Yardbarker: Richard Hendrix

NBA D-League Set To Tip-Off Eighth Season Friday

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:09:48 -0500

The NBA Development League's 2008-09 season begins Friday, Nov. 28, with six games scheduled, including the first-ever game for the Erie BayHawks, who travel to take on the Fort Wayne Mad Ants at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in a Central Division matchup.A The following night, the Reno Bighorns tip off their inaugural season, hosting the Bakersfield JamA at the Reno Events Center, in a Western Division showdown. This season, the league's eighth, and the fourth in which D-League teams have direct affiliations with NBA teams, tips off with seven NBA assigned players on NBA D-League rosters, including Boston's J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker, playing for the Utah Flash; Golden State's Richard Hendrix and DeMarcus Nelson suiting up for the Jam; Memphis' Hamed Haddai honing his game with the Dakota Wizards; Oklahoma City's Steven Hill with the Tulsa 66ers and Ian Mahinmi returning to the Austin Toros from the San Antonio Spurs.A The NBA D-League has also seen it's first GATORADE Call-Up to the NBA this season, with Dakota guard Blake Ahearn earning a spot on the Spurs' roster.A The NBA D-League is coming off a record-breaking 2007-08 season in which an all-time high 31 NBA players were assigned 53 times to their team's NBA D-League affiliate and an all-time high 18 players earned 29 GATORADE Call-Ups to NBA teams.A At the start of the 2008-09 NBA season, 60 players with NBA D-League experience were featured on NBA opening day rosters, including 2007-08 assigned guard Ramon Sessions (Tulsa, Milwaukee) and Kelenna Azubuike, who earned a GATORADE Call-Up during the 2006-07 season from the Fort Worth Flyers to the Golden State Warriors.A Last season, 15 percent of all players in the NBA were NBA D-League alumni, including the NBA D-League's 100th GATORADE Call-Up, GoldenState's C.J. Watson Additionally, one-third of the 2007 NBA draft class played in the NBA D-League to improve their skills and accelerate their development.A For the 2008-09 season, the NBA D-League's 16 teams are broken into three divisions: the Central Division, West Division and Southwest Division. The Central Division is comprised of Dakota, Erie, Fort Wayne, the Iowa Energy and Sioux Falls Skyforce while the West Division includes the Anaheim Arsenal, Bakersfield, 2007-08 NBA D-League Champion Idaho Stampede, Los Angeles D-Fenders, Reno and Utah.A The Southwest Division consists of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, Austin, Colorado 14ers, Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Tulsa. NBA D-League teams each play a 50-game regular season schedule, including 24 home games, 24 road games, and two games at the annual NBA D-League Showcase. The Showcase, which features all 16 NBA D-League teams playing 16 games in four days, will take place from January 5-8 on the Flash's home court in Orem, Utah, with all games aired on NBA TV.A The regular season begins Friday and ends April 11.A The Playoffs will begin on April 13 at the earliest. The NBA D-League will continue to have a large presence during NBA All-Star festivities, with the third-annual NBA D-League All-Star Game taking place in PhoenixA NBA D-League All-Stars will also participate in the second annual Dream Factory Skills Competition and numerous other community and fan events.A on Feb. 14, 2008.Source: NBA Development League A OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK Editorial: Citigroup Walking Away from Mets Naming Deal Isn't as Easy as it Seems - The Biz of Baseball Time Magazine Cites MLB Instant Replay as One of its "Inventions of the Year" - The Biz of Baseball How Sports Sites Are Unwittingly Selling Everything from Watches to Tickets - The Biz of Baseball Marlins Bump Opening Date of New Stadium to 2012 - The Biz of Baseball Plan B. Branding Offers Glance at New Era Cap Offerings - The Biz of Baseball Delta Becomes Official Airline of the New York Yankees - The Biz of Baseball Maury Brown on XM 175. 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NFL to Lower Playoff Ticket Costs by 10% Due to Economy - The Biz of Football Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer.Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.Don't forget to register and log in on The Biz of Basketball site to get updates via your in-box, and see information only logged in members can see.

