Hometown 3-point champion was met with boos. Why former Indiana guard 'likes it that way' INDIANAPOLIS — CJ Gunn, a former Indiana University guard and DePaul University senior, found himself at the center of a heated moment during the College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships on Friday at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Despite winning the men’s 3-point shooting contest, Gunn was met with boos from the crowd, a reaction that left him both puzzled and amused. The 6-foot-7 guard, who grew up in Indianapolis and attended Lawrence North High School, had just secured the title with a clutch shot at the buzzer, yet the crowd’s response was anything but celebratory. Gunn, who had spent his college career at Indiana before transferring to DePaul, was visibly taken aback by the negative reception. “I’m from Indiana. I don’t know why everybody was booing me like that,” he laughed after the event, referencing the hometown crowd’s mixed emotions. When asked if the treatment was harsh, he shrugged it off with a grin. “Yeah, yeah. I like it that way, though, man.” His lighthearted attitude underscored his resilience in the face of unexpected criticism. The 3-point contest, held as part of the State Farm College Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships, drew a mix of athletes and fans to Hinkle Fieldhouse. Gunn’s victory was a fitting conclusion to his college career, which saw him become a standout performer at DePaul. Over two seasons, he was the team’s leading scorer, appearing in 54 games (44 starts) while averaging 13 points per game on 41.4% shooting. His journey to the championship round was marked by a slow start, but he found his rhythm in the second round, ultimately earning his place in the final. Gunn’s path to the contest was somewhat unexpected.#hinkle_fieldhouse #indiana_university #cj_gunn #dePaul_university
Shaqir O'Neal, son of Shaquille O'Neal, wins college slam dunk contest: Highlights Sacramento State forward Shaqir O'Neal, the son of legendary NBA star Shaquille O'Neal, claimed victory in the College Slam Dunk Championship on April 3 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The event took place during the Men's Final Four, where Shaqir outperformed competitors with a combination of athleticism and creativity. His winning dunk featured an elbow-over-two-players maneuver and a reverse finish on his final attempt, securing the win against Central Connecticut's Nico Ashley. Shaqir finished with two 50-point scores, the maximum possible in the competition, showcasing his dominance in the event. After his victory, Shaqir expressed his excitement and gratitude, addressing his father directly. "Dad, I know you're watching this," he said. "You said you have ($10,000) for me if I win this. So, hey, I'm expecting my money. Shoutout to my pops." The quote highlights the personal significance of the win for Shaqir, who has long been in the shadow of his father's legendary career. Shaqir's performance in the dunk contest was a standout moment in his college basketball journey. During the regular season, he averaged 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game for Sacramento State. His collegiate career began at Texas Southern, where he played off the bench for two seasons before transferring to Florida A&M in 2024-25. This season, he joined Sacramento State under head coach Mike Bibby, a former Sacramento Kings player and a former teammate of his father. Bibby, who took over as head coach this season, praised the team's culture and the support he and his staff provided to players. "It's been an unreal experience," Shaqir told USA TODAY Sports. "Coach Bibby and his staff really care about the players, just on and off the court.#indianapolis #hinkle_fieldhouse #shaquille_oneal #shaqir_oneal #mike_bibby
Shaqir O'Neal, Son of Shaquille, Triumphs in College Slam Dunk Contest April 4, 2026, 11:43 a.m. ET Sacramento State forward Shaqir O'Neal, the son of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, captured the College Slam Dunk Championship on Friday, April 3, at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis during the Men’s Final Four. The 6-foot-8 forward, who wore his father’s “Shaq” shoe brand, delivered a standout performance by elbow-dunking over two opponents and executing a reverse dunk on his final attempt to defeat Central Connecticut’s Nico Ashley. His victory earned him two 50-point scores, the maximum possible in a single dunk contest. After securing the win, Shaqir O’Neal addressed the crowd, saying, “Dad, I know you’re watching this. You said you have ($10,000) for me if I win this. So, hey, I’m expecting my money. Shoutout to my pops.” The moment underscored the personal significance of the achievement