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Kansas State basketball lands Andrej Kostic with reported $1M NIL deal

Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang on the end of the season Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang talks about his team after the season ended with a Big 12 Tournament loss to Baylor. Big 12 Conference MANHATTAN — Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang has passed up the transfer portal and gone overseas to […]

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MANHATTAN — Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang has passed up the transfer portal and gone overseas to land his latest recruit.

Tang, who had said he intended to go international in recruiting this cycle, delivered by picking up Andrej Kostic, a 6-foot-6 combo guard from Serbia with a reported $1 million NIL deal.

Kostic, 18, currently plays for Dynamic Balkan Bet in the Serbian professional league and leads his team in scoring with 16.4 points per game while shooting 43.2%, including 35.2% from 3-point range while making 75.7% of his free throws. He also averages 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

Kostic also helped lead the Serbian under-18 team to a silver medal in the 2024 European championship.

Kostic is the fifth player added by the Wildcats during the 2025 recruiting cycle. He joins transfer guards Nate Johnson from Akron, Abdi Bashir from Monmouth, forward Khamari McGriff from North Carolina-Wilmington, and high school recruit Exavier Wilson from Columbia, Missouri.

Related: Kansas State basketball wraps up a busy day by adding UNCW forward from portal

Related Kansas State basketball takes another portal hit with starting point guard Dug McDaniel

The Wildcats also added a mid-year transfer forward in Tyreek Smith from Memphis, but he needs a waiver from the NCAA to be eligible next season.

Tang still has work to do to fill his 2025-26 roster after losing starting forwards David N’Guessan and Coleman Hawkins to graduation, along with guards Dug McDaniel, Brendan, and CJ Jones, forwards Macaleab Rich and Baye Falle, and center Ugonna Onyenso to the transfer portal. McDaniel and Hausen both were starters.

Starting guard Max Jones also exhausted his eligibility but is seeking an extra year of eligibility after starting his career at the NCAA Division II level. The Wildcats return only three reserves — forward Taj Manning and guards David Castillo and Mobi Ikegwuruka.

The current roster is very guard-heavy with McGriff, the seldom-used Manning, and possibly Smith as the only frontcourt players. Tang still has at least three spots available, depending on the status of Jones and Smith.

Kansas State basketball roster breakdown

Outgoing transfers

  • Macacleab Rich, sophomore forward
  • Brendan Hausen, junior guard (Iowa)
  • Dug McDaniel, junior guard (Memphis)
  • Ugonna Onyenso, junior center
  • Baye Fall, sophomore forward (Rutgers)
  • CJ Jones, junior guard

Incoming transfers

  • Abdi Bashir, sophomore guard (Monmouth)
  • Khamari McGriff, junior forward (UNC-Wilmington)
  • Nate Johnson, junior guard (Akron)

Incoming freshmen

  • Exavier Wilson, guard, Columbia, Mo.

International recruits

  • Andrej Kostic, guard, Serbia (age 18)

Returning players

  • Taj Manning, sophomore forward
  • Mobi Ikegwuruka, sophomore guard
  • David Castillo, freshman guard

*Starting guard Max Jones and midyear transfer forward Tyreek Smith are seeking waivers from the NCAA for another year of eligibility

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @arnegreen.



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UCLA vs. Murray State baseball College World Series preview and prediction

Here is a preview and prediction of UCLA’s game versus Murray State in the College World Series. Best victories this season: Iowa (9-3), @ USC (7-6), Cal Poly (18-2), @ Illinois (9-1), BYU (15-4), Penn State (9-1), Cal Poly (16-0), @ Oregon (14-4), Arizona State (8-4), USC (5-1), Michigan (22-5), UC Irvine (11-4), Indiana (6-3), […]

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June 14, 2025

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Here is a preview and prediction of UCLA’s game versus Murray State in the College World Series.

Best victories this season: Iowa (9-3), @ USC (7-6), Cal Poly (18-2), @ Illinois (9-1), BYU (15-4), Penn State (9-1), Cal Poly (16-0), @ Oregon (14-4), Arizona State (8-4), USC (5-1), Michigan (22-5), UC Irvine (11-4), Indiana (6-3), Washington (13-9), Penn State (6-3), Michigan (7-5), UConn (8-6), Fresno State (19-4), Arizona State (11-5), UC Irvine (8-5), UTSA (5-2), and UTSA (7-0).

