April 2013 | Page 16 of 32

Marquette junior point guard Vander Blue is not on the DraftExpress.com 2013 Mock Draft and he’s not listed among the Top 100 prospects on the site, either.

But that hasn’t stopped the 6-foot-4, 200-pound Blue from delcaring for the NBA Draft.

“I’ve had three great years here and appreciate everything Marquette has done for me during that time to help me develop,” Blue said. “At this point I want to pursue my dream. I’ve prayed about it and discussed it with my family and think this is the right decision for me at this time.

Andrew Wiggins, Articles

Williams, Self, Hamilton to Meet With Wiggins (UPDATED)

April 16, 2013

author: Adam Zagoria

The Andrew Wiggins Sweepstakes rolls on.

North Carolina coach Roy Williams will meet with Wiggins on Monday (April 22), Kansas coach Bill Self comes in on Tuesday (April 23) and Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton visits Wednesday (April 24), Huntington (W.V.) Prep coach Rob Fulford confirmed to SNY.tv.

“I really don’t think it means anything,” Fulford said. “They get seven visits; I would think it’s probably smart to use them all. While they still have them, I would use them. If I’m a coach at a collegiate level, I would come as many times as I could within the NCAA guidelines. Those guys get a number of visits to see a recruit, so they want to come and see what Andrew’s thinking.”

Kentucky coach John Calipari is not coming next week because he already visited with Wiggins before he left for the McDonald’s All-American Game.

“Calipari’s already been here,” Fulford said. “He came in here before [Wiggins] left for the McDonalds’ Game. He’s already been here.”

Articles

Who Are the Top 2015 Prospects in Philly?

April 16, 2013

author: Adam Zagoria

By JOSH VERLIN

Special to ZAGSBLOG

PHILADELPHIA — The class of 2015 is strong in Philadelphia, and a talented group of rising juniors is about to get some recognition on a national level now that the AAU season is here.

While there are many potential breakout candidates, here are five who really could open a lot of eyes this spring:

Shawn Alston, The Haverford School

Alston is a 6-foot-3 combo guard who played off the ball last year but made the transition to point guard this year quite successfully. He averaged 16.2 points, 5.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals on a 17-9 Haverford team that made the quarterfinals of the Pennsylvania independent schools’ tournament. The son of former Temple Owl Levan Alston has quite a bit of in-state interest already but is likely to open a lot more eyes this summer as he plays on a talented Team Final 16U. A confident shooter and shot creator with a great on-court demeanor, Alston is used to having the ball in his hands in crunch time and projects somewhere in the mid-major-plus range for now.

Articles, Georgetown, NBA Draft

Otto Porter Jr. to the NBA Draft

April 16, 2013

author: Adam Zagoria

Georgetown sophomore Otto Porter Jr. is headed to the NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-8 Porter Jr. is projected as the No. 8 pick by DraftExpress.com.

He was named Big East Player of the Year and was also selected as a John R. Wooden All-American and was a finalist for the Wooden Award and the Naismith Trophy.

“It was a tough decision. I love Georgetown, my coaches and my teammates,” Porter Jr. said. “I’m going to come back and finish up my degree, but during the season I’ve been trying to focus on the season. After the season, I started thinking about my decision and I spoke to my parents about it. I knew it was coming down to it, but my coaches, my teammates and my parents have helped prepare me for this next step.”

Knicks

Rasheed Wallace Returns, Leaves Early With Sore Foot

April 15, 2013

author: Adam Zagoria

Rasheed Wallace’s comeback lasted all of three minutes, 50 seconds Monday night.

Wallace played in his first game since Dec. 13 after undergoing surgery on his fractured left foot in February, but was forced to leave the Knicks’ 106-95 loss at Charlotte with soreness in the foot.

“We took him out, we’ll evaluate it [Tuesday] morning and just see where he is and how he feels and gauge it that way,” Knicks coach Mike Woodson told reporters in Charlotte. “That’s the only thing we can do. He tried and I thought he looked pretty good the short minutes he was out there. We’ll know more tomorrow.”

Articles, St. John's

St. John’s Harrison on Track to Return From Suspension

April 15, 2013

author: Adam Zagoria

St. John’s could turn out to be a real force in the Big East next season.

As previously reported here last month, sophomore guard D’Angelo Harrison is expected to return to the team along with freshman forward JaKarr Sampson, the reigning Big East Rookie of the Year. Adding them to recently committed guard Rysheed Jordan, forward Orlando Sanchez and the rest of the returning players, and the Johnnies will have an experienced, deep and talented squad in the first year of the new Big East.

“D’Angelo has responded to his suspension in an admirable and mature manner,” Johnnies coach Steve Lavin said Monday after Harrison was named to the All-Met Division 1 Basketball Team. “We are hopeful with a productive spring and summer performance he will be able earn his way back on to our team.”