Washington Nationals’ young outfielder James Wood is blossoming into a bona fide star. His emergence became more evident in Washington’s 7-4 win Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels.

After ripping a first-inning single and grounding out in the fourth, the Angels avoided pitching to Wood for the remainder of the game. Instead, L.A. intentionally walked Wood in four consecutive plate appearances.

Wood joined an exclusive list that includes Andre Dawson, Barry Bonds, Roger Maris, Manny Ramirez, and Gary Templeton, becoming the sixth MLB player to be intentionally walked four times in a single game. Bonds, who got walked an MLB-record 688 times, was the last to get the royal treatment in 2004.

James Wood was one of the pieces in the haul the Nationals acquired from the San Diego Padres in the Juan Soto trade. CJ Abrams appeared to be the centerpiece in the blockbuster trade, yet Wood had the highest ceiling of the prospects acquired.

In his first full MLB season, the 6-foot-7 Wood has a combination of raw power, plate discipline, and advanced approach metrics that forces teams to load the bases rather than face him one-on-one.

All of Wood’s intentional walks were with at least one runner in scoring position. The first deliberate walk loaded the bases in the fifth inning with one out of a tied game. The Nationals scored on the next plate appearance off Luis Garcia Jr’s fielder choice.

Wood’s second walk occurred in the sixth following a one-run double by Abrams that tied the game at 3-3. The third was in the ninth, with the game tied at 4-4 and Jacob Young on third.

Last, Wood drew an intentional walk in the 11th inning. The Nationals led 7-4 after Abrams ripped a two-run triple. Wood reached base five times in total. However, he did not score a run, as the batters behind him were unable to deliver him home.

James Wood blossoming into power hitter

Still, Wood’s rare feat is remarkable and illustrates how the once-top prospect is becoming a stud at the plate. Following the huge day, Wood is second only to Abrams with a .283 batting average. Yet, Wood leads the team in nearly every other primary offensive stat.

Wood ranks in the top 10 of MLB with 22 home runs, 64 runs batted in, 54 walks, a .386 on-base percentage, and a .552 slugging percentage. His stats make it unthinkable he was not an All-Star finalist among outfielders.

Ironically, Soto is a finalist now with the New York Mets. However, Wood’s stats are very comparable to those of the veteran. Despite the Nationals being in last place in the NL East standings, Wood has stood out as an integral part of the club’s future.

He’s making a name for himself. Judging by the Angels’ treatment Sunday, the rest of MLB is taking notice of James Wood.

The post James Wood first since Barry Bonds to see four intentional walks appeared first on DC Sports King.

Former Rutgers star Ace Bailey tried to steer his path into the NBA by making his preferred destinations clear to league executives. Despite being the third-rated prospect for many draft pundits, Bailey preferred to go sixth overall to the Washington Wizards.

Bailey refused workouts with teams, canceling a session with the Philadelphia 76ers, who had the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. He also didn’t want to land fourth to the Charlotte Hornets or fifth with the Utah Jazz. Yet, he did have a private workout with the Wizards in Atlanta before the draft, according to Wizards insider Troy Haliburton.

As the 76ers and Hornets passed on Bailey, it appeared things were going according to plan. However, the Jazz, despite knowing Bailey’s desire, selected him a pick before Washington. Fans on social media made assumptions about Bailey’s body language and reaction to Utah’s selection.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Wizards considered trading up to acquire Bailey, a 6-foot-8 wing with a 7-foot wingspan. Washington could’ve moved up to fourth. However, the Hornets ultimately decided against a trade. Charlotte selected Duke wing Kon Knueppel with the fourth pick. The Hornets feared that by trading with the Wizards, the Jazz would have chosen Knueppel with their No. 5 pick.

Instead, Bailey and the Wizards were left hoping he slipped out of the top five.

Trying to call your shot as an incoming rookie is a tricky endeavor. The perception is that Bailey’s approach is an entitlement. Some fans, executives, and media may not understand. However, someone in Bailey’s position has the right to steer their ship.

76ers forward Paul George sounded off against Bailey for skipping his team’s workout.

“You’re not in a position to be making all these demands. Make it to the league first. His way of going about it is just not right.”

Fit, culture, coaching staff, and overall organizational structure all play a role in a player’s development. George should know that. Bailey didn’t care about his draft stock dropping. Whatever the reasons, Bailey and his camp didn’t like Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Utah.

Alex Sarr successfully balked his way to the Wizards last year

Washington has become an intriguing destination for young players. The Wizards’ current front office has emphasized a rebuild around young talent. Last year, Alex Sarr was the top overall prospect, yet his preferred destination was the Wizards, who held the No. 2 overall pick.

Sarr didn’t want to go first overall to the Atlanta Hawks, and the Hawks obliged, passing on him and allowing him to land with the Wizards.

The Wizards are becoming a preferred destination for young players. President of Basketball Operations Michael Winger and General Manager Will Dawkins lead the Wizards front office. Washington has a young core that includes Sarr as well as Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, and AJ Johnson. The team has added veterans by trading for Marcus Smart, Khris Middleton, and, more recently, CJ McCollum.

The Wizards’ build has resembled that of the Oklahoma City Thunder, whom both Winger and Dawkins worked for under the guidance of famed GM Sam Presti. Adding Bailey would have only amplified the perception.

Will Ace Bailey embrace the Utah Jazz?

Now, Ace Bailey must make the best of his opportunity in Utah.

“I can control what I can control,” Bailey said after being picked by the Jazz. “They feel how they feel. But my team and me, focusing on basketball and them doing what they’re doing, so it happens.”

Bailey added he had “no idea” the Jazz were interested in him. By the sounds of things, Bailey wasn’t interested in the Jazz. Utah plans to keep the pick. They’re embarking on a rebuild of their own. While they may not have the eye-candy pieces that the Wizards have, Bailey should have an ultimate green light there.

Bailey will have the opportunity to be coached and developed by Will Hardy’s staff, which includes assistant Steve Wojciechowski.

Still, there are additional factors to consider regarding how Bailey handled the draft process. Again, he now has to make the best of the situation.

The Wizards got a good consolation prize for missing out on Bailey, selecting Texas guard Tre Johnson with the sixth pick overall. Johnson led the SEC in scoring as a freshman with 19.9 points per game.

Wizards fans will be comparing Bailey and Johnson for years to come. Meanwhile, the relationship between Bailey and the Jazz organization, as well as its fans, will be intriguing to watch.

The post Ace Bailey was so close to getting drafted by Wizards like he wanted appeared first on DC Sports King.

According to Cuneyt Dil of Axios, the Washington Commanders will unveil plans for a $3 billion football stadium at the site of the team’s iconic RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. Commanders owner Josh Harris will join DC Mayor Muriel Bowser at the National Press Club for the announcement at 11:00 a.m. Monday.

The Commanders want to open the new stadium by 2030.

News of a deal between the Commanders and city officials surfaced last week in a report by NBC4 Washington. The team is reportedly committed to paying up to $2.5 billion of the stadium’s cost.

The partnership will also include public funding, likely toward the stadium’s infrastructure and surrounding development. The city’s price tag could be around $850 million.

The deal comes after years of the team pushing for a new stadium, going back to previous owner Dan Snyder.

The Commanders played at RFK Stadium under its previous team moniker from 1961-1996. The late Jack Kent Cooke moved the team’s playing home to nearby Landover, Maryland, before he died. Washington opened the stadium in September 1997.

Initially dubbed Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, the stadium changed names to FedEx Field and Northwest Stadium. Decrepit conditions have marred Washington’s current home. Harris vowed to get a new stadium once he completed the purchase of the team in July 2023.

Harris and his ownership group invested $75 million in renovations and improvements to Northwest Stadium.

Negotiations with the nation’s capital picked up recently after Congress handed over control of the land of RFK Stadium for the next 99 years, allowing the city to decide how they would use the site.

A deal still needs to be approved by the DC City Council. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) recently told The Washington Post that he opposes any public dollars going toward paying for a stadium.

While Maryland pushed to keep the Commanders, and Virginia was once in contention, the team always yearned for a return to Washington. Fans have, as well. The commute to the District is far better for fans than to the Maryland suburbs.

The Washington franchise captured its three Super Bowl titles in four appearances during its glory days from 1982 to 1991 while calling RFK Stadium home. The team’s popularity is why Cooke desired a bigger stadium.

The franchise has endured decades of embarrassment through negative headlines, oftentimes spearheaded by its former owner, Snyder. A series of sexual harassment claims surrounding Snyder and the team’s brass, along with a dispute with then-minority owners and finances, ultimately led to Snyder putting the franchise up for sale at the NFL’s urging.

