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.
NEW YORK — In his first day as a member of the Knicks’ 15-man roster, Cole Aldrich got a DNP-Coach’s Decision.
But the news of the day for the 6-foot-11 former Kansas standout was that he made the cut — outlasting fellow training-camp bigs Ike Diogu, Josh Powell and Jeremy Tyler,all of whom were waived by the Knicks on Friday.
Knicks coach Mike Woodson pointed out that Tyler is injured (foot) and is still “4-5 weeks away” from playing, and that Diogu is more of a 4 than a 5 even if he outplayed Aldrich in the preseason.
NEW YORK — It didn’t have nearly the same caché as the Big East Tournament, but Kemba Walker came up big at Madison Square Garden yet again.
The former UConn star went for 18 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists — including the tiebreaking basket with 1:31 remaining — as the Charlotte Bobcats beat the Knicks, 85-83, in a preseason game at the renovated Madison Square Garden.
“It shows us that we can play because the Knicks didn’t just give us that game, we worked for that game,” Walker said, according to the AP. “So it shows us that we can go out there and compete with the best of them.”
“He has a good chance to make the team,” head coach Steve Clifford told SNY.tv Friday night before his team beat the Knicks, 85-83, in a preseason game at MSG.
“He has an NBA skill. He reminds me of Steve Novak. He’s that good of a shooter, and he has size. And he’s a good worker and he has character, there’s a lot of things he has to learn and get better but he definitely has a chance.”
Ray Kasongo’s on again/off again relationship with the Oregon Ducks is back on.
The 6-foot-9, 230-pound Canadian power forward Tweeted Friday night that he had re-committed to Oregon.
“What made me pick Oregon is what they had to offer me,” Kasongo told SNY.tv. “The coach [Dana Altman] told me that with hard work and my potential I have the possibility to play right away.
“And also my relationship with Dana Altman is great. He is such a great guy and knows a lot about the game. I’m looking forward to playing for him next year.”
St. John’s announced Friday the suspension of sophomore center Chris Obekpa for tonight’s Red Storm Tip-Off and SJU’s two exhibition contests vs. San Francisco State and Humboldt State in early November.
The two-game penalty and absence from tonight’s event is a result of a violation of St. John’s university policy.
“We expect our student-athletes to conduct themselves in a responsible manner in representing St. John’s University,” said head men’s basketball coach Steve Lavin. “Chris understands this suspension can serve as a learning experience.”