eWallstreeter

The Next Step Of The Ed O’Bannon NCAA Trial Is Upon Us

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:01:55 EDT

Chris Johnson is an RTC Columnist. He can be reached @ChrisDJohnsonn. The anatomic framework of college sports as we know it hangs in the balance Thursday, June 20, in the much-anticipated class-action hearing of the landmark Ed O’Bannon trial. Sports trials rarely come this big, or this potentially transformative, and by the time we’re all through here – we’ve still got a long ways to go, mind you – amateur athletics could bear zero resemblance, or very little, to the way it operates today. There is a lot on the line. Thursday’s courtroom meeting, wherein plaintiffs arguing on O’Bannon’s behalf will [...]

247: PG Newman tops 2015 prospect rankings

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 08:51:07 EDT

247: PG Newman tops 2015 prospect rankings

Wiggins wows with dunk in KU scrimmage

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 08:51:07 EDT

Wiggins wows with dunk in KU scrimmage

Andrew Wiggins: Visual Scouting Report of Kansas Jayhawks' Star Recruit

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:58:54 EDT

Andrew Wiggins, arguably the most highly touted basketball prospect since LeBron James, will write the next chapter of his lauded career as a member of Bill Self's Kansas Jayhawks.But while the high school hype machine pegged both players as being a cut above the competition, their respective cuts derive from two starkly different cloths.June 15, Toronto's one-man aerial assault arrived in Lawrence. In less than a week, he found himself in the eye of a media blitz. Wiggins' scouting report reveals why—both on and off the court—Kansas' incoming megastar is not the next LeBron James, but simply the first Andrew Wiggins. StrengthsAthleticismThe scintillating standout's father, Mitchell, is a former NBA player. Meanwhile, his mother, Marita, is a two-time Olympic silver medalist. Some athletes simply hit the proverbial DNA jackpot.Wiggins, on the other hand, looks like he was delivered by "Dr. J" before diving into an Olympic-sized gene pool and dunking the athletic Powerball into a floatable hoop from his mother's baby shower. His upside is as lengthy as that run-on sentence. Wiggins' vertical leap doubles as personified athleticism. Exhibit A:Kansas' incoming freshman routinely springs over opponents of varying height—a byproduct of his 44-inch vertical leap.A sideline view truly depicts Wiggins' rarefied air.The above posterization was so intense that the baseline official reacted like a spooked gazelle.Wiggins doesn't require an airstrip for takeoff, either. He boasts one of the quickest second jumps in recent memory, which often results in the star logging his own putbacks.However, the small forward's distinct talent isn't confined to the offensive end of the floor. Wiggins attempts to compensate for relatively average strength with his leaping ability, which serves as a defensive crutch when players post him up in the low block.On the ball, he's a much more effective defender when his player faces the basket.Julius Randle (No. 30)—Scout's No. 2 overall recruit—and his teammate discovered that firsthand. QuicknessWhether through his sneaker-screeching acceleration, ankle-breaking agility or patented spin move, Wiggins' quickness regularly jumps out on film.One of the constant criticisms of Ben McLemore's game is that he struggles to create his own shot. He's a sniping spot-up shooter and a revered finisher when fed the ball while on the move. But his offensive prowess is subdued when his defender is squared and set.Wiggins' skill set isn't nearly as deficient in the aforementioned area. His first step often buys him leeway when driving to the basket. RangeA few subtle tweaks will help Wiggins refine his stroke, which will be necessary before he evolves into a prominent perimeter threat. But he can drain threes with pressure in his face, so his range demands respect.Only a handful of prospects can drill a three-point buzzer-beater while fading away in the corner. IntangiblesWiggins' intangibles score high marks on and off the court; he displays all the tell-tale signs of a coachable leader. One word is continually linked to the phenom: "refreshing."He went against the grain and announced his anxiously awaited college decision amongst a close-knit circle of friends and family—no hats or national media. Two weeks later, he jotted a thank-you letter to the Huntington Prep community, including everyone from the coaches to the janitors.Outside of the gym, he seems every bit as bright as the spotlight currently cast upon him—he doesn't seek it, but he doesn't sweat under it, either. Ask Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel, who directly questioned Wiggins' drive, claiming, "Andrew Wiggins' work ethic and motor have yet to catch up to his athleticism and raw ability."Later that night, Gatorade's National Player of the Year remained relatively mum on the issue, but his 57-point effort spoke volumes. His astute awareness translates to the court as well, as he consistently makes plays while avoiding contact.Areas for ImprovementBall-HandlingWiggins is by no means a bad ball-handler—given his age and size, he's actually somewhat impressive.However, he's fairly predictable off the dribble. Naturally, Wiggins favors his dominant hand, which results in the baller exploding to his right on the majority of drives. As seen in the following clip, help is already waiting in the wings before the star makes his move, resulting in......

3-point shot: Scottie Wilbekin update

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:00:43 EDT

1. Florida coach Billy Donovan said suspended senior point guard Scottie Wilbekin (9.1 points, 5 assists per game last season) isn't allowed to work out with the team, but he can lift weights on his own and the coaches are still working with him. He's certainly not part of the team in a group sense during his suspension (his second in less than a year). Donovan said Wilbekin has a lot of work to do to get back on the squad -- and that includes maturing and growing up.

Wiggins wows fans in scrimmage

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:00:17 EDT

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- The Andrew Wiggins era at Kansas got underway Wednesday when the most hyped basketball prodigy since LeBron James drew 1,300 fans to Lawrence. For a pickup game. Wiggins scored just seven points in a scrimmage against former Jayhawks stars such as Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins. But he definitely had KU faithful buzzing after soaring for a thunderous tomahawk slam just 10 seconds into the contest. “I let loose all of my nerves,” Wiggins said.

Andrew Wiggins wows with dunk in workout

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:31:27 EDT

YouTube The nation’s top high school recruit in the 2013 class, Andrew Wiggins, is on the Kansas University campus this week for his first taste of college workouts. He arrived on Saturday, participated in his first practice on Monday and became made former Kansas/NBA center Cole Aldrich think twice about going up to block one of his dunks on Tuesday. That dunk made YouTube. At 6’7″ and incredibly athletic, Wiggins figures to be a one-and-done and the most likely player to be selected first overall in 2014′s NBA Draft. Enjoy him while you can, KU fans before he makes like a Jayhawk and flies (?!?) away.

Indiana one of 5-star Leron Black's many suitors

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:59:03 EDT

Indiana one of 5-star Leron Black's many suitors

Christian Watford's Shooting Keeps Him Poised To Be Drafted

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:38:04 EDT

As Danny Green displays the importance of shooting in the NBA Finals, Christian Watford is impressing teams with his outside jumper and appears poised to be selected in the draft late this month, a source told RealGM. Watford, the 6-foot-9 forward out of Indiana, has participated in 15 workouts for teams so far and is receiving requests to schedule more. Teams have let Watford know that they believe he has the versatility and jump shot to be a stretch power forward or wing shooter. In his final two seasons at Indiana, Watford’s scoring average dipped to just over 12 points after scoring 16 per game in 2010-11. Nevertheless, he found a niche as Indiana’s third leading scorer behind projected first round picks Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo. Watford shot 48.4 percent from three-point range in 3.4 attempts a game last season, and the 22-year-old believes he’ll carve a role on an NBA team as a knock-down shooter.

Source: Pollard with Tide despite legal woes

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:05:51 EDT

Former four-star small forward Devonta Pollard, remains with the Alabama Crimson Tide program, according to a source, despite ongoing legal troubles stemming from a kidnapping case in his home state of Mississippi.

One Name Sticks Out On The Finalized U-19 Team USA Roster

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:35:55 EDT

Chris Johnson is an RTC Columnist. He can be reached @ChrisDJohnsonn. Most Team USA basketball gatherings come with a lulling standard disclaimer: we, the United States of America, produce the best basketball players in the world. We’re better than you. I like saying that today, because as the game sinks its teeth into burgeoning hoops hotbeds in far-flung locales across this here planet we call Earth, other nations are catching up. Before you know it, there will be Yao Mings and Dirk Nowitzkis and Tony Parkers sprouting up left and right, and my proclamation won’t sound so secure. Maybe we’ll actually [...]

Aaron Gordon can jump very high

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:30:57 EDT

Is Aaron Gordon the most under-the-radar elite freshman in the country? We've spent countless words opining on the futures of Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle and much of the rest of the most talented class of players in a decade or more. We haven't spent a ton of time on Gordon. There are reasons for this beyond the bleats of geographic bias, not least of which is that Gordon committed to Arizona on April 2, back when most of us (or at least yours truly) make the conscious decision to enjoy what basketball we have left and leave the recruiting stuff to the long, arduous summer ahead.

Indiana Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing Hoosiers' Chances to Land Jaquan Lyle

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:15:03 EDT

One week ago, five-star point guard JaQuan Lyle of Evansville (Ind.) Bosse High School trimmed his list of potential college destinations to four. Indiana, Tennessee, Florida and defending national champion Louisville are the chosen quartet.At first glance, these programs have the feel of "one of these things is not like the other," but each have strengths and weaknesses in regards to their chances of landing Lyle.Indiana fans can feel good about their chances, but the decision is by no means a slam dunk. Let's examine each team's pros and cons, presenting the schools in alphabetical order.Begin Slideshow

Report: McLemore AAU coach to meet with NCAA

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:23:09 EDT

Report: McLemore AAU coach to meet with NCAA

Troubled Pollard is no longer enrolled at Alabama

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:23:09 EDT

Troubled Pollard is no longer enrolled at Alabama

Graham becomes 4th to transfer from PSU

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:01:08 EDT

Forward Jon Graham plans to transfer from Penn State, the latest departure from a roster getting a dramatic makeover.

