UGA Basketball
Recruiting
News-Press: City of Palms Classic: Meet the teams playing in the 49th annual basketball tournament
Winter Haven
Nickname: Blue Devils
Last Season: 23-8, 6A State Champions
Top players: 6-foot-8 Dylan James (Sr.), 6-foot-6 Isaac Cellscar (Jr.), 6-foot-6 Jamie Phillips Jr. (Jr.), 6-foot-1 Kjei Parker (Sr.)
Outlook: “This Blue Devil squad is loaded with talent and makes the trip south after winning the 6A state title. Coach Tyron Woodside’s squad is off to a 5-0 start, led by Kjei Parker who is averaging 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Winter Haven’s highest-rated recruit is Georgia commit Dylan James, who ranks 4th in scoring on this year’s stacked Blue Devil Squad.”
https://www.news-press.com/story/sp...9th-annual-city-of-palms-classic/69715420007/
12-11
The Ledger: Winter Haven 73, Plant City 60
Highlights: Isaac Celiscar scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, five assists and two steals, and Jamie Phillips finished with 18 points, five rebounds and five assists to lead Winter Haven. Kjei Parker scored 17 points with seven rebounds and four assists, Dylan James had 10 points and seven rebounds.
https://www.theledger.com/story/spo...eeks-action-in-basketball-soccer/69719409007/
SEC Basketball
Saturday Down South: SEC basketball notebook: The last unbeaten, upset-minded Bama and more
https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/c...last-unbeaten-upset-minded-bama-and-more/amp/
Alabama
Alabama.com: Brandon Miller’s 2nd half outburst lifts No. 4 Alabama past Memphis
https://www.al.com/alabamabasketbal...outburst-lifts-no-4-alabama-past-memphis.html
Alabama.com: Alabama basketball starter has wrist surgery, out indefinitely
“Alabama men’s basketball guard Nimari Burnett underwent left wrist surgery Tuesday and is out indefinitely, the school announced…”
https://www.al.com/alabamabasketbal...starter-has-wrist-surgery-out-definitely.html
Auburn
College Basketball
Field of 68 Daily: Rising Tide
Alabama holds court vs. Memphis thanks to Miller's 24 on a night of blowouts. Plus, how those nasty defenses differ, and UCLA's cold upcoming trip.
https://fieldof68.beehiiv.com/p/alabama-memphis-sec-defense-daily
Rothstein: The Breakfast Buffet: UCLA hits the road, Butler, the Pac-12 is coming back to life
https://collegehoopstoday.com/index...oad-butler-the-pac-12-is-coming-back-to-life/
Akron
Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips men's basketball team begins stretch run leading to conference schedule
https://www.beaconjournal.com/story...tough-scheduling-enrique-freeman/69720323007/
California
SI.com: Cal Basketball: AD Jim Knowlton on Mark Fox's Program - This is Not Good Enough'
The man who hired Cal's coach says he is trying to be patient during 0-11 start.
