Jeremy Lamb scored 15 points to help the USA U-19 team to a 115-60 rout of Egypt in its FIBA World Championship opening game in Liepaja, Latvia.
Lamb shot 6-for-12 from the floor, including 3 of 6 3-pointers, while adding five assists and three steals in the Americans' romp. Creighton's Doug McDermott led the way with 19 points for Team USA, which scored the game's first 22 points. Memphis' Joe Jackson also netted 15.
USA will face Serbia ono Friday. Serbia beat China, 78-73.
"The young men focused on the things we wanted to focus on, defensively especially. I like the fact that we shared the basketball and we had a lot of guys get some good looks at the basket and make some shots," said USA U119 mentor Paul Hewitt (George Mason).
"I was happy with our ball movement and I thought we defended well, but in particular ball movement and we made some threes. I think any team that wins this world championship is going to have shoot the ball well from the outside and that's usually keyed by good passing."
The Big East announced its league opponents and game sites today. UConn will play home contests with Cincinnati, DePaul, Marquette, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, St. John's, Seton Hall, Syracuse and West Virginia.
The Huskies will travel to play Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, Providence, Rutgers, Seton Hall, South Florida, Syracuse and Villanova.
That means UConn will play Notre Dame, Seton Hall and Syracuse twice.
The Huskies will travel to play Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, Providence, Rutgers, Seton Hall, South Florida, Syracuse and Villanova.
That means UConn will play Notre Dame, Seton Hall and Syracuse twice.
Here's a story filed by Dan Podheiser of the Middletown Press, our sister paper, on Kemba Walker's visit to Avon today for a one-day clinic for kids:
The hard-hitting questions were coming at Kemba Walker one after another.
“What size shoe do you wear?”
“What’s your second favorite sport?”
“Do you play XBox ... what’s your online name?”
For the 117 kids who showed up at Roaring Brook Elementary School on Wednesday, getting a chance to mingle with their UConn idol meant more than shaking his hand and getting an autographed photo. It was a chance to learn from the best.
Walker teamed with some of the top basketball instructors in the state to put on the All Pro Sports one-day basketball clinic for kids. From layup and boxing-out drills to a 30-minute lecture on “positive choices,” the clinic is designed to give kids an introduction on the basics of basketball — and a reason to get out of the house during the summer.
“Having a guy like Kemba here is an easy way to get the kids to our camp,” said Tim Leahy, who founded All Pro Sports five years ago. “But once [the kids] get here, they keep coming back because of the quality of our instructors, and because it’s fun.”
Leahy, who played college basketball at Eastern Connecticut State University, teams with co-director and former UConn basketball walk-on Steve Emt to put on basketball and soccer clinics across the state during the summer.
The duo takes pride in running clinics that not only help kids with their skills, but also provide valuable insight from positive role models like Walker.
“Given all the things kids have to do over the summer, I think it says something about our clinic that we can have a packed gym on a Wednesday afternoon,” said Emt, who is also the head basketball coach at RHAM in Hebron.
As for Walker, the recent first-round pick (ninth overall) of the Charlotte Bobcats is biding his time before he and the rest of the NBA finds out about the league’s future. The uncertain lockout situation leaves recent draftees like Walker without much direction this summer, but the reigning NCAA champ is staying busy.
“I got a place on Long Island so I’ll be living there for a while, just working out and trying to stay in shape” said Walker, who noted that he’s rooming with former Hofstra guard Charles Jenkins, another Bronx native. Jenkins was taken in the second round by the Golden State Warriors in last week’s draft.
Walker says he’s looking for a place in Charlotte and plans to move his family down there as well. Though he hasn’t officially made any money for playing basketball yet, he has started to cash in on his new professional status.
“My agency is keeping me pretty busy with appearances and stuff,” he said.
And though he might not have a chance to practice with his new teammates for a while, Walker won’t have to look too far to find a competitive game at his new residence.
“I mean, it’s New York. It’s not too hard to find guys who can play.”
The hard-hitting questions were coming at Kemba Walker one after another.
“What size shoe do you wear?”
“What’s your second favorite sport?”
“Do you play XBox ... what’s your online name?”
For the 117 kids who showed up at Roaring Brook Elementary School on Wednesday, getting a chance to mingle with their UConn idol meant more than shaking his hand and getting an autographed photo. It was a chance to learn from the best.
Walker teamed with some of the top basketball instructors in the state to put on the All Pro Sports one-day basketball clinic for kids. From layup and boxing-out drills to a 30-minute lecture on “positive choices,” the clinic is designed to give kids an introduction on the basics of basketball — and a reason to get out of the house during the summer.
“Having a guy like Kemba here is an easy way to get the kids to our camp,” said Tim Leahy, who founded All Pro Sports five years ago. “But once [the kids] get here, they keep coming back because of the quality of our instructors, and because it’s fun.”
Leahy, who played college basketball at Eastern Connecticut State University, teams with co-director and former UConn basketball walk-on Steve Emt to put on basketball and soccer clinics across the state during the summer.
The duo takes pride in running clinics that not only help kids with their skills, but also provide valuable insight from positive role models like Walker.
“Given all the things kids have to do over the summer, I think it says something about our clinic that we can have a packed gym on a Wednesday afternoon,” said Emt, who is also the head basketball coach at RHAM in Hebron.
As for Walker, the recent first-round pick (ninth overall) of the Charlotte Bobcats is biding his time before he and the rest of the NBA finds out about the league’s future. The uncertain lockout situation leaves recent draftees like Walker without much direction this summer, but the reigning NCAA champ is staying busy.
“I got a place on Long Island so I’ll be living there for a while, just working out and trying to stay in shape” said Walker, who noted that he’s rooming with former Hofstra guard Charles Jenkins, another Bronx native. Jenkins was taken in the second round by the Golden State Warriors in last week’s draft.
Walker says he’s looking for a place in Charlotte and plans to move his family down there as well. Though he hasn’t officially made any money for playing basketball yet, he has started to cash in on his new professional status.
