BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
There must be a reason
Those close to the Gonzaga basketball program probably have the answer, significant numbers of international players arrive on these shores annually to play collegiate basketball. Gonzaga seems to be the clear leader in attracting talent from foreign shores. That is the case with this story, Gonzaga will welcome 16-year old Omur Ballo to the campus this summer. Ballo is the top international prospects on everyone’s radar. For you who want numbers he’s a 6-foot 10-inch 240-pound center from the west African nation of Mali. Ballo has a reported 7 foot 6 inch wingspan and plays at the NBA Academy Latin America in Mexico City. This Rivals 5-star prospect will enroll in summer school and be included in the list of 2019 prospects.
Those close to the Gonzaga basketball program probably have the answer, significant numbers of international players arrive on these shores annually to play collegiate basketball. Gonzaga seems to be the clear leader in attracting talent from foreign shores. That is the case with this story, Gonzaga will welcome 16-year old Omur Ballo to the campus this summer. Ballo is the top international prospects on everyone’s radar. For you who want numbers he’s a 6-foot 10-inch 240-pound center from the west African nation of Mali. Ballo has a reported 7 foot 6 inch wingspan and plays at the NBA Academy Latin America in Mexico City. This Rivals 5-star prospect will enroll in summer school and be included in the list of 2019 prospects.
The beat-down
I’ve never witnessed a Bill Self team suffering such a beat-down as that which occurred Saturday evening. Texas Tech came out from the locker room as if their hair was on fire, they played at that level all evening long. It wasn’t just scoring baskets Tech played tight belly button defense forcing the Jayhawks into numerous turnovers. The Jayhawks managed to shoot a respectable 46% from the floor but Tech was a blazing 61% sinking 16 3-point baskets along the way. The final score read Texas Tech 91 Kansas 62, the Jayhawks have 6 conference losses on their resume now. The 15 consecutive conference title streak for the Jayhawks is in real jeopardy now. After the Saturday night match Kansas must prepare to play league leading Kansas State in about 48 hours.
I’ve never witnessed a Bill Self team suffering such a beat-down as that which occurred Saturday evening. Texas Tech came out from the locker room as if their hair was on fire, they played at that level all evening long. It wasn’t just scoring baskets Tech played tight belly button defense forcing the Jayhawks into numerous turnovers. The Jayhawks managed to shoot a respectable 46% from the floor but Tech was a blazing 61% sinking 16 3-point baskets along the way. The final score read Texas Tech 91 Kansas 62, the Jayhawks have 6 conference losses on their resume now. The 15 consecutive conference title streak for the Jayhawks is in real jeopardy now. After the Saturday night match Kansas must prepare to play league leading Kansas State in about 48 hours.
There are collegiate records
We checked out the NBA awhile back how about university and college single game records?
We checked out the NBA awhile back how about university and college single game records?
Points
100 Frank Selvy Furman non-D-I
72 Kevin Bradshaw U.S. International D-I
100 Frank Selvy Furman non-D-I
72 Kevin Bradshaw U.S. International D-I
Rebounds
51 Bill Chambers Wm & Mary pre-1973
35 Larry Abney Fresno State 2000-post 1973
51 Bill Chambers Wm & Mary pre-1973
35 Larry Abney Fresno State 2000-post 1973
Assists
22 Trae Young Oklahoma 2017 tie with 3 others
22 Trae Young Oklahoma 2017 tie with 3 others
Blocked shots
16 Mickell Gladness Alabama A&M 2007
16 Mickell Gladness Alabama A&M 2007
The NBA connection to the
NFL
A couple of NFL quarterbacks appreciate NBA basketball, they appreciate it to the point they are willing to invest their money in the product. Aaron Rogers has been a member of the Green Bay Packers since 2005 and the starting quarterback for the Packers since 2008. Roger’s also happens to be one of the owners of the NBA Milwaukee Bucks. Rogers has been a 1 percent team owner for well over a year, there is no $$ estimate on the cost of his share.
A couple of NFL quarterbacks appreciate NBA basketball, they appreciate it to the point they are willing to invest their money in the product. Aaron Rogers has been a member of the Green Bay Packers since 2005 and the starting quarterback for the Packers since 2008. Roger’s also happens to be one of the owners of the NBA Milwaukee Bucks. Rogers has been a 1 percent team owner for well over a year, there is no $$ estimate on the cost of his share.
On the west coast Seattle Seahawks
quarterback Russell Wilson is part of an investment group hopeful in acquiring
a franchise for the city. In closing we
move to the broadcast booth where we meet Ahmad Rashard, he’s been closely
identified with the NBA over the course of his career in television. Few remember or even realize Rashard once ran
pass patterns as a wide receiver for 10 years in the NFL for the Cardinals,
Bills and Vikings.
It’s difficult
Words eye view is compiled from several sources including .com websites. Recently I came across a 2019 NBA mock draft. The writer had Ja Morant listed as number 6 or 7, naturally this peak my curiosity. Every mock site I’ve seen list the Murray State point guard anywhere from 2 through 4. After I read his analysis, I scratched my head, he detailed every negative aspect of Morant’s game he could uncover. As I’ve often stated we have no idea who makes the grade and who fails in an NBA draft.
Words eye view is compiled from several sources including .com websites. Recently I came across a 2019 NBA mock draft. The writer had Ja Morant listed as number 6 or 7, naturally this peak my curiosity. Every mock site I’ve seen list the Murray State point guard anywhere from 2 through 4. After I read his analysis, I scratched my head, he detailed every negative aspect of Morant’s game he could uncover. As I’ve often stated we have no idea who makes the grade and who fails in an NBA draft.
With that said what do we categorize as
success, I will cite a couple of examples that might be construed as
negative. LaRue Martin was made the
number one pick in the 1972 draft by the Blazers, he failed to have the NBA
career many believed he might have. His
response was simple, he “was able to take
care of his family.” The Clippers
made Michael Olowokandi the top choice in the 1998 draft, over the course of a 9-year
career he too never experienced a career of a number one. Despite this apparent low we must take into
consideration he was paid the entire time.
