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Convicted child rapist gets Dutch volleyball Paris Olympics spot

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FILE–Netherlands’ Steven Van de Velde (L) during the volleyball Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 final match in Brasilia, Brazil, on May 5, 2024. (Photo by EVARISTO SA / AFP)

A Dutch volleyball player convicted in 2016 of raping an underaged girl has controversially been selected to represent the Netherlands in the Olympic beach volleyball competition in Paris.

Steven van de Velde, now 29, was sentenced to four years in prison after admitting three counts of rape against a 12-year-old girl, according to British newspaper The Telegraph.

He served part of his sentence in Britain and was then transferred to the Netherlands, where he was eventually released and took up volleyball again in 2017.

“We know Steven’s history,” said Michel Everaert, general director of the Dutch volleyball federation (Nevobo), in a statement.

READ: Ex-NBA player Chase Budinger makes Paris Olympics team in beach volleyball

“He was convicted at the time according to English law and he has served his sentence,” added Everaert.

Nevobo and the Dutch Olympic Committee have consulted experts who have judged there is “zero chance” of Van de Velde reoffending.

The Telegraph cited British judge Francis Sheridan as saying when he sentenced the player: “Your hopes of representing your country now lie as a shattered dream.”

But Everaert said Van de Velde had been “fully reintegrated into the Dutch volleyball community.”

READ: VNL 2024: As Paris Olympics nears, Canada focused on improvement

“He is proving to be an exemplary professional and human being and there has been no reason to doubt him since his return.”

The association also cited the player himself as admitting he had made “the biggest mistake of my then young life”.

“I cannot reverse it, so I will have to bear the consequences,” he was cited as saying.

His selection seems to have been more of a story outside the Netherlands than in the country’s own media.

The AD daily said there had been a “fuss in the foreign media” over Van de Velde.



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“I understand that in the run-up to the biggest sporting event in the world, this can attract the attention of international media,” said the player quoted by his association.

Kristaps Porzingis could be sidelined until December

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Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, center, raises his arm as he celebrates with teammates near the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after the Celtics won the NBA championship with a Game 5 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

BOSTON  — Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis will miss 5-6 months in the NBA after left ankle surgery.

The team said Thursday that Porzingis had surgery to fix a tear in the tissue that holds the ankle tendons in place. That will prevent the Latvian from competing with his home nation next month as it attempts to win one of the final four qualifying spots for the Paris Olympics.

The 7-foot-2 Porzingis injured his ankle in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks and missed the next two games.

READ: Latvia’s Porzingis to have surgery, out of OQT and Paris Olympics

He returned for Game 5, contributing five points and one rebound in 16 minutes as the Celtics beat Dallas 106-88 to clinch their record 18th NBA championship. Porzingis averaged 20 points and seven rebounds in 57 games for the Celtics this season.

He signed a $60 million, two-year extension with Boston after they acquired him in a trade with Washington last summer.



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Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba U17 World Cup

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Schedule, roster for Fiba Under-17 World Basketball Cup.

Gilas Pilipinas boys team begins its campaign in the 2024 Fiba Under-17 Basketball World Cup, which will run from June 29 to July 7 in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Philippines is bracketed with Lithuania, Spain and Puerto Rico in Group A.

China, USA, France, and Guinea round out Group B while Argentina, host Türkiye, New Zealand, Italy headline Group C. Egypt, Germany, Canada, Australia are slotted in Group D.

READ: Gilas boys get tough draw for 2024 Fiba U17 World Cup

The Gilas boys earned their spot in the World Cup after a semifinal stint in the Fiba U16 Asian Championship last year.

This is the Philippines’ third appearance in the U17 World Cup after Gilas’ first two campaigns in 2014 and 2018.

Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba U17 Basketball World Cup Group stage schedule

Gilas Pilipinas plays a round-robin format with teams in its group in the group phase from June 29 to July 2.

All four teams per group advance to the next round, where Groups A and B and Group C and D will face each other in a crossover format. The match-ups are based on their group phase ranking.

