HOT RECRUITING INFO FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 1998

Wednesday, September 30, 1998

We have finally confirmed that 6'8 Andrew Sullivan from Richland (St. Augustine) NJ, who ranks #78 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, did indeed announce for Villanova yesterday afternoon during his 3:00 PM press conference. You say that's not news, because everybody already new that Sullivan was heading to Villanova after he cancelled several in-home visits last week. But, like they say, "it's never over until it's over" and the best example of this was when Shareef Abdur-Rahim picked California over Georgia Tech in 1995. I wasn't there, but from what I've been told, all the reporters at the press conference were in shock. Moral to the story is that anybody who reported that Sullivan had committed to Villanova last night or this morning without checking to make sure was being sloppy and could have been wrong. As a result, we held off on reporting this until we were sure.

George Mason, Dayton, Richmond, Boston College, and Virginia are the final five for 6'11 Jesse Young from Petersborough (Collegiate) ON, who is the best big man to come out Canada since Kentucky's Jamal Magloire.

Darren Matsubara, the head coach of the EBO-Fresno AAU, called yesterday to tell us that 6'9 Carlos Boozer from Juneau (Douglas) AK, who ranks #5 nationally in the class by the HOOP SCOOP, has narrowed his list to Duke St. John's, and UCLA and stresses that the list is in alphabetical order. And as long as we're on the subject of Boozer, we don't think it hurts their chance one bit that UCLA will become an adidas school next year with an estimated $17 million dollar contract. If you will recall, Boozer has always attended adidas events and played for adidas teams. Do you really think he's going anywhere but UCLA?

Last spring we told you that Georgetown was the favorite school of 6'8 Courtland Freeman from Myrtle Beach (Socastee) SC, but at the time he hadn't heard from the Hoyas. Well, it's nice to see a player end up at a school where he really wanted to be all the time. Freeman picked the Hoyas over Clemson, Indiana,and UCLA today.

We now being told that 6'9 Rodney White, who recently transferred from Newark (St. Benedict's) NJ to Kensington (Newport Prep) MD, made a verbal commitment to the University of Pittsburgh while on his official visit. However, Allen Rubin, our Philadelphia Area Editor, is now telling us that he has changed his mind and that he still is considering Seton Hall and UNC-Charlotte, as well as Pittsburgh.

The University of New Mexico has picked up a commitment from 6'8 Rafael Berumen from Simi Valley (H.S.) CA. Although Berumen doesn't currently rank among our top 100 seniors nationally (he had a bad summer), he is one of the best rebounders in the nation. As a result, he's still a great catch for the Lobos, because he's just a good old fashioned blue collar player.

Greg Swaim of Midwest Basketball is reporting that the University of Houston could be on the verge of a monster recruiting year. Already publicly committed is 6'4 Antonio Falu from Houston (Waltrip) TX and Swaim is also reporting that 7'5 Yao Ming from Shanghi, China, 6'11Chris Andersen from Blinn (JC) TX, and 6'7 George Williams from Sugar Land (Elkins) TX have all told the Cougars coaching staff that they are going to Houston. This in direct contrast to what we were told on Monday by John Eurey, who coached Williams this summer in AAU ball. Eurey and Mitch Malone of Texas Blue Chip Report both think Williams will go someplace other than Houston, but Swaim's sources in Texas appear to be second to none.  So we can't discount what he's telling us. However, in all three cases (Ming, Andersen, and Williams), nothing has been officially announced. Stay tuned! This one promises to get real interesting.

Greg Swaim of Midwest Basketball also tells us that Tulsa has a major steal in 6'5 Demario Hooper from Texarkania (Texas) TX, who is a world-class athlete and one of the fastest rising players in the senior class nationally. When Hooper committed to Tulsa, the Golden Hurricane backed off 6'5 Travis Walk from Wichita (Collegiate) KS. When that happened Walk decided to pick Southwest Missouri State.

UNC-Charlotte is involved with some high profile guys, like 6'9 Dermarr Johnson from Kensington (Newport Prep) MD, 6'9 Rodney White from Kensington (Newport Prep) MD, 6'11 George Leach from Charlotte (Olympic) NC, 6'8 Jason Parker from Charlotte (West Charlotte) NC, 6'9 Ray Henderson from Charlotte (East Mechlenburg) NC, 6'6 Caron Butler from Pittsfield (Maine Central Institute) ME, 6'5 Jeremy Logan from Milford (Academy) CT, but the 49ers' first commitment comes as a bit of a surprise. Yesterday 6'1 Demon Brown, who ranks #99 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, but whose value should go through the roof once he learns all the subtleties that go with playing point guard, committed to UNCC. Brown, who is originally from Randallstown (H.S.) MD, turned down Connecticut, Xavier, and Boston College.

Tuesday, September 29, 1998

The Stanford Cardinal has picked up a commitment from 6'11 Curtis Borchardt from Redmond (Eastlake) WA, who ranks #56 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP. Borchardt, who also had Washington and Kentucky among his final three, is an absolute steal, because he has a 4.0 gpa, a wide open growth plate, which means he might grow to 7'2 or 7'3, and seemingly unlimited potential. Although the University of Washington missed on Borchardt, Washington State has succeeded in keeping another one of the top big guys in the state home when they received a commitment yesterday from 6'9 Bryan Whitehead from Mt. Vernon (H.S.) WA.

Frank Burlison has reported today in the Orange County Register that Oregon State has picked up a verbal commitment from 6'10 Brian Jackson from Knappa (Astoria) OR, who ranks #110 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP. It also appears that Jackson's high school teammate 5'11 Mike Cokley, whose father is the head high school coach at Astoria High School, was also part of the package, because he also made a commitment to Oregon State yesterday.

Arizona got a commitment in late July from 6'3 Jimmy Haywood from Seattle (Franklin) WA, who ranks #169 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, but it appears that he has since changed his mind. Instead, Arizona is recruiting 6'3 Gilbert Arenas from Van Nuys (Grant) CA, because the Wildcats coaching staff wants a quality recruit who can back up both guard positions. However, this is one is not over yet, because DePaul and Kansas State may be tough to beat for this athletic combo guard who ranks #160 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP.

Arizona is not the only school that is looking for a quality combo guard. DePaul appears to be the leader over Western Kentucky and Louisville for 6'3 George Baker from Lexington (Dunbar) KY, who is making a strong case this fall to be ranked among our top 100 nationally. If DePaul doesn't get Baker, other possibilities are 6'3 Gilbert Arenas from Van Nuys (Grant) CA and 6'3 Sean Harrington from Elgin (H.S.) IL, who ranks #208 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP. The Blue Demons also would like to land several big guys. Among the most likely possibilities are 6'10 Leon Smith from Chicago Martin Luther King) IL, 6'10 Steve Hunter from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC, and 6'7 John Odom from Phoenix (Carl Hayden) AZ.

The University of Memphis signed 6'6 Shannon Foreman when he was in high school two years ago at Baton Rouge (Southern Lab) LA, but he didn't make it academically and, as a result, went the junior college route. So it should come as no surprise that Foreman, who promises to be one of the top 10 junior college players in the nation this year, has become the first player in Memphis' current recruiting class. Last year Foreman averaged 15.0 ppg and 8.4 rpg, as he led Northwest Mississippi (JC) MS to a third place finish in the National Junior College Tournament last March in Hutchinson, KS.

John Eurey, the President of the SuperStar Foundation, Inc. in Houston, tells us that the reports that 6'8 George Williams from Sugar Land (Elkins) TX had committed to the University of Houston a week ago were not even close. According to Eurey, the top three schools on Williams' list are N.C. State, Michigan, and Vanderbilt and he thinks a decision could be forthcoming fairly soon.

Monday, September 28, 1998

According to HOOP SCOOP New York City Editor Ron Naclerio, last night Providence College received a verbal commitment from 6'5 Mark Jerrell-Wright from Newark (St. Benedict's) NJ, who currently ranks as a borderline top 100 player, but who has the potential to move much higher. This is important, because Jerrell-Wright's best friend is 6'0 Brandin Knight from West Orange (Seton Hall Prep) NJ, who ranks #91 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, and with this commitment, the Friars have to be considered the leader for Knight over Pittsburgh, Rice, and possibly Xavier. And if Providence gets both Jerrell-Wright and Knight, this could also effect the recruitment of 6'3 Brian Woodward from Bayside (Cardozo) NY, who also has Providence at the top of his list over Villanova and Rhode Island.

We've been predicting it for over a year, but now it is official. We have confirmed that 6'10 Marvin Stone from Huntsville (Grissom) AL has announced at his press conference this afternoon that he will attend the University of Kentucky. Stone joins 6'4 Keith Bogans from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD, who committed to the Wildcats a week ago. Bogans ranks #2 and Stone ranks #3 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and both are serious candidates to be national player-of-the-year, which leads us to our next question. Has any school ever gotten commitments from two players as good as Stone and Bogans in the same year, much less the same week?

Old Dominion has picked up a pair of commitments within the last 24 hours in 6'4 Rasheed Wright from Greensboro (Southern Guilford) NC and 6'6 Ricardo Marsh from Hillsborough (Orange) NC. If you will recall, Marsh's big claim to fame was that he committed to Clemson in July, but later reneged.

Last night Chris Johnson, our Ohio Editor, had heard rumors that 6'7 Jr Brett Buscher from Chesterson (H.S.) IN was making an earlier commitment to Purdue. Now M@ttsStats, an Evansville, IN Website, has confirmed that Buscher has verballed to Purdue. This comes on the heels of a commitment from 6'4 Kenneth Lowe from Gary (West Side) IN and we are also looking for Purdue to get a commitment soon from Lowe's AAU teammate - 6'6 Richard Wright from East Chicago (Central) IN. At least that's what Johnson's telling us and he's usually right on the money.

If you snooze, you lose! Apparently that's what has happened to 6'5 Marshall Williams from Milwaukee (Vincent) WI, who has been telling people for a month and a half that he's going to Cincinnati. Instead, 6'5 Leonard Stokes from Buffalo (Turner-Carroll) NY has grabbed one of the two remaining scholarships that the Bearcats have available. And this makes perfect sense, because earlier today, Stokes other favorite school (Providence) got a verbal commitment from 6'5 Mark Jerrell-Wright from Newark (St. Benedict's) NJ. As for Williams, it now look like a three horse race among Memphis, Michigan, and Missouri.

There are several outstanding foreign big guys in prep school at Winchendon (School) MA, but according to Chris Johnson, who specializes in a number of areas, including keeping track of international players for the HOOP SCOOP, the best of the bunch is 7'1 Bruno Sundov from Croatia. However, Sundov is not recruitable at the collegiate level, because he was drafted in the second round of the NBA draft last June by the Dallas Mavericks. As a result, according to NCAA rules, he is considered a professional athlete who has given up his amateur status. "He ended up at Winchendon, because he had no where else to go," says Johnson. "He can't play at home because the International Croatian Basketball Federation has suspended him for 18 months and he can't play professionally here because of the lockout."

Sunday, September 27, 1998

Apparently 6'8 Leland Anderson from North Attleboro (H.S.) MA did not allow any schools to come into his home during the fall recruiting period that just ended. Instead, he will take official visits to each of the five finalists on his list - Rhode Island, Providence, Syracuse, Michigan, and Massachusetts.

