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WAFCON is thrilling fans but faces familiar problems

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The rescheduled women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is underway in Morocco, a year later than planned. The tournament sees some of the best players in the world fighting for glory, but as players and nations emerge, familiar problems linger that threaten to prevent the tournament from reaching its full potential.

While not a traditional powerhouse, Morocco is becoming the emerging epicenter of women’s football on the continent. Thanks to no competing bids and some of the best stadiums in Africa, Morocco has become a stable and safe choice for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host the tournament. They are hosting again this time around, after having hosted in 2022. They are also set to host in 2026. 

Recent investment in the women’s game in Morocco is clearly paying off. The women’s team unexpectedly reached the World Cup knockout stages in 2023 and have developed star players such as captain and legend Ghizlane Chebbak, who scored a hat trick against DR Congo in the group stage of this year’s WAFCON. Under Jorge Vilda, who was sacked as Spain’s coach after the 2023 scandal involving former Spanish Federation President Luis Rubiales, Morocco are daring to challenge the established football forces of Nigeria and South Africa. They also have the potential to deliver lasting cultural change to both northern Africa and the rest of the continent.

Elsewhere at WAFCON, Nigerian superstar Asisat Oshoala, Zambia’s striking duo of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji and South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis are just some of the star-studded names that make this year’s tournament one of the most intriguing ever.

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Asisat Oshoala in action for Nigeria
A star of Asisat Oshoala’s caliber deserves to play in front of bigger crowdsImage: Justina Aniefiok/Shengolpixs/IMAGO

Familiar problems in play

The tournament is held back from reaching its full potential by off-field decisions. As a result of the delay, scheduling for the tournament only came out at the end of May, leaving promotion somewhat last minute, especially compared to the Euros. Furthermore, with three stadiums in Morocco being renovated for the men’s tournament, three smaller grounds are now being used, affecting attendance numbers.

“We don’t celebrate this team enough,” Ellis said of her players ahead of their opening game. “That needs to change because many of them are not full-time professionals; that’s what makes it the hardest part.”

Beyond the elusive recognition that many of these teams deserve is the question of fair financial compensation. South Africa’s tournament build-up has been hampered by financial issues, with reports that players were not training and sponsors hadn’t been secured. An agreement with the players has since been reached, but the team’s frustration is one that sadly many other nations competing this summer will likely be able to relate to.

“Women in sports, in general, are getting the leftovers,” Ellis said.

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Women’s football on the rise in Africa

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Pay gap still wide

The prize money on offer is also a contentious issue.

On the face of it, the CAF announcement that the prize fund for this year’s WAFCON had been increased by 45% was positive, with the winners now receiving €853,000 ($1 million). But that total is not only less than the winners of the other two women’s competitions this summer — the Euros (€1.75 million) and Copa America Femenina (€1.3 million). It is worth noting that the Euros total prize money is up by 156% from the last edition. As is often the case for most women’s tournaments, the pot is considerably smaller than the men’s version. While €853,000 for this year’s WAFCON winners is obviously a step in the right direction, it is still a long way off the €6 million Senegal’s men got for winning the AFCON in 2023.

This pay gap marks a wider issue in the women’s game, which many players at this year’s WAFCON have to contend with. As FIFA’s annual report on women’s football in March this year revealed, sustainable income remains elusive for many in the professional game. In the report, FIFA highlighted that the global average annual salary for a woman playing professional football is €9,952 ($10,900). Players at teams given the Tier 1 designation were on an average salary of €20,492 but the average of those at Tier 2 and 3 clubs was €3,719 and €2,392 respectively. While many of the 288 players at this year’s WAFCON play their club football in Europe, only a handful play at top outfits. For example, only 10 play in the NWSL (top women’s league in the USA) or the WSL (top women’s league in England) and most of the South Africa, Botswana and Tanzania squads play domestically.

Despite the smaller crowds, the lack of adequate promotion and unique struggles of each nation, this year’s WAFCON already has the makings of being the best yet. But, as women’s football continues to grow in Africa, the hurdles — both globally and nationally — still hold women in professional football back.

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Edited by: Chuck Penfold

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2026 NBA Mock Draft: BYU’s AJ Dybantsa goes No. 1 ahead of Kansas’ Darryn Peterson

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BYU

• Fr

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• 6’9″

/ 212 lbs

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Projected Team

Sacramento

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

25.2

RPG

6.8

APG

3.9

3P%

33.8%

At this point, Dybantsa looks like the favorite to be the top pick in June. He’s a jumbo wing who is 6-foot-9 with a better than 7-foot wingspan. He’s athletic with an elastic body type, capable of creating his own shot at virtually any point, and the leading scorer in college basketball. He’s simultaneously made notable gains with his passing, finishing through contact at the rim, and even his 3-point shooting.

