“Perry’s been impressive,” Self said. “We’ve had other guys be impressive for short stints. I’d say Perry has been as impressive as anybody in the gym over the entire seven practices. He has a knack to score. Of course, we need that (after) losing Thomas (Robinson).”

Ellis, who is ranked 24th nationally by Rivals.com, is KU’s highest-rated incoming recruit, followed by No. 51 Andrew White, 6-6, 210, out of Chester, Va.

“Andrew can shoot. We need that (after) losing Conner (Teahan),” Self said. “Andrew is going to be a good player. He’s still figuring things out. He’s a tall guard … 6-foot-6 guys who can shoot it … they are fun to have.”

As far as the big man group that includes Ellis, 6-9 Peters and 6-10 Lucas, Self said: “Stop and think about our bodies inside. Jeff (Withey), Justin (Wesley), Kevin (Young), Jamari, Landen, Perry, Zach ... even though we are not big girth-wise, still that’s seven bodies we can throw at you. It means we can foul a lot and not be penalized as much. Last year, if Thomas got two fouls in the first half, it was, ‘Oh, geez, what are we going to do?’ Hopefully this year we’ll have a little more depth.”

Speaking of the freshman group as a whole, Self noted: “Nobody’s been great, but as a group they are trying hard. This is going to be a fun team to coach.”

Self said senior point guard Elijah Johnson, who had arthroscopic knee surgery in April, is 100 percent healed.

“Elijah is practicing full speed,” Self said. “He is out of shape, obviously. He took three months off from the surgery. He’s out of shape, doesn’t have his rhythm, yet we are so much better when he’s out there.”

The Jayhawks will leave for Switzerland on Sunday and play four games (a week from today, Wednesday, Saturday and Aug. 12) in Switzerland and Paris.

…KU’s exhibition games will not be televised and not be broadcast on the radio.
LJW


KU lured Sherron Collins from Chicago, Darrell Arthur from Dallas, Cole Aldrich from Minnesota and Russell Robinson from the Bronx. Mario Chalmers—the hero of Kansas’ 2008 NCAA championship game victory over Memphis—came all the way from Alaska, and center Sasha Kaun was from Russia by way of a prep school in Florida.

Among teams that reached the 2012 Final Four, no one drew its starting five from a broader geographic area. On average, Kansas starters attended high school 1,128 miles from campus. At Kentucky, it was 784 miles. At Louisville, it was 710. And those UK and U of L averages were skewed by a single player from the Pacific Northwest. By stark contrast, Ohio State starters played high school ball only 162 miles from Columbus on average, with All-American Jared Sullinger growing up right in town and two others in state.

The perennial weakness of Kansas’ regional talent base and its distance from major population centers creates obstacles to basketball success. And yet the Jayhawks have managed to win eight consecutive Big 12 regular-season titles, reached the Elite Eight five times in Self’s nine years and twice played in the national title game.

“It is more difficult recruiting in a non-populated area than a lot of people may assume that it is,” Self said. “Geographically, if we were going to do percentages, the majority of the kids still stay close to home, within driving proximity or whatever.

“One of the biggest disadvantages of my job, in particular, is you’ve got to go into somebody else’s turf to get guys. But one of the advantages is we carry a national name, so we can do that from time to time.”

…KU’s approach to recruiting starts with an assessment of what good prospects might have some connection to the staff’s connections. Townsend said he looks for players with the ability and willingness to defend and an inherent toughness, “Or else they won’t make it with Coach.” He acknowledges that there has been a recruit or two along the way who, despite significant talent, lacked that quality and didn’t last.

Kansas has landed one McDonald’s All-American per year under Self—nine in his nine years, including Ellis. Frankamp and committed wing Brannen Greene of Forsyth, Ga., could make the 2013 team and bring the total to 10 or 11. There were four on the national championship team, but lately they’ve done nearly as well with players just outside that halo.

…“We haven’t had the great ones like Kentucky,” Townsend said. “It’s a testament to coach Self and his ability to teach them how to play.”

…Self said the program does not specifically target geographic areas, such as, “Let’s recruit Chicago.” Instead, the Jayhawks search for “someone who complements what we already have. I think we make mistakes sometimes when we recruit too many players that are similar or recruit on top of kids. We want the pieces of the puzzle to fit to give us the best team. If I’ve got a little bitty 2-guard, I may be recruiting a bigger point.”

Whereas Kentucky coach John Calipari has been willing and able to scrap his entire system if it’s not fitting the players he recruits—and, as we’ve seen, the rosters have changed dramatically in composition from year to year—one of Self’s strengths has been a system that suits so many different types of players.

Kaun was a nimble, skilled 7-footer with great footwork. Aldrich was a bulky, long, low-post force. Withey is lean, quick and an exceptional shot-blocker. All have excelled playing center for Self.

“I want to play a style that plugs guys in as opposed to having to change how you play,” Self said. “We set as many ball screens as anybody in the country, but we set ball screens to set up getting angles on the post. We’ve been known for running high/low, which we probably run less now than we ever have, but we’ll always use that as a staple of who we are—to try to get the ball inside.

“We think what we do works, and is a great, fun way to play. We play fast, the big guys get touches, and the core thing we do is we defend. That’s the staple of any great program: They can get stops if they have to.”
TSN


Warriors fans can relax and take a deep breath. I know you were all worried, but it appears that Brandon Rush will wear a Warriors jersey next season
SF Bay


Kansas football coach Charlie Weis and men’s basketball coach Bill Self joined hosts David Lawrence and Brian Hanni for the first Rock Chalk Sports Talk Network on-site show of the 2012-13 academic year Monday at the Bird Dog Bar at the Oread Hotel in Lawrence.

Mondays show also marked the final broadcast for Hanni who after 10 years of broadcasting in Lawrence is leaving the Jayhawk IMG Sports Radio Network and KLWN in Lawrence to be the radio voice Texas Tech men’s basketball team.

The Rock Chalk Sports Talk Network show airs on the Jayhawk IMG Sports Radio Network weekly throughout the year with a live on-site show once a month originating from the Bird Dog Bar at The Oread Hotel (1200 Oread) near the KU campus or The Jayhawker at the Eldridge Hotel (701 Massachusetts). The on-site show will feature former KU athletes, current coaches from all of KU sports and whatever else might be relevant at the time of each show.

As the schedule shows below, the first on-site show aired on a Monday, while the remaining 10 on-site shows will air on Tuesdays during the academic year.
KU AD


Thursday is the last day for the upcoming feature film “Jayhawkers” to receive much-needed funding from the community whose story it tells.

If it doesn’t receive $50,000 in contributions by Thursday, “Jayhawkers” — set in Lawrence in the late 1950s — doesn’t get any of the money that’s been pledged so far. Pre-screening tickets, DVDs, posters, T-shirts, and roles as extras in the movie are just some of the rewards being offered to entice people to donate and help fund the film. So far it’s about halfway there.

Kansas University Associate Professor Kevin Willmott is directing “Jayhawkers,” his fifth full-length film, but the first one to use a Kickstarter campaign to raise crucial money for the production. From the title to the setting, “Jayhawkers” already sounds like a local movie, but it is local in every sense of the word, right down to the talent being hired to put it together.
LJW


Kansas 2012-13 Schedule

Former college basketball coaches Bruce Pearl and Seth Greenberg have joined ESPN as men’s college basketball analysts and ESPN’s Jalen Rose will be added to the college basketball commentator team, it was announced today by Mark Gross, ESPN Senior Vice President and Executive Producer, Production. Pearl and Greenberg will each serve as studio analysts throughout the season and will call select games from various conferences. Rose will be a featured analyst on the weekly College GameDay as well as other college basketball studio programming, and will work as a game analyst for a series of matchups. Additionally, all three will contribute college basketball commentary to ESPN Radio, ESPN.com and other ESPN outlets.
ESPN


7/30/12 3:07 PM
Just got some good news that you will be seeing much less of Digger on ESPN. Still be on GameDay, but will be phased out in studio.
Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanCBS)


SbB has learned Doug Gottlieb will soon leave ESPN for CBS.
@SPORTSbyBROOKS


Texas coach Rick Barnes has been somewhat prophetic lately with his newcomers. If he’s convinced they’re going to be major contributors, then he doesn’t hold back promoting. Well, Barnes is extremely high on his freshmen class that should bolster a rising sophomore group led by Myck Kabongo and Julien Lewis. Cameron Ridley is in shape and Prince Ibeh has developed his game well. The two 6-foot-10 centers are sure to be game-changers inside. The Longhorns also added 6-10 Connor Lammert. Barnes said the biggest surprise so far in workouts has been DeMarcus Holland, a shooting guard out of Garland, Texas. Barnes said Holland is an “every-day guy,’’ someone who Barnes knows what he’s going to get every day. And that means quality production if he can adequately get into the rotation.
Andy Katz


Being a Kentucky player, coach or employee apparently wasn't a prerequisite when school officials were determining who would receive championship rings commemorating the Wildcats' 2012 national title.

Rapper Drake showed that over the weekend when he posted a photo of his personalized ring on instagram complete with his nickname "Drizzy" etched on one side.

Why would Drake receive a ring when he didn't draw up a single play or score any baskets last season?
Yahoo


The NCAA Committee on Infractions is scheduled to announce this morning whether UCF will face additional penalties for major recruiting violations within the football and men's basketball programs.
Florida Today


ESPN Tip-Off Marathon schedule


2012-13 Early Season Events List

A coast-to-coast spring and summer of basketball ended a week prematurely for Hampton High point guard Anthony Barber.

A rising senior for the defending state champion Crabbers, Barber chipped a bone in his right wrist Wednesday in a made-for-television game near Orlando, Fla., pitting Boo Williams’ local AAU team against the Houston Defenders.

Unable to talk with his cell phone on the fritz, Barber texted Monday that the wrist had been bothering him even before a hard fall against Houston.

Trainers in Florida diagnosed Barber’s injury, after which he flew home to have the wrist immobilized. He’ll wear a cast for 3-4 weeks, Hampton assistant coach Walter Brower Jr., said.

The injury sidelined Barber for the summer’s final big tournament, the 17-and-under Amateur Athletic Union Nationals, also in Florida. Devon Hall of Cape Henry Collegiate in Virginia Beach, who recently committed to Virginia, replaced Barber as the starting point guard for Boo Williams in the nationals.

Williams’ squad won six consecutive games before losing in the quarterfinals of the 156-team tournament Sunday.

…Brower said he and Barber will meet this week to map out academic and recruiting goals. He hopes Barber chooses a college destination before preseason high school practice starts in October.

“The circus we went through with Ronald (Curry), we don’t want any part of that,” Brower said.

A 1998 Hampton graduate, Curry was national-caliber prospect in football and basketball. His recruitment included a September 1997 commitment to Virginia and March 1998 pledge to North Carolina.

Brower said he expects Barber to choose from among Kansas, Louisville and Alabama.     
Daily Press


Kansas was on hand for Tyler Roberson .
NBE Basketball Orlando AAU Sunday Report


adidas NATIONS Aug 2 - 6


Check here for the NCAA Recruiting Calendar


My 2012 KU Alumni games, 2011-12 Border War, Legends of the Phog, KC Prep Invitational, & Jayhawk Invitational Videos and more now on Youtube

ESPN VIDEO: Kansas head coach Bill Self sits down with Andy Katz to talk about the new-look Big 12 and his surprise choice as the league's best team on paper.


Kansas coach Bill Self said sophomore Ben McLemore is the top NBA-level talent on the roster, but the go-to guy when the Jayhawks need a bucket is likely going to be Elijah Johnson. McLemore had the most talented label even while sitting out last year while academically ineligible. Johnson is more apt to score than the other two key returnees: Jeff Withey and Travis Releford. So far forward Perry Ellis has been the most impressive among the six newcomers. The Jayhawks have had the allowable summer workouts and will also get 10 practices in preparation for an Aug. 5-14 trip to Switzerland and France. Self is propping up Oklahoma State as having the most talented roster in the Big 12, but didn't pick against his team to win the Big 12. Neither will I after foolishly picking against KU last year. I would go KU, Baylor, Texas, Kansas State and then Oklahoma State at the top.
Andy Katz


“He’s good. I mean, he’s as talented as just about anybody we’ve had come through there. Now he doesn’t know how to plug himself into a game yet,” Self cautioned of the 6-5, 185-pounder from St. Louis.

“We had a scrimmage the other day. We’re practicing to go to Europe. We had some possessions and it was like the 50th possession before he took his first shot. He doesn’t know how to plug himself in and he’s so unselfish, but he’s a Brandon Rush type. He’s a guy who could be a tremendous player for us and hopefully an all-league performer really early in his career.”

…Self, who has led the Jayhawks to eight straight regular-season Big 12 titles, lists a darkhorse candidate for the 2012-13 crown.

“When you mention schools, my alma mater ... I think Oklahoma State is going to be terrific. I think on paper they have the best team,” Self said.

“I think they have the most talent. With the kids they signed and the kids returning ... they had a good player sitting out last year who tore his ACL. I really like their talent level.”
LJW


Kansas University’s athletic department placed 52nd of 273 teams in the Learfield Directors Cup, which awards points to schools based on the finishes of each school’s men’s and women’s athletic teams.

KU placed eight out of 10 schools that made up the Big 12 last school year. Texas placed fifth nationally, followed by Texas A&M (11), Oklahoma (16), Baylor (26), Oklahoma State (40), Iowa State (44), Missouri (50), KU (52), Kansas State (62) and Texas Tech (68).

Of the two schools entering the Big 12 for the 2012-13 school year ... West Virginia ranked No. 43 and TCU No. 56 nationally.

KU placed 72nd overall during 2010-11.
LJW


Kansas Athletics’ video department, Rock Chalk Video (RCV), won top honors for Best Overall Video Display Presentation in the University Division at the recent Information Display and Entertainment Association (IDEA) convention in Minneapolis.

It was the fourth time in the last 10 years that Rock Chalk Video has won the award, called the Golden Matrix Award (GMA). RCV also won the award in 2002, 2005 and 2008.

“We are spoiled with the great work our video department does and this award recognizes just that,” KU women’s basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson said. “Our fans are what give us a great home court advantage in Allen Fieldhouse and Rock Chalk Video plays a major role in keeping them involved.”

The IDEA awards recognize artistic and technical excellence in the production of big screen video and live events at stadiums, arenas and ballparks.

Headed by director Mike Lickert, Rock Chalk Video’s 2012 entry included examples of live camera work and samples in several other categories including video graphics, headshots, replays, video open/team introductions, sponsor features, scoring sequence, celebration/win sequence, live elements (dance teams, bands, cheerleaders, and mascot), crowd prompts, interactive features and statistics.

“The work that Rock Chalk Video does is amazing. Our (men’s basketball) intro video is the best I have ever seen and really gets the Allen Fieldhouse crowd juiced,” KU men’s basketball coach Bill Self said. “They also keep our fans engaged throughout the game. Congrats to Mike Lickert and his entire crew on this award.”
KU AD


Former Kansas men's basketball player Sasha Kaun started and saw significant minutes in Russia's opening game win over Great Britain Sunday afternoon on day two of the Olympic Games. Kaun's team spoiled the Brits' homecoming with a convincing 95-75 win to open up the preliminary group-play round.

Kaun, who played at Kansas from 2005-08 and was a key reserve on KU's 2008 NCAA National Championship team, started and saw just over 19 minutes as the Russians beat Great Britain 95-75 in the first game of Group B play. Kaun netted five points on 2-of-5 shooting and a 1-of-3 clip from the free throw line. The Tomsk, Russia native also collected two rebounds and a block in helping his team earn an important two points toward their group-play point total.
KU AD


In the process, Kaun became the first basketball player from KU to play in the Olympics since Danny Manning in 1988. That '88 team, of course, came up short, claiming the bronze medal — a finish that prompted the use of professional players and the creation of the Dream Team in 1992.

But 24 years later, Kaun’s appearance only adds to a long list of Olympians with connections to the state of Kansas. Former KU star JoJo White won a gold medal in 1968; former Jayhawk Al Kelley did the same in 1960; and in 1952, All-American Clyde Lovelette led a collection of players from the 1952 NCAA title team to the Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, where they paired up with a group of AAU players from Peoria, Ill. They won gold, too.

And then, of course, there's the story of the original 1936 U.S. Olympic basketball team, which was led by a collection of AAU players from McPherson, Kan.

Now Kaun is added to the list. A second-round pick of Cleveland in 2008, Kaun eschewed a potential NBA career for a lucrative opportunity with European power CSKA Moscow in his native country.

It’s worked out pretty good so far. Two of his points on Sunday came on a ridiculous between-the-legs assist from Russian guard Alexey Shved, a former teammate of Kaun’s on CSKA Moscow who signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this summer.
KC Star


Jerod Haase, the 38-year-old, first-year head coach at UAB, was out recruiting Saturday when news broke that former Kansas University backcourt-mate Jacque Vaughn had been hired to coach the NBA’s Orlando Magic at the even younger age of 37.

“I said, ‘Wow,’” Haase said in a phone interview Sunday night, asked his reaction to the San Antonio Spurs assistant’s being named Stan Van Gundy’s replacement in Orlando.

“I’m not surprised,” Haase quickly added. “Jacque is destined for greatness. No doubt he has the whole package. He’s a great guy. He is intelligent. He gets along with people. He’ll be great.”

Haase, who like Vaughn is a 1997 KU graduate, worked on Roy Williams’ North Carolina staff for nine years prior to accepting the UAB post. Vaughn, meanwhile, played in the NBA for 12 years before retiring in 2009 and entering coaching under the tutelage of former KU volunteer assistant/Spurs legend Gregg Popovich.

“Jacque was a leader on our team. He could lead by example or lead by saying the right things,” Haase said of Vaughn, floor general on the star-studded 1996-97 team that went 34-2. “Jacque could talk to people and get the best out of them.

“We talk every once in a while, not a ton,” Haase added of his current relationship with Vaughn. “The bond we had as players is pretty strong. Our paths will cross from here on out.”
LJW


I always thought had Roy Williams remained at Kansas, Jacque Vaughn would have succeeded him as the Jayhawks’ coach.

My scenario: Williams would have retired at KU, and Vaughn, who would have joined the staff after his NBA career, would have risen to the role of right-hand-man. Williams would have seen to it that Vaughn, one of his favorite players, if not his all-timer, got the job.

