basket ball info

The D1 Nation caught up with 2011 G Vanessa Winston of  Akins High School for today's segment of D-1 Nation Real Talk.

What are some of your hobbies outside of basketball?

Reading, shopping.
What’s your favorite subject at school?
Spanish
What music are you listening to before a game?
Drake/Joker
Who’s your favorite NBA player from Texas?
Kevin Durant
List some goals you’ve set for this year.
Win District
Win District MVP


What’s the most memorable moment in your high school career?
Waking up late for a tournament game and coach letting me
know about it
What’s been your best “Sports Center” moment?
Koby doing a step back move and knocking it down
What college or WNBA player do you model your game after?
Renee Montgomery
Who are the top 5 colleges recruiting you the hardest?
South Western University
TCU
Dartmouth University
If you won a $1,000,000 what would you do with it?
Find something profitable to invest it in
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Teaching Spanish

Jasmyn is a nice smooth point guard with a high basketball IQ. The 5'6 PG has great handles with the ability to get to the rim. Jasmyn has great range on her shot and will be a nice impact player for the Panther this season.  

2013 W 5'11 Diana Omozee has nice size with great athleticism. The true sophomore works very hard defensively, and has nice footwork around the basket. Diana has nice ball handling, & passing skills. Diana will suit up with the  JV team this season and will do great things. Look for Diana to be a nice prospect in the class of 2013. College Coaches Alert!

LBJ WINS BY SIX

The 2nd Annual D1 Nation Texas Super Showcase Sweet 16 will be held this Sunday, October 3rd at Concordia University in Austin, TX. 

With a few exceptions, these are some of the top talent laden squads in the Austin/San Antonio area this coming 2010-2011 season.  Some of the top performers in no particular order will be:

2012 G Santiago Parades of Austin Waldorf 
2011  All State F 6'5" Brooks Pawsat & 2011 F 6'7" Austin Jenkins of  Austin Hyde Park
2012 PG Michael Hardge of Georgetown
2011 P 6'9" Shane Minnick of Marble Falls
2013 P 6'6" Drew Wikelius, PG Will Morse & 2012 SG R.J. Rowan of Austin Westlake
2011 P 6'7" Malcolm McDonald of Killeen Shoemaker
2012 G Marcel Pimpton of Pflugerville Connally
2013 PG John Azzinarro of San Antonio Brennan
2012 G J. Mychal Reese & 2013 G Travon Landry of Bryan
2011 G Jake Kocher & 2011 W Adam Whitlock of Austin St. Michael's
2011 G Eric McClellan, 2011 G Alex Reinking & 2013 W Patrick Strake of Austin High
2011 W 6'5" Jaleel Williams & 2011 G Devonta Brown of Killeen Ellison
2012 W 6'5" Allex Austin & 2012 G G Collin Hart of San Marcos
2011 PG Tre Demps & 2011 WG Max Yon of San Antonio Reagan
2011 PG Deon Mitchell, 2012 W 6'4" Jamal Shabazz, 2013 PG T.J. Williams & 2011 W Cameron Blue of Pflugerville
2011 G Yolonzo Moore, 2011 G Malcolm Canada, & 2013 W Lionel Hollins of Austin Akins


Who knows what other bright, young stars will burst onto the scene at this year's Super Showcase. Admission is $7 for the day, for all games.  College and high school coach's passes will be honored.
                                           
 Court 1


9AM Austin Waldorf (TAPPS) v D1 Ambassadors
10:10AM Georgetown (16-5A) v Marble Falls (25-4A)
11:20AM Austin Westlake (15-5A) v Killeen Shoemaker (12-5A)
12:30PM Pflugerville Connally (16-4A) v San Antonio Brennan (28-4A)
1:40PM Georgetown (16-5A) v D1 Ambassadors
2:50 PM Bryan (12-5A) v Austin Westlake (15-5A)
4PM San Antonio Brennan (28-4A) v Austin Waldorf (TAPPS)
5:10PM Killeen Shoemaker (12-5A) v Pflugerville Connally (16-4A)


                                              Court 2


9AM Austin St. Michael’s (TAPPS) v Austin High (15-5A)
10:10AM Killeen Ellison (12-5A) v San Marcos (25-5A)
11:20AM San Antonio Reagan (26-5A) v Bryan (12-5A)
12:30PM Austin High (15-5A) v San Marcos (25-5A)
1:40PM Pflugerville (16-5A) v Austin St. Michael's (TAPPS)
2:50 PM Killeen Ellison (12-5A) v Austin Akins (15-5A)
4PM San Antonio Reagan (26-5A) v Pflugerville (16-5A)
5:10PM Austin Akins (15-5A) v Marble Falls (25-4A)

I think we've got a future big baller on our hands.  Daddy Chip Ivany, shown below with South Alabama was part of the Jaguars 2008 NCAA Tournament team & scored 1500 points in his high school career at Taylor & Pflugerville Connally. 

