March 2012 Basketball Wiretap

Mitch McGary Not Considering Early Entry Into NBA, Plans To Enroll At Michigan

Feb 29, 2012 4:24 PM

Mitch McGary is eligible to enter the 2012 NBA Draft as a 19-year-old post-graduate senior at Brewster Academy, but McGary said he isn't remotely ready for the NBA and is looking forward to playing at Michigan.

McGary, a five-star prospect according to Rivals and Scout.com, has been scouted by at least three NBA teams in non-high school settings.

Kentucky's John Calipari, North Carolina's Roy Williams, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski and Florida's Billy Donovan each have made three trips to see McGary play in person.

ESPNBoston.com

Tags: Mitch McGary, Michigan Wolverines, Big Ten Conference, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Nerlens Noel Crosses Off Florida, Providence From List

Feb 29, 2012 4:22 PM

Nerlens Noel has dropped Florida and Providence from his list of schools.

Noel, a 6-foot-11 center, will choose between Kentucky, Georgetown, Syracuse, Connecticut and North Carolina.

He plans to make his decision in April.

Louisville Courier-Journal

Tags: Nerlens Noel, North Carolina Tar Heels, UConn Huskies, Georgetown Hoyas, Providence Friars, Florida Gators, Kentucky Wildcats, Syracuse Orange, Atlantic Coast Conference, American Athletic Conference, Southeastern Conference, High School, High School Recruiting, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Zeller Studying Leadership, Applying Lessons Learned With Tar Heels

Feb 29, 2012 10:27 AM

Tyler Zeller has taken two classes devoted entirely to the concept of leadership as part of his coursework toward completing his business administration degree at North Carolina.

"Tyler seems to be mature beyond his years," said UNC instructor Jim Kitchen, who taught Zeller in an entrepreneurship class during the fall 2011 semester. "And what I mean by that is he's got a really good perspective on what's important in life. It seems like he really believes doing things the right way for the right reasons, treating people with respect and working hard."

Zeller has led with a more vocal approach this season.

"I've been through a lot of leadership courses," Zeller said, "and it's something they always tell you - that you have to step into it. You can't be forcing yourself into it. I think I've tried, but at the same time I try not to force it upon people. And if they listen to me, that's great, if not, that's what coach Williams is for."

"He's definitely become a much more vocal leader (in) his senior year," said sophomore forward Harrison Barnes. "You know, I think that's just experience, playing better, things like that. Now he's really developed and embraced that role of being the senior leader for this team."

Zeller has taken on more of a leadership role as the season has progressed.

Said Roy Williams: "When he's out on the court in practice, and something's not going well, he will say something. It's in a definitive tone. It's not, 'Come on, guys.' It's not, 'Boys will be boys.' It's, 'Hey, guys, let's get our blankety-blanks together and go do it the right way.'"

Charlotte Observer

Tags: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina Tar Heels, Atlantic Coast Conference, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Sullinger Admits To Being Affected By Officiating

Feb 29, 2012 10:23 AM

Jared Sullinger has produced a pair of single-singles in his last two games.

"It's strictly mental," Sullinger said of his struggles. "I've got to get my mind back on winning basketball games. ... It's not the end of the world. We still have life."

Sullinger, who has picked up at least four fouls in four of his last six games, admitted to thinking about foul calls instead of playing his game.

"I'm always thinking about how can I play, is the ref going to call this foul or that foul?" he said in a 10-minute news conference, admitting his shortcomings and unburdening his worries. "So I'm constantly worried about the refs instead of how I was supposed to play."

Thad Matta had a private discussion with Sullinger.

"He said I haven't been playing the same since. I haven't been as physical. I'm trying to not foul instead of playing defense, and on the offensive end I'm not being as physical as I used to be posting up because I'm scared of what the refs were going to call," Sullinger said. "He said I was playing timid."

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Tags: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State Buckeyes, Big Ten Conference, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Scouts Like Tyshawn Taylor's Speed, Improved Shooting Ability

Feb 28, 2012 4:05 PM

Tyshawn Taylor is averaging 17.1 points while shooting a career-high 44 percent from beyond the arc.

Taylor’s improved shooting and playmaking abilities have led some scouts to believe he could be a difference maker at the NBA level.

"He's got speed," said one NBA scout. "He plays hard. He's improved his jump shot. He's starting to make better decisions with the basketball. I really think he can help a team off the bench."

ESPN.com

Tags: Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas Jayhawks, Big 12 Conference, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Kendall Marshall Draws Mixed Reviews From NBA Execs

Feb 28, 2012 4:04 PM

NBA executives have had mixed reactions to Kendall Marshall.

Marshall has posted a very solid 3.7:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, but lacks next level athleticism.

"It just depends on what you want your point guard to do," one GM said. "There are so many hybrid guards that are succeeding in the league that everyone wants the next Derrick Rose. But I think there's a place for guys like Marshall. He makes everyone better. He's a leader. We love him. But he's not for everyone."

ESPN.com

Tags: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina Tar Heels, Atlantic Coast Conference, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Shabazz Muhammad Set To Visit Duke

Feb 28, 2012 3:37 PM

Shabazz Muhammad is expected to make an official visit to Duke this weekend.

Muhammad, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman high school, has been heavily recruited by Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Muhammad last week led Bishop Gorman to its third state championship in four years, scoring 30 of his 36 points in the first half as the Gaels rolled to a 96-51 win in the Class 4A boys state title game.

He is ranked No. 2 overall in the 2012 class.

The Chronicle

Tags: Shabazz Muhammad, Duke Blue Devils, Atlantic Coast Conference, High School, High School Recruiting, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Zeller Adjusting To Physical Play, Becoming Better Help Defender

Feb 28, 2012 10:30 AM

Two months ago Cody Zeller was held to four points against Michigan State as the Spartans roughed him up, limiting him to just five shot attempts. Since then Zeller has been a consistent scorer in Big Ten play, scoring in double figures in 13 of 16 games, including a 14 point performance against Jared Sullinger and Ohio State on New Year's Eve.

“I think the big thing we saw from Cody from game one to game two was how and quick and willing he was to adapt and figure things out and then he carried those things right into the Ohio State game,” said Indiana coach Tom Crean. “I think what has happened over a period of time is that Cody has shown that the more physical you are with him the better he is going to be. I don’t think that affects him. I think he relishes it.”

Zeller scored just seven points in Indiana’s 69-50 victory Sunday over Minnesota. Crean said a measure of Zeller's progress is to look at how he influenced Sunday's game despite relatively little scoring.

“Cody is unique,” Crean said. “I’ve never been around a freshman who is so good at impacting the game from so many different ways. (Sunday) he didn’t have a great scoring or rebounding game but you watch the film and you see how he affects the game with his help defense, with his deflections, with his activity and his running and his passing.”

Indianapolis Star

Tags: Cody Zeller, Indiana Hoosiers, Big Ten Conference, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Donovan Anoints Anthony Davis As Top Shot Blocker Of Last Two Decades

Feb 28, 2012 10:24 AM

Billy Donovan praised the shot-blocking ability of Anthony Davis, who leads the country with 138 rejections.

"He's definitely one of the best of all time," Donovan said.

After noting that he was not old enough to remember Hall of Fame centers such as Bill Russell or Wilt Chamberlain, Donovan said of Davis, "Certainly, here in recent times, the last 20, 25 years, he's as good as anybody out there."

Donovan noted Davis’ slight build and credited the UK freshman on how he blocks shots with length, timing, and quick feet.

"He's a quick jumper," Donovan said. "He's got long arms. ... He has an ability to become a lot longer than he appears, and very quickly. And it's different from most guys."

Lexington Herald-Leader

Tags: Anthony Davis, Kentucky Wildcats, Southeastern Conference, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Kidd-Gilchrist Intends To Stay At Kentucky Beyond This Season

Feb 28, 2012 10:21 AM

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist said that he plans to stay at Kentucky beyond this season.

"I'm graduating here. I'm not going nowhere," Kidd-Gilchrist said after Saturday's game against Vanderbilt. "I'm staying at Kentucky."

When those around him chuckled, Kidd-Gilchrist added: "I'm dead serious. I don't know why y'all laughing."

Kidd-Gilchrist will have to convince John Calipari that he should stay.

“He’s got to come up with some reasons he’s coming back and convince me,” Calipari said. “Here’s why: What if he got hurt and I’m out there convincing him to come back? What if that happened? Or something happened to him that all of the sudden really hurt him and his draft-ability and his future?

“It’s hard to live with yourself, unless you’re just trying to win five more games or ‘How many games can I win before I retire?’ This is about these young people.”

Calipari said that former one-and-done stars like John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Eric Bledsoe often say to him, “Man, I wish I could have stayed three or four years.

“But there’s opportunities that arise. Just like Bill Gates, when he said, ‘You know what? I’m done with school; I’m going to chase my dreams’ and in his case, change the world. Steve Jobs did the same thing; left school and went out and changed the world.

“You have opportunities. You’ve got to look at them and figure out what’s right.”

Louisville Courier-Journal

Tags: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky Wildcats, Southeastern Conference, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Quincy Miller Shooting 43 Percent On Jumpshots, Struggling To Finish At Rim

DraftExpress.com

John Jenkins Displaying Efficiency As Scorer

Lexington Herald-Leader

NBA GM Not Impressed By Potential Draft Pool

ESPN.com

Le'Bryan Nash Injures Arm, Status Unknown

Oklahoman

John Lucas Hired As NBPA Top 100 Camp Personnel Director

ESPN

Anthony Davis Making Concerted Effort To Keep Blocked Shots Inbounds

USA Today

Henson On Pace To Break UNC Record For Blocked Shots

Charlotte Observer

Le'Bryan Nash Leaning Toward Return To Oklahoma State

Oklahoman

Frank Won't Let Pistons Play For Better Lottery Odds

MLive.com

Anthony Davis Generating Majority Of Offense Off Cuts, Put Backs

DraftExpress.com

Barnes Plans To Enter Draft If Tar Heels Win Title

FOXSportsFlorida.com

NBA Scout Struggles To Come Up With Weakness In Davis' Game

CBSSports.com

Kidd-Gilchrist Reminds Calipari Of Rose

Associated Press

Melo Pacing Syracuse In Forced Turnover Percentage

SI.com

Barnes Likes Size Advantage Against Rivers, Dawkins

ESPN.com

Kendall Marshall Studying Tape Of Ty Lawson

Fayetteville Observer

Izzo: Draymond Green Has Good Chance At Succeeding At Next Level

MLive.com

Barnes Expects To Play Against Duke Despite Troublesome Ankle

Charlotte Observer

Austin Rivers 'Looks Up To' Kobe

Charlotte Observer

Craft Forcing 7.8 Turnovers Per 100 Possessions

SI.com