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Kansas

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• Fr

• 6’6″

/ 205 lbs

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Projected Team

Indiana

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PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

19.9

RPG

4.2

APG

1.8

3P%

38.7%

Peterson still has a real chance to go number one, with his overlap of shot-making, creation, and on/off ball versatility, along with backcourt size and length. But while Dybantsa’s game has ascended this year, questions about Peterson’s durability and availability have snowballed. In Indiana, he’d join a contender from day one and be able to pair with Tyrese Haliburton in the backcourt.

Duke

• Fr

• 6’9″

/ 250 lbs

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Projected Team

Brooklyn

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PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

22.7

RPG

10.2

APG

4.1

3P%

40.7%

Boozer’s case to be the top pick in the draft should be getting more consideration. No one has impacted winning more and there are zero questions about his durability. His overlap of physicality, intellect, and versatility should allow him to make a substantial immediate impact at the next level as well. In Washington, he’d pair nicely with Alex Sarr in the long-run, with Anthony Davis providing invaluable tutelage along the way.

North Carolina

• Fr

• 6’10”

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/ 215 lbs

Projected Team

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Washington

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

19.8

RPG

9.4

APG

2.7

3P%

25.9%

Wilson is a high-flying athlete with a high-motor, budding defensive versatility, and an offensive game that proved to be ahead of schedule this year at North Carolina. Brooklyn might prefer an on-ball creator from a fit perspective, but Wilson would be widely perceived as the best prospect on the board.

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Illinois

• Fr

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• 6’6″

/ 185 lbs

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Projected Team

Utah

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

17.9

RPG

4.9

APG

4.3

3P%

41%

This begins the quartet of freshmen guards expected to go in the mid-lottery. What distinguishes Wagler is his size, shooting, feel for the game, and on-off ball versatility. On the heels of a breakout year from Keyonte George, it’s that ability to still impact the game off the ball that would make him potentially the best fit in Utah.

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Houston

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• Fr

• 6’4″

/ 190 lbs

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Projected Team

Atlanta

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PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

16.5

RPG

3.9

APG

5.4

3P%

37.6%

Flemings is a dynamic athlete complete with speed, burst in his first-step, and leaping ability at the rim. He’s also a threat with his pull-up game, better than expected from three, and probably the best defender of the group. As Atlanta ventures into the post Trea Young era, Flemings would give them their lead guard of the future.

Louisville

• Fr

• 6’5″

/ 190 lbs

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Projected Team

Dallas

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PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

18.2

RPG

3.3

APG

4.7

3P%

34.4%

Brown is a late-blooming lead guard who is exceptionally talented with the ball in his hands. He’s a deep shooter and advanced passer who now boasts good positional size along with improved strength and athleticism. On a Mavs team that will be built around Cooper Flagg, he provides another creator who will also boast extreme gravity off the ball.

Arkansas

• Fr

• 6’3″

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/ 190 lbs

Projected Team

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Memphis

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

22.2

RPG

3

APG

6.4

3P%

43.7%

With Ja Morant’s days in Memphis likely numbered, the Grizzlies are going to need a future point guard to add to their young core of Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells, Cam Spencer, and others. Acuff has been arguably the best point guard in college basketball this year with the most polished offensive game as a creator, shot-maker, and distributor.

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Tennessee

• Fr

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• 6’10”

/ 207 lbs

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Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

17.4

RPG

6.4

APG

2.4

3P%

32.8%

This may be a bit redundant with Patrick Williams and Matas Buzelis already in place, but Ament is the best prospect on the board at this point. The combo-forward has real size and mismatch scoring tools as a late-bloomer who has consistently taken his game to new levels in recent years.

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Arizona

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• Fr

• 6’4″

/ 205 lbs

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Projected Team

Milwaukee

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PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

16

RPG

5

APG

2.6

3P%

37%

Burries is a physical guard loaded with competitive intangibles who can both get downhill and shoot the ball with range. Whether Milwaukee enters a full rebuild or not, he should be an immediate asset and an ideal culture piece to build around.

Arizona

• Fr

• 6’8″

/ 235 lbs

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Projected Team

Portland

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PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

7th

PPG

13.8

RPG

5.3

APG

2.7

3P%

31.6%

The other half of Arizona’s dynamic freshman duo, Peat is a powerful four-man who can play out of short rolls, get downhill, and is another culture builder. Peat’s shooting is his major swing skill, but with Donovan Clingan now stretching the floor offensively, this could provide a good fit and long-term replacement for Jerami Grant.

