Shakur shining for USA junior team at world championship

The USA and UA freshman point guard Mustafa Shakur is knocking on the door of the medal round of the junior world basketball championships in Greece.

On Tuesday the Americans beat Lithuania 87-84 to remain undefeated at 5-0 and stay on top of their group in the quarterfinals. The American juniors play again on Wednesday against Australia (4-1, 1-1 in the quarters), where a win would insure a trip to the medal rounds.

Against China, Shakur, a McDonald's All-American who is expected to be the heir apparent at point guard for the Wildcats, dished out five assists. Against Puerto Rico, Shakur had 10 points.

Shakur's best game may have come when he scored eight points, had a team high six assists and three steals in 18 minutes in an 84-83 win over Slovenia. The USA rallied from a 14-point deficit.

Nallen, US falls in Palmer Cup

UA senior golfer Chris Nallen went 2-2 for the US in the Palmer Cup, but the Americans fell to Europe 14-10.

Nallen won two of his four matches, including going 1-1 in singles play in the Palmer Cup, the college version of the Ryder Cup. The annual Palmer Cup was held last week at the Kiawah Island Club's Cassique Course in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

In day one, Nallen lost to Augusta State golfer and Englishman Oliver Wilson 2 and 1 and along with Wake Forest's Bill Haas beat Spanish Sun Devil Alejandro Caqizares and Wilson 4 and 3. On the second day, Nallen beat Swede and Minnesota Golden golfer Wilhelm Schauman 2 and 1 and teamed with Haas again, but lost to Caqizares and Spaniard Gonzalo Fdez-Castaqo, 3 and 1.

The Americans, which lost for the first time on U.S. soil but still holds a 4-2-1 advantage, were down just 7-5 after the first day but Europe won six of the 12 matches on Friday and halved two others.

In the final tune-up before the British Open, former UA golfer Ricky Barnes got off to a good start in the Scottish Open, but ended up missing his first cut in his 2003 professional tour appearances, with a four over 146. After the first round, Barnes, one of only three amateurs, was tied for 21st shooting a one under and was six strokes behind wire-to-wire winner Ernie Els. The British Open starts on Thursday.