SI
Kevin Sweeney

Kevin Sweeney

Joined: Jan 1, 2021

Kevin Sweeney is a staff writer at Sports Illustrated covering college basketball and the NBA draft. He joined the SI staff in July 2021 and also serves host and analyst for The Field of 68. Sweeney is a Naismith Trophy voter and ia member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

Uzan dribbles the ball against Tennessee in the Midwest Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
College Basketball

Point Guard U: How Houston, Kelvin Sampson Bucked Their Tradition With Milos Uzan

Kelvin Sampson usually develops and retains players at the position, so finding a leader in the transfer portal is an anomaly.

Kevin Sweeney
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Cluff brings the ball up the court for South Dakota State last season.
College Basketball

Men’s Basketball Transfer Portal: Notes on 11 Major Commits Ahead of Recruiting Dead Period

Power-conference programs benefited from the active early period driven by the looming House settlement and addition of agents to the process.

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Tre Johnson averaged 19.8 points per game in his freshman year.
College Basketball

Six NBA Draft Hopefuls to Watch in March Madness

Beyond presumptive No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg and other first-round talent, these are the top players who could turn a good NCAA tournament showing into a June selection.

Kevin Sweeney
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Edgecombe has been phenomenal in Big 12 play for Baylor.
NBA

NBA Draft Big Board: VJ Edgecombe Pushing Toward Top Three

Dylan Harper’s disjointed season has not pushed the Rutgers guard out of the No. 2 spot, while Liam McNeeley has shown his scoring potential since returning from injury. 

Kevin Sweeney
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Williams celebrates as the Red Raiders beat the Razorbacks in overtime.
College Basketball

Darrion Williams Spurs Texas Tech’s Comeback in OT Win Over Arkansas

The Red Raiders trailed by as many as 16 points, but through sheer determination and will keep dancing into Elite Eight.

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Uzan makes the winning basket in the final seconds of the Sweet 16 against Purdue.
College Basketball

Inside Houston’s Last-Second Sweet 16 Winning Play

Milos Uzan was the third option on the drawn-up situation, but big man JoJo Tugler’s instincts made all the difference to advance the Cougars.

Kevin Sweeney
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Sampson holds the trophy for winning the Midwest Regional surrounded by Cougars players.
College Basketball

Houston Turns Tables on Tennessee in Physically Dominant Win for Final Four Berth

The Cougars rattled off a 30–1 run from mid-January on with a tough, disciplined approach that helps ease recent March heartbreak.

Kevin Sweeney
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Blake Harper
College Basketball

Inside Look at Life As One of the Most Tampered-With Players in College Basketball

Howard freshman Blake Harper blossomed into one of the brightest young players in the sport, and now the Bison face an all-out effort to keep him at the place that helped unlock his talents.

Kevin Sweeney
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Dent entered the portal, but left the option to return to New Mexico open.
College Basketball

What to Know About the Men’s Basketball Transfer Portal

Kevin Sweeney
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Dia turns the corner on North Carolina guard Ian Jackson during the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
College Basketball

Once Forced to Transfer Down, Malik Dia Now Into Sweet 16 With Ole Miss

Kevin Sweeney
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Wildcats guard Lamont Butler (1) shoots against Illini guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn during the first half.
College Basketball

Lamont Butler Delivers for Mark Pope, Sending Kentucky to Sweet 16

Kevin Sweeney
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Davis reacts after being fouled during the Tar Heels’ NCAA tournament first-round game Friday.
College Basketball

North Carolina’s Season Ends in Fitting Fashion

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