Vaughn will become a head coach but not in college. The Orlando Magic will introduce him on Monday.

Vaughn will have plenty to deal with, starting with the impending trade of Dwight Howard.
KC Star Kerkhoff


Same routine, different polo shirt.

That's what July's been like for Danny Manning, the legendary Kansas basketball player, 15-year pro and former KU assistant.

He's now the coach at Tulsa, a job he accepted at the end of March. Naturally, Manning's been all over the recruiting trail this month. A snapshot of the lifestyle for most coaches outside of BCS conferences (and even some in them): Manning boarded a red-eye flight from Vegas to Orlando Thursday night, and he'll grease out the final few days of the 2012 open recruiting period there. He took off at 11 p.m., west coast time, and landed well after the sun was up in Florida.

I wasn't in the airport with him when boarding, but chances are that Orlando-bound plane was at least half-filled with other coaches doing the same thing Manning was. Late-night flights and little-to-zero sleep; it's just the most unglamorous, monotonous part of the job. But necessary, because this is the chase of recruiting. By this time of the month, coaches are carrying heavier bags under their eyes than onto their flights. (I spotted one coach nodding off during an afternoon session of games Thursday.)

The routine is no different for Manning now than the past six years, but he is still adjusting to life as a head man at a mid-major rather than an assistant at one of the most powerful college basketball institutions in the country. Serving at the side of Bill Self on the Kansas staff, Manning built up his equity in the game and it paid off with a pretty decent opportunity for a first-time head coaching gig. He could've had other ones sooner, but waited. Eight years at Kansas led him to this. Self used to coach at Tulsa, and his connections there helped big-time in ensuring Manning landed the job.

But what was it that changed for Manning? Why the Tulsa job, and why now? Turns out, once his father died, Manning felt the urge to get in gear and create something for himself outside of being a popular assistant within a traditional program. Within a month of losing his dad, Manning had decided he needed to get that pivotal big, first chance as a head coach. The death accelerated him to a new avenue. Bittersweet, for sure.

"Tomorrows aren't promised," Manning said. "And when my dad died, I started thinking, If you see something out there you like, go get it."
CBS


Smart says Robinson should be in the rotation from day one and believes he’s ready to compete physically at the NBA level right now unlike some rookies who need time to develop their bodies for the rigors of the NBA.

“A guy who is pretty much pro ready,” Smart said of Robinson. “What I mean by that is he can play the game from a physical standpoint first. Now skill wise, little tendencies [he’s] going to have to learn how to play in the NBA. But as far as from a competitive standpoint, that’s there already. That’s a positive for us going into the season to have a guy who just has to learn the NBA. Right now we have a player that we know coming into camp he’s going to do one thing well already and that’s compete."
hoopsworld


The 2012 Summer Olympics have barely begun, and Krysten Boogaard is already looking ahead to 2016.

The 24-year-old Reginan came as close as possible to making the Canadian women's basketball team that is competing this year in London. As the alternate, she was first in line in case anyone on the team got hurt or was unavailable for any reason.

While on call, Boogaard made the best of the situation, continuing to work out in her hometown while also devoting some time to helping youngsters develop their games at the Hoop Factory Basketball Camp.

"What I've learned over the past years that I've been playing any sport is that you've always got to keep trying and you've always got to keep working,'' the 6-foot-5 Boogaard says.

"If you get cut or if you get injured or if something happens, you can't just mope around and be disappointed about it the whole time. All the time that you're being disappointed about it, you could be getting better. You could be helping somebody else. You could be doing all these other great things instead of being so internal and not helping someone else out.''
Link


New Orleans Hornets forward Xavier Henry underwent succesful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Friday for a lateral meniscus tear.

Henry, 21, averaged 5.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists last season.

He is expected to be ready for training camp this fall.
Link

The latest scheduling gimmick John Calipari threw at me was to get what he perceived as the top Kentucky nonconference opponents -- Indiana, North Carolina, Kansas and Louisville -- to agree to a scheduling rotation in which each team would play two home and two road games against the group each season so that all four teams were on each team's schedule. It sounds great, but it would be almost impossible to pull off with those other schools having other high-profile commitments with tournaments, neutral-site agreements and conference-mandated challenge games. UK is playing only Louisville on that list of teams next season.
Andy Katz


When Notre Dame fired Charlie Weis as its football coach in 2009, many wondered if his Hannah & Friends Farm would eventually leave St. Joe County too.

It isn't going anywhere.

Built as a place to assist those with special needs, the teenager who inspired the building of the neighborhood, will becomes its next resident.

That's Charlie's daughter Hannah.

Hannah suffers from Global Developmental Delays. She will turn 18 next year and her parents have decided this is the best place for her.

The Weis family was back in South Bend Saturday for family day at Hannah & Friends. There are currently eight people living in two homes on the property. Hannah and two others will move into a 3rd home next June.

Charlie's wife Maura has stayed in Florida while Hannah has been in school there while Charlie and Charlie Jr have moved to Kansas. The elder Weis is now the head football coach there.

Maura says school is all Hannah has right now. When school is done, mom is left to entertain her and what 17-year-old wants to hang out with mom all night, Maura jokes.

"I think it's going to be easier for Hannah than it's going to be for me and Charlie," Maura says. "It's going to be tough, but this is where Hannah belongs. We thought about building another one in another place but just said no, our heart and soul went into this and this is where she belongs."
WNDU


When word arrived two weeks ago that Wichita State basketball legend Warren (Armstrong) Jabali had died in his sleep at his home in Miami, my first thought was: Superman is dead?

Warren and I were teammates for three years. Physically, he was the most imposing athlete I've ever known. He had the look of a finely chiseled fullback or heavyweight fighter, yet aerodynamically, his 6-foot-2, 200-pound body defied gravity. Legend has it, but not confirmed, that he once touched the top of the backboard in practice. There are simply few words to describe the strength and athleticism he brought to the game.

In the 1960s, Wichita State was a place making a lot of noise with its basketball program, but it was an urban setting in a tumultuous time, where it was hard being a young black man. By his sophomore year, it was clear that Warren's passion for the game was matched, if not surpassed, by his quest for changing society. He found an outlet in the Black Power Movement.

Much of the rest of his career at Wichita State and in the pros was significant in terms of accomplishment, yet he took considerable pride in taking a militant stance on civil rights. It was not surprising that he later changed his last name to Jabali ("the rock" in Swahili) as a further sign of his commitment.

He was truly a complicated guy: wildly intelligent, terribly stubborn and incredibly talented. He was an enigma, even to his college coaches, who were frequently puzzled by him and that extended to others in the Shockers' family. I would like, however, to remember Warren as my friend and basketball teammate.
Link


Finding rest on the way to the Summer Games is something the 2012 team probably had in common with the original U.S. Olympic basketball team.

Except instead of jetting overseas, members of the 1936 squad from Kansas piled into two cars and traveled across the country to make the boat to Germany. And they had to finance the first part of the trip themselves.

From transportation to team selection to playing venue and even the shape of the ball, today’s U.S Olympic hoops bear little resemblance to the original. Little wonder. By 1936, basketball hadn’t reached its 45th birthday. Play by today’s standards was primitive.

But the objective, winning the gold medal, has remained paramount for the nation that invented the game. The standard was established by the Olympians of 1936 and a team with roots in the Kansas oil fields.

…The basketball dynamics of the Heartland helped place basketball on the Olympic program.

James Naismith, the game’s inventor, was an instructor in the University of Kansas’ physical-education department. His Robinson Gym office was a floor below that of Phog Allen, the Jayhawks’ basketball coach with extraordinary entrepreneurial skills.

YMCA instructors took basketball around the world and wrote to Naismith about the spread of his brainchild. Allen tried to find basketball a spot on the 1932 Olympic program, at least as a demonstration sport. But for those games in Los Angeles, football became the test game.

Allen’s lobbying paid off in 1936. But how to select a team?

There was no NBA, and this was three years before the first NCAA Tournament. But basketball was largely defined by region, hard-nosed and physical in the East, open and faster in the West.

An Olympic tournament brought teams from the AAU, college ranks and YMCA together in New York. Finalists would provide the bulk of the roster and coaches.

…Nobody could match the height of the Refiners. Schmidt stood 6-9, Fortenberry 6-8. They had introduced a new weapon to the game, one that was described by a New York sportswriter as an act that looked like “dunking a doughnut into a cup a coffee.”

“Dunking” entered basketball with the Refiners.

So did other tactics, like a zone press that helped John Wooden create a dynasty at UCLA and Dean Smith at North Carolina.

Gene Johnson coached the 2-2-1 zone press defense at Wichita State in the early 1930s, and the U.S. team used it in 1936. So did Ralph Miller, who grew up in Chanute, Kan., and stole the idea watching Johnson’s teams suffocate opponents. Miller beat Wooden three straight games using the press, the first two while coaching the Shockers. Wooden then employed the defense, which became a Bruins’ staple.

Harold Johnson, brother of Gene and Francis, used the zone press at Parsons High, where he won 80 percent of his games. One of those 1950s teams included a star player named Bill Guthridge, who went on to assist Tex Winter at Kansas State and Smith at North Carolina.

In Berlin, there was little need for dunking or pressing as the United States rolled to three easy victories. Canada was the gold-medal game opponent, a fitting final with Naismith in attendance to watch his native country against his adopted home.
KC Star


ESPN Tip-Off Marathon schedule


2012-13 Early Season Events List

Brannen Greene, Atlanta Celtics: The 6-7 Kansas commitment helped make it a miserable day for his former Florida Elite teammates. Coming off a tournament victory at the adidas Invitational in Indiana, Florida Elite went 0-for-Thursday and well-timed buckets from Greene played a big part in that. He will also be on the move in the fall, transferring from Persons (Forsyth, Ga.) to Tift County (Tifton).
MaxPreps


Atlantic Celtics rolling 71-49...Kansas bound Brannen Greene has been a one man wrecking crew...multi-skilled...McDonalds anybody?
Joel Francisco
@JoelFranESPN


7/29/12 1:29 PM
Just played my last AAU game EVER... #memories #memories #memories some of the best times of my life!
Brannen Greene (@b_greene14)


Cat Barber no longer w/boo williams in Orlando. Flew home to have x-rays on wrist. Apparently he broke it
@TheCapersEffect


Rivals.com last week spotted KU coaches at games of Trayvon Reed and Paschal Chukwu at the AAU Super Showcase in Orlando, Fla.

…Reed, a 7-foot-1 junior center from Shiloh High in Snellville, Ga., who is ranked No. 21 in the Class of 2014, is being pursued by KU, North Carolina, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami, South Carolina, Tennessee and others. Chukwu, a 7-0 unranked junior center from Trinity Catholic in Stamford, Ct., is being recruited by KU, Pittsburgh, UConn, Cincinnati, Virginia Tech and others.

On Saturday, KU coach Bill Self was in the stands at Okun Fieldhouse in Shawnee to watch Tyus Jones, a 6-1 junior point guard from Apple Valley (Minn.) High, who is ranked No. 5 nationally in the Class of ‘14. The Howard Pulley AAU playmaker, who has not yet narrowed his list of schools, is being recruited by KU, Michigan State, Kentucky, North Carolina, SMU and others.

Jones took the court against Dom Collier, a 6-1 junior point guard out of Denver East High, who has KU, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa and many others on his list. The KC Run GMC standout is the No. 62-rated player in the Class of ‘14.

Chicago Curie High junior Cliff Alexander, who is out of action with a foot injury, tells Rivals.com that Michigan State and Kentucky are his leaders. The 6-9, 240-pounder, who is ranked fourth overall, also is considering KU, Illinois, DePaul, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Florida, Florida State, North Carolina, UCLA, UConn and others.

Visitors: Grace Prep (Arlington, Texas) senior teammates Karviar Shepherd and Jordan Mickey will make official campus visits to KU this fall, Urban DFW Elite coach Jazzy Hartwell tells JayhawkSlant.com.

Shepherd, a 6-10, 225-pound center, who is ranked No. 34 nationally in the Class of 2013, has a list of KU, UCLA, SMU, TCU, Texas A&M, Louisville, Florida State, Gonzaga, Georgetown, LSU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Baylor, Tulsa, Georgia Tech, Harvard, Marquette, Tennessee, North Texas and USC.

Mickey, a 6-7, 210-pound forward who is ranked No. 51, lists KU, Baylor, Duke, Houston, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Providence, SMU, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech.
LJW


Maryland's list of offered prospects in the class of 2013 expanded this week when a scholarship reportedly went out to a Top 50 prospect from Canada.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound shooting guard from Toronto, is the latest recipient of a Terps offer, according to InsideMDSports. Rivals.com's No. 48 player in the 2013 class also claims offers from Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Marquette, Memphis, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina State, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, USC, Virginia and Washington, according to Rivals.

Check out video of Rathan-Mayes, who goes to school at Huntington (W.Va.) Prep and plays AAU for Canada's CIA Bounce, below.
Baltimore Sun

BeeJay Anya (Team Takeover 2013) – Anya has most of the country’s elite after his services as the big man mentioned offers from Indiana, Kansas, Ohio State, Syracuse, Miami, Florida, Florida State, Georgetown, Maryland, UCLA, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Connecticut, and DePaul. Coaches from most or all of those programs could be seen tracking his games throughout the day. Anya insists that no one is a leader at this point and said he’s “just taking things one day at a time.” He has no timetable for a decision but said when the time is right he’ll be looking for a place with an excellent strength and conditioning program. That is his main area of focus for improvement and he feels that the right college program could continue his development in that area and turn him into a pro.
NBE Basketball


AAU Super Showcase: Days 1-3 Notes
SLAM


adidas NATIONS Aug 2 - 6


Check here for the NCAA Recruiting Calendar


My 2012 KU Alumni games, 2011-12 Border War, Legends of the Phog, KC Prep Invitational, & Jayhawk Invitational Videos and more now on Youtube

Nov. 19: Texas A&M vs. Saint Louis (7:30 ET, ESPNU); Kansas vs. Washington State (10 ET, ESPN2)
Nov. 20: Third-place game (7 ET, ESPN3); championship game (9:30 ET, ESPNU)

…The knee-jerk reaction is to look at this bracket and tab Kansas as the runaway favorite. But don’t hand the trophy to the Jayhawks just yet. Saint Louis is the choice of many to win the 16-team Atlantic 10 this season, and it doesn’t hurt that the Billikens tout one of the country’s top coaches in Rick Majerus. ... Kansas, which features eight freshmen, may still be trying to work out some kinks as it incorporates new players early in the season, which would be natural.

…Eamonn Brennan: Kansas over Saint Louis
Andy Katz: Kansas over Saint Louis
Myron Medcalf: Kansas over Saint Louis
Dana O'Neil: Kansas over Saint Louis
ESPN: CBE Classic bracket reveal


Kansas University’s basketball players have completed half of their NCAA-allocated 10 practices preceding an Aug. 6-14 tour of Switzerland and France.

The five workouts — which have run about two hours apiece — have definitely tested the squad’s six true freshmen and two freshman walk-ons.

“It’s a lot more physical than high school,” said Perry Ellis, a 6-foot-8, 225-pound freshman forward out of Wichita Heights. “We’ve got a great group of guys.

“I mean, it’s always fun going and competing with them,” Ellis added Thursday — the final day of KU’s second and final session of summer school.

Landen Lucas, a 6-10, 230-pound center out of Portland’s Westview High, reported that his first college workouts, “have been great. The competition on the floor is all you could ask for. It gets you better as a player.”

…Fifth-year senior Releford said he has been pleasantly surprised by the play of the large group of newcomers.

“Practice is going good so far. These young guys are catching on a lot faster than I thought they would coming in. I think that’s good progress for the team,” said the 6-6, 210-pounder from Kansas City, Mo. “This overseas trip can help out a lot as well. We will actually be able to play and put everything together.”

Releford was asked which new players are better than he expected.

“Most of them,” he said. “Andrew (White, 6-6, Miller School, Charlottesville, Va.) and Perry really stand out a lot. Andrew’s a real good shooter.”

Of inside players Ellis, Lucas and Zach Peters (6-9, 240, Plano, Texas), Releford said: “They are all good. They are coming along working with coach (assistant Norm) Roberts. I feel all the new guys coming in can help us a lot.”

Releford said offense has been a point of emphasis during the first five practices. The Jayhawks, like all teams, also are allowed an additional two hours a week practice time in accordance with new NCAA summer rules.

“It’s not near like the regular season,” Releford said. “It’s offense, offense, offense. Everything is offense. We haven’t broken down what we need to do on defense. He (coach Bill Self) is basically trying to get the young guys a good feel on how we want to do things.”

…Former KU point guard Russell Robinson has signed to play professional basketball next season with Angelico Pallacanestro Biella, the Italian club announced Thursday. Robinson averaged 13 points and three assists last season for Trabzonspor in Turkey.
LJW


The men’s basketball team will take its talents overseas this August to face off against some of Europe’s finest. The team will take a nine-day trip between Switzerland and France where they will play two exhibition games against Switzerland’s national team and two against French professional teams.

The trip will come at a good time for the Jayhawks, as they have a revamped roster from last season, which includes eight freshmen. Head coach Bill Self said this trip will help his players on and off the court for the upcoming season.

“I think it’s great we get to play four games against quality competition while we’re over there,” Self said, “but more importantly, I think it’s going to be a great educational experience for our guys.”

“Winning is always important, but having an opportunity to go to Switzerland and France and hang out in Paris will be memories that will last all our guys’ lifetime. I’m certainly excited for them to experience that, while at the same time, get our basketball team a little better.”

…The exhibition games will follow FIBA rules, which are significantly different from college basketball standards. The shot clock will be at 24 seconds rather than 35, players have eight seconds to cross half court and only five seconds to shoot a free throw.
UDK


For the seventh-straight season, the Kansas men’s basketball team will make four appearances on ESPN’s Big Monday, as announced by the Big 12 Conference Wednesday.

KU will be featured on ESPN’s Big Monday on Jan. 14 versus Baylor, Jan. 28 at West Virginia, Feb. 11 versus Kansas State and Feb. 25 at Iowa State. The Jayhawks have played Baylor in a Big Monday contest three times in the Big 12 era, while facing Kansas State and Iowa State four times each. KU and West Virginia will be meeting for the first time as conference members and the first time in men’s basketball history.

