04/12/2001

From Staff and Wire Reports

Randolph, Gardner declare for draft

Michigan State freshman Zach Randolph and Arizona sophomore Jason Gardner both declared for the NBA draft on Wednesday.

Randolph, a 6-9 forward, averaged 10.8 points and 6.7 rebounds in less than 20 minutes a game. He said he would turn pro regardless of where he is drafted.

Gardner, a 5-10 point guard, said he will not sign with an agent and could retain his eligibility if he does not like his position in the draft.

Randolph joins Spartans teammate Jason Richardson in entering the NBA draft. Gardner's decision follows the announcements of teammates Michael Wright and Richard Jefferson.

Around the nation

McNeese State: Tic Price, who has head coaching experience at New Orleans and Memphis, will replace Ron Everhart as men's basketball coach, KVHP-TV in Lake Charles, La., reported Wednesday.

Old Dominion: Blaine Taylor, an assistant at Stanford, will be hired as men's basketball coach at Old Dominion, a source close to the program said Wednesday.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee: Bruce Pearl was introduced Wednesday as men's basketball coach.

Gooden staying at KU

Kansas sophomore Drew Gooden announced at Tuesday night's team banquet that he will return for his junior season. The 6-10 Gooden had been considering leaving school early to enter the NBA draft.

Gooden led Kansas last season with 15.8 points and 8.4 rebounds. He joins Jeff Boschee, Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich as returning starters for next season.

–Keith Whitmire

Three Sooners invited to national team camp

Three members of the Oklahoma softball team – seniors Ashli Barrett and Lisay Carey and sophomore Kelli Braitsch – have been selected to participate in the USA Softball Women's National Team Camp.

The trio will be among 51 players competing for spots on one of two 16-player teams that will represent the United States in international competitions.

The camp is May 30-June 3 at the ARCO Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.

Texas-0U hoops may come to new arena

The Big 12 is trying to match Texas and Oklahoma in a "challenge series" doubleheader against teams from another conference in the new American Airlines Center.

Big 12 assistant commissioner Kim Anderson said it will not happen this coming season because of television and scheduling conflicts. He is hopeful a doubleheader can be arranged for the 2002-03 season.

Anderson said the league is looking at other potential challenge series, such as pairing Oklahoma and Oklahoma State against nonconference opponents in the new arena being constructed in Oklahoma City.

–Keith Whitmire

Texas Southern to hire Willowridge's Courtney

Texas Southern has chosen Fort Bend Willowridge High School coach Ronnie Courtney to replace fired coach Robert Moreland, the Houston Chronicle reported in its online edition Wednesday.

The newspaper said Courtney would be announced at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Courtney guided Willowridge to the Class 5A state championships the past two seasons. The team won 75 of its last 76 games.