Steph steps back into the spotlight

September’s here, which means the slow summer months are almost over. Good thing, too. Wednesday was the first weekday in ages that no recruit committed to a program.

But there’s plenty of other news out there. Let’s get to it.

STARTING FIVE

1. Yet another Steph trifecta

Davidson did it right for legend — er, alum — Steph Curry.

Wednesday’s event commemorated their most famous baller with the pomp and circumstance befitting of a spring graduation ceremony. After all, it’s not every day you get your diploma, are inducted into the school Hall of Fame and have your jersey hung from the rafters.

For those who forgot, Steph played three seasons at Davidson and averaged 25.3 ppg, made 41.2 percent of his 3s, was a three-time All-American, a two-time Southern Conference POTY, led the nation in scoring as a junior (28.6 ppg) and logged five NCAA Tournament wins. He became exponentially more famous as a pro, elevating this ceremony into an event.

So, 5,000 fans packed Belk arena, Steph’s mom and dad spoke, some medals were awarded, jerseys were unveiled, and the college created the type of glowing atmosphere usually reserved for championship celebrations.

I say, bring on all the celebrations. College hoops has enough legends that we can do this all the time.

2. Making sense of the new NCAA rules

As expected, the NCAA adopted changes to the transfer rules and its infractions process. It sounds dry, but it’s important.

First, the transfer rule. As it applies to basketball, there will now be a “60-day window beginning the day after championships selections are made in the sport,” per the release. Instead of a May 1 deadline, it’ll now be mid-May when players rush to make decisions … maybe. After all, we’re coming out of a transfer-heavy summer where even if a player misses that deadline, most waivers are still approved. (Any first-time transfers remain immediately eligible.) That probably won’t change as the NCAA noted in its release that it’ll evaluate all requests with attention paid to student-athlete well-being.

It will certainly affect the April recruiting period. Coaches also expect to be inundated with calls while preparing for the NCAA tournament or scouting high school prospects. But hey, it was this or unlimited transfers! (And that’s not happening.)

As for the NCAA infractions process, the changes cover three areas:

• Incentivized school cooperation, which they hope increases transparency and expedites resolutions.

• Changes to the appeals process, including limiting appeals, using a written record (rather than oral), and removing automatic stay for appealed penalties.

• Eliminating the IARP. Farewell to the prolonged and ultimately ineffective independent review process. However, any school currently under IARP review (such as Kansas or Memphis) will still await its ruling.

3. Big 12 goes on the offensive

I’ll just run all 87 words of this Big 12 press release.

OK, so what’s it mean? The Big 12 is trying to out-maneuver the Pac-12 by having its current media deal (which expires in 2025) be renewed in some capacity before the Pac-12’s deal expires in 2024. Even when ESPN issued its own statement — paraphrased as “uh, no.” — it still gives the Big 12 a minor edge in the race to not be absorbed or be made irrelevant. So that’s fun! (It also opens the door for Texas and Oklahoma to leave before 2025. See? Super fun!)

Maybe the most fun? Snagging your copy of The Almanac: The Essential College Basketball Preview for 2022-23. It previews every team and has insight from every coach, including stuff like this from Texas Tech’s Mark Adams.

Remember, use promo code “HOOPS” to save before Sept. 27

4. A must-read on Bronny & Bryce James (LeBron, too)

In case you missed it, take 10 minutes and savor this SI.com story from Chris Ballard on the LeBron James clan and what it’s like having sons follow in a famous father’s shoes. Or, in Bronny’s case, a famous son.

All the expected questions are raised, and answered:

• Do Bronny, 17, and Bryce, 15, feel pressured to play hoops? (no)

• Is it the NBA or bust? (Nah)

• What’s it like with dad on the sidelines? (Not bad)

But don’t read it just for the facts. Read it for the care in which Ballard treats his teenage subjects and identifies with LeBron as a parent. Raising kids is hard enough without the incessant attention of millions of people. But they’re managing and seemingly managing it well.

