Maybe teammates had been so used to LeBron James needing his headband, whether it’s for comfort or appearance. Fighting for his life in these NBA Finals, fighting for his basketball stature, this accessory was the last thing James had on his mind in Game 6. Read More. Written by Shams Charania on Jun 19, 2013
Pierre Jackson out of Baylor was considered to be the most impressive prospect at the New Jersey combine last week, according to the scouts that attended.
Most of the 44 invitees will not be drafted next month.
"The bar wasn't exactly high, but yes," one GM said.
Brittney Griner came out publicly as a lesbian in an interview with Sports Illustrated's Maggie Gray.
Griner was the No. 1 overall pick of the WNBA Draft on Monday.
Griner was asked about the differences between men's and women's sports, where the latter has several prominent, openly gay athletes.
"I really couldn't give an answer on why that's so different," said Griner. "Being one that's out, it's just being who you are. Again, like I said, just be who you are. Don't worry about what other people are going to say, because they're always going to say something, but, if you're just true to yourself, let that shine through. Don't hide who you really are."
Griner was asked if the decision to be candid with her sexuality was difficult.
"It really wasn't too difficult, I wouldn't say I was hiding or anything like that. I've always been open about who I am and my sexuality. So, it wasn't hard at all. If I can show that I'm out and I'm fine and everything's OK, then hopefully the younger generation will definitely feel the same way."
Marcus Smart has been named the Big 12 Player of the Year, becoming the first freshman to win the award since Michael Beasley in 2008 and Kevin Durant in 2007. Smart also was named Freshman of the Year.
Smart is joined on the All-Big 12 First Team by Ben McLemore and Jeff Withey of Kansas, Rodney McGruder of Kansas State and Romero Osby of Oklahoma.
On the All-Big 12 Second Team are Travis Releford of Kansas, Angel Rodriguez of Kansas State, Markel Brown of Oklahoma State, Will Clyburn of Iowa State and Pierre Jackson of Baylor.
On the All-Big 12 Third Team are Isaiah Austin of Baylor, Oklahoma's Amath M'Baye and Steven Pledger, LeBron Nash of Oklahoma State and Iowa State's Melvin Ejim.
Withey was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
The 2012-13 Naismith early season watch list was released on Wednesday.
Below is a full list of nominees:
Kyle Anderson, UCLA Chane Behanan, Louisville Kenny Boynton, Florida Lorenzo Brown, NC State Trey Burke, Michigan Isaiah Canaan, Murray State Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse Rotnei Clarke, Butler Jack Cooley, Notre Dame DJ Cooper, Ohio Aaron Craft, Ohio State Matthew Dellavedova, Saint Mary's Gorgui Dieng, Louisville Michael Dixon Jr., Missouri Jamaal Franklin, San Diego State Tim Frazier, Penn State Archie Goodwin, Kentucky Elias Harris, Gonzaga Pierre Jackson, Cincinnati CJ Leslie, NC State Mark Lyons, Arizona Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota James Michael McAdoo, North Carolina CJ McCollum, Lehigh Doug McDermott, Creighton Rodney McGruder, Kansas State Ben McLemore, Kansas Tony Mitchell, North Texas Mike Moser, UNLV Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA Nerlens Noel, Kentucky Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga Mason Plumlee, Duke Otto Porter, Georgetown Alex Poythress, Kentucky Phil Pressey, Missouri Andre Roberson, Colorado Peyton Siva, Louisville Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State Michael Snaer, Florida State Jarnell Stokes, Tennessee Adonis Thomas, Memphis Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State Christian Watford, Indiana Jeff Withey, Kansas Nate Wolters, South Dakota State BJ Young, Arkansas Patric Young, Florida Cody Zeller, Indiana
Stephen Clark has narrowed his college choices to Baylor and Oklahoma State, but is torn between which school is best positioned to showcase his talents.
“I like how (Baylor coach Scott Drew) has let his small point guards play,” said Clark, who measures 5-feet-11, 175-pounds. “A lot of his guards are in the top 15 in scoring in the school's history. He has a way of letting his point guards go play their game.”
Clark said Okahoma State presents a similar case.
“They let their short point guards go, like Keiton Page did, so hopefully I could do something like that, if not better,” he said. “And it's close to home, so my family will still be around me.”
Clark stars at Douglass High School in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Dominic Woodson, a top-40 prospect out of Huntington Prep in West Virginia, committed to Baylor on Thursday.
"Its close to home, a great academic school and has a great coaching staff," Woodon said. "And [there's] a chance to win a championship."
Woodson picked Baylor over North Carolina State.
"Dominic has made huge strides this year, not only on the court but from an attitude standpoint as well," Huntington Prep coach Rob Fulford said. "This is great place for him to mature because he realizes we are going win with or without him."
"He is understanding what it takes to be a teammate and has huge upside," he added. "I'm proud of Dominic for continuing to push through what hasn't been a very easy life."
Stephen Clark, a top-100 prospect in 2013, will take scheduled visits to Oklahoma State, UCLA, Baylor and Florida State before making his college decision.
Clark is expected to make his college announcement by Nov. 14, the opening day of the weeklong early signing period for high school basketball players.
John Calipari (36 percent), Scott Drew (34 percent) and Ben Howland (12 percent) are perceived by their peers as the biggest cheaters in college basketball.