Basketball

Huntington, WV - After a successful season with the Marshall Women’s Basketball team, Head Coach Kim Caldwell has accepted the same position with the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, according to Talia Goodman of The Next. https://twitter.com/goodmansport/status/1777014406343225393?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw Caldwell led the Herd to a 26-7 record, including a 17-1 mark in Sun Belt play, as well as a Sun Belt Championship. The Herd failed to advance past the first round following a 92-49 loss to Virginia Tech. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates regarding the coaching carousel. (Photo via Marshall Athletics) 

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Emerson "KJ" Tenner, the 2024 AAAA Tennessee "Mr. Basketball", has committed to play for the West Virginia Mountaineers! Earlier in the week, Tenner was granted a release from his National Letter of Intent commitment to play at Drake, and he re-opened his recruitment. Late Thursday night, Tenner made the commitment to play for Coach DeVries at West Virginia, saying he is “110% committed to West Virginia University” and adding “thanks Coach DeVries for believing in me! Let’s Go Mountaineers!” https://twitter.com/emersontenner3/status/1776066951334293988?s=46 Tenner, who played for Cordova High School in Memphis, Tennesseee, averaged 23.5 points, 4.8 assist and 2.7 steals per game this past season. Although he is undersized at 5'11 and 150 pounds, Tenner is one of the best natural scorers in the nation and could blossom into a superstar in a few years. In his statement posted on social media earlier in the week, Tenner said the following: "First and foremost, I want to take the time to thank God as well as my family for helping me through this process and journey. I would also like to thank Drake University Athletics for their hospitality and treating me with the utmost love and kindness. After the news of Coach DeVries leaving the program, and with prayer and careful thought and consideration... I have made my decision to reevaluate my options and have been granted a release from my National Letter of Intent from Drake University. My family and I will take this time to determine the best decision and path for my college career." https://twitter.com/emersontenner3/status/1774085261602832414?s=20  

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Moments ago, Carmelo Adkins, a 6’5 combo guard from Phoenix, Arizona, announced that he is decommitting from West Virginia. Adkins, a three star recruit, is currently the only commit in the Mountaineers' 2024 recruiting class. Adkins averaged 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.3 steals per game this past season. Adkins held offers from Holy Cross, Bryant and UT Arlington, among others, but it's unclear where he's headed now. In his message on social media, Adkins said the following: "Very grateful for Coach McCabe, Coach Eilert, Jay Kuntz and the entire staff for giving me an opportunity to play at WVU.  With the new coaching staff coming in I would like to announce I've requested a release from my National Letter of Intent at WVU.  At this time, I will be re-opening my recruitment for the betterment of my academic and athletic career.   Thanks to all the fans and local media for the support for the support during my recruitment." https://twitter.com/voicemorgantown/status/1775996666396491878

Morgantown, WV - The legend of Jerry West only continues to grow. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, West will receive his third Naismith Hall of Fame enshrinement - this time as a contributor to the game of basketball. West, 85, is a native of Chelyan, West Virginia, and was a star guard for the West Virginia Mountaineers from 1957-160, and then went to play for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1960-1974. While with the Lakers, he was a 14-time NBA All-Star and considered one of the greatest professional players ever. Since retiring as a player, he has been active in the NBA as an executive with the LA Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers. https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1775588202096554430?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw West’s previous two enshrinements were as a player in 1979, and in 2010 as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team. (Photo via West Virginia University)   

Morgantown, WV - Moments ago, the WVU Men’s Basketball team announced the first assistant coach hire for the Darian DeVries era. Nick Norton, a former three-year assistant with Drake, will be following DeVries to Morgantown as an assistant and director of player development. https://twitter.com/wvuhoops/status/1775552336913420676?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw West Virginia University shared a press release along with the announcement. Included in the release was a comment from DeVries regarding the hire. Here is what DeVries had to say: “Nick is a hard worker who brings great enthusiasm and tremendous energy to our basketball program. He always has a great rapport with our players and has a strong basketball IQ. Nick fits our basketball staff and our program extremely well.” Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates on the coaching staff. (Photo by WVU Athletics) 

Morgantown, WV - Moments ago, the WVU Men’s Basketball team announced information regarding the season opener for the 2024-25 season. The Mountaineers, who will begin the Darian DeVries era, will meet up with Robert Morris at the WVU Coliseum on Monday, November 4. https://twitter.com/wvuhoops/status/1775231023124513096?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw This wil be the first time since 2010 that the two sides have met. WVU, who finished that season 21-12, defeated Robert Morris 82-49. DeVries comes to WVU after compiling a 150-55 record at Drake. (Photo by WVU Athletics) 

