HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Knicks sliced their roster to their final 15 yesterday, cutting a player who started their first preseason game and keeping a player who was forgotten about until the second half of the second game. The team waived four players — forward Mychel Thompson, guard Oscar Bellfield, forward John Shurna and center Henry Sims. The Knicks kept forward Chris Copeland, who averaged 15.5 points in the preseason. New York Post

New York Knicks, John Shurna, Mychel Thompson, Henry Sims, Chris Copeland 

New York Knickerbockers Executive Vice President and General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has waived guard Oscar Bellfield, forwards John Shurna and Mychel Thompson and center Henry Sims. Journal-News

New York Knicks, John Shurna, Glen Grunwald, Mychel Thompson, Henry Sims 

Assuming recently signed power forward Rasheed Wallace makes the team, Shurna is one of five players competing for the 15th roster spot on the club. The group includes rookies Chris Smith (the younger brother of shooting guard J.R. Smith), Henry Sims and Oscar Bellfield, overseas veteran Chris Copeland and second-year pro Mychel Thompson. “My main goal is just to go in and play as hard as I can each day, that’s all you can do,” Shurna said. “Try and compete, try and win in every form of competition out on the court, and at the same time listen to all these guys. You can take in a lot.” Shurna said he is more focused on improving on a daily basis than concerned with where he stands among the other hopefuls. He has made a point of putting in extra time shooting after practice, frequently one of the last players to leave the facility. “There’s always room for improvement,” he said. “I always want to get better.” New York Post

New York Knicks, John Shurna 

Jared Zwerling: #Knicks sign G Oscar Bellfield, C Henry Sims and Fs John Shurna and Mychel Thompson. Twitter

New York Knicks, John Shurna, Mychel Thompson, Oscar Bellfield, Chris Smith, Henry Sims, Training Camp 

Jared Zwerling: Those 4 guys are basically training camp invites. 1 of them could be last roster spot. Also don't forget Chris Smith is in the mix. #Knicks Twitter

New York Knicks, John Shurna, Mychel Thompson, Oscar Bellfield, Chris Smith, Henry Sims, Training Camp 

Howard Beck: Knicks have signed forward John Shurna of Northwestern. One-year deal, partial guarantee. Twitter

New York Knicks, John Shurna, Training Camp 

Former Northwestern Wildcats forward John Shurna has signed to play with the Atlanta Hawks in the upcoming Las Vegas NBA summer league. ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, Summer League, John Shurna 

The amount of quality undrafted prospects isn't enough to make up a whole third round -- something your's truly has thought about in the past -- but there were quite a few players that should get looks at next month's Summer Leagues in Vegas and Orlando. Among them? West Virginia Mountaineers forward Kevin Jones, New Mexico Lobos forward Drew Gordon, Iona Gaels point guard Scott Machado, Maryland Terrapins guard Terrell Stoglin, Georgetown Hoyas bigs Hollis Thompson and Henry Sims, Tu Holloway of Xavier, Northwestern's John Shurna and Mississippi State big man Renardo Sidney. Ridiculous Upside

Draft, Summer League, Renardo Sidney, Kevin Jones, Tu Holloway, John Shurna, Hollis Thompson, Terrell Stoglin, Scott Machado, Drew Gordon 

The New Orleans Hornets are working out Mississippi State guard Dee Bost, Missouri guard Marcus Denmon, Long Beach State guard Larry Anderson and forwards Tornike Shengelia of Belgium and John Shurna of Northwestern in their afternoon session at the Alario Center. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, John Shurna, Marcus Denmon 

Another familiar name in the workout is Northwestern senior forward John Shurna, who set the school’s all-time scoring record last season, beating the mark held by Bucks director of scouting Billy McKinney. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Draft, John Shurna 

Madelyn Burke: Clippers holding another draft workout today w/ Rakim Sanders, Chris Cooper, Eric Griffin, John Shurna, Eugene Phelps, Jet Chang. Pick 53rd Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Draft, John Shurna, Workouts, Rakim Sanders, Chris Cooper, Eric Griffin, Eugene Phelps, Jet Chang 

Here's the list of players due in Thursday, and, as always, the list is subject to change: Morning session: Texas guard J'Covan Brown, New Mexico forward Drew Gordon, Duke center Miles Plumlee, Spanish guard Tomas Satoransky, Northwestern forward John Shurna, Memphis forward Wesley Witherspoon. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Draft, Wesley Witherspoon, John Shurna, Tomas Satoransky, J'Covan Brown, Miles Plumlee, Drew Gordon 

John Shurna has withdrawn his name from the NBA draft and will return to Northwestern for his senior season, according to a source. Shurna, a 6-foot-8, 215-pound small forward, had until 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday to pull his name out of the draft to retain his college eligibility. Shurna worked out in front of 26 NBA teams at the New Jersey Nets' training facility on Saturday. He was joined by Northwestern coach Bill Carmody on the trip. ESPN.com

Draft, John Shurna 

Northwestern’s John Shurna has entered his name into the NBA draft, but has not signed with an agent. The 6’6 Junior Forward will have until May 8 to withdraw his name from the draft if he decides to return for his senior season. Northwestern Head Coach Bill Carmody commented on Shurna’s decision in a statement released by the school. “It’s a chance for him to pursue his dream and we look forward to helping him gather information throughout the process. Examiner

Draft, John Shurna 

Playing in the NBA apparently no longer seems so incomprehensible to John Shurna. Shurna has requested an evaluation from the NBA underclassmen advisory panel and expects to hear back by early next week. He will then meet with Northwestern coach Bill Carmody to discuss his future, a school spokesman said. It seems far-fetched that Shurna would even consider turning pro before his senior year, given that an ankle injury and concussion limited him for the final three months of the season. ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford ranks him as the nation’s 127th best prospect. Shurna declined an interview request through the school. Chicago Tribune

Draft, John Shurna 

One source said that Shurna simply wanted to put his name out in NBA circles and get an evaluation of his game. The 6-foot-8 forward from Glen Ellyn averaged 24.4 points in NU’s first nine games before spraining his left ankle. Chicago Tribune

Draft, John Shurna