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South Carolina senior guard Devan Downey was named one of the final 11 candidates for the 2010 Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford Financial Services Group, as announced by The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts today.

This annual award is given to college basketball’s top point guard and is named after Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtics guard Bob Cousy. An original list of 73 candidates made up of players from Division I, II and III schools was trimmed by a Hall of Fame appointed, nationally based committee to 20 and has now narrowed that list to a final 11.

Starting February 5, via the Cousy Award’s website-www.cousyaward.com- fans will be able to vote for the top point guard. The player that receives the most fan votes will receive one vote toward the final committee vote. Fan voting will run one month – beginning February 5 and will conclude March 5.

The current listing of 11 finalists for the 2010 Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford will be narrowed down to five players by March 1st. The final five players in contention for the award will be presented to Mr. Cousy and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. These Hall of Fame committees are made up of top college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, Sports Information Directors and Hall of Famers. The winner of the 2010 Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford will be awarded at the Hall of Fame’s Class Announcement on Monday April 5th in Indianapolis as part of NCAA Final Four weekend.

2010 Bob Cousy Award Finalists

Matt Bouldin – Gonzaga

Sherron Collins – Kansas

Devan Downey – South Carolina

Trevon Hughes – Wisconsin

Jeremy Lin – Harvard

Kalin Lucas – Michigan State

Ronald Moore – Siena

Scottie Reynolds – Villanova

Jon Scheyer – Duke

Greivis Vasquez – Maryland

John Wall – Kentucky

I have been posting a lot about Tre Kelley recently, primarily because I think he is one of the best all-around point guards to ever play for the Gamecocks and because he continues to be on fire over the last few weeks in China.

Ironically, the timing of his recent explosion has coincided with Devan Downey’s hot streak. This is only fitting considering Tre’s name has been brought up in recent debates on sports radio and message boards on who’s the greatest point guard to ever wear a Gamecock jersey. He’s right there in the discussion along with Downey, John Roche and Melvin Watson.

Tre has played two games since my last update and both have been incredible individual performances. More importantly, they have resulted in two more victories for his Dongguan team, pushing their winning streak to three.

Here’s the latest.

On Wednesday night, Tre scored 32 points on 14 -15 shooting from the field, hitting 1 three pointer, and went 1-1 from the foul line. He also dished out a season-high 11 assists as Dongguan defeated Qingdao 130-93.

Earlier today Tre exploded for a career-high 53 points on 14-21 shooting from the field, 4-10 from behind the arc, 13-14 from the foul line and adding 6 assists. All of this in 32 minutes of work as Dongguan knocked of Shandong 129-125.

Former LSU Tiger Stromile Swift scored 27 points for Shandong in the loss. The 6′10 Swift, who was the second pick of the 2000 NBA Draft and the recipient of a $22 million dollar contract from the Houston Rockets, is also in his first season in China.

Tre has a nice five day break before returning to the court to face league leaders Guandong, who are currently 19-1 on the season. Guandong is led by former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Smush Parker.

Corey Simmons (DL 6′5, 225 lbs Norcross, Ga. Greater Atlanta Christian)

Defensive end and tight end at Greater Atlanta Christian High School, a 2A school in Norcross, Ga…. played for former Gamecock linebacker Kenneth “Gus” Robinson… participated in the Gwinnett County All-Star game… considered a two-star prospect by Rivals.com… given a one-star rating by Scout.com… also had offers from Samford and Western Carolina… father, Clyde Simmons Jr., was a two-time Pro Bowler, playing with five teams in the NFL, most notably with the Philadelphia Eagles… father was born in Lane, S.C

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Sharrod Golightly (DB 5′10, 178 Decatur, Ga. Southwest DeKalb HS)

Played safety at Southwest DeKalb High School in Decatur, Ga… logged 113 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions as a senior… selected to the first-team Class AAAA All-State team… the Panthers went 10-2 and were the Region 6-AAAA champions… as a junior, credited with 88 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries… a three-star prospect, the nation’s 56th-best safety prospect and the state of Georgia’s 64th-best prospect, according to Rivals.com… ranked as a three-star prospect and the nation’s 85th-best safety by Scout.com… rated a two-star prospect and the nation’s 109th-best safety by ESPN.com… originally was committed to Vanderbilt before signing with the Gamecocks… also considered Ole Miss.

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Cadarious Sanders (DB 5′11, 181 lbs  LaGrange, Ga. Troup County HS)

Played cornerback for Coach Bubba Jeter at Troup County (Ga.) Comprehensive High School… also returned punts and kickoffs… considered a three-star prospect and the state’s 94th-best player by Rivals.com… rated a three-star prospect and the nation’s 89th-best cornerback by Scout.com… regarded as a three-star prospect and the nation’s 66th-ranked cornerback by ESPN.com… also had offers from Ole Miss, Louisville, Southern Miss, Middle Tennessee and Central Florida.

Sources are indicating that former Gamecock assistant coach David Reaves could be headed to the University of New Mexico to join Mike Locksley’s staff. The Lobos have a vacancy due to Tee Martin’s departure to join Joker Phillips at the University of Kentucky.

Reaves spent last season as an assistant at Tennessee under his brother-in-law Lane Kiffin. Surprisingly, he was not offered a position on Kiffin’s Southern Cal staff.

Great interview with wide receiver Ace Sanders (5′7, 170 lbs, Bradenton, Florida / Manatee High School).

Here’s some footage from Cocoa (FL) High School signing day which features Ronald Patrick and his coach, John Wilkinson. Drag the video to the 58 second mark to begin the coverage of Patrick. Coach Wilkinson had high praise for the 6′1, 277 pounder, calling him, “the best offensive lineman I’ve ever been around.”

I’ve received several emails today about a story that has gotten the attention of the University of Kentucky’s Big Blue Nation.  It seems that after South Carolina’s upset win over then top-ranked Kentucky in basketball, the Student Senate at the University of South Carolina sent a letter to the University of Kentucky Student Government and the Kentucky Kernel (UK’s student newspaper) challenging Kentucky to play South Carolina in “Any Sport, Anytime”.

Here is the USCSG resolution:

SBL(101)46

Introduced by Senators Ali, Ananian, Bryan, Bullock, Burke, Cole, Cromer, Crum, Foster, Gainey, Goodstein, Gracyzk, Green, Hecksher, Irby, James, Langley, Leslie, Mueller, Musgrave, Raj, Rivers, Shepperd, Siberio, Tangen, Tauber, Ungar, Thurston, Vereen, Walker, Wolfe, Van Pala

WHEREAS, even being ranked as the best team in the country, Kentucky still lost AND

WHEREAS, any University of South Carolina major sports program is far superior to any Kentucky will ever put together, AND

WHEREAS, our mascot is both original and awesome and not just some duplicate of more than 8 other universities across the country, NOW THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED by the Student Senate of THE great University of South Carolina

THAT we hereby invite the University of Kentucky to come to Columbia, SC to play anytime in any sport, AND

THAT we further acknowledge our counterparts at Kentucky understand their record in the past three games in basketball stands at 0-3, AND

THAT we further acknowledge our counterparts at Kentucky understand their current record in the past eleven seasons in football stands at 0-11

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that even under budget duress, we will provide tissues and bandages for the wounded egos, hearts and minds of the wildcat nation, AND

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon passage copies are to be sent to the University of Kentucky Student Government, The Kentucky Kernel, and The Daily Gamecock.

Signed by,

Alex Stroman, President of the Senate

Meredith Ross, Student Body President

Ebbie Yazdani, Student Body Treasurer

Alex Stroman, the South Carolina Student Senate president, said the resolution was passed in good humor because the presidents of both schools had recently met at the Southeastern Conference Exchange, a program that allows Student Government presidents to meet and exchange ideas.

Stroman and USC Student Body President Meredith Ross also suggested, via a Youtube video, that the losing school in the upcoming February 25th men’s basketball game should send the winners a bottle of liquor. Sweet Tea Vodka would be sent if Kentucky wins, and they requested Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon if UK lost.

Stroman added that he isn’t worried about the resolution becoming locker room material for UK head coach John Calipari.

“My biggest worry was that we still have to go back to Rupp,” Stroman said. “While I think Devan Downey is the best player in the nation, it’s going to be tough. But if it provides locker room fodder, we’ll just make sure Devan Downey is ready to play.”

Regardless, UK Student Government President Ryan Smith said the Student Senate would not draft a resolution as a response.

“They’re enjoying their 10 minutes of fame and being cocky just like their mascot,” Smith said. “Every once and a while you get lucky. Props to Devan Downey, he played his heart out.”

Smith added, quoting a legendary UK and Alabama football coach.

“Just like (Paul) ‘Bear’ Bryant said, ‘We act like we’ve been here before,’ and we’re gracious in victory and defeat.”

A.J. Cann

Brandon Golson

Ace Sanders

Javon Bell

Patrick Fish

Kelcy Quarles

Cody Gibson

Nick Jones

Brison Williams

Dylan Thompson

Victor Hampton

Corey Robinson

Marcus Lattimore

Already Signed Letter of Intent/Enrolled

Connor Shaw

Matt Coffee

Toquavious Gilchrist

Signed Letter of Intent

Tramell Williams – 8:02 AM

Marcus Lattimore – 8:16 AM

Sharrod Golightly – 8:16 AM

Nick Jones – 8:20 AM

Ronald Patrick – 9:00 AM

Dylan Thompson – 9:00 AM

Patrick Fish – 9:03 AM

Cadarious Sanders – 9:12 AM

Corey Simmons – 9:21 AM

Kelcy Quarles – 9:40 AM

Cody Gibson – 10:20 AM

Victor Hampton – 10:20 AM

J.T. Surratt – 10:20 AM

Ace Sanders – 10:24 AM

Corey Robinson – 10:45 AM

Du’Von Millsap – 10:52 AM

Brandon Golson – 11:45 AM

Brison Williams – 11:45 AM

A.J. Cann – 11:45 AM

Javon Bell – 12:48 PM

*Byron Jerideau has signed and faxed his letter of intent to South Carolina but there is a minor detail on the paperwork that needs to be corrected before it is considered valid.

Per the Beaufort Gazette:

Beaufort High linebacker Justin Parker will sign a letter of intent to play for Clemson, according to sources close to Parker’s recruitment. Parker will announce his decision at a 3 p.m. press conference today at Beaufort High.

As one of the top uncommitted prospects in South Carolina, Parker had narrowed his top schools to Clemson, the University of South Carolina and LSU. But after much consideration, it was the “family-like atmosphere and comfortable feeling” that Parker got during last month’s official visit to Clemson that turned the tide, one source said.

Parker professed a verbal commitment to Swinney about two weeks ago and has already purchased several Clemson clothing items and paraphernalia to wear during the remainder of the school year, according to the sources. The senior informed the USC and LSU coaches of his decision through phone calls on Tuesday night.

island Packet:Beaufort High School linebacker Justin Parker has emerged as one of the nation’s top recruiting prospects, earning more than a dozen scholarship offers from Division I schools and cracking Sporting News Today’s list of top 100 football recruits for the 2010 class. With Parker set to announce his much-anticipated decision at 3 p.m. today, this will be the senior’s final diary entry, as told to Beaufort Gazette/Island Packet sports reporter Brandon Parker.

The big day is finally here and I’m excited about announcing my decision to everybody at 3 p.m. (today). It’s been a great journey for both me and my family, and I thank God every day for being able to be in this position. At this point, I really feel at peace with my decision.

Last week, I had my last round of in-home visits with my top schools. On Thursday, South Carolina coaches (Steve) Spurrier, (Shane) Beamer, (Ellis) Johnson and (Lorenzo) Ward came by for about an hour and a half and it was a pretty good visit. Coach Spurrier was telling me how good I fit into the program and if I went there, how great of a team they would have for the next four years.

They actually pulled out a handwritten list of 48 reasons why Justin Parker should come to South Carolina, so I was pretty impressed. There were things like having a chance to win a SEC Championship, having a chance to be a freshman All-American, their focus on academics and graduation rates.

On Friday, LSU coach (Les) Miles was supposed to come, but they said that they wouldn’t be able to make it out because of the weather. LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis still called me like crazy during the weekend to stay in my ear and check up on me, though.

On Saturday, Clemson coaches (Dabo) Swinney, (Kevin) Steele and (Dan) Brooks came to the house for about three hours and it was a good visit. I know the rumors are still going around that after signing day, Coach Steele is going to leave, so they actually asked me if I do happen to go to Clemson, then how would that affect things? I said that it really wouldn’t either way because you learn that coaches come and go, like we’ve seen a lot recently. If I do go to Clemson, I’d love for Coach Steele to be there, but you don’t go to school for the coaches; you go there for the education and to play football.

Overall, it was a good weekend. I actually talked to (former Beaufort High teammate and current USC freshman) Jimmy Legree on Saturday and (USC wide receiver) Alshon Jeffrey texted me the other day to see if I had made up my mind. I can see that all of those guys have a lot of interest in me, which I’m grateful for, but it can only come down to one school.

Like I’ve said a bunch of times before, there’s not much else they can say, because now the decision is up to me — and after 3 p.m. (today) you’ll find out just what that decision is.

Former Gamecocks and current New Orleans Saints Jamar Nesbit and Na’Shan Goddard took part in Tuesday’s Super Bowl Media Day. Here are a couple of notes including the two offensive linemen.

Na’Shan, who was recently signed to the Saints practice squad on January 12th after spending the season with the Seattle Seahawks, is getting some national exposure after bench pressing a reporter. This picture made the home page of Sports Illustrated.com

An interesting side note, Na’Shan has an opportunity to get his second Super Bowl ring.  The 6′5, 315 pound offensive lineman was a member of the New York Giants team that won Super Bowl XLII.

Jamar was featured in an article about the numerous players with international ties that are participating in this year’s Super Bowl.

While Saints offensive guard Jamar Nesbit is American, the 33-year-old son of a US Army engineer lived in Germany and Saudi Arabia until moving to the United States at age 14 and never played American football until he was 15.

