MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin basketball star Johnny Davis is ready to turn pro after delivering a superb sophomore season. Davis announced he’s entering the NBA draft and hiring an agent. The 6-foot-5 guard is regarded as a likely lottery selection and could be Wisconsin’s first top-10 overall pick since the Charlotte Hornets took Frank Kaminsky ninth overall in 2015. Davis is an Associated Press All-America first-team selection and the Big Ten player of the year. He’s a finalist for the Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award that go annually to the nation’s top player.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Purdue’s Jaden Ivey has entered his name in the NBA draft, forfeiting his final two seasons of college eligibility. Ivey wrote on social media that playing in the NBA has been a lifelong dream and that he’s beyond excited for the journey. Ivey averaged 17 points, five rebounds and three assists per game and was named to The Associated Press All-America second team. The 6-foot-4 guard from South Bend, Indiana, is projected to be selected early in the first round of the June 23 draft.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kim Mulkey is The Associated Press women’s basketball Coach of the Year in her first season at LSU. The longtime Baylor coach led the Tigers to 26 wins at an NCAA Tournament berth after they won only nine games last season. Mulkey received 10 votes from the 30-member national media panel that votes on the AP Top 25. Dawn Staley of South Carolina was second with eight votes. Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer received three. Nicki Collen, who replaced Mulkey at Baylor, got two votes and so did Wes Moore of N.C. State. Five coaches got one vote apiece.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Aliyah Boston of South Carolina is The Associated Press women’s basketball player of the year. Boston received 23 votes from the 30-member national media panel that votes weekly for the AP Top 25. Iowa’s Caitlin Clark received six votes and Baylor’s NaLyssa Smith got one. Boston averaged 16.8 points, 12 rebounds and 2.6 blocks this year. The junior forward helped South Carolina go wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team in the country, putting up 27 consecutive double-doubles. She has the Gamecocks two wins away from their second national championship.
