Wednesday marked the start of NBA free agency, and it was a very productive one for several former Kentucky Wildcats.
It began with the Pelicans and Anthony Davis agreeing to a five-year extension worth in excess of $145 million. Then came Brandon Knight's five-year, $70-million extension with the Suns. We should soon see Enes Kanter and the Thunder agree to a new deal soon that will pay him at least $10 million per year.
Needless to say, it's a good time to be a Wildcat in the NBA.
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Your Quickies
Shannon Dawson provides position-by-position breakdown | Cats Pause
New Kentucky offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson will look to help the Wildcats offense take the next step after that unit struggled down the stretch last year. He admits Patrick Towles has a leg up in the race for the starting QB job, and even mentions Reese Phillips as a possible contender. He also pointed as tight ends CJ Conrad and Daryl Long as two potential playmakers.
Aaron Harrison talks about joining Hornets | Kentucky.com
Just because Aaron Harrison didn't hear his name called during the NBA draft, he feels he's landed in a great situation in Charlotte, who needs help at shooting guard. "But (the Hornets) just need shooting and I thought I could bring it to the table and also be a playmaker as well," he said. "I feel like this was one of the better fits."
First Pass to National Signing Day: Gunnar Hoak | KSR
Former UK quarterback Freddie Maggard offers up his own evaluation of 2016 commitment Gunnar Hoak. As of now, Hoak is the only QB commit for the Cats in any class since Drew Barker joined the Cats in 2014. Hoak has risen to four-star status in recent months, and Maggard offered up a nice scouting report of him.
James Young approaching second year with a different mindset | NBA.com
If James Young ever wants to be the next Wildcat to earn a massive NBA contract, he's got a lot of growing up to do from what he was as a rookie. Even Young admits he wasn't mature enough physically and mentally in his first year as a pro, but he's worked hard to improve in both areas this offseason. Young also says he's added about 20 pounds of muscle since the Celtics made him the No. 17 pick of the 2014 NBA Draft.
Want to see the worst possible way to lose a soccer game? | SB Nation
Japan advanced to the World Cup final after beating England, 2-1, thanks to a tragic gaffe by Laura Bassett, who inadvertently kicked the ball into her own goal, which resulted in the game-deciding score for Japan. It was the latest goal ever scored in a Women's World Cup, and it's one Bassett will sadly never get over. Japan will now face the U.S. Sunday night in a rematch of the 2011 World Cup final (which Japan won).