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Recruiting News:
April-June, 2003
FINAL
2003 CLASS RANKINGS
June 30, 2003
Most fans closed the book on the Class of 2003 weeks ago, but we decided to let the ink -- on official letter-of-intent releases, court documents and other items -- dry before releasing our final 2003 class rankings.
At the top, LSU can claim the nation's No. 1 class, thanks to a trio of players ranked in the national top 30. more....
“I
like Stanford because it's on the West Coast. ...”
June 30, 2003
— Lorenzo Keeler
Read full story. ...
TOUR: WADE HAS A FAVORITE
June 30, 2003
Lorrenzo Wade will decide this week between Laurinburg (NC) Prep and Chatham (VA) Hargrave Military. The smooth 6-5, 190-pound southpaw will bounce around in July with a trio of AAU teams, playing at the Peach Jam, Las Vegas Big Time and Best of Summer. Wade also will be at the ABCD Camp.
Wade has been linked with numerous teams the past few weeks, but one eastern school has taken the lead. more....
CRANK RIDING AN ENERGY UPSWING
June 30, 2003
Drew Crank has made a decision. The number of successful 6-9 tennis players is scant, so the two-sport star has chosen to focus on basketball.
"I've basically been playing tennis since I was four or five-years old, and I played singles and doubles for my (high school) team and was the MVP," Crank told PrepStars.com. "But I realized I was having more fun with basketball and started improving and could go farther in that sport." more....
HAIRSTON POWERS NORTH TO UPSET
June 28, 2003
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The North squad brought plenty of talent to the Junior Olympic Develoment Festival, but wasn't able to win a single game in pool play. And when Shaun Livingston suffered a minor injury and was out of action for the semifinal against the East Saturday, the North figured to make an easy meal for the East.
But the East didn't figure that Malik Hairston would dominate the game. more....
LIVINGSTON CONTINUES TO MAKE CASE
June 27, 2003
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Two rounds into USA Junior Olympic Development Festival, and it's pretty clear that Shaun Livingston is the best prospect in attendance. Sure, Sebastian Telfair and others could make an argument, but on day one, at least, Livingston's game was a full notch ahead of all others.
Livingston, the near-super 6-6 PG from Peoria (IL) Central who's at the heart of a recruiting war between Duke, Illinois, Arizona and Florida, showed all the skills that make him a potential superstar. more....
GAME ON FOR CAMPBELL
June 27, 2003
Folarin Campbell wants to prove that there is more to his game than being a slasher / scorer.
In fact, Campbell wants to take it a step further and demonstrate for coaches that what once was familiar can indeed become familiar again. more....
Bearcats Get Good News
June 26, 2003
Robert Whaley's legal troubles appear to be behind him.
The Cincinnati-bound big man, who averaged 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game at Barton Community College this past season, received six months probation after pleading guilty to a Class B misdemeanor earlier today. more....
BAMA WING'S GAME IS ALLGOOD
June 26, 2003
Julius Allgood intends to serve notice next month that location and size of school don't matter when it comes to producing basketball talent. Allgood, a 6-6, 185-pound WF from Marion (AL) High, will tour with the Alabama Challenge and hopes to prove he has a big game.
"I want to try and show coaches I can play, because they might not know that, coming from a small town like Marion and not Birmingham, " Allgood said. more....
“I
kind of like Ole Miss. I like their style of play. ...”
June 26, 2003
— Michael Walker
Read full story. ...
TOUR: BIG MAN ADDING OFFENSE
June 25, 2003
Robbie Simpson would welcome a return to Louisville. The former Seneca High (Ky.) star has put on 25 pounds since arriving at Mt. Zion Academy (N.C.) and is developing into an all-around player for coach Tony Fozard.
The 6-9, 225-pound BF played with the Michigan Hurricanes at the recent Tournament of Champions, but he'll split his time for the rest of the summer with the Atlanta Celtics and Georgia-based WorldWide Renegades. more....
STEWART LEARNS VALUABLE LESSON
June 25, 2003
One of the steadiest performers at last week's NBA Camp was point guard Clent Stewart, who doesn't draw a lot of attention to himself but who learned a great deal about where he stands against national competition.
"It was a lot of fun playing with the best players in the nation," Stewart told PrepStars.com. "(That) will help my game a lot when I go back to high school." more....
“It
would be really nice if I can ... start as a freshman.”
June 25, 2003
— Al Horford
Read full story. ...
NBA CAMP: TRIO OF SCHOOL LISTS
June 24, 2003
While school lists will change dramatically over the summer as coaches get to see their top prospects in person, here's a look at three players we talked to at least weekend's NBA Top 100 Camp who already have a very strong list of schools.
All three players -- Maarty Leunen, Marquie Cooke and Marcus Monk -- rank among the top 100 overall in the Class of 2004. more....
GREEN MAKES HIS DECISION
June 24, 2003
Top-100 combo guard Taurean Green, a 6-0 PG from Bradenton (FL) Pendleton IMG, has made his college pick. Just this past weekend at the NBA Top 100 Camp, Green told us that he was seriously considering South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, Minnesota, UNLV, Xavier and Virginia Tech.
Green is a talented scorer who will need to improve his playmaking skills to thrive as a floor general at the next level. more....
“If
I had to pick a favorite right now, it would be Dayton.”
June 24, 2003
— Norm Plummer
Read full story. ...
TUESDAY CHAT TRANSCRIPT
June 24, 2003
The class of 2003 has been wrapped up and many of you have questions about high schoolers jumping to the NBA Draft. Rob Harrington conducted a chat addressing this topic today at USAToday.com
Topics discussed included the LeBron vs. Carmelo debate, international prospects
in the NBA Draft, college prospects in the NBA Draft, and much, much more. Click
the link for the full transcript.
PrepStars Chat....
HEYTVELT COMMITS TO GONZAGA
June 23, 2003
Despite recent interest from Arizona and Kansas, Josh Heytvelt with his heart and committed to Gonzaga last night. The 6-9, 215-pound power forward from Clarkston is versatile, has soft hands and can block shots. He was also looking at Oregon.
``We are happy because now we don't have to just follow him on SportsCenter," Michelle Heytvelt, Josh's mother, said. more....
NBA PLAYER EVALS: NO. 1? NO. 100?
June 23, 2003
Over the course of four days that featured tremendous hoops action, the arguments that sparked up at the NBA Top 100 Camp this past weekend centered primarily on the best players in attendance.
But regardless of one's perspective on the No. 1 player in the class, the camp's greatest value was to those players who fall in the echelon just beneath those in the McDonald's All-American range. One such player who's had a solid couple of weeks is TX combo forward Jeremis Smith. more....
“He's
the best player in Colorado.”
June 23, 2003
— Coach Dave Matthews, on Sean Taibi
Read full story. ...
VIERNEISEL GIVES CAL THREE EARLY RECRUITS
June 23, 2003
As expected, California landed top wing target Eric Vierneisel, a 6-7 WF from Algonquin (IL) Jacobs.
Vierneisel, who also is a key player for the surging Illinois Warriors on the AAU circuit, picked the Bears over interest from Wisconsin, Marquette, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Stanford and others. more....
'ROOTS TOUR: JUICE HAS THE JUICE AT RUMBLE
June 23, 2003
The Juice All-Stars didn't need Sebastian Telfair. IMG Academy (Fla.) and former Park West (N.Y.) star Ramel Bradley, who normally is forced to play the off-guard spot when Telfair is around, led a Juice squad to the title at the Rumble in the Bronx this past weekend.
Bradley was terrific throughout the tournament, especially on the offensive end, while Shawn James provided the intimidation on the defensive end with his shot-blocking ability. more....
MORSE RE-OPENS RECRUITMENT
June 23, 2003
On the compatibility scale, 6-3 wing guard Willie Morse and Penn State complemented each other like peanut butter and jelly. Morse lives close to the State College campus, and his father even spent time with the Nittany Lions as an assistant and now teaches at the university. Willie talks regularly with current and former State players, so it made sense when he committed to PSU months ago.
And then came a shake up at the top. One-time Penn State assistant Ed DeChellis replaced Jerry Dunn and suddenly the match didn't seem quite so perfect. more....
Give Charlie Villanueva credit. He's going to school.
The versatile 6-9 New Yorker, who played this past season in the shadow of Loul Deng at Blair Academy (N.J.), opted to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft and will attend UConn for at least a year. more....
“I
really wanted to go back to the Pac-10. That was my dream.”
June 20, 2003
— Joel Smith
Read full story. ...
CLARK GETS THINGS DONE
June 20, 2003
One of spring's standout performers has been 6-5, 197-pound SR F Rahshon Clark, who doesn't cleanly fit into an ideal position, but gets things done in a big way on the floor.
Clark is one of those players who make you scratch your head -- small forward size with an inside type game. But Clark's radioactive leaping ability and his impressive game to game intensity separate him from many of his contemporaries. more....
HOWARD DOMINATES NBA DAY TWO
June 19, 2003
RICHMOND, Va. -- It's a good thing Dwight Howard didn't arrive at the NBA Top 100 Camp expecting to get by on his reputation, because three of his games so far have matched him against top-25 talents LaMarcus Aldridge, D.J. White and Robert Swift.
But even against that very formidable competition, Howard has stood out as perhaps the best player here in Richmond. more....
“If
Connecticut is coming after me, I like Connecticut. ....”
June 19, 2003
— Andre Blatch
Read full story. ...
'ICE' PUTS THE FREEZE ON OPPONENTS
June 19, 2003
Coach Harvey Brewer of the Baltimore Bombers is a huge fan of the kid he calls "Ice." That kid, JaJuan Robinson, has earned his coach's enthusiasm by scoring vast numbers of points for the Bombers.
"His best attribute is his scoring and I have never seen him get shut down on the court," Brewer said. "It's about wins and JaJuan has maturity, and off the court he has presence and is a leader." more....
DEFENSE KEY TO SHUBIK'S CUBE
June 19, 2003
Drew Shubik is one of those kids flying very low on the national radar, but he hopes to change that this summer. One of the questions about the 6-3, 175-pound PG's game is whether he has the quickness to contain smaller and more athletic floor generals.
"I really want to get my defense up," Shubik said. "I could always play defense, but I really need to lock people down. more....
BIG MAN SHOWDOWN SPARKS NBA CAMP
June 18, 2003
RICHMOND, Va. -- There are several different lines of reasoning a scout can use to justify covering an event, but when the very first game on opening day features a head to head matchup between a pair of top-five players, nothing else needs to be said.
So for us, here in Richmond for the NBA Top 100 Camp (newly named and thriving under new management), the noon tilt pitting Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge served up plenty of incentive to make the trek to Virginia Commonwealth's Siegel Center. more....
TOUR: ANOTHER HOT TEXAS PROSPECT
June 18, 2003
Jeremis Smith is getting used to all this publicity. The 6-6, 230-pound BF/WF from Fort Worth (TX) Dunbar is fast becoming a recognizable name on the recruiting scene after winning a state title this past season.
Smith averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds per contest this season and is terrific at creating mismatches for opponents. He plays much bigger than his size, but still needs to improve his perimeter game before he can play wing forward at the next level. more....
“I'm
kind of interested in seeing what happens with the Big East. ....”
June 18, 2003
— Luke Bonner
Read full story. ...
JOSEPH'S STOCK RISING FAST
June 18, 2003
Adrian Joseph has shown an expanded game this spring and summer, and the 6-7, 200-pound forward, who's headed to Wolfeboro (NH) Brewster Academy next season, understands the importance of July hoops.
"When you get to the ABCD camp and stuff, you need to show coaches what you can do and what they haven't seen during the season," Joseph said. more....
DIFFERENT
LOOK: TOP CENTERS
June 17, 2003
Maintaining our goal to illuminate our readers from a variety of perspectives, here's a alternative look at one man's take on the top big men in the country heading into the July evaluation period.
Nearly half of the nationís top centers already are off the board, with Arkansas picking up a pair of the elite dozen guys. With the crushing amount of attention being paid to the remaining uncommitted players, don't be surprised if more commitments follow soon. more....
HUMPHRIES PICKS GOPHERS
June 17, 2003
Who says you can't recruit seniors after the fall signing period? By adding one very late, very talented signee on Monday, the Minnesota Golden Gophers elevated their 2003 recruiting class from mediocre to strong, even by lofty Big Ten standards.
The Gophers, desperate for height after missing several key junior college targets in the spring, have signed All-American forward Kris Humphries, a 6-9 star at Minnetonka (MN) Hopkins. more....
“The
main thing right now is that I want to stay close to home.”
June 16, 2003
— Monroe Douglass Jr.
Read full story. ...
PERRY LOOKING FOR SUMMER BREAKOUT
June 16, 2003
The first half of the traveling circuit has come and gone, and plenty of prospects have either justified or ruined their big reputations. But even with all the comings and goings of ranked players, there remains another recruiting angle, the one reserved for sleepers who have yet to establish themselves nationally.
One such example is Harvey Perry Jr., a 6-4 PG/WG who recently transferred from Las Vegas (NV) Foothill to Cheyenne and is one of those players poised to make a July impact. more....
'ROOTS TOUR: WEBER PICKS TIDE
June 16, 2003
When it comes to lights-out shooters, Alabama just got one of the top very best in the Class of 2004 when they picked up Albert Weber. The 6-4, 185-pound rising senior from Durham (NC) Mount Zion committed to the Crimson Tide over the weekend.
``My Mom and I went on an unofficial visit and we both really liked it," Weber told PrepStars.com. "It's close to home and we were just both on the same page." more....
THIS SHIPP'S SAILING TOWARD HIGH-MAJOR HOOPS
June 16, 2003
Like other regions of the country this year, the West Coast crop appears strong with the Class of 2004. In particular, there are several top-flight guards and wings. Falling into the category of high-major wings is Los Angeles (CA) Fairfax WG Josh Shipp.
The younger brother of Cal standout and NBA draft hopeful Joe, the 6-5 Josh's sweet stroke has attracted the attention of an impressive list of suitors. more....
HAMMONDS HOPING TO DEFY ADAGE
June 13, 2003
Out of sight, out of mind. Cliff Hammonds is hoping that's not the case. The lefty point guard from Cairo High (Ga.) hasn't played in any AAU events thus far because after playing the last half of the football season and the entire basketball campaign with turf toe, he decided it was time to let the injury heal.
The 6-2, 180-pound Hammonds, who plays wide receiver and safety on the gridiron, still managed to average 23 points per game in his junior season. more....
“I'm
just playing ball a lot better than I have in the past.”
June 13, 2003
— Malik Hairston
Read full story. ...
ANDERSON ALL SET FOR PREP
June 13, 2003
After a fine career at Cincinnati (OH) Woods, C.J. Anderson is preparing to head south feeling comfortable that his reputation is on its way north.
Anderson, a 6-5, 205-pound WG/WF, will prep next year at Chatham (VA) Hargrave Military Academy, and he's eagerly looking forward to the challenge. more....
MEMPHIS WING CONTINUES TO SOAR
June 12, 2003
Early in his career, Shawne Williams was identified as an ideal wing prospect. Blessed with great size, coordination, shooting ability and a good overall skill set, the only question about the 6-8 WF at Memphis (TN) Hamilton was consistency and effort.
But during the spring, Williams' skills were on full display -- and consistently so. He sank threes effortlessly, drove to the lane and dunked on people, set up teammates and even handled the ball for stretches. more....
“A
lot of schools are interested ... but they really haven't
stepped up yet.”
June 12, 2003
— Dayshawn Wright
Read full story. ...
GREEN WORKING ON HOOPS, GRADES
June 12, 2003
While many of his contemporaries are out on the circuit polishing their games, Demetrius Green is taking a different path this summer. "I just want to have a good summer and take summer classes and do well there," Green said.
Green, a 6-4, 195-pound WG/WF from Lexington (KY) Catholic, will play a limited summer schedule to accommodate his summer course-load, and all his trips will be with his high school team. more....
TOUR: ALLEN REEVALUATING OPTIONS
June 11, 2003
Curtis Allen finally decided enough was enough and the Rolling Hills (Calif.) wing recently re-opened his recruitment after committing to nearby Southern Cal months ago.
Allen, who is playing with Belmont Shore/H-Squad this summer, has heard his share of criticism since Rolling Hills plays in Division 5, one of the smallest classifications in California. more....
OGUCHI: A TRUE GUNSLINGER
June 11, 2003
There are plenty of kids with reputations as gunners, some deserved and some not. Chamberlain Oguchi, a 6-4 WG at Richmond (TX) Bush, is one of the former.
Oguchi established himself as one of the top shooters in the country this spring, and he actually enjoys being known as a player who takes, and makes, a lot of shots. more....
“Connecticut
is No. 1 right now.”
June 11, 2003
— Devon Moffatt
Read full story. ...
JOHNSON AIMS FOR BIG SUMMER
June 11, 2003
With a summer that will take him to the Nike Camp, Kentucky Hoopfest, Las Vegas Big Time and AAU Nationals, Brandon Johnson hopes his frequent travel schedule will garner him the notice that he craves.
"My goal for the summer is to get on the map a little more, get more recruiting going and prove that I can play at a high D-1 level," Johnson said. more....
MAJORS FLOCK TO LOWRY
June 10, 2003
In order to be the best, you have to beat the best. Six-foot Philly point guard Kyle Lowry believes that expression and played it to the hilt this spring. In fact, his thirst for the highest possible level of competition and exposure will help shape his college decision.
"It's more about the level than the school," said Lon Lowry, Kyle's older brother and mentor. "He really wants to play at a high level. more....
“Right
now St. Joe's and Charlotte lead.”
June 10, 2003
— Abdulai Jalloh
Read full story. ...
TUESDAY CHAT TRANSCRIPT
June 10, 2003
The busiest time of year in recruiting is right around the corner, and to kick off the summer season PrepStars.com recruiting analyst Rob Harrington conducted a recruiting chat Tuesday at USAToday.com.
Topics discussed included the best players in the Class of 2004, major schools' recruiting targets, sleepers, the best recruiting classes from this past year and more. Click on the link for the complete transcript. PrepStars.com Chat
PLENTY OF INTEREST FOR ROBERTS
June 10, 2003
For Derrick Roberts, Memorial Day Weekend would offer a chance to shine before a throng of national scouts. But before Roberts could make the trip south for the Tournament of Champions, a different kind of trip derailed his weekend.
Roberts, a 6-3 WG at Houston (TX) Nimitz, stumbled down a flight of stairs and injured his wrist, preventing him from traveling with Houston Select to the TOC. more....
TOUR: BABC WINS BOSTON SHOOTOUT
June 9, 2003
BABC may not be full of household names as it has been in the past, but Leo Papile's squad knocked off Albany City, 67-55, in the championship game of the Boston Shootout with the help of an undersized, scrappy point guard.
Also at the BABC, Dayshawn Wright confirmed that he's taking his skills to Oak Hill Academy for his senior season. more....
HIGH-MAJORS JUMP IN ON DRAYTON
June 9, 2003
Remember that infuriating kid back in school who managed to get all 'As' without studying a lick? Well, E.J. Drayton, a graceful 6-8 WF/BF from Colby (KS) Community College, is the basketball equivalent of that kid.
An heralded recruit from Charlotte, N.C., Drayton arrived at Colby last fall to square his academicas and ball a little on the side. Hitting the books presented numerous challenges -- challenges Drayton has learned to overcome -- but the basketball came easy. more....
“Academics
basically will be the most important thing. ...”
June 6, 2003
— Willicent Seymour
Read full story.
...
TOP GUARD COMMITS TO VIRGINIA
June 6, 2003
Aftering entering the spring without any answers at the point guard position, Virginia has fully addressed its backcourt situation for the next few years.
The Cavaliers picked up a critical early commitment when Sean Singletary chose Pete Gillen's program over interest from Rutgers, Indiana, Ohio State and others. more....
GORDON ADDING MORE FLASH
June 6, 2003
Stepping up his aggressiveness and taking the ball to the basket strong have been keys for Alex Gordon in his rise up the recruiting charts. Always a good shooter, the Tallahassee Wildcats star now looks to penetrate much more frequently.
"I can now attack the rim better," Gordon said. "I always could do that, but I got used to making jump shots and now I want to mix it up." more....
TOUR: NWANKWO TAKING DOWNTIME
June 5, 2003
Davis Nwankwo's grades were slipping and he decided to take some time off from summer basketball. But let's put this move in perspective: Nwankwo carries a GPA of nearly 4.0, so he hardly fits the profile of someone who foregoes hoops for academics.
The Bethesda (MD) Georgetown 6-8, 225-pound BF, who has a great feel for the game and does all the little things that impress coaches, plans to rejoin the D.C. Blue Devils later this summer, but for now he's making sure his academics are strong enough to get him into his top school. more....
WAKE LANDS 2005 FORWARD
June 5, 2003
Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser might have gotten bored this year. The Demon Deacons' coach used his only available scholarship for the Class of 2004 many months ago when he got a commitment from wing forward Cameron Stanley.
But rather than coast through the spring and summer, Prosser and his staff have struck early in the Class of 2005, receiving (as expected) a very early commitment from 6-7 junior BF Kevin Swinton. more....
“If
I had to choose, the leader would be Notre Dame.”
June 5, 2003
— Vincent Oliver
Read full story. ...
JACKSON A TOP RUN & JUMP ATHLETE
June 5, 2003
Cedric Jackson isn't your typical stats-oriented kind of player. The talented guard doesn't put up much in the way of numbers, but he's a winner who's had some impressive moments this year on the AAU circuit.
"I'll do anything to help my team and I'm trying to be a total guard," Jackson said. more....
TOUR: IU CLASS GETS HARDY-ER
June 4, 2003
Indiana's recruiting continues to get stronger. Mike Davis' Hoosiers have added big-time wing James Hardy to a 2004 class that already includes IN WF Robert Vaden.
Hardy, a 6-5 WG/WF from Fort Wayne (IN) Elmhurst, is a consensus top-50 talent whose athleticism and scoring tools could push him even higher in the rankings by the end of the summer. more....
“The
Big 12 seems the most interested in me.”
June 4, 2003
— Trent Plaisted
Read full story. ...
GRAY BLOWS UP AT JUCO
June 4, 2003
Raw talent is the primary quality recruits need to succeed. But without a strong work ethic and willingness to accept coaching, even raw talent has its limitations. Redlands (OK) Community College 6-8 BF Taj Gray has no intention of learning this harsh lesson the hard way.
"His work ethic and coach-ability puts him way up there on the list of kids I've coached," said Redlands headman Steve Eck. "Taj just plays so hard, and he really gets the most out of his talent." more....
BARROW'S GAME EVOLVES
June 4, 2003
For Matthew Barrow, it's all about making adjustments on the floor, from both a mental and physical standpoint. The 6-4, 175-pound WG from Baton Rouge (LA) Southern Lab hopes his improved skills and versatility will draw more looks this summer.
"One thing that has happened for me is that I've gotten a lot stronger from earlier years," Barrow told PrepStars.com. more....
'ROOTS TOUR: SPRING FAST RISERS
June 3, 2003
The spring AAU period is over, and the first wave of recaps are rolling in. Here is PrepStars.com's Jeff Goodman's take on the top 10 list of players who saw their stock rise the most.
Leading the charge are Malik Hairston, Alexander Kaun and Dorrell Wright. more....
2004 RANKINGS: MIDWEST PERSPECTIVE
June 3, 2003
Our official rankings can be found under the Rankings and School Lists section of the site, but here's another view of the Class of 2004, courtesy of Kansas City-based PrepStars.com scout Eric Bossi.
The names at the top of the rankings are very similar to fellow correspondent Brick Oettinger's, but a few key differences include a very high ranking for No. 13 Shawne Williams (he's No. 35 in our official rankings), No. 28 Josh Heytvelt (unranked), No. 29 James Hardy (No. 50) and others. more....
MCCLURE MAKES DECISION
June 3, 2003
Tim Thomas Playaz wing Dave McClure, who is recovering from mono and recently returned to action, has made his college decision.
McClure's co-leaders for weeks were Duke and Notre Dame, and it's no surprise he chose one of those two schools. more....
“He
changes the game and has an NBA-type body.”
June 2, 2003
— Coach David Grace, on Ty Morrison
Read full story. ...
TOUR: VILLANUEVA PICKS UCONN
June 2, 2003
The AAU scene may have been quiet this past weekend, but there was still plenty of news. Charlie Villanueva, who may still opt to go straight to the NBA, chose UConn over Kansas. The versatile 6-9 Villanueva is a great talent who applied for the NBA draft and has through June 19 to withdraw.
In just a couple of weeks, UConn's 2003 recruiting class has been elevated from ho-hum to potentially dynamite. more....
KLEIZA PICKS TIGERS
May 30, 2003
Missouri reeled in one of the few remaining big fish from the Class of 2003, getting the nod from Linas Kleiza, a 6-8 BF from Lithuania who prepped this year at Rockville (MD) Montrose Christian.
Kleiza, a rugged and skilled insider who emerged as a top-20 prospect during the course of a stellar senior season, chose the Tigers over finalists North Carolina and Florida State, which recently signed blue-chip BF Alexander Johnson. more....
“...
I want to get stronger, faster and get my mind on grades.”
May 30, 2003
— Jared Dudley
Read full story. ...
With offers already on the table from UCLA, Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, Iowa and Iowa State for football, and basketball interest from Penn State, Notre Dame and Michigan-and UT-Chattanooga, Nebraska, Evansville, Utah and Virginia Tech, two sport star Cortney Grixby has a big decision to make.
"I'm pretty much wide open right now and I like both sports. It really depends on which season I am in," Grixby told PrepStars.com. "In college I'm not sure what I will do, its possible I will play both. Right now I would say that I am 50/50. more....
TOC PLAYER EVALUATIONS
May 29, 2003
Memorial Day Weekend just wouldn't be the same without the annual Tournament of Champions. As always, this year's TOC featured more top players than we possibly could track, but what we did see reaffirmed that the hyped Class of 2004 indeed is a very strong one nationally.
Starting at the top, you won't see much better big men than Dwight Howard, a terrific physical specimen who has athleticism, strength and skills. more....
TOC PLAYER EVALS: PART II
May 29, 2003
Some teams included in our second of two in-depth look at the best players at the Tournament of Champions are the Arkansas Hawks, Houston Select, The Playaz, Houston Westside All-Stars, North Carolina Gaters, Atlanta Celtics and Juice All-Stars.
More: Magnolia Stars, Team Challenge, New Orleans Jazz, Raleigh's Finest, California Pump N' Run, Georgia Stars 16-unders and KC Pump N' Run 16-unders. more....
“All
I want is to play basketball, so it doesn't matter if I leave or stay.”
May 29, 2003
— Lorenzo Mata
Read full story. ...
'ROOTS TOUR: FARMAR PICKS BRUINS
May 29, 2003
It's highly unlikely anyone will be able to match Texas' early success with the Class of 2004, but Ben Howland has jumpstarted UCLA recruiting and is on his way to landing a terrific class.
Howland and his staff have added another blue-chip player in Jordan Farmar, a 6-0 PG from Woodland Hills (CA) Taft who chose the Bruins over Arizona, Florida and Gonzaga. Farmar joins elite CA wing Arron Afflalo as early UCLA commitments. more....
BIG MAN LIKES BIG CHALLENGES
May 29, 2003
The spring and summer AAU circuit gives Drew Walker to chance to face tough competition, a key for Walker because his Port Clinton (OH) High team plays a softer schedule.
Playing against better players so far has made Walker, a 7-0, 260-pound C, aware of his strengths and weaknesses. more....
ORR ENJOYS SOLID WEEKEND
May 28, 2003
After a successful weekend at the Tournament of Champions in which his Cleveland Basketball Club team won its pool before losing to the Atlanta Celtics in the playoffs, Justin Orr realizes that the strong competition he faced on Tobacco Road is exactly what he needs the rest of the summer.
"It was a good weekend for me and I played better against the Celtics," Orr said. more....
"... I want a school with good academics."
May 28, 2003
- Joseph Jones
Read full story. ...
MORRISEY GAINING INTEREST
May 27, 2003
When Danny Morrissey left Pepper Pike, Ohio, he was a scrawny 155-pound freshman who was just hoping to play Ivy League basketball. Now he's the poster-child for the Pendleton School (Fla.) after gaining about 25 pounds and the interest of ACC and Big Ten schools in just two years.
Morrissey, who is playing with Mike Duncan's Cleveland Basketball Club this summer, has improved his scoring off the dribble dramatically since heading south to Pendleton. However, his biggest asset is his long-range shooting. more....
MARTIN BROTHERS TAKES MDC TITLE
May 26, 2003
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Illinois Warriors found themselves in exactly the same position they were last year, playing for the championship of the Memorial Day Classic. Unlike last year, however, the red-hot Warriors would have a game on their hands as they faced off with surprise finalist Martin Brothers Select.
This time, it was Martin Brothers that left Indiana with a new trophy to add to its collection. more....
DENTMAN DOES IT AGAIN FOR WARRIORS
May 26, 2003
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- No bones about it, Illinois Warriors point guard Justin Dentman is clutch. And his teammates also are tough. Despite not having a franchise player this year, the Warriors keep on winning.
While Dentman might be the most clutch player at the Memorial Day Classic, no one has dominated quite like Al Jefferson. Jefferson's Jackson Tigers bowed out in the quarterfinals, but his play in Bloomington cemented his status as a serious candidate to hold onto the No. 1 ranking for the next 12 months. more....
'ROOTS TOUR: VADEN PICKS HOOSIERS
May 26, 2003
Robert Vaden doesn't waste much time.
The Indianapolis (IN) Pike junior, who committed to Purdue more than three years ago prior to ever suiting up for his first varsity game, re-opened his recruitment less than a month ago and now has decided to play for Mike Davis at Indiana. more....
FARMAR HARVESTS TITLE, MVP AWARD
May 25, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Jordan Farmar didn't have any use for the Atlanta Celtics or their touted frontcourt. The impressive 6-2 PG scored 20 points to lead his California Pump N Run squad to a 94-86 win and the title of the 2003 Tournament of Champions.
Farmar did more than score Sunday. He controlled the tempo of the game and made it a guards-versus-guards affair, indirectly neutralizing the Celtics' frontcourt of Dwight Howard, Josh Smith and Randolph Morris. more....
TELFAIR PUTS ON A SHOW
May 24, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- For months and months fans have asked the question: What happened to Sebastian Telfair? After all, Telfair entered the Summer of 2002 ranked as the nation's No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2004, but in the aftermath of the July camps had fallen out of the top spot.
Whatever the answer, Telfair rendered the point moot on Saturday, putting on a terrific display of talent and work ethic and making a statement to any remaining critics. more....
REVAMPED JEFFERSON DOMINATES MDC
May 24, 2003
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- In the never-ending debate about who is the top prospect in the Class of 2004, Jackson Tigers big man Al Jefferson made his case in a most impressive way Saturday at the Memorial Day Classic.
The 6-8 BF from Prentiss (MS) High was sensational, going off for 27 points in the Tigers' 56-48 victory over Athletes' First. more....
BRIGHT STARS AT TOC
May 23, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Michigan Hurricanes don't have as much in-state talent on their roster this year, so they're leaning heavily on out-of-state kids. And on opening night of the Tournament of Champions, it was North Carolina native Roy Bright who took command.
Bright, a 6-5 WF/BF at Durham (NC) Mt. Zion Christian, scored 29 points to lead all scorers and pace the Hurricanes in a win over the Minnesota Magic. more....
MEMORIAL DAY PREVIEW
May 23, 2003
All spring long the recruiting community holds its breath in anticipation of the July evaluation period, but in late May there's a brief but forceful exhale during one of the best basketball weekends of the year.
Memorial Day Weekend marks a time of travel for many Americans, but the grassroots basketball highway runs to only two places: Chapel Hill and Bloomington. more....
"Probably Providence and West Virginia are the two big ones. ..."
May 23, 2003
- Joakim Noah
Read full story. ...
COOKE READY FOR BUSY SUMMER
May 23, 2003
Don't expect too much from the Boo Williams All-Stars this weekend at the Memorial Day Classic. Boo won't have the services of franchise guard Marquie Cooke, who's staying behind in Virginia to attend his high school prom.
But Cooke's absence from the MDC will be one of the few occasions he isn't out on the road this summer. In addition to playing at the Peach Jam and other events with Boo Williams, Cooke also will attend the NBA camp, USA Junior Olympic Development Festival and Nike All-American Camp. more....
EAGLES INVITATIONAL: PLAYER EVALS
May 22, 2003
Here's a look at the top players from last weekend's St. Louis Eagles Invitational. With just eight teams in attendance, we were able to get a very close look at both each team's stars and their supporting casts.
One such star, the Tennessee Travelers' Corey Brewer, may have been the best player in St. Louis. more....
DANSBY WAITING ON NIKE INVITE
May 22, 2003
Shane Dansby will play for more than pride at this weekend's Tournament of Champions. The Tennessee Travelers stalwart seeks an invitation to the Nike Camp, and he believes a strong showing at the TOC could push him over the top.
Dansby ,a 6-4, 195-pound rising senior WG/WF from Harpeth (TN) High, played well earlier this spring at the Kingwood Classic and Smoky Mountain Shootout. more....
"The Big East is my favorite conference. ..."
May 22, 2003
- Cornelio Guibunda
Read full story.
...
'TOUR: THIS SHIPP SAILS UPSTREAM
May 21, 2003
On a team with higher-profile players, Josh Shipp took his game to the highest level this past weekend. The 6-4, 190-pound junior WG/WF from Los Angeles (CA) Fairfax won tournament MVP honors at the Five-Star Classic in Boston.
Elsewhere, published reports out of Knoxville state that Jordan Howell has picked Tennessee. more....
"... I feel like some players at the top are overrated."
May 21, 2003
- Matthew Wheaton
Read full story. ...
