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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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Texas

A trio of University of Texas basketball players have declared themselves eligible for the 2011 NBA Draft, the school announced Friday.

Sophomore swingman Jordan Hamilton plans to begin the process of hiring an agent and will forego his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility.

The Canadian freshmen duo of forward/center Tristan Thompson and guard Cory Joseph will submit their names into the draft but not hire an agent.

Thompson initially said he would return for his sophomore season.

Articles, Rutgers

Eli Carter, a 6-foot-2 combo guard from Brewster (N.H.) Academy, is Mike Rice’s latest pledge at Rutgers.

A New Jersey native, Carter has lived in Paterson and Willingboro, and will now get a chance to play his college ball in front of his family and friends.

“There is nothing like playing in your home state,” Carter, who plays AAU ball with Sports U, said by text. “My family and friends can watch me play now.”

Carter said he chose Rutgers over TCU, Virginia Tech, Missouri and Providence.

“He chose Rutgers because he has a great relationship with Coach Rice,” St. Anthony assistant Eric Harrield said Friday. “He wanted the opportunity to play in front of his family, particularly his little brother, and be a part of what he feels is becoming a special place.

Articles, Coaching moves, George Mason

Jim Larranaga’s move to Miami from George Mason could have an impact on several players from the New York/New Jersey area.

Sophomore guard Sherrod Wright of Mount Vernon, redshirt-freshman forward Paris Bennett of Linden, N.J., and junior forward Ryan Pearson of Christ the King are all on the George Mason roster.

Mount Vernon coach Bob Cimmino and St. Patrick assistant Rae Miller said it was too early to comment on how the coach’s departure may impact those players.

Old Knicks

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Amar’e Stoudemire is a game-time decision for Friday’s Game 3 against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden, while Chauncey Billups remains questionable.

“Gametime decision and we’re pretty optimistic,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni, whose team is down 0-2 in the series, said of Stoudemire Friday after shootaround.

As for Billups, the coach said: “He’ll try to test it a little bit, but a less loss probability.”

Neither player was available to the media Friday.

Stoudemire suffered back spasms prior to Game 2 and missed the entire second half.

Articles, Rutgers

The long and winding recruitment of Eli Carter may be coming to a close — and Rutgers is in front.

“Rutgers is in the lead after the visit,” St. Anthony assistant Eric Harrield said by text, referring to Carter’s weekend official visit.

“He loved the campus and the atmosphere. He was surprised by Rutgers. All he had ever seen was the RAC. He loved the passion and intensity of Mike Rice and where the program is headed and how he would be utilized in the system. Rice recruited him when he was at Robert Morris so there is a great familiarity there.”

Articles, Providence, West Virginia, Westwind Prep

Kiwi Gardner, a 5-foot-7 senior point guard from Westwind (Az.) Prep, is the first commit of the Ed Cooley Era at Providence.

“Kiwi is an electrifying point guard who will bring instant excitement to the Friars program,” Westwind coach Gary Trousdale said by text. “Great addition and great for the Westwind program. Our first player in the Big East.”

Gardner, whose chose the Friars over UCF and Murray State, averaged 23.7 points, 7.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds a game. He dropped a career-high 40 points against JUCO champion College of Southern Idaho.

Articles, Carmelo Anthony, Old Knicks

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Carmelo Anthony hopes his injured teammates can play in Game 3 against the Boston Celtics Friday night.

But if Amar’e Stoudemire and Chauncey Billups can’t go, he’s ready to play the entire night in what he’s calling a “must-win.”

“I’ll play 48 [minutes] if I have to,” he said Thursday after practice. “It’s playoffs now. You know, you gotta leave it all out there on the court. If they can’t go, then maybe I’ll go to sleep a little bit earlier tonight, get some rest.”

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