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Safety Tavon Bolden dismissed for disciplinary reasons
Mizzou news - Tue, 05/15/2012 - 19:18
COLUMBIA | Safety Tavon Bolden has been dismissed from the football team for disciplinary reasons, according to team spokesman Chad Moller.
BoldenThe decision brings a disappointing end to an up-and-down career for Bolden, who was named Missouri's most improved player at safety during spring practice last year but was kicked off the team right before the season for academic reasons. He rejoined the team later in the year, but didn't appear in a game.
Bolden, a redshirt junior from Houston, continued to work to get back in the staff's good graces, as he entered the spring third on the depth chart at strong safety behind Kenronte Walker and Daniel Easterly. However, it now appears he simply didn't do enough, as his tenure at Missouri is now over.
He finishes his Missouri career with 14 tackles in 13 games, all played in 2010.
KU Notebook: Chicago guard Doyle to wait for now
KU NEWS - Tue, 05/15/2012 - 19:03
Milton Doyle, a senior guard from Chicago, concluded an official two-day campus visit to Kansas on Tuesday, but he returned home with his future still unknown.
Doyle’s mom, Lisa Green, said that while the KU coaches had expressed interest in her son, it became apparent Tuesday that the staff preferred that Doyle wait.
KU currently has just one available scholarship, while another could come open if forward Justin Wesley returns to walk-on status. Kansas is reported to be waiting on South Carolina transfer forward Damontre Harris, while Anrio Adams, a guard from Seattle, has verbally committed but has yet to sign a letter-of-intent.
Green called KU her son’s dream school; he grew up watching KU on television while also following former KU guard Sherron Collins, another Chicago native. But for now, Doyle will likely return home and begin to weigh his options.
Doyle was mostly an unknown entity outside Chicago until the last month. A wrist injury limited him during his junior season at Marshall High in Chicago, and he stayed under-the-radar after he verbally committed to Florida International last fall. But that all changed when FIU coach Isiah Thomas was fired in April and Doyle re-opened his recruitment.
** ANOTHER STREAK: KU led its conference in home attendance for the 26th straight season, according to figures recently released by the NCAA. The Jayhawks averaged 16,445 fans per home game, a number boosted by one home game at the Sprint Center. The average ranked 10th nationally. The Jayhawks also ran their streak of consecutive home sellouts to 180, a run that began with the second game of the 2001-02 season.
| rdodd@kcstar.com; @rustindodd
Missouri QB arrested for leaving scene of accident
Mizzou news - Tue, 05/15/2012 - 08:25
COLUMBIA | Missouri quarterback Corbin Berkstresser was arrested in Columbia this morning for leaving the scene of an accident.
Columbia police were dispatched to an accident in the 2900 block of Lynnwood Drive at 3:34 a.m. According to Officer Latisha Stroer, Berkstresser's vehicle struck the rear and front passenger side of the victim's vehicle, which was parked along the curb. No one was hurt, but Berkstresser left the scene of the accident without notifying the owner.
Berkstresser, who later admitted his involvement in the incident, was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident. He could be charged with a Class D felony because the damage exceeds $1,000. Berkstresser was later released on $4,500 bond.
It's unclear what kind of discipline Berkstresser will face for the arrest. Missouri has not yet put out a release addressing the matter, and while former Missouri cornerback Tristen Holt was dismissed from the team following a similar incident last September, defensive tackle Jimmy Burge remained on the team after a similar incident in 2008.
Berkstresser, a redshirt freshman, spent most of the spring as the team's No. 1 quarterback following a shoulder injury to starter James Franklin. Berkstresser completed 13-of-20 passes in the Black and Gold game after making steady improvements throughout spring practice.
Missouri coach Gary Pinkel has maintained that Franklin should be ready for the season opener against Southeast Louisiana on Sept. 1. Franklin is expected to resume throwing this summer, with Berkstresser leading the team during summer drills in his absence. No. 3 quarterback Ashton Glaser will likely do so if Berkstresser misses any time due to suspension.
Chicago guard Doyle will reportedly visit KU on Monday
KU NEWS - Mon, 05/14/2012 - 11:33
A formerly under-the-radar Chicago shooting guard has popped up as a possible late target for Kansas. Milton Doyle, a 6-foot-4 senior guard from Chicago-Marshall, is taking a visit to KU today, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Doyle appears to slot into the category of late-bloomer; he committed to Florida International (and then-coach Isiah Thomas, a Chicago native) last fall despite missing his entire junior senior with a broken wrist. He responded by averaging 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals while earning third-team All-State honors from the Chicago Tribune.
But when Thomas was fired by FIU in early April, Doyle went back on the market. He has reportedly also visited Bradley.
From a positional standpoint, Kansas seems pretty crowded at the wing position. Travis Releford will return for his senior season while freshmen Ben McLemore and Andrew White are both built in the mold of a traditional wing. In addition, senior Elijah Johnson and sophomore Naadir Tharpe will return to the backcourt rotation.
Here’s video of Doyle:
KU's Taylor stays busy preparing for NBA Draft
KU NEWS - Mon, 05/14/2012 - 08:06
Tyshawn Taylor is working out for the NBA Draft in Houston.
Big weekend for Tyshawn Taylor. He officially graduated from college. He saw some old teammates. He spent the weekend back in Kansas.
Of course, there have been a lot of big weekends for Taylor during the last month. Ask Taylor what he’s been up to since April 2, the day Kansas lost to Kentucky in the NCAA title game, and the smile begins to form.
“I’ve been up to everything,” Taylor says.
Taylor says he spent a few weeks searching for an agent, before settling on Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management (Excel also represents former Jayhawks Nick Collison, Mario Chalmers and Cole Aldrich). He made a stop in Long Island for some workouts. And now he’s settled in Houston, working with former NBA guard John Lucas II, the father of former Oklahoma State star John Lucas III.
“I went out there last summer and I loved it,” Taylor said. “I got better. My game improved a lot, so I went back out there.”
On Friday night, Taylor was at Bishop Miege in Roeland Park to take part in a local KU Barnstorming tour event. Fellow seniors Conner Teahan and Jordan Juenemann were also present, as were former Jayhawks Stephen Vinson, Christian Moody and Sean Pearson.
For now, Taylor says, he’s preparing for individual workouts with NBA teams. The first goal: Get back into shape after taking 20 days off following the championship game.
“I think when you’re in a workout and you’re just doing one-on-one drills,” Taylor said, “I think you just gotta kind of be sharp. You gotta have your ballhandling right. You gotta make shots, because most of them are going to be open — and you gotta be in good shape.”
Other than that, Taylor is simply waiting. According to DraftExpress.com, he's the 27th best prospect in the draft. He does think his game might translate nicely into the NBA — if he can find the right fit. But he also says he understands the reality of his draft prospects. He’s hopeful he can work himself firmly into the back half of the first round, but…
“I’m hoping to just get drafted, honestly,” Taylor said.
Here’s one thing of which he is certain. No matter how the draft shakes out, he’s pretty sure which rookie will be earning hardware next May.
“I’ll put in my vote for Rookie of the Year right now,” Taylor said. “Thomas Robinson.”
Border War: This time, it's about license plates
KU NEWS - Fri, 05/11/2012 - 16:27
Maybe it wouldn’t be the most controversial idea the Missouri House of Representatives would ever hear. But if a Jayhawk is involved, well, you never know, right?
During the past few years, the University of Kansas Alumni Association has put plans in motion to make a KU license plate available in the state of Missouri. But wait a second: The bill won't even be available to be voted on until next year, according to Rep. Charlie Denison, a Republican who is also chairman of the legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation.
But first, you may be asking yourself: How did this happen?
According to Danny Lewis, director of alumni programs for the alumni association, officials had looked into the idea for a while (KU license plates are already available in Texas and Maryland).
Only problem: The alumni association had to find a local Missouri legislator to co-sign the application. Lewis says the problem was solved when a KU alum in Springfield convinced Denison, a Republican, to step up to the plate.
But here’s another problem: Denison is term limited and won’t be in the legislature next year. The alumni association will also have to present 200 applications for pre-ordered license plates.
But, hold on. Any concern that there may be a little pushback against a license plate with a blue and red bird on it?
“With the state that every state is in,” Lewis said, “with needing some extra money; I would hope that they would put their feelings aside toward Kansas and realize it's an extra opportunity to make a little money for their state.”
According to Denison, who said he received an ugly message on his office voicemail on Friday, we won't even know the answer to that until next July.
And he'll be gone.
"I can't believe," Denison said, "there is so much talking over a bill that can't even be voted on until next year."
To reach Rustin Dodd, send email to rdodd@kcstar.com.
Missouri officially adds basketball assistant from New Mexico
Mizzou news - Fri, 05/11/2012 - 16:12
Missouri basketball coach Frank Haith announced Friday that he has added Ryan Miller to his staff as assistant coach.
Miller served the last five years as an assistant coach at New Mexico, where the Lobos went 126-46 overall. He replaces Isaac Chew, who left to become an assistant under John Groce at Illinois.
When Chew left, Haith said he was looking for someone with strong recruiting ties to fill the position. Before joining coach Steve Alford's staff at New Mexico, Miller - whose brother is Miami Heat forward Mike Miller - was director of basketball operations at Memphis from 2004-2006 under current Kentucky coach John Calipari.
“We’re very fortunate to have someone of Ryan’s caliber join our program,” Haith said in a statement. “I think he’s the total package, he’s an outstanding, proven recruiter, and an outstanding coach who is a great teacher and skill development guy."
Miller is a Mitchell, S.D., native who attended Northern State University, in Aberdeen, S.D. He also played professionally in the CBA and in Australia.
Kansas State basketball attendance ranks 25th nationally in 2011-12 season
KState NEWS - Fri, 05/11/2012 - 13:20
By playing in front of an average crowd of 12,783 at Bramlage Coliseum last season, the Kansas State basketball team ranked 25th in national attendance figures, according to figures released by the NCAA.
K-State ranked third in the Big 12 behind Kansas (16,445) and Iowa State (13,015). Kentucky (23,721) led the way nationally, followed by Syracuse (23,618) and Louisville (21,503).
The Big 12 ranked third in conference attendance by averaging 11,057 fans per game behind the SEC (11,513) and the Big 10 (12,868).
