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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

DakariBy JOSH NEWMAN

In the wake of Kentucky’s season coming to an end at the Final Four, at least one Wildcat will have a decision on his future sooner than later.

Makini Campbell, the mother of 6-foot-11 Kentucky sophomore Dakari Johnson, says the New York native will decide whether or not to leave Lexington for the NBA Draft before the end of this week.

“The family with Dakari is gathering information and will make a decision by week’s end,” Campbell told SNY.tv.

Articles, Duke

NCAA Basketball: Final Four-Championship Game-Wisconsin vs DukeINDIANAPOLIS — Duke freshman center Jahlil Okafor will likely huddle with his family and coach Mike Krzyzewski in the coming days about his future plans.

But in the immediate aftermath of winning an NCAA championship as a freshman, the NBA wasn’t on his mind.

“I love Coach K, I haven’t even thought about [spending another year at Duke] yet,” he said in the locker room after he went for 10 points and 3 rebounds in 22 minutes while being saddled with four fouls. “I just can’t wait to celebrate.”

The 6-foot-11 big man was later asked when he might huddle with his inner circle and make a decision.

“No idea,” he said. “I’m worried about this right now. This is all I wanted to do and who I want to be right now, national champions.”

Articles, Duke

NCAA Basketball: Final Four-Championship Game-Wisconsin vs DukeINDIANAPOLIS — It wasn’t that long ago that people openly questioned whether Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski could ever win with one-and-done guys.

I was among them.

Back in September, I wrote a column called, “Coach K Must Figure Out the One-and-Done Thing.”

The premise seemed reasonable.

Entering this season, Duke had featured three one-and-dones beginning with the 2010-11 season — Kyrie Irving, Austin Rivers and Jabari Parker — and during that time the Blue Devils were 2-3 in the NCAA Tournament with those players.

In that same span, John Calipari and Kentucky went 15-2 in the Big Dance, winning the 2012 NCAA Tournament and reaching the championship game last season.

St. John's

NCAA Basketball: St. John at DePaulINDIANAPOLIS — Junior big man Chris Obekpa will return to St. John’s next season and play for first-year coach Chris Mullin, a source close to the situation confirmed to SNY.tv Monday night.

Meantime, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that sophomore guard Rysheed Jordan is “leaning” toward returning, but more could become clear this week. Obekpa was among the players who met with Mullin before his introductory press conference last week, while Jordan was not.

“I saw Chris [Obekpa] today,” Mullin said then. “Talent usually makes a good coach. I did not see Rysheed.”

The 6-foot-9 Obekpa was suspended on Selection Sunday by former coach Steve Lavin for failing a drug test and missed the team’s second-round NCAA Tournament loss to San Diego State.

Articles

INDIANAPOLIS — Charlotte transfer Mike Thorne and Fordham’s Eric Paschall are both planning visits, according to Jon Rothstein of CBSSports.com.

The 6-foot-11, 275-pound Thorne will visit Pittsburgh on Thursday, sources confirmed to SNY.tv, followed by Illinois April 17-19 and Kansas April 26-28, as Rothstein reported.

Thorne previously told SNY.tv he’s considering Arizona, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Illinois, Kansas, Pittsburgh and “possibly N.C. State.”

He recently met with Illinois coach John Groce.

Articles, Kentucky

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-3rd Round-Kentucky vs CincinnatiINDIANAPOLIS — Following the official announcement that he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, Kentucky coach John Calipari told reporters he expects at least five — and possibly seven — Wildcats to declare for the NBA Draft.

We reported here this week that an NBA scout said as many as seven players “are gone” to the NBA.

Calipari said he expects freshman Karl-Anthony Towns, the projected No. 1 pick by DraftExpress.com, to declare, along with junior big man Willie Cauley-Stein (No. 6), freshman forward Trey Lyles (No. 17) and sophomore guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison. Andrew is projected No. 52 by DraftExpress.com, while Aaron is projected to go undrafted.

Calipari also said freshman shooting guard Devin Booker (No. 17) and sophomore center Dakari Johnson (No. 39) are considering departing.

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