Nebraska has a commitment from 6'10 Brian Conklin from Hubbard (H.S.) OH. Most scouts don't know about Conklin, because he played baseball most of the summer and, as a result, was not seen on the AAU circuit, but HOOP SCOOP Ohio Editor Chris Johnson ranks this excellent shooting wing forward with size among the top 15 players in Ohio.

There has been talk about 6'1 Todd Billet from Lincroft (Christian Brothers) NJ and 6'6 Matt Carroll from Horsham (Hatboro-Horsham) CT going to Notre Dame as a package, but there is another common school on their lists and that's Villanova. According to HOOP SCOOP Philadelphia Area Editor Allen Rubin, both were at Villanova over the weekend and both have talked a lot about what school they might attend. As it stands now, N.C. State appears to be out for Carroll, because the Wolfpack are in line to get 6'2 Anthony Grundy from Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA. As a result, Wake Forest, Notre Dame, and Villanova are the top schools on Carroll's list, although St. Joseph's and Penn State still have a shot to pull off the upset. Billet's top five appear to be Notre Dame, Villanova, Clemson, Princeton, and Rutgers.

Patrick Jira of the Recruiting Beat has weathered the hurricane and is now reporting that the University of Florida has added yet another guard in 6'3 Justin Hamilton from Sarasota (Booker) FL While the HOOP SCOOP does not have Hamilton ranked among the top 100 nationally, others do, including the Recruiting Beat, which is based in Florida.

Saturday, September 26, 1998

Ron Naclerio, our New York City Editor, tells us that 6'7 Courtney Fields, originally from New York (Rice) NY, but now at Laurinburg (Military Institute) NC, has verbally committed to Iona. Although Fields has had more than his share of off the court and academic problems and, as a result, isn't ranked that high nationally, he once had as much potential as any player in the current senior class in New York City. Can Iona head coach Jeff Ruland get Fields back on track? If he can, we could be talking about a future pro!

Purdue has missed on most of their primary early recruiting targets, like 5'10 Jason Gardner from Indianapolis (North Central) IN, who committed to Arizona in July, and 7'0 John Stewart from Indianapolis (Lawrence North) IN, who committed to Kentucky last week. But the Boilermakers now have added a commitment from 6'4 Kenny Lowe from Gary (West Side) IN, who ranked #7 in the state when Indiana Correspondent Jim Kasberg last updated his Indiana list in the spring. We also believe that Purdue is among the top two on the list of 6'6 Richard Wright from East Chicago (Central) IN, although right now it looks like it's too close to call between the Boilermakers and Wolverines.

South Florida lost out on 6'11 Casey Sanders from Tampa (Prep) FL, but we hear that their consolation prize might be too bad. It's not a done deal, but our sources are telling us that it is pretty darn close. So don't be surprised when 6'9 Kenny Walker from Jacksonville (Wolfson) FL, who currently ranks #71 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, makes it official for South Florida.Why does South Florida appear to be so tough to beat for Walker, who once ranked among the top 20 players in his class?  He had a bad summer and is no longer top choice for most of the big time schools that had shown earlier interest. However, all the better for South Florida, because Walker should thrive in head coach Seth Greenberg's system, as he and B.B. Walden, who signed with the Bulls a year ago, would give South Florida one of the best forward combinations for years to come in Conference USA.

Friday, September 25, 1998

The HOOP SCOOP has learned that 6'10 Marvin Stone from Huntsville (Grissom) AL plans to announce his college decision at 5:30 PM on Monday, September 28th. Kentucky assistant coach George Felton was in Huntsville, AL yesterday just to make sure that nothing has changed and it hasn't. As a result, we are 100% sure that Stone will commit to Kentucky on Monday. As a matter of fact, if Stone's parents had let him, he might have committed to Kentucky a year ago. He's always had a great relationship with Wildcats head coach Tubby Smith and that's where he always wanted to go. As a result, Alabama head coach Mark Gottfried, who finished a distant second, really never had chance.

Although 6'10 Marvin Stone from Huntsville (Grissom) AL is getting away, most of the other top players in the state have elected to stay home. Alabama already has a commitment from 6'7 Rod Grizzard from Birmingham (Central Park Christian) AL, who ranks #17 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, and they are in a war with Auburn for 6'8 Erwin Dudley from Uniontown (R.C. Hatch) AL, who ranks #62 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP. Dudley may commit in the near future, but even if he does, it may not mean a lot, because this one could go all the way until the last day of the signing period. It promises to be that close and he may change his mind right up until the end. Purdue and Boston College are both involved with 6'2 Terrance Meade from Scottsboro (H.S.) AL, but we'd be surprised if he leaves home, which means it will once again likely come down to either Alabama or Auburn.

Recently the University of Virginia landed what promises to be one of the best backcourts in the ACC for years to come with commitments from 6'0 Majestic Mapp from Bronx (St. Raymond's) NY and 6'4 Roger Mason from Wheaton (Good Counsel) MD. Now the Cavaliers have added a third commitment from 6'9 Jason Rogers from Staunton (Robert E. Lee) VA, who also was being recruited by Maryland, Virginia Tech, Colorado, James Madison, and Virginia Commonwealth. While Rogers doesn't figure to be an impact player immediately, his best days are ahead of him, because he's athletic, can run the court and block shots. The fact that he's an excellent student and an in-state kid are just added pluses.

We got a call today from a sportswriter in Colorado who tells us 6'9 Stephane Pelle from Mercersburg (Prep) PA is not only in town this weekend for an official visit, but that the Buffaloes are now the heavy favorite. This makes perfect sense, because we've heard that Mercersburg head coach Tony Tucker has being trying to package himself with Pelle in an attempt to land a college assistant coaching job. And other than Penn State, which is local, all the rest of the schools on Pelle's list (Stanford, Vanderbilt, Virginia, and Villanova) are great schools academically. So how does Colorado beat all these schools with such great academic reputations? It certainly would make sense if Tucker is line for the job.

We reported recently that 6'9 Jr Darius Miles from East St. Louis (Lincoln) IL might make an early commitment to the University of Illinois. Certainly that is possible, but it may be tough for anybody to beat St. Louis University. Not only is the school located right across the Mississippi River, but also is one of the hot up-and-coming programs in college basketball with one of the best head coach's in the nation in Charlie Spoonhour and a great facility in the still new 20,000 seat Kiel Auditorium. As a result, you can bet they will be a major factor in the recruitment of Miles. However, that's the future! Right now the Billikens are in good share with a number of excellent players in this recruiting class, including 6'6 Reese Gaines from Madison (West) WI, 6'7 Quentin Buchanan from Junction City (H.S.) KS, 6'7 Jibran Kelley from Lee's Summit (H.S.) MO, and 6'5 Josh Hayes from Little Rock, AR.

Thursday, September 24, 1998

We have confirmed that 6'5 Gavin Groninger from Plainfield (H.S.) IN, who ranks #86 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, has committed to the University of Michigan. That gives the Wolverines coaching staff two players already in the fold and we think they will add a third player in 6'6 Richard Wright from East Chicago (Central) IN, who ranks #87 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, in the near future. The Wolverines are also in the hunt for several of the top power forwards in the nation, including 6'8 Jason Parker from Charlotte (West Charlotte) NC, 6'7 Travis Watson from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, and 6'8 Aloyius Anagonya from Detroit (St. Martin DePorres) MI, who rank #18, #19, and #37 nationally, respectively, by the HOOP SCOOP. But the guy they have to get is 6'6 LaVell Blanchard from Ann Arbor (Pioneer) MI, who was named Player-of-the-Summer and is ranked #13 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP. Right now it looks like a war among Virginia, Georgetown, and Michigan, but the longer it goes, the less likely anybody is going to steal Blanchard away from the Wolverines. Also high on Michigan's recruiting list is 6'5 Antonio Jackson from Butler County (JC) KS, who is one of the top five junior college players in America, but he will likely wait until spring to sign.

People always want to know when the national letter-of-intent day begins (it almost always begins on the second Wednesday in November and the second Wednesday in April), when the recruiting and dead periods are, and what the NCAA rules are. Hopefully, we've helped solved this problem, by posting a list of the recruiting periods, which we published earlier in the Members Section, and a list of NCAA rules. We suggest you take a look at both. They can be found by clicking on rules and recruiting periods.

Allen Rubin, our Philadelphia Area Editor confirms that the University of Virginia cancelled their in-home visit last night with 6'9 Andrew Sullivan from Richland (St. Augustine) NJ, because Sullivan has decided to go to Villanova. However, it is not official yet and it may not be for several more days. So anybody who tells you it is already done is jumping the gun.

One of the most underrated point guards in the nation is 6'1 Lionel Chalmers from Albany (H.S.) NY, who just misses making our list of the top 100 seniors nationally. Right now Seton Hall, Providence, Xavier, Virginia Tech, and Rutgers are at the top of his list.

It has been called to my attention that the University of Louisville doesn't have as many scholarships available as I thought they did. Let's take a closer look. Alex Sanders, Eric Johnson, and Cameron Murray are seniors. Nate Johnson, Tony Williams, Deon Edward, Topiah Hopper, and are juniors. Marques Maybin, Travis Best, and Jeff McKinley are sophomores. Hodge Turner is a freshman. Caleb Gervin and Janerio Spurlock are in school, but won't count until next year. Are we forgetting somebody? Are they giving scholarships to walk-on's that we don't know about? By our count, three seniors plus four juniors plus three freshman plus one freshman equals 11 players currently on scholarship. Next year Louisville will lose the three seniors, which brings them down to eight scholarship players plus the two non-qualifiers equals 10. That leaves them two scholarships to give, one of which is currently promised to 6'9 Joe Sykes from Ratcliff (North Hardin) KY. That leaves one left, but plenty of things can happen between now and then. Our prediction is that they will renege on Sykes, because he's not good enough. Also scholarships are renewable year to year, so they can always tell McKinley and Best that they may not have a scholarship, if they don't transfer after this season. And sometimes players don't make it academcially - just ask Barry Sumpter about that in 1985 when Pervis Ellison was coming in as a freshman and they didn't need him anymore. Which leads me to my next question - do they really need Gervin if they find a great point guard? Having said all this, I'd be willing to bet that if Louisville is in a position to sign three or four great players, they will find the scholarships. I stand corrected. The missing player is Kevin Smiley, who will be a junior this year. This leaves Louisville with only one scholarship available and that scholarship is currently promised to Sykes. As a result, Louisville definitely needs to be very selective in who they sign this year. The good news is that next year, they will have five to give, so they will have some margin for error. Maybe sending Sykes to prep school next year would be a good compromise. Then they could give him one of those five scholarships a year from now and they could go after somebody who could make an impact this year. That's one scholarship. We still think Best and McKinley also may consider transferring, especially if the coaching staff finds a quality point guard, to go along with Gervin, because they see their playing time diminishing to next to nothing after this season.

Wednesday, September 23, 1998

This comes as no big surprise, but 6'9 Andrew Sullivan from Richland (St. Augustine) NJ has cancelled his remaining two in-home visits and is announcing for Villanova today. Sullivan ranks #76 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, but should move much higher once the season starts, because he's much better in his high school setting than in an AAU setting, which explains why he had such a bad summer.

Riverside Church Hawks basketball defeated Hampton Roads AAU out of Hampton, Virginia, 73-61 to become champions of the inaugural Five-Star Hoop Classic. Riverside jumped out to a 20-7 lead and never looked back. The Hawks were led in scoring by 6'5 senior Jeremy Logan from Milford (Academy) Milford, CT with 13 points. 6'8 Jr Kyle Cuffe from Rice High School in New York, NY, and sharpshooting 6'4 senior Reggie Brown from Briarwood (Archbishop Molloy) NY added 12 points apiece for the Ernie Lorch, Dermon Player-coached victors. 6'5 Jr Johnnie Story from Hampton High School, led Boo Williams' Hampton Roads quint with 13 points. Immediately following the championship game on Sunday 6-0 Sr Todd Billet from Lincroft (Christian Brothers) NJ was awarded the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Billet's scintillating play throughout the weekend was highlighted by a 27-point performance during the quarterfinal game that allowed his New Jersey Warriors to defeat the number one seed and highly favored Illinois Warriors. Billet averaged 19.8 ppg, 6 ½ apg, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. The Best Defender Award was presented to 6'8 Jr Modibo Diarra from Fitchburg (Notre Dame Prep) MA. Diarra led Leo Papile's B.A.B.C. juggernaut into the semi-finals before losing to the eventual champion Riverside Church. Best Rebounder was earned by 6'8 Sr Quadir Habeeb from Buffalo (Turner-Carroll) NY, who cleaned the glass for the Cambyland Foundation team sponsored by N.Y. Knick forward Marcus Camby. The former U.Mass and Toronto Raptor's star made an appearance at the tournament on Saturday. 6'1 Jr Omar Cook from Middle Village (Christ the King) NY earned his third Best Playmaker Award within the last year. Cook's pinpoint passing and mature-beyond-his-years court vision and leadership paced his Riverside Church crew to the title. "Mr. Hustle" was awarded to 6'4 Jerell Parker from Chicago (St. Francis De Sales) IL, who continues to scrap and claw each time Larry Butler's highly successful Illinois Warrior contingent take the floor. The Frank Marino Memorial Sportsmanship Award was garnered by 6'2 Jason Williams from Metuchen (St. Josephs) NJ, who previously committed for Duke. Williams was the tournament's second leading scorer (21.0) and runner-up to Billet for Most Outstanding Player. He had a single-game tourney high 37 points (19 in the fourth quarter) as his New Jersey All-Star's won the consolation bracket championship by defeating the shorthanded Bronx-based N.Y. Gauchos. Tournament high scorer was 6-3 New York native Ed Starks from Miami (Northwest Christian Acad.) FL who notched 21.7 ppg helping his Gauchos reach the conso finale. For more information contact Tournament Director Shay Berry (914) 237-1344 or fax at (914) 237-1946.

Last Friday at the Charlie Weber Adidas Invitational we were told by somebody who should know that 6'5 Jarrett Hart from Little Rock (Central) AR would be committing to Arkansas the next day (Saturday). While we did not mention it in our Hot Recruiting Section, we did post it on our list of recent commitments and I did mentioned it in my weekly article that is published on the USA Today's Web Site, as well several other newspapers that I write for on weekly basis. But our source was wrong! Fortunately, Greg Swaim of Midwest Basketball called to set the record straight. According to Swaim, Hart took his official visit to Oklahoma last weekend and will visit Oklahoma State in a week and a half. Unfortunately we are only as good as our sources, but once burned, we double and triple check everything a person, who has burned us in the past gives us, gives us in the future. As a matter of fact, the same person who burned us on Hart tells us that 6'5 Gavin Groninger from Plainfield (H.S.) IN committed to Michigan earlier today. However, we aren't going with this until we have confirmed it with the high school, but that may not happen until tomorrow, because there are eight or 10 other things that are demanding my attention first.

Tuesday, September 22, 1998

Before we left College Park, MD yesterday afternoon to make the nine hour drive home to Louisville, KY, we reported that 6'4 Keith Bogans from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD was making it official for Kentucky, 6'11 Casey Sanders from Tampa (Prep) FL had committed to Duke, 6'0 Troy Bell from Minneapolis (Holy Angel) MN picked Boston College, 7'1 Nathan Popp from Lexington (Catholic) KY was heading to Georgia, and 6'7 Gregory Morton from Bronx (St. Raymond's) NY had opted to Seton Hall. However, we hadn't yet confirmed that 6'9 Nick Collison from Iowa Falls (H.S.) IA, who ranks #27 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP and as high as #2 nationally by Bob Gibbons of All-Star Sports, had gone to Kansas. Also, while on the road yesterday, we found out that 6'2 Terrance Woods from Memphis (Treadwell) TN, who ranks #77 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, had committed to Tennessee. Collison gives the Jayhawks two outstanding front court players (a week and half ago they got 6'9 Andrew Gooden) and Woods might be the best pure shooter in the nation - he hit 11-13 pointers in game this summer. With a number of other commitments from players who are ranked among the top100 nationally, yesterday might turn out to be the busiest day of the entire fall recruiting period.

Yesterday we also told you that 7'0 John  Stewart from Indianapolis (North Central) IN had committed to Kentucky, along with 6'4 Keith Bogans from Indianapolis (Lawrence North) IN and 6'10 Marvin Stone from Huntsville (Grissom) AL.  Bogans made it official yesterday and, as predicted, Stewart went public with it today. However, Stone may take a few more days - either late this week or, perhaps even, the beginning of next week (apparently the family wants to make the annoucement on their terms and not the media's).

The one remaining question mark for Kentucky could be the point guard spot, but apparently they have had trouble recruiting a quality point guard, because Tubby Smith's son (Saul Smith) will be back for three more years and many feel like Smith will give his son every opportunity to win the position. Word is that Kentucky could get 6'2 George Baker from Lexington (Dunbar) KY right now, but the Wildcats coaching staff wants to wait until spring before making a decision. However, it appears that Baker doesn't want to wait, so don't be surprised if he signs this fall with Cincinnati, Louisville, Western Kentucky, or Eastern Kentucky.

Cincinnati is in the market for another wing player and it could come down to whoever commits first between 6'5 Marshall Williams from Milwaukee (Vincent) WI and 6'5 Leonard Stokes from Buffalo (Turner-Carroll) NY. Apparently both players are telling people that they are going to Cincinnati, but neither has told Bearcats head coach Bobby Huggins. Stokes also has Providence, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech on his list. Williams other schools include Michigan, Memphis, and Missouri. The only other player Cincinnati is involved with is 6'2 George Baker from Lexington (Dunbar) KY.

Tennessee got a top 100 player yesterday when they got a commitment from 6'2 Terrance Woods from Memphis (Treadwell) TN. Now the Volunteers have come back today getting a top 50 player in 6'2 Jon Higgins from Shaker Heights (H.S.) OH, who ranks as the consensus top ranked senior in Ohio, despite the fact he has been out since July with an injury.

George Washington still appears to be the leader for 6'0 Val Brown from Springfield (Robert E. Lee) VA, who just misses making our top 100 nationally, because he has more of a scorer's mentality. Still, he is one of the best defensive players in the class, which is why Xavier, Georgia, Texas A&M, Connecticut, Kansas, and George Mason are all in hot pursuit.

Finally, 6'4 David Young from New Castle (H.S.) PA is official for Xavier. The Musketeers also appear to be one of the final three, along with Purdue and Michigan, for 6'6 Richard Wright from East Chicago (Central) IN, who is an undersized power forward, but still ranks #87 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, because he is a rebounding machine.

Yesterday we gave you the results for the Charlie Weber Adidas Tournament in College Park, MD over the weekend, but we didn't tell you about 6'5 Jr Jerome Harper from Columbia (Keenan) SC, who made a strong case to be ranked among the top five juniors nationally with his play in this tournament. He's like Litrell Sprewell without the attitude and he may have as much potential! His handling skills are good enough to allow him to play a lot of point guard, but he's a phenomenal athlete and a terrific outside shooter with deep range and the ability to get his shot off against anybody. Right now his recruitment is wide open, as schools like Florida, Cincinnati, G-town, USC, Arkansas, Iowa, Clemson, Texas, and Alabama are all showing early interest. However, remember two things. First, South Carolina doesn't lose many kids from Columbia, SC. Second, Kentucky assistant coach George Felton was once the head coach at South Carolina and Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith was his assistant.

Earlier today the NCAA announced sanctions against the University of Louisville, which include no post-season play for one year and a reduction of scholarships from 13 to 12 for two years. However, this is nothing more than a slap on the wrist, because, unless Louisville's point guard play is much better than we suspect, we don't look for the Cardinals two win any more games than they did a year ago. As a result, we weren't looking for them to be in the tournament this year before the NCAA's penalty was handed down. As for the loss of a scholarship, Louisville has more role players than they know what to do with. Instead, they need to sign quality, but it is doubtful that they will have a chance to land four or five players who figure to impact as a freshman. As a result, the scholarship reduction also figures to be something they can live with. Right now the Cardinals have three scholarships, minus the one they just lost, to give. However, if Travis Best and/or Jeff McKinley transfer next spring, they then could sign three or four players in this recruiting class. As for Louisville's recruiting, the Cardinals appear to be the heavy favorite for 6'10 Marquis Estill from Richmond (Madison Central) KY. They also are in the hunt for players like 6'5 Reese Gaines from Madison (West) WI, 6'11 Steve Hunter from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC, 6'5 Demario Hooper from Texarkania (Texas) TX, 6'5 Antonio Jackson from Butler County (JC) KS, 6'11 Chris Andersen from Blinn (JC) TX, 6'2 George Baker from Lexington (Dunbar) KY, 6'1 Rick Jones from Georgetown (Scott County) KY, and 6'5 Chris Shumate from Louisville (Male) KY.

Monday, September 21, 1998

6'10 Marvin Stone from Huntsville (Grissom) AL, who ranks #3 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP and is the best big man prospect in several years, has told University of Kentucky head basketball coach Tubby Smith that he is planning on becoming a Wildcat. However, the race won't be declared official until later Thursday or Friday when he publicly announces at a press conference in Huntsville, AL. "I sat 10 rows behind Stone on Saturday (at the Kentucky-Indiana football game) and he was going crazy supporting UK just like any other student," according to a source close to the program. That same source tells us that Kentucky also received a commitment yesterday from 6'4 Keith Bogans from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD, who ranks as the #2 senior nationally by the HOOP SCOOP. However, Bogans will not announce his decision until after he returns home and talks it over with his legendary high school coach, Morgan Wootten. Apparently Stone and Bogans, who have been friends long before they arrived in Lexington, KY over the weekend, plan on becoming roommates in college. If that weren't enough, we also understand that Kentucky has a commitment from 7'0 John Stewart from Indianapolis (North Lawerence) IN, who currently does not rank among our top 100 nationally, but is a tremendous physical specimen and has lots of potential. And like the other two commitments, this has not yet been publicly announced. We also understand that Smith cancelled his in-home visit last night with 6'11Casey Sanders from Tampa (Prep) FL and that the Kentucky coaching staff has told Sanders and 6'11 George Leach from Charlotte (Olympic) NC that they are no longer interested. We also expect Kentucky to stop recruiting 6'7 Donnell Harvey from Cuthbert (Randolph Clay) GA, who currently ranks as the #1 player in the nation by the HOOP SCOOP. We have now received word that Bogans is making his commitment public today. He is going to Kentucky. Stewart is expected to announce tomorrow and Stone will make it public either Thursday or Friday.

He was at Duke this weekend, so it comes as no surprise that 6'11 Casey Sanders from Tampa (Prep) FL, who ranks #9 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, has committed to the Blue Devils. This comes after a terrific visit a week ago to Syracuse. Others who were on his list were Florida, Florida State, South Florida, Miami-FL, Kentucky, and Kansas.

Speaking of 6'7 Donnell Harvey from Cuthbert (Randolph Clay) GA, he reinforced his ranking as the #1 player in the nation by the HOOP SCOOP, in the top all-star game at Rick Barrett's Midnight Madness in Cherry Hill, NJ Saturday night. He was his team's runnerup MVP, but nobody plays harder and does more to effect the game. He finished with 12 points, 18 rebounds, six blocks, and numerous alters and deflections. Harvey confirms that Clemson is currently the leader, but also adds that he is planning on signing in the spring. Also on his list are Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Florida, Connecticut, Georgetown, and Alabama, but our feeling is that this one is far from over.

Fairfield has picked up a major commitment from 6'4 Nick Delfico from New Rochelle (Iona Prep) NY, who was the MVP in the camp playoffs at Five-Star three weeks ago and is one of the fastest rising players in the East.

It comes as no surprise that the University of Georgia has gotten a commitment from 6'11 Nathan Popp from Lexington (Catholic) KY, who ranks as the #2 senior in Kentucky by HOOP SCOOP Kentucky editor Larry Kihnley, because they also signed his former high school teammate - 6'4 Shawn Fields - a year ago.

Seton Hall has another commitment from 6'7 Gregory Morton from Bronx (St. Raymond's) NY, who ranks #66 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP and is one of the best forwards in the East. And just like 6'11 Samuel Dalembert from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ, who committed to Seton Hall a week and a half ago, it's not what Morton is now, but what he could be in a couple of years. Also like Dalembert, Morton is one of the best defensive players in the nation. This is a great commitment for Seton Hall, because he is the kind of player former Pirates head coach P.J. Carlesimo built the program around in the late 80's when they came almost won the national championship.

According to Allen Rubin, our Philadelphia Area Editor, Boston College not only got the expected commitment from 6'10 Andrew Dudley from Burlington (Life) NJ, but also has picked up a surprise commitment from 6'0 Troy Bell from Minneapolis (Holy Angels) MN, who ranks #100 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP. We say this is a surprise, because we thought Xavier and Tennessee were the leaders, but he visited Boston College a week ago and apparently he had such a good visit that the changed his mind.

We mentioned yesterday that 6'5 Jr DeShawn Stevenson from Fresno (Washington Union) CA scored 26 points and was the MVP for his team in the top all-star game at Rick Barrett's Midnight Madness in Cherry Hill, NJ Saturday night, but we didn't tell you it might as well have been EBO versus the Atlanta Celtics. The Blue Team, which was coached by Atlanta Celtics head coach Wallace Prather, and featured 6'7 Donnell Harvey from Cuthbert (Randolph Clay) GA and 6'4 Ronald Blackshear from Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA, both also of the Atlanta Celtics, beat the White Team, 107-97. We mentioned how well Harvey played above, but Blackshear stepped it up down the stretch. He scored 11 points within the span of about two minutes late in the fourth quarter, as he led all scorers iwith 29 points. He was complemented by Harvey and 6'6 Joey Johnson from Little Rock (Central) AR, who chipped in with 23 points. Leading the White Team, which was coached by Darren Matsubara, who runs the EBO, which is based on Fresno, CA, were Stevenson and 6'9 Carlos Boozer from Juneau (Douglas) AK, both of whom play for EBO. Also playing well for the White Squad were 6'3 Kenny Satterfield from New York (Rice) NY, who scored 14 points and did a great job of keeping his teammates involved, 6'4 Marcus Cox from Bridgeport (Koble Cathedral) CT, and 7'0 Josh Moore from Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT, who brought the house down on more than one occasion with his earthshattering slam dunks.

The Charlie Weber Adidas Invitational Tournament at College Park, MD featured teams from all over the South and Middle Atlantic States, but in the end it had a local flavor, as three of the four semi-finalists were from the DC and Maryland areas. While the best team in the tournament was probably the DC Stars, which featured 6'4 Joe Forte from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD, who made a strong case with his play in this tournament for a top 10 ranking nationally. But the best team yesterday was Potomac Valley, which beat the DC Stars in the championship, 66-58. He isn't one of the most heavily recruited players in the nation, as his list of schools includes George Washington, West Virginia, Monmouth, and James Madison, but the obvious choice for tourmament MVP honors was 6'3 Chris Monroe from Wheaton (Good Counsel) MD, who was scored 27 points in the title game. Monroe combined with his high school team, 6'5 Roger Mason, who added 14 points, to account for almost two-thirds of his team's scoring in the championship game. Forte and 6'4 Tony Dobbins from Washington (Maret) DC led the loser with 25 points and 15 points, respectively, but one of the players who improved the most as the tournament progressed was 6'11 Derek Ahern from Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD, who chipped in with eight points in the championship game. In the semi-finals the DC Stars beat the Jabbo Kenner All-Stars, which featured 6'5 Jr Michael Stewart from Washington (Coolidge) DC, 6'7 Victor Samnick from Kensington (Newport Prep) MD, 6'8 Jr Michael Sweetney from Oxon Hill (H.S.) MD, and 6'8 Jr Ronald Miller from Oxon Hill (H.S.) MD. Potomac Valley advanced to the championship after their game against the Tim Thomas Playaz was forfeited after a controversial incident late in the game. The All-Tournament Team, included Forte, Mason, Monroe, Dobbins, Sweetney, 6'8 Chuck Eidson from Summerville (Pinewood Academy) SC, 6'5 Jr Jerome Harper from Columbia (Keenan) SC, 6'7 Willie McCloud from Quincy (H.S.) FL,6'3 DeShaun Williams from Paterson (Catholic) NJ, 6'5 Bruce Seals from Winchendon (Prep) MA, and 6'9 Stephane Pelle from Mercersburg (H.S.) PA.

Sunday, September 20, 1998

UCLA, Duke, Kansas, Syracuse, UNLV, Georgetown, Connecticut, and St. John's are among those still involved with 6'9 Carlos Boozer from Juneau (Douglas) AK, who ranks #5 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, but don't look for anything to happen soon. As a matter or fact, he told us at Rick Barrett's Midnight Madness on Saturday night that he expects to wait until spring to sign. We still think it will be UCLA and there is no doubt he is the Bruins #1 recruiting priority, as was evident by the fact that UCLA assistant coaches Michael Holton and Jim Saia were both in attendance on Saturday night to watch Boozer and 6'5 Jr DeShawn Stevenson from Fresno (Washington Union) CA, who ranks #3 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP. Stevenson,who had 26 points and was the MVP for his team in the Midnight Madness All-American Game Saturday night, has an early list which includes UCLA, Kansas, Duke, North Carolina, Arizona, Connecticut, and Fresno State.

It may not be official yet, but unless something happened to change his mind on the visit over the weekend, 6'10 Andrew Dudley from Burlington (Life) NJ will be committing to Boston College. As a matter of fact, he told HOOP SCOOP Philadelphia Area Editor Allen Rubin exactly that late last week.

Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, George Mason, American, Coast Carolina, and Duquesne are among those involved with 5'11 Jamal Gilchrist from Middleburg (Notre Dame) VA, who impressed us when he matched up against 6'1 Brandin Knight from South Orange (Seton Hall Prep) NJ in the quarterfinals of the Charlie Weber adidas Tournament earlier today.

Saturday, September 19, 1998

It was reported several days ago by a number of other recruiting publications and web sites that 6'4 David Young from New Castle (H.S.) PA, who ranks #165 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, had committed to Xavier. But then Dave Telep of The Recruiter's Handbook and Prep Stars reported that this was not the case. And it appears that he was right, because last night at the Charlie Weber Adidas Invitational Tournament at the University of Maryland, J.O Stright, the general manager of the Pittsburgh Jots, tells us that it is not a done deal - at least not yet.

With both 6'9 Dermarr Johnson and 6'7 Damien Wilkins having transferred at the end of the last school year, Slam Dunk to the Beach Tournament Director Bobby Jacobs was asking last night at the Charlie Weber Tournament if Kensington (Newport Prep) MD, would be any good next year. The answer is yes, because, in addition to 6'9 Rodney White from Newark (St. Benedict's) NJ, both 6'4 Jamison  Brewer from East Point (Tri-Cities) GA and 6'7 Victor Samnick from Cameron, Africa are transferring to this basketball factory in Maryland. And don't be surprised both Brewer and Samnick stay in the area upon graduating from college. We hear that Georgetown stashed them both at Newport Prep, which is located in the DC area. Newport Prep also has 6'0 Erik Willis and 6'4 Nick Barnes returning and 6'7 Soph James White, who plays AAU ball for Team Assault, is one of the best young kids in the area.

We still think Villanova is the school you have to beat for 6'8 Andrew Sullivan from Richland (St. Augustine) NJ, who currently ranks #76 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, but he should move back up once he gets back into his high school setting (he did not play well during the summer). However, Seton Hall, Virginia, and N.C. State are also still on his list.

Recruiting USA Editor & Publisher David Benezra, who also is the director of the Rockfish Club team program, provides us with the scoop on Darren Matsubara's EBO tournament in Fresno, CA, from a week ago. "Several coaches in attendance thought that the semifinal game between the Oakland Slam 'N Jam Soldiers and the Los Angeles Rockfish was the best game of the summer, with Rockfish trailing 25-7 at one point, before coming back to win by three. The final was anticlimactic, with the Rockfish leading from beginning to end over the host, EBO, and winning by eight under extremely difficult conditions. Those conditions were a gymnasium with no air that was over 100 degrees at game time which was about one hour after the seminfinal was played. 5'10 Shantay Legans from Goleta (Dos Puebles) CA, in a gutsy performance was the tournament MVP. At the end of the final, Legans could be seen limping on a swollen ankle wrapped with ice-which he hurt in the second game of the tourney, tape wrapped around his waist holding an ice pack to his tailbone which he injured while taking a charge in the first game of the tourney, an ice pack over his eye where he was cheapshotted in the semi's in an attempt to take him out of the game, and an ice pack on the back of his neck, as he was dizzy and dehydrated and later threw up and had a heat rash. 6'4 Brian Wethers from Murietta (Murietta Valley) CA, who took over the second half of the Oakland game offensively, had to sit out the second half of the championship, lying in the hallway, glassy-eyed, dehydrated and dizzy. Despite eating all the banannas and Gatorades that they could, 6'8 Dalron Johnson from Los Angeles (Verbum Dei) CA and 6'8 Rafael Berumen, Jr, from Simi Valley (H.S.) CA, also had to make pit stops during the final for cramps, to be iced down. Johnson, Wethers, and Berumen joined Legans as all tourney choices. Berumen, asked to sacrifice his offense to defend 6'9 Carlos Boozer from Juneau (Douglas) CAon the wing during the championship, did so, holding Boozer to just 12 points. Johnson and Berumen had combined to hold 6'8 Justin Davis from Alameda (St. Joseph) CA and 6'9 Andrew Gooden from El Cerrito (H.S.) CA to just 3-points in the second half of their come from behind win against Oakland in the semis. In addition, Johnson blocked five of Gooden's shots and threw down the dunk of the summer over a 6'7 Oakland player that had the coaches talking. In the championship game, with Wethers out, the other starting guard, 6'3 Eric Siess from Redlands (H.S.) CA stepped up and led the Rockfish with 17 points. Siess is underrated, despite being the first player in RSL (Rockfish Spring League) history to score over 500 points in the league and led the league in scoring, averaging over 25 ppg, also a record. The buzz has started on Siess, who will not sign until spring. Also having a great weekend and moving his stock up with coaches was 5'11 junior point guard Russell Lakey from North Hollywood (Harvard-Westlake) CA. Several of the high major schools were there to check him out and came away impressed. Of course, earlier this week Davis committed to California. Proving, that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em; since he will be hooking up with the prior three commitments by Rockfish players. 6'5 Deshawn Stevenson from Alameda (St. Joseph) CA, 6'4 Blandon Ferguson from Alameda (St. Joseph) CA, 6'3 Jr Rasheed Hayes from Woodside (H.S.) CA, Gooden, Boozer, and a very nice forward from Colorado, 6'7, whose name I can't remember-no rosters, rounded out the all tournament team. Quote from a WAC coach and a Pac 10 coach, "... I didn't know that Legans was that good... I didn't know that Johnson was that good." Yes, they were identical. Also very nice of two Pac 10 powerhouses (coaches) to walk over just to say how much they enjoyed watching Legans play. In fact, former NBA great Guy Rodgers gave him the ultimate compliment calling him a true Philly style point guard. It was a very nice end to a very tough road trip."

