular media member, covering the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Although it’s pushing 111 years, the improvements to the ballpark have come year-by-year to make it a joy to attend.

Major League Baseball’s Oldest Ballparks

Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox): 111 years old

Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs): 109 years old

Dodger Stadium (LA Dodgers): 61 years old

Oakland Coliseum (Athletics): 57 years old

Angel Stadium (LA Angels): 57 years old

Kauffman Stadium (KC Royals): 50 years old

Rogers Centre (Toronto Blue Jays): 34 years old

Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Rays): 33 years old

Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago White Sox): 32 years old

Camden Yards (Baltimore Orioles): 31 years old

Note: It seems “like yesterday” when MLB hosted its annual Mid-Summer Classic at the brand new Camden Yards. This July 13th, it will be 30 years ago. On a deep bucket list of “Being There” and “Looking Live,” that 1993 MLB All-Star Game ranks high. It was also quite a pleasure to be in Baltimore frequently from 2015-2019 with the ability to tuck-in an Orioles game on many of the trips to Johns Hopkins to visit my daughter at school. Each trip brought back memories of that hot summer night in 1993, four years before my daughter was born. Oh, how the time passes. Treasure every minute, every day.

Boston Blows Another Game, Save

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report with Field Level Media) – Boston closer Kenley Jansen allowed three runs in the ninth inning for the second consecutive game as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals came from behind to beat the Red Sox 4-3 Saturday.

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Jansen walked three (one intentionally) and committed three pitch-clock violations in the ninth.

Willson Contreras tied the game by scoring from third when Alec Burleson grounded into a fielder’s choice, and the Cardinals took a 4-3 lead on a throwing error by Enrique Hernandez as he was attempting to complete a double play. The error allowed Nolan Gorman to score.

Gorman’s double earlier in the inning drove in Paul Goldschmidt to cut Boston’s lead to 3-2.

Jansen (1-2) also allowed three runs in the ninth inning of Friday night’s 8-6 loss to St. Louis.

Boston wasted a strong start by Chris Sale, who recorded nine strikeouts in eight innings. Sale limited the Cardinals to a run on three hits and walked one.

Rob Refsnyder had three hits and two RBIs for Boston.

Nolan Arenado hit a solo home run for St. Louis. It was his second homer in as many days, and his fifth home run in his last seven games at Fenway Park.

Andre Pallante (2-0) earned the win for tossing a scoreless eighth inning, and Giovanny Gallegos pitched a scoreless ninth to record his third save.

St. Louis starting pitcher Steven Matz went 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on eight hits. He struck out four and walked one.

Boston opened the scoring when Justin Turner doubled and scored on a two-out single by Rafael Devers in the bottom of the first.

Boston’s lead grew to 3-0 after Refsnyder’s two-out double drove in Pablo Reyes and Alex Verdugo in the third. Nolan Arenado’s fifth home run sliced Boston’s lead to 3-1 in the seventh.

The Red Sox acquired Reyes in a trade with the Oakland A’s on Friday. He didn’t play for the A’s this season but has appeared in 157 major league games with Pittsburgh and Milwaukee.

Reyes, 29, started at second base Saturday and had two hits. To make room for Reyes, the Red Sox optioned Bobby Dalbec to Triple-A Worcester.

PGA Tour: Byron Nelson Classic Final Round Preview

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AT&T Byron Nelson | Final Round

MCKINNEY, TEXAS – In the 30th of 44 events in the 2022-23 PGA Tour regular season, Austin Eckroat, Zecheng Dou and Texan Ryan Palmershare the 54-hole lead at the AT&T Byron Nelson. Three players tied for the 54-hole lead is the most on Tour since the 2022 Valero Texas Open (four).

Note the 54-hole leads in individual stroke-play events on Tour: Eckroat (participating in first), Dou (participating in first) and Palmer (1-for-5 to date)

All three 54-hole leaders currently stand outside No. 135 in the FedExCup standings

Three players T-4 or better seek their first PGA Tour victory (Eckroat, Dou, Vincent Norrman).

Texas native Palmer seeks his fifth Tour victory and first since the 2019 Zurich Classic of New Orleans (with partner Jon Rahm).

