If Mick Cronin had his way, every top player in New York City would follow Lance Stephenson.
To Cincinnati.
“I think it’s great for all the best players in New York to get out of New York and come to Cincinnati,” Cronin said with a smile in an interview you can see in the Video Player at right. “We hope that everybody follows Lance.”
The 6-foot-5 Stephenson was voted the Big East preseason Rookie of the Year, but is still awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse on his amateurism issues.
“We’re waiting,” Cronin said. “He’s cleared academically so we’re just waiting on the amateur thing. He’s not the only one waiting. A lot of the elite players [John Wall, Renardo Sidney] are going through it…Hopefully, it’s done before the first game, I know that.”
Cincinnati was picked No. 7 in the Big East preseason poll and the Bearcats figure to challenge for an NCAA Tournament bid.
They return three potential future NBA players in Stephenson, Deonta Vaughn and Yancy Gates, along with experienced juniors Rashad Bishop and Larry Davis. Redshirt freshman Cashmere Wright takes over at the point and freshman wing Sean Kilpatrick joins Stephenson in the recruiting class.
“You’ve got to have players,” Cronin said. “There’s no doubt we have some potential pros on our team. I think a couple guys are probably surefire pros. We’re going to play some freshman point guards, but we’re a team that has a chance this year.
“We have a little secret weapon that becomes eligible in December, Ibrahima Thomas, a 7-foot forward who can shoot the 3.”
HARRIS, IRVING HIGHLIGHT SHARETTE DIXON CLASSIC
The two most important things in Sharette Dixon’s life were her family and education. Now that she has passed away, her husband Kimani Young and the NYC basketball community are banding together to make sure that her children get the support and education that they need in the future. On Sunday, Nov. 8, New York City legends Kenny Smith, Kenny Anderson and a host of others NYC basketball personalities will participate in the Sharette Dixon Classic, a showcase of the top talent from New York and New Jersey.
“Sharette was a wonderful mother and a talented professor,” said Kenny Smith, who etched his name in New York City basketball lore before going on to a successful career as both an NBA player and television analyst. “This event is really a celebration of her life and the values that she stood for.”
Former NYC legend and NJ Net Kenny Anderson will serve a host for the event, which will feature some of New York and New Jersey’s most promising players. The event will take place at Bishop Ford HS in Brooklyn and will begin with a Girls’ showcase at 4 pm, followed by a Boys’ showcase at 6 pm.
Anderson, who is still considered one of the finest point guards ever to come out of New York City, said that participating in the event was an easy choice.
“When you have hard times, the first place you look for support is your family,” said Anderson. “Kimani and I have been friends for more than 20 years. Here in New York, the basketball community is like one giant family and we look out for each other. Anything I can do for Kimani and his kids I will do.”
True to Dixon’s nature, the event will recognize players who have excelled academically as well. One player from each participating team will receive the Sharette Dixon Academic Excellence Award, which is given to players who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better throughout their high school career.
The Sharette Dixon Memorial Classic will take place on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Bishop Ford High School in Brooklyn (500 19th Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11215). The girls game is at 4 and the boys game at 6.
Proceeds from the event will support a family education and child care fund being established in Mrs. Dixon’s memory for her three children.
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Featured participants in the Sharette Dixon Classic include:
Boys Game
Kyrie Irving (#6 rated Senior in the nation; committed to Duke)
JayVaughn Pinkston (#1 Senior in NYC; uncommitted)
Tobias Harris (#7 Senior in the nation; uncommitted)
Myck Kabongo (Top 25 Junior in the nation; committed to Texas)
Sterling Gibbs (member of USA Basketball 16/U team)
Kyle Anderson (member of USA Basketball 16/U team)
Girls Game
Jennifer O’Neal (#30 Senior in the nation; committed to Kentucky)
Bria Hartley (#14 Senior in the nation; committed to UConn)
Jaleah Sidney (#? Senior in the nation; committed to Syracuse)
Dasia Simmons (#42 Senior in the nation; committed to Rutgers)
Lauren Mincy (#23 Senior in the nation; committed to Maryland)
Briyona Canty (#9 Junior in the nation; uncommitted)
Bria Smith (#5 Junior in the nation; uncommitted)
Academic Excellence Awards:
Kyrie Irving, St. Patrick’s
Hakeem Harris, Blair Academy
Omar Calhoun, Christ the King
Bria Hartley, North Babylon
Korin Robinson, Mary Louis
Ciarra Calhoun, JHS 51
OUT ON THE WEEKEND
Seton Hall hosts Devon Collier of St. Anthony and Fuquan Edwin of Paterson Catholic on official visits this weekend. Collier is deciding from among Seton Hall, St. John’s, Providence and Oregon State, while Edwin already committed to the Pirates…St. John’s hosts J.J. Moore of South Kent (Conn.) on an unofficial and Ronald Roberts of St. Peter’s Prep on an official.
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bigpapijugg / October 30, 2009
mmmk its official JOHN WALL HAS BEEN CLEARED!
has to site out one exhibition and the first game
to pay back $700+
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bigpapijugg / October 30, 2009
front page of ESPN.com
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jhawk4 / October 31, 2009
im by no means an expert on ncaa rules, but how is the money he took from this guy (an agent) any different than the money that other players take from agents and are deemed ineligible? Marcus Camby took money from an agent, he was ineligible, John Wall takes money, he just has to pay it back? im trying to figure out the difference. can anybody clear it up?
i dont have a problem with the NCAA ruling, and i actually think making Wall pay it back is a much fairer and sensible punishment, but the NCAA puzzles me.
in 89 they ban KU from the postseason because we bought a recruit a plane ticket home (probably less than 700 dollars, and the guy signed elsewhere!). They are just so darn inconsistent with there rulings. again, i like the punishment they gave wall better than going way overboard like the NCAA usually does, but the inconsistencies boggle my mind.
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blasphemy / October 31, 2009
(Not a facetious comment)
In comparison to OJ Mayo and Eric Gordon, Wall was simply given it as a way to travel to the schools and not as a “bribe” to come to the school. In Camby’s case, he was taking it for the services of the sports agent (usually the other way, but I guess the agent was just trying to get into the good so he could make some really good money come draft time). In short I think they ruled on the “perceived good intention.” Just like you said though, the NCAA is puzzling. I think the NCAA as a governing body needs to be abolished (or needs a HUGE upgrade). As fortunate as UK was this time around, WVU wasn’t. I’m sitting hear, reading about that case, and it makes me want to throw up. What do you think about that Kilici stuff?
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jhawk4 / October 31, 2009
i think its ridiculous.
kid is “guilty by association” and he gets nailed, when like you said, OJ Mayo (and Reggie Bush for that matter) are getting paid to play at USC and the NCAA does nothing. i just wish they would be consistent in there rulings.
your right, they need major reforms in the NCAA governing body as a whole. at least they passed those new recruiting rules a few days ago. that may help clear up some of the recruiting gray area
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Avaricious / November 1, 2009
It’s a shame people felt the need to waste space on John Wall.
RIP Sharette Dixon and may Mr. Young have some solace.
Congratulations to the Academic Excellence winners.
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