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The Miami Hurricanes have lost another player to the transfer portal in the new look season for the program under Jai Lucas. One player that many thought would stay to continue his growth because of his upside was guard Divine Ugochukwu.
Ugochukwu entered the transfer portal just like every other Hurricane that was eligible after this tragic season in program history. With some upside from the freshmen like him, Jalil Bethea, and Austin Swartz, they could have returned if they wanted to continue as a Hurricane. For Ugochukwu, another opportunity up north was his calling.
He has now committed to another legendary head coach in Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans were an Elite 8 team this past season, only losing to Auburn in a tight game that got out of hand towards the end. What Ugochukwu can provide for Izzo, who could be losing many of his star players to the draft, is stability in the point guard position.
Ugochukwu has to develop confidence from beyond the arc, but his size and athleticism draw a lot of attention offensively and defensively. Izzo likely loved his defensive upside, similar to what Jim Larranga saw in him. Remember, he was supposed to be redshirted this season, but injuries allowed him to play his way to be a starter for most of the season and have some success despite the nightmare that was.
Ugochukwu will thrive under the new system and continue to develop into a star player.
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Six NBA players most likely to be traded
NBA teams won't assemble for training camp until September, but some players may not be on those teams for long. Here are six NBA players likely to get traded in the upcoming season. 1. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz Some NBA teams go all-in. The Utah Jazz have gone all-out, ditching veterans Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and John Collins this summer. Their lone remaining high-priced player is Lauri Markkanen, a 2023 All-Star who has four years and $196M left on his contract. He had a down year in 2024-25, playing just 47 games and dropping to 19 points per game, but the Jazz were also holding Markkanen out so much that they got fined. Markkanen's shooting would fit on nearly any NBA team, and he's still only 28 years old. The Jazz have amassed a lot of future draft picks, but many of them aren't great — pick swaps with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves, and a 2027 Los Angeles Lakers first-rounder. Trading their Finnish superstar could get them a huge return, especially if NBA teams are seeing him dominate in EuroBasket exhibition games. 2. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors It seems like a foregone conclusion that Jonathan Kuminga will resign with the Golden State Warriors and equally inevitable that the Warriors will then try to trade their 22-year-old forward. The only holdup is that the restricted free agent and his team can't agree on a new contract. The Warriors need to get something back for their former lottery pick, but they also need to preserve his salary slot. Kuminga and his agent couldn't work out a sign-and-trade this summer, but once free agents who signed this summer can be traded Dec. 15, far more trade options will open up. Kuminga doesn't want to be on the Warriors. The Warriors don't want to guarantee him playing time. The breakup looks like it's coming. 3. Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics In a year where the Boston Celtics have dramatically slashed their payroll in Jayson Tatum's absence, they have a huge incentive to deal Anfernee Simons, the guard acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Jrue Holiday trade. Getting rid of Simons gets them under the luxury tax, which is worth tens of millions of dollars, while also keeping the Celtics out of penalties for repeatedly being a tax team. It all depends on whether the Celtics will settle for the financial savings or hold out to get assets back for the impending free agent. But Simons is almost certainly headed somewhere. 4. P.J. Washington, Dallas Mavericks P.J. Washington was a huge part of the Dallas Mavericks' run to the NBA Finals in 2024. Unfortunately, he plays the same position as the guy the Mavericks just took with the No. 1 pick in the draft, Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks also have Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II and the newly-extended Daniel Gafford. Washington and his expiring contract are now expendable. 5. CJ McCollum/Khris Middleton, Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards took on McCollum and Middleton in trades in the past year, moves that were primarily made to shed the long-term salaries of Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma. But even though those players were both born in 1991, they should still be able to contribute to winning teams in 2025-26. The Wizards may value their veteran leadership, but they also have a roster full of recent draft picks who need playing time — and you can never have too many future draft picks.
