The Memphis Grizzlies signed guard/forward Wayne Selden Jr. for a remainder of the season to a multi-year contract and waived guard Toney Douglas, the team announced Saturday. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Selden was a member of Memphis’ training camp roster last fall before joining the Grizzlies’ NBA Development League affiliate, the Iowa Energy. He appeared in 35… Continue reading “Grizzlies sign G/F Selden, waive G Douglas”
ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – Kansas’ Wayne Selden Jr. is the Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Week for games ending the week of Jan. 12. Selden was selected by CBSSports.com’s Jeff Borzello, in partnership with the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
Borzello’s popular weekly freshman watch column will continue to feature nation’s the top freshmen each week in addition to the national player of the week. Later in the season, the USBWA will release a midseason watch list before naming finalists for the award. This season marks the first time a weekly national freshman of the week will be selected and, each Tuesday through Feb. 25, a standout first-year player will be chosen for the honor.
Selden, a 6-5 guard from Roxbury, Mass., helped lead the Jayhawks to two wins to start Big 12 play, averaging 22.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists – while also knocking down 8-for-15 from 3-point range.
Up first was a road trip to Oklahoma, where Selden was on fire from behind the arc. He made five 3-pointers en route to 24 points in the 90-83 victory over the Sooners. Considering he had averaged 7.7 points in the three games prior, Selden’s breakout game couldn’t have come at a better time. And then he followed it up with 20 points, four rebounds and three assists in a blowout of Kansas State. Overall, he made 16-for-27 from the field.
On the season, Selden is now averaging 10.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He is shooting 49.6 percent from the field, 42.6 percent from 3-point range, and 51.3 percent from the free-throw line.
The Integris Wayman Tisdale Award is to be presented to the national freshman of the year at the Devon Energy College Basketball Awards on April 14, 2014, 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 to be held annually the Monday following the NCAA Men’s Final Four.
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, Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart became the third winner of the Wayman Tisdale Award. Other notable previous winners of the national freshman of the year award include Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Chris Webber.
The Tisdale Award winner will receive a statuette designed by nationally-recognized sculptor Shan Gray. The April 14 banquet will also honor 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 (405-749-1515, 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 more than 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 links:
• Jeff Borzello’s Wayman Tisdale Award Watch (Jan. 14)
• Integris Wayman Tisdale Award
2013-14 Wayman Tisdale National Freshmen of the Week
• Week of Dec. 8: Chris Perry, USF (American Athletic Conference)
• Week of Dec. 15: Jordan Woodard, Oklahoma (Big 12 Conference)
• Week of Dec. 22: Jabari Parker, Duke (Atlantic Coast Conference)
• Week of Dec. 29: James Young, Kentucky (Southeastern Conference)
• Week of Jan. 5: Marcus Foster, Kansas State (Big 12 Conference)
• Week of Jan. 12: Wayne Selden, Kansas (Big 12 Conference)
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By James Blackburn & Marcus Shockley
Day 1/2 Notes/Observations
High School Division
Raekwon Harney, 6’0”, PG, 2013 (Winston-Salem Prep, Winston-Salem, NC)
Very tight dribble- had very few mistakes from what we saw at beginning of dribbling drills. Has an above average right handed floater but he needs to improve left handed floater. Did a good job of communicating in 3 on 3 drill. Must continue to work on his shooting. One of the quickest guards in attendance.
Giovanni Mack, 5’10”, PG, 2014 ( Providence Senior High, Charlotte, NC)
Impressive in dribbling contact drills- very good right handed ball handler- needs to improve left to a degree. Plays tight defense.
Alec Wintering, 5’10”, PG, 2013 (United Faith, Charlotte, NC)
Excelled through the ball handling drills-especially contact drills. Extremely quick in general even compared to other PG’s present. Shot is effortless motion. Best looking floater in group. Showed a very nice euro-step. Really extends and sells fake. Went through drills at game speed. Hustled and was one of the first guys in when the camp instructor called for players to come in to middle. One of the top guards in the state and he continued to prove it this weekend. One of the best ballhandlers in the nation. Issue is height, but already has several Division I offers.
Clay Byrd, 6’1”, G, 2013 (East Burke HS, Connelly Springs, NC)
Needs to get lower when dribbling- too tall and not low enough of dribble. Impressed with his defense in one on one drills- hustles. Good lefty shooter. Boxes out and rebounds.
Wayne Selden Jr, 6’5”, SG, 2013 (Tilton School, Roxbury, MA)
Looked out of his comfort zone amongst other smaller PG’s in day 1, but really picked it up in day 2 and 3. Great size/frame. Needs to improve lateral quickness. Consistent midrange shooter- great rotation- high release- can hit the 3 as well- one of the better shooters in his group. Looked better in drills in Day 2- looked more comfortable- moved better. Floater was better then I expected. Did well in one on one drills.
Diante Baldwin, 6’0”, PG,2013 (High Point Christian, Greensboro, NC)
Very strong upper body- showed ability to finish with contact- got to rim practically at will with good jab/shoulder/ and ball fakes- over powered all defenders in his group. . Good/aggressive defender- one of the best in his group on both ends of the one on one drills. Needs to stay on balance when shooting- twist his body to his right in air- inconsistent misses. Quick first step.
Anton Beard, 6’0”, G, 2014 (Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High, AR)
Came out from the beginning and made an impression and was making a name for himself for those who hadn’t seen him play. Very tough nosed in the one on one drills. Scored at will- didn’t hardly miss a shot. Good shooter- can shoot with a hand in face. Strong with the ball- can finish with contact. Can beat you off the bounce and with feet set. Solid on the defensive end as well- quick hands. Can take the bumps and finish. Competitive- plays with an edge/chip on shoulder- like he had something to prove. Great rotation when shooting- good elevation as well. Beat everyone in one in one and almost beat Chris Paul losing 3-2. Committed to Missouri.
Zachary Coleman, 6’8”, F, 2013 (Woodrow Wilson HS, Cedar Hill, TX)
Looked impressive tonight overall- did well in one on one drills. Athletic. Injured his ankle in day 2 and was limited thereafter- but had an impressive day 1 of camp. Was able to post up smaller guards, then when pushed outside by bigger guards, was shooting over them. Will probably need to get stronger but has an overall solid balance to his game. Has committed to Missouri.
Sam Hunt, 6’0”, G, 2013 (Dudley HS, Greensboro, NC)
Lefty who can finish with his right hand as well- did not miss a single right hand lay-up or reverse lay-up in drills. Looked consistent in drills shooting/lay-up drills. Struggled to a degree with 2-ball dribbling drills – had to look down quite a bit. Even keeled. quick crossover move. Shooting looked inconsistent. Good/aggressive defender- not afraid to get dirty. Has a variety of scoring moves at rim. Has several offers from LM schools.
Parker Cartwright, 5’10”, PG, 2014 (Loyola HS, Van Nuys, CA)
Looked really good in 2-ball dribbling drills- kept head and eyes up the entire time- one of the few who did- very fluid. Very quick- low dribble. Undersized but still has a couple of years to grow and get stronger. Coachable. Good shooter from deep- best shooter in group- even misses miss off back of rim. Had a nice pump fake and shot without dribbling in 3 on 3 games. Very smooth.
Malik Massey 6’1″, PG/SG, 2015 (Vance HS, Charlotte, NC)
Extremely athletic and smooth combo guard who has a very high upside. Seems destined to be a MM/HM and looks like a lock at high major. Only a rising sophomore, has a strong ability going at the rim and plays bigger than 6’1. More shooting guard than point at the moment but one colleges should be tracking as of now.