Good update on USC signee DeMar DeRozan, one of the nation's top players as a 6-foot-6 senior who averaged 30.6 points a game at Compton Dominguez High School last season.
According to Fox SPorts' Jeff Goodman, who is in Akron, Ohio, where DeRozan is working out at the Lebron James Skills Academy, he's taken the SAT a final time and should know in the near future whether he scored well enough to enter USC at the end of August.
The story by Goodman, as well as one in today's NY Times by Pete Thamel, also notes how another LA-based player, top point guard prospect Brandon jennings, an Arizona signee, looks to be headed to Europe for a year of pro ball before entering the NBA Draft since he didn't academically qualify by NCAA standards for a scholarship.
Good stuff. The difference we're told from DeRozan's own quotes is that he really does want to go to USC and play college ball and have the experience for at least a year. Jennnings does not, it would appear, and might be the first high school star to bypass college for European money.
10:26 AM Tue, Jul 01, 2008 | Permalink
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Posted by: Dan Weber
As you listened to ESPN anchor Stuart Scott, North Carolina grad and one of a long line of ACC honks on the network that covers that league, you had to feel sorry for them last Thursday.
In an NBA Draft dominated by the Pac-10, a conference the network only looks at from afar most days, the lack of familiarity came glaringly through.
As in Scott's amazement that here was a conference "not known as a basketball power'' or words to that effect, making all the news.
Too bad Scott didn't pay attention to this note from the University of Arizona that shows that the Wildcats, with Jerryd Bayless' No. 11 lottery pick became the team with the most overall NBA Draft picks in the last 20 drafts since 1989 with 29 players selected.
That's one more than No. 2 Duke's 28 and three more than No. 3 UCLA's 26. So a Pac-10 Conference, with the first- and third-most players drafted over the last two decades, might not be a power only in the minds of those who don't pay enough attention to leagues they don't broadcast compared to the ones they do.
Here's the list of NBA Draft Choices since 1989
1. ARIZONA 29
2. Duke 28
3. UCLA 26
4. Kansas 22
5. North Carolina 21
Connecticut 21
7. Georgia Tech 19
Here's the Pac-10 office's take on the draft that had STANFORD's Brook Lopez selected 10th by the New Jersey and ARIZONA's Bayless picked 11th by Indiana, Pac-10 players comprised five of the 14 lottery picks. Stanford's Robin Lopez was chosen 15th by Phoenix and CALIFORNIA's Ryan Anderson selected 21st by New Jersey.
:
WALNUT CREEK, Calif.-- USC's O.J. Mayo was taken by Minnesota with the third pick overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, followed in order by UCLA teammates Russell Westbrook to Seattle and Kevin Love to Memphis to lead a record seven Pac-10 players drafted in the first round. The previous high for the Pac-10 was five first round selections, which occurred twice - 1979 and 2001.
It was the first time three Pac-10 players were among the first five selections of the NBA draft.
8:00 AM Thu, Jun 19, 2008 | Permalink
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Posted by: Jeff Eisenberg
Sports Illustrated's Ian Thomsen wrote a nice piece on how NBA teams are struggling to differentiate between the elite combo guards available at the top of next week's NBA draft, so I thought I'd give you guys a chance to offer your opinion.
I'm no scout, but to me it's a matter of your priorities if you're an NBA team. If you're looking for defense and transition offense and have a little time to wait for your draft pick to develop, you take Westbrook. If you're looking for a score-first point guard, you take Bayless. If you're looking for the most well-rounded player who can contribute immediately, the choice is Mayo. If you're looking ... well ... I'm not sure why anyone would take Gordon out of that group.
10:37 AM Mon, Jun 16, 2008 | Permalink
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Posted by: Dan Weber
Here's the official word on the schedule for Year 2 of the Pac-10-Big 12 basketball series in December.
USC will play a return game in Norman, Thursday, Dec. 4, the same day UCLA will play at Texas.
Here's the official release:
June 16, 2008
Big 12 and Pacific-10 Announce 2008 Hardwood Series Matchups
Irving, Texas - The Big 12 and Pacific-10 Conferences have announced the dates and matchups for the 2008 Big 12 / Pac-10 Hardwood Series. The series is in its second year after beginning competition during the 2007-08 season.