https://www.si.com/college/cal/basketball/knowlton-on-fox
Central Florida
Cincinnati
WLWT: Cincinnati signs head basketball coach Miller to extension
https://www.wlwt.com/amp/article/cincinnati-bearcats-wes-miller-extension/42242428
Iona
Louisville
Louisville Courier Journal: Kenny Payne and winless Louisville basketball need more production from veteran leaders
https://www.courier-journal.com/sto...teran-captains-continue-struggle/69717845007/
Memphis
Memphis Commercial Appeal: No. 4 Alabama holds off Memphis basketball despite 30 points from Kendric Davis
https://www.commercialappeal.com/st...is-not-enough-in-loss-to-alabama/69715271007/
Michigan
Michigan Live: Jaelin Llewellyn discuss his knee injury, future with Michigan basketball
https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/20...-with-michigan-basketball.html?outputType=amp
North Carolina
Raleigh News Observer: UNC basketball empties its bench, Tar Heels pull away from The Citadel in 100-67 win
https://amp.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article269893652.html
NC State
Ohio State
Columbus Dispatch: Six key numbers for Ohio State basketball to work on as North Carolina game looms
https://www.dispatch.com/story/spor...s-north-carolina-what-to-work-on/69721931007/
UCLA
NYT: As Regents Ready U.C.L.A. Decision, Emails Show Little Public Support
Emails obtained through a records request showed backlash to U.C.L.A.’s planned move to the Big Ten among alumni and parents.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/13/...ytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
UNLV
Las Vegas Sun: UNLV basketball could look different if senior guard Parquet misses time
https://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2022/dec/13/unlv-basketball-could-look-different-without-parqu/
Washington
Seattle Times: Keion Brooks Jr. takes over for UW men’s basketball, leads rally past Cal Poly
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports...uw-mens-basketball-leads-rally-past-cal-poly/
NBA
Boston
Boston Herald: Celtics blow big lead, but respond with improbable comeback to pull off wild victory over Lakers
https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/1...omeback-to-pull-off-wild-victory-over-lakers/
Philadelphia
Phoenix
AZ Central: Suns lose Ayton, Payne in fifth straight loss, falling 111-97 at Rockets
https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...ix-suns-lose-fifth-straight-game/69726622007/
History
SB Nation: Paul Silas’ multi-generational impact on the game of basketball
https://www.sbnation.com/platform/a...ilas-multi-generational-impact-basketball-nba
Hoops Birthdays 12-14
Nicolas Batum SG France POR, CHA, LAC 2008-present 12-14-1988 34 YOA
William Bedford C Memphis PHO, DET, SA 1986-1993 12-14-1963 59 YOA
John Brown SF Missouri ATL, CHI, UT 12-14-1951 72 YOA
John Brown and the 1973 Hawks’ Draft
1973 1-9 Dwight Jones PF Houston
1973 1-10 John Brown SF Missouri
Jones played college basketball at the University of Houston under Guy Lewis from 1971-73. During the 1972 Summer Olympics he led the team in rebounding as well as scoring.
Jones was with ATL from 1973-1976, 9.5 PPG 7.6 RPG, traded to Houston he played in the NBA until 1983, never matched the numbers he put up in Atlanta.
John Brown was with ATL from 1973-1978, 1979-1980. He averaged 8.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG. Traded to Chicago, he ended his career in Atlanta. His best season was 74-75 when he averaged 11.2 PPG.
From Missouri Legends:
“John Brown was born on December 14, 1951, in Frankfurt, Germany, but grew up in the town of Dixon. His 6´7. frame was an imposing force in the Frisco League. During his senior year for the Bulldogs, he dominated the competition and averaged 31.5 points per game and led the team all the way to the state championship and a perfect record. He was a dominating player in every facet of the game, and practically every major college in the Midwest wanted him to be a part of their team. Luckily for Missouri basketball fans, he was loyal to his home state and signed with the University of Missouri.
“During his sophomore year, he broke into the starting lineup, averaged more than fifteen points a game, and never looked back.
In 1972, John was a junior and one of the best big men in college basketball. He averaged more than 20 points and 11 rebounds per game while leading the Tigers to an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament. He had almost identical numbers his senior year and once again took Mizzou to the NIT. In both of those seasons, he earned the honor of being an All Big 8 Conference First Team selection. He left the University of Missouri as the school’s all-time leading
scorer.”
“His first year in the league, he made the NBA All-Rookie team as the Hawks finished second in the Central Division. Brown played a total of seven years in the NBA, most of it with Atlanta. During the final years of his career, he bounced around between Chicago and Utah, before he ended up with the Hawks again in 1980. It was his last year in the NBA, and it turned out to be one of the most successful for the team. Atlanta finished first in the Central Division and made
the playoffs against Julius Irving and the Philadelphia 76ers. He finished his NBA career with 3,614 points and 2,126 rebounds.“
Intriguing selections of the 1973 draft:
Dave Winfield RF err SF Minnesota D5 and John Williamson D6 SG New Mexico State who didn’t make the roster and signed with the NY Nets of the ABA where he averaged 14.1 PPG before entering the NBA where he improved to 20.2 PPG, unfortunate none of it with the Hawks.
