April 2015 | Page 3 of 29 | 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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    • Articles, Florida

    Donovan_BillyThe Oklahoma City Thunder have begun talks with Florida coach Billy Donovan about becoming their next head coach, according to an ESPN.com report.

    This comes after SNY.tv and other outlets reported last week that UConn’s Kevin Ollie withdrew his name from consideration for the job.

    ESPN.com reported that Thunder GM Sam Presti has hired two members of Donovan’s staff in the last 12 months, Mark Daigneault as coach of the Thunder’s D-League team and Oliver Winterbone as a data analyst.

    Donovan agreed to become the Orlando Magic head coach in 2007, only to reverse course and go back to Florida following back-to-back NCAA championships with the Gators.

    Articles, Maryland, Recruiting

    CURTISJONESBy CHIP MILLER

    LEXINGTON, Ky. – For Huntington Prep (WV) guard Curtis Jones, there is no doubt in his mind that when the time comes to cut his list to an expected five schools, Maryland is the one school that will “definitely” make the cut.

    “Yes,” the 6-foot-3 2016 point guard told SNY.tv in an exclusive at the Nike EYBL circuit. “They’ve recruited me for so long, I know them so well, so they are definitely top five.”

    Many experts believe Maryland is the current team to beat when it comes to Jones’ recruitment, but asked if they were the favorite, Jones stated, “I wouldn’t say favorite.”

    Recruiting, Tennessee

    Ray KasongoRay Kasongo, the 6-foot-10 power forward who had originally signed with Oregon before the school did not admit him, has committed to Tennessee over Mississippi State.

    He is Tennessee’s second commit of the day, following 6-2 IMG Academy point guard Lamonte’ Turner.

    The Toronto native had offers from LSU, Kansas State, Seton Hall, UNLV, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

    Articles

    NCAA Basketball: Vanderbilt at KentuckyThe NBA announced 91 players, including 43 international players, who have filed as early entry candidates for the 2015 NBA Draft.

    From the league:

    Players wishing to enter the 2015 NBA Draft were required to submit a letter to the NBA to be received no later than Sunday, April 26. Players who have applied for early entry have the right to withdraw their names from consideration for the Draft by notifying the NBA of their decision in writing no later than 5 p.m. ET on Monday, June 15.

    Following is the list of players from colleges and post-graduate institutions who have applied for early entry into the 2015 NBA Draft, which will be held Thursday, June 25.

    For the full list of players…

    Articles, Kansas

    CDtFqTGVAAA5W8hAfter missing out on several high-profile recruits in recent weeks, Kansas has struck in a big way.

    Cheick Diallo, the reigning MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic, ended his recruitment by picking the Jayhawks over Kentucky, St. John’s, Pittsburgh and Iowa State.

    The 6-foot-9 Diallo, out of Our Savior New American High School and the PSA Cardinals AAU program, is the No. 6 player in the 247Sports.com rankings and is projected as the No. 14 player in the 2016 NBA Draft by DraftExpress.com. He has a 7-foot-4 wingspan according to DraftExpress.com, but has only been playing basketball since 2011 after growing up playing soccer in his native Mali.

    “Today is a huge day for our Kansas basketball program,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “It has been our focus and our top recruiting priority to try to sign an inside presence and a rim protector to go along with our returning players. We feel like we’ve been able to sign a premier big man that has as much upside any big we’ve recruited in recent memory. Cheick reminds me so much of Thomas Robinson, late in Thomas’ college career. Cheick has a great motor. He runs as well as any big guy that we’ve had and certainly has a knack for finding the ball. He’ll bring a toughness and aggressiveness to our program. ”

    Articles, Tennessee

    Lamonte’ Turner, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound point guard from Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy, will reclassify to 2015 from 2016 and head to Tennessee next season.

    “I will be committing to the University of Tennessee,” the Alabama native told SNY.tv by phone on Tuesday.

    He also considered Florida, Florida State, Louisville, Wichita State, Alabama and Auburn.

    Turner, who averaged 12 points and 6 assists this past season at IMG, has visited Tennessee twice already and plans to be on campus for summer school. Assistant coach Desmond Oliver recruited Turner to Tennessee.

    “I’ve always been a fan of the SEC since I was a kid,” Turner said. “And Coach Rick Barnes, I really admire what he’s done as a coach, and all the players he’s put in the NBA and that’s my ultimate goal.”

    Articles, Seton Hall

    NCAA Basketball: St. John's at Seton HallSeton Hall junior guard Sterling Gibbs, a second-team All-Big East selection, will transfer and be immediately eligible.

    The 6-foot-2 Gibbs will be a hugely attractive graduate transfer as he is a seasoned guard with experience at Texas and Seton Hall.

    As of Thursday morning, around 50 schools had expressed interest in Gibbs, a source told SNY.tv.

    “We appreciate everything Sterling has done for our program over the last three years and wish him all the best as he pursues a Master’s degree at another university,” head coach Kevin Willard said.

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