TODAY'S HOT RECRUITING INFORMATION

Hot Recruiting Information available from previous months June 1998 July 1998 August 1998 September 1998 October 1998 November 1998 December 1998 January 1999 February 1999 March 1999 April 1999 May 1999 June 1999 July 1999 August 1999 September 1999 October 1999 November 1999 December 1999 January 2000 February 2000 March 2000 April 2000 May 2000 June 2000 July 2000 August 2000 September 2000 October 2000 November 2000 December 2000 January 2001 February 2001 March 2001 April 2001 May 2001 June 2001 July 2001 August 2001 September 2001 October 2001 November 2001 December 2001 January 2002 February 2002 March 2002 April 2002 May 2002 June 2002 July 2002 August 2002 September 2002 October 2002 November 2002

Thursday, November 28, 2002, Friday, November 29, 2002, and, Saturday, November 30, 2002

We have updated our calender of events and most of the top events for the upcoming basketball season are included.  You can access this by clicking on Dates/Future Events.  Unfortunately we don't have the time or the resources to necessary to gather all pertinent information about each event, but Eddie Oliver of Hoops USA has done all this in his 2002-2003 High School Basketball Tournament and Events Report.  And it is a must for anybody who wants who wants to know who is going to be in the field for the 116 events and tournaments that he covers in this year's addition.  You can get Oliver's report by writing HOOPSUSA at P.O. Box 15403, Surfside Beach, SC  29587, calling 1-(843) 650-5422, or emailing hoopsusa@scrr.com.   Oliver has a fan edition, which can be purchased for $30, and a college coaches edition, which includes contact information, including the name, phone number, fax number, and email address for the tournament director of each event, and is printed in color, that can be purchased for $100.  Obviously this was a very valuable resource when compiling our list of events, but were able to find a few events that Oliver doesn't include in his report like the Rocket City Sports Medicine Classic this weekend in Huntsville, AL; the Panther Classic at Pleasure Ridge Park High School in Louisville,KY, December 7th; Monsignor King Christmas Tournament at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Brooklyn, NY, December 26th-30th; the NIKE Martin Luther King Peace Classic in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, January 17th-18th; the South Florida Jam Fest at Northwestern High School in Miami, FL, January 18th-20th; and the National Prep School Invitational at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI, February 7th-9th.  We already have some of the dates for the numerous state tournaments in March, but we are in the process of gathering the rest.  If you see something we're missing and/or already have dates for an event for this spring and/or summer that you want us to put up early, feel free to call me at (502) 500-4667 or email me hoopscooponline@mns.com. 

Wednesday, November 27, 2002

There is no question that the War on the Shore National Prep School Invitational Tournament last weekend in Milford, DE was too early in the season, but, for our purposes, being there was still very important for several reasons.  First, it will give us something to compare to when we see many of these players again at Mike Procopio's National Prep School Invitational Tournament when they are in mid-season form in early February in Kingston, RI.  Second, it gives us the insight we need to update our rankings of the top 5th players in the nation.  As a matter of fact, I've spent a good part of the afternoon doing exactly that and, as a result, our list of the top 5th year players now goes 100 deep.  And it is available by clicking on 5th Year & Prep School Player Rankings.  Obviously this list is important for the college recruiter who is loooking for somebody who is ready to step in and make an immediate impact at the Division I level a year from now.  However, the pickings are slim, especially at the top, as only three of our top 25-ranked 5th year players - 6'11 James Lang from Birmingham (Central Park Chrisitan) AL, 6'10 Alexander Johnson from North Bridgton (Bridgton Academy) ME, and 6'8 Lawrence Carrier from Salisbury (School) CT - are still available.   Digging a little deeper we find that 14 of the players - Gordon Klaiber from Troy (Redemption) NY, 6'8 Nick Stafford from Worcester (Academy) MA, 6'8 Blake Schilb from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH, 6'4 Michael Cook from New Hampton (Prep) NH, 6'5 Zakee Boyd from Philadelphia (Lutheran) PA, 6'6 Maurice Maxwell from Philadelphia (Lutheran) PA, 6'8 Donte Minter from Fork Union (Military) VA, 6'7 Ryan Lambert from Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA, 6'8 Richard Dorsey from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC, 6'10 Oluwafemi Ibikunte from New Hampton (Prep) NH, 6'6 Daliek Powell from Philadelphia (Lutheran) PA, 6'7 Marcus Sykes from Middleburg (Notre Dame) VA, 6'7 Patrick Ewing Jr from Ft. Washington (Germantown Academy) PA, and 6'0 David Gale from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH - who are ranked in the 26-50 range are also still available.  And the pickings are just as slim at the top of the high school level, as only four players - 6'8 Brandon Bass from Baton Rouge (Capital) LA, 6'8 Linas Kleiza from Rockville (Montrose Christian) MD, 6'11 Darryl Watkins from Paterson (Catholic) NJ, and 6'2 Milton Collins from New Orleans (O.P. Walker) LA - who are ranked among our top 75 nationally in the senior class are still available.  And, just like with the 5th year players, it opens up from there, as 21 players - 6'2 Jai Miller from Selma (H.S.) AL, 6'3 Kelvin Davis from Waterbury (Sacret Heart) CT, 6'9 Nick Stigger from Van Nuys (Montclair Prep) CA, 6'0 Maureece Rice from Philadelphia (Strawberry Mansion) PA, 6'5 Jesus Verdejo from Miami (Christian) FL, 6'1 Anthony Harris from Chicago (Whitney Young) IL, 6'2 Robert McIver from New Haven (Hillhouse) CT, 6'8 Anthony King from Durham (Southern Durham) NC, 6'0 Rayshawn Reed from Inglewood (H.S.) CA, 6'8 Warren Scott from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 6'3 Ramel Bradley from Durham (Mt. Zion Christian) NC, 6'9 Byron Joynes from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 6'1 T.J. Bannister from Jacksonville (Arlington Country Day) FL, 6'2 Marcus Hammond from Memphis (East) TN, 5'11 Japhet McNeil from Middle Village (Christ the King) NY, 6'2 Byron Davis from Detroit (Rogers) MI, 6'6 Florentino Valencia from Chicago (Crane) IL, 6'6 David Cornwell from Louisville (Eastern) KY, 6'7 Antonio Porch from Denver (East) CO, 6'2 Jay Jackson from Monroe (Ouchita Parish) LA, and 6'0 Jessie Burton from Minneapolis (South) MN - ranked in the 76-175 range are still on the board.  And will probably find that several of these players have signed before we finalize our Rankings of the Top Recruiting Class from the Fall Signing Period in early December.  We also find that 21 of the top 50 junior college players, as ranked by Rick Ball in the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook, are also already gone.  And the number of players remaining is even less, if you look only at the top two players at each position, as only three players - 6'3 Travis DeGroot from New Mexico Military (JC) MN, 5'10 Jerel Blassingame from L.A. City (JC) CA, and 6'10 Darrius Manciel from Arkansas-Ft. Smith (H.S.) AR - have yet to sign with a four-year school  And, if you look only at the power forward and center spots, only seven of the 20 players are still on the available, as, to our knowledge, Manciel, 6'10 Justin Williams from Kankakee (JC) IL, 6'9 Marques Lewis from Wabash Valley (JC) IL, 6'8 Kitus Witherspoon from Seminole (JC) FL, 6'9 Oswaldo Gonzales from Jacksonville (J.C) TX, 6'7 Yakhouba Diawara from Southern Idaho (JC) ID, and 6'7 Chris Williams from Hill (J.C.) TX - are still on the board. 

Tuesday, November 26, 2002

The engine in my car died yesterday while I was driving back from the War on the Shore National Prep School Invitational Tournament in Milford, DE and, as a result, only now am I catching up on what's happened in terms of recruiting during the last several days.  And right at the top of the list is the early verbal commitment that 6'7 Jr Dion Dowell from Texas City (H.S.) TX, who is ranked #47 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP, made to the University of Texas last night.  Dowell is a world-class athlete who can beat you outside with his excellent 3-point shooting and inside with his quickness, rebounding and ability to score around the basket.  In other words, he's the ultimate combo forward and he's probably better than where we have him ranked nationally, because we didn't get a chance to see him last summer.  Remember,  out-of-sight out of mind.  However, we actually discovered Dowell at the Kingwood Classic in Houston, TX when he was just a 9th grader a year-and-a-half ago.  As a matter of fact, we liked Dowell so much at the time that we made a special trip to go back and watch him play again the next day.  And this is important for several reasons.  First, it more than makes up for the fact that University of Texas hasn't landed anybody from within the state in this year's senior class.  Second, Dowell 's the first junior nationally to have made a verbal commitment to anybody in the Big-12 Conference.  Third, this moves the Longhorns recruiting class into a tie at #12, along with Arizona and USC, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2004.  Fourth, it gives the Longhorns a great head start on next year's recruiting class, which promises to be an important class, because when they have start replacing the five juniors and four sophomores that currently are in the program.  And right at the top of their list are 6'1 Jr Jason Horton from Cedar Hill (H.S.) TX, who is ranked #12 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, and 6'3 Daniel Gibson from Houston (Jones) TX, who is ranked #14 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  We also have confirmed via Andre Whitehead, who is our correspondent for Eastern Tennessee, that 6'2 Brian Fish from Newbern (Dyer County) TN has signed with David Lipsomb and 6'8 Alex Weeks from Lilburn (Berkmar) GA has made it official for Middle Tennessee State.  The signing of Weeks is huge, because he not only is ranked #54 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, but he moves the Blue Raiders recruiting class into a tie at #30, along with Houston, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  If you will recall, earlier this fall Middle Tennessee also landed 6'2 Montrell Crittendon from Newbern (Dyer County) TN, 6'7 Kenyona Swader from Smyrna (H.S.) TN, 5'11 Bryan Smithson from Kennesaw (North Cobb) GA, and 6'4 Ben Britt from Chattanooga (Red Bank) TN.   If Middle Tennessee State was going to successfully steal this one, they had to do it during the early signing period, because the word was already out about Weeks being one the top unsigned seniors still available.  As a matter of fact, only two players - 6'8 Brandon Bass from New Orleans (Capital) LA and 6'8 Linas Kleiza from Rockville (Montrose Christian) MD - who ranked among our top 50 seniors nationally are still available and only five players - 6'11 Darryl Watkins from Paterson (Catholic) NJ, 6'2 Milton Collins from New Orleans (O.P. Walker) LA, 6'3 Jai Miller from Selma (H.S.) AL, 6'3 Kelvin Davis from Waterbury (Sacred Heart) CT, and 6'9 Nick Stigger from Van Nuys (H.S.) CA - who ranked in the 51-100 range are still available.  This also isn't the first time that Middle Tennesse State assistant coach Donnie Tyndall's name has been attached to a recruiting class that is ranked disproportionately high when compared to other school at the level at which his team competes.  If you will recall, a year ago Tyndall was at the University of Idaho and was largely responsible for landing a recruiting class that finished ranked #15 nationally on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes for the Class of 2002 behind Duke, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan State, Iowa State, Maryland, Villanova, Illinois, Arizona, Kansas State, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisville, and Cincinnati and ahead of Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Michigan, Iowa, Purdue, Connecticut, Syracuse, USC, Indiana, Wake Forest, LSU, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma, Alabama, Notre Dame, and Nebraska.  Obviously recruiting is team effort, but this should be enough to move Tyndell's name up even further on our list of the Top Assistant Coaches at the Lower Division I Level.  If you will recall, he was ranked #9 on that list when it came out last February. 

We have confirmed that 5'11 Mike Woodard from Fairburn (Creekside) GA has signed with Youngstown State and it appears the Penguins also are the favorite for 6'7 Tynell Dunkley from Laurinburg (Institute) NC.  We also understand that 6'7 Kshaua Daley from Marietta (H.S.) GA has signed with Howard University.  Not only is this a great catch for the Bisons, but when the Howard coaching staff found out that they could get this power forward who scores and rebounds on the block, they decided to not pass him up, despite the fact they've primarily been targeting perimeter players.  In other words, Daley is that good!  We also have confirmed that 6'6 Romeo Travis from Akron (St. Vincent-St. Mary) OH has signed with Akron, which comes as no surprise, because his old high school coach Keith Dombrot is now an assistant coach at Akron.  Several that have slipped past us include 6'9 Mike Travis from San Francisco (JC) CA to Texas Tech, 6'8 Jesus Urbina from Amelia (Academy) VA, and 6'3 Ray George from Virginia Beach (Coastal Christian) VA to Georgia State.  George, who has nice size, good ball handling skills, and rebounds well for a point guard, joins 6'4 Kevin Thomas from Owens Tech (JC) OH and 6'9 Lance Hood from Southeast Nebraska (JC) NE to give Lefty Driesell a recruiting class that is tied at #69, along with College of Charleston, Hofstra, Butler, SMU, Oregon State, Hampton, Drexel, and Lamar, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Urbina is decent athlete with good skills, a big body, and a competitive nature.  He also can score on the block, which means Urbina promises to be an excellent replacement for inside for 6'10 Jesse Young, who will graduate after this season.  Travis joins 6'8 DeVonne Giles from Seward County (JC) KS and 6'4 Drew Coffman from Midland (Lee) TX to give Texas Tech a recruiting class that is tied at #32, along with San Francisco and Alabama, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And if Travis turns out to be as good as the last player Bob Knight got from San Francisco (JC) CA, he'll be in great shape.  If you will recall, 6'10 Dean Garrett from San Francisco (JC) CA was the center on Knight's last NCAA Championship team at Indiana in 1987.  It also appears that Texas Christian's recruiting class has moved into a tie at #28, along with Iowa, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, because first-year Baylor head coach Neil Dougherty has added 6'8 Art Pierce from Tyler (Grace) TX and 6'1 Neil Dougherty from Ft. Worth, TX to class that already included 6'4 Aaron Curtis from Lon Morris (JC) TX and 6'5 Blake Adams from Aldine (Nimitz) TX.   Our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin reports that Siena 6'8 has signed 6'8 Tecmar Caldwell from Morristown (H.S.) NJ.  Rubin also tells us that the favorites for 6'10 Mbainai Narmbaye from Burlington (Life Center) NJ, who is one of the top unsigned big men still available in the senior class nationally, are Rutgers, Colorado, La Salle, St. Joseph's, and Massachusetts.  Did you know that 6'4 LaKeith Blanks from Laurinburg (Institute) NC had signed with Texas A&M, 6'9 Asrangue Souleymane from Laurinburg (Institute) NC had signed with American University, 6'1 Van Crafton from Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT had signed with Quinnipiac, 6'7 Sam Kaplan from Worcester (Academy) MA is going to Yale, and 7'2 Lulcasz Obrzut from North Bridgton (Bridgton Academy) ME has verbally committed to Fordham?  Neither did we until we got to the War on the Shore National Prep School Invitational Tournament in Milford, DE.  Blanks is a steal for Texas A&M, because, if he was a senior, instead of a 5th year player, he would be ranked among  our top 75 nationally.  Blanks joins 6'8 Marlon Pompey from Winchendon (School) MA to move the Aggies recruiting class into a tie at #86 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Blanks is best described as an athletic 2-guard who can beat you with his outside shooting and ability to slash to the basket and, as a result, should provide Aggies head coach Melvin Watkins with one of the better pair of wing players in the tough Big-12 Conference a year from now.  Remember, 6'7 Antonie Wright from Groton (Lawrence Academy) MA promises to be one of the top freshmen in the Big-12 Conference this season. Souleymane is a project, but we like his size, athleticism and potential, especially for a school in the Patriot League like American University.  Crafton is the crafty point guard who gets the ball to 6'3 Quincy Douby and makes the St. Thomas More team go.  And he'll do the same thing next year for head coach Joe DeSantis at Quinnipaic.  Kaplan has improved dramatically since we saw him a year ago and, as a result, is the ideal blue collar player for Worcester (Academy) MA.  However, he probably will turn out to be more than just a good role player for Yale.  Obrzut verbally committed to Fordham recently, but hasn't signed, because he wants to leave himself an out in case the Fordham coaching staff isn't able to turn things around this season and gets fired next spring.  

