Having previously shared four rounds of sparring with Conor Benn, former world champion Shawn Porter has considered how the Brit might fare against Ryan Garcia.

‘The Destroyer’ comes off a comfortable 10-round points victory over Regis Prograis, featuring on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov last month.

In doing so, he remained in the win column at a catchweight of 150lbs after exacting his revenge over Chris Eubank Jr in their middleweight rematch last November.

As the WBC’s highest-ranked welterweight contender, though, Benn is set to drop back down to 147lbs in pursuit of a showdown with Ryan Garcia.

The American claimed his WBC world title in February, dethroning Mario Barrios with a one-sided points victory after flooring his man in the opening round.

As a result, Garcia secured his first victory since scoring an eighth-round finish over Oscar Duarte in 2023, which was followed by a no-contest against Devin Haney and a unanimous decision loss to Rolando Romero.

Hoping for a more consistent run of form, the 27-year-old is set to defend his title later this year, perhaps in the summer, with mandatory challenger Benn having emerged as a likely opponent.

But while crediting Benn for his “versatility”, Porter has told Boxing King Media that he believes the speed of Garcia could potentially lead to a dramatic finish.

“Based on how Ryan Garcia looked in his last fight, it looks like he beats Conor Benn.

“The style clash favours Ryan Garcia because of his speed – because of his power from the outside – so it’s definitely a tough fight for Conor Benn.

“I would say 60/40 [that] Ryan Garcia wins that fight, possibly [by] KO. But Conor is very tough. That’s what I already knew about him, but I got to see it first-hand when we sparred.

“He’s much more versatile than [what] we saw in the first fight with Eubank. He comes back in the rematch against Eubank and we see the versatility, we see the speed, the foot movement and things of that nature.

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“Those were the things I saw when I sparred him for four easy rounds.”

Despite their related history of failing doping tests, or perhaps partly because of it, a clash between Garcia and Benn is likely to attract considerable attention.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Saturday issued a detailed show-cause notice to Vinesh Phogat, accusing her of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations, and declared her ineligible to compete in domestic events till June 26, 2026 for failing to complete the mandatory six-month notice period required for athletes returning from retirement under UWW Anti-Doping Rules.

It means that the two-time World Championship medallist will have to wait for her comeback as she was tragetting the National Open Ranking event in Gonda, starting Sunday, for her return to competition after quitting the sport in 2024 following her disqualification from the Paris Olympic Games.

In the 15-page notice, the WFI alleged that Vinesh’s conduct had caused “lasting damage to reputation of Indian wrestling” in Paris and violated provisions of the WFI Constitution, UWW International Wrestling Rules and anti-doping regulations.

Broad Charges

The federation has sought her explanation on several charges, including her disqualification from the 2024 Paris Games after failing to make weight, alleged whereabouts failures under anti-doping rules, and competing in two weight categories during the March 2024 selection trials conducted by the then IOA-appointed ad-hoc panel.

The federation specifically mentioned that she is not eligible to compete in any domestic event till June 26 this year, including the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda.

“The Federation must satisfy itself that you have not committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation that would render you ineligible to represent the Federation in any forthcoming competition,” the notice stated.

The notice also referred to a May 4, 2026 communication from the International Testing Agency (ITA), acting on behalf of UWW, recording a “missed Test” against Vinesh in relation to an unsuccessful doping control attempt on December 18, 2025.

Referring to Article 5.7 of the UWW Anti-Doping Rules dealing with return from retirement, the WFI stated that Vinesh remains ineligible to compete till June 26, 2026 and therefore cannot participate in any domestic event before that date.

The federation specifically mentioned that she is not eligible to compete in the Senior Open Ranking Tournament at Nandini Nagar, Gonda, scheduled from May 10 to 12.

The federation mentioned that as per world governing body UWW’s rules, any athlete seeking to return to competition from retirement must notify UWW at least six months in advance while remaining available for testing during that period, and she has not fulfilled the condition.

The WFI alleged that Vinesh, in a December 14, 2024 e-mail to UWW Anti-Doping, had declared herself to be on a “sabbatical until August 2025” and indicated that she would resume compliance with whereabouts obligations only thereafter.

However, the federation claimed that her later communication dated December 12, 2025 to the Sports Authority of India, WFI and TOPS-SAI, expressing her intention to resume training and target the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, amounted to a return announcement that did not satisfy the mandatory six-month notice requirement under Article 5.7 of the UWW Anti-Doping Rules.

The federation alleged that only six days after that communication, doping control officials were unable to locate her for testing on December 18, 2025, resulting in the ITA formally recording a missed test against her.

The WFI also referred to a previous whereabouts failure notice issued by NADA on September 25, 2024 after a dope control officer allegedly failed to locate her at her declared residence in Sonipat for an out-of-competition test earlier that month.

The federation said that although the ITA has treated the December 18, 2025 incident as the “first” whereabouts failure within the relevant 12-month period, WFI believes there exists a broader pattern of non-compliance.

Paris Games fiasco

The notice devoted substantial space to Vinesh’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics, where she had reached the women’s 50kg final after a stunning opening-round victory over Japanese legend Yui Susaki.

Vinesh was later disqualified after weighing 100 grams over the permissible limit ahead of the gold medal bout against American wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt.

The WFI stated that she had cleared the first weigh-in at 49.9kg on August 6, 2024 but failed the second mandatory weigh-in the following morning despite being given the full 15-minute window and multiple opportunities.

The federation said the episode resulted in India losing a “certain Olympic medal”, and triggered widespread negative publicity.

There are precedents of disciplinary action taken by WFI against other wrestlers for weight-management violations.

Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat was suspended for one year by WFI in October 2025 after failing to make weight at the World Championships, where he exceeded the limit by 1.7kg, while wrestler Neha Sangwan was handed a two-year suspension over similar issues.

Competing in two weight divisions

Vinesh had also been asked to explain her conduct during the March 11, 2024 selection trials at NIS Patiala for the Asian Olympic Qualifiers where she competed in both 50kg and 53kg categories against the UWW rules.

At the time, wrestling in India was being administered by an IOA-appointed ad-hoc committee following the suspension of WFI activities.

The federation alleged that Article 7 of the UWW International Wrestling Rules clearly permits a wrestler to compete in only one weight category corresponding to the athlete’s weight at the official weigh-in.

“Each contestant deemed to be taking part of his/her own free will, and responsible for himself/herself, shall be allowed to compete in only one weight category,” the notice quoted from the UWW rules.

The federation referred to complaints received after the trials, including allegations that Vinesh had delayed the start of competition by demanding written assurance that she would get another trial in the 53kg category before the Paris Olympics.

At those trials, Vinesh lost to Anju by technical superiority in the 53kg category but won the 50kg trial by defeating Shivani.

The WFI said complaints received by it had alleged that the delay caused disruption in the conduct of trials and adversely affected other wrestlers.

The federation has asked Vinesh to explain why disciplinary proceedings should not be initiated against her under various provisions of the WFI Constitution dealing with indiscipline, unsportsmanlike behaviour and conduct prejudicial to the interests of the federation and the sport.

Vinesh has 14 days to respond to the notice.

NU Lady Bulldogs’ Lams Lamina hugs La Salle Lady Spikers’ Amie Provido and Angel Canino after their UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball Finals duel. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —Staying for her fifth and final year was still worth it for setter Lams Lamina despite National University’s failed “three-peat” bid in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament.

Lamina finished her UAAP career with 11 excellent sets as NU was dethroned by unbeaten  La Salle, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, in Game 2 of the Finals on Saturday before 22,509 fans at Mall of Asia Arena.

“Of course, it was all worth it because I didn’t just play in the UAAP. We also went through preseason tournaments. I’m happy that my teammates and I stayed together and made it all the way to the Finals,” said Lamina in Filipino.

NU gives Lams Lamina her flowers after five amazing seasons. #UAAPSeason88 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ

•⁠ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/uTPfoJejmu pic.twitter.com/2RtxBCdysP

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) May 9, 2026

Lamina ended her UAAP career as a two-time UAAP Best Setter and three-time champion out of five straight finals appearances.

“I’m really proud of myself because behind all the achievements, people don’t see the sacrifices a person makes. They don’t see the daily effort in training and the bond we built with our teammates. I’m just very happy and proud of myself,” she said.

READ: UAAP: Regardless of role, NU’s Lams Lamina focused on winning

Lamina saw her role limited in most parts of the elimination round under new coach Regine Diego, until she regained the main playmaker position in her final games of the season.

But she leaves with a grateful heart.

NU Lady Bulldogs’ coach Regine Diego and setter Lams Lamina after they settled for silver in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“I’m really grateful because NU was the one that accepted me and gave me the chance to stay. It’s been such a joy playing for the NU community, with my teammates, managers, and coaches. I’m really proud and thankful that I stayed with NU,” said Lamina.

“I won’t just focus on the loss because throughout my time with NU, we also won championships. Despite moments like this, I know I have to move forward. I also know I’ll learn a lot once I reach the professional level,” she added.

Lamina also believes that NU will bounce back stronger with a younger Lady Bulldogs set to step up.

“Even after I leave, the players who will replace us are also very talented. NU has a lot of young players with great potential. I’m happy and excited to watch them play next season,” she said.

“I’m very proud of my teammates because we really fought all the way to the Finals despite everything that happened to our team this season. But even with all those challenges, we still battled until the end.”

Lamina will enter the PVL Draft, but she wants to reflect first on her swan song season before completing her requirements.

On the eve of the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, let’s run down the top prospects in this year’s draft class. Be sure to check out our 2026 NBA Draft Guide, which features multiple big boards, a full two-round mock draft, and full scouting reports on all 60 of these prospects.

Latest NBA mock draft | Combine participants

1. AJ Dybantsa, 6-9, BYU freshman forward

Dybantsa could become one of the NBA’s most unstoppable shot-creators. At 6-foot-9, he has a special blend of athletic tools the way he bends, shifts, and explodes with the ball in his hands. Dybantsa led the nation with 25.5 points per game while breaking Danny Ainge’s 48-year-old BYU freshman scoring record with a 43-point eruption. He gets to the rim at will, cooks in the midrange, draws fouls at a high rate, and displays point forward potential. What will determine his upside is whether he can become a knockdown 3-point shooter, as well as a more impactful defender to take full advantage of his physical tools. But the native of Brockton, Mass., has a tremendously high floor with his scoring skill alone.

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2. Cameron Boozer, 6-9, Duke freshman forward

At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, Boozer is the most polished player in the class. He scores from the post with both footwork and power, hits 40% of his 3s on high volume, and has enough handle to run offense as a point forward. He shifts between those modes based on what the defense gives him, and that adaptability led to a 35-win season at Duke and the Naismith Player of the Year. The worry is that he’s not a vertical athlete and the foundation of all that production — overpowering smaller defenders — gets diminished against NBA length. Plus, he’s a modern tweener on defense, lacking the explosiveness and size to protect the rim full-time and the lateral quickness to switch onto guards. With the bloodline of two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer, the team that drafts him is betting that skill, adaptability, and a track record of winning at every level all lead to superstardom.

3. Darryn Peterson, 6-6, Kansas freshman guard

Peterson is a buttery smooth scorer with a blend of fluid body control and positional size that gives him the ingredients to become an elite NBA player. At the high school level, he was a dynamic playmaker who used his burst to get into the teeth of defenses and generate buckets for himself and his teammates, while also showing off the kind of shot-making that draws comparisons to Hall of Famers. At Kansas, he thrived in an off-ball role, stroking jumpers out of movement actions and showing he can scale up or down depending on what a roster needs. Even when he isn’t scoring, he’s a high-impact defender who causes chaos off-ball and has the 6-foot-11 wingspan to switch screens. The concern isn’t his game. It’s his body. He missed 11 of 35 games and pulled himself out of others due to cramping, capping off one of the weirdest freshman seasons in recent memory. Questions about his burst, his availability, and what exactly is going on under the hood are going to define how NBA front offices feel about him at the top of this draft.

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4. Caleb Wilson, 6-10, North Carolina freshman big

Wilson is the most gifted athlete in the draft class. He’s 6-foot-10 with springs for legs. When he’s flying above the rim, finishing through contact, and chasing down every shot in his area code, he looks like a future franchise cornerstone. But the conversation changes when you watch his jumper because he hasn’t shown any consistency as a shooter at any level. Still, even without the jumper, he has star upside.

5. Keaton Wagler, 6-6, Illinois freshman guard

Wagler showed up at Illinois as a four-star recruit with no expectations of becoming a one-and-done. But he became the orchestrator of a high-powered Illinois offense with his high-IQ playmaking and crafty scoring, leading the team to the Final Four. And now, he’s a top-10 lock. To become an NBA star, Wagler needs to overcome a lack of traditional athleticism. But the best case is that his feel for the game is enough for him to continue ascending.

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6. Kingston Flemings, 6-4, Houston freshman guard

At age 7, Flemings chased a ball into the street and got hit by a car, and ended up in the hospital with a fractured hip, a punctured spleen, and road rash. He says it changed his outlook on life, and it sure looks like it given the incredible effort and passion he plays with. He plays with surgical midrange touch, an explosive first step, and passing vision of a true point guard who can run an offense. But Flemings is also 190 pounds, midrange-heavy in a 3-point league, and watched his efficiency crater against the stiffest competition late in the season. The question is whether his scoring package translates to NBA length and spacing, or whether opposing scouts figure him out the same way late-season defenses did.

7. Darius Acuff, 6-3, Arkansas freshman guard

Acuff is not the biggest guard or the most explosive athlete, but he reads defenses like someone who’s been in the league for a decade. He emerged as a freshman as a skilled, low-turnover playmaker. And that’s not even what he’s best at. Acuff is a wiry scorer who can get a bucket from anywhere on the floor with a quick trigger, slippery handle, and a feel for manipulating defenses. He has a knack for clutch moments too. The question that follows every undersized guard into the draft is whether the brilliance survives contact with bigger, longer, faster defenders.

8. Aday Mara, 7-3, Michigan junior center

Mara stepped on UCLA’s campus as a lottery-projected center from Spain. Then he fell off draft boards during two forgettable seasons there before transferring to Michigan and becoming one of the best true 5s in the country on his way to winning the national championship. He reads the floor like a guard, finishes with both hands, and swats shots with elite timing. The complication is he doesn’t shoot from outside, makes below 60% of his free throws, and opponents are going to attack him on the perimeter.

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9. Mikel Brown, 6-5, Louisville freshman guard

When Brown is in the zone, he has an unstoppable pull-up jumper, an ambidextrous finishing ability, and the quick reads to rifle passes before the defense has time to react. He had a 45-point breakout performance in February after a back injury dogged him all freshman year and then ended his year later in the month. The absences muddy the evaluation and leave real questions about his consistency that may not get answered until he’s fully healthy.

10. Karim López, 6-8, New Zealand Breakers forward

López is the best basketball prospect Mexico has ever produced. He left Hermosillo at 14 to play professionally in Barcelona, then at 17 moved to Auckland, New Zealand, where he shined for two years in the NBL Next Stars program. He checks a lot of boxes with his excellent physical tools, a hardnosed approach, and a well-rounded ability to defend multiple positions, handle the ball, and a blossoming shot. But he’s thus far more of a jack of all trades since his jumper runs hot and cold and he lacks the burst to blow by defenders off the bounce. But he has all the requisite skills to become a longtime pro on a winning team.

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11. Yaxel Lendeborg, 6-9, Michigan senior forward

Lendeborg has a compelling story. Poor grades kept him off his high school varsity team. He went to a JUCO. Then UAB. Then he entered the draft, went through the combine, pulled his name back, and came back for one more year at Michigan and won a national championship. He just kept getting better every single time the competition got harder. He fills the stat sheet, he can play multiple positions, and he has a 7-foot-4 wingspan at 240 pounds with a genuine handle. But he’ll be 24 as a rookie. The arc is a great story. Whether it ends with NBA stardom is still up for debate.

12. Brayden Burries, 6-4, Arizona freshman guard

Burries arrived at Arizona as a top-10 recruit, started slow, and then erupted once conference play began, helping lead his team to the Final Four. He’s a physical, versatile scorer who can beat you from all three levels, rebounds like a forward, and competes hard on defense. But he’s a methodical creator rather than an explosive one, and his shooting history before Arizona gives scouts reason to wonder whether the efficiency is real or a blip.

