The moment he picked up the phone, Kentucky coach John Calipari could sense Terrence Jones was crying. Less than an hour earlier, during a press conference at Jefferson High School in Portland, Ore., the 6-foot-9 Jones had revealed his plans to sign a basketball scholarship with the University of Washington.
Questions linger on the eligibility of Enes Kanter
Three days before official practice begins, Kentucky’s national title hopes could hinge on the freshman center Enes Kanter, a star recruit from Turkey whose eligibility remains in question. Kanter played for the senior club of Fenerbahce Ulker, a top team in a professional basketball league in Turkey.
Doron Lamb: Not a Culture Shock at UK
You would think Lexington Kentucky would be a culture shock for someone from New York City. Not Doron Lamb, who played his high school basketball at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson Virginia. Population 1,600. “Back in Oak Hill there was nothing else to do except play basketball and go to school. There were no stores, no people. You see the same people everyday,” said Lamb.
Former Cat Sean Sutton getting back into basketball
Sean Sutton says he’s getting back into basketball and will be working with his brother. Sutton will be named as an advisor to the Oral Roberts University coaching staff, he said. Sean Sutton’s brother, Scott, is the head coach at ORU. Officials at ORU haven’t made an announcement, but a press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. today at the Mabee Center.
Former Cat Joe Crawford still looking for his first real chance at NBA
The Kings’ backcourt depth was tested in the exhibition victory because Francisco García missed the game for personal reasons. That left few options behind starting guards Tyreke Evans and Beno Udrih. “We’ll probably play (Antoine) Wright there a little bit,” said Kings coach Paul Westphal. “I would like to see Joe Crawford some, but it’s just really hard to know how the game is going to go.”
1967: Adolph Rupp not ready to retire
Many basketball coaches around the country would gladly settle for a .500 season. But not Kentucky’s Adolph Rupp, the recognized Baron of Basketball and the winningest coach active on the collegiate scene today. Opponents naturally chortled when the Wildcats wound up their worst season ever back in March with a 13-13 record but the smile…
Deandre Liggins turns game around, now integral part of Kentucky attack
Arguably one of the most misunderstood basketball Wildcats in recent memory has to be DeAndre Liggins. A highly-rated wing player coming out of Findlay Prep in Las Vegas, Liggins was that one recruit with incredible length and agility that drew comparisons to greats like Scotty Pippen.
Kentucky freshman Brandon Knight is Wildcats’ workhorse
Efrem Knight works graveyard shifts as an engineer for Florida East Coast Railways, transporting cargo sometimes for 12 hours at time. So don’t tell his son Brandon, a heralded freshman point guard at the University of Kentucky, how hard it is to balance basketball and academics.
Former Cat John Pelphrey saves job with elite recruits
There are two sure-bet ways for a college coach to keep his job. One is to produce wins. The other is to create hope. In a perfect world, a coach will do both — win at a high level so the present is great while recruiting at a high level so the future also looks terrific. Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, Ohio State’s Thad Matta and Villanova’s Jay Wright are a few who meet both criteria.
Houston Rockets get back the Chuck Hayes of old
Chuck Hayes played every game last season. He started nearly as many (82) as in his previous four seasons combined (88). He was a frequent topic of conversation, lauded as a symbol of the Rockets’ overachieving mentality but also held up as a 6-6 example of the “short”-comings. Yet as much as he did last season, the Rockets missed Chuck Hayes.