Defeats this season: Nebraska (0-5), Washington (2-5), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (3-4), Oregon State (1-7), Arizona State (0-2), @ USC (5-7), @ Long Beach State (2-4), @ Oregon (1-2), Vanderbilt (3-8), @ Maryland (3-13), @ USC (5-11), UC Irvine (3-5), @ Oregon (6-10), Northwestern (4-9), San Diego (3-4), and Indiana (1-5).

NCAA Tournament record: 5-0
Strength of Schedule: 22
RPI: 9
Quad 1 record: 6-7
Quad 2 record: 15-2

Best victories this season: Western Kentucky (2-1), @ Kentucky (5-4), Southern Illinois (8-3), UIC (5-2), @ Ole Miss (9-6), Georgia Tech (13-11), @ Duke (19-9), @ Ole Miss (12-11), and @ Duke (5-4).

Defeats this season: @ Ole Miss (7-8), Western Illinois (3-5), Southern Indiana (7-8), Western Illinois (1-3), Evansville (5-6), @ Illinois State (10-13), Evansville (10-15), @ Illinois State (1-7), UIC (4-10), @ Indiana State (1-11), @ Southeast Missouri (3-11), Southern Illinois (0-11), @ Belmont (3-4), @ Ole Miss (8-19), and @ Duke (4-7).

NCAA Tournament record: 5-2
Strength of Schedule: 193
RPI: 53
Quad 1 record: 6-3
Quad 2 record: 1-0

This is a prediction for the upcoming game between UCLA and Murray State in the College World Series.

UCLA has the top-rated MLB prospect in Roch Cholowsky, while the Racers’ top player is Will Vierling. Every NCAA Tournament features a Cinderella team, and for the College World Series, that team is Murray State. However, most teams in the Racers’ position eventually have their tournament runs ended by teams like UCLA, and this appears to be the case for this game. UCLA wins by a final score of 7-3.



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Texas Tech takes national spotlight for aggressive NIL approach, as critics cry foul

Texas Tech is making headlines across the college sports landscape thanks to its aggressive NIL approach. The Red Raiders are all-in on leveraging NIL to bring championships to Lubbock, and the numbers are staggering. According to various reports, Texas Tech has invested nearly $30 million into this year’s football roster. In men’s basketball, star forward […]

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June 14, 2025

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Texas Tech is making headlines across the college sports landscape thanks to its aggressive NIL approach. The Red Raiders are all-in on leveraging NIL to bring championships to Lubbock, and the numbers are staggering.

According to various reports, Texas Tech has invested nearly $30 million into this year’s football roster. In men’s basketball, star forward JT Toppin is reportedly receiving a $4 million NIL deal to remain in Lubbock for one more season. And when it comes to the softball team, star pitcher NiJaree Canady has secured two separate $1 million NIL deals, while the team has also added three All-American transfers in recent days — a haul largely driven by NIL.

CBS Sports recently reported that Texas Tech is projected to spend around $55 million between NIL and revenue sharing across all athletic programs in 2025, a payout that is likely higher than any other college in the nation.

While Red Raider fans are celebrating this new era of NIL and the spending spree currently taking place in Lubbock, not everyone is enjoying it. Critics, particularly rival fans, have voiced concerns about the ethics of such an aggressive NIL approach. Reports of multi-million dollar payouts and exploiting “loopholes” have caused some to cry foul.

Yet, many point out that powerhouse programs have been spending big for years, albeit under the table. With NIL bringing everything out into the open, Texas Tech is simply playing by the new rules — and doing it better than anyone else in the country.

The social media buzz around Texas Tech’s spending has turned into a national debate, but the Red Raiders remain unfazed by that debate. Instead, the focus in Lubbock is squarely on building championship teams. And with financial resources that few schools around the country can compete with, Texas Tech is taking full advantage of its unique opportunity to rise to the top — whether you like it or not.

