Khem Birch Rumors | Hoops Rumors

And-Ones: Jackson, Hayward, Fisher

June 2nd, 2014 at 10:42pm CST by Zachary Links

Thunder guard Reggie Jackson made it clear that he wants to start and seems to want to do so at point guard, writes Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman. Coach Scott Brooks was non-committal when asked about the possibility of adding Jackson, under contract through next season, to the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Thabo Sefolosha spoke of his time with the Thunder in the past tense and it seems likely that he’ll wind up elsewhere next season. More from around the league..

Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune tweets that the Jazz front office fully expects Gordon Hayward to be with the team going forward. Hayward is a restricted free agent this summer and there is mutual interest in a return.
The Lakers haven’t reached out to the Thunder about getting permission to talk to Derek Fisher just yet, but that could be subject to change, tweets Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News.
Former Nuggets coach George Karl had an informal phone conversation with Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak but has yet to have a formal interview, Medina tweets.
Marist announced the resignation of Jeff Bower, tweets Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit Free Press. That should be the first step towards him taking over as Pistons GM.
UCLA guard Jordan Adams was in Houston working out for the Rockets today, tweets Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com.
The Nuggets will host Rodney Hood for a private workout tomorrow, a source told Goodman of ESPN (on Twitter).
The Raptors will host Jordan Clarkson and Canadian Khem Birch for workouts tomorrow, sources tell Goodman (on Twitter).
A source told Goodman (on Twitter) that Elfrid Payton held his own in front of the Kings in a workout today against Marcus Smart. Aaron Gordon worked out for Sacramento but did not go head-to-head with Noah Vonleh. He instead matched up with Eric Moreland (link).
The Lakers will be very busy on Wednesday as they audition many of this year’s top prospects, as Goodman tweets. Among the names not previously reported are Payton, Gordon, Tyler Ennis, Zach LaVine, James Young, and Rodney Hood.

Draft Rumors: Exum, Warren, Young

May 28th, 2014 at 12:14pm CST by Chuck Myron

The allure of Dante Exum is prompting the Sixers to think about trading Michael Carter-Williams, and it appears as though Exum will indeed be available when Philadelphia picks third overall next month. Exum isn’t in the mix for the Cavs at No. 1 overall, and while the Bucks are high on him, as Chad Ford of ESPN.com writes in an Insider-only piece, the uncertain future of GM John Hammond and his staff makes it less likely the point guard ends up in Milwaukee. Here’s more draft-related news:

Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com adds the Hawks and Suns to the list of teams that have workouts scheduled with T.J. Warren (Twitter link).
Patric Young is performing for the Suns today and will work out for the Spurs on Friday, Goodman tweets.
Dwight Powell is auditioning for the Thunder today and will do so for the Suns and Wolves later this week, Goodman reports (on Twitter).
The Hawks worked out Jahii Carson, as the Arizona State sophomore revealed on Twitter (hat tip to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution). He’s auditioning for the Suns today, notes Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic. He’ll join Isaiah Austin, whom the Suns are also working out today, Goodman hears (Twitter link).
Khem Birch worked out for the Sixers on Monday and will do so for the Heat next week, according to Goodman (Twitter link).
Ronald Roberts Jr. will show off for the Raptors, Sixers and Pistons this week, reports Tyler R. Tynes of the Philadelphia Daily News.
Javon McCrea is working out with the Bulls today and the Sixers and Raptors next week, as Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv has learned (Twitter link).

Draft Notes: Boatright, Kaminsky, Brooks

April 25th, 2014 at 6:54pm CST by Cray Allred

De’Mon Brooks of Davidson has chosen Keith Kreiter of Edge Sports to represent him heading into the draft, per a tweet from Shams Charania of RealGM. Charania adds that Brooks is a potential second rounder, although DraftExpress isn’t as optimistic, ranking the power forward as just the 86th best senior prospect. Here’s a roundup of the rest of tonight’s draft notes:

While UConn’s DeAndre Daniels chose to enter the draft this year, fellow Huskie Ryan Boatright has decided to return for his senior season, the team announced via Twitter.
Boatright wanted to declare, but took the advice of those who cautioned he might not get drafted, per a tweet from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. Wojnarowski says that advice was accurate, and it lines up with the projections of Draft Express and ESPN Insider Chad Ford, who didn’t have the point guard getting selected in either round in 2014.
Frank Kaminsky told Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com that he will return to Wisconsin rather than enter this year’s draft. Kaminsky has been expected to wait to enter 2015 draft, where DraftExpress has him projected as a late first-rounder.
The big man tells Goodman he wavered somewhat on his decision. “It was a tough decision, but I think the best thing for me is to stay another year and develop even more,” the 7-footer told Goodman. “I made a commitment to the school and I don’t think I can turn my back on the people who have been there for me.”
An NBA scout tells Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv that UNLV’s Khem Birch is a second-rounder at best who will need to work on his offense in the D-League (Twitter links).

Khem Birch Declares For Draft

April 24th, 2014 at 6:18pm CST by Charlie Adams

UNLV junior Khem Birch will forgo his senior season and enter the 2014 draft, he announced (on Twitter). Birch is a 6’9″ power forward who transferred from Pittsburgh after his freshman year. He averaged 11.5 points and 10.2 rebounds over the course of 31.5 minutes per night during his 2013/14 campaign with the Runnin’ Rebels. In 33 contests, he was able to shoot 51% from the floor while averaging 3.8 blocked shots each game.

Birch was the 12th ranked recruit in his high school class, according to ESPN.com’s recruiting database. Despite being slightly undersized, Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress lists his wingspan at an impressive 7’0, and also adds that Birch is an exceptional athlete for his position.

The big man ranks 67th on Chad Ford of ESPN.com‘s Big Board and sits at 61st on Givony’s list of top prospects. He’s likely to hear his name called sometime in the second-round of the draft.