Look back/ahead to the Top 100 College Basketball recruits in the SEC

[jbcarol]

Looking back at the 2006 recruiting class through an SEC lens

THE TOP 20

1. Greg Oden
2. Kevin Durant

16. Vernon Macklin: Macklin is the highest rated player on this list to have played at two schools, as he transferred from Georgetown to Florida after his sophomore season. In four collegiate seasons Macklin averaged 7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, and he was selected by Detroit in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft. Macklin most recently played in the Philippines for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

OTHER NOTABLE NAMES

21. Mike Conley Jr.

57. Jodie Meeks

UR: Russell Westbrook


2005 and 2006 classes laid the groundwork for the years in which the fewest number of SEC teams qualified for the NCAA tournament since they opened it up to non-conference winners.

[jbcarol]

Looking back at the 2007 recruiting class through an SEC lens

THE TOP 20

1. OJ Mayo

9. Patrick Patterson: Patterson helped Kentucky bridge the Billy Gillispie gap, as he provided Kentucky with a veteran presence as a junior before heading off to the NBA. He was the 14th pick, going to the Rockets...

11. Nick "The Greek" Calathes: Calathes left Florida after two seasons in Gainesville, and while he was the 45th pick of the draft, he left school to play in Greece.

14. Anthony Randolph: Randolph spent one season at LSU, averaging 15.6 points and 8.5 boards, before heading off to the NBA. He was the 14th pick in 2008, and while he's bounced around four different NBA franchises, he's yet to really find a good fit.

15. DeAndre Jordan: After one unmemorable year at Texas A&M, Jordan went in the second round of the NBA Draft. He's actually been able to latch on with the Clippers...

OTHER NOTABLE NAME

46. Chandler Parsons

[jbcarol]

Looking back at the 2008 recruiting class through an SEC lens

THE TOP 20

1. Brandon Jennings

11. Scotty Hopson: In three seasons at Tennessee, Hopson averaged 12.7 points per game and earned first team All-SEC honors as a junior. Unfortunately for Hopson he wasn't selected in the 2011 NBA Draft, resulting in his playing overseas in each of his first two seasons as a pro. He most recently played for Hapoel Eilat in Israel (17.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg).

17. JaMychal Green: Green averaged 13.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in four seasons at Alabama, earning first team All-SEC honors as a junior. Green wasn't drafted last June, but he did make the D-League second team All-Rookie squad as a member of the Austin Toros...

OTHER NOTABLE NAMES

•34. DeAndre Liggins

•53. Terrelle Pryor

•79. Erving Walker

•86. Rotnei Clarke


In 2009 business would pick up for SEC recruiting.

[jbcarol]

Looking back at the 2009 recruiting class thru an SEC lens:

Here's some of those Top 100 recruits from the '09 class that either signed with or landed at SEC schools:

2  PG John Wall             Word of God       Kentucky
3   C  DeMarcus Cousins  Le Flore Magnet  Kentucky
7  PF  Renardo Sidney  Fairfax      Mississippi State (b/4 and after a long route)
15 SG Kenny Boynton     American Heritage  Florida
17 C  Daniel Orton      Bishop McGuinness  Kentucky
20 C  Alex Oriakhi        Tilton School         UConn -> Mizzou
37 PG Eric Bledsoe        Peter Parker         Kentucky
41 SG John Jenkins        Station Camp       Vandy
46 SF Jon Hood             North Hopkins      Kentucky
50 PF Kenny Hall           Redan                 Tennessee
52 PF Erik Murphy          St. Mark's            Florida
63 PF Marshawn Powell  The Miller School  Arkansas
67 SF Lakeem Jackson    Christ School       South Carolina
79 PF Reginald Buckner  Memphis Manassas  Ole Miss
85 PF Jeronne Maymon   Madison Memorial  Marquette -> Vols

Wall was SEC '10 POY, 1-n-done, 1st team All-American, 1st pick Washington Wizards

Cousins was SEC '10 FOY, 1-n-done, 2nd Team All-American, 5th pick Sacramento Kings

Sidney declared for '12 NBA draft after long term eligibility issues. Cut by D-League.

Boynton was 3-time All-SEC and 3 straight Elite Eights. Barak Netanya in Israel.

