May 2020 Basketball Wiretap

Daimion Collins Commits To Kentucky

Oct 31, 2020 10:02 PM

Daimion Collins announced his commitment to Kentucky on Saturday.

A 6-foot-10 power forward, Collins is ranked No. 24 for the 2021 class by ESPN.

Collins picked the Wildcats over Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech.

"I like how their players have developed. Me playing with and against great players, hopefully it will make me a great player. I am ready for the challenge," said Collins.

Kentucky now has three pledges for the 2021 class. 

Jeff Borzello & Paul Biancardi/ESPN

Tags: Daimion Collins, Kentucky Wildcats, NCAA, NCAA Commitment

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Mac McClung Eligible To Play For Texas Tech This Season

Oct 31, 2020 2:33 PM

Texas Tech guard Mac McClung will be eligible to play this season after receiving a transfer waiver.

McClung transferred from Georgetown last May.

McClung averaged 15.7 points and 2.4 assists last season at Georgetown.

The guard could fight for a starting spot with Texas Tech this upcoming season.

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Tags: Mac McClung, Texas Tech Red Raiders, NCAA, NCAA Transfer

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Caleb Houstan Becomes Highest Ranked Michigan Commit Since 2007

Oct 31, 2020 12:53 PM

Five-star recruit Caleb Houstan announced his commitment to Michigan.

Houstan, the No. 10 ranked player in the 2021 class, is the highest ranked Michigan commit since at least 2007.

Originally in the 2022 class, Houstan reclassified over the summer.

Houston pointed to Juwan Howard's background in the NBA as a deciding factor. 

"He played in the NBA for 19 years and knows what it takes to get there and stay there. I think he can help me both on and off the court and in preparing to get to the next level. I know he's going to push me every single day in order for me to get better and develop as a player."

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Caleb Houstan, Michigan Wolverines, NCAA, NCAA Commitment

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Dallan 'Deebo' Coleman Commits To Georgia Tech

Oct 29, 2020 1:31 AM

Dallan "Deebo" Coleman announced his commitment to Georgia Tech on Thursday.

Coleman, ranked No. 34 in the 2021 class, is the highest ranked recruit of Josh Pastner's era.

"He's a skilled scorer and shot-maker with deep range and very good size on the perimeter," said ESPN recruiting analyst Adam Finkelstein.

Coleman is Pastner's second recruit for the 2021 class, joining Miles Kelly. 

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Tags: Deebo Coleman, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, NCAA, NCAA Commitment

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NBA Insiders Fear Knicks Could Become 'Kentucky Pipeline Team'

Oct 28, 2020 6:18 PM

The New York Knicks hired Leon Rose, who was a longtime agent with CAA, to run their front office earlier this year and Bill Simmons of The Ringer suggests people around the league are monitoring the possibility of former Kentucky players could be funneled to the franchise.

Rose also hired William Wesley for a role in the front office, who was his colleague at CAA.

"There's also a real fear in the NBA," said Bill Simmons. "I'm fine talking about this. It's rumor, heresy stuff. But it's just a fact. Kentucky, Worldwide Wes had a great relationship with John Calipari. CAA's got multiple Kentucky guys and there's a real fear in the league that the Knicks are going to become the Kentucky pipeline team.

"Devin Booker is a great example of that, right? Even though he's on a big deal right now, at some point if he wanted to move out of there...

"The league is kind of watching the Kentucky factor with that team.

"I think even [Anthony] Davis, if the Lakers hadn't won the title this year, who knows? Right? Are we positive he would have stayed? I don't know. All of the signs, all of the dialogue was like 'LeBron and him love each other'. But who knows what would have happened?

"That Knicks thing is intriguing," replied Kevin O'Connor. 

"Also, if you're the Kentucky pipeline team, that's a good thing because that's the one true pipeline we have right now. All the Kentucky guys know each other, like each other. Every year they have top dudes."

Kentucky has the most former players currently in the NBA.

"All this stuff, follow the breadcrumbs. Rich Paul and Klutch, the same thing. The agents carry a lot more sway than people think."

Bill Simmons/The Ringer

Tags: New York Knicks, Kentucky Wildcats, NCAA, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bryce Hopkins Commits To Kentucky

Oct 27, 2020 1:19 AM

Bryce Hopkins announced his commitment to Kentucky on Monday.

Hopkins, a top-35 senior, gives John Calipari his second commit for the 2021 class.

Hopkins decommitted from Louisville in August, before choosing the Wildcats over Illinois, Providence, and Indiana. 