Friday, September 18, 1998

It now looks like Virginia could win the battle for 6'7 Travis Watson from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, who ranks #19 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, by default if Michigan gets 6'8 Aloyius Anagonya from Detroit (St. Martin DePorres) MI and Clemson gets 6'7 Donnell Harvey from Cuthbert (Randolph Clay) GA. Florida State may also have a shot, but Texas' chances appear to be slim and none, because Watson's mother is moving to Lynchburg, VA, where she will live next door to Pat Boggs, the coach of the Virginia Select AAU team. All this is perfectly legal, because Boggs has been Travis' legal guardian for the last three years - the first when he was sophomore at Naruna (William Campbell) VA and the last two at Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA. Apparently the mother wants to be closer to her son, so the point is she wouldn't be moving to Virginia if Watson was planning on going back to Texas.

The list of schools for 6'9 Will Johnson from Hickory (H.S.) NC, who is one of the better players in North Carolina, includes Davidson, Princeton, South Carolina, and Indiana. Indiana is also heavily involved with two other players from the Carolinas in 6'11 George Leach from Charlotte (Olympic) NC, who ranks #42 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, and 6'8 Courtland Freeman from Myrtle Beach (Socastee) SC, who just misses making our top 100 nationally.

We don't have 6'9 Stephane Pelle from Mercersburg (Prep) PA ranked among our top 100 seniors nationally, because he he doesn't like contact inside and he didn't play well when we saw him during the summer. However, his list is still very impressive Virginia, Stanford, Villanova, Colorado, and Georgia Tech.

He doesn't rank among our top 100 nationally, because he's too small and we're not sure he shoots it well enough, but 5'10 Fab Fisher from Brookville (Long Island Lutheran) NY is one our favorite players in the class. And he's probably getting under recruited, as Georgetown is the only big-time school on his list. Virginia Tech is also mentioned, but the others - Rider, Canisius, UNC-Wilmington Hartford, Fairleigh Dickinson, and Central Florida - are all more in the middle of the spectrum.

Another major event this weekend will be Vincent Baldwin's Prep Spotline Magazine All-State Shoot-Out at Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI. It will be held from 12 noon until 8 PM on Saturday, September 19th, and some of the top seniors who will be in attendance will include 6'5 Jason Richardson from Saginaw (Arthur Hill) MI, 6'1 Brent Darby from River Rouge (H.S.) MI, 6'7 Aloysius Anagonye from Detroit (St. Martin DePorres) MI, 6'3 Darmetreis Kilgore from South Bend (Washington) IN, 6'5 Brooks Hall from Troy (H.S.) OH, 6'8 Slobodan Ocokoljic from Massillon (Washington) OH, 6'1 Nick Moore from Detroit (Central Catholic) MI, 6'7 Willie Wallace from Flint (Southwestern) MI, 6'8 Mark Maxwell from Detroit (Murray-Wright) MI, 6'0 J.R. Wallace from Muskegon (H.S.) MI, 6'8 Taylor Bro from Rockford (H.S.) MI, 6'3 Nucleus Smith from Pontiac (Central) MI, 6'4 Dominic Crutchfield from Bedford (H.S.) OH, 6'0 Kevin Lee from Lansing (Everett) MI, 6'7 Ray Austin from Youngstown (Liberty) OH, 6'6 Phil Dupree from Columbus (Brookhaven) OH, 5'10 Martise Lee from Detroit (Pershing) MI, 6'10 Robertas Javtokas from Akron (St. Vincent-St. Mary) OH, 6'6 Rodney Hughes from River Rouge (H.S.) MI, and 6'0 Marlon Williamson from Detroit (Cass Tech) MI. Some of the top juniors expected to attend include 6'2 Jr Maurice Searight from Orchard Lake (St. Mary's) MI, 5'11 Jr James Theus from Detroit (Martin Luther King) MI, 6'5 Jr Julius Johnson from Garfield (H.S.) OH, 6'6 Jr Courtney Scott from Lansing (Waverly) MI, 6'10 Jr Glen Bateman from Detroit (Cass Tech) MI, 6'4 Jr Desmon Farmer from Flint (Northwestern) MI, 6'8 Arthur Johnson from Detroit (Pershing) MI, 6'9 Jr Gerritt Brigatha from Niles (H.S.) MI, 6'7 Jr Omari Wesley from Cleveland (Kennedy) OH, and 6'10 Jr Johnny Davis from Detroit (Central) MI.  Some of the sophomores worth keeping an eye on will be 6'9 Soph Robert Whaley from Benton Harbor (H.S.) MI, 6'3 Soph Kelvin Torbert from Flint (Northwestern) MI, 6'4 Soph Keith Jackson from Cincinnati (Percell-Marion) OH, 6'0 Soph Ricky Morgan from Pontiac (Northern) MI, 5'10 Soph Brian Swift from Bedford (Chanel) MI, 6'2 Soph Danny Williams from Toledo (Scott) OH, 6'3 Soph Tray Jones from Kettering (Alter) OH, 6'10 Soph Steve Green from Macomb (Lutheran North) MI.

We reported a week ago that 6'2 Anthony Grundy from Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA was making an official visit to the University of Minnesota. We have since found out that was not correct. We have also learned that head coach Clem Haskins was very impressive a week ago when he made an in-home visit with Grundy. However, he now is having reservations about going there, because he thinks it might be too far north and too cold in the winter. Instead, last weekend Grundy was Auburn and yesterday he was in Salt Lake City, UT on an official visit to the University of Utah and the legendary Rick Majerus. While he would be a perfect fit for either program, we are now hearing that N.C. State might actually be the leader, despite the fact that the ACC school is three weeks into the fall semester. If Grundy should opt to go in this direction, he would have to sit out until the end of the semester, but would be eligible in mid-December.

6'9 Nick Collison from Iowa Falls (H.S.) IA did not commit to Duke after his visit to Durham, NC last weekend, so Kansas will likely turn up the heat this weekend when he makes his official to Lawrence, KS. So don't be surprised if he commits next week. Also don't be surprised there is a possible package in the works with Collison and 6'3 Kirk Hinrich from Sioux City (West) IA, who ranks #41 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP. It's kind of ironic that Kansas is recruiting another point guard, because, while Jeff Boschee, who signed with Jayhawks a year ago was a McDonald's All-American, we actually like Hinrich better (this class is much better). Obviously, head coach Roy Williams is trying to sell Hinrich on the fact that Boschee and Hinrich will play a lot in the back court together. As for Hinrich, we think the primary competition is Oklahoma, as Utah and Kentucky apparently have both dropped out.

Thursday, September 17, 1998

No program in the nation is doing a better job of identifying who they can get and getting it done early than the University of Illinois. Good examples of this are 6'1 Jerrance Howard from Peoria (Central) IL and 6'11 Brian Cook from Lincoln (H.S.) IL, both whom committed to the Fighting Illini when they were juniors. Now head coach Lon Kruger has added an early commitment from one of the top players in the state in the Class of 2000 in 6'6 Jr Brett Melton from Mahomet (Seymore) IL. And don't be surprised if the trend continues next year, because sources tell us that Illinois may also get early commitments from 6'11 Soph Eddy Curry from South Holland (Thornwood) IL and 6'9 Soph Darius Miles from East St. Louis (Lincoln) IL, both whom rank among the top 10 sophomores in the nation.

There are rumors on the internet that 6'6 Jason Richardson from Saginaw (Buena Vista) MI, who ranks #16 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, is going to Michigan State. We have confirmed that he has a press conference scheduled for 7:00 PM tonight, but we do not know for sure that he is planning to become a Spartan. The other school is Michigan, but a source with the Lansing Journal tells us that he would be very surprised if Richardson didn't pick Michigan State.We have now confirmed with Vincent Baldwin, the Editor and Publisher of Prep Spotlight Magazine, which is based in Michigan, that Richardson did verbally commit to Michigan State tonight. This is huge, because he should be one of the last pieces to their puzzle, especially if next year the Spartans are able to land 6'3 Jr Marcus Taylor from Lansing (Waverly) MI, who is the consensus #1 ranked junior in America.

We got a phone call today from Butler County (JC) KS coach Steve Eck and he tells us that his star point guard - 6'5 Antonio Jackson - has not verbally committed to the University of Alabama, which we had reported yesterday. Eck says Jackson won't sign until spring and that his list is long. Among those mentioned were Alabama, Auburn, UAB, Mississippi State, Michigan, South Florida, N.C. State, Idaho, Texas A&M, Middle Tennessee State, Wyoming, Iowa State, Providence, Minnesota, Nebraska, Arkansas, Tennessee, Memphis, Louisville, and St. Louis. However, we have several sources that tell us that Jackson has already given Alabama a silent verbal commitment. So we think it safe to predict that he will sign with the Crimson Tide in the spring.

We finally have posted the results and the 40 man all-tournament from the And 1 Hoop Challenge last weekend at Fairfield University on our Coverage of Recent Events page. For a direct link to that page click on coverage.

The latest list for 6'9 Tahj Holden from Little Silver (Red Bank Regional) NJ, who ranks #92 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, includes Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, Clemson, South Carolina, Syracuse, Penn State, and Georgetown.

We have heard from several sources that 6'11 Casey Sanders from Tampa (Prep) FL, who ranks #9 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP and is one of the most athletic big men we've seen in a long time, had a great visit last weekend to Syracuse. However, we still think Duke is the school you have to beat. If he stays in state, South Florida may have the edge, because it's home and they have done a great job recruiting him.

