Brian Bowen Targeting April Decision
La Lumiere School (IN) small forward Brian
Duke freshman forward Harry Giles has announced that he will enter his name in the 2017 NBA Draft.
The 6-foot-10 Giles, who has undergone several knee procedures, is currently projected at No. 24 by DraftExpress.com.
“Not sure where he ends up,” one NBA executive said. “All depends on NBA medical staffs.”
Giles is the 11th Duke freshman to declare for the NBA Draft, days after teammate and close friend Jayson Tatum announced his intention to turn pro after one season in Durham. That duo joins a group that includes Corey Maggette (1999), Luol Deng (2004), Kyrie Irving (2011), Austin Rivers (2012), Jabari Parker (2014), Tyus Jones (2015), Jahlil Okafor (2015), Justise Winslow (2015) and Brandon Ingram (2016).
By JIM O’CONNELL
Frank Mason III was a last-minute recruit for Kansas. He turned into the Jayhawks’ latest All-American.
The senior guard was the only unanimous selection to the 2016-17 AP All-America team Tuesday, receiving all first-team votes from the same 65-member national media panel that selects the weekly AP Top 25.
“I love the kid and I think he knows how I feel about him, but I’ve never been more proud — not that he’s won a postseason award — but he’s done everything that he’s supposed to do,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “He’s been a great teammate, he’s been tough as nails, he’s worked his butt off, he’s loved by everyone in the academic departments, graduated, and to see him reap these benefits after putting in so much time is an unbelievable honor.”
The Canada-to-Oregon pipeline under Dana Altman dates back to 2011, when the Ducks landed a pair of Canadian transfers in Devoe Joseph (Minnesota) and Olu Ashaolu (Louisiana Tech).
During Altman’s seven years at the Pac-12 school, Oregon has featured seven Canadians, including the current trio of Dillon Brooks, Chris Boucher and Dylan Ennis. While Boucher is out with an injury, Brooks and Ennis have been driving forces as the Ducks have marched to their first Final Four since 1939, when FDR was in the White House.
Oregon will face North Carolina in one national semifinal on Saturday in Glendale, Ariz., while South Carolina meets Gonzaga in the other.
“It started with Devoe Joseph and Olu Ashaolu our second year here,” Altman said. “We started a pipeline. And they’ve done a great job for us.”