Mama Judy Jones was a freshman at Texas-San Antonio last year.  As a true freshman, she recorded game highs of 26 points (Sam Houston), 13 rebounds (Rice), 7 assists (Lamar) & 5 steals (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi).  In short she terrorized the Southland Conference before suffering ligament damage in her foot late in the season.

In addition, while at Monroe Wossman (LA) she was the Louisiana State runner up in the 200 meters and long jump. As a senior she captured the State Championship in the high jump and was the FOUR time State 400 mete champion from her freshman to senior year.

I like Julian's chances.  Anyway, thanks for indulging me and thank you for all the congratulations to our family that we have received.

I had the privelege to coach York at the Minnesota Pump N Run Tournament, held this past July in Minneapolis. In addition to his basketball skills I was struck by him being a nice kid who also had focus on his academics.  SMU, Texas Tech, & Northeastern were just some of the many schools recruiting York.

Rookie of The Year: John Wall
John Wall will be one of the most electrifying rookies you will see play in the NBA. He can get to the basket with his great speed and his body control allows him to make plays around the rim as well as find teammates with passes. Expect Blake Griffin and DeMarcus Cousins to compete with him for the award.


Most Valuable Player: Kevin Durant
Now that LeBron James is with the Miami Heat, his numbers will go down and last year's scoring champion, Kevin Durant, will take over. Durant is just a scoring machine and year after year this guy just keeps getting better. Look for Derrick Rose to battle it out with him, but finish 2nd in the voting.



Most Improved Player: Luis Scola
In the 2010 FIBA World Championships, Luis Scola exploded, averaging close to 30 ppg. Scola will have a huge role for the Rockets this year, with Carl Landry being traded and Yao Ming playing limited minutes. As for the runner up, JJ Hickson will also show to be a much improved player.



Sixth Man of the Year: Jason Terry
Jason Terry won the Sixth Man of the Year in 2009, but last year, was outplayed by Jamal Crawford. Crawford will be distracted this year because of Atlanta's unwillingness to extend him and Terry re-claim the award. Look for Anderson Varejao of the Cavs to be right behind him in the race.





Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau
Tom Thibodeau, newly hired head coach of the Bulls, will show a lot of promise in his first year as a head coach. He will take this young Bulls squad and make them one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Expect Scott Skiles to also be in contention for this award, and finish as runner up.

What's your favorite subject in school?
Government
What music do you listen to before a game?
Rap
Who's your favorite NBA player from Texas?
Deron Williams
List some goals you've set for this year.
District MVP, & back to regionals for 3rd time
What's the most memorable moment in your high school career?
Regionals as a sophomore
What's your "Sports Center" highlight?
Got a steal and made a layup to win the game
What college or NBA player do you model your game after?
Allen Iverson
Which colleges are recruiting you hardest?
I have committed to Texas State
Who are the 6 best players in the Cen Tex area?
KK York, Devonte Brown, Me, Jalen Washington, Deon Mitchell, Jordan Roach
What would you do if you won a $1,000,000?
Buy a basketball court
What do you see yourself doing in 5 year?
Playing ball over seas

According to sources with the knowledge of the situation, the Denver Nuggets are having serious discussions about a four-way trade that would land Carmelo Anthony with the New Jersey Nets.

Mikhail Prokhorov, owner of the New Jersey Nets

Aside from the Denver Nuggets and New Jersey Nets, the other two teams that will be included in this trade would be the Charlotte Bobcats and the Utah Jazz.

The proposed deal would send Nets forward Derrick Favors, Jazz veteran Andrei Kirilenko and multiple first-round picks to Denver, and New Jersey would receive Carmelo Anthony from the Nuggets. New Jersey would also send point guard Devin Harris to Charlotte with Bobcats forward Boris Diaw moving to Utah.

This deal, however, will not go down unless Anthony commits to signing a contract extension. It was reported earlier that Carmelo was uninterested in signing a contract extension, but he may be forced to because his top options, Chicago and New York, will not be able to acquire him through trade.

Another problem that came up is New Jersey would like to get a point guard in return with Devin Harris going to Charlotte in the proposed deal. The Nets want D.J. Augustin, but the Bobcats are reluctant to part with the young point guard.

