Makai Lemon lists 3 NFL quarterbacks he would want to play with — and more

In a pre-combine interview, USC's Makai Lemon was asked what three NFL quarterbacks he would love to catch passes from.

Here is my ranking of the three quarterbacks he listed, my favorite pick for a quarterback he would dominate with, and my actual prediction for which quarterback he will catch passes from:

1. Caleb Williams

In 2023, Caleb Williams and Makai Lemon were both at USC, but it was not the special connection it would be if the 2 were on the same team again in the NFL. Having that connection prior to teaming up does create an advantage and a better sense of trust. Caleb Williams is a big anticipation thrower, and if he trusts you, that ball is going to come out before you even finish the route. I think that with Lemon's ability to get open and what he can do after the catch, he would be a dangerous weapon with Caleb Williams. Everybody in Chicago would be mad if the Bears took another offensive player, but if Lemon ended up in Chicago, I think he would be their best receiver.

2. Jayden Daniels

Jayden Daniels has so far had a great connection with Terry McLaurin, a smaller but effective receiver. Lemon fits that bill, and he is cut with the same cloth. I think Lemon could be just like scary Terry with an even higher ceiling. The Commanders' offense is at its best with guys that can make things happen after the catch, and guys that can take the top off of a defense. Makai Lemon would be an 1000 yard reciver year in and year out with Jayden Daniels.

3. Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers would be even more fun if he wasn't currently 42 years old. Lemon has those traits of the former great Packers receivers. Rodgers is accurate as it gets from the quarterback position, and he puts his receivers in great position to succeed. I think had he been in his prime in Green Bay, Lemon would have lit it up with Aaron Rodgers.

My favorite pick - Matthew Stafford

The two best receiver seasons in NFL history have been achieved with Matthew Stafford at quarterback. Matthew Stafford, still at the back end of his career, has helped receivers put up career years. Even if it is for his first 2 seasons in his career, I think Makai Lemon would be the most productive with Matthew Stafford. Mix in the fact that Sean McVay would also be putting him in a great position to be successful. Yeh Makai Lemon would have his best shot at rookie of the year with the Rams.

My actual prediction - Lamar Jackson

The Ravens just hired offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, and he is cut from the same cloth as Ben Johnson. It would make sense that he wants to take the Ravens offense to new heights. Why not bring in a guy who is an Amon-Ra St. Brown clone? Makai Lemon and Lamar Jackson would be must see tv. Lamar has yet to have that super reliable and always open weapon at the receiver position. Zay Flowers is a great recover but he comes with some major flaws. I think Lemon would be just what the doctor ordered for Lamar Jackson, and both guys would dominate this upcoming season in Baltimore.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Makai Lemon names 3 preferred NFL QBs he would want to play with

The Throne national basketball tournament is set for its fourth annual games. From March 19 to March 21, the premier postseason event will take place in East Rutherford, New Jersey, pitting 16 of the top high school basketball teams in a single-elimination tournament.

Eight boys teams and eight girls teams will play for their respective crowns in March Madness-style brackets at American Dream Mall, put on by the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and Gold Level Sports and Entertainment (GLSE). The teams will play under a club program name rather than the high school name itself, but all students on each team attend the stated high school, the Throne's press release said.

Games will be aired on NBA TV and the NBA App.

The NBPA Foundation will donate $25,000 to the athletic program of both championship-winning teams.

Here are the teams, tournament club names, seedings and schedule, with USA TODAY Sports Super 25 national rankings listed, where applicable (rankings as of March 2).

The Throne Rosters

Boys high school basketball teams

1. Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale, FL) — Eagles (No. 4 in Super 25)
2. Sunnyslope (Phoenix) — Vikings (No. 5)
3. Rainier Beach (Seattle) — Beach (No. 21)
4. Wheeler (Marietta, GA) — Wildcats
5. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, NY) — LuHi
6. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ) — BC Crusaders
7. Columbus (Miami, FL) — Los Explorers
8. Heritage (Frisco, Texas) — Coyotes

Girls high school basketball teams

1. Etiwanda (CA) — Eagles
2. Princess Anne (Virginia Beach, VA) — Cavaliers
3. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, NY) — LuHi
4. St. John Vianney (Holmdel, NJ) — Lancers
5. Tualatin (OR) — Timberwolves
6. St John’s College (Washington, D.C) — Cadets
7. Friends Central (Wynnewood, PA) — Phoenix
8. St Frances Academy (Baltimore, MD) — Panthers

The Throne Schedule

Girls: March 19

• Game 1 (10:00 a.m.): (2) Cavaliers vs. (7) Phoenix
• Game 2 (11:40 a.m.): (3) LuHi vs. (6) Cadets
• Game 3 (1:20 p.m.): (1) Eagles vs. (8) Panthers
• Game 4 (3:00 p.m.): (4) Lancers vs. (5) Timberwolves

Boys: March 19

• Game 5 (4:40 p.m.): (1) Eagles vs. (8) Coyotes
• Game 6 (6:20 p.m.): (4) Wildcats vs. (5) LuHi
• Game 7 (8:00 p.m.): (3) Beach vs. (6) BC Crusaders
• Game 8: (9:40 p.m.): (2) Vikings vs. (7) Los Explorers

Girls bracket: March 20

• Game 9 (3:00 p.m.): Winner Game 1 vs. Game 2
• Game 10 (5:00 p.m.): Winner Game 3 vs. Game 4

Boys bracket: March 20

• Game 11: (7:00 p.m.): Winner Game 7 vs. Game 8
• Game 12 (9:00 p.m.): Winner Game 5 vs. Game 6

Girls Championship: March 21

• Game 13 (1:00 p.m.)

Boys Championship: March 21

• Game 14 (3:00 p.m.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: See the full schedule for The Throne National Championship

The Houston TExans and Detroit Lions have agreed to a trade involving David Montgomery. Here's why the two sides decided to pull off this deal.

Sixers Head Coach Makes Shock Admission Over Celtics' Neemias Queta originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Neemias Queta was the best player on the floor as the Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 114-98 on Sunday, March 1. The rim-running big man ended the night with 27 points, 17 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks. Queta consistently found ways to score against the Sixers, be it put-back buckets, driving the lane or attacking the seams as a cutter.

During his postgame news conference, Sixers’ head coach Nick Nurse gave an honest assessment of Queta’s performance, admitting that his athleticism gave him an edge over Philadelphia’s front court.

“He just seemed a little too quick and athletic for us tonight, too big or something,” Nurse said. “He just seemed like every time we'd make a miss, he seemed to be down there reaching up above all the other hands and pulling it down and keeping it alive. He was really hard to handle tonight for sure.”

Queta has steadily improved his game this season, after being moved into the starting lineup following the departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet via trade and free agency, respectively. Even the addition of Nikola Vucevic, who also had a strong showing against Philadelphia, hasn’t displaced Queta from his role in the starting unit.

The fact that Boston’s center rotation was so dominant against the Sixers is an encouraging sign. During the opening months of the 2025-26 season, the big man rotation was seen as a serious weak point in the roster construction. Now, it’s no longer an area of concern.

If Queta continues to produce at the level we saw from him on Sunday, he will have a sizeable role to play in the upcoming postseason. Queta has proven himself to be a starting-caliber big man, and with just one season left on his three-year $7 million deal, a payday might be right around the corner.

More Celtics: Celtics Linked To Former Cavs Guard In Creative Trade Talk