All articles tagged with #backcourt
The Florida Gators men's basketball team, ranked No. 3, prepares for their season opener against No. 13 Arizona, featuring a new backcourt duo of Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee, who are expected to bring high energy and skill to the team, which is aiming to defend its NCAA championship with a strong front line and a high-powered offense.
4-star guard Jamari Phillips will not join Arizona's 2024-25 basketball team due to a potentially crowded backcourt, despite committing in December 2022. The decision was mutual between Phillips and the coaching staff.
Ja'Kobi Gillespie, a transfer from Belmont, has committed to Maryland men’s basketball, bringing strong scoring and defensive skills to the team's backcourt. With two years of eligibility remaining, Gillespie's 3-point shooting and defensive prowess will bolster the team's performance, addressing areas of need from the previous season. His addition follows the transfer of former Virginia Tech guard Rodney Rice, as Maryland looks to strengthen its roster for the upcoming season.
The Texas A&M basketball team poses a challenge to Ohio State with their experienced backcourt led by Wade Taylor IV and Tyrece Radford. Texas A&M excels in offensive rebounding, an area where Ohio State has shown vulnerability. The game is expected to be an uphill battle for Ohio State's young core, with Texas A&M predicted to win 77-71.
Arizona men's basketball team showcased an aggressive and efficient backcourt in their season-opening win against Morgan State, with only seven turnovers on 74 offensive possessions. The backcourt of Caleb Love, Kylan Boswell, KJ Lewis, and Jaden Bradley combined for just two turnovers in 80 minutes of play. Boswell led the team in scoring with 18 points, while Love contributed 12 points, four assists, and zero turnovers. The team's strong backcourt play will be crucial as they face No. 2 Duke on the road.
Rutgers basketball suffered a 68-61 loss to Princeton in their season opener, as their new-look backcourt struggled to find their rhythm.
The Portland Trail Blazers' rookie Scoot Henderson will make his debut in the Las Vegas Summer League, providing fans with a glimpse of his skills in a Blazers jersey. Henderson will face interesting matchups against players like Amen Thompson and Jalen Lecque, presenting learning opportunities for the young guard. It will be important for Henderson to showcase his decision-making in halfcourt sets and maintain a favorable assist to turnover ratio. While the presence of Shaedon Sharpe may impact his numbers, the emphasis on isolation scoring and open-floor action should still allow Henderson to have a solid performance in the Summer League.
Guard Eric Gordon has reportedly agreed to sign with the Phoenix Suns, turning down more lucrative offers from other teams. The terms of the deal were not immediately reported, but it is likely that Gordon signed at the veteran minimum. He will join an impressive cast of stars in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, and is expected to play a reserve role in the Suns' quest for a championship. Gordon is known for his solid 3-point shooting and averaged 12.4 points per game last season.
The Toronto Raptors selected 6'8" guard Gradey Dick out of Kansas with the No. 13 pick in the NBA Draft. Dick brings an element of swagger to Toronto and fills a much-needed presence in the backcourt for the Raptors.
Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley is doubtful to play in Game 6 of the NBA playoffs due to a sprained left ankle, making it likely the third straight game he will miss. Coach Tom Thibodeau went with his starting backcourt of Jalen Brunson and Quentin Grimes for a full 48 minutes in Game 5, becoming the first Knicks duo to do so in a playoff game since 1972. The Knicks will need to prioritize rebounding and reduce turnovers to continue their success in the series against the Heat.
Kentucky senior guard CJ Fredrick will enter the transfer portal after two seasons in Lexington, ending his time as a Wildcat. Fredrick is considering the possibility of turning pro and playing overseas, but with NIL, a return to college for one more season is also being considered. His decision to transfer comes as Kentucky brings in five freshmen, four being five-stars and the fifth being a McDonald’s All-American himself. Fredrick is expected to have a long list of interested suitors in the portal hoping to recreate the shooting magic he found at Iowa, knocking down 46.6% of his 3-point attempts across two seasons.
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl will visit Rice transfer Quincy Olivari, a high-scoring guard, on Tuesday as the Tigers look to upgrade their backcourt through the transfer portal. Olivari, who averaged 18.7 points per game and shot 36.4% from beyond the arc this season, is also being pursued by Arkansas, Indiana, Cincinnati, Georgia, LSU, USC, and other major programs. Auburn is also reportedly interested in FIU transfer Denver Jones, Syracuse guard Joe Girard, Temple guard Damian Dunn, and former 5-star big man Kel'el Ware. Two former elite recruits, Yohan Traore and Chance Westry, have opened up additional roster spots for the Tigers in 2023-24.
Tyrese Proctor, a 6-5 point guard for Duke, has announced that he will be returning for his sophomore season. Proctor averaged 9.4 ppg, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists and is expected to anchor a deep Blue Devils backcourt. This is a significant commitment for Duke basketball coach Jon Scheyer as he builds his team for the upcoming season.
Tre Donaldson, Auburn's youngest scholarship player, has been mentored by the experienced backcourt of K.D. Johnson, Wendell Green Jr., and Zep Jasper. Despite being coached harder than anyone on the team, Donaldson has solidified himself as Auburn's backup point guard and is efficient with his time on the floor. Auburn hopes Donaldson can be an X-factor once again when the Tigers take on 1-seed Houston on Saturday night in the NCAA Tournament.