Mike Mercer to Australia

Mike Mercer has landed in Australia.  He's been signed by the Geelong Supercats of the Australian Basketball Association.

Mercer's new home, Geelong, is located about 50 miles southwest of Melbourne.  Geelong is the second-largest city in the state of Victoria, lying at the southern tip of Australia just across from the island of Tasmania.  The nick-name "Supercat" comes from the large aluminum-hulled catamaran ships produced in the region.

Good to see that Mercer is married (wife Adreana) and has a son (MJ). 

Ironically, Mike is now playing close to Melbourne, the home of his old roommate, Kevin Brophy, who passed away in a tragic car accident almost seven years ago.  Dawgs hoops players Steven Newman and Terrance Woodbury also played in Australia. 

Note:  For more information on the careers of any of the above players, just click on their names in the blue hypertext below.

Mike was brought in by the Supercats after their existing two-guard, Kimmani Barrett (formerly of Lasalle University), went down with a knee injury.  For his part, Mercer's knees have been holding up during stints in China and Canada, so if he can stay healthy he might be able to stick with his new team Down Under.

Mercer and family

Terrance Woodbury to Australia

UGA grad Terrance Woodbury will shortly be playing high stakes hoops. Literally.

He was picked up recently in the overseas draft for the High Stakes Hoops tournament to be played in Australia. The tournament will last from April 6-11. Woodbury will be playing for the Cyclones.

High Stakes Hoops is designed to spark interest in basketball for the Australian public. The tournament is not officially sanctioned by the National Basketball League (NBL) of Australia, but it is expected that a number of college and former NBL players will participate in the event.

The rules for the tournament will be different than the American brand of basketball. Besides the normal international rules, the tournament will give a $250,000 grand prize to the team that wins it all.

Teams will get extra bonuses for winning a quarter, which is expected to make each period in the game highly contested. Coaches can designate a period in which three-point shots count for 4 points. So if a player is fouled during this time, it is possible that he can make a 5-point play. This rule is similar to the power play in Australian cricket.

Steve Newman reportedly enjoyed his time playing in Australia, so I imagine that the tournament should be fun for Terrance. It's a big country, and he probably won't have a lot of free time, but perhaps Woodbury will be able to get to see Kevin Brophy's family.

Should be fun. Safe travel, Terrance, and represent the Dawgs well!

Steve Newman Stars on T.V.

Well, almost.

Newman appeared three weeks ago in the front row of the audience in "The Price is Right."

They didn't ask him to "come on down," but if they had, I'm sure he would have represented the Dawgs well, and fought hard to bring home the "W."

Recruiting: Tough Business

I saw recently that both Jason Morris and Shannon Scott have eliminated Georgia from consideration.

UGA is, however, still in the running for Cady Lalanne.

These developments show just how difficult it is to get basketball recruiting going at Georgia.

Looking back at recent history, Dennis Felton arrived in Athens after the awkward personnel decisions were reached with Jim Harrick. Due to the looming NCAA penalties, Felton appropriately agreed to release Harrick's incoming class from their letters of intent.

Since Harrick had largely been unsuccessful in recruiting, Felton faced a roster with several seniors, but no juniors and no sophomores. Felton's recruiting efforts achieved the following results:

1. 2003: Corey Gibbs, Marcus Sikes, Steve Newman and Levi Stukes (two 3-star players, and 2 unranked guys. Decent last minute work, but no home runs, especially given the fact that Gibbs was coming off of a knee injury)
2. 2004: Channing Toney, Younes Idrissi, Dave Bliss, and Sundiata Gaines (two 3-stars and two unranked)
3. 2005: Louis Williams, Mike Mercer, Rashaad Singleton, Terrance Woodbury, Kendrick Johnson, and Billy Humphrey (two 5-stars and four 3-stars)
4. 2006: Takais Brown and Albert Jackson (one 3-star and one unranked Juco)
5. 2007: Chris Barnes, Troy Brewer, Jeremy Jacob, Jeremy Price and Zac Swansey (two 4-stars, and three 3-stars)
6. 2008: Ebuka Anyaorah, Travis Leslie, Howard Thompkins, Dustin Ware, and Drazen Zlovaric (one 4-star and four 3-stars)
7. 2009: Demario Mayfield and Daniel Miller (one 3-star that would stay, and one that would ask out of his commitment after Felton was let go)

Felton did a respectable job in recruiting, especially so, given the fact that he had to recruit under the cloud of an NCAA investigation for the first couple of years. His third year, 2005, was supposed to be his "money year," the year in which his recruiting and the team's performance were supposed to take off.

