Ahead of his second season as the Arizona Razorbacks men’s basketball team, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball </a>legend John Calipari paid a special visit to Lexington to celebrate one of the best players he coached at the University of Kentucky.&nbsp;



On Friday night, Karl-Anthony Towns also returned to Lexington to receive a major honor from his alma mater. Towns, who played 30 games with the Wildcats, in which he averaged 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 2.3 blocks per game, was inducted into the Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame.



Many accompanied the New York Knicks star in this special occasion, including his former coach, who had words for Towns after the ceremony. Calipari was there with his family and coaching staff to honor the veteran center.&nbsp;



<h2>John Calipari celebrates Karl-Anthony Towns on social media&nbsp;</h2>



After everything was set and done, Calipari shared a message on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account to celebrate Towns’ contribution to the program he led from 2009 through 2024.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250916_BUS_492979_John-Calipari-1024x576_02ba2b3a.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-382694" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Coach John Calipari</figcaption></figure>



“So happy for Karl and his family on his Hall of Fame induction! Ellen and Brad got to attend the induction and I just made it up with Kenny to celebrate with them after! Proud of you Karl and so glad we could be here to support and celebrate with you! Karl’s family, Kenny, Ellen, and Brad at dinner!” he said.



Towns and Calipari are facing new challenges this year after the 2024 offseason in their respective competitions brought major changes to their careers. While they went their separate ways, the love between them is still there.&nbsp;

John Calipari gets emotional when talking about Karl-Anthony Towns

John Calipari gets emotional when talking about Karl-Anthony Towns - Bolavip US

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Karl-Anthony Towns got a huge surprise when it was announced that he would be inducted into the Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame. The former No. 1 overall pick only spent one season (2014-15) with the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team, but that didn’t stop him from making a big impact on the program.&nbsp;



Towns played 39 games in which he averaged 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game and led the Wildcats to the 2015 NCAA tournament Final Four, where the Wisconsin Badgers stopped them.&nbsp;



Towns left the program as a very exciting prospect, which led the Minnesota Timberwolves to pick him and make him their franchise cornerstone. Now, with the Knicks, Towns received major news right after speaking with fellow alum Mark Pope, the current coach of the Wildcats.&nbsp;



<h2>Karl-Anthony Towns received HOF news after talking with Mark Pope</h2>



During an interview with Kentucky Sports Radio, Towns revealed he knew about the ceremony during the 2025 Eastern Conference finals. Just 15 minutes after he talked with Pope and recruiting coordinator Ray Oliver, and told them he would be thrilled to make the program’s Hall of Fame, Towns received a call from athletic director Mitch Barnhart, who told him the good news.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250916_BUS_492976_Karl-Anthony-Towns-1024x576_3a3c22eb.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Karl-Anthony Towns in 2025" class="wp-image-399254" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks </figcaption></figure>



“Coach Pope was like, we got to fly down. Ray Oliver also was like, we got to fly down. We’re trying to see you,” Towns said.&nbsp;



He added that he wanted to leave a mark on the program, even if he only played one year in Lexington. The Wildcats couldn’t win the<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> college basketball</a> national championship with Towns on the roster, but they enter the 2025-26 season with renewed expectations after Pope proved doubters wrong.&nbsp;

Karl-Anthony Towns opens up on his chat with Mark Pope about Kentucky HoF induction

Karl-Anthony Towns opens up on his chat with Mark Pope about Kentucky HoF induction - Bolavip US

Carmelo and Kiyan Anthony are lined up to become one of the most memorable father-son duos in NBA history. Their journey has had a similar beginning, as Kiyan is set to represent his father’s alma mater, Syracuse, in the 2025-26 NCAA season.