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Moments ago, West Virginia's starting point guard, Kerr Kriisa, announced that he is leaving the Mountaineers' basketball program and entering the transfer portal. Kriisa, a senior guard from Estonia, averaged 11.0 points, 4.7 assists and 2.5 rebounds a game as the starting point guard for the 9-22 West Virginia Mountaineers this season. Kriisa, who will have one year of eligiblity remaining, played his first three seasons at Arizona. https://twitter.com/voicemorgantown/status/1775214064337027279?s=46 Kriisa was suspended for the first 9 games of the season for receiving inappropriate benefits last season at Arizona. However, he put together a pretty strong season with career highs in points per game, rebounds and three point percentage (42.4%). It's unclear at this time which program Kriisa is interested in going to to finish out his collegiate career, but he is widely regarded as an outstanding point guard who many teams will be interested in adding. https://twitter.com/goodmanhoops/status/1775214028849119666?s=46

Morgantown, WV - Moments ago, the WVU Men’s Basketball team officially announced the addition of Tucker DeVries from Drake University via social media. https://twitter.com/wvuhoops/status/1774883230740582442?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw DeVries follows his father and new head coach Darian DeVries to Morgantown. In three seasons with Drake, Tucker won several awards including two Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year honors. He averaged 21.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game during the 2023-24 year. In the statement from the university, his father said the following: “Obviously, we're excited to have Tucker join our program. He has a tremendous skill set and his experience will be invaluable to us. We are grateful that he has chosen to play for us for his senior season." Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for roster updates. (Photo via Drake University) 

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Emerson "KJ" Tenner, the 2024 AAAA Tennessee "Mr. Basketball", has been granted a release from his National Letter of Intent commitment to play at Drake, and his recruitment is now re-opened. Tenner, who played for Cordova High School in Memphis, Tennesseee, averaged 23.5 points, 4.8 assist and 2.7 steals per game this past season. Although he is undersized at 5'11 and 150 pounds, Tenner is one of the best natural scorers in the nation and could blossom into a superstar in a few years. In his statement posted on social media today, Tenner said the following: "First and foremost, I want to take the time to thank God as well as my family for helping me through this process and journey. I would also like to thank Drake University Athletics for their hospitality and treating me with the utmost love and kindness. After the news of Coach DeVries leaving the program, and with prayer and careful thought and consideration... I have made my decision to reevaluate my options and have been granted a release from my National Letter of Intent from Drake University. My family and I will take this time to determine the best decision and path for my college career." https://twitter.com/emersontenner3/status/1774085261602832414?s=20 That path, of course, will likely lead him to Morgantown, West Virginia under new head coach Darian DeVries. Tenner "liked" Tucker DeVries' announcement that he is coming to play for the Mountaineers for his senior season recently and several sources close to his recruitment believe he will ultimately join DeVries at WVU. Because of his lack of size, Tenner did not have a lot of offers from Power 5 schools but did have multiple offers from schools like Drake, Bradley, Arkansas State, Central Michigan, College of Charleston, Rice, Samford, Morehead State and North Alabama. Tenner's personal statement, as listed on the NCSA College Recruiting website, is: "What makes me a good candidate for any coaches team is that i am a leader, hardworker, i play on both sides of the ball, i am coachable and i take care of my busniness on and off the floor. What makes me different from other recruits is that i am willing to listen to things that will better me in life, I take academics very seriously, I know how to conduct my self on the floor and in the classroom, I want to be a professional basketball player but i also want to be a well rounded man, I will give my best effort everytime I step on the floor and I am always respectful even if I disagree or agree with someone." Check out Tenner's highlights below: https://youtu.be/PfKDJx4lKtg?si=JxK0aXIktKEh1eS4

