EA Sports recently announced the return of the EA Sports College Basketball video game, which is expected to be released in 2028. Duke fans can now spend the next few years manifesting how incredible it would’ve been to play with some past Blue Devils, and also what it will be like to play the game with whatever future college hoops superstars the Duke basketball program brings in.

Blue Devil fans have lost out big time on playing with some elite athletes that have come out of Durham. The name that comes to mind first has to be Zion Williamson, who almost certainly would’ve been a 99 overall had the game existed during his time at Duke back in the 2018-19 season. Williamson might’ve been the most unstoppable force the game had seen up to that point. With his athleticism, size, speed, and talent, he would’ve looked more like a player generated on a “my career” setting than an actual player available in the game.

Beyond Williamson himself, the 2018-19 Duke basketball team would’ve been insanely popular if the game were a thing back then. The three star freshmen who took over college basketball that season in Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish would’ve sent fans wild.

Aside from those three, there are plenty of former Duke players who fans will unfortunately never have the experience of using in a virtual setting. EA Sports hasn’t released a college hoops video game since 2009, meaning guys like Tyus Jones, Quinn Cook, Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, Kyle Singler, and so many more have been left by the wayside. Even current Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer would’ve been an awesome player to use in the game.

However, this also means that Duke fans will have the opportunity to play with the next generation of star players to come through Durham. Scheyer has been a recruiting mastermind since becoming the head coach at Duke, securing the No. 1 overall recruiting class in two of his first three seasons. He’s sent guys like Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Jeremy Roach, and Kyle Filipowski through the program. So, Blue Devil fans can spend the next few years imagining all of the star talent they will be able to use when EA Sports releases its first edition of College Basketball in almost two decades.

MOSCOW, Idaho – University of Idaho Vandal soccer coach Jeremy Clevenger today announced the hire of Inland Northwest native Nick Davis as goalkeepers coach.
 
 “We are excited to bring Nick to our soccer program,” Clevenger said. “He brings a ton of energy and passion to the team.  In his young career, Nick has some impressive experience that will be a great addition to both the goalkeepers and team overall.”
 
Davis comes to Moscow from Sewanee University, a DIII university in Tennessee, where he coached the Tiger goalkeepers during the 2024 season. Sewanee recorded 14 shutouts and allowed just six goals all season.
 
In the Southern Athletic Association play, the Tigers allowed just one goal outscored opponents 5-0 in the SAA tournament before falling in the NCAA Championship First Round.
 
Prior to his time at Sewanee, he was the assistant at Wheaton College in Illinois. The 2023 team recorded four shutouts and racked up 103 saves.
 
In 2022, Davis coached Lauren Ketchum to CCIW Goalkeeper of the Year honors. The Thunder recorded seven shutouts and 84 saves on the year.
 
Before his time at Wheaton, he coached club athletes in the US and in the UK.
 
He earned a BA in Football Coaching and Development from Plymouth Marjon University in Plymouth, UK, and is a 2018 graduate of Lewis and Clark High School where he was goalkeeper and a kicker for the football team.
 
“I am extremely excited to be joining the Vandals coaching staff,” Davis said. “I want to thank Jeremy for giving me this opportunity to be part of an amazing program that has shown incredible success over the past few seasons. I can’t wait to join and contribute to this special Vandal family, and I look forward to bringing more championships to Moscow.”
 
The Vandals have played in each of the last three Big Sky Conference Championship matches, winning the Big Sky tournament title in 2023, advancing to the NCAA tournament.
 
Over the past three seasons, Idaho has recorded a combined 28 shutouts, including eight last season by returning starter Paula Flores.  
 
The hire is conditional on completion of University of Idaho human resources procedures.
 
 

Everyone who follows college basketball is curious to see how the new-look UNC basketball roster pans out this upcoming season.

A roster that features mostly newcomers, Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels aim to get back to the program’s elite status. Unfortunately, the last few seasons have had their fair share of ups and downs, leaving plenty of questions leading up to the new campaign.

College basketball analyst Jon Rothstein discussed the new-look Tar Heels, stating the obvious of the team’s “complete 180” in terms of roster makeup compared to a season ago. Rothstein mentioned how the strength of this year’s squad is the front-court, which was a major weakness for the 2024-2025 Tar Heels.

“ It feels like a polar op opposite from last season. Last year, the Tar Heels were a perimeter-heavy team, with RJ Davis, Elliot Cadeau, Ian Jackson, and Seth Trimble. The real knock on North Carolina last year was that you did not have a consistent low-post presence on the glass, and also in the half-court offensively, there was no Armando Bacot.

There wasn’t anybody who could get the ball and finish down low. Now it feels like you have the polar opposite. I look at North Carolina, and I look at the strength of this team, and I think it’s upfront. Jarin Stevenson, a transfer from Alabama, Caleb Wilson, a five-star freshman, power Forward, and also Henri Veesaar, a transfer from Arizona.”

There wasn’t anybody who could get the ball and finish down low. Now it feels like you have the polar opposite. I look at North Carolina, and I look at the strength of this team, and I think it’s upfront. Jarin Stevenson, a transfer from Alabama, Caleb Wilson, a five-star freshman, power Forward, and also Henri Veesaar, a transfer from Arizona.