One source has made it clear, "It either happens by Monday or the deal falls apart."

On Friday Carlos Boozer of the Chicago Bulls joined "The Waddle & Silvy Show" to talk about Joakim Noah and Carmelo Anthony trade rumors.

Boozer was asked, where he thought Carmelo Anthony would be playing next year and if he would be in a Bulls uniform.

"You can't be excited about it until it happens, and you can't be disappointed about it if it doesn't happen," Boozer said. "If Carmelo stays in Denver, they have one heck of a ballplayer. If we're able to land him, or whatever team is able to land him, will get one heck of a ballplayer.

"We have to wait back and see what happens. It's one of those scenarios where it's out of everybody's control, except for the Nuggets. Obviously, they probably want to keep him more than anything else, but if he does get moved, it will be interesting to see where he ends up."

When asked about the uncertainty Joakim Noah's future with the Bulls, Boozer said, "I want Joakim Noah to stay, I don't want to see him in any uniform but a Bulls uniform."

Boozer knows Joakim will hang in there and won't be affected by these trade rumors.


"Jo can handle that," Boozer said. "He's a mature guy. He's 25 now. He's been in the league for a few years. It wasn't the first time his name has been mentioned, and it won't be the last.

"Jo loves being a Chicago Bull, so for him, he'll be excited at camp. I've known him for three, four months now, and his excitement level to be in this city and play for the Bulls is not matched by anybody else. He'll be able to handle all the questions about it, and be ready to rock and roll."

St. Michaels Academy in Austin and I am currently in college.
2. How long have you been coaching high school basketball?
I have been coaching select basketball for three years and coaching at St. Michaels for two.
3. Who inspired you to get into coaching?
I was very fortunate to play for a number of great coaches including Coach Eddie Oran (Texas), my father Gary Grief, & Coach Mackey Smith, who is currently my boss and mentor at St. Michaels. All three of those coaches had a very large impact on my life as a person, and a coach.
4. What is your favorite food?
I will eat anything but I love Chinese food and a good Italian dish.
5. What opponents will be your toughest games this year?
For school basketball, San Antonio Central Catholic is always tough. We will also be playing in a Lake Travis tournament and I am sure we will face some tough teams there as well. For select basketball, playing the other D1 Ambassador teams are always very competetive games.
6. What is the most difficult part of being a high school coach?
The difficult parts are also the most rewarding. Helping young men become better basketball players, while also helping them be successful off the court can be hard at times, but it is why I coach.
7. Who is your favorite college coach?
Bobby Knight.
8. Give your definition of a good coach.
My definition of a good coach is someone that can get the most out of his/her players. Also, one that is good at what he/she teaches. It is not necessarilly what type of scheme or game plan that wins games, but how well a coach can teach it.
9. If you weren’t a coach, what would you be?
I have always wanted to ranch and have a cattle business.
10. What music do you listen to before a game?
300 Violin Orchestra.
11. Who is the best player(s) you’ve ever coached?
Jake Kocher at St. Michaels is the best player I have ever coached. Offensively, there is nothing he cannot do. As a junior, he was the leading scorer in Central Texas and I expect great things for him in the future.
12. What are your goals for this season?
For school basketball, a State Championship is a realistic goal for our varsity team. As far as our subvarsity teams, I expect to win district for the second year in a row. For select basketball, with the Texas D1 Ambassadors I want the players I coach to improve on their game, because that is really what select basketball is all about.

I've known Coach Grief & his Family since his middle school days, when he'd play in our summer tournaments. He was a thinking man's player & he's one of the new breed of high school coaches who not only embraces quality club basketball programs, but he even gets involved too.  One of the things I pledged as the D1 Nation has grown is that we have quality coaches at all levels of our summer program.  We're happy to have Coach Grief on board. He's a classy young coach.  I enjoy watching him mold young men at the school and club levels.-Coach Max Ivany

Dilworth has all the tools to be mentioned in the same breath as C.J. Jerrells (Baylor/NBA), Bryan Beasley (Rice), Cody Doolin (San Francisco), Deon Mitchell (Northern Iowa) & of course fellow Round Rock McNeil alum A.J. Abrams (Texas/Italy).

Dilworth has a great basketball body, coupled with explosiveness, ability to finish at the rim, a willingness to defend and also to shoot from deep.  The sky's the limit for this talented frosh.  He's a D1 Nation Diamond in the Rough.  College coaches alert!

