Wake Forest's Prosser Dies at 56

Wake Forest head coach Skip Prosser is dead at 56, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.

Prosser collapsed while jogging pn campus and was taken to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center on Thursday. .

Prosser's career record was 291-146 (.666). He left Xavier after seven years and took the job at Wake Forest in 2001, where he coached seven seasons and won ACC Coach of the Year in 2003. Prosser led Xavier to three NCAA Tournament appearances in seven seasons. He took Wake to the Sweet 16, and Loyola (Md.) into the NCAAs.

He was the only coach in NCAA Tournament history to lead three different schools to the tournament in his first season at the school.

Prosser's three-player recruiting class for 2008 is rated by some in the top three. His class features three top 13 prospects - Al-Farouq Aminu, considered the best small forward in his class, Tony Woods and Ty Walker.

Skip Prosser's son, Mark, is an assistant at Bucknell. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and his two sons in their 20s: Scott and Mark.

Memphis bound twins still committed

It appears decommiting from a school is more en vogue than standing firm. But as kids make pledges earlier and earlier, who's to stop - or blame-teenagers from switching their schools of choice?

So John Calipari and staff must've been worried when the Philadelphia News had reported Prep Charter twins, Marcus and Markeiff Morris - both top 100 talents- were reopening their recruitment. As it turns out, though, all the Morris twins needed was reassurance from one of the top recruiters in the game. Dan Wolken of the Memphis Commericial Appeal clears the air a bit.

JUSTIN YOUNG of Rivals takes note on all the decommits: http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=692589

Miami loses out on Top 100 recruit

Miami (Fla) and coach Frank Haith thought they had received a rare top 100 recruit in Tyreese Breshers. A big boy at 6-foot-7, 240 pounds, Breshers' verbal was viewed as an upset, since he's a Los Angeles product. Now Breshers, ranked No. 72 by rivals.com, has reneged from his committment and is headed to Washington.

It's a damaging loss for Haith and Miami because the school can rarely reel in a top 100 recruit. Miami lost out previously to top 10 prospect Devin Ebanks, who choose Indiana over Rutgers and the Hurricanes.

Ed Davis headed to ACC power

The rich get richer in the ACC.

UNC received its second commitment in 2008, and it's a big one. Ed Davis, a 6-8, 215-pound rising senior, verbally committed to Roy Williams and the Tar Heels. UConn and Virgina were also in the running.

Davis will join point guard Larry Drew Jr, who committed back in May, in the class of 2008. Roy Williams is back on track after missing several big names since the summer circuit began. Delvon Roe (Michigan State), Samardo Samuels (Louisville) and Al-Farouq Aminu (Wake Forest) had all spurned the Tar Heels.

However, UNC has enough cache to miss out on top prospects, reel in a big fish or two and eventually finish with a strong class. Davis, a power foward, paired with Drew Jr., a point guard, form as good an inside-out duo one could want.

Rosario dedicates performance to Joe Brown

South Orange – After the U-17 Playaz claimed this year’s Joe Brown Memorial championship - a 66-37 victory by way of submission against Team Breakdown of Florida on the campus of Seton Hall University– Mike Rosario separated himself from the pack to find the scorers table and see if his stats were indeed for real.

Oh yes, Mike, the stats were certainly for real.

You managed to hit a flurry of five second-half 3s - all of which were seemingly from your hot spot, the left corner – in shredding the defense of Team Breakdown like a Thanksgiving turkey.

And you did manage to post a game-high 23 points in the championship game, raining an amazing seven threes for the game.

And yes, Mike, you did this all while Rutgers head coach Fred Hill stood and watched as his prized recruit energized the crowd with every catch-and-shoot motion.

Rosario later missed a three-pointer short from the left-corner (“I didn’t put my legs into it”) to a big groan from the crowd. But the shooting guard bound for Rutgers missed little. He finished 7 of 13, or better than 50 percent, from downtown.

Jimmy Salmon, the director of the Playaz, said he wasn’t surprised to see Rosario go Reggie Miller on Team Breakdown during the championship. “He does it often,” said Salmon. “Mike goes on one of those streaks where he can hit four, five in a row. He’s a hot-and-cold shooter.”

Rosario dedicated the Playaz championship and his performance to Joe Brown. “All of my motivation comes from my team and the whole Playaz program,” said Rosario. “I wanted to especially win this whole tournament for Joe Brown, who died. Unc, the one that was supposed to be here with us this past year but couldn’t because he passed (on).

“I was doing it for him.”

MUST READ: The Most Influential Man in Sports

This is a story about William Wesley. If you want to make it big in the sport of basketball, this is your man. GQ researcher Alex French has the story.

Kentucky hot for Echenique, Landesberg

Jody Demling of the Louisville Courier-Journal updates the progress of New York recruits Greg Echenique and Sylven Landesberg, both of whom have drawn the interest, at one point or another, from Rutgers. Echenique still lists RU, while Landesberg just recently eliminated the Scarlet Knights.http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070712/SPORTS11/70712011/1002/SPORTS

Watch out for Wake; Aminu, Woods commit

Two top 20 recruits will play for Skip Prosser and Wake Forest. Tony Woods and Al Farouq Aminu, rated No. 3 in the lastest Rivals rankings, give the Demon Deacons a head start as favorites for top class in 2008, plus a chance at an ACC title. Link: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/highschool/stories/2007/07/12/0713aminu.html
Link: http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=690838

Late night links

Kentucky is trying to make up for lost time with Scotty Hopson, who verballed to Mississippi State, says Jerry Tipton:http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/118857.html

Roy Williams isn't worried about '08 class: http://www.charlotte.com/302/story/191302.html

Ian Begley of the NY Daily News reports from Akron and talks skill development: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hschool/2007/07/11/2007-07-11_stars_shine_align_on_king_james_court.html

Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer taps into the story of Michael Gilchrist: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/sports_top/20070703_Hes_got_game_-_at_13.html

"Q" the Knights?

PHILLY – Quintrell Thomas is yet another talented prospect from Kevin Boyle’s basketball factory at St. Patrick, the two-time defending T of C champions in New Jersey

So it’s only a matter of time when Thomas, a rising senior who graduates in 2008, joins a Celtics pipeline that flows to Division I schools and sometimes the N.B.A.

The recent fraternity has included various types of players.

Al Harrington (‘98) and Samuel Dalembert (’00) were first round draft picks and are still playing in the N.B.A. Both Shaheen Holloway and Grant Billmeier went to Seton Hall and made the NCAA Tournament. And Thomas’ former teammates, Corey Fisher (Villanova) and Jeff Robinson (Memphis), are headed to high majors as impact freshmen.

So when will Rutgers enter the fray and tap into an already luscious gold mine at St. Patrick, a catholic school in Elizabeth known for outfitting a nationally recognized basketball team?

Well Thomas may be the guy who bucks the trend. He’s a hustling 6-8, 230-pound forward who says he likes to play in transition and has shown the giddy-up to prove it.

“My AAU coach and me are going to have to sit down and look at which schools play my style,” said Thomas after a game at Rbk U. “Because I can’t play at a school that just runs a half-court offense.”

Thomas has been called a “throwback type” by some. Colleges like his defense and athleticism and his ability to run the floor. “They like that I can play in between the three and four,” he added.

Cue the Scarlet Knights. They need a guy like Thomas for their three of four spot, a good sign presumably for Rutgers.

“I do need to start looking at which schools need (me), and not just that they want (me),” he admitted.

With recent reports of Olu Ashaolu’s de-commitment and a dearth of forwards on its roster, RU may have intensified its view on Thomas. They watched intently at midcourt during one of Thomas’ games at Rbk U over the weekend.

“Rutgers is cool. I like the school and the coach. And everyone around there I know.”

Thomas has visited just two schools, the Scarlet Knights and Maryland. His mother especially likes Wake Forest, even though the family has yet to visit the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest is also dedicated its time for one extremely talented, five-star prospect.

Jeff Goodman of Fox Sports recently stated on his blog that Wake Forest is in the lead for Al-Farouq Aminu, who plays Thomas’ position and is in the penthouse of the latest Rivals rankings, rated No. 3.