“My agency is keeping me pretty busy with appearances and stuff,” he said.
And though he might not have a chance to practice with his new teammates for a while, Walker won’t have to look too far to find a competitive game at his new residence.
“I mean, it’s New York. It’s not too hard to find guys who can play.”
The USA U-19 National team fell to the Lithuanian U-19 squad, 108-75, in an exhibition game Tuesday in Vilnius, Lithuania. It's the US team's second straight exhibition loss to the Lithuanians.
Creighton's Doug McDermott led USA with 15 points and seven boards while Jeremy Lamb added 13 points.
The Americans, playing in their second and final exhibition contest, led just once (6-5) all game.
Creighton's Doug McDermott led USA with 15 points and seven boards while Jeremy Lamb added 13 points.
The Americans, playing in their second and final exhibition contest, led just once (6-5) all game.
DeAndre Daniels set foot on UConn's campus for the first time on Monday. So far, so good ... and busy.
Daniels, the highly-touted recruit who committed to the Huskies earlier this month, has had a whirlwind first couple of days: getting together his schoolbooks, computers, dorm key, etc.; scrimmaging with some of his new teammates; grabbing dinner with Alex Oriakhi, Roscoe Smith and Ryan Boatright; taking two classes this morning; his first workout in the weight room; a tutorial sesson; another scrimmage this evening.
"It's been crazy, so far," he said on Tuesday, shortly after a weight-room session with Oriakhi, Smith and Boatright. "They're treating me like I'm already family, so, I'm happy."
Daniels, a 6-foot-7 forward originally from Los Angeles who appears to be an affable kid, chose UConn without ever having visited the campus. His father, LaRon, visited and liked what he saw, and that was good enough for DeAndre.
"Just listening to my dad, I sat down with my family and thought this was the best situation for me," he noted.
Daniels, a 6-foot-7 forward, can't wait to start this season.
"They won a championship," he pointed out. "Losing Kemba, that's a big part, but we've got me and Ryan Boatright to come in and help try to fill – not fill Kemba's spot – but help the team and hopefully get us back to the national championship."
Daniels considers himself a small forward but says he can "do anything on the court -- post up, whatever Coach needs me to do."
Daniels originally committed to Texas in 2009 but, realizing he had made the decision too early, off his first offer, he de-committed. A year later, he opened up the recruiting process again, and chose UConn.
Playing for Jim Calhoun, in a program that has put numerous wing players in the NBA, was obviously a big factor. So was fellow Los Angeles native Kevin Ollie.
"Me and Coach Ollie, we connect like that."
Daniels said he'll be on campus for the whole summer.
Daniels, the highly-touted recruit who committed to the Huskies earlier this month, has had a whirlwind first couple of days: getting together his schoolbooks, computers, dorm key, etc.; scrimmaging with some of his new teammates; grabbing dinner with Alex Oriakhi, Roscoe Smith and Ryan Boatright; taking two classes this morning; his first workout in the weight room; a tutorial sesson; another scrimmage this evening.
"It's been crazy, so far," he said on Tuesday, shortly after a weight-room session with Oriakhi, Smith and Boatright. "They're treating me like I'm already family, so, I'm happy."
Daniels, a 6-foot-7 forward originally from Los Angeles who appears to be an affable kid, chose UConn without ever having visited the campus. His father, LaRon, visited and liked what he saw, and that was good enough for DeAndre.
"Just listening to my dad, I sat down with my family and thought this was the best situation for me," he noted.
Daniels, a 6-foot-7 forward, can't wait to start this season.
"They won a championship," he pointed out. "Losing Kemba, that's a big part, but we've got me and Ryan Boatright to come in and help try to fill – not fill Kemba's spot – but help the team and hopefully get us back to the national championship."
Daniels considers himself a small forward but says he can "do anything on the court -- post up, whatever Coach needs me to do."
Daniels originally committed to Texas in 2009 but, realizing he had made the decision too early, off his first offer, he de-committed. A year later, he opened up the recruiting process again, and chose UConn.
Playing for Jim Calhoun, in a program that has put numerous wing players in the NBA, was obviously a big factor. So was fellow Los Angeles native Kevin Ollie.
"Me and Coach Ollie, we connect like that."
Daniels said he'll be on campus for the whole summer.
Alex Oriakhi and Roscoe Smith walked across campus to a Subway with UConn's two new freshmen, Ryan Boatright and DeAndre Daniels, on Monday evening. It was as much a bonding experience as a chance to grab a bite to eat.
Oriakhi, a junior, and Smith, a sophomore, gave the newcomers the lay of the land a little bit, explained to them what it's like being a UConn men's basketball player and politely warning them, "I hope you guys are ready."
"We were just trying to let them know they're part of the team, too," Oriakhi explained. "We were just getting them comfortable, because we want to make them feel as if they're part of the team. At the end of the day, they're going to war with us."
While it may seem like little more than a random gesture – fellas gotta eat, after all – the experience was a small example of Oriakhi's new role at UConn. About a month ago, he and sophomore Shabazz Napier were named co-captains by head coach Jim Calhoun. It's an important role for any player on any team, but perhaps even more so considering the leadership void they're trying to fill: the one left by Kemba Walker, maybe the greatest leader in program history – not to mention Donnell Beverly, whose veteran presence also provided great stewardship for last year's national-champion Huskies.
"It's definitely a great honor, and a lot of pressure at the same time," Oriakhi admitted, shortly after an early-afternoon workout with Boatright. "Just to be captain, I'm the leader and everybody's going to look to me and Shabazz. That's definitely the pressure you kind of want, being one of the best players on the team. No complaints, really."
Oriakhi watched and learned from Walker and Beverly last year, noting how they kept "everybody together" throughout the summer, all the way to Houston. That's exactly what Oriakhi is trying to do now.
"The big men work out in the morning, I'm just pushing them and giving them a lot of confidence, just telling Mike and Enosch, you guys are going to be playing a lot this year, we need you guys," he said. "Just showing them hard work can really pay off. I think they're really buying into that. They're really working extremely hard."
It won't be as easy for Oriakhi this summer, as he may have a lot of traveling to do. He attended the Amare Stoudemire Camp for big men last week in Chicago and is hoping for an invitation off that to the LeBron James Skills Camp.
Later in July, he'll be playing in the World University Games, starting off in Colorado Springs, Colo., then jetting off to China.
Oriakhi doesn't think it's asking too much for Napier to serve as captain, even though he's just a sophomore.
"To me, Shabaazz has always been mature," he said. "He definitely plays like it. For him to learn from Kemba in one year, and now it's his turn … I know it's kind of early for him to be given such a huge role, but he's good enough and he's more than capable of doing it, so I don't think there's any pressure for him, only because we think he's that good and he has the ability to do it."
Speaking of Kemba, Oriakhi couldn't be happier that his former teammate went ninth overall in Thursday night's NBA draft – though he was surprised to see him slip a bit as a few European players got picked ahead of him.
Oriakhi may have more than just a viewing interest in next June's draft. Some mock drafts are already projecting him as a late-first or early-second round pick. Oriakhi insists he doesn't worry about that stuff.
"I try to just focus on being the best player I can be at Connecticut, and everything else takes care of itself," he said. "You think of stuff like that, it doesn't really help you at all. I'm just trying to be the best player I can be, I don't really pay attention to all that. The NBA's not going anywhere."
Quite literally, with the lockout and all.
Oriakhi, a junior, and Smith, a sophomore, gave the newcomers the lay of the land a little bit, explained to them what it's like being a UConn men's basketball player and politely warning them, "I hope you guys are ready."
"We were just trying to let them know they're part of the team, too," Oriakhi explained. "We were just getting them comfortable, because we want to make them feel as if they're part of the team. At the end of the day, they're going to war with us."
While it may seem like little more than a random gesture – fellas gotta eat, after all – the experience was a small example of Oriakhi's new role at UConn. About a month ago, he and sophomore Shabazz Napier were named co-captains by head coach Jim Calhoun. It's an important role for any player on any team, but perhaps even more so considering the leadership void they're trying to fill: the one left by Kemba Walker, maybe the greatest leader in program history – not to mention Donnell Beverly, whose veteran presence also provided great stewardship for last year's national-champion Huskies.
"It's definitely a great honor, and a lot of pressure at the same time," Oriakhi admitted, shortly after an early-afternoon workout with Boatright. "Just to be captain, I'm the leader and everybody's going to look to me and Shabazz. That's definitely the pressure you kind of want, being one of the best players on the team. No complaints, really."
Oriakhi watched and learned from Walker and Beverly last year, noting how they kept "everybody together" throughout the summer, all the way to Houston. That's exactly what Oriakhi is trying to do now.
"The big men work out in the morning, I'm just pushing them and giving them a lot of confidence, just telling Mike and Enosch, you guys are going to be playing a lot this year, we need you guys," he said. "Just showing them hard work can really pay off. I think they're really buying into that. They're really working extremely hard."
It won't be as easy for Oriakhi this summer, as he may have a lot of traveling to do. He attended the Amare Stoudemire Camp for big men last week in Chicago and is hoping for an invitation off that to the LeBron James Skills Camp.
Later in July, he'll be playing in the World University Games, starting off in Colorado Springs, Colo., then jetting off to China.
Oriakhi doesn't think it's asking too much for Napier to serve as captain, even though he's just a sophomore.
"To me, Shabaazz has always been mature," he said. "He definitely plays like it. For him to learn from Kemba in one year, and now it's his turn … I know it's kind of early for him to be given such a huge role, but he's good enough and he's more than capable of doing it, so I don't think there's any pressure for him, only because we think he's that good and he has the ability to do it."
Speaking of Kemba, Oriakhi couldn't be happier that his former teammate went ninth overall in Thursday night's NBA draft – though he was surprised to see him slip a bit as a few European players got picked ahead of him.
Oriakhi may have more than just a viewing interest in next June's draft. Some mock drafts are already projecting him as a late-first or early-second round pick. Oriakhi insists he doesn't worry about that stuff.
"I try to just focus on being the best player I can be at Connecticut, and everything else takes care of itself," he said. "You think of stuff like that, it doesn't really help you at all. I'm just trying to be the best player I can be, I don't really pay attention to all that. The NBA's not going anywhere."
Quite literally, with the lockout and all.
Ever wondered what the layout for Spaceship Earth at EPCOT looks like? I also found a picture of the inner workings of the omnimover cars.
What we enjoyed most about today’s game were the smiles on the faces of the Mystics players as the clock wound down to 0:00 in the fourth quarter. It’s been a rough season thus far for the Washington players (and their fans), but it got just a little better this afternoon, as Washington posted a decisive victory in the Phone Booth over the cellar-dwelling Tulsa Shock, 83-63, who came to our Nation’s capital winless on the road, and are leaving the same way.While the Mystics got major contributions from several players, it was the smile on the face of Crystal Langhorne that made us happiest. Following that embarrassing loss last week to the Shock in Tulsa, Lang sent the Shock a message early (and often) that today’s game wouldn’t be anything like that one. Lang scored the first bucket of the game, and by the end of the first quarter, she was already in double figures. Lang finished with 23 points to lead all scorers, and her team never trailed in the game.
Lang may have led the way, but she got plenty of help from the other starters. Marissa and Nicky each finished with 13 points and a double-double; Riss grabbed 12 boards, while Nicky got 10. It was good to see Riss finally find a bit of a groove.
Two of Marissa’s points came on the receiving end of a highlight-reel behind-the-back pass from Matee. That one was definitely worth a second look on the Jumbotron. As for Matee, she finished just behind Lang in the scoring department, with 21 points. And she was her usual high-energy self . . . 6 assists, 4 steals, and 5 boards in addition to all her scoring.
All in all, a happy day for the players and their fans, in what to date has been a less-than-happy season. It was definitely good to see them smile.
