Sunday is the deadline for underclassmen to declare, and the 6-foot-9 Randle has been projected as a lottery pick if he turn pro. He led the Wildcats in scoring and rebounding during their NCAA title-game run.
Decisions also loom this week for other Kentucky freshmen, including such as twin guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison — also possible first-round selections — and center Dakari Johnson. Sophomore forward Alex Poythress could also enter the draft.
Guard James Young said last week that he would turn pro.
Wildcats freshman forward Marcus Lee and sophomore center Willie Cauley-Stein announced last week that they would return.
FORD TO TENNESSEE STATE
Tennessee State has hired Illinois State assistant Dana Ford as its men's basketball coach.
Ford succeeds Travis Williams, who was fired last month after going 23-40 in two seasons. Tennessee State went 5-25 this season.
Tennessee State said in a statement Monday that Ford would be introduced at a news conference later in the day.
Ford worked at Tennessee State from 2009-11 as an assistant under former coach John Cooper. Williams became coach in 2012 after Cooper left for Miami (Ohio).
Ford spent the 2011-12 season as an assistant at Wichita State and has been at Illinois State his last two seasons. Ford played at Illinois State from 2002-06.
CAT SWITCH
Barry "Slice" Rohrssen has left the Panthers, but he may remain a cat.
Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon announced Monday that his assistant has departed from the Panthers' staff.
“Everyone at Pitt wishes Barry the very best in his future pursuits,” Dixon said in a statement.
But where will Rohrssen's "future pursuits" take place? Nothing's for sure, but our nation's fine college basketball reporters have an idea.
"Pittsburgh puts out release that Barry "Slice" Rohrssen has departed the program. He's headed to Kentucky with John Calipari." — Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN)
"Pitt officially announces departure of assistant coach Barry "Slice" Rohrssen. Arrival at Kentucky expected to be announced soon." — Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello)
Stay tuned.
KNIGHT MOVES
Center Ibrahima Diallo of Senegal has signed a letter of intent to play at Rutgers next season.
Scarlet Knights coach Eddie Jordan announced the signing of the 6-foot-10 Diallo on Monday. He averaged 13.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 5.0 blocks at Quality Education Academy in Winston Salem, N.C.
"He is a dedicated student with tons of potential and an engaging personality," Jordan said. "With his length, athleticism and shot blocking ability, we believe he can make a significant defensive impact. Offensively, he has a nice touch around the basket and the ability to score with both hands."
Diallo joins incoming junior guard Bishop Daniels (Raleigh, N.C.), freshman forward D.J. Foreman (Spring Valley, N.Y.) and freshman guard Mike Williams (New York) in the Scarlet Knights' 2014 recruiting class.
UCONN GREAT DIES
The first University of Connecticut men's basketball player to score 1,000 points has died. Former Husky Vin Yokabaskas was 84.
UConn said Monday he died April 13.
Yokabaskas starred at Bloomfield High School before entering UConn. He was a three-time All-New England and All-Yankee Conference pick between 1950 and 1952, finishing his career with 1,275 points.
He scored 22 points in the Huskies' first NCAA tournament game, a 63-52 loss to St. John's in New York's Madison Square Garden on March 20, 1951.
He was part of the inaugural class of the Huskies of Honor in 2007 and was named to the UConn Basketball All-Century Team in 2001.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, five children and seven grandchildren.
Contributors: Tadd Haislop, The Associated Press
