Matt Ryan

“His most recent offers were Davidson and Creighton in the last two weeks,” Alesi said.

Davidson joins the Atlantic 10 Conference in 2014-15 and Creighton joins the Big East this coming season.

With the addition of former UConn and Fordham assistant Patrick Sellers to their staff, Creighton is increasingly recruiting in the New York area.

“The obvious demographic where they need to recruit is the Northeast and particularly New York, with the schools in that conference,” Alesi said.

Ryan, whom Alesi called “the best shooter in [New York] City,” also holds offers from Holy Cross, Fordham, Quinnipiac, George Mason, Harvard, Boston University, Yale, Columbia, Princeton and Quinnipiac.

Alesi said Notre Dame, which this year joins the ACC, will follow Ryan this summer through AAU stops in Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Las Vegas. Assistant Martin Ingelsby is recruiting Ryan.

“They reached out and will be watching him pretty closely in July,” Alesi said.

Ryan played up with the New Heights 17U team this weekend as they reached the final of the Brooklyn Badgers Invitational at Baruch College, where they lost to Isaiah Whitehead and Juice.

Photo: LoHud.com

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“Would I love to be here again, yes,” Martin, 35, said here Monday. “But we’ll see. Stranger things have happened. I would definitely love to be back.”

Martin, who earned about $430,000 for his work this season, is not under contract for next year. He played a valuable role, backing up center Tyson Chandler, and averaged 7.2 points and 5.3 points during 18 games in the regular season and 5.8 points and 4.5 boards in the playoffs.

He had his exit interview Monday with Knicks GM Glen Grunwald and coach Mike Woodson and said it went well.

“Everything was positive,” Martin said. “I think I proved to people that I can still play at a high level. Like I told people from the beginning what I was here to do, prove that I’m a better person than I’m a basketball player so I think I did that

“We’ll see what it holds from here. Would I love to be back? Yes. I had a great time here. Everything’s first class. One of the best teams I’ve played on.”

Asked if he had any suggestions for the team going forward, Martin cracked, “If I say anything, it’s bring Kenyon back.”

Photo: Knicks PR

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By JEREMY WOO

Special to ZAGSBLOG

CHICAGO — In what was a stressful week for many, nobody at the NBA Draft Combine had more fun than Steven Adams.

Seven feet tall in shoes and weighing over 250 pounds, the New Zealand native cuts an imposing figure — but Adams was all smiles Friday as he discussed his draft preparations. The Pitt product enjoyed himself all week, particularly going through interviews with potential employers.

“It’s been awesome,” Adams said. “[Teams] just want to get to know me and my background. They all have their own interview styles. Dallas had a sports psychologist who tries to mentally torment you — I found that fun, it was really different.”

Adams also spoke with teams including Minnesota, Orlando and Phoenix, taking in his surroundings and appreciating each step of the process. The week marked his first real taste of the NBA spotlight.

“Meeting new people, it’s cool,” said Adams. “It’s almost been an asking them for their autograph type of thing. I saw the Dallas head coach [Rick Carlisle] and was like, ‘Oh my god, what’s up bro? I’ve seen you on TV!’”

After his positive showings at the combine and in workouts, some now see Adams as a Top 10 selection, or at least Top 20. Still just 19, his physical gifts—his size as well as quickness and ability to run the floor — scream with promise. He also displayed an improved jump shot on Friday.

“Great in workouts,” one Western Conference GM told SNY.tv. “More skilled facing the hoop than he showed at Pitt. Probably going 15-23″ in the Draft.”

DraftExpress.com has Adams going No. 16 overall, and Chad Ford of ESPN has him at No. 19.

Scarily, Adams has only played competitive basketball for six years.

Adams’ father passed away in 2006, and basketball helped him fill the void. Adams, with help from his older brother Warren moved to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. There he began to work with Kenny McFadden, a former Washington State player and according to Adams, New Zealand’s “NBA guru.” McFadden was also a pro teammate of Pitt coach Jamie Dixon’s in New Zealand, hence the commitment to Pitt.

“When I was 13, I started really loving the game,” Adams explained. “Kenny taught me a ton of stuff and I liked the progress I had made. I got addicted to it, and I wanted to keep carrying it on.”

In 2011, Adams joined the Wellington Saints in New Zealand’s professional league. After winning Rookie of the Year and helping the Saints to a domestic championship, he packed his bags for the United States, earning a reputation as a coveted international prospect and NBA hopeful.

Upon his arrival, Adams spent a year at Notre Dame (MA) Prep before heading to Pittsburgh.

