Corrections and clarifications: This story has been revised to reflect that
the incident did not happen on Oct. 1 but rather was reported on that date.
COBB COUNTY, Ga.— Cobb County police are investigating allegations that
Houston Rockets star Dwight Howard abused his 7-year-old child.
According to Sgt. Dana Pierce, the incident was reported on Oct. 1, 2014.
Cobb County police were asked to investigate the allegations by the Florida
agency Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families, Pierce said.
Police looked into the case, but initially did not find anything. However, in
the last 48 hours, more information has come forth that has led police to take
another look at the case, Pierce said.
No arrests have been made, and no other details about the allegations are
available. Cobb County Police are investigating because the alleged incident
happened there, Pierce said.
"We are aware of the allegations concerning Dwight Howard and are in the
process of independently gathering the facts," NBA executive vice president of
communications Mike Bass told USA TODAY Sports.
The Rockets declined to comment on the case.
Howard's attorney, David Oscar Markus, issued a statement:
"The Florida Department of Children and Families thoroughly examined all
of the evidence and determined that the claims of child abuse were not
substantiated. The case was closed in September.
"(The child's mother) Royce Reed is now shopping her baseless allegations
to authorities in Georgia after the Florida DCF case was closed. Even though the
allegations have already been found to have no merit, when a complaint about the
welfare of a child is made to law enforcement, an investigation is commenced. We
are confident the Georgia authorities will reach the same conclusion as the
Florida authorities. The truth is on our side.
"It is appalling to see a mother use her son as a pawn against his father
in attempt to extract money, which is what is happening in this case. While
Royce Reed continues on her aimless quest with the media, Dwight Howard will
continue to act in the best interest of his children and do whatever is
necessary to protect them."
Howard is an Atlanta native who has spent his NBA career playing for the
Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and Rockets.
11Alive and USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt contributed to this report.
New arena? Check. Renovated arena? Check. Late coaching change? Check. Late
recruiting additions? Check. Player issues disrupting season preparations?
Check.
The new college basketball season has been more eventful than planned for
many Indiana programs. All this after 2013-14 seasons that weren't eventful
enough, particularly after conference tournaments.
No Indiana schools earned NCAA tournament berths.
There are plenty of changes for all 10 of Indiana's Division I squads. Here's
what's new: BALL STATE
Closer to home: The Cardinals may pick up some more fans from Indianapolis
with two newcomers from Tech High School. Jeremie Tyler was an IndyStar All-Star
guard for the Titans, who won the Class 4A state championship last season. Tyler
averaged more than 16 points and almost two steals per game. Getting playing
time won't be easy for Tyler, considering sophomore guard Zavier Turner (Pike)
was a team leader last season. Tech's Rashaun Richardson also joins the
Cardinals.
Another short trip: Sean Sellers, part of Greensburg's dominance of Class 3A
the past couple of seasons, joins the Ball State front court. Sellers averaged
20 points per game as a senior and topped 1,900 for his career.
BUTLER
Everything old is new again: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana's grand old
basketball barn, just underwent a $36-million renovation that included many more
seats with backs, a modern video board and enhanced amenities and offices
throughout.
On the bench: Chris Holtmann isn't new to coaching, but he's new to the
Bulldogs. He left Gardner-Webb, where he was the head coach, to be an assistant
at Butler. When coach Brandon Miller took a leave of absence to address health
issues, Holtmann assumed the position on an interim basis.
On the court: Butler hopes the freshman class of Kelan Martin, Tyler Wideman
and Jackson Davis is ready to help it move up in the Big East standings. A
welcome return to the Bulldogs' lineup is Roosevelt Jones, the all-around star
who missed last season to a wrist Injury.
EVANSVILLE
JUCO juice: The Purple Aces have no freshmen on their roster, but they have
some new faces. Taylor Stafford, a 6-1 guard, averaged 25 points per game in
junior college play, while 6-7 forward Willie Wiley averaged 13.6 points and 8.3
rebounds for Vincennes University.
From abroad: Sergei Vucetic, a native of Serbia, previously played at
Nebraska.
INDIANA
Instant star power: James Blackmon Jr. comes to the Hoosiers after scoring
2,387 points in high school. His ability to score from anywhere -- particularly
from the outside -- will be more than welcome in Bloomington. He is joined by a
host of newcomers, including Robert Johnson, Max Hoetzel, Nick Zeisloft, Emmitt
Holt, Tim Priller and Jeremiah April.
Big trouble: IU starts the season missing four players -- Devin Davis,
Stanford Robinson, Troy Williams and Holt -- because of off-the-court issues.
Holt struck Davis with a car during the early-morning hours after Halloween.
(Davis' condition). Robinson and Williams failed drug tests.
Intense scrutiny: A failure to make last season's NCAA tournament and the
off-court issues this calendar year make the seat hot for coach Tom Crean.
Athletic director Fred Glass says he will stick by the coach.
