Tom Izzo is preparing to replace Gary Harris if he declares for the NBA draft after this season.

Izzo has expressed interest in James Blackmon Jr., one of the top shooting guards in the 2014 recruiting class.

"(Coach Tom Izzo) just said that Gary Harris probably will be leaving so I'll have to come in and probably fill that spot right off and I'll get a chance to showcase my skills," Blackmon said in a recent interview.

Izzo expressed his belief last month that Harris would ultimately become a top 10 draft pick.

Mike Krzyzewski is working to secure a commitment from Myles Turner, a 6-foot-10 power forward who is considered a top-10 prospect in the 2014 class.

“I also like how Coach K talks to me,” Turner wrote in his blog. “He handles me like I'm a pro. He says things like: "Myles you're a pro and you need to carry yourself that way. You don't need to worry about all of this media, outside stuff you need to start training your mind now. Hopefully you'll only be in college for a year and head off to the NBA because I can see you there.’

“Coming from him that's big for me. It gives me even more confidence in myself.”

Turner recently cut his list of schools to eight: Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Arizona, Ohio State, Texas and Oklahoma State.

Dante Exum will graduate from high school in Australia in October and is one of the top prospects eligible for the 2014 NBA Draft.

"Schools have been saying I can start in early December and play this season," Exum told ESPN. "But if college is the option, I'll stay in Australia, do workouts with the national team and then go to college next August. Playing this season in college is not an option."

Exum is considering Indiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan and Oregon.

Aaron Gordon came in second in the Arizona Wildcats' annual mile run, finishing in 5:22:00.

Gordon finished one second behind Nick Johnson, a 6-foot-3 guard who started all 35 games for the Wildcats last season.

Gordon's conditioning and work ethic have drawn high praise from Sean Miller.

Aaron Gordon’s athleticism and motor have drawn comparison to Blake Griffin.

“I think it’s unfair to put that on Aaron,” said Sean Miller, who will coach Gordon at Arizona this season. “I don’t know if he’s as much of a post player as Blake Griffin is. Aaron might not even be as big physically as Blake Griffin. ... But he does some other things that are much different. He’s much more fluid away from the basket entering his freshman year, I think if you would make that comparison at equal time, than Blake Griffin [was]. The one thing they share is athleticism in and around the basket or in transition.”

Gordon has shown the ability to play both inside and out.

“What he does, he does a little bit of everything,” Miller said. “And he can really handle the ball. He’s an unselfish passer, he’s great in transition. He can rebound at both ends. From a defensive perspective, it’s like he’s an upperclassman. He can guard a variety of players. And he takes that part of his game seriously. ... I’m almost describing an older player and yet Aaron just turned 18 years old.”

Billy Donovan wants Patric Young to lead by example with his energy and work ethic.

“It’s very difficult to go out or tell people what to do or lead or direct him, when you aren’t doing all you need to do,” Donovan said. “That’s the biggest part of being of leader.

“I’m not so much worried about the leadership part, as I’m concerned about Patric continuing to grow, as he has. Patric is a great kid. And I think him every single day setting an example with his work ethic …  I will say this about Patric’s work ethic, he has done a really, really good job this summer. This has been the most consistent summer he’s had up to this point in time. Hopefully that will continue.”

Young is down nine pounds from this point last year.

“Patric has always tried to be a leader,” Donovan said. “He’s always been a really good team guy. He’s about the team. He’s about winning. And I think the best way for Patric lead is by his work ethic and by his example and doing all the things he can do leadership wise each and every day.”

Bill Self continues to heap praise on Andrew Wiggins.

Self, however, has noticed Wiggins’ tendency to float through stretches of games.

"Andrew will be the best athlete I've ever been around," Self said. "He's a 6-8 guard. His stroke has gotten better. The biggest thing with me and him is making sure he's plugged into every possession. When he was in high school, he could really turn it on but he hasn't been able to do it for an entire game. That's what worries me a little bit."

Wiggins has been called the best prospect since LeBron James.

"He weighs 200 pounds,” Self said of Wiggins. “He's not LeBron.”

ESPN has ranked Myles Turner ahead of Jahlil Okafor as the recruit of the incoming college class of 2014 with the most NBA potential.

Turner and Okafor played in the championship game of this month's adidas Nations in which Turner had the better performance.

Okafor is one of the most skilled low post centers to come out of high school in many years.

Emmanuel Mudiay ranks third and is the first point guard on the list. Tyus Jones is a higher rated point guard in terms of college recruiting, but Mudiay has a brighter NBA future.

Kelly Oubre, Cliff Alexander, Stanley Johnson, Trey Lyles, Karl Towns Jr., Rashad Vaughn and Justin Jackson round out the top-10.

Isaiah Austin is ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery for a torn posterior labrum on May 6.

Austin had been considered one of the top candidates for the 2013 NBA Draft before he decided to return to Baylor for his sophomore season.

"It'll probably be another two or three weeks before he's cleared to shoot 3-pointers," Baylor coach Scott Drew told CBSSports.com. "But he's been doing well. When they tell you [four-to-six months], you're always shooting for [four]. And he's still ahead of that schedule. So he's good."

Austin is a probable lottery pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Dante Exum is strongly considering declaring his entry in the 2014 NBA draft.

"I used to be like 90 percent to 10 that I was going to college, but recently they are saying that my stock has risen even more, that I could possibly go top five," said Exum, a native of Australia. “Now it's more of a 50-50 decision."

Exum, a 6-foot-6 point guard who’s being recruited by Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky and North Carolina, among others, admits to being lured by the financial security of the NBA.

"If I'm ready, I'm ready - and the money also appeals,” said Exum. “I always dreamt about being rich as a kid. But my family will always help me make the right decisions throughout the whole process.”