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The Thunders Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti couldnt discuss much in terms of player acquisitions and transactions after the conclusion of the 2020 NBA Draft on Wednesday night. Before announcements could be made, trades must be made official and follow the formal NBA process. However, after the dust settled following a whirlwind of a draft night and trades became final, the Thunder emerged on Thursday with several new additions to the roster with the goal as always to generate value for the organization, present and future.

On Thursday, Thunder fans got a glimpse at how this goal translated with the acquisitions of Aleksej Pokuevski, James Johnson, Admiral Schofield, Vit Krej and Vincent Poirier to the roster.

In a draft-night trade with Minnesota to obtain the rights of the No. 17 pick, the Thunder acquired 7-foot Serbian Aleksej Pokuevski. The forward spent last season playing in Greece for Olympiacos where he posted extremely well-rounded numbers for a player at his size 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists making him one of the most intriguing players in this years draft class. At just 18 years old, Pokuevski, or Poku as he is also known, was among the youngest players in Wednesday nights draft and yet already touted professional experience from his time in the EuroLeague with Greece.

Originally from Novi Sad, Serbia, Pokuevski has spent the last five years in Greece playing for Olympiacos and moved his way up to play in Greeces second division by age 18. In addition to his rare size and versatility, the international prospect explained after the draft that Oklahoma City gained more than just his physical attributes as a player.

I know I'm going to bring energy, said Pokuevski. Whatever they ask me to do, I'm going to do it 100 percent and work to help the team, whatever that means.

The Thunders trade with Minnesota also included the acquisition of 11-year NBA veteran James Johnson. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season for the Timberwolves.

In addition to Pokusevski and Johnson, the Thunder also acquired Admiral Schofield from Washington on Thursday as well as the draft rights from the Wizards to Vt Krej, the No. 37 overall pick in Wednesdays draft.

Schofield completed his rookie campaign with the Wizards where he appeared in 33 games and averaged three points, 1.4 rebounds and 11 minutes. In addition, the 23-year-old also saw 33 games (all starts) with the Wizards G-league affiliate the Capital City Go-Go where he posted 16 points, 5.5. rebounds and 2.2 assists in 30.9 minutes.

Prior to the NBA, Schofield was a standout at the University of Tennessee where he ranked seventh in program history in three-pointers made and career field-goal percentage. Under head coach Rick Barnes, the Illinois native helped propel the Volunteers to the NCAA Sweet 16 in his senior season.

Across the Atlantic, Krej spent last season playing for Casademont Zaragoza in the Spanish ACB, Basketball Champions League and Spanish Cup. The 20-year-old, 6-foot-8 guard grew up two hours outside of Prague, Czech Republic before leaving at age 14 to play in Zaragoza, Spain, roughly 200 miles west of Barcelona. In the 2019-20 season Krej averaged 3.2 points, 1.2 rebounds and 9.2 minutes in his 37 appearances.

In a separate transaction on Thursday, the Thunder received 7-foot center Vincent Poirier from the Celtics as well as cash considerations in exchange for a protected 2021 second-round draft pick. The French native averaged 1.9 points and 2.0 rebounds in 5.9 minutes per game in his rookie season. During his four appearances with the Maine Red Claws, Bostons G-League affiliate, Poirier notched 16.3 points, 9 rebounds, 2.3 assists while swatting away a team-best three blocks per game.

After a draft night unlike any other in NBA history, Presti and the Thunders front office navigated the uncharted waters confidently focused to continue building on the path of repositioning and replenishing the organization for the ultimate goal of long-term success.

It's a continuation of the things that we've talked about since last summer, which is continually trying to reposition the team after 12 years of extremely high performance results, and ultimately continuing to try to replenish our flexibility and tools for us to continue to build a platform for an elite team going forward but full well knowing that that's going to take time, said Presti on Wednesday night following the draft.

Some of the Thunders new players took to social media to express their excitement for the opportunity ahead of them in Oklahoma City. Schofield wrote in a caption on Instagram, Excited for the opportunity! Lets work! #ThunderUp

Krej also shared a message to the organization in an Instagram video saying, Id like to thank the OKC organization for putting their confidence in me, said Krej.

Im happy to be a part of this great organization and Im ready to get to work.

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The Newest Additions to the Thunder Roster | Oklahoma City Thunder - OKCThunder.com

Hawaii is welcoming travelers.

While daydreaming of the soft sand, warm ocean breezes and inviting waters of Hawaii, you have to do extra planning before making your way to the recently reopened paradise.

First, adults have to sign up for the states Safe Travels online program, which monitors visitors to the islands. Then, within 72 hours before flight departure (if you have connecting flights, the timing has to be 72 hours from the last leg), you have to take a nucleic acid amplification test from a list of approved testing and travel partners. You can choose to skip the pre-flight coronavirus test, but this will require that you quarantine for 14 days. If youve taken the first test, after landing at Honolulu International Airport, you will undergo a secondary screening.