IPFW
Expectations: The Mastodons,who won 25 games last season, are the Summit
League favorites this season. If they win the league tournament, they will make
the NCAA tournament for the first time. IPFW is led by two of conference's top
returnees, senior big man Steve Forbes (12.1 points, 5.3 rebounds last season)
and sophomore guard Mo Evans from Cathedral. It will get early tests from
Georgia Tech and Purdue.
Closer to home: Max Landis, a former Perry Meridian standout, transferred to
IPFW after playing two seasons at Gardner-Webb and is eligible.
IUPUI
New coach: You may recall the name Jason Gardner. He was the 1999 IndyStar
Mr. Basketball after leading North Central to a state championship. He is a head
coach for the first time and is eager to build a program that has struggled
recently.
Shiny digs: The Jaguars are moving from the "Jungle" -- their on-campus gym
that could handle crowds of about 1,000 -- to the renovated State Fairgrounds
Coliseum. They are a few miles from campus, but they can handle several thousand
fans and will play on a court featuring the Indianapolis skyline.
Fresh faces: Some new players may crack the Jaguars' lineup, including Guerin
Catholic's Aaron Brennan and IndyStar Indiana All-Star D.J. McCall.
INDIANA STATE
Leadership: It only seems like Jake Odum played eight season for the
Sycamores. The point guard has left Terre Haute, and it appears junior Khristian
Smith (Pike) and senior Justin Gant are poised to step in as leaders. Smith was
the Missouri Valley Conference's top reserve last season, but a lot more will be
expected of him this year. The departures of Odum, Manny Arop and Dawon Cummings
mean 34 points and 11 rebounds must be replaced per game.
Familiar names: Alex Etherington, whose brother Austin is at Butler after
transferring from Indiana, and Brenton Scott, whose brother Bryson plays for
Purdue, are eligible for ISU after redshirting as freshmen.
NOTRE DAME
Walking on: Matt Gregory, something of a designated 3-point shooter at
Cathedral High School, is a Fighting Irish walk-on. He considered similar roles
at some Ivy League schools and had a scholarship offer from the University of
Indianapolis. Gregory is from Avon, hometown of Irish junior Austin Burgett.
Key return: Jerian Grant isn't new to the Irish, but he returns after missing
most of last season to academic issues. He has averaged 12.8 points and 5.3
assists in his Irish career.
PURDUE Twin towers? The Boilermakers hope a freshman, Isaac Haas, and
junior A.J. Hammons can form an impenetrable wall of 7-footers near the basket.
There are some unknowns, however: Can Haas play at the Big Ten level? Will
Hammons provide consistent effort? Yes, those are big "ifs." Who handles the ball? A host of players -- Bryson Scott, Jon
Octeus, P.J. Thompson, Dakota Mathias -- want to be the playmaker now that the
Johnson brothers -- Terone (graduation) and Ronnie (transfer) -- have left West
Lafayette. A steady hand could help the Boilermakers be more offensively
efficient, which was an issue last season. Simmering seat? Consecutive losing seasons have some wondering
if a postseason berth is necessary for Matt Painter to remain as coach. Has a
program that not too long ago had Final Four hopes (with Robbie Hummel, E'Tuwan
Moore and JaJuan Johnson) lost its way? VALPARAISO League of nations: The Crusaders have been active in
international recruiting for quite some time, and this year is no different. The
twist is that they have brought in the starting backcourt from one of Canada's
top prep teams. Tevvon Walker and Max Joseph, both 6-1, are from Vanier in
Montreal. Also, 6-8 David Skara comes in from Croatia. Transfers: E. Victor Nickerson comes in from Charlotte after
averaging 5.8 points per game as a sophomore two seasons ago. Junior college
transfer Darian Walker averaged 13.4 points per
game.
Basketball is a sport that does not require much equipment for Basketball training, you just need a ball, a hoop, and a playing surface that you can in
your garden or at the gym. However, if you seriously pursue training for a
varsity team or planning a career in basketball, there are important exercise
equipment that will help you, your benefits can.
Let's start with what the player needs
Basketball jerseys and shorts
When playing and training certain to make wearing the right size. Wearing
ill-fitting sizes may cause problems when moving around. Basketball Shorts
should not be far below the knee, so that the player could easily run or move
the court. Sleeveless jerseys are designed to facilitate rapid and free movement
of the arms. Clothing should be made of breathable material.
Safety Pads
Wear elbow and knee pads, to avoid possible knee and elbow injuries. These
pads provide enough cushioning to the impact or shock that can cause broken
joints or if you are on rough surfaces, scratches and injuries play pillow. For
ankle support you could have a ankle brace or support that can be worn
regardless of any type of footwear.
A head band could also offer protection, especially sweat dripping from your
head. The sweat can get into the eyes and affect your vision, if they try to
shoot the ball. Bracelets also serve the same purpose, to dry up excess
sweat.
Mouth-guard
Mouth guard would protect your teeth. Although basketball is not physical,
there are times that could happen to contact and hit the mouth. Not all players
prefer to wear masks, because it might be uncomfortable.
