Rick Pitino’s St. John’s Red Storm has drawn plenty of positive comments after a busy offseason. The Big East program comes off a 31-5 season in which it returned to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2020.&nbsp;



Pitino’s second season put people on notice, as the Red Storm advanced to the second round of the national tournament, but ultimately lost against John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks.&nbsp;



They have renewed expectations for the 2025-26 season, and their busy offseason has turned a lot of heads. Joseph Shaw of “Busting Brackets” lauded the programs for pulling off a terrific offseason and adding seven players.



<h2>Rick Pitino’s team is ready for big things</h2>



“The transfer portal is where Rick Pitino went unconscious, bringing in 7 commits, and almost all of them were major contributors to their team last season,” he said. “The players he brought in include Handje Tamba from Milligan College, Dillon Mitchell from Cincinnati, Dylan Darling from Idaho St, Ian Jackson from UNC, Oziyah Sellers from Stanford, Joson Sanon from Arizona State, and Bryce Hopkins from Providence. This is potentially one of the greatest transfer classes we have ever seen.”



<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_20250904_BUS_485325_Rick-Pitino-1024x576_b93d7950.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-352170" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Rick Pitino</figcaption></figure>



Pitino and Co. are ready to compete for the national championship, and many are starting to see them as legit contenders.&nbsp;



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College basketball </a>analyst Jon Rothstein shared his latest ROTHSTEIN 45 rankings and included St. John’s in the top three. The veteran placed Purdue at No. 1, followed by the Houston Cougars and the Red Storm. Florida and Michigan complete the top five, while Dan Hurley’s UConn was ranked at No. 6.&nbsp;



After adding multiple players who contributed to their former teams, the Red Storm appear to be in a solid position to compete for everything this year. It won’t be easy, as they aren’t the only team that upgraded in the offseason, but they could make a leap and place themselves among the top teams in college basketball.

NCAA analyst says Rick Pitino’s St. John’s is a top-3 team right now

NCAA analyst says Rick Pitino's St. John's is a top-3 team right now - Bolavip US

miniaturas

Azzi Fudd will be one of the biggest stars in the 2025-26<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> college basketball</a> season. The UConn Huskies guard will take over from her girlfriend, Paige Bueckers, after she left for the WNBA and became the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft.



Fudd has hit the gym ahead of the new season, but she’s also shared the court with her idol, who turned into her mentor, Stephen Curry. The Golden State Warriors superstar has been a major inspiration for Fudd since she was a kid and their relationship has evolved massively in recent years.&nbsp;



It all started in 2018, when she attended Curry’s elite SC30 Select Camp. Fudd made quite an impression on the four-time NBA champion, winning the 3-point contest against all the male opponents.&nbsp;That performance sparked a relationship with the two-time MVP, who has followed and mentored her along the way.



<h2>Azzi Fudd shares details of her relationship with Steph Curry&nbsp;</h2>



During a recent installment of her “Fudd Around and Find Out” podcast, the UConn star revealed how her friendship with the all-time 3-point leader started:



<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_20250903_BUS_484645_stephen-curry-2-1024x576_adfdd6ad.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Warriors star Stephen Curry" class="wp-image-473770" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors </figcaption></figure>



“Well, first it all started when I named my dog Curry after him. That’s where it really started, and then at USA-Chile, his mom was there because they’re close with the Brink family, so his mom was there to support Cameron Brink, and I told her I was like, I named my dog after yours,” Fudd explained.



She lauded Curry for being a genuine person and not switching whenever he has a camera in front.&nbsp;



“Who you see on social media and like in videos and whatever, that’s exactly how he is in person,” Fudd said. “He really truly cares and wants to make and leave the game better and make everyone around him better.”



Three years after that first encounter, Curry signed Fudd to his SC30 brand, which explains how high the point guard is on the prospect. Now, the sky is the limit for the young guard.