“My mother has made her suggestion. She’s stuck on Wake Forest,” said Thomas. “She likes the academic situation.”

Seton Hall has one remaining scholarship offer for the class of ‘08 and should not be discounted, either, along with Marquette.

“I have, like, 18 offers,” said Thomas. “So I need to start narrowing down soon. It’s going to be hard, but I’m going to try to make a decision by the end of the summer.”

That decision will not be easy. “I probably like 11 of the 18, so that’s the hard thing about it,” said Thomas.

However, sooner rather than later Thomas is headed somewhere in Division I, just like the many prospects who have ridden the bountiful St. Patrick pipeline.

Patrick Jackson update

RU target Patrick Jackson, a wing forward from Brooklyn, did some ballin' at the Eastern Invitational.

The 6-6 rising senior at Xaverian High said he was an all-star selection, and later picked up scholarship offers from both Rhode Island and Houston. Jackson said he will make an annoucement some time after the AAU season.

For now, Jackson will stay busy in three more tournaments: Rbk East at Rider College; Joe Brown in New Brunswick; and The Main Event in Las Vegas.

Rosario all roses

Philadelphia - Mike Rosario, or “Superstar-Mike” as he’s called at the Jersey City playgrounds, is in a good place. After a recent game at the RBK U camp on the campus of Philadelphia University, the top 50 recruit headed to Rutgers answered questions and was the definition of cool.

“I’m just growing up,” said Rosario. “I’m about to be a man. I’m going to Rutgers next year, so it’s going to be fun.

Fun is the operative word. No longer are coaches sending Rosario phone and text messages, or seen hounding the kid after tournaments in order to ask questions about his status.

“It’s more relaxing…it takes a lot of pressure off me because I know some colleges know that I’m already committed to Rutgers.”

But this is college recruiting and it’s more like the Wild West than anything else. One SEC coach could be overheard telling another that it’s a “free-for-all” and that’s including kids already off the supposed market.

“Schools are still reaching out to me,” said Rosario. “There has been a couple: Georgetown, Marquette.”

Rosario has played well enough over the weekend and was named to the RBK U All-Star game, along with a former Rutgers commit (Olu Ashaolu), a St. Anthony kid (Tyshawn Taylor) and a Rutgers target from Mount Vernon (Kevin Jones).

The reviews have been glowing since the summer began for Rosario, too. Just add another to the list in RBK U.

“Yea, I’ve seen a big change in my game,” said Rosario. “I’m starting to develop my game into an all-around player. I’ve just put a lot of work into my game. I’ve been in the gym all night, every morning, working out. I don’t take any days off.”

If Rosario could step into the shoes of Fred Hill, bagging South Kent Prep (CT) big man Christian Morris would top his to-do-list.

“I would like for (Morris) to come to our school because I think he will develop into a great player; not even a good player (but) a great player. He likes to work.

Rosario said he wasn’t aware of news breaking that Olu Ashaolu de-committed from Rutgers, either.

“He’s a friend of mine too, we’re cool,” said Rosario. “He’s a great player and he can develop here (at Rutgers). You know I’ll talk to him later and say ‘What’s up with RU, man?’”

“I don’t think he’ll (ultimately) change his mind, though. I doubt it.”

Rosario also said he’s excited to play an ESPN home game in Jersey City against Tyreke Evans, a top 10 recruit, and American Christian (PA) this season. He said he “wants to play against the best” and see how his game stacks up against the elite.

He then reiterated his loyalty to the program, and that he has spoken to his mother about the excitement to attend Rutgers and the ability for friends, family and coach Bob Hurley to see him play.

“There’s going to be history there,” Rosario said. “I want to be a part of that.”

Durand Scott just gettin' started

AKRON – What school wouldn’t want a New York City guard?

Rutgers sure would love one, more specifically a rising junior from the Bronx.

Rice High guard Durand Scott (6-3, 180), who teams up with the UConn-bound Kemba Walker for “Book” Richardson’s formidable AAU squad, the New York Gauchos, has reportedly been offered a scholarship from the Scarlet Knights.

Scott said he has learned some pointers from Walker, who made his commitment midway through the summer and before his senior season.

“He’s said it gets stressful, with coaches calling and text (messaging you all the time,” said Scott, who lit up Christ the King for 28 points in a semifinal loss in March.

“Most of the times I actually try to ignore it. I’ll leave my phone at home because I just get so much (attention). It does get stressful.”

The Scarlet Knights are one of many teams, including Arizona, North Carolina, Miami Seton Hall and Florida, to have shown interest in Scott, who attended the Nike Lebron James Skills Academy in Akron and was put through various drills focusing on basketball fundamentals.

Scott, surprisingly, is not a basketball fan. He just doesn’t get into it. “You can ask anybody,” he said.

No matter, Scott is developing a rabid following after just two years at Rice, and with that, some appreciation of the sport that will eventually send him to college.

“Now, as I’m getting older, I realize I need to watch it to see what I can learn from them.”

By watching more hoops, Scott says, he’ll be more informed of a good place to land. “One of the top schools I like watching is Ohio State,” although the Buckeyes have yet to offer Scott.

Scott said has yet to take any visits, but there is plenty of time for that. His first choice though would be a trip to the South.

“Probably Miami,” said Scott. “I like the surroundings out there: you have the nice weather (and) the beach.”

Olu decommits; RU still leader

MATT AGNOLI

Philadelphia – Olu Ashaolu, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound forward with a frame perfectly suited for the Big East, has a flood of talent and promising attributes. Dunks. Defense. Hustle.

Yet at the RBK U camp in Philadelphia, where he has impressed many in attendance, the latest news on Ashaolu is this: drama.

Ashaolu, a Canadian who plays his high school ball at Christian Life Center (TX), has decided to de-commit and reopen his recruitment, as first reported by Jerry Carino of the Courier Post Sunday night.

His change-of-heart means the Scarlet Knights have one less commitment for the class of 2008 and an even larger hole to fill for their forward positions.

The rumor-turned-reality has added to the ire of Rutgers fans and sent off celebratory text-messages from rivals, who have new life in landing the high-riser.

So why did Ashaolu renege from his verbal to Rutgers?

“He just wants to make sure it’s a real good opportunity,” said his AAU coach Ro Russell,

“Ashaolu is a prototypical Big East wing, and he wants to make sure that there are other guys (Rutgers) is recruiting so he doesn’t have to play the four-position. That’s one of the major issues.”

Still, Rutgers remains atop Ashaolu’s list of schools, according to Russell, and he is very fond of the coaching staff and players he has met there.

“Rutgers is still very much in the lead of his recruitment. We just want to go over some of the details and some of the issues.

“Nothing specifically has happened to change his mind or anything like that. He just wants to make sure.

“There is always that little time where you kind of second-guess yourself,” Russell said. “Like ‘Did I really make the perfect decision?’ He’s just trying to make sure it’s the best possible decision.

Samuels praises Echenique at Akron; It's a Bit Early For '09 Stud

MATT AGNOLI

AKRON – Samardo Samuels may have slipped away and into the hands of Rick Pitino and Louisville, but Rutgers remains undeterred and continues its focus on another St. Benedict’s big man.

Junior Greg Echenique, who grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, is a 6-8, 240-pound bruiser ranked No. 48 in the latest Rivals Top 75.

In his sophomore season, Echenique averaged a near double-double with 9.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game during a 26-2 season for St. Benedict’s, which is coached by Danny Hurley.

This weekend he is getting reps in with 70 of the best players in the country at the elite Nike Lebron James Skills Academy in Akron, Ohio, including his high school teammate Samuels. Both players have been impressive.

“I think it’s great, it is a great opportunity to come here,” said Echenique after a Saturday scrimmage. “You’re playing with the best.”

Samuels effusively praised his younger teammate and believes Akron will only make him stronger.

“Greg likes the challenge,” said Samuels. “He’s always getting better, more physical.

“He knows people are watching him, and that he needs to do (well). On the court I tell him it’s all business.”

