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...

Apr 8, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Connecticut Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) celebrates after winning the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2024 NCAA Tournament against the Purdue Boilermakers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Former Georgetown guard/forward Dontrez Styles committed to transfer to North Carolina State, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday. The Atlantic Coast Conference is familiar turf for Styles, a former Kinston High (N.C.) star who began his college career at North Carolina for two seasons before transferring to Georgetown. Styles had a solid breakout season for Georgetown in 2023-24, averaging 12.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in 32 starts. He made 49 3-point baskets for the Hoyas (9-23, 2-18 Big East). Styles played sparingly during his time at North Carolina, logging averages of 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 45 games off the bench. NC State lands Styles after coming off an impressive Final Four run. The Wolfpack lost their final four regular-season games to fall to 17-14 before winning five games in five days at the ACC tournament to claim the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. No. 11 seed NC State then won its first four NCAA tourney contests, including a 76-64 win over Duke to reach the Final Four. The magical run ended with a 63-50 loss to Purdue in the national semifinals. --Field Level Media

Mar 9, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Georgetown Hoyas guard Dontrez Styles (0) looks to drive past St. John's Red Storm forward Glenn Taylor Jr. (35) in the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada will enter the transfer portal, he announced Thursday. Rashada posted a message on Instagram thanking his teammates, coaches, strength staff and other support staff at Arizona State. "With that being said I'll be entering my name in the transfer portal seeking the best fit for my career!" Rashada wrote. Rashada is a former four-star quarterback prospect in the Class of 2023 best known for flipping his commitment from Miami to Florida -- then requesting release from his national letter of intent when an NIL deal with Florida's collective worth a reported $13 million fell through. Rashada wound up at Arizona State and got into three games as a freshman, passing for 485 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. He has been out most of the spring after needing thumb surgery. Georgia is expected to pursue Rashada, On3 and 247Sports reported. --Field Level Media

ASU quarterback Jaden Rashada (5) throws a pass during a spring practice at the Kajikawa practice fields in Tempe on April 16, 2024.

Former Louisville head coach Kenny Payne has reunited with John Calipari at Arkansas. Payne will serve as the Razorbacks' associate head coach, the program announced Thursday. Payne was 12-52 in two seasons coaching his alma mater, including 8-24 in 2023-24, before being dismissed. Before that, Payne, 57, worked for Calipari at Kentucky from 2010-2020. Originally an assistant coach, he was promoted to associate head coach in 2014. He left the Wildcats to become an assistant coach for the New York Knicks, where he spent two seasons. Calipari stepped down at Kentucky and took the same position at Arkansas earlier this offseason. --Field Level Media

Mar 12, 2024; Washington, D.C., USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Kenny Payne looks on from the bench against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers signed free agent offensive tackle Andre Dillard, the team announced Thursday. Dillard had been released by the Tennessee Titans as a salary cap casualty on March 15 after career highs of 10 starts and 562 offensive snaps in 16 appearances last season. He had signed with the Titans as a free agent after four years with the Philadelphia Eagles, who selected him No. 22 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Dillard, who spent the 2020 season on injured reserve, played in 43 games (nine starts) for the Eagles, mostly at left tackle. --Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Andre Dillard (71) waits to take the field before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers has been cleared by the NFL following an investigation into allegations of a domestic incident, the league announced Thursday. The alleged incident occurred in January, and police in Baltimore County, Md., suspended the investigation the following month. No charges were filed against the 23-year-old Flowers, whom the Ravens selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Boston College. "Following a review, the NFL concluded there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that Zay Flowers engaged in an activity that violated the NFL's personal conduct policy," the league said in a statement. "There will be no action taken by the league and Flowers remains eligible to participate in all team activities." As a rookie, Flowers appeared in 16 regular-season games -- all starts -- and caught 77 passes for 858 yards and five touchdowns. He added one TD as he ran the ball eight times for 56 yards. --Field Level Media

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) runs with the ball after making a catch prior to fumbling into the end zone as Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) chases in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL has reinstated five players who had been suspended indefinitely for violating the league's gambling policy, multiple media outlets reported Thursday. Current Washington Commanders edge rusher Shaka Toney, former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Rashod Berry and three former Detroit Lions -- wide receiver Quintez Cephus, safety C.J. Moore and defensive lineman Demetrius Taylor -- were reinstated. Toney and four Lions players, including Moore and Cephus, were suspended last April. Lions wide receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill were suspended for six games. The Lions released Cephus and Moore when they were suspended. The league suspended indefinitely Berry and Colts defensive back Isaiah Rodgers as well as free agent Taylor, who had been waived by the Lions about a month earlier. They were penalized for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season. Rodgers, who remains suspended, later signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, who have his rights. --Field Level Media

Nov 14, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney (58) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky freshman star Reed Sheppard announced Thursday that he is entering the 2024 NBA Draft. Sheppard posted a video to social media thanking fans and also told ESPN that he is "going all-in," forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility. The son of former Kentucky basketball stars Jeff Sheppard and Stacey Reed, Reed Sheppard was named the National Freshman of the Year by the USBWA and NABC after emerging from Kentucky's touted,...

Jan 20, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Reed Sheppard (15) shoots the ball during the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

AJ Simon, a defensive lineman from the University at Albany who was hoping to be drafted into the NFL next week, died at age 25, the school confirmed Wednesday. Simon played four seasons of football at the FCS level -- two at Bloomsburg (2018, 2021) and two at Albany. The native of Pennsylvania had 12.5 sacks for Albany in 2023 and was named to the All-CAA first team. A cause of death was not released. "The UAlbany football program was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former student-athlete Amitral ‘AJ' Simon this morning," the team said in a...

Sep 3, 2022; Waco, Texas, USA; A view of the helmets of the Albany Great Danes during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Albany Great Danes at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn are closing in on their choice with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Washington will follow the Chicago Bears on the clock next Thursday with a first-time general manager in Peters making the call in a room that includes Quinn and consistent involvement from owner Josh Harris. "We feel great about staying at No. 2," Peters...

Commanders majority owner Josh Harris (L), head coach Dan Quinn (M) and general manager Adam Peters are embracing the "pressure" to get the No. 2 pick right. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports