HOT RECRUITING INFORMATION FOR SEPTEMBER 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

As things now, four is a very important number for the UCLA coaching staff.  That's how many scholarships they still have available for players in this year's recruiting class and that's also how many players that they will have on campus this weekend.  Our West Coast Editor Alan Utter tells us that the four recruits are 6'8 Josh Smith from Covington (Kentwood) WA, 6'2 Ray McCallum from Beverly Hills (Detroit Country Day) MI, 6'3 Trey Zeigler from Mt. Pleasant (H.S.) MI, and 6'4 Tyler Lamb from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA, who has been verbally committed to UCLA for over a year now.  Utter also makes note of the fact that 6'8 Harrison Barnes from Ames (H.S.) IA will be on campus the weekend of October 9th-10th and points out that 6'6 Anthony Brown from Huntington Beach (Oceanside) CA, 6'6 Jelan Kendrick from Marietta (Wheeler) GA, 6'9 Terrence Jones from Portland (Jefferson) OR, 6'7 Roscoe Smith from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, and 6'2 Stargell Love from Winston-Salem (Quality of Education Academy) NC also appear to be prime targets of the Bruins.  And the one that he thinks is most likely to pull the trigger sooner than later is Brown, who recently returned from a trip to Stanford and also still has the University of California in his final three.  Let's say that happens and the Bruins also land Smith, McCallum, and Zeigler.  That would move UCLA's recruiting class up to #2 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  However, even more important, this will give the Bruins the point guard (McCallum), the big man (Smith), and the athletic multi-dimensional wing players (Lamb, Brown, and Zeigler) who will provide a perfect complement to 6'8 Tyler Honeycutt from Sylmar (H.S.) CA, 6'7 Reaves Nelson from Modesto (Christian) CA, 6'8 Mike Moser from Portland (Grant) OR, 6'9 Brendan Lane from Rocklin (H.S.) CA, and 6'10 Anthony Stover from Los Angeles (Windward) CA, all of whom were apart of last year's recruiting class, which finished ranked #13 in our Final Ranking of the Top Recruiting Classes for the Class of 2009.  On the other hand, if UCLA coaching staff doesn't bring another big recruiting class this fall, then they will have to turn their focus onto the players, like 6'4 Jr Tony Wroten from Seattle (Garfield) WA, 6'2 Jr Nick Johnson from Henderson (Findlay Prep) NV, 6'4 Jr Jabari Brown from Henderson (Findlay Prep) NV, 6'3 Jr Josiah Turner from Sacramento (H.S.) CA, 6'2 Jr Shannon Scott from Alpharetta (Milton) GA, 6'0 Jr Deville Smith from Jackson (Callaway) MS, 6'4 Jr Brandon Dawson from Gary (Lew Wallace) IN, 5'11 Jr Cezar Guerrero from Bellflower (St. John Bosco) CA, 6'10 Jr Rakeem Christmas from Bryn Athyn (Academy of the New Church) PA, 6'9 Jr Amir Williams from Beverly Hills (Detroit Country Day) MI, 6'9 Jr Angelo Chol from San Diego (Hoover) CA, 6'9 Jr Kevin Johnson from Woodland Hills (Taft) CA, 6'9 Jr Kyle Wiltjer from West Linn (H.S.) OR, 6'8 Jr Julian Royal from Alpharetta (Milton) GA, and 7'0 Jr Kyle Caudill from Brea (Brea Olinda) CA, that they're targeting in the junior class.  It also comes as no surprise that 6'6 Casey Prather from Jackson (Northside) TN, who is ranked #64 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, has picked the University of Florida over schools like Clemson, Vanderbilt, and Notre Dame.  And our Tennessee Editor Andre Whitehead likes the Corey Brewer comparison, but also reminds us that Prather isn't nearly as good an outside shooter as Brewer was at the same stage.  "Prather is an incredible athlete and a great finisher," says Whitehead.  "He's also a perfect fit, because he thrives in an up tempo setting and is a great kid."  And what about the fact that Butler had landed 6'6 Khyle Marshall from Pembroke Pines (Flanagan) FL, who is ranked #146 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP?  Our Florida Editor Rick Staudt tells us that Marshall is a slashing athletic wing forward who is more of a scorer than a shooter.  "He's really good at getting to the basket and pulling up and hitting the mid-range jump shot," says Staudt.  Marshall also joins 6'9 Eric Fromm from Bloomington (South) IN and 6'1 Christian Hopkins from Indianapolis (Manuel) IN in a recruiting class that is tied at #52, along with Seattle University, Kent State, and Drake, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  However, even more important, it's clear that the rich are getting richer, as the Bulldogs now have the best recruiting class in the Horizon League.  Our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin tells us that 6'5 Ben Brackney from Lincoln (Community) IL has picked Bucknell, 6'0 Mackey McKnight from Houston (Langham Creek) TX has picked Lehigh, and 6'2 Dua Jok from Des Moines (Roosevelt) IA has picked the University of Pennsylvania.  Jok is the older brother of 6'5 Frosh Peter Jok from Des Moines (Christian) IA, who will be one of the top 10-ranked freshmen in the nation by the HOOP SCOOP when we publish our updated Ranking of the Top Players in the Class of 2013 on Friday.  McKnight is a pure point guard whose forte is running the show.  Brackney is a flat out great 3-point shooter.  We also are very impressed with the fact that Notre Dame has picked up an early verbal commitment from 6'0 Jr Quinn Cook from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD, who is ranked #25 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  Not only is Cook a pure point guard with good ball handling and passing skills and an excellent basketball IQ, but he also changes speeds extremely well, is a terrific outside shooter, and has the speed, quickness, and athleticism necessary to match-up against all of the jet-quick point guards that he'll face in the tough Big East Conference.  Also falling into this category are 6'1 Eric Atkins from Baltimore (Mt. St. Joseph's) MD and 6'5 Jerian Grant from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD, who are apart of the Irish's current recruiting class, which is now ranked #23, along with LSU, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010 and also includes 6'6 Alex Dragicovich from Northbrook (Glenbrook North) IL.  The addition of Cook also gives the Notre Dame coaching staff a great head start on the future, as next year's recruiting class, which also already includes 6'8 Vinny Zollo from Winchester (Clark County) KY, moves into a tie at #4, along with Texas A&M, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2011.  Editor's Note:  It looks like I blew it on this one, as I failed to differentiate between Cook being offered a scholarship by Notre Dame and actually making an early verbal commitment to the Irish.  Instead, it looks like Cook is still wide open, as schools like Ohio State, Kansas State, Maryland, Arizona, UCLA, Tennessee,  Indiana, Villanova, Georgetown, Providence, South Florida, Massachusetts, Baylor, Wake Forest, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, and  Duke are all still in the mix.  Cook will make an official visit to South Bend, IN during the Notre Dame-USC football game on Saturday, October 17th and we do like the Irish's chances.  Remember,  Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey was both a high school player and an assistant coach Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD.  And don't forget about the fact the Irish already have a verbal commitment from one of Cook's teammates (Jerian Grant) and he's also close friends with another player (Eric Atkins) who plays in the DC Assault club team program and is already apart of Notre Dame's current recruiting class. 

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Our New York City Editor Ron Naclerio tells us that St. Francis-NY head coach Brian Nash has pulled off a major coup by landing 6'6 Michael Glover from Eastern Utah (JC) UT.  If you will recall, this same who started his high school career at Bronx (James Monroe) NY and also has made stops at Chicago (Boys to Men) IL, Aston (American Christian) PA, Seton Hall, and ASA (JC) NY.  However, even more important is the fact that Glover, who is the younger brother of former St. John's power forward Anthony Glover, is a beast inside and, if he hadn't been ruled ineligible by the NCAA, probably would have stepped in and started two years ago as a freshmen at Seton Hall.  Glover was ranked #16 on our list of the top 5th Year Players, which at the time made him the equivalent of a top 50-100-ranked player nationally, when he was at American Christian during the 2006-07 season.  Glover also has been a dominant force on the playgrounds of New York City the last several summers, which means that he has the potential to step in and make the Terriers a team to be reckoned with right away.  Naclerio even goes so far as to predict that Glover will be the best player in the league right off the bat, as well as the perfect complement to Akeem Johnson, who sat out last year at St. Francis-NY after averaging 23.0 ppg and 12.0 rpg as a high school senior at Brooklyn (McKinney) NY.  And making the future even brighter for St. Francis-NY head coach Brian Nash is the fact that the Terriers also recently added 6'11 Mike Davis, who has decided to transfer from Seton Hall to St. Francis and will sit out the 2009-2010 season.  Our North Carolina Editor Rick Lewis also thinks that Virginia Commonwealth may have stolen one with the commitment they received over the weekend from 6'7 Reco McCarter from Goldsboro (Wayne Country Day) NC.  "This long athletic slashing wing forward can shoot the three, is great at putting it on the floor, and is a lock down defender," says Lewis.  "McCarter is a 5th Year Player, but he's good enough to be a borderline top 100-ranked senior nationally and he led the Carolina Flight team to an impressive 8th Place finish in the AAU 17-Under Nationals."  Our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson tells us that 5'10 Mike Talley from Melvindale (Academy for Business & Technology) MI has verbally committed to Duquesne.  We're talking about a conventional point guard with excellent speed and quickness and the talent necessary to be ranked #219 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  Talley also was named the state's Class C Player-of-the-Year each of the last two years and promises to be an excellent complement in this year's recruiting class to 5'11 T.J. McConnell from Bridgeville (Chartiers Valley) PA, who made an early verbal commitment to Duquesne two years ago and is an excellent 3-point shooter.  Talley picked the picked the Dukes over schools like Providence, Detroit, and St. Bonaventure and the guy who deserves most of the credit for getting this done is Duquesne assistant coach Steve Hall, who is a Detroit native and was the head coach at Detroit (Rogers) MI when they won Class D state titles in 2003 2004, and 2005 and Detroit (Northwestern) MI when they won the Detroit PSL (Public School League) Championship in 2008.  We also have confirmed that 5'7 Maurice Jones from Saginaw (H.S.) MI, who verbally committed to USC over the weekend, and 6'7 Matt Kamieniecki from Clarkston (H.S.) MI, who yesterday picked Ball State over Western Michigan and Loyola-Illinois, are also both off the board.  Jones is small, but he's ranked #136 nationally in the senior class and we saw him hit five 3-pointers en route to 30 points against the Boo Williams Summer League Team at the Bill Hensley Memorial Run-N-Slam All-Star Classic.  Jones also is really quick, knows how to compete, and has good ball handling and passing skills, which he uses to make things happen in a up tempo setting.  And this is important, because the addition of Jones provides another important piece to the puzzle in a recruiting class that is now tied at #7, along with South Carolina, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010 and also already includes 6'7 Dwayne Poole from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA, 6'9 Curtis Washington from Elizabeth (H.S.) KY, 6'5 Bryce Jones from Woodland Hills (Taft) CA, and 6'7 Garrett Jackson from Portland (Westview) OR.  And when one also remembers that the Trojans have an early verbal commitment from 6'1 Jr Gelaun Wheelwright from Corona (Centennial) CA, who is ranked #58 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP, two things are clear.  First, all the hard work that new USC head coach Kevin O'Neill and his staff did on the recruiting trail this summer paid big dividends.  Second, they have a little bit of everything in this year's recruiting class, as they continue to build a strong nucleus for the future.  Kamieniecki is a face-up four-man who projects down the road as a three and has the skills, length, athleticism, and work ethic necessary to be ranked #257 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  Our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin tells us that 6'9 Anthony Lee from Orlando (West Oaks Academy) FL has made it official for Temple and 6'1 Jared Roberts from Woodbury (H.S.) NJ and 6'2 Isaiah Roberts from Woodbury (H.S.) NJ are bound for both for the United States Navy Academy.  Rubin is especially excited about the addition of Lee, who thinks is one of those under the radar guys who could blossom once he gets bigger and stronger at the college level.  "Lee is an inside/outside guy who has excellent footwork in the post, a nice turnaround jumper, and a nice hook shot," says Rubin.  "He also can step out and score from 15-feet, is active on the boards, and is an excellent defender."  We also have confirmed that 6'3 David Robinson from Richmond (Cosby) VA has verbally committed to Longwood and 6'8 Josh Daniel from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ has verbally committed to Wagner.  The former is an excellent 3-point shooter and prolific scorer who also had interest from schools like Air Force, Richmond, and East Carolina.  The latter is long and athletic, versatile enough to play the three, four, and the five spot, and is only just beginning to tap his upside and potential. 

Saturday, September 26, 2009 Sunday, September 27, 2009, & Monday, September 28, 2009

Our Florida Editors Rick Staudt and Jim Clark attended the NIKE Team Florida Workout at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL over the weekend and they got a good look at many of the top players in the Class of 2010 and Class of 2011 on Saturday and Class of 2012 and Class of 2013 on Sunday.  "This is one of the best events in the fall to evaluate talent in the Sunshine State," says Staudt, who ranks 6'9 Okaro White from Clearwater (H.S.) FL right at the top of the list of players in attendance at this event.  "Committed to Florida State, White was spectacular and efficient in all phases of the game.  He played hard at both ends of the court, controlled the glass, finished inside with exceptional body control, and knocked down shots from the perimeter."  Right behind him was 6'6 Wilfried Yuegette from Melbourne (Florida Air Academy) FL.  "No one could beat him on the glass and, if he didn't finish the first time, he certainly did a second or, if necessary, a third time," says Staudt.  "Yuegette also converted some baseline drives with the left hand, scored with authority in traffic on the break, and hit a three when the defense laid off of him."  Coming in at #3 on the day was 6'7 Jr Chris Bryant from Tallahassee (Rickhards) FL.  "While not yet as skilled as White or even Yeugette, Bryant's length, energy, athletic ability, and nose for the basketball stood out," says Staudt.  "He needs to get stronger and continue to develop his offensive skills over the next year or so.  But he is definitely one of the better underclassmen in the state."  The top backcourt player of the day was another underclassmen, 6'2 Jr Scottie Wilbekin from Gainesville (The Rock School) FL.  "Whether running the point or playing off the ball, he is effective," says Staudt.  "Wilbekin has the ability to knock down open jumpers from behind the arc or pull up from mid-range off the dribble.  He has good court vision and throws catchable passes at the right time."  Rounding out the top five on Saturday is 6'6 Harld Doby from Oldsmar (Christian) FL.  "A 5th Year player committed to Georgia State, Doby is skilled enough to play the small forward position, but also excels as a big forward in the right match-up situation.  He handles the basketball well enough to start the break on his own after a defensive rebound, finishes well around the basket, and is becoming a reliable shooter outside of 18-feet."  The remaining top 30-ranked players by Staudt and Clark are as follows:  6) 6'1 Dennis Mavin from Gainesville (The Rock School) FL, 7) 6'7 Jr Jason Pimetal from Ocala (Trinity Catholic) FL, 8) 6'5 Keith Matthews from Sebastian River (H.S.) FL, 9) 6'5 Jr Adonis Burbage from Orlando (Orlando Christian Prep) FL, 10) 6'3 Jr Evin Graham from Ft. Myers (H.S.) FL, 11) 6'7 Santoine Butler from Oldsmar (Christian) FL, 12) 6'3 Jr Rashawn Rembert from Tampa (Sickles) FL, 13) 6'2 Keith McDougald from Jacksonville (Bishop Kenney) FL, 14) 5'10 Xavier Martin from Miramar (H.S.) FL, 15) 6'9 Eric Williams from Tampa (Wiregrass Ranch) FL, 16) 6'0 Josh Castellanos from Orlando (Orlando Christian Prep) FL, 17) 6'4 Jr Dominique Williams from Haines City (H.S.) FL, 18) 6'1 Frank Agoholar from Oldsmar (Christian) FL, 19) 6'4 Rashad Richardson from Oldsmar (Christian) FL, 20) 5'8 Michael Parramore from Orlando (Evans) FL, 21) 6'6 Antuane Richardson from Miramar (H.S.) FL, 22) 6'8 Milton Geddess from Jacksonville (Jackson) FL, 23) 6'10 Jr Chris Uhle from Ocala (Trinity Catholic) FL, 24) 6'3 Jr T'Quan McDew from Sebastian River (H.S.) FL, 25) 6'1 Jr Terral Merritt from Orlando (Orlando Christian Prep) FL, 26) 6'3 Jr Joey Nungester from Clearwater (H.S.) FL, 27) 6'4 Jr Joe Ferro from Ocala (Trinity Catholic) FL, 28) 6'6 Steve Kraus from Oldsmar (Christian) FL, 29) 6'1 Jr Robert Lockhart from Boca Raton (West Boca) FL, and 30) 6'4 Greg Burden from Winter Haven (H.S.) FL.  Sunday brought together 80 of the top freshmen and sophomores in the state and not surprisingly 6'0 Frosh Kasey Hill from Mount Dora (Bible) FL stood out above all the rest.  "Hill is just so smooth, effortless, and quick getting to the basket and then finishing expertly with either hand at the rim," says Staudt.  "Some of the other scouts in attendance decried his lack of consistency and his lack of movement off the ball.  But he displayed later in the day that he could knock down threes and had a few nice dishes as well."  Second on the list is Hill's NIKE Team Florida teammate 6'5 Frosh Dre Kalo Clayton from Orlando (Evans) FL.  "Physically and athletically, Clayton is a man among boys at this level," says Staudt.  "Darn near anything that comes off the glass near him is his and he just powers through people inside.  He's patient in the post before making a move.  Clayton needs to develop some offensive skills, but should perform well against older players his first year in high school."  Coming in third is 6'2 Soph Brandon Channer from Tampa (Blake) FL.  "He was a late addition to the camp," says Staudt.  "But this strong-bodied guard handles and passes well, has a solid shot from anywhere on the court, and above all proved to be a good teammate in a setting where very few are.  Channer also finishes well on the break and in traffic.  He was one of the bigger surprises at the event."  The fourth best player was 6'3 Frosh Quinten Payne from Ft. Myers (Bishop Verot) FL.  "He is the younger brother of Iowa's Cully Payne (the family has moved from Illinois to the Sunshine State),' says Staudt.  "And he had as many wow moments on Sunday as anybody.  He's a very good athlete proven by a couple of jams on the break with contact, a good shooter, and an alert ball handler and passer.  Payne is going to get a lot attention from college coaches over the next couple of years."  Rounding out the top five is 6'5 Frosh Bradley Christian from Melbourne (Florida Air Academy) FL.  "Christian participated on Saturday with the seniors and juniors and failed to really stand out," says Staudt.  "But when playing with his peers he was easy to spot.  For a guy his size, Christian handles the ball extremely well, is very bouncy, and gets up and down the floor quickly.   He needs to work on his long-range jumper and get stronger over the next couple of years.  But he has all the tools for a mid-to-high major 2-guard."  The remaining Top 30 from Sunday includes 6) 6'0 Frosh Demarcus Croaker from Orlando (Jones) FL, 7) Soph Billy Williams from Orlando (Evans) FL, 8) 6'3 Soph Jordan Montgomery from Orlando (Orlando Christian Prep) FL, 9) 6'2 Soph Deion Clark from Naples (Barron Collier) FL, 10) 5'8 Frosh Justice Montgomery from Orlando (Orlando Christian Prep) FL, 11) 6'7 Soph Glenn Feidanga from Gainesville (The Rock School) FL, 12) 6'2 Soph Calvin Long from Gainesville (Buchholtz) FL, 13) 6'6 Soph Alain Chiqha from Gainesville (The Rock School) FL, 14) 6'4 Soph Isaac Cohen from Orlando (Orlando Christian Prep) FL, 15) 6'2 Soph Branden Leston from Clearwater (H.S.) FL, 16) 6'5 Soph Stephen Sauey from Ocala (Trinity Catholic) FL, 17) 6'2 Soph Trey Griscek from Orlando (Olympia) FL, 18) 6'4 Frosh Brian Johnson from St. John's (Creekside) FL, 19) 6'3 Soph Devonte Morgan from Tampa (Prep) FL, 20) 5'11 Frosh Josh Heath from Tampa (Prep) FL, 21) 6'3 Frosh D.J. White from St. Petersburg (Boca Ciega) FL, 22) 6'4 Frosh Trey Young from Bradenton (Braden River) FL, 23) 6'3 Frosh Michael Pierce from Orlando (Evans) FL, 24) 6'2 8th Grader Austin Harrell from Gainesville (The Rock School) FL, 25) 6'7 Soph Ryan Hagy from Deland (H.S.) FL, 26) 5'11 Frosh Tim Norman from Gainesville (H.S.) FL, 27) 6'5 Frosh Brendan Mooney from Altamonte Springs (Lake Brantley) FL, 28) 6'3 Soph Stefan Dombrowsky from Stuart (South Fork) FL, 9) 6'4 Frosh Joe Lampley from St. Petersburg (Admiral Farragut) FL, and 30) 6'3 Soph Alvin Cunningham from St. Petersburg (Lakewood) FL. 

Friday, September 25, 2009

The first weekend in December seems like a long time away.  But this year's Marshall County Hoop Fest , which will be held in the Reed Conder Gymnasium at Marshall County High School in Benton, KY, will feature the two teams that played for what turned out to be high school basketball's national championship last April.  However, Henderson (Findlay Prep) NV, which won that game 74-66, won't be playing Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA in either of their two games on Friday, December 4th, or Saturday, December 5th.  Instead, last year's national champion will be matched up against Arden (The Christ School) NC at 9:30 PM on the first night and Centereach (Our Savior New American) NY at 9:30 PM on the second night.  And right before that game will be the match-up that features Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA versus  Jackson (Callaway) MS at 8:00 PM.  And earlier in the day it will be Paducah (Tilghman) KY versus Hazard Perry County Central) KY at Noon, Lexington (Catholic) KY versus Bowling Green (Warren Central) KY at 1:30 PM, Jeffersontown (H.S.) KY versus London (South Laurel) KY at 3:00 PM, Arden (The Christ School) NY versus Biloxi (St. Patrick) MS at 4:30 PM, and Covington (Holmes) KY versus Gary (Bowman Academy) IN at 6:30 PM.  And prior to the big match-up in the finale on the previous evening on Friday, December 2nd, there will be a girls game at 5:00 PM, Hopkinsville (Christian County) KY versus Bellville (Althoff Catholic) IL at 6:30 PM, and London (South Laurel) KY versus Gary (Bowman Academy) IN at 8:00 PM.  There also will be three games on Thursday, December 3rd, beginning with a girls game at 5:00 PM, followed by Benton (Marshall County) KY versus Metropolis (Massac County) KY at 6:30 PM, and Mayfield (Graves County) KY versus Greenville (Muhlenberg County) KY at 8:00 PM.  The list of top players who will be in attendance include 6'8 Tristan Thompson from Findlay (Henderson Prep) NV, 6'4 Doron Lamb from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 6'2 Cory Joseph from Findlay (Henderson Prep) NV, 6'7 Roscoe Smith from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 5'11 Juwan Staten from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 6'10 Godwin Okonji from Findlay (Henderson Prep) NV, 6'1 Eric Smith from Arden (The Christ School) NC, 6'3 Pe'Shon Howard from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 6'11 Baye Moussa-Keita from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 6'4 Ricardo Johnson from Covington (Holmes) KY, 6'7 Elijah Pittman from Covington (Holmes) KY, 6'7 Javerick Nelson from Jackson (Callaway) MS, 6'4 Shaquille Wilson from Hopkinsville (Christian County) KY, 6'8 Matt St. John from London (South Laurel) KY, 5'11 Thomas Jackson from Jeffersontown (H.S.) KY, 6'3 Tim Jackson from Jeffersontown (H.S.) KY, 6'0 Richard Kennedy from Jeffersontown (H.S.) KY, 6'3 Jeremiah Johnson from Covington (Holmes) KY, 6'5 John Mullins from Hazard (Perry County Central) KY, 6'3 Martez Boards from Bowling (Green Warren Central) KY, 6'4 Christopher Bond from Gary (Bowman Academy) IN, 6'2 Ty Rae Robinson from Gary (Bowman Academy) IN, 5'10 Nick Moore from Gary (Bowman Academy) IN, 6'2 Cylk Joseph from Gary (Bowman Academy) IN, 6'2 Matt Gilbert from London (South Laurel) KY, 6'2 Chris Noble from Hazard (Perry County) KY, 6'3 Matt Watkins from London (South Laurel) KY, 6'0 Jr Marquavius "Deville" Smith from Jackson (Callaway) MS, 6'4 Jr Tony Kimbro from Arden (The Christ School) NY, 6'11 Jr Marshall Plumlee from Arden (The Christ School) NY, 6'3 Jr Nick Johnson from Henderson (Findlay Prep) NV, 6'4 Jr Jabari Brown from Henderson (Findlay Prep) NV, 6'6 Jr George Fant from Bowling Green (Warren Central) KY, 6'0 Jr Jordan Shanklin from Bowling Green (Warren Central) KY, 6'4 Jr Josh Forrest from Paducah (Tilghman) KY, 6'5 Jr Donovan Kates from Hopkinsville (Christian County) KY, 5'11 Jr Anthony Hickey from Hopkinsville (Christian County) KY, 5'11 Jr Veontae Lewis from Hopkinsville (Christian County) KY, 6'4 Jr Stephen Atkinson from Benton (Marshall County) KY, 5'11 Jr Jesse Anderson from Mayfield (Graves County) KY, 5'10 Jr Blake Clark from Benton (Marshall County) KY, 6'7 Soph Winston Sheppard from Henderson (Findlay Prep) NV, 6'0 Soph Javon Thomas from Centereach (Our Savior New American) NY, 6'6 Soph Dejuan Marrero from Gary (Bowman Academy) IN, 6'2 Soph Desmond Dorsey from Jeffersontown (H.S.) KY, and 6'3 Frosh Nigel Williams-Goss from Henderson (Findlay Prep) NV.  The good news is that there will be some good teams, some good match-ups and they've eliminated several of the early games, as well as the 11:00 PM game on Saturday.  The bad news is that no any Chicago area teams will be on hand.  Nor will any of the players, like 6'3 Brandon Knight from Ft. Lauderdale (Pine Crest) FL, 6'2 Josh Selby from Baltimore (Lake Clifton) MD, 6'2 Kyrie Irving from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ, 6'7 Tobias Harris from Dix Hills (Half Hallow Hill West) NY, 6'8 Michael Gilchrist from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ, 6'3 Jr Marquis Teague from Indianapolis (Pike) IN, and 6'5 Jr Wayne Blackshear from Chicago (Morgan Park) IL, who are top recruiting priorities for either the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville.  However, it is worth noting that 6'4 Doron Lamb from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA does have the Wildcats and the Cardinals both on a list that also includes Oklahoma, Kansas, St. John's, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Arizona, Connecticut, Syracuse, and Seton Hall. 

Thursday, September 24, 2009

It looks like the University of Kentucky has finally gotten on the recruiting board with today's verbal commitment by 6'5 Stacey Poole from Jacksonville (Providence School) FL.  If you will recall, the Wildcats are involved with a number of the top high school players in the nation, including 6'3 Brandon Knight from Ft. Lauderdale (Pine Crest) FL, 6'2 Josh Selby from Baltimore (Lake Clifton) MD, 6'7 Tobias Harris from Dix Hills (Half Hallow Hill West) NY, 6'2 Kyrie Irving from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ, 6'6 Jelan Kendrick from Marietta (Wheeler) GA, 6'9 C.J. Leslie from Raleigh (Word of God) NC, 6'3 Doron Lamb from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 6'9 Adrian Payne from Dayton (Jefferson) OH, 6'8 Jr Michael Gilchrist from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ, and 6'3 Jr Marquis Teague from Indianapolis (Pike) IN.  But until today nobody had pulled the trigger for the Wildcats.  Poole is not ranked among our top 100 seniors nationally, but our Florida Editor Rick Staudt thinks he should be based on the fact that Poole has gotten a lot better at creating his own shot and hitting the mid-range jump shot.  Poole also has big time athleticism and an excellent body, is very adept at getting to the basket, and has a great bloodline, as is evident by the fact that his father who goes by the same name was a top 25-ranked senior nationally by the HOOP SCOOP in the great Class of 1988 and was the fourth leading scorer with 1,678 points in University of Florida basketball history.  The younger Poole also is capable of putting up prolific numbers (he was the second leading scorer with 15.8 ppg at the NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp).  However, Poole still has a tendency to be inconsistent, is more of a slasher than a shooter, and is still really just learning how to play the game.  And this is good news for Wildcats head coach John Calipari, because it means that Poole will likely be a three or four-year player for the Wildcats.  We also are impressed with the fact that Auburn has landed 5'11 Anthony Salters from Iowa Western (JC) IA, who named Second-Team All-Region XI and averaged 15.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 3.8 apg, and 1.6 spg this past season.  But even more impressive is the fact that Mike Mitchell, who is the editor and publisher of the Midwest Scouting Service, ranks Salters as the top point guard in the junior college ranks this year.  Salters also has the jet-like speed and quickness, ball handling and passing skills, good mid-range game, and ability to create his own shot necessary to step in and be one of the better point guards in the league next year.  Salters also should be an excellent complement to 6'6 Heath Houston from Powder Springs (Hillsgrove) GA, 6'8 Adrian Forbes from Trinity Valley (JC) TX, and 6'2 Jalen Steele from Knoxville (Fulton) TN in a recruiting class that is now tied at #9, along with Oklahoma State, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  Our Mid-South Editor Jim Rothman tells us that 6'4 Austin Hollins from Germantown (H.S.) TN has picked the University of Minnesota over Memphis, Arkansas, and Oregon State.  "Hollins belongs in the 100 to 150 range nationally," says Rothman.  "He's got an excellent pull-up jumper, a high basketball IQ, and his father (Lionel Hollins) is the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies."  Rothman also thinks Clemson is currently the leader over Memphis, Florida, and Vanderbilt for 6'5 Casey Prather from Jackson (Northside) TN and Memphis is currently the leader over Alabama, Miami-FL, and Oklahoma for 6'8 Tarik Black from Memphis (Ridgeway) TN.  We also understand that 6'8 Jr Vinny Zollo from Winchester (Clark County) KY has verbally committed to Notre Dame.  Yes, that's the same guy who originally verbally committed to the University of Kentucky back when he was a freshman at Greenfield (McClain) OH.  However, after his family moved to Winchester, KY and he played his sophomore year at Clark County High School, he re-opened his recruitment last spring after the previous regime got fired. "A blue collar low post man who continues to improve with each outing," says Rick Bolus in the High Potential Basketball Recruiting Service.  "Scores inside, rebounds and outlets to start the break, but needs added foot speed and quicks to aid his defense."  Thus, explains why we have Zollo ranked no higher than #268 nationally in the junior class.  But Zollo did make an excellent choice this time around, as Irish head coach Mike Brey is a master at getting the most out of players who will benefit from structure and playing in his system.  Our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin tells us that 6'9 Jonathan Arledge from Washington (Kamit Institute Magnificent Achievers) DC has picked George Mason over Providence, Georgetown, and Temple.  And Rubin thinks this is an excellent catch for the Patriots despite the fact that Arledge is under most people's radar screen nationally.  "Arledge has good low post moves, is good on the boards, and can step out and hit the 17-foot jumper," says Rubin.  Rubin also confirms that 6'8 Anthony Lee from Orlando (West Oaks) FL will be at Temple this weekend on an official visit and that the Owls appear to be one of the three finalists, along with Virginia Commonwealth and USC, for Lee's services.  Our New York City Editor Ron Naclerio also checks in with a final four, which includes Louisville, St. John's, Florida, and Pittsburgh, for 6'6 J.J. Moore from South Kent (Prep) CT, who combines big time athleticism with a deadly 3-point shot to be a legitimate top 50-ranked senior nationally.  The top five for 6'5 Jayvaughn Pinkston from Brooklyn (Bishop Loughlin) NY are St. John's Villanova, Tennessee,  Marquette, and Seton Hall.  There also are two long shots remaining on Pinkston's list and they are Arizona and Miami-FL.  We also have confirmed that 6'4 Doron Lamb from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA has a pair of visits already set up to the University of Oklahoma on October 2nd and Kansas on October 16th and that schools like St. John's, Pittsburgh, Louisville, West Virginia, Kentucky, Arizona, Connecticut, Syracuse, and Seton Hall are also still in the hunt. 

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

With today's verbal commitment by 6'11 Carson Desrosiers from Lawrence (Central Catholic) MA to Wake Forest, 67 of our top 100-ranked seniors are now verbally committed to four-year Division I college and universities.  In other words, two-thirds of the top 100-ranked seniors are already off the board.  That leaves 6'8 Harrison Barnes from Ames (H.S.) IA, 6'3 Brandon Knight from Ft. Lauderdale (Pine Crest) FL, 6'2 Josh Selby from Baltimore (Lake Clifton) MD, 6'7 Tobias Harris from Dix Hills (Half Hallow Hill West) NY, 6'8 Josh Smith from Covington (Kentwood) WA, 6'2 Kyrie Irving from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ, 6'9 Terrence Jones from Portland (Jefferson) OR, 6'10 Enes Kanter from Beckley (Mountain State University Academy) WV, 6'2 Gary Franklin from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA, 6'5 Jayvaughn Pinkston from Brooklyn (Bishop Loughlin) NY, 6'4 Justin Coleman from Humble (Christian Life) TX, 6'6 Jelan Kendrick from Marietta (Wheeler) GA, 6'2 Cory Joseph from Henderson (Findlay Prep) NV, 6'9 C.J. Leslie from Raleigh (Word of God) NC, 6'3 Doron Lamb from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 6'2 Ray McCallum from Beverly Hills (Detroit Country Day) MI, 6'8 Devon Collier from Jersey City (St. Anthony) NJ, 6'5 Trey Zeigler from Mt. Pleasant (H.S.) MI, 6'7 Tony Mitchell from Dallas (Pinkston) TX, 6'9 Marquez "Luke" Cothron from Red Springs (Flora MacDonald Academy) NC,6'6 J.J. Moore from South Kent (Prep) CT, 6'5 Jackson Jeffcoat from Plano (West) TX, 6'1 Reggie Smith from Harvey (Thornton) IL, 6'9 Alex Kirk from Los Alamos (H.S.) NM, 6'7 Roscoe Smith from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 6'5 Casey Prather from Jackson (Northside) TN, 6'8 Tarik Black from Memphis (Ridgeway) TN, 5'8 Daryl Traynham from Lee (Academy) ME, 6'6 Anthony Brown from Huntington Beach (Ocean View) CA, 6'4 Chris Crawford from Memphis (Sheffield) TN, 6'2 Jordin Mayes from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA, 6'5 Jason Morris from Lakeville (Hotchiss School) CT, and 5'9 Chris Jones from Memphis (Melrose) TN on our list of 33 top 100-ranked seniors who are still available.  The commitment by Desrosiers also is important for several other reasons.  First, Desrosiers is ranked #87 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and has the versatility necessary to beat you both inside with his long arms, excellent footwork, good post moves, and surprising mobility for somebody his size and outside with his excellent 3-point shooting and good ball handling and passing skills.  Second, the addition of Desrosiers is exactly what the Demon Deacons were looking for to complement 6'3 J.T. Terrell from Charlotte (West Charlotte) NC, 6'7 Travis McKie from Richmond (John Marshall) VA, 6'0 Tony Chennault from Philadelphia (Neumann-Goretti) PA, and 6'7 Melvin Tabb from Raleigh (Enloe) NC in a recruiting class that already was ranked #2 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  Speaking of the top recruiting classes, did you know that as things stand right now the Atlantic Coast Conference has seven of the top 25-ranked recruited classes with Wake Forest ranked #2, Duke ranked #5, Florida State ranked #8, North Carolina ranked #10, N.C. State ranked #11, Virginia ranked #14, and Maryland tied at #23 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  And next on the list is the Big-10 Conference, which has Ohio State ranked #1, Illinois ranked #6, Purdue ranked #12, Iowa ranked #15, and Michigan State ranked #20, which means that half of the top 25-ranked recruiting classes belong to teams in just two conferences.  We also think it is interesting point out that the only two schools ranked among the top 25 teams on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010 that do not belong to one of the top six high major conferences in college basketball (ACC, Big East, Big-10, Big-12, SEC, and Pac-10) are Florida International, which is tied at #23, and Dayton at #25.  When we dig a little deeper, we also find that Xavier, which is ranked #28; Louisiana Tech, which is tied at #29; Idaho, which is ranked #34; Liberty, St. Joseph's, and Stephen F. Austin, which are all tied at #39; and Pennsylvania, which is ranked #43; fall into this category and have top 50-ranked recruiting classes.  We also have confirmed that 6'8 Adrian Forbes from Trinity Valley (JC) TX has verbally committed to Auburn, 6'7 Melvin Baker from Odessa (JC) TX has picked Middle Tennessee State, and 7'0 Jordan Bachynski from Calgary (Centennial) AB has picked Arizona State.  Bachynski dropped off the radar screen after he graduated from high school two years ago and went on a Mormon Mission.  However, this skilled big man who picked the Sun Devils over schools like Connecticut, Oregon State, San Diego, Brigham Young, and UNLV promises to be an excellent fit into Arizona State head coach Herb Sendek's system, as well as a good addition to a recruiting class also already includes 6'5 Keala King from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA and 6'3 Corey Hawkins from Goodyear (Estrella Foothills) AZ and is now tied at #26, along with Providence, on our list of Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  Bakers is lefty power forward with a long wing span, a knack for putting the ball in the basket, and good rebounding skills and he will be following his former junior college, Mike Scutero, who is now an assistant coach at Middle Tennessee State, into the four-year Division I ranks a year from now.  Forbes is a 6'8, 230-pound power forward who averaged 6.3 ppg and 5.5 rpg and blocked almost two shots a game a year ago.  He's also long and athletic, good in transition, and has plenty of upside, as he becomes the third recruit in the Tigers' current recruiting class, which also already includes 6'6 Heath Houston from Powder Springs (Hillsgrove) GA and 6'2 Jalen Steele from Knoxville (Fulton) TN. 

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

This has been a good week for DePaul University head coach Jerry Wainwright's totally revamped coaching staff, which now includes Billy Garrett, Tracy Webster, and David Booth, as the Blue Demons have secured two verbal commitments in the last two days.  If you will recall, yesterday they landed 6'3 Brandon Young from Washington (Friendship Collegiate) DC and earlier today they added 6'5 Moses Morgan from Las Vegas (Palo Verde) NV.  We're talking about a borderline top 100-ranked player with good perimeter skills, an excellent 3-point shot, and a good bloodline (his father Winston Morgan played for Bob Knight at Indiana in the mid-80's).  And, if Morgan ever develops a better motor and regains the speed and quickness that he had at an earlier age, the sky could be the limit for this versatile wing who picked the Blue Demons over Arizona State, UNLV, Clemson, Minnesota, Texas Tech, and Indiana.  We also are impressed by the fact that Quinnipiac has landed 6'7 Ike Azotam from Thompson (Marianapolis Prep) CT.  Not only does he use his size and athleticism to crash the boards and do the dirty work around the basket, but he's also got great hands, lots of energy, and explosive leaping ability, which allows him to dunk it more than his share of the time when he gets the ball in the low post.  Azotam also promises to be an excellent complement to 6'3 Dominique Langston from Bridgeport (Kolbe Cathedral) CT, who is a prolific scorer and an excellent perimeter player.  And this comes right on the heels of last year's recruiting class, which was clearly the best in the Northeast Conference and included 6'6 Rasheem May-Thompson from Towson (Catholic) MD, 6'7 Tevin Baskin from Stamford (Trinity Catholic) CT, 6'1 Deantay Twyman from Polk (JC) FL, 6'7 Jamee Jackson from Jersey City (St. Anthony) NJ, 5'9 David Johnson from Southborough (St. Mark's) MA, and 6'4 Ryan Bogdon from Summerville (Pinewood Prep) SC.  We also have to give credit where credit is due and right now our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin is hot when it comes to keeping us ahead of the game with regards to verbal commitments that are about to happen in his area.  If you will recall, Rubin told us last week that the next shoe to drop in his area would be 6'1 Jr John Johnson from Philadelphia (Girard College) PA to Pittsburgh.  It happened the next day.  Then, yesterday he told us that 6'8 Jr Erik Copes from Philadelphia (Imhotep Charter) PA is close to making a verbal commitment to George Washington University.  Well, that one happened last night.  Now Rubin is telling us that it should be just a matter of time before 6'2 Kyrie Irving from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ makes it official for Duke.  And that makes perfect sense due to the fact that Indiana, which previously had been believed to be the favorite, was recently eliminated from Irving's list.  It also looks like Stephen F. Austin has gotten a pair of big commitments from 6'5 J.J. Thomas from Baton Rouge (Scotlandville) LA and 6'4 Amos Olatayo from Alief (Alief-Elsik) TX.  The former is a legitimate top 10-ranked senior in the state, played over the summer for the Brandon Bass Elite club team, and picked the Lumberjacks over schools like Louisiana Tech, Tulane, New Orleans, Louisiana-Monroe, Sam Houston State, Southeastern Louisiana, and UT-San Antonio.  The latter is ranked #6 in the Houston area by Jim Hicks of RCS sports.com, played over the summer on the Houston Lynx Blue club team, and picked the Lumberjacks over schools like Colorado State, New Orleans, Air Force, Arkansas-Little Rock, Sam Houston State, UT-Arlington, Texas State, and The Citadel.  When you also add 5'9 Darius Gardner from Houston (Yates) TX, who also recently verbally committed to Stephen F. Austin, into the equation, it's easy to see why we have the Lumberjacks' recruiting class tied at #39, along with Liberty and St. Joseph's, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010 and why we think Lumberjacks' assistant coach Ulric Maligi is one of the bright up-and-coming guys in the business.  And what about the verbal commitments by 6'10 Ben Mills from Hartland (Arrowhead) WI to Boise State, 6'6 Juwan Howard from Detroit (Pershing) MI to Western Michigan, 6'5 Donte Morales from Wayneboro (Fishburne Military Academy) VA to Mount St. Mary's, and 6'5 Brian Voelkel from New Rochelle (Iona Prep) NY to the University of Vermont?  Voelkel has a high basketball IQ, is great passer, rebounds well for his size, is a good defender, and is a coach's son (his father Raymond Voelkel is the head coach at Collegiate High School in New York City).  Morales is a silky smooth athlete with a knack for being able to score, shoot the three, and put it on the deck, which makes him an excellent complement to the other two players - 5'7 Justin Burrell from Dumfries (Potomac) VA and 6'4 Jeff James from Bowie (H.S.) MD - in the Mountaineers' recruiting class.  Howard is ranked #604 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  However, after watching the son of the NBA great with the same name at the  the adidas It Takes 5 Classic in early July, we suspect that he's a lot better than that ranking.  Howard plays with a lot of passion, has an excellent work ethic, rebounds well for his size, is excellent at slashing to the basket, and has a big upside.  And so does Mills.  We're talking about a skilled big man who has grown 12 inches in the last three years.  Currently we have Mills, who picked the Broncos over Hawaii and Oregon State, ranked #229 nationally in the senior class.  But the sky may be the limit once this 7'0, 180-pound big man gets into a college strength and conditioning program. 

