Baba Miller – Spanish teenage sensation Baba Miller has chosen Florida State as his school for the 2022-23 NCAA men’s basketball season. The 2.08-meter cager told ESPN that he picked the Seminoles over Gonzaga after visiting both universities last week. Miller played for the junior team of European powerhouse Real Madrid since he was 12 years old. He said that the family-like atmosphere in Florida State was a big factor in his decision. Experts and basketball scouts say that Miller has the athletic ability to play forward. He plays as a high-level shooter. His knack for positionless basketball placed him in a perfect spot at Florida State. The school has produced the likes of NBA players Scottie Barnes, Patrick Williams, and Devin Vassell.
Online college hoops betting sites are likely to follow Miller’s basketball journey in the US NCAA, especially now that he is in Florida State. The Seminoles are part of the Atlantic Coast Conference and last made it to the Sweet 16 in 2021. However, the Leonard Hamilton-coached Seminoles missed the 2021-22 tournament for the first time since 2016. At that time, they finished with a 17-14 win-loss mark. In his last season with Real Madrid, Baba Miller averaged 11.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Arizona Coach Tommy Lloyd Inks Extension
NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball team Arizona Wildcats has signed head coach Tommy Lloyd to a contract extension that will keep him with the squad until the 2026-27 season. The school made the announcement on Thursday. The 47-year-old Lloyd earned The Associated Press’ 2021-22 NCAA Coach of the Year. This was after guiding the Wildcats to a 33-4 win-loss record and a Sweet 16 appearance. He also led Arizona to its first Pac-12 regular-season and conference title in four years. Lloyd acted an assistant coach at Gonzaga for 20 years. He was then hired in April 2021 after firing longtime mentor Sean Miller. The Wildcats are aiming for their second NCAA men’s basketball title after winning the tournament in 1997.
Lloyd’s extension will help boost Arizona’s chances next season especially since they are now familiar with his program. Online NCAA men’s basketball betting websites are expected to bet exclusively on the Wildcats as they are expected to be favorites in the future seasons with Lloyd calling the plays.
Ex-Nike, NBA Staffer to Serve as Duke’s General Manager
The Duke Blue Devils have hired former Nike and NBA staffer Rachel Baker as their first general manager that will oversee the name, image and likeness opportunities for the players. In a statement, new Duke coach Jon Scheyer says that Baker possesses something. He refers this to the “expertise in the business of basketball.” She is likely to act as a resource person for players and their families.
Baker, who has an experience in sports marketing while working with Nike and the NBA, will help the team develop their professional and personal skillsets, including NIL partnerships. The hiring comes ahead of the first anniversary of college athletes being allowed to earn money through NIL endorsements.
Baker worked in Nike for eight years as she worked for the Elite Youth Basketball League in the field of grassroots partnerships and event strategy. She once worked with NBA superstar Kevin Durant with Nike in the field of strategic initiatives and was part of a task force for WNBA’s rebranding.
