Nets' Jay-Z Loves UK's MKG

We don't know how large of a scouting contingent the Nets will have in New Orleans Monday night for the NCAA championship, but we do know beyond that number, there will be another, more high profile Nets presence at the game, one who won't be scouting but rooting for Kentucky in a front row seat.

Jay-Z was in the Big Easy Saturday, draping a Michael Kidd-Gilchrist jersey over the railing of his high-priced seat. MKG, the 6'6" New Jersey native, returned the favor, holding up HOVA's diamond-shaped greeting as he was introduced. Kidd-Gilchrist is a bit shocked by the adulation. He is a big fan, though. "I love Jay-Z," he says, then pausing before adding, "And I love Beyonce' too."

MKG is on the Nets' wish list should get one of the top three picks, along with two others in the Kentucky-Kansas finals, Anthony Davis of Kentucky and Thomas Robinson of Kansas. Jay-Z's love of the Wildcats cost him some money last year. The NBA fined him $50,000 for visiting their locker room. Owners can't do that.

• 2012 Final Four: Jay-Z's Kentucky State of Mind - Ben Cohen - Wall Street Journal
• Jay-Z goes to court to watch Wildcats in Final 4 - Frank DiGiacomo - New York Daily News