April 2014 | 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.

Dupree McBrayer, the fast-rising, left-handed guard from The Patrick School in Elizabeth, N.J., plans to spend a year at prep school before enrolling in college beginning in 2015.

“I decided to go [to prep school] because I think an extra year of development [will help] for my body and for my game, too,” the 6-foot-4, 165-pound guard told SNY.tv by phone Wednesday. “I still have weaker parts of my game.”

McBrayer, who played very well for New Heights at the Pitt Jam Fest last weekend, said he’s undecided on where to attend prep school and will huddle with his mother, his mentor and Patrick School coach Chris Chevannes before picking one.

Turner Mickey'DMyles Turner ended the suspense on Wednesday, announcing on ESPNU that he will stay in his home state and play for the Texas Longhorns.

“I will be pursuing my education and I’m excited to be part of the men’s basketball program at the University of Texas, baby,” the 6-foot-11 Trinity Euless big man said as he pulled out a floppy burnt orange Longhorns hat.

The No. 2 prospect in the ESPN 100, Turner also considered Kansas, Duke, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and SMU.

A tremendous shot-blocker who can score with either hand and also step out and shoot, he will join a Texas front line that also includes 6-9 Cam Ridley and 6-10 Prince Ibeh.

Wiggins DunkThe NBA announced today that 75 players, including 45 players from colleges and 30 international players, have filed as early entry candidates for the 2014 NBA Draft.

Players wishing to enter the 2014 NBA Draft were required to submit a letter to the NBA to be received no later than Sunday, April 27. Players who have applied for early entry have the right to withdraw their names from consideration for the Draft by notifying the NBA of their decision in writing no later than 5 p.m. ET on Monday, June 16.

Following is the list of players from colleges and post-graduate institutions who have applied for early entry into the 2014 NBA Draft, which will be held Thursday, June 26, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES FOR 2014 NBA DRAFT

 

Player School

Jordan Adams UCLA

William Alston CC of Baltimore County Dundalk

Mychal Ammons South Alabama

Devonte’ Graham is down to two schools.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound point guard from Brewster (N.H.) Academy Tweeted that he will choose either Kansas or N.C. State. Virginia, where he had visited this past weekend, is out.

Graham told SNY.tv he has no timetable on deciding.

“‘I’m not sure,” he said. “Haven’t set a date.”

As far as Kansas, Graham recently told SNY.tv, “I like the campus and the atmosphere and the players I really got along with, and all the coaches. Basically, I would come in and have an impact right away is what I was told.”

Kansas has both Naadir Tharpe and Frank Mason returning at the point, but Graham “would play with them and Wayne [Selden] and the people coming in,” Graham said.

Thon Maker, the consensus No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2016, is being pursued by a Who’s Who of elite college basketball programs, including Kentucky, Kansas, Duke and Louisville.

All of those schools, as well as Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, watched the 7-foot Maker this past weekend at the Adidas stop in Duncanville, Texas, his guardian, Ed Smith, told SNY.tv Wednesday.

Smith said Kentucky coach John Calipari watched Maker over the weekend and Smith then spoke with assistant Kenny Payne on Tuesday.

“They said that they thought he had a chance to be really good and really special,” Smith said. “They love what they saw, they love his versatility, but they said the one thing they love is that he plays both ends of the floor. He played very hard, besides his skill, which is different. They love the fact that he played very, very hard while being as skilled as he is.’

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