The Chicago Sun-Times is standing by its story that the father of 6-foot-10 forward Anthony Davis of Chicago Perspectives Charter asked Kentucky for money in return for his son’s commitment.

In a story posted on its Website early Friday, reporter Michael O’Brien cites “sources from three separate universities …that [Anthony] Davis Sr. asked for money in return for his son’s commitment, with the amounts ranging from $125,000 to $150,000.”

When O’Brien reached Davis Sr. Thursday, the father reportedly said: ”Thanks for ruining my son. Thank you very much.”

Georgette L. Greenlee, an attorney representing Davis Sr. and his wife, Erainer Eberhardt-Davis, also denied the original Sun-Times story, which cited “rumors/sources” in support of the contention that Kentucky had paid $200,000 for Davis. (more…)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich knows the lurid details that came to light during the trial of a woman who tried to extort millions from Rick Pitino could affect some people’s perception of the highly successful coach.

Jurich isn’t one of them.

He reiterated his support for Pitino on Thursday after a jury found Karen Cunagin Sypher guilty of three counts of extortion, two counts of lying to the FBI and one count of retaliating against a witness. (more…)

Anthony Davis is pulling a LeBron James.

He’s made his decision but won’t let the public know for a couple of weeks.

“Yes, it’s the LeBron wait and see time,” Anthony Davis Sr. said Tuesday night by text.

The 6-foot-10 Davis out of Chicago Perspectives Charter has likely chosen from among Kentucky, Ohio State and Syracuse. DePaul appears to be a long shot.

He visited Kentucky Sunday and DePaul Monday.

“Both were great,” Davis Sr. said via text Monday night. “Still waiting 2 visit Ohio State and Syracuse.”

He has already visited Ohio State but not Syracuse. Now it appears Davis won’t take any further visits. (more…)

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Only one player at this week’s Peach Jam was in the top five in both rebounds and assists.

That man was Kyle Anderson, a 6-foot-8 1/2, 220-pound rising junior from North Bergen, N.J. who runs with the Playaz Basketball Club. Anderson will play for Bob Hurley at St. Anthony after spending two years at the now-defunct Paterson (N.J.) Catholic.

Raised by his father, Kyle Sr., as a point guard, Anderson creates tremendous mismatch problems for opposing teams. Although he has been accused of being somewhat slow-footed, Anderson uses his height to see over defenses and his length to attack the rim. (more…)

Walter Pitchford Jr., a 6-10 forward/center from Grand Rapids, Mich., will finally get released from his Letter of Intent to DePaul.

“Coach [Oliver] Purnell called tonight [Sunday] and said he’ll be releasing Walter in the next couple of days,” Walter Sr. said by phone.

The NCAA recently denied Pitchford’s appeal for a release.

Pitchford initially told ZAGSBLOG he wanted out due to the coaching change that brought in Purnell as the new coach and also because of concerns about crime in the Chicago area.

“We were very thankful [for the release],” Pitchford Sr. said. “It’s been frustrating but we’re thankful and we’re just going to move on. We thank DePaul for everything they’ve done. DePaul is a fine instituation and we wish them great success.” (more…)

Nobody knows European talent better than ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla.

So I asked Fraschilla to chime in on UConn’s two new German recruits, 7-foot-1 center Enosch Wolf and 6-6 forward Niels Giffey.

“The big guy would be a Top 200 prospect here in the States,” Fraschilla said of Wolf. “He’s a ways off. He’s not on the national team. He’s not really on their radar. He’s probably 6-11 1/2, 7 -feet. He’s fairly skilled, thin, needs to bulk up. He runs fair. He’s an intriguing prospect but shouldn’t be a factor for a while.

“Giffey is a very good, athletic 6-6  swingman that can shoot the ball. He would probably be a Top 100 prospect if he was coming out of high school now.” (more…)

One of the more intriguing recruiting stories of the summer belongs to Chris Hill, a 6-foot-9, 225-pound senior wing from Jacksonville, Fla.

Hill finished up his prep career at Raleigh (N.C.) Christian Faith Academy and is taking three summer classes through an online site run by BYU and Adams State College.

“They’re offering all the classes I need to graduate,” Hill said by phone. (more…)

Unable to obtain a release from his scholarship to DePaul, Walter Pitchford Jr., a 6-10 forward/center from Grand Rapids, Mich., has appealed to the NCAA to obtain one.

“Walter applied to the NCAA for the appeal,” his father, Walter Pitchford Sr, said in an exclusive interview. “I believe the NCAA told him that it will be 30 days before they will be able to take a look at it.”

DePaul coach Oliver Purnell and team spokesman Greg Greenwell did not answer phonecalls to their offices Thursday seeking comment.

ZAGSBLOG.com wrote about Pitchford’s desire to be released May 29.

At that time, Pitchford Jr. said he wanted out due to the coaching change that brought in Purnell as the new coach and also because of concerns about crime in the Chicago area.

In response, DePaul issued the following statement via email June 2. (more…)

The father of a DePaul commit says he was assured by the school’s athletic director, and indirectly by the university president, that his son would be released from his Letter of Intent following the recent coaching change.

Yet DePaul issued a statement Wednesday saying Walter Pitchford Jr., a 6-10 forward/center from Grand Rapids, Mich., would not be released.

“This really caught us by surprise because the athletic director [Jean Lenti Ponsetto] indicated to me personally over the phone that Walter would be granted a release and she said that she had discussed it with the president of the school [Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider],” Pitchford Sr. said Wednesday by phone. “That made me feel comfortable.” (more…)

If you’re a college coach seeking a 6-foot-10, 215-pound  Big East-level forward at this late date, you should know about Walter Pitchford.

Pitchford, out of Richmond (Ind.) New Creations Basketball Academy, has asked to be released from his Letter of Intent to DePaul but hasn’t received it yet.

“I’m still waiting,” Pitchford, a Grand Rapids, Mich., native, said Friday by phone. “The longest I have to wait is around nine [more] days until I can get my release fully. It could be sooner than that.”

DePaul had no immediate comment on the matter.

Pitchford and his father, Walter Sr., said they were told by DePaul officials that he would receive his release within 30 days of when he first asked for it. The father mentioned June 10 as the end of the 30-day period. (more…)