It's a boy for Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis.

A spokeswoman for the "Tron: Legacy" actress confirms the couple welcomed son Otis Alexander on Sunday.

Wilde posted a message on Twitter Wednesday with a photo of her cuddling the newborn. It says, "Ladies and gentlemen, Otis Alexander Sudeikis has LEFT the building!" and then notes in parentheses that she's the building.
AP

First Team

F — Cliff Alexander, Curie (Chicago) 6-9 Sr.
This year’s Mr. Basketball USA joins Kevin Garnett (Farragut), Mark Aguirre (Westinghouse) and Cazzie Russell (Carver) as players from Chicago Public League schools to earn the nation’s highest individual honor. Alexander, who didn’t play organized basketball until the eighth grade, was the nation’s most intimidating presence in the interior with regards to rebounding and shot blocking. The Kansas recruit averaged 24 points, 15 rebounds and six blocked shots per game for a Curie team that won the CPL title on the court but later had all if its wins forfeited for the use of academically ineligible players.

Third Team

F— Kelly Oubre Jr., Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 6-7 Sr.
One of the nation’s best rebounding forwards, when Oubre is hitting from the perimeter, he’s simply one of the nation’s best players because of his overall ability. With injuries and defections negatively affecting Findlay Prep’s regular season, the Kansas-bound Oubre led the Pilots in scoring (22.2) and contributed 6.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game for a 31-5 team. When the Pilots’ bench got even shorter at Dick’s Nationals, Oubre stepped up again, leading the Pilots to an upset of then FAB 50 No. 2 Rainier Beach and averaging 20.0 points and 12.5 rebounds in two games.
StudentSports AA Teams

Well look who’s back in the news.

Ten years after having her name ripped from a new arena at Mizzou, Walmart heiress Paige Laurie Dubbert is making new headlines with her divorce.

TMZ reports that Paige has filed for divorce from her husband of nearly six years, Patrick Bode Dubbert, the guy she married in a super-secret wedding in Columbia in June 2008.

She’s divorcing him over irreconcilable differences.

Translation: She’s hoppin’ mad.

A civil lawsuit she also filed accuses him of taking thousands of dollars out of a retail center in Malibu they operated.

According to TMZ, the lawsuit alleges that Patrick convinced Paige to let him hire a friend as co-manager, then the two men made themselves general contractors and paid themselves $70,000 a month.

She charges that Patrick also paid himself $250,000 a year to manage the project on top of other fees.

A twist to all this: She’s agreed to pay him spousal support under their prenup.

Paige became infamous in these parts in 2004 when the University of Missouri named its new arena after her when her parents, Bill Laurie and Nancy Walton Laurie, donated $25 million toward the $75 million arena's construction.

Nancy Laurie is the daughter of the late Bud Walton, co-founder of Walmart.

...Paige Sports Arena wasn’t meant to be, though. Paige’s former roommate at the University of Southern California – yep, she didn’t even go to Missouri – told ABC’s “20/20” that Paige paid her about $20,000 over 3 1/2 years to write papers and do college assignments for her.

Once the story broke, Paige’s parents agreed to let the school rename the arena, the building now known as Mizzou Arena. In 2005 Paige also voluntarily surrendered her USC communication degree.
KC Star


April 9: NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee Application Deadline
April 14: NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee Response Deadline
April 15: NCAA Early Entry “Withdrawal” Deadline
April 27: NBA Draft Early Entry Eligibility Deadline (11:59 pm ET)
May 2: NBA Draft Early Entry Candidates Released – Underclassmen Contact Permitted
May 14-18: NBA Draft Combine (Chicago)
May 20: NBA Draft Lottery
June 16: NBA Draft Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline (5:00 pm ET)
June 26: 2014 NBA Draft
draftexpress.com: Testing the NBA Draft Waters in 2014

“Everyone drafts on potential and Jahlil is ready because he has size, he has athleticism, he has understanding of the game and he has skill,” legendary new York City-based talent evaluator Tom Konchalski told SNY.tv. “He has the whole package. Built like a bus, moves like a greyhound.”

While Konchalski appears sold on Okafor’s NBA readiness more than a year before he can go there, the rest of this big man class has work to do.

Long viewed as a tremendous athlete with plenty of upside, Alexander still has a ways to go.

“Cliff has got to work on his offense,” Konchalski said. “But I mean, talk about an explosive athlete and a guy who has an NBA body right now, but he’s got to elevate his skill level right now. But if he does, he can be an impact player right away in the NBA if he does. But he’s 6-8 1/2 and he’s not going to be a five man at his size. He’s going to be a four man. He’s gotta improve his skills.”

Red flags have already risen on Turner, who has proven to be injury-prone. The uncommitted 6-foot-11 Texas native’s standing as the No. 11 pick in 2015 represents a slip after he had previously been as high as No. 2 behind Okafor and ahead of Alexander.

“Myles Turner, first of all, is a human injury,” Konchalski said. “He’s hurt all the time and that’s a function of his having to get stronger and really work on his body. He’s a long way away physically from being able to play in the NBA. I think he has tremendous potential, but he has a long way away physically.”
Zags Blog

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE HARDEST DECISION OF MY LIFE
@Original_Turner


Basketball fans dream about walking through the tunnels at Allen Fieldhouse or hitting a buzzer-beater against North Carolina at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

But not many imagine hitting a game-winning shot at the Frank Erwin Center.

So why would Myles Turner, the lone uncommitted five-star recruit in the 2014 class, choose to attend Texas?

The 6-foot-10 high school senior, who attends Trinity High School, could potentially transform whatever school he chooses to attend into a legitimate championship contender. He can knock down jumpers, dominate inside and protect the rim.

Seven schools are still chasing him: Duke, Kansas, SMU, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Ohio State and Texas.

Some reports have Turner leaning toward Texas — he even tweeted admiration of the school last week. But if I were Turner, I would take the nod of recent Texas high school greats and spurn the Longhorns.

…Longhorn fans aren’t the most passionate about basketball. Fans don’t show up for nonconference game, and only games against Oklahoma and Kansas seem to get fans on their feet. 

The Erwin Center is devoid of a deafening atmosphere. Even if the crowd is relatively large, seats almost always look empty because of the size of the building.

Wouldn’t Turner rather play at Allen Fieldhouse, the place ESPN ranked as the loudest stadium in college basketball?

…Texas basketball doesn’t get a lot of attention around Austin.

Even though the team was ranked in the top 20 this past season, the only thing Longhorn fans could pay attention to was the beginning of new football head coach Charlie Strong’s program. Part of this is attributable to the Big 12 Conference itself, as it’s not too flashy. The Big 12 is deep, and one could even make the case that it was the best conference last year. But only Kansas was really ever a championship contender.

…Rick Barnes is a good coach. But would people rather play for him than Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, Kansas’ Bill Self or SMU’s Larry Brown? Turner will likely turn pro after one year, and, while talented, his game is in need of considerable molding. Barnes is not the best man to do that. Krzyzewski, Self and Brown all have considerable experience preparing players for the NBA.
UT Student Newspaper (Daily Texan)


Devonte’ Graham has been in high demand.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound point guard from Brewster (N.H.) Academy recently trimmed his list to five schools and has visited two of them in recent days — Kansas and N.C. State. Virginia is up next beginning Friday.

As far as Kansas, Graham told SNY.tv, “I like the campus and the atmosphere and the players I really got along with, and all the coaches. Basically, I would come in and have an impact right away is what I was told.”

Kansas has both Naadir Tharpe and Frank Mason returning at the point, but Graham “would play with them and Wayne [Selden] and the people coming in,” Graham said.

Kansas has a two-man class so far of big man Cliff Alexander and wing Kelly Oubre and is also involved with Texas big man Myles Turner, who announces Wednesday.

As for Graham, he said he’s “tight” with Tharpe, who played at Brewster, and Selden, who played at Tilton (N.H.) School.
Zags Blog


Devonte Graham, the top remaining uncommitted point guard in the high school recruiting Class of 2014, completed his official recruiting visit to North Carolina State on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-2 native of Raleigh, N.C., who played for Brewster Academy in New Hampshire this past school year plans to visit Virginia on Friday.

He already has visited Kansas University and told ncstate.rivals.com he might visit Virginia Tech and Providence before selecting a school.

He said he’s in no hurry after finally getting a release from a letter-of-intent from Appalachian State, which he’d sought this entire school year.

“I’m definitely thankful for being released and being able to have another opportunity to go through the recruiting process,” Graham told ncstate.rivals.com Wednesday. “It kind of helped to build me as a person, the whole process. I’m not trying to be in a rush to make a decision because of the whole situation I’ve been through. I’m kind of just waiting. I haven’t set a date of when I’m going to commit. I really could just wake up tomorrow and be like, ‘This is the school that best fits me, and I want to be there,’ and I could commit or I could commit at the end of the month, next month, I really don’t know.”

Graham, who said he had a great time on his visit to N.C. State, said it would be convenient playing in his hometown.

“The family feel was big and so was being close to home, where my family can watch. No matter where I go my family can watch, but it just wouldn’t be the same as if I was here. I try not to base my decision off of that, but it is a big factor,” said Graham, who is not currently ranked in the top 150 by Rivals.com.

…KU coach Bill Self on Wednesday had an in-home visit with Jalen Brunson, 6-1 junior point guard from Stevenson High in Lincolnshire, Ill., jayhawkslant.com reports. He is ranked No. 14 in the recruiting Class of 2015.
LJW


Illinois, Clemson, So Cal, Kansas, Baylor, and Cincy have all been by to see 2015 pg Jawun Evans this week.
@GCRivalsGlenn


2015 F @carltonbragg31 will draw a crowd this wknd in Dallas: Kentucky, UCLA, Illinois, Kansas, UConn, Md, Ohio St, Texas, AZ, Louis, ISU
@AdamZagoria


adidas Uprising Spring/Summer Events


2014 Spring/Summer AAU and camp schedule (compiled by CBS Sports)


Recruiting Calendar


My Late Night in the Phog videos, KU Alumni games videos, 2011-12 Border War videos, Legends of the Phog videos, KC Prep Invitational, & Jayhawk Invitational Videos and more now on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/kcjcjhawk

Kansas University will conduct a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new 32,000-square-foot DeBruce Center at 11:30 a.m. May 2, at the northeast corner of Allen Fieldhouse. The event is open to the public.

The DeBruce Center will become the permanent home of James Naismith’s original “Rules of Basket Ball,” which will be flanked by exhibits on Naismith and KU coaching legend Forrest “Phog” Allen.
The building will also consist of a 320-seat student activity center, which will include retail dining, cafe seating, a new training table setting for both the KU men’s and women’s basketball teams and a catered event space.

The center, a result of a gift from KU alumni Paul and Katherine DeBruce, of Mission Hills, is connected to Allen Fieldhouse through the second-floor concourse.
LJW


I remember the time my teacher said I wouldn't make it! I'm hungry I kno that the m&m's comin I taste it!
@J_mari31


Former Kansas University basketball center Matt Kleinmann used to stay awake for as many as 72 hours at a time preparing class projects in his chosen field of architecture.

Just a few years removed from his own 2009 graduation day, the 6-foot-10 Kleinmann now watches in amazement as his own students at KU show the same determination in the classroom.

Yes, Kleinmann, who traveled the world while attending graduate school at Washington University in St. Louis — he stood on the Great Wall of China as the Jayhawks tipped it up in the 2010 NCAA Tournament — then worked three years as an architect for Helix Architecture and Design in Kansas City, is completing his first year as an adjunct professor of architecture at KU.

“When I was in school, it was hard to manage basketball and architecture at the same time. For me, I’m impressed by my students. They are managing their academics and have jobs, sometimes they have children,” Kleinmann said. “I had it easy. I had a real good advocate with coach (Bill) Self stressing academics first. Now on the other end of it, it’s learning about how to be flexible and keep guys motivated and keep working hard.”
LJW


@tyshawntaylor just shut it down in Mayaguez with 22 pts 7 assts 4 rebs and 2stls and the game winner for Atleticos de Sangerman
@csantaellaSSA

Timberwolves coaching job is officially now open. Two names that will be in the mix, per sources, are Tom Izzo and Fred Hoiberg.
@GoodmanESPN


Frank Haith's baggage arrived in Tulsa way before his airplane did on Thursday.
An NCAA cloud hangs over a coach forever.

University of Tulsa fans and supporters have every right to ask why their school just hired a basketball coach who only last season served an NCAA-mandated suspension for his involvement with $10,000 in hush money paid to a convicted felon.

But whatever outrage or faux outrage exists in Tulsa today should be tempered with this incontrovertible fact:

TU president Dr. Steadman Upham and athletic director Dr. Derrick Gragg know a whole lot more about Haith's association with Nevin Shapiro and their interactions at the University of Miami than probably anyone who's ever sat courtside at a Golden Hurricane game or worn a TU sweater or waved a Tulsa pennant.

