A disturbing-yet-inevitable story out of Los Angeles today: Kentucky has received a verbal commitment from an eighth grade student.

The kid’s name is Michael Avery and according to his current coach Russell White, “He’s got great tools for an eighth-grader.” That’s nice.

It’s against NCAA regulations for Gillispie to offer a kid that can’t cook his own dinner a scholarship, but he saw him play in some sort of tournament last weekend and was impressed. (Really? Was this by coincidence or was he attending an eighth-grade basketball tournament searching for future recruits?)

Avery’s father talked to the Kentucky coach yesterday and told him, “This is all Mike’s decision.” Right.

Thousand Oaks Eighth-Grader Commits to Kentucky {LA Times}

I feel  bad now. I harped on Lofton this past season for his inconsistency and marking him as a little overrated as a playmaker.

Turns out Lofton was recovering from testicular cancer.  Wow … all apologies.

He was diagnosed with cancer only a few days after Tennessee ended its 2006-07 season with a Sweet 16 loss to Ohio State in San Antonio. Miraculously, the cancer was discovered after Lofton was picked randomly following the first-round win over Long Beach State to submit to an NCAA-mandated drug test. The results turned up positive, and Tennessee officials weren’t notified until the day of the Ohio State game.

What nobody knew at the time, at least for certain, was that what actually showed up on that test was a tumor marker.

It’s a test that might have saved Lofton’s life.

The story goes on to say how Lofton had “secretive surgery” a few days after the Ohio State loss and Pearl even showed up at the hospital in a quasi disguise to avoid any sort of attention. Lofton told almost no one of the cancer — not even his family, just his roommate.

Imagine playing with that and not telling anyone? Recovering from cancer, seeing your game decline and not telling anyone why this was happening? Lofton also said that he’d never cried so much in his life than over the past 12 months.

It’s a fantastic read and one that you should take eight minutes out of your day to look at.

Tennessee’s Lofton Quietly Faced and Beat Cancer {ESPN.com}

This was thrown out there to the masses by Deadspin yesterday, now it’s hit The Big Lead and will surely gain a little traction as the early, slow days of May have hit us. No need for an Almost Famous reference to be thrown out there; it’s already staring you right in the face. I just need to know how hard Hansbrough fought to make such an impressive jump into that pool. I’m surprised he’s not going in head first.

Frasor’s Famous moment is on the other side of the jump. (more…)

All that talk of toughness, heart, grit, passion and hard work is going to be crammed down your throat by the likes of Vitale, Bilas, etc… in ‘08-’09 as Tyler Hansbrough has (intelligently) decided to stay for his senior season. The brief statement on Psycho T’s decision was released by the school.

Whether you’re a Hansbrough fan or not, amidst the Beasleys, Durants, Odens and Roses of the world, he helps college basketball to have a face. Plus, he’s become a polarizing figure, and that’s always a good thing for sports. The question now: Will Tyler Hansbrough win back-to-back POTY trophies? Many (including this guy) would argue that he shouldn’t have won this year’s.

Also noted in the article: Ellington and Lawson will “test draft waters.” Both could use another year, and if they come back, UNC will be the preseason No. 1.

Hansbrough to Return to UNC for Senior Year {Charlotte Observer}

(Yes, I thought you’d appreciate such a gritty, hardworking photo like that, too.) 

Its best player — sophomore D.J. Augustin — and its most beautiful pair of eyelashes — junior A.J. Abrams — have both decided to declare for the draft. It’s hard to argue against Augustin’s decision: The kid has the makings of a wealthy man’s Chris Paul.

Augustin’s statement, which was released by the team, may as well have been pressed onto the paper with a huge, ready-made stamp.

“I have had a great experience here at the University of Texas. All I can say is ‘thank you’ to my teammates, coaching staff and fans that have supported us during my two years at Texas. I have matured a lot as a person, both on and off the court. I have dreamed of playing in the NBA since I was a little boy, and I am ready to start living this dream.”

Augustin hasn’t hired an agent yet, but that’s only a matter of time. Abrams is just dipping his foot in the pool for the time being. Hard to see Abrams actually making the leap. Still: Abrams’ decision might be due to the fact that he knows how his stock could drop without a playmaker like Augustin in Austin next year.

Augustin averaged 19.2 points and a 5.8 assist, which is lower than I would’ve guessed. Abrams went for 16.5 and had 118 3s.

Augustin, Abrams Declare for NBA Draft {Austin Statesman}

You knew it was happening with Love. I thought Westbrook would be a little more intelligent about it all. The news they want everyone to know up front: They’re not signing with agents!

