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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Thursday / October 10.
  • NEW YORK — The future Rutgers backcourt was on display Sunday in the iS8/Nike Spring Classic when Myles Mack and Jerome Seagears went head-to-head in the quarterfinals.

    Down the stretch, Mack took the game over by driving and slicing to the basket for several critical layups as he led the Playaz back from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to a 75-73 victory over the New York Panthers. He finished with 26 points on 11 of 17 shooting, 3 blocks and 1 assist.

    Seagears, who was not on the floor during the game’s final minutes, ended with 10 points.

    “We were talking a little but, but it can’t be too much conversation at the time because we’re going against each other,” Mack said. “When we [are] playing with each other, it’s all love. But for now I gotta go at his head like he’s a stranger.”

    Arizona point guard Lamont “MoMo” Jones announced Monday that he will transfer to another school.  He has not yet made a decision on which school he will attend.

    Jones, a 6-foot, 196-pound guard from Harlem, N.Y., averaged 9.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in 38 appearances (all starts) in his recently completed sophomore season.

    “I would like to thank my coaches, my teammates and all of the U of A fans for making my two years at Arizona very special,” said Jones.  “After much thought, I have decided to pursue my goals at a school closer to home.  My desire to be closer to my family, and in particular my grandmother, is the reason I am transferring.  I want it to be known that I love this program, my coaches and teammates.  I appreciate everyone for supporting me through this tough time.”

    By ALEX KLINE & ADAM ZAGORIA

    It only took Sterling Gibbs one visit to Texas to make his decision.

    The former Maryland signee announced for Texas following a weekend visit there.

    “I have a great relationship with coach Rob Lanier,” said Gibbs, a 6-foot-1 guard out of Seton Hall Prep. “I’ve known him since middle school. My family trusts him.”

    Lanier recruited Gibbs at Florida before moving to Texas.

    UConn, UCLA and Texas Tech were among those interested in Gibbs, but he chose to team with Findlay Prep point guard Myck Kabongo in a backcourt that lost freshman Cory Joseph to the NBA.

    Torian Graham, the No. 6 shooting guard in the Class of 2012 according to Rivals, has chosen N.C. State over Kentucky and Rutgers.

    “For them to get a commitment from a Top 25 recruit, I think that’s huge to the program,” said DC Assault coach Damon Handon. “He’s a big-time athletic scorer. I think that his best basketball is ahead of him. I think Torian has a big upside.”

    The 6-foot-4 guard out of Raleigh (N.C.) Word of God opted to stay close to home, in part because his mother is ill and he wanted to be near her.

    LINDEN, N.J. — While Duke was the preseason No. 1 team in the nation and a popular pick to win the NCAA Tournament last season, North Carolina will take over that role in many people’s eyes this year.

    Count Coach K in that group.

    “Coming back, they’re loaded,” Mike Krzyzewski said of the Tar Heels on Monday after making an appearance at Myles J. McManus Middle School to promote the Ticket to Reading Rewards (TTRR) program.

    North Carolina brings back Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller, all of whom opted to remain in school instead of heading into the NBA Draft.

    With the NBA Draft Lottery slated for Tuesday night in Secaucus, N.J., Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com was kind enough to come on the show today and break down the draft.

    Givony talks about his top three picks — Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams and Kemba Walker — as well as the Knicks’ pick at No. 17. In the second part of the video, which you can see by clicking on the “More” button below, he also looks ahead to the 2012 NBA Draft that could feature two of Kentucky’s incoming recruits in the lottery — Anthony Davis and Michael Gilchrist — and returning college players Harrison Barnes, Jared Sullinger and Perry Jones.

    My apologies to Jonathan for mispronouncing his last name on the video.
    We hope to have him back on after the Lottery and before the NBA Draft June 23.

    By ALEX KLINE & ADAM ZAGORIA

    Fresh off his visit to Texas, Sterling Gibbs enjoyed himself and said he and incoming point guard Myck Kabongo could share the floor general duties.

    “The visit went really well,” Gibbs said Monday. “It was a smooth transition and I’ve known coach [Rob] Lanier since his days at Florida.”

    Lanier reached out to the Gibbs family after leaving Florida for Texas.

    Texas has Kabongo coming in, but Gibbs said the two could work together in the backcourt.

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