June 29, Saturday

  • 5:30pm – Lithuania vs Gilas Pilipinas

June 30, Sunday

  • 8:30pm – Gilas Pilipinas vs Spain

July 2, Tuesday

  • 8pm – Gilas Pilipinas vs Puerto Rico

July 3, Wednesday

July 5, Friday

July 6, Saturday

July 7, Sunday



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Philippines’ roster at Fiba U17 Basketball World Cup

  • 0 – Noah Banal
  • 1 – Joaquin Gabriel Ludovice
  • 2 – Elijah Mark Williams
  • 5 – Paul Cyron Diao
  • 6 – Irus Chua
  • 8 – Bonn Ervin Daja
  • 11 – Kurt Nathan Velasquez
  • 12 – Dominic Joaquin Arejola
  • 13 – Samuel Alegre
  • 25 – Cletz David Amos
  • 26 – Edryn Morales
  • 38 – Jaime Lorenzo Gomez de Liano

Kieffer Alas, who starred in the Gilas U16 run, was replaced due to injury.

Ex-UST spiker wants to show people she can play

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Pierre Abellana didn’t get too much exposure in her two-year stay with University of Santo Tomas (UST).

But Abellana, a Golden Tigress recruit from University of San Carlos, knows that she has so much more to show and she is raring to show just that if the stars align for her to get picked in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft.

“Personally, I am really eager to show what I can do especially since I only had a limited playing time last [UAAP Season 86],” Abellana said in Filipino in the recently concluded Draft Combine.

“We also did not achieve our goal [of claiming the championship] so I guess I would just have to get over it through this,” she added referring to UST being swept by National University in their Finals clash previously.

Abellana is among the 47 aspirants hoping to get their shot in the PVL which will conduct its first-ever Draft on July 8.

The 5-foot-6 versatile spiker was a role player in her stint with UST where she was usually tapped off the bench. Her UST career can be summed up in modest numbers: 11 points from 10 attacks and an ace, nine excellent digs and six excellent receptions.

Combine results

“I really want to prove myself because I know that other people have not seen how I really play,” she said after forgoing her three remaining years of eligibility in the UAAP.

Prior to her rookie appearance in the UAAP, Abellana displayed her talent with a 23-point outing against Adamson two years ago in the preseason tournament Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Conference.

In the recent Draft Combine, the young hitter registered a second-best standing vertical jump at 63.50 centimeters, a 299-cm vertical jump with approach, a 222-cm standing broad jump, a 6.5-second modified agility T-test and a 14.35-second 60-meter shuttle run in the Anthropometry and Fitness test.

“[The Combine] was challenging but it also shows us the extent of what we can do and what else we can do for PVL,” said Abellana who also shared that her former UST coaches were supportive of her decision to try her luck in the pros.

“[The coaches] pushed me, saying that ‘you can already apply for the draft, you can do it,’” she said while also revealing that she already wants to earn to help support her family.

Knowing that she could’ve done more to help the Golden Tigresses, Abellana said who she was excited to see at the opposite side of the court, if all goes well.



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“I want to face the teams of my previous coaches: coach KungFu (Reyes, Chery Tiggo), coach Lerma (Giron, Galeries Tower), coach Shaq (delos Santos, Cignal),” Abellana said.

“[But I am still] OK having coach KungFu as a coach, he is solid and I learned a lot from him and he made me a stronger player,” she added.

PVL Draft aspirant Pierre Abellana impresses with her athleticism

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PVL Draft aspirant Pierre Abellana during the Draft Combine. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Determined to come out of her shell, Pierre Abellana seeks to unleash her untapped potential in the professional scene as she chases a roster spot in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel.

Abellana, who seldom saw action for the University of Santo Tomas in her playing years in the UAAP, turned heads in the two-day combine as she showed her athleticism in front of coaches and scouts from the 12 PVL teams.

“I’m super motivated right now because at this point, I have control over how I can showcase my abilities,” said the 5-foot-5 outside spiker, who was part of UST’s cinderella run in Season 86 but got swept by National University in the finals.

READ: Teams begin plotting PVL Draft strategies

“I always say that I will give my all, especially in putting effort into improving myself, and I’ll always do my best to help the team in any way I can,” she added.

Abellana impressed coaches and even her fellow 46 aspirants through her speed and high leaping abilities on Day 1. However, she believed that she could have shown more on Day 2 during the scrimmages.

