SAN BRUNO, Calif. — As just announced by the West Coast Conference, eight Gaels have been named to the 2025 All-Academic Team, with a pair, Chelsea Bennett and Victoria Castillo, being named as first team honorees. With eight total honorees, the Gaels tie Pacific for the most student-athletes on this distinguished list. In order to qualify for the All-Academic Team, Student-athletes in must meet all the following standards:

(a) A minimum 3.20 cumulative grade point average (GPA) based on the most recently completed term at the time of the nomination. So far softball, it would be the fall term. Prior to the nomination, the appropriate institutional academic authorities shall review the grades of the prospective nominees. 

(b) Be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic credentials.

(c) Have at least sophomore athletic and academic standing with at least one year in residence completed at the nominating institution. (True freshmen, redshirt freshmen and ineligible transfers may not be nominated). An ineligible transfer refers to somebody who transferred to your team following the 2023-24 academic year and is on your roster for the first time in 2025. 

(d) Participate in at least 50 percent of the institution’s completed contests. Pitchers may be nominated if they participate in at least 25 percent of the institution’s completed.

Junior pitcher Chelsea Bennett was honored as a first team member of the All-Academic team for the first time in her career. Having her best season to date, the Warriewood, Australia native has been a top bullpen arm for the Gaels this year. In 14 appearances, 10 of which came out of the bullpen, Bennett worked 37 innings, amassing a career-best 3.78 ERA. A biology major, Bennett has maintained a cumulative 3.75 GPA. 

Also a junior, Victoria Castillo was the second Gael to be honored as a first team All-Academic selectee. Putting together her best all-together softball campaign, the Salinas, California product has seen jumps in every stat this year, including a 0.337 average, good for second on the team, all while also managing a position change from right field to second base. Castillo closed out her season on an 11 game hit streak, the best of any Gael this season. A sociology major, Castillo has maintained a cumulative 3.84 GPA, the highest of any upperclassmen on the team. This is the second time in as many years that Castillo has been honored as a first team All-Academic member. 

The following Gaels were named honorable mention WCC All-Academic team members:

Jenavee Amador, Senior, Education, 3.23 GPA

Tori Cervantes, Junior, Exercise Science, 3.43 GPA

Claudia Kirchner, Senior, Health Science, 3.36 GPA

Taylor Lane, Redshirt Junior, Special Education, 3.68 GPA

Odhi Vasquez, Junior, Health Science, 3.25 GPA

Avrey Wolverton, Redshirt Junior, Psychology, 3.36 GPA

#GaelsRise

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — The back-to-back WCC Champs once again were well represented on the end-of-year all-conference list, as eight Saint Mary’s Gaels were honored with an all-conference nod, including six receiving first or second team honors. This is the second most ever by the Gaels split between first and second team, with seven honored here a year ago. 

For the second straight year, Sam Buckley was named a first team All-WCC honoree. The sophomore out of Burbank led the WCC in home runs (14), RBI (41), slugging percentage (0.818) and on-base percentage (0.523), while finished top-three in the conference in batting average (0.402), doubles (11) and runs scored (47). She set the Saint Mary’s single season records for home runs, RBI and runs scored this year, and finished out the year with the fourth highest single season batting average in program history.  While her offensive numbers were incredible, Buckley was also one of the unsung defensive heroes for the Gaels, committing just two errors all season at the hot corner. Her career average climbed to 0.380 this year, currently sitting at the best of any student-athlete ever to suit up as a Gael, while she ranks in the top-10 in total runs scored (84) and the top-five in triples (8) and home runs (18) for her career. Buckley was a three time WCC Player of the Week of winner, tied for the most of any player in the conference. 

FINAL | SMC 3 – USD 2

THAT’S THE BALLGAME BABY

Sam Buckley walks us off with an absolute BOMB With that hit, Buckley has now set the single-season RBI record as well (40)!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/tIBGKT1QJy

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) May 4, 2025

A two time second team All-WCC performer, Odhi Vasquez earned her first first team nod after once again serving as the Gaels ace. The junior out of Upland led the WCC in wins (13), shutouts (4), and opponents batting average (0.204), while ranking second in ERA (2.59) and strikeouts (129). Vaquez etched her name into the history books, with the fifth most shutouts, seventh most strikeouts and eighth most wins of any Gael in a single season. For her career, Vasquez has now earned 31 wins (9th in program history) and 10 shutouts (5th in program history), while working 358.2 innings (10th in program history), striking out 320 (6th in program history and amassing a career 2.73 ERA (7th in program history). A four time WCC Pitcher of the Week this year, Vasquez won this honor more than any other pitcher in the conference. 