Anthony played for the Orange during the 2002-03 campaign, where he led them to the national championship under Jim Boeheim. In 35 games with the Orange, Anthony averaged 22.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, while shooting 45.3% from the field, 33.7% from deep, and 70.6% from the free-throw line.&nbsp;



His son enters college as the No. 36 player on ESPN’s 100 list, having an 87 scout grade and being considered the No. 1 player in the state. “Melo” has been nothing but supportive of the kid, and the love goes both ways.&nbsp;



Kiyan Anthony accompanied his father to the Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday and helped him put on the HOF jacket. While they won’t be LeBron and Bronny James sharing the court, they are working together off of it.&nbsp;



<h2>Carmelo Anthony, Kiyan Anthony launch exclusive merch collection</h2>



Shortly after their appearance at the 2025 Hall of Fame ceremony, Kiyan and Carmelo Anthony showed up to announce their latest joint venture. The Orange freshman shared an Instagram post with SLAM to announce the Slam 258, Cover Tee Collection.



<div class="ck-instagram"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWAPR4ET8x/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;margin: 1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:99.375%;width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWAPR4ET8x/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <div style="flex-direction: row;align-items: center"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 40px;margin-right: 14px;width: 40px"></div> <div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 100px"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 60px"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0"></div> <div style="height:50px;margin:0 auto 12px;width:50px"></div><div style="padding-top: 8px"> <div style="color:#3897f0;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:550;line-height:18px">Ver esta publicación en Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0"></div> <div style="flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px;flex-grow: 0;margin-right: 14px;margin-left: 2px"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 20px;width: 20px"></div> <div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 2px solid transparent;border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom: 2px solid transparent"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto"> <div style="width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px"></div> <div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent"></div></div></div> <div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center;margin-bottom: 24px"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 224px"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 144px"></div></div></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWAPR4ET8x/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Una publicación compartida de SLAM (@slam)</a></div></blockquote></div>




The collection will include a cover tee, a framed magazine with protective casing, and a collection to celebrate Carmelo’s journey and hype up what Kiyan might achieve now that he’s beginning his college career.&nbsp;



They share so much more than the love for the game, and if things go right for the Orange, Kiyan could emulate his father and win a national championship with the program.&nbsp;

Kiyan and Carmelo Anthony team up after Hall of Fame induction

Kiyan and Carmelo Anthony team up after Hall of Fame induction - Bolavip US

Raymond Felton shared a piece of advice to North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble ahead of his senior season. The retired guard watched Trimble firsthand in the offseason when they spent time together at the basketball camp.&nbsp;



Felton, who won the 2005 national championship with the Tar Heels, has been a critic of the backcourt’s performance. Besides offering positive words for former teammate Hubert Davis, who might be on the hot seat this season, he also shared some wisdom with Trimble.&nbsp;



Trimble led the team in steals per game (1.4), ranked third in points (11.6), and second in rebounds (5.0) for a team that posted a 23-14 record (13-7 in the conference) and was eliminated in the first round of the NCAA tournament.&nbsp;



<h2>Raymond Felton reveals what he told Seth Trimble before NCAA season&nbsp;</h2>



In an interview on the “TarHeel247” podcast, the former New York Knicks guard discussed the advice he gave Tremble during UNC’s summer camp.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250914_BUS_491442_Raymond-Felton-1024x576_de2e2cef.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-388629" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Raymond Felton</figcaption></figure>



“I went back to the camp this year because my son, you know, was a part of the Carolina camp this year,” Felton explained. “I talked to Seth for a long time. I said, bro, do me a favor. This is all I asked for you,” Felton told Trimble. “I said, I watched y’all practice last year. I watched y’all play last year a lot. And I said, let’s get back to like making people uncomfortable in our building.”



The Tar Heels enter the season with a lot of pressure. Time will tell if they can take a step forward or stay stuck as other top programs continue to evolve on and off the court.&nbsp;

UNC alum Raymond Felton has a piece of advice for Seth Trimble

UNC alum Raymond Felton has a piece of advice for Seth Trimble - Bolavip US

The race to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft will be one of the biggest storylines in the 2025-26 NCAA season. After Cooper Flagg left for the association following a terrific season with the Duke Blue Devils, the race to be the first overall selection is back on.&nbsp;