All 10 Big 12 teams ranked in the top 100, and so did newcomer West Virginia. TCU just missed the cut. Check out the list below, which includes each school’s national attendance rank and average attendance per home game:
10. Kansas 16,445
24. Iowa St. 13,015
25. Kansas State 12,783
30. Texas 11,950
32. Missouri 11,830
41. West Virginia 9,930
43. Oklahoma St. 9,239
49. Texas Tech 8,665
53. Oklahoma 8,525
62. Baylor 7,914
71. Texas A&M 7,383
NA. TCU 4,581
KU basketball team headed to Europe in August
KU NEWS - Thu, 05/10/2012 - 17:23
LAWRENCE | For Kansas and Bill Self, the trip may come at the ideal time. The Kansas basketball team will take a nine-day trip to Europe in August, welcome news for a program that will be introducing at least six freshmen to the squad during the 2012-13 season.
Kansas, which unveiled details of the trip Thursday, will play two exhibition games against Switzerland’s national team on Aug. 7 and 8 in Fribourg, Switzerland, before finishing the trip with two games against French professional teams on Aug. 11 and 12 in Paris.
KU will leave August 5 and arrive in Zurich, Switzerland on Aug. 6. The traveling party is scheduled to depart back to the U.S. on Aug. 14.
Schools are allowed one international trip during the summer months every four years, in accordance with NCAA rules. The Jayhawks last made a summer trip before the 2008-09 season, when they played a series of exhibition games in Canada.
With KU eligible to take its allotted trip, Self hinted last month that a trip to Europe would be preferable.
“If we can go in the summer and take freshmen, which is the rule,” Self said, “why wouldn’t we go… do some sightseeing and actually enjoy each other?”
But in addition to bonding, there will also be extra court time.
The Canadian trip in 2008 followed the Jayhawks’ national championship season and featured a roster of young, inexperienced players. Four years later, the Jayhawks will head to Europe under similar circumstances. In addition to the exhibition games, KU will be allowed 10 practices before the trip.
To reach Rustin Dodd, send email to rdodd@kcstar.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/rustindodd.
KU parts ways with men's golf coach
KU NEWS - Wed, 05/09/2012 - 18:03
Kansas is cutting ties with men’s golf coach Kit Grove.
Grove’s contract is up in June, and KU will not renew it. The Jayhawks finished 10th out of 10 teams last month at the Big 12 Men's Championships at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, Texas.
Grove, a 1998 graduate of Kansas, recently concluded his fifth season as head coach at KU. He took over in 2007 following the retirement of former coach Ross Randall. He also served as an assistant for one season.
James Watson upset about dismissal
KState NEWS - Wed, 05/09/2012 - 13:59
James Watson doesn’t know what he will do now that he is no longer a member of the Kansas State basketball team. He hasn’t gotten that far yet.
All the 6-foot-8 forward has done since learning last week that new Wildcats coach Bruce Weber was not keeping him on the roster is angrily wonder about what went wrong.
“I was so shocked,” Watson said in a phone interview. “I didn’t want to hear what they were telling me. I thought April Fool’s was back I was so shocked. I don’t know why the new coach kicked me off the team. I think it’s really messed up. I could have helped the team next year.
“I was really looking forward to it. I was doing workouts, individuals, lifting weights. I was doing pretty good, too. He told me, ‘You’re doing really good and have more experience than some of the other players.’ And when Frank Martin left he told me, ‘You’re one of the most talented players on the team.’ Now I’m cut. I don’t get it. I guess it hasn’t hit me yet.”
Watson’s emotions aren’t surprising. Any time a coach decides to part ways with a player there are bound to be hurt feelings. In this case, Weber needed to make scholarship room for Chicago-area point guard Michael Orris. Weber originally recruited Orris to Illinois and wanted him to play at K-State. With Watson no longer on the team, Orris has a scholarship.
K-State’s reasons for parting ways with Watson are complicated. Watson, a former Washington State and Cowley College transfer with a rough upbringing (he was adopted at the age of 14 and lost a sister in a car accident), has a heart defect that causes him to faint. It happened when he was at Washington State early in his college career and again last year before the season began.
Watson says he collapsed in the bathroom of his apartment, and an ambulance was sent to his home when he didn’t show up for practice that day. He spent time in the hospital, and spent most of the preseason trying to play catch-up with his teammates. Then he injured his elbow, and his chances of seeing playing time disappeared. He saw action in only one game and was held scoreless.
K-State informed Watson and his family that he will remain on scholarship, but won’t be on the basketball team because of health concerns.
Watson views things differently.
“I feel like he was just trying to open up a scholarship and wanted me off the team,” Watson said. “I feel 100-percent healthy. I only fainted once during my time here, and that was with the old coaching staff. It never happened when Bruce Weber was around. I worked to come back from my injury … It’s crazy.
“I’m fine. I feel fine. I got cleared and everything. I’ve been killing it these last couple weeks in practices. I felt like I was one of the best players out there. I’m just still in total shock. I came here to play basketball. I really felt like I could help next year. This year was my chance. I can go out for most positions. I’m a very versatile player.
“To see myself kicked off the team for supposedly having health issues, which I don’t really think is the case — they just wanted to open a scholarship up … I don’t know what to say. Basketball is my life. To see it taken away from me is just messed up.”
There isn’t much he can do about it now, though. Watson could try to transfer to another school, but he says he will come back to K-State next semester and graduate with a degree in social science.
“I’m going to stay here and get a degree,” Watson said. “A degree has always been important to me and my family. I can’t play basketball all my life. I’ve got to have a plan B. This is my Plan B. Whatever God has planned for me.”
He may try to play elsewhere after his school work is completed, and said his former Washington State teammates have encouraged him to seek a return to the Cougars. Though that scenario is unlikely.