Since the inception of the Big 12 in 1996-97, Kansas is 45-16 all-time on ESPN’s Big Monday (25-1 at home, 20-15 on the road), including 26-8 under head coach Bill Self. Additionally, KU has won 18-straight Big Monday games in Allen Fieldhouse, which includes a 14-0 mark under Self.
KU AD


When Cynthia Garrett and her husband Roger Charles moved to Lawrence almost a year and a half ago, they had one thing on their mind: Kansas Basketball.

Garrett’s only son, Christian Garrett, joined the University of Kansas basketball team in January 2011. While athletics brought Christian Garrett to Lawrence, Cynthia Garrett said she and Charles felt that they were brought to Lawrence to help the University in a different way. For nearly a year, they have opened up their home weekly to host a Bible study for KU students.

“The study really started with Christian asking Roger about the Bible and then going to practice and talking with his teammates about what Roger had shared with him,” Cynthia Garrett said. “One teammate in particular, Jordan [Juenemann] asked if he could start coming to study the Bible with Christian and Roger. So the two of them basically began their own little study in our home.”

Juenemann and Christian began inviting friends and classmates. The group quickly grew from two to nearly 25 each week. Cynthia Garrett says she was thrilled with how the excitement spread about their Bible “home-schooling.”

“There were some weeks where we had almost 60 students in our home, and I remember thinking we were going to have to start a church,” Cynthia Garrett said.
UDK


A second NBA exhibition featuring Anchorage native Mario Chalmers scheduled for Alaska's largest city has been canceled this year.

The Mario V Chalmers Foundation NBA Game scheduled for Aug. 3 was canceled Tuesday. Sullivan Arena officials said Chalmers cited injuries, free agency and the Olympics as factors in not being able to fill out a roster.

Chalmers, an Anchorage Bartlett High School star who won an NBA title with the Miami Heat this year, previously tried to schedule an exhibition game last winter.

The December game was canceled when the league's lockout ended and players had to get back to their respective teams to report for training camp.
AP


Kansas 2012-13 Schedule

Bowlsby said at the league’s football media days that when the league’s television deal is complete, it would include a 13-year grant-of-rights from all participants. That would mean that any member that wished to depart the league, say, in 2015 wouldn’t see a dime of television revenue until the late 2020s.

Once that contract is in the files, the Big 12 will be as enduring as the Rolling Stones.

At that point, I believe the Big 12 would expand only to take advantage of an exceptional opportunity, not for the same of some numerical desire. If, for instance, Florida State and Clemson really were interested — which, on balance, I don’t believe ever was true — the Big 12 would listen.

The Big 12 also must consider, if it gets the opportunity, whether it wants to offer a sort of hybrid membership to Notre Dame. Irish officials want to arrange the sort of deal with the ACC that it currently has with the Big East. The ACC to this point has declined. If it holds firm to that position, the Irish might approach the Big 12 for a similar arrangement: A football scheduling arrangement with conference members, full membership in other sports.
TSN


Fans will get a chance to see the Kansas State men’s basketball team before their 10-day trip to Brazil, as the squad will hold an open practice on Saturday, August 4 at Bramlage Coliseum.

The event, which is presented by Manhattan Broadcasting, will open to the public at 2 p.m. and conclude with a 20-minute scrimmage.
Link


Senior-to-be Jeremy Jones will leave the Kansas State men’s basketball program, coach Bruce Weber announced Thursday.

“Over the past couple of weeks, he and I have had several discussions about his future and he thinks this gives him the best chance to be successful,” Weber said in a statement.

Jones, a 6-foot-2, 170-pound shooting guard from Chicago, played in 20 games for the Wildcats in 2012-13, averaging 3.1 points and 8.2 minutes per game. He came to K-State in May 2011 after playing two seasons at Seward County (Kan.) Community College.

• Lindsey Babcock, who was assistant commissioner for the Atlantic Coast Conference, has been hired as associate athletic director for compliance at Kansas State.
KC Star


The Big 12 invited the Mountaineers to join their league. WVU did not sneak in.

So, yes, they are excited about it. Yes, they like West Virginia. Yes, the appreciate the WVU brand. Yes, they think the Mountaineers have passionate fan support.  Yes, their fans are looking forward to coming to our state. Hopefully we will treat them well when they are here.

WVU is not walking sheepishly into the league with is proverbial hat in its hand. This is not the ACC which historically has deemed WVU not the right fit for their league. This is not the SEC or the Big Ten where many of the stadiums seat 90,000 plus and even the small stadiums are 50,000 or more.   

This is a league with a great deal in common with WVU. This is not the Big East which was a basketball first league. This is a league fan with bases similar to WVU.  Other than Oklahoma and Texas,WVU is virtually tied with Oklahoma State and Texas Tech for the third largest stadium in the conference.  

The Mountaineers already have respect around the league and are expected to compete for a football championship immediately.  The same will be true in men's basketball.

We have seen this before in our state. We should have learned this lesson before. College athletics has given us great self-esteem in the past.

…Now that the Big 12 is here, it is time to quit fretting and worrying about what others think. Our state is fine. We look good.  We are not under-dressed.

It is time to enjoy. Time to relax. Time to quit worrying and to be thankful that our state is not New Jersey or Connecticut who face a more uncertain athletic future.
WV Metro News


The school’s internal investigation into the academic scandal went back to 2007, and found that “Football and basketball players accounted for nearly four of every 10 students enrolled in 54 classes,” all within UNC’s Department of African and Afro-American studies. Football and basketball players make up less than 1 percent of the UNC undergraduate population.

The academic fraud led the NCAA to slap the football team with a bowl ban and scholarship reductions, and it is one of the primary reasons coach Butch Davis was fired.

What if the internal investigation stretched back further? And focused on the basketball team? The school would find that seven members of UNC’s title-winning team coached by Roy Williams in 2005 majored in African/Afro-American Studies. The Indy Star documented it in 2010:

That includes Sean May of the Sacramento Kings, the Bloomington prep star and son of former IU star Scott May. Sean May entered the NBA after three years in college, capped by an NCAA title in 2005. He graduated last summer.

May said he started as a double major with communications, but dropped it so he could graduate faster after leaving for the NBA.

Afro-American and African studies, May said, offered “more independent electives, independent study. I could take a lot of classes during the season. Communications, I had to be there in the actual classroom. We just made sure all the classes I had to take, I could take during the summer.”

Interesting quote from May, especially since he didn’t graduate until 2009, years after leaving Chapel Hill. For the conspiracy theorists: it appears May changed his major after coach Matt Doherty was fired and Roy Williams arrived.

But here’s really why Roy Williams might be faced with tough questions about his program and the academic scandal: Wayne Walden, his academic right hand man at Kansas and UNC.

Walden was with Roy Williams at Kansas. He was the basketball team’s academic adviser for 15 years. Then, when Williams left for UNC in 2003, Walden went with him and filled the same role – academic support for men’s basketball, overseeing scheduling, registration, structured study halls, tutorial services, etc.
The Big Lead


The player exodus from USF might have come as a surprise to many. It wasn’t a surprise to Rex Walters.

“We knew guys were leaving and we were very well prepared,” the USF coach said. “We knew guys were unhappy.”

And while the loss of all-league players Perris Blackwell and Mikey Williams is a big blow, Walters has liked what he has seen from the new players that have come onto campus this summer and this might be his most relaxing offseason to date.

“Different, definitely. Different but it’s been a lot of fun,” Walters said. “I’m more relaxed than any summer that came before.”
Link


He went from the 34th-best player in the country to a player working back from injury to one used sparingly, and now Mookie Jones has reportedly called it quits at Syracuse.

“I’m done playing at Syracuse,” Jones told the Post-Standard at a Summer League game in Utica, N.Y.

According to the report, Jones still wants to finish his degree at Syracuse, being that he is under scholarship as long as he is enrolled at the university, but is set on pursuing a basketball career overseas, as well.
NBC


Pioneer Valley High's Neil Reed died of a massive heart attack.

Reed started teaching physical education at Pioneer Valley High in 2007. During his tenure, he coached boys basketball, as well as boys and girls golf.

Reed played college basketball at Indiana University from 1994-1997. He made national headlines in 2000 when he accused then-head coach Bob Knight of choking him at a practice in 1997. A video later confirmed it and contributed to Knight's dismissal from IU.

He averaged 9.8 points in 94 games with the Hoosiers. After his junior season, Reed transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi and averaged 18 points per game.

Reed was 36 years old. He leaves behind his wife and two daughters.
Link


ESPN has signed Mark Jones, Sean McDonough, Brad Nessler, Dave Pasch, Joe Tessitore and Bob Wischusen – six of sports television’s most versatile play-by-play commentators – to multi-year contract extensions.
Press Release


A class action has been filed against the National Collegiate Athletic Association on behalf of student athletes who claim their scholarships were revoked under rules that violate federal antitrust laws.

The suit was filed on July 25 in federal court in Indianapolis, where the NCAA is headquartered. The case represents a second attempt by Steve Berman, managing partner of Seattle's Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, to assert antitrust claims against the NCAA on behalf of student athletes. On June 18, in a similar case, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit rejected Berman's claims on the ground that he failed to assert a relevant market as required under the Sherman Act.

"In the first case, we didn't allege a market," he said. "We alleged that because it's a per se restriction — meaning that it clearly has the effect of limiting what student athletes can get — we didn't have to name a market. In this new case, we've asserted a market and we've asserted it exactly the way they told us to."

NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn issued an e-mailed statement: "The plaintiff has not yet served us with this lawsuit, though we understand media have received it. To that end, we cannot comment specifically. In general terms, it is difficult to imagine why this law firm keeps filing the same tired theories and misleading new groups of student athletes. We will read the new complaint in that light when we see it."

The new suit alleges that a now-discontinued NCAA rule limiting scholarships to one year violated the Sherman Act because it kept the value of those grants at artificially low levels. The NCAA had instituted the rule ostensibly to protect the amateur nature of college sports.

Although the NCAA changed that rule last year, permitting multiyear grants, the suit cites a second rule that limits the number and amount of scholarships that a school can give to student athletes. For example, the NCAA prohibits a Division 1 school from offering more than 13 basketball or 11.7 baseball scholarship each year. The NCAA also limits the number of student athletes at Division 1 schools who can receive scholarships in baseball, football and basketball to 27, 85 and 13, respectively.
Law.com


ESPN Tip-Off Marathon schedule


2012-13 Early Season Events List

Kansas City’s thriving hoops scene was on display Thursday at the KC Prep Invitational.

The tournament, held at the Mid-America West Sports Complex in Shawnee, boasts 26 top AAU teams from cities known for churning out elite basketball prospects and sending them to Division I schools — areas like Chicago, Texas, St. Louis and Seattle.

Not to be outdone by the stiff competition is hometown KC Run GMC.

“I think across the board Kansas City always does really well, including other programs in town — whether it’s MoKan, Kansas 76ers — they’ve all been very successful,” said Run GMC head coach L.J. Goolsby. “I think it’s great, because it just shows there’s a lot of really good players here in the area.”

Known until this year as KC Pump N Run, Run GMC is representing Kansas City high school basketball among national powers — and they haven’t disappointed.

Run GMC swept its pool Wednesday and Thursday, beating the California-based I-Can All-Stars, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Derrick William’s former team, as well as Game Time Seattle and the Omaha Crusaders. Winning the pool qualifies Run GMC for elimination play, which begins tonight.

GMC’s play has been good enough that it is now regarded as one of the elite teams.

…What’s even more impressive is that Run GMC is missing one of its top players, guard Conner Frankamp. The 2013 recruit has a hairline fracture in his foot, which Goolsby said is healing nicely. Goolsby also said that while he doubts Frankamp will play this weekend, he could play if it were necessary.

Frankamp, a Kansas commit, is a Wichita North senior-to-be who is ranked No. 28 overall in the 2013 class by Rivals.com. While he’s known for his shooting ability, the 6-foot guard has also been improving his point guard skills.

Frankamp’s usual backcourt mate is Travis Jorgenson, a 6-foot point guard from Columbia. Jorgenson, also in the 2013 class, has a rock-solid ball handling ability, has a great feel for the game and is a tenacious on-ball defender. Oh, by the way, he’s committed to Missouri.

That’s right — a future Tiger and a future Jayhawk in the same backcourt.

“I think especially if Missouri had stayed in the Big 12 it’d be a lot more entertaining, but they still give each other a hard time,” Goolsby said. “They’re teammates and they don’t talk about it much, but when it gets brought up you can see those two get the competitive juices going a little bit.”
KC Star (Game schedule at link)


the Mo-Kan Elite grassroots organization is host to a tournament at The Fieldhouse of Kansas City in Overland Park. Mo-Kan Elite is coming off a semifinal appearance last weekend at the prestigious Nike Peach Jam event in North Augusta, S.C.

Playing against some of the best competition in the country, Ottawa senior Semi Ojeleye led Mo-Kan with 33 points in the quarterfinals.

Olejeye, the 36th-ranked player in the class of 2013, has a long list of offers, including Duke, Arizona, Illinois and Kansas State, among others.

“He really put us on his back to get us to that Final Four,” said Mo-Kan assistant coach Buzzy Caruthers.

Caruthers said that BV Northwest senior Clayton Custer and Blue Springs’ Marvin Clark turned some heads at the tournament. For players and coaches, it was a statement for Kansas City basketball.

“I think the one thing that everyone got to see this past weekend was that we have the ultimate team,” Caruthers said. “Teams that we play, some of them are more athletic than us. Some of them are more talented than us. But we’re a team where we have high basketball IQ, and we have guys that do their jobs.”
KC Star


If Julius Randle ends up playing basketball at Duke, one person will deserve major credit for reeling him in—and it’s not necessarily Mike Krzyzewski. While the Blue Devils’ head coach and his staff will of course have had a good bit to do with it if Randle heads to Durham, there’s another individual who may have even more to do with it.

His name is Matt Jones, and he’s hardly an unknown quantity at Duke—so far he’s the lone member of the program’s 2013 class.

Jones may deserve the assist if he can persuade Randle, his uber-talented childhood buddy, to follow him to Duke. See, Jones and Randle have known each other since elementary school—before Coach K or any Duke basketball fan knew or cared who they were.

…“That’s my best friend,” Randle told Sporting News. “We’ve been through so much together since fifth grade, and for us to be here now in this situation, we’ve been very blessed to get this far. He’ll be my friend whether I go to Duke or not. That’s just a friendship you can’t break no matter what.”
TSN


You didn’t need a program to figure out which court ballyhooed basketball prospect Julius Randle was on as the AAU 11th Grade Gold Super Showcase opened Wednesday at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports.

Just follow the trail of college recruiters.

Over 75 coaches, including Kentucky’s John Calipari, Bill Self of Kansas, and Florida’s Billy Donovan, were lined up as Randle and his national No. 1 Texas Titans team took the floor for its opening game in the six-day tournament.

Randle, a gifted 6-foot-9 power forward who has so far dropped few hints about his college destination, also got extra attention from the opposing Atlanta Xpress. Teammates did most of the damage as the Titans won 57-37.
Orlando Sentinel


“I’m going to take a few more visits, take all five of my officials. I’m going to watch a lot of NCAA basketball and make my decision in the spring,” Aaron Gordon told Sporting News. “So many things change. If I were to commit now, so many things could change by the time I go to college. I just want to have the shortest time span from the time I make my decision and when I actually touch down in college.”

Interesting that he chose the verbiage “touch down.” Because Gordon, a 6-9, 220-pound forward from Archbishop Mitty High in San Jose, Calif., does nothing so much as fly. Friday at the EYBL Finals at the Peach Jam in North Augusta, Gordon nearly scraped the roof on consecutive dunks as he led the Oakland Soldiers to an easy pool-play win over Indy Spiece Heat.

The first was outrageous, thrown down off a baseline inbound lob pass tossed above the rim as Gordon soared in from the center of the lane. We’ve all seen that play run many times. At Cincinnati, All-American Kenyon Martin made this particular play a signature. But Gordon’s journey toward the top of the square was as spectacular as any you’ve seen.

On the Soldiers’ subsequent trip, Gordon punctuated a fast break with still another spectacular slam. Asked if he ever had two such eye-popping dunks on consecutive plays, he answered with a surprising, “Oh, yeah.”

Oh, yeah?

“The out-of-bounds was pretty spectacular; I liked that one,” Gordon said. “But I have had some pretty spectacular dunks.”

…He has seven schools under consideration: Washington, Arizona, Oregon, New Mexico, Stanford, Kentucky and Kansas. College basketball insiders cite Washington as the leader, although the others aren’t relenting.

“I’ve always been able to keep that set of schools. Pretty much everybody knows that, and honestly I can play basketball and not worry about anything else,” Gordon said. “They try really hard to respect not calling my phone all the time. They do a good job not hassling me. I’ll get about three calls a day, so that’s not too bad, and about four or five text messages.

“Basically, my brother didn’t do what I’m doing now. So I got to see what he’d go through, what decisions to make, what to look for in a coach. My eyes are a little more opened maybe in regards to other people because of my big brother.”
TSN


The 2012 edition of the final evaluation period in July features the adidas Super 64, Las Vegas Fab 48 and the Las Vegas Classic all running in conjunction. The top adidas sponsored squads in the nation will be present at the Super 64, while the Fab 48 is headed by Bishop Gorman (Nev.) coach Grant Rice and Belmont Shore club coach Dinos Trigonis, who also heads the Pangos All American camp. This is the second year of the Las Vegas Classic, which is put on by Bigfoot Hoops, a new company that has Hal Pastner (father of Memphis coach Josh Pastner) in charge.

With a proven stable of talent, the “super pool” format of the adidas Super 64, which pits pre-seeded elite teams against each other, is arguably the most loaded of the three events, though hundreds of D-1 prospects will be present at the other two tournaments.

Here’s a look at the three-headed monster of Las Vegas tournaments this week and weekend:
NBC


As the college coaches flocked to gyms throughout this city in order to evaluate and babysit prospects, Collin Host patiently waited for bodies to fill the chairs along the wall of the cramped, back gym at Valley High. This was Host's chance, the opportunity just about everyone talks about to be seen and, hopefully, secure a Division 1 college scholarship.

