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Jalen Williams: Me and D-Book had a jump ball. You know how you wrestle for the ball and nobody really wants to give it up? That’s basically what happened. I remember pulling my hand out of the mix—there were a couple people involved—and I heard what sounded like a paper ripping or a switch-type noise. Then my hand was just on fire. The whole top of my wrist was burning. If I backtrack a little, I think what made it give out was that I’d already been dealing with a wrist sprain most of the season. It was frustrating because I had just gotten to a point where I was shooting better, had gotten used to the pain, and the sprain was improving. Then I tore it completely. I finished that game. It was burning. I think I took some ibuprofen during the game and was good after that—didn’t feel much. I was in Arizona, my family and friends were there, so I didn’t really think about it. After the game we had team dinner, went out with family, and then when I got to the hotel, halfway through the night my hand swelled up like crazy. My fingers were fat, my whole wrist was swollen. I couldn’t flex it up or down or side to side. It was the worst it had ever been. We got an MRI the next day after I flew back. Still in pain, couldn’t move it. Worst it’s ever felt. Got the results back two days later—they said I tore it. This was around the time the season had just ended, so we had about a week off. I think we got nine days total, maybe a little more. That time off helped.
Caleb Love signs two-way with Blazers
Shams Charania: Arizona’s Caleb Love – one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball – is expected to sign a two-way NBA contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Love went undrafted and now lands a deal to be on the Blazers’ roster next season.
The FanDuel Sportsbook lounge inside PHX Arena will become a lounge and will cease sportsbook operations as of July 24, less than four years after it opened on the first day of legalized sports gambling in Arizona. The 7,400 square-foot sportsbook, billed as the first inside an NBA arena when it opened in September 2021, featured five betting windows, 26 kiosks, 40 TVs, an outdoor terrace and a full-service bar and menu.
Williams was 5-foot-11, skinny and gangly with big feet when he entered Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona. But he grew 5 inches between his sophomore and senior season. He was 6-3 when he averaged 25 points per game during his senior year during the 2018-19 season and stands 6-5 now.
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Jalen Williams, an All-Star and All-NBA selection this season who went to high school in the Phoenix suburb of Gilbert, Ariz. (population, about 275,000), was drafted 12th in 2022 after the Thunder lost 58 games the season before. He remembers fans gathering outside his hotel when he first flew to Oklahoma City from New York following the draft — and the welcoming atmosphere hasn’t stopped. “I always compare it to, like, a small local high school football team being really good, and the city around them kind of gathers around them,” Williams said. “That’s how Oklahoma is. But it’s (like) that with the whole state. Everywhere we go, I’ve been met with love since I’ve been out here. It’s a really cool experience.”
Suns sued again for workplace discrimination
A current employee sued the Phoenix Suns in the U.S. District Court in Arizona on Tuesday, citing allegations of discrimination, harassment and retaliation, according to a copy of the complaint obtained by ESPN. The lawsuit is the fourth filed against the Suns by a current or former member of their organization in the last seven months. The latest lawsuit was filed by lawyers representing Gene Traylor, the Suns' director of safety, security and risk management who joined the team in January 2023.
Arizona forward Carter Bryant will remain in the NBA draft , where he could be a lottery pick. Bryant told ESPN on Wednesday he’s “completely in” on the draft process following workouts at the NBA draft combine. A 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward, Bryant had a solid freshman season at Arizona after being a McDonald’s All-American in high school. Bryant was a key reserve on a team that reached the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 for the second straight season.
Jeff Borzello: Arizona forward Carter Bryant, who rose to No. 14 in ESPN's most recent mock draft, unsurprisingly closed the door on a return to college. "I'm completely in. I'm completely in."
The deadline for early entrants to declare for the 2025 NBA draft was last night at 10:59pm CT. Arizona freshman Carter Bryant was among the players who declared for the draft before the deadline expired, a source tells Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Twitter link). It’s unclear whether or not the 19-year-old intends to stay in the draft, but Bryant is ranked No. 20 on ESPN’s latest big board (Insider link), making him a projected first-round pick.
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After committing to Arizona in January, Bryce James, the youngest son of LeBron James and younger brother of Bronny James, officially signed with the Wildcats on Thursday. “What’s going on Wildcat nation, can’t wait to get there and start working. Bear down,” Bryce said in a post on X.
Kevin Durant: 'I’m the most secure person in Arizona and I work extremely well with others'
Kevin Durant: I would say I’m the most secure person in Arizona and I work extremely well with others. // @adommin_84: He’s not a snake he’s definitely a self sabotage. He’s incredibly insecure and anytime he receives criticism (constructive or not) he devolves. Hence coaches getting fired and him leaving. Incredibly talented. Incredibly self motivated. Can’t play well with others.
The trip to Arizona was also a chance for teammates to see how approachable Harden is. “Honestly, like him coming in earlier and being able to run pick-up and being there with the guys doing the conditioning and everything, I think it’s a good way to lead by example,” Powell said. “Bringing everybody together in Arizona for workouts and just like team bonding and stuff off the court, softball games, things like that, just bring the group closer together. So that way, nobody’s exempt from constructive criticism during a season. We’re all here fighting together. We’re going to the trenches together. If anybody sees something to help improve what we’re trying to get to and where we’re trying to go, being able to openly accept that. I think it’s going through a multitude of things together, on and off the court, helps open that up.”
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