Sports

Biggest Kentucky Group to Date Preparing for NBA Draft

Published

10 years ago

June 24, 2015

From left, Kentucky NCAA college basketball players Willie Cauley-Stein, Andrew Harrison, Trey Lyles, Dakari Johnson, Devon Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns and Aaron Harrison stand during a news conference where they announced their intent to place their names in the NBA draft at the Joe Craft Center, Thursday, April 9, 2015, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/James Crisp)

GARY B. GRAVES, AP Sports Writer

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — John Calipari and his Kentucky pipeline to the NBA will have yet another major impact on the league’s annual draft.

It’s nothing new, but Thursday night could be record-setting — even for the Wildcats.

Calipari’s first Kentucky team in 2010 featured five first-round NBA draft picks, including No. 1 overall selection John Wall. Six Wildcats turned pro after their 2012 NCAA championship, with Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist going 1-2 in a parade of four first-rounders.

All told, Calipari has groomed 15 first-round choices among 19 players, with the total figuring to jump significantly Thursday night.

A school-record seven Kentucky players from last year’s 38-1 Final Four team could hear their names called at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with Karl-Anthony Towns possibly becoming Calipari’s third No. 1 overall selection in six years. Seven-footer Willie Cauley-Stein, 6-10 Trey Lyles and 6-6 shooting guard Devin Booker have also been invited to the green room and could be lottery selections.

Seven-footer Dakari Johnson and 6-6 twin guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison are also expected to be drafted, positioning the Wildcats to have 26 picks in Calipari’s six seasons, enough to stock nearly two NBA rosters alone.

That is nearly double any other school during that six-year span.

With Wall, Davis and DeMarcus Cousins coming off All-Star seasons and Towns facing huge expectations as one of the top selections, it’s no wonder Calipari boasts a scenario of an NBA All-Star game half comprised of Kentucky talent.

“Our goal is not just to help guys get into the league; we want guys to become all-stars,” the coach said during a teleconference last week. “We had three last year, and if you took Derrick Rose (a No. 1 overall under Calipari at Memphis in 2008) as a fourth, then our goal would be to say, ‘Hey, half of the NBA all-stars started with us.'”

Though many in Kentucky’s fan base consider the 2012 draft class as the school’s gold standard for pro talent. Calipari often refers back to his 2010 group for setting that high bar of success for subsequent groups to follow.

Wall has overcome an injury-filled start to his career to become an All-Star guard and lead the Washington Wizards to back-to-back playoff appearances. Cousins earned his first All-Star selection last season and is considered one of the NBA’s top big men after averaging 24.1 points and 12.7 rebounds with the Sacramento Kings.

Eric Bledsoe and Patrick Patterson, who went 18th and 14th to Oklahoma City and Houston respectively, are key parts of the rotation in Phoenix and Toronto. Daniel Orton meanwhile hopes to land on a roster next season.

“I feel good about my chances,” said Orton, the 29th overall choice with Orlando. “When you have that Kentucky stamp and teams know what they’re getting, you’ve got to perform.”

As for that 2012 class, Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist established another school milestone as the first two players chosen and are considered respective franchise cornerstones in New Orleans and Charlotte. Terrence Jones was a key cog for Houston, and Darius Miller just helped the Brose Baskets win the German League championship last weekend.

Doron Lamb and Marquis Teague have bounced back and forth between the NBA and the Developmental League, but Calipari sounded hopeful that their work could land another opportunity.

“You gotta let it play out,” Calipari said, “but I come back to us teaching position-less basketball, and it’s not one way of playing, it’s a lot of ways of playing. … I’m proud of these guys, and these guys got a lot to live up to.”

The coach has stressed that point to his latest crop of pro prospects, whose versatility could fill a number of teams’ needs. Calipari provided pro scouts an initial opportunity to judge them last fall during an on-campus combine that drew representatives from every NBA team.

For Kentucky players, the tryout offered a baseline to prepare for the next level. Scouts meanwhile got glimpses of talent from which to track during the Wildcats’ remarkable season that put them within reach of becoming the nation’s first unbeaten champions since Indiana in 1976.

Now comes the next step of teams choosing from Calipari’s biggest pool of talent. Towns seems set on going no worse than second, but his former teammates’ fates depend on where clubs determine they might fit best.

With so many options this year, Detroit Pistons president and coach Stan Van Gundy stresses being as thorough as possible before choosing with the eighth overall pick.

“It takes a little longer to get through that film, at least for me,” Van Gundy said, “simply because as you’re making your notes, you might be making notes on five different people on the same play. It takes a little longer to write things up.”

___

AP Sports Writer Noah Trister in Detroit contributed to this report.

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

10 months ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.