As former college stars continue pushing boundaries to try to return to the NCAA, Amari Bailey is taking his case one step further.
The 21-year-old wants to go back to school and play college basketball — despite having already seen the NBA court, ESPN reported Friday. He told the outlet he’s hired an agent and a lawyer to gain college eligibility.
“Right now I’d be a senior in college,” Bailey told the outlet. “I’m not trying to be 27 years old playing college athletics. No shade to the guys that do; that’s their journey. But I went to go play professionally and learned a lot, went through a lot. So, like, why not me?”
However, it’s also highly unlikely this will be allowed to happen, according to Tim Buckley, the Senior Vice President of External Affairs for the NCAA. He said on X in the wake of the report that the NCAA “has not and will not grant eligibility to any players who have signed an NBA contract.”
Amari Bailey played 10 games with the Charlotte Hornets during the 2023-24 season. Getty Images
Bailey, who played at UCLA in the 2022-23 season, was selected with the No. 41 overall pick by the Hornets in the 2023 NBA Draft.
The 6-foot-3 guard signed a two-way contract with Charlotte, meaning he was allowed to move back and forth between the NBA and the Greensboro Swarm of the G League.
A two-way deal offers players a limited number of days in the NBA before a team has to decide whether to convert them to a standard contract or waive them altogether.
Bailey did play 10 games with the Hornets that season, logging 65 total minutes and averaging 2.3 points, though he was never converted to a standard NBA contract and remained on a two-way deal.
Amari Bailey was a second-round pick, selected No. 41 overall in 2023, after one year with UCLA. Getty Images
Nonetheless, he played NBA basketball.
James Nnaji, the No. 31 overall pick in the 2023 draft by the Pistons and later moved to Charlotte, was able join Baylor’s basketball program earlier this season and is currently playing games in college.
Nnaji was an overseas prospect and remained with Spanish club FC Barcelona before and after being selected, later joining Girona — also in Spain — and Merkezefendi of Turkey.
Nnaji’s rights were traded to the Knicks in 2024 as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, and he played for New York in the 2025 summer league, as he did with the Hornets in 2023, but he never technically played an NBA or even G League game.
NBA Draft 2023 second-round pick James Nnaji, who joined the Baylor Bears, left behind a pro career overseas. Getty Images
Nnaji is averaging 1.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game across seven appearances since joining Baylor.
Charles Bediako, who played for Alabama in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, is back with the team for the 2025-26 campaign after previously leaving early to pursue the NBA.
Bediako joined the Spurs for the summer league in 2023 and later signed a two-way contract with the team, but was waived that December following a meniscus tear.
Charles Bediako, posing for a portrait at Detroit Pistons Media Day in 2025. Getty Images
From 2023 through the 2025-26 season, Bediako played in 46 G League games before being allowed to return to Alabama, where he has played two games.
Bailey, a former UCLA and Sierra Canyon star, played alongside other notable high school athletes, like Bronny James — son of LeBron James — Zaire Wade — son of Dwyane Wade — and current Nets forward Zaire Williams.
Bailey averaged 11.2 points per game at UCLA in his lone season with the team in 2022-23.
He later played in the G League for 34 games across the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 31: Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket around Jaylon Tyson #20 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Rocket Arena on December 31, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Game 49 and one week away from the trade deadline!
On Friday afternoon, the Chicago Blackhawks announced that they were calling up Sam Rinzel. He has spent a couple of months working on his game with the Rockford IceHogs, and now he's ready to jump back in and show what he's got.
Part of this was the need to give Artyom Levshunov a break. He's been a regular in the lineup since he made his NHL debut last season, and he seems to have hit a rookie wall. Over the last 9 games, in particular, he has struggled mightily.
Not only does he have 0 points in those games, but his defensive game has left a lot to be desired. Shutting down gaps, being smart with his stick, and proper positioning have allowed teams to walk all over him during this tough stretch.
With Rinzel back in the lineup, Levshunov is going to be a healthy scratch against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night. He is also going to have limited playing time, if any, leading up to the Olympic break.
Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill confirmed that they have a program for Levshunov to work on during his time off. He is going to work on three things in particular, which include shooting, playing with the puck, and his defensive game.
"Rather than send him down and play more games, I don't think that's what he needs." Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill said. "What he needs is a chance to reset some foundational things."
