A fans perspective

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Stuff you learn while surfing (the net)

Arafan Diane is recognized for his impressive physical stature, standing at 7 feet 1 inch with a 7-foot 4-inch wingspan and weighing 290 pounds, making him comparable in size to notable centers such as Shaquille O’Neal. Diane has established himself as a high-volume rebounder for Iowa United Prep, located in Norwalk, Iowa, and maintains an 80% scoring rate near the basket. Norwalk, part of the greater Des Moines metropolitan area, serves as a point of reference for his current location. Diane is originally from Guinea, West Africa, he played for a time in Canada prior to Iowa United Prep.

It has been reported that Bryce James may be transferring from Arizona. As the youngest son of LeBron James, Bryce appears to be experiencing challenges similar to those faced by his older brother Bronny. This is represented by increased competition as he attempts to advance his play at a higher level of competition. In addition there might be heightened expectations due to his family background. However, these reports remain unconfirmed, as James has not yet made his debut for Arizona. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Recent discussions regarding NBA expansion have been limited, with little information emerging about efforts in Las Vegas or Seattle. We have heard news regarding the implementation of NBA Europe. Consequently, the possibility of team relocation appears more likely than the establishment of new franchises at this time. Two teams that have subject to relocations rumors are the Memphis Grizzlies an New Orleans Pelicans. Despite the rumors Pelicans owner Gayle Benson has publicly refuted claims that the team is for sale. Further updates on these developments will be provided as additional information becomes available.  

Babatunde Oladotun is ranked number 8 in ESPN’s Top 100, has made his college commitment known. Currently he is in his senior year attending James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Springs, Maryland, Oladotun chose to stay close to home by selecting the University of Maryland for his college basketball choice. He opted for Maryland over other offers from Georgetown, Arkansas plus Kentucky and others. Oladotun stands 6-feet 10 and weighs 195 pounds, on the court he plays as a small forward.

20 and 10

The headline above relates to a Shaq statement and how it relates to Deandre Ayton of the Los Angeles Lakers. Several weeks ago the Inside the NBA crew held a discussion on the Lakers prospects, Shaq made this statement all that is required of Ayton is “20 and 10.” Tuesday night Ayton accomplished the task in front of him once again with 20 points and 14 rebounds in the Lakers 140-126 win over the Jazz. In this game Ayton shot nearly 79% from the floor and the game included this bit of trivia. Post game Ayton informed us, “I was telling him (LeBron) a fun fact: He threw me an alley-oop and I told him, that’s my second alley-opp from you. The first one was when I was in the 8th grade at your camp.” 

LeBron was one of the other Lakers who contributed to the victory in his first game of the season. He registered a modest 11 points and 12 rebounds as he eased himself back into play in this effort. The main offensive effort of the Lakers came from Luka Doncic with (37 pts, 10 assts & 4 steals) plus 26 points from his backcourt partner Austin Reaves, in addition Jake LaRavia emerged from the bench scoring 16 points. Ayton made an additional statement which may have set the tone for the future. The Laker center claimed the game against the Thunder was “A wake up call for us.” Just in case you may have forgotten the Thunder registered a 121-92 beat-down over the Lakers. I’m unsure what the future holds for the Lakers but Ayton could have provided us a clue.

Calm down, it’s only a game

Speaking from my perspective, I once held the belief that a basketball player who committed to a university would stay there throughout their eligibility. That notion, however, has vanished just like the dinosaurs—it's now extinct. For years, the trend of "one and done" has dominated college basketball. Schools recruit top-tier McDonald's All-American prospects fully aware these athletes are likely only staying for their freshman season. There was even an unconfirmed claim from a former coach that some "one and done" players skipped attending spring semester classes, knowing they were headed for the NBA. If you look at mock draft sites, you'll notice that the first 10–15 spots often go to freshmen, with a handful of sophomores or juniors mixed in—a testament to the saying, "youth will be served."

I've had to adjust to the reality that many athletes today prioritize the NBA over their education. The recent introduction of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) agreements has changed things even more. Football and basketball players no longer have to survive on ramen noodles due to financial hardships, especially since employment restrictions previously left them with few options. That's all different now—reportedly, Cooper Flagg, who played for Duke and is now with the Dallas Mavericks, earned around $28 million during his freshman year. If athletes are receiving such compensation for playing sports, doesn't that essentially make them professional? In simple terms, yes; however, the line separating amateurism and professionalism has become increasingly blurred. Technically these changes stem from issues off the court and, like you, I've come to accept them, albeit reluctantly.