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Recruiting News
Most recent coverage
WALL CHOOSES KENTUCKY
May 19, 2009
The John Wall saga finally is over. The top-five point guard chose Kentucky over Miami, Duke and many, many others after a protracted struggle that has been the No. 1 recruiting storyline throughout the spring.
Wall at one time had favored Memphis, and when John Calipari made the switch to Kentucky so did Wall's interest. The ultra-athletic 6-4 PG is a likely one-year player and should put together quite a highlight reel in that one year. more...
The outgoing senior class still has a few issues to tie up on the recruiting trail, but we've now digested information from the high school season as well as the postseason and generated our final rankings for the class. Not surprisingly, Naismith player of the year Derrick Favors remains our No. 1 prospect, but he's followed closely by guards Avery Bradley and John Wall.
Meanwhile, players such as Lorenzo Brown, Kawhi Leonard, Keith Gallon and others all made substantial leaps in the rankings. Of course, we won't accurately be able to score the results for a few years, but for now we ponder and share agreements and disagreements. Enjoy! more...
ALEXANDER MAKES HIS PICK
May 14, 2009
Texas A&M landed a very nice commitment, getting the services of TX BF Daniel Alexander. A 6-7 BF at Dripping Springs (TX) High, Alexander chose the Aggies over interest from Texas, Arizona, Southern Cal and others.
For a state that gives its prospects a pretty solid push, Alexander slipped under the radar for a long time. It really wasn't until the Pangos All-American Camp last summer that he made national notice, and since that time he has been a clear high-major target. more...
PAINTER OPTS FOR WOLFPACK
May 13, 2009
N.C. State added to its already outstanding 2009 recruiting class, getting the nod from top-100 VA BF Deshawn Painter, a slender BF who chose the Wolfpack over finalists Maryland and Virginia Tech.
Painter previously had signed with Florida, but he obtained a release from his letter of intent this spring upon deciding to reopen his options. Given his size, length and athletic ability, he should have a very good chance to start as a freshman in Raleigh. more...
SIMMONS CHOOSES HUSKIES
May 12, 2009
On the heels of an excellent spring, Desmond Simmons already had the scholarship offer he wanted and ended his recruitment. The 6-7 BF/WF, a rising senior at Richmond (CA) Salesian, chose Washington over Oregon State and interest from Oregon, Stanford, St. Mary's and Cal.
Simmons was very impressive starting at the Boo Williams Invitational last month. A slender forward who may be more of a 'tweener than one ordinarily would prefer, he nevertheless is very active and athletic, and thus he makes plays irrespective of what position he occupies on the court. more...
HANKERSON MOVING UP, MOVING OVER
May 7, 2009
This past season was filled with success for Charles Hankerson, Jr. The 6-4 WG/PG from Miami (FL) Coral Reef averaged over 18 points a game and upped his average to 22 points a game in the state tournament, hitting for 27 in the title game to lead Coral Reef to its first state title in the largest classification in Florida.
In Hankerson's first outing of the spring, he moved over to the point guard slot and led his Gold Coast team to the title of the 17U Blue Division at the AAU Easter Classic at Disney's Wide World of Sports. more...
BLEDSOE CHOOSES UK
May 6, 2009
Deciding largely between Kentucky and Memphis, No. 2 unsigned PG Eric Bledsoe committed to the 'Cats over the Tigers.
Bledsoe is a widely underrated scorer with big-time quickness and excellent defensive potential. What he doesn't have yet is a consistent jump shot, but that's something he can improve in college. It's certainly true that many spring recruits get oversold due to the scarcity factor, but Bledsoe doesn't figure to be one of those guys. more...
COMMITMENTS ROUNDUP
May 6, 2009
There have been a few major moves in the past few days, so let's catch up with the latest as the spring signing period winds down and the rising senior Class of 2010 begins to fully command the attention on the national recruiting stage.
First, there continues to be no real news on the NC PG John Wall and NY WG Lance Stephenson fronts. more...
JAYHAWK INVITATIONAL: TAKE TWO
May 2, 2009
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Saturday at the Jayhawk Invitational proved to be extremely valuable in terms of watching players we hadn't seen this year, if ever. There were a lot of high-majors and lots of guys who at least should be evaluated by those types of programs during the summer.
Additionally, some of the young guys in attendance were tremendously impressive and deserve immediate consideration for the national rankings. more...
JAYHAWK INVITATIONAL: DAY ONE REPORT
May 1, 2009
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Opening day at the Jayhawk Invitational produced a solid number of high-major players, including some guys we hadn't yet watched this travel season.
The most touted prospect of the day was elite IA WF Harrison Barnes, and not surprisingly he was among the most productive guys as well. In addition, however, AZ WG Royce Woolridge and GA PG/WG Ryan Harrow also were outstanding. more...
SIDNEY FINALIZES; WEEKEND PREVIEW
May 1, 2009
Pardon the pun, but one of the big dogs in the senior class is off the board. Days after backing off a pledge to Southern Cal, MS/CA big man Renardo Sidney has signed with Mississippi State.
Sidney's journey has taken him from the Magnolia State to California, different high schools and through a winding set of turns relating to his recruitment. The Bulldogs ultimately won out, and what is likely to be a one-year experience could result in huge gains on the court for MSU. more...