When In Doubt....RUN!

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:00:42 -0500

Lost in all the "Kool-Aid" drinking of the Alabama football team, (By the way, the fans were correct in their thoughts after the Clemson game, the football team is good) the college basketball season will be starting soon. Which means the ultimate media puppet master will start giving us his annual quotes.

And it's already started. Here's what our boy Mark Gottfried had to say about how the 2008-2009 team will play this year.

According to head coach Mark Gottfried and point guard Ronald Steele, the Crimson Tide will be a faster, more perimeter-oriented unit. It may not be the organized chaos of the old Arkansas teams and their "40 Minutes of Hell" approach, but Steele says it will at least be 40 Minutes of Unpleasantness for opponents.

"As far as being like the way Tennessee played last year, I don't know if we will go that far or not," Steele said at a Wednesday media briefing. "We're definitely not going to be the old Arkansas teams. But perimeter play is going to be the strength of this team. We've got a lot of guards, we've got a lot of people playing and we are definitely playing faster."

Here's another nugget..
"Remember, when we had Richard Hendrix and Jermareo Davidson, you don't want to fly up and down the floor," Gottfried said. "You got to build your team to your personnel. And we've got some real quickness on the perimeter. To run, you've got to be a great rebounding team, a great defensive team, and you've got to get some steals. We have a great opportunity for that."
Sound familiar to you?
It should.
Here's what he said last year....
Although 6-foot-9 forward and Wooden Award candidate Richard Hendrix (14.6 points per game last season) and explosive 6-6 guard Alonzo Gee (12.6 ppg) return as starters, Gottfried has equally high hopes for 6-6 shooting guard Mykal Riley in what the coach calls more of an "up-tempo style" of Alabama offense.
Whenever the Tide basketball team is coming off a bad year, the standard line is "We will go more up-tempo." Why do you think that is?
Because it sounds good. It sounds fun. Who wouldn't want to watch a team that runs the ball up and down the court? Who wouldn't want to watch a team that scores 100 points a night and has multiple highlight reel plays as possible.
But there is one problem with going "up tempo". It's the reason you won't see them play faster and the reason we hear that the team will improve in that area every year. It's something I would love to hear a member of the media ask Gottfried about sometime.
You can't run the court and play the high post offense. At least not the high post offense that Alabama has been running over the last few years. But it sounds good, so we'll read stories about it. Besides, if you want to see an up tempo team, you'll get your chance. In Maui, 2nd game. The Tar Heels. Our first great quote.... That can only mean one thing..... Basketball season is here.....

Top 10 Impact Freshman: College Basketball

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:23:11 -0500

It's another year for our top-notch college basketball. When you go to the real media for your Top 10 Impact Freshman, you get a list of the same ten guys you've heard about since NBADraft.net started its mock drafts two years ago.

Beasley: Rivals.com rated him #1 while others balkedCredit: CNN/SI

For that reason, we are going to exclude the odds-on best freshmen at each position per Rivals.com. You will most certainly hear about these players early and often. Perhaps too often for your sanity. They include the following:

PG: Jrue Holliday, UCLA. Rivals.com lists him Holliday as the top point guard while Scout.com ranks him as the top shooting guard. The jury is out on how much he'll play at the 1, it's no secret that Darren Collison struggles against big guards.
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXVuaMLcaTA

SG: Demar DeRozan, USC. DeRozan has all the tools to dominate. Is his 6'7", 200-pound frame enough to withstand the rigors of conference play?
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbOgK1tTFQw

SF: Al Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest. A consensus top 10 recruit, Aminu presents mismatches allowing him to rent space in the paint against smaller defenders and race to the hoop past bigger ones.
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN16chqIaaE

PF: Greg Monroe, Georgetown. To prepare for the college game and dog-eat-dog mentality of the Big East, Monroe beefed up 25 pounds. Skilled and able to rebound, Monroe will certainly learn how to become an elite defender within JT3's system.
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkobJjBaLig

C: BJ Mullens, Ohio State. The odds-on #1 pick in next year's draft, Mullens is the latest in Ohio State's giant factory. He instantly makes the Buckeyes relevant in the Big Ten and is a mortal lock for a double-double average.
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGxXFfNQBLI

With the most obvious impact players out of the way, let's take a look at ten others that you should keep your eyes peeled for.