Azzi Fudd opens up on her relationship with Steph Curry

Azzi Fudd opens up on her relationship with Steph Curry - Bolavip US

Adam Silver is working with a series of qualified people to try to help youth basketball in the United States back to where it once belonged. While the NBA isn’t losing quality players, the commissioner has noticed a trend of young players not playing as many 5-on-5 games as prior generations.&nbsp;



One of the people he turned to to lead this project was Mike Krzyzewski, one of the best <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball </a>coaches of all time. The former Duke Blue Devils coach is a special advisor to Silver, who attended Duke back in the day, and the chairman of the NBA’s Global Basketball Committee.&nbsp;



This team was assembled to examine the state of elite youth U.S. basketball and provide recommendations to solve whatever issues they face.



<h2>Coach K praises Adam Silver’s initiative to help youth basketball&nbsp;</h2>



Mike Krzyzewski offered his thoughts on the current state of elite basketball in the United States. He believes that all the time kids spend on the court doesn’t necessarily translate into lessons taught or learned.



<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_20250903_BUS_484641_Mike-Krzyzewski-1-1024x576_0cd1fcaa.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Mike Krzyzewski" class="wp-image-288328" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Mike Krzyzewski</figcaption></figure>



“The game in our country is undertaught and probably overplayed, if that makes sense,” Krzyzewski told USA TODAY Sports.



He applauded the league for identifying and focusing on this issue, considering all the power the league holds.&nbsp;



“The NBA is fully committed to helping youth basketball and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a>,” Krzyzewski said. “Adam, the board of governors, everyone understands our responsibility in taking care of our game. The NBA should take care of our game, and they want to.”&nbsp;



New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president Joe Dumars, Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly, Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul, and even Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, among others, have joined this project.

Mike Krzyzewski lauds the NBA for helping youth basketball

Mike Krzyzewski lauds the NBA for helping youth basketball - Bolavip US

Besides becoming one of the best <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball </a>coaches of all time, leading the Duke Blue Devils for 42 years (1980 through 2022), Mike Krzyzewski was also in charge of coaching some of the best teams on the international basketball scene.



He was an assistant coach to Chuck Daly when the “Dream Team” traveled to Barcelona for the 1992 Summer Olympic Games, where they didn’t lose a single quarter. Sixteen years later, he was in charge of the so-called “Redeem Team” for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.&nbsp;



A lot of comparisons have been made between these two teams, and “Coach K” once made his pick between the two talented squads.&nbsp;



<h2>Coach K picks Dream Team over Redeem Team&nbsp;</h2>



Back in 2020, “Coach K” went with the 1992 team, citing Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson as the main reason why that team would be impossible to beat.



<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_20250903_BUS_484642_Mike-Krzyzewski-1-1024x576_4a676623.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Mike Krzyzewski" class="wp-image-288328" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Mike Krzyzewski</figcaption></figure>



“They weren’t at the same age at that time,” Coach K once said. “Jordan was in his prime, although he’s always in his prime. Larry had a lot of back problems then and Magic had been out for a year. And not that they were at his level at that time, but if they were in their prime, all three of them, I’d take those three guys to start any team.”



“You’re talking about three of at least the Top 6 or 7 in the history of the game,” added Krzyzewski. “Magic is probably the best point guard ever. Jordan may be the best player ever, although Kobe’s right there and LeBron. And Larry was just unique. You talk about being a competitor, there aren’t as many players like that anymore.”



The Redeem Team brought the spark back to Team USA, but the impact the 1992 squad had remains unmatched.&nbsp;Of course, you couldn’t go wrong either way in this debate.

Duke legend ‘Coach K’ chooses between the Dream Team and Redeem Team

Duke legend 'Coach K' chooses between the Dream Team and Redeem Team - Bolavip US

Cameron Boozer faces the 2025-26 college baskeball season with high expectations. He will have big shoes to fill after Cooper Flagg led the Duke Blue Devils to the national tournament Final Four, but the forward isn’t backing down from the challenge.&nbsp;



Even before he sets foot on an NCAA court, Boozer is drawing comparisons and hype from NBA folks. Carlos Boozer’s son has a bright future ahead and someone has already identified where he would thrive in the association.&nbsp;



It’s still too early to tell, but as the No. 3-ranked player on ESPN’s 100 list, it’s easier to suggest where he would go in next year’s draft.&nbsp;



<h2>Analyst says Cameron Boozer is right for the Brooklyn Nets&nbsp;</h2>



Tyler Carmona of “Brooklyn Nets on SI,” detailed why Boozer is a much better fit for the Nets than other top-ranked players, namely Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa. He noted that Boozer could be a good partner for Nic Claxton, the team’s center.



