The Loyalty Game: How sneaker dollars transformed youth hoops

Posted Mar 20, 2018
In a normal year, one of the biggest stories of the NCAA Tournament would be freshman sensation Marvin Bagley III. The prospect of Bagley's last hurrah as a Duke Blue Devil and ascent to the NBA would be near-perfect fodder for the myth-makers at Nike. Bagley has been a part of the Nike system for nearly three years, starting when he was 16. But this is far from a normal year. (Oregon Live)

Related: College Basketball Recruiting

Nikola Kusturica, possible No. 1 NBA draft pick in 2028, chooses UCLA basketball
Serbian forward Nikola Kusturica has reached a multiyear agreement to play for UCLA, giving the Bruins arguably the best European prospect in his age group...
Sat Jul 11, 2026

McDonald's All-American Quinn Costello staying at Michigan despite Dusty May departure
Michigan Wolverines basketball freshman forward Quinn Costello will stay with the program following the departure of head coach Dusty May to the Dallas Mavericks. Costello...
Sat Jul 11, 2026

Top-25 rising junior Kevin Wheatley Jr. updates his recruitment
Brewster Academy and PSA Cardinals wing Kevin Wheatley Jr. has emerged as one of the fastest-rising prospects in the 2028 class after an impressive stretch...
Sat Jul 11, 2026

Key basketball recruiting storylines to watch in July
Demarcus Henry, at No. 3, really boosted his stock during the spring as well, adding dozens of offers in April and May. He's a versatile...
Fri Jul 10, 2026