Dayton Magana Chooses Linfield

The term twofer is fairly well known, threefer not as much. Count 5-foot-7 sophomore Dayton Magana of San Joaquin Delta College as affiliated with the latter. Coach Levi Sieg is aware of what he is getting as Magana has committed to Linfield College (OR): of being a basketball talent with multiple hoops skills, also an ace in the classroom plus a team leader on and off the court.

Why the choice of Linfield? "I was super excited after my visit as I've never been to Oregon and the scenery was great," Magana recalled. "I had a good experience with the guys on the team and the coaching staff was locked in on me. It was fulfilling and somewhat relieving" after he made his choice. Magana's decision came in late April.

Although he is a big scorer, Magana will be positioned at the point. As he put it, "it's sort of a given considering my stature."

Magana has always been underrated due to his size

Away from the court, Magana sports a 3.67 grade point average, he has earned Big 8 Academic All League honors and at the end of this semester he will have earned three AA degrees in science and mathematics, physical education and a basic associate degree during his three-year tenure in Stockton. A wrist injury unfortunately severely limited his playing time his regular sophomore season so he was able to return in 2023-24 still designated as a sophomore.

Magana will be a bit older as a transfer and feels confident that his experience will be beneficial. "I lead by example everyday, on a daily basis. But what I say, I back it up with what I do on the court."

He may look like a choir boy, but he buries opponents with no malice aforethought

Magana averaged a team high 18.7 points per game this past season alongside 3.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds. Add in a team-leading 42 steals and it's easy to see how critical his efforts were to Delta finishing with an 11-5 Big 8 Conference record. His production earned him a First Team All Big 8 Conference inclusion this season.

Two years earlier, Magana earned a spot on the California Community College All State Team, the sole sub-six-feet player chosen. He also was named the Big 8 Conference Most Valuable Player. 

Magana shines when things get tough

Asked to name his goals for next season, Magana offered, "win our conference and either make a deep run in the D3 national tournament or win it."

Magana will major in kinesiology. But first comes his plans for this summer. "I'll be working out with Calen Coleman of the Versus Hoop Academy. I want to improve my athleticism."

That doesn't bode well for Linfield's opponents in the next two years.

Potpourri, May 10

News Bits

Skyline Basketball: "Congrats to Milandev Chatha. Out of Fremont HS in Sunnyvale, Dev was top 10 in scoring (14.8 ppg), rebounding (6.5 rpg) & FG% (52.2%) for the Coast-North. He's a committed student-athlete, earning a 3.86 gpa this Fall, studying engineering. Fierce competitor & fantastic teammate."

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Jonathan Givony: "NEWS: Washington State's Jaylen Wells has been invited to attend the NBA Draft Combine, a source told ESPN. Wells, ranked No. 54 among ESPN draft prospects, was initially invited to the G League Elite Camp, making him a surprising omission from the first Combine list."

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"Report: Florida guard Zyon Pullin receives invite to G League Elite Camp"

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The Circuit: "2025 Team Lillard (CA) G Jalen (Dublin High) Stokes: 22 PTS (7/10 FG), 5 REB, 2 AST in a win over NY Gauchos."

That's called making a name against a tough NYC squad.

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Jake Lieberman: "6'10 Leigh Rickwood-Pitt out of Eastern Arizona College (Juco) holds offers from the following:

• Southern Indiana
• Lincoln Memorial
• University of Charleston
• Western New Mexico
• Lubbock, Christian
• Cal State East Bay

+ receiving D1 interest."

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Jake Lieberman: "6'7 wing/forward Ben Ezeagu out of Hill College (TX Juco) tells me that he's heard from the following programs in the past week:

• UMBC
• St. Martin's
• Academy of Art U
• Kentucky Wesleyan
• Texas A&M International University

Averaged: 12.8 points (63 FG%) & 6.3 rebounds

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Jake Lierberman: "2025 6’2 SG Maguire Evans out of Cleveland HS (TN) & Hawks Elite AAU is being recruited by the following programs:

• William & Mary
• Charleston Southern
• North Dakota State
• Augustana University
• LeMoyne
• Mercer
• Newberry
• Pacific
• Penn
• Nova Southeastern
• USCB

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Jake Lieberman: "'25 6'5 PG/SG Legend Smiley out of Garfield HS (WA) & Seattle Rotary holds interest from Virginia, Utah, LSU, Gonzaga, Oregon, Cal, Boise State, Alabama, Pepperdine & Washington State.