If it was up to him, he would still be preparing to play for K-State next season.
“The most disappointing thing is that I really wanted to play for the K-State fans, because they are why I came here,” Watson said. “I’m really thankful for how they treated me. The fan support here is unbelievable. I wish I could have shown them my talent, but I can’t because I got cut from the team.”
New Mexico assistant could join MU hoops staff
Mizzou news - Tue, 05/08/2012 - 09:45
COLUMBIA | A New Mexico assistant with Memphis recruiting ties has emerged as Missouri coach Frank Haith's top choice to replace departed assistant Isaac Chew.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Monday night that New Mexico assistant Ryan Miller has been offered the job, which he could take pending an interview with Missouri athletic director Mike Alden.
When Chew left to take the top assistant job at Illinois in April, Haith said he was looking for someone with strong recruiting ties to fill the position. And it looks like Miller, who just completed his sixth year at New Mexico, would fit the bill.
Before joining coach Steve Alford's staff at New Mexico, Miller - whose brother is Miami Heat forward Mike Miller - was director of basketball operations at Memphis from 2004-2006 under current Kentucky coach John Calipari.
Miller's Memphis connections could prove valuable, particularly since Missouri's basketball staff has recently upped its recruiting efforts in the South. Last weekend, Haith and associate coach Tim Fuller hosted and offered four top '13 and '14 recruits from Tennessee, with three of them - Leron Black, Anton Beard and Chris Chiozza - hailing from Memphis while the other, Robert Hubbs III, plays for an AAU team sponsored by Mike Miller.
Haith also said in April that he was looking for a strong on-court coach as well, so it's worth noting that Miller's New Mexico teams have gone 125-46 with two NCAA tournament appearances during his tenure.
To reach Terez A. Paylor, call 816-234-4489 or send email to tpaylor@kcstar.com. Follow him at twitter.com/TerezPaylor.
James Watson won’t be back
KState NEWS - Mon, 05/07/2012 - 14:42
James Watson has played his final basketball game in a Kansas State uniform, and possibly ever.
The Washington State and Cowley College transfer was told by athletic department officials on Friday that he won’t be retained by new coach Bruce Weber.
According to Watson’s mother, Annette, the decision was based on health concerns. She said Watson has a heart defect that causes him to faint. He began suffering from the problem at Washington State and experienced a scary moment last season when he fainted in his Manhattan apartment and missed a practice.
Because of that health concern, and other injuries, Watson played sparingly during his first season with the Wildcats. The 6-foot-8 junior forward saw time in one game and was held scoreless. He was hoping to contribute as a senior, and was practicing well with Weber in offseason workouts, but that is no longer a possibility.
“Coach Weber had made the decision that James won’t be part of the team anymore,” Annette said by phone. “He thought he had too big of a health risk. James is broken-hearted. He called me the other day and said, ‘I can’t see my life without basketball.’”
Messages left on Watson’s cell phone have not been returned.
Watson’s mother said she was disappointed that a member of K-State’s athletic department informed him of the decision instead of Weber, who was out of town attending his daughter’s wedding. But she also said that if this helps him stay healthy and graduate in December, which he is 18 credits away from doing, then it could become a blessing.
She said he plans on staying at K-State as a normal student, and that the Wildcats will try to apply for a medical hardship that will allow him to remain on scholarship outside of athletics.
It was clear last week one player on K-State’s roster wouldn’t be back next year when Michael Orris, a Chicago-area point guard, signed with K-State last week. The Wildcats only lost one scholarship senior last season. Orris is Weber’s second signee.
“Coach Weber looked at the situation and decided why risk it,” Annette said. “He decided to bring in a freshman who is healthy. We’re disappointed. James didn’t want this. James would go out there and risk his life every day. He loves basketball.”
“But Kansas State gave him a free education. You can’t beat that. We gave James the weekend to think about it and cry about it and he wants to stay there and get his degree. It has been an identity crisis for him without basketball, but we will figure it out.”
Clarkson commits to Mizzou, rounds out 2012 recruiting class
Mizzou news - Mon, 05/07/2012 - 13:34
Tulsa transfer Jordan Clarkson will team up with '13 recruit Travis Jorgenson to fill the void at point if Flip Pressey goes pro.
COLUMBIA | Missouri has been trying to issue its last available scholarship for weeks now, and while many hoped it would go to five-star forward Devonta Pollard, the Porterville, Miss., native has repeatedly pushed back his decision, and his status remains as up in the air as it gets.
However, it now appears the wait to fill that final scholarship spot is officially over, as sophomore combo guard Jordan Clarkson - a 6-foot-4, 185-pound San Antonio native who is transferring from Tulsa - confirmed Monday that he intends to be a Missouri Tiger.
"I talked with my mom and my dad, and they really liked the situation at Missouri," said Clarkson, who visited Columbia last weekend.
Clarkson, who averaged 16.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists during a breakout sophomore campaign at Tulsa, said Sunday night he might wait two or three weeks to make a decision, but slept on it and decided there was no point in waiting.
So he called Haith and associate head coach Tim Fuller - his lead recruiter - Monday afternoon and gave them the good news.
"They were excited," Clarkson said. "I can't wait to get started."
Clarkson's decision means Missouri is, in all likelihood, no longer a player for Pollard, who was reportedly considering Mizzou, Georgetown, Alabama and Texas. The only way a scholarship could now become available is if one of the incoming freshmen fails to qualify.
Clarkson expects to arrive in Columbia in June. He joins a Missouri team stacked with a number notable transfers, including former UConn center Alex Oriakhi, Pepperdine guard Keion Bell, Auburn swingman Earnest Ross and Oregon swingman Jabari Brown.
Unlike those four, however, Clarkson will have to sit out the upcoming season. However, he plans on spending the next year putting on more weight, tightening up his handle and improving his three-point range in time for 2013, when he will likely team up with true freshman Travis Jorgenson to fill the void at point guard if star sophomore Phil Pressey decides to go pro.
Clarkson said he's looking forward to observing Pressey, with whom he's grown close.
"It's going to be a big learning experience being able to watch Phil and how he does things," said Clarkson, who has NBA aspirations. "He's a great player."
Email me at tpaylor@kcstar.com or tweet me @TerezPaylor if you have any questions or comments.
Will a Tulsa star be the final piece of MU's 2012 recruiting class?
Mizzou news - Mon, 05/07/2012 - 11:37
If Flip Pressey (1) goes pro, Clarkson could team up with '13 recruit Travis Jorgenson to fill the void at point.
COLUMBIA | Jordan Clarkson has big dreams. He would like to play in the NBA some day, of course. He would also like to make a NCAA Tournament.
So when it comes to picking his next school, you understand why the 6-foot-4, 185-pound combo guard – who averaged 16.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists during a breakout sophomore campaign at Tulsa – says he plans on transferring to the place that gives him the best chance to do both.
Enter Missouri.
The Tigers' coaching staff, which still has a scholarship to give before this upcoming season, has been recruiting the San Antonio native hard since he received a near-full release from Tulsa in late April.
“Oh yeah, they really want me,” said Clarkson, who decided to transfer from Tulsa when the coach who recruited him, Doug Wojcik, was fired.
"I'm looking for a place that gives me an opportunity to play, that has the right style of play and (features) a family environment," he added.
And by the sound of it, Clarkson - who arrived in Columbia on Thursday and left on Sunday - is entertaining the thought of that place being Missouri. He says he thoroughly enjoyed his visit and could see himself thriving in coach Frank Haith's offensive and defensive systems.
“I can really push the ball in transition, I can shoot off the dribble and I can handle the ball and get to the rim,” said Clarkson, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining. “On defense, I look to get steals and get in the passing lanes.”
The Tigers’ interest in Clarkson makes sense. He played shooting guard and point guard last season, when he emerged as a big-time scorer and potential pro prospect. His scoring average rose from 11.5 to 16.5 points per game as a sophomore, and his three-point shooting improved from 30.3 percent to 37.4 percent, as well.
Clarkson will have to sit out the upcoming season no matter where he goes, but should he pick Missouri, he would easily find himself in the mix for immediate playing time in 2013-2014.
Two more swingmen who transferred from other schools, Earnest Ross (Auburn) and Jabari Brown (Oregon), figure to play starring roles in 2013, but Clarkson could also see time at the point, especially if star point guard Flip Pressey goes pro after next season (as some have speculated).
In the latter scenario, Clarkson would be sharing the position (at least to some degree) with talented high school junior Travis Jorgenson, a potential defensive stopper who is coming off a solid spring and is about to play his last season of high school ball at the New Hampton School in New Hampton, N.H.
“I played both positions when I was at Tulsa, so yes, I think I could play the point,” Clarkson said, when asked if he believed could run a team.
Clarkson's transition to Columbia would be helped by the presence of Pressey, who served as his host during the trip and who Clarkson has known for a while now. Clarkson also got to meet Ross, Brown, Kim English and Mike Dixon, among others, during the visit.
“I kind of hit it off with all of them,” said Clarkson, who also came away impressed with the coaching staff. “Coach (Tim) Fuller has spent a lot of time recruiting me, and I feel comfortable with him. Coach Haith is great – he’s a good guy, and you can tell he’s really involved with players. He’s a player's coach.”
But Tulsa, it seems, didn’t make it easy for Clarkson to make his visit to Mizzou. According to a report by Yahoo! Sports, while Clarkson had requested permission to contact nine schools - all of which (including Missouri) were neither members of Conference USA nor future opponents for Tulsa, the school originally granted only three schools (Vanderbilt, Colorado and TCU) permission to contact him.
But after some negotiating, the school agreed to give Clarkson permission to speak to all but four of the schools on his list. And Clarkson – who said he is also looking at Illinois, Arizona and UCLA – expects to take a few more visits and make a decision fairly quickly.
“I want to have a decision done within the next 2-3 weeks,” Clarkson said. “It could even happen before that. I’m going to sit down with my family and see where they’re at and go from there. We’re not trying to rush anything.”
And while that may be the case, Clarkson was adamant that his enjoyable visit to Missouri last weekend only helped the staff's chances of securing his commitment.
“I really like the fan support there, the style of play and the chemistry with the guys,” said Clarkson. “I feel like it’s a family environment.”
To reach Terez A. Paylor, call 816-234-4489 or send email to tpaylor@kcstar.com. Follow him at twitter.com/TerezPaylor.
Four-star SG enjoys Mizzou visit
Mizzou news - Sun, 05/06/2012 - 10:53
Robert Hubbs III (right) visited MU this weekend with his father (left) and AAU coach (center).
COLUMBIA | Robert Hubbs III is keeping an open mind. The four-star shooting guard from Newbern, Tenn., is a wanted man; he has over 15 scholarship offers from schools all over the country, including Duke, Arkansas, Memphis, Tennessee and Vanderbilt, so he isn’t about to make a hasty decision.
But while Hubbs III, a 6-foot-4, 175-pounder who is rated by Rivals as the No. 24 overall recruit in the Class of 2013, won't be narrowing his list any time soon, all indications are the University of Missouri made a positive impression on him this weekend.
“It was fun,” said Hubbs III, who arrived in Columbia on Friday and left on Saturday. “I didn’t know they had a new arena, so that was pretty cool. And they had nice facilities."
The trip was a long time coming for Hubbs III, who said Missouri has been after him for a while.
“Coach (Frank) Haith told me a long time ago that I had an offer,” Hubbs III said. "The coaches said I could come in and get some PT next year. I like the tempo they play at.”
Missouri's interest in Hubbs III, who patterns his game after Kobe Bryant because of the five-time champion’s killer instinct, makes sense. With Michael Dixon Jr. and Keion Bell set to graduate next fall, Hubbs III could join Jabari Brown and Earnest Ross to form a super-athletic group of wings in 2013-2014.
Ernie Kuyper, who coaches Hubbs III’s AAU team (M33M Elite), also made the trip and came away convinced Hubbs III’s game would be a good fit at Missouri.
“It’s a perfect match,” Kuyper said. “He’s an up-and-down player, and Missouri is a guard-oriented team. Coach Haith lets his guards play, and that’s what Hubbs is looking for, an opportunity to step in and be the man.”
And make no mistake about it, Kuyper thinks that’s exactly what Hubbs III can be. He estimated the rising senior is averaging 20-plus points, five assists and five rebounds a game for his AAU team, which is currently 6-0.
“He can shoot, he’s fast and he can score, but he understands when he needs to score and when he needs to pass,” Kuyper said. “His assists and rebounds are ridiculous for a guard.”
Hobbs III admires Kobe Bryant's killer instinct.
Plus, Kuyper added, Hubbs III has a flair for finishing games.
“I love (the Kobe comparison),” Kuyper said. “The way I see it, you should try to become the world’s best. And there’s no doubt about it, Robert is a finisher. He makes my job easier, I’ll tell you that.”
Kuyper expects Hubbs III to make a decision in the fall, a belief that was reinforced Saturday by his star player's father, Robert Hubbs Jr., who also made the trip.
And while Hubbs Jr. made it clear his son isn’t in a hurry to pick a school, he did say that the visit only helped Missouri’s chances, largely because of a coaching staff that he called “friendly” and “hard working.”
“One thing that stuck out was I felt they’d take care of my son,” Hubbs Jr. said of Haith and associate coach Tim Fuller. “They’ll get his academics right, and that’s all we ask for. Coach Haith and Coach Fuller know how to motivate players, and they get the best they can out of them.”
“I can’t say whether or not we’ll visit again,” Hubbs Jr. concluded. “But more than likely, we will. We really enjoyed Columbia. It was a great visit.”
To reach Terez A. Paylor, call 816-234-4489 or send email to tpaylor@kcstar.com. Follow him at twitter.com/TerezPaylor.
The Hubbs family posing in front of the columns.
Mizzou basketball looks to future, offers several top '14 prospects
Mizzou news - Sat, 05/05/2012 - 17:03
Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young sponsors a star-studded AAU team full of players who just picked up Mizzou offers.
COLUMBIA | It’s no secret Missouri is still working on its 2012 recruiting class.
The Tigers have one scholarship available, and while they remain a finalist for five-star forward Devonta Pollard (whose status remains in the air), it’s certainly worth noting that Tulsa transfer Jordan Clarkson and Findlay Prep star Matt Willms are currently visiting the campus and are believed to have committable offers.
But Clarkson, a 6-foot-4 guard who averaged 16.5 points per game this season, and Willms, a 6-11 three-star forward, aren't the only recruits on Missouri’s radar this weekend. Coach Frank Haith and associate head coach Tim Fuller were also busy entertaining a quartet of high-level 2014 recruits from one of the top 16-and-under AAU teams in the South.
That’s right. Four players from Memphis-based Team Thad – which is currently 24-0 and sponsored by current Philadelphia 76ers Thaddeus Young – visited Columbia on Saturday, including four-star forward Leron Black (who is rated by Rivals as the No. 20 overall player in his class) and four-star point guard Anton Beard.
Five-foot-nine point guard Chris Chiozza and 6-7 combo forward Marcanious Hymon also made the trip, and while they haven’t been assigned a star rating by Rivals yet, they - like Black and Beard - also left Columbia with scholarship offers.
“All of them got offered today by Missouri,” said Team Thad coach Norton Hurd, who drove the boys from Memphis to Columbia late Friday/early Saturday. “I was excited for them, just like they were. But right now, they expect the offers. They’ve put in the hard work. Everybody is calling for them left and right.”
Hurd said the 6-7 Black and 5-10 Beard have already received offers from schools like Georgetown, UConn, Georgia Tech, Arkansas, Memphis and Tennessee.
Those two arrived in Columbia with Hurd and their teammates at 3 a.m. Saturday morning, only to wake up at 10 a.m. so they could see the campus and athletic facilities. Sometime after that, Haith gathered them all together and gave them the good news.
“He said he ‘wanted Team Thad to come to Missouri, so all four of you have an offer,’” Hurd said.
Black, who spoke briefly as he rode back to Memphis with his coach and teammates, said he enjoyed the visit.
“It was exciting,” Black said. “I’d probably put (Mizzou) second or third behind Georgetown.”
Hurd said Missouri is also high on Chiozza, who has an offer from Virginia Commonwealth and who Hurd believes is underrated because of his height.
“If he commits, Missouri will get a steal,” Hurd said. “Teams think he’s too little, but Missouri sees him as the next Phil Pressey. His parents are looking at Mizzou because they play Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi State, places that aren’t that far from Memphis. Missouri is already No. 1 on their list.”
Aside from Beard, all four of the kids Hurd brought Saturday are from Memphis, and the fact he drove to Little Rock, Ark., to pick up Beard – which was hours out of the way – for the 18-hour round-trip speaks to the relationship he has with Fuller, who is serving as the lead recruiter.
“I would have brought them anyway because Missouri is a high major school and I’m an equal opportunity coach,” Hurd said. “But if it weren’t for Tim, I wouldn’t have done all that.”
Hurd said Missouri has also shown interest in three Team Thad players he didn’t bring – point guards C.J. Anderson and Davell Roby and forward Todd Lewis.
And while his kids are still two years away from a decision, Hurd did agree that Missouri’s move to the nearby SEC sure won’t hurt their recruiting efforts with his players going forward.
“I do think some of them will stick together (when picking a school),” Hurd said. “I think Missouri could have pulled off one (commit without the move), but not as many as I think they could now with the move.”
To reach Terez A. Paylor, call 816-234-4489 or send email to tpaylor@kcstar.com. Follow him at twitter.com/TerezPaylor.
Must-see video: K-State’s Erik Kynard jumps over Jordan Henriquez with ease
KState NEWS - Fri, 05/04/2012 - 14:55
Ever wonder what it would look like to see a guy jump over Kansas State basketball player Jordan Henriquez? Well, it’s your lucky day. K-State high-jumper Erik Kynard did exactly that in this video promoting the Big 12 Track and Field Championships.
Check it out, he clears the 6-foot-11 forward with ease.
Taking a first glance at KU's basketball schedule in 2012-13
KU NEWS - Wed, 05/02/2012 - 23:26
KU will have a Final Four rematch with Ohio State next season.
Here’s what we know: Kansas is seeking a marquee home game — think recognizable, intriguing, high-major opponent — to fill out its non-conference basketball schedule in 2012-13.
Here’s what we also know: The Jayhawks already have the makings of a pretty promising non-conference schedule. It’s not last season, where KU played every blueblood and their rival (two games against Kentucky, two against Ohio State, one against Duke and North Carolina… and 20 against Big 12 opponents) but the Jayhawks should have a handful of early tests.
They’ll play Michigan State at the Champions Classic in Atlanta on Nov. 13 (You’ll have to wait another year for the Duke matchup at the United Center in Chicago, which, come to think of it, probably should be a pro-KU crowd. Maybe.)
Six days later, on Nov. 19, KU will play in the CBE Classic at the Sprint Center. The other three teams in the field are Saint Louis, Texas A&M and Washington State. Don’t be surprised if KU gets Washington State in the first round. And then, KU also has a Final Four rematch against Ohio State in Columbus and a home game against Temple.
Here’s what we also know: The long-rumored home-and-home series with Indiana appears to be dead, according to KU’s Larry Keating, special assistant to the athletic director. Keating is the point man in charge of piecing together KU’s schedule, and he told The Star on Wednesday that the potential series was no more. It appears Indiana was hesitant to schedule another major (road) game. The Hoosiers have reportedly been haggling with Kentucky over the renewal of that series — do they play on or off campus? — but Indiana also has a loaded schedule (It features Butler, the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, and a four-team tourney at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn that includes UCLA and Georgetown).
So here’s the first look at KU’s opponents in 2012-13. Just add on 18 league games against a re-constituted Big 12, six more guarantee games against lesser competition at Allen Fieldhouse, and one game at the Sprint Center*.
*KU, of course, will also play one home at the Sprint Center. If you count the CBE Classic, the Big 12 Tournament and the fact the Sprint Center will host early-round NCAA Tournament games, well, KU could play eight games in Kansas City in 2012-13.
Here’s the schedule:
-- Champions Classic, Nov. 13, Atlanta
Michigan State
The Spartans lose Big Ten player of the year Draymond Green off a team that earned a No. 1 seed last season. But soon-to-be junior guard Keith Appling returns, as does sophomore guard Branden Dawson, who tore his ACL in early March.
-- CBE Classic, Nov. 19-20, Kansas City
Saint Louis
KU could have an opportunity to match up with Rick Majerus and a resurgent program.
Texas A&M
The Aggies will enter the SEC in coach Billy Kennedy’s second year.
Washington State
The Cougars finished 17-18 last season, including 7-11 in the lowly Pac-10.
-- Ohio State, at Columbus
Sophomore Jared Sullinger is off to the NBA draft. But Aaron Craft, Deshaun Thomas and Lenzelle Smith Jr. could make the Buckeyes a top-20 team.
-- Temple, Allen Fieldhouse
The Owls earned a five-seed in the 2012 NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 12 South Florida in their opening game. Guards Ramone Moore and Juan Fernandez are gone, but Khalif Wyatt (17.1 points per game) will be back.
-- The marquee home game
For now, take a guess. Maybe KU looks east — think somebody like Villanova, Pitt or Georgetown — and matches up with a school that could provide a return game to the fertile recruiting ground in the New York-Philly-Washington D.C. corridor. Maybe the Jayhawks think west. Or maybe they offer an invitation to South Carolina and give Frank Martin another shot at Allen Fieldhouse. (Probably a long shot)
Anyway, it’s hard to know right now. Maybe a name will materialize in the next couple days. But right now, there’s only one certainty. Yea, it probably won’t be Missouri.
| rdodd@kcstar.com, @rustindodd
The Art of War: Mizzou goes into Kansas, pulls top '13 o-lineman
Mizzou news - Wed, 05/02/2012 - 17:09
Blue Valley '13 OT Clay Rhodes (72) grew up a Kansas fan, but will play college football at Missouri.
COLUMBIA | The father could tell his son was falling in love with Missouri all along. Randy Rhodes found some humor in this, since his son Clay – a three-star offensive tackle at Blue Valley High School – grew up a Kansas fan.
But to Randy, Clay’s decision to officially spurn his childhood favorite and commit to Missouri on Wednesday – thus becoming the 10th member of what is shaping up to be a strong 2013 recruiting class – speaks more to the strength of Mizzou’s coaching staff than anything else.
“Mizzou outrecruited every school that came after Clay,” Randy said.
RhodesRhodes, who stands 6-feet-6 and weighs 265 pounds, chose Missouri over Oklahoma State and had offers from Kansas and Kansas State. He is the fourth ’13 recruit from Kansas City to commit to Missouri since February, and like the others, he mentioned several reasons for his decision.
“Coach (Gary) Pinkel is great, my position coaches are incredible and I knew they’d treat me like I was one of their own,” Rhodes said. “There’s a family atmosphere, too. There’s guys I want to be around, like Trent (Hosick) and Nick (Ramirez), and I want to be a part of playing in the SEC and winning a national title.”
Hosick, a three-star quarterback at Staley, and a Ramirez, a hard-hitting four-star linebacker from Lee’s Summit West, both committed to Missouri the morning of the Black and Gold game on April 14. Both cited the same reasons for committing as Rhodes, who also joins Hogan Prep cornerback Anthony Sherrils as a local member of the ‘13 class.
Rhodes credits Hosick, whom he befriended at a recruiting combine a few months ago, for staying in his ear and playing a role in his decision.
“Trent and I talk almost everyday,” Rhodes said. “I’m excited to block for him.”
Rhodes said Hosick, who led Staley to an undefeated state championship in Missouri Class 5 last season, never pressured him to pick Missouri. Instead, he encouraged Rhodes to make the best decision for him, though he wasn’t shy about giving his opinion on the matter.
“He was like ‘Do what’s best for you, but personally, I think you should go to Mizzou because I want to play with guys like you,’” Rhodes said.
Rhodes, who has Missouri graduates in his family, also never forgot that Missouri was the first school to offer him a scholarship, which came on the heels of an unofficial visit to Kansas just days earlier in which he left without an offer.
“Kansas was like the fourth or fifth team to offer me,” Clay said. “I got my first offer from Missouri and was like (wow).”
When Clay told his dad about the Missouri offer, Randy advised him to wait before committing. He figured a few other schools would join the fray, and he was right.
But Clay’s heart was always with Missouri – at least, that’s how it appeared to Randy.
“We knew Missouri has been at top of his list since his first visit,” Randy said. “But I got my first clue he’d pick them when he visited Oklahoma State. The facilities and coaches there were great, but he was ready to leave at halftime of the spring game. We were driving back to the airport and it dawned on me that he’d made up his mind that day.”
Rhodes (72) fell in love with the coaching staff at MU.
Clay said he was 95 percent sure he’d pick Missouri last weekend, and after some final consideration, he came to the conclusion Tuesday night that he was 100 percent sure that’s where he wanted to go.
“If I were to compare MU, KU and K-State recruiting,” Rhodes said, “Missouri blows them out of the water.”
Now, Rhodes plans on doing a little recruiting of his own. Missouri has offered scholarships to two more prospects from the Kansas City area – Rockhurst offensive lineman Zach Hannon and Lee’s Summit West defensive end Jamone Boyd – and Rhodes and Hannon are close.
In fact, Rhodes said he had a discussion with Hannon on Tuesday night.
“He was curious about what I was doing because it was all over the news, and he wanted to know where I was at in the process,” Rhodes said. “We also talked about where he was at in the process.”
Rhodes didn’t go into too much detail about Hannon’s thinking, but he did reveal his recruiting pitch, one that wasn’t much different than the one he heard from Hosick.
“I said ‘Hey, you’ve got to do what’s best for you,’” Rhodes said. “But I told him I’d love to be his teammate because I know how good he is. We’ll be in touch, still.”
The fact Clay has already started recruiting for Missouri doesn’t surprise his father. Remember, Randy’s known for a while where his son’s heart lies; he’s just happy Clay got a chance to finally make it official on Wednesday.
“I’m ecstatic for Clay and so is his mom,” Randy said. “We just wanted him to find a school he felt comfortable at…and Missouri’s staff has done an amazing job of turning a kid that grew up a Kansas fan into a Mizzou fan.”
To reach Terez A. Paylor, call 816-234-4489 or send email to tpaylor@kcstar.com. Follow him at twitter.com/TerezPaylor.
