David West has played 9 seasons and has been a mainstay of the New Orleans Hornets roster, known for his work ethic and versatility.
We caught up with David and got his thoughts on the current NBA lockout, what it might take to get a deal done, as well as David’s insight as to what young players who want to get to the league need to work on most.
Here are some of the stories today from around the world of hoops…
The NBA saga continues as David Stern continues to state that more regular season games are about to get the axe unless a deal is reached. He’s now going as far as saying there will be no Christmas games if an agreement isn’t in place after Tuesday:
“Right now, Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday, just before my owners come into town, having brought in the labor relations committee and Billy (Hunter) having brought in his executive committee, it’s time to make the deal,” Stern said Thursday. “If we don’t make it on Tuesday, my gut — this is not in my official capacity of canceling games — but my gut is that we won’t be playing on Christmas Day.”
But interestingly enough, it isn’t the money that seems to be the sticking point, despite what everyone has claimed up until now. The biggest hurdle to an agreement appears to be the salary cap, and that means competitive balance is a major issue for the owners.
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Maryland basketball is already in transition with first-year head coach Mark Turgeon and now also is dealing with eligibility issues for Alex Len, a 7’1″ big man from the Ukraine:
…an NCAA spokesman said Thursday that the NCAA Eligibility Center was “not anywhere close” to determining Len’s status.
“There has been no decision made one way or the other on this young man’s eligibility,” NCAA spokesman Chuck Wynne said in a telephone interview. “We’re not anywhere close to decision-making stage.”
Roster shuffles are common when there is a change in coaching staff, but it’s unlikely that Turgeon would feel comfortable losing a 7-footer right before the season starts.
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UNC basketball, poised at what most people expect to be a monumental season, kicks off their Late Night with Roy this weekend, just as several other high profile basketball programs will. However, Roy Williams may have one more reason to smile, as UNC has extended his contract through 2018:
n the deal announced Thursday, Williams’ base salary will be $325,000 with supplemental income ranging from $1.35 million to $1.65 million.
He will receive a $30,000 expense allowance this season and $40,000 in each of the next six years and is also eligible for standard bonuses for reaching and advancing through the NCAA Tournament and for meeting or exceeding a NCAA academic progress rate.
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Finally, speaking of Midnight Madness events, we reflect on the “father” of Midnight Madness, none other than former Terp head man Lefty Driesell. Lefty was trying to get his players’ workout in with enough time for them to recover before their first practice, and he had no idea that it would become a huge tradition in the world of college basketball:
All Lefty wanted to do was to get his players to run a six-minute mile to be fit for fall practice later that afternoon, after a good night’s sleep. The year before, Lefty’s first season, the Terps ran their mile right before practice. But because so many were too gassed to dribble a ball immediately afterward, this time Lefty chose to run them just after midnight on October 15th, the first day that colleges can hold a sanctioned practice.
“Another reason why I had ‘em run at midnight,” said Lefty, “was because if someone didn’t finish in six minutes, they had to keep running the mile before they could practice. Well, too many players came in after six minutes. It messed up my practices. I didn’t have enough players to hold practice.”
This past Sunday, October 9, 2011, Garner Road’s J.D. Lewis League entered into their playoff games. In a win-or-go-home bracket, players and teams were forced to bring it all in order to have a chance to keep playing. Many players showed their ability to stay consistent under pressure, and some showed their ability to excel under pressure. In a league with great talent, there were some that really stood out.
Quinton Ray (PG, 6’0”, 2013)
He reads the defense extremely well and exploits its weakness. He always finds the open man and loves to run to the floor. He’s very explosive on Offense and Defense. His quick hands lead to steals and open dunks. He blows past his opponents and finishes well. If he does miss, he grabs his own rebound until he makes it. When he doesn’t have the ball he finds the open spots on the floor so that there is an easy pass to him and an easy basket for his team.
Pervis Louder (G, 6’2”, 2014)
He continued to impress with his hustle and aggressiveness after every rebound and loose ball. Over half of his points come from easy put backs that he gets simply because he goes hard and isn’t afraid of contact. He is great at finishing through and in spite of contact.
Carlee Clemons (G, 5’11”, 2014)
He is extremely explosive and makes big plays that energize his team. He lets his emotions and bad calls affect him sometimes. But in considering his youth, he is a dangerous player with a load of talent. For the most part he scores and attacks the rim.