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13. Labaron Philon, 6-4, Alabama sophomore guard

Philon is a shifty, score-first point guard who blossomed into one of the best guards in college basketball as a sophomore. He doubled his scoring output with buttery floaters, a deceptive handle, and a feel for running an offense, while also beginning to shore up the shooting questions that once clouded his projection. But Philon is also a below-the-rim athlete and is listed under 180 pounds, so his slight frame remains the one thing standing between him and stardom.

14. Ebuka Okorie, 6-2, Stanford freshman guard

Okorie is the best driving guard in the class, a 6-foot-2 jitterbug who manipulates defenders with a tight handle, sudden changes of speed, and an advanced feel for the game. He’s not an above-the-rim athlete, though, and not long ago he was a kid from New Hampshire who ranked outside the top 100 and committed to Harvard. Then Stanford found him, he flipped his commitment, and he proceeded to lead the ACC in scoring with eight 30-point games and a habit for hitting clutch shots. NBA teams will have to decide whether what carved up the ACC will survive against bigger, longer defenders.

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15. Hannes Steinbach, 6-11, Washington freshman big

Steinbach played professionally in Germany before enrolling at Washington, and he’ll enter the NBA with some readymade skills as an interior scorer and rebounder. He has massive hands that he uses to grab every possible rebound and finish effectively around the basket. He also showed legitimate touch on 3-pointers in flashes, which would turn him into a very different player if it becomes real. But he’s a bit of a modern tweener. He’s not a true 7-footer, and there are specific matchups where he gets targeted in space. He needs to be the right kind of center for the right team.

16. Dailyn Swain, 6-8, Texas junior wing

Swain played two competent seasons at Xavier, transferred to Texas, and somehow became the most efficient isolation scorer in the entire country. He’s relentless getting to the rim, creative as a finisher, and active enough defensively to project as a switchable wing. But the reason he lives at the rim is because his jump shot is genuinely terrible. He has stiff mechanics, bad percentages, and a reluctance to even attempt it that goes all the way back to high school. Until the shooting becomes a credible threat, defenses are going to pack the paint and dare him to beat them from the outside.

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17. Nate Ament, 6-10, Tennessee freshman wing

Players who can handle, shoot off the dribble, and stand at 6-foot-10 don’t grow on trees. This physical foundation kept Ament in lottery consideration even after a dreadful start to his freshman season when he struggled to score efficiently and make an impact defensively. But over the second half of the year for Tennessee, he flipped a switch and shots began to fall. He averaged 23.8 points over a six-game stretch in January and February that reminded everyone why he was a top recruit in the country. Then he dealt with an ankle injury that ruined his momentum entering March and he severely struggled during the tournament.

18. Morez Johnson, 6-9, Michigan sophomore forward

You know the guy on a championship team who never gets enough credit nationally? The one who sets the bone-crushing screen that springs the star, then immediately sprints to the rim for the lob, then turns around and blows up the other team’s pick-and-roll on the other end all in one sequence? That’s Morez Johnson. He transferred from Illinois to Michigan and became the connective tissue of the national champions as a 250-pound wrecking ball with surprisingly soft hands and the defensive IQ to guard 1 through 5 in a switch-heavy scheme. The catch is he’s not quite big enough to be a true center and not yet proven enough as a shooter to guarantee he spaces the floor. But even without a jumper, Johnson has a long future ahead of him at the next level.

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19. Cameron Carr, 6-5, Baylor redshirt sophomore wing

You could have watched every Tennessee game for two years and genuinely not known that Carr existed. Then he transferred to Baylor, and led the team in scoring, shot nearly 40% from 3 on high volume, and looked like a 3-and-D role player who also has blossoming skills off the dribble. With NBA genes in his blood, as the son of former player Chris Carr, Cameron has the skills to make it in the NBA. But at 175 pounds with not a ton of games under his belt, he’s going to get introduced to the NBA’s physicality in a way college basketball never did.

20. Allen Graves, 6-9, Santa Clara freshman forward

Graves was a point guard before a late growth spurt, and the floor skills carried over when he sprouted to 6-foot-9. He came off the bench at Santa Clara as a redshirt freshman and quietly became one of the most efficient producers in college basketball. He stands as the top-ranked player still in the transfer portal, so he could return to college, which wouldn’t be a surprise given he came off the bench, lacks great athleticism, and had some struggles against the limited top competition that he faced. But the analytics love him, and he passes the eye test with his elite feel for the game, which is why he’s in the lottery conversation.

Stirtz feels the game at a different frequency than everyone else on the floor, and yet still makes scouts squint because he doesn’t look the part athletically. The question isn’t whether he can play though. After transferring from Drake to Iowa, he kept cooking with bullseye passes, pump-fakes, and shooting touch off the dribble from NBA range. If he adjusts to the physicality and speed of the NBA, he could thrive as both a floor general and off-ball connector.

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22. Luigi Suigo, 7-3, Mega center

Suigo has said he wants to be the Italian Wemby and, at 7-foot-3 with passing feel and shooting touch, you can see why a teenager might put that out into the universe. Suigo lacks the handle and self-creation chops to ever be the best player on a team, but his dynamic skills as a passer, shooter, and lob threat layer cleanly on top of baseline center duties as a screener, finisher, and rim protector. Becoming the Italian Marc Gasol is a more realistic goal, and would still be an excellent outcome.

23. Tyler Tanner, 6-0, Vanderbilt sophomore guard

Tanner enrolled at Vanderbilt as a three-star recruit, stayed off draft boards as a freshman, and then blew up as a sophomore. He became the kind of player where you’d watch him and think: How is nobody stopping this guy? He’s barely 6-feet tall, but he gets wherever he wants on the floor, makes reads before the defense has time to rotate, and then turns around and picks your pocket on the other end. His height is a concern, though, because the NBA has a poor track record with guards his size, especially when it comes to playoff basketball. But maybe Tanner can be one of the exceptions since he plays bigger than his body.

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24. Meleek Thomas, 6-5, Arkansas freshman guard

Thomas has the confidence to “run for president,” according to Arkansas head coach John Calipari. You could see that on the court the way he never hesitated to fire, stepped right into the lead role when Darius Acuff was sidelined at Missouri to close the regular season, and willed Arkansas to the SEC championship game with 29 against Ole Miss. He’s a legit NBA shooter with deep range, a quick release, and creation juice off the bounce. But he doesn’t get to the rim, his shot selection drifts into hero-ball, and there are questions about how he’ll deal with NBA physicality.

25. Koa Peat, 6-8, Arizona freshman forward

Peat’s bloodline is so loaded with offensive linemen that it’s almost funny he ended up playing basketball. His father played nine NFL seasons. His uncle was a Pro Bowl tackle. Two brothers played college ball on the line. And you can absolutely see it in how he plays: powerful, physical, relentless, and it genuinely takes something special to stop him from getting to where he wants to go. He opened the season with a 30-point game against defending champion Florida and backed it up as one of Arizona’s best players all year. The concern is that he doesn’t really shoot, doesn’t create for himself off the dribble without assistance, and he’s not going to wow anyone as a vertical athlete.

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26. Christian Anderson, 6-3, Texas Tech sophomore guard

Anderson showed up at Texas Tech as the 101st-ranked recruit and has played his way into the first-round conversation behind dynamic pick-and-roll creation and knockdown perimeter shooting. He does a good job of creating easier shots for his teammates, but at his small stature he hasn’t shown a consistent ability to get to the rim with any regularity. And any small guard will always be a target on defense, so there’s a lot of pressure on his shot translating to the next level.

27. Sergio De Larrea, 6-5, Valencia guard

De Larrea is a tall playmaking guard with major feel and a knockdown jumper who thrives within team concepts. He suffered a dislocated shoulder that ended his 2024-25 season and removed him from draft boards, but it ended up a blessing in disguise since he returned with a bigger role and stronger production for a great team in the EuroLeague. With size, smarts, and defensive versatility, he could carve out a role in the NBA if his international skill can translate.

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28. Amari Allen, 6-7, Alabama freshman forward

Allen landed at Alabama as the third scoring option, which is either a red flag about his limited ceiling or a positive preview of exactly how he’ll thrive in the NBA. As a 6-foot-7 wing, Allen does a little bit of everything without needing touches, rebounds like a big, and displays incredible defensive versatility. The concern is purely about his upside, since he hasn’t shown many star flashes.

29. Henri Veesaar, 7-0, North Carolina junior big

Veesaar is an agile big with real shooting touch, connective playmaking, and baseline big skills with the ability to set screens and catch lobs. He also offers rim protection and is a locked-in help defender. In all three of his collegiate seasons, he made a massive leap in production each year. But he’s 225 pounds so his lanky frame can get pushed around, plus he still hasn’t fully defined his cornerstone skill.

30. Malachi Moreno, 7-0, Kentucky freshman big

Moreno has an NBA frame at only 19 years old: 7-feet, 250 pounds. He does the baseline things as a big man with above-the-rim finishing, hard-nosed rebounding, and stout rim protection. He also adds a layer as a passer, showing an advanced feel for the game and for manipulating defenders. It’s important for him to improve his touch as a finisher and as a shooter, but he’s in a good place for his age with skills that should be translatable to the next level.

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31. Isaiah Evans, Duke sophomore wing

Evans is the kind of shooter that defenses guard and think they’ve got him contained, then he uses a screen and catches it off a full sprint, moving away from the rim, and he somehow manages to rise into a perfect 3-pointer. He’s a legitimate sharpshooter with the off-ball chops to thrive without even running any offense for himself, and he also has a developing handle that could unlock more creation chances. But he’s still a perimeter-based player who needs to add more layers to his game to become a complete offensive talent.

32. Billy Richmond, Arkansas sophomore wing

Some of his in-game dunks are worthy of the Dunk Contest. He’s an explosive athlete who thrives at the basket and brings constant hustle as a multi-positional defender — he made the SEC All-Defensive Team as a sophomore. But in order to carve out a long NBA career, he needs to figure out his jumper. If he does, he could be a lottery pick. Richmond is currently testing the pre-draft process, so there’s a chance he returns to Arkansas.

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33. Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky sophomore big

Quaintance is going to get drafted based almost entirely on what he looked like before his knee exploded. As a freshman at Arizona State, he was blocking everything in sight, showing defensive instincts and mobility that players his size aren’t supposed to have, and he was 17 years old doing it. Then came the ACL, the meniscus, the fractured knee, the transfer to Kentucky, persistent swelling, and a shutdown for the remainder of his sophomore season. Now teams have to make a decision after 28 games of great defense with eyesore offense.

34. Chris Cenac, Houston freshman big

Cenac checks every box on paper as a superb athlete who moves like a wing, has the length to alter shots, and shoots from the perimeter. Houston handed him a starting role with national title aspirations and trusted him with heavy minutes. But the Cougars fell short again, in part because Cenac struggled to stay out of foul trouble, couldn’t score efficiently, and was overeager to play on the perimeter despite having the body of a bruiser. He arrived in college with lottery expectations, and he still could become that player in the future. But the NBA team drafting him is taking a project.

