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Basketball Wiretap
Basketball news gathered from around the net.

Andrew Wiggins Impresses With 'Video Game' Like Ability In First Practice With Kansas

Andrew Wiggins participated in his first practice at Kansas on Monday.

Wiggins arrived in Lawrence on Saturday.

"Wow!" a source close to the Jayhawks' program said. "Like watching a video game. He'd be the No. 1 pick this year."

Via Gary Parrish/CBS Sports

Alex Len Has Best Shot To Go No. 1 If Cavaliers Pass On Noel

The Cleveland Cavaliers have yet to make a decision on who to select with the first overall pick.

Nerlens Noel is the favorite and he will meet with the Cavaliers on Thursday.

Alex Len is the most likely alternative option, according to sources. Len would give the Cavaliers size, defensive ability and is less raw as a prospect than Noel.

The Cavaliers are also evaluating Anthony Bennett, Ben McLemore, Victor Oladipo and Otto Porter.

Via Chad Ford/ESPN

Mouhammadou Jaiteh Withdraws From Draft Despite First Round Guarantees

Before withdrawing from this month’s NBA draft, Mouhammadou Jaiteh received first round guarantees that failed to entice the 18-year-old enough to leave his development in France, agent Herman Manakyan told RealGM on Monday.

Teams were impressed with the sharp growth in Jaiteh, and the 6-foot-11 center worked out for six organizations throughout the draft process. Even with guarantees, Jaiteh made clear he wanted to be drafted into a flourishing situation – for both himself and the team.

“The guarantees were not in attractive situations for us,” Manakyan said.

With a focus on next year’s draft, Jaiteh will now sign with a team in France, where several clubs have been vying to sign him, Manakyan said. No frontrunners have emerged, but playing time and the opportunity to continue his rapid development are key factors.

Via Shams Charania/RealGM

Dario Saric To Withdraw From 2013 NBA Draft

Dario Saric will withdraw his name from the 2013 NBA draft, according to agent Marc Cornstein.

Saric has signed his letter of withdrawal from the draft and Cornstein will deliver it to the NBA before the deadline to withdraw on Monday.

Saric was highly regarded as a first round pick.

Recently, Saric became concerned he would not play minutes on his NBA team or would spend all his time in the D-League.

Via Chad Ford/ESPN

Pistons To Consider Stashing Draft Pick Overseas

The Detroit Pistons are taking a hard look at international players in the NBA draft, particularly with their two second round picks.

The Pistons are considering stashing at least one of their draft picks overseas for next season.

Alex Len figures to be the first foreign player taken in the draft.

Via David Mayo/Michigan Live

Sergey Karasev To Field NBA Interviews In Russia

Interest in Sergey Karasev has elevated so much from seven teams between the Nos. 9 and 22 picks in the NBA draft, the Russian prospect will have those organizations fly out to meet him in Europe, league sources told RealGM.

Karasev, 19, remains unlikely to leave Russia for any workouts or interviews, but teams have insisted they come sit down with him in Russia. Even though he’ll speak to teams now, Karasev won’t work out.

When Karasev returned to Russia earlier this month, he had left teams believing they might not get the opportunity to see him before the draft. Still, Karasev hasn’t received a firm first round guarantee yet, a source said.

A 6-foot-7 swingman, Karasev has intrigued with his shooting and playmaking, following an average of 20 points on 49 percent three-point shooting in this season’s European Cup. With the ninth and 26th selections in the first round, the Minnesota Timberwolves have scouted Karasev comprehensively after bringing over Alexey Shved from Russia last offseason, but they don’t appear to be the strongest contenders for Karasev.

Via Shams Charania/RealGM

Victor Oladipo Declines Invitation To Wizards' Facility

Victor Oladipo declined the Washington Wizards' invitation to work out at their facility ahead of this month's NBA draft, according to sources.

Oladipo does not expect to begin his NBA career with his hometown Wizards.

Oladipo has given the Wizards the option of watching him work out at DeMatha or another facility in Bowie, where he has been preparing for the draft.

Even so, the Wizards are likely to visit Oladipo early next week.

Via Michael Lee/Washington Post

Suns May Be Targeting Post Player In Draft

The Phoenix Suns may be targeting a post player in the NBA draft.

Jeff Hornacek recently hired Mark West and Roy Rogers to be part of his staff, suggesting a commitment to developmental work with young post players.