E6 | SMC 5 – UCSB 0

Make that 22 consecutive scoreless innings from Odhi! The previous program record (also owned by Odhi Vasquez) was 17.1 consecutive scoreless innings! #GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/1cZinzC5HL

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) February 27, 2025

Four Gaels earned second team honors; Victoria Castillo, Tori Cervantes, Camille Lara and Mia Nishikawa. Castillo is a first time honoree after hitting a career-best 0.337 this year, good for second on the team and ninth in the conference. Cervantes, also a first time honoree, boasted a career-best 0.315 average, while scoring 37 times (7th in the WCC), homering seven times (6th in the WCC) and stealing a team-high 12 bases (5th in the WCC). A first time All-WCC honoree, Lara led the Gaels with 54 hits, good for fifth in the conference, while slashing at 0.323. Rounding out the group of second team honorees, Mia Nishikawa earned her second second team nod in as many years, after finishing top five in the conference for ERA (3.14), wins (10), complete games (8) and shutouts (2). 

T1 | SMC 1 – LMU 0

Make that 11 straight games with a hit for Victoria Castillo! She drives in Sam Buckley to put the Gaels ahead early!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/EIco5665Jv

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) May 10, 2025

T2 | SMC 5-0 OSU

Cervantes with the TANK job!!

Tori Cervantes gives Saint Mary’s a 5-0 lead with her second homer of the series!#GaelsRise @WCCsports pic.twitter.com/Qu0uefN08U

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) April 27, 2025

Here comes Camille! #GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/I6PEr8jlvI

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) April 9, 2025

B6 | SMC 5 – OSU 4

CAUGHT HER LOOKING! Mia Nishikawa wins the eight pitch battle with her second strikeout of the day!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/khfUwenBMY

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) April 26, 2025

Catcher Jenavee Amador earned her second straight honorable mention nod, after finishing second on the team and sixth in the conference with 34 RBI. After starting every single game of her freshman campaign at shortstop, Mia Zabat was named to the WCC All-Freshman team. 

B6 | SMC 3 – USD 2

GAELS TAKE THE LEAD

Senior Jenavee Amador comes in with a clutch pinch-hit for SMC and drives in two runs!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/dJQFqZBsZw

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) May 3, 2025

M5 | SMC 1 – USD 2

WHAT A PLAY

After tipping off Sam Buckley’s glove, Mia Zabat makes the diving back-up catch to end the inning!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/OpIkT5md0M

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) May 3, 2025

The Gaels finished their year at 28-23, with an 11-4 conference record, good for a share of the 2025 WCC Title. The 58 wins over the last two seasons mark the most ever over a two year stretch in program history. 

#GaelsRise

With the NBA Draft set for June 25, players are weighing whether to stay in the draft or return for another year of college basketball.

The rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities has added another layer to the decision-making process, making it even harder for many young athletes.

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On Tuesday, one of the nation’s top freshmen made a major move by withdrawing from the draft and entering the transfer portal.

As reported by Jonathan Givony of ESPN:

“Boogie Fland is withdrawing from the NBA Draft and will not participate in the remainder of the NBA draft combine, his agent Mike Miller told ESPN.”

Fland, a standout at Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains, New York, joined Arkansas as a five-star recruit and quickly became an impact player. Before suffering a hand injury in mid-January, the 6-foot-2 guard from the Bronx was averaging 13.5 points per game.

After the injury, Fland struggled to regain his role and played just nine minutes in Arkansas’s Sweet 16 loss in the NCAA Tournament. Some think Fland’s draft stock may have dipped after his midseason injury and limited playing time, making a return to college a chance to rebuild momentum and boost his long-term prospects.

Although he hasn’t made his final decision, it’s unlikely Fland returns to Arkansas. Head coach John Calipari has already been active in the transfer portal, bringing in players to help fill the potential gap left by Fland. Additions like Nick Pringle from South Carolina and Malique Ewin from Florida State should be exciting for Razorback fans in Fayetteville.

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There are also rumors that Fland could land in Florida. With Todd Golden and the Gators reportedly interested, the talented guard might just stay in the SEC.

Related: ESPN’s Dick Vitale Shares Major Personal Life Update on Monday

Related: Rick Barnes, Tennessee Receive Big News on Saturday

Associated Press

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference is entering a period of stability.

How long it lasts is anyone’s guess. Not even commissioner Jim Phillips knows for sure.

“I still live one day at a time,” Phillips quipped.

The ACC wrapped up its spring meetings Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, with athletic directors and coaches having spent three days discussing wide-ranging issues affecting football and basketball.

The event came amid the backdrop of the pending $2.8 billion NCAA settlement, which would allow schools to share up to $20.5 million annually directly with their athletes.

The ACC spent the past two years tracking that legal battle while also wading through contentious litigation from two of its top member schools, Clemson and Florida State.

The Tigers and Seminoles approved a settlement in March that changed the league’s revenue-distribution model to benefit schools with marquee football brands. Both would presumably fall into that category.

Although the 2030-31 season looms as a potential spot for more changes to the college football landscape, the revised deal should fortify a league that looked to be on the verge of collapse while falling further behind the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten.

“I just think you got to settle down,” Phillips said, noting he envisions four or five years of stability ahead. “And I think college athletics needs it to settle down, not just the ACC. I think we’ve positioned ourselves for that, and that’s a good thing. It just is.

“Chaos and the constant wondering of what’s happening here or there, I just think that distracts from the business at hand. But I feel good about where we’re at.”

