Basketball has never been a game of modesty, and Missouri freshman forward Michael Porter Jr. is showing us exactly why that is by claiming he’s the best player in this year’s NBA draft. While claims like these aren’t new by any means, what makes Porter’s statement particularly noteworthy is the fact that he only played in three games during his one year at Missouri due to ongoing problems with his back, although he says he’s “100 percent” healthy following his lengthy rehab.

During a Thursday media session, Porter said, “I know without a doubt. I played against all these guys, they’re all great players. But I’m the best player in this draft, and I just can’t wait to show what I’m capable of.”

With his college playing experience being pretty much as limited as possible, Porter’s claims are largely based on the fact that he was one of the most highly-touted basketball players coming out of high school despite having initially suffered the back injury during his sophomore year when he fell on his back after being “undercut” by an opponent. He indicated that he tried to continue playing and work out as time went on, but it ultimately only made his injury worsen. According to Porter, though, doctors are confident that he should be fine so long as he keeps up with his stretching and core exercises.

How this will affect the upcoming NBA draft is anyone’s guess, if it affects it at all. Porter undeniably has a ton of talent which alone makes him worthy of a pick somewhere toward the middle or end of the lottery, but the ongoing injury leaves his status way up in the air. Picks 1-5 belong to the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks respectively, all of whom have either met with or plan to meet with Porter in order to figure out whether or not to trust claims like these before the draft is underway on June 21.

The New York Islanders and alternate captain Cal Clutterbuck have agreed to a five-year extension worth $17.5 million, the team announced Friday.

Cal Clutterbuck, Islanders Agree To Five-Year, $17.5M Extension

The deal, which runs through the 2022-23 season, has an average annual value of $3.5 million, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun. 

Clutterbuck, a 29-year-old forward, could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2017.

He has nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 25 games, and is fifth in the NHL in hits (89). Clutterbuck was named an alternate captain at the start of this season, his fourth with the Islanders and ninth in the NHL.

The Islanders acquired Clutterbuck and a third-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft from the Minnesota Wild for forward Nino Niederreiter. In 597 games in his career, Clutterbuck has 177 points (98 goals, 79 assists). He also has five goals and three assists in 23 playoff games.

He was selected by Minnesota as a third-round draft pick in 2006, and represented Team Canada at the 2011 World Championships.

Last season, Clutterbuck had two goals and an assist in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help the Islanders reach the Eastern Conference Second Round. In total, he had 15 goals in 77 games last season.

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 06: Cal Clutterbuck #15 of the New York Islanders skates in to celebrate an empty net goal by Frans Nielsen #51 at 18:59 of the third period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 6, 2016 in New York City. The Islanders defeated the Rangers 6-4. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

After being omitted from England’s Euro 2016 team and at a standstill in his Arsenal career, Theo Walcott’s future seemed at best uncertain until the end of this summer.

Theo Walcott Off To Strong Season

Now, however, the 27-year-old forward has demonstrated how powerful an asset he can be. Walcott scored two first-half goals to lead Arsenal to a 2-0 home victory over Swiss team Basel in Wednesday’s Champions League match at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal’s Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez helped set up both of  Waltott’s finishes. The Englishman has now increased his total tally to five goals in seven appearances in all competitions, while manager Arsene Wenger’s team has now recorded four consecutive wins in all competitions.

“That combination between me and Alexis, it’s boding well but it’s obviously still very early into the season, so hopefully we can all stay fit and it’s going to be a good run,” Walcott told the club’s website.

“It’s getting a good sort of partnership there, but it’s not just that, the whole team seems to be clicking.

Waltcott has been with Arsenal since 2006, but has splayed sporadically for the Gunners since the beginning of the year, thus prompting rumors of him potentially being traded. He boasts over 200 appearances with the English club.

Inconsistency, a lack of end product and the inability to secure a regular starting spot have all plagued Walcott over the past decade. Nevertheless, Wenger, whose loyalty to his players has always been strong, decided to keep the player he signed as a teenager.

It seems strange that Walcott didn’t earn a spot on England’s Euro 2016 squad, despite the fact he scored nine goals in 42 appearances last season. However, the forward took advantage of the summer off to work on his fitness.

While Roy Hodgson’s team competed and eventually got eliminated by Iceland, Walcott began posting videos to his Instagram account showing off the extra work he’d been doing with fitness expert Bradley Simmonds to prepare for the new season.

With Joel Campbell on loan and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain dealing with injuries, Walcott seized the opportunity to make a name for himself.

Walcott also scored a goal in the opening weekend’s 4-3 loss to Liverpool.

“Me and Hector Bellerin have got a good relationship on that right-hand side, it’s quite a pace-y right-hand side,” said Walcott. “I think the whole team tends to react well and defend well as a unit and clean sheets are going to win games because we’re going to score plenty of goals.”

The forward seems confident that he still has plenty to offer at the Emirates Stadium.

“I think the age I am, the experience I’ve had, the games I’ve had and the amount of goals I’ve scored this season is a different level,” Walcott continued. “I’m working hard, harder than I ever have and I just want to be the best I can. If I can do that it’s going to benefit the team.”

He also added: “I want to improve every day; going into work and being a better person and a better player as well and that’s just the way I am now. I always feel if I’ve done everything right in the week then come match-day I don’t have to think about anything at all because it’s all about the match and it seems to be going well at the moment.”

Arsenal will next face Burnley in Sunday’s Premier League game.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Theo Walcott of Arsenal ceclebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Arsenal FC and FC Basel 1893 at the Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to a new four-year $100 million extension, NBA sources told Yahoo! Sports’ The Vertical.

Milwaukee Bucks Sign Giannis Antetokounmpo To Four-Year, $100M Extension

The tall 21-year-old Greek is one of the most versatile and talented young players in the league, and is eligible for his rookie class of 2013 extension.

The deal, which is practically a maximum contract, is expected to be signed on Tuesday in Milwaukee.

The 6-foot-11 Antetokounmpo was drafted as a first-round pick (15th overall) by the Bucks in 2013 and averaged 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds. 4.3 assists and 1.4 blocks in 80 games last season. Before that, he played in the Greek and Spanish basketball leagues.

“My confidence right now is really high,” Antetokounmpo said in March, per Steve Aschburner of NBA.com. “When I look at myself when I came in as a rookie and how I feel right now, it’s amazing. It’s a big difference. So I can’t imagine how I will feel in two years. I can’t wait for the future.”

Among the other players Milwaukee has locked up is forward Jabari Parker, who was drafted second overall in 2014 out of Duke, and guard Jason Terry, who was added in free agency.

Antetokounmpo, who is nicknamed the ‘Greek Freak,’ is very durable, having missed only six games in his three seasons with the Bucks. It is also rumored that the youngster will get to play point guard this season, which would be strange given his incredible height.

Antetokounmpo became the first player in franchise history to record five triple-doubles in a season, and now ranks third on the Bucks’ all-time list for career triple-doubles. He also became Milwaukee’s full-time starting point guard following the All-Star break, and improved in terms of usage, points, rebounds, assists and shooting efficiency.

The Greek and C.J. McCollum have established themselves as the best players from a weak 2013 draft class, so it seems right that they of all people would get extensions. McCollum signed a four-year, $106 million extension with the Portland Trail Blazers in July.

NBA teams have until Oct. 31 to sign players from the class of 2013 to extensions, or they will become restricted free agents next summer.

BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 25: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks carries the ball against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at TD Garden on February 25, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)