"Having two bigs coaches is kind of interesting in terms of where they might be going in the draft," one league personnel executive said.

Ryan McDonough suggested the Suns will avoid using the fifth and 30th picks on players who occupy similar areas of the floor.

Via Randy Hill/FOXSportsArizona

Nerlens Noel Hires Catapano, Miller As Co-Agents

Nerlens Noel has hired co-agents Frank Catapano and Andy Miller to represent him.

Noel is a candidate for the Cleveland Cavaliers to draft with the first overall pick. Noel has already visited with the Orlando Magic and will meet with the Washington Wizards this weekend.

Noel tore his ACL in February and is unlikely to make his rookie debut until at least December.

Via Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Saunders Categorizes Cody Zeller As 'Stretch 4'

During Cody Zeller's workout for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Flip Saunders let the big man know that he "got his butt kicked" in Indiana's upset loss to Minnesota last season.

Even at seven feet, Zeller is power forward in the NBA -- not a center -- according to Saunders.

“He’s not a center and anyone looking at him as a center is not evaluating,” Saunders said. “He can really shoot the ball. He’ll be a very good ‘stretch 4.’ ”

Zeller believes he would be a terrific fit with the Timberwolves.

“I think I’d fit in well,” Zeller said. “I’d be able to grow behind [Nikola] Pekovic and [Kevin] Love. I know [Ricky] Rubio would be a lot of fun to play with. I love point guards who can run … My quickness, speed, agility as a big guy, that’s what I’ve been doing in the Big Ten and that’s what translates in the NBA.”

Via Jerry Zgoda/Minnesota Star Tribune

C.J. McCollum: Jazz's 'Culture Is Perfect For Me'

C.J. McCollum compares himself to Stephen Curry and believes he can replicate the success Damian Lillard had this season for the Blazers.

Sources: Dennis Schroeder Has Struggled In Workouts

Sources say Dennis Schroeder has strugged against more physical defense.

Nerlens Noel To Meet With Wizards On Saturday

Nerlens Noel has already met with the Magic and will also visit the Cavaliers.

Len Believes He Has Most Upside Of Any Big Man In Draft

Some scouts have compared Alex Len to Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

Suns Have Explored Adding Additional First Round Pick

The Suns currently own two first round picks.

Anthony Bennett Set To Interview With Wizards

Anthony Bennett can't work out with NBA teams because of surgery to his non-shooting shoulder.

Tony Mitchell Set To Workout For Knicks

Tony Mitchell performed well at the Chicago pre-draft camp.

Shane Larkin Impresses In Workout With Jazz

Shane Larkin is projected as a likely first-round pick in this month's draft.

Sources: Timberwolves Continue To Target Oladipo

The Timberwolves have attempted to arrange a workout with Victor Oladipo.

Dario Saric Leaning Toward Withdrawing From Draft

Dario Saric is likely to be a lottery pick.

Wizards Schedule Pre-Draft Workout With Otto Porter

Otto Porter will only work out for the top three teams in the draft.

Gorgui Dieng To Work Out For Knicks, Nets

The Knicks and Nets will work out Gorgui Dieng, who's projected to go in the first round of the draft.

Suns Not Concerned About Shabazz Muhammad's Background

Shabazz Muhammad worked out for the Suns on Wednesday.

Sergey Karasev May Have Received First Round Promise

Sergey Karasev is likely to be selected in the Nos. 14 to 24 range of the first round.

Shane Larkin Believes Bucks Would Be 'Good Fit'

Shane Larkin has studied the Bucks' personnel and said he would be comfortable playing in a lineup with Larry Sanders and Ersan Ilyasova.

Magic Considering Nine Different Prospects With No. 2 Pick

If the Magic trade Arron Afflalo, it could open up a need at shooting guard for a player such as Victor Oladipo or Ben McLemore.

Geoff Petrie Maintaining Key Role Up To Draft

Geoff Petrie will maintain a key role in directing the Kings leading up to the NBA draft.

Mavericks Brought Zeke Marshall In For Work Out

Zeke Marshall did not participate in the recent NBA draft combine.

Brandon Triche To Work Out For Blazers, Kings, Knicks

Brandon Triche helped lead Syracuse to the Final Four this past season.

Bulls Likely To Target Defensive-Minded Players In Draft

The Bulls reportedly want defensive-minded players who come from winning programs.
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