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This issue TSAReport.com caught up with some of the NBA's top
prospects. NCAA Basketball's, Michael Beasley of Kansas State, DeAndre
Jordan of Texas A & M, and Donte Green of Syracuse all speak about
their different experiences and transitions within college basketball. We also spoke with NCAAW, Rutgers University guard Epiphanny Prince and she spoke about what it takes to be one of the top guards in her class. Check it out! |
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On Top of His Game
“When I can score and not change up my moves to get a bucket it’s not really an attention holder for me.”— Kansas State Forward Michael Beasley Words by T. Ruiz |
Often critiqued for not utilizing his full potential due to the game coming easy to him, Michael Beasley, who made Big 12 history this month after winning Phillips 66 Rookie of the Week award for three consecutive weeks says, “I agree with that—sometimes. I get bored easily,” admits the 6-foot-9 Kansas State freshman forward whose award-winning streak marks the seventh Rookie of the Week award obtained this season. “When I can score and not change up my moves to get a bucket it’s not really an attention holder for me.” Although some may consider his sentiments cocky, his phenomenal on-court skills are what have most experts predicting that he will be one of the first picks of the 2008 NBA draft if enrolled. Beasley attributes much of his dominance to his innate ability to get inside his opponent’s head. “There’s a lot of young-minded freshman playing this year,” he says. “I’m young-minded, but I would say that I’m more mature. You can see that once I get to talking to them and saying what I’m saying, they just loose it and their game just mirrors their attitude.” The 19-year-old Washington, DC native, who listens to go-go music daily and spits an occasional rap freestyle when “in the zone,” says he commits 99 percent of his free time to improving his game. “I have dreams of being the best,” he says. “I try to conquer that dream everyday.” This season, the former No. 1 high school recruit averaged 25.2 points per game, with 12.3 rebounds. As of today, he’s ranked among the top-5 in the nation in both scoring (fourth) and rebounding (first).
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Future History
“In high school the mentality of most players is ‘I don’t care about my team and for the most part everyone is looking out for themselves.” –Texas A&M’s DeAndre Jordan
Words by Tito Ruiz
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Considered a top 5 pick of the 2008 NBA draft, Texas A&M’s DeAndre Jordan admits that his freshman year with the Aggies has been a definite learning experience. “In high school the mentality of most players is ‘I don’t care about my team.’ And for the most part everyone is looking out for themselves,” says the 7-foot tall Houston, Texas native. “But here we all look out for each other.” Like fellow projected top 5 2008 draft pick Michael Beasley, Jordan, age 19, also broke a big 12 men’s basketball record this season, making 16 straight field goals in four consecutive games, breaking the previous record of 13, set by Nebraska’s Mikki Moore in three games in 1998. "I'm just thankful that my teammates look for me a lot and they help me get a lot of good shots," Jordan said. He also broke the school record for consecutive shots made, 13, set by Vernon Smith in 1978. Jordan is the first freshman to record a double-double at A&M since senior Joseph Jones did it as a rookie. With so much on the horizon for the former Christian Life Center student, recruited by Florida, Florida State, Indiana, Texas, LSU and Kentucky, among others, Jordan says he spends the majority of his free time trying to improve his game. “If I’m not in school then I’m working out practicing,” he explained. “I take in everything and listen to the advice given to me so that I can be a better player.”
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The Right Path To Success
Words by L.A. Sharp
Donte Green is a 6’9”, 226-pound Small Forward out of Baltimore Maryland. In high school he played for Towson Catholic, where he was ranked as the number 3 Small Forward prospect in the country by Rivals.com. After a tremendous high school career, he was recruited by most of the top colleges in the country but ultimately decided on Syracuse. With the Orangemen, while in the midst of an extremely successful freshman year, Green has solidified himself as one of the top NBA prospects in this summer’s upcoming draft. His blend of size and perimeter ability is rare, and reminds most scouts of Rashard Lewis and Marvin Williams of the NBA. The small forward Orangeman is not only in the running for the Big East Rookie of the year, but he was the Co-MVP of the 2007 Jordan Classic in New York City. TSAReport.com caught up with the freshman and this is what he had to say:
TSAReport.com- During your childhood, who were the players you most admired or modeled your game after?
Donte Green- I was a big fan of the great Dominique Wilkins.
TSAReport.com- How would you describe your transition from high school basketball to college basketball?
DG- It was a lot smoother than I thought it would be. Coming in, I thought I was going to have a tougher time adjusting because this is much faster paced. I just worked hard in the pre-season and during the summer with the USA U-19 team, which helped me a lot.
TSAReport.com How would you describe your transition from Baltimore, Maryland to Syracuse, New York?
