May 2019 Basketball Wiretap

UConn Expected To Return To Big East In 2020

Jun 22, 2019 2:53 PM

UConn will reportedly leave the American Athletic Conference and return to the Big East in 2020, sources told Jeff Borzell and Mark Schlabach of ESPN.

UConn's board of trustees have yet to vote on the proposal, though the decision is expected to be approved. An announcement could come as early as next week. 

There is still a question of what will happen to UConn's football team as the Big East does not have football. Sources told ESPN that the football team could go independent following the decision.

UConn was an original member of the Big East conference that formed in 1979. 

Jeff Borzello & Mark Schlabach/ESPN

Tags: UConn Huskies, Big East Conference, NCAA

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James Wiseman, Anthony Edwards, Cole Anthony Go Top-3 In ESPN's First 2020 Mock Draft

Jun 22, 2019 10:03 AM

ESPN has James Wiseman projected to go No. 1 in their first 2020 NBA Mock Draft with Anthony Edwards going No. 2.

Wiseman is a 7'1 center who will attend Memphis, while Edwards is a 6'3 shooting guard for Georgia.

Combo guard Cole Anthony is projected to go No. 3.

Jonathan Givony writes that the race for No. 1 is currently wide open, particularly because NBA teams are not valuing centers as much in recent years.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: James Wiseman, Cole Anthony, Anthony Edwards, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Mock Drafts

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LaMelo Ball Signs With Illawarra Hawks Of Australia

Jun 17, 2019 3:33 PM

LaMelo Ball has agreed to sign with the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League on a two-year deal with NBA out clauses.

Ball played for a year in Lithuania in 2018, which compromised his NCAA eligibility

"My agents did a ton of research on the options I had to play this coming season and Australia really made sense for me," Ball told ESPN. "They have a really strong league, with excellent coaches and great players, including former and future NBA players, and great strength and conditioning programs. My goal is to be the top pick in next year's Draft and I feel they can help me reach that goal. Also, the timing of the season works well with the timing of next year's Draft."

Ball is the No. 21 prospect in the incoming college class of 2019.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: LaMelo Ball, Illawarra, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, International, NBA Draft General, International Teams

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John Calipari Signs 10-Year Contract Extension With Kentucky

Jun 16, 2019 5:57 PM

A clause in John Calipari's 10-year contract extension with Kentucky allows him to move into a role as the special assistant to the athletic director after 6 years.

Calipari's new extension is worth $86 million over 10 years.

Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart added that the extension would see out Calipari's coaching career.

"One of the truly unique things about Kentucky men's basketball is its legacy of head coaches who have made their own lasting mark on this program. John is a perfect illustration of that. He has added a special chapter to the greatest tradition in college basketball and it's a chapter we want him to continue writing until the end of his coaching career," said the school in a statement.

Myron Medcalf/ESPN

Tags: Kentucky Wildcats, NCAA, NCAA B-Ball IQ

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Isaiah Moss Announces Transfer To Kansas

Jun 11, 2019 2:05 AM

Isaiah Moss announced his commitment to Kansas, according to Jeff Borzello of ESPN.

Moss, a graduate transfer from Iowa, averaged 9.2 points on 42.1% from 3-point range last season.

Bill Self noted that importance of Moss' shooting ability with the 3-point line getting moved back next season.

Jeff Borzello ESPN Staff Writer

Tags: Kansas Jayhawks, NCAA, NCAA Transfer

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Lars Thiemann Announces Commitment To Cal

Jun 9, 2019 2:14 PM

Lars Thiemann officially announced his commitment to Cal.

"I'm happy and proud to announce that I will join Cal next season. I'm incredibly excited to be a part of Mark Fox's very first recruiting class. I couldn't pass on the opportunity to attend such an academically prestigious university while playing college basketball at a level like the Pac-12," Thiemann told Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

The 7-foot Thiemann averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds for Leverkusen in the German NBBL U19 league last season.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: California Golden Bears, NCAA, NCAA Commitment

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Donnie Tillman To Sit Out 19-20 NCAA Season

Jun 9, 2019 10:45 AM

Utah forward Donnie Tillman announced that he was going to sit out next season to take care of his mother, who has epilepsy.

"I respect both the University and the fans more now for understanding my wanting to be with my mother at this time, as her ongoing health issues continue. Coach [Larry] Krystkowiak believes in putting family first, and I cannot thank him enough for allowing me to follow in his lead," said Tillman in a statement.

Tillman is the reigning Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year. 

Tillman averaged 10.5 points and 5.3 rebounds last season.

ESPN

Tags: Utah Utes, NCAA, NCAA B-Ball IQ

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Jordan Brown Announces Transfer To Arizona

Jun 8, 2019 6:31 PM

Jordan Brown announced on Twitter that he will transfer to Arizona from Nevada.

"I want to begin by thanking the city of Reno for filling Lawlor every night and making it a great atmosphere for my first year of college. The love and support you showed us was something I'll never forget ... but with that being said, I would like to announce that I will be continuing my college career at the University of Arizona," wrote on Twitter.

Brown was ranked as the #33 player in the ESPN 100 for the class of 2018. He averaged 3.0 points and 2.1 rebounds in his freshman season.

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Tags: Arizona Wildcats, NCAA, NCAA Transfer

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Seventh Woods Announces Transfer To South Carolina

Jun 8, 2019 6:20 PM

Seventh Woods announced on Instagram that he will enroll at South Carolina.

Woods, who was an ESPN 100 recruit for the class of 2016, started just 1 game in 3 years at UNC. He averaged 2.5 points and 2.1 assists in 34 games as a junior.

Woods is expected to have 1 year or eligibility remaining after sitting out next season.

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Tags: Seventh Woods, South Carolina Gamecocks, NCAA, NCAA Transfer

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Mike Krzyzewski's Grandson Joins Duke As Walk-On

Jun 7, 2019 1:42 AM

Mike Krzyzewski's grandson Michael Savarino will join Duke as a walk-on for the 2019-20 season.

"He's earned it. Michael was a really good player at Durham Academy, well-coached there, they had their best season ever. Played on a talented team this year. Michael is a leader, he's a good shooter, player," Krzyzewski said last week. 

Savarino appeared in a Sportscenter commercial in 2015 in which he texts Justise Winslow an emoji on behalf of Krzyzewski. 

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Tags: Duke Blue Devils, NCAA, NCAA B-Ball IQ

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Kenyon Martin Jr. Reportedly Skipping College To Pursue Pro Basketball Career

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

NCAA To Move 3-Point Line Back To International Distance Next Season

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Jahvon Quinerly Transfers To Alabama

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Juwan Howard Hires Phil Martelli As Michigan Assistant

Jeff Borzello/ESPN