July 2012 | Page 15 of 22 | 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.

PHILADELPHIA — Playing in front of four of the five head coaches recruiting them, the Harrison Twins put on a show here in their first game Wednesday at the Reebok Breakout Challenge.

Aaron Harrison poured in 28 points, hitting 6-of-11 3-pointers for JWALL, and Andrew Harrison added 11 points, with 1-of-2 treys, in a 100-61 rout of the Answers at Philly U.

“We was just out here having fun,” Aaron, the No. 4 players in the Rivals150 for 2013, told SNY.tv. “We are just getting ready for Milwaukee and Orlando so we’re just out here having fun together, so we enjoyed ourselves.”

The Knicks officially announced Wednesday that the team has acquired center Marcus Camby via a sign-and-trade with the Houston Rockets and has re-signed shooting guard J.R. Smith.

Camby has reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $13.2 million, while Smith reportedly signed a one-year deal worth $2.8 million.

Smith could potentially start at shooting guard if the Knicks don’t bring back Landry Fields, who has signed a $19-million, three-year offer sheet with the Toronto Raptors that the Knicks may not match.

In exchange for Camby, 38, the Knicks gave up guard Toney Douglas, centers Josh Harrellson and Jerome Jordan and two future second-round draft choices (2014 and ’15).

“It’s exciting when you get the chance to bring a former Knick like Marcus Camby back home,” Knicks GM Glen Grunwald said.

“His defensive presence, shot-blocking ability and offensive board work will give us nice depth in our frontcourt. In addition, our fan base is very fond of him for what he accomplished here during his four seasons. I also have a great appreciation of Marcus after the time we spent together in Toronto.”

Jordan Dickerson, a 7-footer from Brooklyn, has signed financial aid papers with SMU over Providence, Auburn, South Carolina and Iowa State, sources close to the situation told SNY.tv.

“Yes, he did,” his uncle, Darrell Crawford, confirmed by phone.

The addition of Dickerson for 2012 at this late juncture is a solid addition for first-year coach Larry Brown, who recently lost out on Arizona transfer Josiah Turner when the point guard opted to turn pro instead of go to SMU.

Dickerson, who played at Brooklyn Lincoln, will get to play in the Big East once the Mustangs join in 2013.

As the NBA’s free agency moratorium came to an end on Wednesday morning at 12:01 a.m., teams across the league began moving to cement the deals they had worked out in principle beginning July 1. The Brooklyn Nets were no different as they re-signed players and executed sign-and-trade deals, all of which led to Russian billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov spending over $300 million for salaries to improve his team.

The team announced early on Wednesday that Deron Williams had re-signed to stay in Brooklyn as the face of the franchise. While the team does not release contract terms, the deal is reportedly five years for $98.7 million.

The Knicks on Wednesday announced the signing of free agent swingman James White to a contract. 

The team did not disclose terms but ESPNNewYork.com reported it is for slightly less than the veteran’s minimum of $1.4 million.

“He’s excited about it,” his agent, Daniel Curtin, told the Website. “He’s going to have a chance to play. He’s come a long way since his earlier NBA stint. I think it’s a great opportunity for him, especially with the personnel he’ll be playing with. He has some elite intangibles.” 

At this time of year, with the July AAU evaluation period about to begin, Derrick Caracter could serve as a tremendous cautionary tale for all the young grassroots want-to-be-stars out there.

A 6-foot-8 man-child from Fanwood, N.J., Caracter was once considered a surefire NBA lottery pick after his performances at Sonny Vaccaro’s old ABCD Camp in Hackensack, N.J..

“He was always much bigger than the other players at a young age,” Florida Gulf Coast coach Andy Enfield, who has known Caracter since he was 12, told SNY.tv Tuesday. 

Troubled former Arizona point guard Josiah Turner is turning pro instead of transferring to SMU and debuting in the Big East during the 2013-14 season.

Turner told Yahoo! Sports that he will either join the NBA D-League or head overseas.

“I had to step back and reevaluate what my main goal and my dream was,” Turner told the Website. “My dream is to be a professional athlete in the NBA and I think this is what’s going to bring me closer to it. In college, you get your degree and everything, but going pro is getting me closer to my dream and what I want to do in life.”

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