Another Update on Adam Morrison

Adam Morrison talks to ESPN about his quest for an NBA comeback and why he feels Europe is not really an option going forward.

We will keep you updated on Adam as he attempts to impress during the NBA's summer league, and hopefully secure a spot with the Brooklyn Nets.

Contest Time Again, Win a Free Zag Cap!

Time for another contest, and with all this hot weather, who couldn't use a cool Gonzaga cap to help keep the heat off!

How to win: Tell us where you see the Gonzaga Men's basketball program in 10 years. Will we have finally won an elusive trip to the Final 4? How about a return to the Elite 8? Will we fall back into obscurity, or will we become the Duke of the West? Dare we even dream of a National Championship? Let's hear your take on what the future holds for Gonzaga.

The prize- a dark blue Zags cap, brand new with tags, retails for $16.99 plus tax:

Shipped to you free of charge -

                                     

Side view:

Once again, there are no right or wrong answers. This is simply for fun and we encourage everyone's opinions. In one weeks time, Josh and I will determine the lucky winner. You will have 5 days to respond with your shipping info. Failure to respond will force us to give your prize to the 2nd place commenter.

Hope everyone is chillin and having a spectacular summer!!~ Gaz

Summer Time!

NBA summer league action for today:

Check out Adam Morrison with the Brooklyn Nets Here! (Still in Progress as of 5:40 est)

Check out Austin Daye with the Detroit Pistons Here! (Finished with 24 Points, 6 Boards, includes a post game interview with Austin!)

We will keep you posted as we find out more about the Zags participating in Summer League action!

Where are they now? A Look at the career of Josh Heytvelt

Few basketball players have the grit, determination, and maturity to not only overcome adversity, but to excel. Josh Heytvelt exhibited these attributes when as a sophomore facing a felony drug charge he stood up in center court and delivered an apology to the entire Kennel Club nation.  That day is one of the most memorable days I ever experienced in K2.  The stands were filled with students crying- both hurt that the excitement of the post season would have to be endured without our best big man, and with admiration for the strength of character it took for him to deliver that apology.  At that moment, I knew I would always respect Josh Heytvelt. 

So, where is he today?

Announcing: Contributor, Brianna Brooks!

We will be welcoming aboard another contributor to Zagaholic effective immediately. She is a former Gonzaga student and current Resident of Louisville, KY (Just like me). She brings an interesting perspective in that she is an alumni, but also living in the College Basketball Mecca she gets a wider perspective. Without further ado, Please welcome aboard:

Brianna Brooks!

Look for her first post soon!

Zags going Under the Radar for Recruits?

 

It has been a very busy off season for the Zags. We have had the transfers of Mathis Keita, Mathis Monninghoff, and Ryan Spangler. There was the landing of Przemek Karnowski, the transfer of Drew Barham from Memphis, the transfer of Gerard Coleman from Providence, and Rob Sacre getting drafted by the LA Lakers. Exciting news indeed for the off season, or what is usually considered the slow time.

And, even though it is all very exciting, I am a bit confused about the other news, the puzzling signings of two relative unknowns, Ryan Edwards and Lucus Meikle. Granted, we had several open scollys to give and we need to fill the roster spots but we know very little about them and they seem to have come out of nowhere. For a GU program presumably still on the rise, I would think it should be easier to draw recruits and negate the need for such recruiting.

However, in this article from NBC Sports they have been called potential "diamonds in the rough." Read here: http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/04/gonzaga-takes-unconventional-route-to-first-two-13-recruits/

I agree with the rough part all right, but diamonds?  Are we really becoming masterful at finding diamonds in the rough? Usually, finding diamonds in the rough involves some luck. I would prefer to be better at recruiting and less lucky.

Until such polishing, and because of the recent slew of transfers and what feels like reaches in recruiting, I will remain a bit unconvinced that the master plan for recruiting at GU is in reality anything but masterful. Time will tell.

Pangos & Bell at BIS Booth for Hoopfest

I was going to be out of town for Hoopfest but I made it a point to squeeze in a few minutes to visit the Battle in Seattle Booth located in Riverfront Park.

We had to park quite a distance from the booth (we parked at the old Flour Mill) and walked in from there. A nice walk across the bridge allowed us to see the white water rapids below us.

At the other side of the park tons of excited people were milling about and it was very festive. Live Hoopfest games were being played on the street facing Riverfront Park. There was the smell of vendor food in the air and shrieking children happily feeding the ducks in the Spokane River that runs through the park.

Summer League Invites

Adam Morrison made a good enough impression at the nets camp back in May that he has been invited to their summer league roster. He also recently worked out with the Memphis Grizzlies. I fully expect him to earn a roster spot as they are definitely looking for veteran minimum contracts to save cap room for Dwight Howard and Deron Williams. The Nets have been considering adding him to the roster since early this year.

Steven Gray just received an offer from the Washington Wizards to play on their summer league team. He recently worked out with Memphis as well. If Steven has a good summer he could potentially make the cut, but it will be an uphill climb as they have a lot of young talented players on their roster.

Its likely Robert Sacre will not receive a contract from the Lakers until after the summer league. He has a great chance to make the roster as they are looking for depth at the center spot behind Andrew Bynum, but obviously nothing is guaranteed until he signs on the dotted line.

We will keep you posted as we learn more about the various NBA roster moves concerning our beloved former Zags!

Who is Ryan Edwards?

In a recent article with Yahoo! Sports his coach, Mark Harkins, provided some insight into Ryan Edwards game:

"When I talked to the coaches who recruited him, what they see in Ryan is that he has incredible feet and incredible hands for someone his size, He has great touch on the ball. He can shoot the high school 3-point shot with a lot of accuracy. Then he has really begun to develop his low-post game. He's a true center with his back-to-the-basket."

 The article goes on to say:

 "Edwards intends to drop another 20 pounds this summer by ramping up his conditioning, improving his diet and spending more time in the weight room. He's hopeful that will pay off when he tries to lead Glacier High to a state title next season and when he arrives at Gonzaga the following summer."

Im sure most everyone has tempered their expectations on Ryan, but if the staffs enthusiasm is any indication of the talent level of this kid, perhaps we got a hidden gem. Yet again it seems the staff will go the extra mile to ensure we continue to find the talent necessary to thrive and make that all important deep run into the tourney.  As always, GO ZAGS!

Recruit Profile: Ryan Edwards

Well this one comes out of left field. According to Jim Meehan of The Spokesman Review, 2013 Center Ryan Edwards of Glacier High in Kalispell, MT has verbally committed to play ball for the Zags. Ryan is a 7 footer with great size (some estimates put him at close to 300 pounds).  He had also received interest from Washington St., Boise St., Montana, and Montana State.