1. Willie Warren, SG, Oklahoma. Last season, Oklahoma lacked a perimeter presence to match that of Blake Griffin and Longar Longar. This season, Warren and an improved Tony Crocker will bring the backcourt on par with the frontcourt. If Warren performs (and Griffin stays healthy), Oklahoma will take the Big 12.

2. Tyreke Evans, SG, Memphis. Among the nation's most touted recruits, Evans has a NBA-ready body with prototypical two-guard size. Not to mention, his 6'11" wingspan (real height: 6'6") is sure to disrupt passing lanes. With their two top scorers gone, Evans will be expected to light up, but he'll have to learn how to be unselfish to win.

3. Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State. Considered the 3rd-best small forward in the recruiting class by Rivals.com, Singleton has great size, can shoot the rock, rebound and plays aggressively around the rim.

4. Scotty Hopson, SG/SF, Tennessee. Exit Lofton. Enter Hopson. They're not the same type of player. Hopson's athleticism and skill level are superb, and Bruce Pearl will be sure to work on his shot.

5. Devin Ebanks, F, West Virginia. When Ebanks was being recruited, Bob Huggins was envisioning a pairing with Joe Alexander, who of course is now in the NBA. He's an explosive forward who'll benefit from the backcourt of Joe Mazzulla and Alex Ruoff.

6. Samardo Samuels, PF, Louisville. To compete in the Big East, you need bigs who can ball. Rick Pitino won't expect Samuels to have David Padgett's basketball IQ, but he will expect him to work hard in the blocks against the likes of Harangody, Thabeet and Monroe.

7. DeAndre Liggins, PG, Kentucky. With Ramel Bradley, Joe Crawford and Derek Jasper out of the program, the consensus top 30 recruit has a chance to shine like none other. Liggins is a stat-sheet stuffer with the intangibles to boot.

Liggins: Could be the key to Patrick Patterson dominating the SEC

Credit: USA Today

8. JaMychal Green, PF, Alabama. Anchor. That's the word Davidson head coach Bob McKillop used to describe Green. He will have a learning curve playing in the SEC, but it's not as steep as one would imagine. Green's a great replacement for Richard Hendrix.

9. Luke Babbitt, F, Nevada. Babbitt can score. How much? He holds the Nevada high school scoring record with nearly 3,000 points. Inside or outside, Babbitt brings it.

10. Klay Thompson, SG, Washington State. The son of Mychal Thompson, Klay has crazy range and fits nicely into Tony Bennett's system. If he's not a strong defensive player now, he'll at least pick up team defense by March. In the meanwhile, his coaches would be happy if he fills some of the scoring void left by outgoing guards Kyle Weaver and Derrick Low.

Warriors Move to Fill Void Left By Davis

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:01:19 -0500

The Golden State Warriors wasted little time rebuilding from within after watching star point guard Baron Davis move south to join the Los Angeles Clippers.