When you are ready and safe to travel, you can rest a little easier knowing that Hawaii has a good record thus far in terms of the coronavirus. As of November 14, the state has the lowest rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases nationally (51.5 cases per 100,000 people) and the second-lowest death rate (0.2 deaths per 100,000 people), according to Hawaiis Department of Health. Of course, you should consult the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before any trips and take any necessary precautions.

Forbes Travel Guide offers tips on what to expect on several islands and how to make the most of your much-needed Hawaiian getaway.

Make a break for the Big Island.

Keep your charger handy. As part of the Safe Travels program, youll need your cell phone throughout the pre-arrival process to upload information and to share a QR code that proves your negative test results at the airport, with ground transportation and at hotels. In addition, youll have to do daily check-ins for two weeks.

The Hawaiian style de jour is not just the aloha shirt a mask is the required clothing throughout the islands. The state mandates that everyone wears a face covering their nose and mouth in public, and businesses are to refuse entry to anyone without a mask.

Check into The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach.

Oahu

Hawaiis most populated island is ready for visitors. Many of its best attractions, including the USS Arizona, Iolani Palace, Kualoa Ranch, Waimea Valley, the Bishop Museum and the Honolulu Museum of Art, are open.

While hotels likeHalekulaniandFour Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olinaare taking this time to close and renovate (they will reopen in summer 2021 and March 11, 2021, respectively), there are plenty of excellent choices for places to stay.The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beachs soothing suites with kitchens lend themselves to extended stays, and they have been in demand since the hotel reopened. For the first time, its exclusive Sushi Sho is offering takeout. You no longer have to land a hard-to-get reservation at the intimate 16-seat restaurant to enjoy its nuanced cuisine all you have to do is place an order a day in advance.

Trump International Hotel Waikiki, which marked its 10th anniversary in 2019, is wooing couples with its wedding packages. Exchange I do on Waikiki Beach or go for a more intimate ceremony with select family and friends on a terrace overlooking the famed strip of sand, all while letting the hotel wedding planner take care of all of your needs, from the photographer to the permit.

Get your own floor at Espacio.

In September 2019,Espaciodebuted across from Kuhio Beach with nine luxurious suites, each receiving its own dedicated floor. Although the hotel wont reopen until February 2021, its Japanese-French fine-dining restaurant Mugen is creating takeaway meals, from a weekly rotating bento box to an elaborate seven-course meal with cocktail pairings.

For another boutique hotel option, try the sleek, bathed-in-white enclaveThe Modern Honolulu by Diamond Resorts. Book at least three consecutive nights Sunday to Thursday through January and youll receive a complimentary night (use the reservation code MIDWKSTAY).

Stay in one of the newly updated accommodations.

Big Island

On Hawaiis most rugged and largest island, visit Wailuku River State Park to see water gushing from the 80-foot Rainbow Falls or Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to two of the worlds most active volcanoes.

The islands longstanding luxury icon,Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, emerges from lockdown December 1 with a fresh look. The ongoing refurbishments include an overhaul of the rooms, a new six-bedroom oceanfront bungalow constructed next to Kumukea Beach, and the resorts top three villas are to double in space with second-story additions. New amenities are being added, including a culinary academy and a 3,000-square-foot golf instruction and practice facility.

While Four Seasons Hualalai offers four alfresco restaurants, it will introduce social-distancing-friendly private dining experiences on the beach and in remote resort areas, along with new room service menus for meals on guest room lanais.

The newMauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collectiondebuted in January and was only open for seven weeks when the pandemic forced its closure. But it opened back up November 15 and now you can take advantage of its Kainalu Ocean Adventures & Activities, where youll pair up with professional athletes for adventures in paddling, diving and more. Later this month, Gwyneth Paltrows Goop will open a permanent store in the hotel. It will be the modern lifestyle brands first Hawaii shop.

Take in the scenery from your lanai.

Maui

Experience blissful beaches and unforgettable scenery in the Valley Isle. Haleakala National Park is open (though some areas are closed) and taking reservations to see the sunrise from one of the best vantage points on the island, the summit. And cruising the 52-mile road to Hana on Mauis northeastern shore is the ultimate social-distancing activity.

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, which reopens November 20, and the other Four Seasons hotels across the state collaborated with PS at LAX to provide private experiences for those flying on commercial flights. Book certain hotel suites and youll receive your own suite in the private terminal, which has its own TSA and customs clearance, and a luxury car will shuttle you to your aircraft. The Maui hotel also will provide 24/7 onsite physicians who can administer rapid antigen COVID-19 tests that guarantee results within 15 minutes.

Dont miss the Four Seasons Virtual Classroom, a complimentary service where kids will be supervised as they work so that parents can catch a break at the stunning pool.

Make time for the pool.

Speaking of which, youll want to spend all of your time atThe Ritz-Carlton, Kapaluas renovated three-tier pool with new in-water seating and a sun shelf. In a nod to Makaluapuna Point, a sacred outcrop fronting the property, the 10,000-square-foot pools cascading waterfalls are surrounded by lava rock. If youre on a workation, use the Ka Lumi Ao Learning Lab with individual workstations and socially spaced homework areas. Students can study on their own or with a tutor who covers everything from counting numbers to nuclear physics.

NeighboringMontage Kapalua Bayhas its own remote learning program. Montage Academy offers students in-person activities beyond their virtual curriculum, like physical education (beach clean-ups and coastal hikes) and science (discovering local flora and fauna). In December, adults can partake in the Work & Play package, which includes all office essentials (from monitor to mouse) and select gym equipment delivered to your room.

While the pandemic brought a halt to many luaus, Montage found a way to adapt. It curated an in-room experience that tells the story of the people of Polynesia through food (the family-style feast includes poke, prawns, local fish and more), dance and music from local artists.

Get close to the ocean.

The latest enhancements atWailea Beach Resort Marriott, Mauiinclude the Oceanfront Sundeck Collection 22 ground-floor rooms with extended decks and well-appointed outdoor living spaces steps from the water and a new adult pool bar named Sunsets (check out Its 5 Oclock Somewhere, a frozen mai tai crawl at each of the resorts five pools). It also will unveil Waileas only butler service in 2021.

In addition, the hotel invested $2 million to build a solar farm. The energy generated by the farm is estimated to reduce the use of oil by 1,086 barrels annually and reduce its island carbon footprint, which equals approximately 7,753 palm trees and 612 acres of tropical rain forest.

AtGrand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, let one of the wellness ambassadors create a remote office or book a gym pod for you. They also can assist with your childs virtual schooling, arranging for desks, supplies and a tutor.

Find seclusion in Lanai.

Lanai

For a secluded and luxurious Hawaiian getaway, venture to Lanai. The states smallest inhabited island used to be a pineapple plantation, but now its main attractions are its two Four Seasons resorts, which reopen November 20.

If you want a traditional beachfront escape, head toFour Seasons Resort Lanai. But theres much to do outside of the water. Embark on hotel adventures, including an archery and shooting range session; hiking, biking or riding a 44 Jeep to explore the diverse terrain; playing a round at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Manele Golf Course; or taking a guided sunrise hike to Puupehe (or Sweetheart Rock), one of Lanais landmarks.

The adults-onlySensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resortis a wellness destination. Ensconced in flourishing gardens, the new upcountry 96-room property boasts outdoor facilities like a 24-hour gym, movement studios and yoga spaces. A sensei guide will help you form healthier habits for personal growth, fulfillment and well-being.

Start your wellness journey here.

To help preserve the islands, the Hawaii Tourism Authority recently launched the MlamaHawaii (mlamameans to take care of something) initiative. Hotel partners like Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea will offer special packages that include a volunteer opportunity on property or with a local non-profit. Most of the offers are available through 2021 and include a free extra night when participating in the designated volunteer activity.

Each hotel offers its own promotion and volunteer project, but the latter could include planting native trees or participating in beach clean-ups.

Read more:
Where To Travel Now: Hawaii - Forbes

Ricky Rubio is one of the newest members of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were active on draft night, to say the least. The Wolves made three picks in the top 28 and facilitated draft trades that included the departure of James Johnson and reunion of Ricky Rubio.

With all the hustle and bustle of the day, lets look at some insight on each new addition to the Wolves roster, including undrafted free agent signings. Well dive into each players previous stats over the last season, short-term and long-term outlooks, and finally what to expect from each player in 2021.

If youre simply looking for insight on the three first-round selections, check out out our immediate reaction, post-draft grades.

So kick back, relax, and learn about your new Timberwolves additions for the 2020-21 season!

The Minnesota Timberwolves added Anthony Edwards with the first-overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

As a freshman at the University of Georgia in 2019-20, Edwards earned Second Team All-SEC, was the SEC Freshman of the Year, and a top-fve finalist for the Jerry West Award for the nations best shooting guard.

Expect to see glimpses of brilliance early, yet dont expect an instant All-Star.

The transition to the NBA can be a hard one for rookies and there will definitely be an adjustment period for Edwards entering the 2021 season. The start of the season is one month away, meaning there will be a shortened offseason/learning period.

Edwards will also need to adjust to not being the top scoring option for the first time in his entire career.

Looking a bit further out, Edwards could absolutely become a borderline All-Star player, but that will depend largely on his work ethic. He has all the natural-born ability and athleticism to be consistently at that level, but pushing his limits in the gym and weight room will be key.

If the Wolves could get someone with a Kevin Garnett-like mentality around the facility and working with this kid and then we could practically guarantee his success.

Additionally, finding a strategic Xs & Os coach to help him play to his strengths could really go a long way, but that is a story for another day. With a true work ethic, Edwards can be an All-Star-level player. Without that piece of the puzzle, we could be looking at Andrew Wiggins 2.0.

In 2021, realistic expectations need to be set. Lets not expect a Ja Morant or Zion Williamson level of instant impact.

In a shortened offseason, with a still-inexperienced coach, and Edwards finding himself as the third option with two All-Stars on the roster already, we should be preparing for a slower start compared to last years top rookies.

There remains a real chance that he may not even start immediately. Expect for the season to start slow but the latter half to start seeing the flashes of brilliance that made him the No. 1 overall pick.

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Minnesota Timberwolves: What each 2020 draft night addition brings to the Wolves - Dunking with Wolves

This was an odd draft. It had been denigrated in many quarters. Those quarters are typically the ones that talk, almost constantly, about the top five picks. Those are the franchise defining players (one way or another), but they dont represent all that much of a draft class. When there is no clear star, or even potential star, in those top five picks, and no clear pecking order in which they should be picked, its A Bad Draft.

This draft was one that might make a team glad that a rare #1 pick hadnt settled on them. But what about later picks? There seemed to be rotation pieces, and starters, throughout the draft. This comes with the usual caveats regarding how many players actually make it from the later picks. The idea being outside the first few picks, odds arent great for many players sticking around long.

Id argue that those top picks might experience something like the same attrition if they werent freighted with franchise expectations, and tied to the jobs of various GMs and coaches. In a rational world, no one gives Wiggins the big contract he got, for example.

That aside, lets move off the top shelf of this draft for now (perhaps I can work up a Lamelo Ball slander piece). Its not that I think hes bad, just that I think the Ball family should be drafted closer to 20 than 2. But this ones different, right?

Anyhow, whats the Rockets week look like?

First, the Rockets hired an assistant coach from Australia-New Zealand NBL, Will Weaver, and look to sign his favorite player, JaeSean Tate. Jeremy Brener wrote him up here. If you are like me, and dont think too much of another NBL pick (no, not R.J. Hampton) compare their reels from Australia, and consider that this is the BEST they look. (Sure one is a kid, but the other is a street FA.) Tate is clearly quicker than almost anyone around him in that league. Hes a strong, fast, solidly-built, 64. Does that remind you of anyone? Could he be PJ Tuckers platoon? Tucker used to play around the basket more, too.

Then theres the oblique second rounder, Kenyon Martin Jr. The details of how the pick came to the Rockets are confusing, and if you want to believe it was a $4.6 million second rounder, fine. But the Rockets probably got a first round talent there. Theres absolutely nothing about Martin that suggests hes not an NBA level talent. His combine measurements prompted some to comment that he was the best athlete in the draft. He can hit the corner three, too. Its a funky shot, but its almost a set shot. If it becomes one, the pump fake and baseline drive is open. Like his dad, hes a constant physical menace. We dont know a lot, but a shot at a potentially top talent in the mid second is great value.

Finally theres undrafted signing Mason Jones. Hes an older pick, but one that could be a late bloomer. Hes a James Harden impersonator. No, really. He studied how James Harden attacks the basket and forces the defender to either concede the layup, or foul. Guess what? It worked. He had the highest FT rate in the NCAA, and one of the highest true shooting percentages. Hes a guy who started playing basketball late, shed pounds, and blossomed into a genuine menace in the NCAA. The odds are worse with older NCAA players, but this is just the sort of story to look for. This is a great interview with him.

Did the Rockets, against all expectations, get a wing, a shooting guard, and a big? They might have.

Also, some gratuitous Thunder slander, while everyone is gushing about their assets. When you can trade NBA players and picks to get The Serbian Zhou Qi #17, you pretty much are obligated to do so. To be fair, though, Zhou Qi is considerably more muscular, and played at higher levels.

No, no, Im sure hes Euro Durant. He must be, the Thunder picked him.

The week is probably just beginning for the Rockets, though. The start of FA should bring more news.

Link:
Rockets additions - The Dream Shake

Jordan Nwora is a 6-foot-7, 22-year-old wing who played three seasons at Louisville.(Photo: Jeremy Brevard / USA TODAY Sports)

If nothing else, the Milwaukee Bucks' selections in Wednesday night's NBA draft illustrated just how much they value outside shooting.

Both of their picks Jordan Nwora at No. 45 and Sam Merrill at No. 60 are among the elite shooters in this year's draft class and are both older prospects who should be capable of contributing right away off the bench. As a team constantly looking for shooting and trying to chase a championship this year, these additions seem like ideal fits.

Nwora isa 6-foot-7, 22-year-old wing who played three seasons at Louisville. He averaged 18.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting 40.2% from long range in his final season with the Cardinals en route to earning consensusthird-team All-America honors. He particularly excels as a catch-and-shoot three-pointer shooter, a situation he may find himself playing a lot in Milwaukee as the recipient of kickout passes.

RELATED:Bucks' deal for Kings' Bogdan Bogdanovic in jeopardy

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RELATED:NBA draft 2020 tracker: First-round analysis for each pick

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Outside of college, Nwora played for Nigeria in theFIBA World Cup qualifiers in June 2018, averaging 21.7 points, 8 rebounds and 2.7 assists over three games. His father, Alexander Nwora, is the coach of the Nigerian national team.