<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_20250903_BUS_484644_Cameron-Boozer-1024x576_ea2b31e2.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-382685" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Cameron Boozer</figcaption></figure>



“As the No. 3 player in the country, Boozer’s accolades include two Mr. Basketball USA awards and two Gatorade National Player of the Year awards during his time at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida. The son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, he helped lead the Explorers to a state championship in each of his four years of high school. As he prepares for his first year at Duke, alongside his twin brother Cayden, Boozer could easily rise to the No. 1 prospect in his class with a strong showing during his freshman season. While the Nets have a strong center in Nic Claxton, Boozer could help stretch the floor and provide some versatility to Brooklyn’s frontcourt. Out of the three players on this list, Boozer would be the best fit on Brooklyn’s roster,” he wrote.



The season is still months away, but many are preparing for the future of certain prospects.&nbsp;One thing’s for sure, though: Boozer will follow his father’s steps in the NBA.

NBA analyst explains why Cameron Boozer is the best fit for the Brooklyn Nets

NBA analyst explains why Cameron Boozer is the best fit for the Brooklyn Nets - Bolavip US

Bill Self has had a busy offseason after taking his Kansas Jayhawks to the NCAA national tournament in March. Kansas finished with a 21-13 record (11-9 in the conference) after losing to John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks in the first round of the tournament.&nbsp;



After dealing with a health scare, Self is set to lead the Hawks to the promised land, and he’s assembled a solid team to put pressure on the fellow top programs in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a>.&nbsp;



Darryn Petterson, the No. 1 prospect in the country, according to 247 Sports, is set to leave his mark on the program and help them challenge for the national championship. Four-star recruits Kohl Rosario and Samis Calderon also enrolled to bolster Kansas’ ranks ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.



The program is preparing for next year already, and they have scheduled a visit from a five-star recruit for later this month.&nbsp;



<h2>Star center set to visit Kansas at the end of September&nbsp;</h2>



JayhawkSlant insider Shay Wildeboor reports that five-star center Ethan Taylor visited campus on Friday, hinting that his college career may well be at Lawrence.



<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_20250903_BUS_484643_Bill-Self-1-1024x576_29e79557.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Bill Self in 2024" class="wp-image-287587" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Head Coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks</figcaption></figure>



Taylor is the No. 22 player and No. 1 center in the class of 2026, a native of Kansas City. He transferred to Link Academy in Missouri this offseason, following a stint at Shawnee Mission Northwest in Kansas.&nbsp;



He had previously visited Lawrence in June in an unofficial trip, just like Friday’s. His official visit is scheduled from Sept. 26 through Sept. 28. In addition to Kansas, he will visit other schools, namely Oregon, Oklahoma, Indiana, Michigan State, and Kentucky.

Bill Self and the Jayhawks welcome star prospect for intriguing visit

Bill Self and the Jayhawks welcome star prospect for intriguing visit - Bolavip US

Legendary <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball </a>coach Dawn Staley had high praise for Aliyah Boston, one of her former players on the South Carolina Gamecocks. Staley has had the chance to coach multiple future stars, including A’ja Wilson, Kamilla Cardoso, and Tiffany Mitchell, to name a few.&nbsp;



Boston, who led the Gamecocks to the national championship in the 2021-22 NCAA season, left a huge mark on her college coach from the beginning of their relationship.&nbsp;



The 6-foot-five forward joined the Gamecocks from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, ahead of the 2019-20 season. Boston made an instant impact on her squad, averaging 12.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.6 blocks per game during her freshman year.



