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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, NBA Draft

    Australian point guard Dante Exum will train in Los Angeles in mid-February in anticipation of the NBA Draft.

    Exum, who is currently in Australia and recently announced his plans to enter the Draft, is projected as a top-5 pick along with American college freshmen Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Julius Randle.

    The training news was reported by Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report and confirmed by a source close to Exum.

    “Dante will be in L.A. to start his pre-draft training [in] mid-February,” the source said.

    Exum is a huge fan of Kobe Bryant, and he would be working out in the same city as his hero, potentially getting the chance to seek advice from Bryant. Bryant’s agent, Rob Pelinka, also reps Exum.

    Former NBA point guard Randy Livingston told Zwerling he sees Exum as a mix of several of the best point guards  in the world.

    Arizona

    Arizona’s chances at a national championship may have taken a hit with the loss of sophomore forward Brandon Ashley for the season to a foot injury.

    The 6-foot-10 forward was averaging 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds a game, while shooting 52.2 percent from the field.

    “Brandon Ashley suffered a foot injury that will end his season,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said in a statement. “While we’re all disappointed, we are also aware that Brandon needs our support and positive energy surrounding him. Someone once told me, the hottest heat forges the strongest steel. This adversity will ultimately make Brandon and our team stronger moving forward.”

    Articles, Recruiting

    os-2013-varsity-media-day-basketball

    By JACK LeGWIN

    Special to ZAGSBLOG

    BARTOW, Fla.- The top ranked shooting guard in the state of Florida, Antonio Blakeney put on a show Saturday night fresh off a visit to Louisville on Thursday, scoring 36 points in an overtime win over Bartow (Fla.).

    Standing at 6-foot-4, the No. 16 ranked player in the class of 2015 by ESPN is one of the best pure scorers in the country, averaging 25.3 points per contest. Knowing his supreme ability to score the ball, Blakeney was face guarded for most of the first half against Bartow, but he said it didn’t bother him as much as one might think.

    “I really worked my hardest to get open,” Blakeney said. “I had to have faith in my teammates to put the ball in the hoop and also put me into some positions to get open. I did have 16 points in that half, so they did a really good job.” 

    Articles, Syracuse

    NEW YORK — Count Carmelo Anthony among those who would love to see Tyler Ennis stay at Syracuse for his sophomore season.

    “He’s legit, I gotta get him to stay, though. Gotta get him to stay,” Anthony told SNY.tv with a smile about Ennis following the Knicks’ 106-91 loss to the Heat Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

    Most Syracuse fans probably feel the same way.

    Ennis went for 14 points and 9 assists as No. 2 Syracuse remained unbeaten with a 91-89 OT victory over Duke before 35,446 at the Carrier Dome.

    Syracuse

    Tyus Battle Zag Any recruit who attended that Duke-Syracuse game would have been blown away, and 2016 Gill St. Bernard’s guard Tyus Battle was no exception.

    “The most unbelievable venue we have ever witnessed,” Gary Battle, Tyus’ father, told SNY.tv after Syracuse held on to beat Duke, 91-89, in OT before 35,446 fans at the Carrier Dome.

    Moustapha Diagne, a 2015 power forward from Sparta (N.J.) Pope John, was also in the house.

    Syracuse has had great success in recent years with elite New Jersey players, landing current point guard Tyler Ennis and current forward Tyler Roberson, as well as 2015 commit Malachi Richardson.

    Articles, Georgetown

    By JOHN PAVIA

    Special to ZAGSBLOG

    NEW YORK –– After a five-game losing skid, a game against a top-10 opponent in Michigan State turned out to be just what Georgetown needed to try and right the ship.

    In a stunning effort, the Hoyas defeated the No. 7 Spartans, 64-60, at Madison Square Garden, but Tom Izzo was not surprised by the result.

    “I give [Hoyas coach] John [Thompson III] a lot of credit; he took his team, an 11-9 team that lost a lot of tough games, hopefully [this win] will get him going,” Izzo said. “I have a lot of respect for him and his program. I thought they manhandled us.” 

    Articles, Syracuse

    Syracuse probably won’t go undefeated in the ACC — although that still remains a theoretical possibility after Saturday’s dramatic 91-89 overtime win over Duke — but they appear to be an almost certain No. 1 seed in the East with a virtual homecourt advantage until the Final Four.

    The No. 2 Orange (21-0, 8-0) remained unbeaten at after beating Duke before  35,446 at the Carrier Dome. They have now set a school record for consecutive wins to start a season.

    Both Joe Lunardi and Jerry Palm have the Orange as the No. 1 seed in the East, with the first two games in Buffalo — 1 hour, 20 minutes from Tyler Ennis’ house — and the next two games at Madison Square Garden.

    Homecourt advantage anyone?

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