How Chet Holmgren became the most unique NBA prospect in recent memory

Chet Holmgren isn't your typical seven-footer. Players of his size shouldn't be able to defend guards and handle the ball at such a high level. However, he was given the freedom to hone those skills long ago.

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Q&A: 'The Last Dance' director talks Jordan's softer side, Kobe's bond with MJ

"The Last Dance" director Jason Hehir spoke about a number of topics with theScore, including the emotions tied to Jordan losing his father, James Sr., his brotherly bond with the late Kobe Bryant, and his thoughts on other members of the famed Bulls dynasty.

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All-Star Kia Nurse talks Ionescu, Olympics, and Kobe and Gianna's WNBA legacy

Kia Nurse spoke in-depth with theScore about several topics ahead of her Phoenix Mercury debut, including Kobe and Gianna Bryant's WNBA legacy, her brief time with 2020 No. 1 overall pick Sabrina Ionescu, and representing Canada at the Tokyo Olympics this summer.

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Evaluating Ignite prospects: Green, Kuminga solidify top-5 draft status

An end-of-season evaluation on the G League Ignite's young prospects and what to expect from them at the next level.

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4 takeaways from Zion's first 10 games

A look at where Zion Williamson has shined and what the rookie phenom can improve on after his first 10 games in the Association.

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Projecting Howard's fit with the Lakers

Dwight Howard will have every chance to redeem himself in Los Angeles. He's lost 25 pounds and has seemingly been humbled by his fall from grace.

Yet beyond that, there are other reasons to be optimistic about Howard's second go-around with the Lakers.

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Top 5 playmakers in the 2019 NBA Draft

The 2019 NBA draft class features its share of score-first point guards, but that doesn't mean it's lacking playmakers.

While some prospects can get their teammates involved in a variety of ways already, others may need development and could be successful in the right situation.

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X-factors for each Final Four team

The schools in the NCAA's Final Four aren't there by mistake. The stars may do the heavy lifting, but the four teams also have unsung heroes who are difference-makers. Here are four players who could improve their team's national championship hopes.

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5 players who could dominate Sweet 16

There will be no shortage of star power when the NCAA Tournament's regional semifinals kick off Thursday. Some players have flown under the radar so far, but they'll be front and center from here on out.

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Raptors banking on championship pedigree of Leonard, Green

After an off-season that saw the trade of popular star DeMar DeRozan for former Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors enter this season with renewed hopes for their first trip to the NBA Finals.

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Canada's run at FIBA Women's World Cup reward for Natalie Achonwa's perseverance

Natalie Achonwa loves playing for Canada's women's national team, so a berth in the World Cup quarter-finals is just one more reason for the veteran to smile.

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Mature, battle-tested Barrett ready for spotlight of Duke basketball

Canadian basketball phenom R.J. Barrett has seemingly always played at a level ahead of most guys his age. So it should be no surprise that Barrett — after reclassifying to attend college a year early — shined in his Duke Blue Devils debut with a game-high 34 and 35 points respectively in their first two pre-season games.

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Canada's Andrew Nembhard cherishing every moment at FIBA U18 Americas tournament

Andrew Nembhard is currently captaining the Canadian team at the FIBA U18 Americas tournament in St. Catharines, Ont., and will be heading to the University of Florida in the fall. But none of this seemed possible after an illness last year forced Nembhard to the sidelines.

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Rising hoops star R.J. Barrett getting Wiggins-level hype

R.J. Barrett has yet to play a single college basketball game, but he's already being followed with the kind of intensity experienced by fellow Canadian Andrew Wiggins heading into his freshman season five years ago.

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Raptors squander golden opportunity in Game 1 loss to Cavaliers

Some squandered opportunities down the stretch, including a series of point-blank misses at the rim, ultimately sealed the Raptors' fate as they fell 113-112 in overtime to LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series on Tuesday.

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Canadian basketball stars R.J. Barrett, Andrew Nembhard ready for next step in NCAA

Canadian basketball stars R.J. Barrett and Andrew Nembhard are going their separate ways this fall to play collegiate basketball. But after countless years of playing together, the longtime friends have built a bond that goes beyond the sport.

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Canadian hoops star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander grinded his way to the top

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn't the most talented kid growing up. But the Canadian's relentless work ethic and the countless hours spent studying video have helped him blossom into a basketball standout at the University of Kentucky.

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Timberwolves' Andrew Wiggins answering coach's challenge

Minnesota Timberwolves star Andrew Wiggins has always been a gifted scorer — but head coach Tom Thibodeau and teammate Jimmy Butler are trying to make him more than just that.

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Kia Nurse's 'homecoming' game in Toronto a celebration of stellar collegiate career

Kia Nurse's homecoming game in Toronto was a chance for the 21-year-old from nearby Hamilton, Ont., to play in front of friends and family and a celebration of a stellar four-year career at her second home — Storrs, Conn.

But it almost never came to be.

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Kia Nurse is ready to lead — on and off the court

Already a leader on the Canadian national basketball team, Kia Nurse enters her senior year at the University of Connecticut in a similar role as the powerful team looks to avenge a bitter loss. But Nurse knows her influence can go beyond the hardwood.

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All Chantal Vallée does is win championships, but it's not what drives her

Chantal Vallée has built a women's basketball dynasty as head coach at the University of Windsor. But for the Montreal native, the most rewarding part of her job isn't the winning, it's becoming a better person and coach through helping her players.

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Canada pulled off a Miracle on Hardwood at the 1983 University Games

While many people are familiar with the "Miracle on Ice," not so many are aware of Canada's version on the hardwood — an upset of Charles Barkley's U.S. team at the 1983 World University Games.

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New Raptor OG Anunoby hungry to get to work

Raptors first-round draft pick OG Anunoby is not lacking in confidence, but recognizes the areas in which he needs to improve.

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Canadian basketball swagger on display at high school showcase

It’s no longer a secret that Canadian basketball is on the rise, and the young players at this year's BioSteel All Canadian game showed just that.

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Inside DeMar DeRozan's historic start

When the Toronto Raptors decided to re-sign DeMar DeRozan to a lucrative five-year, $139-million US contract, fans were split on whether the Compton, Calif., native was worth it. After a red-hot start, that debate has been put to bed very quickly.

Inside Jalen Green's evolution from 'Bench Bro' to top 3 pick

Jalen Green will be among the first players to hear his name called in the 2021 NBA Draft, but years earlier, he was simply looking for an opportunity.

Full circle: Johnny Juzang chasing childhood dream with hometown UCLA

Johnny Juzang was nicknamed "J-Silk" for his smooth and effortless game. But those in Juzang's orbit know that he didn't achieve success on natural talent alone.

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Remembering Michigan State's Flintstones

A look back at Michigan State's Flintstones and their continuing legacy 20 years after leading the Spartans to a national championship.

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How Jordan Clarkson became the front-runner for 6th Man of the Year

A look at the numbers fuelling Jordan Clarkson's Sixth Man of the Year candidacy.

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Handing out major hardware for the 2019-20 college hoops season

With the 2019-20 college hoops campaign coming to an abrupt close, theScore makes their selections for the major end-of-season awards.

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How Zion will help Pelicans' playoff push

Before Zion Williamson makes his long-awaited NBA debut, here's one last look at the No. 1 overall pick's game and how he'll help the Pelicans' playoff push.

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How Kevon Looney's injury affects NBA Finals

Kevon Looney is by no means a bonafide NBA star.

But even on a Golden State Warriors squad that features multiple All-Stars and future Hall of Famers, head coach Steve Kerr considers the 23-year-old center to be a "foundational" piece.

Here are four ways in which the big man's injury will influence the rest of the championship round.

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5 questions entering the Sweet 16

The first weekend of this year's NCAA Tournament couldn't have been more chalky, with each region's top-three seeds advancing to the Sweet 16 for the second time since the Big Dance expanded from 32 to 64 teams in 1985.

Cinderella may have left the ball, but all the remaining titans could make for some highly competitive clashes. Here are five questions to consider entering the Sweet 16.

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New Raptor Kawhi Leonard remains a man of mystery

Toronto Raptors newcomer Kawhi Leonard finally addressed the media at a jam-packed news conference on Monday, saying he's excited to play in a "basketball city," where fans embrace the team.