RU coach Fred Hill and assistant Jim Carr were both in attendance this weekend to watch Echenique, whose list currently includes all of the big boys of college hoops: Florida, Memphis, Kentucky, Villanova and Syracuse. Rutgers is also on the list and Echenique has already taken an unofficial visit to RU in late April.

“Yes, I know the guys from Rutgers,” said Echenique. “They’re nice people, a nice coaching staff.

“It (recruiting process) puts me in a bad mood. Sometimes you want to focus on basketball and practicing on your game,” he added. “You have a lot of schools trying to reach you and talk to you. But right now I’m looking as many schools as I can, and then by the end of my junior year I will have (solid) list.”

When asked if Rutgers has a good chance to be on that list by the end of his junior year, Echenique responded “Yes, definitely.”

Echenique said he needs to improve in many areas, including his rebounding, post moves, jump shot and conditioning.

“Basketball here is a lot faster than South America,” Echenique said. “When I was in Venezuela I was one of the biggest guys so I didn’t have to run a lot. When I got here, it seems big guys have to work on all the (fundamentals), like your speed…so you can compete.”


When Samuels ultimately departs to the ‘Ville in 2008, the post will belong to Echenique, according to his battery mate.

“He has to be a leader,” said Samuels. “He’s the leader off the court because he’s a good student, and his character. I think he needs to have enough confidence to be a leader on the court. He has the potential to do that, I think he will be very good.

Landesberg Has List of 5

MATT AGNOLI

AKRON – Holy Cross (N.Y.) wing Sylven Landesberg, who is ranked No. 23 in the class of 2008, has seen his stock soar to new heights. So high, in fact, that Rutgers is no longer in the running, according to the 6-foot-6, 180-pound rising prospect from Queens, New York.

“I have a list of five: Georgia Tech, Virginia, Texas, Kentucky and St. Johns,” said Landesberg after a Saturday scrimmage in Akron, site of the Nike Lebron James Skills Academy.

Landesberg said he will make a decision by the “end of the summer.”

Unless there is a last-minute change-of-heart, the news on Landesberg is a blow for the Scarlet Knights, who flew to Akron to watch several players they are heavily interested in, including Landesberg.

It apparently came down to Rutgers and St. John’s, and just one local was likely to make the final cut and move into the final five.

“Both coaching staffs are great,” said Landesberg. “But I guess I’m more close to St. John’s than I am with Rutgers.”

The sleek-of-build Landesberg, whose last visited Texas, said he next plans to visit Georgia Tech, which is a school that could use a versatile wing after the departure of the recent NBA lottery pick Thaddeus Young. Landesberg had also mentioned the idea of playing point guard in college, and showed some of his handle on several occasions during scrimmages in Akron.

Lance Goulbourne rackets up heavy interest

BY MATT AGNOLI

Lance Goulbourne has been a ball person at the U.S. Open for the last five years. He’s a nationally ranked tennis player, with stops to St. Louis, Florida and the National Tennis Center in Queens. The top singles player at the Hun School, Goulbourne was just 3 years old when he picked up a racket.

Yet his future now lies on the hardwood, not the hard-court.

Goulbourne, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound swingman by way of East Flatbush, has entered the recruiting fore as an enticing prospect in Scarlet Nation. He visited Rutgers in late June, and has expressed interest in the Scarlet Knights, Georgetown and Vanderbilt, whom he visited in May. He also wants to take visits to Northwestern, St. Joseph’s and Marquette some time in August.

So, how was Rutgers?

“It’s pretty nice, I liked it a lot,” said Goulbourne. “The campus is nice, it’s beautiful. I think it’s a good place… it’s also in the Big East.

“Fred Hill is a great coach,” he added. “He wants to build the program into something bigger and better. He’s doing real well with the recruiting. A lot of great players are going there now.”

Goulbourne, the ninth-ranked prospect in New Jersey according to Rivals, suggested he may visit RU again.

“I would like to go back, but I haven’t had a chance to. I can watch some film with Coach Hill…we can go into further detail about it (where I fit in.) The way they play, that’s how I play.”

Education sounds like a top priority for Goulbourne, whose list features highly ranked institutions such as Wake Forest and the aforementioned Georgetown, Northwestern and Vanderbilt.

“Academics are really important to me,” he said. “Basketball is also really important. I want to go to a high level school and be able to play at the same time.

“I learned a lot of things I didn’t know, actually,” Goulbourne said on his RU visit “It’s much better academic school than I thought."

Since Goulbourne attends a small preparatory school with an enrollment close to 485, school size is another determining factor.

“I’ve been in private school since sixth grade, so I don’t want to go from a small school to like a huge school. So I think the size of the school is important to me also.”

Goulbourne has offers from the Big East (Marquette, West Virginia) and the Atlantic 10 (George Washington, LaSalle and St. Joseph’s).

Florida State and Miami have contacted him but “the distance from home is a just a major factor for me”, Goulbourne admits, yet he still has interest in the ACC schools.

“I want my parents to be able see me play,” he added.

Goulbourne, a second team All-Prep selection, averaged a double-double for the Raiders (21-8), which won its first prep state tournament since 1992, defeating St. Benedict’s Prep in the semifinals and Blair Academy in the championship.

“I honestly never thought this would be something I’d be doing,” said Goulbourne. “A couple of years ago I would play basketball just for fun. It (his recruitment) became real serious when I came to Hun.”

Goulbourne transferred his sophomore year from the private Dwight School in downtown Manhattan.

“It’s flattering to know that schools want you to come to their schools to play basketball,” he said. “But it’s a little bit overwhelming because how many schools are coming after me now.

“It’s going well, though. I have a good support system at home… everyone is helping me out with all my coaches and everything.”

Action Jackson: Xaverian High (N.Y) Wing Still Open

BY MATT AGNOLI

http://rutgers.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=689166

Rutgers is reportedly interested and still in the race for Patrick Jackson, a 2008 wing prospect from Xaverian High in Brooklyn, a school that produced former Pittsburgh dynamo Levance Fields.

Jackson, 17, still hasn’t ruled out over a dozen schools. He said he’ll wait to make a decision right before his senior year at Xaverian, and prefers an “up-and-coming” program.

“I’m definitely still thinking about Rutgers,” said Jackson, a hard-playing, energy guy who’s rated the 18h best prospect in the New York class of 2008, according to one recruiting site.

“(But) I’m wide open. It comes down to the school that fits me (the best).”

Jackson received his first letter of interest from Virginia Tech his freshman season. Rutgers, according to Jackson, contacted him and showed interest the following year.

This summer, Jackson and Louisville-bound Melquan Bolding have teamed together for the famed New York Panthers, an AAU squad coached by NBA star Rafer Alston, and the 6-foot-6 smooth operator opened some eyes with his performance at the Rumble in the Bronx.

Rutgers, according to Jackson, was in attendance and hard to miss. “(The Scarlet Knights) have been watching. You can see that big old red ‘R’,” Jackson laughed.

Rutgers hopes that ‘R’ emblem can attract two more touted commitments for its banner 2008 recruiting class. Most believe Rutgers will target a power forward and/or center. However, Jackson fits the mold of a Quincy Douby type, and may jell into a system like the four-guard offense implemented when Fred Hill was an assistant at Villanova.

“I know that their coaching staff is working really hard to get better. I like the offense that they run,” said Jackson.

Jackson mentioned Rutgers, Seton Hall, Marquette, Providence and West Virginia among Big East schools. He also listed Miami, Clemson and Virginia Tech of the ACC and Iowa State and Colorado of the Big 12. Several Colonial Athletic schools have offered as well.

The mature-sounding Jackson wants his future school to feel like a home away from home. “I’d like to get along with the coach, be on the same page, win and make sure it feels like a family.” His father is guiding him through the process but “He leaves it up to me, wherever I feel comfortable. It doesn’t matter.”

Jackson has local legend in his blood. His uncle Tony Jackson was an All-American at St. John’s in the late 1950s, and later played for the New York Knicks, before retiring in the ABA.

Not surprisingly, Jackson has visited St. John’s “numerous times” and recently took an unofficial visit to West Virginia “about two weekends ago.”

It’s still too early to name any favorites with certainty, so Jackson said he plans to make more visits, including Rutgers, as the AAU season progresses. He has not listed one school as a cut above the rest– yet.

“Rutgers and Providence are coming up real quick, probably at the end of August,” said Jackson.

This weekend Jackson will participate in the Eastern Invitational in Ewing, New Jersey, followed by a cross-country trip to the Main Event in Las Vegas at the end of summer.

“I just want to wait my options out,” he said on Monday night. “I don’t want to (commit to a school) too fast.”

Jackson separates his college offers at home into two boxes: the ones he reads, and the ones he doesn’t.

Rutgers is still in the good box.


Notes:
Last season, Xaxerian High lost to Rice in the CHSAA semifinals last season, 61-56.

Jackson has faced Sylven Landesberg, a Rutgers target and Holy Cross standout, many times in CHSAA play. “(That matchup against Sylven) always draws a crowd.”

Jackson on local kids leaving the area for school:

“I notice it a lot. Kids go away, I think, to get away from all the pressure. They don’t want to come home if their team lost, or if they missed a big shot at the end of a game. It’s how (a player) handles the situation (away from home). It also depends on different schools, how they handle the situation.”

It's Good to be a Kentucky Fan

How 'bout those Wildcats?
Here's a question: Should we be suspicious of the recent collection of top 50 talents landing in the Blue Grass in a most dizzingy fashion since Billy Gillespie came to town?
Probably no more than the next guy. I still find it odd that Thad Motta does what he does, dominating recruiting classes at a traditional football power in Ohio State.

I guess it's only natural that we're witnessing Gillespie thrive in the country's most loyal and rabid area. He's a tireless worker who happened to build programs like UTEP and Texas A&M and advance them into the NCAAs.
Gillespie just snagged another blue chipper in K.C. Ross Miller of Texas. He deserved the verbal, only because he's followed the top-rated point guard since the eighth-grade. Two years later, he returned that loyalty. Miller's annoucement follows Gillespie's 2007 class, headed by Patrick Patterson and Alex Legion. Kentucky was also able to reel in DeAndre Liggins, a 6-5 shooting guard rated No.18 by Rivals.com in the latest class of 2008 rankings.

So, yes, it's good to be a Kentucky guy. Again. And fair or not, Gillespie is taking over.

What are the Knicks thinking?

So when the Knicks made its draft day trade for Zach Randolph, it undoubtedly assured an over-the-cap team until the year....2011. Gulp. How many times have we seen this from the front office? Here are two reasons you the fan pay your hard-earned dollar for seats at the Garden.

We use the the five-million dollar exception as if it were the rule: Jerome James, Clarence Weatherspoon, Jared Jeffries....the list is long as their salaries are high. Instead of pocketing the cash, our GM is under the belief, as is James Dolan, that the bottom line is all that matters. Rebuilding is something as dangerous as the Bird Flu. Jeesh.

How about trading for a big contract instead of waiting for the existing roster to jell? Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis and now Randolph. When will it end? Randolph is potentially ready for a 23-10 year in the East yet his skills, and weaknesses, are similiar to Eddy Curry? I like this trade only if we could turn around and use Randolph in a possible move with Jermaine O'Neal of Indiana. Throw in some younger talent, and hope Larry Bird takes the bait.

New York has 17 players currently on its roster, and, thankfully, some are worthy trading chips. Renaldo Balkman, Wilson Chandler and David Lee are all high-energy players still under rookie contracts, which are cheap.

Now that the NBA Draft is over, it's always fun to check out the top studs in next season's draft. Let's take a look at the projected lottery per nbadraft.net:

1. Derrick Rose - Memphis
2. Michael Beasley - Kansas State
3. Nicholas Batum - France
4. O.J. Mayo - Southern California
5. Donte Greene - Syracuse
6. Chase Budinger - Arizona
7. Darell Arthur - Kansas
8. Eric Gordon - Indiana
9. Darren Collison - UCLA
10. Roy Hibbert - Georgetown

Note: Interesting to see five potential "one-and-dones" enter the top-5.

A Blog About Nothing's Column of the Day. In focus: Yi Jianlian. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/lopresti/2007-06-30-lopresti-yi_N.htm