June 2009 | Page 6 of 16

Here are a few quick morning hits from the Hoops World…

**Derrick Williams, a 6-foot-7 forward from La Mirada, Calif., is visiting Memphis and will choose from among Arizona, Arizona State, Gonzaga, Memphis and Miami sometime after his visit ends Wednesday.

“It’s going good right now,” Williams told the Memphis Commercial-Appeal. “It’s a big difference from LA, but I could get used to it. I didn’t think the players were going to be how they are. They’re all pretty cool. They (play) up-tempo and they’re enthusiastic, so I like that too.”

Williams is one of eight recruits to opt out at USC. Tim Floyd resigned there in the wake of the O.J. Mayo recruiting scandal.

If Williams chooses Memphis, he would join JUCO standout Will Coleman, who could start at center, power forward Latavious Williams and combo forward Martin Ngaloro of France.

Maryland, Pittsburgh, Rutgers Football, Rutgers Football Recruiting

Football Updates: Fonti to Rutgers; Clemmings NOT Committed to Pitt

June 22, 2009

author: Adam Zagoria

Chris Fonti, a 6-foot-7, 320-pound offensive tackle from Wayne (N.J.) Hills High, verbally committed to Rutgers Monday after attending the Rutgers Big Man Academy this past weekend.

“Yes, I did,” Fonti said by phone. “I’m just happy to be a Scarlet Knight.”

Fonti, who also had offers from East Carolina, Louisville and Florida International, said he decided after working out this weekend with Rutgers offensive line coach Kyle Flood.

“That was it,” he said. “After working with Coach Flood, that made me want to come. I just liked the way he teaches. He’s very hands on. He knows what to do and he just seemed like a great coach.”

Fonti also cited the proximity of Rutgers to his home in Wayne and the school’s recent academic accolades. He called head coach Greg Schiano Monday to give his commitment.

NBA Draft, Old Knicks

Walsh Keeping Draft Cards Close to Vest

June 22, 2009

author: Adam Zagoria

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Knicks GM Donnie Walsh

Duke, John Wall, Kentucky, Memphis, Syracuse, Texas, UConn, Villanova

Rod Strickland Talks Wall, Bledsoe; Joe Jackson 'Wide Open'

June 22, 2009

author: Adam Zagoria

Rod Strickland knows a thing or two about being an elite point guard.

Strickland was selected by the Knicks in the 1988 NBA Draft and enjoyed a stellar NBA career.

Now he serves on John Calipari’s staff at Kentucky, where he will help coach two of the top point guards in the nation next year in John Wall and Eric Bledsoe.

“I’ve seen both of them on film. They’re both very good players, athletic, quick. I think they both have a chance to be special,” Strickland said in a recent interview.

“Obviously John Wall is the No. 1 point guard. He has the height and the skill to be great. And I think Bledsoe has the speed and the quickness. And both of them have the toughness to be special.”

Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Notre Dame, Rutgers, St. John's, Syracuse, Tennessee, Tobias Harris, UConn, Virginia, West Virginia

Tobias Harris Still Open

June 22, 2009

author: Adam Zagoria

Despite an Internet report saying Tobias Harris

NBA Draft, Old Knicks, UCLA

Knicks Giving Holiday a 2nd Chance

June 21, 2009

author: Adam Zagoria

The Knicks must have some serious interest in taking UCLA freshman guard Jrue Holiday with the No. 8 pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft because they are bringing him in Monday for a second time.