In just 23.4 minutes per game as a freshman, Adams averaged 7.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and two blocks — not a bad showing from a still-raw prospect learning the American game.

“The competition was way higher than in New Zealand,” Adams said. “I wasn’t used to playing against really tall people who were strong as well. Back home I could usually go over them, now I try to use my body to get a hook shot off and to rebound.”

Though still very much a project-type player, Adams’ considerable upside is sure to make him a valuable part of his new team’s plans. He’ll likely sit with fellow prospects in the draft’s green room next month, waiting to hear David Stern call his name and take the stage on national television. And as usual, no matter whose hat he puts on, it’ll be no big deal.

“I’ll just be relaxing,” said Adams with a laugh. “I heard they’ve got real good food [at the draft]. I’ll be good.”

Photo: USA Today

The 6-foot-5 small forward from Greensboro (N.C.) Wesleyan Christian, will choose from among Georgetown, North Carolina, Duke, Louisville and Indiana during a 12:15 announcement at his school.

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Roy Hibbert’s monster fourth-quarter block on Carmelo Anthony at the rim may well have been the difference between the Knicks forcing a Game 7 on Monday night and them going on summer vacation.

“It was a helluva block, big play by Hibbert,” Anthony said of the Pacers’ big man’s one-handed stuff when the Knicks led by two points in Game 6 in Indiana.

“That block I think spearheaded that momentum run that they made.”

Led by Brooklyn native Lance Stephenson, Indiana went on an 11-2 run and closed out the Knicks, 106-99.

“It’s tough,” said Anthony, who scored 39 points but fell to 3-9 in elimination games. “We all know what was the goal that we had set. Everybody wants to go to the championship, win the championship, that’s the ultimate goal.

“Unfortunately, our run had to stop here. We take this time off right now, this offseason, regroup and come back better and stronger next season.”

“Our goals were to win an NBA title,” Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. “At the end of the day we didn’t get it done.”

What lies ahead for the Knicks remains unclear.

Jim Boeheim, Anthony’s former college coach, told SNY.tv before Game 5, “I think they’re gonna have to do something  down the road to change the roster. I’m sure there will be a lot of changes for next year.”

But the Knicks are hamstrung by the salary cap and and face a lot of questions going forward.

What will become of 40-year-old Jason Kidd, who went scoreless in his last 10 playoff games dating to April 23, and is signed for two more years?

What about 39-year-old Marcus Camby, also signed for two more seasons?

Will Pablo Prigioni, the 35-year-old rookie who was highly effective as the team’s starting point guard down stretch, return or go play overseas?

Will the volatile and unpredicatable J.R. Smith, who has a player option and is expected to test the free agent market, take more money to go elsewhere?

And what will become of Amar’e Stoudemire, who languished on the bench down the stretch of Game 6 but is due $45.1 million over the next two seasons?

And perhaps most importantly, no matter who his teammates are, can Anthony ever lead this team to the NBA Finals as long as LeBron James remains in the East.

“It’s a learning curve for this season,” Anthony said, “and we’ll be back better and stronger for next year for sure.”

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And on Saturday night, the Brooklyn native finally got a measure of revenge.

Three years after then-Knicks and current Pacers President Donnie Walsh opted to take Andy Rautins and Landry Fields in the second round of the 2010 Draft ahead of Stephenson, he went off for a playoff career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds to help the Pacers oust the Knicks from the Eastern Conference semifinals, 106-99, in Game 6 in Indiana.

While Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks are now officially on summer vacation, it is Stephenson and the Pacers who are headed to face the defending NBA champion Miami Heat in South Beach.

With the Knicks leading 92-90, Roy Hibbert’s block at the rim on Anthony turned the momentum and Stephenson scored nine points in an 11-2 Indiana run. He was as important as anyone in helping Indiana reach its first Eastern Conference Finals since 2004.

“He was the difference-maker I think tonight,” Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. “We give up 25 points to Lance and that’s no knock against him. He played a helluva game and that somewhat came out of nowhere. But again he was very aggressive tonight in temrs of how he played and we had no answer for him.”

Said Stephenson of the steal and transition basket: “I just wanted to be aggressive. Just try to penetrate and dish, try to take it to the basket and just try to make smart plays and I did that tonight and we got the win.”

The former Lincoln High School star finished 9-of-13 shooting and 7-of-8 from the line.

He said he was highly motivated following a 1-for-7, 4-point performance in the Game 5 loss in New York.

“Last game I felt like I played not to my ability and I couldn’t wait for this game,” Stephenson said.

“I couldn’t sleep and I was very focused for this game and it showed today. I want to thank my teammates. We played hard, we played together, we played as a unit and we took care of business.”

Last year, Stephenson made headlines in the playoffs for all the wrong reasons.

He flashed a choking sign at LeBron James in the Pacers’ Game 3 win over the Heat in their playoff series, for which he later apologized.

The replay was shown repeatedly on ESPN and elsewhere in the days following the game.

“Lance Stephenson? You want a quote about Lance Stephenson?” James told ESPN.com about the incident. “I’m not even going to give him the time. Knock it off.”

This time around, Stephenson made headlines for the right reasons.

“It’s great,” he said, “just to be a part of this team and everybody believing in me the whole season and just being focused and being ready for any competiton or anything that comes to me.”

You really have to credit Stephenson for his evolution as a player and a person.

He is the all-time leading scorer in New York State history with 2,946 points but was still considered a me-first, ball-stopping knucklehead coming out of high school.

After surprisingly picking Cincinnati as his college choice — news first reported by SNY.tv. — he was named Big East Rookie of the Year but then slipped into the second round of the 2010 Draft.

Despite having the backing of former Pacers president Larry Bird, he played sparingly in his first two years in the NBA and was considered immature and unable to buy into the team concept.

But with Danny Granger injured this season, Stephenson got a major opportunity to start this season and he made the most of it. He averaged of 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 rebounds in 78 games.

“When I was in high school, I would just go, I would just try to bully everyone,” Stephenson said earlier in the series. “You realize it’s much different once you get to the NBA. Everyone is on your level or better than you and you really have to think and re-tool and find ways to help the team.”

Making just over $915,000 this season, Stephenson has a team option worth just shy of $1 million that the Pacers have yet to pick up.

“I really like him, he’s been good with me as a player off the court and on the court,” Walsh said recently. “He works hard, he’s got a big upside. He still hasn’t reached a lot of the potential he has, but he’s helped us because he does some things that we really need done and he’s the only guy that can do it.”

(Josh Newman contributed reporting)

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By JEREMY WOO

Special to ZAGSBLOG 

CHICAGO — Every NBA draft has its unknowns, names full of intrigue and potential, boom-or-bust players who can make general managers look like a genius or help get them fired.

From the high-major studs to the European imports, all hoped to increase their stock this week at the Chicago Pre-Draft Combine. And all things considered, perhaps the most enigmatic player in the gym was Norvel Pelle.

Standing nearly 6-foot-11 in shoes, with over seven feet of wingspan and a 9-foot-1 inch standing reach, Pelle certainly looked the part of an NBA prospect. Though only 207 pounds, you couldn’t help but notice his raw athletic ability. The upside was obvious.

The thing is, hardly anyone had seen him play.

Pelle, once a top-ranked high school center out of Los Angeles, never took the floor for a college team, unable to meet the NCAA’s academic eligibility requirements.

He committed to St. John’s and head coach Steve Lavin in 2011 but was ruled ineligible that August along with fellow commits JaKarr Sampson and Amir Garrett. While Sampson and Garrett eventually ended up with the Johnnies, Pelle never did.

Last August, Pelle committed to Iona — which has a history of success giving players second chances — and was compared by some to Kevin Durant.

“I think he’s going to be what everybody is comparing him to right now,” Rambo Rasheed, Pelle’s mentor, told SNY.tv last August. “A ‘KD type of player. a new age KD. Honestly, I think he’s going to be the new age basketball player.

“He’s 6-11, he can handle exceptionally well. He can shoot it exceptionally well from the mid-range. He’s one of the fastest people up and down the court. His athleticism speaks for itself.”

The Gaels could’ve used him during their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

“Norvel has unlimited potential and we thought in our up-tempo systeam he would be our most talented player and a possible Player of the Year candidate as a freshman,” Iona associate head coach Jared Grasso told SNY.tv.

“With [head coach] Tim [Cluess's] success developing players and Norvel’s tools there is not telling the success he could have had at Iona.”

But a funny thing happened on the way to becoming the next Durant. Pelle never made it to Iona and fell off the grid.

One year later, the Los Angeles native has resurfaced at the combine, hoping to catch on in the league and rediscover the dream that was once all but lost. NBA executives have taken note of Pelle’s talents — still very much raw, but clearly a possible steal for someone willing to take a chance. What’s more, he’s just 20 years old.

