Texas

Point guard Julian Larry becomes third player to join Texas basketball from the portal Sunday

Published

9 months ago

April 14, 2024

Point guard Julian Larry becomes third player to join Texas basketball from the portal Sunday

Good things apparently come in threes for the Texas basketball program, which concluded a busy day in the transfer portal on Sunday by nabbing former Indiana State point guard Julian Larry.

Texas also welcomed former Indiana State player Jayson Kent and former Arkansas player Tramon Mark on Sunday, revamping the roster and calming concerns from a restless fanbase eager for some good portal news.

A Texas spokesperson confirmed all three commitments to the Statesman Sunday evening.

Unlike wing players in the 6-foot-8 Kent and the 6-6 Mark, Larry gives Texas a proven player at the point. A four-year starter at Indiana State, the 6-3 Larry averaged a career-high 11 points and 4.8 assists this past season for a squad that went 32-7, won the regular-season title in the Missouri Valley Conference and reached the finals of the NIL Tournament. He’s shot better than 52% from the floor in each of the past two seasons and better than 45% from 3-point range in that same span. He also averages 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals in his career.

How does Julian Larry fit in with Texas?

Along with Kent (130 career games) and Mark (100 career games), Larry provides plenty of experience with 130 career games. That veteran presence will help offset the loss of Max Abmas, Brock Cunningham, Dylan Disu and Ithiel Horton, who all graduated after playing five collegiate seasons.

Larry will also give Texas a true point guard, which they didn’t have this past season. Tyrese Hunter has played some point in his three collegiate seasons but spent much of this last season off the ball while Abmas handled much of the point-guard duties despite leading Texas in scoring.

Hunter has indicated he will explore his NBA options for a second consecutive season. If he does return to Texas, he’ll likely join Larry, junior Chendall Weaver and incoming freshman Tre Johnson in a loaded backcourt rotation.

More: Texas basketball recruit Tre Johnson lights up scoreboard at McDonald’s All-American Game

More portal news to come for Rodney Terry?

Texas has only lost little-used guards Chris Johnson and Gavin Perryman as well as backup forward Alex Anamekwe to the portal, but the team did miss out on incoming freshman Cam Scott, a 4-star guard who received his release from his letter of intent to play at Texas last week.

Terry and his staff hosted Kent and Larry this weekend, and they are reportedly set to host former Oregon State guard Jordan Pope this upcoming weekend.

The team could still use some help in the paint, especially if Dillon Mitchell declares for the NBA draft after starting for the past two seasons for Texas. Returners Kadin Shedrick and Ze’Rik Onyema are the only other two scholarship players at the power forward or post positions.

Source link

Click to comment

Texas

Bandera Texas Ranches Now on the Market

Published

3 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

“James Bigley Ranches offers unique insight on ranches, Western history, sustainability, and land management. With a wealth of experience in wildlife, firefighting, ranching, and corporate America, James provides expert advice on property buying, selling, and responsible land stewardship. Follow along with James as he shares valuable insights and stories about ranch life and land management!”

Source link

Texas

Dinner at Dallas restaurant becomes holiday tradition for North Texas families

Published

12 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Dinner at Dallas restaurant becomes holiday tradition for North Texas families

Holiday traditions run the gamut in North Texas. For some, it means a yearly dinner at a popular Dallas Chinese restaurant. But not just any dinner. These are gatherings reserved months in advance. And Wednesday’s festivities just happened to fall on Christmas day and the start of Hanukkah.

Ask April Kao when they plan to close the Royal China restaurant for the night, and she’ll tell you simply whenever the last person leaves. It’s what she’s grown accustomed to. When the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, with all its excitement and frenzy, comes breezing through the front door of the Royal China restaurant off Preston Road and Royal Lane.

Kao and her husband George, both owners of the restaurant, said opening on December 25 was never part of the original business plan.

“We didn’t used to open on Christmas day,” she said. “And in 2008 after the renovation, people begged and begged, ‘Please you have to open.’”

So, they did, and there’s been a massive turnout ever since. People from surrounding neighborhoods in North Dallas and people from different faith communities rely on Royal China.

“Before we open the door, we have lines outside and it’s getting busier and busier. So we take reservations a year before,” Kao said.

One Dallas family made reservations during the summer just to be sure their 15-year tradition wouldn’t miss a beat.

“My son-in-law, Berry, was the one who first suggested that we come to a Chinese restaurant on Christmas day,” said Lynn Harnden. “And we make our reservations like in July to be sure to come.”

As the years pass, seats are added to the reservation. This year, the Hardens occupied two tables with seventeen guests.

As for upholding family traditions, the Kaos have their own wall of memories at the restaurant. It’s a reminder of how far they’ve come from 1974, when George Kao’s father came from Taiwan with a dream and a plan.

“He is very proud,” he said. “He would smile. He’s smiling from above.”

Source link