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35. Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor freshman wing

Yessoufou grew up in West Africa, moved to California at 15 speaking only French, and left four years later as the state’s all-time leading scorer, breaking a record that had stood since 2004. He entered Baylor as a projected lottery pick with freakish athleticism, a relentless motor, and the kind of physicality that makes scouts dream. But Baylor missed the tournament, and when quality opponents took away his drives, there wasn’t much left in his arsenal. He’s still a shaky shooter, and he needs to improve his passing feel, and defend at the level his physical tools suggest that he should.

36. Alex Karaban, UConn senior forward

Karaban makes defenses pay the moment they relax on him. He relocates for a 3, cuts when nobody’s watching, and does everything efficiently. He’s a similarly high-effort, high-IQ player on the defensive end, which helps him overcome his average athleticism. But he’ll be 24 as a rookie, and hasn’t shown much upside. He rarely shoots off the dribble because of his funky mechanics. So if his role-player skills are slow to translate, his margin for error is narrower than for most.

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37. Ryan Conwell, Louisville senior guard

Conwell’s college career took him from South Florida to Indiana State to Xavier, and then to Louisville, and he got better at every stop. By the end of his senior year he was the leading scorer for the Cardinals at 18.8 points per game. He’s a stocky 6-foot-4 lefty with broad shoulders, no real first step, and exactly one dunk in four years of college basketball. But he’s a knockdown shooter with deep range and a bruiser at the rim who absorbs contact like a fullback. The question is whether the climb continues at the next level, when he can’t muscle his way to the cup or shoot over the top of smaller defenders the way he could in college.

38. Flory Bidunga, Kansas sophomore big

Bidunga is a 6-foot-10 vertical weapon with bouncy legs, soft hands, and the defensive instincts to anchor the paint. He also has some switchability, which could make him highly valuable on defense. But he lacks the size of a true center, and he lacks any perimeter skill on offense. As a player who was born in Kinshasa, and moved to the United States as a teenager, he’s still learning the nuances of high-level basketball. So there could be untapped potential for the long term.

39. Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State junior forward 

Momcilovic just put together one of the most efficient shooting seasons in college basketball, draining nearly half of his 3s on over seven attempts per game. He also has soft touch attacking closeouts and the discipline to stay in his lane by keeping the ball moving and not trying to do too much. The only real concern is the fact he isn’t much of a shot creator, doesn’t rebound much for his size, and will be an average defender at best. He has one skill that is genuinely elite though, that happens to be the most important skill in the modern league.

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40. Matt Able, NC State freshman wing

Able has a strong 6-foot-6 frame as a wing to pair with a smooth jumper and a good feel for passing the ball. Even though he was inconsistent coming off the bench for NC State, he looks the part of a role player who could blossom into something much greater given his blend of skills. If Able doesn’t stay in the draft class, he is committed to North Carolina.

41. Andrej Stojaković, Illinois junior wing

Stojaković is the son of three-time NBA All-Star and 2011 champion Peja Stojaković, and he certainly has professional DNA with his slick footwork and feel for the game. But unlike his father, he shockingly has a clunky jumper that needs a lot of seasoning for him to thrive at the next level.

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42. Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State senior forward

Some players are drafted for their ceilings. Others for their floor. Jefferson lands in the latter category as a 22-year-old senior who spent four years in college getting better at everything to the point he’s a steady, high-feel forward. He can pass out of the post, make connective reads, and guard multiple positions. He just needs his shooting progress to prove to be real, and right now there’s not enough of a sample to be sure it is.

43. Braden Smith, Purdue senior point guard

Smith left Purdue as the NCAA’s all-time assists leader, breaking a 33-year-old record. He’s arguably the highest-IQ player in the draft who could orchestrate an offense at the college level while also providing scoring off the bounce. But the issue is the one every 6-foot guard faces: he isn’t a plus athlete, and bigger guards are going to hunt him the moment he steps on an NBA floor. That’s precisely why he is a projected second-rounder and will need to work his way up.

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44. Rueben Chinyelu, Florida junior big

Chinyelu picked up basketball as a teenager in Nigeria, worked his way up through the NBA Academy Africa pipeline in Senegal, spent a freshman year at Washington State, then transferred to Florida and became the muscle behind a national title team. As a junior, he swept every major defensive player of the year award. The role he projects for is crystal clear: rebound, anchor the paint, finish lobs, and set the tone.

45. Tarris Reed, UConn senior center

Reed is a throwback center who played at his best on the biggest stage on UConn’s way to the national title game. He does all the dirty work inside the paint as a finisher and rebounder and shot-blocker. But beyond his ability to screen and pass, he isn’t all too comfortable on the perimeter as a shooter or defender. So there are questions about his upside, especially since he’ll be 23 as a rookie.

46. Richie Saunders, BYU senior wing

Saunders is a hard-nosed, two-way wing who plays with manic energy, hustling around the floor hunting for steals on defense and jumpers on offense. The team that gets him knows exactly what they’re gonna get out of him. He’s also skilled, though, with a quick-trigger jumper, soft touch on floaters, and a feel for moving the ball. With less than ideal size and athleticism, he more likely projects as a solid role player. But he’s not a guarantee to succeed at age 25 after tearing his ACL in February, ending his four-year career at BYU.

47. Aiden Tobiason, Syracuse sophomore wing

Tobiason is a 6-foot-5 wing with a 7-foot-2 wingspan who finishes above the rim, racks up steals with his length, and shows the catch-and-shoot touch and connective feel to project as a 3-and-D wing. But his breakout sophomore year also featured a dip in scoring efficiency after playing a limited role as a freshman. He is testing the waters while transferring to Syracuse, so he could very well decide to spend one more year at school and build on the feedback he receives from NBA teams.