All of the tools are there for Levshunov to be a high-end player in the best league in the world. He has the skating, the overall skills with the puck, and the will to win necessary to become an elite player.
Where the Blackhawks need to see improvement is in taking those talents and using them to be a winning player. If he improves on some of the skills emphasized in his new program, it should all come together.
For a defenseman to have regular playing time in the NHL at Levshunov's age (20) is incredibly rare. It doesn't happen often. It is even more rare for there to be no struggles along the way, no matter what age they are at in their development.
If Levshunov takes this opportunity to develop his game now with an open mind, he will come back stronger for it.
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TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 20: Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics reacts during second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on December 20, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BOSTON — Baylor Scheierman will start his fourth game of the season when the Celtics face the Sacramento Kings on Friday night. Scheierman has appeared in 42 of 47 games this year — and has averaged 3 points and 2 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per night.
Scheierman is starting in Jaylen Brown’s absence, as Brown will miss the match-up with a right knee contusion and a tight left hamstring. It’s Brown’s fourth absence of the season, and it comes just a few days after he openly discussed his hamstring bothering him.
While Scheierman has shot the ball well — he’s hitting 40% from beyond the arc on the season — Joe Mazzulla has gone out of his way to primarily praise his success on the other end of the court.
“His growth is more about his defensive versatility,” Mazzulla said earlier this month. “He has the confidence to play on the offensive end… his continued growth in defensive physicality and in the system is where he’s built a level of trust.”
Scheierman was also a team-best +11 in the Celtics’ 11-point loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday
The Celtics face the Kings on the second night of a back-to-back
Alongside Scheierman, the Celtics will start Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta. Queta returns from a one-game absence due to an illness he’s dealt with since Friday.
The Celtics (29-18) have an 11-7 record with Hauser as a starter this season. In those games, Hauser is averaging 12.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 48.5% from the field and 44.2% from three.
The Kings (12-37) will start Dennis Schroder, Precious Achiuwa, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Maxime Raynaud. The Kings have lost 7 straight games and are playing at TD Garden on the second night of a back-to-back.
Jan 28, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) reacts after a play against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images
The Utah Jazz will host the Brooklyn Nets in a classic tank-off.
Brooklyn is currently ahead of Utah in the draft standings with a record of 12-34. Utah, 3.5 games behind at a record of 15-33, could make a significant close in the gap with the loss tonight. The Jazz, who according to Austin Ainge were not going to manipulate playing time in an effort to lose games this season, are pulling out every stop to manipulate playing time tonight. Markkanen, who had missed seven games in a row, including two for reconditioning, is now needing a rest tonight. Conveniently, Jusuf Nurkic, who appeared like the picture of health against the Golden State Warriors, is out with an illness. Notably, Keyonte George is available.
For BYU fans watching, tonight will mark former Cougar Egor Demin’s return to Utah. Demin’s rookie season has exceeded expectations, with the 19 year-old shooting over 40% from three, despite his long-range shooting being one of his largest pre-draft concerns.
We are less than a week away from the NBA trade deadline and rumors are flying around fast and furious. Here are some of the latest rumors not involving Giannis Antetokounmpo (to check out the latest on his trade saga, click here).
Lakers in talks for De’Andre Hunter
It's no secret the Lakers are looking for help on the wing and some depth at the five.
Enter De'Andre Hunter, the Cleveland wing. The Lakers and Cavaliers reportedly have discussed a trade that would send Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht out of Los Angeles and involves a third team, Brooklyn. Here is what Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reported on the Wine & Gold Podcast.
"My sources tell me that the Cavs and the Lakers have discussed a general framework surrounding De'Andre Hunter of Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht and then bringing in a third team."
The challenge in constructing any trade with these teams is that the Cavaliers are over the second apron, and neither can aggregate multiple players in a trade nor can they take back more money than they send out. Added to that, the Lakers are hard-capped at the first apron and are currently less than $1 million from that number. The Lakers also have one pick to trade, a very valuable 2031 first-rounder, although there have been reports that the Lakers have looked to trade that pick for three lesser-valuable first-rounders, one of which would likely be included in this.
The prize for the Lakers would be adding Hunter, a player the Cavaliers hoped would fill their need on the wing, but did not. Hunter is averaging 13.9 points a game, often off the bench in Cleveland, shooting 30.9% from beyond the arc this season he is not a lock-down defender. Giving up Hachimura for Hunter is not a great deal, but if Sharpe is coming with him, the Lakers would have to consider it.
Keon Ellis
The hottest name in trade talks is another potential Lakers target, Kings wing Keon Ellis.
Sacramento is "sifting through various scenarios for Keon Ellis, sources say, several of which would include trading out veteran forward DeMar DeRozan and/or combo guard Malik Monk along with him," reports NBA Insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Marc Stein at the Stein Line previously reported 14 teams — almost half the league — had called Sacramento to check on an Ellis trade, including the Lakers, Clippers, Cavaliers, Celtics, Knicks and Warriors.
There's a reason all those teams are interested. Ellis is a plus defender on the wing at 6'4" who is shooting 36.2% from 3-point range this season (and is a career 41.4% shooter from deep), all on an expiring minimum contract. He is eligible for a contract extension after Feb. 9, and if a team that trades for him can't reach that extension then he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.
If the Kings pair Monk with Ellis in a trade, they make a combined $21 million; with DeRozan, that climbs to $27 million. Either option gives the Kings some flexibility to bring back someone they think can be part of their future.
Other trade rumors
• Agent Rich Paul denied the reports that he pushed Dallas to trade Anthony Davis.
Rich Paul says it’s NOT TRUE that he has demanded the Mavericks to trade Anthony Davis
“I know what was said. That thing was aggregated. This is the power of the internet. If you’re wondering why Rich Paul has a podcast, this is part of the reason why… The reality of it is,… pic.twitter.com/ctWNnlpR0x
• Cleveland has been active in trade talks as it looks to turn around a disappointing season so far, although nobody is exactly sure what their plan is, reports Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
• Oklahoma City may be exploring the trade market for center Isaiah Hartenstein, reports Brian Windhorst of ESPN on the Hoop Collective Podcast. "He's got a team option next year for $29 million. I've actually heard the Oklahoma City Thunder's name in some trade chatter." Remember that next season, both Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams' max contracts kick in, and the finances are going to get a lot tighter in OKC. They probably won't make that trade, but it's worth watching.
• Expect Orlando to make a trade, but it will be all about dumping salary, according to ESPN’s Windhorst and Bontemps. The Magic are $5.6 million into the tax, and, given how this team is playing, would like to get out of it. Trading Tyus Jones and his $7 million salary is a straightforward way to do that.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Lake Nona member Lydia Ko shot a 5-under 67 on Friday for a share of second-round lead with Lottie Woad in the LPGA Tour’s season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Ko, the 2024 tournament winner and a Hilton Grand Vacations ambassador, is the lone player in the 39-woman field without a bogey after two days. The Hall of Famer has 23 LPGA Tour victories.
“I’ve had to hole some good par putts, but I really haven’t put myself in that many difficult positions as of yet,” said Ko, from New Zealand. “I think that’s why I had the two bogey-free rounds. I’m hoping to kind of continue that good momentum this weekend.”
Woad shot a 69 to match Ko at 8-under 136 in mostly sunny conditions with 12 mph wind at the most in the 70-degree afternoon.
“I looked at the leaderboard quite a lot today because I was getting annoyed,” Woad said. “Seemed like there weren’t that many low scores out there, so kind of knew I was still in it. The pins were probably a little trickier so weren’t as many birdies as yesterday.”
The 22-year-old English player won the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open last year, weeks after taking the KPMG Women’s Irish Open as an amateur on the Ladies European Tour.
Nasa Hataoka, also a Lake Nona member, was a stroke back with Amy Yang. Hataoka had a 71, and Yang shot 69.
Defending champion A Lim Kim was 6 under after her second 69. Youmin Hwang (67) and Ingrid Lindblad (69) also were 6 under.
Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul and Kelly Korda were 5 under. Thitkul had a 72, and Korda shot 71.
“I think the weather is going to get a little worse so I’m going to go to the putting green, go to the range because wasn’t hitting it the best today,” Korda said. “Just going to figure some things out ahead of the weekend.”
Baseball player Aaron Hicks topped the celebrity field.
After signing with the Astros ahead of the 2019 season, it didn’t take long for former All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley to hear about his new organization’s top prospect.