Winfield from the Society of American Baseball Research:
“Winfield grew up in St. Paul and excelled in baseball and basketball at St. Paul Central High School and then at the University of Minnesota. “Winnie” averaged 9.0 points and 5.8 rebounds in 46 Gopher basketball games…
“Back on campus for his third year in the fall of 1971, Winfield worked out with the junior varsity basketball team, where he caught the eye of Gopher assistant coach Jimmy Williams. Williams invited him to try out for new head coach Bill Musselman, and Winfield earned a spot on a veteran varsity squad that included Jim Brewer, Ron Behagen, Clyde Turner, Keith Young, Bob Murphy, Bob Nix, and Corky Taylor. The veterans were slow to accept Winfield, but he won them over with his hard work, hustle, and powerful elbows.18 “He was the best rebounder I ever saw,” Musselman, who would go on to coach in the NBA and the American Basketball Association, said.
“Making the team, I give up my half baseball scholarship for a full basketball scholarship,” Winfield’s autobiography said. “Anyway, for the first time I can go to classes, go to practices, live away from home, and not have to worry whether I’ll be able to afford my meals, my books, or transportation.”
If life was more settled off the court, it was frantic on the hardwood, where Musselman coached his players to be aggressive and physical, a style Winfield embraced. “From Musselman I learned to get on that man, to get inside his jersey, his shorts, his jock. I learned first and foremost to be there. To get up in his face when he tried to dribble, and to stay there when he tried to shoot.”21
On January 25, 1972, “Musselman’s Musclemen” became too aggressive. Trailing late in a Big 10 showdown with Ohio State before a frenzied Williams Arena crowd, Taylor committed a hard foul on Ohio State center Luke Witte. The Gophers had been unhappy with the way Witte was throwing elbows during the game. When Taylor helped Witte up off the floor, he kneed him in the groin. Behagen who had fouled out earlier, jumped in off the bench, and stomped on Witte’s head and neck. Quickly, the floor was a sea of players, fans, coaches, and officials. Winfield, who had been sitting on the sidelines, entered the fray, running across the floor to throw punches “like I was spring-loaded.” Winfield later told Sports Illustrated, “Hey, I’m not denying I was involved. There was a fight with my team. I was swinging.” Though he was later blistered by media members, he escaped the punishment assessed Behagen and Taylor, season-ending suspensions. Instead, he stepped into Behagen’s spot in the starting lineup. As one of the Gophers’ “Iron Five,” Winfield led Minnesota to its first conference championship in 35 years and an appearance in the NCAA tournament.
As a senior, Winfield returned to campus and guided Minnesota’s basketball team to a second-place Big Ten finish and a berth in the National Invitational Tournament in New York.”
As to Williamson, from the New Mexico HOF:
“Before signing with the ABA Nets, he had been eligible for the NBA draft that year, being selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the 6th round with the 96th pick, but didn’t make the cut for their roster
As a rookie, Williamson landed a roster spot with the Nets of the ABA as a free agent for the 1973–74 season. Williamson’s Nets arrival had coincided with Erving’s for the 1973-74 season. After starring at New Mexico State, Williamson averaged 14.5 points .Despite being a rookie, Williamson quickly entered the New York starting lineup along with superstar, Julius Erving and rising star rookie, Larry Kenon. After Williamson became a starter, the team’s fortunes quickly turned for the better and the team ended up winning their first ABA Championship that season. Williamson was named to the 1974 ABA All-Rookie team.”
Pat Burke C Auburn ORL, PHO 2002-2007 12-14-1973 39 YO
Robert Covington SF Tennessee State HOU, PHI, MIN, POR, LAC 2013-present 12-14-1990 32 YOA
Carl Herrera PF Houston HOU, SA, VAN, DEN 1991-1999 12-14-1966 56 YOA
Anthony Mason PF Tennessee State NJ, DEN, NYK, CHA, MIA, MIL 1989-2003 born 12-14-1966 died 2-28-2015
Eldridge Recasner SG Washington DEN, HOU, ATL, CHA, LAC 1994-2002 12-14-1967 55 YOA
Lonnie Walker SG Miami SA, LAL 2018-present 12-14-1998 24 YOA
Recruiting
News-Press: City of Palms Classic: Meet the teams playing in the 49th annual basketball tournament
Winter Haven
Nickname: Blue Devils
Last Season: 23-8, 6A State Champions
Top players: 6-foot-8 Dylan James (Sr.), 6-foot-6 Isaac Cellscar (Jr.), 6-foot-6 Jamie Phillips Jr. (Jr.), 6-foot-1 Kjei Parker (Sr.)