And from all indications, things were pretty much set. He got early commitments from two 5-star players. However, Louis Williams opted to go straight to the pro's, and didn't show up at all. Another player, Kendrick Johnson, who was supposed to provide depth in the post, showed up with hobbled wheels.

From there, instead of taking off, things went down-hill for UGA. Injuries, transfers, suspensions and dismissals decimated the roster and the team's record. Although Georgia went to the NCAA Tourney in 2008 under Felton, the team's disappointing record in 2009 and the failure in quality recruiting during the year ultimately led to Felton's dismissal.

Now what? Mark Fox is on the scene. Can he reverse the tide?

Maybe. There are reasons for optimism here. No NCAA investigation. A new training facility. Even better news, Fox does not have to recruit like crazy to be successful. He has a roster full of scholarship players. He has 9 players-- 1 senior, 2 juniors, 5 sophomores, and 1 freshman, from the Felton tenure.

He can field a competitive team with Thompkins, Ware and Leslie, with Albert Jackson, Jeremy Price and Chris Barnes. All he needs to do is have a good offensive system, and he can win now.

But Fox won't be able to win later unless he recruits. So looking at how things are shaping up, Fox has the following recruiting results:

1. 2009: Vincent Williams (one 3-star to go along with Felton hold-over, Demario Mayfield).
2. 2010: Gerald Robinson (former 3-star from 2007).

Coach Fox wasn't a "big splash" recruit like John Calipari. I don't think it was realistic for fans to expect him to bring talent with him, so his first year is sort of like Felton's. The expectation was for him to plug up as many holes in the roster as possible. Vincent Williams is decent work, considering the circumstances.

The key for Fox is whether he can compress the schedule. Make his second year much better, like a money year, if you will, and really do well in 2011.

So far, the jury is still out on the 2010 recruiting for Fox. Georgia has missed out on some guys, but we still have a shot at Jelan Kendrick, a 5-star, and Cady Lalanne, a 3-star forward. If Fox can get Kendrick, Georgia recruiting is definitely on its way up. Follow the successful recruiting of Kendrick with the commitment of Julian Royal, Dai-Jon Parker, Tony Parker, and a couple of the other elite recruits for 2011 and 2012, then Georgia will have finally hit its stride.

Let's all keep our fingers crossed. Recruiting is tough business.

Steve Newman has MRI

Steve Newman, out with a torn ACL, is on the road to recovery.

Newman recently had an MRI, and the procedure should give doctors a thorough sense of how to proceed. I assume he will be having his surgery in the near future.

Good luck, Steve.

Steve Newman Tears ACL

Steve Newman tore his ACL last week and he will be out for the rest of the season for the Bellingham Slam. Newman had been averaging 8 points and 5 rebounds for the Slam, a team in the International Basketball League.

I imagine that the injury will also impact Newman's return to the D-League when the season gets started again. As readers of the Blog know, Newman played last season for the Utah Flash and the Iowa Energy.

Tough break for Steve.

Mr. Newman Goes to Washington

As reported earlier, Steve Newman is going to Washington-- Bellingham, Washington, that is.

Steve has joined the International Basketball League. He was activated this week from the Bellingham Slam's reserve roster.

The IBL is a 4 year-old league made up of 16 teams. IBL games provide that each team gets 1 time-out per quarter, and there is no stoppage for in-bounding the ball. The IBL league just began its games. Bellingham is 3 and 1 on the year so far, after winning the league championship last season.

Steve Newman to play in Bellingham

Steve Newman is playing for the Iowa Energy of the NBA D-League.

Unfortunately, Newman has been in a prolonged playing slump, and if I remember correctly, had a shooting percentage below 30 percent, after being released by the Utah Flash and getting picked up by the Energy. Since Iowa is heading to the D-League playoffs, I'm not expecting them to significantly change their roster, but I wonder if they will invite Newman back for next season.

At any rate, Newman still wants to play. After the D-League season is over, he will be heading out west to Bellingham, Washington. He will play for an international basketball league team there.

Bellingham

Steve Newman to Iowa

Newman was waived by the Utah Flash back at the end of February. He averaged 2.5 points per game, along with 2 rebounds.

Newman was picked up on March 4 by the Iowa Energy. He has played in just a few games, so far. He'll have to score (shooting percentage of just .380) and rebound much better to stick in the D-League.

Newman on the Way Out?

Steve Newman is out of the starting line-up for the Utah Flash. In fact, in the most recent game, Newman played less than 5 minutes.

The Utah Flash has had a few roster changes lately. Billy Walker and J.R. Giddens have been called up by the Boston Celtics. I'm not sure if anything is up with Steve, but things are not looking as good as they were just a couple of weeks ago.

He'll have to play hard to keep his roster spot.

Toros over the Flash

Ezra Williams and the Austin Toros played Steve Newman and the Utah Flash.

The Toros came out on top, 97 to 88. Ezra Williams had a really nice game, with 19 points on 7 of 15 shooting. His teammate, and former UGA recruit, Mohamed Abukar, went 2 of 4 from the floor.

Steve Newman scored 4 points with 7 rebounds for the Flash.

The Toros have now won 9 straight.

Steve Newman Closes Out the Year

with a good game. On December 30, Newman played 26 minutes against the Tulsa 66er's and shot 3 for 5 from the floor. He also garnered a rebound.

Not fantastic production from your starting center, but the Utah Flash apparently likes Newman for his all-around game. Most of the scoring comes from two players sent down from the Boston Celtics, Billy Walker and J.R. Giddens.

The Utah Flash won the game, 98 to 82.

D-League Update

Fred Gibson and the Albuquerque Thunderbirds are 2 and 9. Fred is coming off the bench and is making contributions where he can.

Steve Newman's scoring has gone down. He didn't score any points in his last game, and in the game today, has not scored yet.

Ezra Williams is playing the best out of the three. He did a little bit of everything in his last game-- he had a few rebounds, assists, and points. His team, the Austtin Toros has won 8 straight.

Steve Newman in action

As previously noted, Newman got his first start this week. Although he didn't score in the game, he did get some media exposure.

Newman

Steve Newman gets his first start of the year.

Steve Newman has moved into the opening line-up for the Utah Flash.

Newman was given the start last night at the center position. He responded with 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Although he did not score any points, the Utah Flash did win the game against the Reno BigHorns, 114 to 108.

Newman is not guaranteed to keep his place in the opening line-up, but if he hustles, rebounds and hits his shots when open, he could develop into a guy like David Lee, formerly of University of Florida, who is playing for the New York Knicks.

Steve Newman and Utah Flash have Off Game

Steve Newman played in Utah's most recent game against Bakersfield. He scored just 3 points in 17 minutes, going just 1 for 6 from the field. He was able to grab 6 boards in the contest, but it would have to be considered as an off game for him.

His teammates didn't fare much better. Though Bill Walker had a nice game, with 23 points on 8 of 10 shooting, the Utah Flash was no match for the Bakersfield Jam. Bakersfield won the game, 122 to 81.

D-League Update

Fred Gibson scored 16 points in just over 20 minutes in a losing effort for the Albuquerque Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds lost to the 14'ers on Sunday. In addition to his 16 points, Gibson also had 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.

Steve Newman had 5 points and 4 boards in his last game. He was 2 of 4 from the field, with a three-pointer.

The Utah Flash is now 1 and 1 on the season. Fred Gibson's Thunderbirds team is 0 and 2.

Steve Newman makes the D-League

I thought that he had made the team, but it's more official now that the last round of cuts have occurred and Newman is listed on the roster.

Utah Flash Roster

Congratulations, Steve.

Steve Newman Scores for Utah Flash

Looks like Steve Newman made the roster of the Utah Flash, the NBA Development League team. He was not among the most recent cuts, and when you check the team roster, Newman is listed. I'm not sure if there will be another round of cuts, or what the influence is of NBA teams sending players down.

At any rate, Newman played in the pre-season game that the Flash had this past Saturday against the Idaho Stampede. He played 20 minutes and scored 6 points with 6 rebounds. He went 2 of 4 from the floor, and was 1 of 1 from behind the arc.

Congratulations, Steve!

Steve Newman will Compete in D-League Training Camp

Steve Newman, who graduated from UGA in 2007, has been invited to training camp by the Utah Flash. Training Camp opens today in Orem.

Newman earned a spot by competing in the open try-outs that were held by the Flash in September.

Prior to returning to the States, Newman played in the Netherlands and in Australia.

As readers probably know by now, background information on Newman is available by clicking on his name at the end of this post.

Good luck, Steve!