“I played everything else,” Nesbit said. “I liked baseball. I couldn’t hit a curve ball to save my life. My pro baseball career was cut short in its infancy by that darn curve ball.”

Nesbit barely saw American football before learning to play in high school.

“We would get sporadic games on television but to follow a team or a season was difficult,” he said. “When I started, it was a big learning curve for me. I jumped in with both feet. I enjoy a challenge.”

Nesbit is part of the blocking unit for the NFL’s highest-scoring offense and finally in a Super Bowl in his 12th NFL season.

“I never really had this growing up as a goal. To finally get here is a blessing,” he said. “Had it happened to me earlier in my career, I don’t think I would have appreciated it as much as I do now.”

-No word yet on whether TV Azteca sideline reporter Ines Sainz was in attendance at the Media Day. I’m on the lookout. Until then, you can re-visit a post I did on Ines a few months ago.

Wake Up With Ines Sainz

PHOTO SOURCES: SI.com, AP

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PHOTO SOURCES: PHOTOBUCKET,Smugmug

- “I feel like I just lost 50 pounds.”

- “It’s going to change the rest of my life and I know that, I’ve enjoyed all of it. I want to thank all 30 schools that recruited me. It’s something I’m going to cherish for the rest of my life.”

- “Fortunately, after all the in-home visits, the camps I went to, after all the unofficial visits, I found the place best for me. That’s the best fit for me. That’s where my heart is.”

- “I really was leaning towards Auburn, I had a great opportunity to go in there and play early. They have a great offensive line and they were telling me everything I wanted to hear.”

6:01 pm: Marcus Lattimore has made his decision….he will attend the University of South Carolina.

South Carolina received one of the nation’s biggest commitments in the 2010 class when tailback Marcus Lattimore (Duncan, S.C./Byrnes) committed to the Gamecocks at his Church, Silver Hill Memorial United Methodist, just minutes ago.

Lattimore had narrowed his list to South Carolina and Auburn before verbally committing to the Gamecocks. Lattimore chose South Carolina over offers from Auburn, Georgia, Penn State, Alabama, LSU, North Carolina, Oregon, Florida State, Clemson, and others. The 6′0, 210 pounder is the 23rd commitment in the 2010 class for the Gamecocks.

Lattimore finished his senior season at Byrnes with 1,898 yards rushing on 260 carries. He also had 31 touchdowns. He was also named the state’s Mr. Football and Gatorade player of the year. This is the second year in a row that the Gamecocks have landed the state’s top player, signing Stephon Gilmore last year.

The long anticipated decision from heralded tailback Marcus Lattimore will finally be revealed tonight at 6:00 pm at Spartanburg, South Carolina’s Silver Hill Memorial United Methodist Church. A large crowd is expected in the church that has a capacity of 600. The doors of the church opened at 3pm with media and a few guests already in attendance. Check back later for updates, pictures and video.

South Carolina defensive end Clifton Geathers has received an invitation to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine, which will be held at the end of this month in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Combine is a week long invitation-only showcase for the nation’s top college football players eligible for the NFL Draft. The players will perform physical and mental tests in front of Executives, Coaching Staffs, Player Personnel Departments and Medical Personnel from all 32 NFL teams.

The 6′8, 281 pounder is scheduled to begin the intense, four-day job interview on Friday, February 26th.

Former Gamecock Tre Kelley and the Dongguan Leopards spoiled the Chinese debut of Stephon Marbury and Shanxi Zhongyu 102-101 yesterday in front of a capacity crowd at the Binhe Sports Stadium in Taiyuan, Shanxi.  Kelley was spectacular, torching Marbury and Shanxi for 34 points and 5 assists. Marbury had a nice showing, scoring 15 points and dishing out 8 assists in just 28 minutes of work.

It was an exciting game that went down to the final possession. Marbury had a chance to win the game with his team trailing 101-102 and the ball in his hands with five seconds to go, but he chose to pass to Maurice Taylor who missed a 3-pointer.

Here is a good video from the game, which includes a key basket by Kelley (wearing #4 in blue).  The Shanxi crowd was pretty hostile towards the referees down the stretch. They showered the court with cigarette lighters several times to show their displeasure with the officiating.

For the first time this season, Devan Downey has been named SEC Player of the Week after he averaged 31.5 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals in leading the Gamecocks to wins over No. 1 Kentucky and Georgia. Downey had 30 points, five rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals in leading USC to its first win over the No. 1 ranked team.

Downey followed that performance with a 33-point, three-assist, two-steal effort in a one-point Carolina win over Georgia on Saturday. It marked his third-consecutive game with 30 or more points, and his fifth in seven SEC contests this season.