Offers: San Francisco, Washington, Seattle U, Weber State, Montana, UNLV & Utah State."

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Jake Lieberman: "Abubakar Kromah remains available. Kromah has heard from Dominican College, Embry-Riddle, Clinton College & Park University. Averaged a double-double this past year at Juco."

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InsanenessMedia: "NVC Basketball are ecstatic to add another vandenball player! Jayden Robinson will bring shooting and defensive prowess to our program. Jayden has contributed to Vanden’s Section Championships. Please join us in welcoming Jayden Robinson to the Storm Family."

Heading to Napa Valley College, the 6-foot-2 Robinson has a rep as an outstanding defender.

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Kim English: "Type shii… To all the tampering Head Coaches and Assistant coaches and flunkies…just call me and lmk if you want to recruit our players. Leave them and their families alone. Call me. I’ll see if they want to play for your programs. Yall have my number."

English is the head coach at Providence.

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Jeff Goodman: "I miss the days when a terrific recruiter was so valuable in college sports. Now it doesn't really matter. You can be a terrific recruiter, but if you don't have any NIL, you aren't getting players. And you can be a shitty recruiter, but if you have NIL you'll still be able to get guys."

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"Lamont Butler on leaving SDSU: ‘I felt like there was not much left for me to do'

Butler said a "business decision" did factor into his move."

Greater NIL $$$ plus greater visibility at Kentucky led to his move away from San Diego State. Welcome to College Hoops 2024.

He really doesn't need greater visibility. NBA folks know of him. Fans will see more of him, that's for sure.

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Verbal Commits D2: "2024 Granada (CA) F Cortevious Taylor has committed to Chico State."

Out of Granada High in the East Bay and Team Lillard (AAU), Taylor is 6-foot-6, 235.

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Verbal Commits: "Former Nevada F/C Jazz Gardner is transferring to Pacific."

UOP lands a 7-footer but one who was overrated coming out of high school (not his fault). He'll eventually help.

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Verbal Commits: "2025 Volcano Vista (NM) F Kenyon Aguino has received an offer from San José State."

2025 seems so far off at the moment.

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Portal Updates: "DePaul transfer Elijah Fisher has committed to Pacific. The 6’6” sophomore guard started 30/32 games, averaging 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. Fisher is a lengthy guard who should do really well in the WCC."

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Jon Rothstein interviews new Stanford Head Coach Kyle Smith. It begins at the 12:15 mark of the podcast.

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Potpourri, May 8

News Bits

Ethan Kassel: "I’ve been told Saint Mary’s is blocking four-star recruit Zion Sensley’s release from his NLI. He announced his intention to decommit following associate head coach Justin Joyner’s departure for Michigan. Sensley will need to file an appeal with the NCAA for his release."

With no 'news' or even chatter on Sensley's next home, it confirms Michigan is it. Would love to be listening in on Bennett's and Joyner's post-Sensley's departure phone conversations. 

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Jake Lieberman: "Allen tells me that he’s taking a visit to Cal State East Bay today (May 7).

Freshman 6' PG Kendall Allen out of Harcum Junior College (Full Qualifier) tells me that he's receiving interest from the NEC, MAAC & D2 programs. Averaged 12.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists & 1.2 steals."

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Dave McMenamin: "The Lakers have parted ways with the entire coaching staff beyond Darvin Ham, sources told ESPN, including Phil Handy - who coached under both Ham and Frank Vogel in L.A. The L.A. Times was first to report."

Handy has no worries as the new coach will either pick him up or another team will gladly do so. He has one year remaining on his Laker contract.

