[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

Long Beach Press-Telegram

USC junior forward Nikola Vucevic said he is thinking about the possibility of leaving early for the NBA but will hold off until after the season to make a final decision.

"It’s been on my mind a little bit," Vucevic said. "But I want to think about it after the season."

Vucevic would like to know if he is a first-round draft choice before he makes any decision. USC coach Kevin O’Neill said he has not heard from any NBA personnel yet that Vucevic would be a guaranteed first-round pick.

"(O’Neill) will be a huge influence in my decision along with my family," Vucevic said. "I’m going to see if I have a chance to make it in the first round. I’m not going to just go out to go."

Vucevic leads the Trojans with 13 double-doubles this season and leads the Trojans in scoring (16.7 ppg) and rebounding (9.8 rpg). His departure would be costly because the Trojans will already lose forward Alex Stepheson, leaving the frontcourt inexperienced next season.

USC adds 6-foot-10 forward Dewayne Dedmon and 7-1 center James Blasczyk next season but it is debatable whether either can make a huge impact. O’Neill said Dedmon, who is already enrolled, can play on the perimeter so he is not expected to be an inside force like Stepheson.

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Japan Times

The expansion Akita Northern Happinets have bolstered their lineup by adding former North Carolina guard/forward Will Graves, the team announced on Thursday evening.

Graves played for the Tar Heels’ 2009 NCAA Division I championship squad. A 198-cm, 106-kg athlete, Graves turns 23 in May.

UNC dropped Graves, then a senior, from the program last fall for personal issues, though coach Roy Williams and the university did not release details to the media.

Graves averaged 9.8 points, third-best on the squad, in the 2009-10 season, while appearing in 36 games (33 starts). He is eligible for the 2011 NBA Draft in June.

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Tulsa World

For much of his career, Hurtt was in the shadow behind two future pro basketball players – Ben Uzoh (New Jersey Nets) and Jerome Jordan (second-round NBA draft pick, now playing in Serbia.)

Now this is his team.

"They were two great players," Hurtt said. "Ben is a great player in Tulsa history, and Jerome also. They were good players that I look up to, and I want to get where they are at."

Hurtt took a first step toward that this week when he was invited to the prestigious Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, which is recognized by the NBA.

It is another step in Hurtt’s long-craved goal of becoming a pro basketball player.

"I’ve always wanted to play at the next level," he said. "I’m not sure where it’s going to be at. That’s the goal, but I want to keep my focus on this season right now.

"I try to keep everything in perspective so I can focus on the rest of the season."

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Boston Herald

The big question: Will Miller and Bello play with Jones at Baylor? Multiple mock NBA drafts have Jones as the No. 1 choice.

One NBA scout likened Jones to former Kansas All-American Danny Manning but suggested he spend another year in school. Another was even more blunt.

"I’m not saying he won’t be a good player down the line, but I don’t think he’s ready right now," the scout said. "And I’m not sure that he plays hard all the time, although he’s young and has time to develop."

Realistically, the NBA offer might be too good to refuse. He’ll make the decision with his parents. His mother said the decision will be about more than money.

"If they want me to go and if they think it’s the best thing for us as a family, I’m willing to leave," Jones said. "If it’s best that I stay, then I’m going to stay."

In that moment, he still sounded like the kid who loves Waco’s Guru Paintball Park, not someone planning his draft day wardrobe.

Jones said he is motivated to play at the next level.

"I am. Then again, I’m having fun with the team I’m on. It’s a great group of guys," he said. "When you go to the next level, you’re by yourself. . . . It’s like starting all over again."

[Stanford hoops1]

"Will be more than about money"  Yeah 90 percent money 10 percent everything else.

[Stanford hoops1]

"Will be more than about money"  Yeah 90 percent money 10 percent everything else.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

Every kid says that. What scout was that? A scout who is hoping to make him drop lol. Looking at this class he is as ready as any of these other dudes really are. It is going to be an adjustment for them all. Checkout Evan Turner apparently most scouts said most ready lol. Not. Kansas big men have schooled a lot of other younger players this year. Perry’s team did not win, but he was the best player on the court that day. Anyone could see that. We will see if Perry brings it tonight against #3 Texas. Baylor won’t win, but I am curious to see how he plays. Maybe he won’t show.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

Every kid says that. What scout was that? A scout who is hoping to make him drop lol. Looking at this class he is as ready as any of these other dudes really are. It is going to be an adjustment for them all. Checkout Evan Turner apparently most scouts said most ready lol. Not. Kansas big men have schooled a lot of other younger players this year. Perry’s team did not win, but he was the best player on the court that day. Anyone could see that. We will see if Perry brings it tonight against #3 Texas. Baylor won’t win, but I am curious to see how he plays. Maybe he won’t show.

[Author]

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