William Walker (G, 5’11”, 2014)
He manages his team well and knows his personnel. He also knows his opponents personnel so he is able to manage his team and clear out when he knows his team has a mismatch. He is great in reading the defense, especially off of screens. He loves to call for a screen, read the defense, and then attack the basket. He is a great defender who really knows how to steal the ball very well. He is also able to alter his opponents shot and mess with their usual shooting percentage.
Willie Gaskins (PG, 5’10”, 2013)
He is a true PG who looks to setup his teammates and works to find them open. He also makes his teammates open by controlling and coaching his team where to move in order to be able to get them the ball. He doesn’t look to score first but he can score. He has moves and quickness that gives him the ability to get in the paint and finish around the rim. He is consistently talking to and encouraging his team. Even when he’s on the bench he’s talking and coaching. He makes his team better. Because he is a leader, his teammates begin talking too.
Dominique Reed (C/F, 6’5”, 2012)
He gets rebounds. Once he gets the rebound, he keeps the ball up high, is strong with the ball, and finishes well close to the rim. He is a big presence in the paint on both ends of the floor and he is great at running the floor. When he runs the floor his gives his team great opportunities for easy baskets and more momentum. If he misses, he is sure to get his own rebound until he does make it. He is good and comfortable in the post. He has good moves and is very fundamental. He is great at finishing at the rim through contact. He had multiple opportunities to make a three point play at the free throw line, and he took advantage of every one. He is a good shooter and he is good at his free throws too. A good part of his points came from the line. This is a leading cause as to why he is one of the top three leading scorers in the league. He is definite about getting the ball and calls for it. Once he gets the ball he is tough and physical. He also has good hands and can catch bad passes as well as good passes. He is a very dependent player who his teammates trust. This was evident when his team was tied in the closing seconds of their game and decided to go to him for the game-winning shot. Needless to say, his team won and is set to play in the championship game.
Shaquille Dance (F, 6’4”, 2012)
He is explosive off the floor and gets way up to dunk. He easily gets up to grab rebounds over his opponents. He is great to finish close to the basket. He has decent handles and is a good shooter. He’s a big presence on defense and a deterrent to driving to the basket.
Rodney Moore (G, 6’0”, 2013)
He has great handles, moves, and ball control. His speed is evident when he is able to effortlessly split an entire defense in order to get to the basket. He is a good shooter and is aggressive when he attacks the rim. He has quick feet and is good on defense. He has great talent and knowledge of the game. He is also a good passer and is able to find his teammates.
Trevor West (G, 6’1”, 2012)
He has a quick change of direction and great speed. He is a leader for his team by example and vocally. He has good moves and is just a fundamental player. He can shoot but he also looks to pass and create shots for his teammates. Overall he is fundamental and team player.
By James Blackburn
On Sunday October 9, 2011, 18 players converged at the Fleming Center on the campus of UNCG to compete on the last day of training camp for a coveted roster spot on the newly established Carolina Cheetahs of the American Basketball Association (www.carolinacheetahs.com). Players were put through a full 2 1/2 hour practice consisting of 3 on 2 drills, defensive closeout drills, and several inter squad scrimmages.
The team, which is coached by former NC State player and Winston-Salem State assistant, Tim Wells, will begin its season on November 19th against the Lynchburg Legends. The Fleming Center, which holds about 1800 spectators, will be used as the home gym for the Cheetahs. Here are some of the top performers that I noticed today.
Top Players
Dupree Hall (6’6”, 190 lb, East Mississippi)
Long and lanky player. Very athletic player who plays above the rim. Shot blocker. Active on the glass, especially on the offensive end. Limited a bit offensively, but shows potential.
Terrence Jones (6’6”, 250 lb, Livingstone)
Big and strong. Does a good job of establishing inside and deep position in the post. Has a solid back to the basket game, displaying a variety of moves, including hook shots, spin moves, and reverse lay ups. Has good footwork and is surprisingly agile for his size. Shot a few questionable shots in the scrimmage at the end, but will be a load to handle inside this season. This will be Jones 4th year playing in the ABA. Previous stints have included stops with the Charlotte Crossover and Fayetteville Flight.
Damien Goodman (6’6”, 205 lb, UNCP)
Hard worker, smart, and smooth- This is what Goodman’s game is about. Good inside/outside player- would be a great pick-and-pop guy. Showed the ability to guard bigger players in the post. Smart defender and with surprisingly quick hands. Runs the floor hard and gets a lot of easy buckets. Knows his role and excels at it. Seems to always be in the right place at the right time. Good shooter with feet set. Does a good job of drawing fouls. Great attitude. Played last season in Switzerland.
Landon Quick (6’0”, 175 lb, High Point University)
Smart- high basketball IQ. Floor general- controlled the pace. Solid ball handler. Does not try to do to much. Played last 2 seasons in Iceland.
Marsharee Neely (6’3”, 198 lb, Old Dominion University)
One of the best shooters in the gym today. Great set shooter from 3 point range. Lefty. Competes in drills and games. Athletic.
Rah-Shaun Davis (6’0”, 180lb, Hillsborough CC)
Quick and shifty, with the ability to break man down off dribble and create his own shot. A player who you want with the ball in his hands with the shot clock winding down. Good 3 point shooter. Played last season in Bosnia, where his team won the championship.
By Harper Compton
On October 2, 2011, Garner Road was in their third week of their J.D. Lewis Youth League. The league features high school basketball players randomly drafted to teams. There are no coaches on the sidelines, just players who play ball. The teams don’t run plays or sets, they just play ball and try to win. In a place that only family and friends seem to know about, there is a load of talent to be seen.
Quinton Ray (PG, 6’0″, 2013)
He was an extremely great passer. Always found the open guy. He can shoot from deep very well too. He can get by you with his moves and attack the basket and finish. But he seems to really enjoy passing just as much, which he is great at. He’s not tall but he can jump up with most anyone. He was a vocal leader on the team, making sure everyone had their man and what they needed to do. But he also leads his team by example. No one on his team was a top scorer in the league and it’s because of the leader. His quick feet also make him a good defender. He is all over the ball. He was also one of the best all-around players.
Quinton Ray Highlights:
Ahmad Abdullah
Being the leading scorer in the first two weeks of the league speaks for his ability to find ways to score. He is good shooter from above the arc. His dribbling skills were evident, but hindered because of a sprained wrist. In the end when his team needed points, he came through and scored to help them win. He seemed to have a little too much confidence and too little competitive nature.
Nick Lenox
He’s not a leading scorer but he is fundamentally sound. He plays hard and is a very dependent player. What he gives you one game, he gives the exact same thing the next, very consistent. He finishes well around the rim but he can also make shots above the arc. When he shoots, he follows his shot. When he doesn’t shoot, he makes a move and gets by you. His handles and moves are good for a guy his size, they are unexpected. He also finds the open guy and has great passing skills. He gets blocks and plays good solid defense down on the other end. He also had a great attitude and loved playing. He was competitive the entire game and never gave up. He was one of the best all-around players.
Khamari Bobbit
He went very hard in the games and was definite about getting to finish. He is tough and he was competitive as well. He wanted to win and score to help his team win. He was very strong with the ball. His attitude was all about the game and about trying to win. He was very focused and tuned into the game.
Pervis Louder
He went hard and was the cleanup crew. He attacked the basket for rebounds and always seemed to find the ball. Because of his aggressiveness he got multiple rebounds and put back combinations. Has a nose for the ball.
Roger Ray
He’s a good shooter and passer. Great ball handling skills and control. He’s not very tall but he’ll jump with anyone. He has a good attitude on the floor, he’s not too cocky. He’s talkative and controls the team as to where to go and what to do. He has quick feet and is a good defender. He’s not afraid to drive and be aggressive against bigger guys. Creates shots for himself and his teammates.
Carlee Clemmons
He has a tremendous vertical, he can get up. He’s also a good shooter. He gets blocks and is solid on defense. He’s always right up on the ball and giving them nowhere to go. He has good handles and moves. He’s a solid player who really helps his team.
William Walker
He’s not flashy, cocky, or got an attitude. He lets his game do his talking. Even watching him you can lose track of how much he contributes. He finds a way to score. He’s a silent killer who can easily score 24 points without you noticing. He doesn’t always look to score; he’s unselfish with the ball and finds the open man. He can drive and split the defense and finish. He was one of the best all-around players.
William Walker Highlights:
Alex Hall
He has great handles and shoots threes well too. He’s aggressive, attacks the basket and is not afraid of contact. He’s similar to a Steve Nash type of play. Solid defense and all around player. He’s not flashy or cocky; he is all about the team. He gives 100%, he’s refreshing to watch, and is simply a good ball player.