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- According to multiple reports, current Iowa State forward Omaha Biliew is expected to enter the transfer portal. Biliew, a 6'8 freshman from Omaha, Nebraska. Biliew was a consensus five star player (Rivals, 247, ESPN) out of high school, was a McDonald's All-American, and was considered one of the top players in the 2023 recruiting class. Biliew committed to play for Iowa State over offers from Kansas, Oregon and many others, but has struggled to find playing time with the Cyclones early in his career. During his freshman season this past year, Biliew only averaged 2.4 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.4 minutes per game at Iowa State, but he has talent through the roof. Biliew is the former high school teammate of Tucker DeVries. Considering Biliew has been rumored to be unhappy with his playing time at Iowa State and the fact that he has a connection to DeVries, the online chatter has been that Biliew could potentially end up playing at West Virginia next season. Darian DeVries will have to completely rebuild his roster and could promise Biliew the playing time that he desires. According to 247's director of scouting, Adam Finklestein, "Biliew is a physically imposing athlete with length, strength, explosiveness, and the high-motor to match. He plays very hard. Defensively, he's active and versatile. He flies around the court and covers ground with his close-outs, but may not be quite as fluid laterally and needs to better maximize his value as a defensive rebounder. Offensively, he is a finisher who can get out in transition, get his own on the offensive glass, and should be a target rolling to the rim off ball-screens. He can also be a threat in short straight-line drive situations and has made strides with his shooting potential, although he is not yet a reliable floor-spacer in terms of his percentages." In addition to Biliew, another name to keep an eye on is Payton Sandfort, a 6'7 shooting guard/small forward from Waukee, Iowa. Sandfort, the Big Ten Conference's 6th Man of the Year, averaged 10.3 points per game off the bench for the Iowa Hawkeyes this past season. Although he has not yet entered the transfer portal, there are rumors circulating online that he could possibly move to West Virginia because he also attended Waukee High School with DeVries. At this time, this is only speculation, but there is smoke to these rumors and both Biliew and Sandfort would make oustanding additions to the rebuilt West Virginia basketball roster! https://twitter.com/voicemorgantown/status/1773690415499055298?s=20

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- West Virginia University introduced former Drake coach Darian DeVries as its next head coach of the Mountaineers basketball team today. DeVries touched on a variety of topics, but was clearly about the opportunity that lies before him. "I understand the responsibility of being the men's basketball coach here at West Virginia," DeVries said in his opening statement today. "We will do everything we can to make you proud. We're going to do it with integrity. We're going to do it the right way. We're going to work hard. Everything that makes you proud to represent us and vice versa." DeVries continued: "My son, Tucker, will be joining us for his senior season. We've enjoyed this ride together and can't wait for this opportunity at WVU." https://twitter.com/voicemorgantown/status/1773369445781528656?s=20 Asked about his expectations for the Mountaineers in the future, DeVries made it clear that although the wins might not happen immediately, that he will build a winning culture in Morgantown: "From a wins and losses standpoint, I don't think you can go into it and say we're going to do this or that," DeVries commented. "I think the wins and losses, we want them to be more on the win side this upcoming year, but it still has to be about the process and making sure that we don't sacrifice that to bring in players that don't fit us or don't match what we want to build this program. If it plays out that way that we can be as successful as possible and competing at the top then great. But we will not sacrifice anything from a culture standpoint in any way shape or form in terms of just filling a roster. We're going to find the right guys that want to be here, want to be at West Virginia, want to be a part of a winning culture, a team culture. At the end of the day, I believe those wins will come. I hope they come sooner than later." When asked what kind of players he wants on the West Virginia roster, DeVries said the following: "We will look for young men that have talent with intangibles. I'm a firm believer that if you stack talent and intangibles and you do that enough times and you put together a group of men like that in the locker room that equates to winning and we will have a locker room filled with winners. And winners just aren't about scoring baskets. They have discipline, a toughness, unselfishness, and stands tall in all situations and we'll teach them to apply that to all phases of their life." In closing, DeVries discussed why he ultimately decided to come to West Virginia: "I know when I took the job at Drake I said it would take something pretty special. I'm from Iowa, I'm from the Midwest. It was going to take something pretty special to have me leave there. When I talked to Wren and I talked to people that know this program and this place and the people here, everything about it made sense to me, made sense to my family that this was a place that we could see ourselves at for a very long time. A place that we felt we could enjoy as a family, enjoy as a basketball coach, enjoy being a part of this community." https://twitter.com/Tucker_DeVries/status/1773383287228006550?s=20  

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Tucker DeVries is joining his father at West Virginia, per Joe Tipton of Tipton Edits. In addition, his father, Darian DeVries, the new head coach of the Mountaineers, said the following at his introductory press conference: "Tucker will be joining us here at West Virginia for his senior season." Tucker DeVries, who has played the last year years at Drake and is the two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, averaged 21.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season while leading the Bulldogs to a 27-6 record this season. Tucker DeVries has one year of eligibility remaining and is considerd by many to be a legit NBA prospect. According to Sports Illustrated, "DeVries is known for his elite shooting ability but he’s much more than just an elite shooter. DeVries is a tough shot-maker who can make a variety of different shots off the dribble whether it’s a pull-up three from deep, a simple one-dribble pull-up jumper, a spin jumper or even a step-back jumper. DeVries possesses a ton of shot versatility and has a ton of tricks in his bag that allows him to score at a high level. He has enough passing and defensive ability to pair with his elite shooting ability." NBA Draft Room said the following of DeVries as a potential NBA player: "Tucker DeVries is a small school prospect who is one of the best outside shooters in college basketball. At 6-7 with a solid frame he’s got the size to play at the next level and he has a legit NBA skill with his sweet jumper and ability to score the rock from the perimeter. Is great off the catch and shoot and can shoot well off the dribble. DeVries sees the game at a high level, makes good decisions, moves well without the ball and plays a complete game. He’s not a great run/jump athlete but is a capable defender, gives good effort and plays with a lot of heart. Keep an eye on DeVries as a sleeper draft prospect." https://twitter.com/TiptonEdits/status/1773369371890499963?s=20