Orton, 1-n-done reserve, Last 1st round pick of Orlando Magic. Currently with 76ers.

Oriakhi, After Sr. season at Mizzou, 57th pick by Suns. Ligat HaAl League with Boynton.

Bledsoe, '10 All-SEC Freshman, 1-n-done, 18th pick by Houston. After Clippers now with Suns

Jenkins was '11, '12, '13 1st Team All-SEC. Left after Jr. season, currently with Hawks

Hood in 5th season as reserve at UK; Has played with most NBA draft picks.

Hall was dismissed from UT, involved with academic tutor, "jus tryna get paid" in Europe

Murphy survived car breaking and entering in St. A. b/4 freshman season.  Bulls.

Powell All-SEC in '11, '13; Ukraine

Jackson is playing in Europe

Buckner was '11, '12, '13 All-Defensive SEC. Won SEC Tourney. Signed with Nuggets.

Maymon was '12 2nd Team All-SEC, knee injury '13, he is back for Vols in '13-14.

[jbcarol]

LSU freshman forward Jordan Mickey was named one of the best five players in the SEC for the month of November by CollegeHoopsDaily.com.

In the first seven games of his college career, Mickey averaged 13.3 points and 8.7 rebounds with 26 blocked shots. He had four double-doubles

5-man November team: Guards Chris Denson of Auburn and Jordan Clarkson of Missouri, and forwards Julius Randle of Kentucky and Patric Young of Florida.

Randle earned their league player of the month honor.

[jbcarol]

Jerry Tipton: A conversation about the greatest recruiting classes moved former UCLA standout Lynn Shackelford to ponder one of the toughest acts to follow: John Calipari's at Kentucky.

"When Cal leaves, that's going to be a tough job," Shackelford said. "For years and years, they're going to say why aren't we getting the top recruits? What's wrong?"

Fran Fraschilla, a Calipari buddy of long standing, scoffed at the notion of the woebegone Knicks, an all-hat-and-no-cattle franchise, luring the UK coach away.

"He should call Nick Saban," said Fraschilla, meaning the transition from college to pros is strewn with college kings defrocked and belittled. "John's been through that. I don't think John would leave for the NBA unless he inherited a really good team."

Lynn Shackelford was part of the UCLA recruiting class of 1965, arguably the greatest college basketball recruiting class of all time.

[jbcarol]

2012 Class:
C  48th  Willie Cauley-Stein  Olathe NW HS  Kentucky

Jerry Tipton: While electric blond hair helped Willie Cauley-Stein stand out Tuesday night, he said a less-obvious characteristic affected his performance.

Sickle cell trait, a blood disorder which can affect endurance, was a factor in playing 25 minutes in Kentucky's victory over Boise State.

When asked about how he might have posted a triple-double if he played more minutes, Cauley-Stein said, "I was having a sickle cell problem. My chest starts to hurt."

According to the American Society of Hematology website, sickle cell trait is an inherited blood disorder that affects about 8 percent of blacks. Unlike sickle cell disease, a serious illness in which patients have two genes that cause the production of abnormal hemoglobin, individuals with sickle cell trait carry only one defective gene and typically live normal lives. Most people with sickle cell trait have no symptoms and will not have any health complications, the website said. They can participate in athletics. Maintaining good hydration is important. Coaches should consider someone with sickle cell trait like any athlete at risk for heat exhaustion, the website said.

Mike Grove, who coached Cauley-Stein at Northwest High School in Olathe, Kan., said he was unaware of the 7-footer having sickle cell trait.

Meanwhile, the new hair style showed that blonds can have a lot of fun. Cauley-Stein equalled a career high of nine blocks. He also scored six points and grabbed seven rebounds.

