Ex-Owls to compete in $1-million basketball tournament

A number of former Owls will take the floor together once again this Friday at Philadelphia University.

Playing as the North Broad Street Bullies, Temple alumni Khalif Wyatt, Dalton Pepper, Rhalir Hollis-Jefferson, Ramone Moore, T.J. DiLeo and Jacob Godino as well as a handful of other former college players will compete in the first round of The Basketball Tournament.

The Basketball Tournament, is a nation-wide, free-entry, single-elimination tournament. Rosters are composed of all kinds of players including a few ex-NBA talents. The winner of the tournament will take home a $1 million prize.

In their first round match-up of the tournament’s Northeast Regional, the North Broad Street Bullies will take on Friar Nation, a team composed of former players from St. Anthony High School in New Jersey.

The Northeast Regional takes place at Philadelphia University from Friday to Sunday. If the North Broad Street Bullies can win three games they will advance to the Super 17 in Chicago on July 23.

Last season the North Broad Street Bullies advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Wyatt signs with Sixers

According to multiple reports, former Owl guard Khalif Wyatt has signed a contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.

An undrafted free agent, Wyatt played for the Sixers’ summer league team in Orlando, averaging a team-best 13.8 points per game.

Wyatt had a stellar senior year at Temple, winning Big 5 and Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year honors.

With a somewhat depleted roster after the trade of Jrue Holiday, Wyatt could have a chance to receive some playing time as the Sixers kick off their season Oct. 30 against the World Champion Miami Heat.

Phil Martelli praises Khalif Wyatt

St. Joseph’s University coach Phil Martelli had some kind words for senior guard Khalif Wyatt following the men’s basketball team’s 70-69 loss on Saturday night.

Martelli called Wyatt courageous, and explained the difference between Wyatt and other players as his willingness to take difficult shots.

Here’s a full transcription of what he said:

“The way that Khalif has grown in their program is a testimony to him and a testimony to Dunph and his staff. He just plays like a lot of you guys play. If you play three-on-three, that’s what he’s doing. He plays a three-on-three game as much as he can. He flails around and deserves a lot of credit for the way that he plays the game. There is a certain talent and he has that talent. He scores the basketball. If I’m looking at both of our teams, the difference is they have a guy that can get 30, we don’t have anybody that can do that, because we don’t have a confidence level and we’re not making shots. He’s a shot maker. The shot the other night against Richmond, that’s almost silly. He shot fakes and goes off one foot and makes a three, tied 61-61. Here’s what people don’t understand about that: It’s courage. He has to live with the fact that he could miss that shot. That’s what shot makers do. They are willing to take the consequences of make or miss.”

-Joey Cranney

Wyatt trial postponed

Senior guard Khalif Wyatt’s trial has been postponed again, thus continuing the nearly three-month process since his arrest. Wyatt, who did not appear in court today, has had his trial postponed to an unknown date. The judge made a statement to the court announcing that Wyatt had a “conflict in representation.”

Wyatt is being represented by Peter Sarkos. Neither were in court.

A co-defendant in Wyatt’s case did appear, however, the judge ruled to delay both cases so that they would be heard simultaneously. He is believed to have been with Wyatt the day he was arrested.

-Ibrahim Jacobs 

[Updated 8/21 at 9:37 p.m.]