Warriors Move to Fill Void Left By Davis

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:03:54 -0500

The Golden State Warriors wasted little time rebuilding from within after watching star point guard Baron Davis move south to join the Los Angeles Clippers. On Thursday, Chris Broussard of ESPN reported that the team has offered one of the largest pay raises in league history to 22 year-old restricted free agent Monta Ellis, signing the guard to a six-year, $67 million contract. Ellis, a second round draft pick in 2005, will make $11 million this season, up from his 2007/08 salary of $770,610. Vice President of basketball operations Chris Mullin told the AP that, "We are absolutely thrilled to have Monta under contract for the next several years. He has been one of the top young players in the NBA for the last two years and enjoyed a tremendous season last year. The growth that he has demonstrated at such a young age is incredible and we look forward to him playing a big part in our future success." Ellis averaged 20 points per game as the 2-guard last season, but will start this fall at the point, feeding new shooting guard Stephen Jackson and small forward Corey Maggette. The team also matched the Clippers’ offer of a 3-year/$9 million contract to reserve guard Kelenna Azubuike. As reported by the Associated Press, the D-League alumnus started 17 games for the Warriors last season, and should see increased playing time this year. "We are pleased to have Kelenna back in the fold," said Chris Mullin, the Warriors' top basketball executive. "He's a young and talented player who has continued to improve during his two seasons with our team. His versatility, athleticism and ability to shoot the 3-pointer certainly fit our style of play." Azubuike had signed an offer sheet with the Clippers last week, but Golden State matched the numbers to retain the reliable back-up. The team also announced that it has signed this year’s second round pick, forward Richard Hendrix. OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK Bleacher Bar, other Amenities Introduced at Fenway - The Biz of Baseball The Cubs Sale Will Be Like None Other - The Biz of Baseball Mets Owner Wilpon Says He "Screwed Up" on Randolph Firing - The Biz of Baseball MLB Authentic Collection Partners With "Music For Relief" - The Biz of Baseball MLB.com Smashes Online Ticket Sales Record - The Biz of Baseball A-Rod Jumps to William Morris Agency to Boost Image - The Biz of Basedball Canucks Raise Prices, Retain Season Ticket Holders - The Biz of Hockey Chicago's Wrigley Field to Host Next Outdoor Classic on New Years Day - The Biz of Hockey Jaromir Jagr First Major NHL Player to Crossover to Continental Hockey League - The Biz of Hockey Bill Johnson is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network

Warriors Move to Fill Void Left By Davis

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:50:24 -0500

The Golden State Warriors wasted little time rebuilding from within after watching star point guard Baron Davis move south to join the Los Angeles Clippers.? On Thursday, Chris Broussard of ESPN reported that the team has offered one of the largest pay raises in league history to 22 year-old restricted free agent Monta Ellis, signing the guard to a six-year, $67 million contract.? Ellis, a second round draft pick in 2005, will make $11 million this season, up from his 2007/08 salary of $770,610.? Vice President of basketball operations Chris Mullin told the AP that, "We are absolutely thrilled to have Monta under contract for the next several years. He has been one of the top young players in the NBA for the last two years and enjoyed a tremendous season last year. The growth that he has demonstrated at such a young age is incredible and we look forward to him playing a big part in our future success." ?Ellis averaged 20 points per game as the 2-guard last season, but will start this fall at the point, feeding new shooting guard Stephen Jackson and small forward Corey Maggette. The team also matched the Clippers' offer of a 3-year/$9 million contract to reserve guard Kelenna Azubuike. As reported by the Associated Press, the D-League alumnus started 17 games for the Warriors last season, and should see increased playing time this year.? "We are pleased to have Kelenna back in the fold," said Chris Mullin, the Warriors' top basketball executive. "He's a young and talented player who has continued to improve during his two seasons with our team. His versatility, athleticism and ability to shoot the 3-pointer certainly fit our style of play."?? Azubuike had signed an offer sheet with the Clippers last week, but Golden State matched the numbers to retain the reliable back-up.? The team also announced that it has signed this year's second round pick, forward Richard Hendrix.?OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK Bleacher Bar, other Amenities Introduced at Fenway - The Biz of Baseball The Cubs Sale Will Be Like None Other - The Biz of Baseball Mets Owner Wilpon Says He "Screwed Up" on Randolph Firing - The Biz of Baseball MLB Authentic Collection Partners With "Music For Relief" - The Biz of Baseball MLB.com Smashes Online Ticket Sales Record - The Biz of Baseball A-Rod Jumps to William Morris Agency to Boost Image - The Biz of Basedball Canucks Raise Prices, Retain Season Ticket Holders - The Biz of Hockey Chicago's Wrigley Field to Host Next Outdoor Classic on New Years Day - The Biz of Hockey Jaromir Jagr First Major NHL Player to Crossover to Continental Hockey League - The Biz of Hockey Bill Johnson is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network