Monday, November 25, 2002

The final day of the War on the Shore National Prep School Invitational Tournament in Milford, DE was much better than the first two days for several reasons.  First, a number of the top players in the tournament stepped up and turned in stellar performances, unlike the previous two days when most everybody just seemed to be going through the motions.  Second, the eight team's that hadn't played a game prior to participating in this tournament now had a game under their belt.  Third, the games got better, because the better teams and the worse teams were matched up against one another.  However, picking the best player in the tournament was still not an easy task, because it was a very close call among 6'7 Loul Deng from Blairstown (Academy) NJ, 6'9 Charlie Villanueva from Blairstown (Academy) NJ, 5'11 Gary Ervin from Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA, 6'3 Quincy Douby from Oakdale (St. Thomas) CT.  We give the edge to Douby, who led St. Thomas More to a pair of victories against Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA and Milford (Academy) CT.  Douby scored 19 points and hit 3-6 3-pointers in his team's 69-43 victory over Hargrave Military on Saturday.  And that was good enough to get him ranked #3 among all players after the first two days of action.  However, it was his 29 points, including 5-8 3-pointers, and five assists against Milford Academy, as he led his team to a 83-54 victory, that gives him the edge over Deng, Villanueva, and Ervin.  Douby does need to get bigger and stronger in order to be successful at the college level, but we're talking about an excellent athlete with excellent skills and the ability to score from just about anywhere.  As a matter of fact, Douby is one of the best 3-point shooters we've seen in a long time.  He also might be the most important player Rutgers head coach Gary Waters will ever sign, because now Waters has a potential great one to build his program around.  However, Douby still wasn't the most important person for St. Thomas More.  That honor has to go head coach Jere Quinn, who is one of the best teachers in the game today at any level and, as a result, his players run his system to perfection and pick you apart in process.  Remember, St. Thomas More didn't just beat Hargrave Military and Milford Academy, they murdered them to the tune of 26 and 29 points and they only one big time player (Douby) on the team.  So it should come as no surprise that our choice Tournament MVP (Most Value Person) goes to Quinn.  Ervin gets our choice for second best player in the tournament, despite the fact tht he shot a mediocre 5-14 and 5-13 in his first two games, because he does such a great job of controlling the game and getting his teammates involved.  Which means Mississppi State head coach Rick Stansbury, who signed Ervin this fall, will have a great point guard to go to war with in the Southeastern Conference for the next four years.  In other words, it now looks like he was right on the money when our New York City Editor Ron Naclerio was complaining last spring about the fact that Douby and Ervin didn't even get a snife for the McDonald's All-American Team and nobody, including me believed him.  As a matter of fact, if either or both are on this year's ballot, they will get my vote, because they both are that good!  Deng was sensational the first night, as he finished with 25 points, 23 rebounds, five assists, and four steals, but he was slowed down by an injury as he had only 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists in the game on Saturday.  Villaneuva also didn't quite equal his 19-point and 10-rebound effort on the first night, as he finished with 16 points and five rebounds against Middleburg (Notre Dame) VA, but his nine blocked shots and four steals in this game was extremely impressive.  We also were very impressed with 6'9 Alexander Johnson from North Bridgton (Bridgton Academy) ME, 6'5 Dwight Brewington from Worcester (Academy) MA, 6'4 LaKeith Blanks from Laurinburg (Institute) NC, 6'9 Boubacar Coly from Laurinburg (Institute) NC, 6'1 Steve Hailey from Worcester (Academy) MA, 6'8 Juan Diego Palacios from Centereach (Our Savior New American) NY, 6'6 Oumar Sylla from from Centereach (Our Savior New American) NY, 6'4 Gerald Brown from Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA, 6'7 Norm Plummer from Brewster (Academy) NH, 6'8 Amaud Dahi from Burlington (Life Center) NJ, and 6'9 Josh Boone from Colora (West Nottingham Prep) MD on the final day.  We'll start with Brewington and Brown, because these two guys promise to be a big reason why the future is so bright for Providence head coach Tim Welsh.  Brewington can't hear (he's legally death), but he has great court awareness, timing, and anticipation, which explains why he always seems to be in the right place at the right time.  Brewington also plays hard, can beat you offensively both inside and outside, is an excellent rebounder for his size, and a good ball handler and passer for his size, as is evident by his statistics against Bridgton Academy, which included 9-13 field goals, 1-2 3-pointers, 4-6 free throws, seven rebounds, 23 points, five assists, two turnovers, and two steals.   Brown, who scored only 3 points and had four turnovers against St. Thomas More on Saturday night, had 29 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals en route to a 90-85 victory over Brewster Academy yesterday.  Brewington and Brown also got a chance to hang out together and become friends over the weekend.  Although both had verbally committed earlier this fall to Providence, they had never met prior to being in Milford, DE for the War on the Shore.  Next we'll talk about Palacios and Sylla, because they led Our Savior New American to a 71-51 victory over Ft Washington (National Christian) MD, which ironically featured the player that University of Louisville head coach Rick Pitino had come to see.  If you will recall, Pitino coached the father of 6'7 Patrick Ewing Jr from Ft. Washington (National Christian) MD years ago when was an assistant coach with the New York Knicks.   However, Ewing Jr, who had 14 points, five rebounds, and six turnovers, as Pitino looked on, picked up where he left off earlier in the tournament, as he showed why we don't think he's ready yet to be recruited at the high major level.  We say that because Ewing Jr does have a lot of natural talent and the potential to grow four or five more inches, which means he could end up being just as tall as his father.  Thus, explains why we think it would be a great move for Ewing Jr to go the junior college route, even though he's already academically qualified.  Instead, Palacios, who scored 20 points against National Christian, is the player Pitino had to be impressed with and, ironically, Palacios reminds us of former University of Kentucky All-American Jamal Mashburn in many ways.  Remember, Mashburn was the player Pitino build the Wildcats program when he was the head coach at Kentucky.  And just like Masburn, Palacios is deceptively quick and mobile out on the perimeter, where he can beat you with 3-point shooting, but he also is strong enough and skilled enough to be very effective from mid-range and in.   Sylla's outside shot isn't pretty, but it's hard to complain about a guy who hit 9-13 3-pointers in his last two games.  Sylla also impressed with his athleticism and ability to score in transition as he scored 21 points versus National Christian, but his eight assists against National Christian and nine rebounds against Blair Academy provide an excellent indication of his versatility.  It also illustrates just how big a steal Sylla is for Valparaiso.  Speaking of the Crusaders, it is rumored that Valparaiso stashed both Sylla and Palacios at Our Savior New American, but getting Palacios back might not be so easy, because you can bet a lot of big time people, including Pitino, are going to come calling.  Johnson, who is arguably the second best high school and/or prep school player still available behind 6'8 Brandon Bass from Baton Rouge (Capital) LA, was good on Saturday, as he scored 20 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and connected on 4-5 3-pointers.  But he was even better yesterday, as he scored 23 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and did most of his damage inside.  Speaking of Johnson, he confirmed the fact that he is wide open on schools.   If you will recall, he did not re-sign this fall with the Georgia, which was where he originally signed a year ago prior to not making it academically and going the prep school route.  Instead, the first school out of Alexander's mouth was North Carolina, which means it probably was no coincidence that Tar Heels assistant coach Fred Quartlebaum was in the house on Saturday to watch him play.  Johnson also mentioned Alabama, Cincinnati, Duke, and Georgia.  But he also mentioned the fact that the Bulldogs currently don't have a scholarship available.  If you will recall, Georgia's recruiting class, which currently is ranked #17 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, already includes five players - 6'9 Mohamed Abukar from San Diego (Ranchco Bernardo) CA, 6'8 Marcus Jackson from South Plains (JC) TX, 6'10 Cassiano Matheus from South Plains (JC) TX, 6'8 Corey Gibbs from Stone Mountain (Redan) GA, and 6'4 Jordan Howell from Madison (Abbeville) AL.  However, when it is all said and done, it's our guess that Georgia head coach Jim Harrick will find a way to make it work, if Alexander once again opts for the Bulldogs.   Blanks, who is an absolute steal for Texas A&M, stepped up to help 6'7 Regis Koundjia, who finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, and three steals of his own, lead Laurinburg to a 76-68 overtime victory against Winchendon (School) MA, in what was the most exciting game of the tournament.  And, while Koundjia and Blanks were getting it done out on the perimeter, Coly wasn't taking any prisoners inside, as he finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.  Not only is Coly one of the most improved players in the nation since we first saw him two years ago at Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, but, if he continues to develop at the same pace, he may someday be just as good as Xavier All-American 6-9 David West.  Ironically, Coly, who, according the Chaney, signed with Xavier, last week, has a chance to be West's replacement next year.  Hailey was good on Saturday when he scored 10 points and dished out seven assists, but he was terrific yesterday, as he finished with 25 points and helped Brewington lead Worcester Academy to a 81-66 victory over Bridgton Academy.  In other words, the value of Hailey's stock not only rises dramatically, but Boston College shouldn't miss a beat when 6'1 Sr Troy Bell and 6'2 Jr Ryan Sidney graduate after this year and next year, respectively, because Hailey and 6'2 Lou Hinnant from Brandywine (Gwynn Park) MD, who signed with Eagles and year ago and currently is freshman at Boston College, appear to be the ideal replacements.  Plummer is one of these guys who was a senior a year ago, but who is now trying to pass himself off as a junior, because he plans to be in prep school for two years.  However, for our purposes he's a 5th year player this year and he'll be a 5th year player again next year.  We also question Plummer's outside shooting, but after a 20-point performance on Saturday against Milford (Academy) CT and a 32-point and six-steal performance yesterday against Hargrave Military Academy, there is no doubt in our mind that he was one of the top 10 players here based on performance.   On Saturday we thought Dahi didn't have enough of a shooter's mentality, but 4-7 3-pointers en route to a 28-point performance makes him one of the best unsigned wing players still available in the senior class nationally.  Boone shot a lot better with 14-22 field goals and 14 blocks in his two games Friday and Saturday, but nobody all weekend came close to equaling the 20 rebounds he had on Sunday againg Burlington (Life Center) NJ.  Actually the second leading rebounder all weekend was 6'6 Blake Schilb from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) ME, who finished with 15 rebounds against Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA.  Schilb is an undersized power forward who wants to be 3-man down the road.  However, we think that would be a mistake, because Schilb is a blue collar banger who does all the dirty work inside.  In other words, Schilb would be a steal at the mid-major level.  We also have to once again mention 6'4 Curtis Stinson from Winchendon (School) MA, because he had 10 points and seven assists while playing point guard against Laurinburg (Institute) NC, and 6'4 Michael Cook from New Hampton, who, 6'4, is a physical specimen and versatile enough to play both inside and outside at the mid-to-high major level.  Perhaps the biggest disappointment on Sunday was 6'6 Jr Cheyenne Gibson from Colora (West Nottingham Prep) MD and his 10 points, 3-15 field goals, 3-9 3-pointers, and seven turnovers tell it all. 

Friday, November 22, 2002, Saturday, November 23, 2002, & Sunday, November 24, 2002

It looks like we were right on the money a month ago when we told you that the War on the Shore National Prep School Invitational Tournament in Milford, DE was being held way too early in the season.   Sure, it is great for us to confirm which players have surfaced at what schools and, just like the Slam Dunk to the Beach Tournament that Bobby Jacobs puts on every year between Christmas and New Year's in Lewes, DE, this tournament is second to none in terms of hospitality and organization.  However, most of the games have been ugly.  As a matter of fact, the first game in this tournament was the opening game of the season  for eight of the 18 teams in the tournament.  And this is important, because there not only wasn't much continuity and team chemistry, but there weren't very many memorable performances.  And making it even worse for college coaches is the fact that most of the top players in the tournament have already signed a binding National Letter-of-Intent, which means the pickings were pretty slim for the college recruiter looking to steal somebody, especially at the high Division I level.   Of the top 10 performances in the tournament, which included 6'7 Luol Deng from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ to Duke, 6'9 Charlie Villanueva from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ to Illinois, 6'3 Quincy Douby from Oakdale (St. Thomas) CT to Rutgers, 6'3 Curtis Stinson Winchendon (School) MA to Iowa State, 5'11 Gary Ervin from Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA to Mississippi State, 6'7 Regis Koundjia from Laurinburg (Institute) NC to LSU, 6'10 Alexander Johnson from North Bridgton (Bridgton Academy) ME, 6'1 Jr Jamual Warren from Milford (Academy) CT, 6'6 Jr Cheyenne Gibson from Colora (West Nottingham Prep) MD to Georgetown, 6'4 Michael Cook from New Hampton (Prep) NH, seven are already either signed or verbally committed.  And among the remaining three, Warren is a repeat junior and Cook is believed to have been stashed at New Hampton by Providence.  In other words, Johnson, who is believed to have reneged on the University of Georgia, is the only recruitable sure fire big time player in the entire tournament.  And our guess is that he will eventually re-sign with Georgia.  If you will recall, history appears to be repeating itself, because Johnson paid lip service to being open a year ago, but, in the end, signed with the Bulldgos anyway.  And digging a little deeper, our list of the second 10 players in at the tournament after the first two days based on the way primarily on performance, includes 6'1 Will Blaylock from Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA to Iowa State, 6'9 Josh Boone from Colora (West Nottingham Prep) MD to Connecticut, 6'5 Dwight Brewington from Worcester (Academy) MA to Providence, 6'6 Oumar Sylla from Centereach (Our Savior New American) NY to Valparaiso, 6'5 Jr Roosevelt Lee from Milford (Academy) CT, 6'8 Nick Stafford from Worceshter (Academy) MA, 6'8 Amaud Dahi from Burlington (Life Center) NJ, 6'8 Ray George from Virginia Beach (Coastal Christian) VA to Georgia State, 6'0 Jr Jon Lyles from Milford (Academy) CT, and 6'5 Joel Smith from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH.  But Lyles is a junior, Lee is a a repeat junior, and, Smith, who was a senior last year and, as result, will be listed as a 5th year player by us, is listed a junior, because he is expected to be in prep school for two years.   Which means that Stafford, and Dahi George are really the only two players in our second 10  who are recruitable right now.  However, Stafford, who isn't strong enough to play inside and doesn't shoot it well enough to play out on the perimeter, has a position question and he's coming off a mediocre junior season and Dahi has tremendous natural talent and potential, but isn't a dominant force and doesn't look to score enough right now.  Also considered for this list, but not making it because he was mediocre at best in his game on the second day was 6'8 Jr Juan Diego Palacios from Centereach (Our Savior New American) NY.  But Palacios's 22-point performance ranked him behind Deng, Villanueva, and Ervin among players on the first night.  Also playing well enough to get consideration for our top 20 list in the tournament are 6'6 Raphael DeSilva from Burlington (Life Center) NJ, who is a steal for Florida International; 6'5 LaKeith Blanks from Laurinburg (Institute) NC, who is gone to Texas A&M; 6'7 Karron Clark from Winchendon (School) MA, who is gone to Miami-FL; 6'5 J.R. Pinnock from Virginia Beach (Coastal Christian) VA, who verbally committed to Wichita State, but who has since reneged; 6'5 Zakee Boyd from Philadelphia (Lutheran Christian) PA, who verbally committed to Hartford earlier this fall, but didn't sign a National of Letter-of-Intent during the Fall Signing Period; 6'9 Boubacar Coly from Laurinburg (Institute) NC, who signed with Xavier last week; 6'6 Daliek Powell from Philadelphia (Lutheran Christian) PA; 6'7 Norm Plummer from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH; and 6'8 Dennard Abraham from Middleburg (Notre Dame) VA. The biggest disappointments in the tournament after two days were 6'7 Patrick Ewing Jr from Ft. Washington (National Christian) MD and 6'8 Mike Pilgrim from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH.  The value of Pilgrim's stock had shot up dramatically after he played so well last spring at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions, but he was no better than the fourth best player on Brewster's team yesterday behind Smith, Plummer, and 6'5 Blake Schilb, as he finished with 11 points and hit only 4-13 field goals.  Ewing's 24 points and 12 rebounds versus Laurinburg (Institute) NC appears to be impressive, but most of that came at garbage time, as his team got blown out 79-54.  Ewing's six points and seven rebounds in the first half against Laurinburg and only 10 points, including 1-6 field goals, against Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA the night before tells the real story.  Ewing does have some natural talent, but he doesn't shoot it well enough and isn't quick enough on the perimeter and he isn't tough enough inside to be ranked any higher than his current #262 national ranking in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  If you will recall, Ewing played great at the Charlie Weber Tournament in September and, as a result, a lot big time schools have been showing interest.  Getting back to the top players in the tournament, it's not close between Deng and Villanueva, as Deng is clearly the better of the two.  As a matter of fact, Deng is so efficient, so skilled, and has such a great feel for the game that he did nothing but reinforce his #2 ranking in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  On the other hand, Villanueva may actually have more natural talent than Deng, but he still has a position question for the highest level and, as a result, needs at least several years of college to continue to develop his perimeter skills.  Douby led St. Thomas More with 19 points to a 69-43 victory over a much more talented Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA team that featured 6'9 Hassan Fofana, 6'9 Ryan Lambert, 6'7 Chaz Crawford, 6'7 Joel Green, 6'4 Gerald Brown, and 5'11 Jason McKinney in the final game of the evening on Saturday night.  As a matter of fact, it was so ugly that not one of these guys scored in double-digits nor were they considered for our top 20 list above.  We also have confirmed via Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT head coach Jere Quinn, who is listed among the top five on our list of the top high school and prep school coaches in the nation, that Douby has signed a National Letter-of-Intent and plans to return it to Rutgers later this week.  One of the most intriguing players in the tournament is 6'9 Oluwafemi Ibikunle from New Hampton (Prep) NH.  His five points and four rebounds versus Virginia Beach (Coastal Christian) VA won't get him ranked among the top players in the tournament and he has a long way to go at the offensive end, but he plays hard, has size and athleticism, and lots of potential. 

