One of the class of 2014’s top players, Trey Lyles of Indianapolis Tech, has decommitted from the Indiana Hoosiers and reopened his recruitment: Lyles, who is 6-foot-8, made an oral commitment to Indiana before his freshman year. He is rated the No. 9 player in the country for the Class of 2014, according to Rivals.com. “Trey Lyles has decided…
2014 Top 10 Trey Lyles decommits from Indiana, Wildcats likely interested
Julius Randle and the Harrison twins could all choose “Big Blue” together
Three of the top five players in the 2013 Rivals150, and the No. 26 overall prospect in the rankings, all were in attendance at the Orlando event, spread over two high-profile AAU teams. In addition to the lofty rankings the four prospects also had another thing in common: They’re all natives of Texas. Shooting guard Aaron…
Karl Towns Jr. improved significantly playing for John Calipari and the Dominicans
For the past two months, Karl Towns Jr. was known as Young Buck — an affectionate reminder from his teammates on the Dominican Republic national team that, despite standing taller than all but one of them, the 6-foot-11 Towns is still just 16 years old. Taking that ribbing from his older teammates was a small price to…
Kentucky recruit Julius Randle shines at Peach Jam
Julius Randle was sitting on the bench, eyes cast down, shaking his head, when a child approached and handed him a folded piece of paper. Even in defeat, Randle stands out. Even in defeat, fans want autographs. Randle, who’s playing for the Texas Titans at the EYBL Finals at the Nike Peach Jam, scored 31…
Kentucky target James Young earns MVP of Nike Global Challenge
Michigan native James Young was terrific during Nike’s EYBL season. A 6-foot-6 left-hander, Young proved himself an athletic slasher that could really shoot the ball from beyond the arc. But through three games at Nike’s Global Challenge, Young had struggled for the USA’s Midwest team. He was averaging 15.0 points, but shooting just 42% from…
Five star prospect surprised at Kentucky offer but calls it a “blessing”
Back in the early spring, Troy, Mich., five-star wing James Young was telling everybody who would listen that he wanted the University of Kentucky men’s basketballprogram to recruit him. The Wildcats hadn’t previously shown a lot of interest. “Kentucky would be No. 1,” Young told The Courier-Journal in April. “That’s where I want to go. They…
Kentucky recruit Karl Towns is a phenom on and off the court
In all 35 of my years in the newspaper business, going on 36, I can’t even count the number of times I have heard the following: “Hey John, wait to you see this kid so and so. He is in the sixth grade, but he is going to be the next so and so.” “Mr.…
Future Cat Nerlens Noel named USA Today Player of the Year
USA TODAY and Highschoolsports.net announced Thursday the 2011-2012 All-USA boys’ high school basketball team, naming Everett native, Nerlens Noel, the Player of the Year. Noel, who stands 6-foot-10-inches, averaged 12.6 points, 3.9 blocks and 7.9 rebounds per game for Tilton School (N.H.) this past season. He has committed to the University of Kentucky. The center…
Future Cats shine in 2012 Jordan Brand Classic (with boxscore)
Kentucky-bound Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress helped lead the West team past the East team in the 2012 Jordan Brand Classic, 99-95. Alex Poythress led the future Cats with 16 points on 7-8 shooting, most of which were dunks. Goodwin had 14 points. Nerlens Noel, of the East team, only finished with 5 points but…
Photo: The decision to go to UK is all in the hair for Nerlens Noel
Photo: The decision to go to UK is all in the hair for Nerlens Noel