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Since gaining more playing time in the New York Knicks' rotation, former West Virginia star Miles "Deuce" McBride has proven that he belongs in the NBA! McBride, in his 3rd season with the Knicks, matched his career-high in points with 29 and added 7 assists and 3 rebounds as New York hammered the Toronto Raptors 145-101 on the road last night. McBride, who scored 18 in the first quarter, matched a Knicks' record by making six 3-pointers in the period. With added playing time, McBride has increased his season averages to 7.7 points, 1.5 assists and 1.3 rebounds per game.  The Knicks are now 44-28 overall and in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference. https://twitter.com/11AWH/status/1773293136359383371?s=20 https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1773162959465807923?s=20  

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Darian DeVries will officially be named the next head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers tomorrow. DeVries' family is flying into Morgantown tonight and will be formally introduced during an introductory press conference tomorrow at 11:00AM inside the WVU Coliseum. https://twitter.com/voicemorgantown/status/1773090322899255636?s=20 Although he has not announced his intentions yet, DeVries' son Tucker DeVries is on the plane to Morgantown tonight and is expected to transfer to play for his father with the Mountaineers next season with an official announcement expected after his father's press conference. https://twitter.com/WVUhoops/status/1773134388252868962?s=20 DeVries played at Drake for his father and is the two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season while leading the Bulldogs to a 27-6 record this season. Tucker is a senior NBA prospect who has one year of eligibility remaining. According to On3.com, Tucker DeVries is the #1 player in the nation in the transfer portal at this time. In addition to DeVries, former Drake players Atin Wright, Kevin Overton and Conor Enright are expected to strongly consider following their head coach to Morgantown. https://twitter.com/voicemorgantown/status/1773144795231273196?s=20 According to Sports Illustrated, “DeVries is known for his elite shooting ability but he’s much more than just an elite shooter. DeVries is a tough shot-maker who can make a variety of different shots off the dribble whether it’s a pull-up three from deep, a simple one-dribble pull-up jumper, a spin jumper or even a step-back jumper. DeVries possesses a ton of shot versatility and has a ton of tricks in his bag that allows him to score at a high level. He has enough passing and defensive ability to pair with his elite shooting ability.” NBA Draft Room said the following of DeVries as a potential NBA player: “Tucker DeVries is a small school prospect who is one of the best outside shooters in college basketball. At 6-7 with a solid frame he’s got the size to play at the next level and he has a legit NBA skill with his sweet jumper and ability to score the rock from the perimeter. Is great off the catch and shoot and can shoot well off the dribble. DeVries sees the game at a high level, makes good decisions, moves well without the ball and plays a complete game. He’s not a great run/jump athlete but is a capable defender, gives good effort and plays with a lot of heart. Keep an eye on DeVries as a sleeper draft prospect.”        

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Appearing on The Jerry Eaves Radio Show this morning, former West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins said that he wants to be considered for the University of Louisville men’s basketball job. “I think it fits me perfect,” Huggins said. Lousiville is currently searching for its next head coach after firing Kenny Payne during the season. Altough Huggins' name hasn't appeared in lists to replace Payne, he believes he's the right man for the job. “I'm really excited. I would be really excited to be there. I would want to be and do what what Coach Denny Crum did. I've always had a love for Louisville, believe it or not. I love going to Louisville and playing. I love the fan base, the way the way they embrace the team, the way they they embrace Louisville basketball. I think it's a great place. I think it's something that fits me perfectly. Much like Cincinnati did when I got to Cincinnati. I mean Cincinnati, Cincinnati was in dire straits when I got there and the city of Cincinnati fell in love with what we did, the way we played, who we played." Huggins continued: "We weren't afraid. We weren't afraid to play anybody. And I think the people that we brought in to Cincinnati to play were people that ended up being NBA All Stars and I think they appreciated the fact that we didn't hide from anybody. We were gonna play whoever it was. Line them up and let’s go play. And I think that's the mentality that Louisville people would would like to see. Not running and hiding from people, but rather challenging people. Come on, we're ready. Come on, come try to beat and that's been my philosophy anywhere I’ve ever been.” https://twitter.com/rickbozich/status/1772955935499059411?s=20