The majority of the games are scheduled for December 4-7, with three taking place outside the four-day series window. Each matchup is a return contest from 2007. The 2009 games in the series will be played December 3-6, while meetings in 2010 will take place December 2-5. After this season, new pairings will be in place for the next two years of the arrangement.
Last season, the Pac-10 held a 7-5 edge over the Big 12 in Hardwood Series games. Overall, the Big 12 posted an 11-8 advantage between the conferences in regular season and postseason play. The 12 contests averaged more than 10,000 fans, drawing a total of 123,035 to the arenas.
Additional components of the series, including the times and television information will be announced at a later date.
BIG 12 / PAC-10 HARDWOOD SERIES
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Oklahoma State at Washington
UCLA at Texas
USC at Oklahoma
Friday, December 5, 2008
Arizona at Texas A&M
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Baylor at Washington State
Oregon State at Iowa State
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Kansas State at Oregon
Nebraska at Arizona State
California at Missouri
Outside the four-day series window
1:02 AM Mon, Jun 02, 2008 | Permalink
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Posted by: Jeff Eisenberg
Thanks for all your interest in the Pac-10 Team of the Decade Tournament. Here are the first-round results and the second-round matchups so you can start casting your votes:
6. UCLA (2006-07) 649 90%
11. Washington (2005-06) 69 10%
7. Stanford (2000-01) 134 78%
10. Washington (2004-05) 38 22%
2. Stanford (2003-04) 133 51%
15. Washington State (2006-07) 128 49%
Second Round
16. USC (2006-07)
Record: 25-12, 11-7 (T3rd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost in the Sweet 16 to North Carolina
Coach: Tim Floyd
Starting lineup: F. Dwight Lewis (Fr.), F. Taj Gibson (Fr.), G. Lodrick Stewart (Sr.), G. Gabe Pruitt (Jr.), G. Nick Young (Jr.)
Key reserves: Keith Wilkinson, Abdoulaye N'Diaye
Comment: The guard-heavy Trojans gelled late in the season and gave North Carolina a big Sweet 16 scare.
vs.
9. Arizona (2000-01)
Record: 28-8, 15-3 (2nd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Duke in the NCAA title game
Coach: Lute Olson
Starting lineup: F. Richard Jefferson (Jr.), F. Michael Wright (Jr.), C. Loren Woods (Sr.), G. Gilbert Arenas (So.), G. Jason Gardner (So.)
Key reserves: Luke Walton (So.), Eugene Edgerson (Sr.)
Comment: Has there been a more talented starting five this decade than the one the Wildcats fielded in 2001?
5. Arizona (2004-05)
Record: 30-7, 15-3 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Illinois in the Elite Eight
Coach: Lute Olson
Starting lineup: F. Ivan Radenovic (So.), F. Hassan Adams (Jr.), C. Channing Frye (Sr.), G. Salim Stoudamire (Sr.), G. Mustapha Shakur (So.)
Key reserves: Jawann McClellan (Fr.), Chris Rodgers (Jr.)
Comment: Had this team not blown a late double-digit lead against Illinois, Arizona would have been in the Final Four.
vs.
4. Arizona (2002-03)
Record: 28-4, 17-1 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Kansas in the Elite Eight
Coach: Lute Olson
Starting lineup: F. Luke Walton (Sr.), F. Rick Anderson (Sr.), C. Channing Frye (So.), G. Salim Stoudamire (So.), G. Jason Gardner (Sr.)
Key reserves: Hassan Adams (Fr.), Andre Iguodala (Fr.)
Comment: Only a midseason loss to Stanford prevented this Arizona team from going undefeated in conference play.
3. UCLA (2005-06)
Record: 32-7, 14-4 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost in the national title game to Florida
Coach: Ben Howland
Starting lineup: F. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (Fr.), C. Ryan Hollins (Sr.), G. Cedric Bozeman (Sr.), G. Arron Afflalo (So.), G. Jordan Farmar (So.)
Key reserves: Darren Collison (Fr.), Lorenzo Mata (So.), Michael Roll (Fr.)
Comment: With a shot-blocking center and long, ball-hawking wings, this was Ben Howland's best defensive team.
vs.
6. UCLA (2006-07)
Record: 30-6, 15-3 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Florida in the Final Four
Coach: Ben Howland
Starting lineup: F. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (So.), F. Josh Shipp (So.), C. Lorenzo Mata-Real (Jr.), G. Arron Afflalo (Jr.), G. Darren Collison (So.)
Key bench players: Alfred Aboya (So.), Michael Roll (So.), Russell Westbrook (Fr.)
Comment: This guard-heavy UCLA team might have brought home a 12th national title had it not run into Florida for the second year in a row
2. Stanford (2003-04)
Record: 30-2, 17-1 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Alabama in the second round
Coach: Mike Montgomery
Starting lineup: F. Josh Childress (Jr.), F. Justin Davis (Sr.), C. Rob Little (Jr.), G. Matt Lottich (Sr.), G. Chris Hernandez (So.)
Key reserves: Nick Robinson (Jr.), Dan Grunfeld (So.) Matt Haryasz (So.)
Commment: The second-round debacle against Alabama overshadows the accomplishments of what was probably Mike Montgomery's best Stanford team
vs.
7. Stanford (2000-01)
Record: 31-3, 16-2 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Maryland in the Elite Eight
Coach: Mike Montgomery
Starting lineup: F. Ryan Mendez (Sr.) F. Jarron Collins (Sr.), C. Jason Collins (So.), G. Casey Jacobsen (So.), G. Michael McDonald (Sr.)
Key reserves: Julius Barnes (So.), Justin Davis (Fr.), Teyo Johnson (Fr.)
Comment: This balanced Stanford team spent much of the season ranked No. 1 before falling to Maryland in the Elite Eight.
5:50 PM Thu, May 29, 2008 | Permalink
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Posted by: Dan Weber
Rising to the top of a dubious list, or maybe dropping to the bottom of another one, former USC freshman Davon Jefferson was singled out at the Predraft Camp Thursday in Orlando.
But not in a good way.
To get a sense of the whole day, you can go to www.draftexpress.com right here http://www.draftexpress.com/article/NBA-Pre-Draft-Camp,-Day-Two-2901/ for the complete story but here's a graph from their coverage that will tell you everything USC fans thought they knew about Davon's decision to head off to the NBA.
Here it is from Jonathan Givony:
Who hurt himself the worst? Most likely Davon Jefferson. He came here out of shape, and has barely been hustling at all for the past two days. Although he was able to use his freakish athleticism to make some plays on the glass and in transition, NBA types can't be crazy about what they are seeing here. He needs to realize the urgency of the situation quickly if he wants to avoid destroying what otherwise might be a very promising future. At this point it looks very obvious that the 21-year old freshman is not ready to be in this draft, and definitely made a hasty decision hiring an agent.
1:37 PM Wed, May 28, 2008 | Permalink
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Posted by: Dan Weber
It's always something for former USC freshman Davon Jefferson, who is hanging on to a first round NBA draft spot at No. 26, according to www.NBAdraft.net, which lists him as one of the "three most intriguing'' prospects at the league's Predraft Camp this week in Orlando.
Turns out Jefferson and UCLA's Luc Richard Mbah a Moute ended up on the same team in the six-team round-robin that will run alongside the testing and interviewing regimen starting Thursday for the likes of the premier prospects like O.J. Mayo, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook.
Want to check it out yourself. Go to http://www.nbadraft.net/2008nbapredraftcamp002.aspfor the latest news today as well as here for the team rosters http://www.nbadraft.net/2008nbapredraftcamp001.aspand here for NBAdraft.net's Top 100 players rated in order.http://www.nbadraft.net/2008bigboard.asp
1:06 AM Tue, May 27, 2008 | Permalink
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Posted by: Jeff Eisenberg
What would happen if this past year's UCLA team met either of Ben Howland's previous Final Four teams? And could any of those defensive-oriented squads hang with the juggernaut Arizona and Stanford teams from earlier in the decade? Now's your chance to vote because I've created a Pac-10 Team of the Decade tournament to help us pass the time until college hoops gets started again.
The format for the 16-team tournament is simple: The eight most recent Pac-10 champions were seeded 1-8 with wild card spots awarded to the eight best remaining teams from 2000-2008. I listed some pertinent facts about each of the 16 teams below in case you need a refresher course on some of the ones from early in the decade.
You'll have a week to cast your votes on the first-round games, and I'll tally up the winners and post the second-round games next Monday morning. Is it a little corny? Sure. Will it be fun? I hope so too.
