Miami, FL
Are The Miami Heat A Top Destination For Bronny James In The NBA Draft?
The Miami Heat’s second-round pick in this year’s NBA Draft (No. 43) may help their organization more than ever imagined.
Bronny James, son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, is testing NBA Draft waters following a mediocre freshman year at USC. He averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds on 36.6 percent shooting in 25 games. While selecting the 19-year-old guard in the first round is far-fetched, a potential reunion with James could tempt them at No. 43. Bleacher Report is among outlets projecting the Heat as a suitor if the Lakers don’t add him first.
“There is already a relationship between the organization and LeBron James seeing how the future Hall of Famer played there for four seasons and won two championships,” B/R’s Scott Polacek wrote. “Miami also has a track record of getting solid production from its draft picks of late and would provide steady and proven infrastructure and coaching that could help the younger James thrive early in his career.”
The ties to James would likely sway the front office in favor of the decision, but the selection also makes sense from Bronny’s standpoint. The Heat have an extensive history of developing under-the-radar prospects, including Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Haywood Highsmith, and Duncan Robinson. He would not feel the pressure of a major role in his rookie campaign, as he could learn from coach Erik Spoelstra as well as star guards Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro.
The Lakers forward stated on multiple occasions his desire to play with his son in the league, which could come true in Miami. James has a $51 million player option this offseason, having until June 29 to accept or decline (a few days after the NBA Draft). It should come as no surprise if fans see James wait until the final days to make his decision.
Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Inside the Heat. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on Instagram @anthony.pasciolla.
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The Miami Hurricanes have become a pain for the Oregon Ducks on the recruiting trail as of late. Former Oregon coach Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes have stolen another recruit from Dan Lanning’s Ducks as both teams enter the 2026 college football season as national championship contenders.
2027 four-star cornerback Ai’King Hall, originally a Ducks commit, flipped his commitment to Miami on Sunday afternoon. Hall is rated as the No. 73 overall player nationally and the No. 9-ranked cornerback, per 247Sports. Hall was committed to the Ducks since April 6 before flipping his commitment to the Hurricanes.
Oregon Ducks’ Other Recruiting Losses to Miami Hurricanes
In addition to flipping Hall, Miami also poached former Georgia five-star cornerback Donte Wright, whom the Ducks were pushing hard to flip. Wright committed to Miami over Oregon on May 9 and is a big loss for the Ducks, even more so than Hall, as he is among the top-ranked players in the 2027 recruiting class.
Per 247Sports, Wright is ranked as the No. 9 overall player nationally in the 2027 class and No. 1 in California. Wright is expected to be a key contributor on defense and for Cristobal’s effort to lead Miami to their first national championship since 2001.
This past season, the Hurricanes fell 27-21 to the Indiana Hoosiers in the national championship. Despite the loss, Miami is expected to be one of the top college football contenders in the future, along with Oregon.
While this pair of recruits won’t arrive in South Beach until the 2027 season, Miami and Oregon could very well face off in this year’s national championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Impact of the Oregon Ducks Losing Ai’King Hall and Donte Wright
With the losses of both Hall and Wright from Oregon’s 2027 recruiting class, the Ducks now have one cornerback commit for the 2027 cycle, four-star cornerback Josiah Molden, a native of nearby West Linn, Oregon.
Molden has the potential to be a top future talent for the Ducks’ secondary as he is ranked the No. 27 overall cornerback and the No. 1 player in Oregon, per 247Sports. Following the two losses, Oregon’s 2027 recruiting ranking remains inside the top 10, despite Lanning not having a five-star commit for the cycle.
Having both Hall and Wright in Oregon’s secondary would’ve been massive for Oregon’s defense, but for now, Lanning will have to work with what he has, while continuing to pursue other top recruits.
Oregon Ducks’ Current 2027 Recruiting Class Ranking
With the loss of Hall, Oregon’s 2027 recruiting ranking dropped slightly to No. 10 overall, per On3 and 247Sports. Before Hall decided to flip his commitment to Miami, the Ducks’ 2027 recruiting ranking was No. 9 overall, per On3 and No. 7 per 247Sports.
Despite the losses, there is still plenty of time for Oregon to improve its 2027 recruiting class ranking, the main focus for the Ducks as of now, with the return of star quarterback Dante Moore, is winning the team’s first national championship in program history.
This is an accomplishment that Oregon fans are desperate for, as Lanning has made an all-out effort for the Ducks to achieve that goal as they enter what some see as a national championship or bust 2026 season.
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Lionel Messi had a goal and assisted on another as Inter Miami won its first game at Nu Stadium, 2-0 over the Portland Timbers on Sunday.
German Berterame also scored for Inter Miami, which had three draws and a loss at its new 26,000-seat stadium before Sunday’s victory.
Messi opened the scoring with his 13th goal of the season in the 31st minute. Luis Suárez sent a pass inside to Telasco Segovia, who flicked a pass on to Messi, who beat Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis from 12 yards.
Inter Miami padded the lead on Berterame’s goal in the 42nd minute. Messi dribbled past two defenders and centered to Berterame, who converted inside the left post.
The Timbers had the first scoring threat when Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair deflected Cole Bassett’s shot from the edge of the large area in the 11th minute.
The familiar singing, cheering, flag waving and drum beating from Inter Miami’s organized supporters’ groups “La Familia” were absent until late in the match. The groups reportedly are upset that the players have not acknowledged their presence in the new stadium and remained silent as a form of protest before they began singing in the 85th minute.
The match was the first between the teams since Portland coach Phil Neville was fired as Inter Miami’s coach in 2023, shortly before Messi started playing for the Herons.
Neville is close friends with Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham and told reporters after the Timbers got to South Florida late last week that he was aware Messi choosing Miami would likely mean a coaching change. The club has had four coaches since, including two interim bosses, all of them from Messi’s native Argentina.
“At the start of the (2023) season, I was under no illusions that probably when/if he came in that I wouldn’t be here, and that’s totally fine,” Neville said, referring to Messi. “I understood football.”
Sunday was also the first Inter Miami match since the team revealed that forward Tadeo Allende had what was described as successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee “to address the discomfort he had been experiencing in recent weeks.” There’s no timetable for his return.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
Miami residents are suing President Donald Trump, Miami Dade College and Florida officials, claiming a plan to donate prime downtown land for Trump’s future presidential library violates the Constitution by financially benefiting a sitting president.
Web Editor : Jessica Patrick
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