Kentucky loses 7 to NBA draft
A record seven players are leaving a mighty Kentucky team after a season that fell two wins short of a championship. They can look forward to a possible reunion in a couple of months at the NBA draft.
The soon-to-be-former Wildcats gathered at their practice gym and said they will turn pro: 7-footers Willie CauleyStein and Dakari Johnson, twin guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison, freshman forwards Karl-Anthony Towns and Trey Lyles, and freshman backup guard Devin Booker.
The exodus, which featured Kentucky’s top seven scorers, could have been even greater.
“If Alex Poythress doesn’t get hurt, it would’ve been eight,” coach John Calipari said, referring to the junior forward who sustained a season-ending torn knee ligament in December.
More college basketball
Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor and North Carolina junior J.P. Tokoto were among other top players who decided to enter the NBA draft. Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski made the announcement for Okafor, calling it a “great decision.” Tar Heels coach Roy Williams said in a statement that Tokoto’s decision comes with his blessing after “multiple meetings since the end of the season.”
• Arizona State hired Bobby Hurley as its basketball coach. Hurley, 43, spent the past two years as the head coach at Buffalo, where he led the Bulls to 23 wins and an NCAA tournament berth this past season. He replaces Herb Sendek, who was fired March 24 after nine seasons. Nate Oats, Hurley’s top assistant and recruiting coordinator the past two seasons, will serve as Buffalo’s interim coach.
Pro basketball
Pau Gasol had 16 points and 15 rebounds, leading the Chicago Bulls to an 89-78 win at Miami in NBA action. Bulls guard Jimmy Butler was out with a calf injury. Hassan Whiteside had 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Heat.
• Atlanta forward Thabo Sefolosha will miss the Hawks’ final four regular-season games and the postseason because of a fractured right fibula and ligament damage suffered when he and teammate Pero Antic were arrested early Wednesday in New York. The Hawks said he will need surgery.
College football
Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller, who posted a picture of himself on social media with health care and nutritional products, committed a minor violation of NCAA rules but will not be penalized.
Boxing
The Western Pennsylvania Police Athletic League will stage the Western PA Championships Open Class today at DoubleTree Hotel in Monroeville. First bell is at 7:30 p.m. For tickets call, 412-298-7373.
Harness racing
The Meadows Racetrack & Casino will offer a $10,000 total-pool guarantee for its Pick 4 wager today. The Meadows added the “instant” guarantee after Wednesday’s Pick 4 was uncovered, resulting in a carryover of $2,131.37.