Meanwhile, the team changed its moniker and dropped its controversial logo amid the negative publicity. The name “Commanders” was unveiled in February 2022 to a mixed reaction from fans.

Drawbacks from DC, Maryland, and Virginia to a new deal occurred due to the negativity surrounding Snyder.

Nonetheless, some of the prestige and excitement have been restored under Harris. In less than 24 months since buying the team, Harris has brought in General Manager Adam Peters and Head Coach Dan Quinn. Then they drafted potential franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels.

The Commanders won 12 games, the most since 1991 when the team last won a Super Bowl. They also won their first playoff game since 2006, reaching the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991.

Now, the new regime has a stadium deal in place to return to its home city.

The post Commanders expected to unveil new stadium plan at RFK site appeared first on DC Sports King.

By Sunday, the DMV Hoopstarz 17U National Team was shorthanded and reeling off two games they let get away at the PUMA’s NXTPRO Hoops Valley Forge Session. With their backs against the wall, head coach Andre Davis learned a lot about his squad.

Justin Davis (Chapelgate Christian Academy—MD) scored a team-high 18 points, draining five three-pointers, as the Storm Chasers closed the session with an impressive 70-46 win over AIT 17U. However, it was the show of fortitude that was the story.

After opening the session with a comeback victory on Friday night, the Storm Chasers dropped two games on Saturday by seven points. The team left the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center that night, pointing to what could have been. Coach Davis stressed missed free throws. Star player – 6’5 big Kendrick “KD” Tche-Tafon (Annapolis Area Christian – MD) echoed the missed free throws and how the team got beat on the 50/50 balls.

On Easter Sunday, the Hoopstarz were down to six active players. Tche-Tafon sat out with an apparent knee injury. Yet, the team responded with an inspiring performance despite being without its leading scorer and rebounder through three games.

King Motley IV (Bladensburg HS – MD) had already established himself as a stud defender for the Hoopstarz throughout the session, guarding 1 through 5 as the Hoopstarz needed. However, it was his offense that helped spark the team on Sunday.

In his first start of the session, Motley scored 11 of his 13 points in the first half. Throughout the half, Motley attacked the basket off the dribble. When he scored an And-1, the Storm Chasers held a double-digit advantage en route to a 43-24 halftime lead.

Motley understood that with three players, including Tche-Tafon, down, he had to step up, as he explained, talking about his hot start in the first half.

“It’s an opportunity,” Motley said. “We were shorthanded, so everyone had to step up. A lot of us stepped up. I knew we needed me to get going early to build a comfortable lead. That’s why I just started attacking early.”

While Davis and Motley were the usual names that stood out for the DMV Hoopstarz, Omari Atkins (Northwood HS – MD) and Emre Tari (Gerstell HS – MD) broke the ice in Sunday’s session finale.

Tari finished with 16 points. He scored more in Game 3, but his efficiency shooting was much higher on Sunday. The floor seemed to open up more for Tari, with Davis hitting threes and Motley attacking the bucket. Tari was able to get loose with his mid-range and floater.

Tari admitted he felt more comfortable as the session went along, which led to his performance against AIT.

“The pace of the game was different from when I was in high school; AAU is a lot faster; just calming myself down, playing with pace allowed me to be more confident,” Tari acknowledged.

Atkins added 13 points. He also attacked the basket off the dribble, adding to the Storm Chasers’ scoring barrage inside the paint. Atkins also flashed more aspects of his potential with passing and weakside defense.

One of the game’s highlights was the great team defense displayed by Tari, Motley, and Atkins.

Tari guarded the ball on the wing, and Motley helped; first, he negated a drive lane, then called out the pick to Tari’s right. Next, Motley tried jumping a pass for a steal, running the shooter off the corner, forcing baseline cut right into Atkins, rotating for an emphatic block.

Atkins pointed out that there is an adjustment to getting used to the circuit’s environment and playing with new teammates:

“You know, I’m getting more comfortable with the team and the space and environment we’re in. Being here in the NXT circuit is like every game is a fight. And us being a new team, we’re learning how to come together and move as brothers and a unit.”

For Coach Davis, those words will cement his hard work of integrating seven new players with his returning stars.

The inconsistency in Game 2 and Game 3 losses was not in Game 4.

In Game 2, the Hoopstarz know they should’ve closed the deal against Select Elite. The Storm Chasers’ 11 missed free throws overshadowed Tche-Tafon’s 22 points and 20 rebounds and Davis’s 19 points.

Down 70-67, Motley stole a pass across mid-court before kicking it out to Davis on the wing for a three that rimmed out. Tari’s desperation corner three after an offensive rebound fell short at the buzzer.

Later on Saturday. a back-and-forth contest against the Brooklyn Wildcats ended in a 75-71 loss. Again, missed free throws and momentary lapses in defense were the culprits.

Yet, down three players Sunday, Tari explained the team had the mindset of taking care of business:

“We all needed to go out and get rebounds because KD grabs like twenty rebounds a game for us, so everyone knew that we all had to crash the boards. That was our mentality, crashed the boards.

Davis, Motley, Tari, and Atkins each had at least five rebounds for the game, which is equivalent to the “twenty” KD typically rounds up.

The 24-point win on Sunday flushed away some concerns from the two losses. Considering being shorthanded, ending on a high note is a huge plus for the DMV Hoopstarz going forward.

No secret to biggest need of improvement

From coaches to players, missed free throws were the theme for the two losses. The DMV Hoopstarz shot 5-of-16 from the charity stripe in the loss to Select Elite.

“We actually lost the game at the free throw line,” Coach Davis stated. “Our goal is to shoot 40 percent from two, 30 percent from three, and 70 percent from the free throw line. [Against Select Elite] We were 31 percent. We were 5-of-16 from the line, that’s the game. We lost by three.”

Adjusting to the circuit environment, the players echoed tight rims, the shooting background, and constant noise and whistles contributed the up-and-down session. Yet, shooting free throws is a controllable variant of the game.

“I feel that the only two games we lost were close games; if you look at our free throw attempts, we missed too many,” Motley added. “If we hit at least more than half of our free throws, we’d probably won those games. I feel like we’re a good team. We’re going to head into practice, looking to pick up the intensity.”

DMV Hoopstarz are building depth and banding together

There is no denying Kendrick Tche-Tafon and Justin Davis were standouts. Tche-Tafon led the team with 20.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Tche-Tafon dominated the paint throughout the session with his physicalitiy and relentess effort on the glass.

Meanwhile, Davis controlled the pace of the game, averaging 18.8 points. Davis displayed his ability to score on all three levels. He also played with excellent pace. His ability to stop on the dime on pull-ups kept opposing teams on their heels throughout the session.

Needing depth beyond KD and Justin was a concern, playing with seven new players.

King Motley IV established himself as a key defensive player. The Hoopstarz coaching staff praised his defensive prowess. When the team needs defensive stops, the coaches turned to Motley. His defense made it hard for Coach Davis to take him off the floor.

He also flashed his offensive abilities in Sunday’s finale. Motley loves to attack the basket by getting downhill. His first step, speed, and power off the dribble makes him an intriguing addition to the rotation moving forward.

Emre Tari got more comfortable as the session progressed. He scored 33 points over the final two games. Tari can handle the ball and create his own shot. He’s discovered the lost art of the mid-range jumper. He also has a floater and ability to get a shot up over defenders in the paint. Getting used to the pace of the game on the circuit allowed him to score in bunches.

Omari Atkins has the size and movement. His early session struggles were more about fitting in. Once he got comfortable around his new teammates, he shined in Sunday’s finale, showing what he could bring to the table in all aspects of the game, rebounding, passing, and protecting the rim.

As the DMV Hoopstarz were without two returning players and losing three additional players as the session continued, Atkins, Tari, and Motley proved reliable assets to go along with their leaders, Tche-Tafon and Davis.

The PUMA NXTPRO is full of good teams. This DMV Hoopstarz team is deep across the board. They have size, physicality, speed. As the team bands together and more roles are established, the Storm Chasers can be a formidable group.

The post Everything you need to know about DMV Hoopstarz 17U first NXT Pro Hoops session appeared first on DC Sports King.

The DMV Hoopstarz 17U National Team made its 2025 Puma NXT Pro Hoops season debut in Valley Forge Friday. After a cold start to the game, the Hoopstarz rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit to stun Team First Elite or a 58-54 victory.

Kendrick “KD” Tche-Tafon (Annapolis Area Christian – MD) led the charge with 22 points. Meanwhile, Justin Davis (Chapelgate Christian Academy – MD) added 21. Davis hit the go-ahead three-pointer, and Tche-Tafon sealed the win at the free-throw line.

Both Davis and KD are returning players for head coach Andre Davis. The Hoopstarz, with seven new players, showed a strong sense of unity. One new player who particularly stood out on the defensive end was King Motley IV (Bladensburg-MD).

After falling behind 12-4 in the first half, Motley came off the bench and helped the Hoopstarz lock in on defense. The team fed off his energy and stayed in the game, closing the gap to 28-25 with just over three minutes remaining.

However, Team First Elite closed the half on a 5-0 run. Then, taking the momentum into the start of the second half, it made a pair of three-pointers that opened the lead to 39-27.

Coach Davis turned to Motley just two minutes into the second half. He was tasked to keep Team First Elite’s hot three-point shooter at bay, and he did so with great man-to-man defense.

Motley finished with two points, but his impact on the game went beyond the stat sheet. He did a great job locking in where his team needed him.

“Whatever you can do to stay on the court,” Motley said. “I figured my defense could change the flow of the game. If not my scoring, then help out on defense.”

Davis and Tche-Tafon got going on the scoreboard after the defense revved up.

Davis shot 8-of-16 from the field. He mixed up his scoring by attacking the rim and pulling up from mid-range.

“I was thinking we got to score, get back in the game somehow,” Davis said. “I was feeling it, so I kept shooting.”

The Hoopstarz demonstrated a team’s true strength in their response to adversity. Despite a slow start and falling behind by double digits in the second half, they did not lose heart. Their resilience was genuinely inspiring.

“We just needed to make stops and get the ball in the rim,” Davis said.

“Once I got the 30-second shot clock violation, when I forced it, we changed the complexion of the game,” Motley added. “Coach said, ‘See what happens when you play defense.’ Once that happened, we started clicking on defense and noticed what they were doing. [We] started forcing missed shots and got transition buckets. Justin had a lot of transition [scores], and the three that he had to give us the lead started with defense.”

Tche-Tafon’s impact on the game was beyond his 22 points. He protected the rim with three blocks. He also helped control the glass with a team-high eight rebounds.

“When our defense picked up, the scoreboard started changing in our favor,” Tche-Tafon reflected. “I really believe once we cleaned up on defense, finished on the boards, and pushed out in transition… we secured the win.”

With two games set for Saturday, the DMV Hoopstarz hope to build their momentum. The defensive energy helped them get into the win column on Friday. Hopefully, they can keep that momentum to impress.

The post DMV Hoopstarz 17U rallies with defense to make first impression at NXT Pro Hoops appeared first on DC Sports King.

The Washington Wizards have already been eliminated from playoff contention, and their 16-58 record is the second-worst in the NBA. Yet, Washington has one of the brightest futures of any team in the league. The feeling is because the Wizards have a young, developing core predicated on five first-round picks over the past two years.

The Wizards also have high odds of landing a top-3 pick in this summer’s NBA Draft and a plethora of draft picks acquired in its most recent fire sale of low-performing veterans. Meanwhile, two veterans acquired in recent trades are tasked with guiding the young core.

One of those veterans, Khris Middleton, sees the seeds in place for making the Wizards a playoff team sooner. Middleton, who has a $34 million player option for the 2025-26 season, believes if he returns, the Wizards could be a playoff team next season.

“I think this team could definitely be a playoff team,” Middleton told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “I think if you give us a full offseason and give us a full season together, with the improvement of the young core, it will be huge — I think they can take a big step because of the way they work., how talented they are, and how smart they are.”

Wizards building solid foundation towards competing

The Wizards have built their core under the front office of President of Basketball Operations Michael Winger and General Manager Will Dawkins. In 2023, Washington drafted Bilal Coulibaly in the first round following a draft trade with Indiana. They then landed No. 2 overall picks Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George in the first round of the 2024 draft.

In February, Washington acquired 2024 first-round pick A.J. Johnson from the Milwaukee Bucks and Middleton in a trade for Kyle Kuzma.

Sarr is second in scoring among rookies with 13.1 points per game. He also averages 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 59 games. Carrington is second among rookies with 4.1 assists. He is also averaging 9.1 points and 4.0 rebounds. George is averaging 8.6 points and 4.3 rebounds. George is the fastest Wizards player to make 100 three-pointers.

Meanwhile, Coulibaly averaged 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in year two — all surrounding leading-scorer Jordan Poole, who Washington acquired in 2023 from the Golden State Warriors.

The Wizards have had their ups and downs this season. They swept the season series with the Denver Nuggets. Yet, they surrendered 162 points to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night. Through the growing pains, the team’s potential is glaring.

With a top-3 pick likely on the way, they’ll add the likes of Cooper Flag, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, or Derik Queen to a blossoming core.

Middleton spent 12 seasons with the Bucks, winning an NBA championship in 2021. Poole was an integral part of the Warriors’ 2022 NBA championship. Mixed all together, the Wizards indeed will be looking to compete for a playoff spot in 2025-26.

The post Khris Middleton believes Wizards could make playoffs next season appeared first on DC Sports King.

Finally, the Maryland men’s basketball team ended up on the right side of a buzzer-beater. Trailing Colorado State 71-70 with 3.7 seconds remaining, Big Ten Freshman of the Year Derik Queen took an inbound pass, dribbled right, and pulled up to bank a fadeaway off the glass to beat the buzzer, sending Maryland to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016.

The Seattle crowd at Climate Pledge Arena witnessed the most memorable game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The West’s 12-seed Colorado State gave the 4-seeded Maryland Terrapins everything they could handle.

Stats of the Game

Colorado State opened up with a 22-10 lead in the first half behind an early 16-2 run. However, Queen refused to lose. The Super-freshman scored 10 of Maryland’s first 14 points. Eventually, fellow Maryland big Julian Reese got going. Then Maryland’s guard followed suit.

Yet, the Rams took a 37-30 lead into halftime. Colorado State star guard Nique Clifford scored 12 of his game-high 21 points in the first half.

• Nique Clifford: 21 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast
• Jalen Lake: 13 pts
• Kyan Evans: 10 pts, 4 reb
• Bowen Born: 10 pts, 4 reb

The country’s best starting five got on track and chipped away at the Rams’ lead. All five starters, dubbed the “Crab Five,” scored in double figures.

• Derik Queen: 17 pts, 6 reb
• Julian Reese: 15 pts, 11 reb
• Rodney Rice: 16 pts, 4 reb
• Ja’Kobi Gillespie: 11 pts, 7 ast, 3 reb
• Selton Miguel: 11 pts

Frantic moments down the stretch

Maryland looked to have control of the game, up 68-64 with 1:36 remaining. However, Clifford made a pair of free throws. Then Gillespie missed a floater at the rim that Colorado State translated into a game-tying jumper by Lake with 54 seconds remaining.

Doubt crept into Maryland, whose final four losses have all come with their opponents hitting game-winning shots in under 10 seconds. Reese made a pair of clutch free throws with 22 seconds remaining to give Maryland a 70-68 lead. However, with 11 seconds remaining, the Rams executed a perfect play when Clifford found Lake on the wing for an open three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to give Colorado State a 71–70 lead.

Derik Queen: Give me the Ball!

Queen refused to lose. The potential NBA lottery pick called his shot.

According to Maryland head coach Kevin Willard, Queen said, “Give me the [expletive] ball,” during the Terrapins’ final timeout.

Gillespie inbounded the ball to the freshman, who went to work over, beating Ethan Morton to bank the game-winner.

During the TBS broadcast, Queen was asked why he asked for the basketball despite being a freshman. The Maryland native responded, “I’m from Baltimore.”

Later, Queen admitted he had never made a game-winner at any level. Willard joked he wouldn’t have given Queen the ball if he’d known that.

Maryland stayed in game despite slow start

Maryland’s backcourt withstood a slow start to the game. Clifford was too much to handle in the early going. The Terrapins ultimately got the ball inside to Reese and Queen, using their size advantage.

Maryland’s perimeter offense took time, but its defense was solid outside. The Rams shot 5-of-21 from three-point range. Colorado State’s ability to get 13 offensive rebounds and physical play kept the Rams in the game.

Officials struggled throughout game

The officials’ work was debatable throughout the game. They missed a blatant elbow by Clifford to Maryland guard Jordan Geronimo’s head. Despite Geronimo falling to the floor, officials did not access a foul or review for a potential flagrant 1.

Clifford also got away with a potential offensive foul on a hook in the second half, leading to a dunk and two points. Maryland had some calls go its way, including an argument that Queen may have gotten away with a travel on the game-winner.

The missed calls are debatable and result from such a highly contested game.

What’s next for Maryland

Nonetheless, Maryland is marching on to the Sweet 16 in San Francisco. The Terrapins will play Florida, the West’s No. 1 seed and SEC Tournament champion.

The loss snaps Colorado State’s 11-game win streak. The Rams are left to wonder what could’ve been. Colorado State came one defensive stop short of its first Sweet 16 since 1969.

Maryland had suffered heartache throughout the season. Their last four losses have occurred with a go-ahead basket by an opponent under ten seconds, including a loss at the buzzer to Michigan in the Big Ten Conference Tournament semifinals. On Sunday, it was Maryland’s turn to be on the favorable side of a clutch moment. Derik Queen left Colorado State sleepless in Seattle by calling game.

The post Derik Queen sends Maryland to Sweet 16 with beautiful buzzer beater appeared first on DC Sports King.

Colorado State guard Nique Clifford has the Rams smelling an upset over the West Region’s No. 4 seed Maryland with 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists in the first half. The Rams took a 37-30 lead into halftime as Clifford beat the first-half buzzer with a layup over Maryland’s Julian Reese.

However, the chatter at the break is about Clifford’s elbow to the head of Maryland guard Jordan Geronimo in the first half. Somehow, the contact went unnoticed by the officials despite Geronimo crashing to the floor.

Geronimo got attention briefly after a dead ball. Officials went straight to the inbound without a review. CBS Sports rules analyst and former official Gene Steratore was shocked the game officials did not stop play to review the contact. Steratore added a Flagrant-1, and there was enough forceful contact to consider a Flagrant-2 and ejection.

Geronimo and Maryland head coach Kevin Willard didn’t stress the issue. Yet, Clifford acknowledged he hit Geronimo with his elbow during an on-court interview with CBS Sports broadcast.

In an age where the NCAA has stressed excessive and unnecessary contact, it’s hard to fathom Sunday’s officials missed an opportunity to review Clifford’s elbow.

The post Nique Clifford’s hot first half overshadowed by missed blatant elbow appeared first on DC Sports King.

The Maryland Terrapins were given a four-seed by the NCAA Tournament’s selection committee. However, the Terrapins were placed in the West Region and, more importantly, will play their Round of 64 game against WAC tournament champion Grand Canyon in Seattle, Washington.

On the surface, placing the Big Ten Conference’s second-best regular season team as a No. 4 seed and sending them over 2,700 miles across the country seems unrewarding. However, when examining the men’s bracket further, the committee may have committed a gaffe.

Maryland has the farthest travel of any No. 4 seed for Round of 64

The committee’s seeding list revealed Maryland as the 15th overall seed. Typically, as the 15th overall seed, you’re at the mercy of the other 14 teams getting preferred locations in the first weekend of the tournament. Arizona, the 16th overall seed, is the only four-seed team ranked below Maryland.

The Wildcats will open the tournament against Akron in Seattle, roughly 1,500 miles from their Tucson campus.

Among the four seeds, Texas A&M (14th overall) got placed the closest to its campus, as the Aggies will play in Denver (334 miles).

Maryland’s Big Ten rival, Purdue, also received a four-seed. Purdue will start the NCAA Tournament in Providence, Rhode Island (938 miles).

Maryland and Arizona scratching their heads about Regions

However, the focus shifts to Maryland’s Region of choice. The Terrapins are in the West. If Derik Queen and the “Crab Five” advance out of the first weekend, they’ll play their Sweet 16 game in San Francisco.

Meanwhile, Arizona is in the East Region. A trip to the Sweet 16 will be in Newark, New Jersey. The committee’s choice to send Maryland (15th overall) to the West and Arizona (16th overall) to the East is fascinating. Maryland’s overall seeding is in line with Duke’s, while Arizona’s is in line with Florida, the fourth No. 1 overall seed.

While Arizona and San Francisco are over 1,500 miles apart, the Wildcats prefer the Bay Area over going 2,900 miles to New Jersey. On the other hand, Maryland would travel 2,700 back and forth to Seattle and then go another 2,800 miles to San Francisco. The potential closest location Maryland would play in the tournament is San Antonio, Texas—the site of the Final Four.

Why the committee didn’t swap the Terps and Arizona regions

So why didn’t the committee just swap Maryland and Arizona to their right seed lines? Maryland fans will be quick to say the committee avoided a potential showdown with former ACC rival Duke in the Sweet 16. Maryland is closer to New Jersey and Duke (Durham, NC).

Duke travels well, and the Blue Devils fans could still outnumber the Maryland faithful. The better explanation may be that the committee is trying to avoid a potential Sweet 16 matchup for Maryland against Big Ten Conference foe Oregon.

The Ducks are the No. 5 seed in the East and the 19th overall seed. The committee avoids rematches in the Round of 64 and 32 unless, like the SEC this year, a conference gets an abundance of bids.

Oregon beat Maryland 83-79 in Eugene in January. The Ducks were on the seed line with Purdue. However, Purdue is also in the Big Ten. The Boilermakers topped the Ducks 65-58 on Jan. 18. Oregon likely got bounced around to avoid Maryland and Purdue, slotting them in the East Region.

Maryland can point to its last four losses as to why it didn’t receive a more favorable seed. The Terps’ last four losses have occurred on buzzer-beaters against Northwestern, Ohio State, Michigan State, and most recently Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.

Maryland’s cards are dealt. Understandably, head coach Kevin Willard isn’t dwelling on the travel. Instead, Maryland is focused on the Antelopes of Grand Canyon University. Win, and everything plays itself out.

The post Explaining how Maryland landed unfavorable path in NCAA Tournament appeared first on DC Sports King.

Don’t look any further. Since the post-trade deadline, the Washington Wizards have gained some traction behind Jordan Poole, Khris Middleton, and three budding rookies. On Saturday, the Wizards emphatically completed their two-game sweep of the Denver Nuggets.

After trading buckets on four straight possessions, Poole drained the go-ahead three from 35 feet out with 2.1 seconds remaining off an inbound pass as the Wizards defeated the Nuggets 126-123 in Denver.

Washington has won four of its last six games and is 6-4 in their previous ten.

Alex Sarr stood tall against Nikola Jokic in final moments

No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr went toe-to-toe with three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Jokic had 40 points on 16-of-30 shooting, 13 rebounds, and nine assists. Sarr countered with 34 points on 12-of-28 shooting, including 5-of-9 from three, six rebounds and five assists.

Sarr has come a long way from the overreaction of his Summer League play. He second among rookies with 12.3 points per game; fourth with 6.7 rebounds; and sixth with 2.3 assists.

Jokic’s final bucket gave the Nuggets a 116-113 with 2:36 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, Sarr answered with a three to tie the game. Sarr made free throws to give Washington a 118-116.

Michael Porter Jr. answered on the ensuing Nuggets’ possession with a three off a Jokic assist. Poole got the Wizards back on top with a floater with 44.1 seconds left. Former Wizards guard Russell Westbrook got Denver back in the lead with a layup before rookie Kyshawn George answered with a three to give Washington a 123-121 lead with ten seconds on the clock.

Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray tied the game at 123-123 with a step-back jumper. Then, following a timeout, the Wizards dialed up Poole, who wasted no time firing the deep three just ahead of the Nuggets logo. Poole immediately went into his drowning celebration, stunning the Ball Arena crowd.

Wizards young core adding building blocks

All five Wizards’ starters finished in double-digit scoring. Jordan Poole finished with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three and six assists. Kyshawn George added 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists. George also made 4-of-8 treys. Middleton had 10 points, four rebounds and four assists. Justin Champagnie added 16 points and matched Jokic with 13 rebounds.

Washington’s third first-round pick, Bub Carrington, had nine points, seven assists, and four rebounds off the bench. Rookie AJ Johnson, who the Wizards acquired in the Middleton trade, had nine points and four assists.

Washington defeated Denver on Dec. 7, 122-113. At the time, the Wizards had a record of 3- 18. While the Wizards are still rebuilding with a 15-51 record, the team has won six games over ten. The Wizards no longer have the worst record in the NBA. They’re one-half game better than the 15-52 Utah Jazz.

The worst three records will have the same odds of 14.0% for the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA lottery. Washington is building toward a winning culture while developing its four rookies and 2023 first-round Bilal Coulibaly. Finishing the season strong on a good note may be more important than landing Cooper Flagg in 2025.

Seeing the young core thrive with Poole and Middleton, two NBA champions, increases hope for Washington’s future. Sweeping Jokic and the Nuggets is a huge building block.

The post Wizards complete sweep of Nuggets with stunning Jordan Poole three appeared first on DC Sports King.