NCAA Wiretap

Gonzaga starting point guard Mario Saint-Supery is departing the program to sign with EuroLeague club Valencia. The Spanish squad announced the long-term deal Saturday.

Saint-Supery earned all-West Coast Conference freshman honors last season, averaging 8.6 points per game in his lone year with the Bulldogs. Before arriving at Gonzaga, he had built a reputation in Spain's Liga ACB, earning the nickname "El Principito," or "The Little Prince."

Valencia referenced that nickname in its announcement.

"The Little Prince will make the Roig Arena his new palace," Valencia said in a release, adding that Saint-Supery would "continue his development at a high competitive level."

The departure comes at a difficult time for coach Mark Few's roster, which is set to compete in the new Pac-12 during the 2026-27 season. With the transfer portal closed, Gonzaga has limited options to replace a starting point guard in July.

Saint-Supery, a 6-foot-4 guard, shot 40 percent from three-point range last season and started Gonzaga's final eight games. That stretch included a 21-point performance against Santa Clara in the WCC tournament championship game, along with 13 assists and four turnovers across two NCAA tournament appearances.

Saint-Supery had been expected to serve as Gonzaga's point guard alongside returning players Braden Huff and Davis Fogle and Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop as the Bulldogs prepare to compete outside the WCC for the first time since 1979.

The move also reflects a broader shift in how international prospects approach college basketball. The NCAA's 5-for-5 rule now starts a player's academic clock upon enrollment or the academic year after turning 19, whichever comes first, reducing the window for older international players to compete at the Division I level.

Mike Boynton Jr. has agreed to a two-year contract to become Michigan's next head men's basketball coach, the school announced Friday. Boynton had served as interim coach since Dusty May departed for the Dallas Mavericks last month.

"I'm grateful to athletic director Warde Manuel for his confidence and thankful for the opportunity to lead this program," said Boynton. "We have built a championship culture and a standard that everyone associated with this program takes great pride in. We have an outstanding group of players, and I'm excited to get to work and continue the success we've established together."

Boynton joined the Michigan staff shortly after May arrived in 2024, taking over as defensive coordinator and helping build the nation's top-ranked defense during the Wolverines' championship season.

"Mike is a veteran assistant with strong head coaching experience and a clear understanding of the standard we expect at Michigan," said athletic director Warde Manuel. "Over the past two seasons, he has been an invaluable member of our staff, bringing stability, leadership and perspective during an important period of success. Our players and staff believe in his vision, are committed to his leadership and are excited for the opportunity to pursue great success together this season."

Boynton successfully retained nearly the entire roster following May's departure. Guard Trey McKenney committed to staying hours after the coaching change, while Final Four Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau followed days later.

Transfers J.P. Estrella from Tennessee and Moustapha Thiam from Cincinnati also reaffirmed their commitments last week, and five-star recruit Brandon McCoy Jr. chose to remain on July 4. Guard L.J. Cason, who tore his right ACL in February and may miss the entire 2026-27 season, remains the only player who has not announced his plans.

Before joining Michigan's staff, Boynton spent seven seasons as head coach at Oklahoma State, leading the Cowboys to a 2021 NCAA tournament appearance behind future No. 1 draft pick Cade Cunningham. He has also worked as an assistant at Stephen F. Austin, South Carolina, Wofford and Coastal Carolina.

Michigan is currently ranked No. 5 in ESPN's latest Way-Too-Early Top 25.

Marcus Spears Jr., ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the 2027 class, is reclassifying to 2026 and committing to Texas, he told ESPN on Thursday. Arizona, LSU and Kentucky had also pursued the 6-foot-10 power forward.

Spears is a Texas native whose sister, Cari, plays volleyball for the Longhorns. He took an official visit to Arizona in late June and made two unofficial visits to Texas, including a trip to Austin on June 16.

"Texas basketball is becoming a big thing again, and I am excited to be part of it," said Spears. "The Texas fans can expect a worker with a lot of energy. I will be trying to bring Texas a national championship."

His father, ESPN analyst and former NFL defensive end Marcus Spears, said the decision carried personal meaning.

"Marcus Jr. grew up in Texas, and there's nothing like playing for your home school and winning," said the elder Spears. "I experienced that growing up in Louisiana at LSU. This is his decision and his future."

Spears, who plays for Dynamic Prep in Texas, averaged 20.9 points and 8.7 rebounds this spring on the Nike EYBL circuit, ranking top 10 nationally in both categories. He also helped Team USA win gold at the 2025 FIBA U16 Men's AmeriCup, averaging a team-high 14.0 points and 6.5 rebounds.

Spears turned 17 in April and will need to spend two seasons in Austin before becoming draft eligible. Spears will play collegiately for at least the upcoming 2026-27 season and in 2027-28. 

His father cited Texas coach Sean Miller's track record developing players like Deandre Ayton and Aaron Gordon as a major factor in the decision.

The reclassification process began about a month ago after Spears' mother, former WNBA player Aiysha Spears, suggested the move. Spears will enter the 2026 SC Next 100 at No. 4 and joins a Texas recruiting class now ranked No. 4 nationally, alongside five-star forward Austin Goosby and four others.

According to Cerebro, only three other players since 2022 have matched Spears' EYBL production of 20 points, 8.5 rebounds and one block across three straight sessions in Cooper Flagg, Cameron Boozer and Tyran Stokes.

Serbian forward Nikola Kusturica has agreed to a multiyear commitment with UCLA, according to sources cited by ESPN. The 17-year-old is considered one of the top European prospects in his class and an early candidate for the No. 1 pick in the 2028 NBA Draft.

Kusturica remains two years away from NBA eligibility. His recruitment featured several shifts over the past month, with Kentucky briefly emerging as the frontrunner before Michigan gained momentum prior to Dusty May's departure for the Dallas Mavericks.

Gonzaga was also involved in pursuing the 6-foot-8 forward.

Kusturica delivered a standout performance at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Turkiye, earning a spot on the tournament's All-Star Five after averaging 24.6 points and 6.9 rebounds across seven games. He also claimed Best Defensive Player honors, adding 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.

In Serbia's gold medal loss to the United States, Kusturica posted 37 points and nine rebounds.

The performance marked his second consecutive summer establishing himself among the top international prospects. He earned MVP honors at last year's FIBA U16 EuroBasket, averaging 20.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists while leading Serbia to gold.

Kusturica has been part of FC Barcelona's youth system since 2023. He became the youngest player in club history to appear for Barcelona's first team when he made his competitive debut in September 2025.

UCLA coach Mick Cronin is expected to lean heavily on Kusturica despite his youth. The Bruins return three starters from last season's 24-12 squad and add four transfers from power-conference programs, including fellow Europeans Filip Jovic and Sergej Macura.

Five-star recruit Brandon McCoy Jr. will remain committed to Michigan after head coach Dusty May left the program for the Dallas Mavericks.

McCoy is ranked No. 18 in the SC Next 100 for the class of 2026.

Assistant coach Mike Boynton is currently the interim head coach of the program.

McCoy is one of six recruits for the 2026 class. The three other SC 100 prospects Quinn Costello, Lincoln Cosby, and Joseph Hartman are also expected to stay at Michigan.

FC Barcelona's Nikola Kusturica has reportedly committed to UCLA after receiving a $12 million NIL deal.

The 17-year-old was attracting interest from several college programs.

Kusturica is averaging 22.0 points and 6.8 rebounds in six games for Serbia at the FIBA U17 World Championship.

Kusturica made his Liga ACB debut for Barcelona in October 2025, becoming the youngest player to appear for the team in the competition.

Gabe Nesmith announced his commitment to Vanderbilt, giving head coach Mark Byington the highest-ranked recruit of his career.

Nesmith is ranked as the No. 20 player in the 2027 class.

"Mark Byington is a great and detail-oriented coach," Nesmith told ESPN. "He takes the time to get to know you as a person.

"He is a true players' coach. I watched practice -- he coaches team basketball. They are an unselfish group."

Nesmith is the cousin of Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith. 

The NBA announced Tuesday that the NBA Cup 2026 Championship will be held at Hinkle Fieldhouse on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, with the winner-take-all game scheduled for Friday, December 11 during the 2026-27 season. The game will stream exclusively on Prime Video.

"Hinkle Fieldhouse offers a special setting to capture the excitement and drama of the Emirates NBA Cup Championship," said NBA Head of Global Events Kelly Flatow. "Playing the Championship in an iconic basketball environment like this will further establish it as a signature moment on the NBA calendar."

The 9,100-seat arena has stood as one of basketball's most storied venues for nearly a century. It served as home to NBA teams during the league's early years and most recently hosted select Indiana Fever home games during the 2022 WNBA season.

Hinkle Fieldhouse carries deep historical significance for the sport. The venue hosted the 1954 Indiana high school state championship game that inspired the 1986 film Hoosiers, with key scenes from the movie filmed on site. In 1955, future NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson led Crispus Attucks High School to the Indiana state title at Hinkle Fieldhouse, making the team the first all-Black basketball state champion in United States history.

The NBA has outlined a plan to bring the Cup Championship to distinctive venues that celebrate the sport's heritage while building a global audience for the event.

Early evaluations suggest a significantly thinner class for the 2027 NBA draft than the star-powered groups that preceded it. Kansas-bound forward Tyran Stokes opens atop early projections, but no consensus has formed among NBA front offices this far out.

League executives have described the incoming freshman class as underwhelming compared to recent years, with the 2027 draft drawing comparisons to 2024, when no clear-cut top pick emerged and teams were widely split on valuations. The international pool is also considered below average.

Stokes, a 6-foot-7 point forward, holds a slight edge over his peers due to his size, athleticism and playmaking vision. However, NBA scouts have flagged concerns about his shooting consistency, decision-making and on-court temperament. Kansas coach Bill Self will be tasked with developing him over what is expected to be a single college season.

"Whether Stokes remains at No. 1 a year from now will depend largely on his ability to assuage teams' concerns," ESPN's Jeremy Woo wrote. "He will be under heavy scrutiny from Day 1 as teams dig deep into his background and try to make sense of his No. 1 candidacy."

Should Stokes struggle, Arkansas guard Jordan Smith Jr. and Arizona combo guard Caleb Holt are viewed as alternative top candidates.

The 2027 draft will also be the first conducted under the NBA's new lottery rules, which flatten odds and expand the lottery pool to 16 teams. No team can win the lottery in consecutive years or have a pick land in the top five in three straight drafts, effectively reducing the incentive for intentional losing.

Notable returners from the 2026 class add depth to the pool. UConn guard Braylon Mullins and Florida forward Thomas Haugh, who each ranked inside the top 20 on ESPN's 2026 board, opted to remain in school and figure prominently in early 2027 projections.

ESPN's Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft

1. Sacramento Kings: Tyran Stokes, SF, 6-7, Freshman, Kansas
2. Chicago Bulls: Jordan Smith Jr., PG/SG, 6-2, Freshman, Arkansas
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Caleb Holt, SG/PG, 6-5, Freshman, Arizona
4. Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn): Bruce Branch III, SG/SF, 6-7, Freshman, BYU
5. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans): Stefan Joksimovic, PG, 6-7, Freshman, Baskonia (Spain)
6. New Orleans Pelicans (via Milwaukee): Braylon Mullins, SG, 6-6, Sophomore, UConn
7. Memphis Grizzlies (via Utah): Thomas Haugh, SF/PF, 6-9, Senior, Florida
8. Charlotte Hornets (via Dallas): Jason Crowe Jr., PG/SG, 6-3, Freshman, Missouri
9. Washington Wizards: Anthony Thompson, SF/PF, 6-9, Freshman, Ohio State
10. Houston Rockets (via Phoenix): Cameron Williams, F/C, 6-11, Freshman, Duke
11. Caleb Gaskins, PF, Miami | Freshman
12. Miikka Muurinen, PF, Arkansas | Freshman
13. Austin Goosby, PG/SG, Texas | Freshman
14. Motiejus Krivas, C, Arizona | Senior
15. Luigi Suigo, C, Villanova | Freshman
16. Matt Able, SG, North Carolina | Sophomore
17. Alex Condon, PF/C, Florida | Senior
18. Dame Sarr, SG, Duke | Sophomore
19. Cameron Houindo, PF, Cedevita | France
20. Christian Collins, SF, USC | Freshman
21. Babatunde Oladotun, SF, Maryland | Freshman
22. Jaxon Richardson, SF, Alabama | Freshman
23. Brandon McCoy, SG, Michigan | Freshman
24. Hugo Yimga-Moukouri, SF, Nanterre | France
25. Sayon Keita, C, North Carolina | Freshman
26. Amari Allen, SF, Alabama | Sophomore
27. Ivan Kharchenkov, SF, Arizona | Sophomore
28. Patrick Ngongba II, C, Duke | Sophomore
29. Juke Harris, SG, Tennessee | Sophomore
30. Tyler Tanner, PG, Vanderbilt | Junior
31. Malachi Moreno, C, Kentucky | Sophomore
32. Cheickh Niang, SG, Trento | Italy
33. Colben Landrew, SG, UConn | Freshman
34. Obinna Ekezie Jr., C, Louisville | Freshman
35. Trey McKenney Jr., SG, Michigan | Sophomore
36. Quentin Coleman, PG, Illinois | Freshman
37. Dylan Mingo, PG, Baylor | Freshman
38. Stefan Vaaks, SG/PG, Illinois | Sophomore
39. Milan Momcilovic, PF, Kentucky | Senior
40. Dash Daniels, PG/SG, Melbourne United | Australia
41. Massamba Diop, C, Gonzaga | Sophomore
42. Tounde Yessoufou, SG/SF, St. John's | Sophomore
43. Moustapha Thiam, C, Michigan | Junior
44. David Mirkovic, SF/PF, Illinois | Sophomore
45. Miles Byrd, SG, Providence | Senior
46. Joseph Tugler, PF, Houston | Senior
47. Flory Bidunga, C, Louisville | Junior
48. Shelton Henderson, SG, Miami | Sophomore
49. Davis Fogle, SG, Gonzaga | Sophomore
50. Jacob Cofie, SF/PF, USC | Sophomore
51. Rueben Chinyelu, C, Florida | Senior
52. Billy Richmond III, SG/SF, Arkansas | Junior
53. Neoklis Avdalas, SF, North Carolina | Sophomore
54. Sam Lewis, SG, Virginia | Senior
55. Pryce Sandfort, SF, Nebraska | Senior
56. Matas Vokietaitis, C, Texas | Junior
57. Andrej Stojakovic, SG, Illinois | Senior
58. Jeremy Fears Jr., PG, Michigan State | Junior
59. Killyan Toure, SG/PG, Iowa State | Sophomore
60. John Blackwell, SG, Duke | Senior

Dusty May has agreed to leave Michigan to become head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. May led the Wolverines to the 2026 national championship and he exits the program several months later following the recruiting cycle. May previously was head coach of Florida Atlantic where he led the school to the 2023 Final Four.

May is the first college head coach to go directly to the NBA since John Beilein left Michigan to become head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

May will inherit a Mavericks' roster led by Cooper Flagg. 

Masai Ujiri parted ways with Jason Kidd as head coach soon after he was hired to run the basketball operations department. Kidd had $40 million over four seasons remaining on his contract.

The Mavericks also had interest in hiring Jon Scheyer away from Duke.