Virginia forward Ryan Dunn is one of many prospects who have been linked to the Miami Heat ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft. (Photo courtesy of Virginia Athletics)
We are approximately one month away from the most exciting time of the college basketball season: The NCAA Tournament! The 2023-24 NBA All-Star break has arrived, so let’s discuss which (potential) 2024 NBA Draft Prospects are being linked to the Miami Heat!
Bleacher Report (Jonathan Wasserman; Feb. 13):
No. 16: Stephon Castle, G, UConn
“Opinions vary on Stephon Castle. Mixing productive games with quiet ones, he’s showing a mix of scoring physicality, playmaking at 6’6″ and defense, while questions about his creation quickness and shooting range continue to linger.
“He’s had some bigger games of late—including consecutive 20-point efforts—and Connecticut’s loaded roster can make it difficult for him to gets looks and reps consistently.
“Castle will have a wide draft range that could start in the late lottery if certain teams feel optimistic about his jumper’s potential to improve. Right now, it’s the passing, defense and finishing that feel most translatable.”
No. 45: Tyrese Proctor, G, Duke
“Tyrese Proctor has frustrated scouts by following up signs of improvement with lines like a 1-of-6 showing in a loss to North Carolina, but he’ll continue to look interesting for his positional size, shot-making potential and passing IQ.
“Teams could see a useful pick-and-roll operator and connector. The inconsistency for a second-year player has just weighed on scouts’ confidence.”
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NBA Draft Room:
No. 16: Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette
“Kolek is one of the most productive and effective players in college basketball. While he might not have the elite physical attributes that you look for in a NBA prospect he’s got an elite feel for the game and a very high skill level. Has an uncanny ability to score in the lane, using great angles and timing. Kolek is a special passer with awesome court vision. He runs the offense well, operates ball screens with good feel and is a true facilitator and leader on the floor. He’s also a really good 3pt shooter who is even better in the clutch. Projects as a really good back up at the NBA level, with some starter potential.”
No. 45: Mackenzie Mgbako, F, Indiana
From the 2023 Nike Hoops Summit in April of 2023:
“He showed a level of aggressiveness and confidence that you want to see from big time scorers. The 6-8 wing has a feathery jumper, enough size and strength to bang in the paint and a knack for scoring the ball. He’s not the most heralded recruit but could be one of the better NBA prospects in this class, when it’s all said and done.”
No Ceilings (Nick Agar-Johnson; Feb. 14):
No. 16: Kevin McCullar Jr., G, Kansas
“The Miami Heat have traditionally not shied away from older prospects, whether that be Jaime Jaquez Jr. in the draft last year or the long line of undrafted free agents with years of college development under their belts who come to Miami with a defensive focus and a chip on their shoulder. With all of that in mind, Kevin McCullar to the Miami Heat is a near-perfect match of player and team. McCullar has been on the draft radar for years now as an elite defensive prospect on the wing, but he’s really put together the pieces of his offensive game at Kansas this season. McCullar is a good decision-maker who moves the ball well, and his improved shooting on solid volume (currently shooting 36.1% from deep on a career-high 4.4 attempts per game) makes it even easier to envision him fitting in as a key cog for the Miami Heat machine.”
No. 45: Trey Alexander, G, Creighton
Fansided (Christopher Kline; Feb. 14):
No. 15: Kevin McCullar, G, Kansas
“Miami opted for experience in the 2023 draft and it paid off. Kevin McCullar is one of the best wing defenders on the board, but the senior’s offensive leap has been the real storyline for top-10 Kansas. He’s hitting more 3s than ever, combined with a more demanding on-ball role that has allowed him to flourish as a slasher and facilitator. McCullar has the potential to contribute right away as a connective two-way wing for an aspirant contender.”
NBADraft.net (Feb. 12):
No. 16: Tidjane Salaun, F, France
Yardbarker (Pat Heery, Feb. 11):
No. 20: Jared McCain, G, Duke
“It’s never a bad thing to have depth at point guard in the NBA. With Kyle Lowry set to be a free agent (or retire) at the end of the season, there’s a good chance the Heat will be looking for another gritty guard like the one who helped them win the Eastern Conference last season, Gabe Vincent. Duke’s freshman Jaren McCain, like Vincent, is a tough-nosed guard who can play on-ball – though he will need to improve his playmaking, as well as off-ball as a shooter (42 percent from three on more than five attempts per game).”
CBS Sports (Gary Parrish; Feb. 9):
No. 15: Matas Buzelis, F, G-League Ignite
“Buzelis is the type of long prospect who can move all over the floor in ways that front offices really value these days. That he’s shooting below 30% from 3-point range for a terrible G League Ignite team is a bit of a concern, especially considering there have long been questions about whether Buzelis will ever truly be a knockdown shooter. But his positional versatility and ability to pass at his size should make the Chicago native close to a lock to go somewhere in the top 20.”
The Ringer (Kevin O’Connor; Jan. 24):
No. 17: Zach Edey, C, Purdue
“There isn’t a more dominant player in college basketball right now, but scouts are split on Edey’s NBA upside: He’s a 300-pound, non-shooting center with concerns about his ability to defend outside the paint. It would be fascinating to see what he could do in an organization like the Heat, who have one of the best strength and conditioning programs in the league and could maximize whatever Edey can become athletically.
“Hard-to-stop interior scorer, not just because of his sheer size but also because of his skill and touch. He does a great job of using his massive frame to seal off positioning and make himself available for interior feeds. He doesn’t have advanced footwork, but his gigantic presence is enhanced by his agility. … Willingly embraces his role, whether playing limited minutes as an underclassman or running the offense through him as a junior and senior. Playing for the Canadian national team last summer, he fully took on responsibility as a screener, something Purdue doesn’t ask of him as often as post-ups.
“Limited defender when pulled away from the basket. He struggles to recover on pick-and-pops and often gets blown by on closeouts. NBA teams will target him even more than college teams do; granted, he’s made improvements in handling pressure at his current level. … Lacks a perimeter game aside from his screening. Though he has soft touch on floaters and a solid free throw percentage for a big, there is no indication that he will develop a spot-up jumper.”
ESPN (Jonathan Givony, Jeremy Woo; Jan. 11):
No. 20: Yves Missi, C, Baylor
From Feb. 10:
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“Missi’s production has fluctuated throughout the season, but his appeal is the impressive size, reach and verticality he offers as a pick-and-roll finisher. He has shown some flashes creating his own shot from the mid-post or high-post areas as well, using an explosive first step and long strides, helping him draw fouls consistently. Missi’s ability to make a more regular impact as a defender and rebounder are areas that will be scrutinized in the final weeks of the season, as he has been hit or miss protecting the rim and offering physicality on the interior, things he’ll have to do to play a role in the NBA early in his career.”
It’s time for the 13th Detroit Lions OnSI mock draft roundup for the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Over the last week, the Lions have increasingly prioritized finding an EDGE to complement Aidan Hutchinson at No. 17 overall.
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Let’s take a look now at who the draft pundits have Lions general manager Brad Holmes selecting in the first round.
Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
Mauigoa is presently being projected by the following:
Pro Football Network (Alec Elijah)
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EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
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Mesidor is presently being mocked by the following:
A to Z Sports (Mike Payton; Lions trade down to No. 26 overall); NFL.com (Bucky Brooks); Pro Football Focus (Jordan Plocher);CBS Sports (Garrett Podell)
As Plocher pens, “The Lions are finally able to add a consistent pass-rush threat opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Only one time since Hutchinson has been in Detroit has another Lions defender topped 50 hurries in a season, and that was Al-Quadin Muhammad in 2025 (53), but he left in free agency.
Mesidor was one of the most productive pass rushers in college football in 2025, amassing 13 sacks, four quarterback hits and 50 hurries on 445 pass-rush snaps. He finished the 2025 season with a 94.2 PFF pass-rushing grade against true pass sets, the second-best mark in the draft class.”
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EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
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Bain is presently being selected by the following:
FOX Sports (Joel Klatt)
As Klatt pens, “I think the Lions could really use another pass rusher, even if they already have Aidan Hutchinson. Putting Bain with Hutchinson would give Detroit two members on the All-Motor Team. They would wear offensive tackles out. How would opposing teams shift their protections? One of them would get a one-on-one matchup that they would win.”
Offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, Utah
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Lomu is presently being selected by the following:
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Pro Football Network (Jacob Infante);Pro Football Network (T.J. Randall)
As Infante explains, “Few expected the level of regression the Detroit Lions experienced in 2025. After the release of long-time starting left tackle Taylor Decker, they find themselves with a big hole along an offensive line that already took a step back after key departures the previous offseason.
Caleb Lomu is a smooth, polished left tackle who didn’t allow a single sack in 382 pass-blocking reps during the 2025 regular season. His hand timing, balance, and range in pass protection make him a top offensive tackle prospect and a worthy first-round selection in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.”
Offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, Georgia
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Freeling is currently being mocked by the following:
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Detroit Lions On SI (Christian Booher); FOX Sports (Ben Arthur); Sports Illustrated (Daniel Flick)
As Flick writes, “The Lions released starting left tackle Taylor Decker and now need a replacement in the draft. Freeling, who’s risen from unheralded to likely first-round pick, is an athletic mover with plenty of bend and agility. He needs to keep getting stronger, but Freeling could be a tremendous blindside blocker at the next level.”
Offensive tackle Blake Miller, Clemson
Miller is presently being mocked by the following:
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The Detroit News (Nolan Bianchi); NFL.com (Mike Band);The Draft Network (Jaime Eisner)
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As Eisner opines, “The Taylor Decker era is over in Detroit and a new left tackle is needed. Enter Blake Miller, a name that is rising up draft boards as we inch closer to April. Miller has a phenomenal college resume with good size and a ton of power. He’s played mostly right tackle, but he should have no issues moving over to the left side if needed or sticking at right tackle with Penei Sewell moving over. Miller and Sewell can form a formidable bookend tandem in Detroit.”
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano, Utah
Fano is presently being selected by the following:
CBS Sports (Pete Prisco)
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Offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
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Proctor is presently being selected by the following:
ESPN (Field Yates); NFL.com (Charles Davis); USA Today (Google Gemini); CBS Sports (Josh Edwards); WalterFootball (Charlie Campbell)
As Yates opines, “Left tackle is a sizable need for Detroit with the departure of Taylor Decker after 10 seasons. Proctor is a sizable answer to the problem — literally — at 6-7, 352 pounds. He has power when he gets his hands on defenders in the running game as well.
Proctor’s tape had up-and-down moments during his final college season, as sometimes his foot quickness was overmatched by edge rushers. But the upside is immense for the 20-year-old left tackle, who started all 40 games he appeared in at Alabama.”
As tens of thousands of electronic music fans descend on downtown Miami for the Ultra Music Festival this weekend, some residents living near Bayfront Park say the celebration comes at a cost they bear year after year.
Visitors from more than 100 countries are expected to attend the three-day festival. While organizers and city leaders tout the economic and cultural impact of the event, nearby residents say road closures, limited park access, and high noise levels disrupt daily life in an area that has grown increasingly residential.
“It’s kind of stressful, and it’s definitely an imposition,” said Laura Okamura, who lives along Biscayne Boulevard near the festival grounds. “The people who suffer the most are the people who live at 50 Biscayne.”
Newer residential towers now surround Bayfront Park, a shift neighbors say city leaders and festival organizers must account for as Ultra negotiates its next contract with Miami.
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A Miami commissioner visited residents to hear their concerns
District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo visited Okamura’s building Friday night to hear concerns from residents firsthand. He said a public meeting scheduled for April 2 will allow surrounding neighbors to voice their grievances as the city considers the festival’s future.
“It seems doable,” Pardo said. “People really like this event. People in this building, people on the street, enjoy the event, but they also want to be heard. And they want to be sure their basic needs are met.”
Noise remains one of the biggest issues for nearby residents. Colby Leider, a sound engineer, said early-evening readings near the festival hovered between 80 and 85 decibels. Historically, neighbors say volumes increase as the night goes on.
“Eighty-five is a very important number in human hearing,” Leider said. “It’s the level above which exposure begins to potentially cause hearing loss.”
Residents say they want stricter noise controls and traffic mitigation plans written into Ultra’s new agreement with the city. They stress they are not pushing to cancel the festival, but want accommodations that reflect how downtown Miami has changed since Ultra began in the city.
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“It’s about understanding how a neighborhood has grown and how an event that has existed for 26 years can harmonize over time,” Pardo said.
Okamura echoed that sentiment, saying neighbors are asking festival organizers to act responsibly. “We are not asking Ultra not to have the concert,” she said. “We are asking them to be a good neighbor. This is our home. This is where we live.”
Representatives from Ultra Music Festival and the Bayfront Park Management Trust are expected to attend the April 2 meeting at 6 p.m. to discuss potential changes to the festival’s contract with the city. The meeting will take place at Live Arts Lab Theater, building 1, room 1101. Ultra Music Festival runs through the weekend at Bayfront Park, with road closures and traffic expected throughout downtown Miami.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers a first look at Luna, new cruise ship setting sail from PortMiami – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale
MIAMI (WSVN) – There’s a new cruise ship in town, and it is almost ready to set sail.
Luna, Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, welcomed people aboard for the very first time on Tuesday.
Luna is the 21st ship in the company’s fleet. From April to October, she’ll set sail from PortMiami to the Caribbean, with room for over 3,000 guests.
“We do a seven-day Caribbean cruise, it’s out of Miami, and then we do have Dominican Republic,” said Cruise Director Alvin Oliva. “After that, we visit St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Island, and then Tortola, and then we spend days at sea, and of course the prime, a lot of people are looking forward to visiting Great Stirrup Cay, which is Norwegian’s very own private island,”
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On this voyage, there is plenty to do for the whole family — fom obstacle courses and games for the children, to a luxurious two-story spa.
“There is a bi-level waterfall right there; we offer a lot of different kinds of relaxation,” said Oliva.
At the Mandara Spa, guests can get hot stone and deep tissue massages, facials, body wraps and then lounge at the thermal suite, complete with relaxing steam rooms, saunas and heated loungers.
Once you’re done relaxing, guests can enjoy a drink at the poolside bar.
For those who are feeing adventurous, one of the highlights of the ship is its Aqua Slidecoaster. It’s a water slide/roller coaster hybrid, and Norweigan said it’s the fastest and longest water slide at sea.
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“It was the best thing of my life, the best part of my day. It was amazing, 10 out of 10, I recommend,” said Ely, who rode the coaster.
People have traveled from all over to Miami to get on the new ship.
“We love it. I’s so clean, it’s so chic, our room looks amazing,” said Christina Guttuso.
“We’re excited, we’re ready to go,” said Nick Mangiaracina.
It’s a busy spring break, but well worth it for these cruisers.
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“Go cruising. Even if you’re from Minnesota like me, it’s worthwhile,” said Justin Sunbrig.
The Luna’s maiden seven-day voyage is scheduled to set sail out of PortMiami on April 4.
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