VCU’s Nyk Lewis out for remainder of game against No. 3 Illinois with sprained ankle

By The Associated Press
March 21, 2026 | 9:42 PM

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — VCU guard Nyk Lewis will not return to the Rams’ second-round game against No. 3 seed Illinois on Saturday after spraining his right ankle in the opening minute, according to the school’s athletic department.

Lewis was injured when he landed awkwardly on a teammate’s foot while trying to come down with a defensive rebound.

He could not put any pressure on his ankle as he was helped to the team bench. Trainers took off his right shoe and began to evaluate the injury while he writhed in pain.

Lewis returned to the bench for the second half with a boot on his right foot.

Lewis had two key free throws in overtime to seal No. 11 seed VCU’s first-round upset of North Carolina on Thursday. Lewis game into the game averaging 8.9 points and 4.6 rebounds.

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AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

SEC joins Big Ten in banning pros from returning to college, including basketball players

By The Associated Press
August 25, 2026 | 7:45 PM

The Southeastern Conference passed a rule Tuesday banning players who have been drafted by NFL, NBA or WNBA teams or listed on rosters in those leagues, joining the Big Ten in taking a strong stand against this month's unexpected surge of pro players trying to return to college. The SEC's rule differs from the one adopted by the Big Ten, which only included football in its decision released earlier in the day. Combined, it leaves little doubt about where the nation's two biggest conferences stand in the wake of court orders that were allowing players who had been on pro rosters, then released, to return back to college. The SEC rule puts LSU on notice. This week, Tigers coach Lane Kiffin added Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, a pair of undrafted players out of Mississippi who had tryouts in the NFL over the summer, but were released by their teams during training camp.

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