“They were comparing this kid to Ted Williams,” Brantley recalled. “And I was like, ‘Well, that’s kind of special.’ I want to see this.”
The kid, Brantley would soon learn, was named Kyle Tucker.
It didn’t take long for former All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley to hear about top prospect Kyle Tucker in 2019. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect“They were comparing this kid to Ted Williams,” Brantley recalled. “And I was like, ‘Well, that’s kind of special.’” AP
And the comparison, he still marvels at now, was shockingly apt.
“It made me laugh at first, because he does a lot of things that are unorthodox,” Brantley said. “But when you actually break down his swing, he gets into such great positions.”
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Long before he became a touted young talent, then a four-time All-Star slugger, then a blockbuster $240 million signing with the Dodgers this offseason, Tucker’s baseball career began in the backyard of his Tampa-area home — where childhood games of stick and Wiffle ball with his older brother, Preston, first helped mold one of the most complete hitters in Major League Baseball today.
The origin story is simple. Growing up, Tucker would emulate Preston (who was six years his elder, and destined for his own MLB career) in their backyard games. Because Preston hit right-handed, Tucker would mirror him from the left side of the plate. And because Preston had a similarly unusual swing, Tucker’s mechanics naturally followed suit.
Some days, the boys would pitch a small ball of cork to each other, letting natural instinct take over as they whacked at it with the handle of a broomstick. Other times, they used a standard-issue Wiffle ball set, learning how to adjust to the serpentine movement of the perforated plastic sphere.
“All they had time to do was just use their hands,” said Dennis Braun, Tucker’s high school coach at Plant High in Tampa. “That’s how they learned how to hit.”
Growing up, Tucker would emulate older brother Preston (who was six years older, and forged his own MLB career). IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
For Tucker, the result was a swing with seemingly flawed fundamentals.
He’d step up to the plate with the wrong foot. His hands would drop low as he started to attack the ball. His bat path had an atypically sweepy motion. He would drop his back knee and almost scissor his legs as he made contact and completed his follow-through.
Years of practice, however, had taught him how to sync it all together; giving him the ability to hit for power, adjust to breaking pitches and most importantly keep his hands inside the ball consistently on every pitch.
“You can’t teach somebody to do it,” Braun said. “But I told him, ‘Don’t let anybody tell you you can’t hit that way, because I think it’s a thing.’ ”
All along, the comparisons to Williams — who earned the moniker of “the greatest hitter who ever lived” with an eerily similar swing — steadily grew.
When Tucker was a high school freshman, one of Braun’s coaches first gave him the “Ted Williams” nickname. AP
When Tucker was a high school freshman, one of Braun’s assistant coaches, former Yankees catcher John Ramos, first bestowed him with the “Ted Williams” nickname.
“I said, ‘Wait a minute,’ ” Braun recalled with a laugh, “the kid’s got nowhere to go but down.’ ”
As Tucker became a top draft prospect in the 2015 class, eventually going fifth overall to the Astros (who also had Preston in their organization), scouts began drawing parallels in their reports, too.
“I’m not one of those guys who thinks anybody’s gonna be a first-rounder when they show up as a freshman,” Braun said. “But as we went along each year, he got bigger and bigger. By the time he got to his senior year, the amount of people that were out here watching BP was in the hundreds.”
In 2018, a few months before making his highly anticipated MLB debut as a 21-year-old, Tucker was even enlisted to impersonate Williams in a PBS documentary about the late Hall of Famer, donning a 1950s-era uniform as filmmakers captured slow-motion shots of his swing.
“He’s tweaked it a little bit over the years,” Tucker’s mom, Lisa, said. “But if it’s gotten you to where you’re at, it’s like, ‘Why change?’ ”
That was also Brantley’s initial impression after meeting Tucker for the first time and watching him swing up close.
In 2018, a few months before making his highly anticipated MLB debut as a 21-year-old, Tucker was even enlisted to impersonate Williams in a PBS documentary about the late Hall of Famer, donning a 1950s-era uniform as filmmakers captured slow-motion shots of his swing. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“It doesn’t always look as pretty as a normal swing would,” Brantley said. “But if you really break down the science of the swing, and see where his hands get to, his foot is at the time of contact, and the position at contact, it is very special.”
In 2020, he cemented himself as an everyday player for a contending Astros team, flashing plus outfield defense and an ability to steal bases to go along with offensive production. In 2021, he received MVP votes after batting a career-best .294 with 30 home runs. In 2022, he earned what would become the first of four consecutive All-Star selections. And now, he has established himself as one of the most consistent players in the sport, one of only four big-leaguers to post at least 4.5 wins above replacement every year since 2021, per Baseball Reference.
For that, Tucker has given much credit to Brantley.
When the veteran first arrived in Houston, he made a point of taking Tucker under his wing, becoming his catch partner, his hitting cage confidant, and his locker-mate in the clubhouse.
During spring training, he’d challenge Tucker to beat him to the facility in the mornings. “I’d usually get to the field around 7 a.m.” Brantley joked. “And Tuck’s not a morning guy.” Yet, Tucker would be there, ready to warm-up in the gym and get to work early on the field.
Brantley retired from the majors at the end of the 2023 season. Tucker left Houston a year later, getting traded to the Cubs in his final season before free agency. But the two remain close. So much so, Tucker said he will wear Brantley’s old jersey number, 23, with the Dodgers as a nod to his former teammate.
To Brantley, that was a “very special” gesture. However, he emphasized that Tucker’s success has been all his own doing — going back to the superstar’s five-tool skillset, a deep “passion” for the game that goes overlooked by his outwardly quiet demeanor, and of course the Ted Williams-esque swing that remains universally admired and largely unchanged.
“He just settled into his own, and took the world by storm,” Brantley said. “As he should have, because he was such a big prospect. But he panned out because of the hard work he put in.”
PEORIA, AZ - OCTOBER 30: Leo Balcazar #17 of the Peoria Javelinas fields the ball during the game between the Surprise Saguaros and the Peoria Javelinas at Peoria Sports Complex on Thursday, October 30, 2025 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Look at Leo Balcazar running away with the vote for spot #13 in this year’s edition of the Community Prospect Rankings!
Perhaps that’s an indictment of which prospects I included in this particular round of voting. Or, perhaps it’s an indication that you fine voters here at Red Reporter are awfully high on Balcazar’s prospects as, well, a prospect once again.
There was a time when that was something of a no-brainer. He mauled Dominican Summer League play with an .882 OPS in 2021 at just 17 years of age, and he backed it up the following year with an equally impressive .886 OPS in Arizona Complex League play in his first season in the states. Then, in a 19 game sample to begin the 2023 season with Class-A Daytona in the pitching-friendly Florida State League, he roared out of the gate with an .897 OPS only to tear his ACL and miss the remainder of the year.
When he returned in 2024, he was a shell of his former self. He’d been an athletic shortstop whose quickness helped make up for an average arm, but his quickness had been sapped. His work at the plate slumped, too, and suddenly there was wonder whether he’d be able to work his way back.
2025 was a much more positive step in the right direction. He posted a modest .720 OPS as he reached AA Chattanooga, but the athleticism began to return – as did some of the excellent exit velocities off his bat. He finished the year with a positive showing in 24 Arizona Fall League games, and he still won’t even turn 22 until this summer.
There’s beginning to be some buzz again about Balcazar, and I think it’s warranted, even if he’s destined to stick at 2B long term.
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 01: Blooper dancing during the pre-game players parade before the MLB opening day game between the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs on April 1, 2019 at SunTrust Park in Atlanta. GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
I hope everybody has a lovely start to their weekend. Please stay warm and safe out there if you’re in the path of the second winter storm in as many weekends! Here’s a random clip for you:
The 40-year-old reliever announced his retirement Friday following 17 seasons and 881 games in the big leagues, during which he won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009, posted a 2.93 ERA and recorded 179 saves.
“I’ve decided it’s time for me to hang up my spikes and retire from the game I’ve loved for as long as I can remember,” Robertson wrote in a statement posted to social media. “Baseball has given me more than I ever dreamed possible over the last 19 seasons. From winning a World Series, to pitching in an All-Star game, to representing the United States and bringing home a World Baseball Classic Gold and an Olympic silver.
“I’ve had the privilege of playing alongside amazing teammates, learning from outstanding coaches, and being welcomed into organizations that felt like family. To the trainers, clubhouse staff, front offices, and everyone behind the scenes, thank you for all that you do. And to the fans who supported me, thank you, your passion fueled me every single day.”
