N.D. Kendrick

2011-2012 BIG 10 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

By N.D. Kendrick

It is time to take a look at the Big Ten Preseason predictions now that we know who is heading to the NBA and who is coming back. It should be a down year for the Big Ten as far as teams but plenty of young talent is heading to the conference.

1. Ohio State (34-3, 16-2 Big Ten)
Key Losses: Sr. G John Diebler (12.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg), Sr. G David Lighty (12.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg), Sr. C DallasLauderdale (4.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg)

Key Returnees: Jr. F William Buford (14.3 ppg, 3.2rpg), Fr. C Jared Sullinger (17.5 ppg, 10.9 rpg), Fr. G Aaron Craft (6.9 ppg, 2.9 spg), Fr. G DeshaunThomas (7.6 ppg)

Key Additions: C Amir Williams, PG Shannon Scott, SF LaQuinton Ross, SF Sam Thompson

The Skinny: Unlike past years the Buckeyes bring back a ton of experience in Sully, Buford and Craft, while the other young man — Deshaun Thomas has a year of experience in the Matta system. Ross, and Shannon Scott should get the bulk of the few minutes that will be available from the bench.

Read more

R.J. CURINGTON ENJOYS ‘IMPRESSIVE’ VISIT TO INDIANA

By N.D. Kendrick

The history of Indiana basketball is something that many outside of the state may not truly understand.

R.J. Curington was able to experience the passion and history first hand today when he visited the Indiana campus.

“The history, I was able to see the banners and all of the NBA players and IU greats that have played here,” he stated when asked what stood out about the visit.

“All the assistants were great and Calbert Cheaney was a very humble guy”

Curington is a standout player for the Canada based CIA Bounce AAU team and plays his prep ball at the historic Oak Hill Academy located in Mouth of Wilson, Va. Curington is a dedicated player that understands what it takes to be great. He is outspoken and eager to be in the spotlight. Curington is a scoring guard that has some ability to handle the point spot. He can lead the break and tends to make good decisions on the fly. Curington has a steady jump shot from behind the arch. He rarely forces up shots and plays a unselfish game. He continues to work on his handle and eventually will end up playing a lot of the point position.

Even though he plays primarily outside of the state, he should definitely be considered one of the top 2013 players in the state of Indiana.

He has visited several college campuses and he still plans to visit other schools before he goes back East on August 26th.

“Tennessee, Illinois, Stanford and Harvard want me to schedule a visit before school starts,” Curington told an NBE colleague this evening.

When asked if he had anything special to say to the Hoosier fans he stated “I just appreciate the love they are showing. It is a great place and they expect great things.”

“It would definitely be a great place to go.”

R.J. Curington still has a ways to go in his recruiting process as he told NBE he is wide open with no favorites at this time, but it sure does sound like that Indiana tradition really hit home as he summed up the trip.

“Everything was pretty impressive.”

Follow R.J. Curington on Twitter @rjcurington24

ADIDAS NATIONS ROSTERS ANNOUNCED

By N.D. Kendrick

The rosters for the fifth annual Adidas Nations Global Experience were announced today, which will take place at the HAX Athletic Club in Los Angeles August 5-7. The championship and third place games will be held at California State University – Dominguez Hills Tordome on Monday, August 8th at 4 p.m. PST and will air on live on CBS Sports Network.

Several of the world’s elite players from international teams such as Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and the USA 2012 and 2013, will train and compete in one of the prestigious basketball programs around.

Adidas Nations emphasizes Adidas’ core belief that success in the game of basketball comes from playing as a team. The multi-faceted international curriculum includes expert training and strategy tips, comprehensive workout sessions and scrimmages. Off-court elements essential to all athletes’ success, such as nutritional education, global interactions, leadership and philanthropy are woven into the program’s agenda.

USA ROSTERS:

USA 2012:

23) Jordan Adams G 6’4” Oak Hill Academy (VA) Lawrenceville, GA
5) Kyle Anderson G/F 6’8” St. Anthony (NJ) Fairview, NJ
33) Isaiah Austin F/C 7’1” Grace Prep (TX) Burleson, TX
32) DaJuan Coleman C 6’9” Jamesville Dewitt (NY) Syracuse, NY
3) Andre Drummond C 6’11” St. Thomas More (CT) Oakdale, CT
4) Kris Dunn PG 6’3” New London (CT) Oakdale, CT
31) Perry Ellis F 6’8” Heights (KS0 Wichita, KS
11) Yogi Ferrell PG 5’11” Park Tudor (IN) Indianapolis, IN
22) Shaq Goodwin F 6’7” Southwest Dekalb (GA) Decatur, GA
25) Amile Jefferson F 6’7” Friends Central (PA) Philadelphia, PA
24) Xavier Johnson F 6’6” Mater Dei (CA) Dana Point, CA
15) Shabazz Muhammad G/F 6’6” Bishop Gorman (NV) Las Vegas, NV
1) Rodney Purvis G 6’4” Upper Room Christian Raleigh, NC
55) Cameron Ridley C 6’9” Bush (TX) Richmond, TX
30) Winston Shepard F 6’8” Findlay Prep (NV) Fresno, TX
40) Jarnell Stokes F/C 6’8” Central High School (TN) Memphis, TN
50) Kaleb Tarczewski C 7’0” St. Mark’s School (MA) Clermont, NH
34) Jordan Tebbutt G 6’5” Oak Hill Academy (VA) Tualatin, OR
12) Gabe York G 6’2” Orange Lutheran (CA) Walnut, CA

USA 2013:

15) Shaqquan Aaron G/F 6’7” Mater Dei (CA) Apple Valley, CA
50) Clifton Alexander C 6’9” Curie (IL) Chicago, IL
10) Nate Britt G 6’1” Gonzaga College (DC) Upper Marlboro, MD
14) Elijah Brown G 6’2” St. Edward (OH) Westlake, OH
33) Rodney Bullock F 6’7” Kecoughtan (VA) Hampton, VA
4) Keith Frazier G 6’5 Irving (TX) Irving, TX
43) Derrick Griffin F 6’8” Terry (TX) Rosenberg, TX
3) Isaac Hamilton G 6’4” Crenshaw (CA) Los Angeles, CA
32) Thomas Hamilton C 6’9” Whitney Young (IL) Chicago, IL
2) Aaron Harrison G 6’5” Travis (TX) Richmond, TX
5) Andrew Harrison G 6’5” Travis (TX) Richmond, TX
11) Kasey Hill G 6’2” Montverde Academy (FL) Clermont, FL
34) Kuran Iverson F 6’8” Northwest Catholic (CT) Bloomfield, CT
41) Trey Lyles F 6’7” Arsenal Tech (IN) Camby, IN
35) Jordan Mickey F 6’7” Berkner (TX) Richardson, TX
20) Solomon Poole G 6’1” Terry Parker (FL) Jacksonville, FL
21) Malik Price-Martin F 6’9” Monsignor Pace (FL) Miami, FL
55) Karviar Shepherd C 6’10” Desoto (TX) Cedar Hill, TX
24) Chris Walker F 6’8” Holmes County (FL) Dunwoody, GA
1) Nigel Williams-Goss G 6’3” Findlay Prep (NV) Henderson, NV