Rothstein has very high expectations for the UNC basketball program’s lone returning guard, Seth Trimble, believing that the rising senior is poised for an first-team All-ACC caliber year in his final goaround in Chapel Hill:

“The lone returning player of significance for the Tar Heels from last year’s team that made the NCAA tournament and lost to Ole Miss in the Round of 64 is Seth Trimble, and I think Seth Trimble is going to have a first-team all-ACC caliber season.”

The roster looks completely different from what we saw a season ago, but you have to think that Davis and his staff did a solid job of solidifying the frontcourt, adding some much-needed height and experience. As Rothstein noted, now it will be a question as to whether or not the new-look backcourt can get the job done, as the UNC basketball program really doesn’t have that true point guard who strives at pushing the ball up the floor.

Sometimes change is good. We’ll have to see if this drastic change in Chapel Hill is a good one for Hubert Davis and the UNC basketball program.

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules in college sports have transformed the entire college basketball landscape. The NCAA’s 2021 decision to let players profit from their personal branding has created a fresh financial chance for student-athletes, which affects their NBA Draft preparation. Examine the impact of NIL on professional development and its implications for the future of the draft process.

The Rise of NIL: A Game-Changer for College Hoops

College basketball players received scholarships and minimal financial support before NIL became available. Student-athletes faced financial challenges at the same time their universities earned large profits from their athletic performance. College athletes now have the opportunity to sign endorsement deals and appear in commercials, and generate revenue from their social media presence. College athletes Cooper Flagg from Duke and Bronny James from USC have reportedly secured endorsement deals worth hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars while remaining in college.

The new financial opportunities have transformed how student-athletes view their professional futures. The ability to stay in college for additional years has become a feasible choice for athletes. College athletes can earn substantial financial rewards through NIL without losing their amateur athletic status. Gonzaga’s Drew Timme stayed in college longer because of NIL opportunities, which helped him develop his brand while enhancing his athletic abilities. The draft talent pool has changed because players now choose to stay in college for more than one year instead of immediately entering the NBA.

The Fan and Betting Perspective

College basketball fans now enjoy a more engaging and interactive experience due to the implementation of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies. College athletes are choosing to extend their college careers because they can earn money from endorsement deals. Fans have more chances to watch their favorite athletes. The increased visibility of players coincides with the rising interest in sports betting on college basketball, as fans are participating more actively in the sport.

Bettors are drawn to games featuring prominent NIL stars. They use reliable offshore sportsbooks offering competitive odds and diverse betting options, such as point spreads, over/under totals, player props, and March Madness futures. The best offshore betting sites provide reliable options for fans to place bets, enhancing the thrill of the season by allowing them to back their predictions on emerging talents and high-stakes matchups.

How NIL Affects NBA Draft Decisions

The NBA Draft process, based on college performance and physical attributes, receives new elements from NIL. The following list presents the main ways NIL impacts draft selection processes.

Longer College Stays, Fewer Freshmen in the Draft

Players now delay leaving college because NIL money provides them with financial opportunities. The first round selection of freshmen decreased in the 2022 and 2023 drafts when compared to previous years. Oscar Tshiebwe chose to stay at Kentucky for another year because he wanted to benefit from endorsement deals. The draft now features more upperclassmen because scouts understand that players at different stages of development will be selected.

Skill Development vs. Early Entry

The extended college stay enables players to improve their skills, which leads to better draft possibilities. The additional college years allowed Zach Edey to develop into a top-10 draft pick in 2024 after he became a leading center at Purdue. NBA scouts face a difficult decision because they must compare older, skilled players with younger, talented prospects who might enter the draft earlier.

Transfer Portal Chaos

The growing transfer portal exists simultaneously with the emergence of NIL. College basketball now functions similarly to free agency because players move between schools to find better NIL opportunities and join more prominent teams. The movement of players between different schools makes it difficult for scouts to monitor player development, especially when a player performs differently between a mid-major school and a top-tier conference.

Challenges for NBA Teams

While NIL gives players more power, it makes things harder for NBA front offices. Draft boards are less predictable because prospects have different timelines. Teams now have to decide if a 22-year-old junior with a solid game is a better choice than a 19-year-old freshman with potential. Additionally, NIL deals can boost a player’s public image, sometimes creating hype that doesn’t match their performance on the court. Scouts need to look past the noise to find true NBA-ready talent.

Furthermore, the G League Ignite and international leagues offer options for prospects who skip college. NIL might keep some players in school, but others still choose to go pro to avoid NCAA rules. This mixed talent pipeline forces NBA teams to expand their scouting efforts.

The Future of NIL and the Draft

The future impact of NIL on the NBA Draft process will emerge from the decisions made by the NCAA and NBA organizations. The selection process for players could be influenced by potential revenue-sharing models and stricter NIL regulations. The NBA could modify its draft eligibility standards to permit high school players to rejoin the draft, which would create additional disruptions to the system.

Right now, NIL is creating a more lively college basketball scene. It gives players more financial power and career options. This shift is changing draft classes, leading to a mix of experienced veterans and talented newcomers. Fans, bettors, and scouts are all trying to find their way in this new era, where a player’s brand can matter as much as their jump shot.

Conclusion

NIL has changed college basketball into a profitable platform for athletes, significantly changing the route to the NBA Draft. By allowing players to make good money, NIL encourages them to stay in college longer, changes scouting priorities, and adds unpredictability to draft boards. For fans, this is an exciting time to watch emerging stars, with betting markets showing the increased interest. As the NIL era develops, its effects will keep reshaping how talent moves from college basketball to the pros, making the NBA Draft an interesting challenge for years ahead.