Following an even-par 71, second-round leader and Dallas resident Scottie Scheffler trails by two. With a win, Scheffler would return to No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Happy Mothers Day

AT&T Byron Nelson Leaderboard | After 54 Holes

Austin Eckroat 69 65 63 197 (-16)

Zecheng Dou 63 70 64 197 (-16)

Ryan Palmer 64 65 68 197 (-16)

Vincent Norrman 68 66 65 199 (-14)

Jason Day 64 69 66 199 (-14)

Si Woo Kim 65 66 68 199 (-14)

Scottie Scheffler 64 64 71 199 (-14)

Full Leaderboard (link)

Celtics Force Game 7 vs Sixers

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PHILADELPHIA – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – “See You Sunday, See You Sunday” was the common chant when the Philadelphia 76ers upset the Boston Celtics, 115-103, in Game 5 at TD Garden this past Tuesday night. The chant echoing after Game 5 but born in 1982, passed the torch to the 2023 Celtics and their All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum who hit four 3-pointers in the final 4:14 of the fourth quarter and the Boston Celtics defeated the host Philadelphia 76ers 95-86 on Thursday to tie their Eastern Conference semifinal series at three wins apiece.

Game 7 will be played on Sunday in Boston.

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Tatum started 1-for-14 but rallied to finish with 19 points, nine rebounds and six assists on 5-of-21 shooting.

“I’m one of — humbly, one of the best basketball players in the world,” Tatum said in a postgame interview on ESPN. “You go through struggles. You go through slumps. My teammates trusted me.”

Marcus Smart led the Celtics with 22 points and Jaylen Brown added 17. Malcolm Brogdon contributed 16, Robert Williams chipped in with 10 points and nine rebounds, and Al Horford grabbed 11 rebounds.

Joel Embiid put up 26 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots and Tyrese Maxey added 26 points for the Sixers, who haven’t advanced to the Eastern Conference finals since 2001.

James Harden had 13 points and nine assists.

The Sixers shot just 8-of-34 (23.5 percent) from 3-point range, with Harden going 0-for-6.

“I would say we had a lot of wide open threes,” Sixers coach Doc Rivers said. “We just didn’t make them.”

Philadelphia is looking for its first playoff series victory over the Celtics since 1982, having lost to Boston five times in the postseason since then.

Tatum hit back-to-back contested 3-pointers and the Celtics led 87-83 with 3:35 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Maxey shot an airball on a trey attempt but then came back to hit 1 of 2 free throws to cut the deficit to 87-84.

The 76ers led by five points late in the third quarter and by two in the middle of the fourth.

In the second quarter, the Celtics controlled the tempo, led by as many as 16 and took a 50-43 lead into halftime even with Tatum shooting 0-for-10 from the field.

Smart paced the Celtics with 15 first-half points. Maxey kept the Sixers close with 15 points before the break.

The Sixers led 73-71 at the end of the third.

–Field Level Media

PGA Tour: Byron Nelson After 36 Holes

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MCKINNEY, TEXAS – World No. 2 and Dallas resident Scottie Schefflerholds a one-stroke lead after the second round of the AT&T Byron Nelson. Scheffler, who has two wins this season, can return to No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking with a victory.

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For the second consecutive year at the AT&T Byron Nelson, Ryan Palmer tied his career-low opening 36-hole score (129)

Three of the top four players on the leaderboard have won this season (Scheffler, Mackenzie Hughes, Si Woo Kim).

Two-time defending champion K.H. Lee and 2018 champion Aaron Wise just made the cut on the number (-4). The 36-hole cut made for a weekend of 84 professionals at 4-under (138) from a field of 154 professionals and two amateurs.

AT&T Byron Nelson Leaderboard | After 36 Holes

Scottie Scheffler 64 64 128 (-14)

Ryan Palmer 64 65 129 (-13)

Mackenzie Hughes 65 64 129 (-13)

Si Woo Kim 65 66 131 (-11)

Richy Werenski 64 68 132 (-10)

Full Leaderboard (link)

Antetokounmpo, Tatum, Embiid Headline All-NBA First Team

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NEW YORK – (Staff, Wire Service and Official News Release Report) –  Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum were among those selected to the 2022-23 Kia All-NBA First Team on Wednesday night.

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The duo led the voting, with Antetokounmpo receiving 100 first-team votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Tatum trailed close behind with 92 first-team votes while also receiving eight for the second team. It was the seventh All-NBA team selection for Antetokounmpo, and the fifth for Tatum.

