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Ласкаво просимо Святослав Mykhailiuk

5/22/2014

Welcome Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk!

So now we know part of the reason Bill Self was in Portland during the Nike Hoop Summit!

"Obviously, this is great news for us," Self said. "He is 16 years old and will turn 17 in June, but his skill level, knowledge and aptitude for the game are way beyond his years. I think that he will be an immediate impact guy. He is a guy that can play all three positions on the perimeter. At 6-8, he can play point, play the No. 2 (guard) or the No. 3 (guard). He allows us to be more versatile next year and certainly, there would be few people that would shoot it better than him."

Mykhailiuk shined while representing the Ukraine at the 2013 U16 European Championship, being named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 25.2 points per game and eight rebounds. According to NBADraft.net, the young sharpshooter shows a mix of athleticism, skills and feel for the game that is extremely rare to see in a European player.

Self, who became aware of the Ukrainian talent three months ago, credited his development through his club team – the Cherkasy Mavpy – to be one of the most appealing factors in KU's recruitment, citing that Mykhailiuk will begin his college career very skilled, drilled and prepared.

"We got a lot better today," Self continued. "He's not here yet and he won't come until the fall because he's going to stay back and play with his national team this summer, which we strongly encourage. He's a young man who will be so exciting to watch his growth because of his age, his intellect and his 'want to.' This guy really wants to be a player and really wants to do it here in the States."

The son of mother, Inna, a high school biology teacher and father, Iurri, a college history professor, Mykhailiuk has taken English classes for much of his life and will come to Kansas this fall with a fairly strong grasp of the language.

"I liked everything," Mykhailiuk said. "From the history, the strength program and especially the coaches – everything. It's Kansas. KU has players every year. Coach Self has had so many players go to the NBA. That's an important thing.”

…"Who knows what will end up happening with Andrew (Wiggins) and Joel (Embiid), but right now the consensus is that they will be two of the top-three players taken in the NBA Draft," Self said. "How do you replace guys like that? The answer is you don't. The way you try, though, is to go out and sign Cliff, Kelly, Devonte and now you add Sviatoslav to the mix. This could arguably be one of the very best recruiting classes that we've had. I think of last year's class and I think of the class with Brandon (Rush), Mario (Chalmers) and Julian (Wright) – this class definitely rivals that."
KUAD

Mykhailiuk is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard who plays for Cherkassy and is just 16 years old. He will turn 17 in June, and is expected to attend Kansas for two seasons. Jonathan Givony of Draft Express said Mykhailiuk never signed a pro contract and should have no eligibility issues.

…One NBA scout who saw Mykhailiuk recently compared him to potential lottery pick and former Michigan swingman Nik Stauskas.

"He's a shooter with athleticism that can dribble and pass," the scout told CBSSports.com.

The scout also said Mykhailiuk would be ranked in the top 10 in both the high school classes of 2015 and 2016. He will be at least 18 months younger than many of the freshman entering college this year.

Mykhailiuk averaged 25.2 points and 8.0 rebounds at the 2013 U16 European Championships and also played in the Hoop Summit in April.
CBS

He appeared in the Nike Hoop Summit and was among the youngest players ever to compete in that event. He reportedly performed well in practices but did not make a significant impact in the game itself, scoring two points in 13 minutes and missing all three of his long-range shots. But DraftExpress, which scouted him at the Hoop Summit and the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany last month, considered him a talented shooter with good mechanics and calls him a “terrific prospect.”
Sporting News

До слова, чемпіонат України у різних вікових групах Михайлюк вигравав 6 разів! У минулому сезоні Святослав був наймолодшим гравцем Суперліги, який виходив у стартовому складі.

Translation per google:

By the way, the championship of Ukraine in different age groups Mikhailyuk won 6 times! Last season Svyatoslav was the youngest player in Super League, which came out in the starting lineup.
Link

The tip arrived in the Kansas basketball office in the early spring, a mysterious name with a nearly unpronounceable arrangement of 20 letters.

Svia-to-slav Myk-hai-liuk?

He was a 16-year-old from Ukraine, and a rising prospect in European basketball circles. And to most everybody on the KU basketball staff, the kid was a nobody.

Before that day in March, Kansas assistant coach Kurtis Townsend had never heard his name, nor did he know that the 16-year-old was nearly finished with high school in his hometown of Cherkasy, Ukraine; or that, more important, the teenager was increasingly intrigued with playing college basketball in the United States.

All Townsend knew was that he trusted where the tip originated, and he felt like doing some homework. So he opened a web browser on his computer and searched for the name:

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, shooting guard, Ukraine.

“I watched clips on him,” Townsend said. “I was like: ‘Wow, this kid is unbelievable. … No, really, this kid is ridiculously talented.’ ”

Just like that, the race to land the young Ukrainian was on. The recruitment of Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk — his name is pronounced SVEE-at-is-slov mi-KHAI-luk — would last just two months and be nothing like a normal college basketball recruitment story. It would include two countries; a fortuitous meeting in Portland, Ore.; a family of Ukrainian educators who understand the value of college; and the unexpected influence of a beloved former Jayhawk.
KC Star

I think I got more retweets on the Mykhailiuk scoop than any NBA draft news I've ever reported. Kansas basketball fans sure love their team.
@DraftExpress

Gotta think the addition of Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk makes KU's recruiting class No. 1 or No. 2 in the country.
@JasonKingBR

Had multiple NBA scouts that saw Sviatoslav Myhailiuk at Nike Hoop Summit tell me he'd be an elite five-star recruit if he was in US.
@EvanDaniels

I don't anticipate Mykhailiuk having any eligibility issues. He never signed a pro contract and his club is 100% supporting this move.
@DraftExpress

We got a new member of the jayhawk family?
@HumbleKid11

Show the bro (edited: fake twitter acct) some love he's coming to KU !! #kubball
@im_dat_kid_dtae (Svi is on IG @SWYAT10_)

Our new friend from the Ukraine prefers to be called “Svi” pronounced “Svee." Full pronunciation: Sviat-is-slov Meh-kai-luke
@KUHoops

Jayhawk Nation: introducing the 2014 Kansas basketball recruiting class. #itsjustdifferent #tradition… instagram.com/p/oRfkRZAHYu/
@Coachjhoward

“If he were in the United States,” Fraschilla told me Tuesday, “he’d be one of the 10 best prospects in the Class of 2015.”

…“He’s a 6’6” combo guard. He’s not a pure point—but he can play the point. He’s a dead-eye shooter who is tough as nails. It’d be like signing a really good player from Detroit or Pittsburgh or Chicago. He’s a competitor.”

…One of the highlights of Mykhailiuk’s visit with Self, a source said, was watching footage of former Jayhawks center Sasha Kaun on a Kansas highlight reel. Kaun is from Russia, which neighbors Ukraine.

“Clips of Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur and Ben McLemore didn’t move him at all,” the source said. “He has no idea who those guys are. But when Sasha Kaun popped up on the screen, the whole family went crazy.”
Jason King

Height of Mykhailiuk is destined to be a mystery. One Euro evaluator tells me he's def 6-6; KU staffer says he was over 6-7 on the visit.
@rustindodd

nbadraft.net on Svi

draftexpress on Svi

No one is questioning his skill. Some are questioning whether he'll be ready to really be a star as a freshman because of his age. One assistant who recruited Mykhailiuk told Bleacher Report that he believes Mykhailiuk will eventually be a top-10 pick in the NBA draft.

In other words, Mykhailiuk is one of the best freshman prospects in the country and will eventually—if not this season—make a big impact at Kansas. He's a huge addition to any recruiting class. And that means it's time to reevaluate the 2014 recruiting rankings and consider the possibility that Bill Self, not John Calipari, is the best salesman going in college basketball right now.

This is the second straight year that Self has landed the best player on the market heading into the summer. Last year, that piece (Andrew Wiggins) was the go-to guy from the moment he stepped on campus.

Wiggins is the gift that keeps on giving. The power of the Canadian wing goes beyond the results from his one year on campus. Those on-court results were not entirely what was expected. It was expected that a team with Wiggins would make it past the round of 32. But his legacy as a Jayhawk is ongoing.

This class was definitely impacted by Wiggins. He made Kansas the "it" school. And it's only going to be more and more hip to be a Jayhawk with time.

Next month, Wiggins and Joel Embiid could go one-two in the NBA draft. If Wiggins and Embiid both become stars in the league, the pull to Kansas gets stronger.

…Even if Mykhailiuk is a year away from playing at a high level, it wouldn't much matter. Self's roster for this coming year was already complete. He has three point guards to choose from and then every other position will be set. Alexander and Perry Ellis will start inside. Kelly Oubre and Wayne Selden will start on the wing.

That's four McDonald's All-Americans in the starting lineup with plenty of options coming off the bench that includes a shooter who projects to be the Euro version of Nik Stauskas.

On paper, that's a national title contender. And in the recruiting world, if Mykhailiuk becomes a star, that could be as powerful for Self overseas as Wiggins has been stateside.

Not only is Bill Self the hottest recruiter out there right now, he's gone global.
CJ Moore

Thank you Sasha!

Mykhailiuk was in Charlottesville during the early part of the week after taking a visit to Lawrence, Kansas, over the weekend.

Tony Bennett and his staff were among the first coaches to become aware of Mykhailiuk and actually visited him in Ukraine.

Other schools became familiar with Mykhailiuk when he was added to the World Select Team for the Nike Hoop Summit in April in Portland, Oregon. At 16, he was the youngest player ever selected.
It was unclear if Mykhailiuk would come to college in the United States or choose to remain in Europe, where players can play professionally at an earlier age.

He becomes the second prospect to pick Kansas over UVa this spring. Earlier, guard Devonte Graham from Brewster Academy picked the Jayhawks over UVa and North Carolina State.
The addition of Thompson, who will be a sophomore when he becomes eligible in 2015-2016, puts the Cavaliers at the 13-scholarship Division I men’s basketball limit. Darion Atkins will be the only scholarship senior on next year’s team.

Only one of UVa’s scholarship players, sophomore guard London Perrantes, is under 6-foot-5.
Link

They haven't even seen anything yet..... Just watch
@JoelEmbiid

Enjoyed my chat about the #NBADraft with @Rickafox yesterday! Watch it here:
@22wiggins
VIDEO: Wiggins Off the Court Chat with Rick Fox

ESPN’s Chad Ford, citing sources, reports the Cavaliers are, at least right now, leaning toward selecting Kansas freshman Andrew Wiggins with the No. 1 pick. “My sources in Cleveland indicate Wiggins is the likelier choice at this early stage,” Ford writes. “They feel he has the most long-term potential, helps them defensively right out of the gate and can replace Dion Waiters in the starting lineup while adding character to the team.” Wiggins, Kansas center Joel Embiid and Duke forward Jabari Parker are the consensus top three prospects in the 2014 draft class. Australia’s Dante Exum is another player who could be selected with a top-three pick, but the Cavaliers don’t need to address the point guard position because of Kyrie Irving’s emergence as a superstar. Wiggins projects to be a small forward capable of averaging 20-plus points per game, along with elite one-on-one defense after he fully develops. He’s drawn comparisons to Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. Whoever the Cavaliers choose first overall, their fans are hoping that he makes a stronger impact as a rookie than Anthony Bennett did this past season. Bennett was taken with the top pick in the 2013 draft and averaged just 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds for the Cavaliers. It was one of the worst rookie seasons in league history.
Link

Within an hour of Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery, pro basketball experts across the country began posting updated versions of their mock drafts. The majority of them predicted Cleveland would select Kansas’ Andrew Wiggins with the No. 1 overall pick.

Wiggins certainly wouldn’t be a bad choice.

But I’d take Joel Embiid.

And I wouldn’t even hesitate.

I attended 14 Kansas games last season and have interviewed each player extensively in one-on-one situations. Embiid impresses me more for a variety of reasons.

I can’t recall a 7-footer in the last decade who can match Embiid’s footwork, soft hands, gait and shooting touch—not to mention his shot-blocking ability, which improved dramatically throughout the season. And I realize this has been said countless times, but he has only been playing basketball for three years. He’s just getting started.

I honestly believe he’ll be a perennial All-Star.
Jason King

Bovada lists Wiggins as better than an even money favorite to be the first player of the board.
2014 NBA Draft — Who will be selected #1 Overall?

Andrew Wiggins: 2/3 
Joel Embiid: 8/5
 Jabari Parker: 5/1 
Field: 15/1
Link

Milwaukee had the league's worst record last season and a 25 percent chance of winning Tuesday's lottery. Instead, the first selection went to the Cleveland Cavaliers, whose odds were just 1.7 percent.

The solace for the Bucks is that they'll still have a chance to draft Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins or Joel Embiid.

"Those guys all have a chance to be, I think, stars of this league, be All-Stars in this league, and are guys that you can build with and build a championship franchise," general manager John Hammond said Wednesday.

