More reports that show the distinction between NIL at one of the blueblood programs versus a mid-major like MVC teams...Wednesday was the deadline for players who had put their name into the 2026 NBA Draft to withdraw if they wanted to return to college. Baylor wing Tounde Yessoufou was projected to be a late 1st round pick, but was lured back to play at St. Johns for the 2026-27 season with an NIL deal reported to be worth "upwards of $7 million".-
Here is another one... The #1 overall recruit in the Class of 2027 is reclassifying to 2026 and will enroll at Texas for the coming season. I guess he couldn't wait to start cashing those checks....
Meanwhile, the big-money programs continue to lure Euro players to the US. UCLA just got a commitment from what some are calling the best big man prospect in Europe for his age group. Nikola Kusturica is a 17-year old, 6'9" Serbian forward, who this writer calls "an early contender for the No. 1 pick in the 2028 NBA draft".
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-b...ica-possible-no-1-nba-draft-pick-chooses-ucla
Must be nice to have a virtually unlimited NIL purse.
It's being reported that UCLA will pay 17-year old Serbian big man Nikola Kusturica $12 million for 2 years....
Meanwhile, the big-money programs continue to lure Euro players to the US. UCLA just got a commitment from what some are calling the best big man prospect in Europe for his age group. Nikola Kusturica is a 17-year old, 6'9" Serbian forward, who this writer calls "an early contender for the No. 1 pick in the 2028 NBA draft".
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-b...ica-possible-no-1-nba-draft-pick-chooses-ucla
Must be nice to have a virtually unlimited NIL purse.