Grading The NBA Draft (By Agencies)

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:00:48 -0500

It has been a week since ESPN delightfully covered the 2008 NBA Draft. Adam Silver has never had as many people cheer for him in his life (if you did not see the second round, then you have no idea what I am talking about). We have had enough time to digest the plethora of trades, the Darrell Arthur disaster, and the opening of free agency. It is now time to look back and see how the top agencies fared in the draft process. If an agency only had one client taken in the draft, I figured it would be better to leave their name off of here (that does not mean in any way that they did not have a successful draft). Onward! 1. Wasserman Media Group (Arn Tellem, BJ Armstrong, Dan Tobin, Greg Lawrence, Thad Foucher, Bob Myers) - The WMG team had an unprecidented draft. BJ Armstrong stole the show by representing the #1 overall pick, Derrick Rose. Because BJ was always mentioned with Rose, many looked over the fact that he is also the primary agent for #14 pick, Anthony Randolph. Quite a first year for the one-time Chicago Bull. Arn Tellem did not do too poorly himself. Danillo Gallinari went higher than many had anticipated during the week. While Tellem may not be "listed" as the primary agent for many of WMG's 7 first round picks, you have to believe he had a heavy hand in persuading the players to go Wasserman's way. Add to the stable Brook Lopez, Robin Lopez, Maarty Leunen, D.J. Augustin?yeah, this one is easy?Grade = A+ 2. Priority Sports (Mark Bartelstein, Aaron Mintz, Brad Ames) - Forget A-Rod vs. Canseco, T.O. vs. the media, and Shawn Chacon vs. the Astros GM. I want to see Tellem vs. Bartelstein. If you had to ask me which two names currently dominate the NBPA agent landscape, it would have to be these two fellows. If your last name starts with a "B", chances are, Bartelstein represents you. His company got J.R. Giddons drafted in the first round, way above where I thought he would go. At the same time, Trent Plaisted slipped a little further than Bartelstein probably hoped he would. The company definitely jumped for joy when Brandon Rush became a lottery pick. Overall, Priority had another solid showing. Grade = A 3. BDA Sports (Billy Duffy, Calvin Andrews, Rade Filipovich) - The biggest news leading up to the NBA Draft had maintained the spotlight for quite some time: O.J. Mayo fired Calvin Andrews and BDA Sports after NCAA violations came to light regarding Mayo's acceptance of money through a runner for the agency. In my mind, BDA had to do quite a lot to rebound from that devastating news, which may continue to get worse if further sanctions are placed on the agency. I do not feel like they ended up very happy. Besides losing Mayo, James Gist was picked later than expected, but Goran Dragic was taken right about where he was predicted to go. Overall, 2008 was a disappointing year for a company that used to be right up alongside Priorty. Grade = C- 4. Excel Sports Management (Jeff Schwartz, Sam Goldfeder) - For a long time, mock drafts had Jerryd Bayless projected as a top-4 pick. It is not Schwartz's fault that Bayless slipped as draft day approached; Bayless was probably being hyped a little bit too much beforehand. Having a lottery pick is always a win for a sports agency, and Excel must be happy that Bayless went in the top 14. Having two lottery picks is even nicer?Kevin Love is also a client. The true icing on the cake is that Luc Richard Mbah a Moute was taken at the beginning of the second round. Mbah a Moute was not even a lock to be picked at all. Grade = A 5. Montgomery Sports Group (Roger Montgomery) - Not a bad draft for a man who only represented four guys going into last Thursday. Sonny Weems was taken higher than expected and Darrell Jackson went right about where he was predicted to land?and to a team that desperately needs some help. I have no criticism for Roger, but until he breaks into the first round, I am unable to give him an A. Grade = B+ 6. Creative Artists Agency (Leon Rose, Andre Buck) - It was looking like CAA was going to be left out of the first round shuffle until the aforementioned O.J. Mayo affair went down. But even more surprising is that CAA ended up with two lottery picks. The second is Jason Thompson, who has Andre Buck as his primary advisor. Who could have predicted that the Rider forward would be selected twelfth overall? The only thing holding me back from giving CAA an A+ is the slipping of CDR (Chris Douglas-Roberts). Tenth pick in the second round? Something went wrong there. Grade = A- 7. ASM Sports (Andy Miller, Justin Zanik) - Serge Ibaka, Sasha Kaun, Omer Asik, J.J. Hickson, Marreese Speights, Deron Washington, and Richard Hendrix all got drafted. It seems like ASM has not gotten its due praise because WMG has been taking all of the headlines. Someone hire a PR expert for this company, ASAP! Between WMG and ASM, how does anyone else compete? Sure, James Mays and David Padgett were not selected, but I am sure that they will find a team to play for. Grade = A+

