Kentucky’s recruits help U.S. take FIBA title: “University of Kentucky commitment Michael Gilchrist scored 18 points, and the United States won FIBA’s Under-17 championship with a 111-80 victory over Poland on Sunday. Fellow UK commitment Marquis Teague chipped in eight points and eight assists for the U.S. (8-0), which won its games by an average of 34.8 points.”
Chris Tomasson of AOL FanHouse on Rajon Rondo being added to USA roster: “USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said in an interview Sunday with FanHouse that Boston star Rajon Rondo has committed to Team USA, hoping to be part of the team that will play later this summer in the World Championships. Colangelo said he spoke to Rondo on Saturday, and he confirmed his desire to participate. Rondo previously had begged off this summer due a family commitment.“
Matt Middleton of the Augusta Chronicle on Peach Jam: “The event will be held at the USC Aiken Convocation Center, the USC Aiken Student Activities Center and Aiken Tech. The 17-and-under Southern Kings, for example, feature several members of the Richmond Academy team that advanced to the state semifinals, as well as former Evans big man Jaleel Roberts, now of Greensboro Day School in North Carolina. The Peach Jam, without a local presence, still holds the national talent edge, with the three top players in the country set to attend: Kentucky recruits Michael Gilchrist and Marquis Teague, and point guard Austin Rivers, son of Doc Rivers.”
AP report on John Wall’s summer league debut: “The 19-year-old Wall had a team-high 24 points and eight assists for the Washington Wizards during their 84-79 victory over the Golden State Warriors in an NBA Summer League game on Sunday. But the guard also led all players with eight turnovers, including three in the first quarter before a standing-room crowd at Cox Pavilion.”
Michael Lee of Washington Post says Wall overcame a shaky start: “John Wall’s summer league debut was mostly predictable and somewhat surprising, with the 19-year-old rookie making hurried mistakes in the early going before settling into a commanding floor general before the buzzer sounded. He made mistakes – some were eye-covering, others were laughable – but his speed, athleticism and instincts will help him adjust to this league pretty quickly until he eventually figures out what he’s doing.”
Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald on Georgia suspensions: “Reserve running back Dontavius Jackson will have to sit out at least half the upcoming season – six games – after he was charged with six misdemeanors, including DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and underage possession of alcohol. Starting wide receiver Tavarres King will serve a minimum one-game suspension. King was charged with underage possession of alcohol.”
Tim Tucker of the AJC on the Georgia suspensions: “Jackson and King were arrested early Saturday after their vehicle was pulled over by UGA Police. Jackson, 20, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, underage possession of alcohol, following too closely, leaving the scene of an accident, violation of the move-over law and violation of learner’s permit. King, 19, was charged with underage possession of alcohol. The alcohol-related arrests of the two players came just days after UGA athletics director Damon Evans resigned in the aftermath of his June 30 DUI arrest in Atlanta.”
Ron Higgins of Memphis Commercial Appeal on Mark Richt’s future: “The other, curiously, is Georgia’s Mark Richt, whose job status might have turned shaky again this past week when Bulldogs athletic director Damon Evans resigned after his DUI arrest on June 30. Just last month at the SEC business meetings in Destin, Evans was cornered by writers and asked if Richt, 90-27 after nine seasons, was on the hot seat this season.”
Joseph Person of The State on youngest Spurrier joining South Carolina staff: “The 23-year-old Spurrier, who was a backup receiver and special teams player for the Gamecocks, never gave much thought to working in the corporate world after graduating from USC this past spring with a degree in sport and entertainment management. Some men are born to tote briefcases; Spurrier men grab a whistle and visor, and jog out to the practice field.”
David Climer of Tennessean says UT culture change won’t come easily: “The latest shenanigans involving University of Tennessee football players provide a stark reminder that just switching head coaches does not rewrite the mind-set or the image of a program. In the court of public opinion, UT still stands for University of Thugs. This is a work in progress. Dooley says his team “wants to change our brand and how we represent this place.” Unfortunately, any such progress was immediately erased when the blue lights started flashing outside a Knoxville bar in the wee hours of Friday morning.”