According to sources, the Chicago Bulls, late Tuesday, agreed to terms with F Brian Scalabrine. The terms were not disclosed, but he was signed to a non-guaranteed contract.

Newly hired coach, Tom Thibodeau, was lobbying for the Bulls to sign Scalabrine as a veteran presence and a three point threat. Thibodeau also believes that Scalabrine will be able to contribute both on and off the floor. 

Scalabrine played nine seasons in the NBA with the New Jersey Nets, and Boston Celtics. Scalabrine was selected 35th overall by the New Jersey Nets  in the 2001 NBA Draft. On August 2, 2005, Scalabrine signed a five-year, 15 million contract with the Boston Celtics. Scalabrine earned his first and only NBA championship ring with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and in his time in Boston, Scalabrine was a fan favorite.

As you can see from the interview above, Weathers is a man of few words.  He's only been playing basketball a few years so he's still learning the game.  He's a late bloomer who will play a big part as Austin LBJ looks to continue their long string of district championships. David has superior explosiveness. He can and WILL dunk on anybody!-Coach Max Ivany

I had a chance to catch up with 2011 F 5'10 Danielle Lofton of Austin Akins High School. Danielle was so gracious to share a few thoughts with me in a brief interview.

What are some of your hobbies outside of basketball?
I love to write
What’s your favorite subject at school?
Anatomy
Who’s your favorite NBA player from Texas?
Kevin Durant
List some goals you’ve set for this year.
Wining District
What’s the most memorable moment in your high school career?
Waking up late for a tournament game and coach letting me know about it.
What college or WNBA player do you model your game after?
Candace Parker
Who are the top 5 colleges recruiting you the hardest?
Mary Hardin Baylor- University of North Texas
If you won a $1,000,000 what would you do with it?
Make some smart investments
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Continuing to further my education, and becoming a Physical Therapist
 
Danielle has nice footwork around the basket, and continues to be a monster on the boards. Danielle will be a huge impact player for Coach Jane Martin and her Lady Eagles this upcoming season.
 
Good luck this season.

2013 G 5'10 Carly Truesdale is a high quality player that  competes on a very high level. I had a chance to watch Carly play a couple of times over the summer, and she continues to impress. With her size and ability to handle the basketball she becomes a tough match up for most defenders. Carly has excellent ball handling, passing, and shooting skills with great moves to take you off the bounce. Truesdale averaged right at 11 PPG last season, and had a six games in a row with 20+. The first team All District freshman help San Antonio Churchill to a 21-14 season,  taking third place in District 26-5A. With 2011 G Jordan Holub and Truesdale in the backcourt, look for Churchill to do big things this upcoming season.

The Chicago Bulls officially hired Ed Pinckney, on Monday, as an assistant to head coach Tom Thibodeau's coaching staff.

In his college days Pinckney was a Villanova star. He led his team to the NCAA title in 1985 and won the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after scoring 16 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in the 66-64 victory over the Georgetown Hoyas. In 1985, he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns and also went on to play with six other NBA teams, the Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat. He later ended his career in 1997.

After his retirement from the NBA, Pinckney was radio and television analyst for the Miami Heat from 1997 through 2003. He was also the Heat's Director of Mentoring Programs from 2002 to 2003.

From 2003 to 2007, Pinckney was hired as an assistant for Villanova under head coach Jay Wright. Pinckney got his first NBA coaching gig in Minnesota when the Timberwolves hired him as an assistant on September 21, 2007.

Pinckney joins Ron Adams, Andy Greer, Adrian Griffin and Rick Brunson on the Bulls' coaching staff.

On Monday morning the Bulls named Michael Reinsdorf to a newly created position, the team president and chief operating officer.

Reinsdorf, the son of Bulls owner and Chairman of the Board Jerry Reinsdorf, has been apart of the Bulls organization since 2001. For the past three years Michael served as an NBA alternate governor. He has also served as chairman of Washington Nationals' Double-A team in Harrisburg and was an owner of the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL. In his new position, Michael will look over all the business operations for and will report to his father Jerry Reinsdorf.

“Naming Michael President and COO reflects a natural progression of his growing role in the Bulls business organization, and publicly recognizes his contributions to the team,” said Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.  “I am proud of his accomplishments with the team, and in his own sports ventures, and believe his knowledge and experience will only strengthen what is an already solid management team.”

"The Bulls' winning tradition on and off the court is a part of my DNA," Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement. "I know how much the team means to Chicago, to the NBA, and to fans all over the world. I am looking forward to being a more active, daily participant."