Tar Heel Times

Jerry Stackhouse traded to Memphis Grizzlies

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:59:00 -0400

The way Jerry Stackhouse's contract was structured, the Dallas Mavericks knew they could parlay him into a key player for next season. As it turned out, a lot of teams benefited. The Mavericks, Raptors, Grizzlies and Magic combined in a massive swap Thursday that included eight players, a draft pick and stacks of cash. The deal sent Shawn Marion to Dallas, Stackhouse to Memphis and helped move Hedo Turkoglu from Orlando to Toronto.

Schedule Preview: The Citadel

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:41:00 -0400

North Carolina will open the 2009 football season by hosting The Citadel on Sept. 6 for a 6 p.m. kickoff under the lights at Kenan Stadium. The Football Championship Subdivision Paladins will arrive in Chapel Hill as heavy underdogs against the Tar Heels. The Citadel enters the 2009 season hoping to avoid a repeat of last fall (4-8, 2-6 SoCon) and post a record north of the .500 mark

One-on-One with Danny Green

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:25:00 -0400

The Cavaliers came into the offseason needing a young, athletic defensive-minded swingman with some length. Danny Green took a moment from working out at Cleveland Clinic Courts – in preparation for Vegas Summer League – to chat with cavs.com about his Draft night experience, his first couple runs with King James and his “Jump Around” dance moves back at Carolina.

Quentin Thomas aspires to be rap artist

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:01:00 -0400

Former UNC point guard Quentin Thomas used to dream about seeing his virtual image programmed into the popular EA Sports video game, NBA Live. But when he slips the newest edition into his Xbox 360 this October, he'll hear something as idyllic: his voice rapping the game's introduction. "I never thought it would happen," Thomas said recently, shaking his signature braids while taking a break from recording hip-hop tracks at N.C. Central.

Dean Smith still reigns

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:36:00 -0400

Dean Smith is 78 and hasn't coached a basketball game in more than 12 years. But we are reminded yet again this week of his immeasurable legacy. The Detroit Pistons announced today that they've hired John Kuester as head coach. "I don't think any of the lettermen can really express the family atmosphere he's built," George Karl once said of Smith. It's a fraternity that's very much admired by basketball people in the world."

Pistons coach John Kuester ready to lead

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:33:00 -0400

John Kuester was a scrappy, hard-nosed player at North Carolina and played in the 1977 NCAA Finals when the Tar Heels lost to Marquette. He also was voted MVP of the ACC tournament and voted UNC's best defensive player his final two seasons. As a coach, he's considered a mild-mannered, easygoing guy people tend to like. He's polite, respectful and is a hard worker. But Kuester also is known to get after officials.

Medical Hardship for Darrius Massenburg

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:31:00 -0400

North Carolina junior defensive lineman Darrius Massenburg is no longer on the football team. The 6-4, 300-pound defensive lineman will receive a career-ending medical hardship, a UNC official confirmed to Inside Carolina on Thursday morning. He was listed on the 2009 spring depth chart three-deep at right defensive tackle earlier this year.

Deon Thompson, Team USA Advance To Semis With Blowout Win Over Bulgaria

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:30:00 -0400

Featuring a barrage of 3-pointers and another well-balanced attack that saw every member of the team score, the 2009 USA Men's World University Games Team (5-0) advanced to the 2009 World University Games medal semifinals unscathed after bouncing Bulgaria (3-2) 96-66 on Thursday night in Belgrade, Serbia. North Carolina's Deon Thompson finished the game with five points and six rebounds.

Sporting News Conversation: Roy Williams

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:27:00 -0400

"The criticism when I left Kansas really hurt because I'd given them my heart, body and soul for 15 years, never short-changed them one day. Part of that I brought on myself because I'd said three years before if we ever have this press conference again, it'll be because I'm retiring or dying. But that's the way I felt at the time; it wasn't that I told them a lie. The criticism I got there, no question it still bothers me to this day."

Raymond Felton misses high, outside for Pelicans

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:23:00 -0400

Raymond Felton is a gifted athlete. He could’ve been a shortstop in the majors, a quarterback in the NFL or a point guard in the NBA. Heels and Bobcats fans are happy he chose that third route, but he had the opportunity to hit the baseball diamond Wednesday. Felton threw out the first pitch in the Pelicans game against Potomac. The former Latta native did not warm up or take any practice pitches, and it showed.