…"I think to a certain extent there probably is a little less pressure on a second pick and maybe could be better for the player in the short term and long run and maybe better for us," Hammond said.
Link

Transferring Kansas guard Andrew White III is wide open in his recruitment and is hearing from a ton of schools.

“I’ve been hearing the most from University of Maryland, Richmond, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Wake Forest, Miami and Florida State,” he told SNY.tv Wednesday evening.

“I’m going to get with my family soon and start figuring out how I should handle my visits, so I don’t have an exact timetable on it. At this point I’m still open to any offers.”
Zags Blog

“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 12 / College News

Your move, Cyclones: Kansas latest to sign foreign teen

They're taking this college basketball free agency thing way beyond the border these days.

Out of control?

Certainly out of the country, that's for sure.

Less than a week after Greek Georgios Tsalmpouris signed a national letter of intent with Iowa State, Kansas countered Wednesday with a commitment from Ukrainian Sviatoskav Mykhailiuk.

Whose foreigner will have the most impact next season?

I'll catch ya later on that one.

A 6-foot-8 forward, Mykhailiuk will be eligible in the fall — and he doesn't turn 17 until next month. He averaged 24 points and five rebounds for his junior team in Cherkassy, and according to NBAdraft.net, compares to Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs.

Like Tsalmpouris, Mykhailiuk will spend the summer playing for his country's national team before heading to college.

International players come to America for many reasons, including sometimes to find better lives — as an escape from poverty and/or violence.

That wasn't the case, however, with the recent Internationals at Kansas and Iowa State. Both said in published stories they wanted their NBA paths to include facing some of the best college teams in the country.

And ...

How would you like to be John Walters or his broadcasting buddy, Eric Heft?

Or even Hilton Coliseum announcer Gary Wade when the Cyclones and Jayhawks play?

"Basket by ... that guy."

They don't even have the luxury of shortening Tsalmpouris to just George.

"The more Georges' the better," established Cyclones star Georges Niang said in a text message. "I'm glad to have him on board, and I'm looking forward to playing alongside him when we get to campus."

By George. Or Georges. (Or Georgios.)
Des Moines Register

Since Juwan Staten made his announcement to stay in school on March 31, two of WVU’s top three scorers have left the program, undoubtedly raising eyebrows among the Mountaineer faithful.

Sophomore guard Eron Harris could’ve been one of the most talented shooting guards in the Big 12 next season. He followed up his promising freshman year by averaging 17.2 points per game on 44 percent shooting while starting in all 33 games.

On May 7, Harris finally received permission to be released from the program so he could attend school closer to his hometown in Indianapolis, IN. Harris’ choice of schools has reportedly been narrowed down to Purdue, Michigan State, Michigan and Auburn.

Two days after he was released, guard Terry Henderson also requested a transfer release from the school. Henderson was third in scoring on the team, averaging 11.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in his sophomore season. He was arguably the team’s best and efficient shooter.

Then, on May 10, it was announced forward Remi Dibo would likely leave the program to play professionally in his native country of France. Dibo and coach Bob Huggins will reportedly talk about Dibo’s future plans, but according to the coach, he’s set to leave.

"I have not talked to him," Huggins said. "But, he has told one of our assistants that he is returning to France to play professionally."

Dibo transferred to West Virginia from Casper College after the 2013 season. Despite limitations on defense and rebounding, Dibo averaged 7.1 points per game last season off the bench.

Transferring schools isn’t something unfamiliar in Morgantown. Last season, Huggins lost Jabarie Hinds, Aaron Brown and Volodymyr Gerun to transfers and kicked Aaron Murray off the team for detrimental conduct. Murray averaged 21.6 points per game at Texas Southern last season.

Since the team’s Final Four appearance in 2010, Huggins has lost 13 of his 23 recruits.

It’s also worth noting Huggins inherited his Final Four roster from the previous coach, John Beilein, as the key players on that team were mostly comprised of seniors.
Daily Athenaeum

Kansas State athletic director John Currie attempted to help Leticia Romero gain a conditional release from her basketball scholarship, but his efforts will not be enough.

The university issued a statement Wednesday night that made its stance on Romero’s ongoing transfer battle clear: Because a K-State appeals committee denied Romero’s request for a release last month, she will not be able to obtain one. The ruling of the committee is “final and binding.”

“There is no university procedure to reexamine one of those decisions,” read the statement, which was written by K-State vice president for communications and marketing Jeffery Morris. “Thus, the university process concludes with the Appeals Committee's decision. Also, the final and binding nature of these decisions does not allow for them to be overturned by university administrators.”

Without a scholarship release, Romero can still enroll at another school, but she won’t be eligible for an athletic scholarship for a year.
Wichita Eagle

The NCAA is instituting some new academic policies beginning in 2016.

Student-athletes who enter a Division I school “on or after August 1, 2016” will not be eligible to play if their grade point average is below 2.3 when they graduate from high school. Additionally, a student-athlete must complete ten of their 16 “core courses” before the seventh semester of their senior year. If they do not meet these requirements, the student-athlete will take an “academic redshirt”

Of course, athletes must also continue to meet the minimum 2.0 GPA while attaining the sliding scale requirement for SAT and ACT scores, but when the GPA falls between 2.0 and 2.3, the academic redshirt comes into play.
Yahoo

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

Recruiting

maxpreps.com image

Pegging the top player in high school basketball's 2015 class is a matter of taste.

A fan of high-scoring guards? Three-time Mississippi state champ and USA Basketball gold medalist Malik Newman is your guy.

Partial to dynamic forwards? Australian import Ben Simmons is the pick.

…Newman is coming off a big weekend in Hampton, Virginia, where he took the floor with the Jackson Tigers in Nike's Elite Youth Basketball League. He topped the 30-point mark in three of four games – including a 36-point outburst against fellow elite 2015 guard Luke Kennard and the King James Shooting Stars.

"He's a Monta Ellis, Gilbert Arenas-type scoring guard," Pangos All-American Camp director and grassroots guru Dinos Trigonis said. "When he gets it going he is really tough to stop."
Max Preps

adidas Uprising Spring/Summer Events

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

NBC College basketball fan’s guide to current grassroots basketball scene

WITH THE ADOPTION OF RWG-14-1, the legislation governing all-star games was eliminated. Consequently there is no longer a two game limit for prospects, so in this scenario it would be permissible for Slam to participate in all three games.
This piece of legislation is effective August 1, 2013, so it will apply to all prospects that enroll at your institution on or after that date.
http://dailycomplianceitem.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/daily-compliance-item-42313-14-6-all-star-games/

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

Post NBA Draft Lottery Wrap

5/21/2014

Potentially one of these teams is gonna get me #NBADRAFT #WeAllFromAfrica
@JoelEmbiid

Vine: Joel Embiid prior to the lottery

Coach Bill Self live from Allen Fieldhouse now on @OTLonESPN. #kubball pic.twitter.com/fsbGeeomYV @KUHoops

Andrew Wiggins, Markieff Morris, Marcus Morris, Joel Embiid hanging before the #NBADraftLottery on @ESPN pic.twitter.com/O8e9qUokEf
@NBADraft

Lots of Jayhawks in the house! Keef sitting next to Milt Newton!

Only one could sit at the table.. But if we had to pick it would be @Keefmorris looking like a million.. #teamfoe pic.twitter.com/awW9S1OYBCOYBC
@MookMorris2

Joel Embiid image

The future of the NBA.... here at the 2014 #NBADraftLottery
@NBA

The NBA Draft Lottery revealed Tuesday that the Cavaliers will pick No. 1, the Bucks No. 2 and the Sixers No. 3. Wiggins and Embiid have long been considered locks to fall somewhere in the top three with Duke’s Jabari Parker.

“It’s competition, but it’s friendly competition. We both have love for each other,” Wiggins said, referring to himself and Jayhawk teammate Embiid on the live lottery telecast on ESPN.

“If I don’t go No. 1, I hope he goes No. 1. We’re all just a family here. We both hope to get No. 1 pick. Hopefully wherever we go we do a lot of damage wherever we are at and have a successful career,” Wiggins added.

ESPN’s Chad Ford tweeted on Tuesday that the 6-foot-8 Wiggins “is odds on favorite to go No. 1 to Cavs.” ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, in somewhat of a surprise, has the Cavs taking Parker, the Bucks Embiid and the Sixers Wiggins.

…The live lottery show had a Jayhawk flavor. Embiid and Wiggins were the only two players interviewed. Also, former KU forward Markieff Morris, who attended with twin teammate Marcus, was the Phoenix Suns’ representative, and former KU guard Milt Newton was the representative of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

…Wiggins appeared on NBA.com’s “Off the Court” show with Rick Fox on Tuesday.

“Something that prepared me for this moment is Kansas because they really treat the basketball players, the basketball team like celebrities out there,” Wiggins said. “They show a lot of love and support toward them. I did so many interviews in Kansas, a lot of autograph signing. We always were on the big stage in Kansas. I think that will prepare me for times like this,” Wiggins added.
LJW

All Cavs need is a big ... Hmmm one BIG African comes to mind @JoelEmbiid
@K_Ctmd22

Hearing Parker isn't really in play for Cleveland. Will come down to Wiggins or Embiid. 50/50 right now. Embiid will do a 1 on 0 workout.
@DraftExpress

Gotta think this bodes well for Jabari Parker's chances of going No. 1 overall.
@NBADraftInsider

Milwaukee may be in a tough spot. Arn Tellem may not let Embiid work out for Bucks -- Do you take him at No. 2 w/o all medical info?
@GoodmanESPN

So the Cavs could have back-to-back Canadian No. 1s W/ Wiggins and Bennett to go with Kyrie and Tristan, who is also Canadian.
@AdamZagoria

The Cleveland Cavaliers are targeting former Kansas center Joel Embiid with the No. 1 pick in next month’s draft, according to the ESPN.com’s Jeff Goodman.
ESPN

NBA Draft Prospect Joel Embiid is in the house at our Times Square store! #NBADraft
@champssports

Kansas center Joel Embiid, who missed part of his one season with the Jayhawks because of a back injury, says it's no longer an issue for him.

Embiid, along with Creighton's Doug McDermott and Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart, were together on Sirius XM Radio Tuesday afternoon.

Embiid, who did not attend last week's Chicago pre-draft combine, sounds optimistic that his back injury will not be a factor.

"My back is 100 percent; no pain, nothing," Embiid told the station. "I just been working out just trying to get back in shape."
Link

SI: What should the Cavs do with the No. 1 pick?

DraftExpress: Updated Mock Draft

“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 12 / College News

Here's the average number of wins produced by NBA draft selections Nos. 1-30: http://53eig.ht/1lDrwej pic.twitter.com/4ulQGBg246
@FiveThirtyEight

You'd rather win the NBA lottery than not. But since 1998, no team with the #1 overall pick has since won a title
@NateSilver538

FiveThirtyEight: How much is winning the NBA Draft Lottery really worth?

CBS is reporting that Damontre Harris will not return to Florida next season.
@si_ncaabb

Pac-12 university presidents have sent a letter to their colleagues at the other four major football conferences calling for sweeping changes to the NCAA model and autonomy for those leagues.

A copy of the letter was obtained by the Associated Press on Tuesday night. It was sent last week to the other 53 university presidents in the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC.

Spurred in part by Northwestern football players' move to unionize, the Pac-12 presidents outlined a 10-point plan for reform that includes many proposals commissioners have been advocating for several years, including a stipend for athletes. The NCAA is working on a new governance structure that will allow the five wealthiest conferences to make some rules without the support of smaller Division I schools.

"We acknowledge the core objectives could prove to be expensive and controversial, but the risks of inaction or moving too slowly are far greater," the letter reads. "The time for tinkering with the rules and making small adjustments is over."

Among the proposals included in the letter:

-- Permit institutions to make scholarship awards up to the full cost of attendance.

-- Provide reasonable ongoing medical or insurance assistance for student-athletes who suffer an incapacitating injury in competition or practice. Continue efforts to reduce the incidence of disabling injury.

-- Guarantee scholarships for enough time to complete a bachelor's degree, provided that the student remains in good academic standing.

-- Further strengthen the Academic Progress Rate requirements for postseason play.

-- Address the "one and done" phenomenon in men's basketball. If the NBA and its players' association are unable to agree on raising the age limit for players, consider restoring the freshman ineligibility rule in men's basketball.

-- Liberalize rules limiting the ability of student-athletes to transfer between institutions.
Pac-12 presidents are asking for a response to the proposed reforms by June 4.
Link

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

Recruiting

Cliff Alexander had a monster year and the season-ending accolades definitely proved it. After averaging 24 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks this past season, leading Curie to a 24-2 record and the Chicago Public School City title, he subsequently was named the Chicago Sun Player of the Year, the Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year and 2014 Mr. Basketball USA. The 6-9 power forward will be head to Kansas in the fall, and Rock Chalk Nation will surely love him.
SLAM HS All-Americans

Virginia’s basketball program has reached scholarship capacity for next season with the addition of guard Darius Thompson, a transfer from Tennessee.

…With eight scholarship players returning from last season’s ACC champions and five newcomers, Virginia has the NCAA-maximum 13 athletes on grant.
Daily Press

adidas Uprising Spring/Summer Events

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

NBC College basketball fan’s guide to current grassroots basketball scene

WITH THE ADOPTION OF RWG-14-1, the legislation governing all-star games was eliminated. Consequently there is no longer a two game limit for prospects, so in this scenario it would be permissible for Slam to participate in all three games.
This piece of legislation is effective August 1, 2013, so it will apply to all prospects that enroll at your institution on or after that date.
http://dailycomplianceitem.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/daily-compliance-item-42313-14-6-all-star-games/

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

NBA Draft Lottery Balls Bounce Tonight!

5/20/2014

Former Kansas University basketball standouts Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid soon will know a lot more about where they might be playing basketball next season.

The NBA will hold its annual lottery at 7 tonight on ESPN, before an Eastern Conference final game between Indiana and Miami.

…Wiggins, who also appeared on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” on Monday, spoke glowingly about his one year in college.

“It was my happiest year on the planet since I was born,” Wiggins told Van Pelt and Russillo of his time in Lawrence. “That’s like home to me, really. Walking in the fieldhouse gives you chill bumps. It’s a crazy feeling to be there, in that situation, be under a legendary coach like Bill Self and play with the teammates I had. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. I’ll never forget anything about it.

“I can understand why players stay all four years in college. College is fun. There’s nothing like it at all,” Wiggins added. “If I could erase time and replay every day back in Kansas, I would. You know that can’t happen. That’s how fun Kansas is to me.”

Wiggins was asked on “SportsCenter” if part of him wishes there were a rule requiring him to stay at KU another year. “Yeah. I’m only 19. Every day I think about college. It really was the best time of my life at Kansas. I enjoyed it so much. It was one of a kind,” he said.

“I couldn’t really picture myself going to the NBA after high school. I think that would have been a mess for me. I wouldn’t have been (ready).”

Asked to sum up what he learned at KU, Wiggins said: “I was always a good on-the-ball defender, but I learned how to play defense off the ball. I learned the pick-and-roll game, just how to take advantage of certain situations. Also a lot of the mental part. Staying true to who I am. Coach Self at the end of the year really brought out the dog in me. That’s why I started playing better at the end of the year. He really made me just get focused.”
LJW

Kansas Andrew Wiggins joins me today on @OTLonESPN at 3 pm ESPN. As well as KU's Bill Self, @JayBilas, Tom Penn
@ESPNAndyKatz

On Tuesday at 4pm ET I'm chatting with @Rickafox about the #NBADraft! Tweet questions for me using #AmexNBA. http://www.nba.com/offthecourt/live.html
@22wiggins

#Suns announce Morris twins @Keefmorris @MookMorris2 will represent the team at next weeks NBA Draft Lottery in New York
@CraigAZSports

There is no lock No. 1 pick in this draft after talking to about 30 NBA guys. Will completely depend on team & GM that wins lottery tonight.
@GoodmanESPN

“Everyone is talking about a great draft class this year,” Golden State consultant Jerry West told ESPN Radio. “I think it’s just the opposite. I think it’s a poor one, myself.”

“It’s not even close to one of the best draft classes in the last 10 years,” Celtic GM Danny Ainge told the Boston Globe.

If there’s no consensus No. 1 pick in the press, one super prospect emerged in the minds of the NBA people I talked to. That was Embiid, the 7-0, 250-pound (as listed by Kansas) freshman who started around No. 5 on sheer size and raw potential and realized enough of it to to rocket to No. 1 in mid-season when a GM told me, “His ceiling is Hakeem Olajuwon. His basement is Serge Ibaka.”

Unfortunately, Embiid missed the NCAA Tournament with a stress fracture in his back, a recurrence of an injury he suffered in high school which prompted Kansas to send him to Los Angeles for a second opinion,  Stress fractures which are hard to diagnose can be be devastating, having truncated great careers like those of Bill Walton and Doug Collins. If a team can’t, at least, see Embiid’s medical records—which Tellem may withhold–taking him No. 1 goes from a no-brainer to problematic or impossible.

(Not that’s it hard to understand from Tellem’s standpoint. “You can hire the best back doctor in the country who gives him a clean bill of health,” says a GM. “Then you go to Chicago and 30 teams’ doctors poke and prod you. It only takes one to red-flag something and that becomes the story. That’s what happened to [Oklahoma City's] Perry Jones. He was supposed to go in the lottery in 2012 and he got red-flagged. He went No. 28 and hasn’t had a problem since.”)
Forbes

Yes, many Jazz fans would love to have Duke forward Jabari Parker. But Wiggins could possibly be the best NBA draft pick since Kevin Durant, and morph into transcendent talent like Durant and LeBron James before his career is over.

Any NBA general manager will have trouble passing on Wiggins’ athleticism, two-way potential and ability to explode. And while this is a draft that will likely produce multiple all-stars, Wiggins stands out as the one player most likely to become a superstar.

Utah sits in the fourth position, with a likelihood of either moving into the top three, or dropping out of the top five all together. The good news: Should the Jazz drop as far as seventh, they can still leave the draft with a guy who will project as an impact player, It’s a testament to how strong and talented the top seven players in this draft are.
Salt Lake Tribune

THE SIXERS will be taking part in their 15th lottery tonight. And if history has a say in anything, they will either be enjoying a jump from their second spot or staying put.

And that's good news for the franchise. It means they will get a shot at either Kansas' Joel Embiid or Andrew Wiggins, or Duke's Jabari Parker. Of course, the team has been rumored to have targeted Wiggins since trading All-Star Jrue Holiday to New Orleans last draft night, but all that could change quickly. Embiid came on like gangbusters, jumping from a mid-lottery pick to the very top in a lot of mock drafts. If the Milwaukee Bucks, who own the worst record, gain the top spot, they might take Embiid, leaving Parker and Wiggins available for the Sixers.
Philly.com

Using the draft odds going into Tuesday night's lottery, ESPN has put together a program that predicts which team will end up picking where. After running it 100 times, the Sixers ended up with the No. 4 overall pick -- dropping two spots -- and drafting Kansas center Joel Embiid.
NJ.com

1. Milwaukee Bucks – Andrew Wiggins 6-8, 200 lbs. SF Kansas, Fr. At this point the pick is a coin flip for the Bucks, for some teams it will be a three-sided dice role, but for the Bucks they benefit from drafting either Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker. The organization has a new owner and needs to bring on a head coach, but they have begun to create a style in recent years. They drafted Larry Sanders, John Henson, and Giannis Antetokounmpo giving them elite length and athleticism in the front court. Parker gives them a pure, natural scorer, but also creates a logjam at the 3/4 on the roster. Wiggins is free to play the two or the three and can potentially play with those three and give the Bucks a potential franchise star at the same time.

4. Utah Jazz – Joel Embiid 7-0, 250 lbs. C Kansas, Fr. With question marks about his back and the league becoming smaller and smaller Embiid has the potential to fall, but at the same time could also be the No. 1 Overall Pick. The Jazz have slowly put together a quality young roster where Embiid could fit in with Trey Burke, Gordon Hayward, and Derrick Favors as a core going forward. Embiid has the unique ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor at a high level and is a more fluid athlete than most players his size. Still very raw, but at Kansas he showed that his learning curve is well above average as he got better and better literally game by game.
Dime Mag

2. If you were starting a team from scratch, who would you take with the No. 1 pick?

Mahoney: Joel Embiid. With no other factors to account for — and assuming his back is OK — I’m taking the athletic, free-moving 7-footer with loads of defensive potential. It will take some time for the late-blooming Embiid to mature as a player, but in the interim he’s plenty big and resourceful enough to stay on the court and gain practical experience. The former Kansas big man is not a project — he’s simply a work in progress, capable of contributing throughout his developmental process. I trust that good scorers can be found elsewhere, be it in other draft classes, the trade block or the free-agent pool. Embiid, though, has a chance to develop into a very special defensive asset. I’ll gladly take the plunge.

Golliver: Andrew Wiggins. You could have asked me this question at any point from the World Team’s first practice at the 2012 Hoop Summit until today and the answer would be the same. Wiggins’ performance that week as a high school sophomore — before his reclassification and his one and only year at Kansas — was Bobby Fischer-esque. What other word than “prodigy” applies when a sophomore clearly stands out from the best and brightest juniors and seniors?
Skipping a year of high school surely cost Wiggins some acclaim at the NCAA level. Who cares about that? He fast-tracked his way to the NBA so that he can get a jump on the lengthy process of developing into a franchise player. I trust Wiggins’ out-of-this-world physical gifts, feel for the game and mental makeup more than any other option in this year’s class. The knocks on him — that he floats through games, that his shooting range could improve — are nitpicks at this point and not red flags. If my mythical team wants to have a chance at winning a title someday, Wiggins is the prospect from this year’s class I want leading the way.
SI

According to a Sporting News report, Wiggins will take part in a group workout planned by his agency, BDA Sports, on Friday in Los Angeles. Wiggins is represented by agent Bill Duffy.

And Wiggins nearly upstaged the Chicago camp when an Instagram photo was released showing his 44-inch vertical jump at the Peak Performance Project.

The photo was eye-popping evidence of an amazing athleticism that has put the 6-foot-8 former Kansas player in prime position to be selected No. 1 overall.
Milwaukee JS

Congrats to justin and niko. They've been great ambassadors for our school and program. Proud of you.
@CoachBillSelf

Kansas University Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little told the crowd at Memorial Stadium to “strive to be something bigger than your selfie.” Gray-Little then turned her back to the crowd and snapped a selfie of her own. In the background behind her thousands of Kansas graduates cheered.
Link

Officially done with freshman year... Myea
@WayneSeldenJr

I love this place! Had an amazing year. #RockChalk
@b_greene14

Next step Lawrence
@HumbleKid11

Fans using their smartphones during events at Allen Fieldhouse and Memorial Stadium could receive a nice boost in the upcoming year.

The University of Kansas recently reached an agreement with AT&T, which is installing new Distributed Antenna Systems in both locations.

“The benefit for KU is that it provides greater capacity for our students, faculty and staff and visitors to campus,” said David Day, communications manager for KU information technology, “but there’s also that benefit for people who live in surrounding areas.”

The main issue is this: When fans try to use their smartphones at the same time in one location, it can often overtax cellphone towers in the area, which causes slow load times and also broken connections.

Putting Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) in a location increases the capacity for cellphone users in that area. So instead of those fans using a nearby tower for service, they’ll instead be able to use mini-antennas placed by AT&T in both Allen Fieldhouse and Memorial Stadium.

The result should be better coverage both for those people in the event locations and also Lawrence residents, whose primary phone towers should be less bombarded on game days.

An improvement was needed, especially at Allen Fieldhouse. In a Wall Street Journal study done in March, Allen Fieldhouse ranked 18th out of 23 college basketball venues in terms of mobile reception.
TCJ

VIDEO: BMac’s Top 10 Plays of the Season

Paul Pierce noncommittal when asked if he wanted to come back and play for #Nets next season. Said he'd talk to his family, weigh options.
@rodboone

5/17/14, 7:32 AM
Happy B-Day to former @utahjazz man @CoachDManning from all of us @ slcdunk.com #Neverforget
@slcdunk

Former KU player Keith Langford, explained to the Journal-World how he would be eligible to play for Turkey’s next Olympic team if that’s what he decides to do. He has decided to play for the Turkish National Team in the upcoming FIBA World Cup.

Langford played for Armani Milan of Italy this past season. He won the Euroleague’s Alphonso Ford Award, which goes to the leading scorer in the Euroleague (17.5 ppg).

“The process is pretty simple actually. If a country wants help on their team, they can come and ask an American who has never played national team for another country to play for them,” Langford said. “You draw up a contract, agree to terms and then you get a passport and become a naturalized citizen. It’s also beneficial as a player in Europe, too, because you become more valuable as an American who plays like a European. That’s because there are limits to how many Americans can be on teams.

“So especially in a country like Turkey it’s huge because their national team is very visible and their league/country is one of the highest paying.”
LJW

Look at my career. I'm viewed as a guy who does the little things that help a team win. I have a niche, even a little bit of a cult following. But if I were on a losing team, no one would talk about that. And the reason for that is Kevin, and Russell Westbrook. Their success raises all of us.

We don't talk about Kevin's place in history, but I think about that a lot. I remember growing up watching Michael Jordan and all those guys who played with him. When you play with a guy like that, you play on a special team. It's cool to think that someday people might remember me the same way they do [former Bulls role players] Cliff Levingston or Luc Longley. And it's cool to think that I'll be able to say that not only did I play with Kevin but that I also liked the guy.
SI Nick Collison: Durant is ultimate teammate

TCJ: Plaque seals Dean Smith’s legacy at Topeka High

Vying for its second-ever women's NCAA Championship, the Kansas women's golf team will compete for the national title at the Tulsa Country Club, May 20-23, in Tulsa.

Kansas, whose only other women's national championship came in track and field in 2013, is one of 24 teams, and six individuals, which advanced through NCAA Regional play May 8-10. Following practice rounds May 18-19, Jayhawks will be playing their first two of four championship rounds with Virginia and Big 12 member Iowa State. The three teams will start on hole No. 1, May 20, at 8:36 a.m. and on hole No. 10, May 21, at 12:56 p.m. The final two rounds pairings and tee times will be determined on how teams finish the first two rounds. Tulsa Country Club measures 6,194 yards with a par of 70 for the NCAA Championship.
KUAD

“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 12 / College News

CBS: Best and worst of APR (No major-conf program has done better in APR than Bill Self’s Jayhawks)

Coach Don Meyer passes away

During a sleepy morning in a mostly empty gymnasium last week, Marcus Smart bolted from the right wing to catch an inbounds pass thrown from the opposite sideline. After collecting the ball, Smart dribbled toward the left corner, turned over his right shoulder and swished a three-pointer while falling out of bounds. Quickly standing up, Smart expressed his outrage at an invisible referee. "And one! You gotta call that!" he said. "C'mon, ref. I know that's LeBron, but you gotta call that!"

The faux outburst injected some much-needed levity into an otherwise mundane workout at Saint Monica High School in Los Angeles. Since arriving here in early April, Smart, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound point guard who recently completed his sophomore season at Oklahoma State, has been put through paces twice each weekday alongside several other player-clients of the Wasserman Media Group.

The group, which includes Kansas center Joel Embiid, UCLA forward Kyle Anderson and Arizona State guard Jahii Carson, has been staying at an apartment complex nearby. When they're not toiling in the gym, they keep a busy schedule to prepare themselves for the NBA draft, which will be held June 26 in Brooklyn.
SI

Dime Mag: Georges Niang and rapper Moufy, 2 Boston underdogs

Lincoln police ticketed Nebraska men's basketball coach Tim Miles for negligent driving after he was involved in a three-vehicle accident.

Miles was driving in southwest Lincoln about 4 p.m. Friday when his Cadillac Escalade struck a Honda Pilot that had slowed in front of him. The impact pushed the Honda into the back of a stopped pickup.

According to the accident report, Miles told police he had taken his eyes off the road, and when he looked up he was unable to avoid hitting the Honda. The Honda's driver said she went to a hospital to be examined for neck and back pain. There were no other injuries.

Estimated damage was $2,000 to Miles' vehicle, $4,000 to the Honda and $500 to the pickup. Alcohol was not a factor.
AP

Contrary to FGCU's earlier version of events, former Eagles center Eric McKnight was kicked off the team after yet another violation of team rules — at least his third at the school — following the 2013-2014 season, FGCU coach Joe Dooley said Monday.

McKnight, who verbally committed to Tennessee on Monday, was suspended for 12 games prior to last season for at least one violation of team rules, although a minimum six-game suspension turned into 12 without further explanation from McKnight or FGCU.

The 6-foot-9 center from Raleigh, N.C., returned to average 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 23 games after the suspension.

But following FGCU's first-round NIT loss at Florida State in March, Dooley said McKnight committed yet another infraction that forced his expulsion from the team.

"If he hadn't violated team rules he would have been back," Dooley said. "It was something separate from the 12 games."

In announcing McKnight's departure from the team last month, FGCU and McKnight said it was McKnight's decision, although the player's demeanor indicated otherwise.

"To be honest I'm just a bit overwhelmed," McKnight said. "It's sad because I feel like I was one of the co-founders of Dunk City. Now that I have to leave and I have to graduate, I just have to leave that legacy behind."
Link

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

Recruiting

S/O to @MilesBridges01 for the Kansas offer!
@rfulford

All is quiet on the Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk recruiting front. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard from Ukraine visited KU over the weekend and reportedly had a great visit. He headed to Virginia on Sunday with no word yet on his visit there. His coaches have yet to put out word if he’ll be making any more visits. Michigan, Oregon and North Carolina had been listed as possibilities. Reportedly, he still is seriously considering playing pro ball next season in Europe. KU has two scholarships left to give in recruiting.
LJW

Mac Irvin point guard Jalen Brunson is targeting a summer decision after recently announcing he had cut his list to eight schools.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Brunson will choose between Michigan State, UConn, Purdue, Illinois, Kansas, Villanova, Michigan and Temple.

“Before the [high school] season starts,” Brunson said of his timetable on a decision. “I think when I find the best fit for me, I will know.”
Zags Blog

Two of the most highly-ranked recruits in the 2015 college basketball recruiting class—point guard Malik Newman and center Diamond Stone—will reportedly be a package deal, and will select a school together during the recruiting process.

While both players will likely wind up with offers from almost every top program, it’s not too easy to tell where these two wind up at this point.

According to Rivals, the two share Georgetown as a school that has offered each. Powers like Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and UCLA are all involved with both players as well, but it seems a bit early to discern where the duo may lean.
Link

Malik Newman didn't make the statement he had hoped to during his first game back on the EYBL Circuit last Saturday.

The nation's top-ranked guard was 2-for-12 from the floor, 0-for-3 from three, recording 10 points in 29 minutes of play.

The Jackson Tigers, Newman's AAU team, went on to win their first game of Nike tournament in Dallas 59-36, but if you took to Twitter afterwards, chances are you saw Tweets critiquing Newman's game with a repeated word articulating how he played.

Struggle.

During the Callaway Chargers 2013-14 season, Newman averaged 29.2 points per game. So the way he started back on the Circuit wasn't what he was expecting either.

"I wouldn't say it was a struggle," Newman said. "It just wasn't my day for scoring so I tried to contribute other ways.

"As far as the 'struggling' part? I don't really pay attention to that," he said. "I keep that word out of my vocabulary."

By the end of the weekend, Newman turned things around substantially, walking away averaging 19.8 points in the four games the Tigers played last Saturday and Sunday. But last weekend drew questions from several scouts who have seen him play for years – the same people that deemed him the consensus No. 1 player in the country last summer.

"I think at times he tries to settle for the contested three-pointer," said Jerry Meyer, the director of basketball scouting for 247Sports. "I'd like to see him attack a little more off the dribble, which he's capable of and has done a good bit. I'd also like to see him put the ball on the floor to the basket with the idea of creating for his teammates, not just getting his own shot."

…For the month of April, Newman competed with Mo Williams Elite AAU program on the Under Armor Association circuit but made the decision last week to finish out his summer in the Nike EYBL.

"I just think the competition (on the Under Armor circuit) wasn't the same as it is with Nike," he said. "I figured that if I was going to play I might as well do it against the best of the best like it is with Nike."

…As the month of June approaches, Newman said he will continue the process of narrowing down the list of schools he will consider attending. While he's not releasing a list now, his goal to play with Dominican (Wis.) big man Diamond Stone is still going strong.

"Our relationship is great," he said. "He has his list and I'm working on mine. There's like four or five teams that are right there on both of our lists, so that's a good thing."

Newman will travel to Hampton, Va. this weekend to compete in the third session on the EYBL Circuit. The Jackson Tigers are four wins away from qualifying for July's Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C.
Clarion Ledger

Each 1 Teach 1’s Daniel Giddens played under a different number than listed this weekend at Nike’s EYBL Session 3, but it was still the same dominant performance as those in attendance have come to expect.

As for his future basketball interests, the 6-foot-10, 215-pound Giddens out of Marietta (Ga.) Wheeler cut his list in February to six schools: Kansas, Georgia, Ohio State, Arizona, Indiana and Florida.

He recently received an offer from Arkansas as well.

“Arkansas was a good offer. I’m still listening to some other colleges, but my list still stays the same,” Giddens said when asked if the offer changed his list.

The prohibitive favorite has been Ohio State by most accounts, and the Buckeyes are still hard on the trail for the big man.

“I talk to them every week; twice, three times a week maybe. There is a great relationship with Coach [Thad] Matta,” Giddens told SNY.tv. “They just [have] really told me how they are going to use me in the system.”
Zags Blog

adidas Uprising Spring/Summer Events

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

NBC College basketball fan’s guide to current grassroots basketball scene

WITH THE ADOPTION OF RWG-14-1, the legislation governing all-star games was eliminated. Consequently there is no longer a two game limit for prospects, so in this scenario it would be permissible for Slam to participate in all three games.
This piece of legislation is effective August 1, 2013, so it will apply to all prospects that enroll at your institution on or after that date.
http://dailycomplianceitem.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/daily-compliance-item-42313-14-6-all-star-games/

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

It's a Wiggins World!

5/19/2014

@P3sportscience image

Andrew Wiggins can jump really, really ridiculously high.
@SportsCenter

Wiggins isn't at the combine, but won it
@michaelsobrien

The picture of Andrew Wiggins vert jump floating around? His agent, Bill Duffy, told me it's a 44 inch vert.
@chadfordinsider

Who has the highest vertical leap in NBA Combine history? Former Jayhawk Kenny Gregory. In 2001 Gregory jumped 45.5 inches.
@abaker6sports

Andrew Wiggins believes he should be the No. 1 pick in next month’s NBA Draft.

And he may well get his wish.

“I always put myself No. 1 above anybody else. That’s just me. I got a lot of confidence in myself,” Wiggins said Monday on ESPN’s “First Take.”

Both Chad Ford of ESPN and DraftExpress.com have the 6-foot-8 Wiggins going No. 1 overall, ahead of Duke’sJabari Parker and Wiggins’ Kansas teammate Joel Embiid.

“I think for me, Jabari or Joel, I think we all want to go No. 1,” said Wiggins, who averaged 17.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in his only season at Kansas. “But it’s not the end of the world if we don’t because there’s been a lot of great players that ended up to be the best ever, and great Hall of Famers, that never went No. 1 and still had a great career.”
Zags Blog

Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid, Noah Vonleh Marcus Smart Doug McDermott Aaron Gordon all expected to be in attendance at tomorrow's NBA Lottery
@DraftExpress

NBA Draft: Andrew Wiggins to be part of a workout in LA hosted by his agent May 23, I'm told
@SeanDeveney

If you don’t already own a basketball jersey and a pair of high-top sneakers, you might want to pick some up in preparation of the June 26 celebrations.

Not only is that NBA draft day, the city is declaring it Andrew Wiggins Day in Vaughan — for this year only.

City councillors at Tuesday afternoon’s committee of the whole meeting voted unanimously to name the day after the highly touted NBA prospect, who is expected to go high in the draft, if not first overall.
Link

Humbled and very appreciative of my hometown's support! #Vaughan
@22wiggins

@22wiggins tweeted this #tbt photo. No word if this is the outfit he'll wear to the draft :-)

Draft Express: Pre draft measurements

“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!

#tbt 2014 Jayhawk Invitational

5/8/2014

Diamond Stone and Malik Newman @iowaelites image

Jayhawk Invitational Wrap

Rivals: Opening night recap

Rivals: Day Two

Kansas University’s Bill Self, SMU’s Larry Brown, North Carolina State’s Mark Gottfried, Baylor’s Scott Drew, UConn’s Kevin Ollie and Georgetown’s John Thompson III were among the college head coaches who sat in chairs just behind the east basket of New Century Fieldhouse Court One late Friday night.

Colorado’s Tad Boyle and Florida Gulf Coast’s Joe Dooley elected to stand against a wall with the likes of college assistants Nick Bradford (Missouri Southern) and Jeremy Case (Houston Baptist), among many others.

Whether from schools big or small, the coaches who traveled to the 2014 Under Armour Jayhawk Invitational AAU tournament all had to be impressed with the play of Diamond Stone, a 6-foot-10, 253-pound junior from Milwaukee’s Dominican High.

…Stone, who didn’t discuss his list of schools but reportedly has KU, Duke, Wisconsin, Marquette, UCLA and Arizona on his long list, appeared unselfish, passing crisply out of the low post.

“My style of play is to get my teammates involved. I feed off them,” Stone said. “It’s my team and all, but I like to get them involved. I like them to score. I like to help my team out.

“I’m a pass-first-player,” he added. “I’m a low-post player. I’m trying to get my jump shot accurate. This summer I’ll be working on my defense, perimeter defense, being able to guard wings because a lot of bigs now are playing wing. I’ve got to be able to guard that, so that’s what I’m going to start working on this summer.”

