NIL
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 […]


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 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.
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.
NIL
2025 NBA Draft: Players Who Made Return to College Basketball after Withdrawing from the Draft
Many players pulled out of the NBA 2025 Draft and now will return to college. Image Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images As the NBA Draft Withdrawal deadline ended on Wednesday, May 28, 11:59 pm, many of the 106 early entries pulled out to return to school. Several top prospects, who had a chance to be picked […]

Many players pulled out of the NBA 2025 Draft and now will return to college.

Image Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
As the NBA Draft Withdrawal deadline ended on Wednesday, May 28, 11:59 pm, many of the 106 early entries pulled out to return to school. Several top prospects, who had a chance to be picked in the 20-45 range, took a U-turn on their decision to turn pro. Names including Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, Milos Uzan from Houston, and Florida’s Alex Condon withdrew from the 2025 NBA Drafts.
Apart from them, names including the likes of Tahaad Pettiford, Labaron Philon, Miles Byrd, PJ Haggerty, Karter Knox, Otega Oweh, Mackenzie Mgbako, and Nate Bittle pulled out from the drafts. A few days ago, Boogie Fland and Darrion Williams also did the same. Notably, as announced by the league, only 106 players entered the NBA 2025 Drafts as early entries. This is the worst record of early entrants since 2015, with the number dropping from the peak, 353, in 2021.
The prime reason behind a constant rise in the players withdrawing from the draft to return to college is the skyrocketing NIL markets across college basketball. While collegiate stars entered the drafts as chasing an NBA two-way contract would allow them earn more money than going back to college.
However, after 2021, when the NCAA allowed athletes to earn from their NIL (name, image, and likeliness), the number of players returning has increased in huge numbers. It is because these deals allow them to earn as much as $3 to $4 million per year.
Impact of Players’ Withdrawal From NBA 2025 Draft
Teams such as the Florida Gators will have a positive impact as all four players who were a part of the rotation during last NCAA tournament return. While star forward Thomas Haugh decided to not enter for the draft, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu also ended up withdrawing from the draft in the last week.
Not only this, but Micah Handlogten will also return for another season. Similarly, Houston Cougars will have Mios Uzan returning for his senior year, and would aim for a better season with the side. However, teams such as North Carolina lost Drake Powell, their most important potential returner, as he ended up staying in the drafts.
Moreover, teams such as Kansas Jayhawks, Penn State Nittany Lions, Georgetown Hoyas, Duke Blue Devils, and others would be negatively affected. These teams have their star players sticking to the decision of turning pro. Without those players, these teams would rely on youngsters, making it harder to win big games.
NIL
Florida’s Xaivian Lee nets over $6 million in roster, NIL deals
Florida landed one of the top available transfers this spring in Princeton guard Xaivian Lee. He is now cashing in on NIL and roster value deals. Industry sources tell On3 that the combined total of his contract with Florida and his new brand partnership with Serious Player Only amounts to more than $6 million. Sources […]

Florida landed one of the top available transfers this spring in Princeton guard Xaivian Lee. He is now cashing in on NIL and roster value deals.
Industry sources tell On3 that the combined total of his contract with Florida and his new brand partnership with Serious Player Only amounts to more than $6 million. Sources said the new, multi-year sneaker deal with Serious Player Only is the more lucrative of the two, and he will have the opportunity to launch a shoe when he goes to the NBA.
A two-time First Team All-Ivy League selection, Lee joins the reigning national champions after averaging 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists last season for Princeton. The Serious Player Only deal makes Lee the first NCAA NIL athlete to sign a shoe deal with an international brand.
“Looking for a brand to partner with, I thought Serious Player Only has a really good vision on where they want to be,” Lee said in a SPO statement obtained by On3 about his sneaker deal. “A lot of their values align with mine. I’m really excited to see where the brand can go in the future and how I can be a part of that and help bolster it even more. I love seeing how Serious Player Only is growing across regions and building something unique globally as a young and upcoming brand, and I’m really excited to be part of that.”
Lee fills a major need for Florida in the backcourt with the departure of Walter Clayton Jr. The Princeton transfer has averaged 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in his collegiate career. Lee picked the Gators over Kansas and St. John’s.
The agreement includes a future signature shoe, immediate signature colorway releases, full creative freedom in collaborative product design, and a long-term strategy to amplify Xaivian’s influence across Asia and North America. Attorney Darren Heitner provided legal counsel on the deal.
“In the world of innovation, true partnership is where vision meets craftsmanship,” said Lee’s agent, George Langberg of GSL Sports Group, in a SPO press release. “Together, Xaivian Lee and SPO aren’t just creating sneakers; they’re defining the future of performance, style, and culture—one step at a time.”
NIL
Easton Partners with NIL Stars NiJaree Canady, Bri Ellis for Historic WCWS Bat Launch
Top softball brand Easton has announced they are partnering with two of college softball’s biggest names in Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady and Arkansas’s Bri Ellis, to feature their new bat launch. On Thursday, Easton announced the launch of its new bat. The Ghost Advance promotes cutting-edge technology that aims to redefine fastpitch performance and features […]

Top softball brand Easton has announced they are partnering with two of college softball’s biggest names in Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady and Arkansas’s Bri Ellis, to feature their new bat launch.
On Thursday, Easton announced the launch of its new bat. The Ghost Advance promotes cutting-edge technology that aims to redefine fastpitch performance and features a slick red and black design.
The partnerships is historic as it is the first time Easton has announced a bat launch around two top NIL athletes.
Both Canady and Ellis have had breakout seasons for their respective teams. Canady led Texas Tech to their first-ever WCWS. The NFCA Pitcher of the Year is first in the nation in ERA (0.89) and wins (30) while striking out 279 batters.
Ellis proved herself as one of the best hitters in the country. She is third in the nation in home runs with 26 and has a .440 batting average with 68 runs and 72 RBIs. Ellis was named the USA Softball Player of the Year on Wednesday.
“We are extremely proud of the athletes that we have been able to partner with this collegiate season,” said Matt Arndt, Easton SVP of Product & R&D. “The best players in the game swing a Ghost and the brand-new Ghost Advanced is no exception. We wanted to create the highest performing bat possible to match the talents of the players who use them on a daily basis.”
The new bat will be available in all stores starting June 5. To learn more about the Ghost Advance, visit Easton’s website.
More News: NiJaree Canady Leads Texas Tech Softball to First-Ever Women’s College World Series Berth
More News: USA Softball Names Arkansas Star Bri Ellis 2025 Player of the Year
NIL
Florida basketball’s Xaivian Lee to make $6 Million via NIL, shoe deal
Florida basketball transfer guard Xaivian Lee is poised to become one of the highest-paid players in college basketball, with projected earnings topping $6 million for the 2025-26 season, according to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos. The reported figure includes both name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation from the University of Florida and a lucrative […]

Florida basketball transfer guard Xaivian Lee is poised to become one of the highest-paid players in college basketball, with projected earnings topping $6 million for the 2025-26 season, according to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos.
The reported figure includes both name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation from the University of Florida and a lucrative endorsement deal with international sneaker brand Serious Player Only.
Lee’s deal highlights the growing financial opportunities available to elite college athletes in the modern NIL era.
Lee, a 6-foot-4-inch guard, transferred to Florida in April after a three-year career at Princeton. Known for his elite scoring and playmaking ability, he averaged 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 43.9 percent from the field last season with the Tigers.
Now set to play a major role for head coach Todd Golden and the defending national champion Florida Gators, Lee’s arrival adds even more talent to a stacked roster. His high-profile NIL earnings are just the latest example of Florida’s strong positioning in the evolving college basketball landscape, where roster building and marketing power are increasingly intertwined.
Lee’s reported $6 million haul places him among the most valuable athletes in the college basketball space, joining a select group of players whose earning power rivals that of NBA rookies.
The Canadian-born guard is expected to start for the Gators next season, leading a retooled unit that also includes Arkansas Razorbacks transfer Boogie Fland and returning forward Alex Condon.
With national expectations already sky-high, Lee’s on-court impact–and off-court marketability–will be under the spotlight in Gainesville.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
NIL
Bulldogs Add All-Sun Belt Pitcher Faircloth
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State has signed former Troy pitcher, Alyssa Faircloth, who was a Second Team All-Sun Belt selection this spring. Faircloth made 34 appearances with 26 starts this season, leading the team with 15 victories. The rising junior led the Sun Belt in batting average against (.198) and was No. 27 nationally in […]

Faircloth made 34 appearances with 26 starts this season, leading the team with 15 victories. The rising junior led the Sun Belt in batting average against (.198) and was No. 27 nationally in hits per seven innings (5.01). She led the conference with four shutouts and ranked third in the league in strikeouts (150).
The Northport, Alabama, native threw her first career no-hitter against UMass this year and posted a career-high 10 strikeouts against Wisconsin.
“We are thrilled to welcome Alyssa Faircloth to the Maroon and White,” head coach Samantha Ricketts said. “She is a power pitcher, and her experience and skill set will be a tremendous asset to our pitching staff.”
As a freshman, Faircloth totaled 19 appearances with a 7-3 record. Her seven wins ranked second on the team, and she was third on the team in strikeouts (47). She won her first five career appearances.
The left-handed pitcher was a MaxPreps Second Team High School All-American in her senior year at Tuscaloosa County High School and was tabbed the Alabama 7A Pitcher of the Year. She spent her first three years at Holy Spirit Catholic High School where she won a state title and was named the 2022 1A Pitcher and Player of the Year after leading the nation with 444 strikeouts while posting a 1.19 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and .103 batting average against. She holds Holy Spirit’s career strikeout record with 1,094 in just three seasons.
Faircloth also excels academically and was recently tabbed to the CSC Academic All-District team. She was a finalist on the national Academic All-American ballot that will be voted on this week and announced on June 17.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X, Facebook and Instagram by searching “HailStateSB.”
NIL
College basketball is benefiting a lot from new NIL landscape
NIL problems have to be taken seriously, but the positive aspects of the new economic structure are creating a better, more robust product in college basketball Remember the 2025 NCAA Tournament? Not even two months have passed since it ended with Florida beating Houston in a thriller. During that basketball bonanza, a lot of people […]

NIL problems have to be taken seriously, but the positive aspects of the new economic structure are creating a better, more robust product in college basketball
Remember the 2025 NCAA Tournament? Not even two months have passed since it ended with Florida beating Houston in a thriller. During that basketball bonanza, a lot of people spent a lot of energy emphasizing how bad the product of college hoops was becoming. NIL was tilting the playing field instead of leveling it. The new reality of college sports economics was creating more imbalances, enabling the SEC to put 14 of its 16 teams into March Madness. This was supposedly awful for college hoops. Is it? Is this the way to view the new landscape?
One could be highly skeptical of the direction college basketball is taking in the new NIL era. One conference getting 14 teams into March Madness and having seven of them in the Sweet 16 does reflect an imbalance of power. Yet, we have to wonder if the SEC being great was less a product of NIL, and more a product of the SEC being really smart in its investments, coaching hires, and rebuilding a basketball brand which wasn’t in good shape several years ago.
It could be that the new NIL environment is actually a net positive for college basketball. We don’t have to be hyperbolic and say it’s the best thing ever for the sport — that would oversell the positives of this reality — but we can say something substantially beneficial is coming from the NIL architecture created in recent years. Let’s go through this discussion.
Alex Condon back at Florida
Florida retained one of its elite big men from its 2025 national championship roster. Florida will reload instead of rebuild this coming season and will field a very strong roster with Alex Condon in the middle.
Milos Uzan back to Houston
Kelvin Sampson and Houston are getting one more season from Milos Uzan, which means the Cougars should once again be a Final Four contender and a top-10 team.
Tahaad Pettiford comes back to Auburn
Pettiford eschewing the NBA draft to return to Bruce Pearl makes Auburn a serious national player for yet another season.
Labaron Philon returns to Alabama
Otega Oweh back to Kentucky
You can see the pattern
The point being made is obvious: With NIL funding in place, players who might have been late-first round or early-second round NBA draft picks have an incentive to come back to school, make very good money playing a 35-game season (instead of an 82-game pro season), and improve their draft stock for next year. Roster retention is a very good thing for college basketball. Having teams which bring back prime players obviously improves the quality of the product, instead of having players bolt for the NBA at the first opportunity.
Worrying about the big dogs versus the mid-majors
Power conference strength compared to weakening mid-majors is the best and most relevant argument from anyone who thinks the overall quality and charm of college basketball will suffer under the current NIL reality. It is true that mid-majors will struggle to compete to acquire elite talent in this environment. We won’t ignore this point, and it’s certainly something everyone in the industry needs to think about when considering reforms to the current system, such as it is.
Blue-blood programs aren’t the ones ruling the world
Though Power Four conferences are thriving in the NIL landscape of college basketball, it’s not as though this is a small and exclusive club of blue-blood schools.
This is not a world in which Kentucky and Kansas, North Carolina and Duke, UCLA and Michigan State, are the teams dominating everyone else.
Florida wasn’t elite a few years ago. Houston was in the AAC not that long ago, trying to make its way up the food chain. Auburn is an outsider, not an insider, in the larger workings of college basketball history. Iowa State, BYU, Texas Tech, Arkansas, St. John’s, and a bunch of other schools which aren’t regularly seen at the Final Four are making forward strides.
In other words, this is not college football a decade ago, in which we knew at the start of every season that Alabama and Clemson were going to meet in the championship game or a playoff semifinal. There is still balance and parity in college basketball, with the usual suspects not necessarily being the schools that benefit.
North Carolina has actually struggled. Kentucky has had its ups and downs. Bill Self and Kansas had their worst season in two decades. There’s a lot of competitive balance in the new NIL world. It’s not perfect, but it’s substantially robust.
There are problems with the current NIL setup, but let’s not pretend college basketball is going to hell in a handbasket. There’s a lot to like about the new reality.
Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and like us our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
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