Sean Parker narrowing down official visits

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:22:00 -0400

Defensive back Sean Parker (Harbor City, CA) recently set up his first official visit and is close on setting visit No. 2. Parker is one of the elite safeties in the West region and is hearing from schools from coast to coast. He's planning to take all five of his official visits and his first two will both be to the Midwest. "I'm going to Notre Dame (Sept. 4)," Parker said. "I'm also setting a visit to Michigan, but I haven't locked in the date yet. After that, I'm pretty open and really don't know who will get my last three visits but I do plan to take all five."

Michael Gilchrist not a lock for Kentucky

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:19:00 -0400

So ties to Uncle Wes [William Wesley] led to a widespread belief that Gilchrist's commitment to Kentucky, Calipari's new school, is a done deal. Except Gilchrist, the No. 1 rated junior-to-be in the country and arguably the best player in any high school class, says it's not true. "I'm not a done deal for Kentucky," he said after playing in the Nike-sponsored King City Classic on Wednesday. "I'm still open to all my options, so I'm not a done deal."

Latwan Anderson names favorites

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:18:00 -0400

One of the fastest prospects in the Midwest, defensive back Latwan Anderson (Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville), estimates his scholarship offer list to stand at over 40. However, Anderson says he is focused on a half dozen schools. "I've got about six schools I'm looking at, West Virginia, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, Miami and Michigan State," Anderson said. "West Virginia is my favorite."

Online social networks change recruiting landscape

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:16:00 -0400

Marcus Lattimore, Class of 2010, is one of the top running back recruits in the nation and has a long list of colleges he's still considering. Lattimore, one of the nation's top high school running backs, has been bombarded with entreaties from fans to attend their school next year. Fans of Lattimore's potential schools -- which include South Carolina, Clemson, Florida State and Auburn -- would love to help him make his decision. And they believe they've found an outlet for that: Lattimore's Facebook page.

New impact players can be found on the bench

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:15:00 -0400

Larry Drew II, Soph., North Carolina: The defending national champions' hopes of returning to the Final Four could depend on whether North Carolina finds an effective replacement for departed point guard Ty Lawson. Ed Davis and Deon Thompson should help the Tar Heels cope with the loss of Tyler Hansbrough, but the Tar Heels don't have as much depth in the backcourt. The most experienced pure point guard on the roster is Drew.

Adonis Thomas expresses interest in Kentucky

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:12:00 -0400

Three top wing players in the next two high school classes expressed interest in Kentucky after playing games in the King City Classic on Wednesday. The wings were senior-to-be Cameron Clark (ranked No. 26 by Prep Stars); junior-to-be Adonis Thomas (No. 23 in the class of 2011); and Quincy Miller. Thomas, from Memphis, said he's also considering Memphis, Miami, Florida State and Florida.

Reggie Bullock, Kendall Marshall updates

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:11:00 -0400

Kendall Marshall is well known for his ability to pass the ball up the court, and he rewarded his teammates who ran the floor on Wednesday. His jumper was a little shaky, but Marshall used his developing physicality and ever present craftiness to get into the lane with regularity. Reggie Bullock isn't afraid to compete either. He was impressive on the defensive end as well as on the offensive end where he can produce points with relative ease. Close to being a pure shooter, Bullock also has the athletic and physical presence to make him the top shooting guard in his class.

Darian Durant expected to play against Argonauts

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:34:00 -0400

It was one thumb up from quarterback Darian Durant after the Saskatchewan Roughriders completed Thursday's practice. Durant conducted media interviews with his right hand close to his side. Durant bruised the thumb on his throwing hand after hitting a helmet during Tuesday's practice. The thumb appeared swollen but Durant is optimistic that he should be able start in Saturday's CFL game against the Toronto Argonauts.

John Kuester’s “skill was overshadowed by his will”

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:46:00 -0400

John Kuester, a long-time NBA assistant who worked on the Cleveland Cavaliers' staff last season, returned to Richmond on many occasions over the years to help with Benedictine basketball camps and other school events. Kuester will soon become the second Benedictine graduate to assume command of a Detroit team. Bobby Ross, Benedictine High Class of 1955, coached the Detroit Lions of the NFL from 1997-2000.

Long-lasting legacy

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:43:00 -0400

While most Americans will be scratching their heads, and saying why would the Pistons hire him, I think John Kuester will be a bit of a surprise. He always knew how to play the game. He was always a great teammate. He was a great passer and loved to involve other players. He knows how to X and O, just look back to Cavaliers games last year and see who was designing the final shot each game. And if history has taught us anything, no one will outwork John Kuester.