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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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Tuesday / December 3.
  • UConn junior forward DeAndre Daniels is headed to the NBA Draft.

    The news was first reported by Yahoo! Sports.

    The 6-foot-8 junior averaged 13.1 points and 6.0 rebounds but helped himself tremendously as UConn made its run to the NCAA championship. He went for 27 points and 10 rebounds in the Sweet 16 against Iowa State and 20 and 10 against Florida in the national semifinals.

    “I just felt like this was the right time for me,” Daniels said. “I sat down with my family and we discussed it and everyone agreed, but the final decision was still mine and it was hard. I had a great career at UConn and I wouldn’t change it for the world, and to go out on top like we did makes it even better.”

    HarrisonsAfter coming to grips with the fact they weren’t highly regarded in the 2014 NBA Draft, Andrew and Aaron Harrison will return to Kentucky for their sophomore seasons.

    “I’m coming back for a second season in large part because last year’s title run was special, but we still have unfinished business,” Aaron Harrison said.

    “I’m returning for my sophomore season because I want to win a national title.” Andrew Harrison said.

    “I’m excited about Aaron and Andrew’s decision to return for next season,” head coach John Calipari said. “Their postseason play was a result of the improvement they made all season and displayed what they’re capable of doing on the court. I look forward to having the opportunity to work with them during the summer and watch them lead next year’s team.”

    Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports broke the story earlier Friday, Tweeting: “Harrison twins have been torn, going back and forth on staying or leaving Kentucky, sources say. Flip-flopped several times in recent days.”

    Earlier this week, Aaron Harrison Sr. said he was awaiting feedback from the NBA ahead of Sunday’s 11:59 p.m. deadline for underclassmen to declare.

    Both twins are projected in the 2015 NBA Draft — not 2014 — by DraftExpress.com.

    UNLV junior forward Khem Birch has declared for the NBA Draft.

    The 6-foot-9 Canadian center averaged 11.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game and is a two-time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.

    “After talking at length with my family, I have decided to pursue my professional career,” Birch said in a statement released by the school. “It was a tough decision, one that I thought about for a very long time.”

    Birch is now projected at No. 55 according to DraftExpress.com and ESPN’s Chad Ford has him listed as the No. 69 prospect in this year’s class

    “He is a second-round possibility at best,” one veteran NBA scout told SNY.tv. “He can block a shot but is a raw offensive player who needs D-League experience to start his professional career no matter who drafts him.”

    Turner Mickey'DMyles Turner, the last uncommitted five-star recruit in the Class of 2014, wrapped up the last of his home visits on Wednesday night and will huddle with his family to come to a decision over the weekend.

    The 6-foot-11 Turner is set to announce April 30 at 4 p.m. on ESPNU.

    Turner had home visits Wednesday night with Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski and Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford.

    Kansas was in on Sunday, and Texas and Texas A&M on Monday.

    “We’re all wrapped up, everything went fine,” David Turner, the player’s father, told SNY.tv. “No pitches [were made], they just talked about how Myles will fit in and how he’ll work with their program.

    Before he heads out this weekend to the Nike EYBL stop in Sacramento, Esa Ahmad, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Cleveland (Ohio) Shaker Heights, met Wednesday with coaches from Maryland and Pittsburgh.

    Pitt director of basketball operations Brian Regan met with Ahmad at the high school.

    “I guess he’s about to be the assistant [coach],” Ibby Ahmad, Esa’s father, told SNY.tv Thursday.

    Ibby Ahmad said he’s friendly with former Pitt player Greg Bell, and “he called me once he heard about it.”

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