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Alabama guard Nimari Burnett enters NCAA transfer portal

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Alabama guard Nimari Burnett has entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to sources. The 6-foot-4 sophomore guard is the first Crimson Tide basketball player to transfer after the 2022-23 season.

As a freshman, in his 2020-21 season with Texas Tech, the guard averaged 5.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 17.7 minutes per game. The Illinois native also shot 28% from the field, 17.4% beyond the arc, and a career-best 88.9% at the foul line.

Per multiple college basketball betting sites, since No. 1 Alabama lost to No. 5 San Diego State in the Sweet 16 last Friday, No. 4 UConn is now the favorite to win the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

In the Aggies’ 81-40 win over Grambling State on Dec. 6, 2020, the guard scored a freshman season-high 12 points in 15 minutes off the bench. Along with logging three boards, three assists, and six steals, Burnett shot 2-of-3 (66.7%) from the floor and drained a 3-pointer.

Following his freshman season at Texas A&M, the 2020 McDonald’s All-American member transferred to Alabama. However, Burnett missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a right knee injury.

Sophomore guard Nimari Burnett enters NCAA transfer portal to leave the University of Alabama after the 2022-23 season

Through 27 appearances with Alabama this past season, the guard averaged 5.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 14.7 minutes per game. Plus, he shot career highs of 36.8% from the field and 32.1% outside the arc. Not to mention, Burnett posted a career-best true shooting percentage of 52.3%.

In the Crimson Tide’s 104-62 blowout win over Jacksonville State, Burnett recorded a career-high 18 points in 23 minutes as a starter. To add to these statistics, the 2020 Jordan Brand Classic member logged four rebounds, one steal, and one block while shooting 5-of-6 (83.3%) from the floor. His offensive stats improved with Alabama.

During his senior season at Prolific Prep in Napa, California, Nimari Burnett averaged 25.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. The guard was named Finals MVP after scoring 37 points against Our Saviour Lutheran School in the national championship game. He was the No. 6 combo guard and 34th overall prospect in the Class of 2020.

Famous Prolific Prep alumni in the NBA include Josh Jackson (fourth overall by Phoenix Suns in 2017 NBA Draft), Gary Trent Jr. (No. 37 by Portland Trail Blazers in 2018 NBA Draft), and Jalen Green (second overall by Houston Rockets in 2021 NBA Draft). After leaving Alabama, there’s no telling where Burnett will play next.


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Draymond Green’s first-quarter ejection among fastest in the past decade

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Draymond Green is at it again and has now received his fourth ejection of the campaign. It seems that no matter how much his team has asked him to control his emotions on the NBA floor, he finds a way to impact the game negatively with his low tolerance and aggressive nature. 

This time around, he was thrown out of the match with less than four minutes played on the clock into Golden State‘s clash against Orlando on Wednesday night. It was the forward’s first ejection since his 16-game suspension, which was a special punishment made by the NBA after he hit rival Jusuf Nurkic in the face.

With 8:24 still on the first quarter’s clock, the four-time champ started to argue with referee Ron Acosta after a foul was called on Andrew Wiggins. “It’s unfortunate. He deserved it,” his coach Steve Kerr said after beating the Magic 101-93. “And he’ll bounce back.”

Draymond was called for two technical fouls in a matter of seconds, and earned his ejection. “After a prolonged diatribe, Green directed egregious profane language towards a game official,” explained crew chief Mitchell Irvin, who then said this had nothing to do with the player’s history of misconduct.

Just as the veteran was seen walking to the locker room, his teammate Stephen Curry was visibly frustrated at the situation. Once the contest was over, he recognised how badly they need him on the floor. “We need him. He knows that. We all know that, so whatever it takes to keep him on the floor, for him to be available, that’s what’s got to happen, especially at this time of year,” he said. “I’ve talked to him plenty of times about it, even tonight, and I’ll continue to talk to him as a teammate and a friend.”

Nevertheless, the 36-year-old praised his team for the way they handled themselves on the court and conquered the game. “But it was a beautiful team effort to respond the way we did,” Curry expressed. “We went and took it, and that’s a good sign for us.”

Green didn’t attend the press after the match, but did share his excitement on social media by showing appreciation to his squad. “Great DUB!! Appreciate my dawgs holding it down! On to the next one! BOUNCE BACK!” he wrote on X.

Forward Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors in Draymond’s absence and was recognised by his locker room

Despite Green’s on-court antics earning him an ejection, Andrew Wiggins stayed calm and inspired his team to victory. Just in the first half, the forward dropped 13 points. By the end of the contest, he earned a team-high 23 points, plus 6 rebounds and two blocks over 35 minutes of play.

“Just trying to stay aggressive, trying to do whatever I can to get over the hump and get this win,” he told the press after the win. “We’re desperate. We need every win we can get.”

“He won us the game tonight – plain and simple,” Curry added. “I’m just proud of the way he took that challenge on, that he was assertive and aggressive. Whether he makes or misses shots, I could (not) care less. It’s just the ability for him to just be aggressive and take the shots that he knows he can take, put the pressure on the room, he’s knocking down 3s. Like everything. He had the whole bag working tonight.”

Their coach acknowledged how Golden State came back from a difficult situation. “It was a gutsy effort in tough circumstances, back-to-back, losing Draymond early” coach Steve Kerr shared. “And the guys just competed for 48 (minutes). Obviously, we need every game we could get right now so that’s why everybody was pretty emotional.”





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How International Players Are Shaping the Future of the NBA

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Initially, the NBA was predominantly composed of American-born players since its establishment on June 6, 1946, as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). However, there was a turnaround with the arrival of international talents after the 1992 Olympics. This raises the league’s standard and attracts a diverse fan base from all corners of the world. As a result, the NBA has become a premier professional basketball stage for all cultures, skills, and investors. This article will explore how overseas players influence the National Basketball Association and its future.

Early International Players and Their Impact on The NBA

The American Dream Team proved what it takes to have high expectations and laid the foundations for the globalization of basketball. These attracted several reputable investors and sports booking platforms to include gaming options in their offers. Some of these game providers accept deposits as low as $1 and were reviewed in the rundown of the best offers by Wagering Advisors to ensure Canadians have access to safe staking on basketball events. This enables fans to show their passion and support for the sport, breaking the bank. The following are some of the early international players and their impact on the NBA.

Yao Ming (China)

Born on the 12th of Sept, 1980, the former professional Chinese basketball player is one of the top international players to ever grace the NBA. He brought a breakthrough to the sport in China, triggering the game’s popularity in Asia. He was in the NBA All-Star eight times during his career and won other awards, like being part of the NBA All-Rookie first team in 2003.

Two decades later, no one else has attained his feet in the Chinese Basketball Federation. His legacy continues to influence the league and as a result, he is currently the 6th President of the Chinese Basketball Association. Here are some of the notable decorations Yao Ming received while playing in the NBA.

  • He got his jersey (number 11) retired by the Houston Rockets.
  • All-NBA Second Team twice within 3 years, 2007 and 2009.
Dirk Nowitzki (Germany)

Not everyone is born with the sport flowing through their veins. But Dirk Nowitzki was an exception. He was born to a full athletic family on June 19, 1978. His mother was a professional basketball player (Helga Nowitzki), and his father was a handball player representing Germany internationally (Jörg-Werner).

After 21 years of playing passionately in the spotlight, Dirk Nowitzki is arguably the best European basketball player to participate in the competition. With his height and skill, the German player fundamentally transformed how teams defend the pick-and-roll. In 2011, he led his team, the Dallas Mavericks, to the NBA title over the Miami Heat and was named the finals MVP. As a result of his impact at the international level, he was awarded Germany’s highest honor for sport by the then president of Germany, Christian Wulff. The following are some awards Dirk Nowitzki won as one of the most decorated players in the NBA.

  • NBA All-Star 11 times consecutively from 2002 to 2012 and then went on to win in 2014, 2015, and 2019.
  • NBA Most Valuable Player in 2007
  • He got his number (41) retired by the Dallas Mavericks.
Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria)

Born on the 21st of January 1963 in Lagos, Nigeria, Hakeem Olajuwon was popularly known as “the dream.” He dominated the NBA for 18 years as one of the greatest centers in the league’s history. He was the most valuable player in the competition in 1994 and the NBA Finals most valuable player in 1995. To show that Hakeem Olajuwon is a force to reckon with in the league, he is the last player to win the NCAA Tournament Player of the Year award from a losing team. Meanwhile, this happened in 1983.

