Lavin Gets Commitment From NYC Prep Star

When former UCLA Head Coach Steve Lavin made his return this summer after a 7-year layoff, the doubters and skeptics criticized St. John’s for the hire. Lavin had been out of the coaching game since finishing 10-19 in 2002-03, and spent the past 7 seasons as an ESPN college basketball analyst.

This summer, he agreed to a 6-year deal worth at least $9 mill to take over a program that has been the doormat of the Big East for some time. Last week, Lav received a commitment from one of the top players in the 2011 class, Maurice Harkless.

Harkless is a tremendous coup for a program that has been criticized for losing local area kids, and his signing could open the floodgates for Lav and his staff.

Harkless is a 6-6 Ray Allen/Trevor Ariza hybrid, with serious hops. He has a poise and cool disposition on the court that would make John Wooden proud. He is a long, rangy defender with an exceptional ability to get to the rim. After turning out the St. John’s skills camp in June, Harkless became the top priority for Lav.

He has stardom written all over him, and may very well end up the best player that Lav has ever coached……

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Break Bread: Matt Barnes To Toronto Not A Done Deal

Monday night sources reported veteran swing-man Matt Barnes was a done deal to the Toronto Raptors, agreeing on a deal in the neighborhood of 10 million dollars for 2 years.  Today sources have informed me that the deal has run into financial complications, but are optimistic a sign and trade will get done.

Because the Raptors spent most of the 5.8 million dollar MLE on Linas Kleiza, they don’t have the cash available to sign Barnes outright to a deal that starts at around 4 million dollars per year.

Orlando is  handcuffed by salary-cap rules (higher than 2 million) from starting a sign and trade for Barnes, because the Magic don’t hold Barnes’ full Bird rights after only one season.

Both sides will continue negotiations this today in hopes of finalizing a deal.

Marques Johnson Named Coach Of Belizean Nat’l Team

Marques Johnson, the first winner of the prestigious John Wooden Award and a former 5-time NBA All-Star (and ‘Chaser contributor), has been named the head coach of the Belizean National Basketball Team. Johnson will make his head coaching debut with Belize during the 2010 Centrobasket Tournament, which takes place in the Dominican Republic from July 5-11.

The Tournament features teams from Central America competing under CONCENCABA, and the 10-team field includes respectable squads such as Mexico, Puerto Rico and a powerhouse host D.R. squad highlighted by a solid trio in Francisco Garcia, Charlie Villanueva & Al Horford. The Top 4 finishers qualify for the FIBA Americas Championship, with a chance to participate in the World Championships.

Johnson was a 3-year starter at UCLA and key contributor on John Wooden’s final Natty team in 1975. A 3rd overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1977, Johnson was a 3-time All-Pro selection but suffered a career-altering neck injury in 1986.

Although Johnson has limited coaching experience, he does have one of more ridiculous basketball pedigrees, playing for the greatest high school coach in California history in Willie West at Crenshaw, the greatest coach (in any sport) of all time in John Wooden, and the most-winningest coach in NBA history in Don Nelson. There aren’t too many people out there with that type of resume.

John Wooden Public Memorial Service Announced

A public memorial service celebrating the life and times of John R. Wooden has been scheduled for Saturday, June 26 at the mecca of college basketball and the house that Wooden built–UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion. The memorial service is open to the public and will also feature several of Coach Wooden’s former players as well as other members of UCLA’s prestigious basketball alumni. At the request of the Wooden family, following the memorial service there will be a private reception for Coach Wooden’s former players, staff and their families.

All those willing and able are encouraged to come pay their respects to The Wizard of Westwood. But get there early because it’s a safe bet that the service will be standing room only.

UCLA Undie Run Continues Despite Cops Hateration

Despite school official’s attempts to shut down UCLA’s legendary Undie Run, many students decided to stick it to the man and participate in the event. Police officers were on hand trying to dissuade students but the easily outnumbered and therefore irrelevant. The turnout was disappointing compared to year’s past, but there was still enough beezies running around in their draws to satisfy even the thirstiest of individuals.

UCSB also held there Undie Run (in a damn library) last night which was way more cracking, because the school has decided to make the run an acutal event with sponsorships and organization. Video after the jump…
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Kareem Adul-Jabbar & Bill Walton On Coach Wooden

The NBA chose to honor John Wooden during Game 2 of the NBA Finals Sunday. Arguably the 2 best players during Wooden’s tenure, current Lakers assistant Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and all-around Legend Bill Walton each gave some remarks, followed by a moment of silence before the opening tip-off. Abdul-Jabbar and Walton also hollered at ESPN’s Stuart Scott during halftime to reflect more and share insights on what The Wizard of Westwood meant to them.

UCLA Legends Speak On Wooden At Pauley Pavilion

Several of Coach Wooden’s former players and coaches assembled in the hallowed hall that is Pauley Pavilion, to speak with various media outlets about The Wizard of Westwood. The clip is 17 minutes long, which is actually a fairly short amount of time to hear some of the greatest players in college basketball history talk about the greatest coach of all times. Enjoy.

Marques Johnson’s Statement On Coach Wooden

Marques was a 4-year letterman (1973-77) and 3-year starter on the UCLA basketball squad and a member of John Wooden’s last National Championship team in 1975. He was also the first winner of the prestigious John R. Wooden Award, given annually to the nation’s top college basketball player.

Marques Johnson’s statement on the passing of Coach John Wooden:

I am saddened for the family of Coach Wooden. Having lost loved ones near and dear to me, I know the pain of their grief first hand. But I am trying to think about Coach, and what his wishes were. He lived as full a life as one could hope for. He married Nell, the love of his life. He had a beautiful relationship with his children and grandkids and great grandkids. He had players, myself included, who loved him because of the way he carried himself and lived his life. He never tried to beat us over the head about what was right and what was wrong. Never tried to force feed us his all encompassing Pyramid for Success. His actions were the greatest example we could ask for. Yes, I will miss Coach. He has been a solid-as a-rock constant in my life for almost forty years. But he is in that “better place” he so firmly believed in. A place of Peace. He deserves to be, at Peace. I love you Coach..