The Bucks acquired the 45thpick hours before the draftin a deal with the Orlando Magic.

The Magic sent the Bucks pick No. 45 in Wednesday's draft in exchange for two future second-round picks. Milwaukee will send a second-round pick received from Indiana in the Malcolm Brogdon trade in either 2022, 2023 or 2024. When that pick conveys depends on picks dealt in a separate deal between Indiana and Brooklyn.

The Bucks also will send their second-round pick to the Magic in 2026 to complete Wednesday's deal.

Sam Merrill, the oldest player in the draft at 24, was chosen by New Orleans but is expected to come to the Bucks as part of a not-yet-completed deal featuring Jrue Holiday.(Photo: Orlando Ramirez / USA TODAY Sports)

Merrill isn't officially headed to Milwaukee just yet, but this year's "Mr. Irrelevant" is expected to be part of the yet-to-be-completed trade between the Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans that will send Jrue Holiday to the Bucks. Merrill is a 6-foot-5 guard out of Utah State who, like Nwora, is regarded as one of the draft's elite outside shooters.

During his four years at Utah State, Merrill shot about 42% from three-point range on a high volume of shots. He averaged 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game as a senior last season while making 41.0% of his three-pointers and hitting 89.3% of his free throws.

Unlike Nwora, though, Merrill is considered to be more than just a catch-and-shoot guy. Merrill can take a shot out of virtually any action and has a quick release to get it off, even in highly-contested situations.

At age 24, Merrill was the oldest player selected on Wednesday night. He took a two-year Mormon mission to Nicaragua before starting his collegiate career.

As is the case with most rookies, there are questions about how Nwora and Merrill will perform on defense. It doesn't help that they're only about a month away the start of the NBA season. Still, their shooting should be able to translate to the next level, which is likely what the Bucks are banking on.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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Bucks grab a pair of mature shooters in the second round of the NBA draft - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

10:21 PM ET

Tim BontempsESPN

Free-agent guard Joe Harris has agreed to a four-year, $75 million deal to return to the Brooklyn Nets, his agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Harris, 29, averaged a career-high 14.5 points per game last season for Brooklyn while shooting 42.4% from 3-point range. His return -- along with the additions of Landry Shamet and Bruce Brown in trades earlier this week -- should help the Nets provide spacing for stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Signing Harris represents a massive financial commitment from Nets owner Joe Tsai. Brooklyn is now well into the luxury tax and still has a few open spots on its roster.

The 6-foot-6 guard resurrected his career in Brooklyn over the past four years, going from a castoff after a season-ending injury in his second year with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015-16 to one of the league's best 3-point shooters. Among 208 players to attempt at least 400 3-pointers since the start of 2017-18, only Seth Curry has a higher 3-point field goal percentage.

Harris' development helped the Nets recover following the 2013 trade for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce that left the team without control of its first-round pick for five years.

During that time, Brooklyn relied on finding underused talent to rebuild -- players such as Harris, Spencer Dinwiddie and D'Angelo Russell, who similarly resuscitated their careers.

The Nets' player-development success helped attract the attention of Durant and Irving, who signed with Brooklyn as free agents in the 2019 offseason.

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Agent - Joe Harris agrees to return to Nets on 4-year, $75 million deal - ESPN

The ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2021 has been revealed and former Boston Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino is among the new additions to the list of eligible candidates.

Victorino joins a crowded ballot of 25 former players, 11 of whom are joining the ballot for the first time this year. Members of the Baseball Writers Association of America who are eligible to vote are allowed to select up to 10 candidates on their ballot.

Eight of Victorinos 12 major league seasons were spent with the Philadelphia Phillies following a brief debut with the San Diego Padres. He spent the second half of the 2012 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers before coming to Boston for parts of three seasons and then wrapping up his career with a partial season with the Los Angeles Angels.

Victorino hit .275 with a .765 OPS, 108 home runs and 231 stolen bases in his 12-year career. He was a two-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove award winner, and a key contributor on a pair of World Series championship teams.

In three seasons with the Red Sox from 2013-2015, Victorino hit .282/.339/.418 with 18 home runs and 28 steals. He was a spark plug in the lineup who energized the club and established himself as a fan-favorite.

Victorino immortalized himself as a postseason hero with his 7th-inning grand slam in Game 6 of the 2013 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers. The game-winning blast over the Green Monster at Fenway Park sent the Red Sox to the World Series where Victorino would earn the second championship ring of his career.

Injuries limited Victorino to 30 games in 2014, paving the way for Mookie Betts to make his major league debut that year and steal the starting spot in right field.

Boston traded Victorino to the Angels at the 2015 deadline, allowing the veteran to finish his career with a contender. Los Angeles ultimately fell a game short of the Wild Card but they came a lot closer than a Red Sox team that finished in the AL East basement that year.

At least one player has been elected to the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility in each of the last seven years but there are no sure-fire first-ballot additions this year. Most of the new additions could be one-and-done if they fail to receive at least five percent of votes to remain on the ballot next year.

Roger Clemens, Manny Ramirez, and Curt Schilling are the other notable former Red Sox players who are holdovers on the ballot. All three are worthy based on their production but the former two stars have had their legacies tarnished by performance-enhancing drugs while the latter has cost himself votes with his combative relationship with the media members who vote for the Hall of Fame. It will be interesting to see if any of them make any progress on this years ballot.

Victorino doesnt have a Hall of Fame resume but with an underwhelming crop of first-time eligible players combined with several holdovers who remain in limbo due to their PED-tainted past, he might garner enough attention to squeeze over the threshold for staying on the ballot.

Want your voice heard? Join the BoSox Injection team!

He was never a serious MVP candidate but Victorinos multiple All-Star appearances, Gold Glove awards and postseason heroics warrant some consideration. Those who refuse to vote for the PED guys but still prefer to fill all 10 spots on their ballot could toss Victorino a vote.

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Former Red Sox outfielder among new additions to Hall of Fame ballot - BoSox Injection

By Jim Fenton| Brockton Enterprise

There is always plenty of hope in the air on the night when the NBA Draft takes place.

Young basketball players find homes to chase their dream of having a professional basketball career, and 30 teams have new additions to their rosters.

Sometimes, those draft connections work out, but a lot of other times, they dont.

The Celtics, who went into Wednesday nights draft with three first-round choices and one more in the second round, have had mixed results over the past 10 years when it comes to the draft.

In the first round, starting with Avery Bradley being picked in 2010, the Celtics have acquired seven players who made an impact in their rotation.

The second round, however, has produced very little help from the 14 players they have taken in the past 10 years.

The Celtics have six of their first-round selections on their roster, including Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, Grant Wiliams and Romeo Langford.

Two players from the second round Semi Ojeleye and Carsen Edwards are also on the roster while Tremont Waters appeared in 11 games and spent most of the season with the Maine Red Claws.

Tatum and Brown, both drafted No. 3 overall thanks to a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, are the players the Celtics are banking their future on.

Tatum, in line to sign a lucrative extension next month, made the All-NBA third team in his third season after averaging 23.4 points.

His is becoming one of the top offensive players in the league and appeared in the NBA All-Star Game last February.

Brown, who is signed through the 2023-24 season, averaged 20.3 points and continues to get better in every aspect of his game.

Smart was taken No. 6 in the 2014 draft and has developed into one of the best defensive players in the NBA.

Robert Williams has dealt with injuries through his first two seasons and played just 29 games this past year.

The Celtics are in need of an athletic big man and Williams could fill that role, but his inconsistency has held him back.

Langford, the No. 14 pick last year after one season at Indiana, showed some promise as a rookie but was sidetrack by injuries while Grant Williams looks like hell be a solid role player after his performance as a rookie.

As for the other first-rounders acquired by the Celtics since 2010, Bradley spent seven seasons in Boston before getting traded in a salary-cap move. He is now a free agent after opting out of the resumption of the season this past summer as a member of the champion Los Angeles Lakers.

In 2011, the Celtics drafted Providence Colleges MarShon Brooks in the first round, but via a trade, actually wound up with JaJuan Johnson of Purdue as their top rookie that year. Johnson played just 36 games for the Celtics and is now with Bayern Munich in Germany.

The two first-round picks in 2012 were Jared Sullinger, who averaged 11.1 points and 7.7 rebounds in 258 games over four seasons, and Fab Melo, who played six games and died at the age of 26.

Via a trade with the Dallas Mavericks, the Celtics picked up Kelly Olynyk via the draft in 2013, and he was a quality role player for four seasons and now plays for the Miami Heat. Terry Rozier was a first-round pick in 2015, and after four seasons with the Celtics, signed a contract with the Charlotte Hornets.

The same draft that produced Brown in the first round also brought the Celtics Guerschon Yabusele and Ante Zizic at Nos. 16 and 23. Yabusele is back playing in France after doing little in 74 games with the Celtics while Zizic was part of the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade and is now playing in Israel.

Since 2010, the players taken by the Celtics in the second round include Luke Harangody, ETwaun Moore, Kris Joseph, Jordan Mickey, Marcus Thornton, Deytona Davis, Demetrius Jackson, Providence Colleges Ben Bentil, Abdel Nader, Ojeleye, Kadeem Allen, Jabari Bird, Edwards and Waters.

Harangody appeared in 28 games for the Celtics before being shipped to the Cleveland Cavaliers in his rookie season while Moore got into 38 games as a rookie, his only season with the Celtics. Moore is still in the NBA with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Joseph, who played six games with the Celtics, wound up with the Brooklyn Nets and was sent back to Boston as part of the trade involving Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce for the draft picks that netted Tatum and Brown.

Mickey got into 41 games over two seasons with the Celtics and is now playing in the EuroLeague while Thornton went to play in Australia after being drafted and is now playing in Germany.

Davis was traded away on draft night while Jackson played five games for the Celtics and is now on a team in Lithuania.

Bentil was waived at the end of his first training camp and played three games for the Mavericks. He was on the Panathinaikos team that won the Greek championship inthe 2019-20 season.

Nader got into 48 games for the Celtics and was recently part of the Chris Paul trade, joining the Phoenix Suns after being with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Ojeleye has gotten minutes the past three seasons, Edwards received little playing time as a rookie while Waters was the NBA G-League rookie of the year.

Allen is now playing in France after getting into 18 games with the Celtics. Bird played 13 games for the Celtics, but he was arrested in 2018 for domestic abuse and kidnapping of a former girl friend, and has not played since.

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Celtics have had mixed results in draft in prior years - Seacoastonline.com

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The United Soccer League is boom and bust. Expansion and contraction. Stunning growth tempered by frequent failures.

Since Louisville City FC joined Americas second-tier professional soccer league in 2015, expansion fees for the USLs championship level have soared from $1 million to $12 million with no sign of saturation.

A league comprised of 11 teams as recently as 2012 finished its 2020 season with 35 franchises, with new additions duein both 2021 and 2022.

By any tangible metric, this is a league that is heading in a pretty incredible direction, said USL vice president Ryan Madden. I think despite our relative youth, the future of our league has never been brighter.

Yet the USLs growth has coincided with collapse. Two of the leagues championship clubs Saint Louis FC and Reno 1868 went out of business within the last month. Two other teams Philadelphia Union II and Portland Timbers 2 have withdrawn from the USL, presumably to resurface in an anticipated Major League Soccer reserve league.

Though some of the USLs shrinkage is attributable to MLS awarding St. Louis a franchise in the top tier of the U.S. Soccer pyramid, and some is surely due to financial pressures exacerbated by COVID-19, soccers boom-and-bust cycle is nothing new. Since 2015, at least 22 USL championship teams have either folded, rebranded, relocated, gone on hiatus, left the USL entirely or dropped to a lower level.

If there has been a constant, it has been churn.

Theres a long history of lower-division soccer and thats been a tumultuous history, said Connor Tobin, an active player in USL League One who also serves on the USL Players Association executive committee. It speaks to the unique challenge that we have in the United States to build out the structure.

More: Louisville City FC's Ben Lundt named 2020 USL Championship's Goalkeeper of the Year

On a macro level, Americas soccer explosion is undeniable and seemingly inexorable. In 1967, the number of people playing soccer in the U.S. was estimated at 100,000. By 2015, it was 24.4 million.

As its participation rate has rocketed, so has the size of soccers audience. The USL reported a 500% rise in viewership for its games on ESPN+ in 2020, and a 39% increase in its social media following. Over the past five years, MLS expansion fees have jumped from $70 million to $325 million.

But while successful launches such as Louisville City FC underscore the broadening appeal and financial potential of the sport, the rush to get in on the ground floor has resulted in numerous casualties.

Including Louisvilles Lynn Family Stadium, the USL has opened three soccer-specific venues since 2019, with two more expected next year. Meanwhile, Reno 1868s failure to make progress on the facilities front has been blamed for the demise of that franchise. Bethlehem Steel FCs move and rebranding as Philadelphia Union II was prompted, at least in part, by the inadequate lighting at its Lehigh University home.

Build it and they will come. Dont build it and they are likely to leave.

Earlier: Rowdies spoil party with 2-1 win over LouCity in USL Eastern Conference Final

I do think there are clubs like ours that will continue to get stronger, LouCity coach John Hackworth said. But without a facility, I dont think Louisville City survives if they dont get out of (Louisville) Slugger (Field) at some point.

To maintain its second-tier sanctioning within U.S. Soccer, the USL championship league is required to operate 75% of its franchises in markets with at least 750,000 people, with a principal owner whose net worth is at least $20 million and a stadium that seats at least 5,000 spectators.

But because 11 of the remaining USL championship-level clubs are either owned by or affiliated with MLS teams, they tend to pursue different priorities than independent investors such as those of Louisville City. Their focus is on developing young players rather than upgrading facilities and chasing championships with veteran teams. Accordingly, as their costs and franchise values rise, some of them may follow the leads of the MLS-owned Philadelphia Union II and Portland Timbers 2 and head for the exits.

To some degree, a little bit of contraction is a solution, said LouCity chairman John Neace. I dont think theyve expanded too fast, but were reaching the point where a lot more expansion would not make sense at least in the Championship league.

Also: Racing Louisville FC selects Tobin Heath and Christen Press in NWSL Expansion Draft

Here, there could be conflict. Though the USL reportedly provided more than $5 million to its franchises to help cover the costs incurred because of COVID-19, it does not distribute expansion fees directly to its franchises. Its growth strategy, as chief operating officer Justin Papadakis outlined in a recent interview with The Athletic, allows for the addition of another eight or so independent clubs before membership is capped.

I definitely think theres growth that can occur, Tobin said. One of the things we want is that whatever growth happens, its stable growth. ... Its gut-wrenching every time you see a local community lose their football club.

