Future Syracuse Point Guard Ennis Talks Orange, Wiggins & Jordan Classic
http://web.sny.tv/media/video.jsp?content_id=26212365 NEW YORK -- In this interview from
http://web.sny.tv/media/video.jsp?content_id=26212365 NEW YORK -- In this interview from
The Knicks have officially waived Kurt Thomas and added center Solomon Jones on Friday afternoon
The 6-foot-10 Jones averaged 15.8 points and 10.4 rebounds this season in China. He last played in the NBA with the New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers in 2011-12.
Jones holds career averages of 3.1 points, on 47-percent shooting, and 2.4 rebounds over 11.1 minutes in 268 career games (11 starts) with Atlanta, Indiana, L.A. Clippers and New Orleans.
During the 2012-13 season, Jones played for Liaoning of the Chinese Basketball Association and last played in the NBA during 2011-12, averaging 3.2 points and 2.8 rebounds over 13.9 minutes in 21 games (one start) with the L.A. Clippers and New Orleans.
The Knicks had initially expressed interest in James Singleton, but that deal reportedly fell through.
“Kurt’s contributions to the Knicks have been immeasurable,” Knicks GM Glen Grunwald said. “From the first day of training camp, to his last game against the Utah Jazz, Kurt has been a key contributor to our team. The team’s success this season has been driven by veteran leadership on and off the court – it is something that cannot be quantified or read in a box score.
“Once it became clear that he would not be able to return this season, and due to a rash of injuries to our big men, we felt that it was important for us to free-up a spot on our roster. We thank Kurt for all that he has done. I have the utmost respect for Kurt as a player and as a man.”
Louisville coach Rick Pitino said Russ Smith is 60/40 on returning to Louisville for his senior season despite his father’s previous comments that his son would enter the NBA Draft.
“Russ’s dad spoke a little premature,” Pitino told ESPNU on Thursday. “Russ is about 60/40 staying.”
Pitino said he emailed “all the [NBA] Player Personnel directors and said, ‘Look, I need help on this one. If you drafted Russ Smith in the second round, would you send him to the D-League? Would you keep him? Would you develop him? I need some insight on what you think he needs to improve to be a first-rounder.
NEW YORK — Six of the 22 players in Saturday’s Jordan Brand Classic are headed to Kentucky, so the mathematical odds favor a future Wildcat winning game MVP honors.
But don’t bet against Arizona-bound forward Aaron Gordon, who is looking to follow up his MVP performance in the McDonald’s All-American Game with another strong showing in Brooklyn.
Just last week, the 6-foot-8 Gordon went for 24 points, including nine dunks, and eight rebounds to lead the West over the East, 110-99, at Chicago’s United Center.
This past week, Gordon was named California Mr. Basketball for the second straight season.
“He wants to be the best guy out there,” Tim Kennedy, Gordon’s coach at San Jose (Calif.) Archbishop Mitty and an assistant coach on the Jordan Brand West Team, told SNY.tv.
By JOSH NEWMAN
Special to ZAGSBLOG
As the list of underclassmen declaring for the NBA Draft continues to grow, one of the more intriguing names out there officially threw his hat in the ring on Friday morning.
University of Texas sophomore point guard and Canadian sensation Myck Kabongo announced he will forego his final two seasons of eligibility. Currently projected as the No. 41 overall pick according to DraftExpress, Kabongo’s defection ends a 45-game tenure in Austin that showed great promise, but also brought its share of controversy.
“He’s fast and physically-gifted, but I’m not sure that he really understands,” one veteran NBA scout told SNY.tv. “He’ll go in the second round.”
ROSELLE, N.J. — Now that Dan Hurley has turned down the Rutgers job, the school is focusing on Lakers assistant Eddie Jordan.
Yahoo! Sports reported that Rutgers has offered Jordan the job, but sources told SNY.tv that was not yet the case.
“Eddie would be great,” current SMU and former NBA coach Larry Brown told SNY.tv Friday at Roselle Catholic where he was involved in a coaches’ clinic.
“He’s a Rutgers guy, he’s a great guy. I think that’s a great opportunity. They’re going into the Big Ten. The Big Ten is a phenomenal conference. There’s so many great players in this area, I couldn’t imagine why kids wouldn’t want to stay around here and play.”
http://web.sny.tv/media/video.jsp?content_id=26195815 NEW YORK -- New York native Dakari