An aside: I think a lot about Jeffrey and Marcus Jordan whenever a Bronny or Bryce story pops up. When Jeffrey headed to Illinois as a preferred walk-on, there were national stories about how he performed, as if that were standard. When they played together at UCF, it was a regular story. And this was before social media. To think about Bronny and Bryce and how they’re handling this, it’s impressive.

Anyway, because this is a college hoops newsletter, how about an excerpt about Bronny (a top 50 2023 prospect) and if college awaits him or another route?

There aren’t many things LeBron hasn’t done. I know where I’d lean. But seems Bronny knows himself well enough to make the call that suits him.

5. John Calipari to receive public service award

A list of people who have received the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service, by the organization Multiplying Good: Arthur Ashe, Tom Brokaw, Larry Fitzgerald, Betty Ford, John Glenn, Bob Hope, Steve Jobs, Shaquille O’Neal, General Colin Powell, John D. Rockefeller and Oprah Winfrey.

That places Kentucky coach John Calipari in good company when he is honored with a Jefferson Award for service in sports on Nov. 2. He’ll also be the first men’s college basketball coach to earn the award.

SUMMER READING

Can McGhee guide Liberty to another NCAA Tournament bid?

Summer reading assignments suck. Trying to absorb info when your brain just wants to zone out is like trying to outrebound Oscar Tshiebwe. Well, good news. We did the assignment. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Sean Paul gives CliffsNotes on programs that aren’t Top 25 contenders but are worth knowing entering the 2022-23 season. So sit back, relax, and enjoy. 

Liberty synopsis: The Flames have owned the ASUN since joining in 2018. They’re 50-11 in conference games and won or shared the last four regular-season crowns. But this is it, as Ritchie McKay’s team will join Conference USA in 2023-24. Going five-for-five isn’t a lock, though.

Main characters: Darius McGhee is THE main character. The 5-9 guard is wired to score from anywhere. He finished second nationally in points, averaging 24.6 per game on 45 percent shooting, 39 percent from deep and 88 percent from the foul line. He scored 30+ points six times and 40+ points three times. For my money, McGhee’s the best scorer in college hoops.

Nobody else on the roster hit double figures last season (Keegan McDowell was close at 9.9 ppg), but that isn’t surprising when you consider McGhee led the nation in usage rate (36.7 percent) and took 40 percent of Liberty’s shots. He attempted almost 400 more shots than McDowell, who elected not to take his extra year of eligibility, leaving the door open for breakout seasons from Joseph Venzent, Isiah Warfield or Jonathan Jackson.

The frontcourt boasts standout Shiloh Robinson (9.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), glue guy Kyle Rode (9.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.2 apg) and Blake Preston (6.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg.) That trio should compliment McGhee, setting screens, defending and cleaning the glass. While there isn’t a star forward, all three play their roles within the offense and significantly improve the team.

The conflict: What happens when McGhee has an off night? He failed to hit double figures just once last season, but even elite scorers can hit a rough patch over a 30-game season. However, Ritchie McKay’s deliberate tempo and emphasis on stout defense minimize that risk.

Also a concern: Who replaces McDowell’s shooting (41 percent from deep on 182 attempts)? Jackson is the likely candidate, but nothing’s certain.

Spoiler alert! Liberty has the league’s best player, the best coach and the best culture. It’s hard to imagine much changing, but it’s impossible to guarantee an NCAA Tournament bid in a one-bid league. It would be satisfying to see McGhee have one more chance to shine under the bright lights of the Big Dance.

THE FAST BREAK

Links as you (well, definitely me) search for U.S. Open tickets.

• Chris Rastatter is the NCAA’s new national coordinator of men’s basketball officiating. He replaces J.D. Collins, who’s done the job since 2015.

• The MWC’s full conference slate closes with a doozy: Wyoming at San Diego State on March 4.

• Power 5 Commissioners ask Congress to push back on NIL. But it probably won’t go anywhere.

• The Big South’s hosting its first Freshman Basketball Academy on Sept 10-11 to help frosh acclimate to college.

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