KENNEDY CHOOSES VILLANOVA
April 30, 2009
Villanova has added one of the rising underclassmen big men to the fold, getting the nod from Markus Kennedy. Kennedy, a 6-8 rising senior C at Pennsauken (NJ) Apex, has enjoyed a very good spring with Team Final.
And now, following in the recent footsteps of VU big men such as Will Sheridan, Kennedy will be taking his act to Nova for college in the fall of 2010. At 250 pounds, he'll fill a void in the middle and should have the opportunity to play right away. more...
SIDNEY BACKS OFF USC
April 29, 2009
There have been several major commitments during the transition from event to event, but the biggest news to emerge this week is that top-10 senior big man Renardo Sidney reportedly is backing out of his pledge to Southern Cal. Sidney, whose story has been chronicled throughout his years as a prepster, is an elite talent but also one who has been tagged with the "vagabond" label, and developments such as this are a reason why. more...
VEGAS: TAKE TWO
April 26, 2009
LAS VEGAS -- Our second report from Las Vegas centers on the Adidas Nations event featuring some of the nation's very best rising seniors and underclassmen. This program offers two American teams -- one from the Class of 2010, and one from the underclasses -- that will practice and eventually compete.
The workout we attended was one that gave us additional insight on players and enabled us to get a look at some players for the first time in a long while, including high big-time forward Tristan Thompson. more...
WESTERN SWING: DAY ONE
April 24, 2009
LAS VEGAS -- Friday at the Las Vegas Spring Invitational was a solid affair featuring some impressive new faces on the West Coast.
With some teams opting not to travel nationally this spring because of the NCAA ruling prohibiting college coach attendance at events, the source of players from nearby regions has proved to be more crucial than ever. more...
WESTERN SWING
April 24, 2009
So far this spring we've attended the nationally renowned Boo Williams Invitational in Virginia, covered the Northeast in Pittsburgh and checked out the Deep South in Arkansas. This weekend, we'll explore the western portion of the United States by heading to Las Vegas for a couple different events featuring many of the best players within the region.
The Spring Invitational has always been a reliable spot for viewing young West Coast prospects for the first time...
COLLIER TAKING HIS TIME
April 24, 2009
The past year has been very good for Devon Collier. The 6-8 rising senior BF transferred from Bronx (NY) All Hallows to Jersey City (NJ) St. Anthony for his junior season, and he made the most of that opportunity when he became eligible halfway through the year. more...
Some big things have happened during the past 36 hours. Starting in the outgoing senior class of 2009, Kansas has won out for high big-time OK WG Xavier Henry. Henry had signed with Memphis in the fall, but he opted to obtain a release in the wake of John Calipari's departure for Kentucky.
Henry has the potential to be an impact performer in the Big 12 next season and will fill a position of need, as the Jayhawks lacked wing scoring this past year. more...
REAL DEAL ON THE ROCK: A LOOK BACK
April 22, 2009
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- We traveled to the Real Deal on the Rock last weekend, and traditional powers and loaded squads were upset as the 17-Under playoffs ended with a repeat winner knocking off a Cinderella. We've taken a quick look at the team results to provide overall context, and then as always we've delved into capsules for specific players of note.
The road to the championship had its shockers as the Houston Clippers beat DC Assault and Brandon Bass Elite knocked off Southeast Elite, whose roster was stacked with highly-recruited players as you'll see in the breakdowns below. One of the event's notable performers was diminutive TX PG Phil Pressey. more...
USA VS. FLORIDA REPORT
April 21, 2009
Since the NCAA instituted a two all-star game limit for college recruits, it has become difficult for new events to garner some of the country's top talent. While the McDonald's and Jordan games will always get the cream of the crop, the next tier of all-star games battle it out for top players with state and local games.
Now in its second year, the Team Florida vs. Team USA All-Star Weekend has made a statement that it will be a contender for much of the country's top talent. more...
JAM FEST: FINAL REPORT
April 19, 2009
PITTSBURGH -- The final day of action at the Pittsburgh Jam Fest featured the final three rounds of play in the various divisions, and thus we'd seen a lot of the teams already earlier in the weekend.
That said, there were a few new faces for us to cover, and we'll hit them in this report. more...
JAM FEST: DAY TWO REPORT
April 18, 2009
PITTSBURGH -- The second day of action at the Pittsburgh Jam Fest featured a very diverse set of players, or at least their recruiting situations were very diverse.
Along with some big names, including touted guards Ray McCallum and Kyrie Irving, there were numerous other players on the fringe of a given level. There were low-majors trying to crack mid-major status, and a few high-major minus types hoping to generate momentum in order to get serious looks from the big boys later this spring and summer. more...
PITTSBURGH JAM FEST
April 17, 2009
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Jam Fest tipped off on Friday night in the Steel City, with most of the action taking place at Pitt's Peterson Arena and elsewhere nearby campus.
Friday's schedule was limited, but we did catch the games offered and are geared up for what should be a very competitive Saturday and (especially) Sunday. more...
UPCOMING: PITTSBURGH JAM FEST
April 17, 2009
The Pittsburgh Jam Fest tips off on the campus of Pittsburgh this weekend, and the event -- run by the Hoop Group -- always features a strong array of regional and national talent. more...