Saturday, September 19 2009, Sunday, September 20, 2009, & Monday, September 21, 2009

It looks like the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University both hit the jackpot over the weekend with the additions of 6'5 Cameron Clark from Sherman (H.S.) TX and 6'6 J.P. Olukemi from Vincennes (JC) IN.  It's been reported by numerous sources that Olukemi was ranked the #1 junior college prospect in the nation by Mike Mitchell, who publishes the Midwest Scouting Service.  However, we don't look for Olukemi to show up in the rankings of the top junior players this season due to the fact that he will graduate from junior college in December and enroll at Oklahoma State in January.  In other words, this 6'6, 220-pound super athletic combo forward will sit out this year and have three years to play at the big time college level.  Olukemi averaged 14. 9 ppg and 4.0 rpg as a freshman in junior college last season, but we're still somewhat surprised that the value of Olukemi's stock has gone off the richter scale.  If you will recall, we saw Olukemi played plenty of times for Belmont Shore back in his high school days at Sonora (H.S.) CA and as a 5th Year Player at Simi Valley (Summit Prep) CA.  And, at the time, Olukemi was one of our favorite players.  He's a phenomenal athlete with a great motor and work ethic, which he used to do all of the dirty work around the basket.  However, now he's being listed as a wing forward, which means he must have really developed his outside shot and perimeter skills or, like so many players, they're projecting him based on his athleticism and position that he'll have to play someday in the NBA.  Obviously time will tell, but this does put Oklahoma State on track to have another excellent recruiting class, which now is ranked #9 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010 and also includes 6'9 Michael Cobbins from Amarillo (Palo Duro) TX, 6'4 Markel Brown from Alexandria (Peabody) LA, and 6'5 Brian Williams from Baton Rouge (Glen Oaks) LA.  This also comes on the heels of last year's recruiting class, which was ranked #4 in our Final Ranking of the Top Recruiting Classes for the Class of 2009 and included 6'4 Roger Franklin from Duncanville (H.S.) TX, 5'10 Ray Penn from Richmond (Ft. Bend Travis) TX, 6'1 Reger Dowell from Duncanville (H.S.) TX, 6'11 Torin Walker from Columbus (Northside) GA, 6'2 Fred Gulley from Fayetteville (H.S.) AR, 6'10 Jarred Shaw from Dallas (Carter) TX, and 6'7 Karron Johnson from Laurinburg (Institute) NC, who is now attending Moberly (JC) MO.  Also don't forget that the Cowboys have 6'8 Jr Matt Pilgrim, who sat out last year at Kentucky after transferring from Hampton.  And Pilgrim will be eligible to play right away.  The fact that Clark picked the Sooners comes as no surprise, especially in light of the fact that our Texas Editor Tim Miller told us earlier this month Oklahoma was school that you had to beat for Clark's services.  Clark is ranked #41 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, but on the days when he's on he's a legitimate McDonald's All-American.  "He's an excellent athlete and a great one-dribble shooter," says Miller.  "He's defense is OK and he's a solid rebounder, which makes him a scoring wing.  When he's on, he' great.  When he's off, he's not.  There is no in-between with this guy."  Miller also tells us that 5'11 Javarez Willis, who is now at Humble (Christian Life) TX, has reaffirmed the commitment that he made to Texas Tech last year when he was a high school senior at Dallas (Pinkston) TX and 6'3 Rickey Scott from Irving (MacArthur) TX verbally committed to the University of Arkansas.  And that is a great catch for the Razorbacks, as we're talking about a strong athletic physical combo guard who is a great defender and is better than his #109 ranking nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  Scott also promises to be an excellent complement in the Razorbacks current recruiting class to 6'3 Mardracus Wade from Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA, as well as all of the excellent guards - 5'11 Soph Courtney Fortson, 6'0 Soph Rotnei Clark, 6'5 Jr Jamel Farmer, 6'3 Jr Marcus Britt, and 6'1 Frosh Julysses Nobles - already in the program who are expected to be back a year from now.  It hasn't happened yet, but our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin thinks 6'8 Jr Eric Coates from Philadelphia (Imhotep Charter) PA is close to making a verbal commitment to George Washington University.  "Coates is the most improved big man prospect in my area," says Rubin.  "He's a good rebounder and shot blocker and his uncle is GW assistant coach Roland Houston."  Not only is that connection important, but it's also interesting in light of the fact that Houston has a reputation for working with and developing big men.  Rubin also tells us that 6'7 Wilbur O'Neal from Harcum (JC) PA has verbally committed to Robert Morris, 6'3 Brandon Young from Washington (Friendship Collegiate) DC has verbally committed to DePaul, 6'9 Cameron Gunter from Folsom (Ridley) PA has verbally committed to the University of Pennsylvania, 6'7 Dockery Walker from Wettstown (Friends) PA has verbally committed to Brown University, and 6'8 Scott Etherton from Hershey (H.S.) PA has verbally committed to St. Francis-PA.  Etherton is currently ranked #162 in his class in his area.  But Rubin tells us that this low post big man with good hands and rebounding skills has gotten a lot better, which makes him a good catch for the Red Flash.  Walker is a face-up four-man who runs the court, is very athletic, tough on the boards, and has a huge upside.  He's also an excellent student, as is evident by the fact that the Bears beat schools like Northeastern, Boston University, Vermont, Holy Cross, Pennsylvania, and Columbia for his services.  Gunter is true low post player who scores around the basket, blocks shots, and rebounds, which makes him a perfect complement to the other three players - 6'9 Kevin Panzer from Mission Viejo (Capistrano Valley) CA, 6'4 Steve Rennard from Metuchen (St. Joseph) NJ, and 6'2 Austin Kelly from North Hollywood (Harvard-Westlake) CA - in the Quakers' top 40-ranked recruiting class. Young is a good defender and has a knack for both getting to the basket and getting to the foul line.  O'Neal, who was ranked #249 nationally in our Final Ranking of the Top Players in the Class of 2008 when he was a high school senior a-year-and-a-half ago at Ft. Washington (Germantown Academy) PA, is a strong physical undersized 4-man who is a force to be reckoned with around the basket.  Rubin also tells us that 6'5 Ameen Tanksley from Philadelphia (Prep Charter) PA has transferred from Philadelphia (Imhotep Charter) PA, 6'7 Jr Will Wise has transferred from Jenkintown (Abington Friends) PA to Princeton (The Hun School) NJ, and 6'8 Jr Keith Coleman has transferred from Wyncote (Cheltenham) PA to Lee (Academy) PA.  One that slipped through the cracks last week is 6'7 Darrious Curry from Houston (Stratford) TX, who is ranked #5 in the Houston area's senior class by Jim Hicks of RCS sports.com.  "UTEP getting Darrious Curry is like going to the carnival and spending a dollar and getting one of those big bears - not one of the little ones," said Hicks. "He has the tools to be a three-year all-conference player and possibly even a pro.  He is long and, in basketball these days, long is in.  He is also a lefty.  And now he is really attacking the rim."  The Miners also scored another major coup recently when they landed 6'10 John Bohannon from Lancaster (H.S.) TX.  He's not very tough and plays too much out on the perimeter, but Bohannon has the length, athleticism, and natural talent necessary to be as good as he wants to be.  We also are impressed with the fact that Texas A&M-Corpus Christi has landed 6'3 Derrell Edwards from Baltimore (Dunbar) MD, who is an All-Metro Football player on the gridiron and a big time athlete, excellent 3-point shooter, and tough hardnosed competitor on the hardwood.  The connection here is Islanders assistant coach Kevin Norris, who played high school basketball at Baltimore (Lake Clifton) MD, and, as a result, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi now appears to have a strong pipeline into the Baltimore area, as 6'2 Soph Terrence Jones, who is from Baltimore (Lake Clifton) MD and 6'6 Sr Kevin Palmer, who was the Newcomer-of-the-Year in the league last year and originally is from Baltimore (Parkville) MD, also are currently in the program.  Our North Carolina Editor Rick Lewis tells us that the University of South Carolina has picked up two more verbal commitments with the additions of 6'5 Brian Richardson from Wilson (Greenville) NC and 6'9 Damontre Harris from Fayetteville (Trinity) NC.  Harris is a rapidly improved big man with the length, athleticism, agility, and potential necessary to evolve into an excellent player down the road and Richardson is long lanky athletic 2-guard who can flat out shoot the lights out.   Add these two guys to a recruiting class that also includes 5'10 Bruce Ellington from Monack Center (Berkeley) SC, 6'0 Eric Smith from Mullins (H.S.) SC, and 6'8 R.J. Slawson from North Charleston (Ft. Dorchester) SC and it's easy to see why we now have the Gamecocks' recruiting class ranked #7 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  And, if South Carolina can beat the University of Kentucky later this week for 6'5 Stacey Poole from Jacksonville (Providence School) FL, then suddenly we will be talking about a recruiting class that is ranked #5 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  We also are impressed with the fact that 6'2 Jr Carlton Brundidge from Southfield (H.S.) MI has elected to stay home and attend the University of Michigan, 5'11 Trevor Releford from Kansas City (Bishop Miege) KS has picked the University of Alabama, and 6'4 Jershon Cobb from Decatur (Columbia) SC has verbally committed to Northwestern.  Cobb is ranked #210 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, but this slashing athletic combo guard is capable of playing multiple positions, can score in a variety of ways, and has a big upside.  Releford doesn't pass the look test, but he is ranked #80 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and does a great job running show and making those around him better.  Brundidge is a high energy slashing athlete who averaged 24.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 5.0 apg a year ago and is ranked #51 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP. 

Friday, September 18, 2009

One of the things that I've been working on during the last week is Horace Neysmith's updated Georgia Report, which was published earlier today exclusively right here in the Members Section.  And, if you don't believe that the Peachtree State is per capita one of the most fertile recruiting areas in the nation, just check out the list of great players that the state has produced in the last 30-plus years.  We're talking about 6'9 Derrick Favors from Atlanta (South Atlanta) GA in 2009; 6'9 Al-Farouq Aminu from Marietta (Wheeler) GA, 6'8 Chris Singleton from Dunwoody (H.S.) GA, 6'8 Wesley Witherspoon from Lilburn (Berkmar) GA, 6'7 Tony Mitchell from Swainsboro (H.S.) GA, 6'6 DeQuan Jones from Marietta (Wheeler) GA, 6'10 Tony Woods from Rome (H.S.) GA, and 6'8 Howard Thompkins from Norcross (Wesleyan) GA in 2008; 6'9 James Hickson from Marietta (Wheeler) GA, 6'8 Gani Lawal from Norcross (H.S.) GA, 6'4 Chris Allen from Lawrenceville (Meadowcreek) GA, and 6'2 Senario Hillman from Irwinton (Wilkinson County) GA in 2007; 6'6 Javaris Crittenton from Atlanta (Southeast Atlanta Christian) GA and 6'4 Jodie Meeks from Norcross (H.S.) GA in 2006; 6'2 Louis Williams from Snellville (South Gwinnett) GA, 6'3 Lewis Clinch from Cordale (Crisp County) GA, 6'7 Korvotney Barber from Manchester (H.S.) GA, and 6'3 Michael Mercer from Snellville (South Gwinnett) GA in 2005; 6'11 Dwight Howard from Atlanta (Southeast Atlanta Christian) GA, 6'11 Randolph Morris from Fairburn (Landmark Christian) GA, 6'9 Josh Smith from Marietta (McEachern) GA, and 6'2 Toney Douglas from Jonesboro (H.S.) GA in 2004; 6'9 Brent Petway from Griffin (H.S.) GA, 6'3 Vincent Banks from Atlanta (South Atlanta) GA, 6'9 Jemario Davidson from Marietta (Wheeler) GA, and 6'8 Alex Weeks from Lilburn (Berkmar) GA in 2003; 6'10 Alexander Johnson from Albany (Dougherty) GA and 6'8 Al Thornton from Perry (H.S.) GA in 2002; 6'11 Kwame Brown from Brunswick (Glynn Academy) GA and 6'4 Anthony Rice from North Clayton (College Park) GA in 2001, 6'4 A.J. Moye from Atlanta (Westlake) GA in 2000; 6'6 Donnell Harvey from Cuthbert (Randolph Clay) GA in 1999; 6'4 Ronald Blackshear from Camilla (Mitchell Baker) GA and 6'0 Tony Atkins from Lilburn (Berkmar) GA in 1998; 6'4 Dion Glover from Decatur (Cedar Grove) GA and 6'8 Jumaine Jones from Camilla (Mitchell-Baker) GA in 1997; 6'9 Anthony Dent from Edison (Calhoun County) GA and 6'11 Pablo Machado from Tifton (Tift County) GA in 1996; 6'9 Shareef Abdur-Rahim from Marietta (H.S.) GA, 6'3 Vonteego Cummings from Thomson (H.S.) GA, and 6'2 Ricky Moore from Augusta (Westside) GA in 1995; 6'2 Michael Spruell from Albany (H.S.) GA in 1994; 6'8 Dontonio Wingfield from Albany (Westover) GA in 1993; 6'9 Carlos Strong from Athens (Cedar Shoals) GA and 6'1 Octavious Thomas from Atlanta (George) GA in 1992; 6'7 James Forrest from Atlanta (Southside) GA, 6'10 Sharone Wright from Macon (Southwest) GA, and 6'8 Al Pinkins from Camilla (Mitchell-Baker) GA in 1991; 6'6 Darrin Hancock from Griffin (H.S.) GA and 6'7 Greg Minor from Saundersville (Washington County) GA in 1990; 6'9 Wayne Buckingham from Atlanta (Southside) GA in 1989; 6'9 Stanley Williams from Alma (Bacon County) GA in 1988; 6'6 Eric Manual from Macon (Southwest) GA in 1987; 6'4 Brian Oliver from Smyrna (Willis) GA and 6'6 Derrick Miller from Savannah (Bible Baptist) GA in 1986; 6'9 Pervis Ellison from Savannah (H.S.) GA in 1985; 6'9 Cedric Henderson from Marietta (Wheeler) GA and 6'9 Cedric Jenkins from Dawson (Terrell County) GA in 1984; 6'2 Gerald White from Augusta (Richmond) GA in 1983, 6'8 Kenny Walker from Roberta (Crawford County) GA in 1982; 6'7 Richard Corhen from Albany (Dougherty) GA in 1981; 6'6 James Banks from Atlanta (Smith) GA in 1980; 6'7 Dale Ellis from Marietta (H.S.) GA, 6'7 Terry Fair from Macon (Southwest) GA, and 6'4 Michael Hunt from Macon (Southwest) GA in 1979; 6'5 Derek Smith from Hogansville (H.S.) GA and 6'7 Wylie Brown from Sylvester (Worth County) GA in 1978; 6'6 Al Wood from Gray (Jones County) GA in 1977; et al.  I also think it's important to point out that any way you slice it the top seven seniors in the state are 6'6 Jelan Kendrick from Marietta (Wheeler) GA, 6'0 Ryan Harrow from Marietta (Wheeler) GA, 6'4 Jordan McRae from Hinesville (Liberty County) GA, 6'2 Trae Golden from Powder Springs (McEachern) GA, 6'4 Rion Brown from Hinesville (Liberty County) GA, 6'4 Jeremy Lamb from Norcross (H.S.) GA, and 5'8 Phil Taylor from Marietta (Wheeler) GA.  However, Neysmith and yours truly (HOOP SCOOP Editor & Publisher Clark Francis) disagree somewhat on the order, as the seven players listed above are the way Neysmith ranks them in the Georgia Report.  In contrast, Harrow is #14, Kendrick is ranked #29, McRae is ranked #31, Lamb is ranked #42, Golden is ranked #45, Brown is ranked #68, and Taylor is ranked #98 in our Ranking of the Top 100 Players Nationally in the Class of 2010, which was published on Thursday, July 30th.  In other words, I'm not buying the fact that Kendrick is a top 10-ranked player in the nation, which is where Rivals.com has him ranked.  Kendrick is a phenomenal athlete and a big time talent.  But he was clearly the third or fourth best player on the Memphis Magic team, which won the adidas Super 64 in Las Vegas, NV and also featured 6'0 Joe Jackson from Memphis (White Station) TN, 6'6 Jr Adonis Thomas from Memphis (Melrose) TN, 6'9 Tarik Black from Memphis (Ridgeway) TN, 6'8 Jalen Kendrick from Marietta (Wheeler) GA, and 6'4 Chris Crawford from Memphis (Sheffield) TN.  Kendrick, who is really like a point/forward, also needs to become a little more consistent and doesn't do anything great besides be athletic.  Instead, my choice as the #1-ranked senior in the state is 6'0 Ryan Harrow from Marietta (Walton) GA, who not only was the best player this past summer on the Atlanta Celtics, but also did a great job of making things happen and creating for 6'4 Jordan McRae from Hinesville (Liberty (County) GA and 6'2 Trae Golden from Powder Springs (McEachern) GA.  It also is important to point out that Neysmith has confirmed that 6'8 Soph Tony Parker, who is the #1-ranked sophomore in the state, is still at Lithonia (Miller Grove) GA.  If you will recall, it has been reported by a lot of our competition that Parker transferred to Rockville (Montrose Christian) MD.  Another place where we need to correct the record is with regards to 6'8 Soph William "Shaquille" Goodwin from Decatur (Southwest Dekalb) GA, who is ranked #3 in the state's sophomore class in the Georgia Report.  If you will recall, we had 6'8 Frosh William Goodman from Decatur (Southwest DeKalb) GA ranked #16 based on his performance a month ago at the AAU 14-Under Nationals.  Well, it appears that this is the same guy, as we had the name misspelled and he was playing down a year due to the fact that he is young for his class.  However, regardless of the details, we're talking about a physical specimen and a monster inside, as well as possibly the best prospect in the state regardless of class, according to Neysmith.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin looks like a genius after he told us yesterday that the next shoe to drop in his area will likely be an early verbal commitment by 6'1 Jr John Johnson from Philadelphia (Girard College) PA to the University of Pittsburgh.  It happened this morning and Rubin thinks that Johnson is the prototypical Pittsburgh player due to the fact he is both mentally and physically tough, has an extremely well rounded game, and has great leadership qualities and knows what it takes to win, as is evident by the fact that he carried his high school team all the way to a state championship this past season.  Rubin also points out that Johnson's game has really matured during the last two years and, as a result, Johnson will be the #2-ranked player in his class in the area, behind 6'10 Jr Rakeem Christmas from Byrn Athyn (Academy of the New Church) PA, when Rubin updates his rankings later this fall.  And making the story even more interesting is the fact that Panthers assistant coach Tommy Herrion went into Philadelphia, PA and beat all of the local schools (Villanova, Temple, St. Joseph's, La Salle, and Drexel) to get this one done early.  Thus, explains why we had Herrion ranked #8 on our List of the Top Assistant Coaches at the High Division I Level that we published last spring.  Our Georgia Editor Horace Neysmith tells us that 6'2 Trae Golden from Powder Springs (McEachern) GA has verbally committed to the University of Tennessee.  And Golden promises to be a pretty good consolation prize, as the Volunteers attempt to replace 6'2 Josh Selby from Baltimore (Lake Clifton) MD, who verbally committed to the Volunteers a year ago, but reneged on that commitment two months ago.  We currently have Golden ranked #45 nationally in the senior class, but, unlike Selby, who is equally adept at either guard spot, Golden is a 2-guard all the way.  And this is important for several reasons.  First, the only pure point guard that the Volunteers will have in the program when Golden enrolls into a school a year from now will be 5'11 Jr Melvin Goins, who averaged 17.2 ppg, 4.9 apg and 2.0 spg this past season at Mt. San Jacinto (JC) CA.  Second, the Volunteers already have a verbal commitment in this year's recruiting class from 6'4 Jordan McRae from Hinesville (Liberty County) GA, who is ranked #31 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and plays the same position.  So, with 6'7 Soph Scotty Hopson, 6'6 Soph Cameron Tatum, and 6'8 Soph Renaldo Woolridge will also all expected to be back a year from now, it's clear that Tennessee will have a log jam of talent at the wing spots, but still need to find a another point guard in this year's recruiting class.  It looks like Coastal Carolina may have stolen one in 6'8 Daniel King from Western Oklahoma (JC) OK, thanks primarily to the efforts of new Coastal Carolina assistant coach Gus Hauser, who is one of the bright up-and-coming guys in the business and had all of the connections necessary to get this one done.  Did you know that Hauser previously was an assistant coach at New Mexico State during the Reggie Theus era and that King played at New Mexico (JC) NM a year ago, where he averaged 11.0 ppg and 9.0 rpg?  We also are impressed with the fact that the University of Minnesota has beaten Creighton and Stanford for 6'11 Elliott Eliason from Chadron (H.S.) NE, who is ranked #215 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  However, Eliason will likely end up being a lot better than that once he gets bigger and stronger physically and matures as a player under the tutorage of Golden Gophers' head coach Tubby Smith.  And what about the verbal commitment by 6'1 Derek Brown from Chino Hills (H.S.) CA made to San Jose State?  Brown is ranked #168 nationally in the senior class and he's a pure point guard who is excellent at running a team.  There also is the verbal commitment that 6'5 Dwayne Evans from Naperville (Neuqan Valley) IL made to Saint Louis, the verbal commitment that 6'6 J.J. O'Brien from Alta Loma (H.S.) CA made to Utah, and the verbal commitment that 6'4 Jeremy Burgess from Roswell (Centennial) GA made to Mercer.  Our New York City Editor Ron Naclerio also checks in and tells us that the final three schools for 6'6 Shane Southwell from New York (Rice) NY are Kansas State, Providence, and South Carolina.  And, believe it or not, the deciding factor in Southwell's decision will be whether he'll get a chance to play point guard at the college level.  Having said that, Southwell is like a jack-of-all-trades, but a master of none. 