Boom and bust can be a vicious cycle.

Tim Sullivan: 502-582-4650, tsullivan@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @TimSullivan714.

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The pandemic isn't the only reason for the constant churn facing the USL - Courier Journal

CHAPEL HILL As if five decades in the basketball coaching business, and a notorious competitive streak that extends to the golf course and craps table havent sharpened Roy Williams creativity for dispensing motivation, theres a new tool at his disposal.

After all these years, the nine Final Fours and three NCAA championships, Williams is coming off the only losing season in his long Hall of Fame career.

And the North Carolina team hes preparing now is being reminded of that dismal 14-19 experience, just the programs second losing record since 1962, with all the subtlety of a blast furnace when the mood strikes Williams.

Oh yeah, hes pissed, for sure, senior guard Andrew Platek said. I think whenever he chews us out in practice for making a mistake, he always mentions 14-19 and how its not going to happen again, and its not. Were going to do everything in our power to make sure it doesnt happen again, and not even come close to that. Were going to get back to winning.

Thats undoubtedly the expectation this season for the 16th-ranked Tar Heels, who open Nov. 25 against College of Charleston. Its not difficult to imagine North Carolina becoming one of college basketballs most improved teams, while perhaps challenging projected frontrunners Virginia and Duke in the Atlantic Coast Conference race.

North Carolina has restocked considerably with the addition of six freshmen, a recruiting class ranked as high as No. 2 nationally, joining a group of returnees that includes starters in forwards Garrison Brooks and Armando Bacot, and swingman Leaky Black.

Then there are the flames burning off the 70-year-old Williams, whose method of moving on to a better place involves recalling unpleasant parts of the recent past.

What positives did the coach take from last seasons injury-marred struggle, during which the typically up-tempo Tar Heels starved for shooting from the perimeter and bogged down to their slowest pace on offense in his tenure? Few other than the determination to turn that frustration into fuel for this season.

Im hungry, Williams said. I did not enjoy that. Its not something that was fun. So Im hopeful that the hunger and the motivation, our players will feel it the same way.

It was not a fun year for us. It was not a normal year that North Carolina has. It was the first losing season our entire staff has ever had. Im motivated because I did not enjoy it, and I think our returning players are motivated because they didnt enjoy it, also.

North Carolina has an acknowledged leader and potentially the ACCs top commodity in the senior Brooks he was the overwhelming choice as the leagues Preseason Player of the Year to go along with a wealth of big bodies to utilize around the basket and impact additions in the backcourt.

Highly regarded freshman Caleb Love, the Tar Heels top-rated recruit among their new arrivals, figures to run the team. Hes a lead guard with 6-foot-4 size and explosiveness. Combo guard RJ Davis, a 6-foot freshman billed as a natural scorer, should contribute immediately and step in to relieve Love at point guard on occasion.

Brooks called Davis the most surprising performer of the North Carolina freshmen during the preseason, and used its not even close for emphasis.

Im impressed with all the new guys, but I like RJ the most, Brooks said. RJs been great. Hes adapted really well, been pushing the ball really well, playing how Coach Williams expects his guards to play. He can get out there and score the ball the best of anybody.

The 6-10 Brooks delivered 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season and proved even better in ACC league play. He led the conference in scoring (18.8 points per game), while ranking second in rebounding (9.0 per game) and field goal percentage (shooting 53.5 percent).

Bacot, the 6-10 sophomore, started alongside Brooks during his inconsistent first season in college (9.6 points, 8.3 rebounds per game). The freshman duo of 6-11 DayRon Sharpe and 7-1 Walker Kessler provides North Carolina an ample supply of supersized options for mixing and matching in the frontcourt.

Platek already has described Sharpe as one of the best offensive rebounding bigs Ive seen in my time here. Williams has hinted that the Tar Heels even could slide Brooks to small forward some, given his shooting touch and mobility on defense.

The big guys can get to the board and rebound the ball and defend around the rim and score, Williams said of Sharpe and Kessler.

Freshman guards Puff Johnson and Kerwin Walton might be needed to contribute their 3-point capabilities in spot duty off the bench, along with Love and Davis in their more prominent roles. The junior Black (25.4-percent shooting) and Platek (22.8-percent shooting) were unreliable from beyond the arc last season.

In the ACC, only Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech made fewer 3s than North Carolinas 5.5 per game last season. The Tar Heels generated just 22.8 percent of their scoring from 3-point territory, ranking them 330th in that department out of the 353 college basketball teams competing in Division I.

Black said we have a lot of different weapons in assessing North Carolinas backcourt depth.

We all still feel everything we felt from last year, Black said. Every loss, buzzer beater, whatever the case may be, we still feel it to this day. Even if we have a great practice, we still feel the pain. I feel like were just going to take that fire into every game and make sure we dont have a season like we did last year.

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Season preview: Angry and hungry, Roy Williams readies UNC basketball for return to form - Burlington Times News