Lady Raiders hold on to Coffee Cup

Big East Most Improved Player Desmond Claude entered the transfer portal after averaging 16.6 points at Xavier as a sophomore last season. Claude, a Connecticut product, played in 69 games in two seasons at Xavier and the 6-6 swingman made a huge jump from his 4.7-point scoring average as a freshman. Claude, who made only 23.9 percent of his 3-point tries last season, scored 30 points in his final game for the Musketeers at Georgia in an opening-round loss in the NIT. He led the Big East in scoring during March with 22.8 points per game. In addition to increased scoring, Claude played 33.8 minutes per game and averaged 4.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season. --Field Level Media

Former Duke forward Mark Mitchell is transferring to Missouri, he confirmed to 247 Sports on Friday. A two-year starter for the Blue Devils, the 6-foot-9 rising junior entered the transfer portal on April 9. Mitchell, 20, was ranked as the No. 9 overall player in the portal by 247 Sports. He posted career averages of 10.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 68 games (67 starts) at Duke. The Blue Devils are in good shape despite losing several key players to the portal or the 2024 NBA Draft, including Jeremy Roach, Kyle Filipowski, Jared McCain, Christian Reeves, Jaylen Blakes and Jaden Schutt. Coach Jon Scheyer added a trio of five-star forwards to the roster in the incoming class: Cooper Flagg, ranked by the 247Sports as the No. 1 player in the 2024 class, Isaiah Evans (No. 12) and Kon Knueppel (No. 17). Four-star center Patrick Ngongba II (No. 18) and four-star forward Darren Harris (No. 51), teammates at Paul VI Catholic in Fairfax, Va., also have signed letters of intent. Committed to Duke but yet to sign is five-star prospect Khaman Maluach of South Africa, ranked as the top center and No. 3 overall player in the class, per 247Sports. Duke finished the 2023-24 season with a 27-9 record (15-5 Atlantic Coast Conference). The Blue Devils advanced to the South Region final of the NCAA Tournament, losing to tourney Cinderella North Carolina State, 76-64. Missouri had a disappointing 8-24 season in 2023-24, going winless in the Southeastern Conference (0-18) just one year after finishing 25-10 and reaching the second round of the 2023 NCAA tourney. --Field Level Media

FedEx, Memphis enter $25M NIL partnership

FedEx is entering into a five-year, $25 million name, image and likeness commitment that will benefit student-athletes at Memphis, particularly in the Tigers' football and men's and women's basketball programs, as well as additional women's sports. The shipping giant, which launched its operations in Memphis in 1973, has annual revenues of $88 billion. As part of the initiative, Memphis athletes receiving NIL funding will participate in FedEx initiatives via social media and in person around the city. The company supports events that include the FedEx/St. Jude Championships, the Southern Heritage Classic and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, all in Memphis. "We evaluated the evolving NIL landscape, exploring how we can best deliver positive impact to student-athletes and connect them to meaningful opportunities for both themselves and the community and made the decision to reallocate marketing funds to an NIL platform," said Brian Philips, the executive vice president and chief marketing officer at FedEx, in a news release. "This gives us an opportunity to invest in bright, young athletes in our great hometown of Memphis, strengthening our connection to the next generation of leaders." The program was announced Friday via a social media video that featured both FedEx employees and Memphis athletes. The first FedEx in-person NIL initiative will be a tailgate event at Memphis' spring football game, featuring the women's soccer team. Athletic director Laird Veatch told 929 ESPN radio in Memphis on Friday that the contribution includes a clause stipulating a 50 percent match and that the university will launch a campaign to raise $2.5 million per year. Veatch acknowledged the boost the FedEx partnership will give to his department. "It does elevate us to a highly competitive NIL space, and it's something that's sustainable at the same time," Veatch said. "If you ask many athletic directors around the country, I don't know that they'd be in a position to say that." This is not the first partnership between the company and school. The campus has a degree program for FedEx employees and also boasts the FedEx Institute of Technology. Company CEO Fred Smith agreed to donate $50 million from his personal foundation for renovations for the Tigers' football stadium. --Field Level Media