Kentucky

• Soph

• 6’10”

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/ 255 lbs

PPG

5

RPG

5

APG

0.5

3P%

0

Quaintance may be the best defensive prospect in this class and on an OKC championship program built on a dominant defense, this seems like a good fit. It also provides the Thunder with a future running mate for Chet Holmgren up front if it turns out they can’t retain Isaiah Hartenstein when he becomes a free agent.

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Karim Lopez


SF

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Mexico

• 6’8″

/ 224 lbs

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Projected Team

Charlotte

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PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Lopez is a big and versatile forward who has been trending up this year in the NBL. With both Miles Bridges and Grant Williams going into contract years next season, he could provide a replacement to fit nicely alongside Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, and Brandon Miller.

Washington

• Fr

• 6’11”

/ 229 lbs

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Projected Team

San Antonio

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PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

8th

PPG

18.6

RPG

11.6

APG

1.5

3P%

35.6%

The Spurs still don’t have a clear-cut long-term running mate for Victor Wembanyama in the frontcourt. Steinbach would fit the bill providing inside-out skill, good instincts as a roller, untapped shooting potential, and enough size to play either alongside or behind Wemby.

Michigan

• Sr

• 6’9″

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/ 235 lbs

Projected Team

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Golden St.

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

14.7

RPG

7.2

APG

3.2

3P%

34.3%

Lendeborg may be old by draft standards, but he’s an extremely versatile two-way piece who plays and defends multiple positions. The shooting is the long-term swing skill, but the passing would allow him to fit in Steve Kerr’s system.

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Florida

• Jr

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• 6’9″

/ 215 lbs

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PPG

17.2

RPG

6.1

APG

2

3P%

34.6%

Haugh is a versatile big wing who can play multiple positions, provide the type of grit that OKC values, hold his own in OKC’s defensive culture, and already has an understanding of how to play a role in service of winning.

Alabama

• Fr

• 6’3″

/ 175 lbs

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Projected Team

Miami

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PROSPECT RNK

19th

POSITION RNK

7th

PPG

21.5

RPG

3.2

APG

4.8

3P%

38.9%

Philon’s sophomore jump has made him both a shot-creator and shot-maker. In Miami, he may rediscover the defense he was known for as a freshman. With plenty of decisions looming for the Heat on the perimeter, he and Kasparas Jakucionis could be two compatible long-term pieces.

Michigan

• Soph

• 6’9″

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/ 250 lbs

Projected Team

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Memphis

PROSPECT RNK

35th

POSITION RNK

10th

PPG

13.7

RPG

7.4

APG

1.1

3P%

41.7%

Johnson continues to gain momentum among NBA decision-makers with his size, physicality, and increasing two-way versatility. In Memphis, he could play either alongside or behind Zach Edey, in a comparable way to how he’s paired with Aday Mara this year at Michigan.

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Iowa

• Sr

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• 6’4″

/ 190 lbs

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Projected Team

Toronto

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

6th

PPG

20.2

RPG

2.5

APG

4.4

3P%

38.2%

The Raptors have made significant strides this year but still don’t have elite guard depth and may look to move off Immanuel Quickley’s deal in the off-season. Stirtz provides skill, real shot-making, an understanding of how to move without the ball, and a terrific mind for the game.

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Texas Tech

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• Soph

• 6’3″

/ 178 lbs

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Projected Team

Charlotte

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PROSPECT RNK

21st

POSITION RNK

8th

PPG

19.2

RPG

3.7

APG

7.8

3P%

42.7%

The Hornets are committed to letting this core grow together, but it wasn’t that long ago it seemed Ball’s future in Charlotte was limited. If that ever resurfaces, Anderson provides a contingency. He’s highly skilled and equally cerebral with the ball in his hands.

Duke

• Soph

• 6’11”

/ 250 lbs

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Projected Team

Denver

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PROSPECT RNK

28th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

10.7

RPG

6

APG

1.9

3P%

27.6%

Having a true back-up center behind Nikola Jokic has been important this year for Denver. But Jonas Valanciunas will be a free-agent following the 2026-27 season and so Ngongba could ultimately slide into that spot. He’s a defensive presence with good size, massive length, and budding inside-out offense.

Houston

• Fr

• 6’11”

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/ 240 lbs

Projected Team

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Atlanta

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

6th

PPG

9.4

RPG

7.4

APG

0.8

3P%

32.1%

Cenac slides a bit in this latest mock draft in correlation with declining impact at Houston, but there’s still plenty of long-term upside at nearly 7-feet with massive measurables, great mobility, correlating defensive versatility, solid athleticism, and some shooting potential.

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Arizona

• Jr

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• 7’2″

/ 260 lbs

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Projected Team

L.A. Lakers

PROSPECT RNK

30th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

10.8

RPG

8.2

APG

1

3P%

36.4%

The Lakers could use a defensive minded center in the worst way and Krivas may be the best in college basketball this season. He has tremendous size, even by NBA standards, is a drop coverage monster, and understands how to play his role offensively.

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North Carolina

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• Jr

• 7’0″

/ 225 lbs

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Projected Team

Philadelphia

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PROSPECT RNK

26th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

16.3

RPG

8.4

APG

2

3P%

41.5%

A very skilled 7-footer, Veesaar is very gifted offensively. He can stretch the floor, play out of dribble hand-off action, put it on the floor, pass, and even finish with sneaky force. In Philadelphia, he’ll provide some much-needed depth behind Joel Embiid.

Connecticut

• Fr

• 6’6″

/ 196 lbs

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Projected Team

Detroit

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PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

12

RPG

3.4

APG

1.3

3P%

36.4%

Mullins is an elite 3-point shooter who can space the floor around Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren and provide balance along defensive-minded young wings like Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland. He’s also a good enough defender in his own rite to hold up in Detroit’s culture.

Kansas

• Soph

• 6’10”

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/ 235 lbs

Projected Team

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New York

PROSPECT RNK

27th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

13.8

RPG

9

APG

1.6

3P%

0%

Bidunga is a big-time athlete, major lob threat, very mobile, and consequently one of the most versatile frontcourt defenders in the country. With Mitchell Robinson entering free agency following the year, he could step right into that role.

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Alabama

• Fr

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• 6’8″

/ 205 lbs

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Allen is a big wing with defensive versatility, the shooting range to space the floor, and the acumen to move the ball, all things that are valued in Boston’s system under Joe Mazzulla.

Baylor

• Soph

• 6’5″

/ 190 lbs

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Projected Team

Minnesota

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PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

19.2

RPG

5.5

APG

2.7

3P%

39.4%

Carr may need some time to fill-out his frame, but he’s a late-bloomer with a rare overlap of massive length, leaping ability, shooting, and scoring prowess. Coming off a breakout year at Baylor, he could be just scratching the surface.

Michigan

• Jr

• 7’3″

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/ 255 lbs

Projected Team

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Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

34th

POSITION RNK

7th

PPG

11.3

RPG

6.9

APG

2.4

3P%

28.6%

Mara is a giant even by NBA standards. His defensive impact is undeniable, but he’s also clever around the rim offensively, as a screener, and passer. His presence would also provide some insurance if the Cavs ever elect to split up Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

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Duke

• Soph

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• 6’6″

/ 180 lbs

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Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

22nd

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

14.5

RPG

2.8

APG

1.3

3P%

36.7%

Evans is one of the best shooters in the draft, already drilling NBA caliber shots, and gradually diversifying his offensive game. The fact that he’s a former teammate of Cooper Flagg’s probably doesn’t hurt either.

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Even Valve can’t find RAM right now, but 3 huge hardware drops are still set for 2026

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The memory shortage crisis continues to fuel nightmares for hardcore PC builders, but even the biggest players like Valve are feeling the squeeze. In a recent talk at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2026, Valve revealed that the company is actively “in the market” for RAM supply as it plans for the triple hardware launch this year.

After sharing the current statistics on the state of Steam at the conference and talking about the Daily Deals program, Valve admitted to the challenges of building new hardware equipment. Reportedly, the company representatives even joked that there would be no new hardware announcements unless they get more RAM.

“If you have a line on a bunch of RAM, we are in the market and would like to buy it.”

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Valve’s 3 new gaming hardware still set for a 2026 release

Despite the limited availability of RAM and the growing prices of components, Valve is showing no signs of slowing down. While the launch of the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller has been delayed from the original ‘early 2026’ to now, just ‘2026’ the company hinted that its hardware launches are still on track.

The casual joke about the lack of RAM is worrisome for consumers who are excited to get their hands on the new equipment. Moreover, the hunt for RAM from the consumer market just underscores how serious Valve is about expanding its hardware lineup.

For now, there hasn’t been any official word on when we can get hold of the first-party hardware by Valve, and we have yet to see how competitive the component market can become behind the scenes.


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