NBA Draft Early-Entries Are Established

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:34:12 -0500

Perhaps you checked out the new Dynasty Newswire? Yesterday, Austin Walton posted his thoughts on which early entries would definitely stay in the 2008 NBA Draft, who he believed should stay, and who would benefit most from pulling out and going back to school for at least another year. It looks like a few of them got Austin's note and took his advice. Believing that the 6?9 J.J. Hickson of N.C. State would probably end up an 18-24 overall pick (which is higher than most draft boards have him slotted), Austin felt that he would stay in the draft. It ends up that he sealed that deal by hiring Andy Miller of ASM Sports. As Austin expected, Danny Green and Wayne Ellington decided to return to UNC for at least another year. What he did not expect was that their buddy, Ty Lawson, would return as well. Remember what happened when UF brought back Noah, Brewer, Horford, and Green when everyone thought at least some of them would be leaving? Yeah?NCAA Championship part 2. For UNC, this could be the first championship ring for the trio. The shorty, A.J. Abrams, will predictably be back at UTexas next year, but Chase Budinger, who Austin felt would definitely stay in the draft, retracted his name at the last moment and will return to Arizona. Others that took Austin's advice to go back to school include Robert Dozier, Robert Vaden, and Jeremy Pargo. Some that did not take Austin's word and will instead keep their names in the draft are: Richard Hendrix, Ryan Anderson, and Luc Richard Mbah A Moute. For the full listing of who is in and who is out, stop by the always trusty DraftExpress.com.