Pelle has interviewed with teams including Atlanta, Houston, Memphis, Miami, New Orleans and Portland, making his case to be selected in June’s draft.

“They want to know what happened last year, the reason I didn’t go to college and what I’ve been doing,” said Pelle. “I got it together, I went to prep school [at Malvern Prep in Pennsylvania and Stoneridge Prep near Los Angeles] and I’ve been taking care of my mom. I’ve just been focusing, trying to get ready.”

Many teams had already taken a look at Pelle during private workouts, but the combine provided more than that — it was a measuring stick opportunity for the lanky center.

“Just being here and going through the experience of the combine, being with the top 60 players, it’s a lot of fun,” Pelle said. “I did pretty well, I thought I held my own. I still have to get stronger, but I did what I had to do.”

His post game is still developing, but Pelle is confident he can help an NBA team in the future. He wasn’t concerned about where he’d be drafted — he hadn’t even discussed it yet with agent Cervando Tejeda.

“He’s probably a guy who’ll have to make it via the NBA D-League,” one Western Conference GM told SNY.tv.

One veteran NBA scout was more blunt, calling Pelle “an AAU tragedy who got bad advice. Wasted years of development. Get his passport ready.”

Hungry for a second chance, Pelle kept it simple at the combine.

“Blocking shots and running the floor are my strengths,” he said. “I can bring energy and heart…just the willingness to come and play hard every day.”

It’s no secret the odds for NBA success aren’t in Pelle’s favor. He knows there are things he could have done differently. He says all the trouble is in the past. Given all he’s been through, there’s still plenty left to be accomplished, and it will continue to drive him forward.

“Being the underdog in this whole combine is really motivational,” Pelle said. “Just to get picked and not have any game film, I’m really motivated to be here. Anywhere I end up, I’ll be happy.”

By DAVE SPAHN

Special to ZAGSBLOG

CHICAGO – Count two former Syracuse players among those who would love to see the ACC Tournament come to Madison Square Garden.

“It would be great having the conference tournament there,” former Syracuse guard Michael Carter-Williams said at the Chicago Pre-Draft Combine. “The Garden is a great place to play. It would help us [Syracuse] a lot. There would be a lot of Orange there.”

As covered in this earlier story, the ACC is investigating moving the tournament to New York at some point after 2015, when their current deal in Greensboro, N.C., expires.

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim and several incoming recruits are — no surprise — in favor of the idea.

Players want to compete on the brightest stage, and no brighter spotlight exists anywhere in the country than MSG.

“I feel like if the ACC moved to Madison Square Garden, it would be great for everybody,” said former Syracuse forward James Southerland of Queens. “I know a lot of people from down South would love to come to Madison Square Garden and see it in person. It’s a great venue and makes sense for the ACC to use. “

As for Southerland’s performance here, he reportedly made 14-of-25 3-pointers from a variety of places on the floor on Thursday.

The former Cardozo and Notre Dame Prep star averaged 13.3 points last season and set a new Big East Tournament record for 3-pointers in the event.

“If you’re going to have a special skill, this is the one to have,” ESPN analyst and former NBA general manager Tom Penn said during ESPNU’s broadcast of the combine, according to Syracuse.com. “Every team needs floor-spacers. They need guys on the weak side. James Southerland is the kind of player who can stand out there and bang in threes.”

Southerland does not even appear on the DraftExpress.com 2013 Mock Draft, but he could be a fit for a team needing a shooter.

“He could be a great fit on the right team,” ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford said. “Not necessarily a starter or a star, but off the bench. I think he’s a really nice pick in the late first round or early second round.”

As for the 6-5 Carter-Williams, he is projected as the No. 12 pick by Draft Express, but opted not to participate in the combine, only to do interviews.

Photo: Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

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By DAVE SPAHN

Special to ZAGSBLOG

CHICAGO – The past college basketball season and ensuing months certainly could have gone better for Shabazz Muhammad.

First, the NCAA ruled Muhammad ineligible for the season just days before UCLA’s first game for receiving improper benefits. The ruling was voided after three games, but the cloud of an NCAA suspension still hovered over his head.

Next, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound Muhammad failed to reach the lofty, arguably unrealistic expectations placed on him during his collegiate tenure. He quickly slid down from the top of draft boards and is currently projected at No. 10 on DraftExpress.com.

Then, reports began to leak about Muhammad being a full year older than originally believed. His father, Ron Holmes, claimed him to be 19 years old, but his original birth certificate proved otherwise. A 20-year-old freshman who’s older than most sophomores suddenly seems much less impressive.

