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2025 NBA Mock Draft 9-18-24

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The tradition continues! It is time for version 4.0 of our 2025 NBA Mock Draft. We've made a few more changes, as our research continues. The Sports Bank is the only independently-owned, mom and pop shop, website to publish a mock draft for all four of the major North American sports. Also, in case you missed it, here is our first ever 2025 NHL mock draft at this link. Our … [Read more...] about 2025 NBA Mock Draft 9-18-24

“Student-Athletes” is a Phrase With a Dark History

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Editor's Note: the original publication where this article was posted has since been eradicated, so we brought this post over to The Sports Bank before it got deleted. It originally ran in August 2013.  I can’t remember the last time I used the phrase student-athletes in my writing. I never consciously used it; and if it was said in a press conference, I simply used a … [Read more...] about “Student-Athletes” is a Phrase With a Dark History

Kendall Gill Makes a Unique Choice for Hoops G.O.A.T. (Exclusive)

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Current NBC Sports Chicago Analyst Kendall Gill really know his hoops- both college and pro. The Olympia Fields, Illinois native led the NBA in steals during the 1999 season, and he still holds the record for most single game steals in NBA history. A legend at the University of Illinois, where he helped lead the Illini to the 1989 Final Four, Gill was the fifth overall pick in … [Read more...] about Kendall Gill Makes a Unique Choice for Hoops G.O.A.T. (Exclusive)

Top 15 NFL and NBA Stars From the South Chicago Suburbs

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The Chicago south suburbs, or as we call it, "SICA Country" has produced a ton of talented professional athletes. We named this term after the now defunct high school sports conference SICA (South Inter Conference Association). This area stretches from Summit to Kankakee, Bolingbrook to Chicago Heights. Obviously, SICA country is more than a geographic area, it's a state of … [Read more...] about Top 15 NFL and NBA Stars From the South Chicago Suburbs

Will Riley: Illini Basketball Inks Their Highest Rated Recruit Ever

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In Will Riley, Illinois may have their men's basketball version of Chase Brown. By that we mean a Canadian import who totally changes the game for them in a revenue sport.  Will Riley is the Illini basketball program's highest ranked recruit ofg all-time. If that sounds like hyperbole, you have to remember that recruiting services have only been around a few decades or so. … [Read more...] about Will Riley: Illini Basketball Inks Their Highest Rated Recruit Ever

Puppy Crawl: Greatest Halftime Show Ever

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When it comes to Puppy Crawl, you can have a debate about it. That debate is: "was is is the greatest halftime show in Big Ten Tournament history? Or "was it the greatest halftime show in basketball history?" One can't say a lot good things about how the Illinois Fighting Illini played last night, in their 2023 Big Ten Tournament loss to Penn State. (We already covered that … [Read more...] about Puppy Crawl: Greatest Halftime Show Ever

Terrence Shannon Jr. to Stand Trial for Rape on June 10

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Per the ruling of a Kansas judge, at a preliminary hearing earlier today, the well-publicized case of former Illinois star Terrence Shannon Jr. will go to trial on June 10. On that date, he will be tried on charges of first-degree felony rape and felony sexual aggravated battery. The legal team of Terrence Shannon Jr. released a statement in response. … [Read more...] about Terrence Shannon Jr. to Stand Trial for Rape on June 10