The league’s revised revenue-distribution model incorporates TV viewership as a way for the league’s top programs to generate more money.

Florida State, for example, expects roughly $18 million extra annually from the tweaked structure. Those schools outside the top tier could see a decline of about $7 million a year.

“We’re really excited that this is now put behind us,” FSU athletic director Michael Alford said. “We have a path going forward. We have a path to really look at how we control the conference together, how we expand on the great brands that are in this conference and really promote the ACC and especially ACC football moving forward and give it its day in the sun.”

Presidential help ahead?

Even though ACC schools are bracing for the NCAA settlement and how it will change their business model, Phillips believes President Donald Trump’s proposed commission on collegiate athletics could help.

“We have not been able to get this thing into the end zone, so to speak,” Phillips said. “If the President feels that a commission could potentially help, I’m all for it.”

The proposed commission would be co-chaired by former Alabama coach Nick Saban and current Texas Tech board of regents chairman Cody Campbell.

“I think it’s well-intended,” Phillips said. “I do feel that the time is right based on all the work that’s previously been done and a supportive administration that’s in there. So I’m hopeful that that can be a positive to an end result that gets us a standardized law across the country with NIL.”

NCAA president Charlie Baker spoke at the ACC meetings Monday and said he was “up for anything” if it helped formalize NIL laws that differ from state to state.

“I think it speaks to the fact that everybody is paying a lot of attention right now to what’s going on in college sports,” Baker said. “I’m up for anything that can help us get somewhere.”

Future of the CFP

While power four conferences — the ACC, the Big Ten, Big 12 and the SEC — continue to negotiate the future of the College Football Playoff beginning in 2026, Phillips declined to reveal specifics regarding the league’s stance on automatic qualifiers.

“I remain steadfast about fairness in the system and access,” he said. “Out of respect for my colleagues, I want to hold off on commenting about AQs and specific models.”

The 16-team playoff model that has been widely discussed would grant four automatic berths to the Big Ten, four to the SEC, two to the ACC and two to the Big 12. That would leave four bids, with as many as three of those going to at-large teams and the other to the highest-ranked team from the Group of Six.

The ACC, according to several coaches, wants three guaranteed spots.

“You start to wonder if we are going to have an invitational,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. “Every year, one league may be better than the other, and it can change to some degree.

“To say we’re going to pick teams based on what’s happened the last 15 years, especially in an environment where we have more and more parity with the way the rules are, I think it’s a slippery slope.”

___

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The introduction of NIL at the collegiate level has changed the NBA Draft in potentially irreversible ways. It’s taken time for those alterations to manifest, but the 2025 annual selection process is beginning to reveal how drastically the Association will be impacted—and how the Los Angeles Lakers have found themselves ahead of the curve.

According to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, 106 players have entered the 2025 NBA Draft—the lowest number of early entrants since 2015.

It’s difficult to to evaluate this fact without acknowledging the impact of NIL. For those unfamiliar, NIL stands for Name, Image, and Likeness. The system has enabled college athletes to profit from those very elements of their individual presence, success, and, quite frankly, existence.

Many have debated whether NIL is beneficial to the institutions that long exclusively profited from their athletes’ success, but the bottom line is that players are now being paid for what they provide.

The results of that shift in the college landscape have included players realizing that it can be profitable to remain in school rather than declaring for the NBA Draft before they’re ready. Pre-draft evaluations can now be utilized to gauge how likely it is that a prospect is valued in a way that justifies the risk that comes with making the leap.

Thankfully for Los Angeles, Rob Pelinka and company have made a habit out of adding talent that most have overlooked.

NIL will require NBA teams to scout the unsung heroes—and the Lakers already thrive in that area

Los Angeles has made something of an art out of scouting and acquiring players who most overlooked. An argument could be made that the most recent example was Dalton Knecht, who fell to the Lakers at No. 17 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft because he was a 23-year-old incoming rookie.

Knecht went on to lead all Lakers reserves in points and three-point field goals made on both a per game and per-36 basis during his rookie season.

Los Angeles’ success has ranged beyond the first round, including the acquisition of undrafted free agents. That process arguably began when the Lakers added a former undrafted free agent and four-year college basketball player in 2017 by the name of Alex Caruso.

Caruso would go on to play a key defensive role as the Lakers won the 2020 NBA championship and has now earned two All-Defense honors during his career.

The current and shining example of Los Angeles’ success in drafting the players others chose to overlook is Austin Reaves. Reaves was a 23-year-old incoming rookie who spent five seasons at the collegiate level, splitting the time between Wichita State and Oklahoma.

Four years later, Reaves is widely regarded as one of the most promising up-and-coming talents in the NBA, boosted by his 2024-25 averages of 20.2 points and 5.8 assists per game.

Los Angeles has kicked itself for failing to lock up other players long-term, but still deserves credit for uncovering undrafted gems such as Jay Huff and Scotty Pippen Jr. in recent years. That success lends itself to the Lakers thriving in this new NBA environment.

Acing the NBA Draft now means knowing where to look off the beaten path—and few franchises are better at doing so than the Lakers.