Outlook: “This Blue Devil squad is loaded with talent and makes the trip south after winning the 6A state title. Coach Tyron Woodside’s squad is off to a 5-0 start, led by Kjei Parker who is averaging 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Winter Haven’s highest-rated recruit is Georgia commit Dylan James, who ranks 4th in scoring on this year’s stacked Blue Devil Squad.”
https://www.news-press.com/story/sp...9th-annual-city-of-palms-classic/69715420007/
12-11
The Ledger: Winter Haven 73, Plant City 60
Highlights: Isaac Celiscar scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, five assists and two steals, and Jamie Phillips finished with 18 points, five rebounds and five assists to lead Winter Haven. Kjei Parker scored 17 points with seven rebounds and four assists, Dylan James had 10 points and seven rebounds.
https://www.theledger.com/story/spo...eeks-action-in-basketball-soccer/69719409007/
SEC Basketball
Saturday Down South: SEC basketball notebook: The last unbeaten, upset-minded Bama and more
https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/c...last-unbeaten-upset-minded-bama-and-more/amp/
Alabama
Alabama.com: Brandon Miller’s 2nd half outburst lifts No. 4 Alabama past Memphis
https://www.al.com/alabamabasketbal...outburst-lifts-no-4-alabama-past-memphis.html
Alabama.com: Alabama basketball starter has wrist surgery, out indefinitely
“Alabama men’s basketball guard Nimari Burnett underwent left wrist surgery Tuesday and is out indefinitely, the school announced…”
https://www.al.com/alabamabasketbal...starter-has-wrist-surgery-out-definitely.html
Auburn
College Basketball
Field of 68 Daily: Rising Tide
Alabama holds court vs. Memphis thanks to Miller's 24 on a night of blowouts. Plus, how those nasty defenses differ, and UCLA's cold upcoming trip.
https://fieldof68.beehiiv.com/p/alabama-memphis-sec-defense-daily
Rothstein: The Breakfast Buffet: UCLA hits the road, Butler, the Pac-12 is coming back to life
https://collegehoopstoday.com/index...oad-butler-the-pac-12-is-coming-back-to-life/
Akron
Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips men's basketball team begins stretch run leading to conference schedule
https://www.beaconjournal.com/story...tough-scheduling-enrique-freeman/69720323007/
California
SI.com: Cal Basketball: AD Jim Knowlton on Mark Fox's Program - This is Not Good Enough'
The man who hired Cal's coach says he is trying to be patient during 0-11 start.
https://www.si.com/college/cal/basketball/knowlton-on-fox
Central Florida
Cincinnati
WLWT: Cincinnati signs head basketball coach Miller to extension
https://www.wlwt.com/amp/article/cincinnati-bearcats-wes-miller-extension/42242428
Iona
Louisville
Louisville Courier Journal: Kenny Payne and winless Louisville basketball need more production from veteran leaders
https://www.courier-journal.com/sto...teran-captains-continue-struggle/69717845007/
Memphis
Memphis Commercial Appeal: No. 4 Alabama holds off Memphis basketball despite 30 points from Kendric Davis
https://www.commercialappeal.com/st...is-not-enough-in-loss-to-alabama/69715271007/
Michigan
Michigan Live: Jaelin Llewellyn discuss his knee injury, future with Michigan basketball
https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/20...-with-michigan-basketball.html?outputType=amp
North Carolina
Raleigh News Observer: UNC basketball empties its bench, Tar Heels pull away from The Citadel in 100-67 win
https://amp.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article269893652.html
NC State
Ohio State
Columbus Dispatch: Six key numbers for Ohio State basketball to work on as North Carolina game looms
https://www.dispatch.com/story/spor...s-north-carolina-what-to-work-on/69721931007/
UCLA
NYT: As Regents Ready U.C.L.A. Decision, Emails Show Little Public Support
Emails obtained through a records request showed backlash to U.C.L.A.’s planned move to the Big Ten among alumni and parents.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/13/...ytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
UNLV
Las Vegas Sun: UNLV basketball could look different if senior guard Parquet misses time
https://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2022/dec/13/unlv-basketball-could-look-different-without-parqu/
Washington
Seattle Times: Keion Brooks Jr. takes over for UW men’s basketball, leads rally past Cal Poly
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports...uw-mens-basketball-leads-rally-past-cal-poly/
NBA
Boston
Boston Herald: Celtics blow big lead, but respond with improbable comeback to pull off wild victory over Lakers
https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/1...omeback-to-pull-off-wild-victory-over-lakers/
Philadelphia
Phoenix
AZ Central: Suns lose Ayton, Payne in fifth straight loss, falling 111-97 at Rockets
https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...ix-suns-lose-fifth-straight-game/69726622007/
History
SB Nation: Paul Silas’ multi-generational impact on the game of basketball
https://www.sbnation.com/platform/a...ilas-multi-generational-impact-basketball-nba
Hoops Birthdays 12-14
Nicolas Batum SG France POR, CHA, LAC 2008-present 12-14-1988 34 YOA
William Bedford C Memphis PHO, DET, SA 1986-1993 12-14-1963 59 YOA
John Brown SF Missouri ATL, CHI, UT 12-14-1951 72 YOA
John Brown and the 1973 Hawks’ Draft
1973 1-9 Dwight Jones PF Houston
1973 1-10 John Brown SF Missouri
Jones played college basketball at the University of Houston under Guy Lewis from 1971-73. During the 1972 Summer Olympics he led the team in rebounding as well as scoring.
Jones was with ATL from 1973-1976, 9.5 PPG 7.6 RPG, traded to Houston he played in the NBA until 1983, never matched the numbers he put up in Atlanta.
John Brown was with ATL from 1973-1978, 1979-1980. He averaged 8.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG. Traded to Chicago, he ended his career in Atlanta. His best season was 74-75 when he averaged 11.2 PPG.
From Missouri Legends:
“John Brown was born on December 14, 1951, in Frankfurt, Germany, but grew up in the town of Dixon. His 6´7. frame was an imposing force in the Frisco League. During his senior year for the Bulldogs, he dominated the competition and averaged 31.5 points per game and led the team all the way to the state championship and a perfect record. He was a dominating player in every facet of the game, and practically every major college in the Midwest wanted him to be a part of their team. Luckily for Missouri basketball fans, he was loyal to his home state and signed with the University of Missouri.
“During his sophomore year, he broke into the starting lineup, averaged more than fifteen points a game, and never looked back.
In 1972, John was a junior and one of the best big men in college basketball. He averaged more than 20 points and 11 rebounds per game while leading the Tigers to an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament. He had almost identical numbers his senior year and once again took Mizzou to the NIT. In both of those seasons, he earned the honor of being an All Big 8 Conference First Team selection. He left the University of Missouri as the school’s all-time leading
scorer.”
“His first year in the league, he made the NBA All-Rookie team as the Hawks finished second in the Central Division. Brown played a total of seven years in the NBA, most of it with Atlanta. During the final years of his career, he bounced around between Chicago and Utah, before he ended up with the Hawks again in 1980. It was his last year in the NBA, and it turned out to be one of the most successful for the team. Atlanta finished first in the Central Division and made
the playoffs against Julius Irving and the Philadelphia 76ers. He finished his NBA career with 3,614 points and 2,126 rebounds.“
Intriguing selections of the 1973 draft:
Dave Winfield RF err SF Minnesota D5 and John Williamson D6 SG New Mexico State who didn’t make the roster and signed with the NY Nets of the ABA where he averaged 14.1 PPG before entering the NBA where he improved to 20.2 PPG, unfortunate none of it with the Hawks.
Winfield from the Society of American Baseball Research:
“Winfield grew up in St. Paul and excelled in baseball and basketball at St. Paul Central High School and then at the University of Minnesota. “Winnie” averaged 9.0 points and 5.8 rebounds in 46 Gopher basketball games…
“Back on campus for his third year in the fall of 1971, Winfield worked out with the junior varsity basketball team, where he caught the eye of Gopher assistant coach Jimmy Williams. Williams invited him to try out for new head coach Bill Musselman, and Winfield earned a spot on a veteran varsity squad that included Jim Brewer, Ron Behagen, Clyde Turner, Keith Young, Bob Murphy, Bob Nix, and Corky Taylor. The veterans were slow to accept Winfield, but he won them over with his hard work, hustle, and powerful elbows.18 “He was the best rebounder I ever saw,” Musselman, who would go on to coach in the NBA and the American Basketball Association, said.
“Making the team, I give up my half baseball scholarship for a full basketball scholarship,” Winfield’s autobiography said. “Anyway, for the first time I can go to classes, go to practices, live away from home, and not have to worry whether I’ll be able to afford my meals, my books, or transportation.”
If life was more settled off the court, it was frantic on the hardwood, where Musselman coached his players to be aggressive and physical, a style Winfield embraced. “From Musselman I learned to get on that man, to get inside his jersey, his shorts, his jock. I learned first and foremost to be there. To get up in his face when he tried to dribble, and to stay there when he tried to shoot.”21
On January 25, 1972, “Musselman’s Musclemen” became too aggressive. Trailing late in a Big 10 showdown with Ohio State before a frenzied Williams Arena crowd, Taylor committed a hard foul on Ohio State center Luke Witte. The Gophers had been unhappy with the way Witte was throwing elbows during the game. When Taylor helped Witte up off the floor, he kneed him in the groin. Behagen who had fouled out earlier, jumped in off the bench, and stomped on Witte’s head and neck. Quickly, the floor was a sea of players, fans, coaches, and officials. Winfield, who had been sitting on the sidelines, entered the fray, running across the floor to throw punches “like I was spring-loaded.” Winfield later told Sports Illustrated, “Hey, I’m not denying I was involved. There was a fight with my team. I was swinging.” Though he was later blistered by media members, he escaped the punishment assessed Behagen and Taylor, season-ending suspensions. Instead, he stepped into Behagen’s spot in the starting lineup. As one of the Gophers’ “Iron Five,” Winfield led Minnesota to its first conference championship in 35 years and an appearance in the NCAA tournament.
As a senior, Winfield returned to campus and guided Minnesota’s basketball team to a second-place Big Ten finish and a berth in the National Invitational Tournament in New York.”
As to Williamson, from the New Mexico HOF:
“Before signing with the ABA Nets, he had been eligible for the NBA draft that year, being selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the 6th round with the 96th pick, but didn’t make the cut for their roster
As a rookie, Williamson landed a roster spot with the Nets of the ABA as a free agent for the 1973–74 season. Williamson’s Nets arrival had coincided with Erving’s for the 1973-74 season. After starring at New Mexico State, Williamson averaged 14.5 points .Despite being a rookie, Williamson quickly entered the New York starting lineup along with superstar, Julius Erving and rising star rookie, Larry Kenon. After Williamson became a starter, the team’s fortunes quickly turned for the better and the team ended up winning their first ABA Championship that season. Williamson was named to the 1974 ABA All-Rookie team.”
Pat Burke C Auburn ORL, PHO 2002-2007 12-14-1973 39 YO
Robert Covington SF Tennessee State HOU, PHI, MIN, POR, LAC 2013-present 12-14-1990 32 YOA
Carl Herrera PF Houston HOU, SA, VAN, DEN 1991-1999 12-14-1966 56 YOA
Anthony Mason PF Tennessee State NJ, DEN, NYK, CHA, MIA, MIL 1989-2003 born 12-14-1966 died 2-28-2015
Eldridge Recasner SG Washington DEN, HOU, ATL, CHA, LAC 1994-2002 12-14-1967 55 YOA
Lonnie Walker SG Miami SA, LAL 2018-present 12-14-1998 24 YOA