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Portal Updates: "UTSA transfer Carlton Linguard Jr. has committed to San Francisco. The 7’0” senior center started 27/32 games, averaging 9.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. Linguard shot 52% from 2, and 31% from 3 (38/124). Nice addition for the Dons. Linguard is great at scoring at the rim, is a rim protector, and is a good 3 point shooter for his size."

His name sounds like the latest addition to a law firm but he will help the Dons.

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Portal Updates: "Stanford has landed a commitment from USC transfer Oziyah Sellers. The 6’5” sophomore guard appeared in 33 games, averaging 5.2 points, and 1.0 rebound. Sellers shot 49% from 2, and 43% from 3 (24/56). Lengthy guard who’s a strong defender, and good shooter."

Heard nothing about Sellers since the early days of the transfer portal opening. It's likely he committed soon but it took a while to get Sellers through the academic side of Stanford admissions. Not that he would have such a problem anywhere else. Nice pickup.

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"Stan State Men’s Basketball Announces the Signing of Fabian Reichstadt"

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Jake Lieberman: "6'10 sophomore Thomas Tut out of Garden City Junior College tells me that he's being recruited the hardest by the following:

•  Jax State	•  UMKC
•  UMBC	•  San Jose State
•  USTA	•  Tarleton State
•  Robert Morris	•  Jacksonville U
•  +

14.5 points, 9.8 rebounds."

That list of skills looks beatable for the Spartans but who knows if Tut wishes to come out west"

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Skyline College Basketball: "Congratulations to Darrin Lum (Lincoln HS) on his commitment to Willamette University. It’s been an unbelievable story for Darrin at Skyline. Really excited he has earned this opportunity…his story is not over. PROUD he represents our #SkylineMBBFam."

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Ryan Raddle: "UMKC Redshirt Malik Olafioye is in the transfer portal. Olafioye was 3⭐️ HS prospect w/ HM-MM offers out of Michigan.

Schools heard from so far:

He's a 6-foot-2 freshman guard. Those other schools are beatable for SJSU, a member of he Mountain West Conference. But have to note that Oakland made a splash by beating Kentucky in this year's Big Dance. 

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"Underhand clout: Warriors legend Rick Barry’s son Canyon eyes Olympic gold in Paris"

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Jeff Goodman: "EXCLUSIVE: Coleman Hawkins UNPLUGGED!!! His decision, the portal, NBA draft, the incorrect perception some have of him, how to fix college sports and more!!!"

Jeff Goodman interviews Coleman Hawkins of Prolific Prep and Antelope High. Hit this link.

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Philip Sanchez: "Congrats Avery Sanchez for being named Pitman HS Scholar Athlete of the Year (x3)"

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New Modesto Junior College Head Coach Brice Fantazia continues to load up on talent:

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’1 Guard Jahmaree Gonder to the Pirate family. Jahmaree is a transfer from Arizona Christian University and former all league player from Beyer High School."

and

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’7 Forward Myles Clayton to the Pirate family. Myles is a transfer from Las Positas College."

and

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’4 Guard Amare Suggs of Modesto Christian High School to the Pirate family. Amare is a two time SJS D1 champion."

and

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’ Guard DaeLeon Neal of Venture Academy the 2024 D4 CIF SJS Champions to the Pirate family."

and

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’3 Guard Rolando Bazan of Riverbank High School to the Pirate family.

and

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’3 Guard Marquise Greene to the Pirate family. Marquise is a transfer from West Hills Lemoore."

and

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’4 Guard Malachi Miller to the Pirate family. Malachi is a transfer from University of Redlands."

and

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’8 Guard Marques Greene to the Pirate family. Marques is a transfer from West Hills Lemoore where he averaged 13 points and 9 rebounds a game for the Golden Eagles last season.

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The Portal Report: "Quinnipiac forward Rihards Vaver has also heard from:

•  Saint Mary’s

•  Pacific"

He just signed with Washington State.

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Quinn Denker Goes Rocky Mountain High

6-foot-3 senior-to-be guard Quinn Denker has traded in records of 11-21 for 19-14 plus 12-6 from 5-13. One doesn't have to be math accomplished to determine that those improvements are a tremendous gain.

The backdrop is Denker has departed from the University of Idaho after leading the Vandals in scoring at 12.5 points per game and also 3.7 assists a contest. He finished third on the team with 3.3 rebounds an outing too. In his initial year, Coach Alex Pribble's and his crew finished 11-21 and 5-13 in the Big Sky Conference.

Denker displays his shooting form on a corner 3

Denker's new home is University of Northern Colorado which enjoyed those 19-14 and 12-6 records under fourth year Coach Steve Smiley. And yes, UNC and Idaho reside in the same conference which will make for an interesting road game in Moscow, Idaho next season. About 2,500 additional feet in elevation separate Greeley from Moscow as well as a bit over 1,000 miles. Moscow sports a population of 25,000 while Greeley has 110,000 inhabitants but it's not like Denker has chosen the bright lights of the big city.

Why UNC? "I chose Northern Colorado because I liked what they are doing there—our values are aligned. The focus is on winning. I love the way they play on both sides of the ball. I also liked the players, the character of the guys. I talked with the coaches and they are winners. Winning is an expectation."

Denker with a last-second 3 for the win

Regarding his stint at Idaho, Denker offered, "it was a whole new team with 15 new guys and a new system we tried to implement. We made strides and showed resilience."

What will be Denker's role on his new team? "Coach Smiley told me what I was good at and gave me specifics on where I needed to improve." Regarding the latter, "there is a whole plan on how we are going to do that."

Northern Colorado returns a talented all conference point guard in Jaron Rillie who averaged 11.0 points per game while shooting 47% overall alongside 128 assists (4.6 a game) versus 58 turnovers. "He's a good shooter and now we'll have two of the top five guys in assists in the league (playing together)," Denker noted. "We'll have the best center in the league and a huge core of returnees too."

Denker speaks on multiple subjects

As for the coming season, "We still have a couple of spots left to fill but we have the core and the new additions, including a guard from overseas. We just signed a big wing from USF (6-foot-8 Isaiah Hawthorne out of Tracy High)."

The approach to him by Northern Colorado came out of the blue."I wasn't expecting to remain in the Big Sky Conference," Denker explained. "When they called, I went 'huh?'" which quickly became “I’d really love to play there.”

So Denker will work out with his trainer Anthony Demartini of CED training this summer, always with a mindset of greater effort at getting better. That ethos will fit right in with his new team.

Potpourri, May 6

News Bits

2024 NOR CAL SPRING SHOWCASE—Saturday May 11 at Chabot College

The 12th annual Nor Cal Spring Showcase will be held Saturday May 11, 2024 at Chabot College in Hayward. It will run from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. Schedule will be posted on Wednesday May 8 at hoopreview.net.

This one is always a fun event and a nice hoops fix for those in the throes of a basketball withdrawal.

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John Bynum Jr.: "Jose Cuello (Sequoias) has committed to Southeastern Louisiana University. Cuello averaged 20.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season for the Giants."

It's hard to believe he didn't receive a higher level offer.

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Portal Updates: "Houston Christian transfer Marcus Greene has committed to Hawaii. The 6’2” junior guard started 28/28 games played, averaging 15.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals. Greene shot shot 43% from 3 (61/143).

Greene is out of Archbishop Mitty. Don't know if he had any local/regional offers -- was hoping SJSU would be in the mix.

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Verbal Commits: "Former San Francisco F Isaiah Hawthorne is transferring to Northern Colorado."

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Jon Rothstein: "Source: Stanford is one of the primary options for Harvard transfer Chisom Okpara. Averaged 16.5 PPG and 5.0 RPG last season."

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"Aidan Mahaney will 'rise to the challenge' at UConn says his former high school coach"

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The Portal Report: "Chico State (D2) forward Adam Afifi tells The Portal Report multiple D1 & D2 programs have expressed interest, including:

• Cal State Fullerton
• South Alabama
• Tennessee Tech
• Bowling Green State
• Houston Christian
• Southern Indiana
• Cal State San Bernardino
• Black Hills State
• Gannon
• Cal State Dominguez Hills
• Chaminade
• Cal State East Bay

At 6’9, Afifi averaged 12.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG and 1.1 BKPG while shooting 46% from the field as an All-CCAA Second Team selection in 2023/24. Spent the 2022/23 campaign at Cal State Northridge (D1) making six appearances."

