Working hard, while hardly working is tempting
The best recruits, all the coaches and Gary Parrish are converging on Las Vegas. For work. Yes, there might be some card playing, but this week -- the biggest of the summer -- is about the basketball. 

Time to blow whistle on risky referee business?
For a long time, NCAA teams have been hiring league referees in the offseason to call practice games, even receiving all-expenses paid trips. In light of the Tim Donaghy scandal, Gary Parrish wonders if the NCAA is going down a slippery slope. 

Requiring more years could spell less talent for Lute
Simply put, Gary Parrish thinks Lute Olson is making the wrong call in deciding to not chase one-and-done recruits. After all, you wouldn't cut blondes from your dating pool, would you? 

Proven vet Curry best candidate for new face of college game
Tyler Hansbrough is, without a doubt, talented. But his game is rather ugly. While making his rounds out on the recruiting circuit, Gary Parrish suggests a fresh face who is fun to watch is needed in college hoops, and who better than Davidson veteran Stephen Curry? 

LeBron, Paul provide unforgettable scene, stirring memories
It was a sight to see, King James and Chris Paul playing pickup games in the Akron Rec Center against college campers at LeBron's Skills Academy. Even more astonishing, the mighty duo struggled. Don't believe it? Ask Gary Parrish. 

Mock drafts can make a mockery of the process
Rising and falling on draft boards for 2009? Already? Just ask Gonzaga's Austin Daye -- once barely a top-50 prospect but now a top-five projection. This is ridiculous, Gary Parrish says.  

Draft class for '09 a step down -- right now
Bring on the next batch. A day after college sends its top talent off to the NBA, Gary Parrish can't resist the temptation to project the top 30 college prospects for next year. 

In the race for No. 1, take Rose and don't look back
Derrick Rose is bigger than 90 percent of the point guards in the NBA right now. He has the skill, the size and the physical dominance to turn out the opponents' lights. Chicago would be very wise to take Rose over Michael Beasley with the No. 1 pick, Gary Parrish says. 

Stay, go: For Jennings, is it time for a Euro trip?
Who doesn't want options? For potential Arizona recruit Brandon Jennings, the choice is two-fold: Either wait for his SAT score, or head overseas to spend a year playing in Europe before he's NBA eligible. Gary Parrish says Jennings might choose the latter regardless. 

Ridiculously early preseason Top 25 (and one): Heels, Cards sit 1-2
OK, we know it's only June, but now that the deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft has passed, rosters are set and Gary Parrish's Way Too Early Top 25 (and one) is out. UNC is tops, followed by Louisville. 

'Coachability' problem? Vols recruit Negedu doesn't have one
Emmanuel Negedu's whirlwind recruitment is over, and Tennessee lands itself a solid talent. The prep star is even a better individual, says Gary Parrish, who's impressed with the way Negedu handled Lute Olson's comments after spurning Arizona. 

Mario's Miracle likely to earn KU's Chalmers millions
Add Mario Chalmers to the list. Not exactly lottery locks after February, big tourney efforts by these guys -- Mike Conley, Tyrus Thomas, Chris Wilcox -- made them big bucks in March. Just like 'Mario's Miracle' did for KU's Chalmers, Gary Parrish says. 

Stay in school or make it past tense? Here's advice for guys on fence
Monday is the deadline for underclassmen to withdraw from the NBA Draft, and the decision won't be easy for some. Fortunately, Gary Parrish is here to advise guys like Wayne Ellington and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.  

Hendrix's draft plans will decide his future and Alabama's
What kind of impact will Richard Hendrix's draft decision have on Alabama? Gary Parrish says if the Tide's best player stays in school, 'Bama would be a smart pick to win the SEC West and save the coach's job. 

Lotto no-go Griffin looking to improve stock by staying
Blake Griffin's decision to pass up the lottery for another year at Oklahoma, while refreshing, is somewhat baffling. But Gary Parrish says the soon-to-be sophomore isn't damaging his future fortune, just delaying it. 

Lawson's dumb move might be blessing in disguise for Tar Heels
For North Carolina fans who were mad at point guard Ty Lawson for considering jumping to the NBA, Gary Parrish has some interesting news: Lawson's arrest might mean you get him back, whether he likes it or not. 

Buyer's remorse, from lots to courts, when you're sold on luxury
BMW. Three letters that stood for 'Bad Move, Waldo' when Gary Parrish bought a luxury car he couldn't afford. NBA. Three letters that could mean 'Nothin' But Anguish' if first-round long shots stay in the draft pool after getting a small taste of the good life. 

Ex-Cyclone Taylor D-veloping new path to NBA
There's some hope for the discipline-challenged players -- Derrick Caracter, ahem. Mike Taylor, kicked out of Iowa State, shines at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp thanks to his time in the NBDL, Gary Parrish says.  

Upbringing plays major role in avoiding Mayo-type predicaments
Michael Beasley and Derrick Rose managed to avoid 'the wrong type of friend,' but O.J. Mayo wasn't so lucky. Gary Parrish gets the scoop from soon-to-be NBAers at the Pre-Draft Camp and it's obvious that there are too many 'leeches' out there for the NCAA to stop.  

Lawson learning passionate fandom can be a two-face book
For the past two years, North Carolina fans showered Ty Lawson with love. Two months and a draft announcement later, Lawson is confused -- and hurt -- by the mean-spiritedness in Tar Heel land, Gary Parrish says. 

'Steadfast' is Buzz word for new Marquette coach Williams
People were baffled. Why would Buzz Williams leave a head coaching gig to be an assistant? Williams did what he thought was right for his family -- and his eventual promotion to Marquette's top job is proof that such decisions do work out, Gary Parrish says. 

Nothing Wild about Olson's spiraling 'Cats in Tucson
Things are rough in Tuscon. The Lute Olson drama, the defections of players and assistants and now, the release of top recruit Emmanuel Negedu are wearing Arizona thin. As Gary Parrish says, Olson's legacy is quickly becoming tarnished. 

UCLA's bear of a class best of recruiting bunch
Recruiting; the life blood of college athletics. Now that all the top prospects have signed, Gary Parrish says the rich get richer as UCLA reels in the top recruiting class. 

Mayo drama is proof NBA age limit isn't protection for prospects
So the NBA says it wants to 'protect players from themselves' by implementing the age-limit rule? After the O.J. Mayo saga, Gary Parrish wants to know who is it saving now?  

'What's yours is mine' is recruiting motto once coaching carousel cranks up
Kids sign letters of intent, then reconsider when the coaches who recruited them move on. That's when other schools swoop in to get players they missed in November. See, patience is a virtue -- though this is hardly virtuous, Gary Parrish says. 

USC in hot water over Mayo incident? Not likely
So O.J. Mayo received cash and benefits from a promoter while in high school and while at USC. What's new? This happens more than you think on the college landscape, which is why Tim Floyd won't get fired and the Trojans won't get in trouble, Gary Parrish says. 

Livengood's good life marred by Arizona-Olson morass
Arizona basketball is an institution, but the foundation is crumbling. Lute Olson's age and personal issues are under constant attack. Staff members are disappearing at an alarming rate. AD Jim Livengood has quite the mess on his hands, Gary Parrish says. 

Vacation? What's that? College basketball never takes a break
Indiana drama continues, Tennessee players booted and 69 -- 69? -- underclassmen declare for the NBA. All of that in just one week, further reminding Gary Parrish there is no such thing as vacation.