Lakers Insider Provides Update on LA’s Pursuit of $87 Million Frontcourt Duo
The Los Angeles Lakers have done all they can to build the best possible team without giving up any of their assets, including their draft capital. More news: Lakers Hiring Former Mavericks Award-Winning Coach The Lakers lost one player to the Houston Rockets, Dorian Finney-Smith, at the start of free agency, but have gained three players, two of whom were off the buyout market. Los Angeles has been methodical in their approach as they prepare for the summers ahead, specfically the summer of 2027. While that is the case, the Lakers were expected to make a big move this offseason. That hasn't and will likely not happen. There were a ton of pieces out there that could have made sense for the Lakers, including a potential trade with one of their rivals, the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers have pieces that the Lakers could benefit from, including center Robert Williams III. A trade for Williams is not out of the question; however, a trade also involving Matisse Thybulle to go along with Williams may not be an option. According to The Athletic's Dan Woike, a trade for LA centering Williams and Thybulle is not likely. "I have a hard time believing a team that’s so close to the first apron that it can’t currently sign a free agent would gamble on not one, but two guys that have no track record of availability." More news: New Lakers Signing Recalls Moment He First Defended Kobe Bryant in NBA The chances of that happening, according to Woike, are not high. However, those two are the types of players who could make the Lakers legitimate title contenders. The Lakers have had Williams on their radar for what seems like forever. The 27-year-old center is an injury-riddled player, but he is just the type of player the Lakers need. Williams is a defensive-minded player who can protect the rim better than anybody in the league. He was limited to 20 games this past season and has failed to play more than 61 games in his seven-year career. Thybulle falls under the same category, at least that was the case last season. The 28-year-old was limited to 15 games this season, but when he is on the court, he is one of the more tenacious defenders in the league. He's earned two NBA All-Defensive nods while averaging 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. The Lakers could use both Williams and Thybulle, but that seems unlikely as things stand. Latest Lakers News For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.
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Report: Vancouver Canucks Emerge as Contender for Top Remaining NHL Free Agent and Former Winnipeg Jet
A report from NHL insider Frank Seravalli reveals that the top remaining NHL free agent and former Winnipeg Jet, Jack Roslovic, is linked to the Canucks. The clock is ticking for former Winnipeg Jet Jack Roslovic to choose where he will play next year. The 28-year-old winger, coming off a 22-goal, 39-point season with the Carolina Hurricanes, is generally considered the best forward remaining on the free agent market. NHL insider Frank Seravalli has listed the Vancouver Canucks as a team to watch in the Jack Roslovic sweepstakes. Re Jack Roslovic: 'What about the Vancouver Canucks? That would make a lot of sense for Jack Roslovic as well.' - Frank Seravalli The alignment is natural, as Vancouver might require another middle-six forward, and Roslovic's flexibility allows him to slide in as a second or third-line center. He could find himself playing with newcomers like Evander Kane or Jake DeBrusk, or with Conor Garland, Nils Höglander, or Kiefer Sherwood. The Canucks Will Need to Free up a bit of Salary to Sign Roslovic The Canucks have $3.2 million of cap space, and that could potentially be too little to fit Roslovic in. However, his last contract carried an average annual value of $4 million, so Vancouver could need to cut some space depending on his price. A nine-year NHL veteran, Roslovic has played 526 games during his career with 102 goals, 158 assists, and 260 points. He has three goals and 14 assists in 45 playoff games. With training camps around the corner, interest in Roslovic's skills is about to heat up. The rumor mill as to where he's headed is about to unfold, and Vancouver appears to be highly in the mix.
Packers Destroy Touted Colts Offensive Line in Joint Practice
Sometimes, you’re the hammer. Other times, you’re the nail. Mixing up the analogy, sometimes, you’re the cheese. Other times, you’re the cheese grater. By all accounts, the Green Bay Packers’ defensive line shredded the Indianapolis Colts’ offense during Thursday’s joint practice. The Colts’ offensive line isn’t some 1,500-pound weakling. Left tackle Bernhard Raimann received a four-year, $100 million contract extension at the start of training camp. Right tackle Braden Smith was playing under a four-year, $70 million contract extension. Left guard Quenton Nelson in his first seven seasons was a seven-time Pro Bowler and a five-time first- or second-team All-Pro. The new starting center, Wisconsin native Tanor Bortolini, was a fourth-round pick last year. The new starting right guard, Matt Goncalves, was a third-round pick last year. In its preseason rankings, Pro Football Focus deemed the Colts as possessing the fifth-best offensive line in the NFL. Nonetheless, the Packers’ highly questioned defensive line dominated from the moment they stepped off the bus. “I think we, as group collectively, I don’t think we need the coaches to push us to come out fast,” defensive end Lukas Van Ness told reporters. “I think we recognized that as a group. We came together collectively after the Jets game and knew we had to come out with a little more passion, a little more fight. I think we did today.” Van Ness had a couple sacks against Raimann. Moments after his first, linebacker Quay Walker had another. Rashan Gary had a sack and a pressure that turned into an interception. It wasn’t just the starters. Second-year linebacker Ty’Ron Hoper had a sack on a blitz. Third-year defensive tackle Colby Wooden, who is fighting for a roster spot, had a sack. Rookie Barryn Sorrell had a sack. Brenton Cox might have had a sack on a pass that was intercepted by safety Johnathan Baldwin. All of those players are going to have a role on Sundays. The Colts’ No. 1 unit, led by Anthony Richardson, scored on a 2-minute drill to end practice, though Van Ness thought he had a sack on a play before the touchdown. Green Bay’s defense won the backups’ 2-minute, though, as Isaiah Simmons picked off Daniel Jones. “We just got to keep stacking,” Van Ness said. “As good as it was, I look at the bad things. I think we got to close out practice better. That’s something to look forward to and improve and be better for moving forward.” Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper had the same thought. “No matter how good you play the whole game, you’ve got to finish it out the whole way,” he said. The Packers didn’t make many big changes on defense this offseason to add a more consistent impact to their pass rush. Sorrell, a fourth-round pick, was the earliest draft pick. Fifth-round pick Collin Oliver has missed all of training camp. Really, the most noteworthy change was the coach, with DeMarcus Covington replacing Jason Rebrovich. “I really enjoy working with this group,” Covington said this week. “It’s a hard-working group. They attack each day very, very hard with an open mind. These dudes work relentlessly, whether it’s early-morning pre-practice, after practice, whether it’s in the classroom. “I think they all have a beginner mindset daily. They don’t act like they know it all. They want to learn it all, they’re hungry for knowledge, they’re hungry to get better. Whether it’s KC [Kenny Clark] for being 10 years in the league, whether it’s RG [Rashan Gary] for being seven years, whether it’s from the top to the bottom, all of them try to work to improve themselves from a daily basis.” Van Ness likes what Covington has brought to the table. “D.C.’s awesome. I think he’s been a really great addition to this room,” he said. “I feel like we all speak the same language. He’s done a really good job of bringing us together and playing for each other and playing as a group and really building that brotherhood. I think that’s something we lacked in the past. “The defensive rush unit, the strongest units I’ve ever seen are guys who play together. They play hard, fast. I think we lacked that in the past and I think he’s kind of unlocked a strong connection between us that we can go out and trust each other and know that we’re going to put the hard work in. Obviously, come out and make plays on Sunday or today in practice.” It wasn’t nearly as good on the other side of the ball. Injuries are just an excuse in a next-man-up league but they’re also a reason. The Packers lined up without quarterback Jordan Love and receivers Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Christian Watson and Savion Williams. Tight end Tucker Kraft said the No. 1 offense “left some meat on the bone.” It won’t be any easier in Saturday’s preseason game against the Colts. It will be Malik Willis at quarterback and the same young receivers, but Kraft and running back Josh Jacobs are among the players who won’t participate. “I would say from the standpoint of, you get these young guys in a situation where they might not be as confident in themselves as far as the textbook goes,” Kraft said. “So, they might not be surging off the rock, working edges, angles in the route game to the best of their ability. “We got some time for them to make some corrections and then moving forward in the game, they got another shot with these guys. So, we'll just have to see how they do in Part 2.”
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