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AUGUST USHERS IN
COMMITMENT WAVE

By Jeff Goodman and Rob Harrington
readermail@prepstars.com
August 1, 2002

Goodbye, evaluation period; hello, commitment period.

In basketball recruiting, it doesn't take long to shift gears. Just a day removed from the critical July evaluation period, when coaches from all over the nation hit the road to scout potential recruiting targets, those coaches now have directed their full attention to getting commitments from their top prospects.

And for several high-major programs, the early feedback has been very positive. Some didn't even wait for the period to end; a number of commitments rolled in earlier this week.

Here's the latest scorecard:

WILDCATS GET MCCELLAN

Jawaan McClellan was sick of the recruiting process and he hasn’t even begun his junior year. The Houston (TX) Milby wing opted to fulfill a lifelong dream when he called Arizona coach Lute Olson earlier this week.

``I always wanted to go there since I was in the fifth grade," said the 6-5, 195-pound McClellan. "Ever since I saw Damon Stoudamire go up against Jason Kidd. I called coach Olson on his cell phone after we lost in the AAU Nationals to tell him I wanted to accept."

McClellan, who has been compared to both Gilbert Arenas and Michael Dickerson, averaged 22 points, 5.6 rebounds, four assists, two steals and 1.7 blocks per game last season.

``I guess I must be pretty good since he’s never taken someone so early," McClellan added. "It’s really a dream come true for me."

McClellan was being recruited by the likes of Texas, Florida and Tennessee, among others. While he wouldn’t mention the school by name, McClellan said that coaches were calling his home as early as 7:30 in the morning.

``It got real bad," said McClellan, a 3.2 student who scored a 1240 on the SAT. "And that’s one of the reasons I did it so early."

McClellan also said that Texas had prioritized Daniel Gibson, Jason Horton, LaMarcus Aldridge and Marshall Brown ahead of him.

``When they figured out that they may not get Daniel or Jason, they tried to go hard after me," he said. "But I love Arizona, especially with all the players that Coach Olson sends to the NBA."

McClellan said the offer was basically in place by the time ABCD Camp rolled around, but that Olson wanted to watch him at the AAU Nationals in Orlando.

``I can shoot the ball better than Gilbert Arenas, but he’s more of a slasher and it quicker than I am," he added. "But I’m working on my quickness. I’m getting stronger and working on my lateral movement. I’m humble and I’m not going to say I’m going to take them to the Final Four or anything like that. I just don’t want to get a big head."

McClellan also threw for 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns in his only season playing quarterback two years ago. He opted to give up football in order to concentrate on basketball and it’s paid off.

``He’s a slasher and a good athlete," said Team Texas coach Darryl Horton. "He shoots the ball well and tough kid. He’s so young and has a chance to be very good. He’s a typical Arizona player ­ he can run the floor, shoot, handle the ball and play tough defense."

McClellan could develop into one of those classic Arizona players who exceeds his reputation in college. On the other hand, as just a rising junior, McClellan very well may emerge as an elite-level prospect over the next year.

McClellan has exciting potential. He hasn't put up huge numbers on the AAU circuit for Houston Select, but that could -- and should -- change as he becomes more comfortable with the expectations that accompany a big reputation.

NARDI PICKS WILDCATS

The street buzz for weeks had Mike Nardi committing to either Villanova or N.C. State. And though it appeared for a time that the Wolfpack led, Villanova has won out for the 6-1 PG from Elizabeth (NJ) St. Patrick's. Others involved, at one time or another, were UConn, Seton Hall, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and Stanford.

Nardi was solid, if not spectacular, at this year's Nike All-America Camp. He's a very poised and savvy floor general who's among the best distributors in the nation.

Offensively, Nardi has a pretty good jump shot and has enough quickness to make plays on penetration. He already is a solid scorer from mid-range and is comfortable catching and shooting off screens, though playing off the ball isn't his primary function.

On defense, Nardi must get stronger in order to guard Big East-caliber points, and he won't be the quickest (but neither will he be the slowest) guard in the conference.

In all, Nardi is a very solid pickup for Villanova, which had been in the sweepstakes (along with NCSU, and others) for Philly-bred Mustafa Shakur, who is believed to be favoring other schools.

PETWAY TO HEAD LONG-WAY FOR COLLEGE

Despite his status as one of the best prep players in the South, 6-8 WF/BF Griffin (GA) High star Brent Petway will travel north for his college career.

Petway, a very slender combo forward, picked Michigan over interest from Georgetown, Georgia Tech and others. Petway needs to improve his ball-handling and become a more consistent shooter to play the wing full-time, and he must get stronger in order to defend and rebound the post, so he's obviously not a finished product.

But Petway is long and athletic, a capable shooter who can really heat up from outside and a potential mismatch-maker whenever he matures into a tall wing forward. He played well this week in Orlando and should enter the fall as a top-100 senior nationally.

MORE NEWS

The Kappa Magic won the AAU National tournament on Wednesday. Kappa received 30 points from Wake Forest-bound PG Chris Paul and 18 points from top ACC WF target Reyshawn Terry. ... New Mexico reportedly has landed Lenny Miles, a 6-0 PG/WG from Commerce City (CO) Adams City. Miles averaged 18 points per game as a junior. He picked the Lobos over interest from Wyoming, Colorado, UCSB, Wichita State and others. Miles is an AAU teammate of Nick Fazekas, a slender big man with an excellent shooting touch who's also a Lobo target. ...