In what is a sure sign that Canadian basketball is on the upswing, the Toronto Raptors worked out two Canadians on Wednesday ahead of this months NBA draft.
Keshawn Martin Patriots Jersey . Torontos Melvin Ejim and Quebec Citys Khem Birch went through their paces in front of the
Raptors scouting staff. Birch, who played at UNLV and declared for the draft
after his junior season, points to Vince Carter as one player who caught his eye
growing up. "Vince is probably one of the best Raptors of all time. He had a big
impact on all of us," said Birch. "Even though he wasnt Canadian, you thought he
was Canadian because he played here and everyone embraced him." Birch is
projected to be drafted late in the second round but that hasnt deterred him
from making his best impression in workouts. "I dont look into mock drafts,"
added Birch, who has already worked out for the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat
and Philadelphia 76ers. "Those guys dont really know what goes on in a GMs mind.
It only takes one team to like you and if you feel youre ready, youre ready." As
for what he could bring to a potential NBA lineup, the 69 forward knows his
strength is under his own basket, despite scoring a Big 12-record 48 points in a
game this season. "I bring a defensive energy," he said. "Thats the type of
player I am and thats why I left (school). I proved myself in college, I was
defensive player twice."
Markus Kuhn Patriots Jersey . - The Raiders have released guard Mike Brisiel after two disappointing seasons in Oakland.
Bryan Stork Patriots Jersey .Y. - Phil Varone was the lone scorer in the shootout as the Rochester Americans edged the Toronto
Marlies 3-2 on Sunday in American Hockey League action.PHILADELPHIA --
Garrett Richards helped Mike Trout have a perfect homecoming trip. Richards
tossed a five-hitter over seven sharp innings and the Los Angeles Angels beat
the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 on Wednesday to sweep a two-game interleague
series. Trout went 1 for 4 with a triple, walk and stolen base. The two-time
All-Star went 2 for 9 in his first series against the team he rooted for growing
up. Trout grew up in nearby Millville, New Jersey. More than 4,000 people from
the small town came to see him Tuesday night, and there were plenty of fans
wearing No. 27 Angels jerseys in the stands again. "It was a quick two days, two
wins," Trout said. "Its been a blast. I was feeling something special just
driving to the stadium." Richards (4-0) struck out eight with no walks and
lowered his ERA to 2.42. Ernesto Frieri pitched a perfect eighth, and Joe Smith
finished off the five-hitter for his fifth save in seven tries. "I was keeping
the ball down in the zone," Richards said. "My two-seam fastball was working
well. Mainly I got ahead with my fastball then kept them off balance with
breaking balls." Phillies starter A.J. Burnett (2-3) laboured through five
innings, allowing three runs and seven hits. He struck out six and walked five.
"Im not a negative person, so Im not going to pout," Burnett said. The Angels
have won five of six to move a season-high three games above .500 at 21-18. The
Phillies have lost three straight and seven of nine to fall a season-worst four
games under .500 at 17-21. The Angels got a run in each of the first three
innings. Richards did the rest. Albert Pujols hit a two-out double in the first
and scored on a single by Raul Ibanez, the former Phillies All-Star who heard
familiar "Rauuuul" chants when he came to the plate. Ibanez helped the Phillies
win the NL pennant in 2009 and was a fan favourite during three seasons in
Philadelphia. Efren Navvarro had an RBI single with two outs in the second to
give the Angels a 2-0 lead.
Geneo Grissom Patriots Jersey. Erick Aybar ripped an RBI double to right-centre in the third to make it 3-0. But Burnett
escaped more trouble with the bases loaded and no outs. He struck out
Grant Green and retired Luis Jimenez on a double play. Richards pitched out of
his only jam in the sixth after Chase Utleys second double put runners at second
and third with one out. Richards then struck out Ryan Howard and retired
Marlon Byrd on a soft liner. Trout led off the seventh with a triple off
reliever Mike Adams. He dove headfirst into third base and got up to cheers.
Adams left him there, though. He fanned Pujols and Ibanez, walked Aybar and
retired Hank Conger on a pop-up. Trout thought about stealing home. "It was in
the back of my mind," he said. "I was looking in the dugout. Itd be dangerous,
though, if the hitter didnt know." The Phillies are 6-11 at home. Theyve scored
two runs or fewer at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park five times in 17 games.
Theyre 1-8 in interleague play. "We need to do a better job driving the ball at
our park," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "This is considered a hitters park. Teams
come in here swinging. We need to step up our hitting." NOTES: Pujols tied Lou
Gehrig for 33rd on the all-time list with his 534th career double. He snapped an
0-for-15 slump with the hit. ... Of Trouts 42 hits, 21 are for extra bases. ...
Jimmy Rollins singled in the sixth for his 2,211th career hit, tying Ed
Delahanty for third on the clubs all-time list. Rollins is 24 shy of passing
Mike Schmidt for first place. ... The Phillies are off Thursday before opening a
three-game series at home vs. Cincinnati on Friday. Kyle Kendrick (0-3, 3.98)
faces Homer Bailey (3-2, 4.72). The Angels start a four-game set at Tampa on
Thursday. Tyler Skaggs (3-1, 4.14) opposes Erik Bedard (2-1, 3.38).
Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