Upham was on the NCAA Board of Directors when the Miami scandal broke and had unrestricted access to everything the investigation unearthed.

"I know a lot about that case," Upham said. "I know more than I wish I did."

And Gragg combed over the NCAA Committee on Infractions' report with his compliance lenses.
"I read the infractions report," Gragg said, "and with my background in compliance, I think I can read it and interpret it the way it's supposed to be interpreted."

And there you have it. Upham and Gragg hired Haith because they are convinced his involvement in the whole sordid affair was not entirely Haith's doing. Not really.

"Now, what I do like about the situation," Gragg said, "he took ownership of it. He took ownership of something that a staff member of his did. I can understand that as the leader of a department, because I'm responsible for everything that goes on here.

"So I like the fact that he stepped up, took ownership and fell on the sword. There's honor in falling on the sword."
Tulsa World


If Leticia Romero chooses to transfer from Kansas State, she will have to without the university’s blessing.

Romero, a star guard on the Wildcats’ women’s basketball team, said Friday that an appeals committee led by K-State vice president of student life Pat Bosco denied her request for a transfer.

She can still enroll at another school, but she won’t be eligible for an athletic scholarship for a year.
NCAA rules dictate that transfers must sit out a year before they can play at a new school, but they are only allowed to immediately receive financial aid if their previous school approves of the transfer by granting a scholarship release.

K-State’s athletic department denied Romero’s initial request to transfer, which she made after athletic director John Currie fired the coach she signed with, Deb Patterson, and hired Jeff Mittie as her replacement. Romero, of Las Palmas, Spain, decided her playing style wasn’t a good fit with her new coach.

Romero appealed that ruling before a committee Wednesday. She said the committee informed her that her transfer request had been denied Thursday morning. Upset by the news, she waited until Friday to share the verdict.

“My release has been denied,” Romero said. “My parents and I are still requesting some information from the university about my appeal hearing.”
KC Star


The amendment to current transfer rules has to do with hardship waivers and an ensuing sixth year of eligibility. The NCAA announced on Friday that hardship waivers -- something players now apply for with regularity upon transferring from one place to another; it's cynically considered more and more of a loophole -- should instead be swapped for one more year of eligibility.

For example, this would mean that a player leaving one school for another in the name of being closer to home for family/health reasons would simply have an extra year to play college basketball. But the player would sit a redshirt year first. This proposal would be for all sports where applicable at the D-I level.

“We hope this change will encourage student-athletes who must transfer based on hardships to focus on the circumstances prompting the transfer during their first year and adjust to their new school, while giving them a season back to complete their eligibility,” Council chairperson Amy Huchthausen said in the NCAA's statement.

It goes back to the integrity of the transfer. In college basketball plenty of coaches (and plenty have told me this off the record) have bent the spirit of the hardship waiver to its limits, often earning immediate eligibility from a player under embellished personal circumstances. Now the NCAA is saying that all players seeking transfer under these circumstances should focus on school and the personal matter in their first year before getting back on the court.

This would also inherently eliminate the number of waivers. That process in general takes up a lot of the NCAA's time and, with regularity, leads to controversy because waiver clearances/denials can be so inconsistent with which players get which verdicts.

This proposal from the Council will go to vote next Thursday at the Board of Directors meeting, just as the unlimited-food item will. Per the NCAA, if it passes there then it goes into place at the start of the 2015-16 academic year.
CBS


April 9: NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee Application Deadline
April 14: NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee Response Deadline
April 15: NCAA Early Entry “Withdrawal” Deadline
April 27: NBA Draft Early Entry Eligibility Deadline (11:59 pm ET)
May 2: NBA Draft Early Entry Candidates Released – Underclassmen Contact Permitted
May 14-18: NBA Draft Combine (Chicago)
May 20: NBA Draft Lottery
June 16: NBA Draft Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline (5:00 pm ET)
June 26: 2014 NBA Draft
draftexpress.com: Testing the NBA Draft Waters in 2014

More impact from KSU women's BB coaching change: Olathe South All-Stater Kylee Kopatich changes commitment to KU.
@CockyHawk91

Link to above ESPN video

Oh yeah, Cliff Alexander (Kansas) knows how to throw down
@ESPNCBB

This year’s Jordan Brand Classic was the event’s highest scoring game ever. The two clubs in one of the nation’s most prestigious national all-star games combined for a whopping 305 points as the East club defeated the West Club 158-147 Friday evening at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The up tempo game (and lack of transition defense) meant a plethora of points for the participants. In the end, however, the cream rose to the top as the nation’s top four voters in the final Student Sports Mr. Basketball USA Tracker combined for 95 points.

…Among the three Mr. Basketball USA finalists on the West club, the most impressive performer was National Player of the Year Cliff Alexander. This year’s Mr. Basketball USA honoree from Curie (Chicago) had a 23-point, 8-rebound performance and dominated play in the first half as the West trailed by only a point (72-71) at halftime.

Alexander dominated the interior with his presence and threw down a couple of authoritative dunks. He also had blocked six shots (no one else had more than two) and made offensive players think twice about driving in near him.

…Small forward Kelly Oubre Jr., bound for Kansas, finished with 23 points, including 3-of-4 3-point field goal attempts that went in. Oubre’s play on the post-season all-star circuit and at Dick’s Nationals for Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) was impressive to say the least.

With 13:13 remaining in the game, Oubre’s two free throws made the score 104-93 for the game’s first double digit lead by the East. The East Club’s lead grew to as big as 17 points in the second half.
StudentSports

MVPs:
East: Jahlil Okafor @BigJah22 (29 points, 9 rebounds) & West: Cliff Alexander @humblekid11 (23 points, 8 rebounds)
@ASlater247


Congratulations to Jahlil Okafor and Cliff Alexander for winning MVP. #TakeFlightJBC 2014 @jumpman23
@carmeloanthony


My god, Kansas' Cliff / Ellis frontcourt is going to be good. Prob even more productive than Ellis / Embiid
@lukewinn


Thank you! Cliff Alexander has more skill than he gets credit for.
@AdamFinkelstein


Cliff Alexander has now swatted Jahlil Okafor and blocked Karl -Anthony Towns
Cliff Alexander is obviously completely different from Joel Embiid, but if you're Bill Self you've gotta be excited about him coming in.
@AdamZagoria


Cliff Alexander's calling card rim level rebounds, power finishes and blocking shots!
@ReggieRankin


Not-so-bold prediction: Cliff Alexander will hear his name called by Adam Silver very early in about 14 months
@Joshua_Newman


2014 Mr. Basketball USA Cliff Alexander (@humblekid11) credited with 1 block at @nikehoopsummit had @ least 3
@RonMFlores


2014 Mr. Basketball USA Cliff Alexander (@humblekid11) credited with 5 blocks at @JordanClassic had @ least 6
@RonMFlores

Asked one scout for the most talented player at the Jordan Brand Classic -- he said Kelly Oubre
@jeffborzello


Kelly Oubre lefty stroke with deep range and he will straight line drive and finish through contact and above the rim as well.
@ReggieRankin


NBA scouts are already interested and intrigued in Oubre and Jackson because of their size and skill.

An NBA Eastern Conference scout said this about both players: "Oubre can become an NBA 2-guard as he handles it well enough and can make jumpers with good length.
ESPN

ESPN Video: Check out the Jordan Classic 3-D Projector

Cliff Alexander

Kansas’ frontcourt will be in good shape next season whether or not the Jayhawks land five-star center Myles Turner, the nation’s top uncommitted prospect. Alexander is an explosive athlete who excels on both ends of the floor. His ability to block shots and attack the rim have garnered plenty of attention – he is ranked as the No. 4 player in the class of 2014 by Rivals – and he should have plenty of success in college. Though Alexander needs to refine his mid-range game, he is a force around the basket and protects the rim well. He scored 23 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked five shots in earning the West Team’s Most Valuable Player Award. After the game, Alexander said he hoped Turner, who is scheduled to announce his college decision on April 30, would join him in Lawrence next season. “Hopefully we get Myles Turner to fulfill Joel’s spot,” he said. Alexander also said he, fellow Kansas signee Kelly Oubre and former Kansas center Joel Embiid, who was sitting courtside, have lobbied Turner to pick Kansas. “He says he’s just weighing out his options right now,” Alexander said. “Me, Kelly and Joel have been talking to him. Joel talked to him earlier today at the hotel, trying to get him to commit. Hopefully he does that.”
SI: Four that stood out

Kansas University basketball signee Cliff Alexander earned most valuable player honors for the West team during Friday night’s Jordan Brand Classic at Barclays Center in New York City.

Alexander, a 6-8 forward out of Chicago’s Curie High, scored 23 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked five shots in the West’s 158-147 loss to the East.

Alexander’s high school rival, Jahlil Okafor of Chicago Whitney Young High, scored 29 points with nine rebounds in earning MVP honors for the winning East team.

KU signee Kelly Oubre scored 24 points and grabbed five rebounds, while Indiana signee James Blackmon had 23 and Duke’s Tyus Jones 12 assists and 10 points for the East.

Also for the West, Arizona’s Stanley Johnson had 24 points and SMU’s Emmanuel Mudiay 19.
Myles Turner, 6-11 from Trinity High in Euless, Texas, who is considering KU, Texas, SMU and others, missed the game because of an ankle injury.
LJW

My boy JoJo made it !!! lol
@LandenLucas33


Jojo hat tho
@J_mari31

Self on Sunday visited Myles Turner, a 6-foot-11 senior center from Trinity High in Euless, Texas, who is ranked No. 6 nationally by Rivals.com. Turner’s dad, David, told jayhawkslant.com the visit was “great” and praised Self and assistant Norm Roberts, who made the in-home. Turner will choose between KU, Texas, SMU, Duke, Ohio State, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M on April 30 on ESPNU.

... Devonte Graham, a 6-2 senior from Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, completed his campus visit to KU on Sunday. After returning home, Graham tweeted: “Had a great visit at KU .. Happy to be home now ! Happy Easter Everyone.”
LJW


The perception may be that Myles Turner is leaning towards Texas, but Kansas is working hard to get the 6-foot-11 Texas big man to jump across state lines.

Kansas head coach Bill Self will meet Sunday with Turner in Texas, David Turner confirmed to SNY.tv.

That meeting will come some 48 hours after Joel Embiid, the potential No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, and the two Kansas pledges in the Jordan Brand Classic tried to get Turner to commit to Kansas while in New York.

“He says he’s just weighing out his options right now,” Kansas-bound Cliff Alexander said after getting MVP honors for the West by putting up 23 points and 8 rebounds in a 158-147 loss to the East. “Me, Kelly [Oubre] and Joel have been talking to him. Joel talked to him earlier [Friday] at the hotel trying to get him to commit. Hopefully, he does that.”

…“Myles Turner is a human injury, he’s hurt all the time,” New York recruiting guru Tom Konchalski told SNY.tv. “And that’s a function I think of him having to get stronger and really work on his body. He’s a long way away physically from being able to play in the NBA. I think he has tremendous potential but he’s a long way away physically.”
Zags Blog

…Justin Simon, a 6-4, 180-pound junior shooting guard from Temecula Valley High School in Calif., tells JayhawkSlant.com that KU coach Bill Self will visit his school on Monday. Simon is ranked No. 23 in the Class of 2015 by Rivals.com. Simon is considering KU, Arizona, Colorado, Creighton, Louisville, Santa Clara, USC, Washington, New Mexico and San Diego State.
LJW


Kassoum Yakwe, a 6-foot-7, 200-pound forward from Our Savior New American (NY), is one of the rising prospects in the 2016 class. Yakwe played in the 2014 Jordan Brand International Game and scored 13 points and grabbed two rebounds for Team White as they defeated Team Black 74-71.
Yakwe played an efficient 19 minutes, shooting 4-for-5 from the field. He also displayed an improved handle and a nice outside touch, hitting 2-for-3 from beyond the arc.

“I’m getting more confident,” Yakwe said when asked about his outside shot. “I’ve been working in the gym getting shots up. I’m getting better [at] it.”

Yakwe has drawn interest from high major schools, and told SNY.tv and The Juice Online that “Kansas, Syracuse [and] Villanova” are recruiting him the hardest. Still, his college decision isn’t his top priority right now.

“I’m not focused on that,” Yakwe said. “I just want to work on my game.”
Zags Blog


Jayhawk Invitational (4/25-4/27) (Schedule of games/brackets now posted)


adidas Uprising Spring/Summer Events


2014 Spring/Summer AAU and camp schedule (compiled by CBS Sports)


Recruiting Calendar


My Late Night in the Phog videos, KU Alumni games videos, 2011-12 Border War videos, Legends of the Phog videos, KC Prep Invitational, & Jayhawk Invitational Videos and more now on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/kcjcjhawk

Friday April 18, 2014

7 pm Eastern, 6 pm Central

Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

ESPN2, ESPN3

Viewers can vote for the East and West MVPs. They will have to follow @Jumpman23 on Twitter and tweet the selection’s last name to #TakeFlightJBC



For the second straight year, Barclays Center will serve as the host venue for the 13th annual Jordan Brand Classic. The nation’s premier high school all-star game will be held on April 18 in Brooklyn, NY.