Pac-10 Team of the Decade tournament
First Round
1. UCLA (2007-08)
Record: 35-4, 16-2 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Memphis in the Final Four
Coach: Ben Howland
Starting lineup: F. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (Jr.), F. Josh Shipp (Jr.), C. Kevin Love (Fr.), G. Russell Westbrook (So.), G. Darren Collison (Jr.)
Key bench players: James Keefe (So.), Lorenzo Mata-Real (Sr.), Alfred Aboya (Jr.)
Comment: Kevin Love's presence made this the most balanced of UCLA's three Final Four teams.
vs.
16. USC (2006-07)
Record: 25-12, 11-7 (T3rd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost in the Sweet 16 to North Carolina
Coach: Tim Floyd
Starting lineup: F. Dwight Lewis (Fr.), F. Taj Gibson (Fr.), G. Lodrick Stewart (Sr.), G. Gabe Pruitt (Jr.), G. Nick Young (Jr.)
Key reserves: Keith Wilkinson, Abdoulaye N'Diaye
Comment: The guard-heavy Trojans gelled late in the season and gave North Carolina a big Sweet 16 scare.
8. Oregon 2001-02
Record: 26-9, 14-4 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Kansas in the Elite Eight
Coach: Ernie Kent
Starting lineup: F. Robert Johnson (Sr.), F. Luke Jackson (So.), C. Chris Christofferson (Sr.), G. Freddie Jones (Sr.), G. Luke Ridnour (Jr.)
Key reserves: Anthony Lever, James Davis
Comment: With the two Lukes and Freddie Jones, this was the best Oregon team of the modern era and one of the Pac-10's most entertaining teams to watch.
vs.
9. Arizona 2000-01
Record: 28-8, 15-3 (2nd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Duke in the NCAA title game
Coach: Lute Olson
Starting lineup: F. Richard Jefferson (Jr.), F. Michael Wright (Jr.), C. Loren Woods (Sr.), G. Gilbert Arenas (So.), G. Jason Gardner (So.)
Key reserves: Luke Walton (So.), Eugene Edgerson (Sr.)
Comment: Has there been a more talented starting five this decade than the one the Wildcats fielded in 2001?
5. Arizona 2004-05
Record: 30-7, 15-3 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Illinois in the Elite Eight
Coach: Lute Olson
Starting lineup: F. Ivan Radenovic (So.), F. Hassan Adams (Jr.), C. Channing Frye (Sr.), G. Salim Stoudamire (Sr.), G. Mustapha Shakur (So.)
Key reserves: Jawann McClellan (Fr.), Chris Rodgers (Jr.)
Comment: Had this team not blown a late double-digit lead against Illinois, Arizona would have been in the Final Four.
vs.
12. Stanford (2007-08)
Record: 28-8, 13-5 (2nd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Texas in the Sweet 16
Coach: Trent Johnson
Starting lineup: F. Lawrence Hill (Jr.), F. Brook Lopez (So.), C. Robin Lopez (So.), G. Anthony Goods (Jr.), G. Mitch Johnson (Jr.)
Key bench players: Taj Finger (Sr.), Landry Fields (So.)
Comment: The Lopez twins masked this team's deficiencies at guard
4. Arizona 2002-03
Record: 28-4, 17-1 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Kansas in the Elite Eight
Coach: Lute Olson
Starting lineup: F. Luke Walton (Sr.), F. Rick Anderson (Sr.), C. Channing Frye (So.), G. Salim Stoudamire (So.), G. Jason Gardner (Sr.)
Key reserves: Hassan Adams (Fr.), Andre Iguodala (Fr.)
Comment: Only a midseason loss to Stanford prevented this Arizona team from going undefeated in conference play.
vs.
13. Oregon (2006-07)
Record: 29-8, 11-7 (T3rd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Florida in Elite Eight
Coach: Ernie Kent
Starting lineup: F. Maarty Leunen (Jr.), F. Malik Hairston (Jr.), G. Bryce Taylor (Jr.), G. Tajuan Porter (Fr.), G. Aaron Brooks (Sr.)
Key bench players: Chamberlain Oguchi (So.), Joevan Catron (Fr.)
Comment: Few people remember that this Oregon team came closer to beating Florida in the NCAA tournament than anyone else.
3. UCLA 2005-06
Record: 32-7, 14-4 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost in the national title game to Florida
Coach: Ben Howland
Starting lineup: F. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (Fr.), C. Ryan Hollins (Sr.), G. Cedric Bozeman (Sr.), G. Arron Afflalo (So.), G. Jordan Farmar (So.)
Key reserves: Darren Collison (Fr.), Lorenzo Mata (So.), Michael Roll (Fr.)
Comment: With a shot-blocking center and long, ball-hawking wings, this was Ben Howland's best defensive team.
vs.
14. USC 2000-01
Record: 24-10, 11-7 (T4th Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Duke in the Elite Eight
Coach: Henry Bibby
Starting lineup: F. David Bluthenthal (Jr.), F. Sam Clancy (Jr.), C. Brian Scalabrine (Sr.), G. Jeff Trepagnier (Sr.), G. Brandon Granville (Jr.)
Key reserves: Jarvis Turner (Sr.), Desmon Farmer (Fr.)
Comment: Trepagnier's suspension cost this team some regular season games, but the Trojans went on a memorable tournament run
6. UCLA (2006-07)
Record: 30-6, 15-3 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Florida in the Final Four
Coach: Ben Howland
Starting lineup: F. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (So.), F. Josh Shipp (So.), C. Lorenzo Mata-Real (Jr.), G. Arron Afflalo (Jr.), G. Darren Collison (So.)
Key bench players: Alfred Aboya (So.), Michael Roll (So.), Russell Westbrook (Fr.)
Comment: This guard-heavy UCLA team might have brought home a 12th national title had it not run into Florida for the second year in a row
vs.
11. Washington 2005-06
Record 26-7, 13-5 (2nd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Connecticut in Sweet 16
Coach: Lorenzo Romar
Starting Lineup: F. Bobby Jones (Sr.), F. Jon Brockman (Fr.), C. Mike Jensen (Sr.), G. Brandon Roy (Sr.), G. Justin Dentmon (Fr.)
Key reserves: Jamaal Williams (Sr.), Ryan Appleby (So.)
Comment: Questionable refereeing against UConn kept this Washington team from making an even deeper NCAA run.
7. Stanford 2000-01
Record: 31-3, 16-2 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Maryland in the Elite Eight
Coach: Mike Montgomery
Starting lineup: F. Ryan Mendez (Sr.) F. Jarron Collins (Sr.), C. Jason Collins (So.), G. Casey Jacobsen (So.), G. Michael McDonald (Sr.)
Key reserves: Julius Barnes (So.), Justin Davis (Fr.), Teyo Johnson (Fr.)
Comment: This balanced Stanford team spent much of the season ranked No. 1 before falling to Maryland in the Elite Eight.
vs.
10. Washington 2004-05
Record: 29-6, 14-4 (2nd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Louisville in the Sweet 16
Coach: Lorenzo Romar
Starting lineup: F. Bobby Jones (Jr.), C. Mike Jensen (Jr.), G. Tre Simmons (Sr.), G. Will Conroy (Sr.), G. Nate Robinson (Jr.)
Key reserves: Brandon Roy (Jr.), Joel Smith (Sr.), Jamaal Williams (Jr.)
Comment: Guards, guards and more guards -- this team was fast, high-flying and fun to watch.
2. Stanford 2003-04
Record: 30-2, 17-1 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Alabama in the second round
Coach: Mike Montgomery
Starting lineup: F. Josh Childress (Jr.), F. Justin Davis (Sr.), C. Rob Little (Jr.), G. Matt Lottich (Sr.), G. Chris Hernandez (So.)
Key reserves: Nick Robinson (Jr.), Dan Grunfeld (So.) Matt Haryasz (So.)
Commment: The second-round debacle against Alabama overshadows the accomplishments of what was probably Mike Montgomery's best Stanford team
vs.
15. Washington State (2006-07)
Record: 26-8, 13-5 (2nd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Vanderbilt in the second round
Coach Tony Bennett
Starting lineup: F. Daven Harmeling (So.), F. Ivory Clark (Sr.), F. Robbie Cowgill (Jr.), G. Kyle Weaver (Jr.), G. Derrick Low (G)
Key bench players: Arron Baynes (So.), Taylor Rochestie (So.)
Comment: These Cougars came from out of nowhere to challenge UCLA for the conference title and emerge as one of the nation's top teams.
6:30 PM Mon, May 26, 2008 | Permalink
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Posted by: Dan Weber
Here's a link to a couple of www.draftexpress.com articles on O.J. Mayo's Chicago workouts that will open some eyes about the former Trojans' chances in the June 27 draft and in the NBA.
Simply said, these folks could not like Mayo any more than if he were their own son, nor could they predict more success for him after the talent and work ethic they say he has shown them.
12:59 AM Fri, May 23, 2008 | Permalink
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Posted by: Dan Weber
Here's a new twist on the NBA Draft.
ESPN's Chad Ford is theorizing that if the Bulls take hometown Chicagoan Derrick Rose from Memphis with their No. 1 pick in this year's draft, it's no cinch that Kansas State's Michael Beasley will be the No. 2 guy since Miami's Heat desperatly needs a combo shooting/[point guard to pair with penetrator Dywane Wade.
And that combo guard could just be Mayo, whose workouts in Chicago with former Michael Jordan and Lakers strength man Tim Grover apparently have been impressive.
Check it out here at espn.com: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=DraftWatch-080523&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fdraft2008%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dford_chad%26page%3dDraftWatch-080523
5:23 PM Thu, May 22, 2008 | Permalink
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Posted by: Dan Weber
Interesting report from ESPN, with corroboration from both the O.J. Mayo family and the Bill Duffy and Associates agency that signed Mayo to represent him in the NBA Draft. The two groups have severed all ties.
Mayo would normally be required to wait 15 days to sign with a new agency but BDA has asked that the NBA players association waive that in light of the accusations by ESPN that BDA had paid Mayo advisor Rodney Guillory as a BDA runner, to deliver Mayo to them with $200,000 over the last five years. Some of that, maybe $30,0000, had gone to Mayo and his family, according to ESPN accuser Louis Johnson, a onetime Guillory associate.
It's a charge Mayo has denied.
But in an interview last week, you could tell Mayo might have been thinking along those lines when he said he "hoped'' Guillory had not done such a thing, especially when he hadn't informed Mayo that he was on the BDA payroll.
The other detail ESPN reports is that Mayo met with Guillory last week and gave him the bad news -- that he was severing all ties with the LA event promoter he has known since he was in the eighth grade.
For all the latest details, check out the story on www.espn.com at http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3408165
5:52 PM Mon, May 12, 2008 | Permalink
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Posted by: Dan Weber
A day after ESPN's charges that USC basketball player O.J. Mayo had benefited from thousands of dollars of what would have been illegal benefits from a representative of a sports agent, the USC athletic department issued this statement late Monday afternoon.
"We are in contact with the NCAA and the Pac-10 and are working with
both in a cooperative investigation to review these new allegations,'' said the statement released by USC Sports Information Director Tim Tessalone.
10:03 PM Thu, May 01, 2008 | Permalink
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Posted by: Jeff Eisenberg
Four Bruins and two Trojans were among the early-entry candidates for the NBA draft, according to a list released Thursday by the league. Players who have filed for early entry and not retained an agent can withdraw their names by June 16. The draft is June 26 in New York.
A look at the early-entry list:
• A.J. Abrams, Texas, 5-11, Junior • Josh Akognon, Fullerton State, 5-11, Junior
• Joe Alexander, West Virginia, 6-9, Junior
• Antonio Anderson, Memphis, 6-6, Junior
• Ryan Anderson, Cal, 6-10, Sophomore
• Darrell Arthur, Kansas, 6-9, Sophomore
• D.J. Augustin, Texas, 6-0, Sophomore
• Derek Bailey, Providence Christian, 6-5, Post-Graduate
• Jerryd Bayless, Arizona, 6-3, Freshman
• Michael Beasley, Kansas State, 6-10, Freshman
• Jason Bennett, Tallahassee CC, 7-3, Sophomore
• Keith Brumbaugh, Hillsborough CC, 6-10, Sophomore
• Chase Budinger, Arizona, 6-7, Sophomore
• Derrick Caracter, Louisville, 6-9, Sophomore
• DeMarre Carroll, Missouri, 6-8, Junior
• Charles Carter, Oklahoma Baptist, 6-10, Junior
• Josh Carter, Texas A&M, 6-7, Junior
• Mario Chalmers, Kansas, 6-1, Junior
• Lee Cummard, BYU, 6-7, Junior
• Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis, 6-7, Junior
• Robert Dozier, Memphis, 6-9, Junior
• Wayne Ellington, North Carolina, 6-4, Sophomore
• Alonzo Gee, Alabama, 6-6, Junior
• C.J. Giles, Oregon State, 6-10, Junior
• Eric Gordon, Indiana, 6-4, Freshman
• Jamont Gordon, Mississippi State, 6-4, Junior
• Paul Graham III, Florida Atlantic, 6-5, Junior
• Danny Green, North Carolina, 6-6, Junior
• Donte Greene, Syracuse, 6-11, Freshman
• Kalen Grimes, Missouri, 6-9, Junior
• Richard Hendrix, Alabama, 6-9, Junior
• J.J. Hickson, North Carolina State, 6-9, Freshman
• George Hill, IUPUI, 6-2, Junior
• Lester Hudson, Tennessee-Martin, 6-3, Junior
• Reggie Huffman, Alabama-Birmingham, 6-7, Junior
• Stefon Jackson, UTEP, 6-5, Junior
• Shawn James Duquesne, 6-10, Junior • Davon Jefferson, USC, 6-8, Freshman
• DeAndre Jordan Texas A&M 7-0, Freshman
• Kosta Koufos, Ohio State, 7-0, Freshman
• Ty Lawson, North Carolina, 5-11, Sophomore
• Brook Lopez, Stanford, 7-0, Sophomore
• Robin Lopez, Stanford, 7-0, Sophomore • Kevin Love, UCLA, 6-10, Freshman
• Leo Lyons, Missouri, 6-9, Junior • O.J. Mayo, USC, 6-5, Freshman
• Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, UCLA, 6-8, Junior
• LaVale McGee, Nevada, 7-0, Sophomore
• Jerel McNeal, Marquette, 6-3, Junior
• Kojo Mensah, Duquesne, 6-1, Junior
• Jeremy Pargo, Gonzaga, 6-2, Junior
• Courtney Pigram, East Tennessee State, 6-1, Junior
• Trent Plaisted, BYU, 6-11, Junior
• Bruce Price, Tennessee State, 6-3, Junior
• Anthony Randolph, LSU, 6-10, Freshman
• John Riek, Winchendon School, 7-2, Post-Graduate
• Derrick Rose, Memphis, 6-3, Freshman
• Brandon Rush, Kansas, 6-6, Junior
• Walter Sharpe, Alabama-Birmingham, 6-9, Sophomore • Josh Shipp, UCLA, 6-5, Junior
• Kiwan Smith, Redlands CC, 6-8, Sophomore
• Marreese Speights, Florida, 6-10, Sophomore
• Ronald Steele, Alabama, 6-3, Junior
• Robert Vaden, Alabama-Birmingham, 6-5, Junior • Lorrenzo Wade, San Diego State, 6-6, Junior
• Bill Walker, Kansas State, 6-6, Freshman
• Gordon Watt, Houston Baptist, 6-6, Junior • Russell Westbrook, UCLA, 6-3, Sophomore
• Raymond Wright, Arkansas-Monticello, 6-9, Junior
5:13 PM Thu, May 01, 2008 | Permalink
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Posted by: Jeff Eisenberg
Although he never made a formal announcement, USC's Davon Jefferson signed with agent Arn Tellum when he made himself eligible for the NBA draft, a school spokesman said Thursday. Jefferson, a 6-foot-8 freshman forward, is projected to be drafted in the late-first or early-second round.
Fox Sports is reporting Saturday that according to its sources, USC freshman Davon Jefferson will declare for the NBA by Sunday's deadline -- and will hire an agent, meaning he will not be able to return to USC.
The agent named by Fox is Beverly Hills' Arn Tellem.
It's a big switch for the 6-foot-8 Jefferson, who averaged 12.1 points a game and 6.3 rebounds, in 25 starts at USC last season.
Just two weeks ago, Jefferson, when stopped on campus to discuss where he was on his decision, said all he was thinking about was to get his classwork completed in good order so he could return. But when informed of the number of UCLA players preparing to declare for the draft, he said he might have to reconsider.
