Tag: ball

Report: LaMelo Ball has worked out for the Golden State Warriors and two other teams

With one week left before the NBA Draft, top-prospect LaMelo Ball worked out for the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons.

With one week until the NBA’s long-awaited draft night, the Golden State Warriors are still putting the finishing touches on their plans for the No. 2 overall pick.

Before they’re on the clock on Nov. 18, the Warriors are putting some of the top prospects in the draft class through workouts. During the draft process, James Wiseman, Deni Avdija, Anthony Edwards and Isaac Okoro are some of the prospects to be on the court for training sessions with the Golden State Warriors.

On Thursday, potential top-overall pick LaMelo Ball joined Golden State’s list of pre-draft workouts. According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Ball conducted a workout in front of the Warriors, Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons. On Wednesday, Ball reportedly held a workout with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Via @DraftExpress on Twitter:

In 12 games in Australia’s NBL, Ball averaged 17 points on 37.5% shooting from the field with 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.6 steals. Ball tallied 25% on 6.7 3-point attempts per contest.

 

While selecting Ball may not fill a need with Steph Curry roaming the backcourt in the Bay Area, the 19-year-old’s ability might be too tough for Golden State to pass on.

Along with his resume being littered with professional basketball experience in Lithuania and Australia, Ball is a savvy point guard that brings a creative approach to every possession.

As he develops his jumper and shot taking behind Curry and Klay Thompson, Ball would provide Steve Kerr’s rotation with a devastating playmaker to run with Eric Paschall in the second unit.

In USA TODAY’s Rookie Wire draft big board, Ball is listed as the No. 1 overall player in Bryan Kalbrosky’s top-100. According to Kalbrosky, Ball has “the most potential” for all prospects in the 2020 class.

Via Rookie Wire:

LaMelo Ball, due to his unique size blending with insane playmaking and court vision, arguably has the most potential of all players in the 2020 NBA Draft. He has a real chance to be the face of a franchise, especially if his jump shot becomes more efficient, which gives him just a slight edge over anyone else for the top spot in this class.

While there’s a chance Ball could be off the board by the time Myers and Kerr are on the clock next Thursday, the Warriors are taking the proper research steps in the final stages of draft season.

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Notre Dame’s most recent opponent now also cancels Saturday game

Just one day after Notre Dame postponed their game at Wake Forest this weekend, the most recent opponent of the Irish has now called off.

After playing at Notre Dame this past weekend South Florida has decided to postpone their weekend affair at Florida Atlantic.

Notre Dame’s football team is dealing with their own COVID-19 outbreak as the Irish and Wake Forest cancelled their game for this Saturday.

Now Notre Dame’s most recent opponent has also postponed their game as South Florida won’t take the field against Florida Atlantic on Saturday, a decision that was made as a joint agreement between the schools.

Here is the full release from South Florida:

The interesting part here is that it doesn’t involve any positive tests by South Florida players but instead it cites the contact tracing being based on the fact Notre Dame has had a recent outbreak.

Based on what we know it certainly feels like a matter of when and not if positive tests are going to come back for players on South Florida’s roster.

Here’s to hoping I’m wrong on that but it certainly feels like it’s headed that way.

NBA Draft: Warriors land LaMelo Ball with the first pick in CBS Sports Mock

Is LaMelo Ball be destined to don blue and gold?

With no hoops on the schedule, NBA mock draft season is heating up.

For the first time in years, the Golden State Warriors will have the opportunity to land a blue-chip prospect in the draft. Golden State’s league-worst 15-50 record has already eliminated their chances for the playoffs with 17 games remaining on the schedule.

With the draft lottery and combine getting postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Steve Kerr and Bob Myers will have plenty of time to decide how to attack their top selection. The Warriors could use the pick as an asset to acquire a veteran, move back in the draft or add a top-rated prospect to their championship core.

If the Warriors decide to stick at the top of the draft, Georgia’s Anthony Edwards and Dayton’s Obi Toppin have been popular names projected to Golden State in mock drafts.

In CBS Sports’ mock draft 1.0, a pair of analysts penciled in LaMelo Ball to the Golden State Warriors with the first overall pick. Both Gary Parrish and Kyle Boone have Ball landing in the Bay Area with their round one mock drafts.

According to Parrish, the former Illawarra Hawks point guard has “the best chance to be a future All-Star” out of any player in the 2020 field.

Via CBS Sports:

I’m a big believer that the first pick in any NBA Draft should be the player the franchise selecting thinks has the best chance to be a future All-Star. Period. And, in this draft, I believe Ball is that player. The 6-6 point guard, who is still only 18 years old, has developed into an incredible playmaker and passer who faired well playing professionally in Australia this past season. Some will choose to focus on his perceived negatives and low shooting percentages. But when you focus on what he can do, and how rare it is for somebody his age to do the things he can do, Ball becomes the most sensible option to be picked first.

Early in the season, it was reported Myers and the Warriors were planning a trip to Australia for a chance to scout Ball live. In 12 games for the Illawarra Hawks in Austalia’s NBL, the 18-year-old averaged 17.0 points on 37.5 shooting from the field with 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists and in 31.3 minutes per game.

The Warriors desperately need a playmaking option behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in their backcourt. Ball’s addition to the Golden State Warriors’ rotation would immediately provide firepower to their thin bench unit with Eric Paschall and Jordan Poole.

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Kirby Smart on how Georgia’s preparing for 2020 amid COVID-19

Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart speaks on Bulldogs Gameday on WSB about how his staff is game planning for 2020 during quarantine.

On Saturday, Georgia football coach Kirby Smart made an appearance on Bulldogs Gameday on WSB-TV.

Smart spoke on some of the challenges that the Georgia coaching staff and players are dealing with during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

One of the main challenges is implementing new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s offensive system remotely. Smart mentions that the coaches are doing their best to use technology that can help players transition into the new system more comfortably. 

Smart said:

“I don’t know if creative, but definitely innovative technological ways that maybe coaches weren’t comfortable with. And maybe you’re finding a better way of doing something that you should have been doing all along. I can sit in on a defensive meeting, listen in to an offensive meeting all while watching tape.” 

Technology helps and Smart is challenging players to use this time at home to make themselves better. 

“We are asking and challenging our guys to be somewhere local, have a pen and paper, write things down. Really use this as a time to commit to their trade because you have so many hours during the week, this is a small piece when you talk about the time our kids have on their hands now,” Smart said. “Take two hours out of seven days, and say we are going to dedicate this to knowledge and learning a trade.” 

It seems like Smart’s mindset is to make the most of this abnormal time. The Bulldogs will need as much help as they can get in 2020 as they enter the year with one of the toughest schedules in the country. 

“Two weeks ago we were literally doing no football. Our offensive staff comes in, Coach Monken is going through the offense, doing installation,” Smart added. “They are putting things together and studying opponents. Doing things we would normally do over the summer when we don’t have the players, we are doing those things now.” 

Notre Dame’s Tony Jones and Chris Finke Participate in Shrine Game

Either Finke or Jones getting drafted remains unlikely for April’s NFL Draft

Tony Jones, Jr. and Chris Finke spent Saturday representing Notre Dame at the 2020 East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Florida.

It wasn’t the showing either were likely looking for as Jones gained just five yards on seven carries for the West squad while Finke was held without a reception.

Neither Finke or Jones getting drafted remains unlikely for April’s NFL Draft, something we discussed when Jones announced he’d be entering a couple weeks ago.

As for the game, Benny LeMay of Charlotte led all rushers with 86 yards and two scores on 15 carries and was named offensive MVP.

James Robinson of Illinois State racked up 80 yards as well, 65 of which came on a fourth quarter touchdown run.

Finally, former Navy quarterback and Notre Dame opponent Malcom Perry got one carry, taking it to the house for a 52 yard touchdown.

Adrian Killins, Jr. of UCF had a game-high 92 receiving yards.

Luther Kirk of Illinois State was named defensive MVP after recording a pair of tackles and an interception.

The East defeated the West 31-27.