ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has selected 10 outstanding first-year players as finalists for its 2015 Integris Wayman Tisdale Award. Members of the association’s board of directors chose the players to be included on the list as contenders for the national freshman of the year award.

Ballots for this season’s USBWA men’s honors will be distributed today and the the association will announce the winner of the 2015 Integris Wayman Tisdale Award on Mon., March 16.

The award is to be officially presented to the national freshman of the year at the Devon Energy College Basketball Awards on April 14 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The Oscar Robertson Trophy and the Henry Iba Coach of the Year Award will also be presented at the gala that is held annually the week following the NCAA Men’s Final Four.

Two of the finalists, Duke’s Jahlil Okafor and Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell, are also finalists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy as candidates for the USBWA’s national player of the year. A trio of teammates from Duke (Okafor, Tyus Jones, and Justise Winslow) highlights the list. Top-ranked and unbeaten Kentucky also features teammates –Devin Booker and Karl-Anthony Towns – among the lauded players.

Following is the complete watch list:

The USBWA has chosen a national freshman of the year since the 1988-89 season when LSU’s Chris Jackson was the recipient. Last season, Duke’s Jabari Parker became the fourth winner of the Wayman Tisdale Award. Other notable previous winners of the national freshman of the year award include Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Chris Webber.

This season, in a continued partnership with CBSSports.com and columnist Matt Norlander, the USBWA has named a weekly Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Week. Five of the ten finalists (Stanley Johnson, Tyus Jones, Jahlil Okafor, D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns) have all been selected as national freshman of the week this season.

The Tisdale Award winner will receive a statuette designed by nationally-recognized sculptor Shan Gray. The April 14 banquet will also honor Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim as the recipient of the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award.

The late Wayman Tisdale was a three-time USBWA All-American at the University of Oklahoma. Following a stint on the 1984 U.S. Olympic basketball team, he played 12 seasons in the NBA before retiring in 1997 to focus on a blossoming jazz music career. In March 2007, he was diagnosed with cancer and, following a courageous and difficult battle that included the amputation of his right leg in 2008, he passed away in May 2009.

The Integris Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year Award is produced by Access Sports, an Oklahoma City-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit foundation responsible for creating the Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year Award. Access Sports produces all events associated with the award, including the annual awards dinner. Proceeds from the activities affiliated with the award are used to support various worthy charitable causes, including providing opportunities for disadvantaged youth to participate in basketball leagues, clinics, and training throughout the state. In addition, Access Sports supports the Wayman L. Tisdale Foundation which helps fund prosthetics for those who cannot afford the cost on their own and may not be covered by insurance.

Tickets and sponsorship information for the Devon Energy College Basketball Awards are available atcollegebasketballawards.com or by contacting Scott Hill (405-640-0406, scott.hill@access-sports.net).

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.

Related link:
• Integris Wayman Tisdale Award

Game Scouted: Davidson vs George Washington

Davidson wins 77-66

Box Score

Davidson College was able to win its 21st game of the season Saturday night at home, which put them in a tie for 1st place in the highly competitive A10. The Wildcats have not had any trouble making the transition from the SoCon Conference to the A10. Part of the reason Davidson has enjoyed such success is the contributions several of their freshman are making. Peyton Aldridge, Oskar Michelsen, and Nathan Ekwu play about 62 minutes a game combined and have averaged close to 20 ppg during those minutes combined. Good times should continue for this Davidson program as they will return every player but two, to next years team.

Here is a detailed look at each of these newcomers and what they have brought to the table this year.

Peyton Aldridge, F, 6’7″, 205 lbs

Peyton plays the most minutes of any freshman (30 min) and also provides the most production (10 ppg, 5 rpg, 1 bpg). He is a terrific 3 pt shooter who has a quick release. He is shooting over 40 % from 3 this season while attempting over 3 threes per contest. He is comfortable playing on the perimeter and is what you would consider to be a skilled big. He is an underrated passer who can hit cutters with timely on target passes. He is impressive on the defensive end and is able to guard several possessions. He is an active shot blocker and showed he could close out well on shooters and slide feet decently on the perimeter.

Peyton needs to continue to improve his lower body strength, as he is vulnerable to getting posed up deep inside. He also needs to work on his ability to create his own shot and his overall quickness and athleticism. He would be considered a stretch 4 at this point, but needs to continue to work on his SF skills if he is going to have a shot at the next level.

Overall, Peyton has had a spectacular rookie season and should find himself on the A10 All-Freshman team.

Oskar Michelsen, F, 6’9″, 210 lbs

The SF from Finland has a terrific overall skill set that allows him to be a mismatch nightmare on the perimeter. He is an underrated athlete and has a terrific shooting stroke. Oskar is averaging 6 ppg, 2 rpg, and 1 aspg in 18 min per game this year. He can use either hand equally well and is also a good passer. He needs to get stronger and once he gets used more accustomed to the physical play of the A10, he will be fine. He is an intriguing prospect and a player to watch.

Nathan Ekwu, F, 6’7″, 235 lbs

Nathan is by far the strongest and most athletic out of this group. He has the look of a senior not a freshman, and is a chiseled 235 lbs of muscle. He has produced in limited minutes (3.5 ppg, 3 rpg, 13 min) and has had several break out games (11/6 vs UCF, 8/6 vs UVA, and 7/10 vs Stetson) this season. Ekwu is a solid rebounder and defender who plays hard. He needs to improve his overall skill set, but has potential.

James Blackburn has scouted all levels of basketball, including high school, college and the pros, as well as international competitions such as the FIBA World Cup. Want more scouting notes from James? Follow him on Twitter @jamesjunior21, right now!

By James Blackburn

James Blackburn was able to travel to Sparta, NC to catch the first round of the NCHSAA boys 1A State playoffs between host and higher seed, Alleghany HS and Bishop McGuinness HS.  Alleghany jumped out to a quick 1st quarter lead behind the solid play of seniors Fabian Santos and Austin Sprinkle and led 28-19 going into the half. Bishop was able to make a comeback late in the 3rd quarter behind the hot shooting of senior guard, Spencer Wilson, who led Bishop with 24 points. Ultimately, Alleghany was able to hang on by making FT’s and will move onto the next round by getting the 60-45 win.

Here are some notes on the top players of both teams below.

Alleghany HS

Fabian Santos, SR, 6’4″, F

Fabian was simply the best player on the court tonight and dominated both ends from the opening tip. He finished with a game high 25 pts and must of grabbed at least a dozen rebounds. Santos is an underrated athlete who can get off the floor quickly. He has a high motor and loves physical play. Is a solid post defender and was the best rebounder on the court. Has the ability to step out and hit the open midrange and is a good FT shooter. Has decent post footwork. Needs to improve left hand and shot has a tendency to get flat the further out he shoots.

Austin Sprinkle, SR, 5’11”, PG

*Lees McRae Commit

Sprinkle is a tough PG who is an excellent on-ball defender and can get to the paint at a good rate. Showcased a nice runner/floater in traffic. Has a high motor and is competitive. He finished with 12 pts in this one.

Bishop 

Spencer Wilson, SR, 6’2″, PG

*Belmont Abbey Commit

I have some Wilson play multiple times and he didn’t disappoint tonight. He played one of his best games of the season and scored a team high 24 pts to go along with several assists and rebounds. He is a terrific ball handler who can change speeds well. He can get his shot anytime he wants, but is an unselfish player who set up teammates all night. He is a good passer who can hit the roll man on P/R, drive and kick to shooters, and drive, draw the defense, and dump down to open bigs. Allusive and full of energy. Was able to score tonight in multiple ways and was the best shooter in this game.

Will Gardner, SR, 6’8″, C

*Carson-Newman Commit

Gardner showed some nice “feetwork” with his back to the basket and was able to finish multiple times inside after rolling to the basket. He rebounds the ball in his area well and contests shots inside. Will finished with 8 points and 10 rebounds.

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has selected 14 outstanding players as finalists for the 2015 Oscar Robertson Trophy, as selected by the association’s board of directors.

The award is to be presented to the national player of the year at the Devon Energy College Basketball Awards on April 14 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The Henry Iba Coach of the Year Award and the Integris Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year Award will also be presented at the gala to be held annually the week after the NCAA Men’s Final Four.

Four players from four different Atlantic Coast Conference schools headline the list along with Gonzaga teammates Kevin Pangos and Kyle Wiltjer. Two of the selections, Wiltjer and Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell, have been recognized as Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week this season. This past week, Wiltjer won the award for the second time.

Overall, seven conferences are represented and among the finalists are five seniors, six juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen.

Following is the complete list of finalists:

While these standout players are the leading contenders to be named to the USBWA’s All-America Team, all Division I players remain eligible for postseason honors from the USBWA. The association will announce its 2015 All-America Team in mid-March. Ballots for this season’s USBWA men’s honors will be distributed to the entire membership on Mon., March 2.

Tickets and sponsorship information for the Devon Energy College Basketball Awards are available atcollegebasketballawards.com or by contacting Scott Hill (405-749-1515, scott.hill@access-sports.net). The April 14 banquet will also honor Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim as the recipient of the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award.

Since the 1958-59 season, the USBWA has named a National Player of the Year. In 1998, the award was named in honor of the University of Cincinnati Hall of Famer and two-time USBWA Player of the Year Oscar Robertson.

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and the Oscar Robertson Trophy, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.

Related link:
• Oscar Robertson Trophy

By James Blackburn

Game Scouted: Wake Forest vs Virginia

Virginia wins 70-34

Box Score

http://www.wakeforestsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2014-2015/wf022515.html

Marial Shayok (G, 6’6″, FR)

Stats

26 min, 3-8 FG, 1-2 3 pt, 5 reb, 4 assists, 1 blk, 2 steals, 1 TO, 7 TP

Strengths

Weaknesses

While Shayok has good size for the guard position, he doesnt posses much quickness and this can hurt him when matched up with quicker defenders. He lacks a go-to scoring move and his jump shot off the dribble and on the move can be a little shaky. Shooting mechanics aren’t bad at this stage but his release is slow and he will need to improve his ability to get off quality shots on his own.

Overview

Statistically Shayok doesnt jump off the page. The Canadian guard is averaging 3.9 ppg, 2 rpg, and 1.1 asp in 15 minutes a game. But he is a high usage player who contributes in multiple ways. His shooting numbers arent terrible, other then his FT % (56%), and his TO rate is low. If he can make the full time leap to the PG position, he is an intriguing player who is definitely a player NBA teams should monitor.

Full replay of last night’s rivalry boys basketball game between Mt. Tabor High School and Ronald Reagan High School, originally broadcast from Mt. Tabor in Winston-Salem, NC:

Check out some of the upcoming broadcasts at NetCast Sports Network

After a last minute scheduling change, NetCast Sports Network is broadcasting a heated rivalry boys basketball game tonight between Mt. Tabor High School and nearby Ronald Reagan High School. Both teams have solid squads and a history of deep playoff runs. As the 2014-15 season winds down, this should be a great match up.

Location: Mt. Tabor High School, Winston-Salem, NC
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast Link: NetCastSports.com or YouTube

Mt. Tabor High School Roster
14-7 overall, 7-3 in conference

Reagan High School Roster
18-3 overall, 10-0 in conference

Live sports broadcast from Winston-Salem, NC.

UPDATE: This game has been rescheduled and will not be broadcast.
Date: February 10, 2015
Game time: 8:00 PM EST

North Stokes High School hits the road to take on a strong Winston-Salem Prep squad in one of the last games for the 2014-15 high school basketball season. As the season winds down and teams are looking ahead to the playoffs, the Winston-Salem Prep team no doubt wants to finish with a win on their home floor and get ready for another deep state title run.

This game is being broadcast live and replay on NetCastSports.com. You can also follow @NetCastSports on Twitter for more updates and game announcements.

ROSTERS



Winston-Salem Prep

North Stokes High School