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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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Sunday / December 22.
  • For the second time in two days, a former Southern Methodist University 7-footer has found a new home.

    One day after Blaise Mbargorba committed to Boston University, Brooklyn’s Jordan Dickerson pledged to Penn State, as first reported by SNY.tv.

    “I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the coaches, the visit was real good,” the 7-foot, 240-pound Dickerson, who turns 20 Sunday, told SNY.tv following his visit to Happy Valley on Wednesday and Thursday. “I really appreciate the support that I got from them.”

    The Knicks will work out some intriguing prospects in the coming days.

    On Friday, the team will host the following players.

    • Ricardo Ledo, Guard, 6-6, 180, Providence, Freshman

    • Tahj Tate, Guard, 6-4, 190, Delaware State, Sophomore

    • Adonis Thomas, Guard/Forward, 6-7, 240, Memphis, Sophomore

    • Christian Watford, Forward, 6-9, 232, Indiana, Senior

    • Tony Mitchell, Forward, 6-8, 235, North Texas, Sophomore

     

    PHILADELPHIA — It is possible that no player in the Mary Kline Classic on Sunday has a higher ceiling than Cheick Diallo.

    The 6-foot-9 2015 big man from Our Savior New American put up 23 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks as Team Inspiration beat Team Bravery, 119-114, at Philadelphia University.

    “I played very, very great out there because this is my first time I played this all-star game,” Diallo told SNY.tv. “I had fun.”

    Going forward, his upside appears almost limitless.

    Former SMU big man Blaise Mbargorba said he thought long and hard before making the decision to transfer to Boston University over Seton Hall.

    “I think BU is a great fit for me and also it’s a good school academically,” he told SNY.tv Thursday by phone.

    Many had thought that the 6-foot-11, 221-pound center would land at Seton Hall. His AAU coach, Sandy Pyonin, had said the thought the Pirates were the best fit.

    “Oh man, I been considering Seton Hall since the day that I think about transferring,’ he said. “I strongly considered it because I have a really good relationship with all the staff — Kevin Willard, Shaheen [Holloway], Grant [Billmeier], [Steve] Sauers, all the Seton Hall staff. I’ve been knowing them for a little while.”

    GREENBURGH, N.Y. — A.J. Matthews didn’t start playing basketball until his junior year of high school.

    He didn’t know what the SATs were during his senior year.

    And he ultimately landed at a Division III school instead of a Division I powerhouse.

    Yet there he was working out for the Knicks on Wednesday following a recent group workout at the Nets’ facility.

    “Growing up, my mother was a big Knicks fan and my father liked Brooklyn, born and raised in Brooklyn,” the 6-foot-11, 212-pound Matthews said.

    “Me too. I feel like these two teams that invited me here for my first workout, it’s a blessing. I’ll really take advantage of it, try to stay focused and listen to them more and more every drill.”

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