Jordan Brand Classic will feature three epic bouts, beginning with an International Game at 2:30 p.m. EDT. This is the seventh year that the best young talent from around the globe will square off on-court, showcasing the world’s basketball talent. Following the International Game, the New York metropolitan area can support their favorite local talent in the Regional Game, tipping off at 4:30 p.m. The Regional Game is a “City vs. Suburbs” showdown that will feature the top prep players from the area.

Headlining the Jordan Brand Classic is the National Game, with tip-off slated for 7 p.m. EDT. This game serves as an annual showcase for the best talent at the high school level. Jordan Brand signature athletes including Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Blake Griffin are all Jordan Brand Classic alums.    

The top 26 prospects from across the country have been selected to play in the National Game.  Teams are organized by geography.

EAST:
Tyus Jones (Apple Valley, MN/Duke), Joel Berry (Lake Highland, FL/UNC), Isaiah Whitehead (Lincoln, NY/Seton Hall), LJ Peak (Gaffney, SC/Georgetown), Grayson Allen (Providence, FL/Duke), James Blackmon (Marion, IN/Indiana), Rashad Vaughn (Findlay, NV/UNLV), Kelly Oubre (Findlay, NV/Kansas), Justin Jackson (Homeschool Christian Youth Academy, TX/UNC), Reid Travis (De LaSalle, MN/Stanford), Trey Lyles (Arsenal Tech, IN/Kentucky), Jahlil Okafor (Whitney Young, IL/Duke), Karl Towns (St. Joseph, NJ/Kentucky).

WEST:
Emmanuel Mudiay (Prime Prep, TX/SMU), Tyler Ulis (Marian Catholic, IL/Kentucky), Devin Booker (Moss Point, MS/Kentucky), Kameron Chatman (Columbia Christian, OR/Michigan), Theo Pinson (Wesleyan Christian, NC/UNC), Justise Winslow (St. John’s, TX/Duke), Stanley Johnson (Mater Dei, CA/Arizona), Cliff Alexander (Curie, IL/Kansas), Chris McCullough (IMG Academy/Syracuse), Myles Turner (Trinity, TX/Uncommitted), Daniel Hamilton (St. John Bosco, CA/UConn), D’Angelo Russell (Montverde Academy, FL/Ohio State), Shaqquan Aaron (Rainier Beach, WA/Louisville).

Tickets for the Jordan Brand Classic are currently on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, the Barclays Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. For more information, visit the official website at www.JordanBrandClassic.com.

ESPN3 Surround delivers exclusive content tied to live events on ESPN linear networks, offering a companion experience in real-time that will complement the big game on television.  It will enable fans to go deeper into ESPN’s biggest live events with alternate camera angles, experiences and stories around the game.

“With ESPN3 Surround, we continue to super serve sports fans with a unique offering around the biggest rivalries, competitions and sporting events,” said Jason Bernstein, senior director of programming and acquisitions, ESPN.  “Its availability on computers, smartphones, tablets, Xbox, Apple TV and Roku make it a true second-screen experience that will engage sports fans in new and meaningful ways.”
Link

 
Jordan Brand Classic 2013 News Links

What we expect to see next season: Even if Myles Turner, the No. 2 prospect in the 2014 ESPN 100, chooses another school, Kansas will still be stacked. Wayne Selden, Perry Ellis and Naadir Tharpe return. Plus, Cliff Alexander (the top power forward in the 2014 class per RecruitingNation, and fellow McDonald’s All American Kelly Oubre are on their way to Lawrence, Kan. The Jayhawks should contend for their 11th consecutive Big 12 crown under Self.

But it won’t be easy.

Hoiberg won’t stop. Niang will recover from the foot injury. Monte Morris, Dustin Hogue and Naz Long are back, too. Former Marquette recruit Jameel McKay will be eligible next season, and Hoiberg just landed former UNLV star Bryce Dejean-Jones. And there’s always a chance that he’ll add another top transfer before next season.

Oklahoma returns four standouts from last year’s NCAA tourney team. Losing Smart and Markel Brown hurts Oklahoma State, and Le'Bryan Nash could leave, too. But Phil Forte, Brian Williams, Kamari Murphy and Michael Cobbins (once healthy) will help the Cowboys compete for a berth in the tourney. A pair of ESPN 100 recruits (Joe Burton and Jared Terrell) will also be in the mix.

Kansas State youngster Marcus Foster will be the Big 12 player of the year in 2014-15. And overall, four of Kansas State’s top six scorers from last season will return next year.
ESPN


During a conference call with reporters on Thursday, I asked ESPN/ABC game analyst Jeff Van Gundy which of the top college prospects he thought had the highest ceiling for the NBA game.

“I like (Andrew) Wiggins from Kansas a lot,” Van Gundy said. “I think he is a tremendous athlete who could play at the two and overpower people with his size and athleticism there.”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel


The buildup for the June 26 draft is a long, two-month process. There are the combine and individual workouts, where players' strengths and weaknesses will be dissected. Hitting on the right pick -- or picks -- could position a franchise as a playoff contender for years, while missing could set a franchise back even longer. But no pressure, really.

Here is SI.com's Mock Draft 1.0, with the order based on regular-season records. The May 20 draft lottery will determine the top three picks, with the rest of the order based on records.

1. Milwaukee Bucks -- Andrew Wiggins, G/F, Kansas
Wiggins has quickly emerged as an early favorite among executives from many lottery teams. He has his warts -- a lack of aggression and tendency to drift during games being chief among them -- but his ceiling is considered higher than anyone else's. At 6-foot-7, 200 pounds, Wiggins can conceivably play two positions, though multiple executives say the best fit is two-guard. A Wiggins-Giannis Antetokounmpo-Larry Sanders trio is a nice core for Milwaukee to build around.

2. Philadelphia 76ers -- Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
Word around the league is that the Sixers are high on Wiggins. They will settle for Embiid, the draft's best center prospect, who would pair with Nerlens Noel to form an athletic frontcourt. Embiid's back isn't an issue -- yet. NBA executives are eager to get their hands on his medicals at next month's draft combine in Chicago.
SI

To NBA GMs: If you're a gambler, pick Embiid. If you value a player's ceiling, select Wiggins. If you need help now, go with Jabari Parker.
@MedcalfByESPN


4/14/14, 7:13 PM
Tonight marks Kirk Hinrich's 645th game played for the #Bulls, tying Paxson for 4th most behind Jordan, Pippen & Sloan.
@chicagobulls


4/14/14, 6:16 PM
With the start, Mario Chalmers moved past Rony Seikaly and into eighth place on the Heat's all-time list, with 439 starts.
@IraHeatBeat


Three appointments to Danny Manning ’s first basketball coaching staff at Wake Forest are now official — Steve Woodberry and Brett Ballard will come on board as assistants, and Justin Bauman will be the director of basketball operations, university officials announced.

All three held the same positions on Manning’s staff at Tulsa the past two seasons, and all are Kansas University graduates. Woodberry and Ballard previously indicated on their personal Twitter accounts that they would be following Manning to Wake Forest.
AP


“Pay Heed. The game you love began here. Respect those who came before you. Make their legacy your own. Because destiny favors the dedicated. And rings don’t replace work. In this game you don’t get what you want. You get what you earn. We are Kansas. Together we rise. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

There is no one better than staying ahead of the posse than Oliver Purnell, but Frank Haith may be making up serious ground.
@GoodmanESPN

The best part about @22wiggins winning Mr. Basketball award at tonight's banquet was @WayneSeldenJr starting the standing ovation.
@clautnitch

In the days before Kansas’ annual postseason basketball banquet, Andrew Wiggins was tipped off that he was an unofficial finalist for the program’s only award: The Danny Manning “Mr. Jayhawk” Award.

But when Wiggins arrived at the Holidome Convention Center on Tuesday night, he still hadn’t prepared much of a speech. In his mind, he says, he just didn’t think it would be him.

So when Kansas coach Bill Self awarded him the “Mr. Jayhawk” honor at the end of the night, Wiggins took the stage and kept his remarks brief.

“The memories will never fade,” said Wiggins, who announced his decision to enter the NBA Draft earlier this month.

“It kind of caught me off guard, so I was a little nervous,” Wiggins said later. “But it’s an amazing award. I’m honored to get it, amongst the legacy of the names.”

In years past, the “Mr. Jayhawk” award has usually been reserved for veterans — seniors that have invested many years in the program. But much like the rest of the KU season, Tuesday’s postseason banquet had a youthful theme.

…While Wiggins and Embiid said their unofficial goodbyes, Self reflected on a season that featured KU’s 10thstraight Big 12 title — but ended in disappointing fashion in a round-of-32 NCAA Tournament loss to Stanford.

“It was a situation where it was very upsetting and frustrating, because as you guys saw … these guys can play as well as anybody in the country, without question,” Self told the sold-out convention center. “And we really didn’t do that at the very end.

“When we were whole,” Self added. “I really think we were the best in the country.”
KC Star


“I think you could make a case for Wayne (Selden), Perry (Ellis), Tarik (Black), but when you really break it down, he’s the best player on a Big 12 championship team that has probably brought as much exposure to this school in a positive way as anybody ever has,” KU coach Bill Self said.

“He’ll win a lot of awards moving forward (in NBA). Hopefully this is one he’ll always remember.”
Wiggins, who confirmed he has signed with agent Bill Duffy, felt “blessed to receive this honor.”

“It’s an amazing award. I’m honored to get it amongst the names (who won in past) and the legacy of Danny Manning,” Wiggins said.

…KU freshman Joel Embiid confirmed he has signed with agent Arn Tellem of Wasserman Group. Self kidded Embiid about the expensive suit Embiid purchased on a recent trip to Los Angeles.

…Embiid said he enjoyed reliving memories of his one-and-done season.

“I was just watching the (season highlight) video earlier. I wish I could come back, but it’s too late right now,” Embiid said.

…KU freshman guard Wayne Selden had a “very minor” surgical procedure on his left knee at the conclusion of the season, Self reported Tuesday.

“He was playing on a bad wheel all year,” Self said. “He’ll be fine going into the summer, 100 percent. I think we’ll see him become even more explosive.”

Self said Selden hurt the knee at the “beginning of the year, one of those nagging things you have to deal with. He never complained once. You could tell he didn’t have the same pop as he did in August and September.”

…KU junior Naadir Tharpe did not attend. His grandfather died Thursday in Massachusetts, and memorial services are today, Self said. Tharpe will be back in Lawrence tonight.

“He’s had an interesting offseason,” Self acknowledged of Tharpe getting in trouble for having a risqué picture posted on social media. “But he is not here because of that (death in family). He said one of his biggest regrets is not being able to be with you (fans) tonight.”

…Self said Wiggins and Embiid have completed their coursework for the semester. “They have fulfilled their academic responsibilities by today,” he said. “If they decide to stay the rest of the semester, that’s great. If their agent says they want ’em to go to California to work out, that’s great. We know we’ve got that covered so that won’t impact our APR.”
LJW


"I have something to say" Joel Embiid, "But you don't have the microphone. If you say you're coming back you can say all you want" Bill Self
@abaker6sports


Bill Self just did his Joel Embiid impression with the double guns celebration. #kubball #classic
@abaker6sports


KUAD Press release KU BBall Banquet

Paul Pierce became the sixth player in NBA history to score 1,000 points in 15 straight seasons, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19), Karl Malone (18), John Havlicek (16), Elvin Hayes (15) and Robert Parish (15). .
ESPN

“Pay Heed. The game you love began here. Respect those who came before you. Make their legacy your own. Because destiny favors the dedicated. And rings don’t replace work. In this game you don’t get what you want. You get what you earn. We are Kansas. Together we rise. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Leticia Romero says the Kansas State athletic department is blackmailing her.

Romero, a unanimous selection to the Big 12 All-Freshman team, said her request for a release from the women’s basketball team — submitted about a week ago — was recently denied.
K-State, Romero said, offered her a deal of sorts.

“They said we wanted to do the same thing they did with Angel (Rodriguez) for the men’s team, and they said that they weren’t going to give me the release this year,” Romero told The Topeka Capital-Journal on Tuesday afternoon. “They wanted me to try one year, and in one year if I didn’t like it, they would give me a release.

“I really saw this as blackmail.”