When asked why he dyed his hair, Cauley-Stein said, "Just boredom."I spend a lot of time in the dorm room, being on curfew all the time. It gets you thinking a lot. You stare at the walls."

http://www.kentucky.com/2013/12/11/2983379/kentuckys-cauley-stein-adding.html

[jbcarol]

Here's an update on some of those Top 100 recruits from '14 class rankings that have committed to and/or signed with SEC schools:

4. PF 1   Trey Lyles   Arsenal Technical HS Indianapolis, IN 6-9/240     Kentucky
19. C   4   Karl Towns  St. Joseph HS Metuchen, NJ  6-11/245               Kentucky
26. SG 5 Devin Booke  Moss Point, MS HS  6-5/180                           Kentucky
27. PF 5 Devin Robinson  Christchurch, VA School 6-8/190                  Florida
29. PG 6 Tyler Ulis  Marian Catholic Chicago Heights, IL 5-8/150          Kentucky
36. C   7   Elbert Robinson  Lakeview Centennial Garland, TX 7-0/330     LSU
38. SG 8 Brandone  Francis Arlington Country Day Jacksonville 6-4/205 Florida
47. PG 10 Alex Robinson  Mansfield Timberview Arlington, TX 6-1/160  A&M
52. PG 11 Chris Chiozza  Memphis White Station  5-10/155                    Florida
53. SG 11 Namon Wright  Pacific Hills Los Angeles  6-5/185                Missouri
65. PF 13 Jakeenan Gant  Effingham County, GA  6-8/200                  Missouri
87. PG 18 Justin Coleman  Birmingham Wenonah  5-10/155               Bama   

[jbcarol]

Drew Messmer ‏@AllMetroDrew 4h
BREAKING: 2015 #1 ranked SG Malik Newman @iammaliknewman Callaway (MS) tells me "No..no possibility at all" on him reclassifying to 2014.

[jbcarol]

Were there heads hanging because they were losing the game or losing the lottery?

Per ESPN's Chad Ford, UK players' NBA Draft stock is slipping:

SUMMER:

2. PF Julius Randle
7. PG Andrew Harrison
13. C Willie Cauley-Stein
20. SF James Young
21. SF Alex Poythress
25. C Dakari Johnson
26. SG Aaron Harrison

CURRENT:

4. PF Julius Randle
11. SF James Young
17. C Willie Cauley-Stein
20. PG Andrew Harrison

http://kentuckysportsradio.com/basketball-2/uk-players-draft-prospects-are-dropping

[jbcarol]

Kentucky still leads for Bibb County SEC hoops target Danjel Purifoy (video)

CENTREVILLE, Alabama -- Bibb County basketball star Danjel Purifoy is taking his recruitment relatively slow, but confirmed Tuesday night that Kentucky is still his leader.

Purifoy claims SEC offers from Kentucky, Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Mississippi State and Tennessee, as well as offers from Michigan State, Connecticut Huskie$, SMU, UAB and others.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/12/kentucky_still_leads_for_bibb.html

[jbcarol]

Tough day for Calipari after son tears ACL

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2013/12/21/2999900/kentucky-belmont-notes-tough-day.html#storylink=cpy

"My son (Brad) tore his ACL yesterday in a high school game and I had to go to the hospital last night. Tough deal. He's worked so hard and done great stuff, and he's out six months. So I'm kind of dealing with that right now, my own son, and kind of similar to I remember sitting down with Nerlens (Noel) and having him cry and then telling him why he was OK.

"I had the same scene last night. I literally did not want to tell him what I knew, and the doc said 'He probably knows; you need to tell him,' because I didn't want to deal with it. And then I told him, and same response that you would expect from a 17-year-old. But he's doing fine, and this is all part of life. This is all part of growing. This is adversity that's thrown at every kid in every family, so I'm going to spend a little time with him to try to keep him thinking the right way."

Brad Calipari is a junior shooting guard at Lexington Christian Academy.

This brings to mind the blessing or curse of having a son play for an SEC basketball coach. Of course, they didn't name the basketball arena in Baton Rouge after Press Maravich and having a scoring son did not hurt Wade Houston from becoming not only the first black coach of a major men's sport in the SEC but also the first black member of a certain Knoxville Country Club.

At Kentucky, the matter of a son playing on the basketball team is serious business and one Calipari will need to manage if he remains. Seems every other Kentucky basketball coach has had a son to deal with during his time at Kentucky.

Adolph Rupp's son Adolph II (Herky) seldom played and was not a factor in controversy or recruiting. Today he fights to maintain his father's reputation.

Joe B. Hall had no son.  One of his daughters is married to former Arkansas O-Line Coach Mike Summers.

Eddie Sutton's son Sean heard the boo birds from Kentucky fans who could identify with what they thought of as a less talented coach's son getting minutes while the team lost games. That Sean Sutton was implicated in the standardized testing scandal that made Eric Manuel ineligible, did not help the situation.

Rick Pitino's sons including current Minnesota coach Richard Pitino, were the kids doing a half-cheeked job cleaning up the Rupp Arena floor after a player left moisture on the court. He never dealt with having a son take criticism for playing. His successor would take up the slack.

Tubby Smith was Kentucky's first black coach and he left his older son GG to finish his career at UGa.  Saul was a freshman reserve point guard on Tubby's national championship team in his first year. Things got intense when Saul took the starting role in his junior season and the complaints, some racist and some objective rose up. His backup, a white son of an attorney from South Central Kentucky whose brother was also named John, did not possess SEC skills anymore than Saul. Fan complaints turned to hate and the negative recruiting followed. Tubby had a third son Brian playing for Lexington Catholic High. The pipeline of Smith boys was an easy sell for opposing coaches noting lack of playing time at UK for any guard not named "Smith". Tubby would struggle to recruit an NBA-type point guard until Rod Barnes found a spot for Brian on the Ole Miss roster. It was just in time for Kentucky to sign Rajon Rondo in Tubby's eighth season at the helm.  Today Saul is on Tubby's staff at TTech.

Billy Gillispie has no sons of which I am aware. He had bigger issues in Lexington.

Calipari will have to choose whether to deal with the potential issues that come with giving a roster spot to Brad who does not appear to be the next Allan Houston. Brad's father does not appear to be one to back down from fan criticism. Will he learn from history?


www.kentucky.com

[jbcarol]

COLUMBIA, S.C.- Brandone Francis has high hopes for his first year in college.

"I feel like we have a shot to do something special," Francis told SNY.tv. "I just wanna get out there with my new teammates next year, Chris Chiozza and Devin Robinson, and employ what we can do for the team."

When asked if he wanted Chris Walker – projected as a lottery pick by some mock drafts — to come back for another year, he was emphatic with his answer.

"Of course, no brainer," Francis said.

Four star, 8th-ranked SG and 38th overall in class of '14.

[jbcarol]

Michael DeCourcy @tsnmike
If you haven't read my column on Kentucky's James Young, still time.
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2013-12-28/kentucky-vs-louisville-james-young-shooting-wildcats-john-calipari-julius-randle

LEXINGTON, Ky. — There isn't much James Young cannot do on a basketball court, and that is one reason Kentucky has such exorbitant potential as a team. You need some free throws, a 3-pointer, a rebound, a stop? He's your guy. He can hook you up with all of that and anything else you might have in mind.


The issue isn't what Young can do for Kentucky. It's what he will do. Which is to say, he is bound to try most anything. He'll drive the ball into traffic and take on a couple of big defenders. He'll fire a 3-pointer just one pass into the offense. He'll take six quasi-outrageous shots without flinching, miss every single one of them, then fire the next without remorse.

This is what coach John Calipari wants from Young. An exceptional offensive talent, he believes, must be granted the license to become exceptional. It might not always please his teammates. It might occasionally affront purists. It might keep the opposition in a game or two. Ultimately, though, it can lead to results such as UK's 73-66 victory Saturday over rival Louisville.


"I just had to keep shooting. That is what you have to do sometimes as a shooter," Young said afterward, following a 5-of-17 effort from the floor that still produced a team-high 18 points. "The coaches told me to keep my head up and keep shooting, and I did."


In fact, he didn't...

Young averaged a shot a minute in the first half and took only four total in the second half with Julius Randle out of the game. He finished with 18 points, 10 boards and 4 assists.

[jbcarol]

Jordan Clarkson was a '10 3-star and #44 ranked SG out of San Antonio Karen Wagner.

He has averaged over 23 ppg in the Mizzou's last four games against BCS qualifying conference teams.

He played two seasons at Tulsa before transferring to Missouri.

[jbcarol]

Looking back at the 2008 recruiting class through an SEC lens

THE TOP 20

1. Brandon Jennings

11. Scotty Hopson: In three seasons at Tennessee, Hopson averaged 12.7 points per game and earned first team All-SEC honors as a junior. Unfortunately for Hopson he wasn't selected in the 2011 NBA Draft, resulting in his playing overseas in each of his first two seasons as a pro. He most recently played for Hapoel Eilat in Israel (17.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg).