for the young athlete, who has long been in the shadow of his father’s iconic basketball career. The contest also saw DePaul’s CJ Gunn claim victory in the men’s 3-point competition, while Kansas’ Elle Evans dominated the women’s 3-point contest. Evans, a standout performer, also won the team shooting competition alongside Purdue’s Fletcher Loyer and Portland State’s Jaylin Henderson. Her dominance extended to the 3-point shootout between champions, where she defeated Gunn in a thrilling showdown. Shaqir O’Neal’s performance in the dunk contest was a highlight of his collegiate career, which has included notable milestones. This season, he averaged 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game for Sacramento State. His journey to the NCAA tournament began at Texas Southern, where he played a limited role off the bench for two seasons before transferring to Florida A&M in 2024-25.#indianapolis #hinkle_fieldhouse #shaquille_oneal #shaqir_oneal #central_connecticut
Auburn Tigers Set for NIT Semifinals Clash Against Illinois State INDIANAPOLIS – Auburn’s basketball team will face Illinois State in the NIT semifinals on Thursday at Hinkle Fieldhouse, marking the first time in program history the Tigers have reached the tournament’s second round. The matchup, set for 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN and the Auburn Sports Network, pits Auburn against the Redbirds, a team that has advanced to the semifinals by defeating Kent State, Wake Forest, and Dayton. The game will test Auburn’s starting five, all of whom average double figures in the NIT, against Illinois State’s No. 37-ranked defense, which limits opponents to 67.9 points per game. Auburn’s journey to the semifinals included three consecutive wins, starting with a victory over South Alabama, followed by road wins against Seattle U and Nevada—all at Neville Arena. The Tigers’ success has been bolstered by a consistent starting lineup of Kevin Overton, Keyshawn Hall, Elyjah Freeman, Tahaad Pettiford, and Filip Jovic, who have combined for 66.9 points per game in the tournament. Coach Steven Pearl praised the team’s resilience, noting the eight-day layoff between the quarterfinals and semifinals allowed players to recover physically and mentally. “It’s been really beneficial for our guys to have a little time off to get recharged for this last push,” Pearl said. Illinois State’s path to the semifinals was equally impressive. The Redbirds defeated Kent State by 21 points in the opening round before securing back-to-back Quad 1 road wins at Wake Forest and Dayton. Their defensive prowess, which has held 19 opponents under 70 points this season, will be a key factor in the matchup. Coach Pearl acknowledged the challenge posed by Illinois State’s physicality and defensive intensity. “They’re really good defensively.#hinkle_fieldhouse #illinois_state #auburn_tigers #kevin_overton #keyshawn_hall
Butler hires Ronald Nored as next men's basketball coach Butler University officially announced on March 25 that Ronald Nored will serve as its new men’s basketball coach, succeeding Thad Matta after his retirement following the 2025-26 season. Nored, 36, will become the 25th head coach in the program’s history, marking the first hire under athletic director Grant Leiendecker, who assumed the role in December 2024. Nored’s appointment was highlighted by his deep ties to the university, including his playing career at Butler. The former player and assistant coach joined the program as a student-athlete, contributing to Butler’s back-to-back national championship runner-up campaigns in 2010 and 2011. His relationship with Leiendecker, a fellow former player, played a significant role in the decision, as Nored was the only candidate without prior college head-coaching experience. Despite this, his familiarity with the program and its culture was seen as a key asset. In a statement, Nored expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, calling it “an incredibly special place” and emphasizing his commitment to the program’s legacy. He praised the university’s “storied tradition,” the Hinkle Fieldhouse, and the Big East conference, while acknowledging the challenges ahead. “There is incredible momentum at Butler right now,” he said, vowing to “hit the ground running” as the team aims to elevate its performance. Leiendecker praised Nored’s leadership qualities, noting his “relentless work ethic” and “elite basketball IQ.” The AD emphasized that Nored’s NBA experience would provide a competitive edge in the evolving college basketball landscape. “We didn’t hire him for his history here—we hired him for his vision of what we can become,” Leiendecker stated.#big_east_conference #grant_leiendecker #ronald_nored #butler_university #hinkle_fieldhouse
