May 2008 Basketball Wiretap

Beasley Relaxed During NBA Predraft Workouts

May 31, 2008 2:58 AM

Former Kansas State forward Michael Beasley, who appears to be a lock to be gone in the first two selections of the NBA draft, was calm and in a joking mood at the last day of the league's pre-draft camp in Orlando, the Associated Press is reporting.

Beasley went through some shooting and other on-court drills alongside O.J. Mayo, Eric Gordon, and DeAndre Jordan.

With Heat President Pat Riley and members of his staff sitting in the first row of the seats above the court where Beasley worked out Friday afternoon, the forward couldn't have seemed more relaxed. He chatted with Kevin Love while stretching, made small talk with Gordon during shooting drills, and typically seemed to be smiling at either someone or something the entire time he was on the floor.

"I'm good," Beasley said. "What do I've got to be nervous about?"

Sports Illustrated

Tags: NBA, NBA NBA Draft

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Syracuse Freshman Greene Staying In Draft

May 30, 2008 4:55 PM

Syracuse freshmen Donte Greene will stay in the NBA Draft pool after signing an agent this week, according to ESPN.com's Andy Katz.

He was voted by the NBA to be part of top 15, physical-only, agility testing prospects. That sealed Greene's decision, and he signed with agent William Strickland.

"That confirmed it a lot," Greene said Thursday.

In RealGM.com's latest Mock Draft, Chris Reina has Greene going to the 76ers with the sixteenth pick.

ESPN

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Rose: Beasley Is Better Than Me

May 30, 2008 11:01 AM

Memphis point guard Derrick Rose believes that fellow top prospect Kansas State forward Michael Beasley is the better player, according to The South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

"It's definitely him," Rose said of Beasley, when asked about which was the superior player. "He's way better than me. He's versatile."

The pair also spent time over the last few days discussing rumors that Rose's teammate Joey Dorsey had "inside information" that the Bulls were going to take Beasley.

"He was just in the arcade room and I was just asking him what was he thinking when he said that," Rose said with a grin. "He was just playing around. If anybody knows, it wouldn't be Joey."

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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Mayo Continues To Deny Wrongdoing

May 29, 2008 6:44 PM

O.J. Mayo continues to deny wrongdoing in allegations that he accepted money and gifts from Rodney Guillory, working on behalf of agents Calvin Andrews and his boss Bill Duffy of Bill Duffy Associates.

"Not at all," Mayo said. "We went out to eat; I understand the rules, and I paid my part of the bill and sometimes I paid the entire bill if I had any."

ESPN

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Florida's Speights Likely Staying In Draft

May 26, 2008 10:14 AM

Florida forward Marreese Speights is leaning towards keeping his name in next month's NBA Draft and not returning to the Gators for his final two seasons of eligibility, according to The Orlando Sentinel.

"I'd say that I'm more confident of staying in than when I first made the decision," Speights said in a telephone interview. "Right now, I'd say it's about 70/30."

He has considered signing with an agent but has yet to do so.

RealGM.com's latest Mock Draft lists Speights as a late-Lottery pick, going tenth overall in June's Draft.

The Orlando Sentinel

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Bill Walker: Doesn't Think His Game Was Suited For College Game

May 26, 2008 10:10 AM

Kansas State forward Bill Walker doesn't think his game was suited for the college game, according to a report on DraftExpress.com.

"I don?t think my game was really built for the college game. I think I?ll do better in the pros than I did in college because it?s more of an open game; it?s more physical, so I can use my strength more. I feel like I did a good job, though, I made third-team All Big 12," Walker told the website.

RealGM.com's latest Mock Draft lists Walker as an early second round selection, at this point going to the New Jersey Nets with the 40th overall pick.

Draft Express

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Memphis Guard Anderson Withdraws From NBA Draft

May 23, 2008 10:29 PM

Memphis guard Antonio Anderson has withdrawn his name from the NBA Draft and will return to school, the Associated Press is reporting.

He said in a statement released by the school Friday that he'd been projected as a second-round pick, and he was not satisfied with that.

ESPN

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Agent Drops Mayo Due To Allegations Intensity

May 22, 2008 9:49 PM

Agent Calvin Andrews has parted ways with prized client O.J. Mayo because of the allegations that Andrews' agency provided improper cash and benefits to a close friend of Mayo, Ben Bolch of the L.A. Times is reporting.

"Due to the overwhelming intensity of recent allegations regarding the recruitment of O.J. Mayo, we feel that our representation of him is a distraction for he and his family at this time," Andrews said in a statement.

"This should be the best time in his life and anything that takes away from that enjoyment and the experience of this process is not fair to him. We will maintain the greatest support and best wishes for him through this time and throughout what promises to be an excellent career for a very deserving young man."

L.A. Times

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Marquette's McNeal Says He's Pulling Out Of NBA Draft

May 22, 2008 9:44 PM

Marquette guard Jerel McNeal is going to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft and return to school, the Associated Press is reporting.

McNeal says he made his decision on Wednesday after weighing all his options. He says he has personal goals he hasn't reached yet in his collegiate career.

USA Today

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Aussie Joe Ingles To Withdraw From Draft

May 22, 2008 2:21 AM

Australian youngster Joe Ingles has decided to withdraw his name from the NBA draft announced today on his Australian team's official website southdragons.com

Ingles, who RealGM has slotted in at 55 by Portland,  has decided to focus on trying to make the Australian Olympic squad, putting his country ahead of himself.

?I had to make a decision, and the Boomers have been a dream for a lot longer than the NBA has,? Ingles said on his return to Dragons HQ. ?I couldn?t live with myself if I didn?t give it 100 percent and came in 50/50 and didn?t get picked. If I give it my all and don?t make it then, fair enough, I?ve obviously been beaten by a better player.?

Ingles spent six weeks in Chicago working out with a number of players who expect to be picked in June?s NBA Draft.

southdragons.com

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Win, Place And Show Options For The Lottery Teams

Christopher Reina/RealGM

BYU Center Trent Plaisted Agrees To Sign With Agent

AP

2008 Mock Draft, Version 7.1 (Pre-Lottery Edition)

Christopher Reina/RealGM

2008 NBA Mock Draft, Version 7.0

Christopher Reina/RealGM

NBA Execs Rate Derrick Rose At Top Prospect

The Miami Herald

Duquesne's Mensah Joins James, Enters Draft

ESPN

BDA Denies Wrong-Doing In Mayo Situation

SI.com

Duquesne's James Will Enter Draft

ESPN

Former Confidant Says Mayo Took Gifts At USC

ESPN

Chinese Star's Career Likely Over

nbadraft.net

Koufos Signs With Mark Termini

RealGM Staff Report

Love Drawing Interest From Clippers, Heat, Nets And Knicks

Daily News

Denver Looking At Lawson With 1st Round Pick?

Denver Post

Koufos To Play In Europe?

Fiba Europe

Batum Declares For Draft

FIBA Europe

Official Early Entry List For 2008 NBA Draft

Press Release