As far as his ability to block shots, he said: “My coach sometimes tells me, ‘Don’t jump at everything. You are 6-10. Your wingspan is 7-5 so just put your hands up you’ll block a shot no matter what.’”

…Playing before a batch of college coaches, Malik Newman, a 6-3 junior shooting guard from Callaway High in Jackson, Miss., scored 16 points in Mo Williams Academy’s 35-23 loss to KC Run GMC on Friday. The game was about half as long as a regulation game because of time constraints. The final games of the night had to start before 10 p.m., in accordance with AAU rules.

“I am just trying to make my teammates better and be the best person I can be on and off the court,” Newman said after Friday’s action. “I just go out and play hard and be the best I can be.”
He’s considering Kentucky, Duke, KU and many others.

Asked about his No. 1 ranking by Rivals.com, he stated: “I knew I was (No. 1), but I don’t get really too involved in it.”

Though displeased his team’s game was cut short, he did enjoy watching Diamond Stone in the game before his.

“Diamond is a great player on and off the court. He’s like a brother to me,” Newman said. “I look forward to playing with him in the future.”

Newman scored 26 and 21 points in two victories Saturday.
LJW

collegehoophits.com image

Diamond Stone collegehoophits.com image

Malik Newman collegehoophits.com image

My (colleghoophits.com) videos from the Jayhawk Invitational are not your typical "highlight" homages. I try to include a bit of the bad and the ugly along with the good.

Let's be honest, anyone can be made to look like a player in a highly-edited highlight clip. However, it that's your thing, I've linked some of those below as well. Enjoy!

adidas Uprising Spring/Summer Events

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

NBC College basketball fan’s guide to current grassroots basketball scene

WITH THE ADOPTION OF RWG-14-1, the legislation governing all-star games was eliminated. Consequently there is no longer a two game limit for prospects, so in this scenario it would be permissible for Slam to participate in all three games.
This piece of legislation is effective August 1, 2013, so it will apply to all prospects that enroll at your institution on or after that date.
Link

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

Tuesday

5/6/2014

Kansas Jayhawks

Groundbreaking Day for the DeBruce Center just might signify one of the greatest days in Kansas University basketball history.

So says KU coach Bill Self, who believes Friday’s turning of dirt for the $18 million home of James Naismith’s original rules of basketball, is the start of something great for the program.

“We arguably have the nicest place, coolest place to play in college basketball. This will ensure us being at the very top for basically the rest of time with this new building,” Self said at a groundbreaking ceremony at the northeast corner of Allen Fieldhouse.

“We are very proud of it, so pleased the DeBruce Foundation and their family has made this unbelievably generous contribution to benefit KU the next century. It will obviously be the destination spot on campus for anybody who visits campus,” Self added.

The 32,000-square-foot building will open in late 2015 and will house the documents purchased by David and Suzanne Booth for $4.3 million at auction in 2010.

The DeBruce Center, which will be connected to Allen Fieldhouse through the second-floor concourse and Booth Hall of Athletics, will support future exhibits concerning KU hoops tradition and the history of the game.
LJW

KUAD Press Release: KU breaks ground for DeBruce Center, Naismith Rules

NY Times: Naismith’s choices on race, from basketball’s beginnings

Eleventh-year Kansas University coach Bill Self, who emphatically denied interest in filling any of the NBA’s coaching openings at Friday’s DeBruce Center dedication outside Allen Fieldhouse, did acknowledge being a follower of the pro game Friday on 610 radio.

“I am an NBA fan, no question. Of course, the playoffs take a whole different turn,” said Self, who enjoyed watching bits and pieces of five first-round series that went seven games — Oklahoma City over Memphis; Los Angeles Clippers over Golden State; Brooklyn over Toronto; Indiana over Atlanta; and San Antonio over Dallas.

…As far as fans worrying about him taking an NBA job this offseason, Self said Friday: “There’s nothing about me and the NBA. Zero.”

Asked about leaving anytime soon, he told 610 radio: “No, I don’t think so. We’ve got so many good things going on right here. You add the DeBruce Center (for Naismith rules and training table) and add the living quarters (new apartment complex to be built) to go along with the way we’ll be fed, from a recruiting standpoint we’ve done pretty well. I think we can even take a step up.”
LJW

KU senior Justin Wesley is at the third-annual Australian Football League combine this weekend in Los Angeles. In all, 20 invitees are learning the game and being put through tests. The athletes come primarily from basketball backgrounds and, according to league officials, have been “selected for their size, age and athletic abilities.”

“Oklahoma State’s Mason Cox and KU’s Justin Wesley tested off the charts,” noted Jonathan Givony of draftexpress.com. “Wesley broke their all-time vertical leap record by a wide margin and tested out freakishly fast (third-quickest ever in 30-meter dash) for guy his size.”
4/27 LJW

Though its been 10yrs since playing for him,Im grateful @CoachBillSelf still makes time to coach me in how to lead and coach others. #KUCMB
@waynesimien

Arizona announces Kansas transfer Zach Peters' career is over due to medical issues.
@GoodmanESPN

Learn from your flaws. Embrace The Process
@Ntharpe1

This is not to say that the Suns' Markieff Morris should be honored with this NBA season's Sixth Man Award, although the ballot from here did say so after a thoughtful debate weighing Morris against Chicago's Taj Gibson.

This is to say Jamal Crawford should not have won the Sixth Man Award.

Crawford is a fine player who was stellar and much-needed in his instant-offense bench role during the Los Angeles Clippers' first-round playoff triumph over Golden State.

There was not enough of that Crawford during the regular season to merit the Sixth Man Award over Morris or Gibson. Crawford won the award, according to an ESPN report, and could receive it as early as today for being the league's best reserve. Well, sometimes. Crawford came off the bench 45 times, barely more than half of the season's 82 games. He started 24 times and missed 13 games due to injury.

The Sixth Man Award seems to have become pigeonholed for volume scorers. It is a voter's fascination that eliminates worthy big men such as Morris and Gibson by limiting what a sixth man can be. This will be the ninth time in the past 10 seasons that the Sixth Man Award went to a perimeter player, and it is stretching it to not throw the outlier, Lamar Odom, into that group.

The applause for Crawford will overwhelm any criticism of his selection, but even 2009-10 Sixth Man Award winner Jamal Crawford would shake his head at this. That Crawford came off the bench for all 79 of his appearances. No Sixth Man Award winner has made fewer bench appearances than this season's Crawford since Bobby Jackson in 2002-03, when he missed 23 games for Sacramento and still subbed for a higher percentage of his games (43 of 59).

…Morris led the NBA in bench points (1,115) and double-doubles (11) and was fourth in rebounds per game (6.0), sixth in field-goal percentage (48.6), fifth in points per game (13.8) and seventh in steals (0.85) among reserves. He changed his game, mostly ditching the 3-point shot to give the Suns their only consistent interior scoring option and leaning more on his efficient mid-range game. When he scored 15 points or more, the Suns went 25-11 (.694), and Morris got better when the Suns were in a playoff chase, with averages of 15.8 points and 6.4 rebounds after the All-Star break.
Link

The first of the 2013-14 EFES Euroleague Awards, the Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy, has been won by EA7 Emporio Armani guard Keith Langford, whose point-scoring exploits this season helped bring an unheralded team to the brink of a surprise Final Four appearance. The Ford Trophy is awarded to the Turkish Airlines Euroleague player who averages the most points over a minimum number of games. It is the only end-of-season award based solely on statistics, and by peppering baskets across Europe for 17.56 points over 24 games this season, Langford left no doubt about who deserved it most. Langford was a devastating weapon for Milan all season long; he scored in double figures in every game of the Top 16 and playoffs, scored in the 20s nine times and reached at least 28 points on four occasions. It is the first Ford Trophy for Langford, who has averaged more points than any other Euroleague player over the past five seasons.
Link

“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 12 / College News

ESPN: ACC/BIG 10 Challenge field announced

The BIG EAST and Big Ten Conferences have announced the establishment of the Gavitt Tipoff Games, an annual early-season series of eight men’s basketball games played between the two conferences and named in honor of Dave Gavitt, founder of the BIG EAST and basketball visionary.

The Gavitt Tipoff Games will be played on four consecutive days in the first full week of the college basketball season. The series begins at the start of the 2015-16 season and will span eight years, with games played at home sites.
Link

While it hasn't had the most success on the field in recent years as its conference counterparts, there's one area the Big Ten has been able to maintain its dominance: revenue. Thanks to the Big Ten Network Big Ten schools have been bringing in more money annually than schools around the country -- there's a reason every conference wants a network now -- and the conference doesn't expect that to change.

According to a report in the Journal & Courier, the Big Ten projects that its revenues will continue to grow each year, and with a new television deal on the way, the conference expects 12 of its 14 schools to pull in approximately $44.5 million during the 2017-18 school year. That would be the first year of the new television deal.

…The $44.5 million figure would far outstrip any other conference's revenue at present. However, such deals are historically backloaded. The largest part of the payout comes at the end of the contract. For example, the Big 12 currently averages $20 million annually in revenue per school. The Pac-12 is still projecting an average of $30 million per school despite problems with carriage on its Pac-12 Network. The SEC is expected to reap a windfall from its network that launches in August.
CBS

Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard likes the idea of segregating the largest and most powerful NCAA schools, which the organization endorsed last week, but it will come at a price.

"It would be a big outlay of expenditures for us — probably close to $750,000 (a year)," Pollard said during an interview Monday with the Des Moines Register. "And we're self-funded, so we'd have to pass that on or cut in other areas."

The NCAA Division I Board of Directors endorsed a plan last Thursday that allows schools in the Atlantic Coast, Big 12, Big Ten, Pacific-12 and Southeastern conferences to have the power to address issues separately from the other 286 schools that make up Division I.

The proposal faces an August vote.

"It's a potential watershed moment in the history of college athletics," Pollard said. "There's still a lot to be decided, but I think the biggest initiative coming out of that is that the proposal will allow autonomy for the 65 member institutions to have a much greater control over what we do on a day-to-day basis.

"For the health of college athletics, that's a good thing. The devil will always be in the details — and how that gets implemented is still too early to ultimately know."

The proposal includes allowing each school to give scholarship athletes enough money each year to cover what is called the "cost of attendance." That's money for everyday living expenses such as gas, entertainment, personal hygiene and cell-phone bills.

The total varies from school to school, according to the website collegedata.com.

At Iowa State, personal expenses beyond the cost of education is $2,430. At the University of Iowa, it's $3,515.

Comparatively, Big 12 member Texas' personal expenses figure is $3,752, while Ohio State of the Big Ten is $2,452.

"My guess is that there will be some standardization in how you calculate the number," Pollard said, "but the number will be different for every school."
Des Moines Register

The Terrapins took a blow to their assembly next season when the news came down on Friday: Starting point guard Seth Allen was transferring. Allen was set to be a cog for a team that had NCAA Tournament hopes for 2015. He averaged 13.4 points (second-most on the team) and 3.0 assists.

He was also the latest player to leave early from Turgeon's program. No major-conference team (not facing a coaching change) has lost as much on its roster to transfer like Maryland in the past six weeks. Nick Faust, Roddy Peters and Shaquille Cleare have also abandoned ship since the 2013-14 season concluded. The team also lost a walk-on to transfer -- and how often does that happen?

Turgeon is taking the blame. In three years with the program, he's had two 17-15 seasons sandwich a 25-13 run in 2012-13, which included an NIT semifinals appearance. Turgeon told the Baltimore Sun he can't possibly ignore what he's doing wrong, when you look at the number of players who are choosing to go elsewhere.

[Turgeon said] he has to “take total blame” for the departures.

“You don't lose four guys and say, ‘Oh, it can't be me,' ” Turgeon said. “This is new territory for me. This has never happened” during his career as a head coach.
...
Turgeon said he will reassess the way he runs his program to prevent future exoduses from the program.

“I've got to take a look at everything, I've got to take a look at myself and everything on this deal,” he said. “I do think it's part of the culture. … I've got to make sure this doesn't happen in the future. With that said, I like the guys returning and I like the guys coming in.”
CBS

Oregon forward Damyean Dotson was among three Oregon players suspended from the team on the heels of a rape investigation that will not be prosecuted because of a lack of evidence, The Oregonian reported.

Dominic Artis and Brandon Austin also were named in the Eugene (Ore.) Police Department report obtained by CBSSports.com/247Sports and are "not currently participating in any team activities," the announcement from the school said. Only Dotson was listed as a suspect by the Lane County District Attorney's office, which said it would not pursue prosecution, The Oregonian reported.

The paper also reported Artis and Dotson told law enforcement officials the sex was consensual, and that Austin also was contacted by the police but asked that any inquiries be referred to his lawyer.

