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Professional Players Returning to College
- By ScriptOhio
- Buckeye Basketball
- 18 Replies
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Tom Izzo Rips NCAA Over Former NBA Draft Pick Committing to Baylor
Tom Izzo spoke out against the NCAA after former NBA draft pick James Nnaji’s commitment to Baylorwww.si.com
Tom Izzo Rips NCAA Over Former NBA Draft Pick Committing to Baylor
James Nnaji the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA draft, recently committed to play for Scott Drew and Baylor.
In the ever-changing landscape of college sports, another seismic shift came recently with the news of former NBA draft pick James Nnaji’s commitment to Baylor. Nnaji, the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA draft, has played in Europe since he was drafted and the Knicks currently own his draft rights.
He has never appeared in an NBA game, but taking the college route sparks an immediate question about the harsh reality of college sports in the modern age. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo hasn’t been afraid to criticize the NCAA in its new age of NIL, most recently for the decision to grant eligibility to multiple former NBA G League players to play college basketball. The legendary Spartans coach always sticks up for the integrity of the game and especially its players. He was asked about Nnaji’s commitment and provided some candid thoughts for the NCAA to chew on.
“Now we’re taking guys that were drafted in the NBA and everything,” Izzo said via Spartans Illustrated. “I said it to you a month and a half ago, come on Magic [Johnson] and Gary [Harris], let’s go baby. Let’s do it, why not? If that’s what we’re going through, shame on the NCAA. Shame on the coaches too, but shame on the NCAA. Because coaches are going to do what they got to do I guess, but the NCAA is the one.
“Those people on those committees that are making those decisions to allow something so ridiculous and not think of the kid. Everybody talks about me thinking about my program as selfish, no. Get that straight for all of you, I’m thinking of what is best for my son if he was in that position. And I just don’t agree with it.”
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'This s*** is crazy' — Baylor's addition of James Nnaji further blurs line between pro and college hoops
The combination of schools looking for players outside the traditional recruiting realm and judges eroding the NCAA’s ability to enforce eligibility rules has led everyone here, whether they like it or not.sports.yahoo.com
'This s*** is crazy' — Baylor's addition of James Nnaji further blurs line between pro and college hoops
It’s rare for a college basketball story to enter the mainstream sports conversation on Christmas Eve, but Baylor’s announcement that it had added center James Nnaji — the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft — was enough of a “What are we doing here?” moment for it to break through.
Though college sports is now professional in almost every sense — including players who have signed pro contracts in Europe and the NBA G League finding their way to college basketball this year — the Nnaji development feels like new territory. This isn’t someone who slipped through the cracks or got bad advice, turned pro out of high school and ran into a career dead end. Nnaji, who has been playing in Europe, was one draft slot away from being a first-round pick with a guaranteed NBA contract. He played in the NBA Summer League and has even been part of a trade.
“Santa Claus is delivering mid season acquisitions…this s*** is crazy!!” UConn coach Dan Hurley wrote on X shortly after the news became public.
Is this really the type of player who should be part of college basketball? Who knows, maybe Arizona can get LeBron James on the bench for its Final Four push if he wants to play with his son Bryce....
That would be absurd, of course — and, to be clear, expressly against NCAA rules since these pro-to-college cases must take place within five years of high school — but you can be forgiven if it seems like anything goes these days.
And guess what? As more college programs pursue mid-year additions, some have even checked in with G League players on two-way contracts who have appeared in actual NBA games. That seems inevitable at some point, too, given where this trend seems to be headed.
But don’t blame Baylor or any program for pursuing those players.
While you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in college sports who thinks this is a good development, schools are merely doing what the NCAA has given them the green light to do as it waits and hopes for some kind of antitrust protection from Congress that would allow for the actual enforcement of the rulebook rather than a mishmash of eligibility rulings.
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Just sayin': Who knew that you could get drafted by the NBA, play professionally in Europe, and then still be eligible to play college basketball? He's listed (below) on Baylor's roster as a Freshman:
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NHL Buckeye Tracker
- By ScriptOhio
- Other OSU and Professional Sports
- 6 Replies
Skull Session: Ohio State Could Have College Football’s Toughest Schedule in 2026, David Gabriel Georges Could Be The First Million-Dollar Running Back Recruit and Kelsey Mitchell Is A WNBA All-Star Starter
Ohio State could have college football’s toughest schedule in 2026, David Gabriel Georges could be the first million-dollar RB recruit and Kelsey Mitchell is a WNBA All-Star starter.
SAVE MAN GETS PAID. Former Ohio State men’s hockey goaltender Jakub Dobes is cashing in after leading the Montreal Canadiens to the NHL’s Eastern Conference finals in this year’s playoffs.
Dobes received a three-year contract extension with an average annual salary of $5,357,575 from the Canadiens on Wednesday.
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Dobes was the NHL’s top rookie goaltender this past season, earning wins in 29 of his 43 regular-season appearances with a 2.78 goals against average and a .901 save percentage. He followed that up by earning nine wins with a 2.66 GAA and .908 save percentage in the playoffs, leading the Canadiens to series wins over the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres before they lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes in the conference finals.
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Ohio State Women's Basketball (2023-24 B1G CHAMPS)
- By ScriptOhio
- Buckeye Basketball
- 3803 Replies
Skull Session: Ohio State Could Have College Football’s Toughest Schedule in 2026, David Gabriel Georges Could Be The First Million-Dollar Running Back Recruit and Kelsey Mitchell Is A WNBA All-Star Starter
Ohio State could have college football’s toughest schedule in 2026, David Gabriel Georges could be the first million-dollar RB recruit and Kelsey Mitchell is a WNBA All-Star starter.
HEY NOW, YOU’RE AN ALL-STAR. Former Ohio State women’s basketball star Kelsey Mitchell has been selected as a WNBA All-Star starter for the first time.
Mitchell, who’s averaging a career-high 21.6 points per game for the Indiana Fever this season, was one of 10 players named Wednesday as starters for this year’s WNBA All-Star Game.
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2026 Season: Are You Ready For Some Football?
- By ScriptOhio
- Buckeye Football
- 30 Replies
Skull Session: Ohio State Could Have College Football’s Toughest Schedule in 2026, David Gabriel Georges Could Be The First Million-Dollar Running Back Recruit and Kelsey Mitchell Is A WNBA All-Star Starter
Ohio State could have college football’s toughest schedule in 2026, David Gabriel Georges could be the first million-dollar RB recruit and Kelsey Mitchell is a WNBA All-Star starter.
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Making matters even more difficult, Ohio State will have to travel 4,422 miles for its five regular-season road games (Texas, Iowa, Indiana, USC, Nebraska) – the second-most miles the Buckeyes have ever had to travel during a regular season.
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Columbus Blue Jackets (Official Thread)
- By ScriptOhio
- Other OSU and Professional Sports
- 12208 Replies
Blue Jackets sign goaltender Pheonix Copley to one-year contract | Columbus Blue Jackets
The 34-year-old has posted a 44-17-8 record with a 2.85 goals-against average (GAA) in 78 career NHL games
www.nhl.com
Blue Jackets sign goaltender Pheonix Copley to one-year contract
The 34-year-old has posted a 44-17-8 record with a 2.85 goals-against average (GAA) in 78 career NHL games
Blue Jackets sign Riley Bezeau to one-year, two-way contract | Columbus Blue Jackets
The forward spent the 2025-26 season with Cleveland (AHL), posting five goals, seven points and 74 PIM in 24 games
www.nhl.com
Blue Jackets sign Riley Bezeau to one-year, two-way contract
The forward spent the 2025-26 season with Cleveland (AHL), posting five goals, seven points and 74 PIM in 24 games
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed right wing Riley Bezeau to a one-year, two-way National Hockey League/American Hockey League contract for the 2026-27 season, club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced today.
“Riley is a physical and hard-working forward that competes every shift,” said Waddell. “He has earned his opportunity and we look forward to see his further growth in the Blue Jackets organization.”
Bezeau, 24, has registered 15 goals and 12 assists for 27 points with 244 penalty minutes in 131 career AHL games with the Cleveland Monsters and Charlotte Checkers since making his professional debut in 2022-23. Originally undrafted, he set AHL career highs with Charlotte during his rookie campaign, notching 5-3-8 and 84 PIM in 51 outings. He has added four goals in 15 career Calder Cup Playoff games.
Blue Jackets sign forward Ryan Lomberg to two-year contract | Columbus Blue Jackets
The 2024 Stanley Cup champion has 35 goals, 72 points and 807 hits in 394 career games over eight NHL seasons with Calgary and Florida
www.nhl.com
Blue Jackets sign forward Ryan Lomberg to two-year contract
The 2024 Stanley Cup champion has 35 goals, 72 points and 807 hits in 394 career games over eight NHL seasons with Calgary and Florida.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Ryan Lomberg to a two-year, $2.6 million contract ($1.3 million AAV) through the 2027-28 National Hockey League season, club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced today.
