HOT RECRUITING INFORMATION  

FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2002

Hot Recruiting Information available for previous months June 1998 July 1998 August 1998 September 1998 October 1998 November 1998 December 1998 January 1999 February 1999 March 1999 April 1999 May 1999 June 1999 July 1999 August 1999 September 1999 October 1999 November 1999 December 1999 January 2

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Thursday, October 31, 2002

We talked with Donnie Wilkie, who is the tournament director for the Bank of America City of Palms Classic in Ft. Myers, FL, today and, as usual, he is our best source on all the major holiday tournaments and events in Florida that are just around the corner.  Let's start with the field for the City of Palms Classic, which will be held December 19th-23rd, and includes three of the top four teams in the nation, according to Street & Smith's Pre-Season Yearbook.  We're talking about Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA, Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ, and New York (Rice) NY, plus the field also will include Bronx (St. Raymond's) NY, which is basically the same team that won the adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas last summer; Philadelphia (John Bartram) PA, which is ranked #24 nationally by Street & Smith; Washington (Dunbar) DC, which has a terrific guard trio in 6'0 Soph Eric Price, 6'0 Tre Kelly, and 6'2 Earl Risby; Barrington (St. Andrews) RI, which features 6'7 Demetrius Nichols, 6'3 Abdi Lidonde, 5'11 Jr Emery Outland, 6'6 Jr Lamar Barrett, and 6'3 Jr Nick Mattone and is good enough to deserve top 25 national consideration; Lakeland (Kathleen) FL,which features 6'8 Chris Richard, who is the highest ranked senior in Florida by the HOOP SCOOP; Monroe (Ouachita Parish) LA with 6'2 Jay Jackson; Miami (Northwestern) FL; Pensacola (Woodham) FL; Jacksonville (Jackson) FL; Fairburn (Creekside) GA; Corbin (H.S.) KY; Pahokee (H.S.) FL; Lehigh  Acres (Lehigh) FL; and Ft. Myers (H.S.) FL.  In other words, the only thing missing from the City of Palms Classic are Miami (Christian) FL and Seattle (Rainier Beach) FL, both of which were originally scheduled to be in the field, but later reneged so they could other events.  And going on at the same time, December 19th-23rd, as the City of Palms Classic are the Great Florida Shootout in Kissimmee, FL and the Kreul Classic in Coral Springs, FL.  The field for the Great Florida Shootout also includes two of the top high school teams in the nation in Newark (St. Benedict's) FL and Lexington (Catholic) KY, as well as Montgomery (Carver) AL, Laurinburg (Charter) NC, Lafayette (St. Thomas More) LA, St. Petersburg (Boca Ciega) FL, DeLand (H.S.) FL, Orlando (Dr. Phillips) FL, Plant City (Durant) FL, Haines City (H.S.) FL, St. Petersburg (Lakewood) FL, Miami (Northwest Christian) FL, Oviedo (H.S.) FL, Orlando (Pine Castle Christian) FL, and Kissimmee (Osceola) FL.  The field for the Kreul Classic includes Ft. Washington (National Christian) MD, Wheaton (Good Counsel) MD, Philadelphia (Roman Catholic) PA, Bronx (All Hallows) NY, Myrtle Beach (Socastee) SC, Pharr (Grace Prep) TX, Oyster Bay (St. Dominic) NY, Pompany Beach (Ely) FL, Lauderdale Lakes (Boyd Anderson) FL, Palm Beach Gardens (Dwyer) FL, Miami (Pace) FL, Ft. Lauderdale (St. Thomas Aquinas) FL, Coral Springs (H.S.) FL, Kingston (H.S.) NY, Gadsden (Leitchfield) AL, and Madison (Madison-Ridgeland Academy) MS.  After Christmas the two most important places to be in the state of Florida are the Hooters Holiday Shootout in St. Petersburg, FL and the Kingdom of the Sun Holiday Classic in Ocala, FL, both of which will be held December 26th-30th.  The field for the Hooters Holiday Shootout will include Bennettsville (Marlboro County) FL, Louisville (Male) KY, Manchester (Trinity) NH, Columbia (Keenan) SC, Pittsburgh (Central Catholic) PA, Miami (Senior) FL, St. Petersburg (Lakewood) FL, Orlando (Edgewater) FL, Eustis (H.S.) FL, Brandon (H.S.) FL, St. Petersburg (Boca Ciega) FL, Clearwater (Countryside) FL, Hawthorne (H.S.) FL, Pahokee (H.S.) FL, St. Petersburg (H.S.) FL, Palm Harbor (H.S.) FL.   However, the highlight at the Hooters Holiday Shootout should be watching all the good young talent, like 6'0 Jr Darius Washington from Orlando (Edgewater) FL, 6'9 Jr Ra'Sean Dickey from Bennettsville (Marlboro County) SC, 6'9 Jr Luke Bonner from Manchester (Trinity) FL, and 6'5 Jr Cornelius Ingram from Hawthorne (H.S.) FL.  The Kingdom of the Sun, whose field includes Bartlett (H.S.) FL, Coppell (H.S.) TX, Cincinnati (La Salle) OH, Atlanta (Southwest Christian) GA, Marion (Tabor Academy) MA, Fresno (Washington Union) CA, Gainesville (Buchholz) FL, Palm Beach Gardens (Dyer) FL, Leesburg (H.S.) FL, Delray Beach (American Heritage) FL, Hialeah (Champagnat) FL, St. Augustine (Nease) FL, Citra (North Marion) FL, and Ocala (Vanguard) FL, also features one of the top juniors in the nation in 6'10 Jr Dwight Howard from Atlanta (Southwest Christian) GA, who is ranked #8 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  One of the biggest single-day events of the entire year promises to be the Bright Futures Shootout, which will be held Saturday, January 25th, at the Central Florida Arena in Orlando, FL and will include Jacksonville (Arlington Country Day) FL with 5'11 T.J. Bannister, 6'4 Dwan Youmans, and 7'2 Frosh Jason Bennett versus Melbourne (Florida Air Academy) FL with 6'6 Jason Duke and 6'3 Andre Holland; Lakeland (Kathleen) FL with 6'8 Chris Richard versus Eustis (H.S.) FL with 6'9 Wesley Green and 6'4 Jimmy Hudson; and Orlando (Edgewater) FL with 6'0 Jr Darius Washington versus Brooklyn (Lincoln) NY with 5'10 Jr Sebastian Telfair.  Obviously the Washington-Telfair match-up is what has everybody excited, because we're talking about the two best junior guards in the nation going head-to-head.  Wilkie also tells us that he has put together the South Florida Slam Fest, which will be held January 18th and 20th at Northwestern High School in Miami, FL.  And, as of today, the field will feature Washington (Dunbar) DC, as well as all the top teams, except Miami (Christian) FL, in the Miami, FL area, including Miami (Northwestern) FL, Hialeah (Miami Lakes) FL, Miami (South Miami) FL, Homestead (H.S.) FL, Homestead (South Dade) FL, Boynton Beach (H.S.) FL, Miami (Senior) FL, Hialeah (American) FL, Miami (Jackson) FL, Clearwater (Countryside) FL, and Punta Gorda (Charlotte) FL. 

Wednesday, October 30, 2002

Dave Telep of BlueChipHoops.com had the scoop before anybody else last night on 6'5 Olu Famutimi from Flint (Northwestern) MI, who is ranked #7 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.   And Famutimi's decision comes somewhat as a surprise.  If you will recall, the popular consensus for the last several days was the Famutimi was going to pick Missouri.  However, in the end first-year Arkansas head coach Stan Heath's strong Michigan contacts helped him get this one done.  If you will recall, prior to getting the Kent State job a year ago, Heath an assistant coach at Michigan State.   We also have to give the entire Arkansas coaching staff a lot of credit, because, when they got the job last spring, they were behind the eight ball.  But now they are on the verge of landing an impressive recruiting class, which already includes 6'10 Vincent Hunter from Little Rock (Fair) AR and 7'0 Julius Lamptey from New Hampton (Prep) NH.  The addition of Famutimi, who is an amazing athlete, tremendous slasher, and excellent outside shooter, moves the Razorbacks recruiting class into a tie at #17, ironically along with Missouri, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And, if Arkansas also gets 6'5 Ronnie Brewer from Fayetteville (H.S.) AR, who is ranked #47 nationally in the senior class, their recruiting class would move up to #6 behind Maryland, Oklahoma, Cincinnati, Kansas, and Florida State and ahead of Louisville, Mississippi State, Wake Forest, Arizona, Michigan State, Memphis, LSU, and Miami-FL.   Arkansas also already has made up for lost time in terms of getting a head start on the future, as they also appear to be among the early favorites for a number of the top juniors in the nation, including 6'10 Jr LeMarcus Aldridge from Dallas (Seagoville) TX, 6'3 Jr Daniel Gibson from Houston (Jones) TX, and 6'11 Steve Hill from Branson (H.S.) MO.  In other words, if you want to beat the Razorbacks, you'd better do it this year, because with talent like this on the horizon, Heath may not be too far away from dublicating that impressive 30-6 season he had a year ago at Kent State.  We also have confirmed that 7'0 Brian Butch from Appleton (West) WI, who is ranked #3 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, as expected, did verbally commit to Wisconsin this afternoon.  Not only is Butch the highest ranked player in the senior class to have made a verbal commitment, but he is the franchise type player who will keep the Badgers at the top level for years to come.  We say that, because Butch has no business thinking about going hardship to the NBA until he gets bigger and stronger, which is good news for both the Badgers and college basketball fans in general.  Not only is Butch unstoppable at the high school level when he gets the ball around the basket, because he's so skilled, so mobile , and has such good hands, but he also has 3-point shooting range, excellent shot blocking and rebounding ability, and a competitive nature that is hard to find among the elite players in the day and age.  The fact that Butch is a great kid and an excellent student is just the icing the cake!   

Our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson tells us that 6'9 Wesley Green from Eustis (H.S.) FL, who is ranked #201 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, has verbally commmitted to DePaul, and 6'9 Rashun Bryant from Rome (Coosa) GA, who is ranked #272 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, has verbally committed to Colorado.  While both players are physical specimens and have a lot of natural talent, we didn't care for Bryant when we saw him during the spring and summer.  As a matter of fact, Bryant was embarrassingly non-productive every time we saw him while playing for the Georgia Stars.  However, if the light ever clicks on or Buffaloes head coach Ricardo Patton is able to push the right bottons, then Bryant's current #272-ranking by the HOOP SCOOP may turn out to be way too low down the road.  Bryant joins 6'6 Kevin Smith from Putnam City (H.S.) OK and 6'1 Marcus Hall from Houston (Jersey Village) TX to move Colorado's recruiting class into a tie at #68 our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And this comes on the heels of last year's recruiting class, which included 6'9 Chris Copeland from Richmond (Hermitage) VA, 6'7 Glenn Eddy from Fork Union (Military) VA, 6'8 Lamar Harris from Compton (JC) CA, 6'0 Antoine McGee from Mercersburg (Prep) PA, and 6'4 Jayson Obazuaya from San Jose (Andrew Hill) CA.  So obviously the Buffaloes have used these eight scholarships to reload with a strong nucleus.  Now all they have to do is find somebody to not only replace 7'0 Soph David Harrison, but also build the program around, if he goes hardship early to the NBA or graduates three years from now.   In Green's case, we think time is one his side, because he does have excellent skills, good hands, and a soft touch around the basket.  In other words, Green has a huge upside and is an excellent 5th player in DePaul's recruiting class, which also includes 6'5 Sammy Mejia from Cornwall on the Hudson (Storm King Prep) NY, 6'2 Tyler Smith from Philadelphia (Lutheran) PA, 6'8 Lorenzo Thompson, from Chicago (Crane) IL, and 6'7 Marcus Heard from Springfield (Southest) IL and is ranked #20 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Green also gives the Blue Demons a player at every position in this recruiting class, as first-year head coach Dave Leitao and his staff have built a strong foundation.  They also can now turn their focus on getting their share of the top juniors in Illinois, like 6'8 Jr Shawn Pruitt from Aurora (West Aurora) IL, 6'4 Jr Justin Cerasoli from Aurora (West Aurora) IL, 6'5 Jr Frank Clair from Chicago (Leo) IL.  Speaking of the top juniors in the state of Illinois, Roy Schmidt, Editor & Publisher of the Illinois Bulls-eye Report believes that Pruitt is the best junior in the state.  And that will create more than a little controversy, because all the national people, including us, believe that 6'6 Jr Shaun Livingston from Peoria (Central) IL is one of the top 10 players in the junior class nationally.  As a matter, the legendary Tom Konchalski of the H.S.B.I. Report, thinks Livingston is the best junior in America.   However, Schmidt, who plans to defend this position on our radio this Sunday, is sticking by guns.  Pruitt recently was the MVP at the High School Elite/ PEP Classic and the Top 50 Junior Showcase, both of which North Park University in Chicago, IL and, yes, Livingston was in attendance at both events.  Pruitt also was the leading scorer and second leading rebounder at the Top 50 Junior Showcase, but Pruitt's offensive versatility, ability to go to war in the paint, and ability to knock down the 3-pointer are what gets Schmidt excited.  "He reminds me of a young Sam Perkins," says Schmidt.  "He's a legitimate top 10 junior nationally, but few people outside of Illinois know that yet.  Pruitt didn't get much national explosive last summer, because he played for the Illinois Warriors 16-Under Team.   But you can bet that will change once he moves up to Larry Butler's 17-Under Team next spring and summer.  And as talented as Livington is, he takes too many plays off."  Obviously with Pruitt and Livingston at the top of the class, the junior class in Illinois is loaded at the top.  However, Schmidt also likes the depth of the class, because Cerasoli, 6'4 Jr DeAaron Williams from Bartonville (Limestone) IL, 6'3 Jr JaMarcus Ellis from Chicago (Westinghouse) IL,  6'6 Jr Ollie Bailey from Chicago (Farragut) IL, and 6'7 Jr Eric Vierniesel from Algonquin (Jacobs) IL, 6'2 Jr Xavier Price from O'Fallon (H.S) IL are all legitimate top 100 juniors nationally.  To see exactly where he has all these guys rank, plus how Schmidt, who is the foremost authority on high school basketball in the state, ranks the top players in each class, make sure you get Schmidt's latest Illinois Bulls-eye Report.  Subscription information can be obtained by calling 1-630-910-1829, writing P.O. Box 488, Downers Grove, IL, 60515, or emailing roy1harv@aol.com.  Schmidt also tells us that Illinois assistant Billy Gillispie is one of the top candidates for the UTEP job, along with Pittsburgh assistant coach Jamie Dixon and former Arkansas head coach Nolan Richardson.   And, if Gillispie, who recruits the state of Texas about as well as anybody, gets the UTEP job, the leading candidate to replace him appears to be former Bradley head coach and DePaul assistant coach Jim Molinari.  Schmidt also is about the 10th person to tell us that 6'11 Ousmane Barro from Chicago (Julian) IL is now at Seward County (JC) KS, where he hopes to get his GED and become eligible in December.  If you will recall, Barro is currently ranked #93 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and was ranked #21 at the NIKE All-American Camp last summer by the HOOP SCOOP.  So obviously this is one to keep track of in the future.

Our West Coast Editor Dinos Trigonis tells us that 6'0 Mikel Watson from Oceanside (El Camino) CA has verbally committed to Wyoming and, this is important, not just because Watson is one of the best point guards on the West Coast, but also because it marks a trend, whereby, the San Diego area is becoming a fertile recruiting ground for the Cowboys.  If you will recall, earlier this fall, Wymoing also got 6'10 Jarrod Boswell from Lakeside (El Capitan) CA.   Watson, who was a top 25 All-Star at the 5th Annual Full-Court Press All-West Camp, is very athletic, extremely quick with the ball, and excellent in transition.  In other words, Watson appears to be ideally suited to step in next year and grow in the point guard spot, which will be shared this year by 5'10 Sr Chris McMillian and 5'11 Soph Jason Straight.  And, if the Cowboys also get 6'5 Jeff Varem from Vincennes (JC) IN, who is ranked as the #1 wing forward by Lindy's Basketball Magazine and #4 wing forward by the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook, then their recruiting class would move into a tie at #27, along with UNLV, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  However, beating Cincinnati and Indiana, who are the other finalists for Varem's services, might not be as easy as it looks.  Trigonis also tells us that 6'7 Todd Martin from Upland (H.S.) CA has verbally committed to Albany, 6'1 Jimmy Goffredo from LaCrescenta (Crescenta Valley) CA has picked Harvard, and 6'7 Ruben Boykin from Los Angeles (University) CA has made it official for Northern Arizona.  Trigonis also thinks the final three for 6'6 Scott Cutley from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA are Portland State, Kent State, and Loyola Marymount.  Trigonis also provides us with the rosters from the 'Cream of the Crop" Top 24 All-Star Game from his 2002 Fullcourt Press All-Frosh/Soph Camp, which was held over the weekend at Downey High School in Downey, CA.  The Grey Squad included 5'6 Frosh A.J. Laguana from Long Beach (Poly) CA, 5'10 Frosh Joseph Johnson from Gardena (Serra) CA, 6'1 Frosh Tim McLauren from Lynwood (H.S.) CA, 6'0 Frosh Todd Lowenthal from San Diego (Torrey Pines) CA, 6'4 Soph Ed White from North Hollywood (Harvard-Westlake) CA, 6'3 Soph Davon Lloyd from Los Angeles (Manuel Arts) CA, 6'5 Frosh Kenny Collins from Moreno Valley (Rancho Verde) CA, 6'4 Frosh Josh Guillory from Long Beach (Poly) CA, 6'6 Soph Jamal Boykin from Los Angeles (Fairfax) CA, 6'6 Soph Terry Topercer from San Diego (St. Augustine) CA, and 6'5 Soph Edward Dickerson from Bellflower (H.S) CA.  The Black Squad included 5'7 Soph Michael Gordon from Compton (Centennial) CA, 5'10 Soph Clinton Parks from Riverside (King) CA, 5'10 Soph Bryant Williams from Moreno Valley (Rancho Verde) CA, 6'0 Soph Maurion Henderson from Los Angeles (Fairfax) CA, 6'2 Frosh Tyree Thompson from Compton (Centennial) CA, 6'2 Soph Anthony Goods from Corona (Centennial) CA, 6'2 Frosh Matt Hornbuckle from Westlake Village (Oaks Christian) CA, 6'3 Soph Joe Ford from North Hollywood (Campbell Hall) CA, 6'4 Soph Marcus Carter from Claremont (H.S.) CA, 6'4 Soph Jonathan Aiwazian from Moorpark (H.S.) CA, 6'5 Frosh Jervaughn Johnson from Compton (Centennial) CA, and 6'9 Soph Jordan Wilkes from Los Angeles (Loyola) CA. 

Tuesday, October 29, 2002

As it stands now, 22 of the HOOP SCOOP's top 100 seniors are still available, but within the next 24 hours that number is expected to drop 20, which means 80% of the top 100 players will already be off the board a full two weeks prior to the start of the fall signing period on Wednesday, November 13th.  The press conference for 7'0 Brian Butch from Appleton (West) WI, who is ranked #3 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon and Greg Swaim of GregSwaim.com tells us that he plans to broadcast it live on his web site.  Swaim also tells us that he thinks Butch will pick Kansas.  However, Brick Oettinger of the Recruiters Handbook and PrepStars.com, thinks it's going to Wisconsin.  And this comes as no surprise to us.  If you will recall, we told you last spring that Wisconsin was near lock and, as a result, we felt like the Badgers were the team you had to beat all along, despite the fact North Carolina, Kansas, and Arizona, which was a major factor until recently, have made the race extremely interesting.  And assuming that Oettinger is correct, this would move the Badgers recruiting class up to #30 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  If you will recall, earlier this fall, Wisconsin also got a verbal commitment from 6'2 Kammron Taylor from Minneapolis (South) MN, plus they already have early verbal commitments from 6'11 Greg Steimsma from Randolph (H.S.) WI and 6'2 Mitchell Flowers from Madison (LaFollette) WI.  In other words, Bo Ryan and his staff, who are currently in their second year at Wisconsin, have already totally reloaded the program with outstanding young talent.  Remember, 6'8 Mike Wilkinson and 6'3 Devin Harris both started and averaged in double-digits as freshmen a year ago, plus 6'9 Andreas Helmigk redshirted last year and 6'3 Maurice Wade from Milwaukee (Vincent) WI, 6'7 Ray Nixon from Milwaukee (Dominican) WI, 6'4 Alando Tucker from Lockport (Township) IL, 6'9 Jason Chappell from Worcester (Academy) MA, and 6'1 Marcetteus McGee from Chicago (Farragut) IL are all good enough to step in and contribute immediately this year as freshmen.  Which means, if the Badgers get Butch tomorrow, they will only have one more available scholarship in the current and next recruiting class.  And they've done it almost exclusively with home grown kids, as there are nine players currently in the program from Wisconsin and all the recruits, except for Taylor, are in-state kids.  We also look for the trend to continue in the future, because there is a lot of great young talent in the state, including 6'2 Frosh Jerry Smith from Wauwatosa (East) WI, who is ranked #8 nationally in the freshman class by the HOOP SCOOP.  And, if that weren't enough, Ryan is one of the coaches we mentioned yesterday who is on the fast track in terms of Career Coaching Records and Ranking by Number of Wins for All Division I Head Coaches.   We also expect 6'5 Olu Famutimi from Flint (Northwestern) MI, who is ranked #7 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, to pick either Arkansas or Missouri any time now.  Arkansas head coach Stan Heath and Chris Grier, who is the head coach of the Michigan Hurricanes AAU program, have been close friends dating back to Heath's days when he was an assistant coach at Michigan State.  However, Missouri assistant coach Tony Harvey is one of the best recruiters in the nation and the area where he's strongest is in the state of Michigan.  So the smart money is on the Tigers and, assuming that we're right, a commitment by Famutimi would move Missouri's recruiting class, which currently is ranked #17 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, and includes 6'5 Thomas Gardner from Portland (Jefferson) OR, 6'9 Ousmane Konate from The Senegal, and 6'1 Spencer Laurie from Springfield (Kickapoo) MO, into a tie at #2, along with Oklahoma, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  A commitment by Famutimi would also give Missouri head coach Quin Snyder one of the most lethal wing trios in college basketball for years to come.  If you will recall, the Tigers also landed 6'4 Jimmy McKinney from St. Louis (Vashon) MO a year ago and Gardner and Famutimi are two the most athletic and most talented wing players in the Class of 2003.  And, if Missouri also can steal 6'8 Linas Kleiza from Rockville (Montrose Christian) MD, who is ranked #30 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, then the Tigers recruiting class would move into the #1 spot on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And you have to like Missouri's chances on this one as well, especially when you take into account that Tigers assistant coach Lane Odom has the strong Lithuanian connects necessary to get this one done.

We also are waiting to see what will happen with 6'8 Luol Deng from Blairstown (Academy) NJ, who is ranked #2 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  If you will recall, he made an official visit to Duke over theweekend, but Brick Oettinger of the Recruiters Handbook and PrepStars.com tells us that an official decision by Deng is not expected until Thursday, November 5th.   However, at that time Oettinger thinks the Blue Devils will prevail over Indiana, Missouri, and Virginia and, assuming that he's right, Duke's two-man recruiting class, which currently is ranked #48 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003 and includes 6'8 Kris Humphries from Minnetonka (Hopkins) MN, would move up to #15 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Not only would that give the Blue Devils the highest ranked recruiting class with only two players in the class, (remember, Humphries is ranked #5 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP), but it would come on the heels Duke's #1-ranked recruiting class from a year ago.  If you will recall, a year ago the Blue Devils landed 6'10 Sheldon Williams from Midwest City (H.S.) OK, 6'4 J.J. Redick from Roanoke (Cave Spring) VA, 6'10 Shavlik Randolph from Raleigh (Broughton) NC, 6'2 Sean Dockery from Chicago (Julian) IL, 6'10 Michael Thompson from New Lenox (Providence) IL, and 6'7 Lee Melchionni from Ft. Washington (Germantown Academy) PA.  And when you also add 6'2 DeMarcus Nelson from Vallejo (H.S.) CA, who is ranked #7 nationally in the junior class and is the highest ranked junior nationally to have already verbally committed, it is obvious that there is no end in sight for Duke, which is widely regarded as the quintessential in college basketball today.  Our New York City Editor Ron Naclerio now is telling us that he's 99% sure that 6'9 Charlie Villanueva from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ, who is the #1-ranked 5th year player by the HOOP SCOOP, will pick either Seton Hall or Villanova over Indiana and Illinois. "I just don't see Villanueva going that far from home." says Naclerio.  "His people are going to want to see him play every game and they can't do that if he picks Indiana or Illinois."  We also understand that 6'0 Will Blaylock from Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA, who is ranked #25 on our list of 5th year players has picked Iowa State over Pittsburgh, Miami-FL, DePaul, George Washington, and Hofstra.  And this is big for Cyclones head coach Larry Eustachy, because Blaylock is a tough hardnosed competitor with tremendous natural talent and athleticism, as well as some Allen Iverson-like tendencies.  In other words, Blaylock is not a pure point guard who sets the table, but he does have great lift, as he plays bigger than he is, and is almost unstoppable when he goes to the hole.  He also is the best guard that Leo Papile has had during his 20-plus years coaching the BABC club team program.  At least that's what Papile has been telling this fall.  And that's saying a lot when one remembers that Papile has had a lot of great guards (i.e. Scoonie Penn) over the years.  Blaylock's commitment moves Iowa State's recruiting class up into a tie at #34, along with UAB, Virginia, Villanova, Connecticut, and Texas Christian, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  If you will recall, earlier this fall the Cyclones also landed 6'4 Curtis Stinson from Winchendon (School) MA and his credentials are also pretty impressive.   Remember, Stinson took home tournament MVP honors as he led the New York Ravens to the championship at the adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas, NV.

The HOOP SCOOP has confirmed that the College of Charleston has landed 5'11 Dontaye Draper from Pawling (Trinity Pawling) NY and this is big for first-year Cougars head coach Tommy Herrion, because we're talking about a tough hardnosed inner city  kid originally from Baltimore (Walbrook) MD.  As a matter of fact, Draper was the point guard on the Cecil Kirk team this summer and he made a living getting 6'9 Josh Boone from Colora (West Nottingham Prep) MD the ball inside.  Draper also is such a great defender that he's been called "a poor man's John Linehan."   If you will recall, Linehan, who graduated from Providence College last spring, was the Defensive Player-of-the-Year in college basketball two years ago and is one of the all-time leaders in steals in NCAA history.  Draper joins 6'2 David Truesdale from Dodge City (JC) KS and 6'9 Jeff Horowitz from Charlotte (North Mecklenburg) NC to give College of Charleston the #52-ranked recruiting class on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And this comes on the heels of the two players that Herrion landed last spring in 6'7 Isaiah "Zeke" Johnson from West Palm Beach (JC) FL, and 6'4 Marcus Johnson from Tallahassee (JC) FL, plus he got 6'4 Robert Swaim, who transferred from Connecticut to the College of the Charleston, in May.  In other words, Herrion has a tough act to follow in John Kresse, who retired with 560-143 record, but he should have the horses necessary to continue on with the winning tradition, as well as guarantee himself a spot on our list of the bright young head coaches in the game today.  One that recently slipped past us was 6'0 Tre Kelly from Washington (Dunbar) DC to South Carolina.  This too is important, because Kelly, who is ranked #135 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, should provide the perfect complement to all the inside and wing players that the Gamecocks already have in the fold or are on the verge of landing.  If you will recall, South Carolina already has added 6'9 Brandon Wallace from Aiken (Silver Bluff) SC and 6'8 Renaldo Balkman from Bradenton (Pendleton School) FL and, as a result, the Gamecocks' recruiting class is currently ranked #30 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Plus, they also have 6'9 Jason Parker, who transferred early this fall from Kentucky to South Carolina, and they are the early favorite for 6'9 Ra'Sean Dickey from Bennettville (Marlboro County) SC, who is the #3-ranked junior behind 6'6 Jr Roy Bright from Durham (Northern Durham) NC and 6'2 Jr JamesOn Curry from Mebane (East Alamance) NC on Brian Clifton's North Carolina/South Carolina Report, which was published 12 days ago in the Members Section.   South Carolina also is rumored to have a verbal commitment from 6'3 Randy Pulley from Barton County (JC) SC, but, as things stand now, that is unconfirmed.   However, it Pulley does materalize in South Carolina's recruiting class once the fall signing period begins in two weeks, their recruiting class would move up into a tie at #21, along with Iowa, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.

Saturday, October 26, 2002, Sunday, October 27, 2002, & Monday, October 28, 2002

Our New York City Editor Ron Naclerio has confirmed that 7'3 Shagari Alleyne from New York (Rice) NY has verbally committed to Rutgers and our West Coast Editor Dinos Trigonis has finally gotten around to telling us that 6'8 Trevor Ariza has made it official for UCLA.  Apparently Ariza, who is ranked #15 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, made it official for the Bruins on Friday.  Not only does this give UCLA the outstanding wing forward they thought they had gotten a year ago in 6'7 Evan Burns from Los Angeles (Fairfax) CA (Burns was not admitted academically into school this fall), but it also means that UCLA's one-man recruiting class is tied at #60, along with Kansas State, Charlotte, and Ohio State, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  The Alleyne commitment to Rutgers is also big, despite the fact he's ranked no higher than #131 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and is believed to be a project many.  Alleyne doesn't have quick reflexes, he needs to continue to develop mobility and coordination, and get bigger and stronger physically.  In other words, he reminds us a lot of 7'6 Neil Fingleton at the same stage.   However, you can't teach somebody to be 7-feet, plus Alleyne has good skills, an incredible wing span, and shows flashes of brilliance.  Not only does Alleyne give Rutgers an important in into New York City, but he jjoins 6'3 Quincy Douby from Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT and 6'4 Marquis Webb from Paterson (Catholic) NJ to give the Scarlet Knights the #30 ranked recruiting class, along with Oregon and Georgetown, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And, if they also get 6'11 Darryl Watkins from Paterson (Catholic) NJ, their recruiting class would move into a tie at #19, along with Florida.  Naclerio also tells us that St. John's has gotten verbal commitment from 6'8 Jonathan Williams from St. Cloud (Apollo) MN, who is ranked #7 in the state, behind 6'8 Kris Humphries from Minnetonka (Hopkins) MN, 6'9 Longar Longar from Rochester (John Marshall) MN, 6'2 Lawrence McKenzie from Minneapolis (North) MN, 6'1 Kammron Taylor form Minneapolis (North) MN, 6'8 Dan Coleman from Minnetonka (Hopkins) MN, and 6'8 Dan Coleman from Minnetonka (Hopkins) MN, by Richard Flaata in the Minnesota Roundball Prep Newsletter.  Williams becomes the second player from Minnesota to pick St. John's in the last three months.  If you will recall, the Red Storm also landed 6'2 Bruce Price from Minneapolis, MN in August.  However, Price has already enrolled in school and, as a result, counts with last year's recruiting class.  Williams joins 6'7 Anthony Ighadaro from Moberly (JC) MO and 6'9 Lamont Hamilton from Milford (Academy) CT to move the St. John's recruiting class into a tie at #38, along with Georgia, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  However, the question remains?  Why is the Red Storm going the junior college route and signing players that are not household names from the state of Minnesota when there is so much talent right right in their backyard?  Our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin tells us that Drexel has landed 6'8 Chaz Crawford from Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA and we also have confirmed that Texas has gotten a verbal commitment from 6'5 Anthony Tucker from Raleigh (Enloe) NC.   Tucker is ranked no higher than #139 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, due to his tweener size.  However, he does all the dirty work inside on the boards and, as a result, we think he's the ideal the role player for the high major level.  Crawford needs to improve his offensive skills, but his shot blocking, rebounding, and ability to get it done at the defensive end should enable him to make an immediate impact a year from now for Drexel head coach James "Brusier" Flint.   And the fact that Crawford is originially a Philadelphia kid is just the icing on the cake.  If you will recall, Crawford was ranked #26 in Rubin final rankings from the Philadelphia Area in the Class of 2002.  However, Crawford has grown an inch and gotten a lot better this fall, plus he will have an added year of maturity when he enrolls at Drexel 10 months from now.  Crawford joins 5'11 Bashir Mason from Newark (St. Benedict's) NJ, who is ranked #232 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, and 6'7 Matt Stevenson from Towson (Catholic) MD, who is ranked #269 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, to give Drexel a recruiting class that is tied for #55, along with Butler, SMU, Oregon State, and Hampton, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003. 

The last several days have been amazing slow, especially when one remembers that the beginning of the fall signing period, which is Wednesday, November 13th, is only two-and-a-half weeks away.  However, that's good for us, because it's given us a chance to update our list that tracks the Career Coaching Records and Ranking by Number of Wins for All Division I Head Coaches.   Once again the winningest active Division I head coach is Jim Phelan, who won a grand total of only three last season to give him a 819-508 career record over 48 years.  While Phelan was obviously a good coach in his day, which is evident by the fact that he has averaged 17.06 wins per year, it's too bad he doesn't have the good sense to retire and go out on top.   And if Phelan doesn't make this his last season, Bob Knight (787 wins), who also is well within striking distance of surpassing Dean Smith as the game's all-time winningest coach in four or five years, will pass Phelan sometime during the 2003-2004 season.  And Knight isn't the only one who is on Phelan's heels, as Georgia State's Lefty Driesell has only five wins fewer than Knight and is still going strong after 40 seasons as a head coach at the Division I level.  New Mexico State's Lou Henson (742 wins) and Oklahoma State's Eddie Sutton (702 wins) also have over 700 wins, but the real action involves the coaches in the 600-range, because Temple's John Chaney (675 wins) appears to be within a year or two of retirement and Arizona's Lute Olson (663 wins), Duke's Mike Krzyzewski (637 wins), Connecticut's Jim Calhoun (626 wins), and Syracuse's Jim Boeheim (623 wins) all should quickly pass Chaney once that happens.  Also especially noteworthy is the fact that Cincinnati's Bobby Huggins is now ranked #18 on the active win list with 500 careers wins in only 21 seasons as a head coach.  And after a 31-4 season a year ago, Huggins, who has a .744 winning percentage, also has moved up to second on our list of the Winningest Active Division I Head Coaches by Percentage, which can be found by clicking on Tracking the Top Division I Head Coaches (Both Active and All Time).  Huggins trails only Kansas' Roy Williams (.807), who would have moved into the #1 spot on this list even if Fresno State's Jerry Tarkanian (.794) and College of Charleston's John Kresse (.797) hadn't retired at the end of last season.  If you will recall, at year ago at this time Tarkanian ranked #1 with a .802 winning percentage, Kresse ranked #2 with a .801 winning percentage, and Williams was #3 with a .800 winning percentage.  However, the College of Charleston and Fresno State finished with 21-9 and 19-15 records, while Kansas finished with 33-4 record and Williams finally got his third NCAA Final Four appearance.  Obviously that puts Williams in pretty fast company on our list of Active NCAA Final Four Head Coaches, which also can be found by clicking on Tracking the Top Division I Head Coaches (Both Active and All Time).  Heading that list is Krzyzewski with nine NCAA Final Four appearances, followed by Knight and Olson with five apiece, Louisville's Rick Pitino with four, and Williams, Michigan State's Tom Izzo, and San Diego State's Steve Fisher with three apiece.  Also available in this section Tracking the Top Division I Head Coaches (Both Active and All Time) are our lists of the Winningest All Time Division I Head Coaches, Most All Time NCAA Tournament Appearances, Most All Time NCAA Tournament Wins, Most All Time Consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearances, Most All Time National Championships, Most All Time Final Four Wins, and All Time Most NCAA Final Four Appearnaces.  Our list of the Winningest All Time Division I Head Coaches shows that Knight needs 93 wins to break Smith's record, but what is especially interesting is the fact that Olson's name can be found on all of these lists, except for Most All Time National Championships and Most All Time Final Four Wins.  And, if Arizona lives up to its consensus pre-season #1 ranking, Olson would join Knight as the only coach to be included on every one of these lists, which is important when you start talking about who are the top coaches in the history of the game, along with John Wooden, Adolph Rupp, Dean Smith, and Krzyzewski.  Getting back to our list that tracks Career Coaching Records and Ranking by Number of Wins for All Division I Head Coaches, a sure sign that a head coach is on the fast track is when he has a disproportionate number wins versus the number of years he's been coaching.  At the top of this list have to be Krzyzewski with 637 wins in 27 years, Huggins with 500 wins in 21 years, Wisconsin's Bo Ryan with 402 wins in 18 years, Utah's Rick Majerus with 382 wins in 18 years, Kansas' Roy Williams with 388 wins in 14 years, UT-Pan American's Bob Hoffman with 375 wins in 15 years, Louisville's Rick Pitino with 371 wins in 16 years, Birmingham Southern's Duane Reboul with 328 wins in 13 years, Charlotte's Bobby Lutz with 261 wins in 13 years, Kentucky's Tubby Smith with 256 wins in 11 years, Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Bruce Pearl with 247 wins in 10 years, Memphis' John Calipari with 241 wins in 10 years, Wake Forest's Skip Prosser with 186 wins in nine years, Michigan State's Tom Izzo with 167 wins in seven years, Lipscomb's Scott Sanderson with 145 wins in six years, UCLA's Steve Lavin with 135 in six years, Pepperdine's Paul Westphal with 106 wins in five years, Murray State's Tevester Anderson with 86 wins in four years, Mississippi's Rod Barnes with 86 wins in four years, Gonzaga's Mark Few with 81 wins in three years, Xavier's Thad Matta with 50 wins in two years, and Arkansas' Stan Heath with 30 wins in one year, Tulsa's John Phillips with 27 wins in one year, and Butler's Todd Lickliter with 26 wins in one year.

Friday, October 25, 2002

In our Final Ranking of the Top Recruiting Classes from the Class of 2002, Hampton's recruiting class, which included 6'9 Bakary Konate from Cincinnati State (JC) OH, 6'7 Rodney Hughes from Owens (JC) OH, 6'3 Jeff Granger from Creedmore (Faith Christian) NC, 6'2 Dewayne Spencer from Harrisburg (Susquehanna Township) PA, 6'7 Troy Washington from Denmark (Denmark-Olar) SC, 6'11 Bruce Brown from Richmond (Henrico) VA, and 6'10 Frank Russell from Fayetteville (Pine Forest) NC, finished ranked #37 nationally.  However, their current class, which includes 6'5 Francois Pehova from Laurinburg (Institute) NC, 6'7 Brandon Streeter from Jacksonville (White Oak) NC, and 6'2 Ryan Hughes from Alexandria (Mt. Vernon) VA, might turn out to be even better.  It also appears to be much more athletic.  As a matter of fact, Pehova, Streeter, and Hughes promise to be three of the best athletes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference a year from now.  Pehova, who originally is from the African Central Republic, is an explosive two-guard with good ball handling skills and the ability to score both inside and outside.  Streeter is an athletic combo forward who graduated from high school a year ago and already is enrolled at Hampton, where he is sitting out this year.  Next year Streeter, who scored 24 points and had nine rebounds in an all-star game in North Carolina last spring, is expected to step right into the the wing forward spot, which now belongs to 6'7 Devin Green.  If you will recall Green already is one of the top five players in the league, but he will switch to the 2-guard spot next year to make room from Streeter.  Hughes, who is Prop 48 casuality and, as a result, also already is enrolled in school, is a combo guard with Allen Iverson-like quickness, athleticism, and ability to score in the open court.   And, if that weren't enough, Hampton also has 6'11 Andrew Morrison, who is currently paying his own way and sitting out this year.  We're talking about a project, but he's big, strong, and excellent academically.  However, Morrison doesn't count towards Hampton's recruiting class, which currently is tied at #54, along with Butler, SMU, and Oregon State, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, because it is our editorial policy not to count transfers when ranking recruiting classes.  We also have confirmed that 6'7 Marcus Heard from Springfield (Southeast) IL has verbally committed to DePaul. Heard isn't big and strong enough to play inside and he doesn't shoot it well enough to play out on the perimeter at the high Division I level, but he's still talented and athletic enough to be ranked #147 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  Heard joins 6'5 Sammy Mejia from Cornwall on the Hudson (Storm King Prep) NY, 6'2 Tyler Smith from Philadelphia (Lutheran) PA, and 6'8 Lorenzo Thompson from Chicago (Crane) IL to give the Blue Demons a recruiting class that is currently ranked #23 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.   Our Mississippi Editor Lavel Johnson tells us that 6'9 Boubacar Coly from Laurinburg (Institute) MS, whose final five are Mississippi, SMU, Boston College, Richmond, and Miami-FL, will be at Ole Miss this weekend on an official visit.  Johnson reminds us about one that slip past us recently.  He's talking about 6'3 Terrick Willoughby from Canton (H.S.) MS, who verbally committed to Murray State.  Willoughby, who is ranked #8 in Mississippi by Johnson, needs to improve his handle and getting his shot off the dribble.  "But Willoughy is very athletic, excellent defensively, and pretty good a putting the ball in the basket," says Johnson.  And this isn't the first time that Racers head coach Tevester Anderson has gone to his old stamping grounds to get a player (Anderson is originally from Mississippi), as a year ago Murray State also landed 6'8 Hilton Tompkins from Canton (H.S.) MS.

It really does look like we knew what we were talking about yesterday when we told you that the race for 6'8 Mike Pilgrim from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH was too close to call.  Not only did Pilgrim change his mind three or four times within the last 24 hours while trying to decide between Seton Hall and Cincinnati, but at one point it appeared that Virginia might turn out to be the compromise choice.  However, in the end Pilgrim picked the Bearcats and, as a result, Cincinnati's recruiting class moves up to #3, behind Maryland and Oklahoma and ahead of Kansas and Florida State, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  If you will recall, Cincinnati already has landed two of the top five junior college players in the nation in 6'10 Robert Whaley from Barton County (JC) KS and 6'4 Nick Williams from Chipola (JC) FL.  And now they have one of the fastest rising players in the prep school ranks as well.  As a matter of fact, Pilgrim will likely be ranked #5, behind 6'9 Charlie Villanueva from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ, 6'3 Mustafa Shakur from Wynnewood (Friends Central) PA, 6'11 James Lang from Birmingham (Central Park Christian) AL, and 6'11 Martin Iti from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC, next time we update our list of the 5th year players.  This also gives the Bearcats the highest talent rating average per recruit (8.7) among all Division I schools, as well as the highest ranked recruiting class in the nation with only three players.  We also are waiting to see what is going to happen with 7'3 Shagari Alleyne from New York (Rice) NY, who was expected to verbally commit to Rutgers or Kentucky today, but who now appears to have put off making a final decision until Monday.  However, our New York City Editor Ron Naclerio does have the scoop on 6'2 Logan Lee from South Plains (JC) TX, who has verbally committed to Hawaii, 6'8 Michael Harper from Tallahassee (JC) FL, who has picked Florida A&M, and 6'6 Donell Taylor from Okaloosa-Walton (JC) FL and 6'5 Ronell Taylor from Okaloosa-Walton (JC) FL, both of whom are heading to UAB.  When we saw the Taylor twins prior to their senior year in high school while playing for the Challenge Team that also included Ousmane Cisse and Marco Killingsworth, we liked Ronell better than Donell, because, at the time, he had better handling skills and shot the basketball better.  However, as is so often the case with identical twins, it looks like that has changed, because Ronell is ranked as the #1 wing guard in Lindy's Basketball Yearbook, the #6 point guard in the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook, and on the 5th Team in Street & Smith's Pre-Season Yearbook, while Donell only gets a mention as the #10-ranked wing forward by Lindy's.  Not only do these two additions, move UAB's recruiting class into a tie at #31, along with Virginia, Villanova, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, and Texas Christian, but it give first-year head coach Mike Anderson a pair of guys in this recruiting class who are just as talented and athletic as 6'6 Demario Eddins from Winchendon (School) MA, who originally signed with Arkansas two years ago, but, then went back to prep school for another year and signed with UAB last spring.  If you will recall, a year ago the Blazers also landed on of the top junior college big men in the nation in 6'9 Gabe Kennedy from Bevil State (JC) AL and, as a result, are only one quality inside player away from having one of the better starting lineups in Conference USA a year from now.  And the missing piece to the puzzle might turn out to be 6'11 James Lang from Birmingham (Central Park Christian) AL, who is ranked #3 on our list of the top 5th year players.  If you will recall, Lang verbally committed to Louisville earlier this fall, but his mother re-opened his recruitment and, as a result, UAB, which is the local school, just hangs around, while Louisville, Alabama, and Kentucky take turns blowing each other out of the water.  Another name we've heard the Blazers mentioned with is 6'9 Brandon Bender from Cincinnati State (JC) OH.  However, we're not sure they know what they're getting themselves into on this one.  If you will recall, Bender is lazy and doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut, which is why he was such a major headache throughout his high school career while playing for Louisville (Ballard) KY head coach Chris Renner.  It's also is why Bender wasn't able to make it last year playing at Louisville for Rick Pitino and why he lasted less than a week this spring at Vincennes (JC) IN.  Moral to the story, Bender unfortunately appears to be heading the same direction that a number of other highly touted players from Louisville, KY, including Tony Kimbro, Jason Osborne, and Ronnie Griffin, have gone in recent years. 

Thursday, October 24, 2002

PrepWestHoops.com is reporting that 6'8 Trevor Ariza from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA has verbally committed to UCLA.   Well, we think it will happen, but right now it looks like they've jumped the gun, because our West Coast Editor Dinos Trigonis has talked with Ariza's mother and she does not confirm that they are ready to make an official announcement.  And they won't happen until they've had time to tell the proper people, like other schools that were involved.  Obviously this gives the Bruins the high profile big name player that they needed to get from their backyard and, as result, UCLA head coach Steve Lavin has once again proved his critics to be wrong.   Remember, the Bruins weren't even recruiting Ariza, who is ranked #15 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, until they found in early September that 6'7 Evan Burns from Los Angeles (Fairfax) CA would not be admitted into school.  And Ariza isn't the only local player that UCLA may sign this fall.  Did you know that the Bruins are still among the final three, along with Indiana and Washington, for 6'9 Sean Phaler from Villa Park (H.S.) CA?  Getting back to PrepWestHoops.com, they also are reporting that 6'6 Chris Devine from Eagle River (Chugiak) AK has verbally committed to UC-Santa Barbara and 6'2 Josh Olson from Sandy (Alta) UT has picked the University of Utah.  Trigonis also tells us that Pepperdine has received a verbal commitment from 6'9 Jarred Henry from Kansas City (Bishop Miege) MO and he thinks Northern Arizona may have landed 6'7 Ruben Boykin from Los Angeles (University) CA. The Henry commitment is especially important, because this also is a clear sign that Waves aren't going to get 7'3 Shargi Alleyne from New York (Rice) NY.  As a matter of fact, Trigonis tells us it's a done deal for Rutgers.  "All we're waiting on now is for the fat lady to start signing," says Trigonis.  Actually the press conference is scheduled for tomorrow and our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin is a little more cautious, as he tells us it's between Rutgers and Kentucky.   However, lets' assume that Alleyne does indeed pick Rutgers.  This would be a huge get for the Scarlet Knights, because Alleyne does have a lot of potential and it shows that Rutger head coach Gary Waters and his staff not only can get the top players out of North Jersey, but also out of New York City.   It also would moves Rutgers recruiting class into a tie at #28, along with Oregon, Georgetown, and DePaul on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003 and, if they also by some chance, get 6'11 Darryl Watkins from Paterson (Catholic) NJ, their recruiting class would move into a tie at #16, along with Florida.   Obviously getting Alleyne may hurt Rutgers chances with Watkins, but you can bet the Rutgers coaching staff will be talking about using Alleyne and Watkins together as twin towers and, even more important, how much better they both will get going head-to-head against one another everyday in practice.  And we still think this is a definite possibility.  If you will recall, Watkins and 6'4 Marquis Webb from Paterson (Catholic) NJ, who picked Rutgers a month ago, are best friends.  However, Rutgers will have to beat Villanova, Kentucky, and Pittsburgh for Watkins services.  That's right!  The Panthers are still in the hunt for Watkins, despite the fact they already have a stockpile front court players - 6'9 Walter Waters from Detroit (Southeastern) MI, 6'9 Chris Taft from Brooklyn (Xaverian) NY, 6'11 Aaron Gray from Emmaus (H.S.) PA, and 6'8 Dante Milligan from Pawling (Trinity-Pawling) NY - in this recruiting class.  And assuming that Trigonis is correct and Alleyne picks Rutgers, this is a blow to the University of Kentucky, at least in terms of perception, because Alleyne was one of their prime targets.  However, Alleyne still has a long way to go in order to make a major impact at the high Division I level and, as a result, not getting Alleyne may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.  Remember, the Wildcats need immediate help inside, because Marquis Estill and Jules Camara both will graduate after this season.  And Watkins or somebody from junior college or abroad fits that criteria much better than Alleyne. 

Originally we thought 6'8 Mike Pilgrim from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH was a near lock for the University of Cincinnati.   However, now we're hedging our bets, because it appears that Seton Hall is a lot stronger than we originally thought and, as a result, we're now going on record saying that this race is too close to call, as we await tomorrow's scheduled press conference.   Obviously the fact that Pilgram is a native of Cincinnati and the fact he's a prototypical Bobby Huggins type player weights in the Bearcats advantage.   But Seton Hall also has a few things working in their favor, like the fact Pilgrim is a relative of Pirates head coach Louie Orr, the fact the Pirates currently don't have an athletic combo forward like Pilgrim, the fact the Pirates are in the media biggest media market in the nation, and the fact the Pirates already have two excellent recruits - 6'11 Grant Billmeier from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ and 6'2 Jamar Nutter from West Orange (Seton Hall Prep) NJ - in the fold.   And, if the Pirates get Pilgram tomorrow, their recruiting class will move into a tie at #23, along with Alabama, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  However, even more important, the Pirates will have established a strong recruiting base both in their backyard and in the Midwest.  Remember, a year ago Seton Hall landed 6'6 J.R. Morris from Creedmore (Faith Christian) NC, 6'9 Eric Davis from Raleigh (Bonner Academy) NC, 6'8 Kelly Whitney from Creedmore (Faith Christian) NC, and 5'11 Donald Copeland from Jersey City (St. Anthony) NJ.  Morris and Whitney both attended prep school last year in North Carolina, but originally Morris is from Wisconsin and Whitney is from Michigan, which means, if they get Pilgrim tomorrow, they will have landed three players from the Midwest in the last year.  Davis, Copeland, Billmeier, and Nutter are all from New Jersey, but the later three are from three of the top high school programs in the nation, which means they not only know how what it takes to win, but they've been extremely well coached and are very fundamentally sound.  We also are waiting to see what happens with 6'9 Charlie Villanueva from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ, who is the #1-ranked 5th Year Player by the HOOP SCOOP, and 6'8 Luol Deng from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ, who is the #2-ranked player nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  The word we get is that Deng and Villanueva both had great visits to Indiana last weekend.  As a a matter of fact, if Deng were to verbally commit to Indiana, that would be enough to get Villanueva to become part of the package.   However, Deng is scheduled to take his official visit to Duke this weekend and, as a result, it wouldn't surprise us if a verbal commitment to the Blue Devils isn't forthcoming sometime next week.  But, if nothing happens next week, we think that favors the Hoosiers.  In contrast, we think the longer the Villanueva sweepstakes last, the more it favors Seton Hall and Villanova, because that gives the people around Villanueva the time the need to put the pressure on him to stay close home.  In other words, if it were done today, we think Villanueva would pick Indiana.  We also have confirmed that Miami-FL has gotten 7'0 Yankuba Camara from Moberly (JC) MO.  If you will recall, Camara originially signed with Fordham, but had to go the junior college route.  Camara still needs to develop his offensive skills, but he should provide Hurricanes head coach Perry Clark with shot blocking/rebounding/defensive presence he needs to help round out this recruiting class, which is now ranked #11 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Remember, the Hurricanes already have verbal commitments from 6'9 Lenard Harden from Garden City (JC) KS, 6'6 Eliiah Clark from Winchendon (School) MA, and 6'2 Greg Brown from Indian Hills (JC) IA.  We also have confirmed that UT-Chattanooga has landed 6'9 Mindagas Katalynas from Eastern Utah (JC) UT, which means first-year Mocs head coach Jeff Lebo currently has the best recruiting class in the Southern Conference.  If you will recall, earlier this fall Chattanooga got a steal in 6'3 Casey Long from Fayetteville (71st) NC and they convinced 6'9 Matt Malone from Greenville (H.S.) TN to stay close to home.  

We also have confirmed that Connecticut did get 6'9 Josh Boone from Colora (West Nottingham Prep) MD and that LSU has gotten a verbal commitment from 6'8 Ross Neltner from Ft. Thomas (Highlands) KY.   And we think this an excellent fit, because Neltner, who is ranked #138 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and is the leading candidate for Mr. Basketbal in the state of Kentucky, will back up Shawnson Johnson and Jamie Lloreda when he's a freshman and be the heir apparent to one of their starting spots when he's a sophomore.  This moves LSU's recruiting class, which also includes 6'7 Regis Koundjia from Laurinburg (Institute) NC, 5'10 Taurean Minor from Houston (Washington) TX, and 6'7 Darrell Lazare from Baton Rouge (Woodlawn) LA, into a tie at #11, along with Miami-FL, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And, if the Tigers also get 6'8 Brandon Bass from Baton Rouge (Capital) LA, who is ranked #11 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, their recruiting class would move up to #2 behind Maryland and ahead of Oklahoma and Kansas.  Speaking of Kansas, Greg Swaim of GregSwaim.com is going out on a limb, as he tells us that he thinks Kansas is the team you have to beat for 7'0 Brian Butch from Appleton (West) WI, who is ranked #3 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  And, at least part of this stems from comments that Butch made on Swaim's radio show several weeks ago.  Butch obviously got Swaim's attention when he talked about how dominant the Jayhawks would be with 6'10 David Padgett from Reno (H.S.) NV and himself together on the front line.  Should this happen, Kansas, which currently has the #2-ranked recruiting class with Padgett, 6'5 J.R. Giddens from Oklahoma City (John Marshall) OK, 6'3 Omar Wilkes from Los Angeles (Loyola) CA, and 6'1 Jeremy Case from McAlester (H.S.) OK, would not only have the #1-ranked recruiting class, but they would have three locks for the McDonald's All-American Game in Butch, Padgett, and Giddens.  However, the word on the street is that Butch is leaning toward North Carolina and his mother is pushing Wisconsin, because she doesn't want him to go that far away from home.  Swaim also confirms that 6'7 Marcus Dove from Long Beach (Millikan) CA, who is ranked #191 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, as expected, as verbally committed to Oklahoma State and 6'10 Longar Longar from Rochester (John Marshall) MN, who is ranked #45 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, has picked Oklahoma.  Swaim also tells us that both players verbally committed while on their official visits last weekend, but neither verbal commitment was officically announced until yesterday.  Getting this incredible athlete with tremendous raw talent moves Oklahoma's recruiting class to #2 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  If you will recall, the Sooners already have landed 5'7 Andrew Lavender from Columbus (Brookhaven) OH, 6'2 Lawrence McKenzie from Minneapolis (Patrick Henry) MN, and 6'7 Brandon Foust from Columbus (Brookhaven) OH in this recruiting class.  It also helps perpetuate several other important trends.   First, Longar is the third player from the state of Minnesota that the Sooners have gotten in the last three years.  If you will, recall 6'8 Johnny Gilbert from Minneapolis (Patrick Henry) MN was recruited in the Class of 2000 and McKenzie verbally committed to the Sooners in June.  In other words, it's beginning to look like the Sooners recruit in the University of Minnesota's backyard better than the Golden Gophers do.  Second, Oklahoma hasn't landed a junior college player in either their current recruiting class or the previous recruiting class, which included 6'8 Kevin Bookout from Stroud (H.S.) OK, 6'5 DeAngelo Alexander from Midwest City (H.S.) OK, and 6'10 Larry Turner from North Bridgton (Bridgton Academy) ME.  This is in sharp contrast to the Class of 2000, which included Gilbert, 6'8 Aaron McGhee from Vincennes (JC) IN, 6'6 Daryan Selvy from Carl Albert (JC) OK, 6'6 James Wright from Winchendon (School) MA, 6'9 Ronnie Griffin from Tallahassee (JC) FL, 6'9 Jozsef Szendrel from Northeast Colorado (JC) CO, and 6'0 Blake Johnson from Midland (H.S.) TX, and the Class of 2001, which included 6'5 Ebi Ere from Barton County (JC) KS, 6'5 Jason Detrick from SMS/West Plains (JC) MO, 6'1 Quannas White from Midland (JC) TX, 6'10 Jabarhi Brown from Rose State (JC) OK, and 6'8 Matt Gipson from Burkburnett (H.S.) TX.  Obviously Oklahoma is now in a position to build on the fact that they have arrived as one of the teams in college basketball, instead of running around trying to fill an immediate need via the junior college route.   This also will probably get the USA Today off Oklahoma's back for not graduating any of its players.  Remember, junior college players don't count as part of the criteria for figuring graduation rates.  Also Bookout is a 4.0 student, but, if he gets through college in only three years, like Keith Gregor did at Cincinnati and Jason Williams did at Duke, he wouldn't count towards Oklahoma's graduate rate either.  In other words, their system is seriously flawed, but you won't read about that in the USA Today!

Wednesday, October 23, 2002

Our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin tells us that 6'11 Aaron Gray from Emmaus (H.S.) PA, who is ranked #209 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP has verbally committed to the University of Pittsburgh.  And, at least according to today's USA Today, so has 6'8 Dante Milligan from Pawling (Trinity-Pawling) NY, who ranked 28 on our 5th year list.  Neither is as good as Pittsburgh's other two recruits - 6'9 Walter Waters from Detroit (Southeastern) MI and 6'9 Chris Taft from Brooklyn (Xaverian) NY, but both have the potential to develop into contributors in the Big East Conference.  Gray lacks athleticism, mobility, and quickness, but he does have skills and, like they say, you can't teach size.  Milligan needs to get big stronger in order to play inside and develop better perimeter skills and become a better outside shooter to excel outside.  However, he does have a lot of natural talent, as well as big time athleticism.  These two additions move Pittsburgh's recruiting class up to #20 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, plus they will give Panthers head coach Ben Howland all the size he needs for years to come.  However, Howland still he needs an athletic wing guard who can shoot the lights out and a great point guard, like 5'10 Jr Sebastian Telfair from Brooklyn (Lincoln) NY, to reload in the backcourt.  Did you know that Taft and Telfair live in the same housing project in Brooklyn, NY and are extremely close friends?  We also have confirmed that 6'8 Sheray Thomas from Upper Marlboro (Riverdale Baptist) MD, who is ranked #129 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, has told the University of Kentucky coaching staff that he plans to become a Wildcat.  Thomas combines both athleticism and strength to be a physical presence inside.  However, our Washington, DC Editor Steve Turner tells us that Thomas has the perimeter skills, shooting range, and quickness and mobility to develop into a wing forward down the road.  Turner also thinks Thomas is good enough to be ranked among our top 100 nationally.  And apparently so does Bob Gibbons of All-Star Sports, who has Thomas ranked #97 nationally in the senior class.  Thomas' commitment moves Kentucky's recruiting class into a tie at #60, along with Clemson, Gonzaga, Wright State, Mississippi, Purdue, and Tennessee, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And, if the Wildcats also get 7'1 Shagari Alleyne from New York (Rice) NY, their recruiting class would move into a tie at #38, along with Colorado State and Providence, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  While this may not be enough to please many of the Wildcat fans who think the University of Kentucky's recruiting hasn't been as good as it's been in the past, it does provide the nucleus necessary for Smith to start replacing Keith Bogans, Jules Camara, and Marquis Estill in the senior class and Antwain Barbour, Erik Daniels, Gerald Fitch, and Cliff Hawkins in the junior class.  In other words, Kentucky is still only a great point guard and a quality big man away from remaining one of the premier teams in college basketball for years to come.  We also expect commitments today from 6'9 Josh Boone from Colora (West Nottingham Prep) MD to Connecticut, 6'10 Longar Longar from Rochester (H.S.) MN to Oklahoma, and 7'0 Yankuba Camara from Moberly (JC) MO to Miami-FL.  The Boone commitment comes as no surprise, especially after we saw somebody from the Connecticut coaching staff at all of his games at the National 17-Under AAU Tournament in Orlando, FL in late July.  And we have to give them (Jim Calhoun, Tom Moore, Clive Vaughn, and George Blaney) a lot of credit, because nobody in the business is better at recruiting a lot of players and being there at the right time, if something happens or a school lands somebody else who provides a domino effect upon a player the Huskies are recruiting.  In this case, North Carolina was the school that might have been tough to beat.   However, now that it looks like the Tar Heels are going to get 7'0 Brian Butch from Appleton (West) WI and, as a result, won't have a scholarship available for Boone, that opened the door for the Huskies to seal the deal.   Connecticut also needs to be added to the list of 18 teams that we mentioned on Sunday and Syracuse, which we mentioned on Monday, that are getting in it done in a major way on the recruiting trail.  However, the Huskies don't always get the notoriety they deserve, because they don't always make a living off McDonald's All-American's or high profile players.  Instead, they get guys like 6'9 Emeke Okafor from Houston (Bellaire) TX.  If you will recall, we ranked #153 nationally in our final rankings of the Class of 2001, but Okafor developed into one of the top freshman in college basketball last year.  The Huskies also landed the best pair of wing players - 6'5 Rashad Anderson from Lakewood (Kathleen) FL and 6'5 Denham Brown from Toronto (Westhill) ON in college basketball a year ago, plus 6'8 Marcus White from Chicago (Whitney Young) IL is just oozing with talent and 6'10 Hilton Armstrong from Peekskill (H.S.) NY has the athleticism and the ability to step in and make the same kind of impact that Okafor did a year ago.  In other words, Calhoun has more young players in the program than he knows what to do with, because Tony Robertson, Ben Gordon, and Scott Hazelton are also just sophomores, plus he'll have Taliek Brown a year from now to provide the leadership and experience at point guard, while 6'2 Marcus Williams from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA is being groomed for that position. 

Tuesday, October 22, 2002

Last week we told you that 6'8 Mike Pilgram from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH would be making an official visit to the University of Cincinnati over the weekend and now we're telling you that a verbal commitment by Pilgram to the Bearcats could be forthcoming just about any day now.  And this makes perfect since, because Pilgram originally is from Cincinnati (Purcell-Marian) OH and is the prototypical Bobby Huggins-type athlete/slasher/combo forward.  He's also dramatically improved since our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson ranked him #5 in his final rankings in the state for the Class of 2002, plus we understand that Pilgram has grown at least an inch since we saw him during the summer.  Boston College, Seton Hall, Virginia, and Memphis are also still on Pilgram's list, but, assuming that we are proven correct, Pilgram's commitment will move the Bearcats recruiting class up to #2 on our list of the  Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Remember, Cincinnati landed two of the top five junior college players in the nation earlier this fall in 6'10 Robert Whaley from Barton County (JC) KS and 6'4 Nick Williams from Chipola (JC) FL.  We also have confirmed that South Florida has landed 6'10 Konimba Diarra from Centereach (Our Savior New American) NY.  This a major steal, because Diarra, who currrently is ranked #177 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, has an incredible upside and is one of the fastest rising players in the nation.  As a matter of fact, nobody improved more from start to finish last summer than Diarra did.  We're also talking about a guy who has only been playing basketball four years, is extremely athletic, excellent on the boards, and good defensively.  In other words, Bulls head coach Seth Greenberg will have to develop Diarra's offensive skills, this gives him players at the two most important positions in this recruiting class.   If you will recall, earlier this fall South Florida also got a verbal commitment from 6'2 Ricardo Freeman from Seward County (JC) FL, who is one of the better point guards in the junior college ranks and, as a result, South Florida recruiting class moves into a tie at #47, along with Rutgers, Notre Dame, and Arkansas, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  However, one that got away from South Florida is 6'8 Renaldo Balkman from Bradenton (Pendleton School) FL, who is ranked #23 on our 5th year list, but who has tremendous natural talent and potential.  Instead, this athletic combo forward picked Soth Carolina and it happened today.  We also have confirmed that 6'8 Kyle Jeffers from Santa Rosa (Montgomery) CA has finally made it official for Oregon State and 6'5 Fred Washington from Torrrance (Bishop Montgomery) CA has verbally committed to Stanford.  Washington, who was the co-MVP, along with 6'2 Marcus Williams from at the Full-Court Press Summer Shootout, is ranked #93 nationally in the senior class by Bob Gibbons of All-Star Sports.   Our West Coast Editor Dinos Trigonis, who was the first person to report this to us, tells us that Washington also is a tremendous competitor, a good athlete, and the type of player who makes things happen.  Trigonis also thinks Washington should be great for The Cardinal's chemistry, because he understands his role and helps provide the glue that makes those around him better.  Holy Cross has landed 6'4 Keith Simmons from Kingston (H.S.) NY and, in case you've fotten, this was the second best player behind 6'8 Gordon Klaiber from Troy (Redemption) NY on the New York Elite team that won the Three Stripes Classic at Hofstra University in early July.  Simmons does need to improve his outside shooting, but we're talking about a terrific athlete/slasher with good ball handling and defensive skills.  Iona also appears to have stolen one in 6'7 Justin Marshall from Middle Village (Christ the King) NY.  If you will recall, Marshall helped the New York Ravens win the adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas, NV in July.   Marshall also is versatile enough to play both inside and outside, because he can block shots, rebound, and score out on the perimeter.  This means Iona is finished recruiting for this year and it give the Gaels two great back-to-back recruiting classes.   If you will recall, earlier this fall Iona also got a verbal commitment from 6'3 Tariq Atkins from Bronx (St. Raymond's) NY and a year ago they signed 6'5 Steve Smith from Coffeyville (JC) KS, 6'3 Ricardo Soliver from Bronx (All Hallows) NY, 6'0 Marvin McCullough from Bronx (All Hallows) NY,6'8 Kiril Wachsmann from Bronx (All Hallows) NY, and 6'1 Steve Burtt from New York (Rice) NY.  However, the icing on the cake is the fact that Iona also has 6'3 DeShaun Williams, who averaged 15.9 ppg a year ago at Syracuse, sitting out this year after transferring last spring.  We also are getting reports that 6'9 Josh Boone from Colora (West Nottingham Prep) MD and 6'8 Sheray Thomas from Upper Marlboro (Riverdale Baptist) MD are both expected to make verbal commitments within the next day or two.  Boone is expected to pick Connecticut and Thomas is expected to announce for Kentucky. 

Our New York City Editor Ron Naclerio provides us with a game-by-game recap beginning with the quarterfinals from the IS8 playoffs in Jamaica, NY last week.  New York Riverside Chuch beat Huntington, 74-51, in the first quarterfinals game, thanks primarily to the efforts of 6'5 Gary Forbes from Brooklyn (Banneker) NY, who was the leading scorer with 20 points.  Chipping in with 18 points for the losers was 6'0 Courtney Johnson from Brooklyn (Bishop Loughlin) NY.  The Long Islsand Panthers beat the loaded Tim Thomas Playaz, 95-81, in the second quarterfinals game.  The Panthers were led by 5'10 Daon Merritt from Bronn (St. Raymond's) NY with 29 points, 6'0 Cameron Tyler from Bayside (Cardozo) NY with 19 points, and 6'9 Charlie Villanueva from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ with 16 points and 12 rebounds.   The Tim Thomas Playaz were led by 6'11 Darryl Watkins from Paterson (Catholic) NJ, who finished with 20 points and blocked everything in sight, and 6'5 Marquis Webb from Paterson (Catholic) NJ, who finished with 19 points.  As a matter of fact, Naclerio, who previously had criticized Watkins for his lack of effort this fall at IS8, tells us that he's never seen Watkins play any better than in this losing effort to the Panthers.  Future Stars, which is Riverside Church's younger team, beat Mt. Vernon at the buzzer, 64-62, the third quarterfinals game.  The leading scorer with 16 points and the guy who tapped the ball in at the buzzer to win the game was 6'6 Jr Arturo Dubios from New York (Rice) NY.  He was complemented by 5'7 Kevin Johnson, who played at Bronx (St. Raymond's) NY a year ago, with 11 points, 6'3 Louis McCroskey from Bronx (St. Raymond's) NY with 10 points, 6'5 Allan Shepperd from Randolph (H.S.) NY with 10 points, and 6'9 Frosh Derrick Caracter from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ with four points.   Speaking of Caracter, did you know that he had a film crew from 60-Minutes following him around all weekend?   Remember, Caracter has been ranked as the #1 player in his class since he was in 7th grade and obviously this award winning investigative news show is once again looking into the problems associated with college basketball and the pressure that is associated with being a high profile student-athlete at an early age.  Mt. Vernon was led by 6'5 Frosh John Mitchell from Mt. Vernon (H.S.) NY, who already is being touted by Naclerio as the second best freshman in the New York City area, as well as a legitimate top five or 10 freshman in the nation.  "If he played for me at Cardozo, Mitchell would be my best player right now," says Naclerio.  "This lefty already has the complete back and he's still only 14-years-old."  Mitchell, who was named the Rookie-of-the-Year, which is the award given the top new player at IS8, finished with 21 points, while 6'7 Jr Dexter Gray from Mt. Vernon (H.S.) NY had 12 points, and 6'2 Jr Keith Benjamin from Mt. Vernon (H.S.) NY had nine points.  Bedford YMCA beat S.O.N.D.A.Y. Express, 88-80, in the final quarterfinals game.  Leading the winners were 6'5 Jerome Richardson, who is a 5th year player from Brooklyn (Grady) NY, with 24 points and 6'3 Benny Utley,   who is a 5th year player from Brooklyn (Boys & Girls) NY, with 19 points.   Leading the losers were 6'7 Sean Banks from Oradell (Bergen Catholic) NJ with 19 points, 6'2 Jr Sundiati Gaines from Briarwood (Archbishop Molloy) NY with 19 points, 5'11 Japhet McNeil from Middle Village (Christ the King) NY with 12 points and seven assists, and 6'3 Tarik Atkins from Bronx (St. Raymond's) NY with 11 points.  The Long Island Panthers beat New York Riverside Church, 94-81, in the first semi-finals game and, once again, the big hero for the Panthers was Merritt, who scored 27 points, hit 3-5 3-pointers, and had two assists.  Also scoring in double-digits for the Panthers were Tyler with 21 points, 6'7 Rashon Clark from Rockaway Park (Beach Channel) NY with 16 points, 6'7 Sammy Mejia from Cornwall on the Hudson (Storm King Prep) NY with 14 points, and 6'3 Ramel Bradley from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC with 12 points.  The leading scorers for Riverside were 5'11 Gary Ervin from Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA with 26 points, 6'2 Kelvin Nelson from Milford (Academy) NY with 17 points, and Forbes with 13 points.  However, Ervin, who hit only 10-32 field goals and 4-12 3-pointers, and Forbes, who hit oly 4-17 field goals, both shot miserably, thanks, at least in part, to the great defensive effort turned in by Clark.  Future Stars jumped out to a 15-0 lead against Bedford YMCA in the other semi-finals game and that proved to be the difference, as they coasted to a 97-85 victory.   Leading the Future Stars were Shepperd with 21 points, McCroskey with 20 points, and 6'10 John Kelly from Wayne (DePaul) NJ with 14 points and 14 rebounds.  Once again Richardson and Utley led Bedford YMCA, as they combined for 69 of their teams 85 points.  The Long Island Panthers made it look easy, as they were up 55-39 at half-time and coasted to a 86-68 victory in the championship game against the Future Stars.   Tyler was the leading scorer for the Panthers with 25 points, while Villanueva, Merritt, and Bradley chipped in with 21, 13, and 11 points apiece.   Johnson with 15 points, Shepperd with 13 points, and Caracter with 11 points ere the leading scorers for the Future Stars.  The MVP in the playoffs was Villanueva, despite the fact he missed the semi-finals game on Saturday, because he was taking an official visit to Indiana University.  Speaking of that visit, Naclerio tells us that he talked with Villanueva when he got back on Sunday and apparently Villanueva had such a great visit that he almost verbally committed to the Hoosiers on the sport. "He fell in love with the place," says Naclerio.  "But I still think in the end the distance factor is going to be tough to overcome."  Shepperd got the Sportsmanship Award, which usually is given to the best player on the losing team in the championship game, and Tyler got the Special Award, which is a 30-inch color television.   The Most Outstanding Player for the entire regular season and playoffs, which included 34 teams and spanned two months was Merritt.  Speaking of Merritt, this is the guy who also led the adidas ABCD Camp in assists, led his team to the championship at the adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas, NV, and was Most Outstanding Player at Five-Star's Honesdale II session.  In other words, based on merit and what he has accomplished during the summer and fall, an argument can be made that Merritt is ranked too low at #42 on our list of the top seniors nationally.   The First-Team All-Tournament Team included Villanueva, Forbes, Benjamin, Richardson, and 6'3 Antoine Aguidio from Huntington (Walt Whitman) NY.   The Second-Team All-Tournament Team included Clark, Sheppard, Utley, Banks, and 6'0 Marlon Smith from Briarwood (Archbishop Molloy) NY.  The Third-Team All-Tournament Team included Gaines, 6'5 Jr Earl Smith from Newark (St. Benedict's) NJ, 5'9 Soph Eugene Harvey from Brooklyn (Boys & Girls) NY, 6'3 Zarrett Rogers from Montville (H.S.) NJ, 6'2 Donnell Cummings from Queens (August Martin) NY.

Monday, October 21, 2002

Our North Carolina/South Carolina Editor Brian Clifton has confirmed that 6'6 Jr Cameron Stanley from Raleigh (Millbrook) NC has verbally committed to Wake Forest.  And this is huge, because it shows the Demon Deacons can compete with Duke, North Carolina, and N.C. State for the top players in their backyard, but they also can get them early.  Stanley currently is ranked #105 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, but this big time athlete has the talent and potential to be ranked a lot higher, especially if he develops more consistency on his jump shot.  Stanley's commitment also put Wake Forest head coach Skip Prosser into the enviable position of being able to focus almost exclusively on the Class of 2005.  If you will recall, the Demon Deacons already have eight freshmen and sophomores in the program in 6'9 Jamal Levy from Homestead (Berkshire) FL, 6'7 Vytas Danelius from Indianapolis (Park-Tudor) IN, 6'1 Taron Downey from Fork Union (Military) VA, 6'9 Eric Williams from Wake Forest (Rolesville) NC, 6'1 Justin Gray from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 6'5 Trent Strickland from East Flat Rock (East Henderson) NC, 6'8 Chris Ellis from Marietta (H.S.) GA, and 6'5 Richard Joyce from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA.  Add the current recruiting class, which is ranked #6 and includes 6'0 Chris Paul from Clemmons (West Forsyth) NC, 6'3 Jeremy Ingram from Kinston (H.S.) NC, 6'9 Todd Hendley from Sanford (Lee County) NC, and 6'11 Kyle Visser from Grand Rapids (Forest Hills Central) MI, and the Demon Deacons only had one scholarship left for the Class of 2004.  We also have confirmed that SMU has landed 6'4 Demetric Bennett from Albany (H.S.) GA and 6'7 Devon Pearson from Miami (Northwestern) FL.  Bennett, who is ranked #147 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, is an athletic 2-guard who should provide the perfect complement in the backcourt to the extremely talented and very athletic 6'0 Bryan Hopkins.  Pearson, who is ranked #194 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, is a strong athletic power forward, but he also has the potential to develop into a wing forward down the road.  Bennett and Peason join 6'9 Christopher Reay from Plano (West) TX, who is ranked #181 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, to give the Mustangs three players in this recruiting class who are ranked in the 101-200 range nationally by the HOOP SCOOP.  So it should come as no surprise that SMU's recruiting class is now tied with Butler at #50 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003. 

