Presented by CASCADE RAFT & KAYAK.
Thursday, June 23, 2016.
As I watched the NBA Playoffs this spring (and the Golden State Warriors in particular), the value of the three-pointer became apparent. That may be the key for former Boise State star James Webb III, who hopes to be chosen in one of the NBA Draft’s two rounds tonight. That was the part of Webb’s game that deserted him after a strong sophomore year. As a junior, his accuracy from beyond the arc dipped from 41 percent to 25. And in the NBA, a three-pointer is three feet longer from the top of the key. On KTIK’s Bob & Chris Show yesterday, when asked what part of his game has improved most in preparation for the draft, Webb said: “My shooting.” One concern among scouts is Webb’s 6-9, 202-pound frame. It doesn’t fit the profile of a physical NBA forward.
Webb said he’s been told he’s projected to go between No. 26 and No. 40 overall tonight, but most player rankings have him between 70 and 75, which would leave him undrafted. Last year at this time eyes were on Boise State’s reigning Mountain West Player of the Year, Derrick Marks, but the star guard was not selected. Marks appeared to be headed for Philadelphia’s NBA Summer League squad in Salt Lake City, but he never played for the Sixers entry. He opted for Orsi Derthona of the Serie A2 League in Italy, where he was a starter, averaging 15 points and 3.6 rebounds in 39 games last season. You could envision Webb skipping the D-League and doing the European thing, too, although he’d probably give the NBA Summer League a shot in the hopes of earning a training camp invitation.
Boise State hasn’t had a player drafted in 17 years, since Roberto Bergersen in 1999. Bergersen, one of the most versatile and dominant players in Bronco history, was selected by the Atlanta Hawks and was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers on draft night. Berto was released by the Blazers at the end of training camp and never played in an NBA game. He did, however, put together a long pro career that included six different seasons with the Idaho Stampede and stints in France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Turkey and South Korea. The only four Boise State products to actually play in the NBA are Clyde Dickey, Chris Childs, John Coker and Coby Karl.
In a big pre-draft trade yesterday, Derrick Rose was shipped from the Chicago Bulls to the New York Knicks, and one of the best non-NBA assignees ever to suit up for the Idaho Stampede was part of the deal. Justin Holiday also goes to the Big Apple. Holiday, who led the Stampede with 17.3 points per game in 2012-13, split this season between Atlanta and Chicago, averaging 4.5 points over 53 games. He won a ring as a Warriors reserve a year ago.
Based on the criteria laid down for inclusion on Boise State’s 30-Year All-Blue Team ballot, only two punters qualify this week, Kyle Brotzman and Jeff Edwards. Brotzman, the Broncos’ double-duty foot, will be the heavy favorite here. He was the first at BSU to perfect the rugby punt and is the school career leader with a 44.6-yard average. Unfortunately, Kyle Stringer is not on the list. Stringer was Boise State’s punter from 2003-06 and has the second- and third-best single-season averages in Bronco history behind Brotzman. Stringer capped his career with a solid performance against Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.
Props to Hunter Nettles, a former Capital Eagle who walked on at Boise State last year after two seasons at Snow College in Utah, for making a tough but admirable life decision. Nettles announced on Facebook late last week: “For those of you who don’t know, I will not be playing football this season. I have decided it is my family’s (therefore my) best interest to be able to help with Tadman and Kate more. I will be forever in debt to the Boise State Football Family for picking me up when my mom passed away with no hesitation.” Tadman and Kate are Nettles’ siblings. His mother, Marji, died last October. Nettles did realize his dream of playing for Boise State—getting into the game against Idaho State on the blue turf last September. Best wishes to Hunter Nettles.
The 2016 Canadian Football League season begins tonight with Hamilton visiting Toronto, and one former Boise State standout will be suiting up. Mike “Canadian Bacon” Atkinson begins his third season with the Tiger-Cats, hoping for a healthy year for a change. Other former Broncos on active CFL rosters include Winston Venable of the Montreal Alouettes, and Jon Gott and Jerrell Gavins of the Ottawa RedBlacks. Geraldo Boldewijn was placed on the disabled list this week by the BC Lions, while Cleshawn Page was cut by Hamilton. Shane Williams-Rhodes was released last week by Toronto. Three former Idaho Vandals are active in the CFL: defensive end Aaron Lavarias with Montreal, and running back Rolly Lumbala and defensive lineman Maxx Forde with BC.
The Boise Hawks fell behind 3-0 to Salem-Keizer in the fifth inning last night, but they had a chance to pull it out at the end before falling to the Volcanoes, 3-2. Down 3-1 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Hawks put men on second and third with nobody out but were able to get just one run out of it. Shortstop Garrett Hampson remains hot, going 3-for-4 last night and upping his average to .583. Boise fell to 2-4 after losing its second straight series—the Hawks now head for Everett, where they begin a five-game series against the AquaSox tonight.
Troy Merritt returns to the scene of his greatest triumph today as he tees off at the Quicken Loans National in Bethesda, MD. It was at Congressional Country Club last year that Merritt became the first former Boise State player to win on the PGA Tour as he took a three-stroke victory over Rickie Fowler. After setting a course record with a 10-under-61 in the third round, Merritt put the hammer down with a four-under 67 over the final 18, ending with a 34-foot birdie putt and a check for more than $1.2 million. He’s still alternating made and missed cuts since finishing third at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. Merritt made the cut two weeks ago at the FedEx St. Jude Classic but was 68th. Nampa’s Tyler Aldridge is also in the field this week—he had the first tee time this morning, playing with Lucas Glover and Brendan Steele.
This Day In Sports…brought to you by the POOL DOCTOR…taking your pool from green to clean!
June 23, 2010: The biggest goal in the history of United States soccer launches the Americans into the knockout round of the World Cup. Facing elimination, the U.S. game against Algeria went an excruciatingly long time as a scoreless tie. And a draw would have sent the Americans packing. But finally, in the 91st minute, Landon Donovan slammed a rebound into the net for the game’s only goal in a 1-0 victory. For many in the United States, it was the first time they had ever celebrated a soccer victory. The euphoria would be short-lived, however, as the U.S. was ushered out in the Round of 16 three days later in a 2-1 loss to Ghana.
(Tom Scott hosts the Scott Slant segment Sunday nights at 10:30PM on KTVB’s Sunday Sports Extra and anchors five sports segments each weekday on 93.1 The Ticket. He also served as color commentator on KTVB’s telecasts of Boise State football for 14 seasons.)
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