“We’re very pleased to add Ryan Lomberg to the Blue Jackets family,” said Waddell. “He is a high-energy player who is an excellent skater, plays with tenacity and his experience and character will be a great addition to our team.”
Lomberg, 31, has registered 35 goals and 37 assists for 72 points with 475 penalty minutes, 807 hits and 465 shots on goal in 394 career games with the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers over eight NHL seasons. He registered 4-5-9, 59 PIM and 129 hits in 57 appearances with the Flames in 2025-26. He has added 3-0-3 and 64 PIM in 32 career playoff outings and helped the Panthers win the 2024 Stanley Cup championship.
Blue Jackets sign Owen Sillinger to one-year, two-way contract | Columbus Blue Jackets
The forward has spent the five seasons with Cleveland (AHL), including two as alternate captain, and made his NHL debut in 2025
www.nhl.com
Blue Jackets sign Owen Sillinger to one-year, two-way contract
The forward has spent the five seasons with Cleveland (AHL), including two as alternate captain, and made his NHL debut in 2025
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed center Owen Sillinger to a one-year, two-way National Hockey League/American Hockey League contract for the 2026-27 season, club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced today.
“Owen is a smart, dependable, two-way forward who brings a strong work ethic every day,” said Waddell. “We are pleased to bring him back and look forward to him continuing to provide valuable depth and experience to our organization.”
Sillinger, 28, made his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets on Jan. 9, 2025 vs. the Seattle Kraken, collecting two penalty minutes on 13:09 time on ice. He originally signed a one-year, two-way NHL/AHL contract with Columbus on July 1, 2024.
Blue Jackets re-sign Erik Gudbranson to one-year contract | Columbus Blue Jackets
The defenseman has played 15 NHL campaigns, including the past four with Columbus, and served as an alternate captain for three seasons
www.nhl.com
Blue Jackets re-sign Erik Gudbranson to one-year contract
The defenseman has played 15 NHL campaigns, including the past four with Columbus, and served as an alternate captain for three seasons
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Erik Gudbranson to a one-year, $1.75 million contract for the 2026-27 season, club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced today.
“Erik has been the consummate professional during his Blue Jackets career, providing a physical, steady presence on our blueline and great leadership on and off the ice and we are thrilled that he will continue be an important part of our group,” said Waddell.
Gudbranson, 34, has registered 35 goals and 105 assists for 140 points with 864 penalty minutes, 1,757 hits and 1,157 blocked shots on 18:33 average ice time in 842 career games over 15 NHL seasons with the Blue Jackets, Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators, Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers since 2011-12. He has posted 100 or more hits in nine of the 11 seasons with at least 40 games played. He has added 1-1-2 and 12 PIM in 31 career Stanely Cup Playoffs appearances.
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Cleveland Cavs (2016 NBA Champions)
- By BuckBackHome
- Professional Basketball
- 14259 Replies
Cavaliers Announce 2026 Summer League Roster
The Cleveland Cavaliers have announced its roster for the 2026 NBA Summer League that will compete in Las Vegas, July 9-19.
cavs.com
Malaki Branham is in the summer roster.
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ttun recruiting (all classes)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
- 647 Replies
And I don't even think the offer for Torbert was some insane number, it was just a number that OSU didn't want to match or beat because CB isn't as much of a concern. There's a handful of positions that using the Portal won't cause much of a dropoff, and CB is one of them. Walt likes the 2 guys he landed, and both seem to understand that they may need seasoning and won't see the field until year 2 or 3. Torbert didn't want to hear that, so best of luck.A Statement
These "recruiting wins" mean less than ever with the addition of the NIL variable.
Even then, naturally the DFBIA is acting as if Torbert is some sure fire can't miss top 10 overall recruit in his class type recruit. He's a good prospect, but he's not that.
Michigan is having to constantly overpay for guys and is still probably not even finish with a top 10 class in the end. Just like last year. Their transfer portal class wasn't really much of a home run either, the only guys i'd call possible B1G caliber starters they brought in only came because they followed Whittingham from Utah. They really are only surviving along and not having a gigantic dropoff because they can throw massive amounts of NIL at guys like Torbert.
They will definitely have to overspend to keep up, and Whitt will find out quickly that patience will run thin fast in AA. Especially if this was considered their "win" and at the same time 5star WR, Jett Harrison becomes a Buckeye. And thats several days after 5star DL, Marcus Fakatou became a Buckeye. Oh, and several days before that HIGH 4star OL, Caden Moss became a Buckeye.
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