Thursday, November 21, 2002

I will be in transit most of the day tomorrow, as I drive to Milford, DE for the inaugural War on the Shore National Prep School Invitational. And I plan to be there when the first game, which features Colora (West Nottingham) MD versus Burlington (Life Center) NJ, tips off at 6:00 PM.  Also tomorrow night we will get a a chance to see Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA versus Ft. Washington (National Christian) MD at 7:45 PM and Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ versus Centereach (Our Savior New American) NY at 9:30 PM.  The schedule for Saturday, November 24th, begins bright and early with Burlington (Life Center) NJ versus Bridgton (North Bridgton Academy) ME at 8:30 AM, followed by New Hampton (Prep) NH versus Virginia Beach (Coastal Christian) VA at 10:15 PM, Laurinburg (Institute) NC versus Ft. Washington (National Christian) MD at Noon, Milford (Academy) CT versus Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH at 1:45 PM, Middleburg (Notre Dame) VA versus Blair Academy (H.S.) NJ at 3:30 PM, Worcester (Academy) MA versus Colora (West Nottingham) MD at 5:15 PM, Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA versus Philadelphia (Lutheran Christian) PA at 7:00 PM, Centereach (Our Savior New American) NY versus Winchendon (School) MA at 8:45 PM, and Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA versus Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT at 10:00 PM.  The schedule on Sunday, November 25th, will tip-off at 9:00 AM with the loser of New Hampton (Prep) NH-Virginia Beach (Coastal Christian) VA versus the loser of Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA-Philadelphia (Lutheran Christian) PA, followed by the loser of Worcester (Academy) MA-Colora (West Nottingham) MD versus the loser of Burlington (Life Center) NJ- Bridgton (North Bridgton Academy) ME at 10:45 AM, the loser of Chatham (Hargrave Miltary) VA-Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT versus the loser of Milford (Academy) CT-Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH at 12:30 PM, the loser of Centereach (Our Savior New American) NY-Winchendon (School) MA versus the loser of Laurinburg (Institute) NC-Ft. Washington (National Christian) MD at 2:15 PM, the winner of New Hampton (Prep) NH-Virginia Beach (Coastal Christian) VA versus the winner of Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA-Philadelphia (Lutheran Christian) PA at 4:00 PM, the winner of Chatham (Hargrave Miltary) VA-Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT versus the winner of Milford (Academy) CT-Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH at 5:45 PM, the winner of Worcester (Academy) MA-Colora (West Nottingham) MD versus the winner of Burlington (Life Center) NJ-Bridgton (North Bridgton Academy) ME at 7:30 PM, the winner of Centereach (Our Savior New American) NY-Winchendon (School) MA versus the winner of Laurinburg (Institute) NC-Ft. Washington (National Christian) MD at 9:15 PM.  Obviously this promises to be a long weekend, but it should be well worth it because The War on the Shore, will feature some of the top high school players in the nation, including 6'8 Luol Deng from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ, 6'7 Regis Koundjia from Laurinburg (Institute) NC, 6'8 Lamont Hamilton from Milford (Academy) CT, 6'5 Dwight Brewington from Worcester (Academy) MA, 6'9 Bennett Davis from Milford (Academy) CT, 6'6 Oumar Sylla from Centereach (Our Savior New American) NY, 6'7 Arnaud Dahi from Burlington (Life Center) NJ, 6'10 Roman Narmbaye-Mbainas from Burlington (Life Center) NJ, 6'9 Arnaud Moussa Mbaye from Burlington (Life Center) NJ, 6'7 Patrick Ewing Jr from Ft. Washington (National Christian) MD, 6'9 Jr Juan Diego Tellos Palacios from Centereach (Our Savior New American) NY, 6'5 Jr Roosevelt Lee from Milford (Academy) CT, and 6'1 Jr Jamual Warren from Milford (Academy) CT, as well as most of the top 5th year players, including 6'9 Charlie Villanueva from Blairstown (Blair Academy) NJ, 5'11 Gary Ervin from Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA, 6'9 Ousmane Konate from North Bridgton (North Bridgton) ME, 6'3 Quincy Douby from Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT, 6'6 Eliiah Clark from Winchendon (School) MA, 6'4 Kelvin Nelson from Milford (Academy) CT, 6'7 Mike Pilgram from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH, 6'2 Curtis Stinson from Winchendon (School) MA, 6'2 Tyler Smith from Philadelphia (Lutheran) PA, 6'9 Josh Boone from Colora (West Nottingham) MD, 5'11 Will Blaylock from Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA, 6'9 Boubacar Coly from Laurinburg (Institute) NC, 6'7 Marcus Sykes from Middleburg (Notre Dame) VA, 6'5 Zakee Boyd from Philadelphia (Lutheran) PA, 6'1 Steve Hailey from Worcester (Academy) MA, 6'5 LaKeith Blanks from Laurinburg (Institute) NC, 6'3 Andres Sandoval from Winchendon (School) MA, and 6'4 Michael Cook from New Hampton (Prep) NH. 

Our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson tells us that the University of California has landed another junior big man in 6'10 Jr Davis Ellis from Sacramento (Capital Christian) CA and, as a result, the Golden Bears' recruiting class moves up to #14 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2004.  If you will recall, just a couple of days ago we told you that California also had gotten a early commitment from 6'11 Jr Sam Rayburn from Portland (Sunset) OR.  Johnson also informs us that Miami-FL has landed 6'3 Guillermo Diaz from Miami (Christian) FL.  And, if Diaz is half as good as Miami (Christian) FL head coach Art Alvarez thinks he is, this is a major steal!  Diaz appears to be following in the footsteps of 5'11 Jose Juan Barea, who transferred from Puerto Rico to Miami (Christian) FL a year ago and turned out to be one of the biggest sleepers in the senior class nationally, as well as one of the best point guards still available last spring.  However, Diaz is supposed to make Barea, who was ranked #130 nationally in the senior class nationally in our final rankings of the Class of 2002, look like just an ordinary player.  Yes, Diaz is supposed to be that good and, as a result, Miami-FL's recruiting class, which also includes 6'9 Leonard Harden from Garden City (JC) KS, 6'6 Eliiah Clark from Winchendon (School) MA, 7'0 Yankuba Camera from Moberly (JC) MO, and 6'2 Greg Brown from Indiana Hills (JC) IA, moves up to #3 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Johnson also has confirmed that 6'8 Mike Pilgrim from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH did sign and return his National Letter-of-Intent to the University of Cincinnati.  Apparently there were rumors earlier in the week about Pilgrim possibily reneging on the Bearcats, so this is impoortant to clear up.  We also have confirmed that 6'7 James White, who is transferring from the Florida, plans to make an official visit to Cincinnati this weekend.  Missouri, Syracuse, and Georgia Tech also are in the hunt for White's services, but the smart money appears to be on the Bearcats.  We also are still wondering what it going to happen with 6'9 Boubacar Coly from Laurinburg (Institute) NC, 6'8 Brandon Bass from Baton Rouge (Capital) LA, and 6'11 James Lang from Birmingham (Central Park Christian) AL.  If Mississippi gets Coly, their recruiting class, which currently is ranked #79 and includes 6'9 Byron Burnett from Southern Union (JC) AL, 6'5 Patrick Fields from San Antonio (John Jay) TX, and 6'4 Jara Doyne from Little Rock (Mills) AR, would move into a tie at #51, along with West Virginia, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  If LSU gets Bass, their recruiting class, which currently is ranked #16 and includes 6'7 Regis Koundjia from Laurinburg (Institute) NC, 5'10 Taurean Minor from Houston (Washington) TX, 6'8 Ross Neltner from Ft. Thomas (Highlands) KY, and 6'7 Darrell Lazare from Baton Rouge (Woodlawn) LA, would move up to #1 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  However, even if LSU gets Bass and Louisville gets Lang, then the Cardinals' recruiting class, which currently is ranked #9 and includes 6'7 Nate Daniels form Broward County (JC) FL, 6'10 Nauha Diakite from Barton County (JC) KS, and 6'4 Brandon Jenkins from Detroit (Southeastern) MI, would move into the #1 spot on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  In other words, there are still some very important things yet to be decided, like who is going to emerge with the #1-ranked recruiting class - Maryland, which currently is ranked #1 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, Louisville, or LSU?   Stay tuned! 

Our Georgia Editor Linzy Davis tells us that 6'10 Alexander Johnson from North Bridgton (Bridgton Academy) ME has not re-signed a National Letter-of-Intent with the University of Georgia this fall and, as a result, his recruitment has been re-opened.  Obviously schools like Alabama, Auburn, and , which are all located geographically close to Albany, GA, which is where Johnson lived prior to going the prep school route this year, will be in the mix.  Also already showing interest are North Carolina, Charlotte, Memphis, Colorado, Louisville, Kansas, Syracuse, and Miami-FL, but when it's all said and done, Davis still thinks it's going to be tough to beat Georgia for Johnson's services.   In other words, it may turn out to be a replay of a year ago when Johnson claimed he was wide open right up until the day he signed the National Letter-of-Intent with the University of Georgia.  But if that happens, something else unexpected has to happen, because the Georgia already has five players in the fold in 6'9 Mohamed Abukar from San Diego (Rancho Bernardo) CA, 6'8 Marcus Jackson from South Plains (JC) TX, 6'10 Cassiano Matheus from South Plains (JC) TX, 6'8 Corey Gibbs from Stone Mountain (Redan) GA, and 6'4 Jordan Howell from Madison (Abbeville) AL.  However, if Johnson does reaffirm his commitment to the Bulldogs at some point in the future and they decide to figure out the scholarship situation later, the Bulldogs' recruiting class, which currently checks in at #17 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, would move all the way up to #3 behind Maryland and Illinois and ahead of Oklahoma and Cincinnati.  Another person who no longer has any credibility with us is Wesley Washington's mother.  If you will recall, she repeatedly had told our West Coast Editor Dinos Trigonis that her son was going to wait until spring before signing National Letter-of-Intent with anybody.  But Trigonis now is telling us that this 6'3 athletic slashing two guard who was the highest ranked wing player still available in the high school ranks today has signed with the Golden Gophers.  We still haven't confirmed this as official, but we'd be surprised if this hasn't happened, because there are quotes in the public domain by Minnesota head coach Dan Monson talking about Washington's game.  Remember, a college coach can't talk about a recruit until after he has the signed National Letter-of-Intent in hand.  So we're declaring the race for Washington official and his commitment to Minnesota moves the Golden Gophers recruiting clas up to #78 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  If you will recall, earlier this fall Minnesota also landed 6'7 Kerry Woolridge from San Leandro (H.S.) CA, which means they obviously are taking advantage of Monson's strong West Coast ties, especially since all the top seniors in the state - 6'8 Kris Humphries from Minnetonka (Hopkins) MN to Duke, 6'9 Longar Longar from Rochester (John Marshall) MN to Oklahoma, 6'2 Lawrence Taylor from Minneapolis (Patrick Henry) MN to Oklahoma, 6'1 Kammron Taylor from Minneapolis (North) MN to Wisconsin, 6'8 Dan Coleman from Minnetonka (Hopkins) MN to Boston College, 6'9 Jon Williams from St. Cloud (Apollo) MN to St. John's, 6'8 Dan Fitzgerald from St. Paul (St. Thomas Academy) MN to Tulane - have gotten away.  Obviously NCAA sanctions have hurt the Golden Gophers' this year, especially when recruiting in their backyard, but we don't think this will be a long term trend.  As a matter of fact, they already have early verbal commitments from 6'8 Jr Spencer Tollackson from Chaska (H.S.) MN and 6'4 Jr Miles Webb from Brooklyn (Park -Center) MN, who are widely regarded as the top two juniors in the state.  Speaking of Minnesota's two early commitments, did you know that the Goldden Gophers are tied with Michigan State at #10 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2004, which we just added to exclusively to the Members Section today?  However, this still doesn't get Minnesota ranked any higher than tied for 5th with Michigan State in the Big-10, as six of the top 11 recruiting classes are from that conference.  Also well represented is the Atlantic Coast Conference, which accounts for three of top six and four of the top 14 classes on our list of early verbal commitments.  The only other conference with more than one team ranked among the top 15 recruiting classes on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2004 is the Pacific-10 with USC, Arizona, and California.

Wednesday, November 20, 2002

The HOOP SCOOP has confirmed that Kansas State has landed 6'8 Jeremiah Massey from Oxnard (JC) CA, who is ranked as the #2 power forward in the junior college ranks by Lindy's Basketball Pre-Season Yearbook and as the #8 power forward in the junior college ranks by the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook.  This is big, because Massey is exactly what the Wildcats will need to replace 6'9 Jr Previs Pasco inside a year from now.  Actually Massey, who both scores and rebounds well around the basket, is better offensively right now than Pasco and, as a result, it continues to look like it's only a matter of time before Kansas State head coach Jim Wooldridge elevates the Wildcats into one of the powerhouse teams in the tough Big-12 Conference.  If you will recall, two years ago Kansas State had the 19th best recruiting class by the HOOP SCOOP and a year ago they followed that up with the 10th best recruiting class, which explains why Kansas State has the 13th highest talent rating in the nation based on our Exclusive HOOP SCOOP Talent Ratings for all Teams in the Top 10 Division I Conferences.   It also explains why we think this may be one of the biggest sleepers in the college basketball this season.  And this year Kansas State appears to be on the verge of its third straight top 20 recruiting class, as they currently have the #11-ranked recruiting class in the nation on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  If you will recall, we've already reported that they had verbal commitments from 5'7 Dez Willingham from De Soto (H.S.) TX, 6'8 Cartier Martin from Aldine (Nimitz) TX, and 6'4 Lance Harris from Columbia (Hickman) MO, but we also have learned that the Wildcats have landed 6'10 Tyler Hughes from Olathe (North Olathe) KS.  Which means Kansas State should continue to improve a year from now, despite the fact three starters - Pasco, 6'8 Sr Matt Siebrandt, and 6'5 Gilson DeJesus - will graduate after this season.  In addition to Massey, who will step into Pasco's spot, 6'7 Frosh Marques Hayden should be ready to take over for Siebrandt; Martin, Harris, and 6'3 Jr Tim Ellis all will get playing time at both the two and the three spots; and the backcourt should be terrific with 6'2 Jr Frank Richards, who is ranked as the #3 incoming junior college point guard by Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook, and 6'4 Jarrett Hart, who is ranked as the #4 incoming junior college shooting guard by Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook, and Willingham, who is ranked #37 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  In other words, it should be only a matter of time before everybody else starts jumping on this bandwagon.  Another program that has gotten it done during the last year-and-a-half via the junior college route is Texas Tech.   Remember, Red Raiders head coach Bob Knight's first recruiting class in the spring of 2001 was ranked #13 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, and it included 6'7 Sr Kasib Powell, 6'8 Sr Pawel Storozynski, 5'11 Sr Will Chavis, and 6'6 Sr Nick Valdez, who figure to be four of the five Texas Tech's starters this year, along with 6'5 Jr Andre Emmett, who is expected to be one of the best players.  Last year Texas Tech also landed 6'8 Robert Tomaszek from Eastern Wyoming (JC) WY and in the current recruiting class they have added 6'8 DeVonene Giles from Seward County (JC) KS.  However, just like Oklahoma did a year ago after landing the #2 and #6 ranked recruiting classes by the HOOP SCOOP in 2000 and 2001and Kansas State appears to be doing now, our guess is that Texas Tech will focus more on high school players in the future.  As a matter, our Texas Editor Wes Grandstaff tells us that the Red Raiders already have a verbal commitment from 6'8 Soph Justin Wilkerson from Greenville (H.S.) TX.   Not only has Wilkerson grown four inches in the last year, but he can shoot the lights out and, as a result, Grandstaff is touting him as a top 50 sophomore nationally.    Wilkerson not only is one of the top sophomores in Texas, but he also is the first player that we know of  in the Class of 2005 nationally to have made a verbal commitment this early.  Grandstaff also thinks Wilkerson has surpassed 6'10 Soph Kendrick Johnson from Morton (H.S.) TX, who has an 8th grader was the #1-ranked player in his class, but hasn't developed and progressed as expected.  Johnson still has the size and athleticism to write his own ticket someday, but, like so many players from the Deep South, it appears he's going to need somebody to push him, if he wants to be successful at the next level.  And we all know Bob Knight is tailor made for the job.  However, in light of the fact that Johnson hasn't lived up to all the early hype, it now appears that he may need Knight more than Knight needs him. 

Tuesday, November 19, 2002

Last week we told you that 6'8 Ivan Lopez from Norfolk (Ryan Academy) VA and 6'7 Keena Young from Beaumont (Ozen) TX both were on the verge of signing with the University of Memphis this fall.  Well, our Mid-South Editor Jim Rothman is now telling us to write it down.  Lopez is best described as a blue collar power forward who is good on the boards and effective around the basket.  Young is big time athletic who can beat you with his outside shooting and ability to slash to the basket.  In other words, neither player is the type of player you're going to build your program, but both players, who are consensus 100-200 seniors nationally, should be important pieces to the puzzle, as Tigers head coach John Calipari continues to rebuild the Memphis program into a national power.  They also should provide the perfect complement to two players who are good enough to build your program around.  If you will recall, earlier this fall Memphis also landed 6'10 Kendrick Perkins from Beaumont (Ozen) TX and 6'7 Sean Banks from Oradell (Bergen Catholic) NJ, both of whom are consensus top 20 seniors nationally and both of whom should be locks for the prestigious McDonald's All-American Game next spring.  This not only moves Memphis' recruiting class moves up to #11 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, but it also means that Calipari has added the perfect complement to all the good young players - 6'4 Soph Anthony Rice, 6'5 Soph Billy Richmond, 6'8 Soph Arthur Barclay, 6'9 Soph Duane Erwin, 6'3 Frosh Jeremy Hunt, 6'7 Frosh Almamy Thiero, 6'0 Frosh Clyde Wade, and 6'7 Frosh Rodney Carney - that he already has in the program.  This also puts the Memphis coaching staff into a very enviable position, because, by our count, they only have one scholarship left for next year's recruiting class.  However, that's assuming that Wade, who currently is a walk-on, gets a scholarship a year from now (if that doesn't happen, they would have two scholarships available next year).  Our New York City Editor Ron Naclerio tells us that Oklahoma State has signed 6'9 Tremaine Fuqua from Skyline (JC) CA, Texas El-Paso has signed 6'2 Sheldon Pace from Chaffey (JC) CA, and Wisconsin-Milwaukee has signed 6'3 Ed McCants from Paris (JC) TX.  And in each case, it's pretty huge.  Did you know that McCants is ranked as the #2 2-guard in the junior college ranks by the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook, Pace is ranked #4 among junior college point guards by Lindy's Pre-Season Magazine, and Fuqua is the #5-ranked junior college power forward by the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook?  McCants also is the second big time junior college player that Wisconsin-Milwaukee head coach Bruce Pearl has landed in the last week.  Remember, Pearl got an verbal commitment from 6'10 Jr Derrick Ford from Olney Central (JC) IL, who is one of the top freshman big man prospects in the junior college ranks.  Pace is a great first recruit for new UTEP head coach Bill Gillispie, but it's our guess that he will do most of his recruiting damage in the state of Texas.  Remember, nobody has more contacts in the Lone Star state than Gillispie.  Fuqua should provide Oklahoma State head coach Eddie Sutton with the one thing that Cowboys don't have a lot of this year.  Obviously we're talking about size inside, as the Cowboys are expected to start 6'8 Ivan McFarlan, 6'8 Jason Miller, and 6'5 Melvin Sanders up front this season.  Fuqua also promises to be be the perfect complement to Joey Graham and Stephen Graham, who transferred last spring from Central Florida and are sitting out at Oklahoma State this season.  However, the Graham's won't count in the current recruiting class, because we don't count transfers when ranking recruiting classes.  We also are waiting to see if Youngstown State can seal the deal by tomorrow with 5'11 Mike Woodard from Fairburn (Creekside) GA.  If you will recall, tomorrow is the final day a prospective basketball player can sign a binding National Letter-of-Intent with a four-year school.  And, if Youngstown State doesn't get this done immediately, the likelihood that Woodard will go elsewhere in the spring increases dramatically.  If Woodard does sign with Penguins tomorrow, he would join 6'6 John Barber from Detroit (Renaissance) MI, who has already signed with Youngstown State.  However, he won't join 6'2 Curtis Ingram from Youngstown (Cardinal Mooney) OH.  Previously it had been reported that Ingram had elected to stay home and attend Youngstown State.  However, now we've received word that Ingram has signed with Wofford.  Our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin tells us that New Hampshire had landed 6'3 Alray Taylor from North Bridgton (Bridgton Academy) ME, 6'7 Craig Walls from Kansas City (JC) KS, and 6'8 Damione Lidgel from Kansas City (JC) KS.  We also confirmed several days ago that Morehead State has gotten 6'10 Kevin McDonald from Harrison (H.S.) OH and this is interesting for several reasons.  First, this keeps the Eagles Ohio-connection going.    Remember, 6'4 Jr Ricky Minard and 6'0 Jr Marquis Sykes, who combine to form what many believe is the best backcourt in the Ohio Valley Conference, are both from Mansfield (H.S.) OH; 6'7 Soph Chad McKnight is from Lancaster (H.S.) OH; and 6'0 Josh Reed, who is signed with the Eagles this fall, is from East Liverpool (H.S.) OH.  Second, McDonald, who was ranked #86 in the state in his class by our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson, is a good shot blocker and a late developer.  In other words, McDonald has the potential to develop into the replacement for 6'9 Sr Ike Lopez, who will graduate after this season, and the size Eagles head coach Kyle Macy will need inside a year from now to complement Minard, Sykes, and Kyle Hankins out on the perimeter. 

Monday, November 18, 2002

The word on the street is that 6'10 Wayne Marshall from Philadelphia (Martin Luther King) PA is going to sign with Temple tomorrow.  Not only does our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin confirm this, but thinks this is a great get for the Owls, despite the fact that Marshall is ranked no higher than #114 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  If you will recall, Marshall didn't play well when we saw him last summer at the adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas, NV.  However, Rubin reminds us that Marshall spent most of the summer in summer school and, as a result, doesn't think we saw Marshall at his best.  "Marshall has great hands and feet, good post moves, the abilty to step out and it the 15-foot jumper, and is excellent at blocking shots," says Rubin.  "He's also tough on the boards and is still only 16-years-old.  He won't be 17 until January, which meams his upside unlimited."  Rubin also points out that Marshall's father, Wayne Marshall Sr, was a basketball player in late 1970's at Philadelphia (Germantown) PA and he tells us that Temple head coach John Chaney made Marshall a recruiting priority last winter, as he was seen at several of his games.  However, the guy who did most of the leg work and, as a result, deserves most of the credit is Owls assistant coach Dan Leibovitz, who is quickly establishing himself as one of the top young assistants in the business.  If you will recall, Temple is a tough sell these days, because nobody is sure how much longer Chaney is going to coach.  However, with the addition of Marshall and 6'3 Mario Taybron from Norfolk (Ryan Academy) VA, who is ranked #10 on our 5th year list, already in the fold, Temple's recruiting clas moves into a tie at #58, along with Georgia, Utah, and Richmond, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  And this comes on the heels of Temple's recruiting class a year ago, which was ranked #57 in our final ranking of the Top Recruiting Classes for 2002 and included 6'6 Michael Blackshear from Philadelphia (Simon Gratz) PA, 7'0 Keith Butler from Philadelphia (Celestial Prep) PA, 6'7 Antywane Robinson from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA, 6'5 Maurice Collins from Philadelphia (Simon Gratz) PA, and 6'1 Chris Gaither from Leitchfield (Grayson County) KY.  Speaking of these freshmen, Blackshear is sitting out as Prop 48 casuality, but Butler, Robinson, and Collins will probably start this season, along with 6'6 Sr Alex Wesby and 6'4 Soph Nile Murray.  In other words, if Chaney can survive the growing pains his extremely young Owls teams is sure to face this season, it wouldn't be a surprise if this Hall of Fame coaches another four or five years.  Rubin also has the scoop on 6'5 Donald Brown from Oakdale (St. Thomas More) CT and 6'7 John Clark from Tulsa (Cascia Hall) OK, both of whom have signed with Bucknell.   And in both cases, it looks like this Patriot League school has done well.   Clark is a legitimate top 500 senior nationally and Brown plays for one of the premier high school/prep school coaches in the nation in Jere Quinn.  

The HOOP SCOOP has confirmed that the University of New Orleans has signed 6'10 Ben Elias from Ocala (Christian Shores Academy) FL and 6'8 Nate Parker from Odessa (JC) TX.   Neither player has big name recognition, but they both are exactly what the doctor ordered, because Privateers head coach Monte Towe will need all the help he can get inside afer this season.  Remember, 6'7 Sr Hector Romero, who averaged 20.2 ppg and 10.8 rpg a year ago and is a consensus top five player in the league; 6'10 Sr Nerijus Lisauskas, who started 24 games at center last year; 6'9 Sr Jason Mann, who was the top front-line reserve a year ago; will all graduate after this season.  Actually they are re-signing Elias after stashing him this fall at Christian Shores Academy.  Parker, who red-shirted in junior college a year ago and, as a result, will still have three years of eligibility remaining when he arrives a year from now at New Orleans, is 6'8, 245 lbs., and, just like Elias, is big, physical, and good on the block.  This means that Privateers assistant coaches Patrick Harrington, who is one of the most astute evaluators of talent in the game, and Nikita Johnson, who is one of the best closers in the business, are halfway home in terms of landing the four players New Orleans hopes to sign in this recruiting class.  Our guess is that New Orleans will wait until spring to land yet a third big man, but they may be at the right spot at the right time to get the wing forward of their dreams.  Remember, it was announced over the weekend that 6'5 Dwayne Mitchell from New Orleans (John F. Kennedy) LA, who was ranked #27 in our final rankings of the top seniors nationally in the Class of 2001, has left Auburn and returned home to New Orleans, LA to "attend family matters."   And, if Mitchell were to transfer to New Orleans, he would be the highest ranked player the Privateers have landed since they signed 6'8 Melvin Simon from Marrero (Archbishop Shaw) LA, who was ranked among the top 20 seniors nationally by the HOOP SCOOP a dozen years ago.  Mitchell would not count towards the Privateers current recruiting class, because it is our editorial policy not to count transfers when ranking recruiting classes.  However, Mitchell, would be one of the final pieces to the puzzle as Towe and his staff attempt to turn the New Orleans program into one of the perennial powers in the Sun Belt Conference once again, along with Western Kentucky, Louisiana-Lafayette, and New Mexico State, in only a couple of years.  If you will recall, shortly after the current staff got the job a year-and-a-half ago, New Orleans landed a recruiting class that was ranked #21 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP and included Romero, Lisauskas, 6'0 Johnell Smith from Santa Fe (JC) FL, 6'10 Andriy Sukhotin from Mississippi Gulf Coast (JC) MS, and 6'8 Victor Brown from Orlando (Edgewater) FL two years ago.  Then they followed that up with another recruiting class that was ranked #39 nationally by the HOOP SCOOP and included Smith again, Elias, 6'8 Billy McDade from Largo (H.S.) FL, 6'9 Shawn Molloy from Raeford (Hock County) NC, and 6'7 Tommy Biggans from Vero Beach (H.S.) FL a year ago.  

We also have confirmed that the University of California has gotten an early commitment from 6'11 Jr Sam Rayburn from Portland (Sunset) OR, who is ranked #244 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  And, while the top 250 range nationally is probably about right for Rayburn right now, we really liked his upside when we saw him last spring at the Kingwood Classic in Houston, TX while playing on the Portland Legends team, which featured 6'0 Derek Ravio from Vancouver (Mountain View) WA.  Rayburn becomes the 23rd player in the junior class nationally to have made an early verbal commitment, which is just one more illustration of just how much the recruiting process has been speeded up in the last few years.  Reggie Tisdale of Indiana Basketball News tells us that 6'1 Todd Abernathy from Indianapolis (Heritage Christian) IN has not nor is he close to making a verbal commitment to Evansville.  At one time Evansville was believed to be the leader, but more recently the Aces dropped out of the hunt and, instead, it now looks like Wright State is the school you have to beat.  However, according to Tisdale, Abernathy, who is ranked #266 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, plans to wait until spring before making a final decision.  Apparently Abernathy has hopes that a bigger school will come calling.  And the same thing appears to be happening with 5'11 Mike Woodard from Fairburn (Creekside) GA, who, according to our Georgia Editor Linzy Davis, has verbally committed to Youngstown State, but hasn't signed a binding National Letter-of-Intent yet.  In Abernathy's case, Wright State is probably the perfect fit.  Remember, Ed Schilling is one of the bright young head coaches in the game today, he has strong ties to the state of Indiana dating back to his days as a high school coach at Logansport (H.S.) IN, and 6'2 Sr Vernard Hollins will graduate after this season.  And, if that weren't enough, Wright State's recruiting class, which also includes 6'8 Matt Webster from Westfield (H.S.) IN, who was sensational when we saw him last summer at the adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas, NV and, as a result, now ranks among our top 100 seniors nationally, and 6'6 Vladimiras Severovas from Beverly Hills (Groves) MI, who is a legitimate 100-300 level player nationally, is already tied at #85, along with Clemson, Gonzaga, Purdue, Tennessee, and Kentucky, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.   Woodard probably will be able to do better than Youngstown State.  But, then again, he not only would be one of the better players in the Horizon Conference, but he also would be one of the key players that Penguins head coach John Robic builds the program around.  In other words, sometimes it's better to be a big fish in a small pond, instead of being a small fish in a big pond, which might be the case, if Woodard picks a school at too high a level.  Davis also tells us that the National Junior College Athletic Association has ruled Rashaad Carruth ineligible to play this season at Indian Hills (JC) IA.  But Carruth will have three years of college eligibility remaining, if he graduates in time to transfer to a four-year school next fall.  Davis also informs us that 6'5 Jr Dwayne Day has transferred from Vadalia (H.S.) GA to Mt. Vernon (Montgomery County) GA and 6'11 Shawn Taylor has transferred from Vienna (Dooley County) GA to Perry (H.S.) GA.   However, the most interesting transfer news comes from our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson, who informs us that 6'9 Soph Joey Cameron has transferred from Calere (H.S.) AL to Birmingham (Central Park Christian) AL, where he will team with 6'11 James Lang to form an incredible one-two punch inside for this small Christian school in Birmingham, AL.

Saturday, November 16, 2002, and Sunday, November 17, 2002

With five guards (T.J. Ford, Jason Gardner, Brandin Knight, Kirk Hinrich, and Reece Gaines) on our First Team All-American Team and four more guards (Dwayne Wade, Luke Ridnour, Maurice Williams, and Hollis Price) on our Second Team All-American Team, it is easy to conclude this is the "Year-of-the-Guard" in college basketball.  However, with the overwhelming number of college players who have declared hardship for the NBA Draft and the alarming number of high school players who have by-passed college and entered their names into the NBA Draft in recent years, every year might be the "Year of the Guard" in college basketball from here on out.    Remember, there is a tremendous premium on size in the NBA and ready or not most of the top big guys in this day-and-age are going to go prematurely to The League.    However, the opposite appears to be true with the top guards.  Obviously there are a few exceptions, like Dajuan Wagner and Jason Williams, but most of the top guards that have come out early in recent years (i.e. Omar Cook and Marcus Taylor) would have been better served if they had remained in college for at least another year or two.  Which means that one of the biggest trends in college basketball is for great guards to dominate the game and who fits that description better than T.J. Ford, who is one of the few players we've ever seen who is capable of dominating a game without ever scoring a point.    He also has the explosiveness, athleticism, and moves to get to the basket just like Allen Iverson.  But, unlike Iverson, Ford makes his teammates better and never worries much about get his own points and accolades.  Ford also makes great decisions and is big in the clutch, as was evident on Friday night against Georgia in the second game of the Coaches versus Cancer Doubleheader at Madison Square Garden when he iced the game with an incredible drive to the basket.  In other words, despite his lack of size, Ford is the quintessential player necessary to lead a team to the NCAA Final Four and/or National Championship.  And so are an overwhelming number of the other 25 guards who were named to our 10 five-man All-American Teams, which were determined regardless of class and/or position.  We also provide you with three All-Freshmen Teams, a First Team All Junior All-Junior College Transfer Team, and a First Team All-Transfer Team and all this is available by clicking on HOOP SCOOP's 2002-2003 Pre-Season College All-American Teams.  And this wraps up everything that is available in our 2002-2003 College Basketball Section, which includes 2002-2003 Exclusive HOOP SCOOP Talent Ratings for Teams in the Top 10 Division I Conferences, Career Coaching Records and Ranking by Number of Wins for All Division I Head Coaches, multiple lists Tracking the Top Division I Head Coaches (Both Active and All Time), and NCAA Tournament Information (Past, Present, & Future), in this section and HOOP SCOOP's 2002-2003 Pre-Season Top 30 College Teams, and Pre-Season College Team Ranking Comparisons for the 2002-2003 Season in the Members Section. 

Friday, November 15, 2002

Our New York City Editor Ron Naclerio tells us that he talked with James White, who announced that he will transfer from the University of Florida earlier this week, at the Coaches versus Cancer doubleheader last night at Madison Square Garden and it appears that three schools (Missouri, Cincinnati, and Syracuse) are at the top of White's list.  We also have heard from other sources that Georgia Tech and Indiana are also involved and that his parents and others advising him what White to take his time and explore all of his options.  This is important, because other people seem to think that Cincinnati is the heavy favorite and, as a result, it's only a matter of time before the Bearcats get this one done.  If you will recall, White, who was ranked as the #1 5th year player by the HOOP SCOOP two year ago, is a phenomenal athlete who thrives in a uptempo setting, but needs to work on his outside shooting and other perimeter skills.  In other words, White is a stereotypical Bobby Huggins type player.  We also know that Cincinnati has one more scholarship available and they are looking for the best available player to complement their current recruiting class, which is ranked #4 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003 and includes 6'10 Robert Whaley from Barton County (JC) KS, 6'4 Nick Williams from Chipola (JC) FL, and 6'8 Mike Pilgrim from Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH.  However, if the Bearcats get White, we would not include him with the Bearcats' current recruiting class.  Remember, it's not our editorial policy to include transfers when ranking recruiting classes.  Speaking of Cincinnati's recruiting class, we think it perfectly illustrates a point that we've been harping on more and more as time goes on.  If you're a school like Cincinnati, Oklahoma, Iowa State, Kansas State, or Texas Tech, which already are top level programs or rapidly moving in that direction, you often aren't going to get the respect that you deserve.  And a big part of the problem is that junior college players don't get the same type of notoriety that the top high school players do, especially if they  are McDonald's All-Americans.  Remember, when Oklahoma advanced to the NCAA Final Four last March, everybody talked about the fact that the Sooners didn't have any McDonald's All-Americans on the roster and, as a result, most people assumed that they didn't have that much talent.  And they still don't have a McDonald's All-American on the roster, but the Sooners do have the 5th highest talent rating in college basketball by the HOOP SCOOP and, despite last night's opening game loss to Alabama, is one of the pre-season favorites to win the National Championship this season.  This also comes into play when everybody ranks their top recruiting classes this time of year and contrasting Arizona's recruiting class with Cincinnati's recruiting class is especially interesting.  Dave Telep of the InsidersHoops.com, who is widely recognized as one of the top people in the business, told me today that the criteria that he used to rank the Wildcats recruiting class #1 in the nation on his web site was the fact that Lute Olson signed the best power forward - 6'10 Ndudi Ebi from Houston (Westbury Christian) TX - the best point guard - 6'3 Mustafa Shakur from Wynnewood (Friends Central) PA - in the nation.  And, while we agree with Telep on this point, I also think is important to look a little deeper when comparing the two classes.  As a matter of fact, Arizona's third recruit - 6'10 Kirk Walters from Grand Rapids (South Christian) MI - is not ranked among our top 100 senior nationally and, as a result, the Wildcats recruiting class doesn't measure up with the classes that are ranked ahead of it once you go past two players.  In contrast, Cincinnati's recruiting class includes the #1-ranked junior college player in Whaley, a top five junior college player in Williams, and the #6-ranked 5th year player by the HOOP SCOOP in Pilgrim.   So, if we break it down on a scale of 1-100, with 100 being the best and one being the worst, I'd make Ebi's worth 95 points, Shakur worth 93 points, and Walters worth 30 points for a total of 218 points.  In contrast, I'd make Whaley worth 92 points, Williams worth 90 points, and Pilgram worth 80 points for a total of 262.  However, to play devils advocate for a second, the word we get from those who have seen Whaley play this fall, he still doesn't play hard all the time and often doesn't use his size to dominant inside the way he should and, as a result, it appears that he still has the same old question marks that haunted him in high school.  So let's assume that we have Whaley ranked too high and drop him to 80 points or even 60 points.  That would mean that Cincinnati still would be ranked 12 to-32 points ahead of Arizona.  In other words, we not only disagree with Telep, but we don't think it's even close.  Part of the problem is that Telep doesn't appear to know how good Pilgrim has gotten since we all saw him last spring at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions.  And the same thing often happens with junior college players, because we're often only as good as our sources.  Remember, our beat his watching the top high school players in the nation and we're often dependent upon second hand information when ranking junior college players.  And compounding the problem even further is the status quo mentality that a lot of people in the business seem to have.  Most people seem to think that if you land three or four McDonald's All-American's, you automatically have the best recruiting class.  However, I never know how it's going to turn out until I've assigned every player a rating on a 1-10 scale and add up all the numbers.  Sure, we miss the boat sometimes, but our track record is pretty good.  If you will recall, we were the first one to have 6'7 Carmelo Anthony from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA ranked as the #1 player in the Class of 2002.  Actually we were out there all by ourself on this one for about eight months and, even in the end, not very many people had Anthony ranked as the #1 player nationally in his class.  However, we look pretty good right now, especially after his 27 points last night versus Memphis in the first game of the Coaches versus Cancer doubleheader.  We also had another player - 6'8 Kevin Bookout from Stroud (H.S.) OK - in that doubleheader ranked higher than anybody else in his class in our final rankings.  If you will recall, we had Bookout, who now appears to be one of the leading candidates for Freshman-of-the-Year in college basketball this year, along with Anthony, ranked #10 nationally, but he wasn't named to the McDonald's All-American Team last spring.  And, as long as we're on the topic of Oklahoma, didn't we have the Sooners' recruiting class ranked #2 in the nation in 1999-2000 ago and #6 in 2000-2001?  And didn't everybody miss on the Sooners pre-season a year ago due exactly to the point we are trying to make?  If you will recall, Oklahoma signed 12 players during that two-year period of which nine were junior college players and one was a 5th year player.  Another player we had a lot higher than everybody else in our final rankings last spring was 6'7 Curtis Withers from Charlotte (West Charlotte) NC.  We had Withers ranked #31 in the nation.  In contrast, Bob Gibbons of All-Stars Sports, which is based in North Carolina, had Withers ranked no higher than #157 in his final rankings.  We bring this up, because the word on the street is that Withers has turned out to be a major surprise in practice this fall and, as a result, will likely be one of the leading candidates for Rookie-of-the-Year honors in Conference USA this season.  And these are only a few of the latest examples.  In other words, our rankings of the top recruiting classes and talent ratings have not only withstood the test of time, but the insight we provide you with isn't available anywhere else and our ability to put all the pieces together and analyze whatever information is at hand is second to none. 

Thursday, November 14, 2002

Yesterday we told you that only four of our top 50 and 11 of our top 100 ranked seniors nationally were still still available.   Well, those numbers have been cut to three and 10 today, because 6'8 Paul Millsap from Grambling (H.S.) LA, who is ranked #28 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, made it official for Louisiana Tech at 9:00 CST this morning.  Obviously this is an absolute steal for Bulldogs, which already have one of the best programs in the Western Athletic Conference.  However, Louisiana Tech needs to have a big recruiting year this year, because the Bulldogs will lose five senior starters in Zach Johnson, Antonio Meeking,  Darrian Brown, Michael Wilder, and Lavelle Felton.  And Louisiana Tech appears to be well on its way, because they also have landed 6'0 Solomon Brown from Cypress (JC) CA, who was the starting point guard a year ago started at Iona, and re-signed 6'7 Barry Thompson from Odessa (JC) TX, who was ranked as the #8 wing forward in the junior college ranks a year ago by the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook, but who is sitting out this year, as he attempts to become eligible academically.  Louisiana Tech's recruiting class currently is ranked #23 on our list of the on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  But they also are one of the favorites for 6'3 JueMichael Young from Chipola (JC) FL, who was ranked #6 among 2-guards by Rick Ball in this year's Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook.  And, if they get Young in the spring, their recruiting class would be tied with Wake Forest at #10 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  Getting back to Millsap, he came on like gangbusters this spring, but it wasn't until the NIKE All-American Camp in July, where he finished ranked #7 in camp by the HOOP SCOOP, that he established himself as one of the top inside players in the nation.  He needs to continue to develop his offensive skills, but he's extremely active around the basket, as he blocks shots, rebounds, and doesn't take any prisoners at the defensive end.   

Our New York City Editor Ron Naclerio tells us that 7'0 Jack Marlow from Salt Lake City (JC) UT has signed with Fresno State, 6'2 David Truesdale from Dodge City (JC) KS has signed with UNC-Wilmington, and 6'3 Edgar Moreno from Lon Morris (JC) TX.  If you will recall, Marlow originally signed with Oklahoma State two years ago.  And once again, the Cowboys were among the three finalists, along with Utah State and Fresno State, for Marlow.  Truesdale, who was supposed to be one of the biggest sleepers in the junior college ranks, verbally committed earlier this fall to the College of Charleston.  However, he apparently changed his mind when it came time to sign on the dotted line.  And this drops the Cougars' recruiting class, which also includes 5'11 Dontaye Draper from Pawling (Trinity Pawling) NY, 6'9 Jeff Horowitz from Charlotte (North Mecklenburg) MD, and 6'7 Jabyron Wilson from Lake City (H.S.) SC, from #41 into a tie at #68, along with Hofstra, Butler, SMU, Oregon State, Hampton, Drexel, and Lamar, on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  It also explains why College of Charleston head coach Tommy Herrion accepted a verbal commitment from Wilson a week ago.  At the time, Wilson's commitment caught our attention, because we knew the Cougars only have three scholarships available in this recruiting class.  But obviously Herrion knew something we didn't.   Our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson actually was the one who first told us about Moreno signing with Texas and he suspects that this is insurance in case Terrance Ford goes hardship into the NBA Draft next spring.  Johnson also informs us that the University of Georgia has landed 6'8 Marcus Jackson from South Plains (JC) TX and 6'10 Cassiano Matheus from South Plains (JC) TX.   Apparently when Bulldogs head coach Jim Harrick went to South Plains Junior College this earlier fall to recruit Jackson, who is ranked #5 among power forwards in the junior college ranks in the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook, he liked Matheus well enough to also start recruiting this sleeper who is originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil.  And it's too bad they both can't transfer to Georgia and play this season, because the one thing the Bulldogs don't have right now is size.  Did you know that the tallest players currently in the program are 6'8 Jonas Hayes, 6'7 Chris Daniels, 6'7 Jarvis Haryes, and 6'7 Damien Wilkins?  However, don't feel too bad for Harrick.  Remember, he has all the other ingredients necessary for the Bulldogs to be a legitimate top team college basketball this year and everybody of importance on the roster, except Ezra Williams, is an underclassmen.

Our Ohio Editor Chris Johnson tells us that Mississippi has landed Jara "Bam" Doyne from Little Rock (Mills) AR and, as a result, Ole Miss' recruiting class moves back onto our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.  If you will recall, the Rebels dropped off that list yesterday after 6'9 Emmanuel Willis from Mendenhall (H.S.) MS reneged on his verbal commitment and, instead, signed with Southern Mississippi.  We also need to catch up on some verbal commitments that have slipped past us this fall, like 6'2 Blake Ahearn from St. Louis (De Smet) MO, who is ranked #154 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP; 6'5 Sonny Troutman from Indianapolis (Brebuef) IN, who is ranked #161 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP; 6'3 Jamon Gordon from Jacksonville (Jackson) FL, who is ranked #203 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP; 6'4 Tyler Chaney from Neosho (H.S.) MO, who is ranked #235 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP; and 6'7 Raudal Falker from St. Louis (Gateway) MO, who is ranked #296 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.   We reported in August that we thought Ahearn was close to selecting Southwest Missouri State, but never had any official confirmation until today.  Southwest Missouri State also got Chaney.   Ohio University got a steal in Troutman.  Virginia Tech landed Gordon.   Southern Illinois got Falker.  We also believe that 6'1 Todd Abernathy from Indianapolis (Heritage Christian) IN, who is ranked #266 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, has committed to Evansville, although we haven't received any official confirmation of this yet.  We also reported several days ago that 6'10 Derrick Ford from Olney Central (JC) IL has verbally committed to Wisconsin-Milwaukee, but we didn't get a chance to tell you until now that this is an early commitment for the Class of 2004.  This is important, because Ford is a tremendous defensive presence and incredible shot blocker and, as a result, is getting all kinds of attention from schools at the high major level.   However, the word we get is that he has no intention of reneging on Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which is where he originally committed prior to going the junior college route.  In other words, the schools that keep calling are wasting their time.   This also means that second-year Panthers head coach Bruce Pearl is well on his way towards turning this program into one of the perennial favorites in the Horizon Conference, along with Butler and Detroit.  And this won't be the first time that Pearl has proven to be one of the bright up-and-coming head coaches in the game.   If you will recall, Pearl went 247-58 in nine years at Southern Indiana, which was one of the top Division II programs in the nation during his tenure.

Rob Harrington of PrepStars.com and the Recruiter's Handbook tells us that 6'4 Dwon Youmans from Jacksonville (Arlington Country Day) FL, who is ranked #85 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, has verbally committed to Auburn.  However, Youmans will not sign until spring, because he wants to wait and see what happens with the current NCAA investigation of the Tigers program.  Harrington also tells us that Kansas State has added its third recruit in 6'4 Lance Harris from Columbia (Hickman) MO, who is ranked #205 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP.  This is significant for several reasons, because it appears that Kansas State beat Iowa for Harris' services.   However, Hickman signing with the Wildcats still isn't enough for the Wildcats to pass up the Hawkeyes on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003.   Right now Iowa's recruiting class, which includes 6'8 Nick DeWitz from Mesa (JC) AZ, 6'6 Ben Rand from Rochelle (H.S.) IL, 6'2 Mike Henderson from Waterloo (East) IA, and 6'10 Erek Hansen from Kirkwood (JC) IA, is ranked #26 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, while Kansas State's recruiting class, which includes 5'7 Dez Willingham from  De Soto (H.S.) TX, 6'8 Cartier Martin from Aldine (Nimitz) TX, and Harris, is ranked #29.  And this isn't the first time that Kansas State has gone head-to-head with a big time school in that part of the country and come out on top.   If you will recall, just last week they beat Oklahoma State for Martin and they stole Willingham away from a number of Big-12 Conference schools after the University of Tennessee refused to accept his verbal commitment last spring.  This also comes on the heels of Kansas State's #10-ranked recruiting class a year ago, which includes 6'4 Jarrett Hart from Westark (JC) AR, 6'1 Frank Richards from Olney Central (JC) IL, 6'7 Marques Hayden from Oklahoma City (Putnam City) OK, 6'3 Tim Ellis from Southern Idaho (JC) ID, and 6'4 Marcus Hayes from Ovieda (H.S.) FL, and #19-ranked recruiting class two years ago, which included 6'6 Janerio Spurlock from Chipola (JC) FL, 6'4 Gilson DeJesus from Trinidad State (JC) CO, 6'4 Nick Williams from Mansfield (H.S.) TX, 6'9 Pervis Pasco from Pensacola (JC) FL, 6'6 Marcello DaBarrosa from Brazil, and 6'9 Travis Canby from Fork Union (Military) VA.   Williams has transferred to a junior college, but everybody else of significance from these two recruiting classes is at Kansas State this season and, as a result, we think the Wildcats could be one of the biggest sleepers in colege baskeball this year.   Even further evidence of just how dangerous a team the Wildcats can be this year can be found by clicking on our Exclusive HOOP SCOOP Talent Ratings for all Teams in the Top 10 Division I Conferences.   Remember, we have them ranked #13 based on talent and #28 in our pre-season national rankings.  But we're the only one that seems to have the insight, foresight, and guts to go out on a limb on this one.  As a matter of fact, the only other place we can find Kansas State ranked nationally is #126 by the Sporting News Pre-Season Yearbook.  Another school that has moved onto our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003 is Georgia Southern, which has signed 6'1 Elton Nesbit from Compton (JC) CA, 6'9 Chris Foster from Compton (JC) CA, and 6'8 Luis Graham from West Palm Beach (JC) FL.  Foster, who scores in the low post and bangs inside, and Graham, who is an excellent rebounder and defender, will give the Eagles an added inside presence, while Nesbit, who is a big time athlete, prolific scorer, and one of the fastest rising junior college players on the West Coast, should give Georgia Southern head coach Jeff Price the perfect replacement for 6'2 Julius Jenkins, as well as the ideal complement to 6'1 Soph Terry Williams and 6'1 Jr Prentice Mobley on the perimeter a year from now.

Wednesday, November 13, 2002

Today is the first day that high school, prep school, and junior college players can sign a binding National Letter-of-Intent to play at a four-year Division I school.  So obviously now is the time when all of the national mainstream media will briefly pay some attention to basketball recruiting.  However, for all practical purposes almost everything important has already been played out, as is evident by the fact that only four players ranked among our top 50 seniors nationally and only 11 players ranked among our top 100 seniors nationally are still available.  As a matter of fact, only one player - 6'4 Ronnie Brewer from Fayetteville (H.S.) AR - who is ranked among the top 100 seniors nationally waited until today to make it official.  And it comes as no surprise that Brewer elected to stay home and attend the University of Arkansas.  Not only is Brewer's father one of the legendary three players (Sidney Moncrief, Ron Brewer, and Marvin Delph) that led Arkansas to the NCAA Final Four in 1978, but Brewer's father works for the university in a fund raising capacity.  As soon as we found that out, we knew this one was a done deal.  Remember, the more successful the basketball team is, the more money his father is going to be able to raise for the school.  This also is important significant, because it promises to be the beginning of a trend, whereby, the new regime at Arkansas keeps most of the top players in its backyard at home.  If you will recall, the state has been down in recent years, but there is a lot of great young talent in the state on the horizon.  Brewer, who is ranked #47 nationally in the senior class, is an athletic 2-guard with good size, explosive speed and quickness, and the moves necessary to beat his man to the hole.  However, he also is a match-up problem waiting to happen, because he has the ball handling and passing skills necessary to play point guard at 6'4.  Landing Brewer not only moves Arkansas' recruiting class up to #9 on our list of the Top Recruiting Classes To-Date for the Class of 2003, but it also provides first-year Razorbacks head coach Stan Heath with same type of recruiting class that he became accustomed to signing when he was an assistant coach at Michigan State.  If you will recall, earlier this fall Arkansas also got verbal commitments from 6'5 Olu Famutimi from Flint (Northwestern) MI, 7'0 Julius Lamptey from New Hampton (Prep) NH, and 6'10 Vincent Hunter from Little Rock (Fair) AR.  Our Mississippi Editor Lavel Johnson also tells us 6'9