NCAA WiretapMarch 2015 NCAA Wiretap

Thabo Sefolosha: Police Injured Me, Damaged My Reputation

May 31, 2015 12:16 PM

Thabo Sefolosha discussed the physical and mental toll that his leg fracture had, stemming from the incident with the NYPD.

"I was injured in the hands of the police, and it took away a lot from my everyday life," Sefolosha said. "From being able to help put the kids in bed, going up and down the stairs.

"We are talking about the stress that it has brought to the entire family, you know, my mom and dad in Switzerland, my brothers and sisters, my wife. Also, the damage to my reputation. I've had people texting me about what they saw in the newspaper and things like this. Every aspect of my life was affected by something like this, and I think putting light on the aftermath of something like this, I think that's also something that's important."

Sefolosha had gone out in New York to celebrate a 60-win season with a teammate.

"That night we had quite a bit to celebrate," he said. "We had secured the first spot in the Eastern Conference. And I like New York. It's a city I enjoy. I have friends there. So me and one of my teammates decided to go out and have a good time in the city.

"I'm looking forward for the truth to come out and for me being able to speak on it, but right now I think it's not the right time to do it."

Kevin Arnovitz/ESPN.com

Tags: Thabo Sefolosha, Atlanta Hawks, NCAA, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bulls Confident Fred Hoiberg Will Become Next Head Coach

May 30, 2015 12:43 PM

The Chicago Bulls are confident Fred Hoiberg will accept their offer to become the next head coach of the franchise.

Hoiberg played for the Bulls for four of his 10 NBA seasons and is a close friend of Gar Forman.

The Bulls fired Tom Thibodeau on Thursday after five years as their coach. Thibodeau had two years and almost $9 million left on his contract.

Earlier this week, the Ames Tribune, citing sources with knowledge of the situation, reported that Hoiberg has told at least one recruit that his future at Iowa State is uncertain.

Nick Friedell/ESPN

Tags: Chicago Bulls, Iowa State Cyclones, NCAA, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bulls Have Understanding Fred Hoiberg Will Accept Job

May 29, 2015 11:39 AM

The Chicago Bulls moved forward with firing Tom Thibodeau this week as it became clear that the front office had an understanding with Fred Hoiberg that he would accept the job.

Hoiberg played for the Bulls during his playing career and has prior front office experience with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Hoiberg has had a successful run as head coach of Iowa State.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Chicago Bulls, Iowa State Cyclones, NCAA, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Jeff Hornacek On Iowa State: I'm Coach Of The Suns As Far As I Know

May 29, 2015 12:13 AM

Fred Hoiberg is widely expected to leave Iowa State this offseason to become head coach of the Chicago Bulls.

There have been reports that Jeff Hornacek could be a candidate for the Iowa State job should Hoiberg leave. Hornacek played collegiately at Iowa State like Hoiberg.

Hoiberg was asked about the Iowa State job during a radio appearance on Thursday.

“I can’t comment on that,” Hornacek said. “I’m the coach of the Suns. It’s an interesting coaching carousel that goes on in the league and even down to the college level.

“If those things ever come about, and the timing was right, stuff like that, yes, but as far as I know I’m the coach of the Suns.”

Hornacek’s contract with the Suns is reportedly for less than $2 million a year, a bit less than the $2.2 Hoiberg made last season and the average compensation of $2.6 million per year over the life of his contract.

“It’s sometimes surprising to see how much the college coaches are making, even the assistant level,” Hornacek said. “I’ve seen some of those assistant coaches’ salaries and I’m like, ‘Holy crap, I think that’s more than probably some of our assistants make.’

“If you look at what happened to the NBA coaching salaries, I don’t know if there was a directive or whatever but I saw the average salary for an NBA coach now is still less than what it was six years ago. So how does the salary for coaches go down? It’s starting to get back up there where it was previously but it’s still not even at the level it was six years ago.

“That will probably end up changing here soon, too. I think you’ve already seen a good portion of it with some of these new coaches that are getting jobs in the last year or so. It’s becoming a different level.”

Travis Hines/Ames Tribune

Tags: Phoenix Suns, Iowa State Cyclones, NCAA, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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John Calipari Interested In Pelicans' Job

May 19, 2015 1:27 PM

John Calipari has interest in becoming head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, according to a source close to the coach.

Calipari recently signed an extension with Kentucky.

Calipari would have the chance to reunite with Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans if he returned to the NBA with the Pelicans.

there have been exploratory conversations between Calipari and the Pelicans, but it doesn't appear as though the franchise could meet his financial demands.

