April 2023 Basketball Wiretap

Nikola Topic Will Play For Red Star For Remainder Of Season

Dec 28, 2023 11:25 AM

Nikola Topic had his loan to Mega MIS ended prematurely as he's been called back to Red Star for the remainder of the season. Topic is currently ranked No. 6 by ESPN in their 2024 draft rankings.

"My dream for many years has been to play for Red Star," Topic told ESPN. "I grew up a fan of this club. It will mean everything for me to play in front of 20,000 Red Star fans. I couldn't say no to playing basketball in the EuroLeague.
 
"It's a huge risk, but I'm ready. I'm confident in myself 100%. My father, my agent Misko Raznatovic and I understand that this move could affect my draft chances if I don't do well. But I'm ready to compete and fight."
 
No teenager in Adriatic League history has posted the type of numbers (18.6 points, 6.9 assists, 63% true shooting percentage) Topic has this season.

Jonathan Givony, Jeremy Woo/ESPN

Tags: Nikola Topic, KK Crvena Zvezda, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, International, NBA Draft General, International Teams

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No. 2 Recruit Dylan Harper Commits To Rutgers

Dec 6, 2023 4:42 PM

Dylan Harper has committed to Rutgers as part of the 2024 incoming class. Harper is ranked No. 2 by ESPN in the class.

Harper joined No. 3 recruit Ace Bailey as part of the class.

Harper is the son of former NBA player Ron Harper.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Dylan Harper, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NCAA Commitment

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Adam Silver Says NBA Is Moving Toward Two-Night Draft

Dec 6, 2023 8:45 AM

NBA commissioner Adam Silver was a guest on SiriusXM NBA Radio on Tuesday night. One of the topics he discussed with Justin Termine and Eddie Johnson was the idea of a two-night NBA Draft. Silver said that is the direction the NBA is heading.

“We're working on it. And it's something that we have to continue to work through with our network, ESPN and ABC, which broadcast the draft. And then, of course, with the Players Association," Silver said.

He touched on it being unfair to players and teams that they are still working into the late hours of the evening or next morning. Silver mentioned that players like Nikola Jokic and Draymond Green were drafted in the second round and missed having the spotlight on them. Silver also said it's good to give teams a chance to reset before the second round.

"The other advantage to moving the second round to a separate night just gives more time for the announcers like you guys, the media, to have a better understanding of who those players are. A little bit more time between picks to talk about who they are and why they make sense for those teams," Silver said. "Also, maybe even more importantly, gives our general managers the opportunity to reset after the first round and say, alright, this is where we stand. We got this player we were hoping to get. We didn't get that player. Let's re-assess what our needs are. Maybe there's been some surprises in the first round. Take a fresh look at those pool of players going into the second night. So like, I'm hoping to get there actually for this season, for this June, and move the second round to its own night.”

SiriusXM NBA Radio

Tags: NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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NBA To Allow Scouts To Attend High School Games In Las Vegas

Dec 5, 2023 11:20 AM

The NBA will allow scouts to attend a high school basketball event in Las Vegas during the In-Season Tournament. This is a change from the league's usual policy of restricting their personnel from scouting most high school games and events.

As part of a partnership with Nike, the NBA will allow scouts to attend five Nike EYBL Scholastic Showcase Games in Las Vegas. This includes a game between Montverde Academy and Link Academy. Montverde features Cooper Flagg, the Duke commit who is expected to the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The NBA is also allowing scouts to attend several other high profile high school basketball events throughout the year. This is a loosening of the rules the league has worked under since David Stern led an effort to keep NBA scouts out of high school gyms in the early-to-mid-2000s.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Cooper Flagg, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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