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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.
  • 2014 adidas NationsJaylen Brown, the No. 1 player in the Class of 2015, enjoyed his weekend official visit to UCLA and has several more visits planned before likely committing in the spring.

    “I liked the location, the coaches are nice, down to earth, [and] my mom liked it,” the 6-foot-6 Brown out of Marietta (GA) Wheeler said by phone from the airport after his UCLA visit. “The campus was beautiful. It’s like a resort.”

    Head coach Steve Alford and assistant David Grace have made Brown a top priority in the Class of 2015.

    “They said I’m the No. 1 priority and I would be like the man,” Brown said. “They don’t have a guy like me. They would play me at multiple positions, the 1, 2 and 3 and make it hard for the other team to guard me. They’re not looking to recruit a lot. They want two bigs for sure and they want me. If they don’t get me, they said they want a replacement, so that’s what they’re looking for.”

    4_675832 (2)By JACK LeGWIN

    One of the top players in the nation, P.J. Dozier, will announce his commitment soon.

    “Hopefully, he will have his mind made up by this coming weekend,” Dozier’s father, Perry, told SNY.tv Sunday night following P.J.’s official visit to Louisville this weekend. “We will probably just notify the coaches what we will decide to do, and then he would make his announcement on ESPN.” 

    CovingtonThe Grand Rapids Drive selected 6-foot-9 forward Robert Covington of  Tennessee State with the first overall pick of the 2014 NBA Development League Draft on Saturday afternoon from the league’s New York headquarters.

    The Santa Cruz Warriors drafted Elliott Williams (6-5, 183, Memphis) with the second overall pick and the Austin Spurs chose Erik Murphy (6-10, 240, Florida) with the third overall selection. Carrick Felix (6-6, 203, Arizona State) to Santa Cruz and Ben Hansbrough (6-3, 203, Notre Dame) to Grand Rapids rounded out the top-five selections, all of whom boast NBA experience.

    Kentucky saw two former standouts selected in the first round as Marquis Teague (6-2, 180) was taken ninth overall by the Oklahoma City Blue and the Los Angeles D-Fenders selected Eloy Vargas (6-11, 250) with the 17th overall pick.

    Other first-round picks of note including former Louisville standout Chane Behanan going at No. 14 to Rio Grande and former Seton Hall star Fuquan Edwin at No. 15 to Sioux Falls, the D-league affiliate of the Miami Heat. The Skyforce also selected former Pitt standout Ashton Gibbs.

    Jalen Poyser has committed to UNLV over Rhode Island and St. Bonaventure.

    Ranked No. 84 in the class of 2015 by Rivals, the 6-foot-4 Canadian point guard from Athlete Institute in Orangeville, Ontario is the first 2015 commit for the Running Rebels. UNLV also has a pledge from 6-7 2016 Findlay Prep forward Justin Jackson.

    “I am happy to let everyone know that I’m committing to the UNLV Running Rebels,” Poyser said on Twitter. “I think it’s the best decision for me and family.

    Briscoe Peach Jam actionDuring a tour of New Jersey, Kentucky coach John Calipari met with top targets Isaiah Briscoe and Tyus Battle this week, sources told SNY.tv.

    Kentucky assistant Barry “Slice” Rohrssen was also due in to see Briscoe again on Tuesday at Roselle Catholic.

    The Briscoe Sweepstakes appears to be heating up and a decision could come soon. The NCAA early signing period runs Nov. 12-19, and several top recruits usually announce on ESPN.

    The 6-foot-3 Roselle Catholic point guard recently trimmed his list to St. John’s, UConn and Kentucky.

    St. John’s has recruited him the longest and they’re the closest local option. Briscoe took his last official visit to St. John’s, and then attended a practice at Madison Square Garden.

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