New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson pitches during the game as a New York Yankees play the Boston Red Sox in New York City at Yankee Stadium for Game 4 of the ALDS on October 9, 2018. Anthony J Causi
The Alabama native said he was looking forward to being home with his family and focusing on their farms.
In parts of nine seasons in The Bronx — including a return there in 2017 following a midseason trade from the White Sox — Robertson appeared in 501 games.
He made the All-Star team in 2011 while recording a 1.08 ERA in 70 games, and later succeeded Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera as the Yankees closer in 2014.
Robertson pitched for the Mets in 2023, posting a 2.05 ERA in 40 games before they dealt him to the Marlins in a trade deadline sell-off.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 20: Dylan Moore #25 of the Seattle Mariners bats against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 20, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hey! A signing that helps the Phillies shore up their infield depth, but maybe doesn’t move the needle much.
Dylan Moore and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a minor league contract that includes an invitation to major league spring training, league sources said. He can make up to $3.25 million with plate appearance and active roster bonuses.
Leave it to Tom Willander to keep things honest. The Vancouver Canucks rookie may be in his first season with the team that drafted him 11th overall in 2023, but he’s already proving himself as a driven, strong player who knows how to keep himself accountable.
“[It’s been] good and bad, we’ve had a rough patch, obviously,” the defenceman told The Hockey News regarding how things have gone for both himself and the Canucks as of late. “I’m having a good time still.”
At the beginning of the 2025–26 season, Willander didn’t quite know what to expect from himself or the NHL. Having signed his entry-level contract with the Canucks back in May of 2025, the defenceman was making the hop from the NCAA to his first pro-season. With a backlog of young defencemen in Elias Pettersson and Victor Mancini, many weren’t sure whether Willander would start the season with Vancouver or whether he’d be sent to the Abbotsford Canucks. Ultimately, he ended up spending five games in the AHL, grabbing a goal and an assist in his final couple of games. For Willander, getting those first few games was instrumental in helping him figure out how to approach the NHL.
“I think that was huge for me, because that kind of gave me a few games in the system with having that freedom and confidence that I feel like I wouldn’t necessarily have up here. So I think that was very important, to kind of kickstart it.”
Willander is one of two rookies to make their NHL debuts for the Canucks this season, the other being centre Braeden Cootes. The fact that Willander has stuck in the lineup is, in itself, a testament to how strong of a player he’s been this season. When you look at the NHL’s overall rookie scoring race, it’s even more impressive. He’s currently sixth in rookie defenceman scoring with three goals and 12 assists. When asked about what kind of expectations he had for himself this season, Willander kept things honest yet again.
“I didn’t really have any. It’s easy to watch the game on the TV, but you don’t really know it until you’re in it. It’s a hard league. I think I’ve experienced that firsthand. It’s been pretty good. Now, I think [I’m] starting to feel like I’m getting into it.”
His debut itself was something that many people probably didn’t expect until later on in the season, but a smattering of injuries in late October resulted in Vancouver calling Willander up less than a month into the regular season. Since then, the soon-to-be 21-year-old has stuck in the lineup consistently — and it doesn’t look like he’ll be leaving anytime soon.
“I actually didn’t see myself sticking long term for that at all,” he admitted, a thought that once-again circles back to his candidness and unexpected expectations. “[I] kind of surprised myself in that a little bit, but it’s been fun.”
Dec 6, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tom Willander (5) against the Minnesota Wild at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Morris-Imagn Images
Despite Vancouver’s blueline sporting its fair share of young players, the total experiences of veterans like Tyler Myers, Marcus Pettersson, and Filip Hronek comes to a total of over 2000 NHL games. The Canucks have been outspoken about how important it is to them to keep quality veterans as they prepare to transition into rebuild-mode. For Willander, these three have made a big difference in how he’s settled in and what he’s taken away from the league.
“I think they’ve been doing a great job,” he explained. “It’s always a tight group. I think you learn a lot from watching them play. Obviously, they all have their thing that they’re very good at. I’ve played a lot with Marcus, and watching Fil and watching Myesy, you learn a lot. I think they’ve all been very good teachers in the way that they’re definitely not shy from helping and lending a helping hand.”
As the NHL shifts into the Olympic break in February, Willander and the Canucks will be faced with many questions regarding the long-term trajectory of the team. For a player like Willander, who is finding more and more comfort with every NHL game that he tucks under his belt, the final few months of the 2025–26 season will be the time to fully iron-out his play at the NHL level.
“I look to better myself and better my game. Obviously, it’s a solid stretch of games where I feel like there’s still a lot of experience to be gained, and I think there are a lot of parts of my game that need a lot of working on — really, all parts of my game. I see it as a great opportunity to put myself in a good spot.”
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PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 11: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks reaches out for the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 11, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. | Getty Images
Tonight, New York (29*-18) hosts the Portland Trail Blazers (23–25) at Madison Square Garden in the teams’ second and final meeting of the season. The Knicks had their hands full when they tussled earlier this month, but if they apply the same defensive juice that’s fueled their four-game winning streak, this one should be far more manageable.
Tip off is 7:30 p.m. EST on MSG. This is your game thread. This is Blazers Edge. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be good. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but the NBA Cup Final doesn’t count.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 17: Donte Divincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball to the basket against Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies in the third quarter at Target Center on December 17, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Grizzlies defeated the Timberwolves 116-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies Date: January 31st, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CST Location: FedEx Forum Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: Wolves App, iHeart Radio
If there was one major takeaway from the Wolves’ demolition of the defending champs on Thursday night, it’s this: Minneosta absolutely has the proverbial light switch. And not the “sometimes we lock in, sometimes we don’t” light switch that every NBA team claims to have in January. I mean the full-on, how are these even the same people? version—where you watch them torch Oklahoma City Thunder on the second night of a back-to-back, build a 20-point lead, and control the game basically start-to-finish… and then you think back to Sunday afternoon’s sleepwalking fiasco against Golden State Warriors and you feel like you’ve been watching two different franchises sharing the same jerseys.
And sure, you can try to explain it away. Emotions. Turmoil. The off-court noise that’s been swirling around Minneapolis. Fine. Maybe that’s part of it. But the deeper issue is that the “off” games didn’t start last week. They’re sprinkled all over this season like landmines: the abysmal effort against Chicago Bulls, the fourth-quarter collapse against the Utah Jazz, the late-December face plants against Brooklyn and Atlanta. Those were choices. Those were “we didn’t feel like it” nights. And that’s why the Wolves are sitting where they’re sitting: the No. 5 seed out West, a half-game behind Houston Rockets for the four spot, rather than hanging with Denver and San Antonio in that scrum for the 2 and 3 seeds.
So yes, it probably sounds like I’m being harsh and doom-and-gloom after the most impressive win of the season. But it’s only because the OKC game was a reminder of what this team is when it decides to be serious. When the defense is connected. When the ball moves. When the pace is controlled. When the Wolves stop treating possessions like optional. When they play like a team that has been to back-to-back Western Conference Finals and remembers what that feels like. Because when they play like that… they’re a nightmare.
And here’s the other reason that Thursday mattered: it reframed the fear. Early in the season, the biggest nightmare scenario was ending up on OKC’s side of the bracket and getting wiped off the map by the champs. But now? The Wolves have taken two of three from OKC. They’ve looked good doing it. And if they had hit free throws in that first matchup (yes, I’m dragging us back to that crime scene again) they might honestly be 3–0 against them. The Thunder weren’t at full strength Thursday, missing key guys, and we don’t get to pretend that doesn’t matter. But the larger point stands: Minnesota can absolutely take OKC to the wire and impose their will. Anthony Edwards is one of the few guys in the league who can hold serve with the offensive robot that is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and when Minnesota is rolling, they can make the Thunder look small and uncomfortable in a way not many teams can.
Which brings us to the dangerous part.
Because after a win like that, after a statement game, after the crowd buzz, after the “we’re back” energy, here comes the ultimate letdown spot. The Wolves now get a weekend trip to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies without Ja Morant and Zach Edey, with a couple more rotation guys floating around as questionable game-time decisions. This is exactly the kind of game where Minnesota, especially this version of Minnesota, can start reading its own press clippings, take a few sloppy possessions early, and accidentally turn the night into a street fight. And the worst part? If they do that, Thursday’s masterpiece starts to feel like a wasted work of art. This is the “make it count” game. You don’t beat the champs and then hand it back by losing to a wounded opponent two days later. That’s how you end up in the play-in and spend April pretending it’s “not a big deal.”
So with that, here are the keys to the game.
#1: Don’t play down to the competition—because Memphis has already proven they’ll take your lunch money if you let them. This is where the Wolves have to stop treating urgency like a special occasion. Memphis, especially shorthanded Memphis, should not be allowed to hang around. And yet the Wolves have had this recurring habit this season: the moment the opponent looks “boring,” Minnesota starts acting like the game is a suggestion. They can’t do that here. The whole point of Thursday was rediscovering what “serious basketball” looks like: shrinking the floor, defending the perimeter with real resistance, rotating like you actually like your teammates, protecting the paint, and making the other team earn everything. If the Wolves come out flat and start giving Memphis easy drives, open threes, and second chances, then they’re basically telling everyone, the fans, the conference, themselves, that Thursday was a one-night rental.
#2: Dominate the paint like you’re supposed to—because this is a size matchup that should tilt hard in Minnesota’s favor. One of the underrated parts of the OKC win was how physical Minnesota played. They didn’t treat it like a track meet. They treated it like a “we’re bigger than you and we’re going to remind you” game. Now they get a Memphis team still without Edey, and the Wolves should smell blood. Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid need to own the glass and own the restricted area. Gobert should be living on lobs and put-backs. Randle has to punish mismatches without turning into a black hole. Naz has to keep doing what he’s been doing in stretching the floor, forcing bigs to move, and making Memphis choose between protecting the rim and respecting the pop. This is a game where Minnesota can win with grown-man basketball if they actually commit to it.
#3: Do the little things that stop a “letdown game” from turning into a crisis—turnovers, free throws, and basic professionalism. This is the annoying part, because it’s the same lecture every time. But it’s the truth: Minnesota’s losses during this ugly stretch have been loaded with self-inflicted damage. Sloppy live-ball turnovers that turn into easy points. Missed free throws that turn into a tight fourth quarter you never should’ve had to play. Possessions where the Wolves just… stop making the simple play. If you want to be a top seed, you don’t live on the edge against undermanned teams because you can’t complete the fundamentals. You bank these games by taking care of the ball and converting the freebies. Not glamorous, not fun, but it’s how you stop the season from spiraling.
#4: Keep the shooting quality high—because the OKC flamethrower night only matters if you keep generating good looks when the percentages cool off. Nobody should expect the Wolves to shoot like they did against OKC every night, especially with the schedule tightening and the legs getting heavier. But the key isn’t “make every three.” The key is “take the right threes.” Thursday worked because the ball moved, the defense collapsed, and Minnesota got clean looks, shots that didn’t require a miracle or a heat-check ego trip. Against Memphis, the Wolves can’t fall back into the bad habit of hero-ball possessions that turn into contested jumpers with four guys watching. If the ball is hopping, Minnesota doesn’t need a perfect shooting night. They just need a steady diet of good shots and the discipline to live with the results.
#5: The Edwards-Randle tone-setting has to be consistent—because this team follows their mood like it’s a weather pattern. Ant was phenomenal against OKC. He set the tone early, he controlled the emotional temperature, and he made it clear the game was going to be a battle. Randle had a rougher outing, and that’s okay, everybody has those games. But now, against Memphis, he needs to get right in the exact way this Wolves team needs him: play physical, make quick decisions, facilitate when the doubles come, and punish when they don’t. And Ant has to keep doing the thing that separates contenders from pretenders: bring the same edge when the opponent isn’t glamorous. This team becomes whatever their two stars decide it’s going to be. If they’re locked in, everyone locks in. If they’re casual, the whole thing gets casual.
And that’s the real maturity test here.
Thursday night was the kind of win that can change a season’s emotional trajectory. It reminded everyone that Minnesota can absolutely beat the best team in the league when they’re connected. But the NBA doesn’t hand out trophies for “best single-game performance in late January.” The league rewards consistency. And the Wolves are about to hit the 50-game mark, which is usually when you stop being what you think you are and start being what you actually are.
They’ve proven they can flip the switch. That’s real.
Now comes the harder part: proving they can keep it on. Because when April and May arrive, there’s no “we didn’t feel like it tonight.” There’s no letdown spot. There’s no hiding. If Minnesota wants to make a real run, if they want to get back to that third straight Western Conference Finals, if they want do something this franchise has never done and get to the last round, then games like this Memphis one can’t be treated like chores.