2024 NFL Draft: 10 sleepers to know

The third day of the NFL draft is the spotlight moment for the hard-working area scouts and position coaches behind the curtain to celebrate the gem prospects they believe are underappreciated and acute fits for a need or the overall team culture. A late-round pick or a highly coveted undrafted free agent can slip through the cracks, and history shows draft position isn't the only factor in a prospect becoming a reliable pro. Sometimes it's a receiver who tested poorly but had all the intangibles, like recent rookie receiving yardage record-setter Puka Nacua (Rams). Sometimes it's a quarterback without a strong arm or standout athleticism, but great decision-making and a feel for running the offense, like Brock Purdy (49ers). Among our favorite sleepers we project as late-round picks or undrafted free agents are these 10 names to know: Jaden Crumedy, DT/DE, Mississippi State Injuries limited Crumedy over the past couple years, but when healthy he was one of the more dynamic big men among college defensive lines. Despite being 300 pounds he regularly lined up over tackles early in his career. Clearly, the tools are present as the foundation for a great find. Sataoa Laumea, OG, Utah A college tackle who figures to kick inside as a pro, Laumea's length, strength and tenacity fit lead to a projection of long-time starter at guard. There will be some projection involved for teams, but he could easily outplay a fourth- or fifth-round draft slot. Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois Reiman's modest production won't stand out amongst tight end prospects, but a blazing 4.64 40-yard dash at 6-foot-5 and 271 pounds set him apart from his peers at the position. In a tight end class lacking depth, he figures to be one of the more interesting mid rounders at the position. Travis Clayton, OT, Basingstoke RFC A former rugby player and boxer, Clayton's special pro day gives him a legitimate chance to get picked. He ran a 4.82 40-yard dash at 6-7, 301 and has 35-inch arm length. Jake Witt was drafted in the seventh round last year with size and speed, but less length. Eric Watts, DE, Connecticut One of the freakiest height-weight-speed athletes in the draft, Watts has near 36-inch arms at 6-6, 274 and ran in the 4.6s at the NFL Scouting Combine. He's a bit stiff with his rush and will need seasoning with his hands, but he is extremely undervalued right now given his upside. Bayron Matos, OT, South Florida A walk-on at USF who played college basketball, Matos has almost no experience and would need a long runway. His traits are drawing scouts to take a look because of a frame -- 6-7, 313, 35-inch arms -- and light feet indicating he'll grow into football. Matos ran a 4.92 at his pro day. McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M Testing bumped Jackson down from a likely Day Two pick into the sixth-round range. His length and strength in the run game are readymade for the next level. Craig Young, LB, Kansas Primarily a nickel defender for the Jayhawks, Young went from 215 to 225 pounds during the pre-draft process to show he could hold the weight of a true linebacker and testing indicates he maintained his athleticism. Fits for teams emphasizing hybrid versatility in the back seven such as Seattle and Baltimore. Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Washington State At a shade under 5-10 and only 184 pounds, Smith-Wade's draft stock tanked with his 4.5 40 time as a likely nickel-only corner. His smooth movements in transition and sticky man coverage should translate. Jaylon Carlies, LB/S, Missouri Carlies should be getting more attention. He's the ideal modern-day linebacker with height, weight, length and speed teams covet. His instincts are still in the works, but ceilings don't get much higher for late-rounders. --Field Level Media

Free agent wideout DJ Chark visited the receiver-needy Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, NFL Network reported. Veteran receivers Keenan Allen (Chicago Bears) and Mike Williams (New York Jets) departed this offseason, leaving the Chargers with holes to fill in the passing game for quarterback Justin Herbert. Chark, 27, caught 35 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games (11 starts) last season with the Carolina Panthers. He has 212 receptions for 3,069 yards and 23 scores in 69 games (51 starts) with the Panthers, Detroit Lions (2022) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-21), who drafted the 2019 Pro Bowler in the second round in 2018. New head coach Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers also have the No. 5 overall pick next week. Several mock drafts have them selecting a wide receiver, either Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. or LSU's Malik Nabers. The receivers currently on the L.A. roster include 2023 draft picks Quentin Johnston (first round) and Derius Davis (fourth) and three-year veteran Joshua Palmer. --Field Level Media

UConn freshman Stephon Castle, who dazzled on the national stage in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, has thrown his name into the 2024 NBA Draft, he told ESPN on Friday. Castle could wind up as a lottery pick. ESPN ranks the 6-foot-6 guard at No. 9 on its list of top 100 prospects for the June 26-27 draft. He has hired an agent, meaning he won't be able to pull out of the draft and return to the national champion Huskies. He joins teammates Donovan Clingan and Alex Karaban in declaring for the draft, though Karaban hasn't hired an agent and is keeping the door open to return to school. UConn's other starters -- Cam Spencer and Tristen Newton -- are out of eligibility. An elite defender, Castle averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 34 games (30 starts). In the Final Four against Alabama and Purdue, he averaged 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. --Field Level Media

Forward Alex Karaban, a key member of UConn's back-to-back national championship teams, will test the NBA draft waters but keep his eligibility. Karaban, who started 77 of 78 games the past two seasons, announced his decision via social media on Thursday. "Thank you to my family and friends for all of the countless sacrifices and constant support throughout my career -- especially during the ups and downs," Karaban wrote. In the just-concluded season, Karaban averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. In his two seasons at UConn, he posted averages of 11.3 points and 4.8 rebounds. "Thank you (to the Huskies coaching staff) for your belief in me and giving me the opportunity to play at UConn," he added. "You guys have pushed me not only to be a better player, but also have helped me become a better man. My experience here has exceeded my expectations and I am blessed to be part of back-to-back national championships." In the 2024 Final Four, Karaban posted 14 points and eight rebounds against Alabama to help UConn reach the national championship game against Purdue. He had five points, six boards and four assists as the Huskies topped the Boilermakers for the national title. Karaban scored 20 or more points eight times this season. --Field Level Media