Curtis Givens, a prominent four-star point guard from the 2024 class, has sharpened his focus to seven collegiate destinations. Coming from Montverde Academy, Florida, Givens’ recruiting journey is in high gear. Notably, LSU stands tall as a favored choice, drawing attention from basketball enthusiasts nationwide.

His robust potential is undeniable. The 247Sports rankings place him as the 87th overall college basketball prospect for 2024. His stature as a point guard also stands high, securing the 11th spot nationally. Furthermore, Givens ranks as Florida’s 9th-best player. It would also be no shock to see him shoot up the board on their next update.

Evaluations of Givens paint him as a consummate point guard. With a knack for making plays and involving teammates, Givens embodies the ‘modern type’ guard. He possesses a smooth three-point range, extending well beyond the arc, adding to his appeal as a lead guard. Additionally, he’s not shy about his expectations from a prospective college.

Curtis Givens had a game high in points (23) and assists (5) shooting 8-13 from the floor in Mokan’s win over CP3 😤 @NikeEYB pic.twitter.com/zVTpOBs8Ir

— NIBC (@NIBCOfficial) May 14, 2023

For Givens, the school culture and atmosphere play pivotal roles. A place that nurtures guards and gives them the freedom to make plays will tip the scales. His own words on this subject echo his determination and drive for the right college fit. And this appears to be LSU, as their stock trends upwards with Givens’ announcement about official visits.

“The atmosphere is going to be big for me,” Givens said. “The culture of the school will be what I’m looking at on these visits.”

Givens to Visit Baton Rouge and Georgia Tech

The coming weeks are seeing Givens gearing up for official visits to two colleges. LSU, a favored choice, is on the itinerary for June 21, 2023, while Georgia Tech precedes it on June 1, 2023. Interestingly, talks with LSU have been particularly frequent. He enjoys a warm rapport with their coaching team, reinforcing the speculation around his inclination towards LSU.

His recent comments on LSU stand testament to this. In dialogue with LSU’s coaches, Givens reveals an appreciation for their praise of his game. Such appreciation from LSU, coupled with their efforts to stay in touch, solidify the likelihood of him donning the LSU jersey.

“I talk with them every week,” Givens said. “They have three of their coaches, Coach (Matt) McMahan, Coach (Ronnie) Hamilton, and Coach (Cody) Toppert, all in touch with me. They talk highly about me and how much they love my game, so I really like that about them.”

The point guard has also had an impactful presence on the Nike EYBL circuit. Despite being a newcomer to Montverde Academy, he’s held his own. His average of 18.6 points and 3.0 assists over 11 games is proof enough. His prowess as a point guard, coupled with his scoring abilities, has not gone unnoticed.

While LSU continues to resonate as a top choice, Givens’ options remain open. Schools like Memphis, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Texas, UConn, and Villanova remain in the running. However, it is the LSU Tigers that currently sit at the top of Givens’ list of preferred destinations.

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As LeBron James faces the crossroads of his illustrious NBA career, speculation about his possible retirement is mounting. The odds of the basketball titan hanging up his sneakers after his 20th season stand at +550 according to BetOnline, indicating a 15.38% probability. Conversely, the odds favoring LeBron’s return for another year with the Lakers sit at a commanding -1000, reflecting an 90.9% likelihood.

What Odds LeBron Retires?

A puzzling exit from the recent playoffs has propelled the retirement conversation into the limelight. LeBron’s departure from the Western Conference finals, following a bitter 4-0 sweep by the Denver Nuggets, left a bitter taste and a hint of uncertainty. He told reporters, “I’ve got a lot to think about,” hinting at the tough decision looming ahead.

“I got a lot to think about to be honest, just me going forward with the game of basketball”

-LeBron James pic.twitter.com/LNpKX7nFER

— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) May 23, 2023

Meanwhile, the oddsmakers at top sportsbooks have been creating odds on whether LeBron will actually retire or not. BetOnline have odds of +550 that LeBron will retire, and -1000 that he plays another season in the NBA. This means there is a roughly 91% chance of LeBron playing in the NBA again next season.