Michigan Basketball: Which Version of Mitch McGary Will Show Up in 2014?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:29:26 EDT

The best big man in the NCAA tournament spent most of the season coming off the bench and averaging 6.0 points per game. The big man in the NCAA tournament had six regular season games when he scored only two points and was shut out once. The best big man in the NCAA tournament was Mitch McGary, the shoo-in for preseason first-team All-American. That other guy was Mitch McGary, a project big man. The assumption is that based off six games in the NCAA tournament that McGary is going to be much closer to the guy he was in those final six games than the one he was the first 33.That’s what happens when you perform the way McGary did on the biggest stage, averaging 15.3 points and 10.7 boards in the tournament. Here’s what we know is a certainty regarding McGary’s game. He is an elite rebounder. He proved that from start to finish last year. He ranked 10th in offensive rebounding percentage (per KenPom.com—subscription needed) and grabbed 22.4 percent of available defensive rebounds. That should continue in 2013-14. What we’re assuming based off the tournament is that he can be an elite offensive threat as well. The challenge in that regard is continuing to produce without the services of National Player of the Year Trey Burke. In the tournament, Burke assisted on 13 of McGary’s 40 buckets. McGary also benefited from the penetration of Tim Hardaway Jr., who assisted on nine of McGary’s baskets in the tournament. What made McGary so valuable in John Beilein’s offense—and why McGary sparked the March run—is that he could finish what his guards created. McGary took 70 percent of his shots at the rim and shot 70 percent at the rim, according to Hoop-Math.com’s data. With Burke's ability to draw defenders, that made life in the paint pretty simple.McGary is now spending the offseason working on creating more for himself. Michigan assistant coach Bacari Alexander recently told Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press that the plan is to move McGary from center to power forward, which would give him some more freedom in the offense. McGary showed against Syracuse in the Final Four that he can work in space. Working from the middle of the zone mostly, McGary had six assists. Alexander told Snyder: As he showed a maturation to shoot it when you’re open, pass it when you’re not and make accurate passes and balance and things of that nature, now we can entertain that plan that we originally planned for previously. In addition to that, increasing the shooting range is something that’s going to be a critical asset for him. But the not-so-much-talked-about aspect of making a position change is what you do defensively. Michigan’s defense will be at its best when he’s able to protect the rim, but Alexander’s point is that in order to defend fours—many of whom are stretch fours in today’s college basketball—he has to be comfortable away from the paint. McGary has the quickness to defend outside. He just needs to show Michigan’s coaches he can do so without fouling. The Wolverines pride themselves on fouling less often than any team in the country and McGary committed 4.8 fouls per 40 minutes last year.As Alexander pointed out, the other area of McGary’s game that he could improve is his outside shooting. The ideal scoring big man in Beilein’s offense is one that can shoot it—think Kevin Pittsnogle. McGary did not shot one three last year, but he did show an ability to hit the mid-range jumper in the tournament. McGary knocked down nine of his 18 jumpers in the tournament, according to CBSSports.com’s shot charts. This was an improvement from the regular season when he made approximately 34.7 percent of his jumpers, according to Hoop-Math.com’s data. The final key to McGary putting up numbers is how well incoming freshmen guards Zak Irvin and Derrick Walton create. Beilein can try to run some offense through McGary, but he is still going to be at his best when he’s on the receiving end of a nice drive and dish. If those guards can captain the offense right away like Burke did his freshman season, McGary should be able to live up to the expectations he created for himself in six productive games. Read more College Basketball news on BleacherReport.com...

Could Alex Len really go No. 1?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:00:36 EDT

I remain unconvinced by the argument that the 2013 draft is historically bereft of talent. I think the meme that has seemingly defined the draft thus far -- that an athletic shot-blocker with a torn ACL (Nerlens Noel) could go No. 1 means the entire draft itself is awful -- misses the point in a variety of ways. That doesn't mean there are 10 franchise-changing stars in this year's haul, but there are a handful of good pros, if not more -- Noel, Anthony Bennett, Ben McLemore, Otto Porter, Victor Oladipo -- plus plenty of intriguing players (like C.

Coveted wing Oubre weighing high-level offers

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:31:40 EDT

Coveted wing Oubre weighing high-level offers

O' Bannon vs. NCAA hearing: A full primer

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:20:09 EDT

Will Judge Claudia Wilken rule to certify and open the door to a class action lawsuit against the NCAA in the Ed O' Bannon case? Michael McCann breaks down what's at stake Thursday.

What's at stake in Ed O'Bannon V. NCAA hearing?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:20:02 EDT

Will Judge Claudia Wilken rule to certify and open the door to a class action lawsuit against the NCAA in the Ed O' Bannon case? Andy Staples breaks down what's at stake Thursday.

Aaron Gordon provides a taste of what Arizona fans can’t wait to see and Pac-12 foes dread

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:43:56 EDT

It should be fun watching Arizona signee Aaron Gordon next year in Tucson. The 6-foot-8 forward showed why he was so widely coveted in recruiting when he flashed some amazing athleticism on this wicked ally-oop at the USA Basketball U19 World Championship training camp this week. Gordon was the No. 3 overall player in Rivals.com rankings for the incoming freshmen class. He's expected to be making his way to the NBA at this time next year and some see him as a favorite for national Freshman of the Year awards because of his versatility and explosiveness. Follow Kyle on Twitter @KyleRingo

Path to the Draft: Top 10 from the Pac-12

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:00:54 EDT

The Pac-12’s reputation has taken a bit of a hit the past few seasons. Overall, though, the league has been a mecca for top-flight NBA talent. Need proof? Just skim some NBA rosters, and you’ll find a former Pac-12 star on almost every team. Here’s a look at the Pac-12 products who have enjoyed the most successful pro careers since 1989, the year the NBA draft was whittled down to two rounds. 1. Jason Kidd, Cal: One of the greatest point guards of all time retired this spring as the NBA’s second all-time leader in assists and steals and third all-time in 3-pointers.

Path to the Draft: No. 6 Arizona

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:30:05 EDT

In the weeks leading up to the June 27 NBA draft, we’ll be taking a look at the 20 schools that have produced the best pros in the modern draft era (since 1989, when the draft went from seven to two rounds). Click here to read Eamonn Brennan’s explanation of the series, which will be featured in the Nation blog each morning as we count down the programs from 20 to 1. Top Five NBA Draftees Since 1989 Gilbert Arenas (2001) Jason Terry (1999) Mike Bibby (1998) Sean Elliott (1989) Richard Jefferson (2001) Sixth man: Andre Iguodala (2004) The rest: Hassan Adams, Jerryd Bayless, A.

3-point shot: Transfers bolster Hurricanes

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:12:42 EDT

1. Miami had to go the transfer route to catch up in the ACC and continue the momentum. Adding Kansas State's Angel Rodriguez and now Texas' Sheldon McClellan does give the the Hurricanes two experienced players coming into the program. McClellan was hardly the picture of consistency for the Longhorns, but he's given himself new life with the 'Canes. Miami had a historical season, but ran the risk of dropping significantly without beefing up and balancing the classes.

Rick Pitino Hung Out With Pitbull Last Night

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:39:59 EDT

Rick Pitino was a very happy man on Tuesday evening. Pitino and his son Ryan were in Los Angeles on Tuesday night for a Pitbull concert at the Hollywood Bowl. He was even lucky enough to sneak backstage after the show and meet Pitbull in person. If you don’t understand the significance of this, Pitino made it very clear at the 2012 Louisville basketball tip-off luncheon that Pitbull, or as Coach P refers to him as, “Mr. Worldwide,” was his favorite artist. I’m not sure if this was a Father’s Day gift or not, but if it was, props to Ryan.

Rick Pitino and rapper Pitbull meet

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:29:12 EDT

Rick Pitino is the man — not only did the Louisville head basketball coach, you know, win a national championship this year, but he’s also having an incredible off-season. First, he had his horse race in the Kentucky Derby, then he caught an 80-pound Marlin in the Bahamas, and then Maker’s Mark created a commemorative bottle that features a nice picture of his face. What could be better? Oh — meeting Pitbull. We already knew that Rick was a fan of Pitbull — his son Rick Jr. got him Pitbull’s autograph when he won his 300th game at Louisville. Well, apparently the two famous figures had a chance to meet up in Miami — and they got to hold hands too. Check out this picture: Coach P finally got to meet @PitBull #NationalChamps #Miami #Louisville RT pic.twitter.com/4GihDlraWf — Joey Wagner (@JoeyJWagner) June 19, 2013 They both look like they really enjoyed themselves. All I’m wondering is this: what could possibly come next for the Hall of Famer?

Syracuse Basketball: Orange's Best-Ever Player at Each Position

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:48:29 EDT

Syracuse's basketball program is one of the most prestigious in the nation, and it has remained a powerhouse in college basketball for years.Over the decades of success, Syracuse has had one great player after another, and if the best of the best were all on one team, the Orange would undoubtedly go undefeated.Let's take a look at the best players by position from the team's lengthy history.Begin Slideshow

Hoyas loses Whittington to torn ACL in left knee

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:52:50 EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) Georgetown forward Greg Whittington has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and it's not clear when he'll be able to play basketball.

Welcome to Kansas

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:46:56 EDT

CBT: Kansas commit Andrew Wiggins impressed in his first workout with the Jayhawks.

Georgetown's Whittington tears ACL in left knee (Yahoo! Sports)

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:49:30 EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Georgetown forward Greg Whittington has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and it's not clear when he'll be able to play basketball.

One Loss Each Great College Basketball Coach Will Never Forget

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:22:23 EDT

Coaches never forget the losses. Every coach can tell you about a loss that haunts them for the rest of their career. Sometimes a championship down the road can ease the pain, but not entirely. In a tournament as fickle as the NCAA tournament, it's going to happen eventually. Even John Wooden had a few that probably irked him. In the current game, these are seven of the greatest coaches, and one loss for each that they'll never forget. Begin Slideshow...

NCAA Basketball Recruiting 2014: Strengths and Weaknesses of Every 5-Star Player

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:21:56 EDT

Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker haven’t even taken their first collegiate shots yet, but the never-ending cycle of NCAA basketball recruiting is already shifting to focus on the next crop of superstars-to-be. As coaches evaluate the rising seniors at high schools around the country, they’re looking not just for what a player does well, but also for what he’ll need to improve at the next level. Cliff Alexander, for instance, is one of the top big men in the country thanks to his exceptional combination of power and agility. However, he’s also a subpar shooter by the standards of top-flight post players, a deficiency he’ll be working to improve throughout his senior season. Herein is a closer look at Alexander and the rest of the 5-star prospects in the 2014 class (as rated by Scout.com) with a focus on the best and worst areas of each high schooler's game.Begin Slideshow

Andrew Wiggins' Impressive First Workout a Sign of Big Things at Kansas

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:42:46 EDT

Never let it be said that Andrew Wiggins does not know how to make a proper arrival.The nation's consensus top recruit and arguably the best prep basketball player since LeBron James made his first appearance on a Lawrence court since signing with Kansas on Monday. According to CBS Sports' Gary Parrish, the reports coming out of that workout were absolutely glowing."Wow!" a source said of Wiggins' performance. "Like watching a video game. He'd be the No. 1 pick this year."Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv also got similar reports from a source:Wiggins arrived at Kansas on Saturday, joining the remainder of the Jayhawks' brilliant six-man wrecking crew of a recruiting class. The 18-year-old wingman is the leader of a group that counts shooting guard Wayne Selden and center Joel Embiid as fellow elite names heading to Lawrence.Bill Self's club is replacing its entire starting lineup this season, with Kansas' 2013-14 bunch likely boasting a Kentucky-like youth movement.At the center of this rebuild is obviously Wiggins. Considered the No. 1 recruit in the nation by every major publication known to man, the Canadian-born Wiggins surprised some people with his decision to attend Kansas. He also considered Kentucky, Florida State and North Carolina, with the former two being the supposed leaders in the pack for much of the chase.But since making his intentions known, Wiggins has put his best foot forward in ingratiating himself with the Jayhawks fanbase. Wiggins was able to arrive with the remainder of his teammates this weekend because he chose coming to Lawrence over participating with Team Canada's U19 team for next month's World Championships in Prague.While that's not an uncommon sacrifice—most top prospects from the United States, including Jabari Parker, did not try out for the national team—Self was quick to praise his new star's decision, according to Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star. “I think it speaks volumes that he’s trying to get here as soon as he possibly can,” Self said. The question remains: What does this all mean? What does Wiggins coming to Lawrence, impressing in a practice and forgoing his Team Canada efforts to do so mean in the long-term? Absolutely nothing in a concrete sense. This was one practice. Having any reaction whatsoever to its result would be the latest in the overreaction theatre that will be the Andrew Wiggins Watch of 2013-14. Every move this kid makes will be dissected. Every shot, every pass, every everything. Nothing—not even going to the movies or reading Shakespeare—will be sacred in covering this kid. And while we can go all moralistic in this space and decry the whole process as corrupt—which we all should know it is by now—Wiggins is used to this attention by now. This is the deal that all notable athletes sign up for in this culture, even ones who are just barely old enough to buy tobacco products. Unless the Internet and all media platforms crawl in a hole and die, the overdone obsession with Wiggins' legacy won't stop until he becomes an NBA superstar or disappoints. In a strange way, that's why Wiggins being impressive at his first workouts—and jarringly so at that—is actually important from a superficial sense. There is always this overwhelming feeling in culture that first impressions are the most important. And that's especially the case for someone who is under such a microscope. We'll probably all brush these initial reports to the side within the next 12-24 hours because Wiggins is supposed to look good and this is one practice. There will probably be plenty of commenters on this site and others frustrated at the over-coverage and overreaction to an isolated incident. And that's fine. But imagine the polar opposite scenario. Imagine a place where Wiggins comes into Lawrence looking a little overweight. Or where he comes equipped with an entourage so large that Vincent Chase would think it's excessive. Or any number of these weird scenarios you often see young stars fall into. Now let's be clear in stating we pretty much knew none of that would happen. By all accounts, Wiggins is one of the more gracious and understated young stars of his kind in recent memory. He comes from a home that boasts a former NBA player (Mitchell Wiggins) and a former Olympic track and field silver medalist (Marita Payne-Wiggins). This kid is nothing if not fully prepared for everything the li......

Let the Andrew Wiggins lore begin

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:10:29 EDT

For all of the unseemly and uncomfortable things recruiting throws our way -- the scrutiny of teenage decision-making, the third-party runners and hangers-on, the existential questions we have to ask ourselves about exactly how much we should allow ourselves to care about 15-year-old basketball players -- there is one aspect that makes it immensely fun: You never know. The best and most widely touted prospects occasionally show up to the college game woefully unprepared; relatively under-the-radar players (see: Trey Burke) end up changing a program's next decade.

Georgetown's Whittington has torn left ACL

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:06:56 EDT

Georgetown's Greg Whittington suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and could miss the entire 2013-14 season.

The 2013 Recruiting Class Might Just Be Better Than You Think

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:55:36 EDT

Chris Johnson is an RTC Columnist. He can be reached @ChrisDJohnsonn. The 2012-13 college basketball season was excellent. Truly, it was – from the buzzer beaters to the rotating wheel of No. 1 seeds to Florida Gulf Coast and on through every grinding Big Ten showdown and Doug McDermott scoring explosion and Russdiculous moment stashed in between. It was great. You name it, last year had it all – but for one critical distinction. It didn’t have elite freshmen talent. There was no Anthony Davis or Kevin Durant or even a John Wall to satiate the eager eyes of casual fans [...]

Duke Basketball: Blue Devils' Best-Ever Player at Each Position

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:44:46 EDT

When names like Laettner, Redick, Battier, Hill, Williams and Hurley hang on retired jerseys in the rafters over the court, you have a program with rich basketball tradition, which is exactly what the Duke Blue Devils have.For a program with four national championships and over 2,000 wins, it's impossible to make a list of the best player at each position without leaving off a fantastic player. The honorable mentions could play the starting five on this list and have a great chance at winning.But as a fun topic for the offseason, let's look at the best-ever player at each position for the Blue Devils.Each player was considered based on the impact he had during his entire career at Duke, postseason success, and the context of the competition he played against.Begin Slideshow

Michigan State Basketball: Best-Case Scenarios for Projected Starters in 2014

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:35:34 EDT

Michigan State Spartans coach Tom Izzo is known for juggling lineups to accentuate his team's strengths. That being said, Spartans followers should plan to see a few different starting fives during the 2013-14 season. As of now, Michigan State's starting lineup could look something like this: Adreian Payne (F/C), Branden Dawson (F), Alex Gauna/Matt Costello (F), Gary Harris (SG) and Keith Appling (PG).Denzel Valentine, Michigan State's top bench contributor from a year ago, may even get a crack at a No. 1 role. Travis Trice could see meaningful time at the point, and depending on progress, Russell Byrd could catch more than his typical 7.5 minutes per game at shooting guard. While it's doubtful that either will play a role as a "starter", they could be on the floor during tip-off, technically making them a starter by definition. This slideshow will focus on the best-case scenarios for Harris, Payne, Dawson, Gauna/Costello and Appling and explore the heights that each of them could reach during this upcoming Big Ten basketball gauntlet. Begin Slideshow...

Roy Williams still uncertain on P.J. Hairston

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:15:33 EDT

The 2013-14 season should be a landmark year for ACC basketball. Syracuse, Notre Dame and Pitt will join the league next season. And Louisville will follow a year later in 2014. The Big Ten has held the “best conference in America” title in recent years. But the ACC could be a juggernaut that overtakes the Chicago-based league next season. But one of the vital components in the latter scenario involves North Carolina returning to a national perch following last season’s up-and-down campaign.

The 5 Most Impressive College Basketball Coaching Trees

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:24:26 EDT

When discussing the best coaches in college basketball, the lion’s share of the attention is granted to tangible qualities such as wins and losses or championships. Clearly those are critical metrics when arguing such things, but the presence of a formidable coaching tree indicates a lot about a coach’s teaching ability and willingness to spread his knowledge to those around him. With that in mind, read on to see five of the most impressive college basketball coaching trees.Begin Slideshow

Andrew Wiggins “Wowing” Kansas Coaches In Workouts

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:16:35 EDT

The Andrew Wiggins show has officially arrived in Lawrence, Kansas. Wiggins showed up on Saturday to begin his one year internship under Bill Self, while preparing to take over the NBA next June. Wiggins got in a couple of workouts with his Kansas teammates, and according to CBSSports.com, Wiggins is wowing Jayhawk coaches, and putting on a show. Andrew Wiggins arrived at Kansas on Saturday and participated in his first practice Monday. I asked somebody close to the KU program how that practice went. “Wow!” the source said. “Like watching a video game. He’d be the No. 1 pick this year.” OK, then. Wiggins would even be considered the #1 pick today, fresh out of high school, ahead of Nerlens Noel, McLemore, and everybody else in the 2013 NBA Draft. Wiggins like Harrison Barnes two years ago, will probably be a preseason consensus all american, even before he scores his first basket.

Ex-Penn State guard Jermaine Marshall changes his mind about turning pro

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:40:52 EDT

The good news for Penn State is Jermaine Marshall has changed his mind about forgoing his final year of eligibility to pursue professional basketball. The bad news for Penn State is that the standout guard apparently still has no interest in playing for the Nittany Lions again. Marshall has obtained his release and will transfer to another school, his father told ESPN.com Monday night. The 6-foot-4 senior-to-be is on pace to graduate from Penn State in August, making him potentially eligible to play right away at his next school. It's unclear which schools will have interest in Marshall, but he figures to be highly coveted both because of his scoring ability and because so few impact players are still available this deep into the offseason. Marshall averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists as a junior at Penn State, though his shooting percentage has never eclipsed 40 percent in three seasons with the Nittany Lions. One potential destination for Marshall could be Maryland, which has been in search of a one-year rental guard since Pe'Shon Howard opted to transfer to USC. Mark Turgeon swung and missed on Memphis transfer Antonio Barton, but it's possible the Terps could make a run at Marshall even though he'd likely play at wing rather than point guard. The departure of Marshall was a punch to the gut for a Penn State program that had aspirations of being a surprise team in the loaded Big Ten next season. Had Marshall joined high-scoring guards Tim Frazier and D.J. Newbill in the Penn State backcourt, the Nittany Lions might have boasted enough perimeter weapons to make up for an unproven frontcourt. The arrival of Miami (Ohio) transfer Allen Roberts and Pittsburgh transfer John Johnson should help, but Frazier and Newbill will still have to shoulder a huge load for the Nittany Lions to have realistic NCAA tournament hope.

Life after the Carrier Dome?

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:35:32 EDT

Manley Field House is a name most college basketball fans should recognize. Built in 1962, Manley housed Syracuse basketball until 1980, when the team moved into the Carrier Dome. It is still on Syracuse's campus, where it hosts volleyball and other events, but it is most famous for its service to the Georgetown-Syracuse blood feud. Before 1980, the Hoyas and Orange were competitors, and little more. When John Thompson delivered his famous "Manley Field House is officially closed," he managed to pack so much ether into six words that a rivalry was born on the spot.

Happenings and Musings Around Duke Basketball

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:40:07 EDT

Some updates from this past week and this week are as follows: Congrats to Sheed Sulaimon on making the 12 man roster for USA U19 team, along with Duke recruits Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow. Duke has made its first offer in the class of 2015 to Ben Simmons (longtime Duke fan). The Australian uber-skilled PF would be a good fit for Duke’s system of versatile players rather than position players. Duke is also in contact with 2015, 6’10 big man Skal Labissiere out of Memphis. Tyler Dorsey, 2015 PG extraordinaire, is garnering attention from Duke as well. Future Dukie [ Read More ]

A knee injury jeopardizes Georgetown forward Greg Whittington’s season

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:07:19 EDT

If Greg Whittington's return from academic ineligiblity is a big reason Georgetown isn't expected to take a big step backward without Otto Porter, then it may soon be time to revise those predictions. Whittington suffered a "significant" knee injury severe enough to jeopardize his season, ESPN.com reported Tuesday. The extent of the injury is unclear at this time because the school has yet to confirm it, but CasualHoya.com reported Whittington has been seen on campus on crutches and cited a source who said Georgetown fears the 6-foot-8 forward has suffered a torn ACL. If Whittington's injury is indeed season-ending, that's a major blow to a Georgetown team with aspirations of winning the new Big East next season. Whittington averaged 12.1 points and 7.0 rebounds before being ruled academically ineligible last January prior to a game against St. John's. The challenge of replacing Porter's 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game becomes much more difficult for Georgetown if Whittington is unavailable. Rising senior Nate Lubick and rising junior Mikael Hopkins both return, but neither has proven they can be a consistent interior scoring threat. Highly touted freshman Reggie Cameron could play some power forward in a pinch, while UCLA transfer Joshua Smith is capable of making a huge impact at center once he becomes eligible in mid-December but only if the massive 7-footer can trim 30 or 40 pounds. Throw in guards Markel Starks and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, and there's still more than enough talent on the Georgetown roster even without Whittington to return to the NCAA tournament and even contend in the new Big East. Still, you can't blame Georgetown fans for hoping that Whittington's injury turns out to be less severe than currently feared.

Wiggins wows Kansas staff in first college workout

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:44:28 EDT

Wiggins wows Kansas staff in first college workout

Little-known Elfrid Payton emerges as the surprise of USA Basketball tryouts

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:31:36 EDT

The most surprising player to earn a spot on the U.S. U-19 team Monday night needed a late plea from his head coach just to earn the chance. Louisiana-Lafayette's Elfrid Payton wasn't on USA Basketball's radar as recently as a few weeks ago when Ragin Cajuns coach Bob Marlin dialed Billy Donovan and urged him to consider inviting the 6-foot-3 rising junior to tryouts. "I told him, 'I don't sell my guys but Elfrid is really good and might be able to help,'" Marlin said. "I told him he could call Richard Pitino or Tom Izzo because Elfrid really played well against both their teams. He said, 'I don't need to call those guys. You and I have known each other a long time. If you say he's good enough, he's good enough.'" Payton validated his coach's praise with an eye-opening performance during tryouts in Colorado Springs the past few days. He showcased ball-hawking defense and explosive speed to the rim, outplaying highly touted point guards like Texas' Javan Felix, Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono and Providence's Kris Dunn to survive Sunday's initial cut to 16 players and Monday's final cut to 12. If Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart and Duke's Rasheed Sulaimon are the likely starters in the backcourt for the U.S. team, Payton has just as good a chance as any of the other three guards to earn playing time off the bench. He'll try to help his team capture gold at what has been the most elusive age level for USA Basketball, one in which the Americans have only taken first place once in the past six tournaments. “I have a certain confidence about myself that I can play with anybody and against anybody," Payton told his hometown newspaper, the New Orleans Times-Picayune, on Monday night. "My goal was to compete against these guys and hold my own. Backing down wasn’t an option." That mentality won't surprise anyone at Louisiana-Lafayette because they've seen him rise from an undersized, lightly recruited high school prospect into one of the most underrated players in the nation. Payton averaged 15.9 points, 5.5 assists and 2.4 steals per game as a sophomore last season, impressive stats for a kid who received minimal Division I interest until late in his senior year of high school. The son of a former Grambling College and Canadian Football League standout defensive lineman, Payton inherited his father's athleticism but he didn't hit his growth spurt until late in his career at John Ehret High School in New Orleans. He was nearly a year younger than many of his peers when he began high school, which contributed to him not even surpassing the 6-foot mark until his senior year. Payton's slight stature kept him from drawing much interest from Division I programs, but Louisiana-Lafeyette assistant Kevin Johnson heard from several New Orleans high school coaches early in Payton's senior year that the guard might be worth keeping an eye on. It was that season that Payton proved himself, averaging 12.8 points, 5.2 assists and 4.1 steals, earning first-team all-state honors and scoring 23 points at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette in a state semifinals loss to Scotlandville. "That was when I got to see him play for the first time," Marlin said. "He was just a little skinny kid that looked like a ninth grader. He wasn't big at all physically. We got him on an unofficial visit that next week. By then, there were a handful of other programs that were trying to get him to come visit, but he shut it down and signed with us." In two seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette, Payton has sprouted to 6-foot-3, bulked up a bit in the weight room so he can absorb contact going to the rim and worked tirelessly to improve his oft-erratic outside shot. Since Payton thrived creating off the dribble in high school and could get to the rim at will, he rarely bothered to attempt an outside shot. He didn't make a single 3-pointer as a freshman at Louisiana-Lafayette and shot just 56.4 percent from the foul line, problems worsened by the fact he couldn't see very well. Once a routine physical examination after his freshman year revealed that Payton's vision was poor, Marlin and his staff urged the guard to try wearing contacts. He eventually gave in, a decision that helped him go from being a non-threat behind the arc to a streaky shooter whose 32 percent 3-point shooting at least made him a threat from the perimeter. "He fought it at first, but then he started shooting the ball better immediately," Marlin said. "Your free throws and threes, it helps a little bit when yo...

Path to the Draft: No. 7 UCLA

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:30:11 EDT

In the weeks leading up to the June 27 NBA draft, we’ll be taking a look at the 20 schools that have produced the best pros in the modern draft era (since 1989, when the draft went from seven to two rounds). Click here to read Eamonn Brennan’s explanation of the series, which will be featured in the Nation blog each morning as we count down the programs from 20 to 1. Top Five NBA draftees Since 1989 Kevin Love (2008) Russell Westbrook (2008) Baron Davis (1999) Arron Afflalo (2007) Jrue Holiday (2009) Sixth man: Trevor Ariza (2004) The rest: Matt Barnes, Darren Collison, Luc Mbah a Moute, Jordan Farmar, Ryan Hollins, Malcolm Lee, Tyler Honeycutt, Jason Kapono, Dan Gadzuric, Earl Watson, Cedric Bozeman, Dijon Thompson, Jerome Moiso, Toby Bailey, Jelani McCoy, J.

Former UNC-Ashville G Hornsby transfers to LSU

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:16:06 EDT

Former UNC-Ashville G Hornsby transfers to LSU