AJ Dybantsa was considered by many as the clear favorite to hear his name called in next year’s draft, but there are at least two players with serious chances to earn that honor: Kansas Jayhawks’ Darryn Peterson and Duke’s Cameron Boozer.&nbsp;



Peterson shone at Prolific Prep before committing to Bill Self’s team. The combo guard carries high expectations into his freshman season, and some believe he has already surpassed his competition for the No. 1 overall selection.&nbsp;



<h2>Analyst makes bold statement about Darryn Peterson’s draft stock&nbsp;</h2>



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College basketball </a>analyst Cory Taluba said Peterson is already the No. 1 prospect in the country during a recent appearance on “The Field of 68: After Dark” podcast.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250914_BUS_491437_AJ-Dybantsa-1-1024x576_d87d1e01.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-290603" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>AJ Dybantsa (7)</figcaption></figure>



“As of today, I don’t even have to hesitate. I think it’s Darryn Peterson,” he said. “He might be the best shooting guard prospect in 25, maybe 30 years, maybe going back to Kobe (Bryant). I even tried watching some Kobe high school film just to see what that looked like. I think he’s that special. I really, really do.”



Peterson should showcase his talents under a coach like Self. He has high expectations for the freshman ahead of a season with plenty of challenges for Kansas.&nbsp;

AJ Dybantsa is no longer the favorite to be the No. 1 NBA Draft pick

AJ Dybantsa is no longer the favorite to be the No. 1 NBA Draft pick - Bolavip US

John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks may be facing obstacles to land one of the best players in the class of 2026. After a Sweet 16 loss to Texas Tech in the 2025 NCAA tournament, the Razorbacks are set to compete in the upcoming season. Meanwhile, they have set their sights on their next star, but the recruiting war for his services would be ruthless.&nbsp;



Caleb Holt has been identified as Arkansas’ biggest target, but other top programs have him on the radar, too. Holt, a 6-foot-5 guard from Huntsville, Alabama, is a five-star prospect at Prolific Prep.



Despite visiting campus at the end of August, the Razorbacks might be bracing for bad news regarding Holt.&nbsp;



<h2>Razorbacks can lose Caleb Holt to hometown programs&nbsp;</h2>



After all their attempts to land Holt, the Razorbacks aren’t in pole position to land the guard. Instead, On3 reporter Joe Tipton broke down that Holt reportedly prefers to play for Alabama or Auburn.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250914_BUS_491439_John-Calipari1-1024x576_6e7039bf.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-382696" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Arkansas’ John Calipari</figcaption></figure>



“Most sources I speak with believe it will be difficult to pull Holt away from his home state of Alabama. Both the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers have made him a top priority,” he explained. “If Holt decides to remain in state, the sources I’ve spoken to would give Nate Oats the slight edge as of today, but in the same breath mention not counting out Bruce Pearl. He has official visits to both home state schools scheduled for the month of October.”



Holt is ranked as the No. 2 player in his class, which is why many top programs are after him.&nbsp;

John Calipari could face trouble recruiting a 2026 top recruit

John Calipari could face trouble recruiting a 2026 top recruit - Bolavip US

Kiyan Anthony was a special guest at his father’s Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony on Saturday. Carmelo Anthony received the ultimate honor a professional athlete could receive in Springfield, accompanied by his son, who is set to debut with the Syracuse Orange in the upcoming NCAA season.&nbsp;



Carmelo won a championship during his first and only season with the orange, averaging 22.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, while being a consensus All-American and an All-Big East, among other honors.&nbsp;



Kiyan Anthony carries high expectations coming into the season, but his father has shown him nothing but support through his journey. “Melo” inspired the kid from a young age, and Kiyan didn’t hesitate to remind his dad that he’s been a Hall of Famer in his eyes since forever.&nbsp;



<h2>Kiyan Anthony showers Carmelo Anthony with praise ahead of HOF ceremony</h2>



In a video for “The Players’ Tribune,” Kiyan gave fans more details about his relationship with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250914_BUS_491441_Carmelo-Anthony-3-1024x576_68a40e67.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-337204" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Carmelo Anthony </figcaption></figure>



“Yo, Pops…you’ve been a Hall of Famer to me my whole life. All that hard work…nobody seeing you work as hard as you do. I appreciate you paving the way for me,”&nbsp;he said.