LIST: Applicants for the first ever PVL Rookie Draft

“For Day 2, I can’t say I’m satisfied, but I know I did my best,” said Abellana, who came in second in the 60-meter shuttle run with a time of 14.35 seconds, third in the standing vertical jump with 63.50 centimeters, and third in the one-minute push-up test with 43 reps.

“Maybe that’s important too because even if I didn’t perform my best today, the coaches can still see that I can bounce back because I am physically fit,” she added.

The Fitness and Sports Management magna cum laude is grateful for the continuous support of the UST fans despite bidding farewell to the Tigresses.

“I’m just super thankful for the constant support because even after I graduated, they always tell me they’re still supporting me until I turn pro,” Abellana said. “They know my capabilities and they believe I can do it, so they always remind me to trust myself.”



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2024 NBA Draft first-round picks

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Zaccharie Risacher, second from left, and Alex Sarr, fourth from left, both of France, stand on stage with, from left, Ron Holland, Rob Dillingham, Reed Sheppard and Dalton Knecht before the NBA draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

The players selected in the first round of the NBA draft Wednesday night in New York.

1. Atlanta Hawks — Zaccharie Risacher, forward, 6-9, 215, JL Bourg-en-Bresse (France)

Scouting report: A developing player with two-way potential. Has guard skills and showed catch-and-shoot ability after making 39% of 3-pointers between league and Eurocup play. Turned 19 in April and must get stronger. Averaged 0.9 assists and 1.6 turnovers to highlight a need to improve as a playmaker.

READ: Zaccharie Risacher second straight from France picked No. 1 in NBA Draft

2. Washington Wizards — Alex Sarr, center, 7-0, 224, Perth (Australia)

Scouting report: Has athleticism, mobility and length offering upside as a shot blocker, switchable defender and rim-running lob threat. Grew up in France but spent two seasons with Overtime Elite developmental program in Atlanta, then played in Australian-based National Basketball League. Ranked among NBL leaders in blocks (1.5) despite averaging just 17.3 minutes. Has 7-4 wingspan. Must add strength and improve outside shot (29% on 3-pointers).

3. Houston Rockets (from Brooklyn) — Reed Sheppard, guard, 6-2, 182, Kentucky

Scouting report: The shooting stroke stands out. He hit 52.1% of 3s last year and 83% of his free throws. Elite potential as a catch-and-shoot threat. Averaged 4.5 assists to show potential for both guards spots. Uncertain how he’ll match up with bigger guards, particularly off the ball.

4. San Antonio Spurs — Stephon Castle, guard, 6-6, 210, UConn

Scouting report: A combo guard with size and ability to overpower smaller defenders. Big potential as a defender and playmaker. Accepted complementary role in Huskies’ run to a second straight NCAA title despite his touted-recruit status. Must improve outside shot (26.7% on 3s).

5. Detroit Pistons — Ron Holland II, forward, 6-7, 197, G League Ignite

Scouting report: Offers versatility with floor-running ability to attack the rim. Has 6-11 wingspan and defensive upside. Made 24% of 3s. Had 42 turnovers against 45 assists in injury-shortened season. Turns 19 in July. McDonald’s All-American who bypassed college basketball.

6. Charlotte Hornets — Tidjane Salaun, forward, 6-9, 217, Cholet (France)

Scouting report: A fluid athlete with a nearly 7-2 wingspan. Offers long-term potential to stretch defenses and harass smaller perimeter players. Still honing outside shot (32% on 3s last season). Turns 19 in August.

7. Portland Trail Blazers — Donovan Clingan, center, 7-2, 282, UConn

Scouting report: Imposing rim-protecting force (7-7 wingspan) and floor-running finisher for two-time reigning NCAA champs. Averaged 2.5 blocks in just 22.6 minutes. Value highlighted in Illinois going 0 for 19 in Clingan-challenged shots in NCAA Elite Eight. Unclear how well he’d handle switches to defend in space. Poor free-throw shooter (55.8% career).

8. San Antonio (from Toronto) — Rob Dillingham, guard, 6-1, 164, Kentucky

Scouting report: Shows potential as a scoring playmaker after one college season. Averaged 15.2 points and 3.9 assists. Shot 44.4% on 3s while attempting 4.5 per game. Turns 20 in January. Needs to add strength to undersized frame.

9. Memphis Grizzlies — Zach Edey, center, 7-4, 299, Purdue

Scouting report: Two-time AP men’s national player of the year. Led Boilermakers to NCAA final in April after leading nation in scoring (25.2) and ranking second in rebounding (12.2). Massive presence with 7-11 wingspan. Defensive mobility a question.

10. Utah Jazz — Cody Williams, forward, 6-7, 178, Colorado

Scouting report: Versatile wing shot 55.2% overall and 41.5% from 3-point range in his lone season. Has 7-1 wingspan but needs to get stronger. Must improve as a rebounder (3.0), highlighted by grabbing three rebounds in 64 minutes across three NCAA Tournament games. McDonald’s All-American and program’s first five-star recruit in more than two decades.

11. Chicago Bulls — Matas Buzelis, forward, 6-9, 197 pounds, G League Ignite

Scouting report: Exploits matchups, scoring over smaller defenders and driving past bigger ones. Can attack off the dribble or score on stepbacks. Averaged 2.1 blocks with a 6-10 wingspan. Shot just 27.3% on 3s. McDonald’s All-American who bypassed college basketball.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Houston) — Nikola Topic, guard, 6-6, 203, KK Crvena Zvezda (Serbia)

Scouting report: Has size and playmaking ability at the point. Has vision to set up teammates with the capability of creating his own shot, attacking the paint and finishing at the rim. Outside shot needs work. Health concerns remain after two knee injuries.

13. Sacramento Kings — Devin Carter, guard, 6-2, 193, Providence

Scouting report: Boosted scoring (19.7) and 3-point shooting (.377) last season. Tied for best max vertical leap (42 inches) and standing vertical (35) at the combine. Spent two years with Providence after transferring from South Carolina.

14. Portland Trail Blazers (from Golden State via Boston and Memphis) — Carlton “Bub” Carrington, guard, 6-4, 195, Pittsburgh

Scouting report: Averaged 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists as one-and-done floor leader with all-around potential. Had an opening-night triple-double. Must improve outside shot (32% on 3s).

15. Miami Heat — Kel’el Ware, center, 7-0, 230, Indiana

Scouting report: Oregon transfer averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 rebounds as an every-game starter for the Hoosiers. Made 17 of 40 3s (.425). Has 7-5 wingspan and tested well in agility at the combine. Must improve at the foul line (63.4% last year). Turned 20 in April.

16. Philadelphia 76ers — Jared McCain, guard, 6-2, 203, Duke

Scouting report: One-and-done player who rapidly became the Blue Devils’ toughest competitor. Made 41% of 3s and 89% of free throws. Had two 30-point showings in the NCAA Tournament.

17. Los Angeles Lakers — Dalton Knecht, guard, 6-5, 212, Tennessee

Dalton Knecht NBA Draft Los Angeles Lakers

Dalton Knecht poses for photos on the red carpet before the NBA draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Scouting report: Big scorer in off-the-bounce and catch-and-shoot scenarios. First-team AP All-American who averaged 21.7 points and shot 39.7% from behind the arc. Active player who tested well at the combine in agility. Uncertainty about his athleticism and mobility defensively. Turned 23 in April.

READ: NBA: Lakers add Dalton Knecht, Pacific teams pick veteran players

18. Orlando Magic — Tristan da Silva, forward, 6-8, 217, Colorado

Scouting report: Veteran scorer from Germany with 98 career starts. Averaged 15.9 points while shooting 39.5% on 3s in a leading role the past two years. Turned 23 last month.

19. Toronto Raptors (from Indiana) — Ja’Kobe Walter, guard, 6-4, 198, Baylor

Scouting report: One-and-done prospect who fearlessly launched from behind the arc. Took 57% of his shots there and had 13 games with at least three made 3s, but shot just 34% on those.

20. Cleveland Cavaliers — Jaylon Tyson, forward, 6-6, 218, California

Scouting report: Took a big leap offensively after going from Texas to Texas Tech and finally Cal last season. Averaged 19.6 points last season, up from 10.7 the previous year. Made 37.8% of 3s over the past two seasons.