Willie Gaskins
Simply put, he’s a floor general. He’s always talking to his team. He’s the coach on the floor. He can drive and finish well up close. He’s a good passer and brings energy to the team. He comprehends and understands the game like a coach and controls his team in that way. He can get up and throw down. He has quick bursts of speed and is solid on defense. He’s efficient.
By Al Woods
Division two college athletics may not always be the most appealing to high school student athletes because of their lack of exposure but the opportunities are enormous.
There are a huge number of division two college athletic programs all across the country, all playing a competitive brand of sports.
The problem with division two college athletics is that many of these schools are not household names and don’t play on TV so that’s the only disadvantage division two programs have over the major college programs at the division one level.
Everyone who plays a sport in high school is not going to end up at the division one level. When it comes to recruiting, you should not overlook division two programs just because you have never heard of that school in my opinion, it would be a huge mistake.
The bottom line for any student athlete should be the opportunity to get an all expense paid education and the opportunity to play their sport. The education you earn from a college or university will last you a lifetime but the experiences you gain from actually playing in college will have a longer lasting and greater experience on your life’s journey.
No one wants to sit the bench; everyone wants an opportunity to compete and to be the best that they can be. Division two athletics offer all of those opportunities and then some.
Student athletes should add little known college programs to their campus visits during the recruiting season; you may be pleasantly surprised at what you see.
I think small college programs are sometimes misunderstood by high school student athletes, thinking they’d be playing in some small town in the middle of nowhere that no one has ever heard of. Some division two college programs have college campuses that are bigger than some division one programs.
High school student athletes should ask themselves serious questions like, ‘What exactly are you looking for when it comes to a college program? What would you like to get out of a college program?’
If you’re looking for an opportunity to play your sport in college and get an education then why not look at the division two programs? If you’re looking for a professional athletic career after college then there are many pro athletes who have played at the division two level.
Division two athletics is not for everyone and the same can be said for the division one athletics. In recruiting, you should always keep your options open because you never know where a scholarship will come from.
Al Woods is the president of Woods Recruiting and writes a blog about the college recruiting process; offering tips and information for high school student athletes and parents. http://WoodsRecruiting.com
A look at some of the headlines in the world of basketball today…
In the Big East, easily one of the best college basketball conferences over the last ten years, remaining members are reeling from the departure of Pitt and Syracuse to the ACC. As a scramble to hold the Big East together takes shape, the first step is getting everyone in agreement, and that has started as the Big East CEOs give their okay for the commissioner to expand (or, perhaps, ‘re-expand’):
The presidents and chancellors of the 14 remaining Big East members and TCU have authorized Commissioner John Marinatto to “aggressively pursue discussions” with certain schools interested in joining the league.
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In Italy, the most notable player negotiations are happening between Kobe Bryant and Virtus Bologna, who is attempting feverishly to get a deal done that will take one the world’s top players to their court. The move makes sense on a lot of levels, not the least of which being that Kobe Bryant already speaks fluid Italian, which will make him even more marketable during his stint there, should it come to fruition:
Bologna President Claudio Sabatini had told The Associated Press on Friday he had reached a tentative deal with agent Rob Pelinka for a 10-game contract worth more than $3 million.
This deal would be a no-brainer for both Bologna and Bryant, as Bryant’s 10 game stint would be a mere blip in his life, while the shortness of the contract would ensure heavy fan interest for those games, allowing Bologna to recoup their money quickly, not to mention the fact that Bologna would be able to sell Kobe Bryant jerseys from now on.
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Kevin Durant has already participated in several charity basketball games on the East coast, and says that soon he will probably bring one to Oklahoma City:
Had a lot of fun with my NBA homes at @CP3’s basketball game in Winston Salem State…be on the lookout for a game in OKC in mid October!” Durant wrote after participating in New Orleans point guard Chris Paul’s event.
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Speaking of Chris Paul’s charity basketball game, Winston-Salem State officials have begun the process of investigating and refunding “legitimate ticket holders” who were denied access to the game after counterfeiters apparently got involved:
“I think it was really shady. If the gym has capacity, why would you sell 4,500 tickets?” one fan said. “Sad part about it, there was at least 500 people out here. They told us two hours after we stood out here that seats were all filled and they were over capacity already.”
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Finally, Texas landed 2012 PF Connor Lammert this weekend, a 6’9″ player from San Antonio. Conner is a good passer as a big man and will add depth inside the paint for the Longhorns.