April 2014 | Page 18 of 28 | Zagsblog
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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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Friday / March 29.
  • Transferring Boston University point guard Maurice Watson committed to Creighton on Sunday, his father, Maurice Sr., told SNY.tv.

    “It’s the Big East, so he gets to come home and play in front of his family as well as against some of the best talent in NCAA basketball on the big stage,” Maurice Sr., said. “He loved everything and the program offered everything he is looking for. The player development piece as well as the coaching staff has been recruiting him since he was in high school. They love him and made him feel like they were the program for him. And we as a family agree.”

    The 5-foot-10 Philadelphia native was also considering Illinois and Wichita State, his dad said.

    Watson led BU in scoring (13.3 points per game), assists (7.1) and steals (2.1) as a sophomore. As per NCAA rules, he would have to sit out next season and will then have two years remaining.

    TarikWest Virginia on Sunday landed a pledge from junior college point guard Tarik Phillip of Brooklyn and Independence (Kan.) Community College.

    “I just committed to West Virginia,” the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Phillip told SNY.tv by phone. “I feel like it was the right fit. It was close to home. The town was very nice. The players was nice. They showed me a good time. It was pretty cool.”

    JonesIn an attempt to help rebuild his frontcourt, St. John’s head coach Steve Lavin has offered scholarships to uncommitted 2014 Chicago forwards Marlon Jones (pictured) and Josh Cunningham after visiting with them on Friday.

    Lou Adams, Jones’s coach at Chicago Orr, said the 6-foot-8 Jones will be in New York later this week for the Jordan Classic and that Jones would probably visit the St. John’s campus Friday morning before the Jordan games.

    “More than likely, probably Friday,” Adams told SNY.tv Sunday morning by phone, adding that it would be an unofficial visit. “We’re just coming down.”

    The USA Junior National Select Team beat the World Select Team, 84-73, in the 2014 Nike Hoop Summit Saturday night at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore.

    Here are six quick thoughts on the game:

    1. Emmanuel Mudiay is going to be a problem.

    The 6-foot-5 SMU commit went for 20 points and 3 assists with 5 turnovers while wearing a “DR Congo” jersey. A big, strong, powerful guard Mudiay showed he can score in transition and on jumpers off the pick-and-roll while also creating for others. Fran Fraschilla said SMU could be a “top 15” team next year with Mudiay. Larry Brown told me Friday Mudiay is the best player in the country and will be a lottery pick “if I don’t screw up.”

    2. In case you missed it, Duke is loaded.

    If you’re Coach K, you’re doing everything you can to keep Jabari Parker and/or Rodney Hood on campus next year to play with this loaded group. A projected top-3 pick, Parker has said he will decide “Tuesday or Wednesday” while sources told SNY.tv Hood will declare for the NBA Draft but has yet to meet with Coach K. Jahlil Okafor (14 points, 10 rebounds), Tyus Jones (13 points, 6 assists, 5 steals) Justise Winslow (16 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist) all looked strong for Team USA, while Grayson Allen won the Dunk Contest at the McDonald’s Game. The three Duke guys in the game combined for 43 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 7 steals.

    Parker 3

    By JACK LeGWIN

    Special to ZAGSBLOG

    Jabari Parker will meet with Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski next week to make a decision about whether or not to enter the NBA Draft.

    “I’m going to make it by either Tuesday or Wednesday of next week,” Parker said on ESPN SportsNation.

    “It’s a very tough decision, especially potentially leaving behind my coach and the program that really helped me out this year, so I really have to keep them in consideration in this whole process,” Parker added to ESPNLA 710 Radio.

    Tyus Battle ZagHow big of a priority is 2016 guard Tyus Battle for UConn?

    Four days after winning the NCAA championship in Arlington, Texas, head coach Kevin Ollie was on campus Friday at Gill St. Bernard’s in Gladstone, N.J., to meet with Battle and show his level of commitment.

    Ollie made the 45-minute drive after speaking at a Coaches’ Clinic at Roselle Catholic, where he was the star attraction on a day where SMU’s Larry Brown, Temple’s Fran Dunphy, Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin, Miami’s Jim Larranaga and N.C. State’s Mark Gottfried also spoke.

    “It was really special because at the beginning of week, on Monday, our family watched KO and the hungry Huskies cut down the nets,” Gary Battle, Tyus’ father, told SNY.tv. “It was without a doubt a shining moment for Tyus and me. He showed us that Ty is a priority and that means a lot.”

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