In the meantime, Jefferson, who had disappeared from almost all of the mock drafts' first two rounds, has begun to reappear, showing up as hiigh as No. 17 in the first round this week in collegehoopsnet.com's projections.
No one from USC has returned calls to comment on the report yet.
He's either disappeared from some mock drafts because he hasn't declared, or didn't finish the season as strong as he played in the middle of the year, but here's a mock draft to make USC freshman Davon Jefferson at least pause.
It's from collegehoopsnet.com http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/Draft/2008/and it has Jefferson at No. 17 in the first round, one spot ahead of another undeclared player, but THE Player of the Year, Tyler Hansbrough of North Carolina.
It's all quiet on the Trojan front and the longer it goes, the more chance USC seems to have of keeping its inside duo of 6-foot-9 Taj Gibson and 6-8 Davon Jefferson just three days before the NBA declaration deadline Sunday.
But with Jefferson indicating that he was keeping his eye on what the UCLA players were doing across town, maybe it's just a waiting game and as soon as the UCLA players decide, so will he.
One piece of advice both players seem to be getting is that with so many young college big men declaring this year, the chances of the pair improve greatly to make it into the first round next year. That's especially so in a Pac-10 where the a half-dozen 6-10 to 7-foot prospects will probably be gone to the NBA.
The other part of that equation is that a USC team that loses just O.J. Mayo but retains everyone else, plus No. 2-ranked prep prospect DeMar DeRozan and 6-7 Louisiana strongman Leonard Washington, who has earned his eligibility after missing a year ago, can start the season ranked in the top five and maybe this time stay there with no Kansas, Memphis or Final Four UCLA on the schedule.
Spotted on campus Tuesday, the Trojans' basketball duo of Taj Gibson and Davon Jefferson said that they had no decision yet as to whether either of them is going to declare for the NBA Draft, or go for an evaluation without an agent so they would retain their eligibility.
So disregard all the guesses as to what they're going to do. Right now, they don't seem to know for certain themselves.
But they don't have much time. The deadline for declaring is Sunday.
The "road to the Final Four'' will be just that for USC and UCLA the next couple of years so fans who want to follow them better be ready to travel since there are no games anywhere near Southern California -- unless you count Glendale, Ariz.
And if you do want to go, now is the time to look ahead as the NCAA is open now through May 15 for folks to send in their applications for next year's NCAA play.
Fans can visit www.ncaa.com/tickets to apply for tickets. Tickets will be assigned based on the order the applications were received. If the demand exceeds supply, a random drawing will be held to select recipients.
All ticket requests must be submitted through the NCAA web site by May 15, 2008. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis and tickets are expected to be mailed to applicants mid-February 2009.
The 65-team field for the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship will be announced on Sunday, March, 15, 2009, live on CBS at 5 p.m. (CT).
The NCAA reminds fans that purchasing tickets from secondary, unauthorized vendors may result in fraudulent purchases. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets from NCAA member institutions or companies authorized by the NCAA to sell or resell championship tickets.
Opening Round: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 * UD Arena
Dayton, Ohio
Host: University of Dayton
First and Second Rounds: Thursday and Saturday, March 19 and 21, 2009
* Greensboro Coliseum
Greensboro, North Carolina
Host: Atlantic Coast Conference
* Sprint Center
Kansas City, Missouri
Host: Big 12 Conference
^ Wachovia Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Host: St. Joseph's University
* Rose Garden
Portland, Oregon
Host: University of Oregon
First and Second Rounds: Friday and Sunday, March 20 and 22, 2009 * Taco Bell Arena
Boise, Idaho
Host: Boise State University
* UD Arena
Dayton, Ohio
Host: University of Dayton
* American Airlines Arena
Miami, Florida
Host: Florida International University
* HHH Metrodome
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Host: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Regionals: Thursday and Saturday, March 26 and 28, 2009
East Regional * TD Banknorth
Boston, Massachusetts
Host: Boston College
West Regional
* University of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale, Arizona
Host: Arizona State University
Regionals: Friday and Sunday, March 27 and 29, 2009
Midwest Regional * Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana
Host: Butler University/Horizon League
South Regional
* FedExForum
Memphis, Tennessee
Host: University of Memphis
Final Four: Saturday and Monday, April 4 and 6, 2009
* Ford FieldDetroit, Michigan
Host: University of Detroit-Mercy
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