May 2008

2008 NBA MOCK DRAFT

By Doug Ferguson

1) Chicago Bulls- Derrick Rose/PG/Memphis/6-4/195/FR

It couldn’t have fallen any better for Chicago. Gordon and Duhon leave via free agency and Rose steps right in. Look for them to move Kirk Hinrich for a big man.

2) Miami Heat-Michael Beasley/PF/Kansas State/6-9/240/FR

This year’s Kevin Durant is a no-brainer for Miami. This pick can never be criticized because every team would’ve made the exact same pick.

3) Minnesota Timberwolves- Brook Lopez/C/Stanford/6-11/240/SO

Many people don’t realize how much the Kevin Garnett trade helped BOTH teams. Along with the rest of that talent, Lopez will join Al Jefferson and become twin towers in the twin cities for 10 to 12 years

4) Seattle Sonics- O.J. Mayo/PG-SG/USC/6-5/215/FR

It’s a long road ahead for the Sonics who will, like Miami, pick the best player available and continue to pack as much talent as they can into their Oklahoma City bound U-Haul.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/30/2008)

Here is a quick tour of what is newsworthy on this Friday afternoon…

A hastily called press conference at Connecticut this afternoon for 2 PM had rumors flying across the internet landscape regarding the health of UConn coach Jim Calhoun. The Hall of Fame coach has had health battles previously, including a battle with prostate cancer in 2003. To clear up rumors about his health, it was disclosed that Jim Calhoun Has Been Treated for Skin Cancer (uconnhuskies.com). With six weeks of radiation treatments to begin next month, Calhoun and his doctors do not expect the coach, in his 22nd year at Connecticut, to miss any time from his coaching duties.

We wish coach Calhoun and his family all of the best and a full recovery!
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Fred Hill has parlayed his recent recruiting success into more job security as Rutgers Gives Hill a Two-Year Extension (Star-Ledger), despite 39 losses in to seasons.
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The Louisville roster for 2007-2008 now looks to be set as Clarence Holloway’s Career at U of L is Over (Louisville Courier-Journal) due to a medical condition. Holloway has Marfan syndrome, a condition which will limit his physical activity and prevent him from playing sports.
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As mentioned yesterday, Notre Dame picked up Purdue transfer Scott Martin with their last open scholarship for the 2008-2009 academic year. ND Was the Right Fit for Martin (South Bend Tribune) and he joins Ben Hansbrough, who is transferring in from Mississippi State in this incoming class. Martin will have three years of eligibility and will join Hansbrough as the pair replacing Kyle McAlarney and Ryan Ayers on the perimeter for the Irish.
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It is official, Dante Greene will not be returning to Syracuse. Greene, Projected Between 10 and 20, Will Stay in the Draft (ESPN.com).
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Although Joe Alexander has yet to provide Bob Huggins with his final decision, Huggins Believes Alexander Will Not Return (Times West Virginian) and like Greene, stay in the draft.

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/29/2008)

Some news and notes as recruiting updates are available on Tristan Spurlock, Sherrod Wright, Sean Kilpatrick and a 2010 guard duo from Illinois that are picking up some local attention, as well as some expanding attention nationally.

Joe Alexander looks to be more and more ‘in’ the NBA draft. Will West Virginia try to add a late prospect to their 2008 class? One player that might get a look and has a connection to South Florida and WVU is at the pre-draft camp as well.

Bob Huggins might have performed some due diligence that the NCAA was unable to do in the Mayo case. It might have saved himself and Kansas State from a headache this spring.

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DARYL TRAYNHAM EARNING ATTENTION AGAIN

Class of 2010 point guard getting noticed after move south

by Ron Bailey

(To access the exclusive audio, click the links)

May 28, 2008 – Standing five-foot-nine inches tall and weighing a sturdy 160+ pounds, sophomore (class of 2010) Daryl Traynham doesn’t suffer from a lack of stature – the floor general point guard is well known in recuitnik circles, and is becoming increasingly coveted by Division I schools. Long known for his ability to run a team and play pretty good on-ball defense, including using guile and cleverness to create turnovers, Traynham has shown no ill effects from moving to Charlotte, NC from Washington, D.C. during this past school year.

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BIG EAST ROSTER UPDATE: NOTRE DAME

Incoming Transfer ALERT: Scott Martin, 6′7 SF from Purdue

Projected 2008-2009 Roster

Seniors: Ryan Ayers (F/G), Kyle McAlarney (G), Zack Hillesland (F), Luke Zeller (BF/C)
Juniors: Luke Harangody (BF), Tory Jackson (PG), Jonathan Peoples (G), Ben Hansbrough (SG)
Sophomores: Carlton Scott (F), Tyrone Nash (F), Ty Proffitt (G), Tim Abromaitis (F), Scott Martin (SF)
Freshmen: No Commitments yet
Early 2009 Commitments: Joey Brooks (SF), Jack Cooley (BF)

Mike Brey and Notre Dame took a different route in filling their two open scholarships this spring, instead of landing any high school recruits, the Irish Net Second Transfer (FoxSports.com) as Scott Martin decides on Notre Dame as his new home after leaving Purdue. Martin joins Mississippi State transfer Ben Hansbrough as the additions to the Irish roster for the 2008-2009 season, although neither will be able to play next season due to NCAA transfer rules.

For more on Martin and an overview on Irish recruiting, please visit our Notre Dame Team Page and see our latest update.

NBA DRAFT: BIG EAST OUTLOOK

By Doug Ferguson

This year is sort of the calm before the storm for the Big East as far is the NBA Draft is concerned. The crop of talent coming out of the conference can be rated average at best. Some of the decisions to stay in school may even be considered the actual story.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/28/2008)

Time to hit the news and notes from around the Big East basketball conference after a long Memorial Day weekend. Exciting news for St. John’s and Marquette as each school picks up a 2009 commitment in recent days. There is a late qualifying player for the class of 2008 that Marquette is trying to get involved with. Adam Zagoria takes a look at two upstate NY prospects that could be in the Big East starting with the 2009-2010 season, one has already committed to Rutgers and the other has been considered a Syracuse commit at times, but that is not the case. Also, updates on Dashonte Riley, the latest Georgetown commit, Durand Scott, who has many in the Big East interested in his skills, Ryan Kelly, a fast progressing North Carolina big forward, and an introduction to Meyers Leonard, a virtually unknown player from Illinois that is sparking some Big East interest.

Also, we look at Van Coleman’s top 40 recruiting classes of 2008. Kentrell Gransberry and Joe Alezander continue to work the NBA draft process from different angles and we give a little love to a couple Big East assistants as they prepare to do much of the legwork this summer bringing in the new talent to the conference for the future.

Hopefully everyone got a chance to check out Alex Schwartz’s interview with Donyell Marshall: One of the NBA’s Good Guys.

Later today, Doug Ferguson will take a deeper look at the 2008 NBA draft prospects from the Big East conference.

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DONYELL MARSHALL: ONE OF THE NBA’S GOOD GUYS

With over 10,000 points scored in a 14-year NBA career, Donyell Marshall could probably find many other places to spend a weekend in May than in Providence (RI) watching AAU basketball. However, Donyell Marshall is not your average NBA star. Just spending a few minutes on DMarsh42.com, the official homepage of Donyell Marshall, and ou will see why as the Reading (PA) native is very involved with his foundation that is helping out kids constantly, including scholarship programs, basketball camps, athletic equipment and giving kids a chance to see the action of the NBA in person.

The former Connecticut star, who averaged 25 points a game as a junior in the 1993-1994 season for Jim Calhoun, was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 4th pick of the NBA draft in 1994. In his three-year career at UConn, Marshall scored 1,646 points and grabbed 695 rebounds in 91 college contests.

Alex Schwartz recently caught up with Donyell Marshall when he was in Providence watching one of the AAU teams of his Donyell Marshall Foundation compete in the Providence Jam Fest put on by the Hoop Group. Read on to see the interview with Donyell Marshall:

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BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: MARQUETTE

COMMITMENT ALERT: Jeronne Maymon, 6′6 (F) from Madison (WI) Memorial HS

Buzz Williams landed a big prize on the recruiting trail on Tuesday morning as in-state prospect Jeronne Maymon committed to the new Golden Eagles head coach. With Hoops Star Maymon Going to Marquette (Capital Times), the buzz at MU is that Williams will keep the ball rolling after Tom Crean’s departure on April 1st for Indiana.

Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Wesley Matthews (WG), Dominic James (PG), Jerel McNeal (SG), Dwight Burke (BF)
Juniors: David Cubillan (G), Lazar Hayward (G/F), Maurice Acker (PG)
Sophomores: Trevor Mbakwe (PF), Patrick Hazel (F), Joseph Fulce (SF), Jimmy Butler (G/F)
Freshmen: Chris Otule (C)
Early 2009 Commitments: Erik Williams (F), Jeronne Maymon (F)

For more on Maymon’s commitment and an overview of the Golden Eagles recruiting situation, please visit our Marquette Team Page and check out the latest updates!

Thank you for visiting our site!

BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: ST. JOHN’S

VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Malik Stith (PG), 5′11 from Eash Mecklenberg (NC) HS

Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Anthony Mason (F), Tomas Jasiulionis F/C)
Juniors: None
Sophomores: Justin Burrell (PF), Malik Boothe (PG), Rob Thomas (F), Ayodele Coker (C), Paris Horne (G), DJ Kennedy (G), Sean Evans (F)
Freshman: Quincy Roberts (G), Ty Edmondson (PG)
2009 Commitments: Malik Stith (PG)

Long Island native Malik Stith is heading back home. Stith, who completed his senior year at East Mcklenberg High School last season has verbally committed to St. John’s and will join Norm Roberts’ squad after a year at prep school. Stith to St. John’s (zagsblog) is the first commitment for the Redstorm in the class of 2009.

For more on Malik Stith and the Redstorm recruiting situation, please visit our St. John’s Team Page and see the latest update(s).

Thank you!

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/23/2008)

A few news and notes to mention before everyone scatters for the long Holiday Weekend. At West Virginia, Devin Ebanks committing to the Mountaineers does not necessarily mean Joe Alexander will stay in the NBA Draft. Bob Huggins will have to assimilate the old and the new next year with the Mountaineer line-up.

While WVU awaits the decision of Alexander, Marquette has the decision from Jerel McNeal. Now they will await the decision of one of their top 2009 recruiting targets who is set to make an announcement on his college plans on Tuesday morning. Dante Taylor is not close to making his decision, although many in the Big East wish he would. Finally, there is some Providence Friar news to chew on. Not much, but something, finally…

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DARNELL DODSON READIES FOR PITT, BIG EAST

JUCO coach calls return to Pitt ‘a done deal’, Pitt looks at JUCO Center

By Chris Dokish

One of Pittsburgh’s best recruits last season only played in informal workouts at the school before being informed by the NCAA Clearinghouse that he was ineligible. But that hasn’t stopped Darnell Dodson from his ongoing pursuit of the NBA- or his desire to play for Pitt.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/22/2008)

Just a ton of information regarding the Big East to go through today. There is the wrap-up of Maurice Sutton’s commitment yesterday, an update on Isaiah Armwood’s recruitment, a look at some of the top prospects from the Arizona Cactus Classic that are interested in the Big East, the Louisville roster situation becomes a little more clearer with events from yesterday, the NBA draft process of Joe Alexander and Jerel McNeal becomes a little more clearer as well. Providence takes a liking to a Chicago-area recruit and Buzz Williams is looking to Illinois pretty aggressively in hopes of finding replacements for his super trio of guards.

Also, Bobby Gonzalez finally spoke to the media after nearly a two-month hiatus. There was a lot to be said, by both the coach and the reporters in the room.

You can read all about those items…and more, including the hard work WVU put in to find Joe Alexander’s likely successor at the forward spot and an update on the St. Raymond’s (NY) altercation fallout.

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ISAIAH ARMWOOD TALKS RECRUITING

Ron Bailey caught up with Isaiah Armwood at the recent DC Assault ‘Take Your Best Shot’ AAU tournament at the Hoop Magic Sports Acedmy in Chantilly, Virginia and got the latest on his recruitment. Armwood is a 6′8 forward for Stu Vetter’s Montrose Christian Academy club during the school year. He ran with the WPC Elite at the DC Assault event where Bailey selected him as one of the Take Your Best Shot All-Tournament Selections as a 2nd Team member in the 17-U age group.

Below are some audio clips from Armwood’s chat with Ron Bailey, Publisher of i95Ballerz.com and frequent contributor to the NBE Basketball Report.

Armwood on the schools recruiting him, including Georgetown, Syracuse and Villanova: isaiah-armwood-school-list

Armwood on Villanova and perception of the Big East: isaiah-armwood-on-villanova-and-big-east

Armwood discusses time frame for his college decision: isaiah-armwood-on-decision-time-frame

BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: VILLANOVA

Commitment Alert: Maurice Sutton, 6′10 (C/BF) from Largo HS (MD)

Villanova is set to add a big man to their 2008-2009 team as Maurice Sutton, a 6′10 Recruit Will Select Villanova (Philadelhia Daily News), according to sources, at a news conference today at his Maryland high schoo.

Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Frank Tchuisi (F), Dwayne Anderson (SG), Dante Cunningham (F), Shane Clark (F)
Juniors: Scottie Reynolds (G), Reggie Redding (G), Casseim Drummond (C)
Sophomores: Corey Stokes (G), Corey Fisher (PG), Antonio Pena (F), Taylor King (WF)
Freshmen: Maurice Sutton (C/BF)
2009 Commitments: Maalik Wayns (PG)

For more on the commitment of Maurice Sutton and an overview of ‘Nova’s recruiting situation, please visit our Villanova Team Page.

