Kentucky Wildcats Basketball: And the Cleveland Cavaliers Select…
Dec 2, 2012; Lexington , KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops spoke with reporters with Athletic director Mitch Barnhart (left) and University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto (right) at the Nutter Field House. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats hosted three star safety Mike Edwards yesterday. Edwards is from the Cincinnati area and holds offers from Georgia Tech, Wisconsin, Louisville, Nebraska, West Virginia and Vanderbilt among others. Edwards is best friends with four star defensive back Darius West, who is also considering Kentucky. Both West and Edwards are considered Kentucky leans and the staff feels like they have Edwards on board after his visit. He is what 2014 Kentucky commits Darryl Long and Mikel Horton think about the two:
"Lima Central Catholic are both looking to end their recruitments, very soon. West has set an announcement date of May 30th. Conventional wisdom is that Edwards will announce around the same time, since the two have said they want to play together at the next level. I spoke with a couple of Kentucky’s current 2014 commitments, asking their opinion on Edwards and West. “I say Kentucky,” said tight end Darryl Long, when asked where he thinks Darius West will commit to. “That’s where we need him to be. That’s my boy though, so I wish him well, wherever he goes.” When we talked about Mike Edwards, Long admitted that he didn’t know as much about him, but that he would love to have him aboard. “I haven’t seen him in action,” he said. “But, I’ve heard a lot of great things about him. His offers speak for his play, as well.” I asked Darryl if he believes that Edwards will also end up at Kentucky. He responded with, “I think so!” Running back Mikel Horton gave me some great insight on both possible commitments. “I know Darius West, personally,” Horton told me. “I feel like he’s a great asset to the team. A great person. What he brings to the team is hard work. I would love for him to join UK. He’s a guy that gets the job done. He’s a hell of an athlete.” “I talk to him either once a week or twice a week. We talk for about 45 minutes to an hour. He lets me know the updates and all of that. He said he loves UK. He also has interest in Louisville. Hopefully, we can all talk him into picking the right school for him and the right school for his future.” Horton gave me some insight into what he tells West about the University of Kentucky. “I try to tell him that playing in the SEC will get you prepared. You can go to the league from anywhere, but playing in the SEC will get you prepared. We just give him information that he doesn’t know already about our school and why he should pick us.” Mikel also feels very confident about Mike Edwards and his potential to end up as a Wildcat. “Mike Edwards, he’s also a UK lover. I feel like we’ve got Mike Edwards, as far as his decision. He just came from UK. He definitely feels like he likes it.” It sounds like Wildcat fans have a lot to look forward to over the next week or two."
May 15, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) checks the replay screen during game five against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Grizzlies defeated the Thunder 88-84. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Durant continues to make himself the one of the most likeable players in the NBA. While people may be divided on LeBron James’ likeability, certainly not his greatness as a player, most are united on Durant as a great player and a great person.
Yesterday news leaked out that Durant donated $1 million to the Red Cross for disaster relief due to the devastating tornadoes that hit Oklahoma. The Thunder superstar has his home in the state and has engrained himself in the community there.
"As the day went on and I saw the footage and the casualties and the houses being blown away, it was tough to see,” said Durant, who was in Minneapolis to watch longtime friend Monica Wright play a preseason game for the Minnesota Lynx. “I call Oklahoma City my home. I go through Moore all the time. It’s unfortunate. We’re going to come together as a city like we always do and we’re going to bounce back.” Durant has been in Oklahoma City for five years now, ever since the Seattle SuperSonics moved there in 2008. He’s become a fixture in the community, in addition to establishing himself as one of the very best players in the NBA. He said he was hoping to return home Wednesday to try and lift the spirits of an area reeling from the deaths of some two dozen people, including children. “Just to get to the hospital, see some kids,” Durant said. “Something. Just something to give some hope. Playing for the Thunder, we mean so much to the state. So many people support us and I just want to go back and support those people."
And Durant did not publicly announce his charitable act. Word got out from the Thunder organization and the media then contacted him.
I know Durant is a millionaire, but donating that amount of money is a big deal. In fact, donating any amount of money to those in need is a big deal. I’ve always been a big fan of Durant from his days in Texas and Seattle, to his current stint in Oklahoma. He truly is one of the good guys in all professional sports and I will be a fan of his for life.