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Versatility has always been valued in the NBA but in the modern era, it’s more important than ever. Players with more simplistic games, such as three-point specialists and traditional rim-runners, still have a role to play. Nonetheless, teams have begun to see multi-faceted players as a necessity more than a luxury.
That’s what makes the emergence of Brooklyn Nets forward Tosan Evbuomwan so fascinating. The 23-year-old went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft cycle. Given his background, which was covered in detail by USA Today’s Tom Schad, it was to be expected.
Nets Uncover Hidden Gem With Tosan Evbuomwan
Evbuomwan’s father, Isaac, used to play basketball in Nigeria. As a result, he was introduced to the game early in life. However, he didn’t begin playing organized basketball until he was 14, preferring soccer.
Soon enough though, he was representing Great Britain in the U-18 FIBA European Championships. As the son of a doctor, it probably shouldn’t be surprising that he decided to enroll at Princeton, an Ivy League school. Yet, the atmosphere was fitting for his personality, poise, and maturity. In fact, when the Ivy League cancelled their 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Evbuomwan decided to use that time to practice with a professional team.
With that being said, the Tigers have only produced 11 NBA players. So, despite leaving Princeton as one of their most decorated talents, he was already facing an uphill battle. Because Ivy League players tend to lack the talent level and physical tools NBA teams are looking for, they’re almost automatically overlooked. Fortunately for Evbuomwan, he’s the opposite of what the league’s franchises have come to expect, with one caveat.
At 6-foot-7 and 217 pounds, he’s as intelligent as he is skilled.
Not Your Average Smart Guy
Since signing a two-way contract with the Nets on Jan. 1, Evbuomwan has been a revelation in Brooklyn. In 14 games. he’s averaged 9.9 points in 24.4 minutes per game, shooting 45.0 percent from the field. He’s scored in double-figures in six games, with his season-high (22 points) coming against the Utah Jazz on Jan. 12. Capable of getting it done from all three levels, he’s at his best in the paint due to his touch and ability to get to his spots.
His numbers don’t reflect it, as he’s averaging 1.4 assists per game. However, this is partially due to the Nets’ overall talent deficiency, as he’s averaging 3.0 potential assists per game. In any case, he’s one of the most heady playmakers on the team, finding teammates at the rim or beyond the arc. Furthermore, because he’s capable of handling the ball, he doesn’t have to rely on post-ups or short rolls. He can make live passes off-the-dribble as well.
Newest net Tosan Evbuomwan with great defense then the block on Ben Sheppard and blocks his shot pic.twitter.com/ThIULsdLRB
— Nets Film Room (@NetsFilm) January 7, 2025
Add to that his multi-positional defense and he’s a player who could have a long career. His three-point percentage (.316) could certainly stand to improve. Nevertheless, he’s already quite advanced as a player relative to his age and experience.
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Timberwolves 'Actively' Working To Re-Sign Talented Young Guard
The Minnesota Timberwolves are among the teams in the league to have made minimal changes to their roster over the course of the offseason. Although they have been linked to free agent guards recently, the Wolves are reported to be in active discussions to re-sign Bones Hyland, per The Stein Line's Jake Fischer. He wrote: "Minnesota has two open spots and the Timberwolves, sources say, would like to have Bones Hyland back in the fold." Hyland was last under contract with the Los Angeles Clippers when they exercised their team option for the 2024-25 season. After being traded to the Atlanta Hawks, the guard was promptly waived, with the remainder of his contract stretched over the next five years. As a free agent, the former first-round pick signed a two-way deal with the Timberwolves. While Hyland only made four appearances with the Wolves in the regular season, it appears that he made enough of an impact for Minnesota to consider bringing him back on a more significant contract. Hyland's last significant contract was valued at $4.16 million. Given the impact a buyout could have on future deals, the Wolves could benefit from bringing him back on a team-friendly agreement. Given the small sample size with the Clippers and the Wolves, it is challenging to gauge what the 24-year-old would bring to the table for Minnesota. But considering his performances with the Nuggets, it is evident that the young guard has significant offensive potential. In his rookie season, Hyland showcased the ability to be productive, even in limited minutes. While averaging 19.0 minutes per game off the bench, the guard posted 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, on 40.3% shooting from the field and 36.6% shooting from three-point range. In his sophomore year, he displayed tangible growth, averaging 11.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 19.4 minutes per game. But after being traded to the Clippers in his third season, the marked reduction in playing time led to stagnation and an eventual drop-off in production. Even in the 2024-25 season, with the Clippers, he recorded only 11.1 minutes per game. Still, he put up averages of 7.2 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. This is an impressive feat for a player receiving limited playing time. Adding Hyland to the roster would be greatly beneficial for the Timberwolves, who will require a backup point guard to support veteran Mike Conley. With talented young guards like Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. also on the roster, the Wolves' guard depth could help them sustain their momentum over the course of the regular season.
Former NFL QB shares harsh truth about Browns' Shedeur Sanders
Some previously accused Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski of sabotaging the development of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders as Stefanski kept Sanders buried on the depth chart throughout the summer. A day after it was learned that Cleveland had agreed to trade Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick, Stefanski confirmed that Sanders will enter the Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7 as the Browns' QB3 behind starter Joe Flacco and fellow first-year pro Dillon Gabriel. During a recent chat with Jason Reid of Andscape, former NFL quarterback Akili Smith explained that the tape shows Sanders is behind as it pertains to playing the sport's most important position at the highest level. "If you take some time and break down the tape, and you understand what concepts they’re running, you see that Dillon Gabriel is ahead of Shedeur," Smith said. "No one who looks at the tape of those two and understands what they’re looking at could see it any other way. Gabriel is ahead of him, and a big thing is pocket presence. Shedeur took a sack in [the last preseason] game…it was ridiculous. You had all these people [on social media] blaming the line. He’s dropping back [too far]. He had to step up in the pocket or throw the ball away. It’s one or the other." Sanders took five sacks and completed just 3-of-6 passes for 14 yards in Cleveland's preseason finale versus the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 23. Meanwhile, Gabriel connected on 12-of-19 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown in that contest. Smith is among those who believe Gabriel’s tape from August "is just better" than what Sanders produced. Sanders took an FBS-high 94 sacks over his final two college seasons before he fell to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In the eyes of some, his play against the Rams showed that it will take time for him to unlearn certain bad habits he picked up over the years. "Anyone who’s got such a long way to go has to keep his nose clean, not turn on the organization and keep working," Smith added. "He has to put everything he has into continuing to get better each day. And that way, even if it doesn’t happen in Cleveland, you’re still giving yourself a chance. You’d show other teams that you want this. You’d show how much it means to you. Then maybe it happens somewhere else." The Browns trading Pickett indicates they're dedicated to continuing their development of Sanders through at least the 2025 season. That said, the potential return of Deshaun Watson is looming over Sanders' status as Flacco prepares to start against Cincinnati.
Jelena Ostapenko responds to racism allegations after post-match confrontation with Taylor Townsend
A heated post-match exchange between former World No. 5 Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend marred an otherwise action-filled fourth day of the U.S. Open on Wednesday. After Townsend defeated the 2017 French Open champion in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1, Ostapenko accused her opponent of unsportsmanlike conduct, pointing out that the American didn't apologize when a net cord helped her win a crucial point earlier in the match. The Latvian wrote on social media that Townsend "was very disrespectful" and didn't show the proper etiquette expected of a pro tennis player. "If she plays in her homeland, it doesn’t mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants," she wrote in a scathing address of Townsend. Townsend offered more details on their post-match confrontation, which led to some suggesting she was racially targeted. "She told me I have no class and no education, and to see what happens if we play each other outside the U.S.," Townsend revealed. Townsend refused to call Ostapenko a racist. "I didn't take it in that way," she said, via BBC. "But also that has been a stigma in our community of being not educated, and all of the things, when it's the furthest thing from the truth. Whether it had racial undertones or not, that's something she can speak on." Ostapenko was widely lambasted on social media, with even World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka asking her to control her emotions. The under-attack Latvian responded to allegations of her being a racist, while reaffirming her stance on Townsend disrespecting her during the match. "I was never racist in my life and I respect all nations of people in the world, for me it doesn't matter where you come from," she wrote on social media. Townsend will next face Russian teenage prodigy Mirra Andreeva in the third round. The World No. 46 American is trying to reach the fourth round of her home major for the first time since 2019.
Aaron Nola quietly made Phillies history amid Kyle Schwarber's big night
While Kyle Schwarber stole the show on Thursday with his four home runs, Aaron Nola made some franchise history of his own. The longtime Philadelphia Phillies right-hander surpassed 2008 NLCS and World Series MVP Cole Hamels (1,844) for third on the team’s all-time strikeout list with 1,845 punchouts. Nola’s historic strikeout came against Ronald Acuna Jr. in the sixth inning on a 79 mph curveball. Overall, he struck out four across six innings, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks. It wasn't the cleanest final line, but the Phillies’ offense supplied plenty of run support in a 19-4 win over the Atlanta Braves. Philadelphia's longest-tenured player recently returned from a rare three-month stint on the injured list. He has a 6.47 ERA in 12 starts this season, with 66 Ks in 64 innings. So, being able to accomplish this career milestone must feel good. Nola achieved the feat across 280 career starts — all with Philadelphia, who drafted him in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of LSU. The 32-year-old made his big league debut in 2015. The one-time All-Star has compiled a solid 11-year career thus far as one of the most durable pitchers in the league. He owns a 107-86 record alongside a 3.81 ERA, six complete games and four shutouts. Nola is now just 26 strikeouts away from overtaking Robin Roberts (1,871) for second place on the Phillies’ all-time list. Steve Carlton has the most Ks in franchise history by a wide margin with 3,031.
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