JaVale McGee's mother gives birth to Superman

This is a woman who knows the workings of professional basketball -- so why is she doing this? It's not like some NBA General Manager is going to read her over-the-top -- and by the way off the mark -- sales job let alone be convinced by it. She's coming off like a Little League monster parent who is completely embarrassing herself and possibly turning off NBA front office people who may not want to draft her son because that might mean having to get involved with her.

McGee's mother is raising expectations even higher
Chris Murray
Reno Gazette-Journal
April 20, 2008

I admit that I don't know JaVale McGee or his mother, Pamela, well. But from what I have gathered about the two, they could not have more different personalities. Pamela is outspoken, extroverted and a tad brash. JaVale is guarded, introverted and shy.

During JaVale's press conference to announce his intention to enter the draft, Pamela spoke for at least 15 minutes; JaVale spoke for maybe one minute even though many questions were directly addressed to him. Pamela's answers were charming and often induced laughter from those gathered. But they also ratcheted up expectations as she gave her son a nickname ("The Big Secret") and said scouts told her JaVale had a skill set that is 70 percent better than most already players in the NBA.

Well, Pamela is at it again. Mynbadraft.net allows common folks to write scouting reports on individual players (a weird enough policy in itself), and allowed Pamela to write JaVale's draft profile. Here is what Pamela had to say about her son's skills...

Go here for the remainder.

Tyrone Hanson learns not to mess with Mark Fox

Sophomore guard Tyrone Hanson is no longer a member of the Nevada Wolf Pack men's basketball team. Coach Mark Fox dropped the shooting guard from his squad after repeated team violations. Nevada also wasted no time in deleting Hanson from the official roster on the school web site.

Hanson had demonstrated outside-shooting ability in his brief stints last year and increased playing time was in the works for him in the upcoming season but no longer.

How does this impact the Wolf Pack? There may be some effect felt, although nothing dramatic, in 2007-2008 but Hanson certainly is replaceable.

Here is the beginning of the Reno Gazette Journal article on Hanson:

Nevada basketball: Fox removes Hanson from team
Steve Sneddon
Reno Gazette-Journal
October 31, 2007

Sophomore guard Tyrone Hanson, who was beaten and robbed at a Halloween party in Reno that ended in a triple homicide early Sunday morning, was dismissed from the Nevada basketball team.

Coach Mark Fox announced the dismissal in an emotional and unusual evening news conference Tuesday at Legacy Hall.

Fox said he did not remove Hanson from the team because he was involved in the fight. But, rather, because he was at the party in the first place.

"I held Tyrone out of a scrimmage for a violation of our policy," Fox said. "And he was directed to stay home Saturday night. He violated that direction."

Hanson, 20, of New York City, appeared in 30 games, all off the bench, and averaged 1.6 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per game. He was one of nine letter winners who returned from last season.

He was held out of Saturday's closed scrimmage against Loyola Marymount.

Go here for the complete article.