21. New Orleans Pelicans (from Milwaukee) — Yves Missi, center, 6-11, 229, Baylor

Scouting report: Bouncy, raw prospect from Cameroon. Flashed athleticism as a lob threat (61.4% shooting) and shot blocker (1.5 per game) in lone college season. Turned 20 last month.

22. Phoenix Suns — DaRon Holmes II, forward/center, 6-9, 236, Dayton

Scouting report: Atlantic 10 co-player and defensive player of the year. Averaged 19.3 points and 8.3 rebounds over last two seasons. Expanded range last year (38.6% on 3s). Averaged 2.1 blocks over three-year career with 7-1 wingspan.

23. Milwaukee Bucks (from New Orleans) — AJ Johnson, guard, 6-4, 167, Illawara (Australia)

Scouting report: Former Texas recruit bypassed college to play in the Australian-based National Basketball League. Averaged 2.9 points in 7.7 minutes. Has length but a slight frame.

24. New York Knicks (from Dallas) — Kyshawn George, forward, 6-7, 209, Miami

Scouting report: Offers long-term potential as a shooter with size. Hit 40.8% of 3s in lone college season but did little inside the arc (28 of 81 made shots, 34.6%).

25. New York Knicks — Pacome Dadiet, forward, 6-8, 217, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)

Scouting report: A developing player from France with potential as a rim finisher with 3-point range. Projects as a versatile defender. Turns 19 in July.

26. Washington Wizards (from LA Clippers via Dallas and Oklahoma City) — Dillon Jones, guard, 6-5, 237, Weber State

Scouting report: A scorer with a strong frame. Averaged 20.8 points and 5.2 assists. An elite rebounder by averaging 10.5 boards over his last three seasons. Shot just 32% from 3-point range over his four-year career.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves — Terrence Shannon Jr., guard, 6-6, 219, Illinois

Scouting report: AP third-team All-American last year as nation’s No. 3 scorer (23.0). Downhill attacker who shot 36% on 3s. Texas Tech transfer who blossomed as a scorer in two seasons with Illinois. Recently found not guilty on a rape charge to resolve a legal case closely watched by scouts.

28. Denver Nuggets — Ryan Dunn, forward, 6-6, 214, Virginia

Ryan Dunn NBA Draft

Ryan Dunn, right, poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 28th by the Denver Nuggets during the first round of the NBA draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Scouting report: Massive defensive potential with nearly 7-2 wingspan. Can protect the rim (2.3 blocks) or the perimeter. Offensive game is a question.

29. Utah Jazz (from Oklahoma City via Toronto and Indiana) — Isaiah Collier, guard, 6-3, 205, USC

Scouting report: Can attack the rim with strong frame and quickness. Averaged 16.3 points and 4.3 assists as a one-and-done floor leader. Averaged 3.3 turnovers for a 15-18 team.

30. Boston Celtics — Baylor Scheierman, guard/forward, 6-6, 202, Creighton



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Scouting report: South Dakota State transfer averaged 15.5 points, made 197 3-pointers and shot 37.3% on 3s in two seasons with Bluejays. Lacks elite athleticism and must develop defensively.

OG Anunoby will stay with New York Knicks on 5-year deal

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FILE – New York Knicks’ OG Anunoby (8) runs up the court after hitting a shot against the Indiana Pacers during the first half of Game 2 in an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

NEW YORK  — OG Anunoby will stay with the New York Knicks on a five-year NBA contract worth more than $210 million, a person with knowledge of the details said Wednesday.

Keeping the swingman was a priority for the Knicks after they flourished when Anunoby was in the lineup after arriving in December in a trade with Toronto.

READ: NBA: Knicks improve to 5-0 since OG Anunoby trade

The deal was first reported by ESPN, which said Anunoby’s deal would be worth $212.5 million. The person confirmed the details to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract is not yet official.

The deal comes a day after the Knicks agreed to acquire Mikal Bridges in a trade from the Brooklyn Nets and means New York will have two top defensive players on the wings. Anunoby led the NBA in steals in the 2022-23 season.

The Knicks went 20-3 with Anunoby in the lineup in the NBA regular season after sending RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Raptors, and outscored their opponents while Anunoby was on the floor in every one of those games.

READ: NBA: Knicks must weigh whether being healthy enough is good enough

They were up 2-0 on Indiana in the Eastern Conference semifinals before he had to miss the next four games after injuring his hamstring while scoring a career playoff-high 28 points in Game 2. Anunoby attempted to return in Game 7 but was still hurt and left quickly in the Knicks’ eventual loss.



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Zaccharie Risacher second straight from France picked No. 1

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Zaccharie Risacher, right, poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the first overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

NEW YORK— First, Victor Wembanyama, now Zaccharie Risacher.

These days, American college players have to wait their turn in the NBA draft. It’s someone else’s time at the top.

Vive la France!

The Atlanta Hawks took Risacher with the No. 1 pick Wednesday night and France landed three players in the top six in a historic night for the country.

“That’s amazing,” Risacher said. “We try to represent our country and so, glad to be a part of it. You know there is more players coming in.”

READ: Zaccharie Risacher chosen by Hawks with top pick in NBA Draft

Risacher doesn’t come with the enormous height or hype of Wembanyama, the towering center who went to San Antonio last year and went on to win the Rookie of the Year award.

But the Hawks saw him as the best choice in what has been viewed as a draft absent of elite talent.

The 19-year-old forward was the winner of the best young player award in the French League last season and beat out fellow Frenchman Alex Sarr in the race to be the top pick.

When he did, it made NBA draft history. This is the first time that the draft has gone consecutive years without the No. 1 pick being someone who played at an American college.

“Shows the amount of talent we have in France,” Sarr said. “Really excited for Zach. I think our national team is going to be really good.”

READ: NBA draft could be ‘special’ night for France

Sarr went second to the Washington Wizards after playing last year with Perth in Australia’s National Basketball League.

The Hawks had only a 3% chance of winning the lottery to earn the No. 1 pick, and there was no obvious choice waiting once they did. Most mock drafts were split between Risacher and Sarr, and Atlanta also worked out UConn center Donovan Clingan.

Houston made Kentucky freshman Reed Sheppard the No. 3 pick. A one-and-done college player had topped the draft for 13 straight years from 2010-22 before Wembanyama ended that streak.

Now the draft is under French rule.

Stephon Castle of the two-time reigning national champion Huskies made it two straight college freshmen when San Antonio took him at No. 4, the Spurs’ first of two picks in the top 10. They also held the No. 8 selection — though they dealt the rights to that pick, Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham, to Minnesota.

Zaccharie Risacher NBA Draft Basketball France

Zaccharie Risacher waits for the start of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

But the Spurs are holding onto Castle, who had a phone call with Wembanyama and can now throw passes to him to ease his transition from Dan Hurley in his old home to Gregg Popovich in his new one.

“I was just playing for the best coach in college basketball and now flipping to the NBA and going to play for a legendary coach like Coach Pop, it’s a blessing,” Castle said.

The Detroit Pistons took Ron Holland of the G League Ignite with the fifth pick before the Hornets took Tidjane Salaun, who played last year for Cholet Basket in France.

“I think the basketball in France is improved that’s why we are here in this draft,” Saluan said.

Clingan, who won titles in both seasons in Storrs, finally went to Portland at No. 7.

The draft moved to a two-night format this year, with the first round being held as usual at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the second round to be held Thursday at ESPN’s Seaport District studios.

The green room was filled with a number of unfamiliar faces who will head to the NBA from other leagues or other countries. A player who would have been one of the most recognizable was not in the arena: Zach Edey, the two-time AP Player of the Year from Purdue, was taken at No. 9 by Memphis.

Another All-American, Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht, went lower than predicted, after dropping from an expected lottery pick to the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 17.

The Knicks had back-to-back picks as the round dragged toward the finish, but their fans had much more to cheer with the moves they made before the draft. New York made a deal to acquire Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn on Tuesday, then got OG Anunoby to agree to stay with the team on a five-year contract worth more than $210 million on Wednesday.

Bronny James was not drafted in the first round, though LeBron James’ son had one of his USC teammates taken just before the night ended, with Isaiah Collier going to Utah with the No. 29 selection.



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The first round then wrapped up with the NBA champion Boston Celtics taking Baylor Scheierman from Creighton.

Bernardino posts dramatic win in Bacolod

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Tiffany Bernardino closed out with an 85 on Wednesday, which was enough for a one-shot victory over Rane Chiu and Alexie Gabi in the girls’ 13-15 category of the ICTSI Junior Philippine Golf Tour Visayas Series at Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Murcia town.

A routine par 4 on the 17th was enough for Bernardino to break away from a neck-and-neck duel with Chiu and Gabi, tallying a 54-hole 259 for her first victory in the series that boosted her chances to make the national Match Play finals at The Country Club later this year.

“I couldn’t get my game going and wasn’t able to play my best,” the 13-year-old Bernardino admitted. “I was pressured, but handled it by praying.”Chiu and Gabi double bogeyed the 17th for the critical two-shot swing, with Chiu claiming second place by virtue of a countback after she and Gabi closed out with 82s.

In the boys’ 13-15 division, Nyito Tiongko fended off the early challenge of Inno Flores to win by a whopping 10 shots after signing for an 84 and a 239 total. Flores, who rallied with a frontside 39, lost momentum after pulling within two strokes with eight holes to play. He played the last seven holes at eight-over, marred by a double bogey on the 16th and wound up with an 83.

Dannuo Zhu carded an 86 to tie Ty Ritchie Go, who turned in an 87, at 252.

Eliana Mendoza and Ivan Alburo (8-9) and Race Manhit and Zuri Bagaloyos also won their divisions in the second of the three-leg Visayas series.



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Jewelle Bermillo hopes for fresh start in her PVL return bid

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Libero Jewelle Bermillo is looking to return to the PVL. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Among the 47 rookie aspirants, libero Jewelle Bermillo was the lone player who experienced playing in the PVL when the league was still under semiprofessional status in 2019 with the defunct BaliPure Water Defenders.

Her last PVL action didn’t exactly play out the way she wanted as the former student-athlete from San Sebastian College went viral for the wrong reason when her import teammate Danijela Dzakovic hit her on the nape after a digging miscommunication.

That bizarre scene between teammates has marked Bermillo even until now as she expects to see it again on social media as it will mark its fifth anniversary on June 29.

LIST: Applicants for the first ever PVL Rookie Draft

“The impact is really huge. It’s shocking what happened because it’s the first time it happened,” said Bermillo, who forgave the import right away after she apologized and hugged her after the incident.

“It always comes up. Every month, someone tags me. Especially on June 29 because that’s when it happened, so it’s coming up soon, and someone will tag me again even though it happened five years ago.”

Five years since the incident, Bermillo is hoping to start fresh as she enters the PVL draft and reintroduces herself through her skills and better game in the professional scene.

READ: Danijela Dzakovic gets reprimand from PVL after hitting teammate

“What I brought there is, of course, to be more aggressive, to be more aware of who I’m with inside the court, and the number one thing is communication. Because that’s really what was lost. We had a lack of communication, which is why it happened before,” said the libero.

Reigniting the passion

FILE–Jewelle Bermillo during her time with BaliPure in the PVL Draft 2024

FILE–Jewelle Bermillo during her time with BaliPure in the PVL.

“I hope it doesn’t happen again. I’m really excited because this will be a big help to us, having this reinforcement so we can level up more or bring [the experience] to the national team, and improve our volleyball community even more.”

A lot has changed since Bermillo last played in the PVL. Her previous team is no longer part of the league while the league has grown into a 12-team field.

After playing for the Lady Stags and for Biñan in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association, Bermillo believes joining the pros is still her calling.

“This is my calling.  I want to try to rediscover my passion from before. Maybe now is the time for me to play again.” said Bermillo. “Nowadays, everyone, even the rookies, are really skilled. I can’t say anything because even though they’re rookies, their skills are already at a professional level.”

“I want to enhance or develop my skills further so I can contribute more to the team, wherever I end up playing,” she added.

Seeking to return to the PVL as a pro this time, Bermillo brings her learnings from San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb, who also scouted players in the combine for Capital1. 



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“Coach just told me to showcase the skills I’ve learned from him, and of course, whether I get picked or not, not to be ashamed. I should just show who I really am and the skills I have,” Bermillo said. “

“The experience I had with Coach Roger during college, I’ll bring everything I learned from him to the pros. I hope to improve on what I learned from him so I can contribute more to whichever team I join.”