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Ron Holland rejects Arkansas, joins NBA G League Ignite

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Ron Holland is the No. 2-ranked senior in the Class of 2023, and instead of committing to the University of Arkansas, the 6-foot-8, 195-pound forward has decided to join the NBA G League Ignite.

“This process was not easy,” Holland told ESPN. “At times it was scary because at times I had no idea where I would be. The G League will help me reach my potential as a basketball player and prepare me for the NBA.”

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“To have a long career I need to prepare my body and improve my skills as I continue to try to win games,” Ron Holland continued. “They have a program to help develop my body and my game.

“I know I have to work on being a more consistent shooter, along with my footwork and ball handling, so I can score in space on the perimeter against a set defender.”

Ron Holland turns down Arkansas and other NCAA teams to join NBA G League Ignite, head coach Jason Hart

As a five-star recruit, Holland had received other offers from Kentucky, Memphis, and Texas. Longhorns’ fans thought Texas would be a sure thing. Nonetheless, he requested a release from his National Letter of Intent on Apr. 28. Not to mention, Holland grew up in Duncanville, Texas, and attended Duncanville High School.

During his sophomore season, the forward averaged 13.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, leading the Panthers to back-to-back Texas Class 6A state championships. In his junior season, he led Duncanville to a 35-1 record and a third straight state championship while averaging 15.9 points, 7.9 boards, 2.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.

Furthermore, during his 2022-23 senior season, Holland was selected to play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game and Nike Hoop Summit. The top-three prospect recorded 11 points and six rebounds at the McDonald’s game and 15 points, nine boards, and five assists at the Hoop Summit.

More importantly, Holland was already interested in playing for the Ignite because of his relationship with head coach Jason Hart. “When I spoke with head coach Jason Hart, we were on the same page,” Holland said.

“He knew that winning was important to me, but he also understands that I am willing to work hard to earn everything.” Ron Holland is the second 2023 standout to sign with the G League Ignite, joining senior Matas Buzelis.


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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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Hornets Shut Down LaMelo Ball (Ankle) for Season

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The Charlotte Hornets are shutting down fourth-year guard LaMelo Ball for the remainder of the 2023-24 season, as he continues to rehab a right ankle injury, the team announced Thursday.

Ball has been out since Jan. 27, when he was sidelined in the second game of a back-to-back. The 2022 All-Star also missed nearly seven weeks after he sprained his right ankle in November.

Since playing 51 games (31 starts) in his rookie 2020-21 season and 75 games (all starts) in 2021-22, Ball has been limited to just 58 appearances over the past two seasons combined due to a number of injuries to the same ankle.

Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball recorded a season-high 37 points against Milwaukee Bucks

“Yeah, I mean, he’s so unique in my time, just because of what you said, size, speed, quickness, and then shot creation and shot making,” Clifford said of Ball in October. “He’s a terrific worker. He only got to play 36 games last year. He was coming off a significant injury, and he crushed it this summer.”

In Charlotte’s 130-99 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 17, the guard recorded a season-high 37 points, five rebounds, five assists, and a steal in 34 minutes of action.

“I think, obviously, our vision for him [Ball] is to be the elite point guard in the league or one of the two or three best point guards in the league, which he obviously has the talent to do,” Clifford added. “He has the work ethic to do it.”

Additionally, Ball is earning $10.9 million this season. This is part of the four-year, $35.60 million rookie-scale contract he signed with the Hornets in November 2020. His upcoming five-year, $260 million deal begins next season.

Charlotte’s 2020 first-round draft pick is under contract through the 2028-29 season after inking his designated rookie max extension in July. Depending on the salary cap, he could make as much as $46.53 million in 2028-29.





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