February 2011 | Page 13 of 19

Eight years ago, LeBron James wowed crowds at the PrimeTime Shootout in New Jersey.

This year Andre Drummond will headline a parade of uncommitted and committed stars when the three-day event comes to Kean University Friday-Sunday.

As we reported here last month, seven schools are in the hunt for the 6-foot-10, 260-pound Drummond of St. Thomas More (Conn.).

“Louisville, Kentucky, West Virginia, Connecticut, Pitt, North Carolina and Georgetown,” head coach Jere Quinn said. “No one else is even talking to him.”

Articles, Duke, Kyrie Irving, North Carolina

A Year After Trash Talk, Barnes Won’t Get Shot at Irving

February 8, 2011

author: Adam Zagoria

The trash talk was flowing fast and furious at last year’s McDonald’s All-American Game.

Surrounded by three future North Carolina Tar Heels, Kyrie Irving grabbed the microphone and put things in perspective.

“First and foremost, UNC is in the NIT,” the Duke-bound Irving told DraftExpress.com as Harrison Barnes, Kendall Marshall and Reggie Bullock sat next to him.

“And second of all, we are in the Final Four. We are in the Final four. We are in the Final Four.”

Articles, St. John's

St. John’s to Play in Coaches vs. Cancer (UPDATED)

February 8, 2011

author: Adam Zagoria

Maurice Harkless and St. John's vaunted 2011

Articles, Old Knicks

Mozgov on Griffin Dunk: ‘I Don’t Like It’

February 8, 2011

author: Adam Zagoria

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The enduring image from the Knicks’ first encounter this season with the Los Angeles Clippers was of Blake Griffin using Timofey Mozgov’s chest as a flotation device for a dunk that is still going viral.

With Griffin and the Clippers coming to Madison Square Garden Wednesday for the rematch, Mozgov was asked his thoughts on the now-famous flush.

“I don’t like it,” he said Tuesday.

The 7-foot Russian said he received numerous text messages from friends, asking, “‘How did this happen?’ Joking, funny. But I’d like to forget it because sometimes it happens.”

Carmelo Anthony, Old Knicks

Curry, Randolph Miss Practice, Fueling Melo Drama

February 8, 2011

author: Adam Zagoria

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — As the Melo Drama rises to a fever pitch, conspiracy theorists take note.

Both Eddy Curry and Anthony Randolph missed Knicks’ practice Tuesday with what were termed “personal reasons.”

Both players have been mentioned prominently in the reported three-team deal that would bring Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

“I think those trade rumors are not really affecting us much,” said forward Amar’e Stoudemire, who had a recovery day Tuesday.

Articles, Rutgers, Villanova

Rice Determined to Keep Local Stars Home

February 8, 2011

author: Adam Zagoria

When Villanova last visited the Rutgers Athletic Center in January 2010, the Garden State trio of Corey Fisher, Corey Stokes and Dominic Cheek combined for 48 points in a 94-68 rout of the Scarlet Knights.

Fisher (St. Patrick), Stokes (St. Benedict’s) and Cheek (St. Anthony) all opted to leave powerhouse New Jersey prep programs to go down the New Jersey Turnpike and play for Jay Wright.

With Villanova returning to the RAC Wednesday night for the first time in the Mike Rice Era (8 p.m., SNY), the new coach is determined to avoid losing so much in-state talent to out-of-state rivals.

Hurleys, Mount Vernon