2024 NBA Offseason: Every free agency deal, extension & trade for all 30 teams - NBA.com

New York lands Mikal Bridges (right) via trade with Brooklyn, reuniting him with his college teammate Jalen Brunson.

• Download the NBA App

The NBA offseason officially began at 12:01 a.m. ET on June 28 following the completion of the 2024 NBA Draft. 

NBA free agency tipped off on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET with players and teams allowed to discuss deals during the moratorium period. Here’s a look at all of the reported and official free-agent deals, extensions and trades for all 30 teams so far.

---

Free Agent Tracker | Free Agency Explained | Trade Tracker | 2024 NBA Draft | All NBA Transactions

---

Atlanta Hawks

• Dyson Daniels joins via trade with Pelicans (multiple reports)
• Larry Nance Jr. joins via trade with Pelicans (multiple reports)

> Complete Hawks roster

---

Boston Celtics

• Luke Kornet returns on 1-year deal (per ESPN)
• Neemias Queta returns on multi-year deal (per The Athletic)

> Complete Celtics roster

---

Brooklyn Nets

• Bojan Bogdanovic joins via trade with Knicks (multiple reports)

> Complete Nets roster

---

Charlotte Hornets

• Reggie Jackson joins via trade with Nuggets (multiple reports)

> Complete Hornets roster

---

Chicago Bulls

• Josh Giddey joins via trade with Thunder (officially announced)
• Patrick Williams returns on 5-year deal (per The Athletic)

> Complete Bulls roster

---

Cleveland Cavaliers

• No reported moves yet

> Complete Cavaliers roster

---

Dallas Mavericks

• Quentin Grimes joins via trade with Pistons (multiple reports)
• Naji Marshall agrees to 3-year deal (per ESPN)

> Complete Mavericks roster

---

Denver Nuggets

• No reported moves yet

> Complete Nuggets roster

---

Detroit Pistons

• Cade Cunningham agrees to 5-year extension (per The Athletic)
• Tim Hardaway Jr. joins via trade with Mavs (multiple reports)
• Wendell Moore Jr. joins via trade with Wolves (per The Athletic)

> Complete Pistons roster

---

Golden State Warriors

• Chris Paul to be waived, become free agent (officially announced)
• Lindy Waters III joins via trade with Thunder (officially announced)

> Complete Warriors roster

---

Houston Rockets

• AJ Griffin joins via trade with Hawks (officially announced)

> Complete Rockets roster

---

Indiana Pacers

• Obi Toppin returns on a 4-year deal (per ESPN)
• Pascal Siakam returns on 4-year deal (multiple reports)

> Complete Pacers roster

---

LA Clippers

• Paul George moving on in free agency (team statement)
• James Harden returns on 2-year deal (per The Athletic)
• Derrick Jones Jr. agrees to 3-year deal (per The Athletic)
• Kevin Porter Jr. agrees to 2-year deal (per The Athletic)

> Complete Clippers roster

---

Los Angeles Lakers

• Max Christie returns on 4-year deal (per ESPN)

> Complete Lakers roster

---

Memphis Grizzlies

• No reported moves yet

> Complete Grizzlies roster

---

Miami Heat

• Kevin Love returns on 2-year deal (per The Athletic)

> Complete Heat roster

---

Milwaukee Bucks

• No reported moves yet

> Complete Bucks roster

---

Minnesota Timberwolves

• No reported moves yet

> Complete Timberwolves roster

---

New Orleans Pelicans

• Dejounte Murray joins via trade with Hawks (multiple reports)

> Complete Pelicans roster

---

New York Knicks

• OG Anunoby returns on 5-year deal (multiple reports)
• Mikal Bridges joins via trade with Nets (multiple reports)

> Complete Knicks roster

---

Oklahoma City Thunder

• Alex Caruso joins via trade with Bulls (officially announced)

> Complete Thunder roster

---

Orlando Magic

 • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope agrees to 3-year deal (multiple reports)

> Complete Magic roster

---

Philadelphia 76ers

• Andre Drummond agrees to 2-year deal (multiple reports)
• Eric Gordon agrees to 2-year deal (per The Athletic)

> Complete 76ers roster

---

Phoenix Suns

• Bol Bol returns on 1-year deal (per ESPN)
• Mason Plumlee agrees to 1-year deal (per ESPN)

> Complete Suns roster

---

Portland Trail Blazers

• Deni Avdija joins via trade with Wizards (multiple reports)

> Complete Blazers roster

---

Sacramento Kings

• Alex Len returns on a 1-year deal (per The Athletic)
• Jalen McDaniels joins via trade with Raptors (officially announced)
• Malik Monk returns on 4-year deal (multiple reports)

> Complete Kings roster

---

San Antonio Spurs

• Chris Paul agrees to 1-year deal (multiple reports)

> Complete Spurs roster

---

Toronto Raptors

• Scottie Barnes agrees to 5-year extension (multiple reports)
• Davion Mitchell joins via trade with Kings (officially announced)
• Immanuel Quickley returns on five-year deal (multiple reports)
• Sasha Vezenkov joins via trade with Kings (officially announced)

> Complete Raptors roster

---

Utah Jazz

• Omer Yurtseven to be waived, become free agent (per ESPN)

> Complete Jazz roster

---

Washington Wizards

• Malcolm Brogdon joins via trade with Trail Blazers (multiple reports)
• Richaun Holmes returns on 2-year deal (per The Athletic)
• Jonas Valanciunas agrees to 3-year deal (per ESPN)

> Complete Wizards roster

Adblock test (Why?)

2024 NBA Offseason: Every free agency deal, extension & trade for all 30 teams - NBA.com
Read More

Alex Pereira stops Prochazka at UFC 303 - GMA News Online

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports/REUTERS)

Defending UFC light heavyweight world champion Alex Pereira made a successful defense of his title in his rematch against Jiri Prochazka in the main event of UFC 303 on Sunday (Philippine time) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Pereira, 36, gauged his opponent in the early going allowing Prochazka to press the action.

Before the round ended, the hard-hitting Brazilian caught his foe with his signature left hook that sent Prochazka crashing to the canvas but was saved by the bell.

Pereira did not waste time in the following stanza, finishing the job with a head kick followed by a barrage of punches that prompted the referee to halt the contest at the 0:13 mark of round two.

The highlight-reel stoppage improved Pereira's mixed martial arts record to 11-2 while Prochazka dropped to 30-5-1.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News

Adblock test (Why?)

Alex Pereira stops Prochazka at UFC 303 - GMA News Online
Read More

NBA: Clippers' Paul George declines option, becomes free agent —report - GMA News Online

Nine-time All-Star Paul George is opting out of the $48.8 million option to play for the Los Angeles Clippers and will become a free agent for next season, ESPN reported Saturday.

George, 34, could be offered a four-year $221 million maximum contract from the Clippers, but the team reportedly is not looking to exceed more than the three-year, $152.4 million extension it gave to Kawhi Leonard during the past season.

ESPN reported that George plans to meet with teams with enough salary cap space to sign him as well as with the Clippers beginning Sunday night. If George had agreed to his player option, Los Angeles might have pursued a sign-and-trade strategy for the wing player.

George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 74 games (all starts) -- the most games he has played in a regular season since 2018-19, his last campaign with Oklahoma City. He also shot career-bests from the floor (47.1 percent) and 3-point range (41.3 percent.

The Thunder traded George to the Clippers in July 2019 for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and the rights to seven first-round picks.

The Indiana Pacers selected him 10th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft out of Fresno State. He has played for the Pacers (2010-17), Thunder (2017-19) and Clippers and averaged 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals in 867 games (819 starts) over 14 seasons.

--Field Level Media/Reuters

Adblock test (Why?)

NBA: Clippers' Paul George declines option, becomes free agent —report - GMA News Online
Read More

Lithuania too much to handle for Alas-less Gilas Boys in FIBA U17 World Cup opener - GMA News Online

A shorthanded Gilas Pilipinas Boys squad stumbled against a higher-ranked Lithuania side, getting dealt with a 107-48 thrashing to open their 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup campaign on Saturday in Istanbul, Turkey. 

Lithuania, which currently ranks no. 7 in the world and is eyeing to eclipse its fourth place finish in the 2022 edition, opened its bid with a 1-0 card in Group A while the Philippines, which is missing the services of top gunner Kieffer Alas due to a knee injury, fell to 0-1 to kick off its bid. 

It was all Lithuania right from the get-go, but a second half detonation saw the powerhouse club pulling away for good. 

They turned a 46-29 halftime lead to a 45-point advantage by the end of the third period, where they limited the Filipinos to just two field goals while flaring up with 35 points led by the 17-year-old 6-foot-9 Arturas Butajevas. 

They then unloaded a massive 12-0 rampage to open the fourth period with Butajevas and Majus Bulanovas conniving to further cause problems for the Philippines. 

Ignas Urbonas then split the defense and soared for a one-handed dunk as Lithuania breached the 100-point mark and onto the victory. The Philippines was only able to put up 19 points in the second half, while allowing the opponents to score 61. 

Butajeva starred for Lithuania after flirting with a double-double outing of 22 points and nine rebounds while Kajus Mikalauskas and Erikas Sirgedas chipped in 15 and 14 markers apiece. 

The Josh Reyes-mentored Gilas Boys leaned on Cletz David Amos, who top-scored the team with 10 points as Kurt Nathan Velasquez and Bonn Daja provided the support with eight and seven points each. 

Gilas will look to bounce back on Sunday, but standing in their way is another powerhouse force in world no. 2 Spain. Lithuania, meanwhile, will go for a 2-0 start when it takes on Puerto Rico. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News

Adblock test (Why?)

Lithuania too much to handle for Alas-less Gilas Boys in FIBA U17 World Cup opener - GMA News Online
Read More

LeBron James Says He Has 'No Words' After Bronny's Lakers Jersey Number Is Revealed - Bleacher Report

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

It's been a surreal 24 hours for LeBron James, who saw his son, Bronny, get drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.

After the Lakers revealed Bronny's No. 9 jersey and a photo of him in his new jersey, James was left speechless.

"NO WORDS!!" James said on his Instagram with a photo of Bronny in his new threads.

A handful of NBA legends have sported a No. 9 jersey, a few of those even coming with the Lakers. Rajon Rondo, who helped Los Angeles win a championship in 2020, rocked No. 9, as did Nick Van Exel, who played for the Lakers from 1993 to 1998.

Van Exel seemingly approves of Bronny wearing No. 9, and James is excited to see his son get that approval

LeBron James @KingJames

That's so TOUGH!! Nick the Quick was SO COLD!!!!! 🫡🤝🏾 <a href="https://t.co/p6TSgfnl1S">https://t.co/p6TSgfnl1S</a>

With the draft now behind him, Bronny is looking to impress in Summer League to ensure he gets a spot on the Lakers roster. It's likely Bronny will have to spend some time in the G-League next season as he continues to develop, but if he continues improving, he could be on the court with his father in no time.

If and when Bronny does make his NBA debut alongside James, it would mark the first time in league history that a father and son played together in an NBA game.

Adblock test (Why?)

LeBron James Says He Has 'No Words' After Bronny's Lakers Jersey Number Is Revealed - Bleacher Report
Read More

Pacquiao gets new opponent for Japan exhibition fight after Suzuki cries off hurt - South China Morning Post

Manny Pacquiao gets new opponent for Japan exhibition fight after injury to Chihiro Suzuki

Manny Pacquiao will now face a different fighter in his three-round exhibition match in Japan after the retired boxing great’s original opponent was ruled out by injury, organisers said Friday.

The 45-year-old multiple world champion from the Philippines was supposed to fight Chihiro Suzuki on July 28 in Saitama in a 68-kilogram boxing bout of three rounds of three minutes each, with no judges’ decision.

But Suzuki was forced to withdraw after breaking his hand and will be replaced by fellow Japanese mixed martial artist Rukiya Anpo.

Pacquiao said this month he was in talks to make a professional comeback against Mario Barrios. Photo: AFP

Pacquiao said earlier this month that he was in negotiations to make a comeback to professional boxing after three years away.

He said he was in talks to face American Mario Barrios for a possible WBC welterweight world title later this year, but cautioned that it was still “far away”.

After hanging up his gloves, Pacquiao ran for the Philippines presidency but lost the May 2022 election by a huge margin.

He returned to the ring for an exhibition in Seoul in December 2022 against a South Korean YouTuber.

Adblock test (Why?)

Pacquiao gets new opponent for Japan exhibition fight after Suzuki cries off hurt - South China Morning Post
Read More

France's Risacher goes to Hawks with top pick in NBA Draft - ABS-CBN News

Adblock test (Why?)

France's Risacher goes to Hawks with top pick in NBA Draft - ABS-CBN News
Read More

NBA draft 2024: Three biggest surprise picks from first round - USA TODAY

NEW YORK — The first round of the 2024 NBA draft produced expected results − a pair of French players in Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, for example, were selected in the first two picks.

But the first round also yielded picks that were total surprises, ones that drew audible reactions from the crowd in attendance here at the Barclays Center after Commissioner Adam Silver read off their names.

Whether it was teams in win-now mode drafting prospects who are projects, or players seemingly taken too high, here are the three biggest surprise picks from the first round of the 2024 NBA draft.

Zach Edey, No. 9 to the Memphis Grizzlies

Before Purdue's run to a national championship appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the consensus was that Edey, a 7-foot-4 center, was at best a late first-round prospect. But a string of double-doubles late in the tournament, including a 37-point, 10-rebound game against UConn, gave him momentum headed into the NBA draft combine. And while Edey did rise late during the pre-draft process, most mock drafts did not have him projected as a Top-10 pick, given that he'll have to refine and quicken his footwork and improve his offensive game in the NBA.

Carlton 'Bub' Carrington, No. 14 to the Washington Wizards (via Portland)

It's not that Carrington isn't deserving of a first-round draft pick, it's that − as a late bloomer − he's something of an unknown commodity. He's 18 and was one of the youngest draft-eligible prospects. In fact, he wasn't really on the NBA draft radar coming out of his freshman year at Pittsburgh before he declared and became a one-and-done. He plays point guard and flashed tremendous vision, but he hit a late growth spurt and will need to continue to figure out how to use his added size. He's a candidate for at least one season in the G League.

AJ Johnson, No. 23 to the Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks, though they suffered untimely injuries late during their playoff run, needed to add pieces to capitalize on their win-now window. Damian Lillard turns 34 in July. Adding Johnson, a player who has tons of upside but is simply too raw, is dissonant with where Milwaukee sits as a contender. Johnson played just 7.7 minutes per game last year in Australia's NBL, through the league's Next Stars program. It's not just his offensive game he needs to work on; Johnson is just 167 pounds in a 6-foot-4 frame and not suited for NBA play, at least currently.

Adblock test (Why?)

NBA draft 2024: Three biggest surprise picks from first round - USA TODAY
Read More

Sources - Wizards trading forward Deni Avdija to Trail Blazers - ESPN

• 

  Tim Bontemps, ESPNJun 26, 2024, 07:53 PM ET

NEW YORK -- The Washington Wizards traded Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers for Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th pick in the 2024 NBA draft, a 2029 first-round pick and future second-round picks, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Wizards will get Portland's second most favorable first-round pick of the three it controls -- its own, plus those of the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks -- in the 2029 draft, sources said.

Avdija, the ninth pick in the 2020 NBA draft, is about to begin a four-year, $55 million extension that he signed last fall with the Wizards. He gives Portland a two-way wing player to pair with its trio of young guards -- Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe -- moving forward, plus whomever the Trail Blazers take with the seventh selection in Wednesday night's draft.

Editor's Picks

• 
• 

1 Related

Avdija, 23, had a breakout year last season, averaging 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists for Washington while shooting 50.6% overall and 37.6% from 3-point range. He garnered votes for last season's Most Improved Player award, finishing sixth in the voting.

Brogdon, 31, averaged 15.7 points and 5.5 assists last season for Portland, where he played after being sent to the Blazers by the Boston Celtics as part of the Jrue Holiday trade on the eve of training camp last fall. Brogdon, who was the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year in 2023, is now on his fourth team in four seasons and is on an expiring contract of $22.5 million.

He could be a candidate to be moved again by Washington as it continues its rebuilding process under its front office of Michael Winger and Will Dawkins. Washington has the second pick in Wednesday's NBA draft, as well.

By making this deal, Portland also saves several million dollars off its luxury tax bill for next season, which the rebuilding Blazers needed to do in order to duck the tax -- something they are now within reach of doing.

Adblock test (Why?)

Sources - Wizards trading forward Deni Avdija to Trail Blazers - ESPN
Read More

Gilas star Dwight Ramos embraces point guard role in Scottie Thompson's absence for FIBA OQT - GMA News Online

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone will turn to Dwight Ramos in running their offense when the nationals plunge into the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament next week, where the young star will fortify the backcourt led by his veterans Chris Newsome and CJ Perez. 

The 25-year-old Ramos willingly accepts this challenge from the coaching staff, saying every one is ready to step up as they continue to miss the services of point guard Scottie Thompson, who remains in sickbay due to a back injury. 

"He’s a big loss. We’re trying to pick up his plays but it’s a big shoes to fill," Ramos said on the heels of their 74-64 win against the Taiwan Mustangs on Monday in a friendly match. 

"I wish he was here, but as long as he gets out of here and comes back, that's all that matters."

Ramos is no stranger to the point guard role, having been prepared by Ateneo de Manila University head coach Tab Baldwin before his supposed collegiate stint with the Blue Eagles in the UAAP. 

But since then, the 6-foot-4 ace has been playing as a shooting guard in his professional career in Japan B. League and in his previous assignments with the national team. 

Ramos is glad that he could revisit this role now with Gilas, which will take on some tough opponents in the OQT starting July 4.

"Couple of years ago with Coach Tab, he was preparing me for this role," Ramos shared.

"So I just kept on working on it and I got a chance now to do that so I just got to do my best."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News

Adblock test (Why?)

Gilas star Dwight Ramos embraces point guard role in Scottie Thompson's absence for FIBA OQT - GMA News Online
Read More

Grades and Fallout For Knicks, Nets, Rockets After Blockbuster Mikal Bridges Trade - Bleacher Report

Mikal BridgesDavid Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

This move is as win-now as win-now moves get.

Two years ago, fresh off a fringe All-NBA campaign, Gobert was dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Walker Kessler, veterans who turned out to be salary filler (Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt have all since moved on from the Utah Jazz), Leandro Bolmaro, four first-round picks and a first-round pick swap.

Much of the internet (fans and analysts alike) then proceeded to lose its collective mind over the "overpay," but Gobert helped Minnesota make the conference finals and won his fourth Defensive Player of the Year this season.

It's hard to imagine that kind of individual upside for Bridges, but New York can make the Eastern Conference Finals. Had they not been ravaged by injuries in the playoffs, they may have made it there in 2024, and Bridges undoubtedly makes them better in the short term.

That's pretty obvious when you just compare he and Bogdanović in a vacuum. The latter was almost completely out of the Knicks' playoff rotation before he got swallowed up by the wave of injuries that hit New York. Bridges, on the other hand, is coming off averages of 21.2 points, 3.4 assists and 2.6 threes in his season and change with the Nets.

His efficiency took a big hit there, but he's better suited to play alongside Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart in New York, and not just because they were teammates in college.

Since he was acquired by Brooklyn, we've learned that Bridges is much more of a complementary player than a lead one. And New York has one of the fastest-rising leading scorers and playmakers in the league in Brunson. Surrounding him with as much length, toughness, defense and shooting as possible is a smart approach, and Bridges fits that perfectly.

If New York can re-sign OG Anunoby (something it's still angling for), the versatility and switchability the Knicks will have at the forward spots will be the envy of much of the East. And it could make them the likeliest potential foil for the reigning champion Boston Celtics.

Still, that price tag. That's, uh, crazy.

Even the most seasoned residents of Mikal Island would have to admit top-40 status is probably pushing it for him. In reality, he's probably one of the 50-60 best players in the league. And the Knicks just sent the Nets the kind of package typically reserved for superstars.

They can argue that they're in a unique position to surrender more than most. There were similar arguments made in support of the Timberwolves after the Gobert deal. But there are plenty of future timelines in which all those picks being gone comes back to haunt New York.

In the short-term, this is a clear win, but there is massive potential downside here.

Adblock test (Why?)

Grades and Fallout For Knicks, Nets, Rockets After Blockbuster Mikal Bridges Trade - Bleacher Report
Read More

USC Basketball News: Incoming freshman Heckel and Smith led Team USA to an impressive gold medal win - Athlon Sports

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

1. USC Basketball News: Incoming freshman Heckel and Smith led Team USA to an impressive gold medal win  Athlon Sports
2. United States asserts its dominance with another FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup crown  FIBA
3. UConn women's basketball freshman Sarah Strong wins first 5x5 gold medal with Team USA  CT Insider
4. Future South Carolina basketball began AmeriCup play with Team USA on Monday  Garnet and Cocky
5. Incoming South Carolina freshman, Joyce Edwards, leads the U.S. to the gold medal  Sports Illustrated

USC Basketball News: Incoming freshman Heckel and Smith led Team USA to an impressive gold medal win - Athlon Sports
Read More

'We're 11 strong': Gilas Pilipinas sticks with current roster minus Scottie Thompson - Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – There is no more replacing Scottie Thompson as Gilas Pilipinas sticks with its 11-man crew for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia.

Head coach Tim Cone confirmed on Monday, June 24, that the team decided not to get a stand-in for Thompson, who is out with the same back injury that also kept him out at the start of the previous PBA Philippine Cup.

“We’re 11 strong,” said Cone after the Nationals nailed a 74-64 win over the Taiwan Mustangs in a friendly game on the eve of their flight to Europe.

“I don’t feel we’re shorthanded at all. I’m not a guy who plays 11 or 12 guys anyway. You know me, I don’t play that many guys. I’m really an eight or nine-man rotation [guy].”

“The reason you have 12 guys is not necessarily for the game but to have 12 guys in practice in case somebody goes down.”

Injuries have pestered the national team as it is also set to miss original players AJ Edu (knee) and Jamie Malonzo (calf) in the OQT, where the Philippines will face world No. 6 Latvia and No. 23 Georgia in the group stage.

But Gilas Pilipinas found replacements for Edu and Malonzo as early as April, tapping Japeth Aguilar and Amos as reserve players.

Thompson looked ready to suit up in the OQT as he saw action for Barangay Ginebra in the PBA just last May 31 – a Game 7 loss to Meralco in the semifinals – before being bothered again by his bulging disc.

“I would rather go with 12 and invite people to play rather than go with 16 and cut people. I didn’t want to cut people. The idea is we need somebody, we’ll go get them. We got Japeth, we got Mason,” said Cone.

“The thing with Scottie happened so late, however, we just couldn’t get somebody for him. We didn’t really feel we needed anybody for him at this point.”

With Thompson sidelined, Cone counts on Dwight Ramos, CJ Perez, and Chris Newsome to share the backcourt load.

In Europe, Gilas Pilipinas will play two more friendly matches against the national teams of Turkiye (Turkey) and Poland before it competes in the OQT, which is scheduled from July 2 to 7. – Rappler.com

Adblock test (Why?)

'We're 11 strong': Gilas Pilipinas sticks with current roster minus Scottie Thompson - Rappler
Read More

USA's Micah Christenson brings home lessons, fun VNL experience - Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – After wrapping up their campaign in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), skipper Micah Christenson and Team USA shift their full focus on the 2024 Paris Olympics.

And they’re bringing with them new learnings on their team and loads of memories with Manila fans.

“[We’re] gonna need everybody at the Olympics, so from the top-down, we’re gonna need everybody on this team,” said Christenson.

“So to be able to have the ability to give them (younger players) experience in a big game, in a sold-out crowd [just like in our last VNL game] against Japan, is a wonderful experience,” the 31-year-old setter added.

USA closed its VNL campaign with a loss to fellow crowd favorite Japan, 25-20, 25-23, 25-19, on Sunday, June 23, at the packed Mall of Asia Arena.

With the win, Japan claimed its first win over the US after 19 tries, to stay inside the top eight with a fourth-best 9-3 record and advance to the playoff round in Poland next week.

The Americans, meanwhile, bowed out of the tournament with a 5-7 card at 12th place.

“I think we pushed really hard, we showed our level in a lot of the sets, but towards the end of the sets, Japan really turned their serving pressure on, especially (Kent) Miyaura… he came in with some really big serves, and compliments to Japan for those moments,” said Christenson.  

Although USA and Japan stars played sparingly as the reserves took center stage in the no-bearing match attended by 12,424 fans, Christenson again thanked the Filipinos for their immense support throughout the tournament.

“Incredible. It was capped off with an incredible crowd, the last game up here in Manila, so wish we could’ve made it a little longer of a match,”  said Christenson.

“But at the same time it was good volleyball. It was really good volleyball out there on the court – really proud of our guys and how we fought and how we battled,” he added.

“So now, we’re just gonna keep learning from our experience. But our trip in Manila was a great success based on our experience.” 

  

– Rappler.com

Adblock test (Why?)

USA's Micah Christenson brings home lessons, fun VNL experience - Rappler
Read More

Edwards Leads U.S. to FIBA U18 AmeriCup Gold - South Carolina Gamecocks

BUCARAMANGA, COLOMBIA – South Carolina incoming freshman Joyce Edwards led the U.S. in the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup, which wrapped up tonight with an 80-69 win over Canada in the final game in Bucaramanga, Colombia. The Americans steamrolled through the tournament’s six games with Edwards’ 14.2 points per game leading the U.S. and ranking fourth in the tournament, earning her Tournament MVP honors.

In the gold medal game, the U.S. jumped out to a nine-point lead after the opening quarter. After seeing Canada win this second period to pull within six at halftime, the Americans resumed control in the third and fourth quarters to cruise to the victory. Edwards finished the night with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting and posted her second double-double of the tournament with a team-high 13 rebounds to go along with five steals in 37 minutes of action.

Overall in the tournament, Edwards shook off a slow start in the opening game to post a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double against Puerto Rico in the second game of group play. She scored 14 or more points in the remaining five outings while playing 19.5 minutes per game. In the quarterfinals against Dominican Republic, her 14 points game on sterling 7-of-10 shooting, and she hit 54.5 (36-66) percent from the field over the six games. Her 7.2 rebounds per game were second on the team

It marks Edwards’ second international gold medal after she earned a spot on the All-Star Five while helping the U.S. to gold at the 2023 U19 World Cup

The USA women own 12 of 14 U18 gold medals and 11 consecutive dating back to 2000. The U.S. has qualified for the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup.

Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for the most up-to-date information on South Carolina women’s basketball.

Adblock test (Why?)

Edwards Leads U.S. to FIBA U18 AmeriCup Gold - South Carolina Gamecocks
Read More

Egonu leads Italy to their second VNL title, Japan settles for historic silver, Poland defend their bronze - FIVB.com

Italy are the women’s Volleyball Nations League 2024 champions! Powered by usual suspect Paola Egonu in Sunday’s final in Bangkok, they defeated Japan in four sets and claimed the VNL trophy for the second time, after 2022, when they triumphed at the Finals in Ankara. Japan settled for silver, a historic success for the Asian team, whose best previous result in the competition was a fourth place in 2021. Poland managed to defend their 2023 bronze by outlasting Brazil in a dramatic five-set battle for the third place.

In front of over six thousand spectators in Thailand’s capital, Italy outspiked and outblocked Japan to celebrate a 3-1 (25-17, 25-17, 21-25, 25-20) victory. And their star opposite Paola Egonu excelled at both of those elements. She raised four of her team’s 12 kill blocks (against only two from Japan) and hammered 23 of Italy’s 66 successful swings in attack (against 52 from Japan) to top the match charts with 27 points to her name. Outside hitters Myriam Sylla and Alice Degradi chipped in another 15 and 12 points, respectively, towards the victory, while a monster block by Sarah Fahr delivered the match winner in the fourth set.

With the help of two aces from Arisa Inoue, Japan fought back to prevail in the third set, but that was as much as they could take away from their powerful opponent. Inoe finished with 11 points, while outside hitter and captain Sarina Koga spearheaded the team with 17 points, all in offence.

“How can I feel! I am happy, of course, because we are an amazing group and you can see it in how we play on the court. I hope this is just the beginning,” Italy’s middle blocker and captain Anna Danesi told VBTV after the final. “This tournament was really hard, we travelled a lot, but we stayed focused and we won. Again, it’s an amazing team! Congratulations to Japan! They deserved to be in this final.”

“I think we grew a lot as a team throughout this VNL and we have to be proud of that. Winning our first VNL medal is something we have to be proud of, but there are some things we have to work on too,” Japan’s middle Airi Miyabe commented.

Earlier on Sunday, Poland celebrated a 3-2 (25-21, 26-28, 25-21, 19-25, 15-9) victory over Brazil in the third place match and achieved their second podium in the history of the competition, after last year’s bronze. Less than 24 hours after suffering their first loss of the season in a five-set semifinal against Japan, Brazil had to persevere through another five-setter to lose once again. It was the second time they settled for a fourth-place finish, after doing so in the inaugural edition in 2018. The South Americans collected silver medals in the next three seasons, but this year’s result is still better than last year’s, when they failed to make it among the semifinalists for the first time.

Both sides displayed some top-calibre blocking during the match and it was one of the elements that tilted the balance Poland’s way with an impressive 19 stuffs against 16 for Brazil. Outside hitter Martyna Lukasik led Poland to victory with 21 points, including two kill blocks. Opposite Magdalena Stysiak added another 20 points with three blocks to her name. Another outside, 20-year-old Martyna Czyrnianska, who was among the starters for the last two sets only, also put away three blocking points to finish with a total of 13, but it was middle Agnieszka Korneluk, who led the way with as many as seven stuffs and added two aces within an 11-point match tally. One more Polish player reached the double digits and that was outside Natalia Medrzyk with 11 points.

Brazilian star outside and captain Gabriela Guimaraes (Gabi) delivered a match-high 22 points. Her cross-court teammate Julia Bergmann added another 20. Middle Ana Carolina Da Silva (Carol) raised five kill blocks to finish with 13 points, while outside-turned-opposite Ana Cristina de Souza put away 10.

It was no surprise to anyone that Paola Egonu was honoured as the Most Valuable Player of the women’s Volleyball Nations League 2024. For the 25-year-old star opposite it was the second MVP nomination in the VNL. She also received the prestigious award in 2022, the first time her team Italy claimed the title. It was one of numerous MVP awards Egonu has earned at various prestigious national team and club competitions throughout her career.

Egonu also led a line-up of seven prominent players who were honoured on the symbolic VNL Dream Team during the Awarding Ceremony at the end of the Finals in Bangkok on Sunday evening.

Best Setter: Alessia Orro (Italy)
Best Opposite: Paola Egonu (Italy)
Best Outside Hitters: Sarina Koga (Japan) and Myriam Sylla (Italy)
Best Middle Blockers: Agnieszka Korneluk (Poland) and Sarah Fahr (Italy)
Best Libero: Manami Kojima (Japan)

Paola Egonu produced 27 points as the best scorer of the final match, in which Italy celebrated a four-set victory over Japan. The 1.93m-tall opposite was also the best scorer of the Finals event in Thailand and Italy’s best scorer in the Preliminary Phase of the competition. Her overall tally in VNL 2024 totals 257 points, including 212 spikes, 29 kill blocks and 16 aces.

Adblock test (Why?)

Egonu leads Italy to their second VNL title, Japan settles for historic silver, Poland defend their bronze - FIVB.com
Read More