At the Long Beach Fall Hoops Classic 6'5 Keith Kincade from Compton (Dominguez) CA simply picked up where he left off at the NIKE National Summer Basketball Championship in San Diego at the end of July, as he scored 34 points and took home tournament MVP honors. Kincade lead The Hood, a team which consisted of Dominguez players, including 7'0 Soph Tyson Chandler, to a 79-59 victory over Team Reebok/Compton and 6'4 Tito Maddox from Compton (H.S.) CA. Others who played well and deserve mentioning from the tournament were 6'6 Casey Jacobsen from Glendora (H.S.) CA, 6'6 Joe Shipp from Los Angeles (Fairfax) CA, 6'6 Jaquay Carlyle from Riverside (North) CA, 6'3 Derek Mgbeke from Riverside (La Sierra) CA, 6'3 Jr Brennan Martin from Mission Viejo (Trabuco Hills) CA, 6'7 Jr Nick Anderson from Baton Rouge (Southern Lab) LA, 6'0 Soph Carlos Hurt from Alief (Alief-Elsik) TX, 6'5 Jr Carlos Booker from LaJolla (Bishops) CA, 6'8 Jason Kapono from Lakewood (Artesia) CA, 6'6 Jr Larry Johnson from Compton (Dominguez) CA and 6'6 Jr Cedric Thompkins from Compton (Dominguez) CA.

The list for 6'11 Jonathan Bender from Picayune (H.S.) MS, who ranks #12 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, includes Florida, Southern Mississippi, Memphis, Cincinnati, and Kentucky, but when it is all said and done, we think he will stay home and sign with Mississippi State.

In case you were wondering what ever happened to the rest of the Miami (Senior) FL players, most of them, 6'4 Jr Jemel Davila, who ranks #22 nationally among juniors by the HOOP SCOOP, are still there. Davila is especially important to mentioned, because his recruiting process is very far along and a verbal commitment to either Cincinnati or Miami-FL should be forthcoming this fall.

Every seems to think that North Carolina is no longer in the hunt for 6'8 Jason Parker from Charlotte (West Charlotte) NC, who ranks #18 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, but has a major upside due to his powerful body, great athleticism, and warrior like demeanor. Michael Watkins, who is Parker's AAU coach, tells us that the only three schools left on Parker's list are North Carolina, Georgetown, and Michigan. Watkins thinks Watkins will sign with North Carolina in the spring, unless he doesn't make it academically or if Michigan has a Fab Five type class coming in and he could be the 4th or 5th guyin the class..

Michael Watkins, who is the head coach of Team Carolina, also tells us that numerous schools have been inquiring about 6'7 Trello Galloway from Fork Union (Military) VA ever since we brought this tremendous sleeper to everybody's attention a month ago. Who is the leader? Watkins says that if Michigan thinks Galloway is as good as the billing when they see him at the Charlie Weber Tournament this weekend in College Park, MD, they'll offer him on the spot. Watkins also tells us that he will accept on the spot.. So don't be surprised if Galloway becomes the second player to commit to Wolverines head coach Brian Ellerbe. And no doubt if this happens, it could have an effect on the decision of his AAU teammate - 6'8 Jason Parker from Charlottte (West Charlotte) NC. However, the administration at Fork Union (Military) VA could blow the entire opportunity, because they don't want to let Galloway leave school this weekend to play in the tournament. As it stands now, it looks like the chances are 50/50 that we'll get see him play for the first time ever on the loaded Team Carolina this weekend.

Georgetown has always been his favorite school, so it comes as no surprise that the Hoyas among the top three for 6'9 Courtland Freeman from Myrtle Beach (Socastee) SC, who just misses being ranked among our top 100 nationally. Also, on his list are Indiana, Clemson, and perhaps UCLA.

All-Ohio Red beat the Cleveland Basketball Club in the championship game at Jerry Watson's Ohio NIKE Cup, but the biggest story from the tournament might have been the fact that the Michigan Mustangs, which were the pre-tournament favorite, never made it out of pool play. Apparently the Mustangs arrived late for the first game and were forced to forfeit. Also, in addition to 6'2 Brent Darby from River Rouge (H.S.) MI, who didn't play on Saturday, because he was making an unofficial visit to Ohio State, the Mustangs were also missing 6'4 Soph Kelvin Tolbert from Flint (Northwestern) MI and 6'8 Soph Robert Whaley from Benton Harbor (H.S.) MI, both of whom rank among the top five sophomores nationally by the HOOP SCOOP. As a result, Chris Johnson, our Ohio Editor, tells us that 6'6 Jason Richardson from Saginaw (Arthur Hill) MI, who ranks #16 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, wasn't able to get it done all by himself. Among those named to the all-tournament were tournament MVP 6'4 Isaac Jefferson from Columbus (West) OH, 5'10 Art Saunders from Columbus (West) OH, 6'5 Larry Drake from Groveport (Groveport-Madison) OH, 6'8 Torey Reed from Cleveland Heights (H.S.) OH, 6'9 Jr Jared Jeffries from Bloomington (North) IN, 6'5 Sean Blocker from Hazelwood (Central) MO, 5'10 Jr Joel Shelton from St. Louis (Vashon) MO, 6'4 Derrick Tarver from Barberton (H.S.) OH, 6'3 Darren Tarver from Barberton (H.S.) OH, 6'5 Steve Esterkamp from Cincinnati (LaSalle) OH, 6'1 Johnny Hollingsworth from Cincinnati (Withrow) OH, and 6'2 Quamar Hasaan from Middletown (H.S.) OH.

As long as we're mentioning 6'4 Derrick Tarver from Barberton (H.S.) OH and 6'3 Darren Tarver from Barberton (H.S.) OH, did you know that upon arriving at their old school - Akron (St. Vincent-St. Mary) OH - for the first day of classes this fall that they had a disagreement over a school policy and withdrew from school? Since that time Derrick enrolled at Akron (Buchtel) OH, but now appears to be transferring to Barberton (H.S.) OH, which is where his brother is attending classes. If this weren't strange enough, Chris Johnson, our Ohio Editor, tells us St. Vincent-St. Mary High School won't even know the twins aren't there, because they have imported two Lithuanians - 6'8 Donatas Zavackas and 6'10 Robertas Javtokas. Johnson tells us that Zavackas is pretty good, but his eyes light when he talks about Javtokas. "He should be the best senior big man in Ohio this year," says Johnson.

Wednesday, September 16, 1998

There is a late entry in the sweepstakes for 6'6 LaVell Blanchard from Ann Arbor (Pioneer) MI, who ranks #13 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, but who also is ranked as high as #1 by Bob Gibbons of All-Star Sports. Not only is Virginia now very much involved, but we have a very reliable source who tells us that Cavaliers head coach Pete Gillen made an in-home visit last night. Apparently Blanchard has a 3.9 gpa and selecting a good school academically is very important to the mother, who also is pushing Notre Dame, and Stanford. That's right! Stanford may also be added to the list, which currently includes Michigan, Michigan State, Georgetown, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Penn State, Davidson, and Connecticut.

One of our subscribers, Peter Abraham, reports that 6'8 Doug Wrenn from Milford (Academy) CT verbally committed Tuesday night to the University of Connecticut, after Jim Calhoun made a home visit with his mother in Seattle. "He will hold a press conference at Milford Academy at 1 p.m. on Thursday," says Abraham. "I had this in my paper on Wednesday. Given his indecisive actions in the past, this commitment could be viewed with some scepticism, but Doug claims he knows what he wants this time. UConn has now filled its three available scholarships, but figures to have at least two more in the spring when Hamilton and El-Amin turn pro. Husky targets include Carlos Boozer, Donnell Harvey, Abe Keita, possibly DerMarr Johnson and a pure point guard, as they feel Marcus Cox and Tony Robertson are better suited for other positions. They see Marcus as a swingman, Tony as a scoring guard."

Last Friday Alabama head coach Mark Gottfried got a verbal commitment from 6'7 Rod Grizzard from Birmingham (Central Park Christian) AL, who ranks #17 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, and now he has gotten another major commitment from 6'5 Antonio Jackson from Butler County (JC) KS, who is one of the best junior college players in America. Like Grizzard, Jackson can play either guard spot and he's a terrific athlete. Jackson is also from Huntsville, AL, but we don't think this will be enough to turn the tide with 6'10 Marvin Stone from Huntsville (Grissom) AL. Our prediction is that Stone will go to Kentucky and it will happen soon. However, Grizzard and Jackson are more than just a good consolation prize.

It looks like neither 6'8 Rafael Beruman from Simi Valley (H.S.) CA nor 6'8 Dalron Johnson from Los Angeles (Verbum Dei) CA will be going to the University of California-Berkley, because their last scholarship went to 6'8 Justin Davis from Alameda (St. Joseph) CA, who committed to the Golden Bears yesterday. Davis, who ranks #98 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, is one of our favorite players in the class, because he's a blue collar player who does all the dirty work inside.

Our best West Coast source, who, by the way, is very pro UCLA, thinks it is a foregone conclusion that 6'5 Kareem Rush from Kansas City (Pembroke Hill) MO will verbally commit to UCLA this weekend. UCLA head coach Steve Lavin will make an in-home visit on Sunday (September 20th) and Rush is expected to commit on the spot. Rush had a terrible summer, but is still regarded as one of the best 3-point shooters in the class, which is exactly what UCLA needs. If you will recall, Rush's older brother - 6'6 Jaron Rush, also from Kansas City (Pembroke Hill) MO - committed to the Bruins last spring and, as a result, Kareem has always been considered a near lock to go to UCLA.

Jim Rothman, the HOOP SCOOP's Mid-South Editor, is reporting that 6'4 Emmanuel Wade from Marianna (Lee) AR has committed to the University of Mississippi. This brings the total of verbal commitments Ole Miss has received to three. Earlier the Rebels landed 6'10 Jon Guinn from Oxford (H.S.) MS, who Gerald Snider ranks among the top five seniors in Mississippi, and 6'3 Aaron Harper from Jackson (Provine) MS, who ranks among the top 200 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP.

We are planning on attending both the Charlie Weber Tournament at College Park, MD and Rick Barrett's Midnight Madness Tournament in Cherry Hill, NJ, but the best event this coming weekend promises to be the Five-Star Hoop Classic at The College of Staten Island. A special thanks to Shay Berry of Five-Star for emailing us the list of teams and the schedule, both of which can be found below.