Time to decide for underclassmen

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 10:46:38 -0500

DECISION TIME A.J. Abrams, Texas STATUS: Should head back to campus THE BUZZ: The 5-10 shooting guard shocked everyone - including the Texas coaching staff - when he entered the draft. It would be an even bigger shock if he gets drafted. Joe Alexander, West Virginia STATUS: Likely to stay in THE BUZZ: Nobody may have seen his stock rise more since early March. Alexander averaged 23.8 points over his last nine games, then excelled in the combine portion of the pre-draft camp. He is projected as a late lottery pick. Josh Akognon, Cal-State Fullerton STATUS: Should head back to campus THE BUZZ: At best, this 5-11 guard has an outside chance at being a second-round pick. He was not invited to the pre-draft camp. Ryan Anderson, California STATUS: On the fence THE BUZZ: Anderson is looking for a first-round guarantee. If the forward doesn't get it, new Cal coach Mike Montgomery may have the best player in the Pac-10 next season. Chase Budinger, Arizona STATUS: Likely to stay in THE BUZZ: It's tough to envision any scenario where Budinger slips out of the first round -- which likely means he's staying in the draft. His other option is to return to a program whose coaching staff seems to be in constant limbo. Mario Chalmers, Kansas STATUS: Likely to stay in THE BUZZ: After a recent workout with the Denver Nuggets, Chalmers told reporters he has no intention of staying in school. He probably will be taken between the 20th and 40th picks. Lee Cummard, BYU STATUS: Should head back to campus THE BUZZ: Four NBA teams are bringing in Cummard for workouts, but he didn't receive an invitation to the pre-draft camp. Unless the swingman plays extraordinarily well at those workouts, he'll be suiting up for the Cougars next season. Robert Dozier, Memphis STATUS: Should head back to campus THE BUZZ: Dozier has been criss-crossing the country working out for teams, but Memphis coach John Calipari expects the big man to pull out of the draft. He would be fortunate to be selected in the second round. Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis STATUS: A lock to stay in THE BUZZ: Signing with an agent is a mere formality for CDR. He has made it clear his college career is over. He is expected to be taken between the 20th and 30th picks. Wayne Ellington, North Carolina STATUS: Should head back to campus THE BUZZ: Ellington looked great at times at the pre-draft camp -- but he also looked terrible at times, too. He is a second-round pick at best. Jamont Gordon, Mississippi State STATUS: Likely to stay in THE BUZZ: Gordon, who has been busy on the workout circuit, is committed to staying in the draft even though it's a deep class for point guards and he probably won't be taken until the second round. Danny Green, North Carolina STATUS: Should head back to campus THE BUZZ: Racked up multiple injuries at the pre-draft camp. He's hoping to get a second-round guarantee, but that is a long shot. Richard Hendrix, Alabama STATUS: On the fence THE BUZZ: He put together a solid performance at the pre-draft camp, but remains a borderline first-round pick at best. J.J. Hickson, N.C. State STATUS: On the fence THE BUZZ: Needs to impress in workouts to lock up a spot in the first round. Otherwise, draft day will be a nerve-wracking experience. George Hill, IUPUI STATUS: Should head back to campus THE BUZZ: Played well at pre-draft camp, but with so many point guards available, he likely would go undrafted. Lester Hudson, Tennessee-Martin STATUS: On the fence THE BUZZ: A lot of teams are showing interest, but this small-school star measured a shade under 6 feet (5-11 3/4). That's a big concern, especially when you're not a true point guard. Ty Lawson, North Carolina STATUS: Likely to stay in THE BUZZ: Remains a probable first-round pick despite a recent arrest for driving after drinking alcohol. The Denver Nuggets may take Lawson with the 20th pick. Jeremy Pargo, Gonzaga STATUS: Should head back to campus THE BUZZ: Showed he could score at the pre-draft camp but had problems taking care of the ball. He would be better-served by using his senior year to sharpen his skills. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, UCLA STATUS: Should head back to campus THE BUZZ: Not returning to school would be a big mistake. He has little chance of being drafted. Ronald Steele, Alabama STATUS: Should head back to campus THE BUZZ: Had a so-so performance at pre-draft camp. Questions remain about whether Steele can regain the quickness he had two years ago. If he stays in the draft, he can do no better than a second-round pick. Robert Vaden, UAB STATUS: Should head back to campus THE BUZZ: Vaden was at the pre-draft camp and has been working out for teams, but he'd be risking going undrafted if he doesn't pull out. Bill Walker, Kansas State STATUS: Likely will stay in THE BUZZ: Walker, who elected not to go to the pre-draft camp, is banking on impressing scouts at workouts. He is projected as a borderline first-rounder.

NBA Draft: Richard Hendrix Dynamite In Denver?

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:32:28 -0500

In the 2008 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets have been shown selecting Mareese Speights with the 20th overall pick in several mock drafts. Why draft Speights; a freshman, when you can instead draft a proven leader in Alabama F, Richard Hendrix. Hendrix averages www.rawsportsblog.com

In One Night, Miss. State Survives Buzzer Beater, Tornado and Free Throw Demons

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:09:39 -0500

A wild and lucky night for Mississippi State in Atlanta, Georgia.

Coming Back Strong

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 03:33:59 -0500

I'm about as confident in this one as Roy Hibbert is tall. The 7'2" Hoya center is an absolute force down low. The immovable object. While he'll have his hands full with Crimson Tide center Richard Hendrix, I have a feeling the big man will step up and take over in the second half. DaJuan Summers has been on fire as of late and should get plenty of open looks tonight with the..