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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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Monday / April 29.
  • image_handler.aspxIn an epic battle of undefeated teams, the USA pulled together to beat Germany 84-77 in double overtime to win the gold medal of the 2015 World University Games (WUG) at Yeomju Indoor Gymnasium in Gwangju, Korea, Monday evening.

    With the win, the USA (8-0), which consists mainly of Kansas student-athletes and staff, claimed its first gold in the World University Games since 2005 and its first WUG medal since a bronze in 2009. The USA has now won 14 gold medals in the World University Games which began in 1965. Germany fell to 6-1 in the 2015 Games.

    “It’s a huge thrill, a huge honor,” USA head coach Bill Self said. “Our team really bonded and came together. To win it the way we won it – playing against a Germany team that outplayed us a majority of the game – we were dead tired, no legs, no lift, couldn’t make a shot and willed ourselves to win. I’m really proud of our guys and proud to be part of a very special event.”

    miles-bridges-140508-proTwo high-profile Class of 2016 players have trimmed their lists, with Miles Bridges and Kobi Simmons both cutting it down.

    The 6-foot-7 Bridges out of Huntington (W.V.) Prep is down to five schools after picking up an offer from North Carolina.

    An honorable mention All-Peach Jam selection, Bridges trimmed N.C. State, Iowa State and Louisville from his list.

    As previously reported here, Bridges will visit Michigan State Sept. 12 for the Oregon football game, and will also visit Kentucky for Big Blue Madness on Oct. 16.

    Tyus Battle is headed to Syracuse.

    After recently decommitting from Michigan and then visiting Syracuse, the 6-foot-6 New Jersey wing guard announced on Twitter Monday that he is headed to the Orange.

    Battle told ESPN he also considered Michigan, Louisville, Virginia, Kentucky and UConn.

    ATLANTA, GA - July 10, 2015:The adidas Gauntlet Finale at North Gwinnett High School in Atlanta Georgia.  (Photo by Kelly Kline/adidas)

    Adidas champion NY Rens will face Nike EYBL champ the Georgia Stars on July 22nd in Las Vegas. (Photo by Kelly Kline/adidas)

    The NY Rens — champions of the adidas Gauntlet Finale event — and the Georgia Stars — champions of the Nike Peach Jam — will meet in a showcase game on July 22nd in Las Vegas that will be streamed online.

    The game will pit Rens stars Rawle Alkins and Mustapha Heron against Georgia Stars’ standouts Wendell Carter Jr. and Jared Harper.

    “This is pretty much just like high school, this is the defacto national championship,” Rens coach Andy Borman told SNY.tv Monday morning.

    “Pretty much the adidas champ and the Nike champ, the two best circuits in the country, get to play against each other on Wednesday night at Bishop Gorman High school.”

    tatumJPGWith Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and three assistants in the house for the Peach Jam semifinals, Jayson Tatum made his future coach a very happy man.

    The 6-foot-8 wing guard from St. Louis (MO) Chaminade committed to Duke after going for 28 points and 4 rebounds in the St. Louis Eagles thrilling 74-73 victory over Harry Giles and CP3 in the semifinals. Jordan Barnes hit the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer for the Eagles after they trailed by double-digits for much of the game.

    “After my senior year, I will be attending Duke University,” he said on ESPNU.

    The No. 2 player in the ESPN.com rankings for the Class of 2016, Tatum also considered Kentucky, North Carolina and hometown St. Louis.

    “They produce NBA players,” Tatum told me of Duke before heading to Greece where he won a gold medal with the US U19 team last Sunday. “[They have a] great coach, [he has the] most wins in NCAA history, and they win national championships and that’s appealing for any team.”

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