DG- They are a lot different. Baltimore is a fun city. Syracuse is too, but there is a lot to get into back home. It’s something you have to get used to.
TSAReport.com- What is your most memorable game thus far?
DG- I would have to say this past one at Villanova. Even though I felt like I could have played a better game, I felt emotional. I was really into the game. I just didn’t want to lose at all.
TSAReport.com- Did you ever expect to be one of the top prospects so soon into your collegiate career?
DG- I definitely did not expect that. I guess that’s just how it works. I am always in the gym and always trying to get better and I think that helps me out.”
TSAReport.com- Coming up in Baltimore, how accurate would you say the HBO show "The Wire" is when depicting the city's neighborhoods?
DG- It is very on point. Baltimore has its good spots and it definitely has its bad spots. Growing up and having family in the neighborhood, it definitely was dangerous at times. That’s just Baltimore, but I’m sure every city has that little ‘wire’. It’s definitely serious in Baltimore.
TSAReport.com- If you agree the television show is accurate, would you say basketball was your outlet from Baltimore's streets?
DG- Definitely. If you weren’t playing basketball, you were definitely in the streets. Sometimes in the summer when you have some free-time from basketball, you could find yourself on the streets, not necessarily caught up in what’s on ‘The Wire’, but just seeing what’s going on. Basketball definitely helped me shy away from that and kept me on the right path.
TSAReport.com- Have you ever played in any of the summer league tournaments at Cloverdale?
DG- Yes. This past summer I was there playing. I was trying to get experience playing against people older than me and getting used to the beating I’m going to take in the BIG EAST. I think it definitely helped me out.
TSAReport.com- Normally ballplayers are given nicknames by their peers from their neighborhood, were you given one?
DG- I got a lot of names from my friends back home. Some were Lurch, Tree, Big Magumbo, and a whole bunch of others. They always have something new for me.
TSAReport.com- Both you and Carmelo Anthony have walked similar paths; being from Baltimore, playing at Syracuse, and playing the same position. Have you ever met him? If so, has he inspired you in any way? Do you find yourself comparing yourself to Mr. Anthony?
DG- I met him a couple times. I first met him right after he left Syracuse. We went to the same high school so we had the same coach and he introduced me to Carmelo. We established a relationship and I still talk to him every once and a while on AIM. He definitely inspired me to work hard and to try to get where he is. Every basketball player’s dream is to make it to the NBA and that’s definitely what I’m trying to do.
TSAReport.com- If not basketball, what else could you see yourself doing for a living?
DG- I’d be a volleyball player. I love volleyball. I made the All-State team in Baltimore and I was MVP of the league one year. I even got a scholarship to UCLA to play volleyball. I love it and I still wish I could play it.
TSAReport.com- Tell us something personal and funny that many people don't know about you?
DG- I feel like I can be a comedian sometimes. I definitely keep the team laughing.
TSAReport.com- How do you foresee your season to end?
DG- If we keep playing the way we are right now, I definitely see us making it to the NCAA Tournament and trying to go far. Hopefully, first we can get into the BIG EAST Tournament and try and win that.
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Coming Out Victorious
Words by H.L.
Rutgers University's Epiphanny Prince is one of the most talked about women in the NCAAW. The Sophomore guard along with her teammates turned doubters into believers when they took their team to the championship last year. After receiving huge recognition for her accomplishments as a freshman, the Brooklyn, NY native is ready to take her team to the playoffs again, but this time she plans to win. We caught up with the 5’9” guard and she gave us some insight on what it means to be Epiphanny Prince.
TSAReport.com- How has your transition been from Murray Bergtraum High School to Rutgers University?
Epiphanny Prince- The transition from Murray Bergtraum to Rutgers was a big challenge for me because in high school my talent got me through; I pretty much got over with just talent. But in college it’s different. My biggest challenge was probably the conditioning side of it. I haven't been pushed before like CVS [Rutgers Coach,
C. Vivian Stringer] is doing now. Another part that was hard for me was the mental part – trying to think like a point guard and leader on the floor.
TSAReport.com- What are you studying at Rutgers University?
EP- Criminal Justice.
TSAReport.com- Are you involved in any other sports or activities?
EP- No. I only have a love for basketball.
TSAReport.com- Tell us your most memorable basketball game and why?
EP- My sophomore year in high school, the state championship game against
Christ The King. Everyone was counting on us to lose and we were
probably the only ones who believed in ourselves. We were down by 9, I
think, in the 4th and scored 10 points in about 30 seconds. We came out
victorious and that's a game I'll always remember.
TSAReport.com- After doing the ultimate, scoring 113 points during a high school
basketball game, what would be your next career accomplishment?
EP- I just want to win. That's what I want people to see me as - just a
winner. We lost in the national championship game last year as a freshman.
Now my goal is to win 3 national championships.
TSAReport.com- Something personal, what does Epiphanny Prince never leave home
without?
EP- Just my cell phones. I'm addicted to them. I don't like to talk on the
phone with them just text and AIM [sic. AOL Instant Messenger].
TSAReport.com- Tell us something funny that many people don't know about you?
EP- This probably isn't funny, but most people don't know I was a girl scout.
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All In The (Manning) Family
Column by Dave K. Far-El
I must admit that watching the New York Giants and Eli Manning make their way to – and actually win – Super Bowl XLII was some painful stuff. I’m a Cowboys fan. After my self-denial wore off, I began to ponder Eli and Peyton Manning’s careers. One of the first things I began to wonder was, “Since Eli won his first Super Bowl ring faster than Peyton got his first, is Peyton still the better quarterback?” I know, Eli’s never, ever gotten this far in the postseason before, and maybe the Giants just peaked at the right time, but Eli is looking pretty good on the field. He seems to have found himself. Let’s think about this: if winning a championship is all it is about, and Eli and the Giants pulled off a major upset, then Eli will have achieved his ultimate goal. Of course, we know that Eli will never break the passing records that Peyton has smashed, so let’s ignore the Sportscenter highlights for a moment. In comparison to the Colts, Eli plays in a completely different system that is built around defensive pressure while the offense scores just enough to win, averaging about 22 points a game, which aren’t shabby numbers at all. The Indianapolis Colts are more of a prolific offensive styled team whose defense does just enough to win. Eli’s job is to be consistent offensively, while Peyton’s role is to push the offense. I know that sports fans can become obsessed with numbers, but the bottom line is Eli is no slouch at the quarterback position. Watching Eli pick apart Dallas, Green Bay and New England’s secondaries to hit the “hot” receivers when he needed to was like watching a great basketball player begin scoring right when his team needed it most. Watching Peyton is like watching a great scorer in basketball; but he takes a lot of shots to get his points. One is more of a showman than the other, but I do not know if that is what would necessarily make for a better quarterback. If Peyton and the Colts had simply gotten to the AFC championship game instead of being bounced in their first game, I doubt if I would even have asked myself that question. Since the New York Giants upset the Patriots, then would that make Eli Manning better than Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo, too? No need to answer that.
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TSA BLURBS
I’LL SEE YOU IN COURT
Marion Jones was sentenced to six months on the steroids case and two months on the check fraud case, but Federal Judge Kenneth Karas is allowing Jones to serve her sentences together. The former Olympic track gold medalist has until March 11 to surrender. · Former Ball State basketball coach Ronny Thompson will get $200,000 as part of his settlement with the university. Thompson sued Ball State for racial harassment. · University of Illinois football player Erique Robertson has pleaded not guilty to felony charges for allegedly firing a gun at a Champagne bar. The 19-year-old freshman is charged with reckless discharge of a firearm and two counts of aggravated unlawful use of weapons. · Charges of disorderly conduct and public intoxication against suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam 'Pacman' Jones has been dropped. Jones is now awaiting word from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to make a decision on whether he will be reinstated in 2008. Jones has also settled his last pending criminal charge in a plea that makes the cornerback a convicted felon. Jones was charged with obstructing a police officer two years ago in Georgia. Jones was sentenced to three years probation for the run-in with a police officer outside the family home of his pregnant girlfriend in Fayetteville, Ga. He also paid a $500 fine. · O.J. Simpson wants a judge to bar any mention of the former football star's 1995 acquittal in the slayings of his former wife and her friend when he stands trial on kidnapping and armed robbery charges. Attorney Gabriel Grasso also filed court papers seeking the dismissal of half the 12 charges against Simpson, saying prosecutors in Nevada failed to meet legal standards to prosecute him. "They're charging O.J. with the specific intent to commit robbery," Grasso said, citing Nevada law underlying the felony charge of robbery. "He wasn't stealing from somebody else. He was taking back something that was his." · Lindsey Paulat, the ex-girlfriend of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cedrick Wilson says he encouraged her to commit suicide during events leading to her armed standoff at his home last month. Wilson denied the accusation through his lawyer. Police withdrew charges of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment against Paulat. But she waived her right to a preliminary hearing and will stand trial on a new felony charge, discharging a firearm in an occupied structure. After the hearing, Paulat said Wilson urged her to shoot herself after he left his house. She stayed in the house and later held police at bay for about 12 hours. She surrendered in the early hours of Jan. 20 and was taken to a mental health facility, authorities said. · Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick gets to keep about $16 million of his signing bonus after a federal judge overturned a previous ruling. U.S. District Judge David Doty ruled that Vick earned the majority of the bonus money when he made the Falcons' roster, and that he cannot be forced to repay it under the terms of the NFL's collective bargaining agreement. The NFL is currently asking the federal court to vacate the judge's ruling.
LETS TALK SPORTS
Titans quarterback Vince Young and defensive back Michael Griffin has enrolled in the University of Texas for the spring semester. The former University players will attend the Austin campus. · The San Diego Chargers will play the New Orleans Saints in London on October 26, 2008. · After being in existence for over a hundred years, Mike Carey was selected as the first black referee to work a NFL, Super Bowl game. · Nevada sports books lost a record $2.6 million on Super Bowl bets when the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots. The sports books handled more than $92 million on the game, the third-highest amount ever but down for the second consecutive year. The record was $94.5 million, which was set in 2006. · Cyclist Stephen Alfred has been banned for life from USA Cycling-sanctioned events after refusing to take an out-of-competition doping control test. Alfred had tested positive for banned substances in 1998 and 2006, according to the USADA. · Ohio University-Chillicothe basketball player, Jonathan Davis, a 20-year-old sophomore from Hampton, Va., fell to the floor and was pronounced dead at Adena Regional Medical Center. Davis died after collapsing during practice due to an enlarged heart. · The court refurbishment and dedication at the Mahalia Jackson School in Central City was among the 10 projects the NBA handled throughout the city. The projects ranged from the rebuilding of homes to the construction of playgrounds. This season, every visiting team will take part in a community service activity. Adidas is one of the 30 partner organizations contributing millions of dollars and product donations. · President Bush asked the Senate to swiftly approve an agreement ratified by more than 70 nations to fight the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs in sports. In a statement, the White House said the agreement's principles are already reflected in U.S. law and policy. · Dick Vitale's, College basketball's signature analyst-ambassador arrived at the Smith Center to return on air after two months away while he underwent and recovered from throat surgery. · Lisa A. Miceli was barred from having any contact with Michael Jordan in response to a lawsuit the former NBA star filed alleging she was harassing and threatening him. In a lawsuit, Jordan said two paternity tests in 2005 ruled him out as the boy's father. Jordan was forced to sue Miceli because she violated an Aug. 26, 2005, agreement prohibiting her from contacting the former basketball star, his family or his representatives, the lawsuit states. · "Inside the NFL" is ending its 31-year run on HBO. The show is owned by NFL Films, which is looking to continue the show in conjunction with another network this fall. · New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal are being denounced for animal fighting. A video of Martinez and Marichal at a cockfight was posted on YouTube and it showed the two laughing before releasing the roosters. Although banned in the U.S., the fight took place in their home country, the Dominican Republic, where cockfighting is legal and popular. In the wake of Michael Vick's recent dogfighting case, Martinez and Marichal are the latest sports stars to draw criticism for animal cruelty. · NFL owners will reconsider the idea of having radios in the helmets of defenders when they meet next month, the Washington Post reported. The move would follow the radio receivers installed in the helmets of quarterbacks linking them with coaches on the sidelines and reduce the chance of stolen signals. The New England Patriots, within seconds of an unbeaten championship run before losing to the New York Giants in Super Bowl 42, were fined 250,000 dollars and stripped of a first round NFL Draft choice over the videotaping controversy with the NY Jets. NFL officials said they have destroyed the tapes, a move that frustrated US Senator Arlen Specter and might yet lead to a hearing upon the "Spygate" matter before US lawmakers. · A team representative has confirmed that Minnesota Vikings defensive end Kenechi Udeze has a form of leukemia. The Vikings declined to comment on Udeze's condition. · Suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones has hired his two attorneys Worrick Robinson and Manny Arora to act as his agents.
SPORTS BIZ
The 34-member Edmonton Investors Group agreed to sell 100 per cent of its shares of the NHL Oilers to local pharmacy billionaire Daryl Katz in a deal worth about $200 million. · Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash has joined investors in the new US women's professional soccer league set to debut next year. The Guard will not run any of the seven initial teams but he will help in developing Women's Professional Soccer. · Buffalo Bills took the first step towards what many believe will be a permanent move to Toronto, confirming details of an eight-game series to be played in the Canadian city starting next season. The plan, which includes five regular-season games and three pre-season contests spread out over the next five years, was announced during a news conference. Bills owner Ralph Wilson and Canadian billionaire Ted Rogers, owner of the Rogers Centre and Major League Baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays, neither refused nor denied speculation over long-term plans for the Buffalo franchise to settle in Canada. · LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers' forward has signed a sponsorship agreement with State Farm insurance. The insurance company is hoping the popular 23-year-old can help it attract young adult policyholders.
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Some of the information provided is courtesy of AP, Reuters, and, Ticker. |
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