Basketball from a fans perspective
Arizona bound
Nico Mannion is headed to Arizona to play for coach Sean Miller, Mannion is 6-foot 3-inch point guard and the Rivals number 20 prospect in the Class of 2019. At this point the commitment is verbal however the Pinnacle High School (Phoenix, Az) talent will sign on the dotted line at some future point. Among the schools with offers on the table besides Arizona were Duke, Cal, Kansas and UCLA. Nico’s dad Pace Mannion had a brief career in the NBA playing for several teams.
“Dropping Dimes”
If you are unfamiliar with the term Dropping Dimes, it denotes an assist in basketball. Mavs forward Harrison Barnes has now gone on record regarding his new teammate Luka Doncic. The other day on ESPN’s “The Jump” he said, “Doncic was dropping dimes in practice.” I’m guessing Barnes is stating Doncic can distribute the basketball effectively.
If you are unfamiliar with the term Dropping Dimes, it denotes an assist in basketball. Mavs forward Harrison Barnes has now gone on record regarding his new teammate Luka Doncic. The other day on ESPN’s “The Jump” he said, “Doncic was dropping dimes in practice.” I’m guessing Barnes is stating Doncic can distribute the basketball effectively.
Hoyas
The three profiled in this account are not the first Georgetown Hoyas to reach the NBA. That honor belongs to Bob Sharpenter drafted in 1962 by the defunct Syracuse Nationals. Patrick Ewing is now the head coach at his Alma Mater Georgetown University, that is interesting on several levels. The Washington D.C. school once upon a time became known for producing NBA centers.
The three profiled in this account are not the first Georgetown Hoyas to reach the NBA. That honor belongs to Bob Sharpenter drafted in 1962 by the defunct Syracuse Nationals. Patrick Ewing is now the head coach at his Alma Mater Georgetown University, that is interesting on several levels. The Washington D.C. school once upon a time became known for producing NBA centers.
The coach Patrick Ewing was
the first, in 1985 he would become the number one draft choice by the
Knicks. Ewing would go on to have a
distinguished career, he would be enshrined in both the College and Naismith
Hall of Fame. After serving as an
assistant coach in the NBA for several teams Ewing now can fulfill the role
he’s long desired that of head coach of a team.
In 1991 the Nuggets made
Dikembe Mutombo the 4th pick in round one of the NBA draft. The 7-foot 2-inch Mutombo was known more for
his defense causing the NBA to implement the “Mutombo rule.” Blocking an opponent shot at or near the
basket he would stand over them wagging his finger. Mutombo would go on to an 18-year NBA career,
since his retirement he’s been in the forefront of NBA Africa. He’s also been philanthropic in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo his former homeland.
The following year in the
1992 draft Alonzo Mourning was made the 2nd pick in the first round
by the Hornets (Pelicans). Mourning
returned from a kidney transplant to complete a 16-year NBA career playing for
several NBA franchises. Mourning is
enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame as a player. Just a brief thumbnail sketch of three
Georgetown athletes who led the way to national prominence for the school. Georgetown has continued to produce
basketball talent although no post players with the skill of the three
covered.
This might
appear shocking to some
We have read and heard stories regarding Kobe Bryant un-retiring. Not that unusual, Michael Jordan might be the biggest name to retire and later return to the game. I read about a week ago Bryant indicated he was retired, later his wife in a rare interview echoed that view. I’d love to have him return and matched with LeBron James. I’d love to see the 35-year old Bryant in action again not the 40-year old Bryant. Please remain retired, produce movies or whatever you are doing currently.
We have read and heard stories regarding Kobe Bryant un-retiring. Not that unusual, Michael Jordan might be the biggest name to retire and later return to the game. I read about a week ago Bryant indicated he was retired, later his wife in a rare interview echoed that view. I’d love to have him return and matched with LeBron James. I’d love to see the 35-year old Bryant in action again not the 40-year old Bryant. Please remain retired, produce movies or whatever you are doing currently.
Hilltopper
basketball
Charles Bassey provides us a basis to monitor Western Kentucky basketball this season. The excitement is more than 6-foot 10-inch 245-pound Bassey, the Hilltoppers are on an upward trend. Coach Rick Stansbury is now into his third season, the first year his team finished the season with 15 wins and 17 losses, (9-9 in Conference USA). They bumped the record up to 27 wins and 11 losses, (14-4 in conference) they finished 3rd in the NIT post season semi-finals. As for Bassey you might want to check him out this season, NBA scouts are salivating on the prospects of this Lagos Nigeria native. NBADraft.net projects Bassey as a lottery pick in the 2019 NBA draft.
Charles Bassey provides us a basis to monitor Western Kentucky basketball this season. The excitement is more than 6-foot 10-inch 245-pound Bassey, the Hilltoppers are on an upward trend. Coach Rick Stansbury is now into his third season, the first year his team finished the season with 15 wins and 17 losses, (9-9 in Conference USA). They bumped the record up to 27 wins and 11 losses, (14-4 in conference) they finished 3rd in the NIT post season semi-finals. As for Bassey you might want to check him out this season, NBA scouts are salivating on the prospects of this Lagos Nigeria native. NBADraft.net projects Bassey as a lottery pick in the 2019 NBA draft.