"He's a big-bodied combo forward with long arms, huge hands and is a legit mismatch problem because of his ability to score in different ways from various spots on the floor," said ESPN recruiting analyst Adam Finkelstein. 

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Tags: Bryce Hopkins, Kentucky Wildcats, NCAA, NCAA Commitment

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Arizona Served With Nine Misconduct Allegations

Oct 26, 2020 8:09 AM

The University of Arizona have been served with nine allegations of misconduct with five of them being Level I allegations.

Arizona has also been charged with lack of institutional control and failure to monitor, and Wildcats coach Sean Miller has been charged with lack of head coach control.

Arizona is the eighth university to publicly acknowledge receiving an NCAA notice of allegations related to information obtained from a federal investigation into bribes and other misconduct in college basketball, joining Kansas, Louisville, NC State, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, TCU and USC.

Mark Schlabach/ESPN

Tags: Arizona Wildcats, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Mohegan Sun To Host Early-Season Tournaments, Over 30 College Basketball Teams In Bubble

Oct 24, 2020 4:04 PM

The Mohegan Sun has agreed to host two early-season college basketball tournaments and several "pods" of games in their bubble.

The Tip-Off Tournament, Women's Challenge, Empire Classic, and the Legends Classic will all move to Connecticut from their previous locations.

The Mohegan Sun has a 10,000 seat basketball arena that is currently the home of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun.

More than 35 teams will participate in games between November 25th and December 5th.

UConnUSCVirginiaFloridaSt. John'sUMassVanderbiltBYULouisville, and North Carolina State are among teams that have agreed to play at the Mohegan Sun.

"It's a single site, secluded location, with enormous square footage for social distancing," said Greg Procino, vice president of basketball operations for the Hall of Fame.

Tom Cantone, the senior vice president for sports and entertainment at Mohegan Sun, added that while it will not be a full bubble like the NBA, the environment will be highly controlled.

"We're just following the playbook we've already established and has been working brilliantly,'' said Cantone. 

ESPN

Tags: NCAA, NCAA B-Ball IQ

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Skyy Clark Commits To Kentucky

Oct 23, 2020 1:19 AM

Skyy Clark announced his commitment to Kentucky, choosing the Wildcats over North CarolinaUCLA and Memphis.

Currently a junior, Clark is a five-star prospect ranked No. 19 in his class by ESPN.

"It's a perfect fit for me. I have watched games and practice film on Kentucky. I love the way they play defense and push the ball on offense. I took a visit when they played Auburn. The fans were incredible. You could not hear the person next to you," said Clark.

Clark is a candidate to reclassify into the 2021 class, though he has yet to make a public decision.

Jeff Borzello & Paul Biancardi/ESPN

Tags: Skyy Clark, Kentucky Wildcats, NCAA, NCAA Commitment

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Olivier Sarr, Jacob Toppin Eligible For Wildcats This Season

Oct 22, 2020 1:15 AM

Olivier Sarr and Jacob Toppin were granted eligibility to play for the Kentucky Wildcats this season.

Sarr transferred from Wake Forrest, with Toppin a transfer from Rhode Island.

"I'm excited for Olivier and Jacob. Both have worked really hard and deserve this opportunity. They were both hopping and skipping out of my office after getting the news because they've been waiting on this day. I want to thank the NCAA and the SEC for considering the unique circumstances surrounding this season, and we appreciate them working with us throughout this process," said John Calipari.

Sarr, who averaged 13.7 points and 9.0 rebounds last season, was one of the top-ranked transfers of the spring.

Kentucky, which lost 8 out of their top 9 players from last season, will likely move into the top five of ESPN's preseason rankings.

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Tags: Olivier Sarr, Jacob Toppin, Kentucky Wildcats, NCAA, NCAA B-Ball IQ

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Franck Kepnang Announces Commitment To Oregon

Jeff Borzello & Adam Finkelstein/ESPN

Top-Five Prospect Jabari Smith Commits To Auburn

Jeff Borzello & Paul Biancardi/ESPN

Wichita State Launch Internal Investigation Of Gregg Marshall

CJ Moore & Dana O'Neil/The Athletic

Johnathan Lawson Commits To Oregon

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Ryan Mutombo, Son Of Dikembe Mutombo, Commits To Georgetown

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Five-Star Prospect J.D. Davison Commits To Alabama

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Gonzaga, Baylor Schedule Non-Conference Game For December 5th

Jeff Borzello/ESPN