The paper reported the district attorney's office wrote:

"While there is no doubt the incidents occurred, the conflicting statements and actions by the victim make this case unprovable as a criminal case."
CBS

The Craig Robinson era is apparently over at Oregon State.

The school fired Robinson on Sunday night, according to several media outlets. School officials have not returned text messages or made an official statement.

Former player Roberto Nelson did tell The Oregonian the reports are true.

“I wish it didn’t happen,” Nelson told Connor Letourneau . “He’s been a guy you can always talk to and talk about anything. ... I obviously wish him the best and I hope he’s successful wherever he goes next.”

He went on Twitter to add: “Either way this is all weird timing. Coach rob is the man! He's made me a better person n I loved the 5 years with him. He will be a success”

Robinson posted a career record of 94-105 in his six seasons at Oregon State. The Beavers went 16-16 this season and lost in the first round of the third-tier College Basketball Invitational.
Link

Versatile Lee College forward Deng Deng made a verbal commitment to Baylor on Sunday and is planning to sign Monday.

Standing 6-9, Deng played every position on the floor for Lee during the past two seasons, and averaged 19 points and 12 rebounds as a sophomore. Widely recruited by schools across the country, Deng visited LSU, Nebraska and Baylor before making his decision.

Deng said Baylor is attractive because of its Christian atmosphere and business school. He believes Baylor coach Scott Drew’s up-tempo style will fit his talents.

“Wherever the team asks me to play, I’ll do it to win a championship,” Deng said. “I like the way Coach Drew lets people play, and I can play all different positions. I’ve been watching them play, and I saw how Isaiah Austin played different positions.”
Waco Tribune

Since the end of the season and now approaching the end of school, Oklahoma State’s basketball roster has been ever-evolving.

And the not-so-merry-go-round continues; where it will stop, no one really knows.

Yet this much is clear: the Cowboys will look much different next season. Difficult to say better or worse, but definitely different.

OSU remains on the prowl for pieces, plugging holes for players – and recruits – who are either no longer in the plans or in limbo.

It’s a troubling issue, for sure, and not one limited to the Cowboys. Player transfers at the Division I level are at a record pace. And it’s a trend that has been escalating over the past few years, from 291 in 2011 to 455 a year ago and somewhere higher this season, according to ESPN basketball reporter Jeff Goodman, who tracks transfers as well as anybody.

And now OSU is involved.

“It’s the culture of what we’re living with in college basketball,” said Cowboys coach Travis Ford. “People ask me, ‘What’s the answer?’ I don’t know the answer, you’ve just got to deal with what it is. You’ve got to be prepared to deal with it. You can’t dwell on it and lose focus.”

The culture is rampant at the high school and AAU levels. And it’s spreading upward to the colleges.
The Oklahoman

NBA announces Early Entry Candidates for 2014 draft

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

Recruiting

Why he's super: The 240-pound Alexander overpowers opponents with his strength, intensity and athletic ability. He's a force as a finisher in transition and on the glass, and he's also a good shot-blocker. The Naismith National Player of the Year and a co-MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic, Alexander averaged 25 points and 16 rebounds as a senior. If "violent dunks per game" were a stat, he would probably lead the nation. Alexander's team went 24-2 and defeated Super Five member Jahlil Okafor's team in four overtimes for the Chicago city title — although Curie had to forfeit all its victories for using some ineligible players (not Alexander).

Eric Bossi, Rivals.com: "Cliff is a monster. He is one of those guys who believes he's the baddest dude on the block, and then he goes out and plays like it. He takes the fight to his opponents. He knows his strength is playing around the rim, and he does so with aggression. He rebounds at any extremely high rate. He's a kid that I think is just naturally strong. When he gets in a college weight room … he's going to be an even more explosive around-the-rim player."

Jerry Meyer, 247Sports.com: "Cliff is the most dynamic big guy in the paint and around the rim. He's a guy who has what I call functional athleticism. He is explosive in traffic. He can go up in a crowd and make plays as a rebounder, a shot-blocker and a finisher. I think he's going to be good in the pick-and-roll. I think he has potential as a shooter. … It'll be interesting to see if he's just an around-the-rim Kenneth Faried-type player or if he develops more of an offensive arsenal."

Evan Daniels, Scout.com: "I love Cliff's energy and athleticism and just productivity. He's a terrific rebounder, and that's something that really translates at the college level. He plays above the rim. He plays with intensity and fire, and he's just an active guy who plays extremely hard."
Louisville CJ Super Five

Oubre and Alexander at ballislife.com game practice

Ballislife.com All-Star Game

Kansas University, which landed blue-chip basketball point guard Devonte’ Graham on Friday, has emerged as one of eight finalists for Jalen Brunson, a 6-foot-1 junior point guard from Stevenson High in Lincolnshire, Ill.

Brunson, who is ranked No. 14 in the recruiting Class of 2015 by Rivals.com, tweeted Saturday that he has a list of KU, Michigan State, Michigan, Illinois, Purdue, Villanova, Temple and UConn.

Brunson, son of former Temple and NBA player Rick Brunson, averaged 26.1 points and 4.7 assists last season. He scored an Illinois-state-tournament single-game-record 56 points in a semifinal loss to Jahlil Okafor’s Whitney Young team.
LJW

I want to thank all the coaches that have put the time into recruiting me. This is my final 8 in no particular order! pic.twitter.com/A3yiGcgurt Jalen Brunson ‏@jbcrossover5

Rivals: Spiece Day 1

Rivals: Spiece Day 2

Rivals: Spiece Day 3

Rivals: Sunday at Run-N-Slam

adidas Uprising Spring/Summer Events

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

NBC College basketball fan’s guide to current grassroots basketball scene

WITH THE ADOPTION OF RWG-14-1, the legislation governing all-star games was eliminated. Consequently there is no longer a two game limit for prospects. This piece of legislation is effective August 1, 2013, so it will apply to all prospects that enroll at your institution on or after that date.
Link

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

Devonte Graham is a Jayhawk!

5/5/2014

As a lead guard with excellent athletic ability, Graham shows the balance between being a facilitator who is thinking about setting up his teammates and being a scorer. His basketball IQ is what stands out; he understands spacing and flow within his floor game, or he can turn it up a notch and play at a faster tempo. He can be trusted by his coaches because he is more of a decision-maker versus a risk-taker, and has vision and passing accuracy to connect with his teammates. He led his Brewster team in assists (171 in 33 games) and his assist-to-turnover ratio was terrific at 5-1.

As a 3-point shooter, he shines by knocking down shots on a fairly consistent basis, which complements his floor game so well. Once inside the arc, watch out for his dribble pull-up game and floaters, as he is equally adept in those areas. Defensively he levels the drive well as he stays in front of his man and will step in and take charges off the ball, which is uncommon for most high school players.

…With Graham’s shooting prowess, his man cannot leave him to double Cliff Alexander or Perry Ellis inside or Graham will make them pay. He was the main reason Brewster Academy won the prestigious NEPSAC title and national prep school championship, and that fits Kansas' winning tradition just fine.
ESPN ($)

“Devonte’ can facilitate and run a team,” Brewster coach Jason Smith said. “Defensively, he’s outstanding and he’s able to shoot the ball well from the perimeter. He’s as a good as any point we’ve had at Brewster.”
Zags Blog

"I hit it off with the coaching staff and the players," Graham said. "I could see myself fitting into their style of play."

The Jayhawks will return starters Perry Ellis and Wayne Selden Jr. and will add two of the top freshmen in the nation in big man Cliff Alexander and wing Kelly Oubre. Graham said he's looking forward to playing with an abundance of talent.

"I'm someone who can run a team and also can score," he said, "but I look to get everyone involved and try and be a leader as a point guard."
ESPN

Brewster point guard Devonte Graham has signed his National Letter of Intent and scholarship paperwork with Kansas. #KUCMB #RockChalk #KU
@BrewsterHoops

Comparison that the Brewster Staff uses a lot for Devonte Graham is former Xavier point Semaj Christon — if you're familiar with his work.
@rustindodd

Devonte Graham will be in the mix to start from day one for Kansas
@jeffborzello

Devonte Graham (@im_dat_kid_dtae) may just be the piece that Kansas needs. Chose Jayhawks over NC State today
I would not be surprised at all to see Devonte Graham win spot as Kansas starting point guard at some point next season.
@GoodmanESPN

Bill Self gets the point guard he needs to make a run next season. Graham will compete for starting spot right away.
@AdamFinkelstein

By the way, how badass is Bill Self? Breaks up with his starting PG on May 1st. Upgrades on May 2nd.
@GaryParrishCBS

Based on my multiple viewings of Devonte Graham, I think he's a good passer & leader, but also can score when he needs to. No. 41 overall.
@EvanDaniels

Video: 2014 National Prep School Invitational Devonte Graham highlights

ROCKCHALK JAYHAWK !! #KUCMB
@im_dat_kid_dtae

Everybody show the new addition to the family some love. Congrats on committing bro @im_dat_kid_dtae
@T_Self11

Everybody show @I'm_dat_kid_dtae some love, he just became apart of the family. #KUCMB
@F_Mason0

Everybody welcome my bro @im_dat_kid_dtae to the Jayhawk Family !#KUCMB
@WayneSeldenJr

@im_dat_kid_dtae Yea, my boy! Congrats and welcome to the family
@b_greene14

"We've had our fair share of guys from Brewster over the years, primarily Naadir (Tharpe) and Thomas (Robinson)," Self said. "We're very familiar with that program. We certainly solidified our situation in the backcourt by bringing in a quality guy and I think Devonte' is one of the premier point guards in the country. Jason Smith is not a good coach, he's a great coach. He's been at Brewster for a number of years and has coached many, many great ones. He definitely made me feel Devonte' is as good as any he has had in the backcourt."

Graham averaged 17.2 points and 5.0 assists per game and led Brewster to the national prep championship and New England championship in 2013-14. Following being released from Appalachian State, Graham's stock immediately rose as he went from being unranked to No. 36 in the final 2014 rankings by Rivals.com.

"I think Devonte' will be an immediate impact guy for us," Self said. "That's not to take away from the other guards we have but this is a situation that we just got a lot better. He comes from very good high school and prep school programs and an exceptional AAU program in Gardner Road. After he and his mother (Dewanna King) came here on their recruiting visit, it was a situation we felt like he and she connected with everybody here and I think he will be a great leader for our program."

Prior to Brewster Academy, Graham led Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C., to the state championship game where he averaged 15.7 points and 5.4 assists and a 26-6 record in 2012-13. Graham, who was coached by Jeff Ferrell while at Broughton, averaged 14.8 points, 4.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game as a junior.
KUAD Press Release

Graham was described as an in-state hidden gem on the recruiting trail after he committed to Appalachian State in November 2012 because he played exceptionally well at the prep school Brewster Academy last season. He then began to receive interest from established basketball programs like Butler, Wichita State and University of Connecticut – the latter of which won the NCAA Tournament this year.
HC Press

Devonte’ Graham can’t wait to lob the basketball to, say, Cliff Alexander for a resounding dunk off the fast break next season at Kansas University.

“I’ve seen him play. It’s going to be great. I’m going to feel like Chris Paul throwing the ball to him,” said Graham, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, who on Friday signed a letter of intent to play for Bill Self’s Jayhawks.

Graham, who is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, chose KU over runner-up N.C. State. A true playmaker who averaged 17.2 points and 5.0 assists last year for national prep champion Brewster, Graham describes his game as, “being a leader, being able to control the team, being able to control the tempo of the game, being able to facilitate and get players shots that they need, also being able to score.”

He was his team’s top three-point shooter at 40 percent beyond the arc.

…Graham just might start from Day One.

“If I’m not mistaken, Tyshawn Taylor started (as a freshman). If I’m not mistaken, Aaron Miles started at point guard as a freshman. We’ve had some inexperienced point guards on some really good teams. I’m not saying who will start. Of course, you’d rather play with juniors and seniors at certain positions. These guys will play beyond their years,” Self said.

Graham would love to be opening-day starter.

“Of course,” he said. “I’m not going to come in and say, ‘Ooh, I’m the starter.’ I’m going to go in and compete for a starting spot. I think we have a chance to do something very special next year with the players coming in (Graham, power forward Alexander, wing Kelly Oubre) and the players already there. I’m looking forward to having a great season,” Graham added.

…“The deciding factor was talking to my family and my mom and figuring out which school was the best for me. (The main factors were) winning, the opportunity to play right away, the school I felt would develop me as a person and player,” Graham said.

…Graham told the Journal-World he definitely prefers an accent over the E in Devonte’.

