Kansas Jayhawks
Check out my interview with @TrueHoop @TrueHoopTV for the inside scoop on all things draft and look out for my blog coming soon #nbadraft
@Humb1e_Hungry23
The Orlando Magic learned Tuesday night that they'll pick second overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. With the order of picks settled, many media outlets--including ESPN--have begun publishing new or updated mock drafts, and Sports Illustrated is no exception to that rule. Chris Mannix posted a new mock early Wednesday morning, and he has Orlando selecting Kansas Jayhawks two-guard Ben McLemore.
Mannix believes "it will be difficult for the Magic to pass on McLemore" despite the fact that they already employ Arron Afflalo, a six-year veteran with three years remaining on his contract, at the position. Mannix compares McLemore to future Hall-of-Fame sharpshooter Ray Allen, and also notes that Oklahoma St. Cowboys guard Marcus Smart would have been "a natural fit" for Orlando had he elected to declare for the Draft.
Overall, Mannix concludes that second is "an interesting spot" for the Magic. Michigan Wolverines point guard Trey Burke could also be Orlando's pick, but Mannix expresses doubt that the Magic would select him so high in the draft.
Link
The Cavaliers now have many options. This draft remarkably balanced, with at least four players considered potential top picks. Cleveland has its franchise player in All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, the top pick in 2011 but could use help at several other positions.
Kentucky center Nerlens Noel and Kansas shooting guard Ben McLemore are considered the favorites for the pick, but Cleveland's biggest weakness last season was at small forward, the position of Georgetown's Otto Porter.
"This isn't a draft where there's a clear-cut obvious no-holds barred No. 1 choice," Dan Gilbert said in a teleconference. "Obviously we're going to have workouts between now and the draft. I don't think there's a direction that franchise is leaning."
USA Today
From May 22nd to May 23rd 44 prospects will participate in a group workout organized by the Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Format:
The 44 players will be divided into four group sessions of eleven players each, two on Wednesday and two on Thursday. They will be measured and put through agility tests similar to the NBA Combine in Chicago, except they will also play competitive five on five basketball. Prospects will also will conduct interviews with the media and teams.
DraftExpress.com(Travis Releford attending)
In case you missed it: I wrote a diary of NBA Combine. If nothing else, read it so "FRASCHILLA'D" can become a thing
@clubtrillion
The words “big, strong and physical” appeared on the University of Tulsa’s scouting report of former Memphis center Tarik Black last college basketball season.
“It’s pretty much what everybody else is talking about. His physical presence stands out more than anything,” said former Kansas University guard Brett Ballard, second-year assistant coach on Danny Manning’s TU staff. He was referring to Black, the 6-foot-9, 262-pound forward/center, who on Monday announced plans to transfer to KU. Memphis played, and defeated, Tulsa twice during the 2012-13 season.
“He’s not afraid of contact, likes a physical style of play, is not a threat to make any type of outside shot, an average free-throw shooter, good defender who gives them size, strength — a guy who played a lot of minutes at a high level,” Ballard added.
LJW
In theory, it sounds like an excellent fit. Kansas is returning Perry Ellis at power forward and has blossoming freshman seven-footer Joel Embiid coming in, as well as other frontcourt options like sophomore Jamari Traylor and redshirt freshman Landen Lucas. Still, Black has more college playing experience than that entire quartet combined. He was a very solid rebounder on the offensive end for Memphis all three seasons he was there, and was much improved last season on the defensive glass. Black’s shotblocking was considerably less pronounced last year, but he has a solid track record in that area over his career, as well. In sum, he should be able to help this particular Kansas team in those areas, and shouldn’t have to be asked to do more than what he is fully capable of doing.
…Maybe this will be one of those cases where a kid needs a change of scenery, especially when he’s been in the crucible of his hometown team. And Kansas has had a solid recent development record with project big men, so this is a decent landing spot. And maybe Black will find some urgency now that he’s down to his senior season and got to pick where he was going to play it. Kansas doesn’t need Black to be a star (like Memphis may have). If the Jayhawks simply get anything close to sophomore-year Black, they have landed another crucial piece to a potential Final Four puzzle.
SI Glockner
Last week, North Carolina lost a coveted prospect to Kansas when forward Andrew Wiggins – the nation’s top high school recruit – chose the Jayhawks over the Tar Heels and two other schools.
This week, it’s Duke’s turn to lose out on a key addition to coach Bill Self and his program.
Although Memphis transfer Tarik Black isn’t close to being on Wiggins’ level as an impact player, the 6-foot-9 center would have been a major addition to a Blue Devils frontcourt that is thin in both experience and stature.
Link
LJW: Wayne Selden sizes up KU recruits
Our 2013 Mr. Georgia Basketball has been named to the @parademagazine All-America Team! Congrats Brannen! @b_greene14
https://twitter.com/NaismithAwards
KU announces new cheerleaders
The Bill Self Kansas Basketball Camps still have openings in each of the individual camp sessions, June 9-13 and June 16-20, for boys ages 8-18. Additionally, coach Self's Parent/Child Camp, for boys and girls ages 4-7, also has openings. The Parent/Child camp runs June 14-15.
For more information regarding all of the Bill Self Kansas Basketball Camps and to register log onto billselfbasketballcamp.com.
KUAD
These days, if your favorite college athletics program isn’t all over social media, it’s playing the game at a disadvantage. Players routinely use and check Twitter, Facebook and Instagram more than ever before.
While many schools have just one main athletics account on Twitter, others go the extra step to create separate handles for each of their teams. Someone has to monitor each of these accounts, so it’s a lot of work and manpower for a program.
Per usual, some schools are better at it than others. Some of it is purely based on the program’s reputation, but much of it is boils down to putting the time and effort into building a readership.
Below are the 20 men’s basketball programs with the largest Twitter followings.
5. Kentucky - @KentuckyMBB – 34,220 followers
4. Michigan State - @MSU_Basketball – 45,346 followers
3. Kansas - @KU_Hoops – 47,773 followers
2. Michigan - @umichbball – 67,555 followers
1. North Carolina - @UNC_Basketball – 126,091 followers
Link
Big 12/College News
Legends Classic field announced -- Pittsburgh, Stanford, Texas Tech and Houston will play at Barclays Center.
@jeffborzello
Former Rutgers coach Mike Rice has spent the past two weeks at John Lucas' Wellness and Aftercare Program in Houston, Lucas told ESPN.com on Monday.
Lucas said Rice is receiving counseling for anger management and that there is no set timetable for his stay. Rice is also working with former college players who are going through Lucas' pre-NBA draft camp.
"He's doing great," Lucas said. "His attitude has been phenomenal, and our kids love his intensity and his passion for the game. He's happy to be having this chance to give back a little bit."
Lucas declined to answer further questions and said Rice will not be granting any interviews during his time in Houston.
ESPN
2013-14 Early-season events schedule
Recruiting
Rivals' Eric Bossi: Southern Jamfest - What we learned
Rivals: Class of 2016 shows its promise
Recruiting Calendar
2013 Spring/Summer AAU & Camp Schedule
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