Basketball shoes and socks
This the most important thing in Basketball training or game. When playing
basketball, make sure to wear good Basketball Shoes and ensure that your ankle
is safe from any possible injury or sprain. Enhance the game with the wrong
shoes would possible risk of injury. Right shoe size is also important, and is
the last thing you need to make your search for basketball shoes too tight.
Tight shoes can cut proper blood flow. It is important to always socks as he
slides the foot prevents the shoe. There are also socks, minus the foot or
shoe.
Basketball trainer should be able to deliver to different devices such as
basketballs, hoops, and strength training equipment. Basketball is not without
its branded balls. There are three types of basketballs that. Leather, plastic
and rubber. Leather basketballs are best for indoor games, synthetic basketballs
for outdoor games for kids and rubber is for practice.
It may be easier to become a spectator of a basketball game than to
participate on an actual game, especially on a professional level. If this is
your passion, you might as well start by knowing more about the rules and
various equipments that are used and implemented on this kind of team sport.
More and more people are getting fascinated with the sport. This is why there
are many professional leagues that can be found at various countries all around
the world. To give you some briefing about what to expect with the game, here's
a peek about the rules and a look at the standard equipments used during the
game.
Although some rules about measurements and time limits may vary depending on
the league and tournaments, these are the basic rules that are followed by
international leagues, including the NBA.
The rule of the game is simple, the team with the higher score by the end of
the time limit for the whole game would win. This can be achieved by shooting
the balls on the hoop to score points, while the opponent tries to hinder the
shots through various strategies. A shot can be worth two or three points. Three
points is given if the shot is made at the three-point arc or 6.25 meters away
from the basket for international games and 7.24 meters for the NBA. One point
can be gained if the player does the shot on the foul line after a foul is
committed.
There are four quarters in each game. Each quarter can be 10 minutes long for
international games and 12 minutes for the NBA. A half-time break is given 15
minutes. If the scores are equal by the end of the fourth quarter, an overtime
will be issued that is five minutes long. Whenever the game is not active, the
time is stopped. A game usually lasts for two hours, depending on various
technical aspects that may occur while it is on. There are two teams that will
play at each game. Aside from the players, these teams will have their coaches.
The coach is responsible in overseeing the while game and in making sure that
the strategies are implemented to increase the team's chances of winning. The
team must also have assistant coaches, doctors, trainers, managers and
statisticians.
A standard uniform is composed of pair of shorts and jersey that must be
unique to each team, with the number and surname of the player who is wearing
such. This is applicable for both men and women's leagues. To begin the game,
the two essential things that must be at sight are the ball and the court where
the game is going to be played. At competitive levels, there must be score
sheets, scoreboards, clocks, stop-clock system that is operated through whistle
and alternating possession arrows.
As a basketball player, you have to excel not only in shooting, but also on
how you can stop the other team from making points. You can achieve this through
constant practice and by catching some good games on TV or on live venues.
Whenever you tell someone you want to play basketball, the first thing that
just about everyone says is you have to practice hard. Your ability to motivate
yourself and have commitment to training will ultimately determine the outcome.
To make the most impressive gains you'll need to approach your training drills
with the same attitude as playing basketball. Let's look at some ways to help
you get more from your basketball training.
It can be very helpful in basketball training to have a partner, someone you
work out with and who can help to motivate you. If you're self-motivated to do
it, individually, then that's great; but you may want to at least think about a
basketball training buddy. With two people, it just opens up a whole other set
of basketball training areas you can do together. You may need someone to spot
you when you do weightlifting exercises. Perhaps most importantly, when you and
your partner have a training session scheduled, you both have an extra
motivation to show up on time.
You may find that having a partner does a lot for
your basketball training. We cannot overemphasize the importance of good
discipline to stick to your training program. You should do everything you can
to show up for all practice sessions and always stick to your training regimen.
You should put all of your energy into drills and training exercises, as these
are what help you develop your skills and improve your conditioning. There is
only way to be good, and that is to give yourself completely to your basketball
training in your life. While natural talent can certainly be helpful, it is
really your attitude towards training that is the biggest factor in how much
progress you make in your game.
If there is one area that is probably neglected a lot it has to do with
eating right which will give you good nutrition and strength. For maximum energy
in your day, eat about four or five small meals as opposed to the traditional
three large meal habit we all grew up with. You do want to avoid losing a lot of
weight for basketball, that is assuming your weight is basically ideal. You
actually need to eat so you maintain your weight because it's easy to lose it
playing basketball during the regular season. Avoid junk food, always, and for
gaining weight the best way is through proper nutrition.
The results you get from your basketball training will reflect the amount of
effort and work you put into it. The best players are those who are most
dedicated, and who don't let anything get in their way. If you apply all you
learn and know plus have dedication, you will see excellent results.
There is no doubt that there are many elements which can help you to
strengthen your abilities in virtually any sport, such as the game of
basketball,soccer and volleyball, and probably the most crucial of them is the
vertical jump ability.