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Deundrae Perteete Jr.: "Had an amazing time on my college visit at Menlo College Men’s Basketball program! Thank you for the hospitality and great memories."

He is a wonderful young man who also excels in the classroom. I'd want him on my team. Attends Salesian Prep. Here's our earlier feature on Perteete.

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Ethan Kassel: "Miramonte has hired Mike Shaughnessy to be its next boys basketball head coach. He  was the head coach at Northgate from 2020 to 2023."

Great hire.

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Team Lillard Basketball: "Alvin Loving (2025) has received an offer from Yale University."

Just one question left: where do I sign? Loving in the Ivy League—yessir!

Here's our earlier feature on Loving.

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Hoop Scoop Media: "Portland transfer Cyprian Hyde has now also heard from:

•  Army	•  Cal Poly
•  Denver	•  Holy Cross
•  IUPUI	•  Northern Arizona
•  Marist	•  Penn
•  Southern Indiana	•  The Citadel
•  Cal State East Bay	•  Cal State Monterey Bay
•  Cedarville	•  Clayton State
•  Florida Southern	•  Fort Lewis
•  Ouachita Baptist	•  Seattle Pacific
•  St. Thomas Aquinas	•  Westminster

Intriguing prospect with all 4 years of eligibility left and a nice blend of size and skill."

He's 6-foot-11 235 pounds.

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6-foot-7 Portland freshman Tyler (Granada High) Harris has entered the early NBA draft in addition to the transfer portal. He won't be selected in the former (add a couple of more years and his dream might come true). Based upon a strong first year showing, he'll be mightily pursued in the latter if he still wishes to depart The Rose City.

Other Nor Cal ballers in the early NBA draft are:

• Duke's Jared (out of Sacramento) McCain is listed as a fringe lottery pick (going with in the first 30 but could end up picked higher.

Potential Round 2 Picks (or undrafted two-way contracts)

• Fardaws Aimaq, California, 6-11, Center, Sixth Year
• Coleman Hawkins, Illinois, 6-10, Forward, Senior
• Keshad Johnson, Arizona, 6-7, Forward/Wing, Senior
• Jonathan Mogbo, San Francisco, 6-8, Center, Junior
• Zyon Pullin, Florida, 6-5, Guard, Fifth Year

Players who have applied for early entry have the right to withdraw their names from consideration for the Draft by notifying the NBA of their decision in writing no later than 5 p.m.ET on Sunday, June 16. Under NCAA rules, in order to retain college basketball eligibility, college players who have entered NBA Draft 2024 must withdraw by Wednesday, May 29. . The two-night NBA Draft is June 26-27.

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Jeff Borzello: "Arizona transfer Filip Borovicanin has committed to New Mexico, his agent Daniel Poneman told ESPN. Skilled 6-foot-9 soph from Serbia played in 20 games for the Wildcats this past season in a reserve role. Lobos beat out San Francisco, Kansas State and Boise State for him."

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Verbal Commits: "San Francisco and Wyoming offered 2025 Colorado Prep (CO) G Josiah Sanders."

Sanders is a 16-year-old 6-foot-5 point out of Colorado.

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The Portal Report: "San Diego forward PJ Hayes has received interest from the following programs:

•  Rutgers	•  Saint Mary’s
•  Virginia Tech	•  Seton Hall
•  Drake	•  Texas A&M
•  Temple	•  Saint Joseph's
•  East Carolina	•  UMass
•  Rice	•  Indiana State
•  George Washington	•  Winthrop
•  Illinois State	•  Idaho
•  NDSU	•  Oral Roberts
•  Miami (OH)	•  Toledo
•  Albany	•  High Point
•  Western Carolina	•  UC-Riverside
•  Utah Tech	•  Chattanooga
•  Portland State	•  Abilene Christian
•  Bowling Green	•  UMBC

Hayes is a 6-foot-6 small forward who averaged 11 ppg, 3.1 rpg, and 1.1 assists per game this season.

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