DANIEL FACES TWO-TIERED DECISION
April 17, 2009
One of the nation's better two-sport prospects in the Class of 2010 is Darren Daniel, a 6-4 power wing at Phenix City (AL) Central. Playing with the Georgia Blazers at the Boo Williams Invitational, Daniel served notice that his collegiate roundball prospects are legitimate. more...
HARRISON BARNES: VIDEO FEATURE
April 16, 2009
We wrote last weekend that IA wing Harrison Barnes was well on his way to making a run at the top spot in the Class of 2010. But his play at the Boo Williams Invitational was only the most recent stage upon which he has excelled.
Take a look at this exclusive video presentation and form your own opinion. We feel confident that, rankings aside, you'll agree that he's a unique talent and one who possesses a deliriously promising future in basketball. more...
SIMMONS HAS HIGH MAJOR PROMISE
April 16, 2009
Desmond Simmons isn't the sheepish type. The 6-7 BF/WF at Richmond (CA) Salesian was one of the most active performers at last weekend's Boo Williams Invitational, and he had every reason to be excited about his chances at the event.
Just a few weeks ago, Simmons spearheaded Salesian's charge to the state championship. In the final, he poured in 31 points and 19 rebounds, hitting two crucial baskets down the stretch in the club's victory. more...
VIDEO BLAST: BRANDON PETERS
April 15, 2009
For sheer explosive athletic excellence, you won't find many players who can match the exploits of Brandon Peters. A 6-0 rising senior WG/PG at Houston (TX) Yates, Peters offered up one of the Boo Williams Invitational's signature plays.
After snatching a defensive rebound, Peters races downcourt and elevates for the sort of slam that is extremely rare for a player that size.
But don't take our word for it -- watch it on our exclusive video! more...
MARBLE'S FLOOR IS SOLID
April 15, 2009
Last weekend offered us our first opportunity to check out Roy Marble, the son of a former Iowa star of the same name. The younger Marble is a 6-4 rising senior WG out of Lathrup Village (MI) Southfield-Lathrup, and he was named all-state as a senior after averaging more than 20 points per game and leading his team to a playoff run that didn't end until they encountered powerful Detroit Pershing.
Marble played last weekend for The Family at the Boo Williams Invitational, and he won over a lot of national admirers who hadn't watched him in the past. more...
BOO: PLAYER CAPSULES FINAL TAKE
April 15, 2009
This will be our final report from last weekend's Boo Williams Invitational. As reported earlier, All-Ohio Red won the event over Team Final, which stunned the host Boo Williams team in the semifinal round.
In this report we'll cover likely the second-most effective performer at the event: Michael Gilchrist. In addition to hitting Gilchrist and his mates with Team Final, we've also taken a look at some teams spanning from Florida to the Northeast. more...
BOO: PLAYER CAPSULES TAKE II
April 14, 2009
In our continuing series of looks at last weekend's fabulous Boo Williams Invitational, we've written another set of player capsules to underscore the success of the event.
It cannot be overstated what a loaded event this was, and the implication is that the other major Nike events -- the Memorial Day Classic and the Peach Jam -- also will be very strong.
Of course, the other implication is that Nike may have gained at the expense of everyone else, but that question remains to be answered at other events this month and continuing into the summer. more...
BOO: PLAYER CAPSULES TAKE I
April 13, 2009
As we mentioned during this past weekend's coverage, this year's Boo Williams Invitational may have been the best of the decade. Boo always has been a fixture of the spring period, but Nike's addition of new clubs has given its circuit incredible access to elite teams and players.
We covered a large number of players during the weekend, but here's another look at the best players from the event -- and we'll be seeing almost all of these guys the remainder of the spring and summer. more...
WILDCATS GET NATYAZHKO
April 13, 2009
New Arizona coach Sean Miller didn't need long to reel in a top-100 recruit. The Wildcats have gained a pledge from Kyryl Natyazhko, a talented big man from the Ukraine who prepped at Bradenton (FL) IMG and chose U-A over Pittsburgh and Arizona State.
In our view, Natyazhko is one of the more underrated big men in the Class of 2009. He played head-up against Daniel Orton at last summer's Peach Jam, and if he'd had more exposure it's quite possible that he'd have landed in the national top 50.
At any rate, don't expect him to ride the pine next season at Arizona. The Wildcats are rebuilding, and Natyazhko's ability to score should enable him to earn heavy minutes as a freshman. more...
ALL-OHIO WINS BOO WILLIAMS
April 12, 2009
HAMPTON, Va. -- You read the headline correctly. The Boo Williams Summer League team did not win its host tournament, something that has happened rarely during this decade. In fact, Boo's squad didn't advance to the final, where All-Ohio Red defeated a game Team Final squad 75-72 in the championship match.
But clearly the game of the day -- and the game of the tournament -- was the extraordinary finish between Team Final and Boo Williams in the semifinal round. more...
AT BOO WILLIAMS: DAY TWO REPORT
April 11, 2009
HAMPTON, Va. -- The second day of competition at the Boo Williams Invitational was even more exciting than the first. The tournament is stronger this year than it has been in the past several, thanks largely to a strong group of underclassmen (look out for the Class of 2011!), new Nike teams and strong performances from the most touted players.