17. JaMychal Green: Green averaged 13.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in four seasons at Alabama, earning first team All-SEC honors as a junior. Green wasn't drafted last June, but he did make the D-League second team All-Rookie squad as a member of the Austin Toros...

OTHER NOTABLE NAMES

•34. DeAndre Liggins

•53. Terrelle Pryor

•79. Erving Walker

•86. Rotnei Clarke


In 2009 business would pick up for SEC recruiting.

Here's some of those Top 100 recruits from the '08 class that either signed with or landed at SEC schools:

11 SF Scotty Hopson 6-5/180  (University Heights Academy) Hopkinsville, KY  UT via MS
17 PF  JaMychal Green 6-7.5/205  (St. Jude HS) Montgomery, AL  Bama
20 SF  DeAndre Liggins 6-6/180  (Brewster Academy) Wolfeboro, NH  Kentucky 
25 C   Kenny Kadji 6-10/255  (IMG Academy) Bradenton, FL  Florida -> Miami
26 PF  Trey Thompkins 6-8/220  (Norcross HS) Norcross, GA  Georgia
29 C   J'mison Morgan 6-9/265  (South Oak Cliff HS) Dallas, TX UCLA via LSU NLI -> BU 
30 PF  Eloy Vargas 6-9/220  (American Heritage School) Plantation, FL  UF -> jc -> UK
34 SF  Tony Mitchell 6-6/185  (Swainsboro HS) Swainsboro, GA  Bama dismissed
35 SF  Darius Miller 6-6/185  (Mason Co HS) Maysville, KY  Kentucky 
49 PF  Romero Osby 6-8/230 (Northeast Lauderdale HS) Meridian, MS  MSSt -> OU
60 PF  Terrance Henry 6-9.5/185  (Carroll HS) Monroe, LA  Mississippi 
61 PF  Allan Chaney 6-8/220  (New London HS) New London, CT  Florida -> VaTech
65 PF  Steve Tchiengang 6-8/225  (Montverde Academy) Montverde, FL  Vanderbilt
66 SF  Ray Shipman 6-5/204  (Pace HS) Pace, FL  Florida ->
67 SF  Murphy Holloway 6-7/185  (Dutch Fork HS) Irmo, SC  Ole Miss -> SC -> OM
68 PF  Delwan Graham 6-7/210  (Dunwoody HS) Dunwoody, GA  LSU -> juco -> Jax'ville
79 PG  Andrew Steele 6-3/195  (John Carroll HS) Birmingham, AL  Alabama 
82 PF  Lance Goulbourne 6-7/215  (The Hun School) Princeton, NJ  Vandy
94 C   Philip Jurick 6-11/255  (East Ridge HS) Chattanooga, TN  UT -> juco -> OkSt
95 SG  Brad Tinsley 6-3/190 (Oregon City HS) Oregon City, OR  Pepperdine NLI -> Vandy
100 SF  Renaldo Woolridge 6-8/205  (Harvard-Westlake School) N Hollywood, CA  UT -> USC   

[jbcarol]

Here's some of those Top 100 recruits from the '10 class that either signed with or landed at SEC schools:

3   C  Enes Kanter      Stoneridge Prep  Kentucky
6  PG Brandon Knight  Pinecrest           Kentucky
7  PF  Tobias Harris    Triple-H             Vols
8  PF  Terrence Jones  Jefferson           Kentucky
15 PF  Patric Young     Providence        Florida
20 SF  Jelan Kendrick  Wheeler            Memphis -> Ole Miss -> Indian Hills CC
25 PG  Ryan Harrow    Walton              NC State -> Kentucky
28 SG  Doron Lamb     Oak Hill Academy  Kentucky
38 SG  Jordan McRae   Liberty County   Vols
50 PG  Trevor Releford Bishop Miege    Bama
53  C  Damontre Harris Trinity Christian  SC -> Florida
56 PG  Bruce Ellington  Berkeley          SC
59 SF  Casey Prather   Jackson Northside  Florida
60 PF  Luke Cothron   Flora MacDonald     Auburn -> Southern Idaho
67 SF  Stacey Poole, Jr.  Andrew Jackson  Kentucky -> GaTech
77 SF Matt Derenbecker  Metarie Park CDS  LSU
89 SG  Trae Golden     McEachern            Vols
92 PF  RJ Slawson       Fort Dorchester     SC
99 SC  Mardracus Wade  Chatham           Arkansas
100 SG Charles Hankerson  Coral Reef     Bama -> Wyoming

