September 2013 | Page 5 of 27 | 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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Articles, Rutgers

Rutgers coach Eddie Jordan got another dose of good news from the NCAA when Pittsburgh transfer J.J. Moore was cleared to play immediately this season.

“I would like to thank the NCAA for their decision regarding my waiver,” said Moore. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to play my senior season here at Rutgers. This decision is a blessing for me and my family.”

“We are grateful to the NCAA and our office of compliance for their hard work in providing J.J. this opportunity,” said Rutgers head coach Eddie Jordan. “From the moment J.J. stepped on campus, he brought leadership and experience to our program. I greatly admire his competitive spirit.”

Andrew Wiggins

Andrew Wiggins and Team Canada could get one of four wildcards to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain in February, FIBA announced Thursday.

“FIBA will reveal which four national teams will receive the wild cards at its Central Board meeting on the weekend of 1-2 February 2014 in Barcelona, Spain,” the organization said.

Canada failed to qualify for the World Cup, which runs Aug. 30-Sept. 14, after it was eliminated in qualifying by Argentina earlier this month.

The U.S., the defending Olympic champion, will compete in the event, and Kevin Durant and Kevin Love have committed to playing.

If Canada is selected as a wild card, Anthony Bennett, the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, and Wiggins, the presumed No. 1 pick in 2014 out of Kansas, could compete in Spain.

Xavier

Xavier is getting a player with a huge upside in 6-foot-10 Makinde London, according to Montverde (FL) Academy assistant Rae Miller.

“He’s a stretch four man, he can play some five,” Miller told SNY.tv. “He’s a face-the-basket kind of guy, not a back to the basket. He can shoot the ball with range. He’s a kid that has a very, very good upside.

“He’s 6-10, athletic enough and he can handle some ball. He grew about eight inches over the last two and a half years, so he has some ball-handling skills, some passing skills.”

Articles, Recruiting

Kentucky and Kansas have emerged as the top two contenders for Findlay Prep small forward Kelly Oubre, who had a breakout summer and is projected as the No. 13 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

“It’s all about fit, all about vision for my son, also about him having a chance to display his talents, and I hold those schools in high regard,” Kelly Oubre Sr. told the Courier-Journal. “I deal directly with them. At this point, Kansas and Kentucky are pretty much on a level playing field. … Kansas and Kentucky have piqued Kelly’s interest as potential landing spots.”

The 6-foot-6 Oubre cut his list to eight schools in July — Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Georgetown, Oregon, UNLV, Connecticut and Florida — but only has two official visits set as of now, to Kansas Oct. 4 for “Late Night in the Phog” and to Kentucky Oct. 18 for “Big Blue Madness.

Knicks

NEW YORK — Knicks owner James Dolan took questions from reporters for the first time in six years on Wednesday but he didn’t say a single word about Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith or Amar’e Stoudemire.

Instead, Dolan, speaking at a press conference to announce that the 2015 NBA All-Star Game will come to Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center, proclaimed the Knicks-Nets rivalry good for New York.

“I think the rivalry is a good thing for New York, so that point it’s enjoyable,’’ Dolan said in answer to a question from the New York Post. “As far as the teams will go, I’m not going to make any predictions. This is about the All-Star Game. My hope is that both teams have a lot of players in the All-Star Game. That would be great.‘’

Articles, Recruiting

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post was updated Sept. 27 to add Appalachian State’s statement on the matter. The statement is at the bottom of this post. **

Devonte’ Graham is a 6-foot-1 point guard from Brewster (N.H.) Academy who wants a release from his Letter of Intent to Appalachian State but can’t get one.

Meantime, numerous schools are expressing interest in the Raleigh, N.C. native.

Butler, UConn, Pittsburgh, Creighton, Providence, Rhode Island and Wichita State have either offered or expressed interest but can’t speak directly with Graham, Brewster coach Jason Smith told SNY.tv.

Knicks

Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony was ranked the 10th best player in the NBA by Sports Illustrated, and Kevin Durant believes James Harden should replace Dwyane Wade in the Top 10.

“I think you’re missing James Harden,” Durant told Cinesport in an interview shown on SportsCenter.

Asked who should be taken off, Durant said, “Dwyane Wade.”

Wade then posted a note on Instagram that read, “Kevin Durant said James Harden should replace me in the Top 10. Note to self..Make him respect our place in history…again.”

To which Durant Tweeted, “Show me don’t Tweet me…”

The Thunder visit the Heat Jan. 29 in an ESPN game.

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