48. Felix Okpara, Tennessee senior big

Okpara knows his role as a player who protects the paint, runs the floor, finishes lobs, sets screens, and doesn’t try to be more than that. He spent two years at Ohio State, transferred to Tennessee, and helped take the Vols to the Elite Eight as their defensive backbone. He had four blocks in the Round of 32 with clutch defense down the stretch, then a 12 and 10 double-double in the Sweet 16.

49. Ugonna Onyenso, Virginia senior big

Onyenso has bounced from Kentucky to Kansas State to Virginia, and finally found a home in Charlottesville where he turned into one of the most feared shot-blockers in college basketball. He had 21 blocks across three ACC tournament games, including nine against Cam Boozer in the championship. He lays a brick wall around the basket, though he has heavy feet when guarding on the perimeter and is still developing his offensive skill set.

50. Darrion Williams, NC State senior forward

Williams is a broad-shouldered wing with the versatility to run point or do the dirty work as a power forward. A lack of top-end athleticism puts him in a role player bucket, but he brings winning qualities. During a stretch in which Williams was struggling to score, his college coach Will Wade said: “What’d he have? Six rebounds, four assists, zero turnovers. Everybody needs to shut the hell up about him. He’s a damn good player and the shot’s going to fall.”

51. Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s senior big

After Ejiofor’s freshman year at Kansas, Bill Self told him he wasn’t good enough to play major minutes on any Big 12 team. Three years later, he became the unanimous Big East Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Tournament MVP, and Scholar-Athlete of the Year — the first player in the league’s history to sweep all four in a single season — and he helped St. John’s bounce his former team in the Round of 32 on the way to the program’s first Sweet 16 in 25 years. Ejiofor found success with foundational skills: motor, length, and defensive versatility. The question with Ejiofor is the fact he’s undersized for a center and his jumper is still a work in progress. But he’s developed enough to deserve a chance to figure it out in the league.

52. Izaiyah Nelson, South Florida big

Nelson is a 6-foot-10 athlete with a 7-foot-3 wingspan who feasts on lobs, rebounds in traffic, and disrupts everywhere on defense. He sets a tone any time he’s on the floor. After three years at Arkansas State, he followed his coach to USF and proceeded to put up one of the most decorated mid-major seasons in recent memory by becoming the first player in American Conference history to win Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year. Even though he lacks creation and shooting abilities, he made jaw-dropping plays at the Portsmouth Invitational, then earned an NBA Draft Combine invite, and now has a chance to go in the second round.

53. Tyler Nickel, Vanderbilt senior forward

Nickel has a flamethrower jump shot that Vanderbilt used in a wide array of actions to consistent success all season long. The questions about him are the ones every specialist faces: Does he offer enough other than shooting? Will he survive defensively? But anyone who shoots like Nickel and stands at 6-foot-7 will get a shot to make it in the NBA.

54. Keyshawn Hall, Auburn senior forward

Hall has been to UNLV, George Mason, UCF, and Auburn, and at every stop he just keeps scoring as a 6-foot-7, 225-pound lefty wing by knocking down 3s and overpowering smaller defenders inside. But everywhere he’s gone, his defense has been shaky and his decision-making has left a lot to be desired. After bouncing through four programs without seeing those flaws get resolved, he’ll need to figure it out in the NBA. There’s certainly a lot of talent worth betting on.

55. Tobi Lawal, Virginia Tech senior forward

Lawal is a London-born forward with elite athleticism, but he didn’t start playing basketball until age 16 and it shows with his underdeveloped skills. He’s still figuring out his jumper and doesn’t do much off the dribble. But with NBA-ready hops and a strong frame, he has the tools to be a highly versatile defender who serves as a role player on offense.

56. Milos Uzan, Houston senior guard

Uzan is a high-IQ combo guard who knits teams together with his playmaking skills and defensive hustle. Those are the translatable skills that made him a fixture in Houston’s rotations for back-to-back 30-win seasons. But then there’s the nagging question about what he actually offers as a primary shot-creator and as a shooter. Uzan could’ve answered that question with a big senior season, but he didn’t take the leap that scouts hoped for.

57. Baba Miller, Cincinnati senior forward

Miller is a fluid athlete who grew up playing guard before a late growth spurt. He retained his perimeter skills given the way he can handle in the open floor and make advanced moves. He’s also an equally compelling defensive player who can switch across positions. The big issue, and the main reason why he has spent four years in college, is that he still can’t shoot.

58. Trevon Brazile, Arkansas senior forward 

Brazile was a projected first-rounder before tearing his ACL nine games into his sophomore year at Arkansas, and the next two years were spent rebuilding the explosiveness that made him a prospect in the first place. He finally put it together as a fifth-year senior with a career year by anchoring Arkansas’ defense. His long wingspan, explosive vertical, switchability, and perimeter jumper, all give him the potential to have a long NBA career. But at this point, he’s already 23 and still projects only as a role player.

59. Otega Oweh, Kentucky senior wing

As a 6-foot-4 wing with a strong frame, Oweh became one of the best slashing wings in college basketball and had one of the great games of the season with 35/8/7 against Santa Clara in the opening round of March Madness with a buzzer-beater to force overtime. At the next level, though, he doesn’t project to be a primary creator because of his shaky handle and jumper, so the odds are he’ll need to adapt as a role player. Fortunately, he has a ton of those skills as a cutter, connective passer, and versatile defender.

60. Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA senior forward

Bilodeau was one of the most efficient stretch-4s in college basketball. With his 6-foot-9 frame, he could bring real value with his size and spacing ability at the next level. But no one should mistake Bilodeau for Tyler, The Creator, since he rarely takes shots off the dribble or serves as a playmaker for teammates. He also struggles as a defender, which is truly the big question about his ability to make it in the modern NBA.

Converge FiberXers’ Juan Gomez de Liaño during a game against Blackwater Bossing the in 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Juan Gomez de Liaño gave Converge FiberXers something to build on despite the end of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign.

The FiberXers turned to their prized guard for a 136-122 win over Blackwater Bossing on Saturday.

Despite missing out on a playoff spot with a 5-7 record for the ninth seed, Gomez de Liaño remained upbeat as Converge shifts focus to the upcoming Governors’ Cup.

“I feel like we learned a lot in this conference. I don’t want to give any reasons or excuses because it’s up to us on how we’ll recover,” the spitfire guard said.

“We’ll stay optimistic and do the work together. I believe good things are bound to happen at the next conference as long as we stick together.”

In his final game of the import-laden conference, Gomez de Liaño registered 25 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Converge’s finish was a step back from its previous campaign in the Philippine Cup, where it secured a fourth seed finish—making its Commissioner’s Cup exit by a game a disappointment for the FiberXers and their supporters.

Still, Gomez de Liaño said it will not affect his offseason approach.

“Still the same,” he said, when asked about his training process before the third conference. “I’ll work out with all my trainers, stay locked in towards this offseason. The routine stays the same.”

The Minnesota Vikings kinda-sorta have a solution at the center position in 2026, and his name is familiar to Vikings fans: Blake Brandel. But later this summer, if the front office and coaching staff realize they want an alternative, and an old friend could be available via trade: Garrett Bradbury.

Minnesota has familiarity, a center question, and a theoretical path to an old-friend reunion.

Bradbury currently plays for the Chicago Bears, a club that drafted Logan Jones from Iowa last month. Jones will turn 25 years old as a rookie, suggesting he’ll probably play sooner rather than later, putting Bradbury on the back burner.

Bradbury’s Timeline in CHI Creates a Narrow Trade Window

How would you feel about a Brabury trade?

Bradbury on the Hot Seat?

Jones probably isn’t a rookie to be dropped in the crockpot for 2027 or 2028. More likely than not, his age and draft stock suggest he will play — possibly start — in 2026.

DaWindyCity.com‘s Parker Hurley wrote this week, “The long-term plan is now for Logan Jones, whom the team drafted in the second round. However, history tells us that this is more than just a long-term play. Almost all centers who get drafted that high end up starting more games in their rookie year than they sit. Chicago is in a win-now mindset, and they did not spend a second-round pick on someone who cannot help them win this year.”

“So, Jones will likely open training camp as the backup, but he is going to have every chance to win the job in the preseason. If that is the case, the Bears will have two decisions. They could keep Bradbury and ensure solid depth behind a rookie center. Given their questions recently at left tackle, they may lean into having better depth. The Bears could also trade Bradbury.”

Considering Bradbury spent his first six seasons in Minnesota, the Vikings would not be an outlandish trade partner if the last portion of Hurley’s assessment comes to fruition.

Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens, and Gavin Gerhardt at Center

If the Vikings “do nothing” in the spring and summer at center, Brandel will likely put his paw on the football for the first offensive snap of 2026. He took over the position last year when injuries rocked Ryan Kelly, and truth be told, Brandel improved each week.

The club also employs Jurgens, a late-round lottery ticket from the 2024 NFL Draft. Then, Kevin O’Connell and Co. drafted Gerhardt in Round 7 a couple of weeks ago. The Vikings claim to have big plans for him, scouting him as their center solution while not drafting players like Jones.

But what if none of those options sounds as attractive as a Bradbury on the open market? That’s exactly why the Bradbury trade theory should be alive and well.

The Trade Price for Bradbury

The Bears acquired Bradbury for a 5th-Round pick in March. Chicago will not be able to turn around a few months later and sell him for more. They lost leverage when they selected Jones.

Therefore, while trade prices are notoriously unpredictable in the NFL, a center-needy franchise can probably pry Bradbury from Chicago for a 5th- or 6th-Round pick. That should be interpreted as the Bears’ penalty for drafting Jones. They tipped their hand.

The Vikings would then ask themselves: should we send a late-round asset from a deep 2027 draft class to Chicago for Bradbury, who we know intimately — or let it ride with Brandel, Jurgens, and Gerhardt?

SI.com‘s Mike Moraitis on Bradbury: “Guaranteeing more money for Bradbury would seem to indicate a trade of the veteran is now less likely and instead the Bears might be keen on keeping him around, even if he falls to No. 2 on the depth chart.”

“Keeping Bradbury around as more depth if he loses the starting job wouldn’t be the worst idea, although we still tend to believe Chicago would trade him in that scenario if the offer is right.”

Bradbury in 2025

Bradbury played a whopping 1,070 offensive snaps in 2025 and was flagged for zero penalties. He fired up familiar Pro Football Focus grades, notching a 60.1 overall — decent but not great. Then, he flipped the script on his modus operandi. Until 2025 in New England, Bradbury specialized in run-blocking while struggling — quite often — against big, mean defensive tackles in pass protection.

Well, with the Patriots, Bradbury produced a 56.2 run-blocking grade but 63.1 via pass-blocking. He basically switched his skill set around without any ceremony.

Overall, the Patriots must not have enjoyed him too much, shipping him to Chicago in favor of Jared Wilson, a 3rd-Rounder from Georgia in the 2025 NFL Draft.

But the fact remains that the Vikings could express trade interest because of their experience with him, and the Bears could be selling.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker