On the Hardwood
Christian Anderson was picked 18th by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1st round of last night’s NBA Draft. I believe that this is Grant McCasland’s first drafted player and he was in attendance when Anderson was picked. I found some post-draft gades:
The Ringer: B-
The “take a big with the early pick and a guard with the later pick” pattern seemed like the way to go for the Hornets, and with Steinbach already on board, they used their next selection on Anderson, who is about as in line with Charlotte’s identity as any guard in this draft. Among the point guards in this class, Anderson is easily the most effective pull-up shooter, and he’s had some moments where you might mistake him for Darius Garland. Anderson will have to work to keep his head above water defensively, and I’m skeptical that he’ll ever have even a neutral impact on that end of the floor, but he should add some nice, on-brand depth for the Hornets.
CBS Sports: B+
The Hornets get who may be the best shooter in the draft. While Anderson is similar to what they already have (skilled shooters who are questionable defenders), Anderson would fill the void left by Coby White’s anticipated departure in free agency. Anderson also has a complementary feel for the game and advanced understanding of how to play off ball-screens. There are questions about how he’ll adapt physically and defensively, but his offense is worth betting on.
I think this may be a little bit a case of giving them what they already have. Charlotte’s got great shooting, but it needed more defense. Having said that I’m a big Anderson fan. Grade: B+
ESPN: What’s your favorite prospect-team fit outside of the lottery?
Marks: Christian Anderson to the Charlotte Hornets. When I met with him in April, he was confident that he was the best shooting guard in this draft. Considering that he shot 42% from 3 last season at Texas Tech, there is a case he could be right.
Shooting is not the only thing Anderson did well last season. He averaged 7.4 assists and was active on defense (1.5 steals). Anderson’s competitiveness stood out for the 2025 FIBA U-19 World Cup. He led the German national team to a silver medal while averaging 6.6 assists.
Lady Raider basketball and head coach Krista Gerlich announced 6 full-time members to her coaching staff, including a video coordinator as well as additional coaching assistants.
On the Gridiron
Via ESPN, the NFL decided not to hold a supplemental draft citing the following:
The league’s letter to Sorsby said that the “sole reasons” he sought entry in his petition were that he’d been declared ineligible.
“The Petition provides no information regarding the basis for, or timing of, the NCAA’s decision,” the letter states. “Public sources, however, indicate that in May 2026 the NCAA issued a determination declaring you permanently ineligible from participation in college athletics, based on a sustained pattern of improper gambling activity during your collegiate career at three different universities.”
The letter, signed by Larry Ferazani, the general counsel of the NFL management council, adds that Sorsby’s petition does not “demonstrate accountability for your conduct or indicate whether, or how, you would adhere to the League’s rules and policies governing the integrity of competition.
“Instead, even after receiving notice of the NCAA’s decision rescinding your college eligibility in May, you sought to avoid the consequences of that determination through litigation rather than accepting responsibility for your actions, and you pursued entry into the NFL only after abandoning those efforts.”
Sorsby’s attorney, Jeffery Kessler did respond (you can read that at the link). If you are truly interested in what might happen beyond this, Sportico’s John McCann wonders what a lawsuit might look like for Sorsby and gets into the legal nitty gritty. Personally, I am done with Sorsby. I wish him no ill intentions, but I am past this.
Via The Oregonian’s James Crepea, Oregon State and Texas Tech’s game on September 12th will proceed as scheduled:
“As far as we’re concerned, it’s moving with status quo,” Oregon State coach JaMarcus Shephard told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Tuesday. “At this point there hasn’t been any forward movement as it pertains to playing that game other than going ahead and play.”
A Red Raider life of Coy Eakin: