Here’s what’s on tap for the blog in the coming days and weeks:
- A feature on Sonny Vaccaro, the “godfather of basketball.” The former shoe company marketing executive and longtime influential basketball adviser is still going strong at 69. I was lucky enough to interview Vaccaro and get his honest, straightforward thoughts on the NBA draft policy and youth basketball.
- An analysis of the 2005 NBA draft, the final one in which high school players were allowed to be selected. I’ll take a look at how many preps were drafted and where they are now. I’ll also break down how many underclassmen (freshman and sophomores) were taken and what became of them. This will be the first in a series where I will look at every draft since 2005. In addition, I’ll go all the way back to Spencer Haywood’s lawsuit in 1971 and trace the progression of high schoolers in the draft.
- A piece on Haywood. Once I get in touch with him that is. At a minimum, Haywood should be able to provide some historical context.
Will Spencer Haywood agree to an interview? Stay tuned to find out!
- Live blogging and analysis of this year’s draft on June 25.
- Here are other interviews I’m contemplating or hopeful of doing and turning into featured pieces. Some I chose because they’re unique to the subject, others because of their expertise, and still others based on mutual contacts that will hopefully pan out. Obviously I’ll add any other names if I feel like they’ll help the project.
Players
- Brandon Jennings
- Jeremy Tyler
- First-hand account (Any player(s) who made the jump, successful or not)
NBA sources
- Mavericks President and CEO Terdema Ussery (or anyone else in a team personnel position if I can’t get him)
- League spokesman
Miscellaneous
- Alan Milstein, lawyer who represented Maurice Clarett when he tried to sue his way into NFL
- Sports psychologist for insight on emotional, mental aspects of a high schooler or underclassmen making leap to NBA
- Sports doctor for insight on physical demands on a young body
- U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., who has sent letters to NBA urging it to eliminate the age requirement
Journalists
- Sports Illustrated‘s Frank Deford
- USA Today NBA writer Chris Colston
- USA Today NBA Jon Saraceno
- USA Today columnist Christine Brennan
Arin Karimian