As his name implies, he was a nightmare to opponents and is arguably the best basketball player to come out of Africa. Here are some awards that will show you how exceptional Hakeem Olajuwon is.

  • Best NBA Player ESPY Award in 1995 and 1996
  • NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award 1993 and 1994
  • In 2022, the NBA renamed the Annual Defensive Player of the Year award after him.
Influence on the Global Popularity of the NBA

The memorable moments of the Dream Team in the Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics facilitated lucrative broadcasting deals in various regions. These expanded the NBA’s global reach and visibility, making it suitable for various brands and organizations to partner with the league. Aside from the gold, they secured the hearts of several fans across the world, thereby rapidly increasing the viewership. These make it easy for gamers to follow their games and stake affordable amounts at minimum deposit casinos to show their love and passion for the game. The foreign internationals playing in the league also increase global acceptance and popularity. As these players gather influence in the NBA, they attract fans from their home countries and regions to the league.

The Establishment of Global Talent

The NBA pioneered a network of elite basketball training centers globally to provide top young prospects with opportunities to develop their skills. By doing so, the league has produced numerous promising talents who have gone on to earn scholarships to the United States. Some of these include Africa, China, India, Mexico, and Australia.

Conclusion

The impact of international basketball players on the NBA cannot be overemphasized. They reshaped what it takes to grace the hardwood and leave an indelible mark on the game. Foreign talents like Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic made several people fall in love with the sport across the world.

Their exceptional skills, unique playing styles, and success stories keep inspiring a new generation of basketball players from around the world. Looking ahead, the influence of international players will continually be a driving force in the evolution of the league. It will keep defining the NBA’s diversity, competitiveness, and inter-connectivity in the sport.



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Timberwolves owner not selling stake to Alex Rodriguez, Marc Lore

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Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor is no longer selling his controlling stake in the franchise to minority owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, he announced Thursday.

In 2021, Taylor agreed to sell the Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx for $1.5 billion. A gradual transfer of power over a number of years was the agreed structure, as Lore and Rodriguez made a series of payments.

Taylor alleges Lore and Rodriguez failed to meet contractual deadlines and obligations of the sale process. Lore and Rodriguez met their financial obligations to Taylor.

Despite losing the financial backing of the Carlyle Group, their final payment was made last week. But according to Taylor, the Lore-Rodriquez group didn’t meet the criteria for an extension by the March 27 deadline.

“We are disappointed with Glen Taylor’s public statement today,” Lore and Rodriguez said in the statement. “We have fulfilled our obligations, have all necessary funding and are fully committed to closing our purchase of the team as soon as the NBA completes its approval process.

“Glen Taylor’s statement is an unfortunate case of seller’s remorse that is shortsighted and disruptive to the team and the fans during a historic winning season.”

According to Forbes, the business plan was for the Lore and Rodriguez group to buy the Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx in “three parts over four years with a weighted average price of $1.6 billion, including about $100 million of seller financing.”

Alex Rodriquez, Marc Lore remain minority owners of the Minnesota Timberwolves

In July 2021, the group purchased roughly 20%. In March 2023, they acquired another 20%. Lore and Rodriguez had until December 2023 to buy another 40%, giving them control of the team. The final 20% would be acquired at the end of 2025.

Per HoopsHype, the Timberwolves have a little over $200 million of debt. The 40% purchased by the Lore-Rodriguez group paid Taylor approximately $500 million.

Because the Lore-Rodriquez group still paid half a billion dollars, they remain limited partners. However, neither Lore nor Rodriquez can have any involvement in front-office decisions.

Although Taylor is no longer selling the franchise, the 82-year-old said in his official statement that he “will continue to work with Marc, Alex and the rest of the ownership group to ensure our teams have the necessary resources to compete at the highest levels on and off the court.”

Other limited partners for the Timberwolves and Lynx include R. Wynn Kearney, Jr., Meyer Orbach, William J. Popp, Terri, Popp, Phil Saunders Family, Joyce Sexton and William Sexton.

If Taylor changes his mind in the future and decides to sell the Timberwolves, he would receive at least $2.4 billion. Taylor reportedly kept all of the $500 million that was given to him by the Lore-Rodriquez group.

In 2023, Forbes listed the Timberwolves as the NBA’s 29th most-valuable team. It was a one-year change of roughly 50%. Under owners Taylor, Lore, and Rodriguez, their operating income came to $47 million.





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