High School Division

1. Riverside Church New York, NY

2. Hampton Roads AAU Hampton, VA

3. Cambyland Foundation Syracuse, NY

4. Howard Pulley Team Minneapolis, MN

5. Albany City Rocks Albany, NY

6. Spiece Gymrats Wabash, IN

7. Illinois Warriors Oak Forest, IL

8. Jersey Shore Warriors Spring Lake Heights, NJ

9. NJ Roadrunners West Orange, NJ

10. BABC Boston, MA

11. CT Select Danbury, CT

12. New Jersey All Stars Burlington, NJ

13. Team Memphis Memphis, TN

14. St. Louis Eagles St. Louis, MO

15. Cecil Kirk AAU Baltimore, MD

16. Gauchos Bronx, NY

Pool A

A1 Riverside Church

A2 Spiece

A3 Jersey Shore Warriors

A4 Cecil Kirk

Pool B

B1 Illinois Warriors

B2 Team Memphis

B3 St. Louis Eagles

B4 CT Select

Pool C

C1 Gauchos

C2 Cambyland Foundation

C3 Howard Pulley

C4 Albany City Rocks

Pool D

D1 New Jersey All-Stars

D2 BABC

D3 Hampton Roads

D4 NJ Road Runners

Friday, September 18

5:30-7:00

Riverside/Jersey Shore

Road Runners /BABC

7:00-8:30

Spiece/ Cecil Kirk

Pulley/Gauchos

Cambyland /City Rocks

8:30-10:00

NJ All-Stars/Hampton Roads

CT Select/Team

Memphis Illinois/Eagles

Saturday, September 19

9:00-10:30

Eagles/CT Select

Jersey Shore/Cecil Kirk

10:30-12:00

Roadrunners/Hampton Roads

BABC/ NJ All Stars

Illinois/Team Memphis

12:00-1:30

Riverside/Spiece

City Rocks/Pulley

Gauchos/Cambyland

1:30-3:00

Team Memphis/Eagles

BABC/Hampton Roads

3:00-4:30

Illinois/CT Select

Spiece/Jersey Shore NJ

All-Stars/Roadrunners

4:30-6:00

Pully/Cambyland

Gauchos/City Rocks

Riverside/Cecil Kirk

7:00-8:30

9/16 10/15

8:30-10:00

11/14 12/13

Sunday, September 20

9:00-10:00

Challenge Game

Challenge Game

Consolation Semi

10:00-11:30

3/6

4/5

10:30-12:00

Consolation Semi

11:30-1:00

1/8

2/7

2:00-3:30

Semi Final

Semi Final

Consolation Final

4:30-6:00

Final

Tuesday, September 15, 1998

West Coast Hoops has reported that UCLA is back in the hunt for 6'8 Jason Kapono from Lakewood (Artesia) CA, who ranks as the #11 player, as well as the #1 wing forward in the class. "UCLA still really likes, and always has," said Mike Miller on his web site. "As we at West Coast Hoops reported, they will have an in-home with him this month. Since it does look likely that Jason might wait until spring to sign, there's quite a bit still to happen with his recruiting. A lot could change between now and April, but I think UCLA would be ecstatic to sign Jason in spring." Kapono's list also includes UNLV, USC, Utah, Kentucky, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Missouri, N.C. State, and Stanford, but we don't think he will go to Stanford, because last week The Cardinal got a commitment from 6'6 Casey Jacobsen from Glendora (H.S.) CA, whose game is very similar to Kapono's.

At the And 1 HOOP Challenge 6'7 Doug Wrenn from Milford (Academy) CT told us that he plans to announce for the University of Connecticut on Wednesday, September 16th, which is tomorrow. The only hold up is that first Huskies head coach Jim Calhoun has to fly to Seattle, WA, which is where Wrenn is from, to meet with the mother. That should take place tonight and, unless something unforeseen occurs, Wrenn will commit tomorrow. And this should be the perfect program for Wrenn, whose biggest problem is that he doesn't always play hard, because Calhoun is infamous for his tough practices and getting the most out his players.

This comes as no big surprise, but 6'7 Travis Robinson from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC, who announced recently that he would not be enrolling at Missouri, has committed to Fresno State following his official visit to Fresno, CA over the weekend. Robinson also considered Connecticut, but they decided against taking him several weeks ago, because they had other players they were recruiting that they liked better at his position. More recently, Robinson made an official visit to Providence, but that fell through as well.

I received an email earlier today from one of my best sources who tells me that 6'4 Ronald Blackshear from Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA has committed to Clemson. That strengthens their case with 6'7 Donnell Harvey from Cuthbert (Randolph Clay) GA, as Harvey has told people he would like to play with Blackshear in college. If you will recall, they both played on the Atlanta Celtics AAU team the last several years and if Blackshear, who has been the hands down winner of our top gun of the summer award two years running, picks Clemson, it figures that Harvey, who owns the boards, would have plenty of rebounds to put back in for easy baskets.

Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith and assistant coach George Felton are in Huntsville, AL today visiting 6'10 Marvin Stone from Huntsville (Grissom) AL, who was the first junior in history to be insured by Lloyds London. Stone, who currently ranks #3 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, is expected to make his official visit to Kentucky this weekend and it would not be a surprise, if he verbally committed to the Wildcats while on the visit. If this happens, don't be surprised if Kentucky backs off 6'7 Donnell Harvey from Cuthbert (Randolph Clay) GA and 6'11 Jonathan Bender from Picayune (H.S.) MS. Apparently Kentucky is recruiting Stone as a power forward and they want to sign a true center go with him. Among the most likely candidates are 6'9 Marquis Estill from Richmond (Madison Central) KY, 7'0 John Stewart from Indianapolis (Lawrence North) IN, and 6'11 Curtis Borchardt from Redmond (Eastlake) WA. As a matter of fact, Smith and Felton are flying to Seattle tonight to make an in-home visit with Borchardt, who ranks #56 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, but who has a tremendous upside. The fact that he's a 4.0 student is just icing on the cake. Kentucky's competition for Borchardt are Stanford and Washington.

Monday, Septemer 14, 1998

If you will recall, several weeks ago we went against the consensus and told you that we thought 6'2 Brent Darby from River Rouge (H.S.) MI, who ranks #32 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, would pick Ohio State over Michigan State and Kansas. Then, two days ago, on Saturday, we told you not to be surprised if Darby committed to the Buckeyes while on his official visit to Ohio State over the weekend. Well, we were right - Darby has verbally committed to Ohio State and, as a result, the Buckeyes are done recruiting this year. Earlier Ohio State landed 7'3 Aleksandar Radojevic from Barton County (JC) KS, who is expected to be the best big man in the junior college ranks next year, as well as one of the top three players overall and 6'8 Slobodan Ocakoljic from Massillon (Washington) OH, who has top 100 potential.

Patrick Jira of the Recruiting Beat called us this afternoon to inform us that there have been two other major commitments within the last 24 hours. The University of Virginia has beaten Maryland for a player in its own backyard by getting a commitment from 6'4 Roger Mason from Wheaton (Good Counsel) MD, who ranks #49 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP. The University of Arkanas has a commitment from 6'6 Joe Johnson from Little Rock (Central) AR, who is the best player to come out of that state in a number of years and one of the best shooters in the class.

One of the biggest sleepers to emerge at the And 1 HOOP Challenge was 6'10 Jack Wolfinger, who has moved from Oregon to Redding (Barlow) CT. This skinny perimeter oriented big guy told Russ Blake of the Insider's Report that he likes UNC-Charlotte, Duquesne, Massashusetts, Rhode Island, St. Joseph's, Providence, Rutgers, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington State, and Washington. But at this point his recruitment is only in the preliminary stages.

One of the fastest rising players in the nation is 6'9 Rodney White from Kensington (Newport Prep) MD, who led the Long Island Panthers to a 96-87 victory over Tim Thomas Playaz I in the championship game yesterday in the And 1 HOOP Challenge. White proved to be a powerful force inside, as he repeated went strong to the hole, but he also showed the ability to go outside and score on the perimeter en route to an impressive 44 point performance in the championship game and tournament MVP honors. White was complemented by 6'7 Doug Wrenn from Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT and 6'2 Ken Satterfield from New York (Rice) NY with 19 and 18 points, respectively, but the best player in the tournament was 6'2 Soph Dajuan Wagner from Camden (H.S.) NJ, who scored 29 points and shot the lights out with five 3-pointers in the championship. We'll have more on the the tournament later tonight or tomorrow, but after driving 13 hours, we're in the process of regrouping and catching up after being gone for four days.

Sunday, September 13, 1998

Fordham, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Providence, UNC-Charlotte, American University, Fairfield, Iona, Rider, and UNC-Greensboro are all involved with 6'5 Jeremy Logan from Milford (Academy) CT.

Yesterday, like everybody else at the And 1 HOOP Challenge, Villanova head coach Steve Lappas, was busy watching the Tim Thomas Playaz I team, which featured 6'2 Soph Dajuan Wagner from Camden (H.S.) NJ and 6'3 DeShaun Williams from Paterson (Catholic) NJ, who is one of his top recruiting priorities. However, Lappas also made it a point to watch 7'0 Josh Moore from Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT, who currently tells us he still hasn't narrowed his list down. Among the schools Moore is thinking about are Villanova, Rutgers, Seton Hall, DePaul, Kentucky, Kansas, and UCLA.

The University of Mississippi signed a bunch of wing players last year, including 6'3 David Sanders from Jackson (Provine) MS, 6'6 Lataryl Williams from Northwest (JC) MS, 6'4 Darrian Brown from West Memphis (H.S.) AR, 6'4 Matt Pruitt from Jonesboro (H.S.) AR. Now they have added another one in 6'3 Aaron Harper from Jackson (Provine) MS, who ranks among the top 200 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP. This is an important commitment, because it helps keep the pipeline going. Last year Old Miss got Sanders, now they have Harper, and next year they should be tough to beat for 6'6 Justin Reed, also from Jackson (Provine) MS, who currently ranks as the #1 junior in Mississippi and as a top 30 junior nationally.

Saturday, September 12, 1998

Last night at the And 1 HOOP Challenge, 6'7 Doug Wrenn from Milford (Academy) CT told us that his list of schools includes Connecticut, Alabama, Michigan, and Fresno State. Then he added that he might be interested in going to the same school as his 6'5 Jamal Crawford from Seattle (Rainier Beach) WA. Apparently Michigan and Fresno State are involved with both players. But later Wrenn came back and apologized for his play last night. He said he was pressing too hard, because he wanted to impress University of Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun, who was in the stands. Gary Charles, the head coach of the Long Island Panthers, confirms that Connecticut is very close to getting a commitment from Wrenn.

Another Big East head coach who was highly visable last night at the And 1 HOOP Challenge in Fairfield, CT was Pittsburgh's Ralph Willard. The player he was watching was 6'9 Rodney White from Newark (St. Benedict's) NJ. White told us that his final four are Kansas, Seton Hall, UNC-Charlotte, and Pittsburgh.

According to 6'9 Abraham Keita from Winchendon (School) MA and Wayne Simone, the tournament director of the And 1 HOOP Challenge in Fairfield, CT, who also coaches the Keita on the Connecticut Select team, the rumors about Keita committing to St. John's are premature. He says he really likes St. John's, but has not committed yet.

Mike Miller on his West Coast Hoops Web Site is reporting that Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo has landed its first 2 recruits - 6'3 Mark Campbell from Mount Vernon (WA) High and 6'10 John Hoffart from Davis (CA) High. "Mark is a tall, long-armed pure point guard, who excels on defense, but he also showed a deadly three all summer," says Miller. "John, who missed the summer with a broken leg, is a good athlete with a nice touch around the basket. He's perhaps the most underrated big man in the country and a major pick up for the Big West."

This comes as no surprise, but Stanford has picked up a major commitment from 6'6 Casey Jacobsen from Glendora (H.S.) CA, who ranks #22 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP and was the best player on the American team that won the Gold Medal in the Men's Youth Games in Moscow in July. Stanford beats Duke for Jacobsen and this is important, because it should ensure that the Blue Devils will get 6'7 Mike Dunleavy from Portland (Jesuit) OR, whose top two schools also happen to be Duke and Stanford. Jacobsen's commitment may also influence the decision of 6'8 Jason Kapono from Lakewood (Artesia) CA, because both Jacobsen and Kapono also are similar type players and Kapono had The Cardinal high on his list.

Don't be surprised if 6'2 Brent Darby from River Rouge (H.S.) MI, who will be at the Ohio State football game today on an unofficial visit, makes it official for the Buckeyes this weekend. Darby is not expected to play for the Michigan Mustangs today, but, Chris Johnson, our Ohio Editor, tells us that Darby will join the Michigan Mustangs tomorrow in pursuit of the championship of  Jerry Watson's All-Ohio Nike Cup in Columbus, OH.

