May 2012 | Page 13 of 23 | Zagsblog
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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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Saturday / November 23.

After months of speculation, Findlay Prep forward Anthony Bennett has finally made a decision.

The 6-foot-7 Canadian forward chose UNLV over Oregon on Saturday and will join fellow Canadian and close friend Khem Birch in the Rebels’ frontcourt. He will sign his Letter of Intent Monday, Findlay assistant coach Todd Simon told SNY.tv.

Bennett previously cut Florida and then Kentucky from his list.

“I got along with the coaches and players,” Bennett told SNY.tv by text. “I’ve been here [in Las Vegas] for two years now so I feel I have a lot of people supporting me out here and also just the thought of playing with my boy Khem Birch in college is going to be crazy.”

Michael Haynes, a 6-foot-7 power forward from Indian Hills (IA) Community College, has committed to Iona.

A former high school star in Chicago, Haynes averaged 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds last season.

He also held offers from Arkansas State, San Jose State and South Dakota State.

“Mike is a strong, powerful athlete around the rim,” Indian Hills coach Barret Peery told SNY.tv. “He runs the floor very well and can defend multiple positions. He can face up and shoot as well. He has tremendous passion and energy and will bring effort every day.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler won’t win an NBA championship in 2012, but they can still dream of capturing gold at the London Olympics.

Both players are finalists for the U.S. Olympic roster, which begins training July 6 in Las Vegas and will also train in Washington, D.C., Manchester, England and Barcelona.

“I’m obviously getting ready for the Olympics,” Anthony said Thursday following the Knicks loss to the Miami Heat. “I’ll just probably take some time off, let my body heal and start in June and get back at it and prepare for the Olympics.”

By JOSH NEWMAN

Special to ZAGSBLOG

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Once the Knicks staved off a playoff sweep at the hands of the Miami Heat in Game 4 on Sunday and forced the series back to South Beach for Game 5 on Wednesday, speculation ensued immediately on whether or not Jeremy Lin would play.

Out since March 24 with a slightly torn left meniscus for which he had surgery April 2, it seemed like a long shot from the moment it was mentioned after the final buzzer on Sunday. Lin did not play in Game 5, the Knicks were eliminated and Lin was left to talk about exactly where his health is, as well as his future, on Thursday afternoon at the MSG Training Facility.

By CHIP MILLER 

ADAM ZAGORIA

Speaking for the first time since The New York Times reported earlier this week that the NCAA was looking into his background, Kentucky signee Nerlens Noel said the NCAA hasn’t contacted him or his mother directly and that he’s in “great position to qualify.”

“No, the NCAA hasn’t contacted me or my mom directly,” the 6-foot-10 Noel, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, said Thursday night by phone.

The Times reported that the NCAA this week sent two investigators — Frank Smith and Cindi Merrill — to Noel’s previous high school, Everett (Mass.), to look into various aspects of his past.

Knicks owner Jim Dolan told interim coach Mike Woodson to dump his agent as a condition for staying on full-time as the team’s coach, according to multiple reports.

As first reported by the Daily News, Woodson dumped agent Joe Glass last week after Dolan suggested it during contract negotiations.

Glass, 87, had been Woodson’s agent for five years and also represented former Knicks and current SMU head coach Larry Brown, who had a contentious divorce with the Knicks.

“Hey, Mike deserves the job,” Keith Glass, Joe’s son, told SNY.tv. “I’m trying to take the high road and I won’t be asking the Garden for directions.”

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