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Ok, lots going on in the world of Georgia Tech - at least considering there are no games in any sport actually being played. So let's get to it.
FOOTBALL
I took a quick run through various ACC message boards to see what people were saying about the Reubon Houston bust. No kidding, 75% of the discussion centered around the fact that people think $60,000 value for 100 pounds is cheap. Evidently it's either really low-grade stuff or he got it wholesale - Costco style....... Someone at the NCST board felt like this would make Tech tougher to recruit against for them. I found that funny. There were not many mentions of a ragged Tech program, or much dogging of our school. Most of the rest of the comments focused on how sad it is that another promising young person has thrown at least a portion of his life away.............
Here's the offical court drawing from today's proceedings:
Here's more on Houston. He was released on bond today - a $30,000 bond posted by his mother. Houston showed up in court today, along with about 12 other Tech players there to watch and show him support. His family is also showing support:
"We're thankful Reuben gets to come home today," Patricia Houston said. "We love him and support him in every way, and we will stand with him."
Note that another player's name was dragged into that story - his roomate Sam Williams - whose SUV Houston was driving when he picked up the dope. In fact he also had a small child with him. Amazing. Another interesting point - Houston was supposed to pay $60,000 for the dope, which he could have sold on the open market for $80,000 to $110,000. So where was he going to get $60,000? Was it a line of credit? Or did he have the dough to make the deal? If so, how? As to his involvement in past deals, nothing is evidently known right now:
"Reuben became involved that one time," Mitchell said. "What he'd done before or after is unknown, and that's something we're trying to find out."
Here's another story, with comments from Ryan Stewart, former Tech player, of the radio show "2 Live Stews".
In positive news, three Tech players have gotten some pre-season recognition. PJ Daniels has been named to the 2005 Watch List for the Maxwell Award, while Eric Henderson and Gerris Wilkinson have been named to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik award................. Also, the VaTech ticket allotment has been sold out...........
HOOPS
How about this for some interesting news. Austin Jackson has NOT signed his contract with the Yankees yet. In fact, he left the Yankee camp in Tampa early Monday. He was flown in by NY and was expected to sign. Coach Hewitt was on 680am as well as CSS tonight. He even made an appearance on ESPN radio.... Coach said that Austin was still mulling over his decision to play hoops, and his mom wants him to consider college. Austin just loves the game of hoops and is having a hard time quitting cold turkey. I imagine it's a little disillusioning to be told you don't have an option after you've been thinking you could do both all along. Interesting, but let me ask Jacket fans a question - are you planning on getting your hopes up again?????? ............ In addition, Coach said that offensively, this year's team could be the best he's had since his arrival (same tune he's been singing since the season was over)...... Coach said he is a real believer in Zam Fredrick and is encouraged with his progress and attitude. He has always believed in his talent......... Coach also said that it is looking like a strong possibility that 4 Jackets get drafted - Jack, Elder, Luke and Will. Said Elder has been very impressive lately in workouts. Said he was getting a lot of calls about BJ.......... Meanwhile, in his interview over on ESPN Radio, he actually was co-interviewed with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, and they discussed the new CBA and the 19-year old age limit. Both Hewitt and Cuban agreed that an age-limit is a good thing, but that it needs to be older with fewer loop holes. Coach said that it shouldn't impact the college game much, and that academics still drive a lot of recruiting decisions. He did say that he would still recruit a "one-and-done" for sure guy like Lebron James if the chance presented itself..........
Here are some more stories on the Jack heading to the NBA............ Augusta paper...... Macon Telegraph.......... Here's an updated AJC story with good quotes from his teammates who completely support his decision......... Here's one that mixes the Jack story with the Shavlik Randolph story. Weird........... Here's one from the Washington Post........ Here's a mailbag asking if Jack, L.Williams and R.Morris made the right decisions. Yes, was this guy's answer........Here's quite the lackluster endorsement of Jarrett Jack over at CollegeHoopsNet:
"I've never been the biggest fan of Jack, who no doubt is a solid player, but he lacks that spark that makes you think he can be a special player. This draft is rather thin on point guard talent beyond Paul, Williams, and Felton, and his biggest competition for a draft spot is Roko Leni-Ukic. While Jack projects to be a consistent back-up point guard in the NBA, Leni-Ukic has that extra something which makes you think he could one day develop into a starter. Jack's outside shot has been improving each year at Georgia Tech, and his next hurdle to overcome is cutting down on the turnovers."
Well, what the heck do they know? Well, they did name my Jodie Meeks interview the "Blog of the Day" the other day. They're not all bad. Over at FoxSports, Yoni Cohen talks winners and losers with this year's draft early entry players. He has GT as a loser:
4. Georgia Tech: Seniors BJ Elder, Will Bynum, Luke Schenscher, Isma'il Muhammed, and Anthony McHenry are gone, as is assistant coach Cliff Warren. With Jarrett Jack's decision to remain in the draft, Paul Hewitt lost all five starters from his 2004-2005 club — and (excepting Marvin Lewis, a 2004 departure) the nucleus of his 2003-2004 Final Four squad. Though he is the youngest of the six players leaving, Jack (15.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game) was also the most valuable. Athletic and quick, he tremendously improved his shooting percentage this past season and rebounded extremely well for a player his size. While the exodus will sting in the short-term, look for Hewitt to reload and rebuild over the next couple years. Getting Zam Frederick to play unselfishly at the point should be Paul's first priority.
Well, he's right................. BJ Elder worked out Tuesday for the Utah Jazz.......... The man who co-founded the AAU Atlanta Celtics - Wallace Prather Jr., passes away last week. He coached guys like Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, Randolph Morris and Javaris Crittenton - 10 of his players went to the NBA.......... Speaking of Javaris, I ran across this interview I thought I would share. Javaris will be at the NBA Top100 camp in Richmond today, along with many other prospects the Jackets have high interest in landing (Bob Gibbons hands out the invites to this one)..........
BEESBALL
Whit Robbins goes yard in the Cape Cod league.......
SOFTBALL
Mention of a future Jacket standout - Kala Guy:
Guy, who will attend Georgia Tech, led the Eagles in batting (.500), RBI (50), runs (49), walks (29) and tied for first in home runs (four). She was the South Florida Sun-Sentinel Class 3A-2A-1A Player of the Year.