Andre Drummond will go in the first five picks in the June 28 NBA Draft, one veteran NBA scout told SNY.tv following the news that Drummond is headed to the pros.

“Andre Drummond’s going 2 to 5,” the scout said. “That’s all based on potential because physically he’s probably the best physical specimen in the draft. He’s probably the most gifted guy in the draft physically, run, jump, strength, size, quickness. He’s other-worldly.”

Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis is the presumptive No. 1 pick and as I wrote in this column from the Final Four, whoever gets the No. 2 pick will be disappointed.

Still, after Davis the choices include Drummond, Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (who has yet to declare), North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes, Kansas’s Thomas Robinson and Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger, among others. (more…)

UConn sophomore guard Jeremy Lamb has decided to forego the final two seasons of his college eligibility and make himself available for the upcoming NBA Draft.

“It was a difficult decision, but after much prayer and discussion with my parents, I feel that it’s in the best interest of me and my family to declare myself eligible for the upcoming NBA Draft and pursue my dream of playing professional basketball,” Lamb said. “I have very much enjoyed my two years at UConn, especially getting to experience one of the greatest feelings that a college player can have, winning the national championship.” (more…)

Over the last couple of days, UConn junior power forward Alex Oriakhi met at his Lowell, Mass., home with Kentucky coach John Calipari, Xavier coach Chris Mack and Missouri coach Frank Haith.

Oriakhi later confirmed a report by CBSSports.com that he plans to visit Missouri next weekend (April 13) and Kentucky the following weekend.

Kentucky, Xavier and Missouri are offering major playing time next season, Oriakhi told SNY.tv, and he is also considering North Carolina and Duke.

As for the visit with Calipari, Oriakhi said: “It went real well. Coach Calipari, he broke it down for me. He told me he wasn’t going to promise me anything, which I like. He’s not going to promise me anything. (more…)

A parade of coaches has lined up to meet with UConn power forward Alex Oriakhi and his father now that Oriakhi is free to suit up next year.

A junior with one year of eligibility remaining, Oriakhi became eligible after UConn’s appeal to the NCAA was denied Thursday, meaning the school is banned from all postseason competition.

“Ten or so schools will visit the dad,” a source close to Oriakhi told SNY.tv. “There’s no official list and it will likely be a lengthy process.” (more…)

UConn’s appeal to the NCAA’s Committee on Academic Performance’s subcommittee on appeal was denied, so the school will not participate in the NCAA Tournament or the Big East Tournament in 2013.

Here is the release from UConn:

The University of Connecticut has been informed by the NCAA’s Committee on Academic Performance (CAP) that it has denied the school’s final appeal of a postseason ban on its men’s basketball team for the 2012-13 season because of the team’s past cumulative Academic Performance Rate (APR) scores. (more…)

NEW ORLEANS — UConn junior power forward Alex Oriakhi is considering visiting North Carolina, Duke, Washington and Gonzaga, a source close to the situation told SNY.tv.

Carolina is losing frontcourt players Tyler Zeller, John Henson and Harrison Barnes to the NBA, while Duke will lose senior Miles Plumlee and possibly Mason Plumlee, a junior.

Washington loses Darnell Grant and assistant Raphael Chillious has coached Oriakhi at various Nike events and also on a trip to Brazil before Oriakhi went to UConn. (more…)

UConn junior power forward Alex Oriakhi has received his official release and is being courted by some big-time programs, according to a report.

Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke and Missouri are all interested in the 6-foot-9 Oriakhi, according to the Connecticut Post. The report says it’s “unlikely” Oriakhi will consider Duke.

UConn is currently banned from the 2013 NCAA Tournament and thus Oriakhi would be immediately eligible and would not have to sit out a season. (more…)

UConn signee Omar Calhoun was named the Gatorade New York Player of the Year and uncommitted junior point guard Tyler Ennis was named the New Jersey Player of the Year.

A 6-foot-5 senior guard at Christ the King, Calhoun averaged 25.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals this season while leading the Royals to a 19-8 record.

A First Team All-State selection, he was the Catholic High School Athletic Association Player of the Year and finished his high school career as Christ the King’s all-time scoring leader with 1,770 points. (more…)

UConn big man Alex Oriakhi is the first player out the door for the embattled program, and the question now is whether Jeremy Lamb and Andre Drummond will follow.

“Alex will transfer because of the NCAA Tournament next year,” Alex Oriakhi Sr. told the Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

The Huskies are currently banned from the 2013 NCAA Tournament because of APR issues.

The 6-foot-9 Oriakhi hopes to play immediately next season at another school because the NCAA typically grants waivers for players whose eligibility would expire before the program comes off probation. (more…)

LOUISVILLE,  Ky. — A year after their storybook season ended with “One Shining Moment,” UConn’s postseason came to a sudden halt with a “One and Done.”

Playing in their first NCAA Tournament game since beating Butler for the championship last April in Houston, the Huskies were ousted in their first game by Iowa State, 77-64.

“It was definitely a roller-coaster season, up and down,” junior forward Alex Oriakhi said. “But as far as I’m concerned, I would definitely say it was a disappointment. To have a team more talented than we were last year and fall this short, it was definitely a disappointment.”

The future is full of question marks for the Huskies, who face a potential postseason ban for 2013.

Here are five of them: (more…)