In 63 games this season, Antetokounmpo averaged a career-high 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists. But it was a sour end to the campaign for Antetokounmpo, who saw his top-seeded Bucks ousted by the eighth-seeded Miami Heat in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Tatum posted averages of 30.1 points, 8.8 points and 4.6 assists per game during the regular season, all of which were career highs. Boston is on the brink of elimination, as it trails 3-2 in its semifinal series against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics will attempt to keep their season alive on Thursday, when they travel to Philadelphia for Game 6.

Joining Antetokounmpo and Tatum on the first team is Sixers center and league MVP Joel Embiid (fifth All-NBA team selection, 87 first-place votes), Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (first, 63) and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (fourth, 60).

Embiid and Doncic posted the highest scoring averages in the NBA during the regular season, averaging 33.1 and 32.4 points per game, respectively. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged the fourth most (31.4) while leading the Thunder to an appearance in the play-in tournament, where they beat the Pelicans before losing to the Timberwolves.

In his first season with his new team, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell received 45 first-team votes, but ended up on the second team along with Denver Nuggets center and two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Heat forward Jimmy Butler and Celtics forward Jaylen Brown.

After a surprising season in which they broke the longest playoff drought in North American professional sports, the Sacramento Kings had two players selected to the All-NBA third team in guard De’Aaron Fox and center Domantas Sabonis. Both Fox and Sabonis celebrated their first selection to an All-NBA team.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, New York Knicks forward Julius Randle and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James also made the third team. James has the most All-NBA selections with 19.

Notable players to receive votes but not be named to an All-NBA team included Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, forward Kevin Durant and guard Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns and Lakers center Anthony Davis.

–Field Level Media

PGA Tour: S.Y. Noh Leads After 18

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MCKINNEY, TEXAS – S.Y. Noh tied the AT&T Byron Nelson 18-hole scoring record with a personal-best 11-under (60). Noh tied Patrick Cantlay (Shriners Children’s Open/R3) for low round of the 2023 season.

World No. 2 and Dallas resident Scottie Scheffler sits T4 following a 7-under (64).

Seeking to join Tom Watson as the only players to win the AT&T Byron Nelson three straight times, defending champion K.H. Lee opened with a 1-under (70), ten back going into Round 2.

Since 2000, there have only been three opening round leaders/co-leaders to go on to win the AT&T Byron Nelson, the last being Sergio Garcia in 2016.

AT&T Byron Nelson Leaderboard | After 18 Holes

S.Y. Noh 60 (-11)

Adam Scott 63 (-8)

Zecheng Dou 63 (-8)

Luke List 64 (-7)

Richy Werenski 64 (-7)

Scott Piercy 64 (-7)

Ryan Palmer 64 (-7)

Scottie Scheffler 64 (-7)

Jason Day 64 (-7)

Full Leaderboard (link)

Embiid Proves MVP Resume vs Celtics

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Philadelphia’s center Joel Embiid scored 33 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked four shots to lead the 76ers to a 115-103 road victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

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Tyrese Maxey added 30 points and seven rebounds for Philadelphia, which leads the best-of-seven series 3-2. The 76ers can wrap up the series on Thursday, when Game 6 will be played in Philadelphia.

James Harden of the 76ers added 17 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, while Sixers’ forward Tobias Harris contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 36 points and 10 rebounds. Jaylen Brown (24 points) and Marcus Smart (14) were the only other Celtics who scored in double figures.

The 76ers never trailed after the first quarter, and the lead never dipped below nine in the second half.

Boston was within 11 points early in the fourth quarter, but Philadelphia went up 98-81 on an Embiid 3-pointer with 8:33 to play. The 76ers took a 113-92 lead — their largest advantage of the series — on a Maxey 3-pointer with 3:57 remaining.

Boston’s Al Horford missed each of his seven 3-point attempts and didn’t score in the game.

Philadelphia had a 49-36 edge in rebounds, and Boston shot 39.8 percent from the field (33 of 83). The 76ers hit 50.6 percent (40 of 79) of their shots.

Philadelphia led 33-26 after one quarter, then opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run. The Celtics closed the half with an 8-3 spurt but trailed 58-49 entering the third quarter.

Embiid had 21 points and five rebounds in the first half. Tatum missed his first six shots on the night but had 15 points at the break.

The 76ers stretched their nine-point halftime lead to 18 points on two Harden free throws with 2:44 left in the third, then went up by 19 on a Maxey layup with 29 seconds left in the period. Boston trailed 88-72 with 12 minutes to play.