Romero says she has plenty of reasons to want to leave Kansas State, but she can’t understand why she is being denied that opportunity. The athletic department refused comment Tuesday, citing student athlete privacy laws that make them unable to comment on issues involving transfers or releases.
TCJ


As proud as they were of a 20-win season and NCAA Tournament berth, they seemed more focused on what they can accomplish next year.

“Win the Big 12 and make a big run,” said leading scorer Marcus Foster when asked about expectations for the 2014-15 season. “Today I was watching Jacob Pullen and the run he made to the Elite Eight and it inspired me to want to do that.

“I want to beat KU twice. I want to beat them away and at home. I have big dreams for next season. It’s fun. We have all the pieces to make this happen.”
Wichita Eagle


Kansas State athletic director John Currie on Wednesday awarded basketball coach Bruce Weber his second contract extension since he was hired in 2012. Both deals added a year to his contract. His new contract runs through 2019 without an increase in pay.

Weber’s compensation will remain the same, with his salary of $1.85 million increasing by $100,000 each year he remains on the job. If he stays at K-State through the entirety of his new contract he will earn $2.25 million in 2019 on top of a $500,000 retention bonus.
Wichita Eagle


Big 12 program Kansas State and Georgia have a contract to play a home-and-home series the next two seasons, according to a copy obtained by the Athens Banner-Herald in an open records request.
The matchup would send Bulldogs coach Mark Fox back to his home state.

Georgia would play at Kansas State on Dec. 31, 2014, and Kansas State would return a game to Athens on Dec. 22, 2015. Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity signed the contract Tuesday but it awaits Kansas State to do the same to finalize the deal.
ABH


A report from the Omaha World-Herald says OU and Creighton will play a home-and-home basketball series starting next season in Omaha. Which will make a great series. The Bluejays have become a solid name in NCAA hoops, both last season in the new/old Big East and before that in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Oklahoman


OU men's basketball coach Lon Kruger announced Tuesday that sophomore guard Je'lon Hornbeak has decided to transfer.

Hornbeak, an Arlington, Texas, native, played in 61 games in two seasons as a Sooner, averaging 5.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. The 6-foot-4 Hornbeak said he will go through the recruiting process again.
The Oklahoman


Starting guard Royce Woolridge and reserve center James Hunter have left the Washington State basketball program, while recruit Jermaine Morgan has been released from his letter of intent.
New coach Ernie Kent said Tuesday that Woolridge wants to play his final season of college basketball closer to his family in Arizona. Woolridge averaged 7.3 points per game as a junior last season.

Kent says Woolridge is on schedule to graduate this school year with a degree in human development.
The Oregonian


It is time to test the Tennessee River water that flows past Knoxville.

Test it for toxic levels of dysfunction.

There is something in the water, or the soil – or, most likely, the people – at the University of Tennessee that has turned the athletic department into a transient, turmoil-ridden place. Basketball coach Cuonzo Martin’s departure Tuesday for California is just the latest huh? moment for a school that has been buffeted by them in recent years.

Martin’s successor will be the third Tennessee hoops coach since 2011. Butch Jones is the fourth football coach since 2008. Dave Hart is the second athletic director in the last three years.

Absolutely nothing is rock solid on Rocky Top these days. It is high time for a reality check.
Yahoo



The NCAA established its own draft withdrawal date for early May, which gave players almost no time to conduct workouts for teams before making a final decision. With that date in place, a combine-style tryout was arranged for underclassmen who entered the draft. Some who took part found out it probably wasn’t their time.

Ah, but that wasn’t good enough for NCAA rule makers: They soon changed their withdrawal date to the day prior to the opening of the spring signing period for letters of intent. And that is where we stand now.

The rule is so obviously an affront to the players who participate in college basketball that you’ll have a heck of a time finding a single coach who was in the room for those ACC meetings who’ll admit to a role in it. None wants to own it, because it’s so clearly self-serving. The rule’s very existence is equivalent to this statement: My program matters more than the young men it is designed to serve.
Sporting News


A panel of college administrators agree the NCAA business model has to change to survive.
Three administrators participated in a discussion Tuesday on integrity and the commercialization of college athletics — Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner Beth DeBauche, Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart and former Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe.

Many athletic departments are flush with cash thanks to multi-million dollar TV deals. Conferences have started their own networks, and coaches' contracts continue to soar.

Now athletes are demanding their fair share.

"The landscape as we know it for Division I is going to certainly change in some form or fashion," DeBauche said.

While DeBauche sees the current crisis as an opportunity to make college athletics healthier than ever, the panel also agreed the question now is how to do that.

"We have to have 21st century solutions," Barnhart said. "We didn't get to this problem overnight."
AP


The NCAA's Legislative Council approved a proposal Tuesday to expand the meal allowance for all athletes.

The move occurred eight days after Connecticut guard Shabazz Napier complained during the Final Four that he sometimes went to bed "starving" because he couldn't afford food.

The proposal would allow Division I schools to provide unlimited meals and snacks to all athletes, including walk-ons. The measure still must be approved by the board of directors, which meets April 24.

"I think the end result is right where it needs to be," committee chairwoman and America East assistant commissioner Mary Mulvenna said in a statement released by the governing body.

The proposal has been debated for months, but Napier's comments following last week's national championship game brought attention to the topic. Napier was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament, leading Connecticut to its fourth men's title.

Schools have been allowed to provide three meals per day or a stipend for those meals to scholarship athletes. The new rule would allow walk-ons to receive the same allowances and would allow schools to provide more meals and snacks, too.

The committee also approved a measure that would reduce the penalty for a first positive drug test — if the banned substance is determined to be something other than a performance-enhancing drug. Currently, players who fail the test during NCAA tournaments must sit out one full season. The proposal would cut the penalty to half a season.

Committee members said they hope the change will encourage schools to provide more rehab services.
AP


When it comes to academic fraud, the NCAA's been consistent in one area: if the fraud happens outside of an athletic department or college players, the NCAA usually steps aside.

Thinking is: If a university has academic impropriety happening at a level that transcends what's going on with only players, then it's a university issue and not the NCAA's call to step in.

But that could be changing.

A report in the Chronicle of Higher Education suggests the NCAA is rethinking its approach to punishment in these instances. The most recent and infamous example is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Many students -- some in sports, some not -- were found to have participated in phony courses within the Department of African and Afro-American Studies.

"An academic scandal that spanned at least 14 years and potentially more than 200 classes. Many of those enrolled were athletes," according to the most recent story on UNC's corrupt academic past from the Raleigh News & Observer.

The NCAA has acted in the past as a participatory consultant in UNC's own internal investigations, but it never took the lead on the matter because the reported fraud never happened solely through athletic channels.

Now the NCAA is considering when and how it should get involved in these types of spots. The Leadership Council is undergoing meetings this week, and the Board of Directors meets on April 24 to approve or deny any suggested alteration in legislation that's been put forth by the Council.
CBS


In the nearly three years since news of the scandal broke, Crowder has yet to say anything publicly about her role in the classes. But now she is emerging as a key witness in a new investigation set up by the university and the UNC system of the biggest academic scandal in the university’s history.

What she says could have ramifications for hundreds of wins and numerous championships by UNC’s athletic teams. If she says she helped create the classes so athletes struggling academically could stay eligible to play sports, her actions could trigger serious NCAA violations. If she can show she paid no attention to who sought to get into the classes, and simply helped anyone who showed up at her door, the NCAA might stay away.

Nyang’oro has been charged with a felony fraud count in the scandal because he took special summer pay for a class that never met. That 2011 class was filled with football players. His attorney, Bill Thomas of Durham, said Nyang’oro is innocent and will fight the charge.

Some of the information produced so far suggests Crowder acted outside of Nyang’oro’s knowledge in creating some of the classes. Nyang’oro had given her broad authority to run the department.
News Observer


A marquee non-conference matchup is close to being set in 2014, as SMU and Gonzaga are negotiating the terms of a home-and-home series beginning in the 2014-2015 season.

This came according to SMU Athletics Director Rick Hart, who tweeted the status of the proposed matchups on Tuesday afternoon.
NBC


April 9: NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee Application Deadline
April 14: NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee Response Deadline
April 15: NCAA Early Entry “Withdrawal” Deadline
April 27: NBA Draft Early Entry Eligibility Deadline (11:59 pm ET)
May 2: NBA Draft Early Entry Candidates Released – Underclassmen Contact Permitted
May 14-18: NBA Draft Combine (Chicago)
May 20: NBA Draft Lottery
June 16: NBA Draft Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline (5:00 pm ET)
June 26: 2014 NBA Draft
draftexpress.com: Testing the NBA Draft Waters in 2014

"We're gonna do some great things next year." - Cliff Alexander, with Kelly Oubre, on @ESPNU #kubball pic.twitter.com/cwymyvrIJo
@KUHoops

At last summer’s LeBron James Skills Academy, there was something noticeably missing as 80 of the nation’s elite players tested their skill against one another.

The July camp fell during a non-viewing period, which meant college coaches were not in attendance. Scouts and recruiting analysts pointed to that as the main reason the camp’s big men didn’t battle and bang as hard as they hoped for. But there was an underlying reason why the camp’s post players lacked the desire people in attendance were looking for — the presence of power forward Cliff Alexander of Curie (Chicago).

After a few practice sessions, it was apparent guards were hesitant to drive the ball inside for fear of a rejection by Alexander. Post players would rather take a pass than be the victim of one of Alexander’s powerful finishes around the rim. That power game and inside dominance carried right over to Alexander’s senior season, as he helped Cuie become a nationally-ranked club.

Alexander’s talent level and dominance among his elite peers in the interior, combined with his production for Curie, today earns him the 2013-2014 Student Sports Mr. Basketball USA title.

“It’s just an honor to be named Mr. Basketball USA and I’m very excited to be named player of the year.” Alexander said from New York as he prepares for the Jordan Brand Classic.

…In the final Mr. Basketball USA Tracker, Alexander tallied seven of the possible 10 first-place votes, with two going to Whitney Young’s Jahlil Okafor and the other going to point guard Emmanuel Mudiay of Prime Prep (Ft. Worth, Texas). Coming in second place in the final balloting was actually Stanley Johnson of FAB 50 No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), who garnered the most second place votes (6) and finished second to Alexander in total points, 93-79.

Okafor, last year’s Student Sports National Junior of the Year, put the heat on the Mr. Basketball USA panel by capturing his first Illinois Class 4A state title after rebounding from the on-court loss to Curie in the city title game and by playing admirably at the McDonald’s All-American Game and Nike Hoop Summit. It’s not as if Alexander player particularly bad (9 points, game-high 11 rebounds in the McDonald’s Game), but Okafor stepped up his game down the stretch after a lackluster regular season. Johnson also closed strong by leading Mater Dei to a 35-0 record, including a win over
Whitney Young, and its fourth consecutive California major division state title.

Okafor was named the McDonald’s Morgan Wooten and USA Today Player of the Year and Illinois Mr. Basketball. Alexander, meanwhile, took home the Naismith Award and was named the Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year over Okafor. Alexander has now added another prestigious honor as he prepares for his college and likely NBA career.

This honor could have easily went to someone else — particularly after Curie’s season engulfed in controversy at and following the city title game versus Whitney Young. It’s something not lost on the rather soft-spoken 6-foot-9, 240-pounder with a distinct power game.

“It means a lot because all three of them are great players and all of them had great senior seasons,” Alexander said.
studentsports.com


Devonte Graham, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior point guard from Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, will make an official recruiting visit to Kansas University on Friday, Brewster coach Jason Smith reported Sunday on Twitter.

…“Graham is a long and rangy point guard who is deceptively athletic,” writes Eric Bossi of Rivals.com. “He dribbles the ball with purpose, advances the ball up the floor via the pass in transition and is a very good on the ball defender. He doesn’t take a lot of risks and is usually quite efficient.”
LJW


Point guard Devonte Graham, who became an available Class of 2014 recruit when new Appalachian State coach Jim Fox released him from the letter of intent he signed in November 2012, has narrowed his college choices to Kansas, N.C. State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Providence.

Graham, a 2013 Broughton High School graduate who spent the 2013-14 season as a post-graduate player at Brewster (N.H.) Academy, plans to visit Kansas on Friday and N.C. State on Monday. The Wolfpack has lost point guard Tyler Lewis, who is transferring to Butler, making part-time starter Cat Barber the likely full-time starter in 2014-15. Alabama transfer Trevor Lacey, who will be eligible to play next season, is a combo guard.

Graham's stock improved while he led Broughton to the 4-A state title game as a senior during the 2012-13 season, but he wasn't granted a release from his binding letter of intent with Appalachian State after he decided he didn't want to join coach Jeff Capel's program. ASU wouldn't release Graham because it believed N.C. State had tampered with him, an accusation that the Wolfpack has denied. It was also noteworthy that, after Graham had signed, ASU announced it was leaving the Southern Conference for the Sun Belt Conference.
Fayetteville Observer


Brewster coach Jason Smith says that #UVa target Devonte Graham will take an official visit to Virginia April 25-26.
@Cavs_Corner


Don't care what @im_dat_kid_dtae ranking is or how many stars after his name. He's as talented as any point guard we've had at Brewster.
@BrewsterHoops


Add Kansas to the list of high-major programs who will be recruiting 2016 Gill St. Bernard’s guard Tyus Battle.