– Enjoy more Texas Tech coverage on Texas Tech On SI –

Texas Tech receives commitment from massive offensive lineman

Looking to make history at Texas Tech, GM James Blanchard turned down Notre Dame

Texas Tech football adds another commitment to 2026 recruiting class

Texas Tech working to flip elite wide receiver committed to rival Baylor





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DL Kamdon Gillespie joins Virginia Tech’s 2026 recruiting class

Virginia Tech has added a versatile athlete as Kamdon Gillespie announces his commitment to the Hokies. A 6-foot-3, 245-pound defensive line prospect, the Mooresville (NC) product is a three-star recruit, rated as the No. 101 defensive line prospect in the country by 247Sports Composite methodology. The Hokies offered a scholarship more than two years ago, surviving […]

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June 14, 2025

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Virginia Tech has added a versatile athlete as Kamdon Gillespie announces his commitment to the Hokies.

A 6-foot-3, 245-pound defensive line prospect, the Mooresville (NC) product is a three-star recruit, rated as the No. 101 defensive line prospect in the country by 247Sports Composite methodology.

The Hokies offered a scholarship more than two years ago, surviving multiple cuts to his list along the way. Three finalists – Georgia Tech, South Florida, and Virginia Tech – were announced in May. Official visits to all three were scheduled, but he opted to cancel the final visit to USF and become a Hokie.

With 20 offers to his name, other schools involved in his recruitment include Boston College, East Carolina, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and West Virginia.

Gillespie recorded 61 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hurries, 10 defended passes, eight sacks, three fumble recoveries (including one returned for a touchdown), and a safety in 13 games during his junior campaign according to MaxPreps.

He is the fourth commitment for head coach Brent Pry in the class of 2026 and the second on the defensive line.



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UK Athletics requesting $110 million for renovations to Kroger Field, other facilities

The University of Kentucky‘s Board of Trustees met to approve the Champions Blue Board of Governors on Thursday. During the meeting, UK Athletics proposed a plan to upgrade multiple facilities, including Kroger Field. These requested investments include, $15 million for maintenance at Kroger Field, $13 million for corner suites and elevators renovations, $5 million to […]

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June 14, 2025

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The University of Kentucky‘s Board of Trustees met to approve the Champions Blue Board of Governors on Thursday. During the meeting, UK Athletics proposed a plan to upgrade multiple facilities, including Kroger Field.

These requested investments include, $15 million for maintenance at Kroger Field, $13 million for corner suites and elevators renovations, $5 million to improve the soccer and softball facilities, $8 million for the design of a West End Zone Club, along with Wi-fi improvements at Kroger Field, and an additional $31 million operating loan to be repaid with interest as UK recently transitioned its athletic department to an LLC.

“You have to continue to maintain and repair the stadium for safety reasons, making sure that all the components of, whether it’s stairwells, ramps, those kind of things, that there’s not anything that’s going to put any of our patrons at risk,” UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart told BBN Tonight’s Maggie Davis. “That’s important, then the other piece is just the fan amenities that allow us to bring new revenue streams, or be able to do some things differently in our suites.”

The renovations to the soccer and softball facilities have been added to the proposal as John Cropp Stadium will host the 2026 SEC Tournament. These two facilities are connected, so the renovations would go hand-in-hand.

Notably, the totals proposed on Thursday adds up to just $72 of the requested $110 million. With football, softball and soccer only being address, men’s and women’s basketball were not included in the request, along with baseball and the rest of its sports. With $38 million more requested, only time will tell what those additional dollars will be used for.

In addition, the athletic department added a request to gather information for a potential entertainment district on UK’s campus. Some of that revenue could go to this, although this is a concept as of this report. This would include entertainment options such as restaurants and hotels, among other fan-driven activities.

After the meeting, Barnhart discussed revenue sharing within his athletic department. However, he had no specific timeline for what that might look like, or how he plans to divide UK Athletics’ share of the $20.5 million they’re set to receive in the fallout of the House settlement.

“There will be more to come,” Barnhart concluded. “Trust me, we got more on our plate, and we’re excited. That’ll come as we go, probably more into the fall.”



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ESPN ranked Kentucky's transfer portal class as one of the best in the country

Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff weren’t messing around this offseason, combining returning talent like Otega Oweh, Brandon Garrison and Trent Noah, incoming freshman Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, as well as six talented transfers from the portal. ESPN recently ranked their top transfer portal classes in college basketball for next season. After all of […]

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ESPN ranked Kentucky's transfer portal class as one of the best in the country

Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff weren’t messing around this offseason, combining returning talent like Otega Oweh, Brandon Garrison and Trent Noah, incoming freshman Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, as well as six talented transfers from the portal. ESPN recently ranked their top transfer portal classes in college basketball for next season.

After all of the work they put in this offseason, Pope and the Wildcats are sitting at #2 overall in ESPN’s rankings, right behind Rick Pitino and St. John’s, who “narrowly got the top spot” as the best portal class, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello wrote in the rankings release. As for Kentucky, Borzello says it came down to the question surrounding Jayden Quaintance and if he will be healthy or not to start the season, someone Borzello recently called “one of the best defenders in the country last season.” That question was the only thing that stood in Kentucky’s way for that top spot.

“Mark Pope also landed five top-100 transfers, and if it were guaranteed that Quaintance would be healthy for the start of the season, the Wildcats might have the top spot. They’re also relying more on leaps from rising sophomores and steps forward from last season’s rotation players. But this group has the right mix of talent and proven production, and Pope will likely start up to four of the transfers. The key to the season could be Quaintance, who could miss time after suffering a torn ACL in late February.”

– Borzello on Kentucky’s transfer class.

Based on the transfer rankings, Quaintance is clearly the highest ranked, as ESPN has him slotted #7 overall. The next closest is Jaland Lowe at #25, followed by Kam Williams (#60), Mo Dioubate (#61), and Denzel Aberdeen coming in at #76. Mark Pope knew what he was doing constructing the roster, with a nice mix of returning and incoming talent, all culminating a lot of experience.

Kentucky is widely seen as at least a top 15 team heading into next season according to many outlets, and their work through the portal is the key to that.

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Jayden Maiava's NIL Deal

Jayden Maiava wasn’t even USC’s starting quarterback when the 2024 season began. But by the time the Trojans walked off the field with a Las Vegas Bowl win over Texas A&M, Maiava had done more than take command of the offense-he had quietly become one of the most marketable players in college football. It’s a […]

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Jayden Maiava's NIL Deal

Jayden Maiava wasn’t even USC’s starting quarterback when the 2024 season began. But by the time the Trojans walked off the field with a Las Vegas Bowl win over Texas A&M, Maiava had done more than take command of the offense-he had quietly become one of the most marketable players in college football.

It’s a transformation that’s playing out both on and off the field. In today’s NIL era, a quarterback’s arm talent matters-but so does brand alignment, media presence, and how well fans connect with the story behind the jersey. Maiava is checking every box.

Olivia Dunne forces relationship step with Paul Skenes

According to On3’s 2025 NIL valuation, Maiava’s NIL earnings are estimated at $604,000, putting him among the sport’s top-earning quarterbacks. That figure reflects more than potential-it’s the result of seizing opportunity and performing under pressure. After Miller Moss opened the season as the starter, Maiava took over the final four games and finished 3-1, displaying the kind of command and creativity USC fans crave.

From Honolulu to Hollywood: Maiava’s Brand Is Just Getting Started

Maiava’s performance wasn’t just a turning point for USC’s season-it reshaped his business future. Following the bowl game, the Kaimuki (Honolulu) native switched his NIL representation from NILX to Athletes First, a high-profile agency known for managing NFL stars. The move suggests a bigger vision: long-term partnerships and strategic growth, not just short-term brand flashes.

That vision is already paying off. Maiava’s net worth is currently estimated at $5 million, largely driven by NIL deals with athletic wear companies, supplement brands, and youth sports academies across Nevada, California, and Hawaii. These aren’t just logo slaps or half-hearted appearances-they’re tied to community events, media campaigns, and brand storytelling that reflects his identity.

From repping island roots in West Coast apparel to hosting camps that mentor young athletes, Maiava is building something rare: a personal brand that feels both relatable and lucrative.

Meanwhile, USC fans are watching the battle between Maiava and freshman five-star Husan Longstreet heat up-but off the field, Maiava’s already proven he can play at the highest level of the NIL game.

Whether he starts Week 1 or not, he’s already winning where it counts-in visibility, value, and vision.

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