Kanter was NCAA ineligible, served as practice player; Utah Jazz

Knight, 1st Team All-SEC, 1-n-done, Detroit Pistons

Harris, 2nd Team All-SEC, 1-n-done, Milwaukee Bucks

Jones, SEC Rookie of the Year; '11 All-SEC 1st Team, '12 All-SEC 2nd Team; left after soph. season; awaiting draft

Young, SEC All-Rookie; returning for Jr. season

Kendrick was Ole Miss' first McDonalds' A-A player. He has been released.

Harrow is heir apparent as UK's PG; a sophomore.

Lamb; SEC All-Rookie; '12 2nd Team All-SEC, left after soph season; awaits draft

Releford: SEC All-Rookie, '12 2nd Team All-SEC

Ellington after SEC All-Rookie season is a two-sport star for The Ball Coach

Follow

Chris Winston@ChrisatTheState
A great @UofSC career comes to end, as Bruuuuuuuce Ellington will enter NFL:

[jbcarol]

http://kentuckysportsradio.com

All-SEC Freshman Candidate Julius Randle

18.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 3.2 tpg in non-conference play

[jbcarol]

WDRB-41: Chane Behanan has told ESPN.com that he is going to enroll in a program in Houston run by former NBA player and coach John Lucas.

Speaking with ESPN's Jeff Goodman, Behanan said, "I'm hoping to go down there, take care of myself and then hopefully get another opportunity -- wherever it may be. I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet. First I'm going to go get help."

Lucas runs a drug and alcohol treatment program for athletes and coaches. Former University of Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie is a former client. Behanan did not tell ESPN what problem he needs to address [nor should he].

Behanan was an '11 5-star PF out of Bowling Green.

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats 2h
Several SEC freshmen putting up good numbers, including LSU's Jordan Mickey (13.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.6 bpg) http://bit.ly/1988ay6

Bobby Portis (Arkansas) 12.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 24.5 minutes per game

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats 2h
Julius Randle is the only Top 25 recruit from the Class of 2013 who is averaging a double-double (18.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg)

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats 21h
Karl Towns averaging 21.8 points and 14.0 rebounds per game. His team is 6-0. Averaging 9.0 blocks over last 3 games. http://ukrecruiting.bloginky.com/karl-towns


7-1 C in UK's '14 class.

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria ‏@AdamZagoria 2h
Torian Graham Visits Missouri
http://zagsblog.com/missouri/torian-graham-visits-missouri/ ...

6-4 juco SG at Chipola College

[jbcarol]

KNOXVILLE – The season of heralded Tennessee freshman guard Robert Hubbs III is over.

The former five-star recruit has been bothered by a lingering shoulder injury all season and coach Cuonzo Martin said on Thursday afternoon that there is a "50-50 chance" that Hubbs will undergo surgery and be shut down for the rest of the season.

Tennessee raised that probability to 100 percent on Friday afternoon, confirming that Hubbs will indeed have in-season shoulder surgery and will miss the rest of the 2013-14 season.

"Right now we're getting all the information necessary ­­– talking to his family, trainers and doctors and figuring out the best case scenario moving forward," Martin said before UT's Thursday practice.

Further evaluation showed that doing surgery now, and not waiting for the offseason, was the best action.

http://www.nooga.com/164946/updated-vols-heralded-freshman-robert-hubbs-out-for-the-season

5 ppg in 10-12 games this season.

[jbcarol]

Dakari Johnson's high school coach shared his thoughts about the future of his former center.  Kevin Boyle, currently coaching at Monteverde (Fla.), has coached former one-and- dones Kyrie Irving and our very own Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, so he has a pretty good idea of how players progress and improve throughout their careers.  When asked about Dakari's future and further progression, he feels that another year will do good for his former big man.

