The Gophers showed cursory interest in Noreen, who also considered Arkansas, Northwestern, Oregon, Providence and Washington State.įirst-round NBA draft pick Cole Aldrich, who makes the ceremonial first pitch at this afternoon’s Twins-Tigers game, had a great-grandfather, Guy Aldrich, who pitched for the Minneapolis Millers, according to Cole’s grandfather Les, who turns 90 next month.ĭon’t be surprised if Timberwolves President David Kahn is seen escorting some NBA free agents in downtown Minneapolis, including a Twins game or two, within the next few days. The Mountaineers lost three forwards from last season’s team. Noreen’s coach, John Sherman, said that West Virginia’s open-post offense, which consists of four forwards and a point guard, was a factor in Noreen choosing West Virginia. Basketball Minnesota, has signed to play for coach Bob Huggins at West Virginia. Kevin Noreen, the 6-10 former Minnesota Transitions forward who is the reigning Mr. But then when we went out into the world, business and stuff, all that he had taught us then seemed to fall into place.” “He said that when we were here and 18, 19, 20 years old, we didn’t understand what Coach was teaching us except for basketball. “Erickson gave a great speech,” Green said. Broadcasting dignitaries who had worked with Wooden and spoke at the 90-minute service were Al Michaels, Dick Enberg and Vin Scully. Players included Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Jamaal Wilkes and Keith Erickson.
I saw people I hadn’t seen in a long time.” “Everybody there had their own stories about Coach. He never used foul language - if you used foul language, without a doubt you’d be put on the bench.
“There was a 20-minute video of Coach, and when it was over, everybody was crying,” Green said.
The beloved Wooden coached a record 10 NCAA champions at UCLA. “We were all in tears when we went into Wooden Center,” Green said. Green, 69, was among about 80 of Wooden’s former players who attended the public memorial service with more than 6,000 other admirers at Pauley Pavilion, then a private gathering at UCLA’s Wooden Center. “I think he was looking down and saying, ‘There’s my boys, they’re all together again,’ and smiling,” said Green, who now lives in Houston again. John Green, who was raised in tiny Houston, Minn., and became an All-America basketball guard at UCLA under John Wooden, was back in Los Angeles last weekend for his legendary’s coach’s memorial service. Word is Randolph, who would complement Love’s play, is expendable. The 6-10 power forward, just 20 years old, perfectly fits Minnesota’s needs in that he’s a long shot blocker. Meanwhile, if the Wolves trade power forward Al Jefferson, as expected, keep an eye on Golden State’s Anthony Randolph. The Wizards have $22.5 million in salary cap space, compared with the Wolves’ $15 million, and also are interested in Gay, whose hometown is Washington, D.C. The Wolves’ plan under basketball president David Kahn is to grow a team with young, sustainable players.Įx-Wolves coach Flip Saunders, who coaches the Washington Wizards, could be a challenge for Gay, though. Point guard Ricky Rubio, expected to play for the Wolves in 2011, is 19. Gay is especially attractive to Minnesota because he’s only 23.