While she was putting up solid performances on the court, Boston wasn’t the most vocal person on the roster, which prevented Staley from knowing how intelligent the future No. 1 overall pick was.&nbsp;



<h2>Dawn Staley praises Aliyah Boston’s intelligence&nbsp;</h2>



During a conversation with Boston and WNBA legend Candace Parker, Staley opened up about the forward’s freshman season in college. Staley recalled that Boston didn’t talk much since she was respectful of the senior players and only spoke to her when they talked in private. Those conversations helped Boston get better on the court.&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_20250902_BUS_483945_Aliyah-Boston-2-1024x576_0b9b63a3.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Aliyah Boston in 2025" class="wp-image-455265" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Aliyah Boston #7 of the Indiana Fever looks on against the Chicago Sky during the second half at the United Center on July 27, 2025.</figcaption></figure>



“I think once we started having those conversations, she started just blossoming, like I mean, she is super smart,” Staley said. “Like she probably came in as the smartest player like ever in the history of our program.”



Boston left college in 2023, and she’s now blossoming into one of the best players in her position in the WNBA.&nbsp;While most people talk about Caitlin Clark, she’s also a pivotal part of the Indiana Fever’s future.

Dawn Staley reveals what made Aliyah Boston so special

Dawn Staley reveals what made Aliyah Boston so special - Bolavip US

JuJu Watkins is arguably the biggest <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a> star right now after Paige Bueckers departed for the WNBA at the end of last season. The USC Trojans’ star guard carries high expectations, more so after taking over the Trojans and taking them to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances.&nbsp;



Watkins will be sidelined for the 2025-26 season, which will open the door for different players to give something extra to the team. During her two years in Los Angeles, the 6-foot-2 guard has grown a lot, and her growth has helped some of her teammates become better.&nbsp;



Malia Samuels has been by her side during this period, watching Watkins deal with all the pressure and expectation that come with being one of the most exciting prospects in women’s basketball.



<h2>JuJu Watkins’ teammate explains the biggest lesson she learned from the guard&nbsp;</h2>



During a recent conversation with Chloe Clark on the latter’s YouTube channel, Williams detailed how Watkins deals with the pressure that not many could take, especially at her age.



<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_20250902_BUS_483946_JuJu-Watkins-1024x576_84b8e926.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="JuJu Watkins USC" class="wp-image-363224" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>JuJu Watkins #12 of the USC Trojans </figcaption></figure>



“Just the way that she handles like all the outside noise and all the pressure and still comes as her best self and um, keeps her composure every day. It’s amazing,” Samuels said.&nbsp;



She added that when she’s in private with teammates, Watkins doesn’t hide her personality and acts like her normal self.&nbsp;



“Like she’s one of us, like she’s joking around with us and you know, there’s people probably in her comments that are talking, people in her DMs that are talking crazy. So just to, just to see that she handles pressure so well and is able to show up as her best self is something that I really commend her for and something that I’ve learned from her,” Samuels explained.



The Trojans will miss her on the court, but Watkins can still make an impact from the sideline.&nbsp;Hopefully, it won’t be much longer before she can get back to what she does best.

USC star reveals the biggest lesson she learned from JuJu Watkins

USC star reveals the biggest lesson she learned from JuJu Watkins - Bolavip US

Mick Cronin will enter his seventh season as the UCLA head coach and the expectations for his team might be higher this year. The Bruins posted a 23-11 record last season, advancing to the NCAA tournament, where the Tennessee Volunteers sent them home in the second round (67-58).&nbsp;



Cronin and Co. will try to build on that performance and go further in the 2025-26 season. They have upgraded key positions during the offseason, especially the point guard position, bringing in New Mexico transfer Donovan Dent to help the squad.



NCAA analyst John Rothstein said they could be the third-best team in the Big Ten this season, behind Purdue and Michigan, and Dent is expected to play a key role in their aspirations.&nbsp;



<h2>Analyst says UCLA has chances to compete for big things this season&nbsp;</h2>



On that note, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a> analyst Rob Dauster didn’t hide his excitement about UCLA’s new chance. On Saturday, Dauster dubbed Cronin’s team a potential dark horse for a Final Four run. Why? Because they added Dent to the roster.



<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_20250902_BUS_483943_MickCronin-1024x576_ce7a30eb.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-299151" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin yells at his bench during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the CBS Sports Classic matchup at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA.</figcaption></figure>



“You have an elite point guard,” Dauster said on “The Field of 68.”&nbsp; “You have spacing bigs, you have a roster that has actually been built around having an elite point guard. I have very high expectations for what this group can be. A large part of that is I have very high expectations for how good Donovan Dent is going to be going back home to LA. We should be talking about UCLA as one of the four teams that can make a Final Four out of the Big Ten.”



After winning 23 games and adding a player who could be the second or third-best in his position nationwide at worst, the Bruins could be cooking something good.&nbsp;

UCLA could be a legitimate dark horse, explains analyst

UCLA could be a legitimate dark horse, explains analyst - Bolavip US

The USC Trojans women’s <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a> team will endure a challenging 2025-26 NCAA season without their biggest star, JuJu Watkins. The sophomore suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the second round of the 2025 NCAA tournament against Mississippi State.&nbsp;



What started as a run in which Watkins could go at it against Paige Bueckers again ended with the Trojans losing 78-64 to the UConn Huskies in the Elite Eight. They are preparing for a new season, and one of the biggest questions they’ll have to answer will be about who will take over from Watkins.&nbsp;



The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks in her sophomore season, leading the Trojans to a 29-3 record before she went down early on in the Mississippi State game.&nbsp; While the expectations might not be the same at the beginning, USC could find a new spark with a freshman ready to dominate the competition.&nbsp;



<h2>USC Trojans’ freshman projected to take over from JuJu Watkins&nbsp;</h2>



While it’s well known that JuJu Watkins is a generational talent, the Trojans might have an ace up their sleeve for the upcoming season. Jalon Dixon of “USC Trojans on SI” writes that freshman guard Jazzy Davidson is set to lead the team this campaign.&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_20250902_BUS_483944_JuJu-Watkins-1024x576_a852ad8c.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="JuJu Watkins USC" class="wp-image-363224" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>JuJu Watkins #12 of the USC Trojans </figcaption></figure>



She’s coming off a gold medal win at the FIBA U19 World Cup in the Czech Republic, where she averaged 14 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.1 steals per game.&nbsp;



“Her all-around game—scoring, facilitating, and defending—stood out on a roster full of elite prospects. At 6-1, her size and versatility allow her to impact multiple positions, and she flashed the maturity to lead on both ends of the floor,” he said.



Dixon adds that her international experience wasn’t a surprise for many. She only confirmed what people were expecting from her. Watkins’ absence will always be serious for the Trojans, but they have a new talented face ready to lead the charge.

USC has a breakout candidate in the wake of JuJu Watkins’ devastating injury

USC has a breakout candidate in the wake of JuJu Watkins' devastating injury - Bolavip US

Cameron Boozer is set to start his <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a> career with his father’s alma mater, the University of Duke. Boozer and his twin brother, Cayden, made a lot of noise before committing to the Blue Devils, and now the expectations are high for Carlos Boozer’s kids.&nbsp;



The 6-foot-9 forward was a sought-after prospect, ranking third on ESPN’s 100 list and receiving offers from Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan and North Carolina.&nbsp;



He will continue his father’s legacy at Duke, under Jon Scheyer, trying to go further than Cooper Flagg in the 2024-25 NCAA season. After Cooper, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach, among others, left the program, the new pack of players will carry the torch to try to claim another national championship with the Blue Devils.



<h2>Analyst highlights Cameron Boozer’s past successes ahead of Duke debut season&nbsp;</h2>



Anna Snyder of The Fayetteville Observer wrote on Aug. 28 about what Cameron Boozer brings to the table for Duke. He enjoyed a lot of successes during his high school career, which prompted ESPN to give him such a high ranking.



