December 2011 | Page 9 of 28 | Zagsblog
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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Thursday / December 26.
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    • Andre Drummond, Articles, UConn

    Andre Drummond could be the No. 1 or No. 2 pick in next June’s NBA Draft.

    And yet as of right now, he’s not even a scholarship player on his own team.

    That’s because the 6-foot-10 Drummond generously agreed to become a walk-on so that teammate Michael Bradley could go on scholarship.

    Bradley, as you may recall, gave up his scholarship and went on financial aid this past August so Drummond could join the team. UConn only has 10 scholarships to give because of NCAA penalites.

    “I’m thankful for what Mike was trying to do for me,” Drummond told Gavin Keefe of The Day.

    “I told Mike, `Don’t do that, man. I’ll pay my way and take a scholarship next year. You don’t have to give up a scholarship for me.’ ”

    Articles

    Kevin Boyle was seeking a unique repeat at the City of Palms Classic.

    Having won the event for the first time last year as coach at Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick, Boyle was attempting to capture it in his first year at Montverde (Fla.) Academy.

    Instead, Montverde lost Tuesday in the semifinals to Arlington (Texas) Grace Prep, 53-45.

    “They outhustled us,” Boyle, who led St. Pat’s to five runner-up finishes at the event before finally breaking through in 2010, told News-Press.com. “We had a very tough shooting night.”

    Articles, St. John's

    Amir Garrett has been cleared by the NCAA to join the St. John’s basketball team for Wednesday’s game against Texas-Pan American, but Johnnies fans shouldn’t expect miracles from the 6-foot-7 wing.

    That, according to his prep school coach, Whit Lesure of Bridgton (Maine) Academy.

    “It’s not as simple as running up and down the court and dunking the ball every time because at that level there’s people in your way,” Lesure told SNY.tv.

    Still, the addition of Garrett is sorely needed for a team that currently has just six recruited scholarship players after point guard Nurideen Lindsey announce his transfer. The Johnnies played five guys for 20 minutes apiece in the first half of Saturday’s win over Fordham at Madison Square Garden while point guard Malik Stith sat for a half for a minor academic violation.

    Articles, Pittsburgh, Transfers

    Khem Birch has not asked for his official release from Pittsburgh but head coach Jamie Dixon does not anticipate the player returning to play for the Panthers, a school official confirmed Tuesday to SNY.tv.

    The 6-foot-9 McDonald’s All-American left the team last Thursday and told Dixon he intended to transfer.

    One source in Birch’s inner circle said Birch is currently at home in Montreal “keeping a low profile.”

    Although both Missouri and New Mexico State have been linked to Birch, no list of potential destinations has been formulated, a second source said.

    Articles, Recruiting

    Jarnell Stokes will announce his college choice Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Memphis time, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

    The 6-foot-8 Stokes will announce at Fino Villa, an Italian restaurant in Collierville. The announcement will come at the same time Memphis is visiting Georgetown at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

    The Rivals No. 5 power forward in the Class of 2012, Stokes will announce for either Memphis, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Florida or UConn, the Appeal reported.

    A source close to the recruitment said he believes Stokes will announce for Tennessee, Memphis or Florida.

    Articles, Transfers

    Former Syracuse big man Da’Shonte Riley was given a waiver to begin play immediately at Eastern Michigan — and can suit up tonight (Tuesday) against Radford.

    “We are thankful to the NCAA for granting Da’Shonte the waiver for him to become eligible for competition right away,” said first-year coach Rob Murphy, the former Syracuse assistant.  “Da’Shonte transferred to EMU so he could be closer to his family in a difficult situation. I’m happy that he is able to give his family the support they need.”

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