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin tells us that 5'10 Rakeem Brookins from Philadelphia (Roman Catholic) PA has picked Tulane over Niagara and Boston University, 6'8 Shaquille Duncan from Philadelphia (Frankford) PA has verbally committed to Niagara, and 6'8 Anthony Mayo from Philadelphia (Roman Catholic) PA has become the second player in this year's recruiting class to pick Boston University.  The first was 6'1 Mike Terry from Philadelphia (North Catholic) PA and, as a result, it is obvious that the new regime is taking advantage of its strong connections in the City of Brotherly Love to rebuild the program.  If you will recall, new Terriers head coach Pat Chambers had a successful playing career at Philadelphia University and was one the architects behind the success that the Wildcats had during his five years as an assistant coach at Villanova and Terriers assistant coach Brian Daly played at St. Joseph's University and spent the last four years as the head basketball coach at Drexel Hill (Monsignor Bonner) PA.  "Mayo is good in the low post, scores around the basket, and is good on the boards," says Rubin.  Duncan is ranked #279 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  But even more important is the fact that Duncan is an athletic power forward who can score from 12-feet and in, is a good rebounder and shot blocker, and does a great job of getting up and down the court, which makes him ideally suited to fit into Niagara's system.  Brookins is an excellent defender and a great 3-pointer who makes more than his share of shots at crunch time.  However, anybody who thinks that Brookins will be the heir apparent to 5'10 Sr Kevin Sims, who was Tulane's leading scorer and passer a year ago with 13.0 ppg and 4.0 apg, at point guard is sadly mistaken.  Brookins is a 2-guard all the way!  And a very talented one at that, as he's a legitimate top 150-ranked senior nationally.  Instead, we think Brookins will be a valuable complement to 5'11 Jordan Callahan from New Hampton (Prep) NH and 6'5 Jr Aaron Holmes from Santa Fe (JC) FL, both of whom are expected to step in and start right away this season for the Green Wave.  Rubin also tells us the next shoe that he expects to drop in his area will be an early verbal commitment by 6'1 Jr John Johnson from Philadelphia (Girard College) PA to the University of Pittsburgh.  "Johnson can put the ball on the floor, get to the basket, dish and finish, and shoot the three," says Rubin.  "He also is a tremendous competitor, a winner, and is capable of playing either guard spot, which will make him the perfect complement to Isaiah Epps, who also is capable of playing both the one and the 2-spots."  We also have gotten word from Pat Stevens, who is the Editor & Publisher of the National Recruiting Wrap and has covered high school basketball and recruiting for Hoopmasters.com and CSTV, about Chris Chaney, who has had a very successful head coaching career with previous stops at Kensington (Newport Prep) MD, Laurinburg (Institute) NC, and Lenoir (Patterson) NC, not showing up at Durham (Prep) CT after all.  "Instead, Chaney plans to take a year off, " says Stevens.  And neither is 6'9 Marquez "Luke" Cothran, who has now decided to return to Red Springs (Flora McDonald Academy) NC.  Stevens also tells us that 6'7 Tony Snell, who last year attend Riverside (Martin Luther King) CA, but now is at Phoenix (Westwind Prep) AZ, has made a verbal commitment to the University of New Mexico.  Snell also one of the many players that Stevens has added to his list of the top players who have surfaced at all of the top prep schools this fall and all of the players who have transferred from one school to another since the end of the school year last spring.  Both of these lists can be found at patstevensbasketball.com and some of the most interesting things that weren't on his originally list, which was published with his permission right in the the Members Section on Thursday, August, 20th, or that we previously have not mentioned, include 6'4 Jesse Morgan from Philadelphia (Olney) PA enrolling for a 5th Year at South Kent (Prep) CT, 6'1 Brady Heslip from Toronto, ON attending New Hampton (Prep) NH, 5'8 Daryl Traynham transferring from Upper Marlboro (Wise) MD to Lee (Academy) ME, 6'2 Dashaun Wiggins transferring from Bronx (Wings Academy) NY to North Bridgton (Bridgton Academy) ME, 6'0 Antonio Burton transferring from Baltimore (Lake Clifton) MD to Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA, 6'3 Byron Allen transferring from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA to Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT, 6'2 Soph Clyde Smith transferring from Houston (Cypress Creek) to Lakeville (Hotchkiss School) CT, 6'8 Jr Shaquille Thomas transferring from Beckley (Mountain State University Academy) WV to Newark (NIA Prep) NJ, 6'10 Waverly Austin transferring from Irving (God's Academy) TX to Martinsville (Heat Academy) VA, 6'6 Michael Haynes transferring from Chicago (Washington) IL to Martinsville (Heat Academy) VA, 6'11 Jr Joey DeLaRosa transferring from Bronx (St. Raymond's) NY to Las Vegas (Impact Academy) NV, 6'5 Jr Jose Rodriguez transferring from Bronx (St. Raymond's) NY to Las Vegas (Impact Academy) NV, 6'10 Jr Chris Coleman transferring from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NV to Humble (Christian Life) TX, 6'10 Jr Kevin Johnson transferring from Gardena (Serra) CA to Woodland Hills (Taft) CA, and 6'9 Jr Norvel Pelle transferring from Compton (Dominguez) CA to Los Angeles (Price) CA. 

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Another one of the biggest sleepers to emerge this summer is now off the board with today's verbal commitment by 6'4 Jeremy Lamb from Norcross (H.S.) GA to the University of Connecticut.  Yes, that's the same guy who didn't start for his high school team last season, but now is ranked #42 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  If you will recall, this slashing athletic 2-guard was the 4th leading scorer with a 20.2 ppg, as well as the 10th-ranked player in the tournament by the HOOP SCOOP two months ago at the NIKE Peach Jam in North Augusta, SC.  However, it's Lamb's upside and potential  to grow three or four more inches that should really get Huskies head coach Jim Calhoun and his staff excited.  In other words, we're talking about the ideal replacement for 6'4 Sr Jerome Dyson, who will graduate next spring, and it also wouldn't surprise us one bit if Lamb ends up making a lot money playing the game someday.  Lamb also promises to be the perfect complement to either 6'3 Brandon Knight from Ft. Lauderdale (Pine Crest) FL or 6'2 Josh Selby from Baltimore (Lake Clifton) MD, who are the two highest ranked point guard prospects still available and ideally suited to step in and replace 6'1 Soph Kemba Walker, who likely will forgo his final two years of college eligibility and enter his name into the NBA Draft next spring.  As things stand, the Huskies are battling it out with schools like Kentucky, Kansas, Florida, Duke, Miami-FL, and Syracuse for Knight's services and Selby also has schools like Kentucky, Kansas, Baylor, Florida State, Texas, Miami-FL, and Syracuse on his list.  We also have confirmed that 6'6 Ralston Turner from Muscle Shoals (H.S.) AL has verbally committed to LSU.  And this is a good catch for the Tigers for a number of reasons.  First, Turner is an excellent player, as is evident by the fact that he is ranked #77 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  Second, Turner is a big time athlete who is capable of locking you up defensively and putting up prolific numbers, thanks to his ability to slash to the basket and outside shooting.  Third, LSU beat schools like Georgia, Alabama, Butler, and Notre Dame for Turner's services.  Fourth, Turner becomes the third player in LSU's current recruiting class, which also includes 6'7 Matt Derenbecker from Metairie (Metairie Park Country Day) LA and 6'8 Jalen Courtney from Jackson (Provine) MS, who is from the Deep South.  Fifth, the addition of Turner moves LSU's recruiting class into a tie at #17, along with Notre Dame, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  Our Mississippi Editor Lavel Johnson also tells us that LSU is one of the favorites, along with Alabama and USC, for 5'10 Andre Stringer from Jackson (Forest Hill) MS, who is a borderline top 100-ranked senior nationally.  And, if they can pull this off, then LSU's recruiting class will move into a tie at #10, along with Virginia, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  We also think 6'10 Chad Calcaterra from Cloquet (H.S.) MN is an excellent catch for Colorado State.  This 6'10, 230-pound shot blocking center averaged 24.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg, and 4.5 bpg this past season and ranked #252 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  He's also an excellent student, as is evident by the fact that he picked the Rams over schools like Stanford, Harvard, Vermont, and Ball State. 

Saturday, September 12, 2009, Sunday, September 13, 2009, & Monday, September 14, 2009

With the verbal commitments over the weekend by 5'8 Phil Pressey from Dallas (Episcopal School of Dallas) TX to the University of Missouri, 5'10 Bruce Ellington from Monack Center (Berkeley) SC to the University of South Carolina, and 6'9 James Johnson from Wildomar (Elsinore) CA to University of Virginia, three more of our top 100-ranked seniors are now off the board.  In the case of Pressey, who is ranked #26 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, picking the Tigers was something that we expected all along due to the fact that this jet quick undersized point guard's father (former NBA player and current New Orleans Hornets assistant coach Paul Pressey) was the college of roommate/teammate of Missouri head coach Mike Anderson.  And Pressey should fit perfectly into Anderson's system, because he's great in an up tempo setting, creates all kind of havoc defensively, and is like a coach on the floor with his incredible court savvy and high basketball IQ.  Pressey also has excellent ball handling and passing skills, is a very good 3-point shooter, and has ice in his veins, as is evident by the fact that he always seems to make the big play at crunch time.  Missouri also beat some pretty fast company for Pressey's services, as, in the end, schools like UCLA, Arizona, Baylor, and LSU also were on his list.  Ellington, who is ranked #54 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, emerged from relative obscurity into one of the best point guard prospects in the nation this past summer.  Ellington is a lot like Pressey, except he's stronger physically and football might actually turn out to be his sport.  Still, this is a major coup for the Gamecocks, who appear to be well on their way toward putting together a very impressive recruiting class and keeping all of the top players in their backyard in this year's recruiting class at home.  If you will recall, South Carolina's other two recruits - 6'0 Eric Smith from Mullins (H.S.) SC and 6'8 R.J. Slawson from North Charleston (Ft. Dorchester) SC - are both also good enough to deserve top 100 consideration and our North Carolina Editor Rick Lewis tells us that the Gamecocks also are believed to be the favorite for both 6'5 Stacey Poole from Jacksonville (Providence School) FL and 6'9 Damontre Harris from Fayetteville (Trinity) NC.  Johnson, who is ranked #54 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, was one of the biggest sleepers to emerge last spring.  We're talking about a skilled big athletic white kid with surprising mobility and lots of energy, as he runs the court, scores both inside and outside, and promises to be perfect for new Virginia head coach Tony Bennett's system.  Johnson also promises to be an excellent complement to 6'8 Will Regan from Buffalo (Nichols School) NY, who is ranked #57 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and verbally committed to the Cavaliers in late June.  Not only do we think Johnson and Regan are ideally suited to step in and complement 6'6 Soph Sylven Landesberg a year from now, but they also have the potential to make the same type of impact that Jeff Lamp and Lee Raker did on the program during the Terry Holland days.  And that's quite a statement when one remembers that Lamp, who is the second leading scorer in the history of the school with 2,317 points and Raker, who is the 14th leading scorer in the history of the school with 1,423 points, led the Cavaliers to a 92-32 record between 1997 to 1981 and a NCAA Final Four appearance in 1981.  The Cavaliers beat schools like Arizona, Arizona State, California, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State for Johnson's services and, as a result, their recruiting class, which also includes 6'4 K.T. Harrell from Montgomery (Brewbaker Tech) AL and 6'5 Joe Harris from Chelan (H.S.) WA, is now ranked #10 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  We also have confirmed that 6'4 Jacob Thomas from Columbia Heights (H.S.) MN has picked Long Beach State, 6'3 Jamel Outler from Houston (Bellaire) TX has picked Texas Tech, 5'11 Chris Kupets from Hill (JC) TX has picked Boise State, 6'10 Martell Jackson from Garden City (JC) KS has picked Campbell, 6'7 Tyler Monroe from Yuba (JC) CA and 6'7 Bobby Evans from Yuba (JC) CA have both picked Seattle University, and 6'6 Renaldo Parker from North Idaho (JC) ID and 6'2 Idell Bell from North Idaho (JC) ID have both picked the University of Idaho.  And those last two are huge for Vandals, as Bell averaged 20.6 ppg while playing at Brevard (JC) FL during the 2007-2008 season and Parker averaged 14.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg, garnered SWAC (Scenic West Athletic Conference) Player of the Year honors, and was named a First Team All-American by the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) this past season.  And what about Jackson, who is a 6'10, 260-pound physical specimen, picking the Fighting Camels?  Apparently the connection here is new Campbell assistant coach Charles Baker, who recruited Jackson when he was an assistant coach at the University of Colorado and when Jackson was a player two years ago at Salt Lake City (Brighton) UT. 

Friday, September 11, 2009

Our Mid-South Editor Jim Rothman tells us that 6'0 Joe Jackson from Memphis (White Station) TN has a press conference scheduled for 6:30 PM this evening and that he is expected to pick the University of Memphis over Kansas and Tennessee.  And this is huge for a number of reasons.  First, Jackson is one of hottest players in the nation, as is evident by the fact that he is ranked #5 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, was our Runner-up Player of the Summer, and was the #1-ranked player at the five events that took place in Las Vegas, NV in late July after leading his team to the championship in the adidas Super 64 Tournament.  Second, getting Jackson right on the heels of 6'4 Soph Elliott Williams, who several months ago decided transferred from Duke to Memphis in order to be closer to his ailing mother, shows that new regime is going to be extremely strong when it comes time to keep the top local players at home.  Third, Jackson is a great kid, a leader, and a winner (he also led his team to a state championship this past season) and, as a result, this should give the Tigers' coaching staff the momentum that they will need when it comes time to try and convince 6'8 Tarik Black from Memphis (Ridgeway) TN, who is ranked #69 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, to pick Memphis over Alabama, Missouri, and Arkansas later this fall.  Fourth, the addition of Jackson will move the Tiger's recruiting class, which also already includes 6'6 Will Barton from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH and 6'2 Antonio Barton from Baltimore (Lake Clifton) MD, up to #3 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  Fifth, Jackson is exactly what the doctor ordered to step in and run the show a year from now.  That's the good news!  The bad news is that 6'10 Frosh Angel Garcia, who currently is only one of nine scholarship players currently in the Memphis program, tore his ACL in an individual work-out yesterday and now is expected to be out for the season.  Our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson tells us that this will be a big recruiting weekend for Ohio State, as the Buckeyes will have all six of the players - 6'8 Jared Sullinger from Columbus (Northland) OH, 6'8 DeShaun Thomas from Ft. Wayne (Bishop Luers) IN, 6'4 Jordan Sibert from Cincinnati (Princeton) OH, 6'4 Lenzelle Smith from Zion (Zion-Benton) IL, 6'3 Aaron Craft from Findlay (Liberty Benton) OH, and 6'6 J.D. Weatherspoon from Columbus (Northland) OH - who are in their current recruiting class and four juniors - 6'9 Jr Cody Zeller from Washington (H.S.) IN, 6'9 Jr Amir Williams from Beverly Hills (H.S.) MI, 6'2 Jr Chassin Randle from Rock Island (H.S.) IL, and 5'11 Jr Quinn Cook from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD - who currently are considering the Buckeyes on campus during the Ohio State and USC football game.  Our West Coast Editor Alan Utter tells us that 6'5 Keala King from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA committed to Arizona State while Sun Devils head coach Herb Sendek was making an in-home visit with this athletic wing forward who is ranked #62 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP on Wednesday evening.  King isn't a strong and doesn't shoot it as well as James Harden, who averaged 20.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, and 1.7 spg for Arizona State this past season and was drafted #3 in the NBA Draft this past spring.   But King is just as athletic, plays harder, and is a tougher kid than Harden.  And this is important, because King, who is just oozing with natural talent and potential, has superstar written all over him.  On the other hand, the Sun Devils have lost out in the sweepstakes for 7'0 Jr Kyle Caudill from Brea (Brea Olinda) CA, who has re-opened his recruitment after having made an early verbal to Arizona State this past spring.  However, we think Caudill had it right the first time due to the fact that Sendek is great at developing big men and Caudill, who is ranked #203 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP, is slow and mechanical and, as a result, is more of a project than a finished project.  We also have confirmed hat 6'7 Garrett Jackson from Portland (Westview) OR has become the second player to have verbally committed to USC in the last week.  We're talking about a legitimate top 150 senior nationally who can play either forward spot, thanks to his ability to rebound, put the ball on the floor, and shoot the three.  He joins 6'7 Dwayne Polee from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA, who committed to the Trojans early in freshman year, 6'9 Curtis Washington from Elizabethtown (H.S.) KY, who committed to the Trojans one day after they first saw him play in the adidas It Takes 5 Classic in Cincinnati, OH in early July, and 6'5 Bryce Jones from Woodland Hills (Taft) CA, who picked the Trojans a week ago today, in a recruiting class that is now tied at #11, along with Iowa, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  And, when one also remembers that the Trojans also have an early verbal commitment from 6'1 Jr Gelaun Wheeleight from Corono (Centennial) CA, it's clear that new USC head coach Kevin O'Neill and his staff have done a great job of relaying a solid foundation after the resignation of Tim Floyd last spring.  Another player who teamed with Jackson and 6'9 Terrence Jones from Portland (Jefferson) OR on the I-5 Elite team this past summer is 6'3 Stephen Holt from Portland (Jesuit) OR.  And this point guard with size who led his team to the Class 6A State Championship this past season picked St. Mary's yesterday over Portland, Utah, Utah State, Boise State, and San Diego State.  Our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin tells us that 6'3 Kyheim Hall from Swiftwater (Pocono Mountain East) PA has picked St. Francis-PA and 6'3 Franz Massenat from Trenton (Catholic) NJ has picked Drexel.  "Massenat is a left-handed point guard with size," says Rubin.  "He gets into the lane, finishes, dishes, and creates havoc at the defensive end.  Hall is an slashing athletic wing with a knack for getting to the basket and the foul line and playing excellent defense."  Rubin also tells us that 5'11 Tyreek Duran from Philadelphia (Neumann-Goretti) PA, who is one of the most underrated point guards in the senior class nationally, has an official visit scheduled this weekend to Temple, next weekend to La Salle, and the following weekend to the University of Massachusetts.  It also looks like 6'3 Ricardo Johnson from Covington (Holmes) KY has verbally committed to Ohio University and 6'3 Rayvonte Rice from Champaign (Centennial) IL and 6'6 Jeremy Jeffers from Wilson (Greenfield) NC have both followed in the footsteps of 5'11 Karl Madison from Springfield (Lanphier) IL, who earlier this week picked Drake University.  And our North Carolina Editor Rick Lewis thinks that Jeffers is a major steal.  "Jeffers is an athlete wing who has good range and accuracy on his outside jump shot," says Lewis.  "His biggest improvement over the summer was his ability to shoot the pull-up jump shot and the ability to attack the basket.  Jeremy is also a strong wing with excellent jumping ability, is a solid defensive player, and does an excellent job of rebounding for being a small forward.  In addition to being an outstanding player, Jeremy is also a great student and made over 1300 on his SAT."

Thursday, September 10, 2009

I hate to tell you that I told you so, but it looks like we were right on the money a week ago when we told you that the University of Oklahoma had come out of nowhere and now was a serious player in the hunt for 6'8 Josh Smith from Covington (Kentwood) WA, who currently is ranked #11 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and for the better part of the last year has been believed to have been a near lock for UCLA.  And, if you still don't believe it, just check out what Seattle-Times staff reporter Bob Condotta wrote on his blog this morning.  "Some interesting news about the recruitment of Kentwood center Josh Smith breaking this morning as Dave Mahler at KJR-AM is reporting that Oklahoma is now a contender for his services along with UCLA and UW.  Mahler said that Sooners coach Jeff Capel is apparently due in for a visit this weekend. There are reports that UCLA coach Ben Howland was in town for a visit in the last few days and that UW coach Lorenzo Romar will also make a visit this weekend.  With the early signing day now just two months it's beginning to hit a critical time in the recruitment for Smith, generally regarded as not only the top prospect in the state for the Class of 2010, but among the best big men in the nation.  It had long been regarded as a two-team race for Smith between UW and UCLA and he is reported to be visiting UCLA the weekend of October 3rd-4th.  The apparent addition of Oklahoma to the mix obviously muddies the waters a bit and means there may not be quite as quick a resolution to his situation as was once thought."  And this isn't the first time that UCLA fans have claimed that we were totally out to lunch, but ended up later having to eat their own words.  If you will recall, two years ago the popular consensus was that 6'2 Jermine Anderson from Anaheim (Canyon) CA was better than 6'4 Malcolm Lee from Riverside (J.W. North) CA.  However, we had Lee ranked #8 and Anderson ranked #100 in our Final Ranking of the Top 1000 Players in the Class of 2008  and we even went so far as to point out on July 31, 2007 that "Anderson was not somebody who you pick out and say is a top 20 or 30 player nationally, which is where a lot of competitors have him ranked.  So obviously I'm still not buying all the hype about how good Anderson is and, as a result, he will remain in the 100-150 range (currently we have Anderson ranked #136 nationally in the senior class) the next time we update our ranking of the top players in the Class of 2008."  As things stand now Lee, who averaged 3.2 ppg and 1.5 apg and was slowed a year ago by injuries, is expected to step up and fill the void in the backcourt created by the graduation of Darren Collison and Josh Shipp and the early entry of Jrue Holiday into the NBA Draft last spring.  Anderson is the only pure point guard in the program, but, after getting only 8.6 minutes of playing time per game and averaging 2.3 ppg and 1.2 apg a year ago, it will be interesting to see if he's good enough to step up and be the starting point guard this season.  We also were a lot closer to being on the money with regards to 6'8 James Keefe from Rancho Santa Margarita (Santa Margarita) CA in the spring of 2006.  The day after the McDonald's All-American Team was announced I made it a point to question whether Keefe should be in the game.  "I really like Keefe's skills and blue collar work ethic around the basket, but he really struggled most of the spring and summer and, as a result, wouldn't even be ranked among our top 100 seniors nationally, if he hadn't redeemed himself at the Reebok Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas, NV.  However, this is probably explained by the fact that Keefe is white (a lot of people in our business have tendency to overrate white big men) and is heading to UCLA (history says if you sign with certain elite schools, it seems to enhance your chances of making the game)."  Keefe has proved to be a valuable role player the last three years for the Bruins, but averaged only 3.0 ppg and 3.7 rpg and his playing time dwindled as the season wore on a year ago.  We also were way ahead of everybody on Arron Afflalo, who we first saw at the Fullcourt Press Fall Hoops Classic in Lynwood, CA in the fall of 2002.  And on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 we wrote the following:  "After watching Afflalo score 37 and 31 points in his last two games at the Fullcourt Press Fall Hoops Classic, I'm convinced that he is the second best player in the junior class in California behind 6'2 Jr DeMarcus Nelson from Vallejo (H.S.) CA and the third best junior on the West Coast behind Nelson and 6'8 Jr Marvin Williams from Bremerton (H.S.) WA.  Afflalo handles and passes well enough to play point guard at 6'4, but he also shoots it well enough and gets the hole well enough to play the 2-guard spot.  Add the fact that Afflalo has a 3.4 gpa, is a great kid, and has a tremendous work ethic and there is no doubt that he's going to be able to write his own ticket.  Already in the hunt are schools like USC, Kansas, Arizona, Syracuse, and Louisville, but we're sure this list will get longer before it gets shorter."  This also was where we first saw 6'7 Dorell Wright from Lawndale (Leuzinger) CA.  If you will recall, we said at the time that "Wright is a wiry thin multi-dimensional athlete who needs to get bigger and stronger and finish better.  However, in some ways he reminds us of a poor man's Tracy McGrady.  Not only does he have excellent ball handling and passing skills, but he has a knack for beating his man off the dribble and finding ways to score.  His outside shot is a lot better than we originally thought, but he also can beat you from mid-range with his soft touch and going to the basket with his moves, quickness, and athleticism."  Wright didn't really explode onto the national scene until the next spring and, after a year in prep school, he did end up being the 19th pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat and has played in 139 games and started in 55 games for the Heat during the last five seasons.  And this important, because, while we were talking about the greatness of players like Afflalo, Wright, and 6'2 Jordan Farmar from Woodland Hills (Taft) CA, some of our competition touting 6'3 Quentin Thomas from Oakland (Tech) CA as the best point and 6'7 Lee Cummard from Mesa (H.S.) CA as the best 2-guard on the West Coast.  And we won't even start the debate again about 6'2 Brandon Jennings, who we had ranked #1 nationally in his class for his last two-and-a-half years in high school.  But we will point out how far off most of the scouting services on the West Coast are with regards to 6'2 Gary Franklin from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA.  Franklin is not a point guard, but he is one of the best 3-point shooters in the nation, his team usually wins, and he has a tremendous work ethic.  He also has the talent and athleticism necessary to be ranked among the top 25 seniors nationally and, as a result, he'll get my vote for the McDonald's All-American Game. 

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson tells us that 6'10 James "Zac" Price from Lakewood (St. Edwards) OH, who made an unofficial visit to the University of Louisville over the weekend, returned home and decided last night to make it official for the Cardinals.  We're talking about a true post player who is ranked #59 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  However, before anybody gets too excited about Price walking in year after next and making an immediate impact for Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, Johnson reminds us that Price's ranking is based primarily on potential and not necessarily how good he is right now.  "Price has his moments," says Johnson.  "He is an excellent shot blocker and has a nice hook shot and some good low post moves.  But he needs to finish better and is only an average rebounder, which makes him a lot like Michael Chandler, although Price is not as good as Chandler is right now.  Chandler is stronger physically than Price and he played up against better competition most of the summer.  On the other hand, Price did most of his damage at the 16-Under level and he's only just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential, as is evident by the fact that he didn't start playing organized basketball until he was in the 6th Grade."  Whether we're talking about the next Nazr Mohammed remains to be seen.  But a quick check of our Ranking of the Top Players Nationally shows that we had the 6'10 center from Chicago (Kenwood) IL ranked #100 in our Final Ranking of the Top 100 Players Nationally in the Class of 1995, which means that either we're pretty darn smart or Mohammed was a lot better in hindsight than Pitino leads everybody to believe.  Price joins Chandler and 6'5 Jr Ryan Taylor from Indianapolis (Lawrence North) IN in a recruiting class that has moved back up to #2, behind Texas and ahead of North Carolina, in our ranking of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2011.  However, even more important, this should answer at least some of the questions about whether Louisville head coach Rick Pitino and his staff are still able to recruit high level talent.  That's the good news!  The bad news is that the Cardinals could be missing an important piece inside during the 2010-2011 season, if 6'9 Soph Samardo Samuels enters his name into the NBA Draft next spring.  Remember, the only other proven inside player in the program is 6'9 Soph Terrence Jennings.  And, as things stand now, the only player that they have in their current recruiting class is 6'6 Josh Langford from Huntsville (Johnson) AL.  By that time 6'8 Frosh Rakeem Buckles from Miami (Monsignor Pace) FL and 6'9 Stephan Van Treese from Indianapolis (Lawrence North) IN also will have a year of experience.  But, if the Cardinals want maintain the level that they've achieved in recent years (NCAA Final Four in 2005 and Elite Eight in 2008 and 2009), they may need to pull a rabbit out of their hat.  And the best chance of that happening will be to land 6'7 Tobias Harris from Dix Hills (Half Hollow Hill West) NY, who currently is ranked #9 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and is skilled enough and good enough to step in and make an immediate impact at either forward spot as a freshman.  However, getting Harris may be easier said than done, as his list of schools also includes Kentucky, Connecticut, Syracuse, St. John's, Maryland, Georgia Tech, West Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Notre Dame.  Another possibility is 6'8 Rod Odom from Concord (Middlesex) MA, who is a legitimate borderline top 100 senior nationally, but spends too much time away from the basket, instead of taking care of business inside.  Instead, the guy who is ideally suited to fill Louisville's wing forward needs is 6'6 J.J. Moore from South Kent (Prep) CT, who is one of the best 3-point shooters and one of the fastest rising players in the senior class nationally.  Then, add 6'3 Jr Marques Teague from Indianapolis (Pike) IN, who is the best point guard in the junior class nationally and has Louisville right at the top of his list, and somebody like 6'8 Jr Quincy Miller from Winston-Salem (Quality Education Academy) NC, who is a ridiculous athlete and was the best player for D-I Sports when he finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, four blocked shots, 7-17 field goals, and 1-5 3-pointers in the championship game of the Reebok Summer Championships, to their 2011 Recruiting Class that already includes Chandler, Price, and Taylor and.....   However, if the best Louisville can do is land Odom in this year's recruiting class and Teague does not eventually become apart of next year's recruiting class, then it may be tough to keep up with the Joneses' (or in this case new University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari).  We also have confirmed that 5'9 Darius Gardner from Houston (Yates) TX has picked Stephen F. Austin.  This is huge, because this jet quick point guard is a flat out winner.  Not only did he average 16.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 9.7 apg, and 5.4 spg on last year's 34-1 state championship team, but his team also has lost only 12 games while he was in the starting line-up the last three years.  Gardner picked the Lumberjacks over schools like SMU,  Missouri State, Wichita State, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Ball State, UT-Arlington, Texas State, and Southeast Louisiana.  We also think 6'5 Jerian Grant from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD, who is ranked #82 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and earlier today verbally committed to Notre Dame, is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Irish.  He's a big time athlete, plays in one of the premier high school basketball programs in the nation, and has a great bloodline, as is evident by the fact that he is the son of Harvey Grant, who played for four different teams and sent 11 years in the NBA, the nephew of former Chicago Bulls player Horace Grant, and the younger brother of Clemson's 6'8 Jr Jerai Grant.  The addition of Grant moves Notre Dame's recruiting class, which also includes 6'1 Eric Atkins from Baltimore (Mt. St. Joseph's) MD and 6'6 Alex Dragicovich from Northbrook (Glenbrook North) IL, into a tie at #14, along with Florida International and Maryland, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  However, just as important, it looks like Irish head coach Mike Brey, who is an alumnus of DeMatha, has established an important recruiting link into his old stamping grounds.  Our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin tells us that 6'6 James Loupos from Montgomery (H.S.) NJ has picked Navy over Vermont and Columbia.  And Rubin thinks this a good catch for the Midshipmen, because Loupos is an excellent 3-pointer and, as a result, is ideally suited for their system.  We also have confirmed that Drake has added its second recruit in this year's recruiting class with the addition of 5'11 Karl Madison from Springfield (Lanphier) IL, who is ranked #366 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP. 

Saturday, September 5, 2009, Sunday, September 6, 2009, Monday, September 7, 2009, & Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The two biggest stories that occurred over the weekend involve 6'10 Enes Kanter, who has left Henderson (Findlay Prep) NV and now plans to enroll at Beckley (Mountain State University Academy) WV, and 6'8 Jr James McAdoo from Norfolk (Christian) VA, who finally made it official for the University of North Carolina.  Remember, it's really been more of a question when than if McAdoo would pick the Tar Heels.  McAdoo, who is ranked as high as #2 nationally in the junior class, is versatile enough to play both inside and outside, although, with his size, athleticism, work ethic, toughness, and shot blocking ability, he will more likely than not project as a power forward at the college level.  McAdoo also has a great bloodline, as is evident by the fact that both of his parents both played college basketball at Old Dominion and his uncle (Bob McAdoo) played for North Carolina in the early 70's.  The addition of McAdoo moves North Carolina's recruiting class, which also already includes 6'5 Jr P.J. Hairston from Greensboro (Dudley) NC, up to #2 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2011.  However, even more important is the fact that the rebuilding job that North Carolina head coach Roy Williams and his staff have had to do after losing their top four players (Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and Danny Green) off this past season's NCAA Championship team is nearly complete.  If you will recall, the Tar Heels already have an excellent nucleus of great young talent in the program with players like 7'0 Soph Tyler Zeller, 6'10 Soph Ed Davis, 6'1 Soph Larry Drew, 6'10 Frosh John Henson, 6'3 Frosh Dexter Strickland, 6'3 Frosh Leslie McDonald, 6'9 Frosh David Wear, and 6'9 Frosh Travis Wear, as well as an excellent current recruiting class that is ranked #7 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010 and includes 6'4 Kendall Marshall from Arlington (Bishop O'Connell) VA and 6'5 Reggie Bullock from Kinston (H.S.) NC.  Kanter showing up at Mountain State University Academy has to be a major coup for the Mountaineers.  If you will recall, West Virginia was one of the four schools, along with Texas, North Carolina, and USC, that we told you already knew about this 6'10, 240-pound physical specimen who was named the MVP in the 18-Under European Championships when we first broke the story about Kanter coming to the United States and enrolling at Henderson (Findlay Prep) NV on Tuesday, August 18th.  Not only does the West Virginia coaching staff have all of the right contacts to get this one done (i.e. the new head coach at Mountain State University Academy is Rodney Crawford, who played for Bobby Huggins at the University of Cincinnati during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons), but now they've got him stashed right in their backyard (it's only 168 miles from Morgantown, WV to Beckley, WV).  We also are impressed with the fact that 6'9 Michael Cobbins from Amarillo (Palo Duro) TX has verbally committed to Oklahoma State, 6'5 Victor Oladipo from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD has verbally committed to Indiana, and 5'11 Jr Jorddan Myrick from Holland (West Ottawa) MI has made an early verbal commitment to Central Michigan.  Cobbins isn't ranked among our top 100 seniors nationally, but this long athletic power forward is just oozing with upside and potential, as is evident by the fact that he finished ranked #8 in our Final Ranking of the Top Power Forwards at the NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp in June.  Oladipo is another guy who deserves top 100 consideration, thanks to the fact that he's a phenomenal athlete, incredible dunker, and lockdown defender.  Oladipo also rebounds well for his size, plays in one of the premier high school programs in the nation, and helped 6’5 Jerian Grant from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD and 6’5 Jr Michael Gbinije from Christchurch (School) VA lead Team Takeover to the championship in the AAU Boys’ Basketball 17-Uuder Super Showcase at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL and to a final eight finish in the NIKE Peach Jam in North Augusta, SC.  Jorddan is a quick little point guard who makes things happen with his ball handling and passing skills, court vision, and competitive nature.  In other words, we're talking about one of the top three or four junior point guards in the state, which means that the Chippewas were smart to move quickly and get this one done early.  We also have confirmed that 6'10 John Bohannon from Lancaster (H.S.) TX has verbally committed to UTEP, 6'5 Bryce Jones from Woodland Hills (Taft) CA has verbally committed to USC, 6'2 Jalen Steele from Knoxville (Fulton) TN has verbally committed to Auburn, 6'2 Joseph Young from Houston (Yates) TX has verbally committed to Providence, and 6'7 Cody Darling from Holt (H.S.) MI has verbally committed to Wright State.  And what about the fact that Rutgers has pulled off a major coup with the late addition of 6'2 Muhamed Hasani from Pristina, Kosovo, who is expected to add toughness, experience, and depth in the backcourt, to its 2009 Recruiting Class?  Hasani has good ball handling and passing skills, is an excellent 3-point shooter, and has played for the KB Sigal Prishtina Junior team since 2005.  Not only has he led this club team to a pair of 18-Under and 16-Under championships, but he also was recognized in 2007 by the Basketball Federation of Kosovo as the best player under the age of 21.  He also recently competed on the Kosovo Junior National Team in the Friendship Game in Eliat, Israel, is an honor student, and is fluent in four languages.

Friday, September, 4, 2009

With absolutely nothing going on in the recruiting world  right now, it's a good time to catch you up on what happened at the second session this summer at the High Potential "Blue Chip" Camp, which was held July 12th-16th in Georgetown, KY.  The MVP of the Camp was 6'3 Jr Aaron Cosby from Northfield (Northfield-Mt. Hermon) MA, who is now at his third school in four years after having attended Louisville (Manual) KY as a freshman and Jeffersontown (H.S.) KY each of the last two years.  The Runner-up MVP was 6'2 Joe Staley from Dayton (Chaminade-Julienne) OH, who also was the Frontline 3-point Shooting Champ, the Frontline Free Throw Champ, and the Frontline Hot Shot Champ and the winner of the Award for Best Attitude.  The Tournament MVP was 6'1 Jr Dwayne Gallimore from Winter Garden (West Orange) FL and the Tournament Runner-up MVP was 5'11 Tyler Whitman from Ooltewah (H.S.) TN.  The Top 30 All-Star Game MVP with 15 points was 6'3 Soph Jermaine Rutley from Radcliff (North Hardin) KY and the Top 30 All-Star Game Runner-up MVP with 16 points was 6'3 Thomas Poston from Belleville (East Belleville) IL.   Poston also was the Slam Dunk Champ and 6'1 Soph Lutrell Thomas from Dallas (A. Maceo Smith) KY was named the Top Underclassmen in Camp.  And that's saying a lot, because it look like 6'2 Soph Desmond Dorsey from Jeffersontown (H.S.) KY, who had 15 points in the Top 30 All-Star Game, was pretty darn good as well.  The Top Passer was 5'11 Jr Jarrett Goodman from Louisville (Pleasure Ridge Park) KY and the Backcourt Hot Shot Camp was 6'1 Jr Jacob Simpson from Louisville (Pleasure Ridge Park) KY.  The Best Defensive Player was 5'9 Jr Paris Knight from Columbus (Brookhaven) OH, the Top Rebounder was 6'4 Jr Zack Hill from Stanford (Lincoln County) KY, the Best Ball Handler was 6'1 Soph Malcolm Foster from Elizabethtown (John Hardin) KY, and the Top Shooters were 6'1 Michael McCauley from Louisville (DeSales) KY and 6'0 Jordan Ponzer from Walton (Verona) KY.  The 110% Award went to 6'2 Soph Tanner Plemmons from Tiger (Rabun County) GA, the Top Station Worker was 5'6 Frosh Mike Smith from Lexington (Sayre) KY, and the Most Improved was 6'4 Jr Josh Karsner from Shelbyville (Cornerstone Christian Academy) KY.  The Top Sleeper was 6'1 Jr Andre' Moore from Gainesville (Eastside) FL, the Backcourt 3-Point Shooting Champ was 6'1 Soph Devon Wahl from Lincoln City (Heritage Hills) IN, and the Backcourt Free Throw Shooting Champ was 5'11 Jr Tanner Schultz from Williamsville (H.S.) IL.  In the Top 30 All-Star Game the White Team included 6'3 Jr Aaron Cosby from Northfield (Northfield-Mt. Hermon) MA, 6'3 Soph Jermaine Rutley from Radcliff (North Hardin) KY, 6'2 Soph Desmond Dorsey from Jeffersontown (H.S.) KY, 6'1 Jr Dwayne Gallimore from Winter Garden (West Orange) FL, 6'5 Jr Chancellor Armstrong from Louisville (Trinity) KY, 6'5 Tony Hamann from Loveland (H.S.) OH, 6'2 DeMarcus Collins from Bardstown (Nelson County) KY, 5'11 Sam Cooper from Harrisonville (H.S.) MO, 6'5 Jr Steven Bridgeman from Lancaster (H.S.) OH, 6'1 Reginald Breeden from Louisville (Moore) KY, 6'3 James Haire from Elizabethtown (H.S.) KY, 6'4 Jr Jacoby Payne from Opelika (H.S.) AL, 6'3 Ronald Dukes from Florissant (North County) MO, 6'1 Cameron Hall from Glasgow (H.S.) KY, and 6'3 Jr Bacarius Dinkins from Newberry (H.S.) FL and the Heather Team included 6'2 Joe Staley from Dayton (Chaminade-Julienne) OH, 6'3 Thomas Poston from Belleville (East Belleville) IL, 5'10 Robert Owens from Daleville (H.S.) AL, 6'3 Jr Stephen Atkinson from Benton (Marshall County) KY, 6'0 Jeremy Whitmore from Memphis (Raleigh-Egypt) TN, 6'1 Soph Lutrell Thomas from Dallas (A. Maceo Smith) KY, 6'6 J.C. Matthews from Ft. Worth (Lake County Christian) TX, 6'0 J.T. Barton from Greenwood (Center Grove) IN, 6'0 Davon Smith from Copley (H.S.) OH, 6'3 Jr Lamont Johnson from Lexington (Dunbar) KY, 5'8 Jr Jacoby Taylor from Danville (H.S.) KY, 6'2 Derek Thornberry from Louisville (DeSales) KY, 6'1 Christian Jernigan from Elizabethtown (John Hardin) KY, 6'0 Soph Dominic Pierre from Winter Garden (West Orange) FL, and 5'11 Jr Hayden Sweat from Mt. Washington (Bullitt East) KY.  The High Potential "Blue Chip" Camp also featured a Junior Division and the big story here was the 32-point all-star game performance by 5'7 Frosh Dylan Harris from Edmonton (Metcalfe County) KY.  Needless to say Harris was the All-Star Game MVP.  The MVP for the week in the Junior Division was 5'11 8th Grader Trenton Gilbert from Campton (Wolfe County) KY, who also was the Frontline 3-point Shooting Champ and the Runner-up All-Star MVP with the 11 points.  Also deserving special mention are 5'11 Frosh Tanner Clark from Franklin (Franklin-Simpson) KY, who had 19 points and three 3-pointers in the all-star game; 6'4 Frosh Rasheed Dashiell from Harker Heights (H.S.) TX, who was the Junior Division Runner-up MVP; 6'2 Frosh Ignatius Lott from Snellville (Shiloh) GA, who was the Top Rebounder; 5'7 Frosh Roberto Ristaneo from Fairhope (H.S.) KY, who had 12 points in the all-star game and was the Backcourt Free Throw Camp; and 5'8 Frosh Logan Wade from Louisville (Trinity) KY, who was both the Top Shooter and the Frontline Free Throw Champ in the Junior Division. 

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Does two plus two equal four?  Well, if it does, then we may have to give credence to what we're hearing about 6'8 Josh Smith from Covington (Kentwood) WA, who currently is ranked #11 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and for the better part of the last year has been believed to have been a near lock for UCLA.  The word we're getting is that Smith actually had gone so far as to give the Bruins a silent verbal commitment, but now has changed his mind and is heavily leaning towards going to the University of Oklahoma.  And to add even more validity to this story is the fact that Smith has cancelled his scheduled visit to UCLA this weekend and it has not been rescheduled.  However, the only time we've heard the Sooners mentioned in connection with Smith was when he told us on May 1st that the three schools recruiting him the hardest are UCLA, Washington, and Louisville, but added that he is still wide open and said that everybody in the Pac-10 is still in the hunt, along with schools like Gonzaga, Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia Tech, Miami-FL, Duke, North Carolina, Georgetown, Syracuse, Seton Hall, Ohio State, Indiana, Michigan, and Kansas.  So it appears that the Sooners' coaching staff had been on the peripheral all the time, but now have used the fact that Oklahoma head coach Jeff Capel is one of the hottest guys in college basketball and has a great track record of developing big men (i.e. Blake Griffin was the consensus #1-ranked player in the nation last season and the #1-pick in the NBA Draft this past spring) to suddenly become a major player in the race for this 6'8 physical specimen who, just like Griffin, is a beast around the basket.  We also continue to hear that the Sooners are the school that you have to beat for 6'5 Cameron Clark from Sherman (H.S.) TX, they are one of the early favorites for 6'7 Jr LeBryan Nash from Dallas (Lincoln) TX, and they are the only school that currently has an official visit set up with 6'2 Ray McCallum from Beverly Hills (Detroit Country Day) MI, who used to live in Houston, TX when his father was the head coach at the University of Houston and in Norman, OK when his father was an assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma.  And making the story even more interesting is the fact that current Oklahoma star 2-guard Warren Warren was a near lock to go to the University of Arkansas until Stan Heath got fired two-and-a-half years ago.  The one common denominator in all of this is University of Oklahoma assistant coach Orande Talieferro, who not only is firmly establishing himself as one of the best recruiters in the nation, but also might be as good as anybody there is right now recruiting in the Lone Star State.  Another school that does a great job of recruiting in the Lone Star State, as well as nationally is Baylor, which now appears to be the sleeper in the race for 6'2 Josh Selby from Baltimore (Lake Clifton) MD, who is ranked #6 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  Baylor will have to be schools like Kentucky, Connecticut, Oregon, and Kansas for Selby's services.  But, if the Bears are able to pull this one off, then it would more than make up for the fact that they missed out on 6'3 John Wall from Raleigh (Word of God) NC, who was the #1-ranked 5th Year Player in the nation a year ago and picked the University of Kentucky last spring.  If you will recall, the Bears already have 6'8 Perry Jones from Duncanville (H.S.) TX, who is ranked #6 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, and 6'3 Bakari Turner from Duncanville (H.S.) TX, who is ranked #99 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, both in the fold.  It also looks like this will be a big recruiting weekend for USC, which will have 5'10 Andre Stringer from Jackson (Forest Hill) MS, 6'5 Kyle Collinsworth from Provo (H.S.) UT, 6'9 Curtis Washington from Elizabethtown (H.S.) KY, 6'7 Josh Huestis from Great Falls (C.M. Russell) MT on campus when the Trojans play their first football game of the season against San Jose State, and Louisville, which will have 6'8 Rodney Odom from Concord (Middlesex) MA, 6'5 Jr Wayne Blackshear from Chicago (Morgan Park) IL, 6'8 Mike Shaw from Chicago (De La Salle) IL, 6'2 Jr Macari Brooks from Richton Park (Rich South) IL, and 6'10 Jr James "Zac" Price from Lakewood (St. Edwards) OH on campus when the Cardinals play their first football game of the season against Indiana State.  It also is being reported that 6'3 Brandon Knight from Ft. Lauderdale (Pine Crest) FL has set up visits to Kentucky on September 19th and Kansas on October 16th; 6'2 Kyrie Irving from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ has set up visits to Duke on September 26th and Indiana on October 3rd; 6'6 Anthony Brown from Huntington Beach (Ocean View) CA has set up visits to UCLA on September 5th, California on September 12th, Arizona on September 19th, and Stanford on September 26th; 5'11 Trevor Releford from Shawnee Mission (Bishop Miege) KS has set up visits to Oklahoma on September 12th and Alabama on September 19th; 6'4 Moses Morgan from Las Vegas (Palo Verde) NV has set up visits to Indiana on October 12th and October 17th; 6'5 Casey Prather from Jackson (Northside) TN has set up visits to Clemson on September 5th, Michigan on September 12th, and Florida on September 19th; 6'4 Jerian Grant from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD has set up a visit to Notre Dame on September 5th, Virginia on September 12th, and DePaul on September 19th; 6'2 Trae Golden from Powder Springs (McEachern) GA has set up visits to Tennessee on September 12th, Virginia on September 19th, and South Florida on October 17th; 6'5 Ralston Turner from Muscle Shoals (H.S.) AL has a visit set up to Notre Dame on September 5th; 6'11 Alex Kirk from Los Alamos (H.S.) NM has a visit set up to New Mexico on September 12th; 6'2 Ricky Scott from Irving (MacArthur) TX has a visit set up to Arkansas on September 12th; 6'6 J.J. Moore from South Kent (Prep) CT has a visit set up to Louisville on October 2nd; and 6'4 Doran Lamb from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA has a visit set up to Kansas on October 16th. 

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

We had heard during the summer that Florida State had a really good power forward in the junior college ranks stashed in their backyard.  So, when 6'9 Bernard James from Tallahassee (JC) FL recently picked the Seminoles, we had little doubt that this was the same guy.  We're talking about an athletic power forward who missed eight games last year, but still managed to record 15 double-doubles while averaging 12.1 ppg and 8.8 rpg.  James also shot 61.7% from the field and was named to the Coaches' First Team All-Panhandle Conference Men's Basketball Team, along with 6'4 Casey Mitchell from Chipola (JC) FL, 6'8 Gary Flowers from Chipola (JC) FL, 6'6 Marquis Gilstrap from Gulf Coast (JC) FL, 6'6 Brad Reese from Gulf Coast (JC) FL, 6'7 Justin Brownlee from Chipola (JC) FL, 6'3 Charvez Davis from Northwest Florida (JC) FL, 6'6 Torye Pelham from Chipola (JC) FL, 6'4 Jamarr Sanders from Northwest Florida (JC) FL, 6'8 Marvell Waithe from Tallahassee (JC) FL, 6'0 Malcolm Armstead from Chipola (JC) FL, and 6'8 Jeremy Jacob from Chipola (JC) FL.  And, like James, the last three players on this list were freshmen a year ago in the junior college ranks.  However, they don't have the maturity and experience of James, who is 24-years-old and was a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force before going the junior route a year ago.  And making the story even more interesting is the fact that James led the Air Force to an 84-74 win against Lithuania in the 2008 International Military Sports Council Championship.  He also had 12 points, 18 rebounds, and six blocked shots in the title game, as he took home tournament MVP honors.  In other words, this is a guy who is used to playing against men and a year from now he should be the perfect replacement for 7'1 Soph Solomon Alabi, who promises to be one of the premier big men in college basketball this year and, as a result, will likely enter his name into the NBA Draft next spring.  The addition of James also moves the Seminoles' recruiting class, which also includes 6'8 Okaro White from Clearwater (H.S.) FL and 6'1 Ian Miller from Charlotte (United Faith Christian Academy) NC, up to #6, behind Ohio State, Wake Forest, Syracuse, Duke, and Illinois and ahead of North Carolina, Purdue, Texas, Iowa, Villanova, Baylor Michigan State, Marquette, Florida International, Maryland, Dayton, Memphis, Xavier, Georgetown, Michigan, Louisiana Tech, Virginia, California, Virginia Tech, Kansas State, Providence, USC, Liberty, and St. Joseph's, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2010.  It also looks like the new regime at Xavier hasn't missed a beat now that it has four players - 6'7 Justin Martin from Indianapolis (Lawrence North) IN, 6'8 Jordan Latham from Baltimore (City College) MD, 6'4 Jay Canty from Jamestown (Ragsdale) NC, and 6'9 Griffin McKenzie from Cincinnati (Moeller) OH - in the fold in this year's recruiting class who are ranked in the 101-204 range nationally by the HOOP SCOOP.  McKenzie, who picked the Musketeers over schools like Wake Forest, Cincinnati, Northwestern, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt early today, is a skilled face-up four-man with a big upside and the potential to evolve into a force inside once he gets bigger and stronger and gets used to getting banged around everyday in practice while going head-to-head against Kenny Frease, who is 7'0 and 265-pounds.  We also have confirmed that 7'0 Ehimen Orukpe from Three Rivers (JC) MO has verbally committed to Wichita State, 6'9 Chano Rashidudden from Indian Hills (JC) IA has verbally committed to Arkansas State, 6'6 DeAndre Haskins from Citrus (JC) CA has verbally committed to Cal State-Fullerton, and 6'6 Petey Hausley from Iowa Western (JC) IA has verbally committed to Appalachian State. 

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

One of the surprise teams in our Ranking of the Top 30 Pre-Season College Teams for the 2009-2010 Season, which was published yesterday right here in the Members Section, is Binghamton University, which returns its top three players (Tiki Mayben, D.J. Rivera, and Malik Alvin) from a 23-9 team that lost to Duke, 86-62, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.  And, despite the fact that all three of these players will graduate after the current season, the future looks extremely bright for Bearcats head coach Kevin Broadus, who has four new players - 6'7 Greer Wright from San Francisco City (JC) CA, 6'7 Paul Crosby from Navarro (JC) TX, 6'5 Dylan Talley from Burlington (Life Center) NJ, and 6'7 Taylor Johnson from Toronto (Ministry of Education) ON - in the program who will provide valuable depth this season and 6'2 Jr Corey Chandler, who has decided to transfer from Rutgers to Binghamton, where he will sit out this season.  We're talking about an athletic 2-guard who was ranked #30 nationally in our Final Ranking of the Top Players Nationally in the Class of 2007 when he was a senior at Newark (East Side) NJ and averaged 11.9 ppg as a freshman at Rutgers during the 2007-08 season en route to Big East All-Rookie team honors.  And this isn't the first time that Broadus, who took over a team two years ago that was 13-16 overall and finished ranked sixth in league, has turned a program around in a hurry.  If you will recall, from 2001 to 2004 Broadus helped lay the foundation for the success that Karl Hobbs had at George Washington and for the next three years he was the architect behind the recruiting classes that helped John Thompson III bring the Georgetown program back to national prominence and a NCAA Final Four appearance in 2007.  No wonder a lot of people think Broadus is one of the top up-and-coming head coaches in the business.  And he's got a great staff, which includes Julius Allen, who is one of the top assistant coaches in the nation at the mid-to-low major level and has more than his share of New York City connections, former Temple All-American and former NBA first round draft pick Mark Macon, and Marc Hsu, who has head coaching experience at Laurinburg (Institute) NC, assistant coaching experience at Barton County (JC) KS, and Director of Basketball Operations experience at Oregon State.  We also have confirmed that 6'2 Rob Brandenberg from Gahanna (Lincoln) OH has picked Virginia Commonwealth over schools like Akron, Wright State, Ohio University, and Loyola-Chicago and 6'8 Justin Jackson from Jacksonville (Arlington Country Day) FL has verbally committed to the University of Cincinnati.  And both players should be a perfect fit.  Jackson, who is a legitimate top 100 senior nationally, is an athletic power forward with a good motor and the ability to run the court, rebound, block shots and score around the basket.  Brandenberg is a slashing athletic 2-guard with a tremendous wing span and a good mid-range game.  We also are intrigued by the fact that Longwood University has landed 6'6 Mark Parker from Benson (West Johnston) NC.  However, this does not come as much of a surprise enlight of the fact that we saw Lancers head coach Mike Gillian at all of Parker's games at the Big Shots Tournament in Myrtle Beach, SC.  If you will recall, we mentioned that Parker was one of the best shooters that we saw in the tournament and he's an absolute steal for a program that had its first winning season as a Division I independent a year ago.  And Parker isn't the only player that Gillian has stolen this summer, as 6'3 Aaron Mitchell from Manatee (JC) FL is a late addition to the Lancers' 2009 Recruiting Class.  Mitchell is a left-handed multi-dimensional athlete who knows how to get to the basket and find ways to score, which makes him ideally suited to step in and immediately help replace three of the top four players who graduate off of last year's 17-14 team.  Our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin tells us that Temple has not one, but two late additions to a recruiting class that previously included 6'6 Rahlif Jefferson from Chester (H.S.) PA and 6'2 Khalif Wyatt from Norristown (H.S.) PA.  The first is 6'7 Carmel Bouchman from Tel Aviv, Israel and he averaged 8.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.7 spg, and 1.2 bpg while playing for Israel in the 2009 FIBA European Under-18 Championships in Metz, France this past July.  The second is 6'8 Christopher Clarke from Pensacola (JC) FL, who was ranked #322 in our Final Ranking of the Top Players Nationally in the Class of 2008 and originally signed with SMU, but went the junior college route in order to give his skills time to catch up with his size and athleticism.

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