Expert basketball coverage from around the world
The Milwaukee Bucks are finalizing a deal to make Taylor Jenkins the franchise’s next head coach. The agreement was still being completed Thursday, according to reports.
Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock is retiring after 12 years leading the Hokies’ athletics department. He will transition into an advisory role, the school announced.
National Association of Basketball Coaches executive director Craig Robinson said discussions on NCAA player eligibility rules must include coaches. Robinson also emphasized that the timing of any changes should be part of those conversations.
Victor Wembanyama will travel with the San Antonio Spurs to Portland for games this weekend while he continues progressing through the NBA’s concussion protocol. His availability remains tied to completing the required steps.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. The team said he will be reevaluated on a weekly basis.
AJ Dybantsa, widely viewed as the potential top pick, has officially declared for the 2026 NBA draft. He shared the news in an announcement posted to YouTube.
Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart will not move forward with a $1 million retirement position that drew widespread criticism. The decision ends a plan that had faced significant pushback.
A rare 1997 Kobe Bryant Precious Metal Gems Green card sold for $3.15 million through alternative trading platform Alt. The purchase marks the highest price ever paid for a single Bryant card.
Jalen Duren’s progression has been more methodical than meteoric, but Detroit views his development as arriving at the right moment. The Pistons center has translated physical tools into on-court benchmarks as his role continues to expand.
Karl-Anthony Towns’ role and long-term fit remain recurring pressure points in New York. As the Knicks continue their playoff run, their path forward hinges on Towns delivering the kind of game-changing versatility that has defined his value.
The NBA draft lottery for 2026 will be held May 10. Fourteen teams will enter the drawing with a chance to land the No. 1 overall pick.
Phoenix star Devin Booker and Memphis wing Dillon Brooks voiced frustration with the officiating following the Suns’ loss Wednesday. Booker singled out crew chief James Williams by name and said the performance was “bad for the integrity of the sport.”
Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff delivered a fiery halftime speech in Game 2, and the Pistons responded with an emphatic performance after the break. The result served as a pointed reminder of Detroit’s standing atop the Eastern Conference.
Oklahoma City star Jalen Williams left Wednesday’s Game 2 against the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter after grabbing his left hamstring. The injury occurred following a missed contested layup.
Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. announced Wednesday that he is declaring for the 2026 NBA draft. Acuff shared the decision during an appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Today.”
Attorneys for the NBA and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer filed separate letters to a federal judge ahead of the sentencing of Joseph Sanberg. Sanberg is the co-founder of Aspiration, the now-defunct company tied to a league investigation.
Spurs forward Keldon Johnson was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year on Wednesday. The honor places him alongside Manu Ginobili as the only players to win the award while with San Antonio.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league remains committed to Memphis as an NBA market. He also noted he’d like to see the Grizzlies play occasional games in Nashville to broaden the team’s fan base.
After Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels labeled Denver “bad defenders,” the Nuggets responded Wednesday by framing the comments as part of an ongoing rivalry. Denver said it’s nothing new and indicated it isn’t bothered by the criticism.
San Diego State is set to take part in the inaugural Bill Walton Classic on Nov. 7 at Pechanga Arena. The Aztecs will face a power-conference opponent that has yet to be announced.
Paulius Murauskas will transfer to Arizona State after his former coach at Saint Mary’s recently joined the Sun Devils’ program. The 6-foot-8 forward said Wednesday he is making the move to ASU.
France will host the 2031 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup, giving the country a home stage for the sport’s biggest international tournament. FIBA also awarded Japan the 2030 Women’s Basketball World Cup.
Orlando’s momentum shift came in a three-minute stretch that played like a highlight reel. That burst set the tone for a surge against Charlotte and a surprise win over Detroit.
Oklahoma City guard Jared McCain has drawn attention for more than his play on the court. The 22-year-old Duke product has also built a significant social media presence through viral dance videos dating back to early 2020.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear publicly criticized decision-making at the University of Kentucky, pointing to a recent seven-figure role given to retiring athletic director Mitch Barnhart. His comments add scrutiny to administrative choices at one of the state’s flagship athletic programs.
Detroit opened the postseason with a setback in Game 1 on Sunday, but the bigger picture hasn’t changed. There remain multiple reasons to keep trusting this young Pistons group as the series continues.
A Detroit rapper’s team-specific anthem has become a staple at Little Caesars Arena. After every Pistons victory, “Pistons Won Again” now plays as part of the in-arena celebration.
Kevin Durant returned for Game 2, but the Lakers leaned on Marcus Smart’s defense to slow him down. Los Angeles held on for a 101-94 win Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead in the first-round series.
Scoot Henderson delivered his best performance of the 2025-26 season, scoring a season-high 31 points as Portland beat San Antonio on Tuesday night. The win squared the teams’ first-round playoff series at 1-1.
Asked about reports of cost-cutting measures under new Portland owner Tom Dundon, interim coach Tiago Splitter kept his comments brief. Splitter said his attention remains on basketball and maintaining a professional approach.
