Mike Layssard to Rhode Island
Mike Layssard, a 6-foot-9, 260-pound power forward
Mike Layssard, a 6-foot-9, 260-pound power forward
Shamorie Ponds could be closing in on a college decision. (Photo by Kelly Kline/Under Armour)
Shamorie Ponds enjoyed his official visit to Providence and is uncertain what his next move will be.
“It was cool,” he said by text of the visit. “The campus was bigger than what I expected.”
Providence is pitching that the 6-foot-1 Thomas Jefferson guard could come in and replace point guard Kris Dunn, the reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Year who is projected as the No. 8 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by DraftExpress.com.
“They said [I would play] 30-35 [minutes] as a freshman,” Ponds said.
DeAndre Hunter, a 6-foot-7 wing from Philadelphia
Mario Kegler, a 6-foot-7 small forward who
Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
On a day when Serena Williams was supposed to make history, Flavia Pennetta did instead.
Pennetta became the first Italian woman to win the US Open when she beat her countrywoman and close friend Roberta Vinci, 7-6 (4), 6-2, one day after Vinci pulled a Buster Douglas-like upset of Williams, who was seeking the first Grand Slam in 27 years.
Pennetta, who, at 33, is the oldest first-time Grand Slam champion ever, then announced her retirement in front of the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd that included Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who flew to New York to support the All-Italian final. She later said she intends to play through the end of the season.
“I will play until the end of the year, but this is my last match in New York,” Pennetta said after winning her first — and last — Grand Slam singles title despite facing odds of 150-1 to win.
Cassius Winston, a 6-foot-2 point guard from University of Detroit (MI) Jesuit, will announce his college choice on Friday afternoon, he said on Twitter.
Getting ready for my LAST official visit ????. I will announce my decision at my schools pep rally on Friday, September 18th. ????????????
— Cassius Winston (@cassiuswinston) September 12, 2015
Winston, ranked the No. 5 point guard in the Class of 2016 by 247Sports.com, is currently on an official to Michigan State along with close friend Miles Bridges and others. They are on campus for the big Oregon-Michigan State football game Saturday night.
Winston has also taken officials to Stanford and Pittsburgh, and recently dropped Michigan from his list.
He averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game with The Family on the Nike EYBL circuit.
Thon Maker hosted Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley and assistant Brian Merritt on Friday for a home visit.
And that visit sounds like it went real well.
“Great home visit with coach Hurley and @mreverything211,” Maker Tweeted.
Since getting the ASU job, Hurley has made the 7-foot Maker a top priority, and at this point the Sun Devils appear to be in the driver’s seat for a player projected as a first-round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