DOMINIC CHEEK RECRUITING UPDATE

Elite Junior Still Sorting Out College Interest

By Chris Dokish

Class of 2009 top 15 prospect Dominic Cheek has another year of high school left at St. Anthony’s in Jersey City, NJ, but that doesn’t mean that eager coaches and fans aren’t clamoring to have him on their team. Unfortunately for them, however, Cheek is not yet close to a decision. In fact, he hasn’t even really concentrated much on who the major contenders would be.

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BIG EAST ROSTER UPDATE: RUTGERS

When Rutgers landed 2009 recruit Greg Echenique it caused a stir across the college basketball landscape. Afterall, Rutgers beat out schools such as Duke, Maryland, Villanova, Pittsburgh and others who had made strong efforts in landing the native of Venezuela. Now, the news looks even better for Rutgers as Echenique Could Be Arriving Sooner than Expected (CentralJersey.com) for the Scarlet Knights. Pending NCAA Clearninghouse Approval, Echenique is likely to be suiting up to play for Rutgers in the 2008-2009 season.

Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

SENIORS: Anthony Farmer (PG), Jaron Griffin (G/F), JR Inman (F)
JUNIORS: Hamady N’Diaye (C), Jonathan Mitchell (F)
SOPHOMORES: Corey Chandler (G), Earl Pettis (G), Mike Cobourn (PG)
FRESHMEN: Mike Rosario (G), Christian Morris (C), Patrick Jackson (SF), Greg Echenique (C)
EARLY 2009 COMMITMENT: Dane Miller (F), Austin Johnson (F)

For more on Echenique’s decision to become a member of the 2008 class, and an overview on the Scarlet Knight’s recruiting situation, please visit our Rutgers Team Page and see the latest updates.

CITY ROCKS AAU PROGRAM CONTINUES SUCCESS

by Jeff Borzello

When thinking about the top programs on the AAU circuit, a team from Albany (NY) might slip your mind. However, make no mistake about it, year in and year out, the City Rocks program is competing as one of the top programs on the East Coast.

Carmen Maciariello, the club’s vice president, said the reason for the quick rise to prominence is the people within the program.

“We have good people working in the organization,” Maciariello said. “We have a lot of guys giving back. With Jim Hart, we’re not like other AAU programs who just wheel and deal. We do things the right way.”

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/19/2008)

It was definitely a newsworthy weekend around the Big East as two players pledged to Big East schools as part of the class of 2008, two highly touted 2009 prospects made verbal commitments to Big East schools and a fifth player decided to make a Big East school his new home after transferring from SEC power Florida.

In between trying to keep up with all the commitment action, Brian Crownover had an excellent article for us as he headed up to NYC on Saturday and, after a quick detour from Long Island, ended up at the IS8 tournament and provides us with his IS8 Semifinal Player Reviews from the games he saw. Also, Chris Dokish had an AAU Profile of the Unique All-Stars which are led by 2010 elite recruit Tobias Harris. And, in case you missed it, Doug Ferguson provided us with his GBOA North Event Report which included detailed scouting reports of 2009 Big East commitments Jack Cooley and Cully Payne as well as Jeronne Maymon, who is being recruited by Marquette, among others.

Elsewhere around the league, just a smorgasboard of information and news out there on the conference over the weekend and into today. The conference coaches are hoping for a calm time as their annual meetings kick off in Florida, of course the talk on Memphis and the Big East does not seem to be going away despite denials from all sides. One topic likely to be covered is how to handle the infiltration of agents in the high school game.

Other news has St. Benedict’s picking up a transfer who is a 2009 Big East commitment, Rakeem Buckles is developing quickly into a top target. Mike Williams looks to be finally ready at UC. DeJuan Blair loks forward to accomplishing a lot in his Pittsburgh career. Billy Hahn is happy in his seat next to the head coach after a couple stints as the head man. A Syracuse recruit looks to have his answer of 2008 or 2009.

Read about all that and more below…

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IS8 SEMIFINAL PLAYER REVIEWS

Brian Crownover set out from Philadelphia early Saturday morning for Long Island to check out the action of the GBOA East regional basketball tournament. Looking forward to seeing teams such as the NY Panthers, Gauchos, Team Philly, Grassroots of Canada, Juice All-Stars and others, Brian drove to Half Hollows Hills West High School in anticipation of catching the early action, however, a late scheduling change moved the tournament play to Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, but no notices were posted.

Not to waste a trip to the Big Apple, the ever resourceful Brian decided to catch the exciting action of the IS8 semifinals instead and he filled us in on the performances of some of the better 2008 Big East recruits as well as some younger talent that could fine their way to the Big East in the future…

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