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Basketball News Shorts 5:31:07
UTEP dismisses Thomas, Wainwright, Alvin, Jones
Associated Press
EL PASO, Texas -- Three part-time starters were among four players dismissed by Texas-El Paso coach Tony Barbee, who is preparing for his second season with six new signees. Maurice Thomas and Malik Alvin each started 20 of the Miners' 31 games, and Thomas, a sophomore, was the third-leading scorer and rebounder at 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds. Alvin, a freshman, averaged 8 points and led the team with 137 assists (4.4 per game). Dale Vanwright, a freshman, started 14 games and averaged six points and 3.7 rebounds. Franklin Jones was a freshman taking his redshirt season.
"I want all my players to share my vision of what a student-athlete should be -- academically, athletically and socially,"' said Barbee, who announced the dismissals Tuesday. Two of Barbee's signees are from Memphis, Tenn., where he served as an assistant under Memphis coach John Calipari.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Gillespie Sr. on leave until charges are resolved
Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida A&M University men's basketball coach Mike Gillespie Sr. was placed on paid leave Wednesday after his arrest last week on misdemeanor stalking charges. Florida A&M Athletic Director Nelson Townsend said Gillespie would remain on leave until the charges have been resolved.
Police said they were called Friday morning by a woman, who said Gillespie stalked her at work last week. A police report said Gillespie had been investigated several times since March 2005 on stalking complaints, but Friday was the first time he was charged.
Gillespie is free on bond, but subject to monitoring and under orders to stay away from the woman who accused him of stalking her. Gillespie's attorney, Tim Jansen, didn't return a call for comment Wednesday, but he said last week that the alleged stalking "didn't happen."
Gillespie, 56, has coached six seasons at Florida A&M. He is married and has two adult children, including Mike Gillespie Jr., an assistant basketball coach for his father.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Jayhawks' Rush opts to have surgery on torn ACL
ESPN.com news services
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas guard Brandon Rush, who withdrew last week from the NBA draft, will undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. There's no way to know how long it will take him to get back. A lot will depend on how hard he works at rehab.
Kansas coach Bill Self said Rush will have surgery either later this week or next week. The Jayhawks' leading scorer injured his right knee in a pickup game last week when he landed awkwardly.
Rush averaged 13.8 points and helped the Jayhawks win a second straight Big 12 championship. Self is hopeful Rush will be back sooner rather than later.
"The surgery is so much more advanced than it was just a few years ago," Self said. "If things go well, he may not miss any games at all. There's no way to know."
Rush was hurt in a way that was strikingly reminiscent of the knee injury sustained by his older brother, JaRon Rush, who played for UCLA. When Rush withdrew from the draft, he stated the injury was not a decisive factor. He did not hire an agent, so his eligibility was not compromised for a return in his junior season.
Kansas already has lost sophomore Julian Wright to the draft from last year's 33-5 team. Wright declared and decided to sign with an agent, meaning he can't return to school. Rush was projected to be a first-round pick in the June draft and had planned to play in the Orlando pre-draft camp, which begins Tuesday night at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex.
Kansas officials do not expect Rush to be around for his senior season in 2008-09. Self and his staff are recruiting with the expectation that he will enter the draft after his junior season. Rush declared for the draft out of high school under the old NBA draft rules. He then declared again this spring under rules governing college underclassmen. Rush cannot declare for the draft again and still retain his eligibility. Self said he would be careful in working his star guard back into action.
In Rush's absence, the Jayhawks will rely even more on their three guards -- Sherron Collins, Russell Robinson and Mario Chalmers. Early on, the Jayhawks could go with a three-guard look to complement a loaded frontcourt of Darrell Arthur, Sasha Kaun, Darnell Jackson and newcomer Cole Aldrich.
Prentice, Martinez, assistant Neal hurt when 60-foot mast hits bridge
Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- New Mexico guard Darren Prentice, forward Roman Martinez and assistant Craig Neal sustained minor injuries when their snorkeling boat's 60-foot mast hit a bridge and collapsed during an exhibition trip in the Bahamas.
Prentice had a gash under an eye, Martinez was cut on an ankle and Neal was struck on a knee by falling debris. None of the injuries was serious enough to prevent the players or coach from participating in an exhibition game Tuesday.
According to an account by Prentice that was posted on New Mexico's athletics Web site, the team decided to go snorkeling Monday during an off day from basketball. While departing, the captain sailed under a low section of the bridge in Nassau harbor.
With the mast in the water and the captain unable to steer, the boat rammed into the concrete base of another bridge before drifting out into a bay. Passengers eventually were rescued by tour boats and returned to a dock.
The Lobos arrived in the Bahamas last weekend for a four-game series. They are scheduled to return to Albuquerque on Friday.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Ohio State's Cook won't sign with agent until after withdrawal date
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Barring an injury in the next two weeks, Ohio State freshman guard Daequan Cook will sign with agent Mike Conley Sr. and stay in the NBA draft. Cook told ESPN.com Wednesday night at the pre-draft camp that he intended on staying in the draft and signing with Conley after the withdrawal date of June 18. The only reason he hasn't done it yet is as a safety net just in case he were to get hurt in the next few weeks.