Our West Coast Editor Dinos Trigonis has confirmed that 6'6 Shawn Hawkins from Columbus State (JC) OH, who is the grandson of Connie Hawkins, has verbally committed to Long Beach State, and 5'10 Kevin Bell from Los Angeles (Fairfax) CA, who is ranked #200 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP has verbally committed to Louisiana-Lafayette.  As a matter of fact, Rajin' Cajuns head coach Jessie Evans did such a great job recruiting Bell that he found it almost impossible to say no.  Bell joins 6'9 Adam James from Lafayette (St. Thomas More) LA, who verbally committed to Louisiana-Lafayette last week, but that still isn't enough for the Rajin' Cajuns to be ranked among the top 65 recruiting classes on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  However, if you also included 6'4 Orien Greene, who transferred from Florida to Louisiana-Lafayette during the off-season and is sitting out this year, then we'd be talking about a top 30-ranked recruiting class.  If you will recall, Greene was ranked #33 in our final rankings of the Class of 2000 when he was a high school senior at Gainesville (H.S.) FL.  And Greene isn't the only big name player that Evans has stolen in the last year.  Remember, 6'11 Mike Southall arrived at Louisiana-Lafayette a year and was named the Freshman-of-the-Year in the Sun Belt Conference last season.  In other words, Evans now has the ideal guy in Bell to step, run the show, and make everybody better.  Our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin tells us that 6'7 Douglass McLaughlin-Williams from Reston (South Lakes) VA has verbally committed to Boston College and 5'11 Bashir Mason from Newark (St. Benedict's) NJ has picked Drexel over George Mason, Wyoming, and Virginia Commonwealth.  Mason, who is ranked #232 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, joins 6'7 Matt Stevenson from Towson (Catholic) MD, who is ranked #269 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, to give the Dragons two players ranked in the 201-300 range.  However, even more important is the fact that Mason has the quickness, athleticism, and ball handling and passing skills necessary to develop into one of the best players in the Colonial Athletic Association down the road.  Mason also is the second New York City player to commit to the Dragons since James "Bruiser" Flint became the head coach at Drexel a-year-and-a-half ago.  However, he probably won't be the last.  Remember, Drexel assistant coach Chuckie Martin has more than his share of contacts in New York City.  McLaughlin-Williams joins 6'2 Patrick Martin from Springfield (Cathedral) MA to also give Boston University two players in the fold.  We're talking about a 6'7 wing forward with excellent skills and good 3-point shooting range.  Actually McLaughlin-Williams does a little big of everything, including play inside, because he is the tallest player on his high school team.  McLaughlin-Williams picked the Terriers over Holy Cross and Davidson.   

Saturday, October 19, 2002, & Sunday, October 20, 2002

Syracuse has been the favorite for 6'8 Terrance Roberts from Jersey City (St. Anthony) NJ, who is ranked #35 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, for the last eight months.  However, when Maryland landed 6'8 Ekene Ibekwe from Carson (H.S.) CA a week ago, we knew it was only a matter of time before the Orangeman wrapped this one up.  And they did exactly that five days after Ibekwe made it official for the Terrapins.   Both players can play either inside or outside, but we actually like Roberts better because he's stronger on the boards and he does the blue collar work inside.  But Ibekwe, who is ranked #37 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, probably has more natural talent and potential.  The verbal commitment by Roberts moves Syracuse's recruiting class into a tie at #12, along with Michigan, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Roberts' commitment also makes us reconsider our decision to leave Syracuse off our list of the teams found below that are stockpiling talent in college basketball.  Remember, a year ago Syracuse landed a recruiting class, which featured 6'7 Carmelo Anthony from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 6'2 Gerry McNamara from Scranton (Bishop Hannan) PA, and 6'10 Matt Gorman from Watertown (H.S.) NY, that was ranked #22 in our Final Ranking of the Top Recruiting Classes for the Class of 2002 and two years ago they landed a recruited class, which featured 6'3 Billy Edelin from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 7'1 Craig Forth from East Greenbush (Columbia) NY, 6'8 Hakim Warrick from Wynnewood (Friends Central) PA, 6'6 Josh Pace from Griffin (H.S.) GA, and 6'10 Mark Konecny from Waterbury (Holy Cross) CT, that was ranked #21 in our Final Ranking of the Top Recruiting Classes for the Class of 2001.  We also have confirmed that DePaul has received a verbal commitment from 6'8 Lorenzo Thompson from Chicago (Crane) IL, who is ranked #163 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP.  Sure, Thompson needs to work harder and become more of a killer inside, but he has the athleticism, size, and skills to develop into an excellent power forward at the college level, if Blue Demons head coach Dave Leitao can push the right bottons.  Thompson joins 6'5 Sammy Mejia from Cornwall on the Hudson (Storm King Prep) NY and 6'2 Tyler Smith from Philadelphia (Lutheran) PA to move DePaul's recruiting class up to #28 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And, if the Blue Demons also get 6'8 Marcus Heard from Springfield (Southeast) IL, who is ranked #142 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, and 6'9 Wesley Green from Eustis (H.S.) FL who is ranked #201nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, then their recruiting class would move up to #17 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  We believe it's only a matter of time before Heard says yes to the Blue Demons.  DePaul also now appears to be the leader over Marquette, Indiana, DePaul, and South Florida for Green's services.

It's just like a good horse race!  We're talking about understanding what is going on with our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, which a month ago had Louisville ranked #1 and California ranked #2.  However, we are no longer counting 6'11 James Lang from Birmingham (Central Park Christian) AL with the Cardinals' recruiting class or 6'3 Wesley Washington from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA with the Golden Bears' recruiting class.  Actually Lang still says he's verbally committed to Louisville, but his mother says otherwise.  And she appears to be the one controlling the recruiting process, because Lang is still being recruited by Alabama, UAB, Georgetown, and Kentucky.  As a matter of fact, Lang recently took on unofficial visit to the University of Kentucky for their Midnight Madness.  In other words, you can' t be committed if schools are coming into your home and you are taking visits.  This means Louisville's recruiting class drops into a tie #4, along with Mississippi State, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  But the Louisville's recruiting class would move back into the #1 spot, if Lang signs with the Cardinals during the fall signing period, which begins on Wednesday, November 13th.   Washington, on the other hand, apparently was happy with his commitment to California.  However, when they told him they couldn't guarantee him a scholarship until he qualified academically, he opened things back up and, as a result, the Golden Bears' class has dropped to  #11 on out list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Instead, Maryland and Kansas now have the top two recruiting classes.  A month ago Maryland had a recruiting class, which included 6'4 Michael Jones from Braintree (Thayer Academy) MA and 6'11 Will Bowers from Severn (Archbishop Spalding) MA, that was tied at #22 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  However, with the recent additions of 6'8 Ekene Ibekwe from Carson (H.S.) CA, 6'11 Hassan Fofona from Worcester (Holy Name) MA, and 6'4 D.J. Strawberry from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA, it is easy to see how the Terrapins have jumped into the #1 spot.  In other words, the defending NCAA Champions have landed a top 20 player in Jones, two top 40 players in Ibekwe and Fofana, a top 150 player with a major upside in Bowers, and a great role player in Strawberry.  And this comes on the heels of last year's recruiting class, which was ranked #6 and included 6'8 Travis Garrison from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD, 6'4 Chris McCray from Capital Heights (Fairmont Heights) MD, 6'9 Jamar Smith from Allegany (JC) MD, 6'2 Johnny Gilchrist from Virginia Beach (Salem) VA, and 6'7 Nik Caner-Medley from Portland (Deering) ME.  Kansas' recruiting class, which previously included 6'5 J.R. Gidden from Oklahoma City (John Marshall) OK and 6'1 Jeremy Case from McAlsester (H.S.) OK, was tied at #17 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003 a month ago, but jumped up to #2 with the recent additions of 6'3 Omar Wilkes from Los Angeles (Loyola) CA and 6'10 David Padgett from Reno (H.S.) NV.  And the Jayhawks class would jump up to #1, if they also pull off the upset and get 7'0 Brian Butch from Appleton (West) WI.  However, don't expect that to happen, because Wisconsin and North Carolina appear to be way out in front.  Two other recruiting classes that have jumped into our top 10 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003 belong to Florida State and Arizona.  And in both cases, this may come as a surprise, because most people didn't think Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton would be able to get it done this fast and few people expected the Wildcats to pull of what appeared to be a major upset over Duke and Texas in the race for 6'10 Ndudi Ebi from Houston (Westbury Christian) TX.  However, Florida State, which is now ranked #3 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, has gotten commitments within the last month from 6'5 Vakeaton Wafer from Cleveland (Heritage Christian) TX, who is ranked #8 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP; 6'10 Diego Romero from Lon Morris (JC) TX, who is a top five junior college player according Street & Smith Pre-Season Yearbook; and 6'7 Antonio Griffin from Scottsdale (JC) AZ, who is a consensus top 30-ranked junior college player.  Joining Ebi in Arizona's #7-ranked recruiting class also are 6'3 Mustafa Shakur from Wynnewood (Friends Central) PA and 6'10 Kirk Walters from Grand Rapids (South Christian) MI, plus the Wildcats brought in three outstanding perimeter players a year ago in 6'3 Chris Rodgers from Portland (Wilson) OR, 6'4 Hassan Adams from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA, and 6'5 Andre Igoulala from Springfield (Lanphier) IL.  We've already mentioned Maryland, Kansas, Florida State, Louisville, and Arizona, but Mississippi State, Wake Forest, Michigan State, Memphis, and Oklahoma also have recruiting classes that are ranked among our top 10 nationally.  And that brings us to two very important trends.  First, the high profiles schools in the big-name conferences have a huge advantage, as is evident by the fact that 19 of the top 20 recruiting classes on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, are from the top seven conferences - Big-10 (4), Atlantic Coast (3), Big-12 (3), Conference USA (3), Southeastern (3) Pacific-10 (2), and the Big East (1) - and the 20th school on the list, which is Valparaiso, recruits like it's a high major school.  Second, Duke is going to have it's hands full if it wants to be the modern-day version of UCLA, because Maryland (2), Kansas (3), Arizona (3), Michigan State (3), and Oklahoma (1) have already collectively accounted for a dozen NCAA Final Four appearances in the last dozen years and there appears to be no end in sight.  Remember, Michigan State's recruiting class, which included 6'10 Paul Davis from Rochester (H.S.) MI, 6'7 Matt Trannon from Flint (Northern) MI, 6'4 Maurice Ager from Detroit (Crockett) MI, 6'10 Erazem Lorbeck from Slovenia, 6'2 Rashi Johnson from Mott (JC) MI, and 6'7 Delco Rowley from Indianapolis (Arlington) IN, a year ago was ranked #4 nationally in our Final Ranking of the Top Recruiting Classes from 2002 and the Spartans landed three terrific wing players two years ago in 6'4 Kelvin Torbert from Flint (Northwestern) MI, 6'6 Alan Anderson from Minneapolis (DeLaSalle) MN, and 6'2 Chris Hill from Indianapolis (Lawrence North) IN.  Add that to Michigan State's recruiting current class, which is ranked #8 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003 and includes 6'4 Shannon Brown from Maywood (Proviso East) IL, 6'0 Brandon Cotton from Detroit (St. Martin DePorres) MI, 6'10 Drew Naymick from North Muskegon (H.S.) MI, and the two players - 6'7 Marquis Gray from Flint (Beecher) MI and 5'9 Drew Neitzel from Wyoming Park (H.S.) MI - in the Class of 2004 who have already made early commitments to the Spartans and it's scary how good this team could be several years from now.  Obviously Trannon doesn't count, because his scholarship is in football and Johnson will be gone by the time the Class of 2004 arrives.  But that still only leaves the Spartans with one available scholarship for the Class of 2004.  Oklahoma had the #2-ranked recruiting class nationally by the HOOP SCOOP three years ago with 6'8 Aaron McGhee from Vincennes (JC) IN, 6'6 Daryan Selvy from Carl Albert (JC) OK, 6'8 Johnny Gilbert from Minneapolis (Patrick Henry) MN, 6'6 James Wright from Winchendon (School) MA, 6'9 Ronnie Griffin from Tallahassee (JC) FL, 6'9 Jozsef Szendrel from Northeast Colorado (JC) CO, and 6'0 Blake Johnson from Midland (H.S.) TX and the #6-ranked recruiting class nationally two years ago with 6'5 Ebi Ere from Barton County (JC) KS, 6'5 Jason Detrick from SMS/West Plains (JC) MO, 6'1 Quannas White from Midland (JC) TX, 6'10 Jabarhi Brown from Rose State (JC) OK, and 6'8 Matt Gipson from Burkburnett (H.S.) TX.  Obviously the talented group, which was made up primarily of junior college players played a major role in helping the Sooners advance to the NCAA Final Four last March, but it appears that Sooners head coach Kelvin Sampson has changed his focus, as he's exclusively landed high school players in his two most recent recruiting classes.  If you will recall, Oklahoma signed 6'8 Kevin Bookout from Stroud (H.S.) OK, 6'5 DeAngelo Alexander from Midwest City (H.S.) OK, and 6'10 Larry Turner from North Bridgton (Bridgton Academy) ME in last year's recruiting class and in their current class, which is ranked #10 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, they have 5'7 Andrew Lavender from Columbus (Brookhaven) OH, 6'2, Lawrence McKenzie from Minneapolis (Patrick Henry) MN, and 6'7 Brandon Foust from Columbus (Brookhaven) OH.  Memphis hasn't put all the pieces together yet, because Dajuan Wagner went hardship after his freshman year and 6'8 Qyntel Woods from Northeast Mississippi (JC) MS, and 6'9 Amare Stoudemire from Orlando (Edgewater) FL both by-passed college and went straight to the NBA.  However, the Tigers already have the #8-ranked class on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003 with 6'10 Kendrick Perkins from Beaumont (Ozen) TX, 6'7 Sean Banks from Oradell (Bergan Catholic) NJ, and 6'4 Alex Carmona from Winchendon (School) MA and their class could move up to #1, if they get 6'5 Olu Famutimi from Flint (Northwestern) MI, who is ranked #7 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  Remember, Famutimi's top three schools are Memphis, Missouri, and Arkansas.  And Mississippi State also suffered a major setback when Jonathan Bender, who signed with Bulldogs, by-passed college and went straight to the NBA several years ago.  However, last March head coach Rick Stansbury guided his team to the Southeastern Conference Tournament Championship; he has all of his key players back, including Mario Austin, who is as good as anybody in the league this year; and he's already reloaded for the future by getting 6'10 Travis Outlaw from Starkville (H.S.) MS, 6'10 Jackie Butler from McComb (H.S.) MS, and 5'11 Gary Ervin from Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA.  Just like Florida State, Wake Forest isn't there yet, but the Demon Deacons are on the verge of becoming a powerhouse in a hurry.  If you will recall, when Prosser first got the job two years ago, he inherited a recruiting class, which included 6'9 Jamal Levy from Homestead (Berkshire) FL, 6'7 Vytas Danelius from Indianapolis (Park-Tudor) IN, and 6'1 Taron Downey from Fork Union (Military) VA and a year ago he landed 6'9 Eric Williams from Wake Forest (Rolesville) NC, 6'1 Justin Gray from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 6'5 Trent Strickland from East Flat Rock (East Henderson) NC, 6'8 Chris Ellis from Marietta (H.S.) GA, and 6'5 Richard Joyce from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA.  Add those eight players to Wake Forest's current recruiting class, which is ranked #6 and includes 6'0 Chris Paul from Clemmons (West Forsyth) NC, 6'3 Jeremy Ingram from Kinston (H.S.) NC, 6'9 Todd Hendley from Sanford (Lee County) NC, and 6'11 Kyle Visser from Grand Rapids (Forest Hills Central) MI, and the Demon Deacons only have one scholarship left for the Class of 2004.  Duke's recruiting class, which right now includes only one player - 6'8 Kris Humphries from Minnetonka (Hopkins) MN - is ranked #41 nationally on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  However, we still think the Blue Devils are the team you have to beat for 6'8 Luol Deng from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ and, if that happens, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski will have brought in two top five seniors right on the heels of landing a year ago the #1-ranked recruiting class, which included 6'10 Shelden Williams from Midwest City (H.S.) OK, 6'4 J.J. Redick from Roanoke (Cave Spring) VA, 6'10 Shavlik Randolph from Raleigh (Broughton) NC, 6'2 Sean Dockery from Chicago (Julian) IL, 6'10 Michael Thompson from New Lenox (Providence) IL, and 6'7 Lee Melchionni from Ft. Washington (Germantown Academy) PA.  North Carolina also appears to be on the verge of great things, as the Tar Heels already have three sophomores - Jawad Williams, Melvin Scott, and Jackie Manuel - and six freshmen - 6'1 Raymond Felton from Latta (H.S.) CA, 6'4 Rashad McCants from New Hampton (Prep) NH, 6'8 Sean May from Bloomington (North) IN, 6'9 Bryon Sanders from New Hampton (Prep) NJ, 7'1 Damien Grant from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH, and 6'5 David Noel from Durham (Southern Durham) NC - in the program.  That's nine scholarships already taken, plus the early verbal commitment by 6'2 Jr JamesOn Curry from Mebane (Eastern Alamance) NC last spring makes 10 and the verbal commitment by 6'8 Reyshawn Terry from Winston-Salem (R.J. Reynolds) NC in early August makes 11.  If Butch picks North Carolina, which may happen within the next week or two, and 6'8 Jr Brian Johnson from Arlington (Bishop O'Connell) VA, who already appears to be a near lock for the Tar Heels, opts for the Tar Heels, then North Carolina head coach Matt Doherty won't have another scholarship available until the Class of 2005, unless somebody transfers.  Louisville also is reloading in a hurry.  If you will recall, a year ago the Cardinals had the #13 recruiting class, which included 6'10 Kendall Dartez from Vincennes (JC) IN, 6'7 Francisco Garcia from Winchendon (School) MA, 6'2 Taquan Dean from Neptune (H.S.) NJ, and 6'3 Prileu Davis from Phoenix (JC) AZ, and, if they get Lang, their current recruiting class, which includes 6'7 Nate Daniels from Broward County (JC) FL, 6'10 Nauha Diakite from Barton County (JC) KS, and 6'4 Brandon Jenkins from Detroit (Southeastern) MI, would move back up to #1.  Cincinnati's recruiting class is ranked no higher than #16 nationally on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, but their two recruits - 6'10 Robert Whaley from Barton County (JC) KS and 6'4 Nick Williams from Chipola (JC) FL - are both consensus top five-ranked junior college players.  Add these two players a year from now to Jason Maxiell, Tony Bobbitt, Eric Hicks, Field Williams, and Chadd Moore, and whoever else the Bearcats land in this recruiting class and Cincinnati head coach Bobby Huggins could have one of his best teams ever.  And of course, there is Florida, which had the #2-ranked recruiting class a year ago with 6'8 Christian Drejer from Denmark, 6'2 Anthony Roberson from Saginaw (H.S.) MI, 6'5 Matt Walsh from Ft. Washington (Germantown Academy) PA, 6'7 Mario Boggan from Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA, and 6'4 Rashid Al-Kaleen fom Charlestown (H.S.) MA and currently has the #14-ranked class on our list of Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003 with 6'8 Chris Richard from Lakeland (Kathleen) FL, 6'3 Ryan Appleby from Stanwood (H.S.) WA, 6'2 Lee Humphrey from Maryville (H.S.) TN, and 5'11 Mike O'Donnell from Largo (H.S.) FL.  Also on the verge of putting together two outstanding recruiting classes are Villanova and Illinois.  If you will recall, Wildcats head coach Jay Wright hit the jackpot a year ago when he landed 6'8 Jason Fraser from Amityville (H.S.) NY, 6'1 Allan Ray from Bronx (St. Raymond's) NY, 6'6 Curtis Sumpter from Brooklyn (Bishop Loughlin) NY, and 6'3 Randy Foye from Newark (East Side) NY.  And this year they already have 6'1 Michael Nardi from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ and 6'8 Will Sheridan from Hockessin (Samford) DE in the fold.  Nardi and Sheridan are enough to get the Wildcats recruiting class ranked #29 nationally on our list of Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, but if they also get 6'9 Charlie Villanueva from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ, their recruiting class would move into a tie at #8, along with Michigan State and Memphis on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Illinois' recruiting class currently is ranked #17 nationally  on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003 and includes 6'3 Richard McBride from Springfield (Lanphier) IL, 6'7 Brian Randle from Peoria (Notre Dame) IL, and 6'8 Warren Carter from Dallas (Lake Highlands) TX.  Add that to last year's Fighting Illini class that was ranked #8 nationally and included 5'11 Dee Brown from Maywood (Proviso East) IL, 6'2 Deron Williams from The Colony (H.S.) TX, 6'9 Aaron Spears from Chicago (Dunbar) IL, 6'10 James Augustine from New Lenox (Lincoln Way) IL, and 6'8 Kyle Wilson from Dallas (Jesuit) TX.  Missouri hasn't put together two back-to-back great recruiting classes, but Tigers head coach Quin Snyder has recruited like crazy ever since getting the job four years ago.   Remember, Missouri's junior class, which includes Arthur Johnson, Rickey Paulding, Travon Bryant, and Ricky Clemons is outstanding.  And so could Missouri's current recruiting class, which is ranked #13 nationally on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003 and includes 6'5 Thomas Gardner from Portland (Jefferson) OR, 6'9 Ousmane Komate from the Senegal, and 6'1 Spencer Laurie from Springfield (Kickapoo) MO, if the Tigers get Famutimi, Deng, or 6'8 Linas Kleiza from Rockville (Montrose Christian) MD, all of whom have Missouri high on their list.  In other words, it's not enough to have one great recruiting classes.  To become one of the powerhouse teams in college basketball, you now need to have two outstanding recruiting classes and you need to be in one of the premier conferences in college basketball, just like the 18 teams mentioned above.  And just like a good horse-race, it will be extremely interesting to see not only who comes out on top, but to see if anybody can truly dominate the sport. 

Friday, October 18, 2002

Earlier this week we reported that 6'8 Kyle Jeffers from Santa Rosa (Montgomery) CA had verbally committed to the Oregon State, but it appears that we've reported this prematurely.  We think will happen this weekend, but it hasn't happened yet and, as a result, we are taking Jeffers off our list of recent verbal commitments.  And Jeffers isn't the only player whose verbal commitment appears to have been reported prematurely earlier this week.  The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that 6'3 Wesley Washington from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA, who is ranked #41 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, had verbally committed to Minnesota and several web sites on the West Coast reported that 6'9 Harrison Schaen from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA had committed to Princeton.  In Schaen's case, once again, we think it is going to happen, but our West Coast Editor Dinos Trigonis tell us that Schan is not going to do anything until he finds out where he stands in terms of qualifying for admission to both Princeton and Pennsylvania.   And that won't happen for at least a couple of more weeks.  On Thursday, October 10th, we quoted Trigonis saying that the reports by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune saying that Washington had verbally committed to the University of Minnesota were bogus.  However, now that same newspaper is quoting Washington's high school coach, Gary McKnight, saying that he's verbally committed to the Golden Gophers.  Normally that would be enough for me, but other people are telling us that Washington's mother doesn't know anything about her son's verbal commitment to Minnesota.  And she's the one who has to co-sign the National Letter-of-Intent.  She also indicates that her son is still wide open, which is probably a smart move, because the value of Washington's stock should increase dramatically if he decides to wait until spring to make a decision.  If you will recall, Washington didn't want to renege on the University of California, which is the school he originally committed to last spring, but he's gotten a lot of pressure to open his recruitment back up.  And while that's probably the smart move, is there any reason for him to rush into anything right away?  Remember, he's making one of the most important decisions of his life.  We also have confirmed 6'2 Kyle Shiloh from Bakersfield (Garces) CA has verbally committed to Nevada, 6'5 Anthony Teague from Cleveland (Shaker Heights) OH has verbally committed to Radford, and 6'2 Montrell Crittendon from Newbern (Dyer County) TN has verbally committed to Middle Tennessee State.  The commitment by Crittendon is especially significant.  Not only is he ranked #4 in the state of Tennessee by the HOOP SCOOP, but our Eastern Tennessee Correspondent Andre Whitehead tells us that Crittendon is an excellent 3-point shooter with good athleticism and great lift on his jump shot.  Apparently Crittendon didn't play well this summer, but that hasn't stopped the University of Memphis from showing interest.   Crittendon's verbal commitment moves Middle Tennessee State's recruiting class, which also includes 6'8 Kenyatta Swader from Smyrna (H.S.) TN, 5'11 Bryan Smithson from Kennesaw (North Cobb) GA, and 6'4 Ben Britt from Chattanooga (Red Bank) TN, into a tie at #39 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.

Thursday, October 17, 2002

When you combine the junior and senior classes in North Carolina/South Carolina, it is easy to see why we think this area is quickly becoming one of the best basketball areas per capita in the United States.  There isn't anybody as good as North Carolina's Raymond Felton in these two-states this year, but 6'0 Chris Paul from Clemmons (West Forsyth) NC, 6'7 Reyshawn Terry from Winston-Salem (R.J. Reynolds) NC, 6'7 Regis Koundjia from Laurinburg (Institute) NC, 6'6 Jr Roy Bright from Durham (Northern Durham) NC, 6'2 Jr JamesOn Curry from Mebane (East Alamance) NC, 6'9 Jr Ra'Sean Dickey from Bennettsville (Marlboro County) SC, 6'10 Mohammed Tangara from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC, and 6'9 Jr Cedric Simmons from Wilmington (West Brunswick) NC will all be legitimate McDonald's All-American candidates during the next year-and-a-half, plus 6'2 Jeremy Ingram from Kinston (H.S.) NC, 6'9 Brandon Wallace from Aiken (Silver Bluff) SC, 6'6 Anthony Tucker from Raleigh (Enloe) NC, 6'7 Bobby Perry from Raleigh (Hillside) NC, 6'3 Ramel Bradley from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC, 6'9 Todd Hendley from Sanford (Lee County) NC, 6'1 Larry Blair from Camden (Camden Military) SC, 6'8 Keith Foster from Winston-Salem (R.J. Reynolds) NC, 6'8 Anthony King from Durham (Southern Durham) NC, 6'8 Jr James Mayes from Garner (H.S.) NC, 6'8 Jr Robbie Simpson from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC, 5'11 Jr Josh King from Thomasville (Trinity) NC, 6'2 Jr Zam Frederick from St. Matthews (Calhoun County) SC, 6'6 Jr Cameron Stanley from Raleigh (Millbrook) NC, 6'2 Jr Ramon Sessions from Myrtle Beach (H.S.) SC, 6'7 Jr Jacob Briles from Thomasville (Westchester) NC, 6'10 Jr Damien Harris from Greenville (Wade Hampton) SC, 6'6 Jr Glen Dandridge from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC, 6'5 Sam Perry from Travelers Rest (H.S.) SC, 6'7 Tyrone Craig from Greensivlle (Carolina) SC, and 6'9 Keith Darden from Greensboro (Western Guilford) NC should all get recruited at the big time level.  Obviously these two states are experiencing an up cycle, but strong AAU ball in the North Carolina and the fact that schools like Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC and Laurinburg (Institute) NC are attracting some of the top players nationally also has really increased the level of talent the last several years.  As a matter of fact, Mt. Zion Christian features four seniors - Bradley, 6'4 Dana Burns, 6'4 Joshua Washington, and 6'10 Justin Green; three juniors - Tangara, Simpson, Dandridge; two sophomores - 6'4 Soph Ashford Graves and 6'5 Soph Albert Webber; who make Brian Clifton's list of the top 72 seniors, top 75 juniors, top 24 sophomores, top 12 freshmen, top 14 8th graders, and three 7th graders in the North Carolina/South Carolina.   Speaking of Clifton, he's our new North Carolina/South Carolina and we think he's done a great job compiling this list.  His report, which includes six All North Carolina/South Carolina teams regardless of class and position and his comments about each class, can be found by clicking on North Carolina/South Carolina Report and his rankings can be found by clicking on Clifton Ranks 'Em:  The Top High School Players in the North Carolina/South Carolina. 

Wednesday, October 16, 2002

We told you yesterday that 6'10 Chris Adams from San Francisco (JC) CA would very commitment to UNLV within the next 24 hours.  Well, Adams did exactly that this morning and, as a result, the Runnin' Rebels recruiting class, which also includes 6'2 Michael Umeh from Sugar Land (Hightower) TX and 6'3 John Winston from Richmond (Salesian) CA, moves up to #24 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Obviously this is a major commitment, because Adams is a consensus top 10 junior college player in the nation, but it also marks what appears to be a trend, whereby, UNLV suddenly appears to be very strong in the Bay Area.  Remember, Winston also is from the San Francisco area and it appears that most of the credit should go to UNLV assistant coach Deane Martin, who has developed more than his share of contacts in Northern California since rejoining Charlie Spoonhour when he took the head coaching job at UNLV a year-and-a-half ago.  Our New York Editor Ron Naclerio has the scoop on four other commitments from junior college players, as 6'8 Jeff Blackett form Salt Lake City (JC) UT has verbally committed to Hawaii, 7'1 Justin Garcia from San Bernardino Valley (JC) CA has verbally committed to Washington State, 6'6 Anton Lyons from Santa Rosa (JC) CA has verbally committed to Idaho, and 6'9 Thomas Diezi from Fullerton (JC) CA has verbally committed to Fullerton (JC) CA.  The commitment by Garcia is especially significant, not just because he's 7'1, but also because he is ranked as the 9th best center in the junior college ranks by Rick Ball in the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook.  This also is important, because it means Washington State could have one of the better front-lines in the league a year from now.  If you will recall, the Cougars landed junior college big men a year ago in 6'11 Justin Kordsmeier from North Arkansas (JC) AR, 6'8 Justin Bellegrade from Mendocino (JC) CA, and 6'8 Ezenwa Ukeagu from Palm Beach (JC) FL and all three figure to contribute right away this year.  We also have confirmed that Drake has gotten a verbal commitment from  6'8 Nick Grant from Fairfax (Paul VI) VA and we know that's a steal.  We're talking about a slasher/athlete who finishes extremely well around the basket and who just keeps getting better and better.  Our West Coast Editor Dinos Trigonis informs us that Fresno State has landed 6'10 Rodney Timmerman from Paso Robles (H.S.) CA and Oregon State has gotten 6'8 Kyle Jeffers form Santa Rosa (Montgomery) CA and 7'1 Liam Hughes from Modesto (Christian) CA.  Earlier this fall Oregon State also got 6'8 Jeff Williams from Milwaukie (La Salle) OR and, as a result, the Beavers recruiting class moves into a tie at #48, along with Butler, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Although none of these guys are that highly touted nationally, they are all good enough be ranked in the 100-300 range nationally and, as a result, it appears that first-year Oregon State head coach Jay John is building a strong foundation the same way he did when we was an assistant coach at Butler in the early 90's.  And the Beavers aren't done yet, as they appear to be one of the favorites for 6'8 Alex Weeks from Lilburn (Berkmar) GA, who is ranked #54 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  A verbal commitment by Weeks would not only move Oregon State's recruting class up to #23 on our list Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, but would give Oregon State one of the best young one-two punches in the league.  Remember, the Beavers also got 6'4 Lamar Hurd from Cleveland (Heritage Christian) TX last spring. 

We have confirmed that Arizona has landed 6'10 Kirk Walters from Grand Rapids (South Christian) MI and this comes as a major surprise for several reasons.   First, we thought Arizona would wait to see what happens with 7'0 Brian Butch from Appleton (West) WI, who is ranked #3 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  Remember, it was a three-horse race among Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Arizona.  However, now it's only a two-horse race, because the Wildcats are out of scholarships.  Second, when I saw Walters at the adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas, NV on the Michigan Mustangs, I thought he was no better than the 3rd best player on his team behind 511 Brandon Bell from Flint (Southwestern) MI and 6'4 David Hoskins from Plymouth (Salem) MI.   As a matter of fact, Bell was named to the 65-man all tournament team and Hoskins was also considered for the all-tournament team, but Walters was never mentioned.  But our Michigan Editor Steve Bell suddenly is telling us that Walters is the fastest rising player in the state of Michigan.  He also tells us that Walters didn't even start for his high school team at the beginning of last year, but now should be ranked as a borderline top 100 senior nationally.  He also thinks Walters is the most athletic man in the state and is extremely impressed with his mobility and agility.   But to call "Walters a poor man's Brian Butch" is going a little too far, because Walters only has decent post moves and doesn't have Butch's perimeter skills.  In other words, we're talking about a guy with a vast upside and a lot of potential.  However, it's our philosophy to let a guy like this earn it, especially when he picked the Wildcats over Western Michigan and Central Michigan, and, as a result, we'll list Walters in the 100-200 range nationally next time we update our national rankings.  This moves Arizona's recruiting class, which also includes 6'10 Ndudi Ebi from Houston (Westbury Christian) TX and 6'3 Mustafa Shakur from Wynnewood (Friends Central) PA,  up to #7 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  We also have confirmed that James Madison has added it's 5th and final recruit in 6'2 Ray Barbosa from Allentown (Allen) PA, who is ranked #11 in the Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey area by Allen Rubin.  Not only does the addition of Barbosa give the Dukes the 2-guard they were looking for, but he also moves Dukes recruiting class up to #26 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  If you will recall, James Madison already has 6'7 Chris Cathlin from New Market (Shenandoah Valley) VA, 6'10 Ryan Brmley from Northfield (Northfield-Mt. Herman) MA, 6'8 Gordon Johnson from Middleburg (Notre Dame) VA, and 6'9 Eddie Green from Winston-Salem (R.J. Reynolds) NC in the fold.  Rubin also tells us that Yale has landed 6'5 Casey Hughes from Hamden (Hamden Hall) CT and our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson reports that Louisiana-Lafayette has gotten 6'8 Adam James from Lafayette (St. Thomas More) LA, which comes as no surprise, because Rajin' Cajuns head coach Jessie Evans is extremely tough to beat in his own backyard.  Johnson also tells us that 6'0 Troy Aaron from Lake Charles (St. Louis) MO, who is ranked #240 in the senior class nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, has picked Tulane over DePaul, Houston, McNeese State, and Louisiana Tech.  This gives the Green Wave three guards in this recruiting class.  If you will recall, last week Tulane landed 6'3 Vincent Camper from Oxford (H.S) MS and earlier this fall they got 6'4 Chris Moore from Pittsfield (Maine Central Institute) ME.  Add 6'7 Dan Fitzgerald from St. Paul (St. Thomas Academy) MN, who is a terrific 3-point shooter, and all Tulane's recruiting class, which currently is ranked #35 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, needs now is a quality inside player.  The Green Wave coaching staff is hoping that player will be 6'8 Warren Scott from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA.  Scott appears to be down to two schools (Tulane and Mississippi) now that Houston is out of scholarships after getting a commitment from 6'11 Elijah Miller from Cleveland (Heritage Christian) TX yesterday.  And you have to like the Green Wave's chances considering the fact Scott played at New Orleans (Abramson) LA prior to transferring to Oak Hill Academy this fall.  Our Mississippi Editor Lavel Johnson tells us that Tulane also was in the hunt for 6'7 Kenny Hooks from Hurley (East Central) MS, but he thinks the offer has been taken off the table.  And that makes total sense when you find out that the Green Wave has landed Aaron.  Johnson also has an early list, which includes Mississippi, LSU, Connecticut, Texas, Alabama, and Southern Mississippi, for 6'10 Jr Christian Marshall from Jackson (Wingfield) MS.   We also understand that Wichita State has landed 6'5 J.R. Pinnock from Virginia Beach (Coastal Christian) VA, who is ranked #41on our list of the top 5th year players.  If you will recall, Pinnock, who is best described as a slasher/athlete with a huge upside, was one of Howard Garfinkel's favorite players at Five-Star's Pitt III session. 

Tuesday, October 15, 2002

It's not done yet, but we look for 6'10 Chris Adams from San Francisco (JC) KS to verbally commit to UNLV within the next 24 hours.  Adams was named to Street & Smith's second team Junior College All-American Team, was ranked as the #1 power forward in the junior college ranks by Rick Ball in the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook, and was ranked as the #4 center in the junior college ranks by Lindy's Pre-Season Basketball Magazine.  In other words, we're talking about one the consensus top 10 junior college players in the nation, as well as the great player the Runnin' Rebels will build the program around for the next two years.  Currently UNLV's recruiting class, which includes 6'2 Michael Umeh from Sugar Land (Hightower) TX and 6'3 John Winston from Richmond (Salesian) CA, is not included on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, but, with the addition of Adams, it will skyrocket up to #22.  And the addition of Adams will also ensure that the Runnin' Rebels have more than enough fire power a year from now with Adams, 6'8 Jamie Peters from Butler County (JC) KS, and 6'8 J.K. Edwards from Indian Hills (JC) IA all battling for playing time inside.  Remember, Edwards and Peters, who were ranked as the two of the top junior college big men in the nation a year ago.  Adams can step out and beat you with his 3-point shooting and he can score on the block, which means he's versatile enough to play center and both forward positions.  We also believe that UNLV is the darkhouse in the sweepstakes for 6'8 Trevor Ariza from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA, who is ranked #15 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  Right now UCLA and Florida are beating each other up in the recruiting process, so it wouldn't surprise us if UNLV, which continues to hang in there, emerged as the compromise choice.  Also, Las Vegas, NV is within driving distance of Los Angeles, CA, which means Ariza's family would still be able to see him play.  We also expect 6'9 Harrison Schaen from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA, who is ranked #51 in the class nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, to pick Princeton over Pennsylvania and Yale by the end of the month.  However, according to our West Coast Editor Dinos Trigonis, the reports about Schaen already having made a decision are premature.  Trigonis also confirms that 6'8 Ekene Ibekwe from Carson (H.S.) CA did indeed announce for the University of Maryland yesterday and, as a result, the Terrapins recruitiing class is now ranked #1 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  That's because we no longer feel like we can count 6'11 James Lang from Birmingham (Central Park Christian) AL with Louisville's recruiting class until he signs with the Cardinals in November or he puts an end to his recruitment by other schools recruiting.  If you will recall, Lang has maintained ever since making a commitment to Louisville in August that he plans to become a Cardinal.  However, Lang's mother has said otherwise and it is obvious she is in control of the recruiting process.  Not only have schools, like Alabama, Kentucky, UAB, and Georgetown continued their recruitment of Lang, but last Friday night Lang was in Lexington, KY for the Wildcats Midnight Madness.  In other words, you can't be verbally committed to one school and have in-home visits and be taking unofficial visits to other schools.  This means that Louisville's recruiting class, which also includes 6'7 Nate Daniels from Broward County (JC) FL, 6'10 Nauha Diakite from Barton County (JC) KS, and 6'4 Brandon Jenkins from Detroit (Southeastern) MI, drops from #1 into a tie for #4, along with Mississippi State, at least until Lang's mother can make up her mind.  We also understand that in addition to Lang, the University of Kentucky also is making a strong push for 6'11 Darryl Watkins from Paterson (Catholic) NJ, who is ranked #63 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, and 6'8 Brandon Bass from who is ranked #11 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  Watkins, who also is considering Rutgers, Villanova, and Pittsburgh, is expected to visit Kentucky next month.   Bass, who is believed to be a near lock for LSU, also has visits scheduled for Miam-FL, Connecticut, and USC.  Bass remaining visit is expected to be to Kentucky, Cincinnati, DePaul, or Mississippi State. 

We also have confirmed that 6'11 Elijah Miller from Cleveland (Heritage Christian) TX has finally made it official for the University of Houston.  If you will recall, Miller was supposed to have given the Cougars a verbal commitment several weeks ago, but got cold feet and put his decision temporarily on hold.   This moves Houston's recruiting class, which also includes 6'7 Andrew Francis from Alief (Alief-Elsik) TX, 6'8 Darius Brannon from Lee (JC) TX, 6'4 Parker Pinkalla from Houston (Strake Jesuit) TX, and 6'3 Lanny Smith from Missouri City (Hightower) TX, up to #21 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, plus it allows the Cougars to focus exclusively on juniors.  And you can bet that 6'3 Daniel Gibson from Houston (Jones) TX, who is ranked #14 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP, to be right at the top of their list.  If you will recall, Houston also was right there at the end with 6'10 Ndudi Ebi from Houston (Westbury Christian) TX, who is one of Gibson's best friends, and, as a result, they may hit the jackpot next time.  We also have finally heard from our Georgia Editor Linzy Davis, who apparently was out of town the last four days, and he confirms that Rashaad Carruth, who was dismissed from the Oklahoma basketball team late last week, is back in Georgia and he's got three or four junior colleges in mind.  However, it is still unclear whether Carruth will sit out the rest of this year and remain in junior college for another year or whether he will attempt to either sit or play this year, graduate, and transfer to another four-year school next year.  Remember, the clock is running (Carruth has five years to play four), but academically he may be too far behind to catch up in just one year.  And assuming that this is the case, he would only have to years to play upon graduating from junior college after the 2003-2004 season.  We also have confirmed via Future Stars, which is the Iowa-based scouting service and recruiting publication run by Van Coleman, that the University of Iowa now has four players in their recruiting class.  If you will recall, last week the Hawkeyes got a commitment from 6'8 Nick DeWitz from Mesa (JC) AZ, who is ranked as the #2 wing forward in the junior college ranks by Rick Ball in the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook, and last spring they landed 6'6 Ben Rand from Rochelle (H.S.) IL.  The other two additions are 6'2 Mike Henderson from Waterloo (East) IA and 6'10 Erek Hansen from Kirkwood (JC) IA.  If you will recall, Henderson orginally verbally committed to Iowa State, but reneged on the Cyclones last spring.  Hanson signed with the Hawkeyes two years in the same recruiting class that also included Pierre Pierce, Marcellus Sommerville, and Chauncey Leslie.  And that recruiting class isn't looking to good right now right now, because Sommerville recently transferred and Pierce is suspended from the team.  And Sommerville isn't the only player who has left the Iowa program this fall.  Apparently 6'7 Josh Rhodes from Santa Cruz (H.S.) CA has also transferred.  However, the Hawkeyes current recruiting class, which moves up to #17 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, does look pretty good, because Iowa head coach Steve Alford has landed a star he can build his program around in DeWitz and three excellent role players in Rand, Hansen, and Henderson.  

I have a major apology to make to Bobby Jacobs, who is the Executive Director of Slam Dunk to the Beach, regarding our comments about the press release he sent out sometime in September regarding his new prep school tournament - the War on the Shore, which will be held from Friday, November 22nd, to Sunday, November 24th, at Milford High School in Milford, DE.  If you will recall, on Tuesday, October 1, 2002, I not only provided you with a preview of Jacobs' tournament, but I blasted Jacobs for nothing short of plagiarizing our 5th Year Player Rankings.  While it is true that no credit was given to the HOOP SCOOP on the pages in question, it is unfortunate that I didn't do my homework a little further.   If I had, I would have seen that the press release also included the reproduction of a number of articles, including a page that not only had our rankings of the top 5th year players from Basketball Times, but also my picture and an ad for the HOOP SCOOP at the bottom of the page.  It also is unfortunate that our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey editor Allen Rubin didn't make me aware of this fact until last night.  Apparently Rubin saw our rankings in Jacobs' press release a week ago, but didn't mention it, because he doesn't understand that there is a big difference between getting something factually wrong and plagiarism.  As a matter of fact, I pointed out that we're the only publication, scouting service, and/or website that I know of that ranks 5th Year players separately and, as a result, when Jacobs' press release cited five different 5th Year rankings by various publications, I noted they were factually wrong.  However, that's a mute point, unless it backs up something much more important, which, at the time, I thought was plagiarism.  Short of rape, child abuse, and murder, in my book, there aren't too many things that you can do that are worse than plagiarism, which is to blantantly steal somebody's else work without giving them credit and calling it your own.  Making the story even more interesting is the fact that Rubin has also told me that Jacobs is sending me a certified letter, which I have yet to receive.  And I'm not even sure that I'll even open it, because anything Jacobs says is more than justified.  Jacobs probably thinks I am a total fool and a complete idiot, because only somebody who can be described in those terms would be blasting him the way I did after he was nice enough to include in his press release our complete 5th year rankings.  However, I am neither a fool nor an idiot.  Instead, I just wish that I had had the same information at hand two weeks ago that I have now.  I also wish I could have saved Jacobs the time and grief of having to write his letter, as well as feel betrayed by somebody he has considered to be a good friend for many years.  I too felt the same way when I first read his press release and thought he'd plagiarized our information.  However, I now understand exactly what happened and, hopefully being both a good journalist and good person, not only have taken full responsibility for this error, but have attempted to correct it in an expeditious fashion.

Monday, October 14, 2002

We still haven't heard from Georgia Editor Linzy Davis, but we have confirmed via wire service reports that Rashaad Carruth has been dismissed from the Oklahoma basketball for breaking a team rule.   If you will recall, we first got wind of this via Davis last Thursday, but have been unable to get more details until today.  Carruth, who was sitting out this year after transferring from Kentucky, will have three years of college eligibility remaining after the season no matter what he does.  Remember, according to NCAA rules, a student-athlete has five years to play four and the clock is running for Carruth.  We also have confirmed that DePaul has gotten a verbal commitment from 6'2 Tyler Smith from Philadelphia (Lutheran) PA, Kent State has landed 6'4 Demetrius Johnson from Warrenville Heights (H.S.) OH, Houston gotten 6'8 Darius Brannon from Lee (JC) TX, and Lamar has added 6'7 Paige Paulson from Custer (H.S.) SD.  Smith is an important pick-up for the Blue Demons, because one of the top priorities for first-year head coach Dave Leitao was to sign a pair of interchangeable guards.  If you will recall, earlier this fall DePaul also landed 6'5 Sammy Mejia from Cornwall on the Hudson (Storm King Prep) NY and one of their major sealing points with Mejia was that he would be able to play point guard for the Blue Demons.  Mejia, who is ranked #11 on our 5th year list, and Smith, who is ranked #20 on our 5th year list, also bring an added year of maturity and experience to the table, which is important when you need the players in your first recruiting class to step in and make an immediate impact.  Not only does this move DePaul's recruiting class into a tie at #39, along with Utah and Richmond, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, but it shows that Leitao has two of the bright young assistant coaches in college basketball (Josh Oppenheimer and Gene Cross) on the road.  Last week our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson predicted that Johnson would pick Kent State over Ohio University, Marshall, and Akron, despite the fact that Johnson's two older brothers play for Ohio University and Miami-OH.  They (the two older brothers) are also two of the best players in the Mid-American Conference and that's important, because Demetrius Johnson is the best of the three.  And Johnson isn't the only player Kent State is recruiting that is capable of playing at a much higher.  We're talking about 6'8 Monty St. Clair from Cincinnati (Roger Bacon) OH, whose final three are Kent State, Miami-OH, and UNC-Wilmington, and 6'0 Tre Kelly from Washington (Dunbar) DC, who is expected to sign either with South Carolina or Kent State this fall.  Brannon is ranked as the #2 center in the junior college ranks by Lindy's Pre-Season College Basketball Yearbook, but sources tells us that he's more of a power forward and he's not good enough to live up to that high a ranking.  However, Brannon does promise to be another important part of what already is an excellent recruiting class.  Remember, the Cougars already have 6'7 Andrew Francis from Alief (Alief-Elsik) TX, 6'4 Parker Pinkalla from Houston (Strake Jesuit) TX, and 6'3 Lanny Smith from Missouri City (Hightower) TX in the fold and, as a result, their recruiting class is tied at #22, along with Arizona State, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  We also think it's only a matter of time before the Cougars get 6'11 Elijah Miller from Cleveland (Heritage Christian) TX and, assuming we're correct, their recruiting class would be ranked two spots higher on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Paulson is best described as a lights out 3-point shooter, but he's also pretty good, as is evident by the fact that he is ranked among the top 250 players nationally by Bob Gibbons of All-Star Sports.  In oher words, Lamar head coach Mike Deane has added another important piece to the puzzle as he continues build the Cardinals program into one of the perennial powers in the Southland Conference.  Paulson also gives Lamar a disproportionate number of players from the extreme northern part of the United States and Canada.  If you will recall, earlier this fall Lamar also landed 6'4 Kevin Kloostra from Chatham (John McGregor) ON, last year they signed 6'9 Jason Grant from Toronto (Francis Liberman) ON and 6'7 Ola Matti from Toronto (Eastern School of Commerce) ON, and three years ago they brought in 6'10 Brian Rowan from St. Paul (St. Thomas Academy) MN.  This is important, because having players from the same geographic area not only makes it easier to recruit in that area in the future, but it also gives the players currently in the program a common bond.  

Friday, October 11, 2002, Saturday, October 12, 2002, & Sunday, October 13, 2002

They said it was easy, but from personal experience, I can tell you that it's not!  I'm talking about when I tried to install a high speed internet connection onto my computer late Thursday night.  Not only did it not work the way it was supposed to, but, without going into all the details, it has led me from one computer problem to another during the course of the last two-and-a-half days.  The problem still isn't totally solved, which means it takes longer to navigate around in my computer and things like email will no longer available to me.  However, we are back up and running and, beginning today, once again I will be deleting everybody's subscription by one-day every day.   In other words, the last several days won't count towards your subscription and actually that's standard operating procedure, whereby, any day we don't update the web site, we also don't delete eveybody's subscription by a day.  Thus, explains why it takes longer than the number of days that you purchased on your subscription for your subscription to run out.  Fortunately the only three important items that crossed my desk on Friday and Saturday were Indiana University President Myles Brand being named the new president of the NCAA, 6'5 Zakee Boyd from Philadelphia (Lutheran) PA verbally committing to Hartford, and 6'8 Ekene Ibekwe from Carson (H.S.) CA picking Maryland over USC and Kansas.  "Brand gained national attention in September 2000 when he fired Knight after 29 seasons and three national championships at IU," said Friday morning's Louisville Courier-Journal article, which attributed the Associated Press and Indianapolis Star.  Brand also gained national attention and in may circles was infamous, in April 2000 when he failed to fire former Indiana University head coach Bob Knight for just cause.  If you will recall, when it became obvious that Knight had lied about allegedly choking Neil Reed, Brand, instead, gave Knight a pass and, instituted a "zero tolerance" policy.  So Brand had to fire Knight in September, despite the fact what Knight's altercation with a student did not rise to the level of the penality, which was Knight's dismissal.  Obviously both Knight and current Indiana University head coach Mike Davis have emerged as the big winners and, in our mind, the NCAA is the big loser.  Remember, with a fresh start Knight not only has thrived in his year-and-a-half at Texas Tech, but is well on his way towards turning the Red Raiders program into a national power and becoming both the winningest active head coach in college basketball and the winningest head coach in the history of the game.  With his 23-9 record a year ago, Knight is now only 33 wins behind Mt. St. Mary's head coach Jim Phelan, who only won three games last year and currently has 819 wins.  So Knight will probably pass Phelan on the active win list sometime during the 2003-2004 season.  Knight also only needs 93 more wins to tie Dean Smith, who retired with 879 wins prior to the start of the 1997-98 season.  Which means, if Knight duplicates the 23 win season he had a year ago, he is on track for his second win during the 2006-2007 season to put him ahead of Smith on the all-time win list.  Davis not only got the opportunity of a life-time when he took over for Knight, but he's made following a legend a lot easier than it really looks, as he guided the Hoosiers to an NCAA Runnerup finish last March and landed what is potentially one of the best backcourts in the history of the school a year ago when he signed Marshall Strickland and Bracy Wright. The article we quoted above goes on to say "Brand called for wide reforms of college athletics during a speech before the National Press Club in 2000.  He said then it was time to scale back the basketball and football arms race that has become a 'threat to the academic integrity' of universities.  He called for academic-first' solutions - led by college presidents - to the problems of overcommercialization, poor graduation rates and questionable academic standards used for athletes."  Doesn't Brand realize that college basketball and football are in major competition with professional sports, the entertainment industry, the internet, et al. for the entertainment dollar?  In other words, college basketball is like the goose that laid the golden egg for minor sports and gender equity but, he wants to make it like the Ivy League.  And, if he succeeds, college basketball runs the risk of going in the same direction that track and field went in the 1950's.  Boyd, who is ranked #25 nationally on our list of the top 5th year players, is an absolute steal for Hartford.  We're talking about a big time athlete, great defender, and an improved 3-point shooter.  The press conference won't be until tomorrow, but we're told that the actual decision by Ibekwe was made on Thursday or Friday.  As we understand it, the University of Maryland coaching staff told Ibekwe that the scholarship might not be there if he doesn't make up his mind right away.  Did you know that 6'8 Terrance Roberts from Jersey City (St. Anthony) NJ was scheduled to visit Maryland over the weekend and, if he'd committed to the Terrapins on the visit, Ibekwe would have been out of luck, if he wanted to commit to the Terrapins?  Well, apparently Ibekwe did want to go to Maryland and, like they say, the rest is history.  Ibekwe, who is ranked #37 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, is one of our favorite players.  Not only is he a big time athlete with long arms and incredible wing span, but he has the versatility to play both inside and outside, excellent skills, and a tremendous upside.  This moves Maryland's recruiting class up to #2 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003 and that comes right on the heels of last year's class, which was ranked #6 nationally and included 6'4 Chris McCray from Capital Heights (Fairmont Heights) MD, 6'8 Travis Garrison from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD, 6'9 Jamar Smith from Allegany (JC) MD, 6'2 Johnny Gilchrist from Virginia Beach (Salem) VA, and 6'7 Nik Caner-Medley from Portland (Deering) ME.  Defending NCAA Champions, great coach in Gary Williams, and back-to-back great recruiting classes doesn't make it too hard to figure out that this will be one of the teams to beat in college basketball for a number of years. 