LeBron’s comment may have caught fans off guard, yet his consideration of retirement is anything but surprising. His 20 seasons in the NBA have taken a toll. Although his resilience has often defied nature, it’s a fact that James is currently 38, an age where very few of his contemporaries remain active in the league. The prospect of him stepping away isn’t a far-fetched idea.

The Dream to Play with Son Bronny Still a Reality?

Injuries have also plagued the basketball legend. Despite meticulous physical care reportedly costing up to $1.5 million annually, James has battled against physical fatigue and injuries. A foot injury in late February added to his woes. Despite all these challenges, he was able to lead the Lakers to the playoffs, proving his resilience and legendary status in the game.

But what about the dream to play alongside his son, Bronny? LeBron has been vocal about his aspiration to share the court with his eldest son. However, recent statements suggest this dream may be further away from reality than it once was.

As Bronny is set to play college basketball for USC next season, James acknowledged that his son’s journey may not align with his own aspirations, and he’s perfectly fine with it. Hence, he would need to continue playing for at least two more seasons to see this dream come true, a fact that further complicates the retirement equation.

Another factor LeBron will consider is the Lakers’ roster outlook for next season. Currently, the team consists of LeBron, Anthony Davis, and a handful of other players on relatively smaller contracts. With numerous uncertainties surrounding the team’s composition, LeBron might need to assess whether another season is worth the physical grind.

LeBron’s decision will be driven by his hunger for championships. As he said, he doesn’t play for anything less than titles. Hence, the retirement decision will pivot on whether he believes he can continue leading the charge for the ultimate NBA prize.

As we await his decision, the end of his legendary journey may not be far away.

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Jeff Capel, the revered head coach for Pitt men’s basketball, scored a formidable triumph on the recruiting landscape. Four-star center Papa Kante, hailing from South Kent, Connecticut, has swerved his commitment from Michigan, and opted to ply his athletic prowess in the Panthers’ frontcourt for the 2023-24 season.

Papa Kante’s pivotal decision to commit to Pittsburgh transpired after he asked for a release from his national letter of intent to play for Michigan. His top-notch skills, saw him ranked by Rivals as the No. 87 player nationally in the Class of 2023, highlighting the significance of this new college basketball recruit for the Panthers and Jeff Capel.

Nevertheless, this isn’t Capel’s first such victory. He has a notable history of enticing elite high school talent to join his team. His Pitt Panthers class of 2023 is now ranked 22nd in the country. Kante’s commitment leaves Capel with just one remaining scholarship to allocate for the upcoming season.

Kante Bolsters Pitt Roster

Kante’s recruitment journey has seen a surge of interest from numerous renowned programs since its re-opening, including Alabama, Memphis, Syracuse, Texas, and Villanova, to name a few.

With Kante joining the team, the Panthers’ frontcourt receives a significant boost, already featuring starting center Fede Federiko and the powerful Diaz Graham twins, Guillermo and Jorge, instrumental in Pitt’s journey to the 2023 NCAA tournament. These strategic additions to the team bode well for the upcoming season and Pitt’s aspirations.

It was reported in April that Kante had posted his request for release from Michigan on social media. Expressing gratitude for the blessings in his life and for the continued support from friends, family, and fans, Kante seemed eager to embark on a fresh chapter in his basketball career.

Under Capel’s guidance, Kante joins the Panthers’ robust recruiting class, sharing the court with four-star guards Jaland Lowe and Carlton Carrington, and three-star wing Marlon Barnes Jr., all newly recruited this year. Two more players, Ishmael Leggett and Zack Austin, have recently joined the roster, further solidifying the Panthers’ team.

As Jeff Capel gears up for the new season, Pitt’s bolstered roster displays a remarkable balance between fresh recruits and experienced players. This strategic composition makes the Pitt Panthers a formidable opponent for the coming season and places them in an advantageous position to compete in the ACC.

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