…Brewster coach Smith to Rivals.com: “He’s as good as any point guard we’ve had during my tenure at Brewster. He’s kind of a combination of a few different guys. He’s explosive like Semaj Christon (Xavier). He runs the team and makes decisions well. He guards like Dogus Balbay, who played at Texas, so I knew once Devonte’ received his release, he’d be recruited by the highest level programs. He’s a little bit of both (point guard/shooting guard). Devonte’ can score if you need him to score, but he really shoots the ball well and he can defend. He was our leading scorer this year, but he still shot over 50 percent from the floor, 40 percent from behind the arc and nearly 80 percent from the foul line.”
LJW

Kansas #4

Key Riser: Wayne Selden -- The big, strong wing never quite looked completely comfortable as a freshman, but now he'll have a year of experience and should be more assertive and effective. Don't be shocked if Selden makes a significant jump and even becomes the Jayhawks' leading scorer.

Analysis: It won't be easy to replace Wiggins and Embiid, but Bill Self will bring in a couple of freshmen who are plenty capable. Alexander is big, strong, physical big man who will bring a toughness that was lacking a year ago -- and Oubre is a long, athletic forward who may be able to slide right into Wiggins' spot. The key for the Jayhawks once again will be point guard play. Naadir Tharpe has transferred out, but KU will have three options: sophomores Mason and Frankamp, along with recent addition Graham -- who may be the best fit for the program. He can run a team that will have no shortage of weapons.

Summer Buzz: Kansas is looking at a bunch of frontcourt options: Ivan Rabb, Diamond Stone, Stephen Zimmerman, Cheick Diallo, Thomas Bryant, Chance Comanche, Skal Labissiere, Chase Jeter and Carlton Bragg. The Jayhawks are also in pursuit of several guards: Malik Newman, Jalen Brunson and Jawun Evans.
ESPN ($) Goodman’s Top 50

“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!

Throwback Thursday!

5/1/2014

Kansas University junior Naadir Tharpe — who was on top of the college basketball world after being named national player of the week Jan. 21 after scoring 44 points in victories over Iowa State and Oklahoma State, and at rock bottom after a risqué photo surfaced on Twitter nine weeks later — is no longer a member of the Jayhawk team.

Tharpe and KU coach Bill Self announced Thursday, via news release, that the 5-foot-11 starter would transfer to a school closer to his Worcester, Massachusetts, home and his 2-year-old daughter, Amara Grace, who has not been in good health.

…“I enjoyed my time here,” Tharpe added. “I appreciate the players that were here before me that I got a chance to play with and that are still friends with me right now. It’s going to be tough leaving a situation like this because of the teammates I’m leaving behind. Everything happens for a reason, and I have to continue my journey a different way.”

Of the situation, Self added: “Personally, it’s something that we 100 percent support and wish him nothing but the best. I certainly appreciate all of his efforts since he’s been here. Naadir has been a good player for us in his three years here. But we also respect the fact that he wants to be closer to his daughter and we want to do everything we can to support that.”
LJW

KUAD press release: Naadir Tharpe

LJW Tait: Tharpe’s departure no reason to cheer

What is truly unfortunate is that Tharpe will not get an opportunity to work through his issues and complete his eligibility, or his degree, at Kansas.

Tharpe made a mistake posing for the inappropriate photo, which was not mentioned, naturally, in the release KU distributed.

Remember, though: Tharpe is young. Legal age, yes, but young. He loves to dip his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in milk, according to his KU bio. Certainly, Tharpe can still mature. He better if he feels compelled to care for his daughter.

What is distasteful is that KU did not feel compelled to take on Tharpe for one more year.

It would not have been easy. Not in this age of instantaneous fallout, in which condemnation can be so swift and so destructive.

Tharpe would have had to recover from his demise to play effectively again for Kansas. Tough proposition stemming from a tough ordeal. Particularly for a point guard whose struggles were obvious in the NCAAs as the Jayhawks failed to advance from the first weekend after claiming the Big 12 title and a No. 2 seed.

Still, Tharpe was no stiff. He led the Jayhawks last season in assists (170), free throw percentage (.821) and 3-point makes (43), and recorded double-doubles at Iowa State and at Kansas State.
TCJ Haskin

Looks like Frank took notice Jeff.

It started at the airport.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers ran into Kansas basketball coach Bill Self last year and got himself invited to a game.

Rodgers came to Lawrence in January, gave a pep talk to the Jayhawks, and met the players.
Tarik Black, a forward in his senior season, picks up the tale from there:

…"Green Bay is my favorite team. I told him, 'Hey, I understand you're hurt; we need you healthy. We need a championship.' Then he says, 'You should help me win it. Come play some tight end.' So I say, 'Give me a contract and make it happen.' "

Black thought the whole interchange was a joke.

Apparently Rodgers did not.

The Packers passer went to Self and said, "I want to throw balls at him and see what he can do." And considering Black is 6-foot-9, 260 pounds, and had more than one foul for every two points last season, that made sense. (The Kansas bio calls him "a bruising forward.")

It all just shocked Black.

"One of the guys in our media department said, 'Aaron Rodgers likes you. Likes you a lot,'" he recalls.

Black laughed it off. Then he heard this:

"No, he really likes you. He wants you to try out for Green Bay."

It still didn't register. Even when Black was handed Rodgers' cell phone number, he refused to text the former MVP for a month. "I didn't know what to say," he explains. Black's roommate had to nudge him into it. Finally he composed a message:

"Just wanted to see if you were serious," Black wrote.

"I'm definitely interested," Rodgers wrote back. "If there's something I can do, let me know."
Soon, Black was on the phone with a Packers scout, and still bewildered by the whole episode.
Adding to the bewilderment was this little factoid about Tarik Black: he has no football experience.
"Zero," says his new agent, Chad Wiestling.

…Both Black and Wiestling say three NFL teams have expressed interest. One unnamed team, in fact, showed its zeal by asking the NBA team in the city it shares to reach out to Wiestling for Black's number. His agency actually got a call from an NBA team on behalf of an NFL team.

"Pretty cool, pretty cool," says Black.

So what does this mean? It's unlikely Black gets drafted next week but it is possible he gets invited to a rookie minicamp. If that happens, Black says he would lean toward going. There is, however, another sport with a draft this summer.

"Basketball is my love," Black says. "I'm definitely going to put effort into making basketball my life. But an opportunity presented itself and I want that opportunity to hold."
Yahoo

Coach Roberts and Justin Wesley lookin good at the #SeniorCelebration pic.twitter.com/CFcht0YxSL @KUHoops

Chicago pride runs deep in a Comcast special debuting April 28 which highlights local basketball talents during the 2014 McDonald's All-American Game. For prep stars Cliff Alexander, Jahlil Okafor and Tyler Ulis, the annual showcase put them at center stage at the United Center - a place rich in basketball history with Chicago Bulls championship banners in the rafters and a statue of Michael Jordan sitting outside.

…This special program debuted on CN100, The Comcast Network, on April 28. Visit www.cn100.tv or our Facebook page for more information when you can see CN100's special on the 2014 McDonald's All-American Games.
Watch preview here

How I feel about heading back to KU today... youtu.be/LOSG4g1wj-s
@BenMcLemore

VIDEO: McLemore dunks on kid, crowd storms court

VIDEO: TRob swats Howard

VIDEO: Tyshawn Taylor D-League Season highlights

Congrats to CeCe Harper and Markisha Hawkins on receiving their K-Rings this week! Once a Jayhawk, Always a Jayhawk! pic.twitter.com/5Iv020AJEP @KUWBball

Kansas will break ground Friday on the $18 million DeBruce Center, the new home for James Naismith’s original “Rules of Basket Ball”.

The new 32,000-square-foot building will sit just northeast of Allen Fieldhouse and display the rules of basketball. According to Kansas, the rules display will be “flanked by the stories” of Naismith, the game’s inventor, and legendary coach Phog Allen.

The center, which will be connected to Allen Fieldhouse via a second-floor concourse, will also feature a student activity center, retail dining, café seating and a new training-table setting for both the KU men’s and women’s basketball teams.

The primary donation for the project came from Kansas alums Paul and Katherine DeBruce of Mission Hills.

Paul DeBruce is CEO and founder of the DeBruce Grain Inc., which operates grain-handling facilities. In 2010, the company became a subsidiary of Gavilon LLC. DeBruce served as chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kansas City Federal Reserve in 2011 and 2012.

“Katherine and I are excited and lucky to be part of this new facility at KU,” Paul DeBruce said when the project was announced. “Our years on the Hill helped provide a foundation for each of us to be successful and give back to our community.”
KC Star

“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 12 / College News

Frank Martin vowed to be changed man after suspension @LostLetterman

With turbulence and unrest at an all-time high around Oklahoma State’s basketball program, Travis Ford struck for an element of calm and stability Wednesday.

Addressing the vacancy on his coaching staff, Ford announced the hiring of former Cowboys assistant James Dickey, once Eddie Sutton’s composed right-hand man.

“I’ve known Coach Dickey for 25 years going all the way back to when he recruited me at Kentucky,” Ford said in a release, “and I have always respected and been impressed by the kind of person and coach that he is.

“I’ve enjoyed renewing our relationship the last couple weeks. He brings incredible experience, knowledge and familiarity with this area and with OSU. I’m excited about him helping us reach the next level.”

Dickey offers a veteran voice familiar with that next level, having assisted Sutton during the best run of OSU basketball since Henry P. Iba ruled old Gallagher Hall.
The Oklahoman

Oklahoma State basketball player Le’Bryan Nash was arrested Monday morning following a routine traffic stop by campus police, the Stillwater Police Department confirmed Tuesday.

OSU police officers pulled Nash over for speeding around 9:45 a.m. Monday, and called Stillwater police officers after realizing Nash had an outstanding municipal warrant, also for speeding, Stillwater Capt. Randy Dickerson said. Nash was transported to the Stillwater City Jail and posted bond there later Monday, Dickerson said.

The City of Stillwater’s website indicates fines for speeding range from $100-250, depending on how far a driver goes past the speed limit.

Court records show Nash was charged with driving without a valid license in Payne County in April 2012. That case was dismissed a month later after Nash agreed to pay fines and court costs of about $340.
Tulsa World

The Maryland men’s basketball program lost three players to transfer earlier this month, when guards Nick Faust and Roddy Peters and center Shaquille Cleare announced they would be departing from the College Park-based school. A report surfaced Wednesday that the Terrapins will be losing another player: rising junior guard Seth Allen.

Whether or not the Allen news is correct, Turgeon’s seat is getting a little warm.
collegespun

Drew Martin just wants to marry his fiancé.

The Texas Christian University assistant athletic director proposed to his then-boyfriend, Blake Macon, in the Chapel of Memories at Mississippi State University hours before last season's big football game against Alabama. For the duo, the engagement tempered their disappointment at the 20-7 loss to the Crimson Tide that Saturday afternoon.

Football runs in their blood. The two men are both Mississippi State alums, separated in school by five years. They only became acquainted on Facebook in 2008. With Macon in Washington, D.C., and Martin in College Station, Texas, at the time, they first met face-to-face at the Arkansas-Mississippi State football game in 2008. It only seemed fitting that they would become engaged at the campus they both called home - and do it on a football Saturday.

…Since then, Martin and Macon have experienced an overwhelming amount of acceptance from the people at Texas Christian. The couple has been completely welcomed by the athletic department, embraced as part of the Horned Frog family. During a recent event at the home of head football coach Gary Patterson, Macon wound up chatting at length with the long-time TCU football coach.

"Coach Patterson is just coach Patterson," Macon said. "He has no problems with our relationship or anything like that. His wife loves Drew."
Link

Last week, Southern Miss athletic director Bill McGillis outlined the type of coach he was looking for.
On Wednesday, he got his man.

McGillis announced via Twitter late Wednesday that Doc Sadler has been hired as the Golden Eagles’ 20th men’s basketball coach in program history. McGillis said a deal had been reached in principle with Sadler, however an agreement had not been finalized by late Wednesday.

“(Sadler) is a perfect match for Southern Miss,” McGillis said in a telephone interview with the Hattiesburg American Wednesday night. “He has exactly the profile that we sought from the beginning. He’s also very excited about being at Southern Miss. He’s committed to being here, which was very important to me.

“I’m going to sleep like a baby tonight.”
Link

Chris Duhon is slated to be the latest in a long line of former Duke players under Mike Krzyzewski to pursue a college coaching career, as he is expected to be named an assistant under new Marshall head coach Dan D’Antoni on Friday.

“You got to just start thinking as a coach,” Duhon told WSAZ’s Rich Donnelly when asked about his transition from being a player (Duhon was most recently a member of the Los Angeles Lakers last spring). “You can’t expect guys to do it the way that, you know, you did it as a player. You have to adjust to them in ways, try to teach them the right way to do it and adjust to the way they play and their playing style.”
Link (His rib had no comment)

It’s impossible to say there could be a room that’s easier to win over than this one, where Missouri basketball coach Kim Anderson’s introductory news conference started with the school fight song, a long standing ovation, and a M-I-Z… Z-O-U! This was Ollie Gates bringing platters to a pack of hungry teenagers.

“This is my dream job,” he said. “You all probably figured that out a long time ago.”

Anderson made ’em laugh and he made ’em cry and he made ’em think. He name-dropped Norm Stewart, small Missouri towns and talked about establishing an identity with defense and aggressive, steady, four-year players fans can get behind. This was a Missouri man who proudly brags about being “Mizzou made” talking to a room full of fans, donors and alumni about a common love.
“We’re Missouri people,” he said. “That’s what we are.”

…Now comes the hard part.

Now comes the important part.

Because outside of that room, the greeting will be much different.
KC Star

NBA announces Early Entry Candidates for 2014 draft

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

Recruiting

Off to Edinburg with Coach Strong and Barnes. Rick's happy to have Myles Turner in the fold.
@SWPatterson (Texas AD commits NCAA infraction, tweet deleted. LOL)

“Just watching Texas work last year, they're a real blue-collar program,” Turner said during an interview on ESPNU. “The only reason I’m here is through hard work, and I feel that’s what Texas has done and can do in the future.”

Turner said he was also happy to follow in the footsteps of Texas legend Kevin Durant, another 6-11 player who entered college with an advanced outside game.

“Just seeing what he was able to do with that program, it kind of inspired me a bit,” Turner said.

Turner, of course, is not Durant. A late riser on the national AAU scene, he could even have difficulty cracking the starting lineup for a suddenly talent-rich Texas program. But his decision on Wednesday could have lasting ramifications in the Big 12 race.

The Longhorns are set to return their entire roster after finishing 22-9 and 11-7 in the Big 12 last season. Turner will join a nucleus that includes sophomore guard Isaiah Taylor, power forward Jonathan Holmes and center Cameron Ridley.

“Texas just made themselves the favorite in the Big 12,” said ESPN recruiting analyst Paul Biancardi, who likened Turner to former Longhorns standout LaMarcus Aldridge. Biancardi said that with Turner, the Longhorns could derail Kansas.
KC Star

Paul Biancardi once said Turner would have a Kevin Durant-like effect on UT. Today he said UT is clear favorite in Big 12. Dude, calm down.
@JasonKingBR

Meanwhile, the Rick Barnes rehabilitation tour continues. You may recall Texas’ coach was all but fired before his team played a game last season, a year in which the Longhorns earned that NCAA berth while Barnes earned conference coach of the year honors. Now Barnes and his staff have scored a titanic recruiting win with an elite prospect, ideally infusing confidence in other recruits about the long-range viability of their program. The short-range effect, though, is exponentially enhanced pressure. Barnes will be tasked with making this work. And that doesn’t mean just grinding to another NCAA tournament appearance. The acquisition of Turner, and the way his abundant talent complements everyone around him, means a championship goal is realistic.
SI

Ridley's presence will make it interesting to see how Longhorns coach Rick Barnes handles the positioning of Turner. It is possible the players could play together, although it would make the team less mobile defensively. That also would raise the question of whether 6-8, 240-pound veteran Jonathan Holmes could succeed at small forward.

A 6-9, 285-pound wide-body, Ridley averaged 11.2 points and 8.2 rebounds. Holmes delivered a team-best 12.8 points to go with 7.2 rebounds.

Turner moves well and is a bouncy shot-blocker, and he is the best long-distance shooter of the three. But to use all of those players at once Barnes would most likely need to employ a zone defense.
TSN

Here are how the Big 12 schools ranked nationally in 2012-13 men’s basketball attendance (top 100 only):
10. Kansas Jayhawks – 16,438 per game (Allen Fieldhouse)
22. Iowa State Cyclones – 13,393 (Hilton Coliseum)
24. Kansas State Wildcats – 12,528 (Bramlage Coliseum)
32. Texas Longhorns – 10, 945 (Frank Irwin Center)
41. Oklahoma Sooners – 9,890 (Lloyd Noble Center)
42. Oklahoma State Cowboys – 9,814 (Gallagher-Iba Arena)
49. West Virginia Mountaineers – 8,752 (WVU Coliseum)
59. Texas Tech Red Raiders – 7,772 (United Spirit Center)
75. Baylor Bears – 6,705 (Ferrell Center)
Link

I'm not sure Turner choosing Texas over KU swings the balance of power in the Big 12, but it does make the Longhorns the top challenger.
@JeffEisenberg

Folks, the @Big12Conference basketball title is still going through Lawrence.
@franfraschilla

Ehhhhh ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@WayneSeldenJr

We're gonna be just fine y'all.
@LandenLucas33

We still gone be good y'all don't trip
@humblekid11

The BIG 12 goes through Lawrence plus my boy @WayneSeldenJr is gonna kill #missyou #WeAllFromAfrica #HsO (whatever that is)
@jojo_embiid

@jojo_embiid lol yessir ! Miss you too brother
@WayneSeldenJr

The 4th Annual Ballislife All-American Game will feature many of the nation’s top high school boys basketball players. The national high school all-star game is set to take place May 3 at Long Beach City College’s Hall of Champions Gymnasium.

The 2014 edition of the BIL All-American Game figures to be its best yet, especially since the NCAA’s two all-star game limit for student-athletes signing college scholarships has been lifted.

Scheduled to appear include Cal-Hi Sports Mr. Basketball and four-time CIF state champion Stanley Johnson of Santa Ana Mater Dei. Also headlining the roster of 24 student-athletes is Student Sports National Player of the Year Cliff Alexander from Curie High School in Chicago. Johnson is headed for Arizona and Alexander will play in college at Kansas.

The game will feature three other Southern California products and UCLA recruit Kevon Looney of Milwaukee Hamilton (Milwaukee, Wis.). Daniel Hamilton of CIF Division II state champion St. John Bosco of Bellflower, headed to play for the NCAA National Champion UConn Huskies, is scheduled to participate. Fresno State bound wing Isaiah Bailey of Compton High School and Missouri-bound wing Namon Wright of Pacific Hills High School in Los Angeles are also on the roster. USC bound Jordan McLaughlin of Etiwanda High School was selected, but is injured and unable to play.

The BIL Slam Dunk Contest festivities begin at 4:30 pm PT and the 2014 game begins at 6:30 pm PT.

Tickets for the BIL All-American Game and Slam Dunk Contest are $10 (plus an administrative fee) and can be purchased at ballislifeallamerican.com or EventBrite.
Link

Kansas coach Bill Self spent the weekend moving around the country during the NCAA’s three-day spring evaluation period for recruiting.

Self spent time at the Under Armour Jayhawk Invitational in Gardner before heading to the Nike EYBL event in Sacramento. Kansas assistant Norm Roberts evaluated in Sacramento and Dallas, while assistant Jerrance Howard and Self watched top prospects Malik Newman (No. 1 in 2015) and Josh Jackson (No. 1 in 2016) here in town.

It came on the heels of a two-week recruiting period in early April. The spring evaluation period is often for discovering players and setting up recruiting strategies for the three weeks of evaluation periods in July. It’s early in the process, of course, so compiling recruiting lists and identifying potential KU targets is full of pitfalls.

But as Self and his staff come off the road and work on adding some final pieces to their 2014 class, here are 10 names to follow in the Class of 2015. The list was compiled with help from Shay Wildeboor of Rivals.com and Matt Scott of 24/7 Sports.

Carlton Bragg, No. 10 in Rivals’ top 150, 6-8, forward
Villa Angela St. Joseph (Cleveland, Ohio)
Top post prospect from Ohio, Bragg competed in the adidas event in Dallas this past weekend. One of the many schools also interested: Kentucky.

Jaylen Brown, No. 11 in Rivals’ top 150, 6-7, small forward
Wheeler High (Marietta, Ga.)
Kansas recently had luck signing a small forward from Georgia (Brannen Greene). Brown According to Rivals, Brown has offers from UCLA, Kansas, Louisville, Arizona, Georgetown … well, just about everybody. Kentucky is also interested.

Jalen Brunson, No. 14 in Rivals’ top 150, 6-1, point guard
Stevenson High (Lincolnshire High)
Son of former NBA player Rick Brunson, the younger Brunson was selected the 2013-14 Gatorade Illinois Boys Basketball Player of the Year as a junior.

Chance Comanche, No. 12 in Rivals’ top 150, 6-10, center
View Park Continution (Los Angeles)
There are plenty of big-time post prospects on the West Coast. Rivals’ scouting report says Comanche “… is comfortable shooting jumpers out to 15 feet and is an alert passer. He blocks some shots but will become more effective there … as he adds the strength.”

Cheick Diallo, No. 8 in Rivals’ top 150, 6-9, forward
Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.)
A high-motor-type big man from the East Coast; KU has landed a few of those during Bill Self’s tenure.

Tyler Davis, No. 20 in Rivals’ top 150, 6-9, center
Plano, Texas (Plano, West)
A wide-body from the Dallas metroplex, Self was able to see Davis in person on Sunday morning.

Malik Newman, No. 1 in Rivals’ top 150, 6-3, shooting guard
Callaway High (Jackson, Miss.)
A Ben Gordon-type combo guard, Newman was in Kansas City this past weekend competing in the Under Armour Jayhawk Invitational. He didn’t mention specific schools, but he should have no shortage of interest as he enters the summer as the No. 1 overall recruit.

Ivan Rabb, No. 2 in Rivals’ top 150, 6-9, forward
Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.)
Another big man out West, Rabb is also reportedly drawing heavy interest from Arizona, Cal, Georgetown and North Carolina.

Justin Simon, No. 23 in Rivals’ top 150, 6-4, shooting guard
Temecula Valley (Temecula, Calif.)
Kansas offered Simon earlier this year, according to Rivals. He’s also looking at Arizona, San Diego State, Southern Cal and Louisville, among others.

Stephen Zimmerman, No. 4, 7-0, center
Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas)
One of the most sought-after big men in the class, Zimmerman has offers from just about everybody. Rivals’ scouting report says Zimmerman is not your “typical low post banger but does have a physical edge to him. Very smooth from end to end and highly skilled with the ball (and) shoots well to 17 feet…”
KC Star

UCLA & Kansas have offered Allonzo Trier, a 2015 guard from Athletes First (OK)
@TheRecruitScoop

Thon Maker, the consensus No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2016, is being pursued by a Who’s Who of elite college basketball programs, including Kentucky, Kansas, Duke and Louisville.

All of those schools, as well as Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, watched the 7-foot Maker this past weekend at the Adidas stop in Duncanville, Texas, his guardian, Ed Smith, told SNY.tv Wednesday.

…As for Kansas, “[Bill Self and Kurtis Townsend] spoke to me about the success they had with [Joel] Embiid. They feel that Thon has a different skillset where he is a live threat from the free throw line in their high-low action. They also feel that in a two-man game, they can roll or pop him. Like Embiid, he’s only been playing for four years to his best basketball is ahead of him.”
Zags Blog

Ed Smith, @ThonMaker14 's guardian, tells @SNYtv head coaches from Duke, KU and UK watched Thon this wknd & KU had someone at every game.
@AdamZagoria

Hearing Kentucky, Kansas, St. John's, PItt & Iowa State among those in mix for 2015 F @cheick_diallo13
@AdamZagoria

Jerome Williams’ basketball mission has not changed. But he won’t be carrying it out at Findlay Prep.

Williams said Tuesday he will not return for a second season as the Pilots’ coach after a meeting with the program’s namesake and benefactor, Cliff Findlay.

“I had a conversation with Mr. Findlay (Monday night), and he wanted to move in a new direction,” Williams said. “I thank him for giving me the opportunity to work at Findlay Prep and coach this team during the 2013-14 year. …

“In my heart, I’m glad I got to do it for a year. I wish it could have been longer, but there’s no negativity on my end in terms of what Findlay Prep basketball is about and the education these players are getting.”

Findlay did not return a voice-mail message Tuesday seeking comment.

Williams, who retired from the NBA in 2005 after nine seasons, was a volunteer assistant at Findlay under former coach Michael Peck and also spent three seasons as the program’s director of player development. Known as the “Junkyard Dog” during his playing days, Williams was named head coach in August after Todd Simon was hired as an assistant at UNLV.

The Pilots finished 31-5 in Williams’ lone season at the helm and reached the semifinals of the High School National Tournament before losing 64-55 to Oak Hill (Va.). The highlight of the Pilots’ season was a 67-59 victory over previously unbeaten Rainier Beach (Wash.) in the quarterfinals of the HSNT.

However, the five losses were the most since the 2006-07 season, the program’s first year. Findlay Prep’s 92-game home winning streak was snapped in December, and the Pilots also lost high-profile matchups against Prime Prep (Texas), Montrose Christian (Md.) and Bishop Gorman.
LVRJ

adidas Uprising Spring/Summer Events

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

Recruiting Calendar

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http://www.youtube.com/user/kcjcjhawk

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