Teammate and classmate Mike Conley Jr. is doing the same thing, opting not to sign with his father until after the withdrawal date just in case he were to suffer what his father termed a few weeks ago "a catastrophic injury." Conley Jr. is here as part of the physical-only group of players, whereas Cook is playing in the camp.
Once Cook and Conley sign with Conley Sr. and ultimately the BDA Management run by Bill Duffy (for whom Conley decided to work recently), then Ohio State will have lost three-fifths of the Thad Five recruiting class that Ohio State coach Thad Matta brought in this season to help lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten regular-season and tournament title and eventually the national title game, where they lost to Florida. Greg Oden, projected to be the No. 1 pick, has already signed with Conley/Duffy.
Cook is projected as the one likely lock in this camp to go in the first round, regardless of how he plays here. In his first game Wednesday, Cook was a modest 3-of-10, 0-for-1 on 3s, for six points and four rebounds. Cook also committed eight turnovers in 20 minutes. But a number of NBA personnel told ESPN.com that Cook's play wouldn't necessarily change their minds on whether he was a first-round pick. Cook agrees that the camp shouldn't determine his place after his freshman season.
Eleven players chose to pull out of the pre-draft camp Monday. But Cook chose to stick it out and play something that should ultimately help him since some teams are down on players who choose not to put themselves in position to be tested if they're on the fence for the first round.
Cook's minutes diminished toward the end of the season. He finished as the fourth-leading scorer on the team at 9.8 points and 4.3 rebounds, shooting 41.5 percent on 3s. Cook started the season on a torrid streak, scoring in double figures in seven of the first eight games (Oden missed the first seven with a right wrist injury). He scored in double figures in 11 of the Buckeyes' first 15 games. But he scored in double figures in only five of their final 24 games. He had his only single-digit-minute games in the NCAA Tournament, playing eight against Tennessee in the Sweet 16, seven against Georgetown in the national semifinal and nine in the title game against Florida.
Cook, who said he will work out for seven teams Tuesday in the Orlando area before a workout next week in Phoenix, said he has no regrets.
Cook's departure means Ohio State will have lost five of their top six scorers from the national runner-up, similar to champion Florida, which lost its top six scorers (four juniors who declared for the draft and two seniors). Ohio State will lose three freshmen and two seniors (Lewis and Ivan Harris). The top returning scorer will be Butler, who averaged 8.5 points and 3.6 assists as a junior.
Earlier Wednesday, Fresno State junior forward Dominic McGuire told ESPN.com at the pre-draft camp that he was going to sign with an agent and stay in the NBA draft.
Associated Press
EL PASO, Texas -- Three part-time starters were among four players dismissed by Texas-El Paso coach Tony Barbee, who is preparing for his second season with six new signees. Maurice Thomas and Malik Alvin each started 20 of the Miners' 31 games, and Thomas, a sophomore, was the third-leading scorer and rebounder at 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds. Alvin, a freshman, averaged 8 points and led the team with 137 assists (4.4 per game). Dale Vanwright, a freshman, started 14 games and averaged six points and 3.7 rebounds. Franklin Jones was a freshman taking his redshirt season.
"I want all my players to share my vision of what a student-athlete should be -- academically, athletically and socially,"' said Barbee, who announced the dismissals Tuesday. Two of Barbee's signees are from Memphis, Tenn., where he served as an assistant under Memphis coach John Calipari.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Gillespie Sr. on leave until charges are resolved
Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida A&M University men's basketball coach Mike Gillespie Sr. was placed on paid leave Wednesday after his arrest last week on misdemeanor stalking charges. Florida A&M Athletic Director Nelson Townsend said Gillespie would remain on leave until the charges have been resolved.
Police said they were called Friday morning by a woman, who said Gillespie stalked her at work last week. A police report said Gillespie had been investigated several times since March 2005 on stalking complaints, but Friday was the first time he was charged.
Gillespie is free on bond, but subject to monitoring and under orders to stay away from the woman who accused him of stalking her. Gillespie's attorney, Tim Jansen, didn't return a call for comment Wednesday, but he said last week that the alleged stalking "didn't happen."
Gillespie, 56, has coached six seasons at Florida A&M. He is married and has two adult children, including Mike Gillespie Jr., an assistant basketball coach for his father.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Jayhawks' Rush opts to have surgery on torn ACL
ESPN.com news services
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas guard Brandon Rush, who withdrew last week from the NBA draft, will undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. There's no way to know how long it will take him to get back. A lot will depend on how hard he works at rehab.
Kansas coach Bill Self said Rush will have surgery either later this week or next week. The Jayhawks' leading scorer injured his right knee in a pickup game last week when he landed awkwardly.
Rush averaged 13.8 points and helped the Jayhawks win a second straight Big 12 championship. Self is hopeful Rush will be back sooner rather than later.
"The surgery is so much more advanced than it was just a few years ago," Self said. "If things go well, he may not miss any games at all. There's no way to know."