The Celtics took their third loss in six home playoff games this season. The 76ers improved to 4-1 on the road in the postseason.

–Field Level Media

NBA Draft Combine Invitees

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CHICAGO – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Seventy-eight players are expected to attend the (Microsoft Surface) NBA Draft Combine 2023, scheduled for May 15-21 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.

The NBA Draft Combine 2023 is an important step in the draft process for NBA prospects, leading up to NBA Draft 2023 presented by State Farm on June 22.

Players will have interviews with NBA teams and participate in five-on-five games as well as shooting and strength and agility drills from May 15-21. Coverage of the NBA Draft Combine 2023 begins Wednesday, May 17 on ESPN2 from 2-6 p.m. ET, and continues Thursday, May 18 from 4-8 p.m. ET on ESPN2, with host John Schiffren, analysts Cory Alexander and Bobby Marks, and Andraya Carter providing in-depth analysis and interviews with participants and NBA team personnel. The NBA Draft Combine will also be available on the ESPN App.

Strength and agility drills and shooting drills will be broadcast live on the NBA App on Monday, May 15 from 3-5 p.m. ET, with host John Fanta showcasing the event’s top prospects.

Additionally, a select number of standout players from the 2023 NBA G League Elite Camp, which takes place May 13-14 at Wintrust Arena, will be invited to participate in the NBA Draft Combine 2023.

Below is a list of expected attendees:

NBA DRAFT COMBINE 2023 ATTENDEES

Trey Alexander (Creighton)
Seth Lundy (Penn State)
Amari Bailey (UCLA)
Kevin McCullar (Kansas)
Emoni Bates (Eastern Michigan)
Mike Miles Jr. (TCU)
Reece Beekman (Virginia)
Brandon Miller (Alabama)
Anthony Black (Arkansas)
Jordan Miller (Miami)
Adem Bona (UCLA)
Leonard Miller (G League Ignite)
Kobe Brown (Missouri)
Judah Mintz (Syracuse)
Kobe Bufkin (Michigan)
Dillon Mitchell (Texas)
Toumani Camara (Dayton)
Omari Moore (San Jose State)
Sidy Cissoko (G League Ignite)
Kris Murray (Iowa)
Jaylen Clark (UCLA)
Grant Nelson (North Dakota State)
Noah Clowney (Alabama)
James Nnaji (Barcelona [Spain] )
Ricky Council IV (Arkansas)
Julian Phillips (Tennessee)
Gradey Dick (Kansas)
Jalen Pickett (Penn State)
Nikola Djurisic (Mega [Serbia] )
Brandin Podziemski (Santa Clara)
Zach Edey (Purdue)
Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Marquette)
Adam Flagler (Baylor)
Rayan Rupert (New Zealand Breakers [Oceania] )
Keyonte George (Baylor)
Adama Sanogo (Connecticut)
Mouhamed Gueye (Washington State)
Marcus Sasser (Houston)
Coleman Hawkins (Illinois)
Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State)
Jordan Hawkins (Connecticut)
Terrence Shannon Jr. (Illinois)
Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite)
Ben Sheppard (Belmont)
Taylor Hendricks (UCF)
Jalen Slawson (Furman)
DaRon Holmes II (Dayton)
Nick Smith Jr. (Arkansas)
Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana)
Terquavion Smith (North Carolina State)
Jett Howard (Michigan)
Julian Strawther (Gonzaga)
Andre Jackson Jr. (Connecticut)
Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite)
GG Jackson II (South Carolina)
Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite)
Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana)
Drew Timme (Gonzaga)
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (UCLA)
Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky)
Keyontae Johnson (Kansas State)
Azuolas Tubelis (Arizona)
Colby Jones (Xavier)
Tristan Vukcevic (Partizan [Serbia] )
Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton)
Jarace Walker (Houston)
Arthur Kaluma (Creighton)
Cason Wallace (Kentucky)
Mojave King (G League Ignite)
Jordan Walsh (Arkansas)
Bobi Klintman (Wake Forest)
Dariq Whitehead (Duke)
Maxwell Lewis (Pepperdine)
Cam Whitmore (Villanova)
Dereck Lively II (Duke)
Jalen Wilson (Kansas)
Chris Livingston (Kentucky)
Isaiah Wong (Miami)