January 2015 | Page 5 of 26

Recruiting Roundup: Malik Newman’s Dad Talks Kentucky, Target Date for Announcement; Kyle Alexander Planning Visits; UConn Interested In Carter, Ellison; Cowan to Maryland

January 26, 2015

Malik Newman’s father says he’s impressed with how Kentucky’s John Calipari has coached this year’s team and that he’s close with Wildcats assistant Kenny Payne.

He also said his son likely won’t commit until at least late April.

Horatio Webster made the comments during a wide-ranging interview with Sunday Morning Sports Talk on 630 WLAP out of Lexington, Ky.

“It’s special what Coach Cal is doing down there because [to keep] almost a McDonald’s All-American together and all of them jell as one, that takes a special coach to do that,” Webster said. “In order to keep everybody happy and keep a smile on everybody’s face. That team could’ve went any way, it could’ve been a disaster or it could turn out like it is now. And you have to give Coach Cal and his staff all the credit for that. I don’t know how he did it, I don’t know how he do it, but that’s why he gets paid the big bucks.”

Articles, Recruiting

Six Schools Working Hardest for 2016 Miles Bridges

January 26, 2015

author: Adam Zagoria

By JACK LeGWIN

TAMPA, Fla.– Miles Bridges, one of the top players in the class of 2016 says that six schools are working the hardest at the moment.

“Louisville, Michigan State, Indiana, Iowa State, UConn and Pitt,” Bridges told SNY.tv after a win over Oldsmar Christian at the ARS Shootout at Berkeley Prep.

Ranked No. 7 in ESPN’s new Class of 2016 rankings, Bridges scored 16 points, and contributed consistently on both sides of the ball.

Articles

Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell Named ZAGSBLOG National Player of the Week

January 26, 2015

author: Adam Zagoria

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By CHRIS RUSSELL

Ohio State freshman guard D’Angelo Russell has been selected the ZAGSBLOG National Player of the Week.

The 6-foot-5 freshman sensation appears to improve by the day. On the week, Russell averaged 30.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He leads all freshmen in the country in scoring, averaging 19.4 points per contest. Not only has Russell demonstrated consistent shooting, the guard has displayed incredible and efficient passing on the season.

On Sunday, Russell scored 22 points and added 10 assists for his second double-double of the season and the Buckeyes (16-5, 5-3 Big Ten) knocked off No. 23 Indiana 82-70 in front of 17,322 fans at Value City Arena for their first winning streak in conference play.

“I guess they forgot about me because I was letting the game come to me,” Russell said, according to the AP. “I felt the cramps coming in so I had to be careful.”

Articles, Kentucky, Recruiting, Roselle Catholic

Kentucky-Bound Briscoe Hoping for McDonald’s Nod

January 26, 2015

author: Adam Zagoria

By CHRIS RUSSELL

NEWARK — Kentucky-bound point guard Isaiah Briscoe will find out soon whether he’s a McDonald’s All-American.

If the 6-foot-3 Briscoe gets the nod on Wednesday at 6 p.m. on ESPNU, he will become the 16th member of the NJ Playaz to make the prestigious game in 18 years. Former Playaz to make the McDonald’s game include the likes of Kobe Bryant, J.R. Smith, Kyle Anderson and Dajuan Wagner.

“It would be an honor playing in the McDonalds game,” Briscoe told SNY.tv Sunday after going for 11 points and 5 steals in a 70-44 beatdown of his former school, St. Benedict’s Prep, in the Newark National Invitational at The Prudential Center. “After watching it growing up, and for me to be a part of it, it just shows that hard work pays off.”

Fans can vote for Briscoe and other McDonald’s All-American candidates in this ZAGSBLOG poll, and we will reveal our results on Tuesday at 8 p.m.

The McDonald’s Game is set for April 1 at Chicago’s United Center.

Articles, Recruiting, Seton Hall

St. John’s Hosts Diallo, Yakwe for Duke Game

January 25, 2015

author: Adam Zagoria

NEW YORK — Cheick Diallo had a courtside seat for history on Sunday afternoon.

The 6-foot-9 forward from Our Savior New American on Long Island sat courtside with teammate Kassoum Yakwe as Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski won the 1,000th game of his career with a come-from-behind 77-68 win over St. John’s.

“Out here At #MSG watched #St. John’s vs #DUKE ????,” he Tweeted with this picture.

St. John’s could’ve made quite an impression — on the college basketball world and on recruits — by knocking off the No. 5 Blue Devils but couldn’t close it out after taking a 10-point lead in the second half.

Articles, Duke