Jeremy Lamb scored six points in 18 foul-plagued minutes as the U.S. Under-19 team lost to Lithuania's Under-20 squad 101-72 on Sunday in Panevezys, Lithuania.
Tim Hardaway, Jr. (Michigan/Miami, Fla.) paced the USA offense with 18 points, 16 coming in the second half. Team USA had only arrived in Lithuania about 26 hours before tip-off.
Joe Jackson (Memphis/Memphis, Tenn.) added 13 points and a team-leading eight rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Americans, while Doug McDermott (Creighton/Ames, Iowa) finished with 12 points and four rebounds.
Lamb started and shot 2-for-6 from the floor (2-for-4 on 3-pointers) to go along with a pair of rebounds and three turnovers. He committed four fouls.
"I thought the Lithuanian team played very well, especially in the first half. They moved the ball extremely well and did a great job of screening our guys," commented USA head coach Paul Hewitt (George Mason). "I expected us to play better. I don't think we played very well. But again credit should go to Lithuania, they played well.
"I thought the thing we learned from this game is just how physical the game is. We have to raise our level of physicality, especially on the defense end, firing through screens, and on the offensive end, setting better screens. I thought in the first half we were a little timid, a little light on our screens. In the second half, especially in the third quarter, we did as better job. We picked it up defensively, picked it up offensively and did much better.
The U.S. never found its rhythm in the game. Falling behind 5-0, Jackson converted two free throws and Meyers Leonard (Illinois/Robinson, Ill.) hit a short jumper with 8:30 left on the clock to close the gap to 5-4. The USA shooting went arctic cold from that point and the red, white and blue didn't hit another jumper until the 2:36 mark of the period, and by then the USA was looking at a 26-8 deficit.
Tim Hardaway, Jr. (Michigan/Miami, Fla.) paced the USA offense with 18 points, 16 coming in the second half. Team USA had only arrived in Lithuania about 26 hours before tip-off.
Joe Jackson (Memphis/Memphis, Tenn.) added 13 points and a team-leading eight rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Americans, while Doug McDermott (Creighton/Ames, Iowa) finished with 12 points and four rebounds.
Lamb started and shot 2-for-6 from the floor (2-for-4 on 3-pointers) to go along with a pair of rebounds and three turnovers. He committed four fouls.
"I thought the Lithuanian team played very well, especially in the first half. They moved the ball extremely well and did a great job of screening our guys," commented USA head coach Paul Hewitt (George Mason). "I expected us to play better. I don't think we played very well. But again credit should go to Lithuania, they played well.
"I thought the thing we learned from this game is just how physical the game is. We have to raise our level of physicality, especially on the defense end, firing through screens, and on the offensive end, setting better screens. I thought in the first half we were a little timid, a little light on our screens. In the second half, especially in the third quarter, we did as better job. We picked it up defensively, picked it up offensively and did much better.
The U.S. never found its rhythm in the game. Falling behind 5-0, Jackson converted two free throws and Meyers Leonard (Illinois/Robinson, Ill.) hit a short jumper with 8:30 left on the clock to close the gap to 5-4. The USA shooting went arctic cold from that point and the red, white and blue didn't hit another jumper until the 2:36 mark of the period, and by then the USA was looking at a 26-8 deficit.
Turning the Other CheekOn Friday, the Mystics announced that they had received another medical hardship exception from the WNBA, allowing them to add an additional player to their 11-woman roster. Upon receiving that exception, the Mystics signed Joy Cheek from -- big surprise -- Duke University! Which means that on what is now a 12-person roster, the Mystics have 5 players from a single college. And three of them played together.
We have absolutely nothing against Joy Cheek. By all accounts, she’s a really nice person. And heaven knows, Lang – who’s been playing far too many minutes, in the BCs’ opinion – could use the help of another PF (like Joy) coming off the bench.
Joy was drafted by the Indiana Fever in the third round of last year’s draft. She’s a 6’1” Forward who played in 7 games for Indy last season. We welcome her to the Mystics and hope she does well here in D.C.
The problem we’re having is that regardless of what school she’s from, it just strikes us that 5 players from the same place are too many. Our readers know, of course, that the BCs are die-hard Terps fans. During the college season, we have no love for the Blue Devils. Period. The End. But as our readers have also probably noticed, when it comes to the WNBA, how we feel about any particular player has very little to do with where she went to school.
Yes, we hope all the Terps do well in the pros. That goes without saying. But we don’t root against the Dukies in the WNBA and we don’t cut a WNBA player too much slack (if she’s not performing) just because she went to Maryland. (Best example: we loved having Lindsey Harding on the Mystics, and miss her terribly.)
And another thing . . . call us crazy (we aren’t named the BasketCases for nothing), but come summer, we like our pro basketball to provide some variety from the college basketball season. So we really enjoy watching players from non-ACC schools, precisely because they are not players we saw a lot of during their college careers.
As a side note, as far as we know, Alana and Mo are the only Mystics currently unable to play, which means that 9 players were still available to suit up before yesterday’s hardship addition. Indeed, the only injured players cited in the Mystics’ announcement yesterday were Alana and Mo. To the best of our knowledge, teams have only been allowed to exceed the 11-player limit when they were down to 8 uninjured players. So was this an exception to the exception? Or is another player injured that the Mystics haven’t mentioned? Or have we missed something in the history of exceptions?
At any rate, whether this was an exceptional-league-exception or just a routine-exception, once the Mystics were granted the exception, we would still have been happier with a little variety. Nothing against Joy or the Dukies (at least until the college season rolls around). But -- 5 players from the same school on the Mystics -- we’re not overly excited about this. Oh well, guess we’ll just have to turn the other cheek.
Sad story out of New Haven: Former Hillhouse High and Providence College basketball player Donell Allick was shot dead early Friday morning.
I got to know Allick a little bit while covering PC for the Pawtucket Times back in the early 2000's. Seemed like a nice enough kid. According to the Register's story, he was one credit short of earning his degree from Louisiana Tech. Very sad.
I got to know Allick a little bit while covering PC for the Pawtucket Times back in the early 2000's. Seemed like a nice enough kid. According to the Register's story, he was one credit short of earning his degree from Louisiana Tech. Very sad.
So where has Ater Majok been since his one unillustrious season at UConn?
Well, after leaving UConn in September, 2010, he went over to Turkey and played for about two months, averaging about 14 points per game. He then returned to his adopted homeland, Australia, where he hooked up with a team called the Gold Coast Blaze.
Before that season ended, however, Majok asked for his release so that he could start preparing for the NBA draft. He worked out in front of a bunch of teams in group settings, one time going through a vigorous workout with ex-NBA player and coach John Lucas in Houston while several teams watched.
But it was a the adidas Euro Camp in Italy a few weeks ago, where many of the top international players work out and where all 30 teams were represented, where Majok really started opening some eyes.
"They played him at the the 3 position," said his agent, Mike Lelchitski. "He's been working to transition to playing the 3. He had a really tough time in college playing the 4 and 5. He's tall, but that's not naturally his position. He was able to really turn some heads and did a lot of things people never saw and didn't expect. He ran the court and altered shots, but also played great perimeter defense, locked down some of the great international players, and shot the ball extremely well from 3."
Majok played so well that the Lakers invited him for an individual workout last week, the only individual workout the 6-foot-11 Majok had.
"The Lakers were extremely interested right off the bat," Lelchitski said. "They had four second-round picks and they were looking for guys that could develop down the line."
Majok will attend a Lakers mini-camp next week out in L.A. After that, thanks to the NBA's unsettled labor situation, everything is up in the air.
"Ater wants to have ability to play in NBA one day," Lelchitski said. "That’s his dream. Whatever steps they suggest he take, he’s open to them. He has a lot of interest in Europe right now. I think that’s a great place for him to develop. His passport allows him certain opportunities in Europle others don’t have. Even if he's not in the NBA the next 1-2 years, he's in a great spot, because he has a team that believes in him enough to invest a draft pick, which says a lot."
Well, after leaving UConn in September, 2010, he went over to Turkey and played for about two months, averaging about 14 points per game. He then returned to his adopted homeland, Australia, where he hooked up with a team called the Gold Coast Blaze.
Before that season ended, however, Majok asked for his release so that he could start preparing for the NBA draft. He worked out in front of a bunch of teams in group settings, one time going through a vigorous workout with ex-NBA player and coach John Lucas in Houston while several teams watched.
But it was a the adidas Euro Camp in Italy a few weeks ago, where many of the top international players work out and where all 30 teams were represented, where Majok really started opening some eyes.
"They played him at the the 3 position," said his agent, Mike Lelchitski. "He's been working to transition to playing the 3. He had a really tough time in college playing the 4 and 5. He's tall, but that's not naturally his position. He was able to really turn some heads and did a lot of things people never saw and didn't expect. He ran the court and altered shots, but also played great perimeter defense, locked down some of the great international players, and shot the ball extremely well from 3."
Majok played so well that the Lakers invited him for an individual workout last week, the only individual workout the 6-foot-11 Majok had.
"The Lakers were extremely interested right off the bat," Lelchitski said. "They had four second-round picks and they were looking for guys that could develop down the line."
Majok will attend a Lakers mini-camp next week out in L.A. After that, thanks to the NBA's unsettled labor situation, everything is up in the air.
"Ater wants to have ability to play in NBA one day," Lelchitski said. "That’s his dream. Whatever steps they suggest he take, he’s open to them. He has a lot of interest in Europe right now. I think that’s a great place for him to develop. His passport allows him certain opportunities in Europle others don’t have. Even if he's not in the NBA the next 1-2 years, he's in a great spot, because he has a team that believes in him enough to invest a draft pick, which says a lot."
Kemba Walker is congratulated by Brandon Jennings -- who, ironically, nearly went to UConn -- after being selected 9th overall in NBA draft. In fact, had Jennings gone to Storrs, Walker probably wouldn't have wound up a Husky.
And here, Kemba meets the Connecticut media shortly after being selected:
And here, Kemba meets the Connecticut media shortly after being selected:
I’m not sure what this says, or if it means anything at all, but I find it ironic that Derrick Williams (Arizona), Enes Kanter (Kentucky … sorta), Tristan Thompson (Texas) and Brandon Knight (Kentucky) – all of whom were beaten by Kemba Walker and UConn this season – all were selected before Walker in the NBA Draft.
I don’t know, just found that interesting. Personally, I would have looked over Walker’s alleged shortcomings and recognized his heart and winning attitude. Apparently the NBA’s greatest winner of all time (with apologies to Bill Russell) felt the same way.
Some Kemba quotes from tonight:
(on MJ)
“I’m happy he’s giving me this opportunity. He’s the greatest player ever to play the game, so anything I can learn from that man, I’m going to ask a lot of questions.”
“He was a winner, he had a lot of heart when he played. I’m all about heart. I go out there and compete every night, and I’m not going to go down without a fight.”
(on being picked ninth)
“I’m happy, I can’t complain at all. If I went (No.) 30, I wouldn’t be mad, honestly. I’m just happy to be in the NBA. I’m just going to continue to work hard and keep improving … Of course I wish I could have gone higher, but who cares? I’m with Michael Jordan.”
(on tearing up after hearing his name announced by David Stern)
“I told myself I was going to hold it in, but I couldn’t. I’m a very emotional guy, and when great things happen to me, I let it show.”
( On possibly having to battle current Bobcats point guard D.J. Augustin at the point):
“As far as sharing time with D.J., I have no problem. As long as we’re playing well and we’re winning, if I can do anything possible to help that team, I’m willing … I’m definitely more confident playing on the ball, but last year, having to score so much, I learned how to be off the ball. If there’s a situation where me and D.J. (are) in the game together, both of us, depending how the night is going, can play off the ball, so there’s no problem with that.”
(on everything that’s transpired over the past year)
“It’s been like a movie. This whole year has been magical, honestly So many different, crazy things have been happening to me. I just feel blessed. I have God on my side and, hopefully, the sky is the limit for me.”