Kansas assistant Norm Roberts called Gary Battle, the player’s father, and told him he would be watching Tyus later this month and this summer.

“He told me he’s gonna be really looking forward to seeing him over the summer,” Gary said.
Battle is running this summer with Team Scan on the Nike EYBL circuit, alongside 2015 forwards Cheick Diallo and Thomas Bryant.

Ohio State and Virginia are also expected in to see the 6-foot-5, 190-pound Battle next week at his school during the recruiting period.
Zags Blog


USA Today: Malik Newman blog

Myles Turner, who is ranked No. 6 in the recruiting Class of 2014 by Rivals.com, will announce his college choice on April 30 on ESPNU’s Recruiting Nation show, the network announced Wednesday.
Turner, a 6-foot-11 center from Trinity High in Euless, Texas, has a final list of Kansas University, Texas, SMU, Duke, Ohio State, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.

He disputes that he has narrowed his choices to three.

“That’s false,” Turner told Zagsblog.com. “It’s kind of cloudy. I have ideas here and there where I want to go, but it’s not a straight shot. Just really where I’m feeling the most comfortable,” he added. “That’s really the biggest thing with me.”

…Turner is questionable for Friday’s game (6 p.m., ESPN2) because of an ankle injury.

“I’m not sure if I’ll play yet, but hopefully I do,” Turner told Zagsblog after watching practice in sweats at Basketball City in Manhattan. “Even if I don’t play its just an honor to be a part of all this.”

Asked about KU by Zagsblog.com, Turner said: “I like the high-low system that coach (Bill) Self runs, due to the fact that I can play both the high and the low in that system with Cliff (Alexander) and a couple of other bigs over there. That would be really cool to be a part of.”
LJW


And apologies to the six other fanbases still holding out hope that Turner will come to their school, but if you were listening closely to Turner on Wednesday, he slipped up and let us in on his secret.
"It's in my backyard," Turner said of the University of Texas. "Hopefully I can come down there and make an impact like Kevin Durant had. If I were able to do that, that'd be pretty cool."

This was his response when asked what he liked about every school on his list. Now read that again.

"Hopefully I can come down there..."

This is what I hate about recruiting—all the speculation about what an 18-year-old kid says, and I realize I've stooped to that level. But if you want to read the signs, they are all pointing toward Austin.
CJ Moore


People will take anything And twist and turn your words for manipulation
#annoying
@Original_Turner

Kelly Oubre, SF (Kansas)– At 6’7”, Oubre is a long wing with an explosive game. He’s very athletic, fast and skilled at penetrating a defense. He ran the plays very well today and played with high intensity, which was encouraging to see. His shot was a bit off in practice, but he didn’t let that stop him from getting his teammates involved. He has tremendous body-control and is adept at taking contact and still finishing inside. After a solid performance at the Nike Hoops Summit, it will be interesting to see how he follows that up in Brooklyn.
East team Practice 1


JBC participants on how they would fare one-on-one vs MJ in his prime


ESPN2 & ESPN3, ESPN3 Surround

For the second straight year, Barclays Center will serve as the host venue for the 13th annual Jordan Brand Classic. The nation’s premier high school all-star game will be held on April 18 in Brooklyn, NY.

Jordan Brand Classic will feature three epic bouts, beginning with an International Game at 2:30 p.m. EDT. This is the seventh year that the best young talent from around the globe will square off on-court, showcasing the world’s basketball talent. Following the International Game, the New York metropolitan area can support their favorite local talent in the Regional Game, tipping off at 4:30 p.m. The Regional Game is a “City vs. Suburbs” showdown that will feature the top prep players from the area.

Headlining the Jordan Brand Classic is the National Game, with tip-off slated for 7 p.m. EDT. This game serves as an annual showcase for the best talent at the high school level. Jordan Brand signature athletes including Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Blake Griffin are all Jordan Brand Classic alums.    

The top 26 prospects from across the country have been selected to play in the National Game.  Teams are organized by geography.

EAST:
Tyus Jones (Apple Valley, MN/Duke), Joel Berry (Lake Highland, FL/UNC), Isaiah Whitehead (Lincoln, NY/Seton Hall), LJ Peak (Gaffney, SC/Georgetown), Grayson Allen (Providence, FL/Duke), James Blackmon (Marion, IN/Indiana), Rashad Vaughn (Findlay, NV/UNLV), Kelly Oubre (Findlay, NV/Kansas), Justin Jackson (Homeschool Christian Youth Academy, TX/UNC), Reid Travis (De LaSalle, MN/Stanford), Trey Lyles (Arsenal Tech, IN/Kentucky), Jahlil Okafor (Whitney Young, IL/Duke), Karl Towns (St. Joseph, NJ/Kentucky).

WEST:
Emmanuel Mudiay (Prime Prep, TX/SMU), Tyler Ulis (Marian Catholic, IL/Kentucky), Devin Booker (Moss Point, MS/Kentucky), Kameron Chatman (Columbia Christian, OR/Michigan), Theo Pinson (Wesleyan Christian, NC/UNC), Justise Winslow (St. John’s, TX/Duke), Stanley Johnson (Mater Dei, CA/Arizona), Cliff Alexander (Curie, IL/Kansas), Chris McCullough (IMG Academy/Syracuse), Myles Turner (Trinity, TX/Uncommitted), Daniel Hamilton (St. John Bosco, CA/UConn), D’Angelo Russell (Montverde Academy, FL/Ohio State), Shaqquan Aaron (Rainier Beach, WA/Louisville).

Tickets for the Jordan Brand Classic are currently on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, the Barclays Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. For more information, visit the official website at www.JordanBrandClassic.com.

ESPN3 Surround delivers exclusive content tied to live events on ESPN linear networks, offering a companion experience in real-time that will complement the big game on television.  It will enable fans to go deeper into ESPN’s biggest live events with alternate camera angles, experiences and stories around the game.

“With ESPN3 Surround, we continue to super serve sports fans with a unique offering around the biggest rivalries, competitions and sporting events,” said Jason Bernstein, senior director of programming and acquisitions, ESPN.  “Its availability on computers, smartphones, tablets, Xbox, Apple TV and Roku make it a true second-screen experience that will engage sports fans in new and meaningful ways.”
Link


Jayhawk Invitational (4/25-4/27)


adidas Uprising Spring/Summer Events


2014 Spring/Summer AAU and camp schedule (compiled by CBS Sports)


Recruiting Calendar


My Late Night in the Phog videos, KU Alumni games videos, 2011-12 Border War videos, Legends of the Phog videos, KC Prep Invitational, & Jayhawk Invitational Videos and more now on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/kcjcjhawk

When Elden Tefft created his bronze sculpture of James Naismith five years ago, he thought the most natural place for it would be the University of Kansas. Now, after completing and placing two other versions — one in Canada and one in Massachusetts — his third replica of basketball’s inventor will finally make it to campus.

The new sculpture will depict Naismith sitting down on a bench-like granite base with two peach baskets between his legs and on his right knee and a soccer ball, which he used in inventing the game. Tefft’s idea was to provide room next to Naismith for people to sit next to him.
“I’ve been waiting ever since the beginning,” said Tefft, the 94-year-old sculptor. “This is where I thought it would land first. Finally, after all of these years I’m going to finish it.”
UDK

J.J. Redick begins the sequence by putting his hands on McLemore behind the three-point line, and well away from the ball. He maintains the contact as McLemore cuts to the other side, and after battling for position, the two appeared to literally bump heads, which was the final straw for McLemore.

McLemore shoved Redick to the face (albeit only slightly), but it was his second technical foul of the game, and referee Joey Crawford made sure that he knew immediately that his afternoon was finished.
NBC

Federal tax returns for the Big 12 and SEC show why it pays to belong to a major conference, and provides insight into why power conference schools want their own voting structure.

Total revenue from television contracts, bowl games, NCAA tournaments and ticket sales to league championships are the primary sources for the conferences. Big 12 revenue totaled $214.8 million in 2012-13; the SEC totaled $314.5 million.

The returns for the 2013 financial year, which spans July 1 to June 30, are the first with new conference members — Missouri and Texas A&M in the 14-team SEC, and TCU and West Virginia in the 10-team Big 12.

Missouri reported $21.1 million in conference revenue in 2012-13, almost doubling its income from the final years in the Big 12. The Tigers’ biggest windfall from their Big 12 era came in 2011, when they received $12.8 million.

TCU received $9.8 million and West Virginia $8.8 million from the Big 12 for 2012-13. The schools are being phased into the Big 12’s distribution process. They’re expected to receive a 67 percent share in 2013-14, 80 percent in 2014-15 and full shares by 2015-16.

Additional income is held from West Virginia because the Big 12 helped the school pay its exit fee from the Big East.

Income from conferences is becoming a greater percentage of schools’ athletic budgets. Ticket sales, especially from football season passes, has historically been the main driver of college athletic income, but no longer.

At Kansas, conference revenue in 2012-13 was greater than ticket sales to football and men’s basketball for the first time. It was almost even at Missouri and K-State.

As recently as 2010, ticket revenue at Missouri and Kansas nearly doubled conference income.
KC Star


UNLV transfer Bryce Dejean-Jones has committed to Iowa State. Immediately eligible in 14-15
@JonRothstein


Harrell returning to Louisville, WCS returning to UK


Jonathan Duncan has been selected as the NCAA’s vice president of enforcement.

Before joining the NCAA in March 2013 as the interim vice president of enforcement, Duncan worked with the Association for 15 years as outside counsel from multiple perspectives, including service to both the Enforcement and Rules Working Groups.

“As interim vice president of enforcement, Jon led the team through a difficult time, and the enforcement team, and national office as a whole, grew and benefited from his service.” said Mark Emmert, NCAA president. “As Jon’s term as interim vice president drew to a close, I knew he was the best person to continue leading our enforcement team.”

…Duncan is a graduate of William Jewell College, now part of Division II, and graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1995, where he was a published member of the Kansas Law Review.  After law school, he spent two years working as a law clerk for the Honorable D. Brook Bartlett, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. Since then, he has spent much of his professional career forging relationships inside the NCAA national office and among the NCAA's member schools.
NCAA


Tennessee's Cuonzo Martin has agreed in principle to become the next head coach atCalifornia, a source confirmed to CBSSports.com on Tuesday.

A formal announcement is expected soon.

ESPN.com initially reported the development.

Martin just finished his third season at Tennessee. He led the Vols to 24 wins and a trip to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, and was subsequently considered a candidate at Marquette before Steve Wojciechowski got that job. Martin then publicly stated that he planned to stay at Tennessee, but that changed when California offered.

Mike Montgomery, 67, had been California's coach the past seven years.

His Bears finished 21-14 overall this season, 10-8 in the Pac-12.
CBS


April 9: NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee Application Deadline
April 14: NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee Response Deadline
April 15: NCAA Early Entry “Withdrawal” Deadline
April 27: NBA Draft Early Entry Eligibility Deadline (11:59 pm ET)
May 2: NBA Draft Early Entry Candidates Released – Underclassmen Contact Permitted
May 14-18: NBA Draft Combine (Chicago)
May 20: NBA Draft Lottery
June 16: NBA Draft Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline (5:00 pm ET)
June 26: 2014 NBA Draft
draftexpress.com: Testing the NBA Draft Waters in 2014

Myles Turner, No. 2 in the ESPN 100, leads the way, followed by No. 94 Elijah Stewart, who was released from his letter of intent to Loyola Marymount following the firing of coach Max Good, and No. 98 Josh Cunningham. 

Devonte Graham wasn’t ESPN 100 eligible by virtue of his post-graduate status, but there is no denying he is a wanted man after receiving his release from Appalachian State. He will take official visits to Kansas and North Carolina State while also considering Virginia, Virginia Tech, Xavier and Providence. 

So where are these remaining four prospects headed? No one knows for sure just yet, but here are a few educated guesses:

Myles Turner:

Adam Finkelstein: Kansas (Biancardi, Rankin, other two pick Texas)
I think the allure of replacing Joel Embiid at Kansas will ultimately be too much for Turner to pass up on given coach Bill Self's track record of developing big men for the NBA. Turner will have as good an opportunity to be a one-and-done lottery pick as any player in the current ESPN 100, all while having an enforcer like Cliff Alexander next to him.

Devonte Graham:

Biancardi: Kansas (3/5 pick Kansas)
The hardest and most important position on the floor to fill is the point guard. Graham’s combination of running a team with extended range on his jumper makes him so valuable. An explosive athlete who has come on as a late bloomer has coaches pouring in to Brewster Academy. In the mix are Kansas, NC State, Virginia, Providence , Xavier and Virginia Tech. He is visiting Kansas this weekend and then heading NC State soon. This one is just starting to heat up, and when it’s all said and done, look for Kansas to land Graham.
ESPN ($)

For the second straight year, Barclays Center will serve as the host venue for the 13th annual Jordan Brand Classic. The nation’s premier high school all-star game will be held on April 18 in Brooklyn, NY.

Jordan Brand Classic will feature three epic bouts, beginning with an International Game at 2:30 p.m. EDT. This is the seventh year that the best young talent from around the globe will square off on-court, showcasing the world’s basketball talent. Following the International Game, the New York metropolitan area can support their favorite local talent in the Regional Game, tipping off at 4:30 p.m. The Regional Game is a “City vs. Suburbs” showdown that will feature the top prep players from the area.

Headlining the Jordan Brand Classic is the National Game, with tip-off slated for 7 p.m. EDT. This game serves as an annual showcase for the best talent at the high school level. Jordan Brand signature athletes including Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Blake Griffin are all Jordan Brand Classic alums.    

The top 26 prospects from across the country have been selected to play in the National Game.  Teams are organized by geography.

EAST:
Tyus Jones (Apple Valley, MN/Duke), Joel Berry (Lake Highland, FL/UNC), Isaiah Whitehead (Lincoln, NY/Seton Hall), LJ Peak (Gaffney, SC/Georgetown), Grayson Allen (Providence, FL/Duke), James Blackmon (Marion, IN/Indiana), Rashad Vaughn (Findlay, NV/UNLV), Kelly Oubre (Findlay, NV/Kansas), Justin Jackson (Homeschool Christian Youth Academy, TX/UNC), Reid Travis (De LaSalle, MN/Stanford), Trey Lyles (Arsenal Tech, IN/Kentucky), Jahlil Okafor (Whitney Young, IL/Duke), Karl Towns (St. Joseph, NJ/Kentucky).

WEST:
Emmanuel Mudiay (Prime Prep, TX/SMU), Tyler Ulis (Marian Catholic, IL/Kentucky), Devin Booker (Moss Point, MS/Kentucky), Kameron Chatman (Columbia Christian, OR/Michigan), Theo Pinson (Wesleyan Christian, NC/UNC), Justise Winslow (St. John’s, TX/Duke), Stanley Johnson (Mater Dei, CA/Arizona), Cliff Alexander (Curie, IL/Kansas), Chris McCullough (IMG Academy/Syracuse), Myles Turner (Trinity, TX/Uncommitted), Daniel Hamilton (St. John Bosco, CA/UConn), D’Angelo Russell (Montverde Academy, FL/Ohio State), Shaqquan Aaron (Rainier Beach, WA/Louisville).

Tickets for the Jordan Brand Classic are currently on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, the Barclays Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. For more information, visit the official website at www.JordanBrandClassic.com.


ESPN3 Surround delivers exclusive content tied to live events on ESPN linear networks, offering a companion experience in real-time that will complement the big game on television.  It will enable fans to go deeper into ESPN’s biggest live events with alternate camera angles, experiences and stories around the game.

“With ESPN3 Surround, we continue to super serve sports fans with a unique offering around the biggest rivalries, competitions and sporting events,” said Jason Bernstein, senior director of programming and acquisitions, ESPN.  “Its availability on computers, smartphones, tablets, Xbox, Apple TV and Roku make it a true second-screen experience that will engage sports fans in new and meaningful ways.”
Link

Want an idea of how long Kelly Oubre (6-7) is? He just blocked Trey Lyles (6-10) dunk attempt from behind with a modest hop @nikehoopsummit
@NBADraftInsider


Kansas has a strong and powerful duo in Oubre and Alexander. If they add Turner too, look out
@AdamZagoria


Kelly Oubre had some of the ugliest misses you'll ever see this week from the perimeter, but when the lights came on today he's been money
@DraftExpress


Kelly Oubre is not Andrew Wiggins but he is going to be really good next year and beyond.
@AdamZagoria


Kelly Oubre is going to be good for a few highlights at Kansas next year. Kawhi Leonard like wingspan. Loves to try and dunk on guys.
@DraftExpress2


Cliff Alexander block leading to a Kelly Oubre finish. Kansas fans seeing their 2014-15 season in a nutshell.
@jeffborzello


USA's 2014 Nike Hoop Summit Measurements (Myles Turner has grown full inch since October) -- bit.ly/1sTalw5
@RealGM

In the video below, watch the Top 10 plays from the game and read descriptions of each play provided below:

10. University of Arizona commit Stanley Johnson of Team USA (#13) drives baseline, scores over two defenders and draws the foul.

9. University of North Carolina commit Theo Pinson of Team USA (#9) drives into the paint, draws a foul and scores on the high-arching floater.

8. World Select Team guard Emmanuel Mudiay (#5) of the Democratic Republic of Congo and a Southern Methodist University commit, takes an outlet pass and easily dunks in transition.

7. Tyus Jones of Team USA (#6) pokes the ball away for a steal and his teammate, Justise Winslow (#10), races down court and dunks with two hands at the other end.

6. Cliff Alexander of Team USA (#14) gets a crushing chase-down block on one end and that leads to a fastbreak where his teammate, Kelly Oubre (#8), finishes off the play at the other end with a layup for the score.

5. Cliff Alexander (#14) and Jahlil Okafor (#15) of Team USA combine for a vicious block at one end, and after his teammates miss a couple of easy shots at the other, Cliff Alexander arrives as the trailer, snares the offensive rebound and dunks hard with two hands.

4. As time runs out in the first half, Justise Winslow of Team USA (#10) takes a three point shot from way outside the three point line and connects.

3. World Select Team making the extra pass. Damien Inglis of France (#8) dishes off the ball past two Team USA defenders to Karl Towns Jr. (#15) who dunks it hard for two.

2. Tyus Jones of Team USA (#6) finds a cutting Justise Winslow (#10) on the alley-oop pass for a two-handed jam.

1. Jahlil Okafor of Team USA (#15) takes a pass, spins away from his defender and dunks the ball hard with one hand.
The Oregonian

…“A lot of people ask me about Andrew Wiggins, but I don’t pride my game off of trying to be better than who he was,” Oubre said. “I’m not as highly touted as he was coming out of high school.
“He was Andrew Wiggins. I’m Kelly Oubre. I’m my own person. I’m just going to college to be the best player I can be. If the opportunity opens itself at the end of the season and I get to go the NBA, it is what it is.”

For Alexander, the frequent comparison is former Jayhawk Thomas Robinson, another high-motor forward who liked to bully opponents in the paint.

Robinson, who plays for the Portland Trail Blazers, sent Alexander a message on Twitter and watched part of Saturday’s game from a courtside seat at the Moda Center.

…After rooming together in Portland, the two players say their all-star bond will carry over to KU.

“Me and Cliff are one and two, a package deal pretty much,” Oubre said. “We had been roommates this whole week and we hit it off. We’re like brothers already. If you can form a strong bond with somebody like that, with the caliber of Cliff, that’s something special.”

The goal now is to add a third person to the package. With center Myles Turner, the top uncommitted player in the 2014 class, considering KU and Texas, Oubre and Alexander have done their best to nudge him toward the Jayhawks.

Turner played eight minutes in the Nike game and scored two points before suffering an ankle injury. He tweeted later that the injury wasn’t serious.

“We try to let him get his space, because we know how stressed he is,” said Oubre, who, like Turner, hails from Texas. “We know how it was when we were making our decisions, but we want him to come to Kansas more than anything.

“We have a big man in Landen Lucas and a lot of guys in the post, but Myles Turner, he’s a special player. He can stretch the floor. He can post up. If he gets stronger, he can be unstoppable.”

…Alexander and Oubre are determined to make sure their freshman seasons at Kansas have a different ending.

“I feel like it should have been them cutting down the nets this year, but it didn’t happen that way,” Oubre said. “We can only focus on next year and continue to work. I feel like it won’t happen again. We won’t lose to a team we shouldn’t lose to.”
TCJ

DraftExpress Hoops Summit Game recap, measurements, more



Cliff Alexander
Weight: 251 lbs.
Height (w/ shoes): 6'8"
Wingspan: 7'3.5"
Standing Reach: 9'0”

-Cliff Alexander doesn't have elite size for a power forward prospect, but he has good length and outstanding strength for a player still months away from playing in his first college game. As a point of reference on just how strong Alexander is, his measurements match up exceptionally with Ike Diogu who stood 6'8” in shoes with a 7'3.5” wingspan weighing 255 when he entered the draft in 2005.

Kelly Oubre
Weight: 204 lbs.
Height (w/shoes): 6'6.5"
Wingspan: 7'2"
Standing Reach: 8'8”

-Kelly Oubre has length akin to that of Kawhi Leonard, who stood 6'7” in shoes with a 7'3” wingspan coming into the 2011 draft. Leonard had a more mature frame weighing 227 pounds, but Oubre has the same type of unique wingspan.

Myles Turner
Weight: 242 lbs.
Height (w/shoes): 6'11.5"
Wingspan: 7'3.75"
Standing Reach: 9'1.5”

-Standing just a shade under 7-feet tall with shoes on, Myles Turner measures similarly to LaMarcus Aldridge who stood 6'11.25” with a 7'4.75” wingspan weighing 234 pounds back in 2006. Though Turner doesn't move as well as Aldridge, he has NBA size and a frame that has come a long way since he emerged on the recruiting radar. It will be interesting to see how much more weight his frame can carry.
DraftExpress measurement analysis


NBAdraftinsider game recap

"I don't know if it's as good as last year, but it's underrated," one NBA scout said. "I don't think it's that big of a drop off. Last year there were five or seven players like, 'Wow.' There are probably four or five this year, and that's still pretty impressive."

Said another NBA scout: "They have the potential to supersede last year's class."

…"The big fellas like Okafor, Towns and Alexander are pretty good," one NBA scout said. "If they would have been in this year's draft class they would have been as heralded … The talent in bigs here now is just as good as last year."

Said another NBA scout: "There is a lot of size in this year's class, which is certainly a factor. Size with skill."

…One NBA scout said there is a big drop off with this class after Okafor, Mudiay, Towns, Johnson and Alexander. However, another NBA scout said Turner has a chance to be special, too.

"Many of these players are going to play for coaches known for developing talent out of high school," one NBA scout said. "You see more skill in this year's class than the year before. Last year was more raw talent."
Yahoo

F Cliff Alexander, 6-9, Fr., Kansas
Stats: N/A
Think of a young, healthy Amar'e Stoudemire. Alexander is a beast in the post -- a big, strong and athletic big man who can dominate in the paint.
ESPN Goodman: Early All-American candidates


4/12/14, 7:34 PM
Myles Turner hurt his ankle. Hope it's not too bad. Scouts have talked all week about how concerned they are about his body/durability.

Happy to be apart of the redeem team! Role wasnt as big as I expected but we got the W ankle is fine just a mild sprain See yall at the JBC!
@Original_Turner

Nike Hoop Summit


The Oregonian: Nike Hoop Summit coverage


Recruiting Calendar


My Late Night in the Phog videos, KU Alumni games videos, 2011-12 Border War videos, Legends of the Phog videos, KC Prep Invitational, & Jayhawk Invitational Videos and more now on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/kcjcjhawk

Saturday April 12

ESPN 2

7 pm Eastern

6 pm Central

4 pm Pacific (local)

Rosters, schedule, more

The Oregonian coverage of the Nike Hoop Summit

A look back in photos and videos at previous Hoops Summit games

Also Kelly Oubre just destroyed Mike Moser on a dunk. I'm quite certain that will be on YouTube later. #HSUM2014
@NateDuncanNBA


@usabasketball Jr Natls playing much better & at ease in scrimmage. No NBA scouts allowed tonight. Oubre posterized some poor Portlander.
@SpearsNBAYahoo

Very balanced effort from USA. Alexander has 11, Okafor, Pinson, Jones all have 8. Mike Moser scoring a lot for locals, but not efficiently.
@DraftExpress

At the last USA scrimmage before the @nikehoopsummit tomorrow. USA looks spectacular. Shooting lights out. Up 63-40 after two quarters.
@DraftExpress


After a disappointing performance in Thursday night's scrimmage, Team USA hit the Trail Blazers practice facility floor on Friday morning with a renewed energy.

They practiced with intensity, made shots from the perimeter, pushed the ball in transition, and looked like a team of All-Americans.

…They finished with five players in double figures scoring, led by Cliff Alexander and Tyus Jones, who each scored 12 points on 10-of-12 combined shooting. Alexander got them going early, and was perfect from the field on the night on five attempts.

…Team USA had five different players knock down at least one 3-pointer, led by James Blackmon, who finished the game with 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from distance. Myles Turner knocked down a pair of 3-pointers (one in the special situational-based quarter which we did not chart below) to emerge from the semi-slump he's been in this week.

…Playing a small lineup with Stanley Johnson at center and Kelly Oubre at power forward in the third quarter, Team USA forced the scrimmage squad into back-to-back-to-back turnovers. They pressed in stretches, as the scrimmage team struggled mightily to even get the ball in bounds, and Team USA's elite athleticism shined through.

PLAYER STATS As charted by DraftExpress' Mike Schmitz'
Tyus Jones: 12 points, 5-of-7 FGs, 2-of-2 3FGs, 5 assists, 7 turnovers, 5 steals
Cliff Alexander: 12 points, 5-of-5 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
Theo Pinson: 11 points, 4-of-5 FGs, 2-of-3 3FGs, 1-of-2 FTs, 2 rebounds,
James Blackmon: 11 points, 4-of-8 FGs, 3-of-5 3FGs, 3 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal
Justise Winslow: 10 points, 5-of-8 FGs, 0-of-1 3FGs, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Jahlil Okafor: 8 points, 4-of-6 FGs, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Reid Travis: 7 points, 1-of-5 field goals, 0-of-1 3FGs, 5-of-6 FTs, 3 rebounds
Kelly Oubre: 6 points, 3-of-6 FGs, 0-of-3 3FGs
Stanley Johnson: 5 points, 2-of-5 FGs, 1-of-2 3FGs, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers
Joel Berry: 4 points, 2-of-4 FGs, 0-of-1 3FGs, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 turnovers
Myles Turner: 3 points, 1-of-1 3FGs, 2 blocks
DraftExpress.com


Frank Burlison: Practice week recap


#Kansas has two good recruits @nikehoopsummit in Cliff Alexander and Kelly Oubre. Oubre is long, can defend and has nice midrange shot
@carlberman


ICYMI: USA Basketball feature on Cliff Alexander

Kansas freshman Joel Embiid has declared for the 2014 NBA Draft, the 7-0 center announced Wednesday in a formal press conference alongside head coach Bill Self at Allen Fieldhouse.
 
 "I just want to thank God first for giving me this opportunity to come to the (United States) and play ball," Embiid said. "I want to thank the coaching staff, my teammates, the fans - everyone that's helped me through my journey. After thinking a lot, I've decided to declare for the NBA Draft."
KUAD press release with quotes

LJW Photos: Best of Embiid


CollegeHoopHits Archive: A look back at the commitment of Joel Embiid to Kansas (Scroll down to recruiting section)

In the end, Joel Embiid had to listen to his mentor.

The 7-foot center was torn in recent weeks on whether he should come back to Kansas for his sophomore season for a few reasons: He still had ways he could develop; he loved the fans and his teammates; he hadn’t gotten to play in the NCAA Tournament because of a back injury.

When the final decision had to be made, though, Embiid turned to NBA player Luc Mbah a Moute, a fellow Cameroonian who had first spotted him at a camp during his junior year of high school. It was Mbah a Moute that persuaded him to come to the United States to play high school basketball, and Mbah a Moute who convinced him that KU was the best place to prepare him for the NBA.

So when Mbah a Moute consulted with Embiid about turning pro this season ...

“I’ve always trusted him. I’ve always had to trust him. Since I came here, he’s always helped me,” Embiid said. “So I just felt comfortable trusting what he was saying.”

Mbah a Moute’s message was clear: Leave school now, and you’re a lock to be a top-five pick. Leave after next year, and anything could happen.

It’s the reason why Embiid, after hinting earlier in the year that he might stay multiple seasons in Lawrence, officially announced Wednesday that he was declaring for the NBA draft during a press conference at Allen Fieldhouse.

“He wanted to come back. If college was paying $5 million a year, and the NBA was paying $5 million a year, there’s no question what he would have done,” KU coach Bill Self said. “But I think the financial opportunity was too great.”

…Embiid says his back is fine now, and that he’s close to being 100 percent. Self even said Embiid was moving around now as well as he was a couple months ago.

Wearing a blue Jayhawk polo shirt, Embiid reiterated that leaving KU wasn’t an easy decision.

“I really love this place,” Embiid said. “The fans are crazy. Just watching them before every game and three days before every game camping out … for me it means a lot. They showed me nothing but love.”

Embiid is likely to be in the discussion for the No. 1 overall selection in June's draft. Other candidates for that spot include his teammate Wiggins and Duke’s Jabari Parker.

“The bottom line is, he’s disappointed absolutely no one in our basketball program,” Self said. “I don’t think he could have made a bad decision, but I think he made a real good decision.”
TCJ


Embiid, the 7-footer from Cameroon who announced his intention to declare for the 2014 NBA Draft on Wednesday in a news conference in Allen Fieldhouse, also consulted with his mom and dad and Jayhawk coach Bill Self.

“They didn’t tell me what to do. They just gave me the advantages and disadvantages,” said the 20-year-old Embiid, who weighed the words of wisdom, and came up with his decision on Sunday.

…“We talked about, ‘At this rate you’ve improved over a short period of time, think about what you could be a year from now,’” Self said of Embiid being a polished pro player as soon as the second half of his rookie season. “The whole thing is, being a top-five pick this year is guaranteed. What happens if something bad happens next year (in college)? I think that was the whole deal. It was the safe play in my mind.”

…Of his parents, who did not make it in from Cameroon for the news conference, Embiid said: “Obviously they don’t live here, so I talked to them to see what they wanted me to do. The decision was mine, so I was just gathering information (from them),” he said, not revealing specifics.

And of Hall of Famer Olajuwon, who called a few days ago, Embiid said: “I mean, I was really excited because it’s my favorite player of all time, my idol, so I was just on the phone talking to him. He was talking to me. I don’t even remember what he was saying. I was just excited. I was just like, ‘Yeah.’” Embiid said with a smile.

What will KU’s fans say about the man who leaves after averaging 11.2 points and 8.1 boards and setting the all-time freshman shot-block record in his only season?

“I just want to be remembered as a guy who gave everything when he was playing. Also, I just wanted to win,” he said.
LJW


Joel Embiid walked out of Jayhawk Towers at 1:31 p.m. as an amateur athlete.

His black Kansas polo, sandals and multi-colored socks wouldn’t be on for much longer. He briefly waited to cross the street at Irving Hill Road and took a long look at the Burge Union as he walked into its parking lot.

None of his fellow students bothered him. He was alone.

As he approached the Wagnon Athletic Center to enter Allen Fieldhouse, Embiid sang along with music playing out of his phone. His arms swung back and forth.

Soon Embiid traipsed down a few stairs and through the entrance, swapped out his black polo for a blue Kansas shirt, ditched his sandals for black-and-white Adidas sneakers and did what many figured inevitable following his incredible freshman season: declare for the NBA Draft. He walked out of his dorm a 20-year-old kid and returned a millionaire.
UDK


This one has been easy to see coming since at least December, an outrageously talented 7-footer who might be the first pick in the NBA Draft choosing to play for money against the world’s best.

Embiid has only been playing organized basketball for three years, and only recently learned how to drive (though he doesn’t have a license). He really does love Kansas, and the college experience.
In a different world, he probably would want to stay at least one more year. But in this reality, he doesn’t have much of a choice.

Embiid is projected by pretty much everyone to be one of the first three picks in the draft, which would mean a guarantee of between $7.5 million and $9.4 million over the next two years with big raises after that.

Coming back to college would mean giving that up, and even if you assume he’d be in the same draft position next year, he would be forfeiting a year of being paid for a year of playing for free. On the back end of his career, that could mean $10 million.

…Think about it this way. As far as projected top-three picks go, Embiid had as much reason as anyone to stay. His family is financially stable. He really does like KU. Respects his coaches, loves his teammates. He’s terrifically bright, but still new enough to the United States that another year on campus before joining the bigger business of the NBA wouldn’t have hurt. Barring the worst with his back, it’s really hard to imagine his draft stock falling much.

Plus, he didn’t play in the NCAA Tournament, the best part of college basketball. He could’ve come back and had everything run through him at one of the nation’s premiere programs. Leave now, and his KU career has to be seen as a bit of an “incomplete,” to borrow Self’s word.

All of that, and it still wasn’t that difficult a decision.
KC Star


But Embiid did complete one chapter. Early in the season, a reporter asked him about an account of killing a lion when he was a boy. Embiid didn’t exactly deny the tale, which made it into print and became a source of amusement among teammates.

Wednesday, Embiid fessed up. Did he kill the lion?

“No,” Embiid said, his head down and laughing. “I didn’t.”
KC Star


Joel Embiid would have been the focal point of Kansas University’s basketball team his sophomore season ... had the 7-footer from Cameroon stuck around for a sophomore season.

“I think he could do anything,” KU coach Bill Self said of the 20-year-old Embiid, who Wednesday declared for the 2014 NBA Draft. “He could be our best pick-and-pop guy. He could be maybe our best passer. He would have had many opportunities to show what he could do. If you saw him practice on a daily basis, you’d be amazed on how quick he picks stuff up. I think with a little bit of time he can do a little bit of everything, a lot of everything.”
LJW


Duke, Arizona, Wisconsin, Kansas and Florida are the top five of the Ridiculously Early Preseason Top 25 (and one): cbsprt.co/PIQ4du
@GaryParrishCBS

We all know now -- five days after he was named Wake's new coach -- the influence two of the great ones, Larry Brown and Bill Self, had on Manning's breadth of knowledge of the game. But 15 years is a long time to spend in the NBA, and it got me to wondering who he played for after he left Kansas.

The list, a veritable Who's Who of basketball coaches, includes Gene Shue, Paul Westphal, Cotton Fitzsimmons, Danny Ainge, George Karl, Jerry Sloan and Don Nelson. Not only did he play virtually every role one could play on a team -- as he mentioned at yesterday's media conference -- he played for virtually every kind of coach.

But he readily confirmed yesterday that two of his greatest influences were Brown and Self. When I asked him what he gleaned from those two, his reply reduced the assembled media to laughter.

"We don't have enough time,'' (Manning) said with a grin.

…"I played for Coach Brown and Coach Brown has given me a lot of inspiration,'' Manning said. "Coach Brown made me a better person and he made me a better basketball player. We won some games. I graduated. I met my wife (Julie). And it was all that I could ask for, playing for him.

"Now he's a tough dude to play for, because he challenges you every day. And that's something I'm going to do here. But Coach Brown is someone who has had  a profound impact on my life, from the day that I started playing for him at Kansas.''
Manning's relationship with Self is much different, if for no other reason than Self is only four years older.

…"Coach Self and I, we go way back,'' Manning said. "My freshman year was his senior year. I actually competed against him when he was at Oklahoma State. He came on staff at Kansas when I was a player there as well, after he finished (playing) and we maintained a good relationship throughout my professional career. And then when I retired, he offered me a spot on his staff as director of student-athlete development/team manager, and it gave me a chance to see everything from the ground up.

"I did everything that my title warranted that I do. It was something for me that I needed to see if I wanted to be involved in this game at this level. And I was very fortunate for that opportunity and I was able to work myself up to assistant coach, and I had a lot of fun and I learned a lot -- not only from Coach Self but his staff, the guys he had working with him. Those guys were an open book for me and really helped me progress in my coaching career.

"Coach Self is someone who defensively, his teams leave their mark on you defensively. And that was probably where I had my biggest influence from him. And his people skills, how he relates to his players, the communication level that he has.

"I refer to it as a bank account with your players. You have to have more deposits than withdrawals -- because your withdrawals will be pretty big from time to time when you're getting onto your guys. But as long as they know you care for them, and you love them, they'll be willing to go out there and play for you. “
Winston-Salem Journal


Excited to be heading to Wake Forest to join @CoachDManning staff. Great opportunity for me. #ACC #DemonDeacon
@CoachBBallard



Fresno State forward Braeden Anderson -- who suffered a serious neck injury in a September car crash that cost him the 2013-14 season -- said Wednesday that he has been cleared to resume "full-contact activities."

"What an incredible moment," the 6-foot-9 sophomore from Okotoks,Alberta, Canada, wrote on Instagram. "7 months ago I broke my neck, and had only a fraction of 1% chance of making a full recovery. Today at 2:49 p.m. I was officially fully cleared to resume full contact activities."

Anderson, in a later interview with The Bee, said he was at Stanford Medical Center for what he called the "best news I've heard in a while."

"There's really nothing like it, to see it up there on the screen when they're showing you the X-rays of how it used to look and how it looks now and the things that they were looking for," he said. "To hear it from the surgeon, there's nothing like that."
Fresno Bee

GQ just came out with a list of “12 Sports Pilgrimages Every Man Should Make.” And we can already scratch two off our bucket list: Arrowhead Stadium and Allen Fieldhouse.

A journey to “scream ‘Rock Chalk Jayhawk’ at the hoops cathedral of Allen Fieldhouse’” is No. 6 on the list.
GQ


“Pay Heed. The game you love began here. Respect those who came before you. Make their legacy your own. Because destiny favors the dedicated. And rings don’t replace work. In this game you don’t get what you want. You get what you earn. We are Kansas. Together we rise. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Big Ten makes it official: It's opening a satellite office in New York City on June 1. Will be at 900 Third Avenue.
@slmandel


NBA commissioner Adam Silver, speaking at a business convention Wednesday, said that he's open to the idea of "subsidies" for student basketball athletes in college i order to ease their circumstances and allow for the increase to the NBA's age minimum he's been pushing snice taking office February 1st. From ESPN:

NBA commissioner Adam Silver is so intent on keeping basketball players in college for another year that he said the NBA might consider subsidizing athletes to make them feel better about staying.
Commissioner Adam Silver says the NBA might consider subsidizing NCAA athletes to encourage them to play another year in college.

Raising the age limit for the NBA draft from 19 to 20 years old would require the approval of the National Basketball Players Association as part of the collective bargaining agreement, but Silver said Wednesday at the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center Partner Summit that he was willing to work with the NCAA to give athletes a more fair deal.

"Rather than focusing on a salary and thinking of them as employees, I would go to their basic necessities," Silver said. "I think if [Connecticut Huskies guard] Shabazz Napier is saying he is going hungry, my God, it seems hard to believe, but there should be ample food for the players."

…Silver also mentioned covering attendance gaps and providing insurance for the athletes which would cover the most widely held fear from those considering returning to school, the risk of injury.
It's a startling move by the commissioner, as the NBA has long held a "hands off" approach with the NCAA and how it conducts business. But attitudes are changing about the equal rights protection of student athletes under the current system, even as the NBA deals with what it perceives to be an influx of players unready for NBA life or games.

Silver's been bringing the hammer about the age limit, constantly pushing for it and making it clear he's serious on the matter. He's going to get this done, come hell or high water, and now he's trying to sweeten the approach to help push it through.

The concept is wrought with complications however, which is why Silver only said the league is "considering" it. What happens then with football players? Would this "guilt" the NFL into providing the same, this time for a much higher number of athletes? What about athletes without a professional league to miss out on?

And would the subsidies really be enough to placate people over the fact that players are missing millions of dollars by not being allowed to go pro?

Either way, it's a startlingly progressie move from a commissioner who is very quickly indicating he intends to conduct league business in his own new way.
CBS


In his new book, Kentucky coach John Calipari likens the NCAA to the dying Soviet Union and admonishes college sports' governing body for not changing with the times, according to a report.

"The situation reminds me a little of the Soviet Union in its last years. It was still powerful. It could still hurt you. But you could see it crumbling, and it was just a matter of time before it either changed or ceased to exist," Calipari writes in his new book, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

…"I think we could have gotten somewhere with me as the point man, but the NCAA was not interested in my help," Calipari said, according to the WSJ. "The message I got, between the lines, was, 'No, not you. Not Calipari. We don't want him involved.'"
Link


Calipari blamed himself several times, which was admirable considering how much he blamed his players last year after a first-round NIT loss to Robert Morris. It's always an extreme with the 55-year-old Calipari, and his polarizing personality on full display at the Final Four reminded everyone why he'll never make it as an NBA coach. Calipari and college basketball are stuck dancing in awkward hands-on-shoulders circles for the rest of his career.

Former Kentucky player Rex Chapman tweeted before the national title game that Calipari was headed to the Lakers, calling the move a "done deal." (Calipari shot down the rumor after the game.) This classic fake Twitter "story" was about as believable as Calipari's claim that he didn't get flashbacks on Monday night to the 2008 national title game against Kansas that his Memphis team threw away at the line.

But even in a star-driven city like L.A., it's hard to imagine there's a place for Calipari's shtick. The NBA is a players league, and its best coaches avoid personal attention as if it were a 98-mph fastball under the chin.

That's simply not John Calipari. It will never be John Calipari, who in his only NBA head coaching stint with the Nets reportedly had an intern call WFAN to defend him. Kobe Bryant would get motion sickness from rolling his eyes at Calipari before training camp ended. Calipari's best chance to go to the NBA was with the Knicks thanks to his cozy relationship with CAA, but that disappeared when the team hired Phil Jackson as president last month.

Calipari's me-first persona won't fly in the modern NBA, where the new wave of numbers-crunching general managers are looking for low-maintenance coaches like Boston's Brad Stevens, Memphis' Dave Joerger and Philadelphia's Brett Brown. If you are a college basketball fan, you've likely never heard of the latter two, and that's because they're grinder-types who don't draw much attention. The coaches aren't the show in the NBA.
SI Thamel

But honestly, if you’ve been paying attention to college basketball over the past 10 years, the Huskies’ championship shouldn’t be that surprising. After all, UConn had the two things every NCAA champion team since 2004 has had: great defense and great guard play.

Each of the 10 national championship teams before this UConn group had at least one starting guard play in the NBA. 2004 UConn had Marcus Williams and Ben Gordon. 2005 North Carolina had Raymond Felton and Rashad McCants. 2006 and 2007 Florida had Taurean Green (who only played 17 career NBA games, but still). 2008 Kansas had Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush. 2009 North Carolina had Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and Danny Green. 2010 Duke had Nolan Smith. 2011 UConn had Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb. 2012 Kentucky had Marquis Teague and Doron Lamb. 2013 Louisville had Peyton Siva and Russ Smith (who obviously hasn’t played in the NBA, but it’s a safe bet he will).

Now, the NBA-bound guards on those teams played different roles, so it’s not fair to suggest that a team composed of Taurean Green and a bunch of nobodies would win a national title. But I do think it’s fair to suggest that elite backcourt play is a requirement to win it all. Maybe you don’t need Walker — a guard to whom you can throw the ball, get out of his way, and let him carry you to the promised land. But at the very least, you need a guy talented enough to hold his own against any guard in the country. You also need a great defense — the average KenPom adjusted defensive ranking for those 10 title teams is 9.4.
Grantland Titus


Maryland has some optimism heading into the offseason, and the Terrapins have even appeared in some way-too-early 2014-15 rankings. But Tuesday evening brought some interesting news.
Nick Faust, Shaq Cleare and Roddy Peters have all decided to transfer from Maryland.

“I really enjoyed coaching Nick, Shaq and Roddy,” head coach Mark Turgeon said. “It is unfortunate that they will no longer be a part of the program. I wish them the very best in their future endeavors.”
CBS


ESPN: Reviewing 2013-14


April 9: NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee Application Deadline
April 14: NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee Response Deadline
April 15: NCAA Early Entry “Withdrawal” Deadline
April 27: NBA Draft Early Entry Eligibility Deadline (11:59 pm ET)
May 2: NBA Draft Early Entry Candidates Released – Underclassmen Contact Permitted
May 14-18: NBA Draft Combine (Chicago)
May 20: NBA Draft Lottery
June 16: NBA Draft Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline (5:00 pm ET)
June 26: 2014 NBA Draft
draftexpress.com: Testing the NBA Draft Waters in 2014

USA Today HS All-Americans (Alexander & Oubre 1st team)


It’s easy when you sign Andrew Wiggins, and everybody knows going in that he’s gone after a year. It’s harder when you sign Embiid, think he’ll be there two or three, but then the kid takes off so quick it’s only one.

Except with Kansas and especially Kansas with Self, things usually seem to work out just fine, and, hey, the No. 6 recruit in the country is a 7-footer who may or may not have been waiting out Embiid’s decision. The names change, but the story doesn’t.

If Myles Turner joins No. 2 recruit Cliff Alexander, the Jayhawks will be loaded with talent again. Wayne Selden will be better, Brannen Greene is better than a lot of people realize (at least on offense), and Perry Ellis will be back for his junior year.

But KU is still in desperate need for a point guard. The evolution of Naadir Tharpe was a key to the entire season for KU, and we saw how that worked out. Frank Mason and Conner Frankamp can play more as sophomores than they did as freshmen, but KU could use one more. Self’s best teams, for the most part, have had multiple ball-handlers on the floor at the same time. He’s tended to prefer two combo guards over one true point guard and, well, this is just speculation but there’s an unsigned four-star combo guard at Tharpe’s old high school.
KC Star


Come home now big fella @Original_Turner
@humblekid11

When I interviewed Turner, and his father David Turner, earlier this year his father mentioned one specific element they are looking for in his son's next stop.

"He wants to play with a point guard," David Turner said.

That would mean Myles wants to play with a really good point guard, which SMU should have.
SMU has signed 6-foot-5 point guard Emmanuel Mudiay of Prime Prep Academy; he is the highest-ranked recruit SMU has ever signed.

Despite Turner originally saying SMU was not on his official list, SMU head coach Larry Brown kept showing up to practices and games in an effort to change Turner's mind.

There may not be a better coach of point guards in basketball, college or pro, and the chance to play with Mudiay could sway Turner to be a Pony. If Turner does attend SMU, a team that already looked to be the best in the state could easily be a preseason top-15 team next season.

Hell, stranger things have happened. Like, for instance, SMU is coached by Larry Brown. Or that SMU basketball is good.
FW Star-Telegram


LJW Photos: McDonald’s All-American Event


McDAAG Official Box Score (pdf)

Nike Hoop Summit (Saturday 4/12 on ESPN2 at 4 PM PDT)


Aaron Harrison refused to sub in to the Nike Hoop Summit last year. That & more prompted a serious reform this year:
@DraftExpress


Every player on the 2014 roster has played at an official USA basketball event outside of Myles Turner (undecided), Kelly Oubre (Kansas), James Blackmon (Indiana), Cliff Alexander (Kansas), and Reid Travis (Stanford).

With that said, Turner, Oubre, Travis, and Blackmon all took part in the 2014 USA Basketball Men's Developmental National Team mini-camp last October, which gave the coaching staff an extended look at potential players to bring to the Nike Hoop Summit. This was the first time USA Basketball brought in potential Hoop Summit candidates for such an early look at trying to evaluate and shape the make-up of the group , which tells you everything you need to know about how much they want to win this game.

Alexander's USA Basketball experience is perhaps the most unconventional, as he won the 2013 USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Championship.

Needless to say, the 2014 team doesn't come without pedigree. They certainly aren't lacking in the talent department. Okafor, Turner, Alexander and Travis will control the paint inside, while Pinson, Oubre, Winslow, and Johnson bring athleticism and defense at the wing spots, and Jones and Berry run the show at point.

While loaded with talent, Team USA certainly isn't flawless. They're short on shooters who can space the floor and knock down shots, as Blackmon is the only true 3-point marksman on the roster. Jones is a capable shooter, but outside of that Team USA is filled with slashing, defensive-minded wings, and bigs who do most of their damage in the paint.

Then there's the age factor. Team USA is made up of mostly 1995 and 1996 players. The World Team, on the other hand, has four 1994 guys and players with experience in the EuroLeague, ACB, France Pro A, China, and FIBA events.
USA 1st practice report


DraftExpress: International roster measurements


A look back in photos and videos at previous Hoops Summit games


4/10/14, 9:06 AM
Kansas' Bill Self will do an in-home visit with five-star guard Malik Newman today.
@EvanDaniels

In a thrilling quarterfinal contest in the DICK’S Sporting Goods High School National Tournament, Montaque “Teki” Gill-Caesar stood out on his very talented Huntington (W.V) Prep team as they defeated La Lumiere (IN), 65-63.

Gill-Caesar, ranked 18th in ESPN’s Super 60 for the Class of 2015, finished with a game-high 20 points in the game played at Christ the King High School in Queens.

...He doesn’t have any target date for when he will make his choice.

With that in mind, he did mention that Kansas, Michigan State, Florida State, Kentucky, Illinois, Providence and West Virginia have been recruiting him the hardest of late, but he does not have any visits planned in the near future.

Gill-Caesar also had time to speak about what it’s been like having to follow Wiggins as the next highly touted prospect from Huntington Prep; the two played together last year in Wiggins’ final high school season.

“It feels good,” he said. “It puts a little pressure on me, but you know, pressure is going to be there every day, not even with basketball, but just with life so you’ve got to learn how to deal with it regardless. It feels special to be compared to someone like that. Just his personality off the court and on the court.  Just to have people looking at you like that, someone you’re compared to, it feels good.”

Gill-Caesar mentioned that the two of them had kept in touch this year and Wiggins offered him a bit of a preview on “how much different college is compared to high school.”
Zags Blog


adidas Uprising Spring/Summer Events


Recruiting Calendar


My Late Night in the Phog videos, KU Alumni games videos, 2011-12 Border War videos, Legends of the Phog videos, KC Prep Invitational, & Jayhawk Invitational Videos and more now on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/kcjcjhawk