League sources said the Pelicans are willing to pay around $4 million to $5 million per season for Monty Williams' successor. Williams was fired last week after five seasons at the helm.

But Calipari makes about $8 million annually and recently agreed to a one-year contract extension through 2022, which he hasn't yet signed. 

The financial aspects are a major issue for Calipari, while he also would seek input on the Pelicans' roster.

Calipari released the following statement via Twitter:

"Even though Anthony and Tyreke are in NOLA, I have no interest in the Pelicans or any other job. I have a great job and I'm happy at UK."

John Reid/Times Picayune

Tags: New Orleans Pelicans, Kentucky Wildcats, NCAA, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Ford Has Simmons, Labissiere, Brown, Ingram, Pope As 2016 Top-5

May 13, 2015 5:11 PM

Chad Ford was asked during his Wednesday chat to offer his current top-5 for the projected 2016 NBA Draft class.

1. Ben Simmons, F, LSU

2. Skal Labissiere, F/C, Kentucky

3. Jaylen Brown, G/F, Cal

4. Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke

5. Malik Pope, SF, San Diego State

Chad Ford/ESPN

Tags: Ben Simmons, Skal Labissiere, Jaylen Brown, Malik Pope, Brandon Ingram, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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John Calipari Close To Extension With Kentucky Through 2022

May 12, 2015 8:43 PM

John Calipari and Kentucky are close to an extension at $8 million through 2022.

Calipari will also earn a $1.6 million longevity bonus on July 1.

Calipari's new contract is a seven-year, $54 million deal.

Calipari continues to be connected to NBA jobs, but he appears likely to remain at Kentucky at least through the 15-16 season.

Kentucky gave Calipari an extension and raise after the 2012 title to $5.2 million annually and then $7.5 million last June before the new $8 million deal.

Matt Jones/KSR

Tags: Kentucky Wildcats, NCAA, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Florida Hires Mike White As Head Coach

May 7, 2015 8:01 PM

Florida has hired Mike White to replace Billy Donovan as head coach.

"I have an incredible amount of respect for the University of Florida, and I am so excited to be a Gator," White said in a statement. "Not only is Florida home for me, but the tradition and success that the Gators have built make this an incredible opportunity."

 

White agreed in principle to a six-year deal worth an average of $2 million per year.

White is considered a rising star in the business despite failing to get to the NCAA tournament in his four seasons at Louisiana Tech. He is the son of Duke athletic director Kevin White and took the Bulldogs program to the NIT in each of the past three seasons.

ESPN

Tags: Florida Gators, NCAA, NCAA Misc Rumor

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John Calipari Won't Use Platoon System Again

May 5, 2015 3:51 PM

John Calipari said he won't use a platoon system again in the future.

When Alex Poythress tore his ACL in December, all 10 Kentucky rotation players were averaging between 15 and 25 minutes per game.

Calipari eventually used an eight-man rotation as the season progressed.

"If you ask me if I'm ever going to platoon again, my answer is NO," Calipari wrote on CoachCal.com. "Last season was an absolute outlier. It's just not the way I like to coach. I would rather play seven or eight guys because I believe that gives us the best chance to win. I think we wrote the book on platooning this year, but I hope we stick it on the shelf and never have to use it again."

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Tags: Kentucky Wildcats, NCAA, NCAA B-Ball IQ

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Fred Hoiberg Believed To Be Bulls' Preferred Replacement For Thibodeau

May 5, 2015 2:38 PM

If the Chicago Bulls and Tom Thibodeau part ways this offseason, as many expect, management's choice as a replacement is believed to be Fred Hoiberg.

Hoiberg is currently head coach at Iowa State and played for the Bulls from 1999 until 2003.

Hoiberg underwent open-heart surgery in April.

The Bulls' front office reportedly can't wait to part ways with Thibodeau.

“Ahhhh, that’s all noise,” Thibodeau said. [...] “I want them to be mentally tough,” Thibodeau said. “In this league, it’s so easy to get sidetracked. There’s so much noise. Trades. Free agency. This. That. Whatever. To me, none of that is important. All that matters is what we think. Are we doing the right things every day? Are we putting the proper work in? Are we playing the right way? Practicing the right way? That’s how you play well in this league. All that other stuff is just noise, it doesn’t mean anything.”

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Chicago Bulls, Iowa State Cyclones, NCAA, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Willie Cauley-Stein Officially Changes Middle Name To 'Trill'

Hannah Scheller/KentuckySports.com

Jaylen Brown Commits To California

Evan Daniels/Scout.com

Many College Coaches Earn More Than NBA Counterparts

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Kevin Ollie's $5M UConn Buyout Was Non-Starter For Thunder

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports