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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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Wednesday / December 11.
  • NashJay Triano, the head coach of the Canadian National basketball team, spoke with Steve Nash on Thursday and said the Hall-of-Fame-bound point guard is “frustrated” that he will have to miss the 2014-15 season because of recurring nerve damage in his back.

    “He was frustrated more than anything that he can be the best player on the floor for a couple of days and then for a week or two weeks, he has try to to get healthy,” Triano told SNY.tv by phone Friday. “He said that part of it was frustrating.

    “Even last year it took him two or three days to get ready for a game and in the NBA that’s tough to do because there aren’t two or three days between games.”

    Mike Rice, James BeattyIndiana coach Tom Crean is among those rooting for former Rutgers coach Mike Rice to make a comeback.

    “Everyone wants to cast judgment so fast,” Crean, the Indiana coach, told Bleacher Report. “It’s not our place to cast the blame or to press the ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ button, especially on things we don’t know much about or have only seen parts of. That’s up to the people that are involved in it.

    “Mike is a very talented coach. He has an edge to him. I would bet that he’s going to be a very strong comeback story.”

    Tobias harrisBy JOSH NEWMAN

    Tobias Harris has a very good reason to opt for restricted free agency next summer instead of signing a long-term extension with the Orlando Magic before the Oct. 31 deadline.

    Confirming a Chris Broussard tweet from earlier Friday, sources told SNY.tv that Harris gets an upgrade in his Nike contract if he plays in either New York, Chicago or Los Angeles.

    Harris, the 19th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and a former star at both Half Hollow Hills (N.Y.) West and Long Island Lutheran High Schools, is entering the final year of his 4-year, $6.8 million rookie deal after spending one season at the University of Tennessee.

    MussiniSt. John’s coach Steve Lavin is headed to Milan this weekend to recruit 2015 guard Federico Mussini.

    If Mussini doesn’t sign a big contract overseas and opts for college, he could wind up on the Johnnies roster like fellow Rome native Amar Alibegovic, a 6-foot-9 stretch forward now on the team.

    The 6-foot, 160-pound Mussini is ranked No. 13 in the 1996 European age group by Eurohoops and No. 7 by DraftExpress.com. He averaged 14.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in the 2012 U16 European Championship Men’s Division.

    BrimahA veteran NBA scout who recently visited UConn’s practice told SNY.tv that the Huskies are “better than you think” and are loaded with NBA prospects.

    “I was shocked at how good they were,” the scout said. “I never expected them to be like this.”

    The reigning NCAA champions lost several key players, including star point guard Shabazz Napier and athletic forward DeAndre Daniels, but the scout counts Amida Brimah, Daniel Hamilton and Ryan Boatright as potential future pros.

    The scout also counted Sam Cassell Jr., Rodney Purvis, Omar Calhoun and Phillip Nolan as prospects to watch.

    Here’s the scout’s breakdown of a few guys:

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