It has been a Summer of change for Class of 2026 women’s basketball recruit Saniyah Hall. The five-star forward recently announced that she will be transferring from Florida’s Montverde Academy toSPIRE Academy in her home state of Ohio. Now, the top prospect in high school basketball – regardless of class – has a new sneaker sponsor, joining an illustrious roster of future college and WNBA stars.

Hall is the latest NIL signing of Nike’s Jordan Brand, that has built a robust squad of women’s basketball players, starting with UCLA star Kiki Rice in 2022. Michael Jordan’s footwear and apparel division of Nike now counts LSU’s Mikaylah Williams, her future teammate Bella Hines and Rutgers’ Kiyomi McMiller.

As a junior at Montverde – the alma mater of such basketball stars as top draft picks Cooper Flagg, Cade Cunningham, Ben Simmons and D’Angelo Russell, among others – Hall averaged 20.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. She currently count offers from the likes of USC, South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio State and Michigan State, among many others.

The widely popular division of Nike announced their latest brand partner via an Instagram collab post.

“I don’t have anything to prove,” Hall shared in the post’s graphic. “I just go out, play basketball. I let my game do the talking. Actions speak for themselves.”

While her college choice is still to be determined, Hall will represent the red, white and blue when she suits up for USA Basketball at the 2025 FIBA Under-19 Women’s World Cup in the Czech Republic this month. She will be joined by other top recruits Sienna Betts, Jasmine Davidson, Kate Harpring and Jerzy Robinson, among others.

FRISCO, TEXAS – Half of the 16 Big 12 Conference members were at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, Tuesday for the league’s two-day media extravaganza, powered by Microsoft Copilot.

Arizona State and Iowa State, which played in last year’s Big 12 Championship Game, were on hand today as well as Baylor, BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, Kansas State and Texas Tech.

Tomorrow’s other half includes Arizona, Colorado, Houston, Kansas, Oklahoma State, TCU, Utah and West Virginia.

A standing Commissioner Brett Yormark kicked off the event by touting the Big 12’s accomplishments in all sports, listing some of the league’s new sponsorship and business ventures and expressing his desire for the College Football Playoffs to adopt the 5+11 model that is also supported by the Atlantic Coast Conference.

“We want to earn it on the field,” he said. “We do not need a professional model because we are not the NFL. We are college football, and we must act like it. There is nothing in sports like college football and we must protect what makes it special and do what’s right for the fans and the game.”

Yormark cited the recently announced PayPal partnership as a way the Big 12 is leveraging its expanded membership and he’s excited about new ventures in licensing and collectibles to increase the conference’s brand. 

He also teased a forthcoming announcement tomorrow regarding the WWE and the Big 12.

“This year, you’ll see us double down in that effort, including exploring documentaries and storytelling opportunities,” he said. Part of that is a new partnership that will give every Big 12 student-athlete their own customized app to help them build their personal brand.

During Yormark’s three years overseeing the league, he has successfully steered the Big 12 beyond the departures of Texas and Oklahoma and the additions of BYU, UCF, Cincinnati and Houston two years ago, and then Arizona State, Arizona, Colorado and Utah last year.

According to Yormark, his goal at the outset was to “modernize” the conference.

“I wanted to be more contemporary,” he explained. “I wanted to get on the consciousness of future student-athletes. I wanted to create a foundation that would enable us to succeed. I wanted to be a national conference, and I wanted to double down with ESPN and FOX. We’ve done all of that and more. I love the trajectory of this conference; I love where we’re going, and our schools are making incredible investments.”

 

Setting the scene for tomorrow’s big day at #Big12FB ?? pic.twitter.com/sSfU9AN8r4

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) July 8, 2025

Yormark once again mentioned the overall depth of the Big 12 from top to bottom, as evidenced by Arizona State winning the conference championship despite being picked 16^th in last year’s preseason poll. BYU also won 10 games despite being picked to finish 13^th.

The commissioner conceded the poll may have negatively impacted the conference’s standing in last year’s College Football Playoffs.

Consequently, the coaches opted not to release a preseason poll this summer.

“I think it disadvantaged Arizona State last year,” he admitted. “They were picked 16^th, and I think that hurt them. 

“I think there is no value (to having a preseason poll),” he added. “And I also feel that with the transfer portal and with roster management and what goes on as you build that roster, no one knows what they really have. They know what they have on paper, but it hasn’t played out. So, I don’t know if (not having preseason polls is) a trend or not, but certainly it’s the right thing for the Big 12 and I’m glad we did it.”

Among the eight coaches who were on the dais today, BYU’s Kalani Sitake and Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire were both asked about their school’s aggressive approach with Name, Image and Likeness funding that has resulted in impressive recruiting hauls.

Texas Tech has signed nine ESPN.com Top 100 transfer prospects, including five top 50 players. BYU’s 2026 class is being touted as one of the best in school history.

Sitake believes the Big 12 has significantly raised BYU’s profile.

“First of all, when this thing all started, we were an independent team,” he said. “When I grew up cheering for BYU as a young kid we were in the WAC, then we went in the Mountain West and then independent. 

“When we got invited (to the Big 12) that was kind of the change,” Sitake continued. “We’re now in a power conference and thankful to the Big 12 for inviting us into the conference. We saw things change, not just from resources, but also, it kind of settled a lot of arguments for people not to come to BYU.”

McGuire admits it has been a fun offseason for him.

“We were really aggressive whenever it came to the portal and meeting some of our needs for our football team,” he said, adding, “I know there’s a lot of expectations on the team; we look at it as opportunities.”

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham is aware of the talent Texas Tech has added to its roster during the offseason.

He posted on X recently his belief that the Red Raiders could be the team to beat in the Big 12 this year.

“They beat our butt last year and they added a lot of really good players to their football team, I mean, a ton of really good players,” he said. “They probably had the best portal haul of any team in college football already on a good football team with a good football coach in a fun environment to play at.

“I think anybody who says they don’t have the talent to win the league is absolutely delusional,” he added.

Interesting comments, for sure, as were Iowa State coach Matt Campbell’s about the challenges of returning to the Big 12 Championship Game. 

Among things that are controllable, Campbell cited his team’s overall toughness as one of the most important determinants.

“If we’re going to get back there this year, you got to be pretty tough,” he explained. “You know, we’ve changed a lot of things in football,  but the one thing you haven’t changed is are you tough enough? And you know that  toughness isn’t just physical, sometimes it’s mental too.

“We deal with 18 to 22-year-olds and  are they tough enough to stay the course through the entirety of a football season? I think that’s a real challenge. I think it is really unique for Iowa State football this year and we’re going to figure out if we’re tough enough to be  able to do it again,” he said.

West Virginia football fans should take note of Campbell’s comments because toughness is something returning coach Rich Rodriguez has been preaching to his football team since his arrival last December.

Of the things needed to be addressed, overall toughness and improved conditioning are the two that Rodriguez and his staff can take care of immediately.

We’ll hear more from Rodriguez and veteran players Jaden Bray, Landen Livingston and Edward Vesterinen tomorrow when Media Days continue.

 

The NBA 2K26 Summer League is set to tip off in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 10. This year’s event will feature all 30 NBA teams, each of which are guaranteed to play at least five games. Rosters are made up of recent draft picks as well as a mix of older players who are still trying to prove that they belong in the association. 

For basketball fans, it’s the perfect offseason fix, and for college hoops followers, it offers a chance to see familiar faces who have yet to make it on the big stage. With many fans already familiar with the latest draft class, let’s take a look at 20 notable former college basketball stars, who are at least one year removed from the collegiate level, set to compete in the 2025 Las Vegas NBA Summer League.

Terrence Shannon Jr. – Illinois (Minnesota Timberwolves)

TSJ was electric during his college days with both Texas Tech and Illinois. His final year in Champaign, just two seasons ago, will be hard to forget, as he finished third in the nation in scoring and played a pivotal role in getting the Illini to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2013. Shannon has all the tools of a solid NBA player in my mind and showed promising flashes for the Timberwolves last season. In the brief time he spent in the G League, he averaged 36.5 points per game, and I would expect to see a similar showing if given an extensive role in this Summer League.

Armando Bacot – North Carolina (Memphis Grizzlies)

Bacot started in all but one of the 169 games he appeared in for North Carolina and averaged a double-double over his five-year career. Last season, he played in the G League with the Memphis Hustle, where he led the team in rebounding and was second in scoring. It is hard to understand why a player like Bacot, who was so dominant in college, would not make it in the NBA, but that speaks to the difference in the big man position between the college and pro level.

Boo Buie – Northwestern (Denver Nuggets)

The former Wildcat guard was one of the most prolific players during his college career. He averaged double figures in all five of his seasons and holds school records for both points and games played, while ranking second in assists. After going undrafted last year, Buie played for the Suns in the 2024 Summer League before signing with New York where he played for the Westchester Knicks.

Drew Timme – Gonzaga (Brooklyn Nets)

The former Gonzaga big man known for his nifty footwork down low will play for the Nets after appearing in nine games and starting in two for them last season. Timme is widely regarded as one of the best Zags of all time with over 100 games started in his college career and holding the school’s all-time scoring record.

Dalton Knecht – Tennessee (Los Angeles Lakers)

Knecht is just one year removed from his incredible SEC Player of the Year campaign at Tennessee where he averaged 21.7 points per game. Prior to that, he was one of the top players at the mid-major level at Northern Colorado. The first-round draft pick was a significant part of the Lakers’ rotation last season, playing in 78 games and averaging just under double figures. He hasn’t looked like himself early in offseason play, shooting just 25% from the field and going 0-for-9 from three-point range in his first two games at the Utah Summer League.

Reed Sheppard – Kentucky (Houston Rockets)

The 2024 lottery pick struggled to find a consistent role with the Rockets as a rookie. Sheppard was a surprise one-and-done player after winning SEC Freshman of the Year despite coming off the bench for most of the season at Kentucky. Last year he appeared in three G League games, where he averaged 30.7 points, and played in 52 NBA games for Houston but averaging just 12.6 minutes. He made his first career start late in the regular season, finishing with 25 points in what was by far his best showing.

Jamal Shead – Houston (Toronto Raptors)

Shead was the perfect Houston Cougar for Kelvin Sampson, starting in over 100 games and being a top player in the country on both sides of the floor. In his final season, he earned Big 12 Player of the Year and won the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award. Sadly, one of the most well-known moments of his college career came when he suffered an injury that would sideline him for the rest of a Sweet 16 matchup that Houston would go on to lose against Duke. Shead had a solid start to his pro career, though, averaging just under 20 minutes in the 75 games he played in for the Raptors last season.

Zavier Simpson – Michigan (Los Angeles Clippers)

Simpson will be one of the older players in this Summer League with his college career ending back in 2020. The point guard, nicknamed “Captain Hook” for his signature hook shot, was the straw that stirred the drink for the Wolverines’ offense during their successful run at the end of John Beilein’s Michigan career. Since college, he has had several stops, with most of his time spent with the Thunder’s G League affiliate. Most recently, he played in Romania, where he led his team to a championship and earned Finals MVP.

Tyler Kolek – Marquette (New York Knicks)

The former Marquette guard, who began his career at George Mason, has quite the college resume that includes Big East Player of the Year, two All-American selections, A-10 Rookie of the Year, and more. Kolek was a dynamic playmaker, especially during his final two seasons under Shaka Smart, having a massive impact on both sides of the floor. A second-round pick, he split time last season between the G League and the New York Knicks.

Blake Hinson – Pitt (Golden State Warriors)

Blake Hinson had a long and challenging start to his college career before ultimately finding a home at Pitt. The three-point sharpshooter with limitless range was a key factor in the Panthers’ return to the NCAA Tournament in 2023. He spent all of last season in the G League, where he averaged over 20 points per game, including a stellar performance with 44 points with 10 made three-pointers.

Judah Mintz – Syracuse (Philadelphia 76ers)

Judah Mintz was one of very few bright spots on Syracuse teams during his time there, which I believe made him fly under the radar as a college player. With the Orange, Mintz was a straight playmaker as he surpassed 1,000 career points in just two seasons. He played for the Delaware Blue Coats last season scoring just over 20 points per game.

Adam Flagler – Baylor (Atlanta Hawks)

Flagler has now been part of teams that have won an NCAA Championship, a G League Championship, and an NBA Championship. He began his college career at Presbyterian, where he was named Big South Freshman of the Year, before transferring to Baylor where he was a key piece in helping the team achieve a .796 winning percentage during his time there. In the two games he played during last year’s Summer League, Flagler averaged 21.5 points per game while shooting 55% from three-point range.

Kenneth Lofton Jr. – Louisiana Tech (Boston Celtics)

Lofton Jr. spent two seasons at Louisiana Tech where he averaged double figures both years, and earned First Team All C-USA as a sophomore after averaging a double-double. He has appeared in a total of 45 NBA games with four different teams. He looked promising early in his pro career as part of the Grizzlies organization on a two-way contract and won G League Rookie of the Year. Most recently he played for the Shanghai Sharks in China, where he averaged 25.2 points per game last season.

Keisei Tominaga – Nebraska (Indiana Pacers)

Tominaga became one of college basketball’s fan favorites two seasons ago, helping lead Nebraska to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in nine years. Last season he played for the Indiana Mad Ants, where he was a solid contributor off the bench. He recently signed a contract with Levanga Hokkaido as he will return to his home country to play in the Japan Professional Basketball League.

Jon Elmore – Marshall (Sacramento Kings)

Elmore will be one of the oldest players in this year’s Summer League, and while he may not look like your typical NBA player, he can flat-out hoop. A star at Marshall, what now feels like ages ago, Elmore averaged nearly 20 points per game over his four-year college career. During that time he became the Herd’s all-time leader in both points and assists and was the first player in Division I history to surpass 2,500 points and 750 assists. Since college, he has spent time in leagues all over the world and has recently become a mainstay in the G League.

Boogie Ellis – USC (Phoenix Suns)

Ellis began his college career with Penny Hardaway at Memphis before transferring to USC, where he became one of the top players in the Pac-12, averaging double figures in all three seasons. He was a solid contributor in the G League last season and will now look to make an impression in the Summer League with the Suns, the third organization he has been a part of

Trey Alexander – Creighton (New Orleans Pelicans)

The reigning G League Rookie of the Year had a promising first season with the Nuggets organization after going undrafted. Alexander has always been dangerous with the ball in his hands, and that was especially true during his time at Creighton. His size, defensive ability, and shot-making set him apart in college, and he will hope to showcase those in Summer League to help secure a spot on an NBA roster.

Keita Bates-Diop – Ohio State (Milwaukee Bucks)

Bates-Diop is another older guy, but he was an elite playmaker at the college level. In his final season at Ohio State he won Big Ten Player of the Year averaging just under 20 points and nine rebounds per game. This is a guy who comes with a lot of experience who is a surprise to see on a Summer League roster. Since getting drafted in the second round in 2018, he has played in 283 NBA games and at one point was a prominent piece for the Spurs.

Buddy Boeheim – Syracuse (Indiana Pacers)

Boeheim was a fantastic college player that has been a solid G League contributor, but has yet to break through to the NBA. He was an elite scoring threat playing under his father at Syracuse, as he led the team in scoring his final two seasons and earned First Team All-ACC in 2022.

Tristan da Silva – Colorado (Orlando Magic)

Da Silva will give it another go in the Summer League after an impressive showing last year, where he averaged 17.7 points per game. He then went on to be a big piece on a good Magic team as a consistent contributor that posted 38 starts. He was a staple of the Pac-12 in his and the conference’s final two seasons, averaging 16 points per game and receiving All-Pac 12 honors both years.

MUNCIE, Ind. – – Ball State Athletics is thrilled to unveil the first renderings of the new clubhouse facilities for its baseball and softball programs, following approval by the Ball State University Board of Trustees on May 2.
 
The $8.8 million project, designed by MSA Design, will bring state-of-the-art facilities to Shebek Stadium and the Ball State Softball Stadium. Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2025 and be completed by Summer 2026.
 
“It’s an exciting time to be a Cardinal,” Head Softball Coach Helen Peña said. “The athletic department and university continue to raise the bar in supporting our student-athletes. I’m incredibly grateful and thrilled about this project and the impact it will have on both our current team and future generations of Ball State softball.”
 
Each clubhouse will span approximately 6,000 gross square feet and will be located adjacent to the programs’ respective home dugouts. Designed with student-athlete experience in mind, the new facilities will include fueling stations, team lounges, study spaces and other key amenities.
 
“Our new clubhouse will enhance the daily experience of our student-athletes,” Peña added. “From nutrition and recovery to academics and team bonding, this facility will be a difference-maker. It’s also a powerful recruiting tool, as the best clubhouse in the MAC, while we continue to build a championship-caliber program. The best is yet to come.”
 
Head Baseball Coach Rich Maloney echoed the enthusiasm: “This is a major step forward for Ball State Baseball. A special thanks to Mike and Kati Shebek for their incredible generosity. This clubhouse will be a game changer, giving our players a state-of-the-art space they can truly call their own.”
 
In addition to the clubhouse project, both stadiums are currently receiving new turf as part of a broader facilities enhancement initiative. This follows the recent resurfacing of the football field at Scheumann Stadium and the basketball court at Worthen Arena.
 
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A veteran defender for Jacksonville State will enter the NCAA transfer portal less than two months before the football season begins.

Linebacker Dajwon DeLoach, who was a part of Jax State’s first FBS signing class, announced his intention to enter the portal on Tuesday.

He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Last season saw DeLoach play in eight games for Jax State before a season-ending injury, logging 13 tackles (six solo) with one quarterback hurry against Eastern Michigan. He had a career-high four tackles against No. 22 Louisville.

In 2023, he played in all 12 games for the Gamecocks — mostly on special teams — and logged one tackle.

A native of Columbus, Georgia, DeLoach logged 58 tackles, 10 quarterback hurries, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles as a senior at Northside High School.

He is one of two players for Jax State to announce their intentions to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday, along with wide receiver Cameran Lloyd; Lloyd did not see action last season and will have four seasons of eligibility remaining.

A new Michigan House bill considers student-athletes as employees, while another looks to remove a new hurdle for athletes trying to secure deals based on their name, image, and likeness.

Democrats introduced both in the Michigan State House, saying they couldn’t come at a more pivotal time.

Since July 1, student-athletes must disclose any NIL deals made outside the university worth more than $600 to a new third-party entity called “NIL Go.” The NCAA says this ensures both sides are getting a fair value, but Rep. Joe Tate says otherwise.

“We want to be clear to make sure that no entity is allowed to interrupt a student-athlete’s ability to enter into a contract,” said Tate, D-Detroit. “Then they don’t have to submit a contract to the NCAA for approval. If you’re going to a university in Michigan, it restricts them from doing that.”

Now that universities can directly pay student-athletes as of July 1, a second bill would consider student-athletes as state employees and remove restrictions, allowing them to unionize.

“So now, students are being paid directly for their work—for their name, image, and likeness—for the work they do, and so that’s why we’re introducing this bill now to make sure the students are the ones leading the conversation and leading the contract negotiations for their compensation,” said Rep. Carrie Rheingans, D-Ann Arbor.

Former Michigan State football captain Maverick Hansen says he supports the student athletes following in his footsteps.

“I think it’s going to be huge because athletes actually have a say in what they should be getting and what their value is,” Hansen said.

Several republican lawmakers have spoken out against the bill, saying student-athletes are already compensated enough through scholarships and preferential treatment, something Representative Tate says isn’t enough in this day and age, as a former college football player himself.