May 25, 2026
NCAA Basketball
Donovan Dent Retires from Basketball
Former UCLA point guard Donovan Dent has announced his retirement from basketball at the age of 22. Dent, who transferred to UCLA after a standout career at New Mexico where he was an All-Mountain West selection, has decided not to pursue professional opportunities overseas or in the G League. Instead, he plans to return to Albuquerque to focus on training youth basketball players and running clinics. Dent will also captain "The Enchantment," a team of former New Mexico Lobos alumni, in the upcoming summer TBT tournament.
Malachi Moreno Withdraws from Draft, Returns to Kentucky
Kentucky standout center Malachi Moreno has officially withdrawn his name from the 2026 NBA Draft and will return to the Wildcats for his sophomore season. Despite working out for all 30 NBA franchises and being considered a potential first-round pick, the former McDonald's All-American canceled his remaining workouts ahead of the May 27 deadline. Moreno stated his desire to help Kentucky win a national championship and improve his draft stock for 2027 as key reasons for his return.
High School Basketball
Maper Maker Commits to Arkansas
Maper Maker, a highly touted 7-foot center from Australia, has committed to play for John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Originally a top 10 center in the class of 2025, Maker played at the prep school level overseas before returning to the U.S. for showcase events. He joins a loaded 2026 - 27 Arkansas recruiting class that currently ranks No. 1 nationally, featuring multiple five-star prospects.
Jordan Smith Jr. Officially Signs with Arkansas
Five-star guard Jordan Smith Jr. has officially signed his letter of intent with Arkansas. Ranked as the No. 3 player in the nation, Smith is the reigning Naismith boys High School Player of the Year. He led Paul VI Catholic High School to a 33 - 2 record and a state championship, averaging 26.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. Smith chose the Razorbacks over Duke, Georgetown, Kentucky, Syracuse, and Indiana.
Other News
RIP to Ntokozo Gumbi (AKA Chicken)
It is with sadness that we share the news of Ntokozo Gumbi (aka Chicken), a young man who participated in BRIDGE ELITE GLOBAL free basketball clinics in Spruitview in 2024. Ntokozo suffered a fatal injury during a friendly match in Soweto after a collision, leading to breathing difficulties. Despite being rushed to a clinic, he sadly passed away. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. RIH Ntokozo.
Sources: - Johnson, K. (2026, May 24). Donovan Dent walks away on his own terms. 247Sports. https://247sports.com/college/ucla/article/donovan-dent-walks-away-own-terms-286353958/
Pilgrim, J. (2026, May 25). BREAKING: Malachi Moreno withdraws from NBA Draft, will return to Kentucky. On3. https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/breaking-malachi-moreno-withdraws-from-nba-draft-will-return-to-kentucky/
Pope, K. (2026, May 25). Arkansas lands commitment from Australian prep prospect Maper Maker. On3. https://www.on3.com/rivals/news/arkansas-lands-commitment-from-australian-prep-prospect-maper-maker/
Fair, D. (2026, May 21). Arkansas announces signing of five-star guard Jordan Smith Jr. ON3. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/arkansas-announces-signing-of-five-star-guard-jordan-smith-jr/ar-AA23FC8F