On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Updating the NBA Entry List and Honoring a Maryland Legend--Hoopville

Here’s a quick recap of all the major NBA decisions from the past week. The NCAA’s deadline for early entrants to remain eligible required players to decide by May 8 if they wanted to remain in the NBA Draft or return to school.
Remaining in the draft:
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* Butler’s Shelvin Mack
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Speaking of Izzo, the Spartans’ coach might be getting some much-needed backcourt help in Valparaiso transfer Brandon Wood, according to the Associated Press.. The Horizon League’s No. 3 scorer is transferring to Michigan State after completing his undergraduate degree. Because of NCAA rules for graduate transfers, Wood might be eligible to play immediately for a team losing Kalin Lucas to graduation.

Early Entry Winners & Losers--Rush The Court

Butler. The transition for Brad Stevens was already going to be tough with the losses of national runner-up starters Matt Howard and Shawn Vanzant, but the early entry departure of star Shelvin Mack ensures that Butler will necessarily drop back a couple of steps. Nothing would surprise us with the ability of Brad Stevens to get the most from his talent, but Mack’s decision means the most successful group in Bulldog history has now moved on. Next generation stars such as Andrew Smith, Khyle Marshall and Roosevelt Jones have some gargantuan shoes to fill in Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Maryland Coaching Search: Brad Stevens Surprises No One, Turns Down Maryland; Brey Next Up?--Testudo Times
Mack’s going pro, so where does that leave Butler--Beyond The Arc
Deadline Decisions: Who were the losers?--Ballin' is a Habit

Butler: Its tough to say anything negative about Butler in this situation. Shelvin Mack was instrumental in getting the Bulldogs into back to back national title games. Keeping him around for three seasons is a win in this day and age. That said, losing him for next season will hurt. Matt Howard, Shawn Vanzant, and Zack Hahn are also gone, which means that the Bulldogs will be left with a lot of young players. It will be interesting to see how guys like Chase Stigall and Chrishawn Hopkins develop in the back court. If Khyle Marshall lives up to his potential next season, Butler should once again compete for the Horizon league title.

Source: Butler's Shelvin Mack Staying in Draft--Yard Barker
Mid-Major Morning Mashups: NBA Draft Early Entry Deadline Edition--Mid-Major Madness
Hinkle Fieldhouse Court To Feature Corporate Logos--Mid-Major Madness
Days of NBA Lives: Wherein Gordon Hayward can’t afford movers--Ball Don't Lie
Utah Jazz: Derrick Favors named to second-team All-Rookie squad--Deseret News

The league's coaches honored forward Derrick Favors with a spot on the NBA's All-Rookie second team. And while he didn't make either the first or second squad, Jazz rookie Gordon Hayward received the 14th-most votes among first-year players.
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The 21-year-old Hayward played particularly well late in the season. The 6-8 guard was especially impressive in a 22-point outing in a road win against the Los Angeles Lakers and a year-ending 34-point explosion in a victory over Denver.

Hayward, the No. 9 pick from Butler, averaged 5.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He also shot a team-best 47.3 percent (35-74) from 3-point territory.

Utah Jazz’s Derrick Favors earns NBA All-Rookie honors--Salt Lake Tribune

Jazz forward Derrick Favors was named Wednesday to the 2010-11 NBA All-Rookie second team, receiving 18 points and one first-team recommendation. Utah forward Gordon Hayward received seven points but was not selected to either team. Voting was conducted by all 30 league coaches.
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Hayward was the No. 9 pick in the 2010 draft. The 21-year-old from Butler averaged 5.4 points, 2 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 48.5 percent from the floor and 47.3 percent behind the 3-point line during 72 games (17 starts).

While the Jazz fell apart during the final three months of the season, the rookie’s confidence soared and his overall game significantly improved. Hayward averaged 17.8 points, 3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in his last five contests, shooting 62.7 percent from the field and 56.3 percent beyond the arc. He scored a season-high 34 points on 12-of-17 shooting and knocked down five of six 3s on April 13 during a home win against Denver that marked Utah’s season finale.

Jazz: In face of uncertain future, Kirilenko at peace--Salt Lake Tribune

Utah center Mehmet Okur has returned to Turkey and continues to make progress during his rehabilitation. Meanwhile, the Jazz’s Paul Millsap, Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors have started offseason workouts.