I don’t know, just found that interesting. Personally, I would have looked over Walker’s alleged shortcomings and recognized his heart and winning attitude. Apparently the NBA’s greatest winner of all time (with apologies to Bill Russell) felt the same way.
Some Kemba quotes from tonight:
(on MJ)
“I’m happy he’s giving me this opportunity. He’s the greatest player ever to play the game, so anything I can learn from that man, I’m going to ask a lot of questions.”
“He was a winner, he had a lot of heart when he played. I’m all about heart. I go out there and compete every night, and I’m not going to go down without a fight.”
(on being picked ninth)
“I’m happy, I can’t complain at all. If I went (No.) 30, I wouldn’t be mad, honestly. I’m just happy to be in the NBA. I’m just going to continue to work hard and keep improving … Of course I wish I could have gone higher, but who cares? I’m with Michael Jordan.”
(on tearing up after hearing his name announced by David Stern)
“I told myself I was going to hold it in, but I couldn’t. I’m a very emotional guy, and when great things happen to me, I let it show.”
( On possibly having to battle current Bobcats point guard D.J. Augustin at the point):
“As far as sharing time with D.J., I have no problem. As long as we’re playing well and we’re winning, if I can do anything possible to help that team, I’m willing … I’m definitely more confident playing on the ball, but last year, having to score so much, I learned how to be off the ball. If there’s a situation where me and D.J. (are) in the game together, both of us, depending how the night is going, can play off the ball, so there’s no problem with that.”
(on everything that’s transpired over the past year)
“It’s been like a movie. This whole year has been magical, honestly So many different, crazy things have been happening to me. I just feel blessed. I have God on my side and, hopefully, the sky is the limit for me.”
Get out your cameras and dust off the lens – it’s time for Coaster101's fourth annual photography contest! This year’s categories will remain the same from last year: original, edited, and humor. Submissions will be accepted through July 8th, 2011. Voting will begin soon thereafter. Please read all of the rules first before entering.
There will be a first, second, and third place winner from each category. First place winners will receive a Coaster101 prize pack. Prize packs will include prizes from parks including Busch Gardens Tampa, various Six Flags parks, Worlds of Fun, and more!
Click here for more information and a link to enter!
There will be a first, second, and third place winner from each category. First place winners will receive a Coaster101 prize pack. Prize packs will include prizes from parks including Busch Gardens Tampa, various Six Flags parks, Worlds of Fun, and more!
Click here for more information and a link to enter!
OK, this time we mean it: Jeremy Lamb has earned a spot on the USA U-19 World Championship team. The team, featuring five players with prior USA Basketball experience, will look to defend the gold medal won by the U.S. in 2009 at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship.
Named to the 2011 USA Basketball U19 World Championship squad were: Keith Appling (Michigan State/Detroit, Mich.); James Bell (Villanova/Orlando, Fla.); Anthony Brown (Stanford/Huntington Beach, Calif.); Jahii Carson (Mesa High School/*Arizona State/Phoenix, Ariz.); Tim Hardaway, Jr. (Michigan/Miami, Fla.); Joe Jackson (Memphis/Memphis, Tenn.); Jeremy Lamb (Connecticut/ Norcross, Ga.); Meyers Leonard (Illinois/Robinson, Ill.); Khyle Marshall (Butler/Davie, Fla.); Doug McDermott (Creighton/Ames, Iowa); Tony Mitchell (North Texas/Dallas, Texas); and Patric Young (Florida/Jacksonville, Fla.).
George Mason University mentor Paul Hewitt is head coach of the USA U19 World Championship Team, and is being assisted by collegiate head coaches Randy Bennett of St. Mary's College and Cliff Warren of Jacksonville University.
"I like the depth and versatility of this team, in particular our big guys. I think our big guys are a great presence around the basket and do an excellent job of screening," said Hewitt. "Defense will have to be a staple for this team and we have work to do. I'm not happy with where we are defensively. I think we made steps, we're doing some good things, but in order to compete for the gold medal we have to get better.
"The selection was harder than I expected. The young man we decided not to keep, Javon McCrae, it was really just a numbers situation, he played more than well enough to make the team. We just didn't feel comfortable going over there without three point guards," Hewitt stated.
The team will complete its domestic training Thursday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., and then depart for Europe on June 24. The USA squad will train June 25-28 in Lithuania. The Americans will face the Lithuania U20 National Team in an exhibition game on June 26 in Panevrzys, Lithuania, and then meet the Lithuania U19 National Team on June 28 in Vilnius, Lithuania. The 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men is being held
Jim Calhoun and George Blaney played in today's Travelers celebrity pro-am with Michael Bolton. For those who think Bolton is simply a balladeer who remakes R&B standards and keeps winning Grammies, it may interest you to know that he's got a heavy metal past.
(For what it's worth, Bolton apparently can really kill the ball off the tee).
Caught up with Blaney after their round with pro Ryan Moore was rain-shortened after 14 holes. Blaney spoke about what he envisioned for Kemba Walker in tomorrow night's NBA Draft.
"Every pro team that I've talked to couldn't get over the stories about what a good kid he was," Blaney said. "Jim had told a story at one of the dinners about how when Kemba won the MVP of the Maui tournament and won the MVP of the Big East tournament, after each of those tournaments, he was the last guy on the bus going back to the hotel. And he had the trophy both times. Both times he got on the bus and the team stood up and gave him a standing ovation. I told that to a bunch of general managers and they were blown away by that, I thought."
Where will Walker wind up, and what teams seem to like him the most?
"When you're in the top 10, it can be three as well as 10 in a heartbeat, because it just depends on who gets picked before you. It changes quickly. I'm hoping he goes anywhere from three to seven."
"I thought Utah and Sacramento and Toronto showed the most interest, in my conversations with them. But you don't know until the guy ahead of you picks, and who's left on the board at that time. Caron (Butler) was supposed to go four, and somebody got picked ahead and he wound up going 10. Those things can happen."
(For what it's worth, Bolton apparently can really kill the ball off the tee).
Caught up with Blaney after their round with pro Ryan Moore was rain-shortened after 14 holes. Blaney spoke about what he envisioned for Kemba Walker in tomorrow night's NBA Draft.
"Every pro team that I've talked to couldn't get over the stories about what a good kid he was," Blaney said. "Jim had told a story at one of the dinners about how when Kemba won the MVP of the Maui tournament and won the MVP of the Big East tournament, after each of those tournaments, he was the last guy on the bus going back to the hotel. And he had the trophy both times. Both times he got on the bus and the team stood up and gave him a standing ovation. I told that to a bunch of general managers and they were blown away by that, I thought."
Where will Walker wind up, and what teams seem to like him the most?
"When you're in the top 10, it can be three as well as 10 in a heartbeat, because it just depends on who gets picked before you. It changes quickly. I'm hoping he goes anywhere from three to seven."
"I thought Utah and Sacramento and Toronto showed the most interest, in my conversations with them. But you don't know until the guy ahead of you picks, and who's left on the board at that time. Caron (Butler) was supposed to go four, and somebody got picked ahead and he wound up going 10. Those things can happen."
Dreary day here at the Travelers Championship pro-am day. Rain has cancelled the remainder of the morning round. Jim Calhoun, playing in a group with pro Ryan Moore, as well as George Blaney and Michael Bolton (not the guy from 'Office Space,' either), got in 14 holes before rain ended their day.
Kevin Ollie and Ray Allen played in a group with Jim Furyk. Hopefully they didn't try to emulate his swing.
Afterwards, Ollie talked about a few things, including the prevailing thought that he will be Calhoun's successor some day at UConn.
Yes, he's heard the rumors.
"Unless you're hiding under a rock, you hear your name," he said. "But I don't get caught up in that. I take it one day at a time. God has given me this day to be on this Earth, and that's the only thing I'm concentrating on. If it does come to me being the head coach there, I'd love the opportunity. But anything can happen. I'm just going to go out there and try to be the best coach I can be, learn from a Hall of Fame coach, learn from Coach Blaney, who's got over 400 wins. Learn from Glen Miller, who's been a head basketball coach for 17 years. I've got a plethora of people to learn from, and I'm just an empty cup trying to get better each and every day."
Ollie also talked about Kemba Walker and where he may go in tomorrow night's NBA Draft.
"I'm just hearing that he's definitely going to be a top 10 pick," Ollie said. "He's comfortable taking it all in. The place he's in right now is great. He deserves everything he's going to get. He's going to be a great player when he gets to the NBA because of his drive, his passion and his will to win are all off the charts. Every level he's been at, he's been a winner, so I don't see that changing when he gets to the NBA."
He said Utah and Sacramento appear to be potential landing spots, but hopes that isn't true for one selfish reason.
"I'm kinda biased, I wish he was on the East Coast," Ollie confessed. "I'm getting kinda old in age, so I go to sleep on those TNT games at 10:30 p.m. Hopefully he'll be East, but it looks like he'll be out West somewhere."
Ollie said he's talked to Walker "throughout the year" on what to expect about the draft process, being an NBA player, etc.
"Now, he's just enjoying the process, listening to his agents, I know he's probably called Coach Calhoun," Ollie said. "Just letting him enjoy this. This is his time. It's going to be a great, great opportunity for him to hear his name get called, hopefully meet David Stern. Hopefully the kids that are in our program now see his determination, see his due diligence, see his preparation each and every day and try to emulate that some way, somehow."
Oh yeah, the obligatory 'is Calhoun coming back?' question:
"We just see him every day, working so hard, beating me into the office. At 8:30 a.m., he's grinding away. Hopefully he's coming back, but you just never know. He deserves this opportunity to sit back and talk to his family, come up with the best decision for him and his family."
Kevin Ollie and Ray Allen played in a group with Jim Furyk. Hopefully they didn't try to emulate his swing.
Afterwards, Ollie talked about a few things, including the prevailing thought that he will be Calhoun's successor some day at UConn.
Yes, he's heard the rumors.
"Unless you're hiding under a rock, you hear your name," he said. "But I don't get caught up in that. I take it one day at a time. God has given me this day to be on this Earth, and that's the only thing I'm concentrating on. If it does come to me being the head coach there, I'd love the opportunity. But anything can happen. I'm just going to go out there and try to be the best coach I can be, learn from a Hall of Fame coach, learn from Coach Blaney, who's got over 400 wins. Learn from Glen Miller, who's been a head basketball coach for 17 years. I've got a plethora of people to learn from, and I'm just an empty cup trying to get better each and every day."
Ollie also talked about Kemba Walker and where he may go in tomorrow night's NBA Draft.
"I'm just hearing that he's definitely going to be a top 10 pick," Ollie said. "He's comfortable taking it all in. The place he's in right now is great. He deserves everything he's going to get. He's going to be a great player when he gets to the NBA because of his drive, his passion and his will to win are all off the charts. Every level he's been at, he's been a winner, so I don't see that changing when he gets to the NBA."
He said Utah and Sacramento appear to be potential landing spots, but hopes that isn't true for one selfish reason.
"I'm kinda biased, I wish he was on the East Coast," Ollie confessed. "I'm getting kinda old in age, so I go to sleep on those TNT games at 10:30 p.m. Hopefully he'll be East, but it looks like he'll be out West somewhere."
Ollie said he's talked to Walker "throughout the year" on what to expect about the draft process, being an NBA player, etc.
"Now, he's just enjoying the process, listening to his agents, I know he's probably called Coach Calhoun," Ollie said. "Just letting him enjoy this. This is his time. It's going to be a great, great opportunity for him to hear his name get called, hopefully meet David Stern. Hopefully the kids that are in our program now see his determination, see his due diligence, see his preparation each and every day and try to emulate that some way, somehow."
Oh yeah, the obligatory 'is Calhoun coming back?' question:
"We just see him every day, working so hard, beating me into the office. At 8:30 a.m., he's grinding away. Hopefully he's coming back, but you just never know. He deserves this opportunity to sit back and talk to his family, come up with the best decision for him and his family."