In addition being the first person to tip us off Friday night about 6'8 Ekene Ibekwe from Carson (H.S.) CA picking Maryland over USC and Kansas, our West Coast Editor Dinos Trigonis also tells us that 6'7 Alan Wiggins from San Diego (Horizon) CA has verbally committed to San Francisco and that 6'4 Vincent Camper from Oxford (H.S.) MS has verbally committed to Tulane.  And, according to our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson, so has 6'8 Dan Fitzgerald from St. Paul (St. Thomas Academy) MN.   Apparently both of the Tulane commitments are about 10 days old, but for whatever reason the Green Wave coaching staff didn't want it to get out right away.  However, this does explain why 6'3 Casey Long from Fayetteville (71st) NC, who was a prime target for the Green Wave, picked UT-Chattanooga a-week-and-a-half ago.  Obviously Tulane head coach Shawn Finney had already gotten the combo guard he was looking for and, as a result, Long elected to go elsewhere.  Most people think of Camper, who is ranked #124 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, as a two-guard.  However, Camper actually is better with the ball in his hands, as is evident by the fact that he finished rankd second in assists last summer at the adidas ABCD Camp and, as a result, we think he projects as a point guard with size down the road.  Fitzgerald, who is ranked #197 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, is a light out 3-point shooter, but he's also a very important catch, because he's a nationally recruit.  In other words, when was the last time a school in the deep south went to Minnesota to get a player?  Add Camper and Fitzgerald to 6'4 Chris Moore from Pittsfield (Maine Central Institute) ME and the Green Wave suddenly are tied at #45, along with Butler, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And moving into the spot just ahead of Butler and Tulane on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003 is Arkansas.   That's right!  According to Johnson, has gotten a verbal commitment from 7'0 Julius Lamptey from New Hampton (Prep) NH, which means the Razorbacks now have two coveted big men with both tremendous size and potential.   If you will recall, Arkansas also landed 6'10 Vincent Hunter from Little Rock (Fair) AR, who is ranked #103 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, and, if the Razorbacks also get 6'4 Ronnie Brewer from Fayetteville (H.S.) AR and 6'5 Olu Famutimi from Flint (Northwestern) MI, their recruiting class would move into a tie #6, along with Wake Forest, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And that would be pretty amazing when one remembers that first-year head coach Stan Heath has yet to coach at game for the Razorbacks.  And it's not out of the realm of possibility, as the top three for Famutimi are Memphis, Missouri, and Arkansas and the co-favorites for Brewer are Arkansas and Oklahoma State.  Speaking of Oklahoma State, Greg Swaim of GregSwaim.com tells us that he thinks 6'8 Marcus Dove from Long Beach (Millikan) CA will verbally commit to the Cowboys sometime within the next week.  Swaim also tells us that earlier tonight 6'10 Steve Verwers from Weatherford, TX verbally committed to Colorado State on his radio show, which can be found by clicking on GregSwaim.com.  Not only does this not come as much of a surprise, but a week ago we quoted Swaim and our Texas Editor Wes Grandstaff saying that Colorado State had a lot better shot than most people realized for Verwers, who is ranked #216 nationally, but continues to improve at such a dramatic pace that he will be ranked among our top 100 nationally in the senior class next time we update our rankings.  We also told you a week ago that Manhattan was on the verge of getting 6'8 Okty Yilmaz from Winchendon (School) MA, 6'7 Christano Johnson from Laurinburg (H.S.) NC, and 6'3 Adbi Libonde from Barrington (St. Andrews) RI.  Well, so far we've gone two-for-three, because Yilmaz and Johnson both were on Manhattan's campus this weekend and both verbally committed to the Jaspers.  But we don't expect to hear anything regarding Libonde for at least two more weeks, which is when he's scheduled to make his official visit to Manhattan.  And, if Jaspers head coach Bobby Gonzalez, who inherited a program that only won five games four years ago, but now is picked to win the Metro Atlantic Conference by most of the pre-season basketball magazines, pulls this off, there will be no doubt that he's more than living up to his reputation of being a young Rick Pitino.  But one I'm nervous about right now is our report from last Thursday about Rashaad Carruth being kicked off the Oklahoma basketball team.  Despite numerous phone calls and pages to Davis, we still have no further details.  While Davis is regarded as a very credible source, this won't be the first time Davis has burned us, if this does not turn out to be correct.  If you will recall, Davis also told us for six months that Carruth would not go to the University of Kentucky because they didn't have a quality point guard in the program and there was too much competition for playing time at the wing guard spot.   However, Carruth went to Kentucky anyway.  We also are getting reports that 6'8 Trevor Ariza from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA is down to two schools - UCLA and Florida - and the smart money appears to be on the Bruins, because he's parents want him to stay close to home. 

Thursday, October 10, 2002

Did you know that 6'8 Luol Deng from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ has an on-camus visit scheduled this weekend at George Washington this weekend?  We bring this up because it looks like the Colonials are in the same position the University of Houston was late in the game for 6'10 Ndudi Ebi from Houston (Westbury Christian) TX.  Remember, Ebi picked Arizona over Houston, Duke, Texas, and Indiana last week.  Also remember, we have a credible source that tells us the Cougars were actually Ebi's choice heading into the final day.  However, when it got down to crunch time, Ebi changed his mind and picked the Wildcats.  Obviously George Washington head coach Karl Hobbs is attempting to take advantage of the fact that he recruited Deng's older brother, Ajou Ajou Deng, who transferred from Connecticut two years ago to Fairfield, when he was an assistant coach at Connecticut.  If Hobbs pulls this off, it would be the recruiting coup of the year.  But we have to mention it, because it's not as farfetched as most people think.  However, even if Deng doesn't pick the Colonels, Hobbs and his staff already have landed 6'5 Ricky Lucas from Herndon (H.S.) VA, who is ranked #112 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, and they will have an excellent shot at two other players that are expected to make official visits a week from now.  We're talking about 6'0 Rayshawn Reed from Inglewood (H.S.) CA, who is ranked #113 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, and 6'9 Harvey Thomas from Northeast Oklahoma (JC) OK, who was a freshman last year at Georgetown and a legit top 50 player in high school two years ago.  Another player who was a freshman at a four-year school a year ago, but, who will likely will be spending the rest of the year at a junior college, is Rashaad Carruth.  If you will recall, Carruth played at the University of Kentucky, where he was in the dog house most of last season, but then transferred to Oklahoma last spring.  Well, our Georgia editor Linzy Davis tells us that Carruth has been dismissed from the team at the Oklahoma.  And this is too bad, because Sooners head coach Kelvin Sampson and Carruth appeared to be on the same page up until now.  As a matter of fact, the word out of Norman, OK was that Carruth was finally going to live up to his reputation.   Remember, Carruth has been ranked as one of the top players in his class ever since he hit seven straight 3-pointers as an 8th grader at the adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas, NV.  And this isn't the first time Carruth has been down and out.  If you will recall, Carruth laid an egg when was a sophomore at Decatur (Cathedral Academy) GA, but later thrived during his junior and senior seasons while playing for Steve Smith at Mouth of Oak (Hill) VA.  Our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson tells us that Akron, Robert Morris, Hampton, and Wright State are fighting it out for 6'7 Romeo Travis from Akron (St. Vincent-St. Mary) OH and our West Coast Editor Dinos Trigonis tells us that the verbal commitment by 6'3 Wesley Washington from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA to the University of Minnesota that was reported earlier this week by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune is bogus.  Apparently the reporter who wrote the story couldn't tell the difference between Washington being polite and telling him what he wanted to hear and an actual verbal commitment.  Instead, Trigonis thinks Washington, UCLA, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Wyoming, and SMU are the current favorites.  However, that list is likely to get longer before it gets shorter, because Washington is one of the few players left who is wide open in his recruitment.

The latest list for 6'8 Josh Boone from Colora (West Nottingham Prep) MD, who is ranked #21 on our list of the top 5th year players, includes Kansas, Rutgers, St. Joseph's, Connecticut, and North Carolina.  However, we don't look for the Tar Heels to offer Boone, if they get 7'0 Brian Butch from Appleton (West) WI, who is ranked #3 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  Remember, the Tar Heels already have three sophomores - Jawad Williams, Melvin Scott, and Jackie Manuel - and six freshmen - 6'1 Raymond Felton from Latta (H.S.) CA, 6'4 Rashad McCants from New Hampton (Prep) NH, 6'8 Sean May from Bloomington (North) IN, 6'9 Bryon Sanders from New Hampton (Prep) NJ, 7'1 Damien Grant from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH, and 6'5 David Noel from Durham (Southern Durham) NC, who will walk-on his first year, but then receive a scholarship - in the program.  That's nine scholarships already taken, plus the early verbal commitment by 6'2 Jr JamesOn Curry from Mebane (Eastern Alamance) NC last spring makes 10 and the verbal commitment by 6'8 Reyshawn Terry from Winston-Salem (R.J. Reynolds) NC in early August makes 11.  So, if Butch picks North Carolina over Wisconsin and Arizona, don't look for the Tar Heels to sign another player in this recruiting class.  We've already told you that 6'5 Jr Earl Smith from Newark (St. Benedict's) NJ would commit to the Tar Heels right now, if a scholarship offer were forthcoming.  However, we don't think that's likely to happen either, unless somebody transfers or Noel decides not to play basketball, which is not likely to happen, because North Carolina also is believed to be a near lock for 6'9 Jr Brian Johnson from Arlington (Bishop O'Connell) VA, who is ranked #13 nationally in the junior class.  As a matter of fact, a verbal commitment from Johnson to the Tar Heels this winter or next spring would not be a major surprise.  And, if, by some chance, North Carolina misses on Johnson, the Tar Heels also are the co-favorite, along with South Carolina, for 6'9 Jr Ra'Sean Dickey from Bennettsville (Marlboro County) SC, who is ranked #69 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  Speaking of juniors, the early favorites for 5'10 Jr Rajon Rando from Louisville (Eastern) KY, who is ranked #32 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP, are Louisville, Georgia Tech, and Southern Cal.  Did you know that the head coach at Louisville (Eastern) KY is related to Trojans head coach Henry Bibby, which obviously explains the USC connection.  The schools showing the most early interest in 6'4 Jr Brian Laing and 6'4 Jr Gavin Grant, both from Bronx (St. Raymond's) NY, are Connecticut, Seton Hall, Syracuse, and Richmond.   Remember, former St. Raymond's head coach Gary DeCesare is now an assistant coach at the University of Richmond and he has already proven he can get his former players - i.e 5'10 Daon Merritt from Bronx (St.  Raymond's) NY picked the Spiders yesterday.  We also believe that Arizona is the now the early favorite for 6'3 Jr Daniel Gibson from Houston (Jones) TX, who is ranked #14 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  If you will recall, Gibson and 6'10 Ndudi Ebi from Houston (Westbury Christian) TX are extremely close friends and, as a result, whoever got Ebi was going to get a big advantage when it comes to recruiting Gibson.  However, when it is all said and done, getting a verbal commitment from Gibson may not be all that easy for the Wildcats, because they are loaded with young backcourt players, as Will Bynum and Salim Stoudamire are sophomores, Hassan Adams, Chris Rodgers, and Andre Iguodala are freshmen, and 6'3 Mustafa Shakur from Wynnewood (Friends Central) PA counts with the current recruiting class. 

Wednesday, October 9, 2002

Our New York City Editor Ron Naclerio tells us that it's official - 5'10 Daon Merritt from Bronx (St. Raymond's) NY, who is ranked #42 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, has verbally committed to the University of Richmond.  This comes as no surprise for several reasons.  First, Merritt's former high school coach Gary DeCesare is now an assistant coach for the Spiders.  Second, DeCesare has always been Merritt's biggest fan.  This was especially evident in the month of July when DeCesare gave all the scouting service people a hard time for not having Merritt ranked higher, especially after Merritt led the adidas ABCD Camp in assists and led his team to the championship at the adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas, NV.  Third, Merritt is ideally suited for the Atlantic-10 due to his lack of height.  In other words, Merritt has a chance to become a star in this league, plus he won't have to worry about getting recruited over, like he might, if he'd opted for certain schools in the Big East.  Merritt joins 6'4 Andres Sandoval from Winchendon (School) MA, who picked the Spiders about 10 days ago, and, as a result, Richmond's recruiting class moves into a tie at #36, along with Utah, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.   Naclerio also tells us that 7'3 Shagari Alleyne from New York (Rice) NY is supposed to visit the University of Kentucky this weekend for Midnight Madness, but Naclerio is hearing that Pepperdine and Rutgers are the leaders for Alleyne's services.  And, if this is true, the Scarlet Knights could end up with a pair of twin towers.   Remember, ever since Rutgers got 6'4 Marquis Webb from Paterson (Catholic) NJ a month ago, we've been predicting that it was only a matter of time before the Scarlet Knights also got 6'11 Darryl Watkins from Paterson (Catholic) NJ.  If you will recall, Webb and Watkins are best friends.   Speaking of Webb's commitment, the word we get is that 6'3 Quincy Douby from Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT was a little pissed off when Webb verbally committed to Rutgers.   Apparently Rutgers had promised him that they would only recruit one guard in this recruiting class and, as a result, there is talk that he may be interested in looking elsewhere.  Perhaps Douby should reconsider going to Hoftstra.   Remember, a year ago Douby signed with the Flying Dutchmen, but, after the value of his stock went through the roof last winter, he reneged and went the prep school route.   And this is ironic, because last spring Douby decided it was better to be a small fish in a big pound versus being a big fish in a small pound.  Florida State and Tennessee are both out for 6'9 Wesley Green from Eustis (H.S.) FL, who is ranked #201 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, and that leaves Marquette, Indiana, DePaul, and South Florida battling for his services.  Our guess is that Green, who is far from a finished product, but has vast potential, will elect to stay close to home, which would be a great move, because Bulls head coach Seth Greenburg is one of the best there is at developing players.  We also suspect the South Florida will steal 6'8 Renaldo Balkman from Bradenton (Pendleton School) FL, who is ranked #22 on our 5th year list, but, who has a tremendous amount of natural talent and potential

Our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson tells us that Northwestern has gotten 6'9 Vincent Scott from Phoenix (Greenway) AZ and Bowling Green has landed 6'11 Matt Lefeld from Coldwater (H.S.) OH and 6'7 Reggie Harwell from Cleveland (Shaw) OH   Scott, who is ranked #270 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, needs to get bigger and stronger, but he impressed us at the NIKE All-American Camp, where he finished ranked #20 in camp by the HOOP SCOOP.  We're talking about a key with great hands, an excellent shooting touch, and good perimeter skills.  In other words, this is the prototypical overachieving big white kid that Northwestern head coach Bill Carmody made a living off of during his days at Princeton and, as a result, he should in perfectly at Northwestern.  Lefeld is ranked #275 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, but we think he is an absolute steal for Falcons head coach Dan Dakich.  Not only is Lefeld a big old tough farm boy, but he has a huge frame, runs the court well for his size, has good hands, and is a warrior on the boards.  Harwell, who is ranked #219 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, is an undersized slasher/athlete/4-man and, as a result, should provide the perfect complement to Lefeld and all the good perimeter players that Dakich signed a year ago - 6'4 Ronald Lewis, 6'4 Raheem Moss, and 6'3 Steve Wright.  Brick Oettinger of the Recruiter's Handbook informs us that  James Madison beaten George Mason for 6'9 Eddie Green from Winston-Salem (R.J. Reynolds) NC.  Green didn't play much when we saw him at the 17-Under National AAU Tournament in Orlando, FL at the end of July, but you have to like his size, athleticism, and tremendous potential.  Green becomes the fourth player in James Madison's recruiting class, which already includes 6'7 Chris Cathlin from New Market (Shenandoah Valley) VA, 6'8 Gordon Johnson from Middleburg (Lee) VA, and 6'10 Ryan Brmley from Northfield (Northfield-Mt. Herman) MA and is tied with Northern Iowa at #34 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Cathlin needs to get bigger and stronger, but we're talking about a big time athlete with skills and plenty of firepower from beyond the arc.  Johnson is a silky-smooth combo forward who runs the court, defends, and shoots the three.  Brmley, who is very skilled and effective around the basket, provides the big body that James Madison head coach Sherman Dillard will need when all his top inside guys graduate after this season.   So with Wes Miller and Chris Williams both sharing time at the point guard spot for the next two years, all Dillard needs now is an outstanding 2-guard.  How about 6'3 Kelvin Davis from Waterbury (Sacred Heart) CT, who is ranked #83 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP?   Remember, our New England Editor Wayne Simone tells us that the serious contenders for Davis are West Virginia, Richmond, Hofstra, and James Madison and, if the Dukes can pull this off, their recruiting class would move up another 13 spots.  Oettinger also tells us that American Univerity appears to have stolen one in 5'11 Linas Lekavicius from Charlotteville (Miller School) VA and Johnson informs us that Akron has gotten 6'6 Jeremiah Wood from Akron (Central-Hower) OH.   And, if that weren't enough, Johnson has the scoop on 6'4 Demetrius Johnson from Warrensville Heights (H.S.) OH, who is expected to announce his decision on Friday.   Johnson is ranked #207 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, which means he'd be a steal for any of the four schools (Kent State, St. Bonaventure, Ohio University, or Marshall) left on his list.  Johnson's two older brothers both play for Ohio University and Miami-OH, but Johnson thinks Kent State is the school you have to beat.   We also are waiting to see what happens with 6'7 Michael Pilgram from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH, who is ranked #14 on our list of the top 5th year players.  Currently Virginia, Boston College, and Seton Hall are the leaders, but we also understand that Memphis, Purdue, and Connecticut are making a strong push for this explosive athlete who is expected to be one of the biggest surprises in the prep school ranks this winter. 

Tuesday, October 8, 2002

Our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey editor Allen Rubin was at the press conference earlier tonight and it looks like he was right on the money when he predicted yesterday that 6'3 Mustafa Shakur from Wynnewood (Friends Central) PA, who is the #2-ranked 5th year player in the nation by the HOOP SCOOP, would pick Arizona over N.C. State.  Do you suppose Rubin had some inside information?  Shakur not only is a point guard with size, but he also makes excellent decisions, can beat you with his outside shooting, and lock you up defensively.  As a matter of fact, when you also take into consideration that Shakur also is a great kid and a tremendous competitor, there are no weaknesses in his game either on or off the court, which is especially important in this day-and-age.  This comes on the heels of Arizona's big commitment a week ago from 6'10 Ndudi Ebi from Houston (Westbury Christian) TX, who is ranked #4 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.   If you will recall, Ebi picked the Wildcats over Houston, Duke, Texas, and Indiana.   Obviously Shakur is the point guard that the Wildcats will need a year from now to step in and replace Jason Gardner at point guard, but Shakur also gives Arizona head coach Lute Olson what just might turn out to be the best pair of players signed by any school in recent years.  So it should comes as no surprise that Arizona checks in at #11 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003 and the Wildcats would move up to #2 behind Louisville, if they also get 7'0 Brian Butch from Appleton (West) WI.  Remember, Butch is expected to pick Wisconsin, North Carolina, or Arizona sometime within the next week.  However, even if Butch doesn't pick the Wildcats, it ensures that Arizona's two bright young assistant coaches (Josh Pastner and Rodney Tention) will be ready to follow in the footsteps of Oregon State head coach Jay John a lot sooner than we originally thought.  If you will recall, John, who was an assistant coach at Arizona for four years and was the guy responsible for landing Gardner, was ranked as the #1 assistant coach in the nation last spring by the HOOP SCOOP.   Speaking of Oregon State, the Beavers have gotten a verbal commitment from 6'8 Jeff Williams from Milwaukie (LaSalle) OR, plus we believe they are the leader for 6'8 Alex Weeks from Lilburn (Berkmar) GA, who is ranked #54 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  We also continue to hear that 6'5 Earl Smith from Newark (St. Benedict's) NJ, who is ranked #23 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, after emerging as one of the biggest sleepers in the nation this summer, would verbally commit to North Carolina, if a scholarship offer was forthcoming.  And Smith may get the time he needs for that to happen, because he was recently reclassified as a junior.  We also understand that Villanova, Notre Dame, and Texas are the top three for 6'6 Arnaud Dahi from Burlington (Life Center) NJ, who is ranked #109 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, and 6'10 Roman Narmbaye-Mbainas from Burlington (Life Center) NJ, who is ranked #288 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, is considering St. Joseph's, Rutgers, Colorado, La Salle, and Massachusetts.  Clemson, West Virginia, Florida State, Maryland, and Texas are all being mentioned with 6'5 Anthony Tucker from Raleigh (Enloe) NC, who is ranked #139 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, and East Carolina, Marshall, and Rhode Island appear to be the favorites for 6'8 Anthony King from Durham (Southern Durham) NC.  We also have finally confirmed that 6'3 Ramel Bradley has transferred from New York (Park West) NY to Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC.  And that's important, because that will make Charlotte even that much tougher to beat for Bradley's services.  If you will recall, UNCC already has a verbal commitment from 6'11 Martin Iti from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC and it wouldn't surprise us if the 49ers also steal 6'10 Jr Mohamed Tangara from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC and 6'9 Jr Robbie Simpson from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC.

Our West Coast Editor Dinos Trigonis tells us that 6'8 Nick DeWitz from Mesa (JC) AZ, who is the #1-ranked power forward in Lindy's Pre-Season Yearbook and the #2-ranked wing forward in the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook, is supposed to make it official today and the school that everybody expects him to verbally commit to is the University of Iowa.  However, as of yet, we have not confirmed that's of ficial.  We also understand that DeWitz was just about a done deal for Indiana, but that all changed when he took his official visit to Iowa City over the weekend.  Assuming that he doesn't change his mind at the last minute, DeWitz's commitment would move Iowa's recruiting class up to #29 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  If you will recall, the Hawkeyes already have a verbal commitment from 6'6 Ben Rand from Rochelle (H.S.) IL.  So what was the deciding factor in DeWitz's recruitment?  Actually it was two things.  First, Hawkeyes head coach Steve Alford apparently did the best job of all the head coaches who were involved of building a rapport with the kid.  Second, Iowa promised DeWitz that he'd be the guy they build the program around for the next two years.   Remember, Iowa has a lot of good young talent in the program with players like Pierre Pierce, Greg Brunner, Jeff Horner, and Josh Rhodes, but, if DeWitz goes to Indiana, he'll have to share the spotlight with Marshall Strickland and Bracey Wright and, if he goes to Florida State, he'll be just one of four outstanding recruits in this recruiting class.  Remember, within the last two weeks the Seminoles also have landed 6'5 Vakeaton Wafer from Cleveland (Heritage Christian) TX, 6'7 Antonio Griffin from Scottsdale (JC) AZ, and 6'10 Diego Romero from Lon Morris (JC) TX and, as a result, are currently ranked #4 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  In other words, if DeWitz goes to Iowa, he will be "The Man" from day one.  And assuming that this commitment does materialize for the Hawkeyes, then Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton will simply turn his focus in another direction, like towards 6'8 Linas Kleiza from Rockville (Montrose Christian) MD, who is ranked #30 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP.  Did you know that Kleiza already has an official visit scheduled to Tallahassee, FL for later this month?  N.C. State, Connecticut, and Virginia are also high on Kleiza's list, but the school we think you have to beat is Missouri - thanks primarily to Lane Odom's strong Lithuanian contacts.  And, if the Tigers pull this off, then their recruiting class, which already includes 6'5 Thomas Gardner from Portland (Jefferson) OR, 6'9 Ousmane Konate from Senegal, and 6'1 Spencer Laurie from Springfield (Kickapoo) MO, would move up to #2, behind Louisville and ahead of Kansas, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And if they also get 6'5 Olu Famutimi from Flint (Northwestern) MI or 6'8 Luol Deng from Blairstown (Academy) NJ, then their recruiting class would not only move into the #1 spot, but Missouri head coach Quin Snyder would be well on his way towards becoming the Mike Krzyzewski of the Midwest.  Obviously we're not basing that on Snyder's NCAA Final Four appearances or National Championships, because he doesn't have any yet.  But we are looking at the incredible recruiting job that Snyder and his staff have done since arriving in Columbia, MO three-and-a-half years ago and their appears to be no end in sight, as the Tigers are one the favorites for an overwhelming number of the top players in the nation who are still left on the board.  However, if Kleiza, who, ironically reminds us DeWitz (they both are athletic white kids who are tough hardnosed competitors and the skilled and versatility necessary to play both inside and outside at the college level), picks Florida State, that would the Seminoles recruiting class into the #1 spot. 

Our West Coast Editor Dinos Trigonis also is reporting that 6'3 Wesley Washington from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA has opened his recruitment back up due to the fact the University of California can't promise him a scholarship until he meets their academic requirements, which likely won't be until next spring.  Washington visited the University of Minnesota last weekend, plus it appears that programs like Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Wyoming, and SMU are positioning themselves to make a push for this athletic wing guard who is ranked #41 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  So, obviously, if Washington is taking official visits and considering other schools, he no longer should count with the Golden Bears' recruiting class and, as a result, their class, which still includes 6'8 Leon Powe from Oakland (Tech) CA, 6'1 Ayinde Ubaka from Oakland (H.S.) CA, 6'5 Marquis Kately from Pittsfield (Maine Central Institute) ME, and 6'6 Dominic McGuire from San Diego (Lincoln) CA, drops from #2 into a tie at #9, along with the University of Maryland, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  This also means that Washington is the second player this fall to officially renege after making a verbal commitment.  If you will recall, 6'0 Quentin Day from Kansas City (Paeso) MO committed to Nebraska in early September, but two weeks later changed his mind.  We also are still trying to figure out what to do with 6'11 James Lang from Birmingham (Central Park Christian) AL.  Remember, Lang has maintained all along that his verbal commitment to the University of Louisville is firm.  However, Lang's mother insists that he's still open and, as a result, schools, like Alabama, Kentucky, UAB, and Georgetown are making in-home visits.  Trigonis also tells us that UC-Riverside has landed 6'2 Larry Cunningham from Downey (H.S.) CA and he expects USC to finish ahead of both Maryland and Kansas in the race for 6'8 Ekene Ibekwe from Carson (H.S.) CA.  We also expect Maryland to finish second for 6'8 Terrance Roberts from Jersey City (St. Anthony) NJ, but on this one we're not so sure the Terrapins won't pull off the upset.  If you will recall, Syracuse has been the leader for Roberts since last spring, but, as of yet, have not closed the deal.   We also think the longer it goes for 7'0 Brian Butch from Appleton (West) WI, the more it favors North Carolina and Arizona.  Greg Swaim of GregSwaim.com is reporting that Oklahoma is out for 6'8 Cartier Martin from Aldine (Nimitz) TX.  Instead, it appears that Texas is now the favorite over Kansas State, Kentucky, and Oklahoma State and this would be an important consolation prize for the Longhorns, which have missed on most of their prime targets, including 6'11 Ndudi Ebi from Houston (Westbury Christian) TX, who picked Arizona over Texas last week.  We also now that Kansas is out on both 6'5 Ronnie Brewer from Fayetteville (H.S.) AR and 6'8 Marcus Dove from Long Beach (Millikan) CA.  Brewer obviously was eliminated last week when the Jayhawks landed 6'3 Omar Wilkes from Los Angeles (Loyola) CA, which makes it a two-horse race between Oklahoma State and Arkansas.  Speaking of the Razorbacks, we also hear they're the early favorite, along with Florida, for 6'10 Jr LeMarcus Aldridge from Dallas (Seogoville) TX, who is ranked #9 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  We also think Oklahoma State leads for both Dove and 6'10 Steve Verwers from Weatherford, TX, but Swaim and our Texas Editor Wes Grandstaff both tell us that Verwers still has Kansas, Texas, Texas Christian, Texas A&M, and Colorado State all on his list.  Swaim and Grandstaff also both point out that Colorado State has a lot better shot than most people think in the Verwers sweepstakes.  Remember, Rams assistant coach Buzz Williams might be the best assistant coach in the nation currently under most people's radar screen, as well as second to none recruiting in Texas, as is evident by the fact that he's stolen four players - 7'0 Stuart Creason from Coppell (H.S.) TX and 6'8 Phil Thomasson from Burleson (H.S.) TX, both of whom count in their current recruiting class, and 6'3 Michael Morris from Katy (Cinco Ranch) TX and  6'4 Shelton Johnson from Arlington (Oak Ridge) TX, both of whom signed with Colorado State a year ago - out of the Lone Star state in the last year. 

Monday, October 7, 2002

As it stands now, only 26 of the HOOP SCOOP's top 100-ranked seniors are still available.  We're talking about seven players - 6'7 LeBron James from Akron (St. Vincent-St. Mary) OH, 6'8 Luol Deng from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ, 7'0 Brian Butch from Appleton (West) WI, 6'5 Olu Famutimi from Flint (Northwestern) MI, 6'8 Brandon Bass from Baton Rouge (Capital) LA, 6'8 Trevor Ariza from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA, and 6'5 Earl Smith from Newark (St. Benedict's) NJ - who ranked among our top 25 nationally; seven more players - 6'8 Paul Millsap from Grambling (H.S.) LA, 6'8 Linas Kleiza from Rockville (Montrose Christian) MD, 6'8 Terrance Roberts from Jersey City (St. Anthony) NJ, 6'8 Ekene Ibekwe from Carson (H.S.) CA, 5'10 Daon Merritt from Bronx (St. Raymond's) NY, 6'11 Longar Longar from Rochester (John Marshall) MN, and 6'4 Ronnie Brewer from Fayetteville (H.S.) AR - who ranked in the 26-50 range; five players - 6'9 Harrison Schaen from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA, 6'8 Alex Weeks from Lilburn (Berkmar) GA, 6'9 Sean Phaler from Villa Park (H.S.) CA, 6'11 Darryl Watkins from Paterson (Catholic) NJ, and 6'2 Milton Collins from New Orleans (O.P. Walker) LA - who ranked in the 51-75 range; and seven players - 6'5 Bobby Nash from Honolulu (Iolani) HI, 6'2 Jai Miller from Selma (H.S.) AL, 6'3 Kelvin Davis from Waterbury (Sacret Heart) CT, 6'4 Dwon Youmans from Jacksonville (Arlington Country Day) FL, 6'8 Cartier Martin from Aldine (Nimitz) TX, 6'9 Nick Stigger from Van Nuys (Montclair Prep) CA, and 6'9 Ousmane Barro from Chicago (Julian) IL - who ranked in the 76-100 range.  However, we've heard that Barro has returned to the Senegal and isn't expected to return to this country any time soon, Collins will likely go the prep school or junior college route, Smith has been reclassified as a junior, and James is a near lock to by-pass college and enter his name into the NBA Draft next spring.  So really only 22 of our top 100 are still available.  And digging a little deeper only 57 players in the 101-200 range are still available, as 6'8 Justin Benson from Houston (Gulf Shores) TX, who is ranked #106 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, and 6'6 David Fisher from Dallas (South Oak Cliff) TX, who is ranked #160 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, were both taken off the board today.  Benson picked the New Mexico over the University of Houston, which appeared to be a lock a week ago for this athletic power forward who came on like gangbusters over the summer.  We also think Fisher is an absolute steal for the Aggies.  Sure, Fisher doesn't have a true position right now, but, if he gets bigger and stronger, he could develop into a force inside; if he develops better perimeter skills and extends his shooting range, he could develop into a terrific wing forward; and, if what you see is what you get, New Mexico State will still have a slasher/athlete/defensive specialist.  In other words, we think this is perfect fit, because, Aggies head coach Lou Henson is one of the best defensive coaches in the game.  Also already gone are 10 of the HOOP SCOOP's top 15-ranked 5th year players and that number is expected to increase to 11 tomorrow when 6'3 Mustafa Shakur from Wynnewood (Friends Central) PA picks Arizona over N.C. State.  At least that's what our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsyslvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin thinks is going to happen.  However, others think that N.C. State is going to pull off the upset.  Remember, N.C. State assistant coach Larry Harris is one of the best recruiters in the business, plus Wolfpack head coach Herb Sendek's strong adidas ties could come into play.  Remember, Sendek is extremely close to Sonny Vaccaro and Shakur plays for one of the top adidas club team programs in the nation. 

Saturday, October 5, 2002, & Sunday, October 6, 2002

Whether 6'7 LeBron James from Akron (St. Vincent-St. Mary) OH, who is the consensus #1-ranked high school player in the nation, will become the next Michael Jordan is certainly debatable.   However, the fact that James has become the hottest ticket, as well as the biggest drawing card in high school basketball history is no longer in question.  Neither is the toughness of St. Vincent's-St. Mary's schedule, which was provided to us by our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson.  In addition to playing Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA at the Cleveland State Convocation Center in Cleveland, OH on Thursday, December 12th, on ESPN2, St. Vincent-St. Mary also will play against New Castle (H.S.) PA at the Mellon Center in Pittsburgh on Sunday December 15th; against Philadelphia (Strawberry Mansion) PA at The Palestra in Philadelphia, PA on December 22nd; against Columbus (Brookhaven) OH at Value City Arena in Columbus, OH on December 28th; against Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, CA on January 4th; against Detroit (Redford) MI at the Cleveland State Convocation Center in Cleveland, OH on January 12th; against Winston-Salem (R.J. Reynolds) NC at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC on January 20th, against Los Angeles (Westchester) OH in the Prime Time Shootout in Trenton, NJ on February 7th-9th; and against Kettering (Alter) OH in Dayton, OH on February 16th.  Their home schedule includes only two games St. Vincent-St. Mary High School on November 30th against Wellston (H.S.) OH and January 24th against Cuyahoga Falls (Walsh Jesuit) OH.  The other nine games - Grove City (George Jr. Republic) PA on December 1st, Chicago (Julian) IL on December 7th, Willard (H.S.) OH on December 17th, Cleveland (St. Joseph) OH on January 7th, Mentor (H.S.) OH on January 14th, Akron (Buchtel) OH on January 26th, Canton (McKinley) OH on February 2nd, Zanesville (H.S.) OH on February 16th, and Toledo (Scott) OH on February 23rd - will played at JAR Arena in Akron, OH.  Lower level season tickets for the nine games at JAR Arena can be purchased for $125 per ticket, upper level season tickets can be purchased for $100 per ticket, and general admission season tickets can be purchased for $70 per ticket.   Also noteworthy is the fact that St. Vincent-St Mary will play against six teams that are ranked among the top 25 nationally by Doug Huff in Street & Smith's Pre-Season Basketball Yearbook.  Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA is #1, Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA is #2, Columbus (Brookhaven) OH is #7, Winston-Salem (R.J. Reynolds) NC is #9, Detroit (Redford) MI is #16, and Los Angeles (Westchester) CA is #21.   And, for a while, there was also talk about a game between Akron (St. Vincent-St. Mary) OH, which is ranked #10 in Street & Smith, and Brooklyn (Lincoln) NY, which is ranked #13 in Street & Smith, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.  However, that game which would have matched up two legendary players - James and 5'10 Jr Sebastian Telfair, both of whom were discovered by the HOOP SCOOP - unfortunately never materialized.  If you will recall, Johnson was telling us a full year in advance of everybody else just how good James, who established his national repuation as a sophomore with a 33-point performance against #1-ranked Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA in Columbus, OH, was and Telfair was the #1-ranked player in his class from 4th grade until three months ago when we dropped him to #4 in the class behind 6'9 Al Jr Al Jefferson from Prentiss (H.S.) MS, 6'0 Jr Darius Washington from Orlando (Edgewater) FL, and 6'9 Jr Joshua Smith from Poweder Springs (McEachern) GA.

We told you in July that 6'11 Hassan Fofana from Worcester (Holy Name) MA, who is ranked #7 on our list of the 5th year players, was a near lock for the University of Maryland.  So the only surprise to us when Fofana made it official for the Terrapins this weekend was that it took this long.  And Fofana, who picked the defending NCAA Champions over Connecticut, Virginia, St. John's, Purdue, and Memphis, is exactly what the doctor ordered.  Not only is he the physical presence that Maryland head coach Gary Williams will need to replace all the talented big men, like Chris Wilcox, Lonnie Baxter, and Terence Morris, that have helped Maryland to two consecutive NCAA Final Four appearances, but he's also the perfect guy to help make 6'11 Will Bowers from Severn (Archbishop Spalding) MD, who verbally committed to Maryland earlier this fall, better in practice everyday.  Remember, Bowers is best described as a prject, as he is ranked no higher than #173 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.   However, his upside and potential are unlimited, if he works hard and continues to develop at the same pace he's at which he's been improving during the last six months.   In contrast, Fofana, who has a soft touch around the basket, is excellent on the boards, is very athletic, and surprisingly mobile for somebody his size, should be able to step in and contribute immediately next year as a college freshman.  In other words, Fofana's the perfect complement to 6'9 Jamar Smith from Allegany (JC) MD, and 6'8 Travis Garrison from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD, both of whom signed with the Terrapins in last year's recruiting class.  As a matter of fact, that class, which also includes 6'4 Chris McCray from Capital Heights (Fairmont Heights) MD, 6'2 Johnny Gilchrist from Virginia Beach (Salem) VA, and 6'7 Nik Caner-Medley from Portland (Deering) ME, finished ranked #6 in our final ranking of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date from the Class of 2002.  And with the addition of Fofana, their class currently is ranked #10 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  So obviously the Terrapins have reloaded in a hurry!  And reloading even faster will be Arizona, especially if the Wildcats get 6'3 Mustafa Shakur from Wynnewood (Friends Central) PA, who is the #2-ranked 5th year player by to the HOOP SCOOP, as well as the best recruitable point guard in the nation.  Speaking of Shakur, our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin tells us that the press conference is scheduled for Tuesday and, after what we hear was an excellent visit a week ago to N.C. State, this one appears to be a deadhead.  If Shakur picks Arizona, he will be the heir apparent to 5'10 Jason Gardner at point guard, as well as the perfect complement to the three terrific wing players - 6'3 Chris Rodgers from Portland (Wilson) OR, 6'4 Hassan Adams from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA, and 6'5 Andre Igoudala from Springfield (Lanphier) IL - that Arizona landed in last year's recruiting class and 6'10 Ndudi Ebi from Houston (Westbury Christian) TX, who picked the Wildcats last week.   If Shakur picks the Wolfpack, he will provide the N.C. State head coach Herb Sendek with what would arguably be the best backcourt duo in college basketball.   Remember, Julius Hodge was the best freshman in the league a year ago.  We also are anticipating as many as three verbal commitments in the near future for Manhattan.  The first one comes as no surprise, because the Jaspers signed 6'8 Okty Yilmaz from Turkey last spring, but then stashed him at Winchendon (School) MA when they found out he needed another year to become eligible academically.  The second one isn't much of a surprise either, as Manhattan head coach Bobby Gonzalez has all the right contacts to come out on top against schools Pennsylvania and Rider for 6'3 Adbi Libonde from Barrington (St. Andrews) RI, who is ranked #202 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP.  Remember, Gonzalez is close friends with Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, Manhattan assistant coach Steve Masiello was a walk-on during Pitino's final year at the University of Kentucky, and Pitino's son, Richard Pitino, is an assistant coach at St. Andrew's.   Speaking of Masiello, there is no doubt that he is one of the rising stars in the business, as is evident by the fact that Masiello played a key role in making the Jaspers one of the finalists, along with East Carolina and Marshall, for the third player - 6'7 Christano Johnson from Laurinburg (H.S.) NC via the Bahamas - who may make it official for the Jaspers in the near future.   

Friday, October 4, 2002

Well, it looks like we knew what we were talking about yesterday when we told you that 6'5 Vakeaton Wafer from Cleveland (Heritage Christian) TX was just about done deal for Florida State.   However, we thought it would happen in the next week, instead of the next day.  Wafer is an absolute steal for the Seminoles, because he is one of the best 3-point shooters in the nation, plus he's a big time athlete who can get to the hole.  He also has good ball handling and passing skills, which allows him to create surprisingly well for his size.  He also was one of the few players in the senior class that first-year Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton and his staff could get involved with late and have a legitimate chance to land.  If you will recall, Hamilton was hired at Florida State in March and Wafer came out of the woodwork at the Houston Kingwood Classic in April and he's gotten better every time we've seen him since.  Wafer joins 6'7 Antonio Griffin from Scottsdale (JC) AZ and 6'10 Diego Romero from Lon Morris (JC) TX and, as a result, Florida State is now ranked #4 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And, if the Seminoles also were to land 6'8 Nick DeWitz from Mesa (JC) AZ, who visited Tallahassee, FL several weeks ago, along with Griffin, then Florida State would have a Fab Four recruiting class, as well as the #1-ranked recruiting class in the nation.  It kind of reminds you of when Hamilton was at Kentucky during the Joe Hall era, doesn't it?  Wafer is ranked #8 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.   Romero is ranked as top five junior college player by Street & Smith Pre-Season Yearbook.  Griffin is the #6-ranked power forward in junior college by the Lindy's Pre-Season Yearbook and DeWitz is the #1-ranked power forward in junior college by the Lindy's Pre-Season Yearbook.    So with all this in mind, how long do you think it will take for Hamilton to turn the Seminoles into one of the perennial powers in college basketball.  Tell us by answering our "Question of the Day."   We also have confirmed via Big Apple Sports that St. John's has gotten a verbal commitment from 6'7 Anthony Ighadaro from Moberly (JC) MO.  Originally from Toronto, Canada, Ighadaro is a native of Toronto, ON, but he played one year at Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC and then was at Frank Phillips (JC) TX a year ago.  Ighadaro is no place to be found on any of the pre-season Junior College All-American lists, but the word is that he is a deep 3-point shooter with big time athleticism and excellent ball handling skills.  We also have received word about 6'10 Ronnie Carlwell from Maywood (Proviso East) IL and 6'8 Greg Dilligard from Ewing (Highland) MO both making verbal commitment to Illinois State and 6'9 Matt Malone from Greenville (H.S.) TN and 6'1 Casey Long from Fayetteville (71st) NC both picking UT-Chattanooga.  The Long commitment is especially significant.  If you will recall, Long, who is ranked #228 nationally in the senior class by HOOP SCOOP, played an important role on the New Orleans Jazz team that advanced to the final four at the adidas Big Time Tournament in July and, as a result, was named to the all-tournament team.  In other words, this athletic combo guard, who picked UT-Chattanooga over Tulane, is a major steal for first-year head coach Jeff Lebo, who is in the midst of a major rebuilding job, as only one starter returns from a 16-14 team.  Our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson tells us that Fresno State has gotten a verbal commitment from 6'8 Dreike Bouldin from Carl Albert (JC) OK and Missouri has landed 6'1 Spencer Laurie from Springfield (Kickapoo) MO.   Bouldin is ranked as the #4 power forward in the junior college ranks by Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook, as well as the #8 wing forward by Lindy's Pre-Season Yearbook.  Laurie is ranked #162 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and, as a result, the Tigers' recruiting class moves into a tie at #11, along with LSU, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.

Thursday, October 3, 2002

Nate Blue, who is the editor of the Real Scout Basketball, tells us that Iowa State has gotten a verbal commitment from 6'2 Curtis Stinson from Winchendon (School) MA and the deciding factor was the fact that Cyclones head coach Larry Eustachy drove 23 hours each way from Ames, IA to Winchendon, MA to see Stinson in a work-out.  If you will recall, Eustachy doesn't like to fly.   Stinson, who was the MVP at the adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas, NV in late July and like a jack-of-all-trades, because he does everything well, but nothing exceptional, will be following in the footsteps of another great New York City guard (Jamaal Tinsley) to Iowa State.  And we look for this trend to continue, because the Cyclones now have somebody on their staff who is second-to-none when it comes to recruiting players from New York City.   Obviously, we're talking about former Long Beach State head coach Wayne Morgan, who previously was an assistant coach at Syracuse University.  If you will recall, Morgan was the guy who finished second on both Kenny Anderson and Stephon Marbury and we bring this up, because a third time might prove to be a charm.  In other words, don't be surprised if Iowa State's name doesn't pop up on the list of 5'10 Jr Sebastian Telfair from Brooklyn (Lincoln) NY, who is the #4 ranked junior in the nation by the HOOP SCOOP, as well as the next "great point guard" to come out of New York City.  Whether Morgan can convince Telfair to go that far away from home is a major question mark, but he certainly has enough contacts to get in the door and make things interesting.  Blue also tells us that 6'9 Charlie Villanueva from Blairstown (Academy) NJ, who is the #1-ranked player on our 5th year list, will make an official visit to Seton Hall this weekend.  Villanueva also was at Illinois last weekend and he will plans to be at Indiana, along with 6'8 Luol Deng from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ, in two weeks and at Villanova in three weeks.  Blue offered no hint which school might be the leader, but he didn't rule out the possibility that Deng and Villanueva could go the same school together as a package.  Deng's list currently includes Duke, Virginia, Indiana, and Missouri, so if that were to happen, it would have to be Indiana.   Blue also tells us that we will only have to wait 29 more days to find out what Villanueva's choice will actually be.  That's right!  The press conference is already scheduled for November 1st and the smart money says Villanueva isn't going to go too far away from home, which means we're guessing it will be either Villanova or Seton Hall.  We also have confirmed that 6'9 Leonard Harden from Garden City (JC) IA, who is ranked #5 among centers in the junior college ranks by Lindy's Pre-Season Basketball Yearbook, has verbally committed to Miami-FL.  However, in reality Harden is actually more of a power forward and he's exactly what every college coach is looking for in this day age - a tough athlete who can step in immediately and get it done at the big time college level.  Harden joins 6'6 Eliiah Clark from Winchendon (School) MA and 6'2 Greg Brown from Indian Hills (JC) IA to move the Hurricanes' recruiting into a tie at #13, along with Illinois, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And, if the Hurricanes also get 6'8 Lawrence Carrier from Salisbury (School) MA, who also is leaning in their direction, Miami's recruiting class would move up to #4, behind Louisville, California, and Kansas, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Our Tennessee Correspondent Andre Whitehead tells us that Middle Tennessee State has recently landed 6'8 Kenyatta Swader from Smyrna (H.S.) TN, 5'11 Bryan Smithson from Kennesaw (North Cobb) GA, and 6'4 Ben Britt from Chattanooga (Red Bank) TN.  Swader, who impressed us with athleticism, soft touch around the basket, and vast potential, is the only one of the three who is ranked among our top 300 nationally.  However, Smithson is a tough hardnosed white kid out of the Bobby Hurley/Sean Miller mold.  As a matter of fact, there are those, including our Georgia Editor Linzy Davis, who think Smithson is just as good as 5'11 Matt Causey from Gainesville (East Hall) GA, who verbally committed to Georgetown last spring.  And just like Smithson, Britt is an athletic white kid and he's good at putting points on the scoreboard, as is evident by the fact that he's already the all-time leading scorer in the history of the school.  In other words, it looks like Middle Tennessee State assistant coach Donnie Tyndall has simply picked up where he left off a year ago.  If you will recall, Tyndall, who was the #9-ranked assistant coach at the lower Division I level in February by the HOOP SCOOP, was primarily responsible Idaho's recruiting class, which finished ranked   #15 in our Final Ranking of the Top Recruiting Classes for 2002.   Then, last spring Tyndall also helped the new regime at Middle Tennessee State get off on the right foot with a class that was ranked #112 nationally and included 6'8 Napolean Rhodes from Central Florida (JC) FL, 6'3 Marcus Robinson from Grayson County (JC) TX, 6'0 Keith Conner from Temple (JC) TX, and 6'8 Kyle Young from Lewisburg (Marshall County) TN.

Our New York City Editor Ron Naclerio tell us that 6'5 Gary Forbes from Brooklyn (Banneker) NY, who is ranked #48 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, has verbally committed to Virginia.  Actually Naclerio is just confirming what we told you was expected to happen two days ago when we predicted that Forbes would pick the Cavaliers over Georgia Tech.  Not only is Forbes an excellent athlete and a lights out 3-point shooter, but he is one of the fastest rising players in the nation, as was evident by the fact that he finished ranked #14 overall at the NIKE All-American Camp by the HOOP SCOOP.   If you will recall, Forbes was not ranked among the top 100 nationally by most people prior to the start of the summer.  And getting Forbes not only gives Virginia another piece to the puzzle, but it also means Virginia will be well stocked at the wing spots for years to come.  Remember, head coach Pete Gillen also brought in 6'6 Devin Smith from Coffeyville (JC) KS and 6'7 Derrick Byars from Memphis (Ridgeway) TN in last year's recruiting class.  Our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson tells us that 6'10 Vincent Hunter from Little Rock (Fair) AR, who is ranked #103 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, has verbally committed to the University of Arkansas.  And what a steal that is!  If you will recall, we saw Hunter at the National 17-Under AAU Tournament in late July and thought he was one of the biggest sleepers in the senior class nationally.  "We're talking about a long-lanky athlete with an incredible wing span, a soft shooting touch, and the ability to run the court like a deer," is how we described Hunter at the time.  "He's also every bit as good as big guys like 6'10 Akini Adkins from Tallahassee (Leon) FL and 6'10 Tyrone Nelson from Hempstead (H.S.) TX, but right now he doesn't have the name recognition."  Obviously that's a great start, but, if the Razorbacks can also get 6'6 Olu Famutimi from Flint (Northwestern) MI.   If you will recall, Famutimi's top three include Arkansas, Memphis, and Missouri.   However, it comes as a major surprise that the Razorbacks aren't still in the hunt for 6'5 Vakeaton Wafer from Cleveland (Heritage Christian) TX, who, just like Famutimi, is ranked among our top 10 seniors nationally, is an incredible athlete, and is one of the most prolific scorers in the nation.  Remember, Wafer is originally from Pineville, LA, which is located in the northern part of Louisiana, and he played AAU ball for the Arkansas Wings.  Instead, it looks like Florida State is the team you have to beat and, if Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton pulls this off, he would be well on his ways towards landing what might turn out to be the best recruiting class in the nation, despite the fact he got a late start recruiting players in the Class of 2003.  If you will recall, Florida State's recruiting class, which already includes 6'7 Antonio Griffin from Scottsdale (JC) AZ and 6'10 Diego Romero from Lon Morris from Scottsdale (JC) AZ, is currently ranked #15 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, plus they are among of the final three, along with Indiana and Iowa, for 6'8 Nick Dewitz from Mesa (JC) AZ.  As a matter of fact, it wouldn't surprise us, if Florida State wraps up Wafer sometime within the next week.  And the competition appears to be Texas and Louisiana Tech.  In other words, Indiana and Charlotte, both of which at one time were believed to be the leader for Wafer, also are no longer in the hunt.  And Wafer isn't the only player who recently has transferred to Cleveland (Heritage Christian) TX.   Do you remember 6'9 Tyler Jones from Denver (Manual) CO, originally signed with the University of Colorado, but didn't make it academically?   Well, he was originally supposed to do a 5th year at Laurinburg (Institute) NC, but apparently that didn't work out and, as a result, will provide the toughness that Heritage Christian head coach Jerome Tang will need inside to complement 6'11 Elijah Miller.  Remember, Miller, who is also getting attention from schools like Liberty, Evansville, and East Carolina, is a long and lanky shot blocking athlete with a tremendous upside, but he's not ready to take any prisoners in the low post just yet.   Speaking of Miller, we still think it's only a matter of time before he verbally commitments to the University of Houston.  If you will recall, we reported a week ago that it was a done deal, but Miller apparently got cold feet and put everything on hold.   We also still think the Cougars are the team you have to beat for 6'8 Justin Benson from Houston (Gulf Shores) TX and you might be surprised just how close the Cougars came to pulling off the shock of the year by getting 6'10 Ndudi Ebi from Houston (Westbury Christian) TX.  If you will recall, Ebi picked Arizona on two days ago, but we're now being told that Houston was the Ebi's choice over the weekened.  However, Ebi apparently changed his mind sometime on Monday or Tuesday morning.  Getting back to Heritage Christian, Tang also will have a terrific backcourt with 6'5 Jr Richard Hurd and 6'1 Jr Brian Waters; depth from 6'5 Patrick Greg, who recently was offered by Prairie View A&M, and 6'1 T.J. Warren, who is getting attention from schools like Princeton, Yale, Bucknell, and Colgate; and some great young players, including 6'0 Soph Justin Edward, 6'5 Soph Rashard Woods, 6'5 Soph Steven Jones, and 6'1 Frosh Quetin Guidery, who has the talent and potential to be a great one.  We also understand that 6'8 Marlon Pompey from Winchendon (School) MA, who played at Heritage Christian a year ago, has verbally committed to Texas A&M. 

UCLA may have lost out in the sweepstakes for 6'3 Omar Wilkes from Los Angeles (Loyola) CA yesterday, but it appears that 6'2 Brian Morrison, who transferred to UCLA last spring, but, instead, decided to enroll at the University of Washington last week, is back in the fold at UCLA.  However, Morrison won't get a scholarship until next year, which happens to be when Wilkes would have gotten a scholarship, if he hadn't picked Kansas over UCLA.  This means that UCLA still has two scholarships available in this recruiting class and their two primary targets are 6'8 Trevor Ariza from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA and 6'9 Sean Phaler from Villa Park (H.S.) CA.  Currently Phaler's final three are UCLA, Indiana, and Washington.  Ariza was down to three schools (UCLA, Florida, and Indiana) several weeks ago, but now it looks like UNLV, Georgia, and USC are all back in the hunt.  While neither player is good enough to make or break the UCLA program, either or both would be more than enough to keep the critics off UCLA head coach Steve Lavin's back, at least for a little while.  Sure, losing Wilkes was a blow to UCLA.  Remember, Wilkes' father, Jamal Wilkes played at UCLA during the early 70's for John Wooden.   But Wilkes, who is ranked #69 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, is not the McDonald's All-American and program turner that some people have tried to make him out to be.   As a matter of fact, I have never seen so much hype for a player who is ranked in the 51-100 range nationally.  Did you know that Greg Swaim of GregSwaim.com even had a special edition of his radio show to broadcast Wilkes' announcement live yesterday?  So obviously UCLA needs to get Ariza, Phaler, or, perhaps even 6'8 Ekewe Ibekwe from Carson (H.S.) CA, who is ranked #38 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, in order to change the growing perception that Lavin can't get the top players anymore out of his own backyard.  Lavin also needs to once again have one of the top recruiting classes in the nation a year from now.  Let's take a close look.  UCLA has Jason Kapono and Ray Young in the senior class; T.J. Cummings, Jon Crispin, and John Hoffart in the junior class; Cedric Bozeman, Dijon Thompson, Ryan Walcott, Josiah Johnson, and Janou Rubin in the sophomore class; Mike Fey, Matt McKinney, and Mercedes Lewis, who was recruited as a football player; but also is expected to contribute in basketball, in the freshmen class.  In other words, Ariza, Phaler, and/or Ibekwe would be the ideal replacement for Kapono; Cummings, Fey, and Lewis are adequate enough to hold down the fort inside for the next several years; and the backcourt has plenty of firepower with Bozeman, Thompson, Crispin, and, in the future, Morrison.  The Bruins also already appear to be the early heavy favorite for 6'2 Jr Gabriel Pruitt from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA, but they still need a pure point guard who can make everybody else better, as well as the best available players from both the senior and junior classes.   And, despite the fact they're making a last ditch attempt to get back involved with Ibekwe, we think he's a near lock for USC.  So is 6'9 Nick Stigger from Van Nuys (Montclair Prep) CA, unless the Trojans get Ariza and Ibekwe first.   Remember, USC already has verbal commitments from 6'4 Rodrick Stewart from Seattle (Rainier Beach) WA and 6'4 Lodrick Stewart from Seattle (Rainier Beach) WA and, as a result, only have two more scholarship available.  Also still available from Southern California and good enough to contribute at the top level are 6'9 Harrison Schaen from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA, 6'7 Dorell Wright from Lawndale (Lauzinger) CA, 6'4 Wendall White from Redondo Beach (Redondo Union) CA, 5'10 Kevin Bell from Los Angeles (Fairfax) CA, and 6'0 Rayshawn Reed from Inglewood (H.S.) CA.  However, Schaen appears to be a near lock for either Pennsylvania or Princeton.  Iowa, Long Beach State, San Diego, San Diego State, San Francisco, and Fresno State were the leaders for Wright, but after he played so well at the Fullcourt Press Fall Hoops Classic in Lynwood, CA in September, that list is sure to get longer before it gets shorter.  Oregon State, George Washington, and Fresno State make up the short list for Reed.  A lot of schools are waiting around to see what happens with White academically, but our guess is that he will end up at Pepperdine, which is where White's former high school coach, Jim Neilson, is now an assistant.   Speaking Pepperdine, it would not be a major surprise, if the Waves also get 7'3 Shagari Alleyne from New York (Rice) NY, and 6'8 Justin Benson from Houston (Gulf Shores) TX.  And they already have 5'10 Shawn Davis from San Diego (Lincoln) CA.  Not only would that give Pepperdine a recruiting class that would be ranked among the top 25 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, but it would also give them three players who are either ranked among the top 100 nationally or who have top 100-like talent and potential.  Getting back to the subject at hand, there isn't a lot left in the senior class in California and the pickings are even slimmer in the junior class, which could be the worst class we've seen in years in California.   Remember, the top player in that class - 6'2 Jr DeMarcus Nelson from Vallejo (H.S.) CA - has already verbally committed to Duke and Pruitt and 6'5 Curtis Allen from Palos Verdes (Rolling Hills) CA appear to have plateaued and, as a result, have dropped into the 50-75 range nationally.  Instead, the other two juniors who should be ranked in the 20-50 range nationally from California are 6'4 Jr Arron Afflalo from Compton (Centennial) CA and 7'0 Jr Robert Swift from Bakersfield (Garces) CA.   In other words, UCLA is going to have to recruit nationally in the junior class in order for Lavin to replenish the well. 

Wednesday, October 2, 2002

It came as no surprise when 6'10 David Padgett from Reno (H.S.) NV, who is ranked #18 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, picked the University of Kansas today.  Not only is Padgett the prototypical Kansas player, but the Jayhawks were one of the final three, along with North Carolina and Arizona, on Padgett's list.  Obviously Padgett will be heir apparent to 6'10 Nick Collison, who will graduate after this season, at the power forward spot, but he also promises to give the Jayhawks on the most powerful front lines in college basketball a year from now.  Remember, when Padgett is a freshman in college next year, 6'9 Jeff Graves from Iowa Western (JC) IA, who signed with Jayhawks a year ago, will be a senior and 6'8 Wayne Simien, who is an incredible athlete and physical specimen inside, will be a junior.  In other words, Kansas head coach Roy Williams has simply reloaded inside, plus he's done likewise out on the perimeter, because our West Coast Editor Dinos Trigonis tells us that the Jayhawks also have gotten a verbal commitment today from 6'3 Omar Wilkes from Los Angeles (Loyola) CA, who is ranked #69 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, and they got a verbal commitment last spring from 6'5 J.R. Giddens from Oklahoma City (John Marshall) OK, who is ranked #9 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  Wilkes reminds us of his father, former UCLA All-American Jamal Wilkes, in many ways.  Not only is the younger Wilkes super smooth and an excellent 3-point shooter, but he is an outstanding student and a first-class kid.  And he may be the entree that helps Kansas also get Wilkes' younger brother - 6'9 Soph Jordan Wilkes from Los Angeles (Loyola) CA.  The younger Wilkes not only is ranked among the top 40 sophomores in the nation by the HOOP SCOOP, but he's still growing and, as a result, is projected to top out a 6'11 or 7-feet.  Giddens reminds us of former Kansas All-American Paul Pierce and, after watching him at both the NIKE All-American Camp, where he finished ranked #15 in camp by the HOOP SCOOP, despite the fact he was just coming off an injury that had sidelined him for part of the spring, and the NIKE Peach Jam in Augusta, GA, where he dominated with his athleticism, skills, and outside shooting, we think he has a chance to turn out to be as good.  These two additions are huge, because Kansas' recruiting class, which also includes 6'1 Jeremy Case from McAlester (H.S.) OK, is now ranked #3 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Sure, Case needs to get bigger and stronger physically, but he is still ranked #220 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, because he has outstanding point guard skills, savvy, and leadership ability.    In other words, Case promises to be the ideal back-up to Aaron Miles.  Trigonis also tells us that San Diego has gotten a verbal commitment from 6'3 Michael Hubbard from Fullerton (JC) CA and he was the first person to tip us off about Florida State getting a verbal commitment from 6'10 Diego Romaro from Lon Morris (JC) TX.  The Romaro commitment is also huge, because he will give the Seminoles the inside presence that Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton needs to compete in the tough Atlantic Coast Conference a year from now.  We're talking about one of the top five junior college players in the nation, according the Street & Smith Pre-Season Yearbook, along with 6'10 Robert Whaley from Barton County (JC) KS, 6'8 Nate Daniels from Broward (JC) FL, 6'9 Jimmie Inglis from Globe (JC NY, and 6'4 Nick Williams from Chipola (JC) FL.   Romaro's commitment moves the Seminoles recruiting class, which also includes 6'7 Antonio Griffin from Scottsdale (JC) AZ, up to #14 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And the Seminoles class could move into the top five, if they also get 6'8 Nick Dewitz from Mesa (JC) AZ.  However, that may not be as easy as it looks, because Indiana and Iowa may actually be the leaders for this athletic white kid who is ranked as the #1 power forward in the junior college ranked by Lindy's Pre-Season Basketball Yearbook.    Lindy's also has Griffin ranked #6 at the power forward position, but he's such a great outside shooter that he should, instead, be near the top of the list at the wing forward spot. 

Tuesday, October 1, 2002

One of the next big events on our calendar is the War On the Shore, which Tournament Director Bobby Jacobs is promising "will be the event that will revolutionize prep school basketball."  Jacobs also claims that this will be the most talent laden tournament in the history of organized basketball tournaments.  Well, we'll have to wait and see about that.  However, one thing is for sure.  His November 22nd tip-off date is extremely early (as a general rule, I try not to even watch high school games until early December and, even then, it's usually obvious that most of the teams need more time to practice).  Obviously Jacobs wants to take advantage of the fact that college coaches can be in attendance - this will be the first weekend that college coaches can be out during the winter to evaluate prospects.  At least when Jacobs announces this as the "inaugural edition" of this "international tournament extravaganza and talent showcase," he is gramatically correct.   Remember, when somebody says it's a first annual, they look really stupid, because first means first and annual means there already has been one.  The War on the Shore, which will be held Friday, November 22nd, Saturday, November, 23rd, and Sunday, November 24th, at Milford High School in Milford, DE will feature Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ, Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH, Bridgport (North Bridgton) ME, Virginia Beach (Coastal Christian) VA, Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA, Laurinburg (Institute) NC, Burlington (Life Center) NJ, Philadelphia (Lutheran Christian) PA, Milford (Academy) CT, Ft. Washington (National Christian) MD, New Hampton (Prep) NH, Middleburg (Notre Dame) VA, Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA, Centereach (Our Savior New American) NY, Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT, Colora (West Nottingham) MD, Winchendon (School) MA, and Worcester (Academy) MA.  In other words, it has just about everybody except Pittsfield (Maine Central Institute) ME, Fork Union (Military) VA, and Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC.  Jacobs also points out that the War on the Shore was recently listed by five national publications as having 38 of the top 50 5th year/post graduate prep school basketball players in the world.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think we're just about the only publication that even publishes a 5th year list, plus a number of the players that Jacobs mentions in his recent press release look suspicously like they were taken straight from our list - i.e. Charlie Villanueva from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ at #1, 5'11 Gary Ervin from Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA at #8, 6'6 Karron Clark from Winchendon (School) MA at #13, 6'7 Mike Pilgram from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH at #20, 6'2 Curtis Stinson from Winchendon (School) MA at #20, 5'11 Will Blaylock from Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA at #24, 6'3 Andres Sandoval from Winchendon (School) MA at #26, 6'7 Michaed Ford from Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA at #34, 6'5 Brandon Powers from Fitchburg (Notre Dame at #38, 6'7 Blake Schilb from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH at #39, 6'4 Michael Cook from New Hampton (Prep) NH at #40, 5'9 Antonio Chapman from New Hampton (Prep) NH at #43, and 6'0 David Gale from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) MA at #48.  By some coincidence every one of these players is ranked a spot or two lower in our rankings, due to the fact that we made some late changes after Jacobs copied our list.  Jacobs also mentions that 6'8 Luol Deng from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ is a top five high school senior and that Laurinburg (Institute) NC, Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA, Middleburg (Notre Dame) VA, and Worcester (Academy) MA all have two players ranked among the top 50, but once again he forgets to mention whose rankings he's using.  While it obviously would have been nice to have gotten credit for the use of our rankings, this does not border on blatant plagiarism, because, just like a lot of people in the business, Jacobs does have permission to use our rankings in any way that he sees fit.  However, if Jacobs continues to rob us blind in the future and does not attribute the HOOP SCOOP, I not only will cut his password, but I may seek other remedies that are available under the law.  In other words, Mr. Jacobs, and everybody else for that matter, is pretty much free and clear to use our information, as long as they give us credit and attribute their source.

I hate to say that I told you so, but back in early June we not only got blasted, but we were repeatedly told just how wrong we were when it came to our accessment of UCLA's recruiting.  Let's take a closer look!  We started off by saying the smart money was still on UCLA when it came to recruiting 6'2 Marcus Williams from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA.  Well, after talking with Williams' father this fall at the 2002 Fullcourt Press Fall Hoops Classic at Lynwood High School in Lynwood, CA several weeks ago, I'd say that was an accurate accessment.  As a matter of fact, Mr. Williams is still trying to figure out why UCLA preferred 5'10 Aaron Brooks from Seattle (Franklin) WA over his son.   By that time, UCLA was no longer a lock, but he was still theirs for the taking, if they had decided to turn the heat back up.  We didn't even mention Brooks in our report on June 6th, but several days later I wrote "we didn't mention UCLA with Brooks last week, despite the fact he was at UCLA over the weekend, because we'd be shocked if he didn't go to the University of Oregon."  I also told you on July 25th that we had heard that "Brooks has already told UCLA head coach Steve Lavin that he will sign with the Bruins in November, but he wants to wait until after the 2002 Confederation of Pan American Basketball Associations Men's Junior World Championship Qualifying Tournament in Isla de Margarita, Venezuela to make the official announcement."  However, we hedged on that when we added that "a source close to the UCLA program will neither confirm nor deny this rumor.  If you will recall, the smart money was on Brooks going to the University of Oregon.  As a matter of fact, one of the reasons why Oregon backed off 6'3 Ryan Appleby from Stanwood (H.S.) WA was because it appeared that Brooks was a near lock for the Ducks."  And we never backed off that statement, despite the fact it appeared that UCLA was in great shape on Brooks for the next month and a half.  In other words, we thought the source that told us that Brooks had told Lavin he was going to go to UCLA had enough credibility to quote at the time.  However, we still thought Brooks would end up at Oregon.  And ultimately we were proven to be correct.  Getting back to what we wrote on June 6th, we said that UCLA would be tough to beat on 6'9 Sean Phaler from Villa Park (H.S.) CA.  Well, his final three are UCLA, Indiana, and Washington.  We also mentioned that UCLA can turn up the heat on 6'1 Ayinde Ubaka from Oakland (H.S.) CA.  Instead, as we now know, UCLA put all their effort into going after Brooks, but missed in the end.  We also pointed out that 6'4 Omar Wilkes from Los Angeles (Loyola) CA was a possibility and even mentioned that the reported friction that exists between Lavin and Jamal Wilkes, who is Wilkes' father, is nothing more than rumor.  Well, the younger Wilkes is supposed to have a press conference tomorrow and announce his decision, which is expected to be either UCLA or Kansas.  California is also mentioned for Wilkes, but, for that to happen, the Golden Bears would have to renege on their scholarship offer to 6'3 Wesley Washington from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA.  If you will recall, California's recruiting class, which currently has Washington, Ubaka, 6'8 Leon Powe from Oakland (Tech) CA, 6'5 Marquise Kately form Pittsfield (Maine Central Institute) ME, and 6'6 Dominic McGuire from San Diego (Lincoln) CA in the fold, is ranked #2 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  While Washington appears to be happy with his decision to attend the University of California, it appears that the scholarship offer is now contingent upon his making up some ground academically.   In other words, just like with 6'7 Evan Burns from Los Angeles (Fairfax) CA, who this fall was not admitted into school at UCLA, but who is now taking classes and expected to be eligible at San Diego State, Washington may be eligible by NCAA standards, but not Cal's standards.  As it stands now, Washington's recruitment is in that grey area, whereby, he has not reneged on the Golden Bears, but he is getting interest from other schools.  As a matter of fact, Washington was supposed to make an official visit to the University of Minnesota last weekend, but for some strange reason that visit got cancelled at the last minute.  Instead, Kansas might become a viable option, if Wilkes picks UCLA or California tomorrow.  And so too could UCLA, if Washington makes up enough ground academically.  However, scholarships appear to be in short supply for the Bruins.  As a matter of fact, it's been speculated that Brian Morrison, who decided not to enroll at UCLA last week and, instead, returned home to play for Lorenzo Romar at the University of Washington, left UCLA because Lavin wouldn't give him Burns' scholarship when it became available last month.   We also are waiting to see what 6'10 David Padgett from Reno (H.S.) NV does later this week or early next week.  If you will recall, we have told you on numerous occasions that Padgett and Wilkes would likely go to the same school as a package, but Padgett's father says otherwise.  Well, he obviously will be correct, if Wilkes picks UCLA or California tomorrow.  However, if Wilkes picks Kansas, that might be an indicator that Padgett isn't too far behind.  In other words, right now we don't have no clue as to whether Padgett will pick North Carolina, Kansas, or Arizona.   But Rob Harrington of the Recruiter's Handbook and www.prepstars.com is guessing that it will be the Jayhawks, at least in part because Roy Williams is the best there is in terms of recruiting the parents and Padgett's father is very involved in the recruiting process.   We also are waiting to see what 7'3 Shargi Alleyne from New York (Rice) NY is going to do.  Believe it nor not, we think the final two for Alleyne's services are Kentucky and Pepperdine.  As a matter of fact, Alleyne made an official visit to Pepperdine over the weekend and apparently had a great visit.  Obviously we have to give the Pepperdine coaching staff a lot credit for targeting a big name player they have a chance to get and Alleyne for not just putting every big name school he can find on his list.  We also have finally confirmed that 6'5 Vakeaton Wafer from Cleveland (Heritage Christian) TX, who is ranked #8 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, has enrolled at Cleveland (Heritage Christian) TX.  If you will recall, in August Wafer transferred from Pineville (H.S.) LA to Ft. Worth (Paschal) TX and then ended up for a short period of time Lumberton, NC.  We also expect 6'5 Gary Forbes from Brooklyn (Banneker) NY to pick Virginia over Georgia Tech tomorrow and it appears that West Virginia, Richmond, James Madison, and Hofstra are the leaders for 6'3 Kelvin Davis from Waterbury (Sacred Heart) CT, who is ranked #83 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP. 

It reminds me of what happened with Jared Jeffries three years ago.  If you will recall, Jeffries played everything extremely close to the vest, but in the end picked Indiana over Duke.  Obviously the pressure to stay home and the fact that Jeffries had been an Indiana fan all his life were major factors in his decision, but most people were betting on the Blue Devils the night before.  This also was the case with 6'10 Ndudi Ebi from Houston (Westbury Christian) TX, who picked Arizona over Duke, Texas, Houston, and Indiana earlier this morning.  Ebi doesn't live in Arizona, but he does have strong ties to Wildcats assistant coach Josh Pastner.  If you will recall, Pastner's father, Hal Pastner, is the director of the Houston Hoops AAU program for which Ebi has played for years, and prior to taking an assistant coaching position at Arizona, the younger Pastner was a coach for the Houston Hoops program, although he never coached the team for which Ebi played.  In other words, Pastner had a strong pre-existing relationship with Ebi for years and this important, because the way the rules are written, it's almost impossible to beat somebody like Duke, unless you've got some sort of connection or advantage.  However, selling Arizona head coach Lute Olson isn't exactly like selling chopped liver.  Remember, Olson, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame last winter, has been to the NCAA Final Four five times and is ranked 18th on the all-time career win list with 663 wins (only one win behind John Wooden and 26 wins ahead of Duke's Mike Krzyzewski).  He also has the consensus pre-season #1-ranked team in college basketball and, if the Wildcats win the NCAA Championship this year, a strong argument can be made that Olson belongs on the list of the top six coaches in the history of the game, along with Wooden, Krzyzewski, Adolph Rupp, Dean Smith, and Bobby Knight.  Ebi is ranked #4 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, but that really doesn't tell you just how big this is for the Wildcats.   Not only does Ebi an incredible athlete and an amazing shot blocker, but he has the skills, quickness, and natural talent to develop into a great one at the highest level.   All he needs to do is get bigger and stronger and become more consistent.  If you will recall, he was a disappointment at times this summer, because, like so many players in this day and age, he thought he could turn it off and on.  He also got worn out as the summer wore on.  Ebi also is a great kid and an excellent student.   Ironically, Ebi's commitment moves Arizona's recruiting class into a tie at #30, along with Duke, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, plus it gives the Wildcats a lot to sell when recruiting 6'3 Mustafa Shakur from Wynnewood (Friends Central) PA, 7'0 Brian Butch from Appleton (West) WI, and 6'10 David Padgett from Reno (H.S.) NV, all three of whom have the Wildcats in their final three and are expected to make an official decision sometime soon.  As a matter of fact, a decision by Padgett is expected to be forthcoming tomorrow and the final three are Arizona, North Carolina, and Kansas.  And, if Padgett picks the Wildcats, that would eliminate Arizona from the Butch sweepstakes, because they only have two scholarships remaining and their plan is to bring in one more big guy and a point guard.  Butch is supposed to visit Wisconsin this weekend, but Arizona, North Carolina, Marquette, and Kansas are also on his list.  However, we'd be surprised if he picked the Golden Eagles or the Jayhawks.  Shakur recently cancelled his visit to Virginia and, as a result, appears to be down to Arizona and N.C. State.  And, if Shakur picks the Wildcats and either Butch of Padgett also picks the Wildcats, then Arizona's recruiting class would move up to #2 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  It also would ensure that Arizona is not only the team to beat in college basketball this year, but also for several more years to come. 

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