NBA mock draft: Pistons can't pass up Cade Cunningham | ABS-CBN

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NBA mock draft: Pistons can't pass up Cade Cunningham

NBA mock draft: Pistons can't pass up Cade Cunningham

Adam Zielonka,

Field Level Media

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The Detroit Pistons won the NBA draft lottery Tuesday night, meaning they will select first overall for the first time since 1970.

Their chances to land the No. 1 pick were tied for the best with the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic. Houston ended up second, while Orlando slipped to fifth.

In the spirit of immediate reactions to a draft order that is guaranteed to change via trades between now and July 29, here are our best bets for the first 14 picks on draft night.

1. Detroit Pistons: G Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State

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The Pistons need an injection of talent all over their roster, and they earned the right to land the most complete talent in this class, an enviable blend of size, playmaking skill and shooting ability.

2. Houston Rockets: G Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga

John Wall is not the long-term answer at point guard. Suggs can dish the ball to Christian Wood and whoever else is left on this roster as Houston starts over.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: C Evan Mobley, Southern California

The Cavaliers' backcourt of the future is set with Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, so Mobley can join a frontcourt that features an aging Kevin Love.

4. Toronto Raptors: G Jalen Green, G League

Adding Green would be especially useful to the Raptors' offense if Kyle Lowry walks in free agency.

5. Orlando Magic: F Jonathan Kuminga, G League

A new option on the wing for a team sorely lacking them, Kuminga also would bolster an already solid rebounding team.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder: G Davion Mitchell, Baylor

So you missed out on first dibs on the Oklahoma State product. It's a lottery, after all. A nice consolation prize at guard is this tough defender who just carried his team to the NCAA championship.

7. Golden State Warriors: G Keon Johnson, Tennessee

The Warriors made up for a down year with a nice lottery haul, as Minnesota's No. 7 overall pick was conveyed to them. They start with a wing to help on the defensive end of the floor.

8. Orlando Magic: F Jalen Johnson, Duke

The Magic's second pick is conveyed from Chicago. This team needs frontcourt help, too, and Johnson can move the ball around from down low.

9. Sacramento Kings: F Scottie Barnes, Florida State

Sacramento was bottom five in the NBA in both scoring defense and perimeter defense in 2020-21. Barnes is a versatile defender who can help in those departments.

10. New Orleans Pelicans: F/C Alperen Sengun, Turkey

Zion Williamson is great on his own. Pair him with this budding star from overseas, the Turkish League's MVP at just 18 years old, and the Pelicans' frontcourt would be one to reckon with.

11. Charlotte Hornets: F Corey Kispert, Gonzaga

One of the top shooters in the draft falls to a team that would love to pair someone up with Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball and boost its below-average 45.5 percent team shooting rate.

12. San Antonio Spurs: F Franz Wagner, Michigan

No longer the postseason lock they used to be, the Spurs need some help just about everywhere. Wagner does a little bit of everything, from defending to facilitating to scoring.

13. Indiana Pacers: G James Bouknight, UConn

Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon can't do everything for the Pacers going forward. Let's give them some added scoring from a guard who could quickly become a nice complement to a healthy Caris LeVert.

14. Golden State Warriors: F/C Isaiah Jackson, Kentucky

So last year's second overall pick James Wiseman didn't have the best rookie campaign. We're not saying the Warriors should bail on him, but having more options to mix and match with an aging Draymond Green couldn't hurt.

--By Adam Zielonka, Field Level Media

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UST Growling Tigresses gun for third straight victory in WMPBL

UST Growling Tigresses gun for third straight victory in WMPBL

ABS-CBN News

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University of Santo Tomas’ Brigette Santos in action in the 2025 WMPBL Invitationals. Photo handoutUniversity of Santo Tomas’ Brigette Santos in action in the 2025 WMPBL Invitationals. Photo handout

MANILA — University of Santo Tomas returns for another week of 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitationals action on Wednesday.

The 2-0 Growling Tigresses are determined to secure their third straight win when they face Centro Escolar University (1-2), 6:00 p.m., at the Enderun Gym and look to pick up where they left off last January 29.

Kent Pastrana and standout rookie Karylle Sierba are once again expected to lead the charge for the former UAAP champions as they look to remain one of only two unbeaten teams in the league, alongside Galeries Tower.

UST is aiming to secure its third consecutive win after an 82-67 triumph over Discovery Perlas and a dominant 75-32 victory over PSP.

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Over at the other side, the Lady Scorpions head into the match-up coming off a gutsy 68-65 win over EZ Jersey. CEU will lean on the 1-2 punch of Claire Tapinit and Diana Defeles as they look to sustain their momentum and make it two straight victories.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand-Bluefire will open the triple-header against Far Eastern University at 4:00 p.m.

The Valkyries, led by Snow Peñaranda, look to make it three victories in a row to improve their standings to 4-1, while the Lady Tamaraws (1-2) will try to rebound after a tough 61-76 defeat against Philippine Navy.

In the nightcap, San Juan looks to bounce back against the Luisa San Juan-led Cavite-TOL at 8:00 p.m.

The Lady Knights (2-1), who suffered their first loss against Pilipinas Aguilas last February 5, look to vent their ire against a Patriots side that was coming off its first win after three tries.

Games in this league will air live on IBC 13 and stream via the league’s official Facebook page and YouTube channel.  

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