There have been far fewer disappointments among the big names this year compared with last year, two examples of which are Harrison Barnes and Brandon Knight. We covered Barnes' exploits in our first report -- and he was every bit as good on day two -- and Knight kicks off our coverage tonight. more...
AT BOO WILLIAMS: OPENING NIGHT
April 10, 2009
HAMPTON, Va. -- The Boo Williams Invitational kicked off once again on Friday night at the Boo Williams Sportsplex. As was the case last year, the first time the event was hosted at the new venue, the consolidation of courts made for great and efficient basketball watching.
There were four rounds of games on day one, and the PrepStars.com team was out in full force. We caught potential superstars, mid-major sleepers and some very talented underclassmen in the 16-under division. The star of the day was top-five rising senior Harrison Barnes. more...
GRASSROOTS HOOPS: ARE YOU READY?
April 9, 2009
You didn't think you'd be all alone without basketball, did you? The beauty of the grassroots season is that its timing is impeccable. Just days following the conclusion of the NCAA tournament, the Boo Williams Invitational takes place in Hampton, Va., starting Friday night. The best prospects on the Nike circuit will be in attendance, including the always-favored Boo Williams Summer League squad. This year, there will be a few new teams that signed with Nike since last summer.
As always, we'll be there the entire weekend reporting late each night from the event. One of the top players scheduled to be in attendance is top-five wing Harrison Barnes, who will be moonlighting with the Minnesota-based Howard Pulley Panthers. more...
EXCLUSIVE REPORT: LIFE AFTER MARCH MADNESS
April 10, 2009
In Life After March Madness, we’ve examined each of the final 16 teams in this year’s tournament — unveiling our new Recruiting Power Index in the process — and their chances of making another deep postseason run. more...
COUSINS TO UK; MORE NEWS
April 8, 2009
John Calipari won't be going to Kentucky empty-handed. The new UK boss reportedly has landed a commitment from elite AL C/BF DeMarcus Cousins, who had committed to Calipari during his time at Memphis.
Cousins obviously is a major get for UK, which could boast him, freshman Daniel Orton and Patrick Patterson in the frontcourt next season, depending on what Patterson decides to do about the NBA. The Cousins recruitment has been a testament to flexibility. At one time committed to UAB, Cousins refused to sign with the Blazers when they denied him a release clause in the event there was a coaching change. more...
SPECIAL VIDEO PRESENTATION: JOHN JENKINS
Watch It Here...
MILLER TO ARIZONA: ANOTHER DOMINO FALLS
April 6, 2009
After initial reports were that he had turned down Arizona, it appears Xavier coach Sean Miller will become the new man in Tucson. Multiple reports now have surfaced that Miller will sign a seven-year contract with the Wildcats, filling the highest-profile coaching job still on the board.
Miller's decision constitutes just the latest major coaching move, and certainly the recruiting implications are significant. It's too early to know yet how this will impact specific recruits, but clearly it affects senior class signees, underclass commitments and those who had been on the recruiting radar for this spring and summer. more...
FINAL FOUR IN ROTATION
April 3, 2009
Four teams will take the court this weekend in Detroit for the Final Four, and one of those will be fortunate enough to travel home with a national championship trophy in tow. Each of the four combatants, Connecticut, Michigan State, North Carolina and Villanova, all advanced to the season's final weekend thanks to great talent, organization and perseverance.
And, despite each team's stylistic differences, all do share a common thread: outstanding recruiting. Heading into these final three games, then, and just for fun, let's examine the recruiting rankings of each team's key players. more...
FLORIDA JAMBOREE REPORT
April 2, 2009
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Now in its third year, the Nike Team Florida/Florida Rams Jamboree has become a must-see stop as teams get ready to hit the road in April. This year, the event was played at Eckerd College.
It was a loaded field with the Florida Rams, Nike Team Florida, Team Stat, Florida Elite and others looking to find out what their strengths and weaknesses were before heading out of state to elite national tournaments. more...
FAVORS LEADS EAST AT MCDONALD'S
April 2, 2009
No. 1 senior Derrick Favors proved his worth at the McDonald's All-American Game in Miami, scoring 19 points and adding eight rebounds -- and winning the MVP award -- to lift his East squad to a 113-100 victory over the West. The future Georgia Tech stud wasn't the only big name to shine, of course, as Texas-bound guard Avery Bradley (15 points), Oklahoma signee Keith "Tiny Gallon (20 points), Villanova pledge Dominic Cheek (15 points) and Louisville signee Peyton Siva (nine assists) were among the others to have their moments.
Of course, for true basketball fans, the McDonald's Game is just an exhibition during which no one plays defense and few attempt to play team basketball. On the other hand, however, fans at least get a chance to see how their favorite new players run and down the court and perhaps get a feel for the players' styles. more...
CAROLINA CHALLENGE REPORT: PART II
April 1, 2009
CARY, N.C. -- Today we'll feature our second and final look at last weekend's Carolina Challenge, held on the campus of Cary Academy.
We covered many of the big names in part I, but there were additional prospects from the event who warrant attention as well. more...
CAROLINA CHALLENGE REPORT: PART I
March 30, 2009
CARY, N.C. -- Last weekend marked the third annual Carolina Challenge, a one-day event featuring the best underclassmen in the state of North Carolina.
And while the 2008 Challenge may have been better for elite prospects -- with someone like John Wall in the mix, that's no surprise -- this year's edition actually was more loaded from top to bottom. One of the best prospects in attendance was top-15 junior wing Reggie Bullock. more...
COACHING CAROUSEL KEEPS TURNING
March 30, 2009
Monday's big basketball story concerned neither the Final Four nor recruiting -- at least not directly. Reports surfaced during the afternoon that Memphis coach John Calipari was in serious negotiations with Kentucky about their open head coaching position, and several outlets reported that he had accepted or was likely to accept a huge offer by the Wildcats.
Calipari's move obviously carries huge ramifications along the recruiting trail, as the Tigers at this point have one of the nation's best recruiting classes for the 2009 haul. Memphis has become a recruiting and on-court juggernaut under Calipari, and clearly Conference USA would be taking a major hit while UK would be poised to charge back toward the top of the SEC. more...
THE SWEET 16: HOW THEY RECRUIT
March 26, 2009
The actual games obviously are what count in the NCAA tournament, but it's also worthwhile to examine how these teams put themselves into position to compete for postseason glory.
Below, we've taken a look at each of this season's final 16 clubs and listed recruiting results for the past four years. Some of those recruiting rankings foretold of their current success, while other teams have outperformed what one may have expected. more...
JONES, KADIMA BACK OFF PLEDGES
Virginia Tech and Iowa State each lost a previously committed recruit. The Hokies had held a pledge from VA PG Lamont Jones, a stalwart at Oak Hill who now plans to visit Southern Cal in mid-April. Jones had committed to Tech back in the fall, but he didn't sign in November and thus is free to ink wherever he likes this spring without interference.
Meanwhile, in Ames, the Cyclones and athletic junior guard Chim Kadima parted ways. more...
SHOWTIME BALLERS KICKOFF: PART II
March 24, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Following our first report from last weekend's Showtime Ballers Kickoff, today we've revisited the event and included a few more names to remember as we head toward April. more...
SHOWTIME BALLERS KICKOFF: PART I
March 23, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. -- While some states are concluding their playoffs, Florida's travel team season got into gear last weekend. The Showtime Ballers Kickoff was held at Champions' Sports Complex and there was a lot of talent on display.
Generally, this time of year is reserved for juniors who are looking to get a jumpstart on their recruiting, but there were several unsigned seniors that performed well at the event. While they may have offers or serious interest by some schools, they are looking for an opportunity to be on the big stage. more...
TUCKER CHOOSES WILDCATS
March 19, 2009
March Madness? Job turmoil? Almost everything but recruiting has been in the news this week, but despite the various media reports about the job security of Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie, the Wildcats quietly added a juco recruit for their Class of 2009.
Konner Tucker, a 6-4, 180-pounder at Lon Morris (TX) JC, gave UK the nod and will have three seasons of eligibility in Lexington. He averaged 17 points a game as a freshman and is noted for being a good three-point shooter. more...
CLASS OF 2011: EXPANDED RANKINGS
Continuing with our series of updated rankings, we've enlarged our list of top sophomores to 25 players, a number that obviously will grow after the spring and summer periods.
For now, though, we've made a few subtle tweaks and also added numerous names to our listings of players to watch. Again, we'll be adding to this list continually in the coming months, but here's a snapshot of where things stand today. One change we didn't make is at the very top, where NJ forward Michael Gilchrist continues to rule the roost. more...
CLASS OF 2010: UPDATED RANKINGS, LISTS
We'll do a more formal overhaul of the Class of 2010 after the April travel period, but for now feast your eyes on some changes made as a result of the high school season. As mentioned in the player capsules we released last week, FL guard Brandon Knight is the new guy at No. 1.
In addition to those changes in the top 25, however, there also was movement elsewhere within the top 50. Clearly, the race is on for college programs to get commitments as quickly as possible, because there next opportunity to watch a lot of players in one setting won't be until July. more...
CLASS OF 2009: MOMENTUM
March 13, 2009
Final rankings for the senior Class of 2009 won't be ready until May, but now we can take a look at the players within the top 100 as of the season and how things stand heading into the postseason.
Included in this chart are guys whose play has caused them to move one way or the other, and of course that will change between now and the end of the postseason period. more...
CLASS OF 2010: FORMAL INTRODUCTION
March 11, 2009
The Class of 2010 has been a trailblazer. Though the recruiting calendar sped up roughly 15 years ago and elite players have made early commitments ever since, the nation's most promising juniors ushered in an unprecedented era of expedited -- and critics say rash -- decisions.
Among our updated 25 prospects, 13 already have tendered early pledges, and that includes seven of the top 10. Of that baker's dozen, the overwhelming majority committed prior the beginning of their junior season. We'll examine further the class as a hole and provide updated, pre-spring rankings for the top 25. more...
COUSINS PICKS MEMPHIS
March 9, 2009
Memphis added to its tremendous recruiting class by getting big-time AL C/BF DeMarcus Cousins, a sensationally skilled and big frontcourt prospect who chose the Tigers over interest from many of the nation's top schools.
Cousins had been committed to UAB, but he backed off during the fall because of the Blazers' refusal to include an "out clause" in the standard letter of intent. Now, he will arrive at Memphis with OK WG Xavier Henry, TX WG Nolan Dennis and others to further strengthen the elite program in Conference USA. more...
BRICK'S TAKE ON MCDONALD'S
March 5, 2009
Over the past several years it has become tradition for us to dissect the specifics leading to the selection of the annual McDonald's All American Team.
As our readers know, the 24 high school seniors chosen by the 34-person Selection Committee are divided into 12-man East and West teams for the McDonald's Game, which this year will be played on April 1 at BankUnited Center in the Miami metro area and televised live by ESPN.
Although the overwhelming majority of players already have signed letters of intent, one of those who is unsigned is AL big man DeMarcus Cousins. more...
ACC, BIG EAST DOMINATE: PART I
March 3, 2009
The following three-part story is a special look at how the ACC and Big East largely recruited their way to dominance of college basketball this season. Parts II and III are below. Enjoy!
During a brutal three-game stretch in February, University of Miami head coach Frank Haith had the daunting task of preparing his team to take on ACC heavyweights Wake Forest, Duke and North Carolina. more...
ACC, BIG EAST DOMINATE: PART II
March 3, 2009
HEELS, EAGLES GAINED WHERE OTHERS LOST IN 2005
There wasn't a lot of great recruiting to celebrate with the Class of 2005, the group that comprised this year's seniors in college. Considered by Handbook scouts and many others to be perhaps the least talented class to pass through the high school ranks this decade, there were far more misses than hits. more...
ACC, BIG EAST DOMINATE: PART III
March 3, 2009
RANKINGS HAVE MEANING, BUT AREN'T ABSOLUTE
Of the elite five teams this season from the two glamour conferences, Duke, North Carolina, UConn and Louisville all boast highly ranked players from highly ranked classes. If one had to predict which schools would crack the elite ranks, based on their recruiting rankings, all four of those programs would garner mention near the top. more...
BOYD PICKS HILLTOPPERS
March 1, 2009
Without much fanfare or an announcement on television, Terrence Boyd made his college pick. The 6-5 WF at San Diego (CA) High -- who was unable to play this season because of transfer rules -- pledged to Western Kentucky after basically missing two years of high school basketball.
Despite the lack of exposure in recent times, Boyd hardly is a mysterious figure to scouts. He's been in the public eye for several years and very active on the travel circuit, and his strength and athleticism are top-notch. more...
STEPHENSON HAS FINALISTS, SETS A DATE
February 26, 2009
Elite unsigned senior Lance Stephenson has set an announcement date of April 15 according to ESPN. The 6-5 wing is one of the most celebrated players in the Class of 2009 and no stranger to controversy in the eyes of scouts.
Stephenson is now down to Maryland, Kansas, St. John's, Wake Forest and UCLA. There had been speculation earlier in the season that he may opt for Europe for one year prior to shuttling off to the NBA, but the struggles of Brandon Jennings overseas seem to have cooled that option for American prepsters. more...
CANES GRAB A PAIR
February 24, 2009
Miami has gained a couple of underclass commitments who will terrorize public address announcers in future seasons, drawing pledges from Ismaila Dauda and Yvan Ngirabakunzi.
Dauda is a 6-10 freshman C from Nigeria enrolled at Miami (FL) Center of Life. He's obviously very tall for his class and, even if he isn't tremendously skilled at this point -- a common scenario for young big men -- eventually will give the team size in the middle. more...
SUDDEN TURN IN SIDNEY RECRUITMENT
February 20, 2009
It just isn't going to be easy with Renardo Sidney. The 6-9 big man at Los Angeles Fairfax is scheduled to announce his college choice on Sunday, but now it appears that the frontrunner no longer is in the running at all.
UCLA, which many expected to get Sidney's pledge, pulled out of contention according to this story in the Los Angeles Times, and ultimately he chose the USC Trojans. more...
AGGIES GET SENIOR COMMIT
February 19, 2009
Texas A&M picked up a sleeper senior, getting a pledge from Jeremy Adams, a 6-5, 210-pound WG/WF from Madison (MS) Central. Adams entered the season with very little in the way of a national reputation but averaged 25 points and seven rebounds per game.
Despite his lack of grassroots profile, due to his scoring ability he reportedly had drawn offers from USF, Arkansas and Virginia, in addition to the Aggies. Although these stats frequently get overblown, Adams reportedly sports a 35-inch vertical leap. Whatever the numbers, he clearly possesses major league athleticism to go along with good height and excellent strength for a wing. more...
MCDONALD'S ALL-AMERICANS ANNOUNCED
February 18, 2009
On Wednesday evening the McDonald's All-American teams were announced, and as usual 24 players were named to the prestigious squad. As most of our readers will already know, a committee of advisory panelists -- including our own Brick Oettinger -- vote on a total of 20 seniors. Afterward, committee chairperson Morgan Wootten then names up to four additional players to round out the East and West teams.
Below we've listed the players selected for the team, and afterward we've included some initial thoughts about the composition of this year's clubs. As always, there will be significant controversy over some of the inclusions and omissions. One guy who certainly wasn't omitted was No. 1 senior Derrick Favors. more...
YOUNG BIG MAN COMING ALONG
February 17, 2009
It may be a while for anyone knows exactly how good Hoover Vint will be. The 6-10 BF at Van Buren (AR) High is just a sophomore, and at that he is very thin at only 190 pounds. For that reason, it may be several years before he's able to hold his own physically against high college-level athletes.
That said, it's easy to be optimistic about his chances. First is his obvious size for that age range, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if he eventually tops seven feet. Second is a promising bloodline; his father Bobby played for Arkansas and spent more than 20 years as a coach at the college and high school levels. more...
PROVIDENCE LANDS JUCO COMMIT
February 16, 2009
During this relatively dormant period for actual commitments, Providence quietly made a pickup from within the junior college ranks. Taking advantage of a strong season within the Big East, PC added the services of Russ Permenter, a 6-9, 235-pound BF/C at Temple College (TX).
Permenter began his career at UT-San Antonio but left after one season. This year at Temple, he's averaging about 19 points and nine rebounds per game. The Friars were the lone Big East school to be interested, but others such as South Alabama, Santa Clara and Pepperdine were involved to some degree. more...
THOMPSON OUT AT ST. BENEDICT'S
February 13, 2009
It was a tumultuous span of hours in New Jersey high school hoops, as elite 2010 BF prospect Tristan Thompson was reported to be leaving St. Benedict's prep for an unknown location. Transfers obviously are commonplace among elite players, but this one had a little more steam.
Namely, St. Benedict's actually gave Thompson the boot. According to a report at Zagsblog.com, coach Danny Hurley was none too apologetic about the turn of events. more...
ALLEN SHIFTS OVER TO CANES
February 12, 2009
Miami added another backcourt recruit to its 2009 mix, getting a pledge from Antoine Allen. Allen, a 6-2 WG at Jackson (MS) Elite Christian, is a speedy handler and scorer who will bring additional speed and fullcourt defensive ability to the Hurricanes' lineup.
Our previous concern with Allen was that he lacked the size of an ideal wing yet didn't possess the skills to play point guard, but he has come on of late and now looks like a solid spring pickup for Frank Haith's program. Most recently, Allen backed off a pledge to Providence, so it was plus-one for the ACC at the expense of the Big East. more...
NPSI REPORT
February 11, 2009
The National Prep School Invitational just concluded at the University of Rhode Island, and as always many of the nation's most talented prep school teams took the court over four days of action.
The obvious focus of prep schools is on seniors and fifth-year prospects, but in addition to the prep veterans we also got a look at some talented underclassmen. One of the best there was 2010 wing Jason Morris, who played through pain to showcase improved ability that should make him one of the most hotly pursued wings nationally this spring. more...
"Most coaches have a ninth-grade list..."
February 8, 2009
-- Trailtalk: new rule aimed to regulate.
newswire
GIPLAYE HAS AN OFFER, EXPANDING INTEREST
February 7, 2009
The past couple seasons have been illuminating for junior Ron Giplaye. At one time the Fitchburg (MA) Notre Dame product was considered a national elite, and now that some of the hype has subsided, he's starting to get more serious about his recruitment.
Giplaye is limited by the fact that he's a 6-6 BF, and some list him as only 6-5. That said, he's a very strong and athletic forward who plays much bigger than his height. The 6-8 the team roster lists him as being seems slightly less absurd when one factors into account his propensity for rebounding and finishing inside. more...
"DeMarcus Cousins: A Writer's Take"
February 6, 2009
-- What happens if Mike Davis lands at Alabama (or elsewhere?)
Check out the discussion
SUPER SLAMFEST REPORT
February 3, 2009
Last weekend the Super Slamfest kicked off its eight annual edition in Richmond, Va., at the Benedictine High School gym, and we were on hand for the day's action. The Slamfest definitely benefited this year from the presence of so many talented underclassmen within the state of Virginia, and as a result there were some very significant movers and shakers from among the fledgling grassroots ranks.
The story of the day was sophomore James McAdoo, who last summer was just one of two -- along with near-super NJ WF/BF Michael Gilchrist -- sophomores to attend the LeBron James Skills Academy. more...
MONTVERDE INVITATIONAL REPORT
February 2, 2009
In high school hoops, many tournaments are held during the Christmas Holidays. However, Montverde Academy in Central Florida has put together a great eight team tournament held annually at the end of January.
Headmaster Kasey Kesselring and head coach Kevin Sutton bring together not only some of the best teams in the Sunshine State but also from other parts of the country. The sixth installment of the Montverde Academy Invitational may have been the best one yet. more...
TRAILTALK: GARY WILLIAMS, ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT TELL DIFFERENT STORIES
January 29, 2009
Gus Gilchrist and guard Tyree Evans got many of the Maryland faithful pumped about its recruiting efforts.
Now a report has surfaced offering differing accounts about their recruitment. more...
WALL SEEN WATCHING MEMPHIS IN GREENVILLE
January 29, 2009
Top-five prospect and unsigned senior John Wall took in Memphis' victory over East Carolina on Wednesday night. Wall, a native of nearby Raleigh, is arguably the top prospect left on the board in the Class of 2009.
Memphis has been a tiger in the bushes in a sense for Wall, never really getting considered the frontrunner but never falling off the list at any point, either. The Tigers obviously have something to offer Wall in terms of playing time and a proven track record for putting players in the NBA after one season. more...
"What's next for Arizona?"
January 28, 2009
-- The Wildcats are battling to stay afloat during transition period
Check
out the discussion
JUNIOR COMMITS LAGGING IN 2009
January 27, 2009
You have may noticed that there haven't been many commitments of late. The obvious reason is that, as has been the case for the past decade, the overwhelming majority of mid- and high-major seniors signed in the fall.
But that doesn't explain the slowdown in pledges this January from last year. Last January, there were eight major commitments offered to high-major programs from the junior class. This year as the month winds down, there has been scant activity from juniors. more...
JENNINGS COMPLAINTS: JUST HOW IMPORTANT?
January 26, 2009
So it doesn't sound like Brandon Jennings is enjoying his experience in Italy. The precocious Class of 2008 product -- and poster child for high school players considering bypassing college in order to play overseas -- told the New York Times that, among other things, he hasn't been getting paid on time and that "They treat me like a little kid."
That essentially was the gist of what ESPN and other sources ran with over the weekend, when a series of columns were written about Jennings presumably regretting his decision to ship out for a year prior to making the move to the NBA. more...
"What does the end of the April period mean?"
January 23, 2009
-- The NCAA's recent ruling dramatically alters the landscape
Check
out the discussion
"The KU/John Wall Encounter: That big of a deal?"
January 21, 2009
-- The recent string of stories has caused a buzz.
Check
out the discussion
SOPHOMORE WILSON GAINING OFFERS
January 20, 2009
Things are going pretty well at the moment for CT combo guard Derrick Wilson. The powerful backcourt performer for Lakeville (CT) Hotchkiss is enjoying a fine sophomore year, and his stock continues to rise as the end of the high school season draws closer.
Wilson tends to get overshadowed by junior teammate Jason Morris, but already Wilson himself is posting solid numbers. So far this year, he's averaging approximately 16 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals per contest. While he still needs to refine his skills as a scorer and a playmaker, he has unusual strength and poise for a player his age. more...
SURFING THE WEB: WEEKEND EDITION
January 16, 2009
A lot of people probably caught the showdown between elite big men Derrick Favors and DeMarcus Cousins. Favors won the individual battle but lost the team battle, as his South Atlanta club fell to defeat 78-66 to Mobile (AL) LeFlore.
Favors went bonkers as he has done on numerous occasions during his senior season, tossing in 36 points and 14 rebounds. The 6-9 big man is too big and strong for high school basketball, even against elite opponents such as Cousins. Cousins himself had a strong game as well, going for 21 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and five blocks -- along with the W. more...
FAVORS ANNOUNCES FOR GEORGIA TECH
January 14, 2009
As expected, No. 1 senior Derrick Favors announced for Georgia Tech over finalists Georgia and N.C. State. Favors, a prodigious 6-9 big man who has enjoyed some brilliant moments this season, is a native of Atlanta and thus will play his college ball -- likely to be a short-lived experience prior to an expected jump to the NBA -- in his hometown.
Favors long ago was figured to stay close to home, and his ultimate choice proved those assumptions correct. more...
"UCLA'S SIGNING CLASS UNDERRATED?"
January 14, 2009
-- Chime in on the controversial status of UCLA's class.
Read More On The Board
UNDERCLASS PLEDGES CONTINUE
January 13, 2009
The Class of 2010 seems like it's moving full steam ahead, and April hasn't even arrived yet. While some unsigned seniors remain on the board for the spring signing period, clearly many major college programs are trying to address their recruiting needs within the classes of 2010 and 2011.
Here's the latest: more...
TOC MLK CLASSIC REPORT: PART II
January 13, 2009
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Here is part two of our report from the TOC MLK Classic report. As you'll see, there were lots of guys who improved their standing with college coaches, whether that occurred at the high-, mid- or low-major level. more...
TOC MLK CLASSIC REPORT: PART I
January 12, 2009
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The 14th annual Tournament of Champions MLK Basketball Classic took place this past weekend at Boyd Anderson High School . Showcasing the best teams and players in South Florida, it gave us an opportunity to track the progress of many players we had not seen since last July.
The event always provides new names to put on the map, and this year's edition was no different. Ultimately, it was two of the best players in the country that put on the best performances of the weekend. more...
CUNNINGHAM PICKS BEAVERS
January 8, 2009
Oregon State did something that's going to be pretty difficult to replicate over the coming months: Land a solid point guard from the senior class. The Beavers picked up the services of CA PG Jared Cunningham, a one-commitment to Arizona State.
Cunningham told the Contra Costa Times that "They told me they want me to come and lead from the start." more...
MOUNTAINEERS PICK UP JUNIOR PLEDGE
January 7, 2009
West Virginia may have dropped a tough one at home on Tuesday night to UConn, but the Mountaineers did come up with a junior commitment. That would be VA WG Bryon Allen, who chose WVU over steady mid- and high-major interest.
Allen isn't a tremendously skilled scorer at this point, but he's a strong and aggressive guard with the toughness that Bob Huggins love to employ in Morgantown. more...
TAMPA HOOPS CLASSIC REPORT
January 5, 2009
In just its second year, the Tampa Hoops Classic has become a premier post-Christmas event. Teams from New York City, Cincinnati, Chicago, Tennessee and Maryland made the trek to Tampa to take on that area's best as well as some of the top teams from other parts of the Sunshine State.
Playing at the USF Sundome, it provides a big-time college atmosphere and allows for the opportunity to see many of Florida's best players in one location.
more...
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