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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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    • Articles

    andrew-wiggins1.jpg?w=600&h=425By JOSH NEWMAN

    NEW YORK – Can Canada be a world power in basketball?

    We are likely still years away from answering that question, but the country best-known for ice hockey took an important move forward in basketball on Wednesday.

    Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Andrew Wiggins, one of the leading candidates for the Rookie of the Year award, said on Wednesday that he will play for the Canadian national team this summer as it tries to qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 2000.

    “We are super-excited to have Andrew play along with all of our NBA players and players who play overseas,” Canadian national team head coach Jay Triano, a Trail Blazers assistant, told SNY.tv. “Our goal is to qualify for the Olympics with all of our best players playing for Canada.”

    Articles, Duke

    4_2917471NEW YORK — With Tyus Jones on Wednesday announcing his plans to declare for the NBA Draft, Duke now officially needs a point guard for the 2015-16 season.

    Newly minted national champion coach Mike Krzyzewski has been out recruiting Derryck Thornton and Jamal Murray, hoping at least one will reclass and come to Duke.

    Whether or not one of them does, Luke Kennard says he’s ready and able to handle some of the point guard duties next season.

    “Well I talked to coach [Jon] Scheyer [Tuesday] and he was like, ‘Keep working on that ball-handling because we’re pretty confident in it,'” Kennard told SNY.tv Wednesday at the Jordan Brand practice. “If they decide to come to Duke and reclassify, like Derryck Thornton or Jamal, whatever they decide, that’s great. But if not, I’m going to go in there with a challenge. I like challenges, they motivate me, so I’ll be ready to go whatever they want me to do.”

    Kentucky, Recruiting

    2014top100-451NEW YORK — For the next three days, Kentucky-bound big man Skal Labissiere will be doing his best to get the uncommitted guys in the Jordan Brand Classic to join him next year in Lexington.

    That group includes Malik Newman, Jaylen Brown and Stephen Zimmerman — all of whom have yet to declare their college plans.

    “I talked to [Zimmerman] a little bit [Tuesday],” the 7-foot Labissiere told SNY.tv Wednesday at the Jordan Brand Classic practice. “I talk to Jaylen a lot, talked to Malik a little bit but Jaylen Brown I talk to him the most.”

    Labissiere and fellow Kentucky pledges Isaiah Briscoe and Charles Matthews are on the East Team here alongside Brown, while Newman and Zimmerman are on the West Team.

    The 6-7 Brown did not address the media on Wednesday. He is considering eight schools, including Kentucky.

    Articles, Kentucky, Recruiting

    Malik Newman actionNEW YORK –– In what may be a growing trend among elite college basketball prospects, Malik Newman doesn’t plan on signing a National Letter of Intent after he picks his college.

    “No, I don’t plan on signing one,” the 6-foot-4 guard from Jackson (MS) Callaway told SNY.tv Wednesday morning at the Jordan Brand Classic practice. “I just feel like it’s not really a need to sign one, so I don’t want to stress myself about signing.”

    Stephen Zimmerman, the 7-footer from Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman, has also said he won’t sign an NLI, and Cal-bound big man Ivan Rabb has yet to sign his NLI as well.

    Wednesday is the first day of the NCAA late signing period, but Newman, who is considering six schools, has no timetable on making a decision.

    “Whenever it feels right,” he said.

    Articles

    Ivan RabbBy JOSH NEWMAN

    NEW YORK – New California commit Ivan Rabb won’t get the chance to play with Caleb Swanigan next season, but that doesn’t mean the Oakland native isn’t recruiting this week at the Jordan Brand Classic.

    “I have been talking to Jaylen [Brown], especially since I committed, but at the end of the day, nobody’s going to follow me just because,” Rabb told SNY.tv on Wednesday morning at Terminal 23 in Manhattan. “It has to be the best fit for them and the best decision. I’m not going to pressure him, but I would definitely like to team up with him.

    “He’s a game-changer, it’s as simple as that. He’s not selfish and he’s great person off the court as well.”

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