Rush was hurt in a way that was strikingly reminiscent of the knee injury sustained by his older brother, JaRon Rush, who played for UCLA. When Rush withdrew from the draft, he stated the injury was not a decisive factor. He did not hire an agent, so his eligibility was not compromised for a return in his junior season.
Kansas already has lost sophomore Julian Wright to the draft from last year's 33-5 team. Wright declared and decided to sign with an agent, meaning he can't return to school. Rush was projected to be a first-round pick in the June draft and had planned to play in the Orlando pre-draft camp, which begins Tuesday night at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex.
Kansas officials do not expect Rush to be around for his senior season in 2008-09. Self and his staff are recruiting with the expectation that he will enter the draft after his junior season. Rush declared for the draft out of high school under the old NBA draft rules. He then declared again this spring under rules governing college underclassmen. Rush cannot declare for the draft again and still retain his eligibility. Self said he would be careful in working his star guard back into action.
In Rush's absence, the Jayhawks will rely even more on their three guards -- Sherron Collins, Russell Robinson and Mario Chalmers. Early on, the Jayhawks could go with a three-guard look to complement a loaded frontcourt of Darrell Arthur, Sasha Kaun, Darnell Jackson and newcomer Cole Aldrich.
Prentice, Martinez, assistant Neal hurt when 60-foot mast hits bridge
Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- New Mexico guard Darren Prentice, forward Roman Martinez and assistant Craig Neal sustained minor injuries when their snorkeling boat's 60-foot mast hit a bridge and collapsed during an exhibition trip in the Bahamas.
Prentice had a gash under an eye, Martinez was cut on an ankle and Neal was struck on a knee by falling debris. None of the injuries was serious enough to prevent the players or coach from participating in an exhibition game Tuesday.
According to an account by Prentice that was posted on New Mexico's athletics Web site, the team decided to go snorkeling Monday during an off day from basketball. While departing, the captain sailed under a low section of the bridge in Nassau harbor.
With the mast in the water and the captain unable to steer, the boat rammed into the concrete base of another bridge before drifting out into a bay. Passengers eventually were rescued by tour boats and returned to a dock.
The Lobos arrived in the Bahamas last weekend for a four-game series. They are scheduled to return to Albuquerque on Friday.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Ohio State's Cook won't sign with agent until after withdrawal date
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Barring an injury in the next two weeks, Ohio State freshman guard Daequan Cook will sign with agent Mike Conley Sr. and stay in the NBA draft. Cook told ESPN.com Wednesday night at the pre-draft camp that he intended on staying in the draft and signing with Conley after the withdrawal date of June 18. The only reason he hasn't done it yet is as a safety net just in case he were to get hurt in the next few weeks.
Teammate and classmate Mike Conley Jr. is doing the same thing, opting not to sign with his father until after the withdrawal date just in case he were to suffer what his father termed a few weeks ago "a catastrophic injury." Conley Jr. is here as part of the physical-only group of players, whereas Cook is playing in the camp.
Once Cook and Conley sign with Conley Sr. and ultimately the BDA Management run by Bill Duffy (for whom Conley decided to work recently), then Ohio State will have lost three-fifths of the Thad Five recruiting class that Ohio State coach Thad Matta brought in this season to help lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten regular-season and tournament title and eventually the national title game, where they lost to Florida. Greg Oden, projected to be the No. 1 pick, has already signed with Conley/Duffy.
Cook is projected as the one likely lock in this camp to go in the first round, regardless of how he plays here. In his first game Wednesday, Cook was a modest 3-of-10, 0-for-1 on 3s, for six points and four rebounds. Cook also committed eight turnovers in 20 minutes. But a number of NBA personnel told ESPN.com that Cook's play wouldn't necessarily change their minds on whether he was a first-round pick. Cook agrees that the camp shouldn't determine his place after his freshman season.
Eleven players chose to pull out of the pre-draft camp Monday. But Cook chose to stick it out and play something that should ultimately help him since some teams are down on players who choose not to put themselves in position to be tested if they're on the fence for the first round.
Cook's minutes diminished toward the end of the season. He finished as the fourth-leading scorer on the team at 9.8 points and 4.3 rebounds, shooting 41.5 percent on 3s. Cook started the season on a torrid streak, scoring in double figures in seven of the first eight games (Oden missed the first seven with a right wrist injury). He scored in double figures in 11 of the Buckeyes' first 15 games. But he scored in double figures in only five of their final 24 games. He had his only single-digit-minute games in the NCAA Tournament, playing eight against Tennessee in the Sweet 16, seven against Georgetown in the national semifinal and nine in the title game against Florida.
Cook, who said he will work out for seven teams Tuesday in the Orlando area before a workout next week in Phoenix, said he has no regrets.
Cook's departure means Ohio State will have lost five of their top six scorers from the national runner-up, similar to champion Florida, which lost its top six scorers (four juniors who declared for the draft and two seniors). Ohio State will lose three freshmen and two seniors (Lewis and Ivan Harris). The top returning scorer will be Butler, who averaged 8.5 points and 3.6 assists as a junior.
Earlier Wednesday, Fresno State junior forward Dominic McGuire told ESPN.com at the pre-draft camp that he was going to sign with an agent and stay in the NBA draft.