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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, LSU

    635702387458153045-C04-SIMMONS-08-72099088LSU just returned from playing five games in Australia and Ben Simmons did pretty well for himself.

    The 6-foot-10 Australian point forward averaged 20 points, 9 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 3.6 steals, while also committing 25 turnovers in five games, according to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.

    NBA scouts will be watching Simmons and the Tigers in every game this year.

    “Simmons is clearly going to be the most talked about freshman coming into this college season,” one veteran NBA scout told SNY.tv. “LSU is really building him up. He has great all-around talent. He is the closest thing to demonstrating Magic Johnson-type passing skills along with having the size similar to Magic. He needs to become a more consistent perimeter shooter and learn how to enjoy the game. His approach is almost Kobe Bryant-like which I believe may turn off his teammates at LSU. He goes 1 or 2 in the draft unless he goes back for his sophomore year.”

    Articles, Kentucky, Maryland, Recruiting, Villanova

    KJK_0335-XLTrevon Duval took an unofficial visit to Maryland on Tuesday, his father confirmed to SNY.tv.

    “It was a good experience,” Trevor Duval said of his son’s visit. “They have a friendly staff and great facilities.”

    Trevor Duval added that they have family in the area and were passing through and decided to take him to Maryland.

    “It was last minute,” he said.

    The 6-foot-3 2017 point guard wowed media members and NBA scouts alike last week at the Under Armour Elite 24 Game.

    Articles, Kansas

    349771-330-0Kansas may not learn about Cheick Diallo’s eligibility with the NCAA for another month or so.

    “We’re hopeful sooner rather than later,” Kansas coach Bill Self told CJonline.com, “but it wouldn’t surprise me if we don’t know anything for at least another month.”

    The 6-foot-9 Diallo was the MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic and chose Kansas over Kentucky, St. John’s and other programs.

    His former school, Our Savior New American, is under review by the NCAA and is the same school that produced new St. John’s commit Kassoum Yakwe. Both are natives of Mali.

    Tennis

    FedThe USTA today announced that world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and five-time US Open champion Roger Federer have been named the top two seeds, respectively, in men’s singles at the 2015 US Open, headlining five US Open and six Grand Slam champions to earn Top-10 seeds.

    The 2015 US Open will be played August 31 to September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

    In addition to Djokovic (2011) and Federer (2004-08), former US Open champions Andy Murray (2012), Rafael Nadal (2010, 13) and Marin Cilic (2014) are all seeded in the Top 10 – Murray at No. 3, Nadal at No. 8 and Cilic at No. 9. Kei Nishikori, a US Open finalist last year, is seeded fourth. Reigning French Open champion Stan Wawrinka is seeded fifth.

    Tennis

    serenaThe USTA today announced that world No. 1 and three-time defending US Open champion Serena Williams has been named the top seed in women’s singles at the 2015 US Open.

    Having already won the first three Majors of the year, Williams will be seeking to become the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1988 to win the Grand Slam.

    Williams won her 21st Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon this summer, which ranks third all-time, just one behind Graf (an Open-era record of 22) and Margaret Court (24 all-time).

    The 2015 US Open will be played Aug. 31 – Sept. 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. 

    Articles, Kentucky, Recruiting

    Mar 18, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks to Kentucky Wildcats guard Andrew Harrison (5) during practice before the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

    Once again, John Calipari has reeled in the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation. Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

    With the addition of 7-foot Australian big man Isaac Humphries, Kentucky has jumped Duke for the No. 1 spot in Scout’s Class of 2015 recruiting rankings.

    Both schools have five recruits for 2015 and both average out at a 4.60 ranking but Kentucky got the nod at No. 1.

    For more on what Humphries brings to Kentucky (and point guard Jamal Murray, too) listen to Brad Johnstin and Fran Fraschilla on The 4 Quarters Podcast.

    Duke was No. 1 in the Scout rankings in 2014, while Kentucky was No. 1 every year from 2009-13.  UCLA in 2008 was the last school other than Kentucky or Duke to be No. 1.

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