<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_20250902_BUS_483947_Cameron-Boozer1-1024x576_e1c7cd31.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-382687" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Cameron Boozer at the free-throw line</figcaption></figure>



“During his high school career at Christopher Columbus High in Miami, the McDonald’s All-American helped lead the program to four-straight state championships along with a national title in 2025. He averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game during his senior season. He helped lead his AAU program to three straight Peach Jam championships and led the 2024 Nike EYBL circuit with 6.5 assists per game,” he wrote.



This season could be memorable for Duke and Boozer, but the competition won’t be easy for the Blue Devils.&nbsp;They should have more than enough to get by, though.

Duke analyst explains what makes Cameron Boozer so special

Duke analyst explains what makes Cameron Boozer so special - Bolavip US

Mark Pope had a strong debut season in front of the Kentucky Wildcats in the 2024-25 NCAA season. After five years with the BYU Cougars, he returned to his alma mater to take over from John Calipari, who left for the Arkansas Razorbacks.&nbsp;



Pope led his team to a 24-12 record and an NCAA tournament run that ended in the Sweet 16 when the Tennessee Volunteers sent them home with a clear 78-65 win.



He is set to build on that performance and take the Wildcats further in the national tournament, but he may have some big questions to answer before the start of the season in the final three months of the year.&nbsp;



<h2>Analyst says Mark Pope still has to make an important roster decision&nbsp;</h2>



Andrew Stefaniak of “Kentucky Wildcats on SI” raised one question for Pope ahead of his second season in front of the Wildcats: Who will be the starting power forward? There are two clear options: Andrija Jelavic and Mo Diubate.



<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_20250831_BUS_482649_Mark-Pope-the-head-coach-of-the-Kentucky-Wildcats-talks-to-the-media-following-practice-for-the-NCAA-1024x576_367aee56.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Mark Pope the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats talks to the media following practice for the NCAA Men&apos;s Basketball Tournament - Midwest Regional at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana." class="wp-image-397076" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Mark Pope the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats </figcaption></figure>



Stefaniak writes that the players have different main skillsets, with Jelavic being more of an offensive player and Dioubate thriving on defense. However, they aren’t bad on their “weak” side, as the Croatian forward is a solid defender who can rebound and block shots, while Dioubate isn’t a slouch with the ball in his hands.&nbsp; The writer suggests that Jelavic might be the one taking the nod on Pope’s starting five this season.&nbsp;



“While Jelavic is better on the offensive end than he is on the defensive end, he is no slouch on defense, and this is why he could get the nod in the Mark Pope offense,” he wrote. “He is a sharpshooter from three, and at his size, with his ability to handle the ball, Coach Pope might want him to start.”



This is a good problem to have for Pope, but time will tell who he chooses between these two intriguing prospects.&nbsp;

Mark Pope has one big decision to make ahead of Kentucky’s season opener

Mark Pope has one big decision to make ahead of Kentucky's season opener - Bolavip US

While she prepares for her final season at UConn, star guard Azzi Fudd shares details of her recruitment process and how different programs tried to lure her. Fudd comes off a national championship season in Paige Bueckers’ final campaign with the Huskies, and now she’ll be the leader of the team.&nbsp;



Prior to her commitment to Connecticut, Fudd visited different campuses, where she was welcomed with open arms, as several top schools wanted to secure her services.&nbsp;



The senior guard had a different approach when it came to visits, as she went to different schools while on road trips to know how things worked at those places when they weren’t prepared to receive her.&nbsp;



Fudd’s family used to drive with her to AAU tournaments, which allowed them to check some of the places that showed interest in her. One of them was UCLA, which left a good impression on Fudd.



<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_20250831_BUS_482650_Azzi-Fudd-1024x576_09272617.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 looks on in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the National Championship of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament on April 06, 2025.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Azzi Fudd praises UCLA while remembering visit to campus&nbsp;</h2>



During Friday’s edition of her “Fudd Around and Find Out” podcast, the Arlington, Virginia native recalled that she was impressed by the way UCLA tried to recruit her.&nbsp;



“When I went to UCLA, someone actually stopped me on a golf cart, showed me a magazine with my picture in it and said, ‘Are you Fudd?’” Fudd said. “UCLA needs props, because their recruiting was top-notch. They were really creative with what they would send and do.”



She added that her family made sure to drive her to different schools, even the ones that weren’t interested in her services. She credited that approach in helping her decide on her college team.&nbsp;



Fudd joined the Huskies ahead of the 2021-22 season, and has played 76 games in the last four seasons, averaging 13.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. She just won a championship and is eager to repeat before going to the WNBA.

Azzi Fudd tips her hat to UCLA’s recruiting process

Azzi Fudd tips her hat to UCLA's recruiting process - Bolavip US

North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball team’s coach Hubert Davis enters the 2025-26 NCAA season with a lot of pressure, according to college basketball analyst Joe Ovies.&nbsp;



After taking over the team in the 2021-22 season, Davis had a strong start to his tenure with the program, posting a 29-19 record and taking the team to the 2022 NCAA tournament’s Final Four.&nbsp;



Ever since that debut season, Davis has struggled to build a consistent team and his seat might be getting warm this campaign. North Carolina is one of the most iconic programs in college basketball, but Davis’ approach in recent seasons hasn’t been up to its standard.



<h2>UNC’s Hubert Davis might be on the hot seat, says college basketball analyst</h2>



During this week’s edition of CBS Sports’ “Eye on College Basketball,” Ovies didn’t mince words when discussing Davis’ stint at Chapel Hill. Ovies noted that the team has failed to live up to the expectations they have every year.



<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_20250831_BUS_482654_hubertdavis-1024x576_3223fdc1.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-469828" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Hubert Davis</figcaption></figure>



“Three of the last four years, North Carolina has been a bubble team,” he said. “Is that really the standard at UNC? Absolutely not.”



Ovies added that the Tar Heels have overused the card of the Jordan Brand connection to recruit players, which isn’t that successful nowadays.&nbsp;



“They’ve been caught flat-footed,” Ovies added.&nbsp;“Right now, UNC fans sound like they’re stuck in the past,” he said. “Everyone else has moved forward except Carolina.”



Hubert has posted a 101-45 record in four seasons in front of the Tar Heels, but that might not be enough to retain his job if the new season is also irregular.

Analyst explains why Hubert Davis is on the hot seat at UNC

Analyst explains why Hubert Davis is on the hot seat at UNC - Bolavip US

AJ Dybantsa is one of the biggest attractions of the 2025-26 NCAA season. The BYU Cougars’ five-star recruit is considered the No.1 prospect of his class, but he’s already receiving warnings about what challenges <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">college basketball</a> might present him.&nbsp;



Dybantsa won’t play for the strongest program in the country, but he has already set high expectations for his team: the national championship. He may be gone after one season in college, but he wants to leave a strong mark on the program.&nbsp;



Coming off a gold medal in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, he’s eager to add more silverware to his cabinet, but Dybantsa must learn and evolve before challenging for the championship and entering the NBA draft.&nbsp;



<h2>College basketball analyst shares concern about AJ Dybantsa&nbsp;</h2>



NCAA analyst Jeff Goodman is high on Dybantsa, but he still has one concern about the forward’s character. Goodman praised Dybantsa’s offense on “Field of 68,” but also wondered how he would respond when things weren’t going his way.



<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_20250831_BUS_482652_AJ-DYBANTSA-1024x576_c9f0ce12.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-405197" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>BYU star AJ Dybantsa</figcaption></figure>



“As much as we talk about his offense,” Goodman said. “He can get to the basket when he wants, and he could dominate a game defensively if he puts his mind to it. His upside is higher than anybody else in the country. The question is how will he deal with some adversity? He’s going to have some two-for-12 games. Can he impact the game in other ways when that happens? Can he grab 10 rebounds? Can he dish out six or seven assists?”



To become a complete player, prospects need to find different ways to impact games. Considering that he’s the best option on the Cougars, there will be nights when Dybantsa will have to adapt to the circumstances and try to help his team by doing different stuff than scoring.&nbsp;

NCAA analyst has one major concern about AJ Dybantsa

NCAA analyst has one major concern about AJ Dybantsa - Bolavip US

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