Basketball News · LatestSunday, Jan 4, 2026

Since 2021, college athletes in the USA have been allowed to earn money with their name, image, and personality. The so-called NIL deals (Name, Image, Likeness) have revolutionized college basketball – with some serious consequences. The identity of small programs is in danger of disappearing, talent is being poached, and even March Madness is losing […] The post How NIL is changing college basketball: Between money, transfers, and identity crisis appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe didn’t hold back during his appearance on Podcast P with Paul George, sharing a blunt assessment of his lone season at Baylor. Edgecombe, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, described the college game as frustrating and overly congested. “College though? I hated college basketball, personally,” Edgecombe […] The post VJ Edgecombe: “I hated college basketball” appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Everyone is familiar with what Giannis Antetokounmpo brings to the court – his dominance, versatility, and leadership are unquestioned. Many have also come to admire his older brother Thanasis for his trademark energy and passion. But in Greece’s EuroBasket 2025 Quarter-Final victory over Lithuania, it was the youngest of the three brothers in Riga, Kostas […] The post Kostas Antetokounmpo steps out shadow Giannis appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

An ankle injury suffered by Cedi Osman has become a source of serious concern for Türkiye and head coach Ergin Ataman as the team prepares for a crucial EuroBasket 2025 Semifinal clash against Greece at the Xiaomi Arena on Friday. The 30-year-old forward was injured during the Quarterfinal win over Poland. Although he initially left […] The post Ergin Ataman updates on Cedi Osman’s injury appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Damian Lillard has accepted an official front office role at his alma mater, Weber State, stepping in as general manager of the men’s basketball program. The seven-time All-NBA guard made the announcement during the 2025 edition of the Weber State Basketball Alumni Classic, held at Swenson Gym in Ogden, Utah. Lillard addressed a packed crowd […] The post Damian Lillard named general manager of Weber State appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Incoming BYU freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa says that the group has success in the 2026 NCAA Tournament on their minds. (via SportsCenter NEXT): “I think the only goal we’ve got in mind is winning a national championship. We got to the Sweet 16 last year as a first-year coach (Kevin Young), so I think we […] The post AJ Dybantsa: The only goal BYU has is winning a national title appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Ergin Ataman discussed the expected fan turnout for Turkiye in the EuroBasket 2025 Semifinals against Greece, highlighting the significance of crowd support in Riga. “I expect our airlines to operate additional flights to Riga and for many fans from Turkiye to support us in this game. We will be playing a historic semifinal against Greece. […] The post Ergin Ataman anticipates strong Turkish fan support appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Finland punched their ticket to the EuroBasket semi-finals for the first time in history, defeating Georgia 93-79 on Wednesday night in Riga. The quarter-final clash brought together two surprise packages of the tournament after Finland knocked out Serbia and Georgia eliminated France. Both teams entered the matchup looking to extend their fairytale runs. The opening […] The post Markkanen, Jantunen power Finland to historic EuroBasket semi-final appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Magic Johnson is all-in on Michigan State forward Coen Carr. In an interview with Ian Kress, the Hall of Famer praised the sophomore’s athleticism, calling him “the best athlete in the country.” Carr averaged 8.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in the 2024–25 season, appearing in 37 games and starting once. He posted a […] The post Magic Johnson says Coen Carr is the best athlete in the country appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

The fairytale clash of underdogs took center stage on Wednesday night in Arena Riga, where Finland and Georgia met in a battle of Cinderella stories after both teams had shocked the basketball world with Quarter-Final upsets – Finland taking down powerhouse Serbia, and Georgia eliminating perennial contender France. Lassi Tuovi reacts to Lauri Markkanen-led Finland […] The post Lassi Tuovi reacts to Lauri Markkanen-led Finland’s win over Georgia appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Here’s Arizona freshman Bryce James on areas of improvement heading into year one as a Wildcat. (via Wildcats Radio 1290): “Right now, I’ll probably say defending the ball a little bit more — just trying to guard all five positions. Obviously I have to get stronger in here, so that’s something I’ve got to look […] The post Bryce James: I’m trying to defend every position appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Germany secured a 99-91 victory over Slovenia in the EuroBasket 2025 Quarter-Finals, ending Luka Doncic’s tournament despite his standout 39-point performance. The reigning world champions avoided joining Spain, Serbia, and France among early exits, advancing to face Finland in the Semi-Finals with a place in Sunday’s Final on the line. Slovenia made a strong start […] The post Luka Doncic’s 39 points not enough as Germany eliminates Slovenia at EuroBasket 2025 appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports and agent to NBA stars like LeBron James, is pushing for reform in college sports’ Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) structure. Speaking with Sports Business Journal, Paul emphasized that NIL agreements should not only reward players financially but also prepare them for long-term professional obligations. “If we’re going to […] The post Rich Paul calls for multi-year NIL deals appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

The EuroBasket 2025 Semi-Final matchups are confirmed, with Germany facing Finland and Greece taking on Türkiye on Friday. Game times are 17:00 local (16:00 CET) for Germany-Finland and 21:00 local (20:00 CET) for Greece-Türkiye. Germany secured their spot after a 99-91 victory over Slovenia, despite Luka Doncic’s 39-point effort. Finland reached the Semi-Finals for the […] The post EuroBasket 2025 Semi-Finals Set: Germany vs Finland, Greece vs Türkiye appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Here’s former Butler guard Ronald Nored on advice he would give to current players in the program. (via Big East Energy Network- The Dawghouse w/ Roosevelt Jones): “I think I would say you have to really care about the place. Butler is unique, and Butler is not like everywhere else. We all had other friends […] The post Ronald Nored: “Butler’s a place where you buy into people” appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Germany ended Slovenia’s EuroBasket 2025 run with a 99-91 quarterfinal victory in Riga, Latvia, despite Luka Doncic delivering a record-setting performance. The Los Angeles Lakers star scored 39 points, the highest total ever in a EuroBasket quarterfinal, but admitted afterward that he came up short in decisive moments. “I’m angry, 100 percent angry,” Dončić told […] The post Luka Doncic takes blame after Slovenia’s EuroBasket exit vs Germany appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Choosing where to learn and play stands among a teenager’s biggest choices. Campus feel, coaching trust, and national TV windows matter in real ways. Many browse school pages during homework and let essays slide while highlights play late. Reliable help, like research paper writing services, can keep grades steady during recruiting. With that set, this […] The post Best Colleges for Men’s Basketball appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

For nearly four decades, Nikos Galis’ name has been synonymous with EuroBasket scoring dominance. The Greek legend’s numbers stood untouched, sitting on a pedestal reserved for the very best. Now, Luka Doncic has joined him in that rarefied air, delivering a campaign that will forever be remembered. The Slovenian superstar closed his EuroBasket 2025 run […] The post Luka Doncic joins Nikos Galis in EuroBasket scoring elite appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Here’s 2003 NCAA champion/Final Four Most Outstanding Player Carmelo Anthony showing admiration for Syracuse University during his 2025 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech. (via OfficialHoophall): “To Syracuse, One year, one championship, one spark that changed everything. You gave me my first shot at belief on a national stage, and I gave you […] The post Carmelo Anthony: Syracuse gave me my first shot at belief on a national stage, and I gave them my whole heart ap...

Germany are closing in on history at FIBA EuroBasket 2025. With their semifinal berth secured, the reigning world champions are now just two wins away from capturing their second continental crown – and their first since 1993. Even more, a title in Riga would put them in one of basketball’s most exclusive clubs: nations that […] The post Germany, led by Franz Wagner, chases a rare double appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Miikka Muurinen’s profile is climbing fast, with the 18-year-old Finnish forward now on the radar of both NCAA bluebloods and NBA franchises. Standing 2.10 meters tall with a 2.20-meter wingspan, Muurinen has shown he can hold his own against professionals at EuroBasket 2025. He’s averaging 5.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in just over 10 minutes […] The post Finland’s Miikka Muurinen attracting NCAA powerhouses and NBA scouts amid EuroBasket rise appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum loved watching former Duke Blue Devil Jabari Parker growing up. (via Duke Blue Planet): “When I was in high school when I was watching Duke and up-close: Jabari from a player standpoint is the reason, the prototype of why I came to Duke. I was a big fan of his […] The post Jayson Tatum: Jabari Parker is a huge reason why I attended Duke appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Aziz Olajuwon, the son of Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, has committed to Stanford University, choosing the Cardinal over Houston, Vanderbilt, and Cincinnati. The 6-foot-7 small forward announced his decision Saturday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Olajuwon is a four-star prospect from IMG Academy in Florida, ranked No. 40 nationally by ESPN and No. […] The post Hakeem Olajuwon’s son Aziz commits to Stanford appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

The NCAA returns with its Season 101 men’s basketball tournament, and this time it is going to be more enjoyable. Having a new form of competition, new competitions, and keen competitions ahead, fans can look forward to a season of college basketball action full of excitement as schools struggle to win pride and glory on […] The post NCAA Season 101 Men’s Basketball Tournament: New Format, Fierce Rivalries, and Fan Excitement appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Duke University announced Tuesday that Jayson Tatum has been named the men’s basketball program’s first-ever chief basketball officer, making him the first player in college basketball to hold such a position. The Boston Celtics star will act as a special advisor to head coach Jon Scheyer, focusing on player development, roster construction, and mentoring. Tatum […] The post Duke names Jayson Tatum first chief basketball officer appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

In 2009, Finland failed to even qualify for FIBA EuroBasket in Poland. Ironically, that absence proved to be the best thing that could have happened. It lit a spark, the beginning of a long climb that has since redefined Finnish basketball. Their rise has been steady and relentless. In 2015, they reached the Sweet 16, […] The post From rock bottom to Europe’s summit: Finland’s 16-year basketball revolution appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Former Butler standout Gordon Hayward is returning to his alma mater, joining the Bulldogs as Executive Basketball Advisor. Hayward, who retired from the NBA in August 2024, played 14 seasons in the league with the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, and Oklahoma City Thunder. He was a 2017 NBA All-Star and earned multiple accolades […] The post Gordon Hayward returns to Butler as Executive Basketball Advisor appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Turkiye is gearing up for one of its most significant games in EuroBasket history, set to clash with Greece in the Semi-Finals. Shane Larkin, alongside the entire team, is “very ready for the challenge,” fully aware of the monumental task ahead, particularly facing Giannis Antetokounmpo. “He’s one of the best players in the world, and […] The post Shane Larkin: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s one of the best players in the world appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Quick college basketball notes before the season starts in early November. The post NCAA Notes: Top guards, 2026 NBA Draft #1 pick, Texas Tech appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

The biggest game in Finnish basketball history is fast approaching, as Finland prepares to face Germany on Friday, September 12th, at 16:00 CET in the EuroBasket Semi-Finals. Lauri Markkanen, averaging 24.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per game for his country this summer, spoke with the media following Finland’s practice at Xiaomi Arena. “We’re getting ready […] The post Lauri Markkanen on Miikka Muurinen: “We need to be grateful to have him” appeared first on TalkBasket.net .