As he and his Minnesota Fury teammates strolled out to start the game against Spirit-Team House out of California, Host took a glance across the court out of the corner of his eye, looking to see which coaches had made the trek to 2839 Burnham Avenue, just a couple miles down the road from the Strip in Vegas.

It wasn't a pretty sight, though. There was just one coach: Southern Illinois-Edwardsville assistant Deryl Cunningham.

"It's pretty depressing," Host admitted after the game.

Host is a rising senior at Mound-Westonka High, about 30 miles west of Minneapolis. His goal, like just about all of the players that have come to Sin City for the bevy of AAU tournaments: To impress college coaches.

"My dream is to play Division 1 basketball," he said.

…The high-profile teams attract dozens and dozens of coaches, so many that it's standing-room only. But teams like the Minnesota Fury are often tossed in an obscure gym, playing in front of only friends and family.
CBS


Orlando AAU Nationals - Wednesday report
NBE Basketball


Adidas Super 64: July 25-29
Teams to Watch: Florida Elite, Urban DFW, Eric Gordon All-Stars, Atlanta Celtics, Garner Road, Mass Rivals, Dream Vision, Michigan Mustangs, Louisville Magic 16s
Players to Watch: Kasey Hill (No. 6 in 2013, Florida), Chris Walker (No. 8, Florida), Isaiah Hicks (No. 16, North Carolina), Jordan Mickey (No. 28), Karviar Shepherd (No. 27), Solomon Poole (No. 24, Georgia Tech), Brannen Greene (No. 25, Kansas) Anton Gill (No. 35, Louisville), Noah Vonleh (No. 3, 2014), Isaac Hamilton (No. 23), Daniel Hamilton (No. 24, 2014), Craig Victor (No. 16, 2014), Derrick Walton, V.J. Beachem, D'Angelo Russell (No. 10, 2014)
Primary Venues: Rancho High School (17s), Foothill High School (16s)

Fab 48: July 26-29 (special six-game tip-off event on July 25)
Teams to Watch: DC Assault, M33M, Milwaukee Rebels, Team Philly, Belmont Shore, New York Rens, Las Vegas Prospects, Team Thad 16s, Team Scan 16
Players to Watch: Jermaine Lawrence (No. 13), Nate Britt (No. 22, North Carolina), Robert Hubbs (No. 36), Austin Nichols (No. 47), Kevon Looney (No. 8, 2014), Chris McCullough (No. 11, 2014), Leron Black (No. 26, 2014), Christian Wood (No. 48, UNLV), Zena Edosomwan (No. 52, Harvard)
Primary Venues: Bishop Gorman High School (17s), Centennial Hills YMCA (16s)

Las Vegas Classic: July 25-29, 2012
Teams to Watch: Mac Irvin Fire, Houston Hoops, California Supreme, Oakland Soldiers, Seattle Rotary, Mac Irvin Fire 16s, Nike Team Texas 16s, Houston Hoops 16s
Players to Watch: Jabari Parker (No. 1), Jahlil Okafor (No. 2, 2014), Aaron Gordon (No. 7), Jabari Bird (No. 15), Justin Jackson (No. 13, 2014), Justise Winslow (No. 12, 2014), Marcus Lee (No. 57), Stanley Johnson (No. 31, 2014), Melvin Swift (No. 43, 2014)
Primary Venues: Durango High School (17s, 16s), Spring Valley (17s), Doolittle Rec Center (17s), Agassi Prep (17s), Tarkanian Basketball Academy (16s)
CBS


This is the story of Richmond (Va.) Southside Baptist Christian School and its recruitment and exploitation of basketball players from Jamaica, whether it originally intended to exploit them or not. It is a saga that began in 2007 and eventually left multiple teenagers stranded without proper immigration paperwork and without a school transcript and often in debt.

More specifically, four Jamaican teenagers who were left stranded in an economic bind by the school all stepped forward to speak on the record with Prep Rally. Others also spoke on the condition of anonymity. While there, all four of the teenagers were present when three were whipped after returning from a game and all witnessed a coach violently attack a fellow foreign teammate during a practice.

The players' entire stories were chronicled in a series of lengthy interviews with Prep Rally and ScoutsFocus, which first made contact with a concerned Southside Baptist athlete. Prep Rally placed a phone call to the school's administration, where a message was taken for the school's founder Dr. Lonnie Stinson, but that message has yet to be returned.
Yahoo


Witnesses say a former Chicago public high school basketball star was shot and killed while trying to break up a fight.

Michael Haynes, who played basketball at Washington High School, was shot on the Far South Side near 116th and Vincennes, which isn't far from the basketball standout's home. Witnesses say he was trying to break up a fight over a necklace Thursday night when he was hit in the chest, wrist and lower back. He was taken to the hospital where he died.

Witnesses say he was an innocent victim caught up in a violent situation. Detectives are investigating; no suspects are in custody.

In May, Haynes had committed to Iona College in New York to play division one basketball.
Link


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Tharpe averaged nearly 10 minutes per game off the bench during the Jayhawks’ first seven games. But soon, Tharpe’s playing time waned, and he was relegated to saving his most intense battles for practice. He finished the season averaging 0.9 points in 5.5 minutes per game. And when KU made its run to the NCAA championship game, Tharpe didn’t play a minute during the season’s final four games.

“That was probably the toughest part I had to do,” Tharpe said, “because I was never sitting on the bench (before). That’s something I had to get used to.”

It’s that experience that now allows Tharpe to sit back and evaluate his freshman season with honesty and a little bit of self-reflection. If the book is still out on what Tharpe can be during his sophomore season, well, that’s fine, he says.

“I really didn’t do anything spectacular last year at all for anybody to see what I can do or not,” Tharpe said

In most cases, a player like Tharpe would be stuck waiting around all summer and early fall before being able to prove themselves on the practice court. Fortunately for Tharpe, this summer will provide an early gift of opportunity.

In just three weeks, KU will open a four-game European tour with a game against the Swiss national team in Fribourg, Switzerland. KU will play another game against the Swiss on Aug. 8 before finishing the trip with two games in Paris.

…“Coach told me that this year, he’s going to need more out of me,” Tharpe said. “I know myself; I need more out of myself.”

One year on campus, and it appears that Tharpe has the necessary humility to learn from a season on the sideline. And if he needs proof that long-term thinking can pay dividends, he can point back to a moment earlier this summer. Former KU guard Russell Robinson, another product from the Northeast, was back in town to work out and see friends, and Tharpe listened to Self tell Robinson’s KU story.

During his freshman season, Robinson could never seem to get off the bench, either. Instead, he was left to watch and wonder whether KU was the right spot for him. But in a year, it all changed. By his sophomore season, Robinson was in the starting lineup. And three years later, he was the starting point guard on the 2008 national champs.

Tharpe has heard more of these stories. And they always seem to add a little bit of motivation. You can’t always play right away at Kansas, he says. And he knows that now. And sometimes, you just have to take your lumps and keep working.
KC Star


Kansas University senior center Jeff Withey, who worked the invitation-only Amar’e Stoudemire and LeBron James camps in Chicago and Las Vegas earlier this summer, may respectfully decline an offer to attend the season-ending Adidas Nations camp, Aug. 3-6 in Orange County, Calif.

“I know I’ve been invited, but I do not know if I’m going to go yet because of the European trip,” Withey said of the Jayhawks’ Aug. 6-14 excursion to Switzerland and Paris. “Obviously, I can’t go if we are going to be in Europe.”

…He has been impressed with the play of KU’s frontcourt newcomers.

“Definitely they are strong. They are a lot more physical than I was when I was a freshman, which is great,” Withey said of Perry Ellis, Landen Lucas and Zach Peters. “They are going to have to learn coach Self’s system. Right now, they are starting to get it. That’s the most important thing. They will all be helping us out a lot.”

He continued ... “I think Landen is ahead right now. He is kind of getting it faster than everybody else with the way we play our offense,” Withey said of Lucas, 6-10, 240 from Portland, Ore. “Perry (6-8, 220, Wichita) is doing great right now. Zach can shoot. Perry can shoot. Landen can shoot. Landen has been knocking down 15-foot jump shots. I like them a lot. It’s going to be a fun year. I can’t wait to play with them.”

As far as 6-8, 220-pound Chicagoan Jamari Traylor, Withey said, “I don’t consider him a freshman. He’s been here a year. He goes after the balls with a lot of aggression. He’s a miniature T-Rob.”

Kevin Young (6-8, 185 senior) can play both small forward and power forward, while 6-9, 220 junior Justin Wesley is primarily an inside presence.

“Justin is an athlete, a freak athlete. I think Justin right now is one of the favorites to take on that starting role, I think personally,” Withey said. “I don’t know what coach (Bill Self) is thinking. He is an athlete. He goes after the ball. If he keeps progressing like this, I think Justin will be a great asset.”

…Self added of McLemore: “Ben should be as good as anybody we’ve ever had at stealing us extra possessions. I think he’ll be the best defender we’ve ever had. I also think he’s as athletic as anybody we’ve ever had, and he can shoot. Fitting in the pieces and getting him to understand how to play, he’s not quite there, obviously. If he keeps improving at the same rate, he’ll make a lot of money.”
LJW


Bill Self and John Calipari were in between games at the Nike Global Challenge, and they used that time to talk about last season's title game, debate scheduling philosophies and generally just chit-chat. Then the Kansas coach asked the Kentucky coach to remind him how many freshmen the Wildcats would have on their roster.

"I've got four," Calipari said.

"I've got eight," Self countered.

"You have eight!?!" Calipari asked, and I think this is probably a fact that's been lost on those outside of the state of Kansas -- that the Jayhawks will have eight freshmen this season.

"Eight freshmen," Self said. "And [four] seniors."

Which leads to a simple question: Has a team with eight freshmen ever been ranked in the top five of a preseason poll? I'm going to assume the answer is a negative. But the Jayhawks could really be the first -- for what it's worth, we have them fourth in the preseason Top 25 (and one) -- considering they return Elijah Johnson, Jeff Withey and Travis Releford, and add, among others, McDonald's All-American Perry Ellis and redshirt freshman Ben McLemore.

McLemore is a 6-5 guard.

My colleague Jeff Goodman projects him as a future lottery pick.
CBS


Think you're having a good summer? Last month, Jeff Withey told Amar'e Stoudemire to come get some. A few days ago, the Kansas center found himself rubbing shoulders with LeBron James. Or maybe just elbows. Whatever. It was still pretty cool.

"He didn't play, unfortunately," says the Jayhawks' 7-footer, who spent last weekend at King James' skills camp in Las Vegas. "I think he was too worried about practicing for the USA (Olympic) team. But I got to see him, and everything like that."

Stoudemire actually did play at his camp in late June, even against some of the college pups. During one session, Withey rose up, reached over with those pterodactyl arms of his, and swatted one of the New York Knicks star's offerings off the backboard and into orbit.

"The Amar'e camp was a lot of drills, a lot of skill work, actually," says Withey, whose Vegas sparring partners included Phil Pressey of Missouri, Mason Plumee and Ryan Kelly from Duke, Tim Hardaway Jr. from Michigan, Creighton's Doug McDermott and Tony Mitchell of North Texas. "But LeBron's was more playing, a lot of 5-of-5 situations, more up and down. It was a good time, thought I did pretty well. Been working on my 15-foot jumper and thought I was able to display that there at the camp."

…The $50,000 question on the Kaw is this: Can Withey make the same jump into the spotlight that T-Rob did a year ago? Assuming he can stay out of foul trouble and on the floor, it's not a leap of faith.

…"(Robinson) had the ball a lot of the time; that's kind of half the battle, too," Withey notes. "Having opportunities to score and having (Self) have the confidence in you and wanting you to score. You're going to score more points because you're going to have the ball more."

Withey wants the ball. He wants to brush up on his left-handed hook. He wants more counter moves, so a defender has something else to think about once Withey has the rock on the block. He wants teams to worry about his jumper.

…He wants the garbage points. He wants the same affection that T-Rob gleaned from NBA scouts. He wants the double teams.

"If I don't get double-teamed, I'll be kind of disappointed," Withey chuckles. "It shows respect."

He wants respect. More than that, he wants to earn it.
FS Kansas City


New Orleans Hornets shooting guard Xavier Henry hopes to give a better overall performance tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks. In Sunday night’s 85-82 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Henry missed his first three shots before finishing with 11 points on two-of-seven shooting.

The Hornets blew a 17-point lead and were outscored by the Trail Blazers 31-13 in the third quarter. Rookie point guard Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with a game-high 25 points.

``We just want to get this first win under a our belt,’’ Henry said. ``I had good parts and bad parts but I got to the rim.’’

Hornets rookie point guard Austin Rivers also is seeking improvement after making only  three of 13 shots for 14 points against the Trail Blazers. Rivers also had only two assists in 31 minutes.
nola


Power foward: Jason Thompson may start the season, but it won't be long before rookie Thomas Robinson takes over. Reports from rookie minicamp and summer league say he's the real deal.

Center: DeMarcus Cousins is the centerpiece of the Kings' offense, and with continued maturation, he looks to elevate his game to the next level.
Sac Bee


NBA Vegas Summer League Schedule


Kansas 2012-13 Schedule

It will cost Syracuse significantly less money than it did West Virginia to leave the Big East ahead of schedule.

The Big East announced Monday that Syracuse will pay a $5 million exit fee and an extra $2.5 million to the league in return for the right to join the ACC in time for the 2013-14 school year rather than the following year. Five months ago, West Virginia paid $20 million for the right to break its Big East contract and join the Big 12 for the 2012-13 school year.

Although the loss of Syracuse significantly damages the Big East's brand and tradition of basketball success, interim commissioner Joe Bailey tried to put a happy face on the departure of one of the league's seven flagship schools. The Big East has recently added the likes of Memphis, Houston, SMU and UCF in all sports in hopes of softening the impending loss of West Virginia, Syracuse and Pittsburgh.

"This closes a chapter and opens a new one filled with exciting possibilities for the Big East's future," Bailey said in a statement. "With the recent addition of eight schools to the Big East, the future for the Conference has never been brighter."

One of the questions the remains regarding the future makeup of the Big East is whether Pittsburgh will join Syracuse in leaving for the ACC in 2013 or wait until 2014 to make the move.
Yahoo


ESPN Tip-Off Marathon schedule


2012-13 Early Season Events List

Demetrius Jackson
After talking on the phone with coaches from Kansas, Lousiville, and Memphis today received offers from all 3! Great day! #Blessed
https://twitter.com/D_Jay24/status/225053405557690368


Rivals: July evaluation period hits mid-point


Summer Event Schedule


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My 2012 KU Alumni games, 2011-12 Border War, Legends of the Phog, KC Prep Invitational, & Jayhawk Invitational Videos and more now on Youtube

Kansas University basketball assistant coach Kurtis Townsend was happy to support a former Jayhawk on Friday, attending Mario Chalmers’ National Championship Classic golf tournament at Alvamar with new KU director of basketball operations Doc Sadler.

“It’s huge, not only because (Mario) comes back and it’s a great organization and a great cause, but the fact that these people here just love him,” Townsend said. “To come back and make this like his second or third home now … it means a lot to the program and to our guys.”

Chalmers’ tournament benefits cancer research and community-based youth programs.

Former KU basketball players Brady Morningstar and Jeff Hawkins also joined Chalmers at the event.

“Everyone around here looks up to him,” Townsend said of Chalmers. “It’s just great to have him back. I would support anything he ever did here. I haven’t been able to make it because of recruiting, but I just happened to have today off, so it worked out well.”

Speaking of recruiting ... Townsend played a big part in the Jayhawks’ landing 6-foot-3 guard Rio Adams from Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, serving as his lead recruiter.

...“It’s great to have him here. He had a long journey,” Townsend said. “I think he’s still not out of the woods yet academically and stuff, but it’s great that he’s here, and he’s happy to be here. I think he’s going to do a good job for us.”

One of Townsend’s most vivid memories of Adams came while watching him at a tournament in Las Vegas.

“I think he had about 38 (points). He couldn’t miss, and he had already committed here,” Townsend said. “He just kept looking at me after every shot. What I did realize is that he was one of those guys that wasn’t afraid to take a big shot.

“He was like a cornerback in football — didn’t remember the play before. He could just flick water off his back, and he could just go. But (he was) a clutch player, and more than that, a great kid.”

…“He had an unbelievable game, because I was kind of always putting in his head, ‘Hey, we may want to play you at the point,’” Townsend said. “He made some unbelievable no-look passes and made sure that I saw him to let me know that, ‘Hey, I’ll play wherever you need me to play.’”

Townsend, who will begin his ninth year on KU’s bench in the fall, believes Adams will provide the Jayhawks with depth.

“He gives us a guy that can play both (guard) positions. He’s a scorer,” Townsend said. “He’s athletic, but he can also play the backup point. If, God forbid, something happened to Elijah (Johnson) or Naadir (Tharpe), he can play both spots.

“He just gives you another athletic, tough, strong, good kid.”
LJW


KU AD: Mario V. Chalmers Golf Classic (video at link)


Earlier this week, Sports Media Watch compiled a list of the 50-most watched sporting events from the first half of the sports calendar. (Sports Media Watch used the All-Star Break as the unofficial cut-off point.)

If you peel back from the obvious — the NFL is an unstoppable juggernaut — there’s at least one local story to glean. For the Kansas basketball program, March and April were a pretty good month of exposure.

KU appeared on the list three times, with the Jayhawks’ final three NCAA tourney games being watched by nearly 50 million fans combined. In all, there were seven college basketball games on the list.

No. 15: KU-Kentucky, NCAA title game, 12.3 rating, 20.869 million viewers

No. 21: KU-Ohio State, Final Four, 9.6 rating, 16.603 million

No. 32: KU-North Carolina, Elite Eight, 7.1 rating, 11.683 million
KC Star


Wilt Chamberlain could do just about anything on the basketball court. Score, rebound, block shots, anything. He even led the NBA in assists one season.

That one-of-a-kind talent played a key role off the court, too. An upcoming movie focusing on Chamberlain’s recruitment to Kansas in the mid-1950s casts him as the ideal person to spark social change in Lawrence.

KU’s very own Jackie Robinson but on a slightly smaller scale.