Friday, September 11, 1998

We told you earlier in the week that the University of Cincinnati was the favorite for 6'1 Ken Satterfield from New York (Rice) NY, who ranks #15 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP. Since that time we've been hearing that Satterfield was on the verge of committing the Bearcats. Well, that was no rumor, because he made it official last night. He picks Cincinnati over N.C. State and Clemson, but he also had considered Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Xavier, Providence, Seton Hall, and Rhode Island. We also expect 6'6 Marshall Williams from Milwaukee (Vincent) WI to make it official in the near future. However, we also predict there is no way that 6'2 Anthony Grundy from Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA, who visited Cincinnati last weekend, will become a Bearcat, because he is almost a carbon copy of Satterfield, but not as good. Satterfield's high school coach Maurice Hicks says that the possibilty of NCAA sanctions could effect his players' commitment only if Cincinnati won't be on television or in the NCAA Tournament.

As long as we're talking about 6'1 Anthony Grundy from Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA, the hot rumor is that the University of Louisville is close to getting a commitment from this athletic combo guard, but this simply does not make sense. Class at Louisville started several weeks ago and he would have to wait until second semester to enroll and, as a result, become eligible. And that's wait he's been trying to do for almost two years - become eligible. Instead, Minnesota may be the leader. That's where he's visiting this weekend and school doesn't start at the Big 10 school until September 26th.

It is now official - 6'9 Andrew Gooden from El Cerrito (H.S.) CA, who currently ranks #44 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, but who is expected to continue to rise as he just gets better and better, is going to Kansas. He committed on the in-home visit last night.

Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski made an in-home visit yesterday with 6'9 Nick Collison from Iowa Falls (H.S.) IA and for the next 48 hours Collison is scheduled to be in Durham, NC making his official visit to the Blue Devils. Our read on the situation is that if Collison is going to commit to Duke, he'll probably do it soon. If that doesn't happen, look for Kansas to have to time to regroup and lock this one up.

6'6 Travis Kraft from Mayville (H.S.) ND and Howard Pulley's Basketball Club, officially committed to South Carolina on Wednesday while head coach Eddie Fogler was there for the home visit. Kraft, who just misses being ranked among the top 100 nationally is a great catch for South Carolina, because he is very skilled and he is one of the best 3-point shooters in the class. Kraft's teammate on the Howard Pulley club team, 6'0 Troy Bell from Holy Angels (H.S.) MN, is visiting Boston College this weekend after visiting Tennessee last weekend. He will play in Howard Garfinkel's Five-Star Tournament next weekend in New York and then will visit Xavier Sept. 25th-26th. His list is getting longer, because UConn and Rutgers are now pursuing him as well. Seton Hall and Wyoming are off his list.

Anybody who thinks that the new staff at the University of Alabama can't get it done in their own back yard needs to look no further than 6'7 Rod Grizzard from Huntsville (Grissom) AL, who ranks #17 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP. With his announcement for the Crimson Tide, he becomes the first major recruit for new head coach Mark Gottfried at Alabama. How important is this? It could be very important, because it gives Gottfried one more thing he can sell 6'10 Marvin Stone from Huntsville (Grissom) AL, who is a must get for Alabama, although right now they still appear to be second behind Kentucky.

Chris Johnson, our Ohio Editor, is now reporting that 6'6 Derek Smith from Ft. Thomas (Highlands) KY, who is the only senior in the state of Kentucky who is listed among our top 100 nationally, will only play football in college. If you will recall, Smith is one of the best tight end prospects in the nation on the gridiron. Johnson also believes that the co-favorites for Smith are Kentucky and Ohio State. Our prediction is Kentucky will be very tough to beat.

Thursday, September 10, 1998

It comes as no surprise, but it will be official later today - 6'11 Samuel Dalembert from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ, who ranks #48 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, is going to Seton Hall. This is a great catch for Pirates head coach Tommy Amaker. Dalembert has tremendous potential and could emerge as one of the premier players in the nation once he becomes more comfortable with the American game and shows more consistency. "He's not only the top shot blocker in the class," says Allen Rubin, the HOOP SCOOP's Philadelphia Area Editor, who was first on this story. "But it is the countless number of alters and rebounding that makes him the best defensive big man in the nation. He, along with present freshmen, Manga Charles and Damian Dawkins, both 6'10, gives Seton Hall three quality big men for the future." However, for Dalembert to move up in the rankings, he needs to improve his offensive skills, but it is our guess that he will, because he's a great kid, a hard worker, and a tremendous athlete.

Recently the University of Evansville land 6'9 Faruk Mujezinovic from Jasper (H.S.) IN and now it looks like the Aces have picked up another one of the top players in Indiana - 6'2 Nick Baumgart from Evansville (North) IN. Baumgart, who played extremely well when we saw him in Augusta, GA in the middle of July, is a tough hardnosed white kid who can play either guard spot and is especially good at the defensive end.

St. John's and Rutgers are now the heavy favorites for 6'9 Abraham Keita from Winchendon (School) MA, who, along with 6'11 Samuel Dalembert from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ, is probably the best defensive center in the nation. St. John's moves to the top of the list after his visit last weekend. The biggest selling point was Red Storm head coach Mike Jarvis. Keita has already visited Connecticut and Villanova and he also may take a visit, either officially or unofficially, to Massachusetts and/or Providence.

Last night Wayne Simone, the New England Editor of the HOOP SCOOP and the tournament director for the And 1 HOOP Challenge, gave us a list of the top players who are expected at his tournament at Fairfield University this weekend. The tournament will feature over 20 players with top 100 credentials nationally, including the three great junior point guards from New York - 5'11 Taliek Brown from Astoria (St. John's Prep) NY, 6'0 Jr Omar Cook from Middle Village Christ the King) NY, 5'9 Jr Andre Barrett from New York (Rice) NY; 6'3 Brian Woodward from Bayside (Cardozo) NY, who after being missing in action with a torn ACL for six months, has a chance to reclaim top player honors in New York City's senior class; Seton Hall's latest addition - 6'11 Samuel Dalembert from Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ; 6'1 Kenny Satterfield form New York (Rice) NY; 6'3 Tony Robertson from Barrington (St. Andrews) RI; 6'3 Marcus Cox from Bridgeport (Kolbe Cathedral) CT; 6'9 Matt Bonner from Concord (H.S.) NH; 6'2 DeShaun Williams from Paterson (Catholic) NJ, 6'2 Soph Dajuan Wagner from Camden (H.S.) NJ, 7'0 Josh Moore from Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT; 6'9 Nick Vanderlaan from Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT; 6'8 Jr Kyle Cuffe from New York (Rice) NY; 6'6 Miguel Caballero from New York (LaSalle) NY; 6'8 Jr J.C. Mathis from Bronx (John F. Kennedy) NY; 6'1 Todd Billet from Lincroft (Christian Brothers) NY; 6'3 Eric Siegrist from Poughkeepsie (Spackenkill) NY, 6'9 Abraham Keita from Winchendon (School) MA; and 6'7 Jr Scott Hazelton from Lawrence (Central Catholic) MA. Simone also faxed us the schedule, which can be found below.

AND I HOOP CHALLENGE - POOLS - ALL GAMES AT FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY

Pool A

1. St. Michael's AAU

2. New York Riverside Church

3. Pioneer Valley (MA)

Pool B

1. Worcester West (MA)

2. St. Thomas More

3. Bridgeport Invasion

Pool C

1. Middlesex Magic 1

2. Long Island Roadrunners

3. Madison Square Broncoes

Pool D

1. Long Island Roadrunners

2. Tim Thomas Playaz I

3. Albany City Rocks II

Pool E

1. The New Jersey Roadrunners

2. New Hampshire Falcons

3. Maine Bombers

Pool F

1. Sullivan Eagles (NY)

2. Massachusetts Hoops

3. Connecticut Select

Pool G

1. Waterbury NER

2. Albany City Rocks I

3. Connecticut Warriors

Pool H

1. St. Patrick

2. Massachusetts AAU

3. Greater Boston II

Pool I

1. Connectict Select C

2. South Jersey Pioneers

3. Jersey Shore Warriors

Pool J

1. Buffalo Basketball

2. New York Jaguars

3. Rhode Island Breakers I

Pool K

1. Connecticut Warriors

2. Brooklyn Beasts

3. Connecticut Select B

Pool L

1. Cambyland (NY)

2. St. Michael's II 

3. Metro Boston

Pool M

1. Massachusetts Wildcats

2. New Hampshire Peak

3. Believe to Achieve

Pool N

1. Vagabonds

2. Connecticut Knights

3. Long Island Lightning

Pool O

1. Greater Boston

2. Jersey Jaguars

3. Chesire Cats

Pool P

1. The Bronx Gauchos

2. Monmouth Waves

3. Team Connecticut

Pool Q

1. Granite State Raiders

2. Middlesex Magic II

3. Montreal Select

Pool R

1. Stamford Express

2. Rhode Island Breakers II

3. Brooklyn Beasts II

Pool S

1. CMAC

2. New York Panthers

3. Ottawa Storm

Pool T

1. Riccardi Celtics

2. New York Rebels

3. ???????????

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th

Time................Court #1..........Court #2..........Court #3..........Court #4..........Court #5..........Court #6

6:00 PM..........P2-P3.............B2-B3..............N1-N2

7:15 PM..........S1-S2.............R1-R2..............K1-K3

8:30 PM..........H2-H3.............I1-I3.................Q1-Q3...............M1-M2..............E1-E2

9:45 PM..........F2-F3..............01-O2...............J1-J3.................T1-T2...............G1-G2

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th

Time................Court #1..........Court #2..........Court #3..........Court #4..........Court #5..........Court #6

9:00 AM.........G2-G3...............M2-M3.............E2-E3................S1-S3...............T2-T3

10:15 AM.......Q2-Q3..............A1-A3..............D2-D3...............H1-H3...............I1-I2

11:30 AM........B1-B2..............C1-C2..............L2-L3...............F1-F2.................Exhibition

12:45 PM........J2-J3................K1-K2.............N1-N3...............P1-P3................R2-R3

2:00 PM...........01-03...............C1-C3.............A2-A3...............G1-G3................E1-E3

3:15 PM..........D1-D2...............F1-F3..............N2-N3................R1-R3...............H1-H2

4:30 PM..........I2-I3..................C2-C3.............M1-M3..............J1-J2.................B1-B2

5:45 PM..........Q1-Q3..............K2-K3.............A1-A2................L1-L2................O2-O3............Exhibition

7:00 PM..........r32.....................r32..................r32.....................D1-D3...............P1-P2.............S2-S3

8:15 PM..........r16....................r16..................r16......................r16...............All Pool Winners Will Play

9:30 PM..........r16....................r16..................r16......................r16...............At Least 1Games Saturday Night

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th

Time................Court #1..........Court #2..........Court #3..........Court #4..........Court #5..........Court #6

10:00 AM........Quarter..........Quarter............Cons..................Cons................Cons..................Cons

11:15 AM........Quarter..........Quarter............Cons..................Cons.................Cons..................Cons

12:30 PM........Cons................Cons

1:45 PM...........Semi................Semi

3:00 PM...........Cons................Cons

4:30 PM...........Finals

Wednesday, September 9, 1998

According to Chris Johnson, our Ohio Editor, 6'8 Ray Henderson from Charlotte (East Mechlenburg) NC, who ranks #63 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP,