Antonio Blakeney Has Committed to Louisville

Five star recruit Antonio Blakeney has committed to Louisville.  Blakeney is ranked 16th in the ESPN 100 and is the 3rd ranked shooting guard in the class of 2015.  He can score the basketball in a multitude of ways.  He can knock down any shot with his consistent jumper, or can finish in the lane with his impressive athleticism.  Blakeney averaged 19.5 PPG in the Nike EYBL circuit over the spring and summer for Each 1 Teach 1.  He is the finishing touch on an already great recruiting class for Rick Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals.  They already have Donovan Mitchell (72nd in the ESPN 100), Deng Adel (81st in the ESPN 100), and Raymond Spalding (not in the ESPN 100, but ranked as 24th best PF).  Blakeney and Mitchell are going to be one of the most explosive and athletic back courts in college basketball.  Both have crazy athleticism and a great offensive game.  This is one of Pitino's best recruiting classes ever.  Louisville once again has a top ranked recruiting class.

Gordon Dragic "Australia vs. Angola FIBA Game Was Fixed"

After Australia lost to Angola 91-83 this morning Gordon Dragic tweeted out his opionon.  His tweet read: "Basketball is a beautiful sport, there is no room for fixing the game like today Australia vs Angola!! @FIBA should do something about that!" Dragic was mad that Australia sat there starters for most of the game and tried to lose the game. Australia wanted to lose the game so they would avoid playing the loaded USA team in the quarterfinals. So basically, Australia tanked the game. But in no way was the game fixed. You would think Dragic would know the difference after playing in the same league as the Philadelphia 76ers. Most people don't like the idea of tanking and think it is unethical. But if you were the coach of the Australian team, wouldn't you do anything to avoid playing USA for another game? Whether you like it or not, by losing today Australia avoids playing USA for another round. Well, if they make it that far. The round of 16 starts this Saturday and Australia will face off against Turkey.

USA Beats Dominican Republic 106-71

Team USA just beat the Dominican Republic 106-71.  Kenneth Faried led the team with 16 points and 6 rebounds.  Faried's high motor was shown off in today's victory, as was all over the court.  He was dunking the ball, grabbing rebounds, and slamming down put back dunks.  Faried has shown he is one of the best players on this team.  DeMarcus Cousins also had a great game.  Coming off the bench Cousins scored 13 points and had 7 steals and 5 rebounds.  He is the spark Coach K looks for to come off the bench.  Anthony Davis had another good game with 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 blocks.  Both Davis and Faried have surprisingly led this USA team every game.  Before the tournament started most people expected the loaded backcourt of team USA to do all the work, but the opposite has happened.  Faried and Davis are outplaying the backcourt composed of Steph Curry, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Rose, Klay Thompson, and more.  The bigs are doing a good job proving that they are the true stars of the team.  Team USA is now 4-0 in pool play, and they have clinched first place in Pool C.  They have one more game before the Round of 16 begins.  Watch Kenneth Faried and Anthony Davis lead Team USA one last time in pool play tomorrow at 11:30 AM ET against Ukraine on ESPN.

Hornets' Rookie Noah Vonleh is Going to Miss 6-8 Weeks

The Charlotte Hornets' rookie Noah Vonleh is set to miss 6-8 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia.  The Hornets drafted Vonleh 9th in the 2014 draft, after he averaged 11.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in his freshman season at Indiana.  Vonleh is joining a Hornets team revamped to make another playoff run.  The Hornets formerly known as the Bobcats last season made it to the playoffs and faced off with LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the first round.  The Bobcats got swept by LeBron and Co. in 4 games.  In hopes to make a deeper playoff run this season the Hornets signed Lance Stephenson in free agency.  In Indiana, Stephenson led the league in triple doubles last season and averaged 13.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 4.6 APG.  Stephenson is now going to be paired up in the Hornets backcourt with point guard Kemba Walker.  Walker averaged 17.7 PPG and 6.1 APG last season.  The 3rd piece to Charlotte's "Big Three" is their center, Al Jefferson.  Jefferson was an absolute beast last season averaging 20 and 10 per game.  The Hornets are going to be a fun team to watch this year.  They have the young players in Vonleh, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and P.J. Harriston.  But they also have their star players with Walker, Stephenson, and Jefferson.  Watch out for the Charlotte Hornets to turn some heads in the Eastern Conference this season.

Team USA Rolls Over New Zealand

Team USA just beat New Zealand 98-71 in their third game of pool play.  The team remains undefeated and leads the pool.  They will probably go 5-0 in pool play.  Anthony Davis led the team today with 21 points and 9 rebounds.  Kenneth Faried had 15 points and 11 rebounds.  New Zealand had no answer for USA's big men.  The four other players in double digits for USA were James Harden (13),  Steph Curry (12),  Klay Thompson (10), and Kyrie Irving (10).  New Zealand's leading scorer was B.J. Anthony with 11 points.  USA has their next game tomorrow against the Dominican Republic.  They beat the DR by 43 points in an exhibition game on August 20.  After today, Team USA now has 57 wins straight in international play.  Watch them make it 58 straight tomorrow at 3:30 on ESPN.

BallasTv Showcase: Full Recap

The first annual BallasTv Showcase was held this past Saturday.  The event was filled with the best talent from New England.  The talent level varied from division three to some division one college prospects.  Among those players we decided to highlight multiple below.  

Jalen Adams - This one is obvious.  Jalen Adams was by far the best player at the event.  Adams is a 6'1" point guard heading to UConn after his upcoming senior year of high school at Brewster Academy.  He can easily create off the dribble and also run an offense well.  Adams won CO-MVP honors with his dominant performance in the all-star game.  Adams caught alley-oops, dunked the ball, and dazzled the audience.  He shoots the ball well, can attack the basket, play defense, and distribute the ball well.  Jalen Adams could be the next Kemba Walker or Shabazz Napier for UCONN

Jermaine Samuels - Samuels was the second best performer at the showcase.  He is a top 25 talent in the country for the class of 2017.  He is only going into his sophomore year at Rivers Academy and stands at 6'6".  Samuels is one of the most dominate high school players in New England.  He had dunk after dunk that left fans and coaches with their jaws dropped.  Considering he is only a sophomore he has an impressive build physically and uses it to his advantage.  Jermaine Samuels will be an unstoppable player once his outside game catches up to his already impressive skill set.

Jordan Hardwick - The 6'7" power forward is a beast.  Hardwick dominates the interior game with his athleticism and determination.  He dunks the ball with ease also.  He won the dunk contest, well sorta.  Hardwick and Tyonne Malone were co-champions in the dunk contest.  Hardwick showed off his hops by jumping over Jermaine Sameuls.  Hardwick still has to improve his down-low game but he has high potential to be one of the most dominant big men in the class of 2017.

David Watkins - Watkins is a well rounded 6'7" forward.  He won CO-MVP along with Jalen Adams in the all-star game.  He can step out shoot the three, but he can also attack the basket and finish.  Watkins can also run the break and post up inside.  He's able to attack a defense any way he wants.  Watkins is entering his junior season at Brimmer and May and has received interest from BU and Fairfield.  His goal is to play in the ACC or A-10.  College coaches will sure take notice this upcoming season.  David Watkins is a well rounded forward who will make noise in the college game in his future.  

Isaiah McLeod - McLeod wanted to prove he can play with the best. He proved his point on Saturday.  The 6 foot 1 point guard played aggressive and got to the hoop.  He also shoot the three.  McLeod is going into his senior season at Cambridge Rindge and Latin.  He is looking to have another great season.  Last year Isaiah dropped 43 points against Everett High. McLeod just visited Stonehill College, and is receiving interest from some other schools.  He will definitely receive a few offers to play at the college level.  Isaiah McLeod is explosive and aggressive, which allows him to be one of the best guards in Massachusetts.

Isaiah Fontaine - The 6 foot 8 forward showed flashes of excellence during his play.  Fontaine controls both ends of the floor.  He can block anything that comes his way in the post and also finish with nice post moves on the offensive end.  He is loaded with potential and a great body to do so.  He could end up being a Nerlens Noel or Isaiah Austin type big man.  He is a great rim protector like both of them. The only thing different about him is his offensive game.  Fontaine can score the ball many ways.  He has a series of turn around jump shots and quick moves on the block.  Hopefully he will develop into his full potential.  Watch out for Isaiah Fontaine's upcoming season at Williston Northampton. 

Tyonne Malone - Malone was one of the most athletic and talented players at the showcase.  He can blow pass defenders and finish with authority at the rim, or hit the outside shot behind the arc. Malone is only entering his Junior season at Putnam Vocational and has offers from BU, Manhattan, St. Peter's, and UMass.  He is also receiving interest from BC and Providence.  The multifaceted Malone has received interest from UConn, but still needs to earn a scholarship.  He certainly would fit with a team like UConn.  On Saturday, he and Jalen Adams were throwing alley-oops to each other and playing a nice two man game.   Maybe we could see Malone and Adams throwing lobs to each other again in a few years, only they would be wearing a UConn Huskies uniform.

Dexter Thompson - Thompson was the breakout player of the day on Saturday.  He got to the hoop with ease and finished off with multiple dunks.  He played with a certain intensity that few showed.  Every play he showed he wanted it more than anybody else on the floor.  He plays with a Stanley Johnson or Jaylen Brown style.  All three of them have a great motor and attack the rim with force.  They all have college ready bodies and great athletic ability.  He is only 6'3" but plays like a small forward.  Thompson can cut to the basket and score inside with ease, but needs more of an outside game. Dexter seemed to be a few steps ahead of everyone on the court because of his great awareness and high basketball IQ.  If Dexter Thompson plays with the same intensity he did Saturday during his senior campaign at the Hyde School, he should definitely have a scholarship or two to choose from at season's end.  

Monytung Maker - Maker is a well rounded player who seemed to be everywhere on the court.  Even if he didn't have the ball in his hands, he was affecting the game around him.  He has a great athletic ability and can rebound the ball well.  Maker is a player that is always grabbing loose balls and cleaning up the glass.  Due to his hustle he would play a great role on a college team.  Watch out as Monytung Maker is entering his junior season at Manchester West HS.  

Chris Baldwin - The 6 foot 7 big man knows how to dominate opponents in the paint.  Baldwin dunked almost every time he got the ball.  He plays an athletic forward style and excels doing so.  He has received an offer from UMass and received from interest from Boston College.  Hopefully Baldwin can develop into a well polished big during his senior season at Springfield Central.  He has a certain rawness within his play that could help him develop into a monstrous big man.

Geo Baker - Baker is a 6 foot 2 point guard.  He has impressive quickness and handles by his side.  He used them multiple times to show up defenders.  He is only entering his sophomore season at Pinkerton Academy.  If he can develop an outside game and grow a little, Baker will be a great guard.  He already has a great knack for the game and some awesome handles.  Geo Baker will be a fun player to watch develop over his next three years of high school.  

Kevin Durant Re-Signed With Nike

Kevin Durant has resigned with Nike.  Even though it was reported several times that he was going to Under Armour he didn't.  I mean, who would?  Nike dominates the basketball world.  They have the best shoes, gear, and uniforms.  Durant is going to be making between $265 and $300 million over the next 10 years (via ESPN).  He is going to be making a bunch of money from Nike throughout the rest of his career.  The question is: in what uniform?  Durant will be a free agent in 2016 and it is rumored he might go back to his hometown, Washington D.C..  The Wizards would certainly be a nice fit for Durant.  They have two of the best young guards in the league with John Wall and Bradley Beal.  Only time well tell whether Durant will follow LeBron's trend and head home, or if he will stay with Oklahoma after 2016.  But for now, Durant will be going for the championship this upcoming season in some new Nikes.