“Jayhawkers” takes its title from the familiar KU mascot. But that’s not its origin. It’s a reminder of “Bleeding Kansas” when abolitionists from the territory were referred to as “jayhawkers.” The anti-slavery term carried over into the Civil War as any Union troops from Kansas earned the moniker. That tolerance didn’t last, though.

…Willmott cast current Jayhawk Justin Wesley to play Chamberlain. The 6-foot-9 Kansas junior doesn’t have The Stilt’s height, but his facial features and lean build are perfect. They’ll use high school players around him, so he’ll probably appear just as dominant as Chamberlain without a ton of movie magic. With any luck, it’ll resemble a movie like “Hoosiers,” which not only had great hoops sequences but nailed the basketball style of 1950s Indiana. Fittingly, the climax is the 1957 NCAA tournament championship against North Carolina that went three overtimes and is often hailed as one of the sport’s greatest games.

“That’s a big challenge of the film, to get the basketball right,” Willmott says. “You have to get the script correct for the social change, but the selling part of the film is the basketball.”

For that, former Kansas star Scot Pollard will be helping Wesley with his low-post moves and playing style of the ‘50s.

The film won’t focus entirely on Chamberlain, though. He’s simply the agent of change. It’s also a tribute to former Kansas Chancellor Franklin Murphy and legendary coach Phog Allen, the two men who coaxed Chamberlain to leave Philadelphia for the Sunflower State.

…Shooting starts in mid-August and will run about four weeks. Once he’s done editing it (about six months), it could be ready for a premiere during March Madness.

Perhaps just in time for another Kansas run to the Final Four?

“Maybe we’ll get lucky there,” Willmott says.
NBC Sports


The Brooklyn Nets summer league team had already had its video session. Another one was set aside for Tyshawn Taylor.

Assistant coach Popeye Jones, in charge of the week's activities, focused on showing the rookie from Kansas some defensive techniques. How to deliver pressure. Getting over ball screens.

Taylor, 22, who played high school ball at Jersey City St. Anthony, soaked it all in.

"They were just telling me that the NBA game is a game of angles. It's a learning process," Taylor said. "There's so much more to this NBA game than in college, and I'm just learning as I go."

The learning curve is fast. A few hours later, when the Nets faced the Oklahoma City Thunder, Taylor anticipated a pass, made the steal and went coast to coast. The early success bred additional success, and Taylor finished the day with a game-high 23 points.

"You've got to let him learn," Jones said. "He's played basketball long enough."

…"I like the way Taylor has stepped up," said Brooks, who lit up the Indiana Pacers for 34 points in the Nets' only win Friday. "He's done a good job of learning the game, slowing it down and let it come to him."

Taylor is excited about serving under Williams' tutelage. Both had the same college coach; Bill Self was at Illinois before Kansas.

"There's probably some similarities we have, and that'll be interesting," Taylor said. "How could I not be excited about playing with Deron? There's a lot I can learn. This is still basketball, but there's more to it. I have to be ready for understanding my role and understanding my team, but I'm open to the challenge. All rookies go through the process."
Newsday


Former Kansas basketball player Josh Selby scored a game-high 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting, leading the Memphis Grizzlies’ summer league team to a 93-77 victory over the New York Knicks on Saturday.

Selby was 5-for-7 from three-point range and added a steal and rebound to go with two turnovers in 25 minutes.
LJW


The Phoenix Suns didn’t have to wait long on Sunday to see a little bit of everything they were hoping to see out of second-year power forward Markieff Morris.

During the first 10-minute quarter of play Sunday at the Suns’ opening game of the 2012 NBA Summer League, Morris got the Suns off to a fast start and the lead with 10 points, three rebounds and a monster block.

He finished the game with a team-best 21 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots.

Morris’ effort was the leading reason why the Suns beat the New York Knicks 99-74 at UNLV’s Cox Pavilion.

“I told (Morris) that I was going to go to him a lot this year, especially in the post, in the summer league, and he took it to heart and did a great job,” said Dan Majerle, the “Summer Suns” head coach.

Morris credited the work he has done thus far in the offseason while hanging around Phoenix for his fast start to summer league action.
Suns.com


Robinson was energetic and involved, and receiving little help from his teammates, clearly tried to do too much.

But he was much too hard on himself. He hit midrange jumpers and deep balls from the corner. He showed a quick first step, a variety of offensive moves, and provided a safety valve when Jimmer Fredette labored against fullcourt pressure. And he showed off better-than-advertised passing skills.

"He brings energy and toughness," said Bobby Jackson, who is coaching the Kings squad, "and he plays hard all the time. All the time. But his passing has probably impressed me more than anything. He can take the ball off the rim and dribble the length of the court like a point guard."

Robinson's summer league debut lured several of the Maloofs and a few of his new teammates to the Cox Pavilion.

Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Thornton sat at the end of the Kings' bench, with DeMarcus Cousins and his 6-foot-11, 290-body squeezed in the middle. The Kings' third-year center, who remained in town after completing his impressive weeklong training camp with the Men's USA Select Team, recalled his own struggles during his summer league debut two offseasons ago.
Sac Bee


Unlike the Bobcats from a night ago, the Los Angeles Lakers did not bring their starting five to summer league and it showed.

Looking to bounce back from last night’s debacle, the Kings pulled away from the Lakers late, beating the purple and gold by a score of 84-72.

While the fans were waiting for Jimmer Fredette or Thomas Robinson to blow up, it was the 5-foot-11 Josh Akognon who looked unstoppable.  The 26-year old out of Cal State Fullerton led all scorers with 25, shooting 10-for-16 from the field, including 4-for-8 from distance.


Jimmer scored 15 points and handed out four assists, but shot only 3-for-11 from the field. Robinson finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds for his first double-double of the summer, but again, shot a less than stellar 3-for-13.
Sac Kings fan blog


NBA Vegas Summer League Schedule


Kansas 2012-13 Schedule

It’s official.

The University of Connecticut men’s basketball team will not compete in the 2013 NCAA tournament due to poor academic performance from its athletes, reports the Hartford Courant.  The NCAA Committee on Academic Performance met Friday without making any changes in policies saying that the 826 score the team acquired for the 2009-10 season was simply not good enough.
SI


The County of Maui is pleased to announce that the license agreement for the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Basketball Tournament was amended by the County Council on July 6, extending the tournament for eight years.

"The EA Sports Maui Invitational has made our island a household name when it comes to college basketball," said Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa. "It has also established Lahaina as a fun and exciting sports venue for the nation's premier early-season college basketball tournament. It has been a pleasure to work closely with representatives at KemperLesnik to ensure that this sports tradition continues here for many years to come."

In addition to contributing approximately $8.1 million to the local economy in 2011 with visitor spending and global marketing for Maui, the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational also has an annual average direct spend with local businesses of approximately $1 million.
Hawaii News


Bill Walton is a basketball legend. But physically, he has seen better days.

Rather than complain, Walton has decided to get on with his life after numerous surgeries, beginning this fall when he will return to duty as a basketball analyst for ESPN.

It hasn't been an easy road back for Walton, the former UCLA standout whose injuries began in college and shortened his NBA career. Walton turns 60 in November.

It has been five years since Walton collapsed because of spine problems. In that time, he said, he believed his life was over.

This fall, he starts over in doing Pac-12 games for ESPN. In an interview with USA Today, he described his nightmare of physical breakdown and 36 surgeries, including spinal fusion and ankle fusion.
Link


The Big Ten's scheduling partnership with the Pac-12 isn't happening after all, and the fans of both leagues will pay the price.

The two leagues announced Friday that their pact, which initially called for 12 football games per season, has been called off. The reason: At least four Pac-12 schools were unwilling to agree to mandatory scheduling, ESPN.com has learned. A key sticking point is that Pac-12 teams play nine conference games while Big Ten teams play only eight. Adding in traditional non-league series like USC-Notre Dame, Stanford-Notre Dame and Utah-BYU, and it makes the scheduling situation tougher for those in the Pac-12.
ESPN


The Detroit Pistons announced today that the club has signed second round draft selection Kim English to a contract. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

English, who was selected with the 44th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, played four seasons at Missouri and averaged 14.1 points (.521 FG), 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists as a senior.
Detroit CBS


ESPN Tip-Off Marathon schedule


2012-13 Early Season Events List

North senior Conner Frankamp injured the big toe on his left foot during a basketball tournament in St. Louis on Sunday. North coach Gary Squires said Frankamp, who just returned from a stint with the U17 USA Basketball team last week, will have his foot checked out on Tuesday.
Wichita Eagle


Future Kansas University basketball player Conner Frankamp suffered a hairline fracture in a bone in his left foot in an AAU basketball tournament Sunday in St. Louis.

Frankamp, a 6-foot-1 senior point guard from Wichita North who plays for KC Run GMC, told the Journal-World in a phone interview that he is expected to miss four to eight weeks of basketball. He’s going to be re-examined on Tuesday, but at this point thinks he’ll definitely miss the rest of the summer season.

“I went up for a layup, and a kid (from Oklahoma team in third-place game) took me out,” Frankamp said. “I came down, and my foot went backwards. It’s a good time for me to rest, but I sure will miss playing.”

Frankamp recently helped the U.S. Under 17 basketball team to a gold medal at the FIBA world championships in Lithuania.

“It was an unbelievable summer, a dream come true. It’s been one of the best summers of my life even though I hurt my foot,” Frankamp said.

Earlier Sunday, Frankamp joked on Twitter: “Well a broken bone in my foot isn’t a good present the day before my birthday. I can’t believe I turn 17 tomorrow (today).”
LJW


Chris Walker (Florida Elite 2013) – Walker’s contributions may not have jumped off the page the way they do at times but he controlled an individual matchup against one of 2014’s best forwards, Noah Vonleh. He drew 4 fouls on Vonleh in the 1st half alone by attacking the rim every chance he got and cleaning up the offensive glass. Walker is an elite rebounder, an elite finisher, and an elite athlete so once the skill package catches up, he can be scary good.

…The nation’s elite are after the super talented big man and he mentioned Florida, Kansas, Louisville, and Syracuse as his top 4 offers. He is still interested in Kentucky as he has been for some time but seems less focused on waiting for a Wildcat offer to come than he has in the past. While he wouldn’t name a leader, it sure sounded like Florida was out in front from listening to Walker talk about the Gators. He mentioned a great relationship with Billy Donovan and the way he’s treated as family by the entire Gator staff. Walker is also intrigued by the idea of continuing to play with current Florida Elite teammate Kasey Hill (Florida commit) at the next level.

…Karviar Shepard (Urban DFW Elite 2013) – Shepard’s play both on Saturday and throughout the week have catapulted him into the discussion for top center in the 2013 class. He scores with both hands, makes great passes from the post, and has refined footwork that most college big men would be jealous of. Shepard also protects the rim and rebounds both ends of the floor at an elite level. If he develops a nasty streak on the block, Shepard can become a dominant low post college scorer.
NBE Basketball


7/14/12 11:03 AM
More coaches for Canada/USA East: Bill Self, Rick Pitino, Roy Williams, Mark Gottfried, Buzz Williams, Danny Manning
Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria)


7/13/12 10:31 AM
Heavyweights rolling in to Nike Global Challenge: Bill Self, Jim Calhoun & Kevin Ollie, Tom Izzo, Jamie Dixon, Leonard Hamilon, Mike Rice
Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria)


Anthony Barber is a top ten recruit in the class of 2013 and, along with Andrew Harrison and Kasey Hill, considered among the best high school point guards in the country.

Standing 6-foot-1, Barber is lightening quick with a tight handle, which makes him a nightmare to try and stay in front of. On the defensive end of the floor, he uses those quick feet and quicker hands to make trying to bring the ball up the floor about as pleasant as getting a tooth pulled.

And while Barber spent the weekend in DC at the Nike Global Challenge proving to Alabama’s Anthony Grant, Louisville’s Rick Pitino and Kansas’ Bill Self — who were all front and center for every game he played — that he is, indeed, worth the recruiting effort, he may not answer if you call him Anthony.

The name he goes by is ‘Cat’. And the reason isn’t exactly what you would expect.

“When I was little, my sister said I used to run around and climb on stuff,” Barber told NBCSports.com. “I guess she said I was like a cat, so they just started calling me that.”

So it had nothing to do with the fact that, you know, you’re quick as a cat?

“That could be too, but I just used to move a lot, so she called me that.”
NBC Sports


The Troy Williams saga continues.  Now Boo’s nephew is saying that Kentucky and North Carolina are no longer the two favorites for his services.  In case you forgot or have been in off season hibernation, let me remind you of this twisted tale.

Troy narrowed his list down to two schools UNC and UK in late April.  He announced he would make his decision known after school on May 1st.  Then he woke up with a change of heart and announced he would be delaying his decision to an unknown date in the future.  Later Troy let it out that he was going to commit to Kentucky but woke up with mixed feelings.  Then he added four teams to his list (Florida, Louisville, Alabama and Georgetown), but said UK and UNC were still above the rest.

And now we have this quote from yesterday:
"If Troy & Cat do commit together, Troy says it’s either Alabama or Louisville that they’ll end up"
Keeping it heel


Led by James Young's 29 points and 10 rebounds, USA Midwest defeated Canada 100-86 Sunday to win the Nike Global Challenge.

The event came during the first of three five-day evaluation periods this month for Division I men's basketball coaches, 37 of whom attended at least a portion of the three-day tournament. Included in that number were all the coaches from the 2012 Final Four.

However, none was able to see the end of every game Sunday. The evaluation period officially ended at 5 p.m. ET, which came with about 39 seconds left in Midwest's win.

Tournament organizers alerted the coaches to the deadline, leading to a quick exodus of those still around,
USA Today


Rivals.com released its updated 2013 basketball recruiting rankings earlier this month, and Kansas commit Conner Frankamp moved up from No. 42 to 28 while fellow KU commit Brannen Greene remained at No. 31.

Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Eric Bossi, who has been on the road more than 50 days since mid-March evaluating high-school players, took some time to talk about the new rankings and also the potential for KU coach Bill Self to have a strong recruiting class in 2013.
LJW


Rivals Recap: Reebok Showdown Day 1


Rivals: adidas invitational championship Sunday


CBS AI: Day three recap


Rivals AI: Stars of 2013 step up


Rivals video: Chris Walker vs Noah Vonleh


NBC Nike Global Challenge Recap


Speculation throughout this past basketball season had Troy forward and the state’s top senior-to-be James Young going to a prep school out east or transferring to some other school for his senior year.

Well, it looks like Young is staying put. Troy coach Gary Fralick said Young participated in 16 of Troy’s 20 team camp games and is looking forward to his senior year in Oakland County. Troy will have seven of its top nine players back. That might have been a factor. Troy will also move up a division in the OAA and be paired with teams like Clarkston and Pontiac. The competition has increased.

Selfishly, I’m happy Young is coming back to Troy. He’s a tremendous talent and is good enough to lead the Colts to the Breslin Center. Young will be the top candidate for the Mr. Basketball award and, no, he has yet to decide what college he will attend.

Kentucky and Michigan State appear to be in the lead for Young but it’s early. 
Detroit News


July is supposed to be the month when high school players prove themselves nationally.

But for Montrose Christian’s Ishmail Wainright, July will be spent on the mend. Wainright, who is ranked 18th by ESPN in the Class of 2013, has a stress fracture in his left ankle and will be undergoing surgery next weekend.

“I’m out all of July,” Wainright told NBCSports.com. He was scheduled to play in Nike’s Skills University event in Alexandria, VA, during the first live evaluation period in July.

The 6-foot-6, 220 lb forward has already been out a month, but he says he is still in shape and has actually added a couple pounds of muscle — “good weight”, he called it — to his already sturdy frame. The time off has also allowed him to focus on schoolwork.
NBC Sports


Indy Star: Coaches can be seen but not heard by recruiting targets


Summer Event Schedule


adidas Grassroots schedule


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Still, like every gym rat, Morningstar can’t help but form opinions on players that he plays with and against or watches from the bleachers. He said he fully understands why Ben McLemore, who redshirted as a freshman last season, has dropped so many jaws this summer.

“He’s the spitting image of Brandon (Rush), as far as their athletic ability, body type and shooting the ball,” said Morningstar, who played for Tulsa in the NBA Developmental League last season.

Naturally, Morningstar didn’t mention another way Rush and McLemore are alike. Handling the ball is the weakest aspect of both players’ games, which means the smartest guess at a starting lineup has McLemore at small forward, not shooting guard.

“Ben has a chance to be a really good player if he wants to be, because of how athletic he is and how long his arms are,” Morningstar said. “His strength is only going to get better. I don’t know who is taller, but to me they’re about the same player coming into Kansas.”

That’s certainly exciting.

“He’s going to have a lot of dunks,” Morningstar said. “People in the crowd are going to be like, ‘Dang!’ He had one in a camp game where he just picked it up off the ground and took off from the middle of the lane and put it down. You can’t teach that. That’s stuff you’re just gifted with.”
LJW


“Last year I learned a lot; it was kind of my first time playing,” said Withey at the LeBron James Skills Academy last weekend.

“Making it to the finals I picked up a lot of knowledge from that so next year I’m ready for the challenge.”

Withey shot 53.6% from the field last season, and his offensive rating (117.2) ranked tenth in the Big 12.

The San Diego native took advantage of the opportunities he received, and the task now is to continue to do so with his number being called more often.

“I feel like defensively I can hold my own,” said Withey. “But scoring, getting easy buckets and getting to the foul line is really important, especially since that’s going to be my new role next season.”
NBC Sports


“Miami’s been crazy. This is my first time out of Miami since we won,” said Chalmers, who joined guests at a benefit mixer/auction at Alvamar Golf Club in Lawrence on Thursday. “The atmosphere is a little bit different. In Miami, everybody’s all about Miami. You go anywhere, they’re there cheering.”

Chalmers — his Miami Heat clinched the NBA title with a 121-106 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 21 — took time away from the celebration to make it back to his college town this week, as today he’s hosting the National Championship Golf Classic at Alvamar.

Proceeds will go to the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation to benefit cancer research and community-based youth programs.

“This event means a lot to me,” Chalmers said. “It’s the first kickoff to my foundation — the first event we did to help raise money for it. It’s always going to be a special event.”

…So which title — NBA or college — was more satisfying?

“It might be the college one, just because that’s the one ... I hit the shot. I had a big moment in that game,” Chalmers said. “But the NBA one is at the top, too, because that’s winning at the highest level, competing against the best of the best.”

Chalmers said he wasn’t sure yet when he’ll get his NBA championship ring, but he already has plans for it.

“I’m going to wear them all,” Chalmers said with a smile. “I’m going to wear my two high school (ones), my college (one) and my NBA (one). I’m going to wear them all at the same time one day.”

After winning the NBA title, Chalmers received congratulations from KU alums Aaron Miles, Wayne Simien, Tyshawn Taylor, Paul Pierce, Nick Collison and Cole Aldrich, among others.
LJW


On the first day of mini camp, Thomas Robinson drew oohs and aahs from members of the media while we watched from behind the media glass.  There is something special about that first time you get to see a prospect up close and with your own two eyes.  Robinson didn’t disappoint.

He flies all over the court like a man possessed, grabbing rebounds, hitting jumpers and, yes, leading the break.  That’s right, he can dribble and he can pass. Although once he begins playing against NBA players, the Kings will probably ask him to put some of those skills away.  Here is a little clip of Robinson leading the break on his first day of camp.
Sac Kings blog

Tyshawn Taylor will have to wait for another day to take the court against a former Jayhawk in the NBA. Taylor’s Brooklyn Nets matched-up with Cole Aldrich’s Oklahoma City Thunder in summer league play on Thursday, but Aldrich did not play.

Despite an 87-86 loss by the Nets, it was largely Taylor’s show as the Hoboken, N.J. native and 2012 second-round selection led all scorers with 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting. Taylor had a chance at a game-tying shot late in the contest and hit a three in the final seconds to trim the deficit to one. He also recorded five assists, two rebounds, a steal and a block in his best performance of the summer.

“I wanted Cole to play so bad because I was going to talk so much junk to him,” Taylor said before laughing and offering a jab anyway, “but he didn’t play today, he’s an old man.

“Cole’s been playing really well out here, I’ve been watching him a lot. He’s on a really good team. It’s all about competing. We talk, we have fun, chop it up after the game but out on the court its competition.”

Taylor was on fire right out of the gate as he led all scorers with nine points after the first quarter and dished out three assists, a steal and a block. He would go onto finish the first half with 15 points and missed just one of his seven shot attempts from the field.

Through four summer league games, Taylor has averaged 15.5 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds while playing 29.8 minutes per game. Taylor and the Nets have one summer league contest remaining, a match-up with the Indiana Pacers Friday at 1 p.m.
KU AD


Tyshawn Taylor was terrific. The rookie guard from Kansas had 23 points on 9-for-18 shooting, along with two rebounds, five assists, one steal and one blocked shot. The Nets ran a lot of pick-and-rolls for Taylor, and he looked more than capable of handling it.

He did make a few wild passes, including one attempted alley-oop to Jeff Foote where he flung the ball somewhere in Foote’s general direction after leaping into the air and turning his back to his 7-foot center. But he also made a nice floater shortly after that, and then immediately came down and hit Foote for a dunk on the next possession.

"You've got to let him learn," said Nets assistant Popeye Jones, who ran the Nets summer league team all week. "He's played basketball long enough. We know the game is pick and roll, so I wanted to put him in a lot of pick-and-roll situations today to see how he would perform, and he did a really good job."

Jones said that he had a one-on-one film session with Taylor in the morning to work on some defensive techniques, and they immediately paid dividends. On the first possession of the game, Taylor stole the ball off a lazy pass, raced down court and laid it in.

“I think I came in [this week] and did what I’m supposed to do,” Taylor said. “I showed that I can run a team, make shots. I did what my coaches wanted to see me do. I stayed after for a film session this morning and I stayed after and they were showing me some defensive clips of getting over ball screens and pressuring the ball and different ways of changing my feet and angles.

“They were just telling me that the NBA game is a game of angles. It’s a learning process. There’s so much more to this NBA game than in college, and I’m just learning as I go.”
NY Post


NBA.com video Thunder vs Brooklyn highlights


NBA Vegas Summer League Schedule


Kansas 2012-13 Schedule

7/12/12 5:00 PM
Josh Pastner, Bill Self, Billy Donovan, Thad Matta, Paul Hewitt and Mike Anderson are watching Leron Black, Anton Beard and Chris Chiozza.
N.D. Kendrick (@NDkendrick)


7/12/12 6:46 PM
Bill Self just sat down to watch Demetrius Jackson. Kansas has been showing serious interest.
Brandon Ramsey (@INrecruitguide)


7/12/12 3:12 PM
Baylor, Washington, Kansas, Indiana, Miami, and Cal are some of the coaches I see here for ECE Mass and Dream Vision.
Brian Bosworth (@bosworthhoops)


7/12/12 2:37 PM
Brannen Greene calmly puts in a 2 handed alleyoop. Everything he does is smooth.
Brian Bosworth (@bosworthhoops)


7/12/12 2:19 PM
I could watch Brannen Greene shoot jumpers all day. Kansas commit has a gorgeous stroke.
Brian Bosworth (@bosworthhoops)


The final stretch of the recruiting process figured to be difficult enough for Demetrius Jackson. Now a couple more of college basketball's elite programs are involved with the 6-1 senior guard from Mishawaka Marian High School.

Jackson drew a crowd of coaches at the Fishers Fieldhouse on Thursday afternoon in a pool-play game for MBA Select at the Adidas Invitational, including Kansas assistant Joe Dooley. Louisville also has ramped up its interest in Jackson.

"Both schools have really great coaches," he said. "It's an honor to have both of them recruiting me. I'd like to get out and visit both of those schools and see what they are like."

Jackson, ranked No. 43 in the 2013 class by Scout.com, said he would also like to take an unofficial visit to Illinois after the July evaluation period. He may decide to make a commitment prior to taking any official visits.

Jackson's current scholarship offers are: Butler, Illinois, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Xavier. Notre Dame coach Mike Brey attended Thursday and the Irish have long been considered one of the favorites, in large part due to its proximity.

"I'm over there a lot because it's 10 or 15 minutes away," he said. "I feel comfortable there.

"I still want to see my family and have them come out to watch me play. But at the same time I need to go where I can develop as a player and work hard to have a great support system behind me. If it's far way, it's far away. If it's close to home, it's close to home."

Jackson said he would like to have a decision made prior to the high school season.
Indy Star


When U.S. basketball players talk about playing overseas, they usually mean playing professionally after college. Khadeem Lattin just got started a little early, minus the salary.

For years, talented European players have come to U.S. high schools for basketball seasoning. Lattin, a 6-8½ forward from Houston, went the other direction, playing last season at the Canarius Basketball Academy in Spain’s Canary Islands.

“I come from a family of trail blazers, so I feel like I have big shoes to fill and I try to fill them as I go along.”

His grandfather was David Lattin, a starting center for the 1966 Texas Western basketball team, the first all-black starting five to win an NCAA title. Lattin’s mother is Monica Lamb, a WNBA pioneer who won three titles with the Houston Comets from 1998-2000.

While Lattin is comfortable underneath on defense blocking shots and is listed as a power forward, he weighs only 193 pounds and sees himself as a small forward.

“In my mind, I’m a three, but I still have a little ways to actually play a three,” Lattin said. “I go in and out a lot. Defensively, (being inside) is my bread and butter; that’s what’s got me to where I have to be. Offensively, I’m not strong enough to always bang, but I’m quicker than a lot of people, so I have to get them outside to attack.”

…The 2014 recruit is back on this side of the Atlantic, attending various camps, including the Nike Skills U camp in Alexandria, Va., this week. When he’s home in Houston, he works out with former NBA coach John Lucas. There’s a possibility he could stay in-state for college, as his list of schools includes Baylor, Kansas, Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma.
USA Today


2. SG Isaac Hamilton, 6-foot-4 Los Angeles (Calif.) St. John Bosco 2013: Hamilton is one of the best pure scorers in his 2013 class, and the five-star guard did just that on Thursday: score. Being able to put it in the basket from all three levels, especially with his smooth handle allowing him to get to good scoring spots on the floor, makes Hamilton a near unstoppable offensive force. He can run at point guard, shoot it well from distance, and is a high-level athlete who loves to try and dunk everything on the break. Hamilton led his Dream Vision team back from a 20-point deficit against the Michigan Mustangs to grab a six-point win, and scored just under 30 points in the victory. Head coaches from Washington, Connecticut, Kansas, and UCLA tracked Hamilton on Thursday, while several other elite programs were represented by assistant coaches.

…4. PF Jordan Mickey, 6-foot-8 Arlington (Texas) Grace Prep 2013: Mickey is a hardworking inside-outside forward who plays with a lot of energy on the boards and defensive end of the floor. A passionate rebounder who pursues every ball like it has his name stamped on it, Mickey tallied double-digit boards in both games for his Urban DFW Elite team on Thursday. Also a gifted offensive player, the four-star power forward showed nice touch from mid-range, while attacking the rim with strength. Mickey is also a high-level athlete who can explode up to finish around the rim, or run the floor and make plays as a trailer in transition.
More adidas Day 2 from Rivals


Detrick Mostella listed scholarship offers from Georgetown, Kansas, Texas A&M, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi. He said that others have offered too and that he is getting a little bit of interest from Kentucky. Mostella, who is transferring to New Hope Academy (MD) for his senior year, listed Georgetown and Kansas as his top two.

Mostella has not taken any visits yet, but does plan to do so. “I’ll be like eight miles from Georgetown [at New Hope, so I can visit there] and I’m definitely visiting Kansas too. They’re my top two.” Mostella is unsure of whether he will sign early or late, but thinks it may well end up being in the second period.

…Johnathan Motley said he has scholarship offers from Baylor, Houston, Clemson, Maryland, Oklahoma, Marquette, Richmond, Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Oregon. Additionally, he is hearing from West Virginia, Kansas, Stanford and Texas. He said that his favorites right now are Baylor, Houston, Clemson, Richmond, Kansas and Oregon. Asked when he plans to commit, Motley replied, “Maybe November, probably the first signing period.”

Motley also discussed the visits he has taken and what he has planned. “I live right by U of H so I go and play in the gym all the time and I’m going to Baylor after July.”
NBE Basketball Reebok Breakout camp report


Rivals Reebok report


Once again, Jermaine Lawrence showed impressive ability as a long, athletic and rangy four-man. Because he can make one- and two-dribble pull-ups, and has good mobility, Lawrence can also play as a big three-man. However, at about 6-foot-9 he's plenty big to play the four and has a huge quickness advantage at that spot. Cincinnati, Syracuse, Kansas, Rutgers and Florida were the schools he mentioned off the top of his head.
More Rivals Reebok


At the Reebok Breakout Challenge, they wore the business uniforms of July recruiting, some in lime green or bright red, others in black or navy blue.

All had their university names splayed in full across their golf-shirted chests or neatly logoed on left corner pockets.

All, that is, except one gray-haired man, turned out subtly in an anonymous gray shirt, dark shorts and white sneakers.

“Hey Frannie, do I need to get one of these fancy shirts with a logo?” he asked Temple coach Fran Dunphy.

“No, coach,’’ Dunphy replied. “People know who you are.’’

On his first day of official recruiting in 24 years, Larry Brown both stuck out and fit right in, a 72-year-old legend squeezed among young assistants desperate to make their mark, yet a contented hoops junkie thrilled to sit back and watch kids ball.

This, the new SMU coach said, is why he came back to college coaching.

He missed it.

…On Wednesday night, he spent an hour watching a game two seats away from Turgeon, the Maryland coach who once played for Brown at Kansas.

Brown was scouting talent, looking to stockpile for an SMU team in desperate need of an infusion. He’s been around the business plenty long enough to know that growing the Mustangs won’t happen quickly.

Which doesn’t exactly suit Brown’s personality.

“Will you be patient?’’ I asked him.

“I don’t even want to answer that,’’ Brown said laughing. “I know we aren’t a factor yet, but if kids come, it will be all over.’’

As Brown started to answer, Turgeon shook his head and smirked.
ESPN


adidas Invitational pool schedule, brackets


Summer Event Schedule


adidas Grassroots schedule


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Check here for the NCAA Recruiting Calendar


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Riggle's opening monologue (13+ minutes)

7/11/12 11:55 AM
ESPN's GameDay will broadcast from the Georgia Dome, site of this year's Champions Classic, before KU vs. Michigan State (Nov. 13).
Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd)


“The draft was kind of a gamble,” Withey said. “Perry Jones went pretty late and Tyler Zeller. It was just a weird draft, and I’m happy I came back. I get to prove to everybody one more year that I deserve to be there, and I’m going to make the most of it.”

One way he’ll do that is by expanding his offensive repertoire, becoming more difficult to guard, extending the range on his jumper.

“It’s something I’ve been working on this whole summer,” Withey said. “That trail shot (on the break), last year, T-Rob hit it. The year before that, the twins. The year before that, Cole, so it’s definitely in our system.”

All four of those players became lottery picks, and all four were threats to score from the blocks and the perimeter by the time they left the program.

“If I can knock down that 15-footer, that definitely puts more pressure on the defense,” Withey said. “They can’t sag off and double-team the post. It’s just another threat.”

Withey had a .795 accuracy rate from the free-throw line last season, so it’s not a question of his shooting touch.

“It’s all about confidence,” he said. “Just catch the ball, and you’re not thinking twice, just shoot it. I’ve gotten a lot better in pick-up and practice. I’m definitely happy with that, and I’m going to keep on working to make it automatic.”
LJW


He’s got three Super Bowl rings from his time with the New England Patriots. He spent five years in the highest pressure job in college football. And on August 17, he’ll be in Prairie Village.

Freshly minted University of Kansas head football coach Charlie Weis will make his first appearance at the annual KU KickOff pep rally at Corinth Square August 17, the KU Alumni Association has confirmed. Weis will be joined by perennial favorites Bill Self, head men’s basketball coach, and Bonnie Henrickson, head women’s basketball coach.

The event is scheduled to run 6 to 10 p.m. with live music starting at 8 p.m.

On account of the substantial renovations under way at Corinth, the main stage for the event will be moved from its traditional location on the east side of the shopping center to the south parking lot, directly west of Commerce Bank.
PV Post


For reasons he could not have expected when he made the schedule, former Kansas University center Cole Aldrich missed the opening day of his basketball camp Monday at Olathe Northwest High.

But while the third-year pro was busy playing for Oklahoma City’s summer league squad in Orlando, Fla., a handful of current and former Jayhawks were in Olathe holding down the camp.

Senior-to-be Travis Releford teamed with former Jayhawks Mark Randall and Jeff Gueldner to run more than 100 campers through a day of drills, instructions and various camp games. For Randall, a former first-round pick of the Chicago Bulls, helping Aldrich out was a no-brainer.

…“We do these camps all summer, so it’s a lot of fun,” Releford said. “I enjoy doing this.”

Freshman Perry Ellis will be in the gym today, senior center Jeff Withey will take his turn Wednesday, and sophomore point guard Naadir Tharpe will finish things off on Thursday.

Releford on newcomers

Asked about the new crew of Jayhawks in town, Releford smiled and said he was looking forward to playing with all of them.

“It’s a whole new team, different faces, different personalities,” he said. “And it’s been a lot of fun just getting to know all of those guys.”

Although he has had limited time with most of them, Releford said he thought the newcomers could help KU.

“All those guys are humble,” he said. “They listen, they ask questions, and they’re just ready to learn, so I think it’s gonna be a fun year.”

Challenging?

“A little bit, for sure,” he said. “But coach will get it together.”
LJW


Thunder.com Q & A with Cole Aldrich


The conversations were heartfelt, and so was the message. As Rio Adams was sorting through the stress and strain of the recruiting process, searching for his college destination, he’d often turn to his Godbrother, Rodrick Stewart.

Stewart had been a reserve guard at Kansas during the Jayhawks’ NCAA Championship season in 2008. So Adams, a talented young guard himself, would ask his Godbrother to tell him about his alma mater.

The answer, Adams says, usually consisted of three key points. He’d hear about the family atmosphere, how the players were like brothers. He’d hear about the town of Lawrence, how the place supported the program. And, finally, he’d hear about the passion, how the rhythms of the community revolved around one thing: Basketball.

“You can’t really beat it,” said Adams, a Seattle native. “It’s a basketball state. And this is where I wanted to be.”
7/5 KC Star


Rookie point guard Tyshawn Taylor played like a rookie point guard Monday. He finished the game 5-for-13 from the field, including 1-for-4 from 3-point range, and also had four turnovers and six fouls. But Taylor also finished with 17 points, went 6-for-8 from the foul line, grabbed six rebounds , dished out three assists and had two steals. Taylor also made a couple of clutch plays late, including a pull-up 3-pointer to tie the game with 46 seconds remaining.

“I think it went all right,” Taylor said afterwards. “I think as a team we got off to a slow start … the energy just wasn’t all the way there. But I think we picked it up towards the end and we fought back hard. We got back within one or two on a couple possessions, and they knocked down the free throws when it counted. But we’ve just got to come out to a better start in the next game.”
NY Post


On one possession early in yesterday’s summer league game against the Celtics, Tyshawn Taylor barreled toward the basket, spun wildly, left his feet and wound up getting his shot blocked for an easy turnover.

A short time later, Taylor again drove down the lane, but this time finished off a nifty, acrobatic layup.

Those two plays represent the rookie point guard’s potential and the steep learning curve he faces as he adjusts to life in the NBA.

“Sometimes it’s hit or miss,” Nets coach Avery Johnson said after the Nets lost to the Celtics, 82-73, to drop to 0-2 this week. “He’ll make good plays and then another time maybe there is a turnover, but it’s not all his fault. I think sometimes the spacing on the floor [is an issue].“We’ve got to work on spacing the floor and utilizing him in different ways. That’s what this whole process is all about.”
NY Post


After agreeing to re-sign Deron Williams and Gerald Wallace, trade for Joe Johnson and sign free agents Mirza Teletovic and Reggie Evans this week, the Nets added another player to their roster yesterday when they signed second-round pick Tyshawn Taylor.

The 6-foot-3 point guard, taken No. 41 with a pick bought from Portland, is coming off a terrific senior season at Kansas, where he led the Jayhawks to the national championship game.

“I’m excited,” Taylor said before the team’s first practice Thursday. “I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I’m looking forward to it.”

…“I had a close-up look at him in Chicago during the pre-draft camp, and he was one of the kids that was assigned to us during the interview process,” Nets coach Avery Johnson said after yesterday’s practice. “That’s where it all started. Then we went back and started to watch more video on him, and he kept moving up the board.”
NY Post


ESPN: Sacramento loves Thomas Robinson


Bobby Jackson, co-head coach of this year’s summer league team, says Thomas Robinson has impressed early.  Jackson says Robinson’s passing ability has stood out most during this four-day camp.  Jackson didn’t realize how good of a facilitator Robinson is and beliveves the Kings rookie is capable of initiating their fast break.

Jackson on what Robinson must learn: “Just slowing down and letting the game come to him.  He wants to everything 100 miles an hour, but the older you get, the more time you get you on the floor, he’ll start to see that.  He can’t go 100 miles an hour every time.  But the energy, everybody is going to it and learning how to play with him.”  Clearly, no questions about Robinson’s motor at all.

Can Robinson play small forward?  Jackson says the Kings won’t use him at the 3 during summer league.  He thinks Robinson is capable of possibly defending that position, but not any time soon.  “That’s a hard position to defend,” said Jackson.  “But he can do it, I think he can do it.  But right now, he won’t be able to do it.  To guard LeBron (James) and Carmelo Anthony?  Nah.”
Link


Darnell Jackson has embraced a leadership role on this mini camp roster.  ”My goal for summer league (and) mini camp is just come in here and stay on with the young guys,” Jackson told reporters.  ”Show them the ropes a little bit and just tell these guys what’s really important.  You’re not just auditioning for (this) organization, for the Kings, you’re auditioning for every organization in the NBA, especially when you go to Vegas.”  Jackson’s last stint in the NBA was with the Kings during the 2010-11 season.

As expected, Jackson is also personally mentoring Kings rookie big man Thomas Robinson.  Both men are Jayhawk alums and share similar personal backgrounds.  ”He mentored me at Kansas and he’s doing the same now,” Robinson said of Jackson.  ”So, he’s definitely a big help for me right now.”  While playing in the Ukraine last season, Jackson says he texted Robinson to check on him and his little sister Jayla from time-to-time.
Link


The Kings signed first-round draft pick Thomas Robinson to a contract Monday, basketball president Geoff Petrie announced in a release.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Per the NBA's rookie pay scale, rookies can sign for 80 to 120 percent of a set first-year salary.

For the No. 5 pick, that amount for the 2012-13 season is $2,812,200, with $2,938,700 the following season. Teams hold options for the third and fourth seasons.
Sac Bee


Having spent his rookie season shuttling between the Rockets’ bench and the club’s NBA Development League team, Marcus Morris returned this week with a plan.

It’s not complicated. After a season learning the ways of the NBA, he knew just how to get the playing time he could not last season.

“Just compete,” Morris, 22, said. “Beat somebody’s (butt).”

That’s the general idea, but Morris, a 6-9 forward, said he deferred too much to the veterans ahead of him on the roster last season, a mistake he does not plan to let happen again.

Morris, the Rockets’ top pick in 2011, played in just 17 games for 126 minutes. Beginning with this week’s minicamp and the summer league schedule that opens Friday in Las Vegas, Morris said he will “take” the playing time he could not get as a rookie.

“The mindset I have right now is I have to take some (playing) time,” Morris said.

The difference, even in just two days of summer camp, is obvious.
Houston Chronicle


The Phoenix Suns begin two-a-day workouts in Phoenix on Wednesday, July 11, in preparation for the 2012 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada from July 15-21. The 15-man team is highlighted by Suns’ 2012 first-round pick Kendall Marshall (13th overall) and Suns’ second-year player Markieff Morris. The pair is joined by Suns assistant coach Dan Majerle, who returns to serve as head coach of the summer league team for the fourth-straight season.
FS Arizona


The conclusion of the Suns practice Wednesday saw the media crowd around forward Markieff Morris.

Morris isn't fond of being surrounded by a group of reporters, but he isn't letting his new role as the top player on Phoenix's Summer League roster faze him.

"It's whatever man," Morris said. "Been through a year already; going to use it to get better, get some shots up and stay in shape."

…Morris has been in Phoenix the entire summer, working out with his twin brother, Houston Rockets forward Marcus Morris, and longtime friend and fellow Philadelphia native Sean Evans, who spent last year playing professionally in Germany's Pro A League.

…Morris also plans to improve his defense in Las Vegas, but he said the coaches expect him to be able to score from anywhere on the floor.

"He looked good (Wednesday), he's been working hard all summer with Elston Turner and our coaching staff," Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby said. "(General Manager) Lance (Blanks) is putting a tremendous amount of time, effort and initiative into upgrading our player development because now that we're going to get younger we're going to have to take players that we get and make them better."

"Markieff will be a good example of that. We're excited for him and excited for his opportunity."
Link


Today, seven months after Arthur suffered his second severe injury in four NBA seasons, the former Kansas standout is the source of better news for the Grizzlies. Arthur, recovering from surgery to repair a torn right Achilles suffered last December, is in town to sign a three-year contract worth more than $9 million.

Memphis clearly considers the 6-9 athletic forward an important part of its future and Arthur is ready to earn his keep.

"Coming off two injuries, you never think you'd get a contract like this. A lot of teams probably wouldn't deal with you," Arthur said. "Memphis has faith in me and I have faith in myself. ... The doctors say I'm ahead of schedule. I'm blessed. I just want to get back on the court and help us win games. We're on the right track."

Albeit briefly, Arthur wasn't in line for a return to the Griz. He initially received just a one-year offer from the team. Arthur declined. The Grizzlies eventually returned with the three-year proposal with a player option in the third year.
Memphis CA


While his famous teammates will be busy with other things -- LeBron James will be playing in a little tournament in London and Dwyane Wade will be recovering from knee surgery -- Mario Chalmers will return home next month to headline an NBA all-star game at Sullivan Arena.
Anchorage Daily News


7/13 Mario Chalmers National Championship Classic golf tournament


KU AD: Throwback Thursday with Sasha Kaun


Former Kansas University standouts David Jaynes, Wayne Simien and Bud Stallworth are among the nine members of the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2012, it was announced Tuesday.
LJW


Q. Are all your sports allegiances to Kansas-area teams?

A.
[laughs] I say yes and no. Growing up in Kansas City, going as a Cub Scout with the whole den to the Royals game or the Chiefs game – those are always going to be close to my heart. Those are my home teams. I went to K.U., I’m always going to be a Jayhawk, that’s the way it is. But. I have since lived in New York for 10 years, and now I live in L.A., and I like to have a home team to root for. So, a lot of times, I will pick a team from another conference. I feel no problem loving the Dodgers, because they’re N.L., as opposed to A.L., where the Royals are. There’s no conflict of interest unless we both make it to the World Series, and then I’ll have to make a decision at that point. But I don’t like the odds on that.
NY Times Q & A with Rob Riggle


No Kansas Jayhawks will be appearing on Show-Me State license plates — at least unless Missouri lawmakers say it is OK.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signed into law Thursday a broader higher education measure that would require state lawmakers to approve specialty license plates for colleges and universities. State lawmakers were seeking to impede possible efforts by fans to have the University of Kansas featured on a Missouri license plate.
AP


A new company coming to downtown Columbia has caught the attention of some Missouri fans.

Rally House, a retail sports merchandise chain with stores in the Kansas City area and Texas, will open a new location later this month in the space formerly occupied by Cool Stuff. Rally House sells college and pro team-licensed apparel, such as shirts, jackets and hats, and even team-emblazoned bar stools and pool tables.

The problem? Rally House was created by the same folks who started Kansas Sampler. The well-known chain of stores in Kansas was founded by two KU graduates and sells many of the same items ... except with Jayhawks and K-State Wildcats emblems.

Given the history between the two schools, it’s no surprise that there has already been backlash.

Aaron Liebert, the company’s CEO, said he has seen some criticism on Twitter, Facebook and message boards regarding his company’s decision to expand to Columbia.

“We’ve seen it,” Liebert said, “and we understand it. If it wasn’t for the rivalries, we wouldn’t be in business. We’re OK with it.”
KC Star


Kansas 2012-13 Schedule

(all times ET):
Midnight: West Virginia at Gonzaga
2 a.m.: Davidson at New Mexico
4 a.m.: Houston Baptist at Hawaii
6 a.m.: Stony Brook at Rider
8 a.m.: Northern Illinois at Valparaiso
10 a.m.: Harvard at Massachusetts
12 p.m.: Temple at Kent State
2 p.m.: Detroit at St. John’s
4 p.m.: Butler at Xavier
7 p.m.: Michigan State vs. Kansas (Champions Classic, Georgia Dome, Atlanta)
30 minutes following MSU/KU: Duke vs. Kentucky (Champions Classic)
ESPN Tip-Off Marathon schedule


For 2012-13, Xavier AD Mike Bobinski leads the committee/has one of the coolest jobs in sports.

“It is an honor to be selected as chair of this committee,” Wellman said in a statement. “We have excellent committee members who are conscientious and fair and take their responsibility very seriously. I look forward to my continuing relationship with them in this new role.”

Wellman is notable for his longevity; he's held his post longer than any AD in the ACC, having been at Wake since 1992.

If you're always wondering who comprises the selection committee in a given year and can't find the info easily, bookmark this page and come back to it in March so you know who to be ticked off at.

The 2012-13 NCAA tournament selection committee:

Joe Alleva, LSU AD
Scott Barnes, Utah State AD
Mike Bobinski (chair), Xavier AD
Joe Castiglione, Oklahoma AD
Doug Fullerton, Big Sky commissioner
Mark Hollis, Michigan State AD
Judy MacLeod, Conference USA executive associated commissioner
Bernard Muir, Delaware AD
Jamie Zaninovich, West Coast Conference commissioner
CBS


When asked to name the player who has most surprised him after a few months of offseason practices, Kansas State basketball coach Bruce Weber didn’t mention any of the usual suspects.

No need for him to single out Rodney McGruder or Jordan Henriquez. Weber knew how good they were long before he moved to Manhattan.

Instead, Weber went with someone he didn’t see much of last season.

“You know who has played really well?” Weber said. “Omari Lawrence. I think he has been the surprise of the summer.”

Surprise? Shock may be a better word. Lawrence, a junior guard who transferred to K-State from St. John’s after a redshirt year in junior college, played so rarely in his debut season with the Wildcats that some fans might have trouble recognizing him. (He’s the one on the left in the above picture, by the way).
Wichita Eagle


If a brand is indeed a logo, Barnes already has one. It's his initials, an "H" and a "B" standing side-by-side, with wings spreading off the "B" in homage to Barnes' nickname, "The Black Falcon."

Barnes said an artist friend from Iowa designed his logo. But on the day before the draft, Barnes didn't want to say much else about his brand, or how his desire to create one originated. He seemed embarrassed by the thought of discussing such things.

"I said a lot of things when I was in college, some of them probably a little prematurely," Barnes said. "So I think the best thing for me to do right now is just focus on the basketball court, focus on that and everything else will take care of itself."

Barnes could have been referring to any number of things he said while at UNC, but most likely was referencing a story that ran in The Atlantic, a national magazine. In a story entitled "Moneyballer" in the April 2012 issue, Barnes spoke openly of his business side.

He spoke of his admiration for Kobe Bryant's endorsement of Turkish Airlines, a decision that Barnes said proved Bryant's business savvy and his ability to think "outside the box" about endorsements. Barnes spoke openly, too, about his desire to use basketball as a platform to raise his own commercial appeal.

"The longer you stay in college, the better a brand you build," Barnes told the magazine.

Barnes' outspokenness about such things drew its share of criticism from rival fans, and even teammates sometimes playfully teased him.

"We'd just call him 'Black Falcon' or whatever," said Tyler Zeller, the former Tar Heels' center who was selected 17th in the draft. "Nothing bad. But we'd have a good time with it."

To some, though, Barnes' brand talk seemed silly and premature. The criticism was easy to understand: Instead of allowing his brand whatever it might be to come naturally, Barnes seemed intent on manufacturing it.

James Michael McAdoo, the Tar Heels' sophomore forward, arrived at UNC amid hype comparable to Barnes. Did McAdoo ever think about building his brand?

"No," he said recently. "You'll never hear that coming out of my mouth. That's just not my style. I don't know what brand (is). I mean, I just play basketball. ...

"If some team wants to sign me one day to play professionally, and if some shoe company wants to give me some money to wear their shoes, you know, I'll do that. But I don't really think about that stuff."
Link


Instead of trying to jump-start his stalled basketball career at SMU as he originally planned, Josiah Turner will seek a fresh start as a professional.

The talented but troubled former Arizona guard told Yahoo! Sports on Tuesday that he will sign with a pro team next season either overseas or in the D-League in hopes he can parlay that into an opportunity to make the NBA the following year.
Yahoo


2012-13 Early Season Events List

5. So Bill Self hit a home run off Olympian Jennie Finch in the All-Star celebrity softball game. How will he use this to his benefit on the recruiting trail?

If he can find a way, then the guy who signed Deron Williams, Dee Brown, the Morris twins, Thomas Robinson and Sherron Collins is even a better recruiter than I think.
TSN


7/8/12 3:48 PM
We won the gold medal!! It is a dream come true to be able to represent our country! #USABasketball
Conner Frankamp (@CFrankamp_23)



There was one moment during the FIBA World Championships that stuck out more than any for guard Conner Frankamp, a member of the U.S. under-17 basketball team. More than the time spent in Lithuania, more than playing with some of the country’s top players, more than him averaging a team-high 14.1 points.

It was hearing the national anthem before the championship game.

“That is something I will never forget,” Frankamp, a Wichita North senior-to-be who has given Kansas an oral commitment, said Tuesday by phone.

“Just being able to represent our country in the sport I love was just incredible for me and a dream come true…. I feel like it was a great opportunity and one of the greatest opportunities I’ll ever get to put on a USA jersey. Not many get to do that. I wanted to take full advantage of it and try to enjoy it and work hard for it.”

Frankamp scored 22 points in the championship game as he helped lead the team to the title.

“I felt like I did (play well),” Frankamp said.

“Having a really good team around me helps a lot. (Everyone) can score and rebound, so it was good to have a supporting cast around me.”

Frankamp, who had breakfast with the U.S. Olympic team on Tuesday, played for the 2011 under-16 team. That team won the FIBA Americas Championship gold medal, and he averaged 8.6 points.

During the eight games for the under-17 team, he shot 55.7 percent from the field, 45.2 percent from three and was 11 of 11 from the free-throw line. He ranked 11th overall in scoring, fourth in three-point percentage, sixth in field-goal percentage and 13th in steals.

His focus this summer has been defense, and it showed during the eight international games. He had 16 steals to go along with 19 assists while he averaged 22.1 minutes.

“I was checking the stats every day, and he’s getting three, four, five steals. He hasn’t gotten four, five steals in three games for me,” North coach Gary Squires said with a laugh.
KC Star


On the Fourth of July against China, the United States led 77-34 entering the final stanza, then erupted for 39 fourth-quarter points – its best single-quarter output in Lithuania.

"We tried to give 100 percent because it’s July fourth," guard Kendrick Nunn of Simeon (Chicago) said. "But we also had to come out with the win because it’s the game to decide the first place in our pool."

Seven Americans scored in double figures, led by Kansas Jayhawk commitment Conner Frankamp with 17.
Max Preps

2013 power forward Julius Randle of Prestonwood Christian (Texas) and 2014 wing forward Andrew Wiggins of Huntington Prep (WVa.) via Toronto stole the show and were clearly the elite prospects and top potential NBA players.

Randle can handle the rock in addition to his ideal power forward skills at 6-9, and showed why some talent evaluators consider him to be the top prospect in the 2013 class nationally. The grumbling regarding his floating on the perimeter remains, but his remarkable agility and talent near the hoop are unmatched among post players nationally.

Randle was cryptic, as always, regarding his potential college choice and it’s not clear that any school should feel like they are in good shape for him at present. He declined to name a list, and the reality is that he can attend any school in the country that he wishes to. When he’s in prime form, Randle uses his strong upper body to power through defenders with a skill level sufficient to finish above or near the rim in a variety of ways. A punisher in the post, Randle finishes over people with alarming regularity.

…Uncommitted prospects that turned heads included class of 2013 big men Kennedy Meeks of North Carolina and Austin Nichols of Tennessee. Backcourt stars included point guard Anthony Barber, a top-10 prospect that is down to Kansas, Louisville and Alabama,
NBC


"I talked to a college basketball coach who used to coach in the NBA, and he told me that if Julius was in [last month's'] draft he would've been the third pick behind the big kid [Anthony Davis] and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist," Pospichal said. "He might've just been saying that to me. But that's what he said."

Those words -- in addition to Donovan's words -- are the types of accolades Randle said he's after more than a certain spot in various rankings. He would take the No. 1 label, sure, and a Sports Illustrated cover like the one Parker got would also be nice. But Randle insisted he has never pursued those things and swore he won't start now.

"I'm just chasing being the best player on the court whenever I step on the court," Randle said. "That's my mindset. Ranking services and stuff like that, there's a lot of stuff that goes into that. So honestly and truly, it's not important to me. I just want to prepare for the next level."
CBS


Basketball star Jabari Parker has named the 10 college programs he is considering with a year to go before he graduates from high school, and DePaul in his hometown of Chicago made the cut.

Parker tweeted his 10 schools on Wednesday night in no particular order: national champion Kentucky, Stanford, Michigan State, Kansas, Florida, Duke, BYU, Georgetown, DePaul and North Carolina.

"I want to make my decision in November if that's possible," he told The Associated Press at the Gatorade national prep athletes of the year dinner a night earlier. "I just need to cut it down so I'll be able to go on visits and make my decision from there."

Parker said he hopes to reduce his list to five by this fall, when he will start his senior year at Chicago's Simeon Career Academy, where he is an A student. He said geography would play a role in his eventual choice.

"I don't want my family waking up at 12 o'clock in the morning just to watch my games," he said, "but then again I have to do what's best for me. I have to go with which program fits me the best and what system and style of play is going to allow me to expand my game out in the pros."
AP


This always has been the challenge and charm of July—finding the great player who is underrated, or overlooked.

Maurice Harkless was rated in the 90s by recruiting analysts before the summer entering his senior season of high school. He surged up the charts with a strong July in 2010 and became a top-10 NBA draft pick after one season at St. John’s.

In 2005, James Harden was named second-team All-Tournament at the Rebook Big Time. There were 30 players on the first team. Russell Westbrook was on the third team, the last of 90 players mentioned. He wasn’t even the highest-ranked Westbrook.
TSN


Some of the nation’s top college basketball prospects will have to change their summer plans at the last minute after the NCAA took the uncommon step Thursday of barring four travel teams from competing in sanctioned events during the July evaluation period.

The NCAA took the action because of what it ruled to be a “prohibited association” between three administrators and one coach of travel team programs based in New England, the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida.

According to the NCAA, the e-mail account of agent Andy Miller sent a note to the four men imploring them to be of greater assistance in helping his company to recruit future NBA draft prospects.

The text of the note: “I get tired of being the 1 guy that has to get the 1st rd picks every year. I’d be happy to help you get guys + lend support. You have to want it + have to hustle. To create situations to manifest chaos + plow down walls to open up new opp’s.

“We’re facing a summer with no revenue. Yet, everyone will expect their checks, expenses reimburse, etc. I try to give a consistent platform in order to facilitate production. Am I getting the level of production in return that I want or expect?...You decided to be apart of it on some level…Do more than just give it thought, act on it.”

The four men are affiliated with the New England Playaz, Worldwide Renegades, Florida Rams and SEBL Elite. The NCAA said it interviewed the men before ruling that the teams could not participate in sanctioned events.
7/5 TSN


7/3 SLAM Q & A with Chris Walker (Praising Scott Drew? lol)


Williams said UK and North Carolina are still on his list, but he also included U of L, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina and Georgetown in the mix. He and AAU teammate Anthony Barber have talked about going to college together, and Williams noted that U of L and Alabama are the only schools on both of their lists.
Louisville CJ


When you are 6-foot-9 and excel punishing rims, particularly in transition, weigh around 215 pounds and are only a rising junior who plays and excels at prep school ball at Salisbury School (CT), schools are bound to heavily recruit you. Chris McCullough follows suit.

“Syracuse, St. John’s, Arizona, UConn, Temple, Miami and Kansas” are some of the colleges he’s hearing from often, shared McCullough during this year’s National Basketball Player’s Association Top 100 High School Basketball Camp. McCullough also stressed he is still wide open in his recruitment,
NBE


Adidas Invitational: Day One Recap from CBS


AI pool schedule, brackets


Summer Event Schedule


adidas Grassroots schedule


Nike EYBL Schedule


Check here for the NCAA Recruiting Calendar


My 2012 KU Alumni games, 2011-12 Border War, Legends of the Phog, KC Prep Invitational, & Jayhawk Invitational Videos and more now on Youtube

Jeff Withey starts his story with the good news: During two-on-two drills a week and a half ago, he blocked six-time NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire on a shot attempt.

So what happened after that?

“He went back and then he hit a jumper on me,” Withey said with a laugh. “But, yeah, I got him once.”

Withey, Kansas University’s senior center, learned quite a bit from trying to defend the New York Knicks’ star during Stoudemire’s Skills Academy in Chicago, which ran June 21-23.

“I was amazed how quick he is,” Withey said. “He’s not that much bigger than everybody else. He’s just extremely fast. I think that’s the difference between the NBA and college is just quickness.”

…Last year at the Stoudemire Skills Academy scrimmage, former Kansas forward Thomas Robinson received a lot of attention after putting down a one-handed, alley-oop dunk off a feed from Scoop Jardine.

Though it didn’t receive the same Twitter buzz, Withey’s highlight came when trying to prevent a fast-break bucket.

“They went up to try to dunk it, and I blocked it. It hit the backboard and flew all the way to half-court,” Withey said with a smile. “Everybody was just like, ‘Ooh. Aah.’ It was pretty cool.”

…Withey will be picking up more NBA instruction soon, as Sunday he accepted an invitation to the upcoming LeBron James Skills Academy in Las Vegas.

The camp, which runs Friday through Monday, features skill-development work and competition for the top 20 college basketball players in the country.
LJW

TRob press conference and rally photo gallery (Angel Morris with the assist)


Video post-press conference interview


Thomas Robinson, the #5 pick by the Sacramento Kings, was welcomed warmly by fans at the annual Rookie Rally held at Arden Fair Mall.  The former Kansas Jayhawk had just finished a press conference at PowerBalance Pavilion and a meet-and-greet with Season Ticket Holders.

Scheduled for 3:00 p.m., a late arrival made the crowd even more anxious.  A stage was set up in the center of the Arden Fair Mall, in front of Nordstrom's.  Fans crowded the floor, as well as the railings and bridges overhead.  Posters were handed out, and the crowd filled every square foot of the floor area behind the ropes. The number of Kansas signs, hats & shirts made sure that the former Kansas sophmore would get a taste of home.

…Robinson walked onto the stage amidst thunderous chants of "T-Rob", his nickname back at Kansas.  It was obvious that the warm welcome affected him, as tears of joy were visibile.  After posing for photos with some Kings fans who had been among the first to buy a number "0", Thomas Robinson jersey, he told the fans how grateful he was for their welcome.  His tears of joy were replace by a smile that wouldn't stop, as he realized how much he was loved by Sacramento.

Welcome to your new neighborhood, Mr. Robinson!
Sacramento Press

"We were stunned," Joe Maloof said. "The whole room erupted. Everyone was screaming and hugging. You see so many mock drafts, you didn't think it could happen. Our basketball people had every scenario imaginable ready. But we're just thrilled. This young man is going to mean so much to this team, to our franchise and to our city."

…"Things are going to get better," Joe Maloof said, adding for the record: "We're not going anywhere. We're not moving. We're not selling. We're going to fix our team – that's what we're going to do. It's like Geoff (Petrie) said. 'We have young bigs, a good set of guards. We have flexibility, and now we want to add to what we have.' "
Sac Bee


Petrie, before Robinson took the microphone: "He comes to us from Kansas, where everyone knows he had an exceptional career. He had an outstanding, almost incredible junior year, where he led his team to the finals of the NCAA Tournament, with 18 points and 17 rebounds. He is a very active player, a great rebounder, endured personal tragedy and still competed at the highest level of the game at which he played. I think (Jayhawk coach) Bill Self said it best, 'he said he's been remarkably balanced in an unbalanced situation.' That's a credit to his character. He's not only going to provide energy to the Kings, but he can be a great teammate, and we'll all looking forward to watching him play."

* Smart, who I don't think has stopped smiling since the draft, added: "Everything we've talked about this team, moving in the right direction, the words, comments he made on that stage really resonated with me, as far as coming to work. We got a great young man ... really humble young man focused on the team concept. We have the right situation her for him to continue his growth as a player, as a person .... When I talked with him on the phone, I kind of got a little emotional ...
Sac Bee


"Thomas won't block a lot of shots," Kansas coach Bill Self said earlier Saturday, "but he slides his feet, and he's capable. He'll probably be better in the NBA because we were always concerned about keeping him out of foul trouble. I think it's a great fit (with Cousins), and the fact Sacramento is a little bit of a smaller market, that will be good for him, too. Even though he didn't go No. 2, I think things worked out well. Everyone knows he's been through a lot."

Though his story has been well-publicized, Robinson, 21, is increasingly reluctant to share details of a 2011 season during which his grandmother, grandfather and mother died within a 25-day span. Concerned with his sophomore's fragile emotional state, Self initially was conflicted about how hard to coach his devastated, emerging star.

"In all honesty," said Self, "Thomas lost all of the loved ones who would tell him 'no.' People were afraid to upset him. But he just said, 'Don't coddle me. Coach me like you would have if nothing had happened.'"

Robinson's extensive support system in Lawrence, Kan., includes Angela Morris, mother of his former Jayhawks teammates and second-year NBA forwards Marcus and Markieff. Angela Morris attended the draft proceedings in New Jersey and, at Robinson's request, accompanied him to Sacramento. A self-anointed "godmother," she will return within the next few weeks to help find a house and get settled.

"Thomas doesn't talk about it much anymore," Morris said in a quiet moment, "but it has to be hard. These are the times when you really want your family with you. And it was his mother, you know, who put the ball in his hands. Lisa and I became good friends. I remember a story she told me once about how Thomas would run around, throwing socks like they were basketballs. She said she bought a plastic hoop and put it the bathtub."

Robinson, who choked up and wiped away tears when he was interviewed by ESPN during the draft, allows only that this "is a whole new chapter." He declines to discuss his attempts to gain custody of his 9-year-old sister, Jayla, whose father has spent time in jail on narcotics charges.
Link

Legendary Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley says the Nets are getting a winner in Kansas point guard Tyshawn Taylor.

The 6-foot-3 Hoboken, N.J., native won a mythical national championship at St. Anthony in 2008, when he went undefeated on a team with a slew of Division 1 prospects.

Despite a controversial career at Kansas that involved several suspensions for off-the-court issues, Taylor helped the Jayhawks win four consecutive Big 12 regular-season titles and, along with fellow senior Thomas Robinson, guided the Jayhawks to the NCAA championship game, where they lost to Kentucky in New Orleans.

“He’s used to winning,” Hurley, whose teams have won 65 straight games entering the 2012-13 season, told SNY.tv. “He won in college, he won in high school. I think he’s going to be a better pro than anyone would’ve ever thought.”

Hurley said the Nets move to Brooklyn should stir a rivalry with the Knicks.

“It will be very exciting now because they’ll be in direct competition with the Knicks,” Hurley said. “I think Brooklyn certainly is already embracing the Nets going there.”

…“It’s a great situation [for Taylor],” Hurley said. “He’ll get a chance to play with Deron Williams. Now there’s a lot surrounding them, so we’ll see whether or not [Taylor] is going to stay there or could he become part of a group of people who end up leaving with Dwight Howard [coming to Brooklyn].

“It’s very interesting, but I know people in the organization. Billy King is a good friend, P.J. Carlesimo is a very good friend, so I’m very happy for him because there’s going to be some really good people he’s going to work with.”
Zag's Blog


“Coach Self told us a lot of stories about Deron Williams,” Taylor said. “He told us he was the best guard he ever coached. He’s tough, and Coach Self loved coaching him and always talked good about him.”

After getting Taylor, Nets general manager Billy King said he and coach Avery Johnson had talked about getting a point guard they could groom for some time. Taylor said he was excited about the prospect of learning from Johnson, a championship-winning point guard as a player, and Williams — assuming he re-signs with the Nets after free agency begins at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow.

“Well, I love the fact that they believe in me,” said Taylor, who was a third-team All American and first-team All-Big 12 selection last season as a senior at Kansas, where he graduated earlier this spring with a degree in communications. “I appreciate the fact that they gave me the opportunity, so I’m going to take full advantage.

“I think I’m in a really good situation, behind a really good point guard and coached by a great guard in Coach Johnson, who had his time in the league and was really good at what he did. To be able to sit back and learn from these guys will be a great teaching experience for me, and hopefully prepares me well for this league.”
NY Post


The Nets didn’t work him out individually, but they sat him down for an interview at the combine in Chicago. And, they were satisfied with Taylor’s character.

And after he was drafted, Taylor demonstrated his charm to the media when asked what he majored in at Kansas.

“Communications,” he said. “Can’t you tell?”

“We’ve been talking about a young point guard that we can groom,” Nets GM Billy King said. “With his pedigree, with the big games he has played, we felt he’d be good.

“We had him ranked high, and once he saw him starting to slide we started maneuvering to get there.”

With such credentials going into the draft, Taylor felt slighted by falling into the second round. His response is motivation — “I’m definitely taking notes on the guards ahead of me,” he said.

The notes and lessons aren’t just for the opponents, though. Taylor also had to experience it himself to get to the NBA.

“I don’t think I would take anything back because mistakes are going to come, and I think it’s better sooner than later,” he said. “I was able to get them out of my system, I was able to grow from them, and become a better person. And I’m just looking forward to moving forward.”
NY Daily News


It’s only natural that when watching a college basketball player, the mind drifts to a name from that school’s past he recalls. When Kansas University forward/center Justin Wesley goes to the free-throw line, Wilt Chamberlain comes to mind.

Wesley now is linked in a much more meaningful way to the greatest athlete in KU history. Provocative Lawrence filmmaker and KU faculty member Kevin Willmott has cast Wesley in the role of Wilt in a project that originally was going to be a biography, but since has grown into a more focused look at, in part, Wilt’s cultural impact on Lawrence and KU.
LJW


A Kansas man at the center of a large-scale marijuana case allegedly supplied the drug to multiple players from the 2010-11 Kansas University men’s basketball team, a federal prosecutor said.

The Kansas City Star reported Friday that an assistant U.S. attorney made the claim during a June 18 detention hearing for Samuel Villeareal III.

…Jonathan Bortnick, Villeareal’s defense attorney, told the Journal-World Friday, “I have no comment other than I’m aware that during the detention hearing that was brought up.”
Link


Vote for KU for ESPY "Best Game"


Kansas 2012-13 Schedule

Vote for Norfolk State over Missouri for ESPY Best Upset


West Virginia University celebrated its first day in the Big 12 with a cookout for its student-athletes, coaches and support staff.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Touchdown Terrace inside Milan Puskar Stadium for the event.

The cookout featured brief remarks from WVU Athletic Director Oliver Luck and President James Clements. There was also an appearance by new Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby.

President Clements presented Commissioner Bowlsby with a WVU hat complete with a Big 12 logo on the back as well as a t-shirt.

"The move into the Big 12 is exhilarating for everybody involved. You're joining a really rich heritage and you're bringing your own rich heritage along," Bowlsby said. "This is a special place. I measure that more in one way than any other way, and that is, the very best people that ever came through here, want to come back here. I don't think there is a better testimony then the fact that Oliver Luck and Bob Huggins, and many others, have decided that this is where they want to spend their career when they have lots of other options."
Link


The Frog Horn blew and fireworks burst in the sky at midnight Saturday as TCU became an official member of the Big 12 Conference.

About 800 to 1,000 fans filled the Rodeo Plaza next to Billy Bob's Texas in the Fort Worth Stockyards to help the Horned Frogs celebrate the move from the Mountain West.

TCU football coach Gary Patterson and athletic director Chris Del Conte whipped up the jubilant crowd like a pep rally even though the Frogs' first football game in the conference is more than two months away.

"It's been a long time coming, but tonight it's official," Del Conte said from the stage. "We fought our way back, we earned our way back, and today we're in the Big 12."

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby welcomed the Frogs from the stage and received a custom-made pair of Justin boots from Patterson and Del Conte.

"I had dinner with Coach Patterson tonight and he seems pretty intent upon keeping the run he's had going these last few years," Bowlsby told the crowd to cheers. "It's all good and there's a lot of good ahead. Welcome to the league."

Other TCU coaches shared the stage, including women's basketball coach Jeff Mittie, women's soccer coach Eric Bell and men's basketball coach Trent Johnson, who was wearing a black cowboy hat.

"Fifteen years ago we started this walk," Patterson told the crowd. "We were 1-10, didn't have any facilities. We've come a long way but we don't need to stop now. This is not the end of the journey. Our goal is still to win the Big 12 championship in all sports and win a national championship as a university."
Link


Marcus Jordan 's offseason has been filled with more highlights for off-court issues than it has anticipation for next season.

Of course, there was the Twitter kerfuffle, where the UCF guard “accidentally” propositioned a porn star. Next, there were the reports in early June that questioned whether Jordan was returning to the Knights for his senior season.

The latest incident doesn't paint the son of Michael Jordan in a great light, either.

Jordan was arrested early Sunday following a disturbance outside of a hotel in Omaha, Neb. Per reports, police responded to a call at the Embassy Suites in Omaha and found hotel security attempting to subdue Jordan. He was arguing with two women at the hotel and was “very animated, intoxicated and uncooperative.” A news release says that it took multiple officers to control and eventually handcuff him.

Jordan was booked for resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and obstructing. He was released on Sunday night.
CBS


2012-13 Early Season Events List

The 2012 USA Basketball Men’s U17 World Championship Team (3-0) used a smothering full-court press in the second half to pull away from a determined Egypt (0-3) squad for a 111-73 victory on Sunday afternoon in Kaunas, Lithuania. Conner Frankamp (Wichita North H.S. / Wichita, Kan.) and Jabari Parker (Simeon Career Academy / Chicago, Ill.), who shot a red-hot 8-of-10 from the field, scored 18 points each to help the U.S. remain undefeated at the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship.

…Following a day off from games, the U.S. will face France (1-2) on July 3 (1:25 p.m. EDT) before closing preliminary play against China (2-1) on July 4 (1:25 EDT). The top four finishing teams from each group will advance to the medal round with the quarterfinals staged on July 6, the semifinals on July 7 and the finals on July 8.
USA Basketball: Stats, quotes, photos


USA 89, Australia 67
Conner Frankamp (Wichita North H.S. / Wichita, Kan.)
On tonight’s game:
I felt we improved a lot against them. They played pretty well against us in the first game (Monday) and they played pretty good against us in the first half. But, I felt like we stepped it up in the second half.

You looked to struggle a little against Australia’s zone defense. Is that something you’ve worked on?
We’ve worked on it a little bit, but not too much. Hopefully it won’t be a problem anymore, but we’ll see.

What did coach Showalter talk to you about at halftime?
Our rebounding. That was the main thing he talked about, and winning 50-50 balls.  We didn’t have any in the first half and that’s not very good for us. He pretty much talked about that and our rebounding.

Was it more about the first game jitters to start the U17 World Championship?
No, I just don’t think we came out very strong. We came out kind of lackadaisical, but we picked it up in the second half.

Was it good to have all 12 members of the team out there today?
It was nice to have everybody back. I felt like they helped us out a lot and it brings everybody together.
USA Basketball


FIBA U17 World Championship official site


6/29/12 11:54 AM
Coach dooley from ku said what's your plan to becoming a top 3 nba pic, i replied by saying work hard play hard .
Christopher Cortez (@cwalkertime23)


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