"Dakari's a great kid, very good player. He's going to be in the NBA one day, but he definitely needs to stay and get a year or two more to keep developing his skills, which will help him get to the league. You can't go to the league if you're not ready."

s one NBA scout noted:

"Johnson should stay without a doubt.  Not an NBA guy right now. He would languish on an NBA bench for three years before playing meaningful minutes if he came out this year."

Also falling back to the 2015 Draft class are the Harrison twins.

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops 2h
Students wearing "free Chris Walker" t-shirts at O'Dome. McDAA frosh pf still not cleared by NCAA. pic.twitter.com/uIMkzVXoeT

[jbcarol]

ESPN's Chad Ford released his new "Big Board" for this year's NBA Draft. It showed Andrew Harrison at No. 30 — the last pick of the first round — and Aaron Harrison was not listed at all. Andrew and Aaron were No. 30 and 40, respectively, in Ford's updated Top 100 player rankings.

In his online chat later in the day, Ford was asked, "Where do you see the Harrison twins going?"

"Hopefully back to Kentucky for their sophomore seasons," he said. "Neither looks ready to play in the NBA right now. If they declared for the draft? Probably late first round to early second."

http://www.kentucky.com/2014/01/15/3035283/kentuckys-harrison-twins-dropping.html

Both top ten in the Class of '13.

[jbcarol]

Matt Wixon ‏@mattwixon  Jan 16
Former NBA star Larry Johnson's son, Lasani, averaging nearly 30 ppg despite facing double teams each game http://share.d-news.co/Cnth3PW  #txhshoops


He's a man.

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats  34m
From last night: A chart showing Luke Kennard's game-by-game stats this season. He's averaging 40.3 ppg http://bit.ly/LzLah1

5-star '15 Franklin SG

Has offers from UK, UofL, Duke, MichSt, IU, UNC, et al.

[jbcarol]

C-L Sports ‏@CLSports  7h
New MSU blog post: SEC Teleconference: Mississippi State' I.J. Ready still out with concussion http://on.thec-l.com/1jiseBg  #hailstate

[jbcarol]

Todd Elliott ‏@gatortodd  7h
@pat_dooley Why are Gator reporters content to only ask Billy D about Chris Walker? Why is nobody hounding NCAA for answers?

Pat Dooley ‏@pat_dooley  5h
@gatortodd there policy is never to comment about ongoing investigation

Top Ten player from Class of '13 is still not cleared by Eligibility Center.

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria ‏@AdamZagoria 5h
Julius Randle Now No. 5 on Mock Drafts; Three UK Players Projected in First Round http://zagsblog.com/articles/julius-randle-now-no-5-on-mock-drafts-three-uk-players-projected-in-first-round/ ...

Cauley-Stein and James "JY" Young are the other two, at best in the 10-12th pick range.

Jason Marcum ‏@UK_Fans 5h
@AdamZagoria You hearing anything on if Harrison's will got pro even if they're late-first/second-round projections?

Adam Zagoria@AdamZagoria 4h 
@UK_Fans All the NBA personnel say they shouldn't come out. Won't know till end of year on any of these guys.

[jbcarol]

Julius Randle is the SEC rep on the Oscar Robertson Award, mid-season watch list:

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/23/doug-mcdermott-marcus-smart-among-players-on-robertson-award-midseason-list

[jbcarol]

Three SEC freshmen are among the nine first-year players the U.S. Basketball Writers Association has selected for its 2014 Integris Wayman Tisdale Award Midseason Watch List.

Kentucky's Julius Randle and James Young and LSU's Jordan Mickey gives the Southeastern Conference three players to lead all conferences.

[jbcarol]

Reports that Florida junior center Damontre Harris is back practicing with the team but will not be allowed to play this season.

Harris was a '10 4-star; the 12th ranked Center.

[jbcarol]

Reports that Florida junior center Damontre Harris is back practicing with the team but will not be allowed to play this season.

Harris was a '10 4-star; the 12th ranked Center.

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 21h
F Damontre Harris back to practicing at #Florida http://ow.ly/t2YhR  #SEC #GatorNation

[jbcarol]

Word that Chris Walker has been cleared to play for Florida.

Top 10 '13 Big.

[jbcarol]

Game scheduled to be played on April 2 at the United Center in Chicago.

Some players committed or signed with SEC schools:

EAST ROSTER
C Karl Towns Jr. (St. Joseph HS, Metuchen, N.J.)

WEST ROSTER
SG Devin Booker (Moss Point HS, Moss Point, Miss.)
PF Trey Lyles (Arsenal Tech, Indianapolis, Ind.)
PG Tyler Ulis (Marian Catholic, Matteson, Ill.)

[jbcarol]

Favorite to be College Player of the Year is not in the SEC. Doug McDermott was a 3-star and the 34th ranked SF in the '10 Class. The coach's son was the sixth man his junior season in high school.

[jbcarol]

Bo Mattingly ‏@SportsTalkwBo  9h
http://telly.com/1HHH75H  - Malik Monk hits another game winner tonight vs. Fayetteville

[jbcarol]

Wes Rucker ‏@wesrucker247  1m
That's his ceiling, IMO. Could be that kinda player. RT @dtom11tn: @wesrucker247 do you think stokes is a Zach Randolph kind of player?

[jbcarol]

John Clay ‏@johnclayiv 2h
Tough break for No. 1 Arizona, losing Brandon Ashley for season http://johnclay.bloginky.com/2014/02/03/no-1-arizona-loses-key-starter-for-season/ ...

fractured foot

[jbcarol]

Craig Pinkerton ‏@SEC_Craig ·5 hrs
LSU's Johnny O'Bryant III named SEC Player of the Week @LSUBasketball
http://www.secdigitalnetwork.com/NEWS/tabid/473/Article/248951/sec-mens-basketball-players-of-the-week.aspx ... pic.twitter.com/dKU1EdYkwX

Craig Pinkerton ‏@SEC_Craig ·5 hrs
LSU's Jordan Mickey named SEC Freshman of the Week @LSUBasketball
http://www.secdigitalnetwork.com/NEWS/tabid/473/Article/248951/sec-mens-basketball-players-of-the-week.aspx ... pic.twitter.com/7oFhQUinPH

[jbcarol]

Bobby Portis set the Arkansas freshman scoring record with 35 points against Bama in BWA.

[jbcarol]

Scott Howard-Cooper‏@SHowardCooper ·20h 
Increasing the age limit to 20 is a priority for Adam Silver. It will be a topic of discussion once the union hires an executive director.


Cooper writes for NBA.com.

[jbcarol]

East

Joe Johnson SG 6-7 240  Brooklyn Nets  Reserves (Coaches) Arkansas 2001 Rnd 1 Pick 10

Joakim Noah  FC   6-11 232  Chicago Bulls     Reserves (Coaches) Florida 2007 Rnd 1 Pick 9

John Wall  PG  6-4 195   Wash Wizards  Reserves (Coaches)    Kentucky 2010 Rnd 1 Pick 1

West

Anthony Davis  PF 6-10   220  NO Pelicans  Reserves (Commissioner) Kentucky 2012 Rnd 1 Pick 1

[jbcarol]

SEC has 4 current NBA All-Stars.

How do the other conferences fare?  With Conference realignment confusing matters, I will go with the conference the player starred in when he was in school.  For example, Carmelo Anthony goes to the Big East.

Big East  3
ACC       3
Pac 12    3
Big 12    3
B1G       0

International Players 2
Direct from High School 3

Individual schools with one participant:
Fresno St. 
LaTech     
Davidson
Weber St.

[jbcarol]

Evan Daniels ‏@EvanDaniels  11h
Quentin Goodin went for 31 points and 9 rebounds in Taylor County's win tonight.


Sophomore has offers from Tennessee, Indiana, Oklahoma State (Travis Ford connection) and, of course, Western.  Kentucky has shown interest.

[jbcarol]

Matthew Harris ‏@MHarrisAdvocate  34m
Big News ---> RT @TheRecruitScoop: 2016 University (LA) guard Skylar Mays announced he has committed to #LSU.

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports  9h
Oklahoma St. PG Marcus Smart shoves fan following loss at Texas Tech http://ow.ly/tqD9v  (video)


5-star and nation's #2 SG in the '12 class.

[jbcarol]

http://kentuckysportsradio.com/main/thon-makers-new-mixtape-is-ridiculous [SFW/HS]

'16 7-1 Thon "Highlight" Maker