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Canada's growing roster of stars has team poised for success at Women's Basketball World Cup

Ranked 5th in the world with an increasing roster of stars, Canada's women's national basketball team is ready to play with the sports' powerhouses.

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Nike Crown League providing network for Canadian ballers

Over the past three summers, the Nike Crown League — a five-week pro-am basketball tournament — has brought together some of the top Canadian talent from all levels. It's an opportunity for players to seek advice from one another and polish their skills against high-level competition.

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Jamal Murray is on the way up

Jamal Murray has never been short on confidence. When he and the Denver Nuggets visited Toronto last March, the 21-year-old guard was asked who he thought was Canada's best basketball player. He replied with one word: "Me."

Murray's willingness to talk himself up stems from his roots north of the border and has carried over to the NBA.

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Cavaliers' Kevin Love gave the Raptors fits in Game 2

Kevin Love isn't your traditional centre. He has trouble holding his own defensively in the post against more physical big men. But it's his unique skill set that makes him such a difficult guard and the Toronto Raptors learned about that on Thursday evening in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

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Raptors' 'Bench Mob' has playoff foes on its hit list

For the first time in franchise history, the Toronto Raptors will enter the NBA playoffs as the No. 1 seed in their conference - thanks in large part to their brilliant second unit, otherwise known as the “Bench Mob.”

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Canadian-born, UConn made: Kia Nurse prepares for WNBA

Throughout her collegiate and international career, it never took long for Kia Nurse to prove that she belonged. Now, she'll embark on a professional career in the WNBA looking to do the same.

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Anthony Bennett isn't giving up on his NBA dreams

Anthony Bennett has been labelled a bust and possibly the worst top pick in NBA history. But the Canadian continues to grind it out in the minors, hoping to prove to teams that he still has something to offer.

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Canadian guard Kia Nurse kept it simple to reach her full potential

Canada's Kia Nurse is having the best season of her collegiate career. She's a finalist for two of women's college basketball's major player awards and her success is a huge reason why the University of Connecticut are the favourites for the national championship.

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Creating his own legend: Vince Carter's role continues to evolve

As the season progresses, Sacramento Kings rookie Harry Giles says it's been eye-opening to see firsthand the impact Carter has had on people. He knows how lucky he and his young teammates are to have a resource like Carter and they are soaking in every moment alongside him.

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The Carter Effect transformed Canadian basketball

Sean Menard's “The Carter Effect” showcases Vince Carter's rise to stardom and the city of Toronto's and basketball's own rise in Canada. An influx of NBA talent has stemmed from the “Vinsanity” era and will continue to do so for years to come. But constantly overlooked is the fact that Carter shone a light on the city and made you proud to say you were from Toronto.

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Basketball late-bloomer Angela Bongomin helps Canada's program reach elite levels

Just 19, Regina's Angela Bongomin already has an impressive basketball resume. This week, she'll add the Summer Universiade to that list as a member of the developmental national team Canada is sending to Taipei City.

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Canada's Tristan Thompson plays key role in King James's cavalry

While the Cavaliers' "Big Three" of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love remains front and centre for the defending NBA champions, the contributions of Canadian power forward/centre Tristan Thompson have been vital too.

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Can the Raptors dethrone LeBron James and the Cavaliers?

A little less than a year after meeting in the NBA's Eastern Conference final, the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers will square off one round earlier when their playoff series tips off. Here are some key points to consider as the No. 3-seeded Raptors try to dethrone King James and his cavalry.

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On Notice: Meet the Canadian 'heart' of South Carolina's Cinderella Final Four run

He doesn't seek the spotlight, but Toronto guard Duane Notice has helped push his team onto one of the biggest stages in sports as a key figure in South Carolina's improbable march to the Final Four.

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Q&A with Kia Nurse on UConn's win streak, Canadian basketball

At just 20 years of age, Kia Nurse is already one of Canada's most decorated basketball players. She led her country to gold at the 2015 Pan Am Games, played in the 2016 Olympics, and is now helping drive UConn's record-breaking win streak.