Here’s my little retrospective on Love:

In my humble opinion, this beast of a kid had a chance to be a Top 10 all-time college player (in a dream world where he stayed all four years). I specifically chose the picture above because Love was mauled in Shaq-like ways during games this year; he was that good, yet I still think not nearly appreciated.

So Love’s doing the one-and-done thing and making a faint impression upon UCLA’s history and the game of college basketball. He was fun to watch because it almost made you uncomfortable while sitting on your couch: Love looked like he bruised people, and he scored in very ugly ways at times. If you rooted against UCLA at times this year (not hard to do) it was frustrating to see Love get his 18 and 14 in such a workman like way, you couldn’t help but respect his raw ability to get things done the dirty way.

It was astounding how a player with such limited agility and hops was able to get so many rebounds, avoid from being blocked or blocked out (thank the parents for the posterior) and probably account for at least four of UCLA’s wins this year.

Great player with a great name that’s probably leaving one year too early (in terms of long-term benefits). If he Westbrook and Collison (still awaiting word there) were to come back, UCLA would be the preseason No. 1 or No. 2, undoubtedly.

UCLA’s Love, Westbrook Intend to Enter NBA Draft {Los Angeles Times}

Jayhawks junior Brandon Rush and sophomore Darrell Arthur are trying themselves that ever-present verb at this time of year — foregoing — and making The Leap. So no aspirations of back-to-back titles a la Noah and Co. in ‘06 and ‘07.

Chalmers still hasn’t made up his mind … boy, it’d be nice to see him back, and he’d be the BMOC for the entire year. That’d be nice.

Just so you know, I don’t think either of these guys are ready. Arthur averaged 12.8 points, 6.3 boards and 1.3 blocks/game. Eh … I think he needs another year. In his heart, Rush might feel like his stock can only go down, so I can see why he’s doing it.

It should also be noted that Arthur doesn’t immediately plan on signing with an agent, so he could still return. Rush, however, is declaring for the second time, nullifying any shot of him returning to college.

Rush, Arthur Declare for Draft {Lawrence Journal World}

First he was rumored to take the LSU job, but now it’s official: Travis Ford will be coaching in the Big XII next year at Oklahoma State. The press conference will be going down around 2 p.m. today.

Funny, when you learn that last August Ford signed that coveted multiyear extension to coach UMass. Such is the way of the coaching world in college basketball.

Ford had been the coach at UMass for three years (and coached at Eastern Kentucky prior to that). He played college ball at Missouri and Kentucky, in case you were curious.

This isn’t exactly thrilling news (and we’re all waiting for the inevitable news on Kevin Love), but I’m still workin’ for ya in the offseason.

Travis Ford accepts job as OSU men’s basketball coach {NewsOK.com}

After Drake’s utterly unpredictable season, in which they went 28-5 and received a 5-seed in The Tournament, Providence has scooped up the 36-year-old Coach of the Year winner.

“That’s all I can ask — is our players’ best effort,” Davis told reporters after a news conference introducing him as coach. “How many wins that means, I don’t know. I’m not going to put a number out there that we have to live up to or live down to depending on how successful we are.”

Translation: “I know this team isn’t that good right now, so if you think I’m going to get them to a 5-seed, like I did with Drake, then you’re going to have to wait awhile. Plus, the money’s a lot better here.”

Davis is a great choice, but let’s remember that his Drake team had some pretty savvy players, they played in an inferior conference and Davis will be coaching in just his second year of his career when he patrols the sidelines at Provy next season.

Providence Names Davis as Welsh’s Replacement {ESPN.com}

I loved me some Memphis, but there’s no doubt about it: Beasley should be the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft.

Let me remind you of his comet-like collegiate career:

• 26.2 points per game

• 12.4 rebounds per game, led the nation and was the third freshman to ever do so

• All-American, First Team
• Big XII POTY
• Thirty-seven percent 3-point shooter

• Led K-State to their first Tournament win in 20 years

• Most importantly: Kansas State was relevant for the first time in 20 years because of him

Plus, you can throw in the fact that he’s got a nose for the ball in a Rodman-like way. What’s even more egregious: Hansbrough swept all of the postseason POTY awards. Inexcusable.

However, here’s a fresh take from an athlete leaving amateur action for NBA ball:

“It’s time to take my game to the next level,” Beasley said as his family and several teammates looked on. “I think I proved myself over the course of the season. I just think it’s time for new challenges.”

I think, “I’m clearly better and more ready than anyone in college and will be the most coveted pick by May 1″ would’ve been just as sufficient.

Beasley Announces He Will Declare For NBA Draft {The Manhattan Mercury}