Now, Muhammad felt the need to impress NBA front office personnel at the NBA combine in order to help secure his position as a lottery pick, an unimaginable scenario before the season started.

More importantly, Muhammad had to answer the tough questions for NBA front office personnel that everyone wanted to know.

What was the real story behind his initial season-long NCAA suspension? How knowledgeable was he about the impermissible benefits his family received? Why should NBA teams invest millions of dollars into a player with questions about his past?

“I cleared it [the NCAA suspension story] up,” Muhammad said Friday at the Chicago Pre-Draft Combine. “Some of that stuff I didn’t know what was going on. I’m a guy who just plays basketball, and I had my other family members controlling that other stuff. Now, as an NBA guy, I’m more mature as a player, so I can definitely speak for myself. “

He continued:  “I just wanted to get those questions out of the way so everyone can know what’s really going on. A lot of people speculate how bad I am as a player and stuff like that, but I really cleared it up. I was so happy to do that stuff, and I can’t wait to do these other interviews this afternoon.”

One Western Conference GM told SNY.tv the age issue wasn’t a problem.

“The age doesn’t bother me,” the GM said. “He needs to be in a place where his game works based on style of play. He’s a scorer and needs to be in a system where he is featured in multiple isolation sets.”

UCLA’s offensive system under former coach Ben Howland was part of the reason Muhammad could not show his true NBA potential throughout the season. For much of the season, the Bruins did not play a high flying, fast paced, pick-and-roll system comparable to many of the NBA teams.

“He shot the ball well at the combine and looked good,” one veteran NBA scout told SNY.tv. “I think he’s in the 9-14 range.”

Muhammad said his preference is to be a shooting guard instead of a small forward, but there is debate among NBA personnel about that. The GM said he’s a three, while the scout called him a two.

One question Muhammad answered over and over – with his words and his actions – was his passion to play the game of basketball. Unlike many of his counterparts likely destined for the lottery, Muhammad competed in all facets of the NBA combine.

“I’m so blessed to be out here. That’s why I love just playing,” Muhammad explained about competing in the combine. “Some of the guys are sitting out, but I want to play. If I’m a lottery or not, I want to play against the guys and compete. I’m not running away from anybody. That’s one thing I love about my game. I want to play.”

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FRISCO, Texas — Trey Lyles,

“I’m just  trying to focus on this last AAU season,” he told SNY.tv at the Nike EYBL stop here. “Have as much fun as I can, put the college thing on the background until my high school season.”

In February, the 6-foot-10 Canadian cut his list to Florida, Butler, Kentucky, UCLA , Louisville and Duke.

“Every school is even,” he said. “I hear from every school every week. I talk with every school every week. You know the fans are on me every day but every school is even right now. Nobody is going the extra mile above the other ones.”

Lyles plans to take officials to every school except Butler, which is the local school and joins the Big East this season. He will then sign in the spring of 2014.

“Yes, I will definitely take all six school visits,” Lyles said. “Probably the only one that I wouldn’t [take an official to] would be Butler because I am so close. But very other school I will be taking an official to.”

Butler, Creighton and Xavier will need to step up their recruiting in the new-look Big East and landing a player like Lyles would certainly be a big boost to Brad Stevens‘ prorgram.

“Great coach,” Lyles said. “They develop their plays. They’re starting to have a great legacy of winning.”

Kentucky is always in the mix for the top players, and is also hoping for the package of Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor, as well as Spiece Indy Heat teammate JaQuan Lyle and Cliff Alexander.

“Great legacy,” Lyles said. “Great coach. Players in the NBA. Fans are great. They develop their players and they make them work hard.”

Fellow SEC power Florida is also in the hunt.

“I know [Billy Donovan] is a good coach,” Lyles said. “I played against him when he coached the USA Team. He knows how to use his players. Great system. Great development. They’ve got guys in the league just now getting their shine. They’re making their players the best that they can be. Coach Donovan makes you feel like family. I talk to him almost every week, so he’s really trying to get me down there.”

New UCLA coach Steve Alford is also making a run at Lyles via assistant Ed Schilling.

“It’s really been Coach Schilling from Tudor that went up there,” Lyles said. “I played for him a couple of summer tournaments and stuff so he really knows me really well and I know him really well. So he has been the one recruiting me mostly.”

For now, Lyles is working his way back from a knee injury suffered at the end of his high school season.

“I sprained my PCL the last game of the high school season and was out for nine weeks…Coming off of injury you got to make sure you’re not going out there and playing your way into shape.”

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