I'll be doing a chat about Kemba Walker and the NBA draft today (Wednesday) at 2 p.m. Please feel free to join and ask a question or two at:
What do all of these shops have in common?
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clue: answer can be found in shops' profile. Hooray for June 22nd!
FallingThe Mystics fell to the Indiana Fever at home tonight, 89-80. With this loss, Washington's regular season record fell to 1-5. And with Atlanta's win earlier today, the Mystics fell into last place in the Eastern Conference standings.
UKCAT8FAN
WT Video Specialist
This is my first video for the 2012 edition of Kentucky Basketball. Take a few minutes and flip through the pages of the hottest magazine on the market today, 'The STARS'. Enjoy!
WT Video Specialist
This is my first video for the 2012 edition of Kentucky Basketball. Take a few minutes and flip through the pages of the hottest magazine on the market today, 'The STARS'. Enjoy!
If you've ever wondered how Soarin' at EPCOT works here is a nice little diagram I found on the internet, which shows how the ride works mechanically.
Perry Ellis is a 6'8 forward from the class of 2012. Ellis is from Wichita Kansas and has offers from Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis, Oklahoma, Kansas State, Wichita State. These highlights are from the 2011 Best Buy Classic in Chicago.
Jeremy Lamb is one of 13 players named to the 2011 USA Men's Under-19 World Championship Team. The selections were made after four training sessions over the past four days. The USA squad will look to defend the gold medal won in 2009 at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship that runs June 30-July 10 in Latvia.
Named as a finalist for the USA U19 World Championship squad were: Keith Appling (Michigan State/Detroit, Mich.); James Bell (Villanova/Orlando, Fla.); Anthony Brown (Stanford/Huntington Beach, Calif.); .); Jahii Carson (Mesa High School/*Arizona State/Phoenix, Ariz.);Tim Hardaway, Jr. (Michigan/Miami, Fla.); Joe Jackson (Memphis/Memphis, Tenn.); Jeremy Lamb (Connecticut/Norcross, Ga.); Meyers Leonard (Illinois/Robinson, Ill.); Khyle Marshall (Butler/Davie, Fla.); Javon McCrea (Buffalo/Newark, N.Y.); Doug McDermott (Creighton/ Ames, Iowa); Tony Mitchell (North Texas/Dallas, Texas); and Patric Young (Florida/Jacksonville, Fla.).
George Mason University mentor Paul Hewitt is head coach of the USA U19 World Championship Team, and is being assisted by collegiate head coaches Randy Bennett of St. Mary’s College and Cliff Warren of Jacksonville University
A Shocking Development
Before tonight, the Tulsa Shock were generally considered to be the worst team in the WNBA.
Before tonight, the Tulsa Shock were generally considered to be the worst team in the WNBA.
Tonight, in Tulsa, the Mystics lost to the Shock, 77-59.
Darius Miller Summer Interview
Eloy talks about his summer in China, being disappointed that the Miami Heat lost and his feelings about Lebron James.
Eloy talks about his summer in China, being disappointed that the Miami Heat lost and his feelings about Lebron James.
Sun BurntPrior to tonight, in the last 8 meetings of the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun, the home team has won . . . every time.
That streak was broken this evening at the Verizon Center, as the visiting Sun defeated the Mystics, 79-71, in front of what appeared to be (on TV) a very sparse hometown crowd.
That streak was broken this evening at the Verizon Center, as the visiting Sun defeated the Mystics, 79-71, in front of what appeared to be (on TV) a very sparse hometown crowd.
As they have in each of their three previous games this season, the Mystics fell behind early. At the end of the first period, the Sun led by 12 points, 23-11. The Mystics, once again, were forced to play catch-up. Which they did (somewhat), cutting the Sun's lead to 6 by halftime.
Nevertheless, for the fourth time in four games, the Mystics allowed their opponent to score more than 40 points before the break. And while Washington battled back during the second half to take the lead for a single possession late in the game, they couldn't hang on, and have now dropped to 1 and 3 on the season.
Nevertheless, for the fourth time in four games, the Mystics allowed their opponent to score more than 40 points before the break. And while Washington battled back during the second half to take the lead for a single possession late in the game, they couldn't hang on, and have now dropped to 1 and 3 on the season.
The Mystics' next chance for a "W" comes on Saturday . . . and it's a good chance, as they hit the road to take on the winless and hapless Tulsa Shock. This is a "must-win" for the Mystics . . . a loss to Tulsa would be really embarrassing.
Here's what we've been told about what Kemba Walker can expect at the NBA Draft on Thursday night in Newark:
*** Kemba's worked out with five teams -- Utah, Toronto, Sacramento, Detroit and Charlotte. It appears he'd be a pretty good fit with all five, with the possible exception of the Raptors, who have some good young guards in place. Utah picks third overall, Toronto fifth, Sacramento seventh, Detroit eighth and Charlotte ninth. Expect Kemba to go somewhere between No. 3 and No. 9 (more likely No.'s 7-9).
*** For what it's worth, NBADraft.net has him going eighth to the Pistons, while DraftExpress.com has him going fifth to the Raptors.
*** The Knicks? Yeah, they love Kemba. But picking at No. 17, there's no chance Walker would still be available. They could trade up, of course, but you've got to have the goods to trade for a higher pick. Not sure if the Knicks have what it takes.
*** The Celtics? Not particularly interested in Kemba. They do have Rajon Rondo, after all.
*** Rumors you may have heard about Brandon Knight's agent not wanting Knight to go head-to-head against Walker in NBA workouts are true.
*** Kemba just finished his workouts and is in New York City right now, where he'll be until Thursday's draft. The endorsment opportunities have already started: Webster Bank and Best Buy, specifically, with surely more to come.
That's all we've got for now. See you in Newark!
Happy Stars & Stripes Day!
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It is amazing how many people forget that June fourteenth is Flag Day!
Hooray for flags and Hooray for the American Flag!
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