Anthony shares that seeing his father work hard to become the best player he could be inspired him:



“Just not even this part itself, just to see the preparation and everything he went through, writing, taking months, almost a year to write that speech,” said Kiyan. “For him to come out here today, super confident, us suited and booted, we’re definitely looking forward to hearing his name called and his speech.”



The Anthony family legacy was written with golden letters by Carmelo, and now Kiyan will have the chance to continue the story.&nbsp;

Kiyan Anthony reacts to Carmelo Anthony’s HOF induction

Kiyan Anthony reacts to Carmelo Anthony's HOF induction - Bolavip US

Dan Hurley can’t be more excited about a UConn Huskies player ahead of the 2025-26 NCAA&nbsp; season. Hurley’s team couldn’t make it past the second round of the national tournament last season, losing against the eventual champions, the Florida Gators.&nbsp;



Hurley and Co. are set to bounce back and show the world that they aren’t done dominating <a href="http://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a>. They have intriguing players, starting with Alex Karaban, Solo Ball and Jaylin Stewart. More than that, they have a talented center who has been turning heads in the offseason and might be poised to dominate next season.&nbsp;



Taris Reed Jr. has shown his abilities to communicate and help his teammates during summer practice sessions, as Hurley revealed in August.&nbsp;



“We’ve spent a lot of time with Tarris,” Hurley said. “Tarris worked his a** off. We’ve bet heavy that he’s going to have a dominant year.”



<h2>Dan Hurley raves about Taris Reed Jr. again&nbsp;</h2>



Hurley’s praise for the senior center didn’t stop there. Talking with the New Haven Register in August, he lauded Reed, but insisted he needs to be more consistent to boost his impact.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250911_BUS_490279_dan-hurley-1024x576_2cb9a632.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="dan hurley" class="wp-image-281112" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>UConn coach Dan Hurley.</figcaption></figure>



“He moves better than most guards laterally, running, vertical athleticism, off the boards. He checks every box. With him, it is motor. It is intensity. It is warrior mentality. It is discipline. It is losing your technique and fundamentals at times. If this guy puts it all together, he is as good a center as there is the country,” he said.



The Huskies had their pride hurt last season, but they are ready to compete again and reclaim their throne as the kings of college basketball.&nbsp;

Dan Hurley’s UConn may have found a new weapon

Dan Hurley's UConn may have found a new weapon - Bolavip US

Dawn Staley picked one of her former players at South Carolina as the favorite to win the 2025 WNBA MVP award. Staley has been one of the biggest supporters of women’s basketball, but she goes an extra mile when it comes to her current and former players.&nbsp;



A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston, under different circumstances, are putting up solid performances with the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Pacers, respectively. They have elevated their game once again, and their former coach has taken notice.&nbsp;



Staley praised Boston and Bree Hall over the weekend, highlighting their performance for the Fever amid Caitlin Clark’s absence. Wilson, on the other hand, was dubbed the best player in the league by Staley, who didn’t hesitate and told fans she wasn’t interested in their arguments.&nbsp;



<h2>Dawn Staley makes her pick for WNBA MVP clear&nbsp;</h2>



On Monday, the three-time national champion sent a message on X to endorse her favorite to win the MVP award. While she admitted she was biased, Staley didn’t hesitate to back Wilson for the coveted prize.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250911_BUS_490274_Aja-Wilson-1-1024x576_9bb6cef1.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="A&apos;ja Wilson in 2025" class="wp-image-442157" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces </figcaption></figure>



“As we wind down the @WNBA season, just would like to thank all the talented women who gave us a season of all seasons,” the <a href="http://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a> legend wrote. “If there’s truly no funny stuff in the air @ajawilson22 really is the MVP. I’m biased, but the historical numbers and run they’re on aren’t.”



Wilson leads the league in points (23.4) and blocks (2.3), while ranking second in rebounds (9.9) and third in double-doubles (20).&nbsp; The Aces tied the third-longest winning streak in WNBA history with 15 consecutive wins after they beat the Chicago Sky on Tuesday.&nbsp;Napheesa Collier is also having a remarkable season, but Wilson is having the best run at the moment.&nbsp;

Dawn Staley reveals her pick for WNBA MVP

Dawn Staley reveals her pick for WNBA MVP - Bolavip US

North Carolina Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis talked about the pressure he’s facing ahead of his fifth season in front of the team. Davis joined the program ahead of the 2021-22 season, which turned out to be his best so far.&nbsp;



He led the team to a 29-10 record and a national championship game appearance that was decided in the final seconds by the Kansas Jayhawks. Ever since that, UNC has missed the NCAA tournament once and hasn’t been able to return to the Final Four.&nbsp;



Davis is thought to be on the hot seat entering this season, especially considering how other iconic programs have evolved and competed in recent years, while the Tar Heels appeared to be one step behind them in terms of recruiting and performance.&nbsp;



<h2>Hubert Davis talks about the pressure he faces at North Carolina&nbsp;</h2>



Talking with Michael Koh of Chapelboro.com, Davis shared his thoughts on the pressure he carries ahead of the new season, stating that he’s aware of what his team is expected to achieve every year.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250911_BUS_490275_hubert-davis-1024x576_615e2ed1.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-469831" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Hubert Davis</figcaption></figure>



“I feel the same way that I’ve felt the last four years. There is a pressure and expectation for us to be good this year, but that pressure and that expectation for us to be good is no different than any other year,” he said. “The standard is at the highest here. I always talk to the guys [about], ‘The standard is the standard, and there’s an expectation every year for us to reach that standard.’ I actually had a conversation with [Senior Associate Athletic Director Steve Kirschner]. There’s a pressure and expectation to be good this year, but also, in some sense, to keep it there.”



The Tar Heels remain one of the best programs in<a href="http://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> college basketball </a>history, but fans want new glories, and he’s going to be on the hot seat if he doesn’t get the team going early.

Hubert Davis opens up on the pressure he faces at UNC

Hubert Davis opens up on the pressure he faces at UNC - Bolavip US

The UCLA Bruins secured a terrific recruit in Donovan Dent, one of the best guards in <a href="http://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a>. After three years in New Mexico, where he went from averaging 5.6 points to 20.4 per game, Dent entered the transfer portal and Mick Cronin and Co. made sure they secured his services for his senior year.&nbsp;



Dent is expected to elevate the Bruins’ game, as some think they could make a deep run in the 2026 NCAA tournament if everything goes according to plan. As his numbers show, he went from bad to excellent, raising the expectations about his first season with a storied program.&nbsp;



The Bruins advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA tournament before the Tennessee Volunteers ended their run with a 67-58 win. They are eager to bounce back next campaign, hoping that Dent can take them to the next level.&nbsp;



<h2>Mick Cronin explained how UCLA landed Donovan Dent&nbsp;</h2>



In an interview with 247Sports, Mick Cronin discussed the recruiting process to land Dent. He explained that being close to people who were close to Dent gave him an advantage over other schools.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250911_BUS_490277_Mick-Cronin-1-1024x576_33a346ee.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="UCLA Head Basketball Coach Mick Cronin expresses his feelings during the NCAA game between the UCLA Bruins and Washington Huskies." class="wp-image-295584" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>UCLA Head Basketball Coach Mick Cronin </figcaption></figure>



“Fortunately, we recruited other guys on his high school team and multiple guys throughout the years… My six years here, I’ve become good friends with Josh Giles (Dent’s high school coach) and Shannin Sharpe (former point guard at Dent’s school – now Colorado assistant coach). People that are close with Donnie, as well as his teammates here, Eric Freeny… we have many guys that have played throughout the years from Centennial High School. Once Donnie hit the portal, if we could afford him, we were probably going to get him. We already had the relationships, we’re the home school… I think probably the biggest thing he wanted to know was who else we were going to add with him. It wasn’t just about the money. He wanted to win,” he explained.



UCLA looks like one of the most intriguing teams ahead of the new season, and this pickup will certainly make them a must-watch team..&nbsp;

Mick Cronin explains his recruiting process of new UCLA star

Mick Cronin explains his recruiting process of new UCLA star - Bolavip US

Hubert Davis enters the 2025-26 NCAA season carrying a lot of pressure after another disappointing campaign. They only made it to the first round of the 2025 NCAA tournament, where the Ole Miss Rebels sent them home 71-61.&nbsp;



North Carolina posted a 23-14 record, the third-best they have registered under Davis (29-8 in 2023-24 and 28-10 in 2021-22) in four seasons. The Tar Heels haven’t made the Final Four since 2022 and fans and analysts are starting to grow frustrated with the lack of evolution.&nbsp;



The program remains one of the best in the country, but the recent lack of success and evolution, while Kansas, Kentucky, and their archrivals Duke are adapting to the new era of<a href="http://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> college basketball</a>, has raised eyebrows among fans.&nbsp;



<h2>Former NBA star backs Hubert Davis ahead of 2025-26 NCAA season&nbsp;</h2>



Former New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton, a North Carolina alumn, shared his thoughts on Davis, his former college teammate. In an appearance on the “TarHeel247 – A UNC Basketball” podcast, Felton reminded people what is expected from UNC coaches every year.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250911_BUS_490276_Raymond-Felton-1024x576_1def05a2.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-388629" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Raymond Felton</figcaption></figure>



“The expectations is to win. That’s every year,” Felton explained. “I think Hubert is doing an amazing job. He gets a lot of [criticism], but that comes with being a Carolina coach. You’re going to get everybody’s best game every night, so there’s no room for error.”



Moreover, he disagreed with those who call for Davis to be fired, adding that the coach is very passionate about the program.&nbsp;



“Can he be better? Yes. But to say it’s his fault and he needs to be fired, I can’t agree with that,” Felton said. “This is his livelihood. He’s passionate about Carolina. We’ve got to respect that.”



The upcoming season might be crucial for Davis’ future in front of one of the most storied college basketball programs of all time.&nbsp;

Former NBA star shares his honest thoughts on Hubert Davis

Former NBA star shares his honest thoughts on Hubert Davis - Bolavip US

The Kansas Jayhawks secured a huge win when combo guard Darryn Peterson committed to the program ahead of the 2025-26 NCAA season. The Jayhawks have hosted multiple future NBA stars and champions, including Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins.&nbsp;



Peterson, a 6-foot-6 guard out of Prolific Prep, had offers from Kansas State, Ohio State and USC, too. He ultimately decided to join Bill Self, one of the best coaches in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball,</a> to try to create something special at Kansas.&nbsp;



He is entering his freshman season with high expectations, as even Self admitted he will be asked to carry the team, something that Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid, or Frank Mason III weren’t asked to do during their college days.&nbsp;Peterson doesn’t seem to be running away from the challenge and his recent performances in practice have drawn a lot of attention.&nbsp;



<h2>Analyst raves about Darryn Peterson’s performances in practice&nbsp;</h2>



In a recent X post, ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla recalled a practice session from Peterson that caught his attention. He labeled the guard’s performance as “ridiculous.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250909_BUS_488126_Bill-Self-1024x576_a961efe1.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-287059" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self </figcaption></figure>



“Wanted to give it 24 hours for me to digest what I saw at ⁦[Kansas] practice but ⁦[Darryn Peterson] hit EIGHT straight 3’s, some highly contested, in an intra-squad scrimmage yesterday. In addition to having an incredible feel &amp; IQ for the game, THAT was ridiculous,” Fraschilla wrote. ⁦



Peterson starts his college career as one of the two best players in the country, constantly fighting for the No. 1 spot with AJ Dybantsa. The upcoming season will likely define which player will go as No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.&nbsp;

Bill Self’s latest superstar turns heads in practice

Bill Self's latest superstar turns heads in practice - Bolavip US

Mark Pope had a solid first season as the Kentucky Wildcats’ head coach. After spending four seasons at Utah Valley and five at BYU, Pope returned to his alma mater ahead of the 2024-25 season, set to replace John Calipari after the legendary coach left for the Arkansas Razorbacks.&nbsp;



Pope had a solid debut season with the Wildcats, leading them to a 24-12 record (10-8 in the conference) and a Sweet 16 participation for the first time since the 2018-19 season.&nbsp;



The Wildcats should build on that positive campaign and aim higher in the upcoming NCAA season, more so after Pope demonstrated that he could take a big program and make it relevant again.&nbsp;



The Wildcats might be a serious national championship contender if all the pieces click. Pope has a good squad, and his coaching abilities proved to be right for the squad. Moreover, one <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball </a>analyst pointed out a notable factor that helped Pope thrive last season.



<h2>Analyst links John Calipari’s exit to Mark Pope’s early success with Kentucky&nbsp;</h2>



Andrew Stefaniak of Kentucky Wildcats on SI wrote that John Calipari’s departure amid a tumultuous time for Kentucky helped Mark Pope elevate the team’s level of performance fast.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250909_BUS_488127_John-Calipari1-1024x576_a1a61a33.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-382696" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Arkansas’ John Calipari</figcaption></figure>



He compared Kentucky’s situation to the Alabama Crimson Tide football team, which saw legendary coach Nick Saban go when they were a top program in college football, but has failed to find success under Kalen DeBoer.&nbsp;Pope, instead, inherited a team that hadn’t played up to its standards for multiple years.&nbsp;



“Calipari leaving the Kentucky program in a place where fans had forgotten what postseason success looked like might have helped Coach Pope build something special because he hasn’t been looking over his shoulder worried about his job,” he said.



The 2025-26 season might be one to remember for the Wildcats, but time will tell if Pope can take them to the promised land.&nbsp;

NCAA analyst explains how John Calipari’s failure helped Mark Pope

NCAA analyst explains how John Calipari's failure helped Mark Pope - Bolavip US

Azzi Fudd and KK Arnold are set to lead the UConn Huskies to another NCAA championship after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks to win last season’s title. While Fudd will play her final season with the Huskies, Arnold will enter her junior campaign, hoping to stay atop women’s<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> college basketball</a>.&nbsp;



The relationship between them didn’t have the best start, as Arnold admitted she didn’t feel comfortable with Fudd’s personality at first. Fortunately, they grew closer and now are eager to defend their national championship, this time without Paige Bueckers.&nbsp;



<h2>KK Arnold makes big admission about relationship with Azzi Fudd</h2>



Their first interaction rubbed both players the wrong way, as Arnold admitted they couldn’t see eye to eye at the beginning.&nbsp;During a recent episode of “Fudd Around and Find Out,” Arnold revealed her first thoughts about Fudd.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250909_BUS_488128_Azzi-Fudd-1024x576_0f0619eb.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Azzi Fudd in 2025" class="wp-image-442199" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Azzi Fudd #35 of the UConn Huskies </figcaption></figure>



“Even Azzi can say when I first had met her, she thought I was too much for her — [those] were her words,” Arnold said. “Maybe it can come off strong to some people, but like I didn’t really do that much. I was literally just dancing, you know, I was just being me. Like, I felt like really sad. Oh, she upset me. Like I was really upset.”



Fudd said she was upset when Arnold “was doing a lot.” Fortunately, the distance made them grow closer and understand each other better, which led to a solid friendship.&nbsp;



“Towards the end of the year as I read the room, I left her alone. Then I saw the other side of her where she was like smiling at me, which is weird,” Arnold added. “Now it took a whole year for her to warm up. And then the next year we were besties. And now look at us. We’ve come a long way.”



The Huskies have a strong squad for the 2025-26 season, and other than the Gamecocks, it’s hard to see a team challenging them for the championship.&nbsp;

KK Arnold admits she didn’t like Azzi Fudd at first

KK Arnold admits she didn't like Azzi Fudd at first - Bolavip US

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