PAYTON: MORE THAN JUST A NAME
May 21, 2003
The name's the same and the game similar, but don't confuse Keena Payton with his older brother, Gary. Payton, a 6-3, 175-pound PG/WG at Oakland (CA) Skyline, is the younger sibling of NBA all-star Gary Payton, but the unheralded Keena hopes to make his own name in the basketball world.
Even allowing for Keena's own individuality, some comparisons between the two brothers are inevitable. In the Paytons' case, it is Gary's effusive self-confidence that he shares with Keena. more....
MILLS LIFTS SCHOOL TO NEW HEIGHTS
May 20, 2003
In every city, in every basketball hotbed across the country, there are a few kids who are inevitably -- and sometimes inexplicably -- neglected by local fans and national media.
Marvin Mills is one such example from Southern California. Mills, a 6-2 rising senior point guard, plays for Los Angeles (CA) King-Drew Medical -- a school that virtually never gets mentioned with city powers like Westchester and Fairfax. But Mills proved last season that he, and King-Drew, deserve more publicity. more....
"Pretty much the whole Midwest is on me."
May 19, 2003
- DeAaron Williams
Read full story. ...
WARRIORS MAKE THEIR POINT
May 19, 2003
ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- No doubt about it, Larry Butler's Illinois Warriors rolled into the St. Louis Eagles Invitational on a mission. Despite having established themselves as a premier club program in recent years, the Warriors' less proven group hasn't yet cracked the PrepStars.com top 25 AAU poll.
Perhaps feeling a bit slighted, the Warriors rolled defeated the St. Louis Eagles 68-54 on Sunday to capture the tournament title. more....
TOUR: HUMPHRIES NO LONGER DUKE-BOUND
May 19, 2003
All-American Duke signee Kris Humphries has been let out of his letter-of-intent and could end up at Minnesota, Indiana or elsewhere.
The 6-9, 235-pound Humphries, according to sources close to the Duke program, was released from the letter-of-intent this past weekend, despite denials from his father on Monday. more....
BREWER'S BODY, GAME CONTINUE TO GROW
May 19, 2003
Corey Brewer certainly has received his fair share of attention over the past few years. The slender wing from Portland (TN) High has developed his reputation as a shooter and a scorer and certain high major recruit.
Having grown to 6-7 -- and possibly not finished -- Brewer showed all weekend long at the St. Louis Eagles Invitational that he has taken his game to another level. more....
SOUTHERN INVITATIONAL: PLAYER EVALS
May 16, 2003
As you've come to expect from our reporters, PrepStars.com correspondent Thom Jones checks in with his player evaluations from last weekend's Southern Invitational.
While there may not have been as many big-time kids as we've seen at other spring events, the Invitational served as a showcase for Tim Thomas Playa Alex Galindo, who captured the MVP trophy. Click below for thumbnails on all the best players. more....
Ladies and gentlemen, the Class of 2003 is ready to take its final bow and head off to new challenges at the next level. Here's Brick Oettinger's final 2003 player rankings, starting with you-know-who at the No. 1 position.
James is the first-ever player in PrepStars.com history to hold the No. 1 spot beginning to end, beginning the first time we ranked the Class of 2003 as sophomores. more....
'ROOTS TOUR: FLORIDA, ST. JOE'S, OTHERS ADD SENIORS
May 16, 2003
Florida out-dueled Kentucky for 6-9 BF Mohamed Abukar, adding the slender big man to an already solid class. Abukar is a prime jump shooter who virtually never misses from 10 feet and closer along the baseline.
St. Joseph's got some more frontline help when they signed Mariner High (Fla.) 6-8 power forward Robert Ferguson, and Florida won its head-to-head battle against Kentucky when the Gators landed Mohamed Abukar. more....
'ROOTS TOUR: JOHNSON PICKS FSU
May 15, 2003
Alexander Johnson made his decision last night and another top senior, Mohamed Abukar, will do the same today. The 6-8 Johnson chose Florida State, which is just a couple hours away from his home in Albany, Ga., over UConn and Cincinnati.
Johnson originally signed with Georgia a year ago, but didn't qualify and spent the past year at North Bridgton (ME) Bridgton, where he averaged 25 points and 13 rebounds per game. more....
MILTON MAKES HIS PICK
May 15, 2003
Plano High (Texas) senior Michael Milton has decided to play for Bobby Knight, according to sources close to the situation.
Milton, a 6-6, 195-pound lefty swingman, averaged 21.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game this past season. He is unselfish, versatile, has good ball-handling skills and can create his own shot and penetrate to the basket. more....
"He changes the way a team can play defense. ..."
May 14, 2003
- Jay Couch, on UC recruit Asrangue Souleymane
Read full story.
...
'ROOTS TOUR: HARDIN, VERDEJO DECIDE
May 14, 2003
Miami Christian (Fla.) senior Jesus Verdejo and Newark Memorial (Calif.) junior DeVon Hardin both made decisions while C.J. Giles still hasn't made up his mind ‚ contrary to what some believe.
Verdejo, a 6-4 guard who teamed with Miami-bound Guillermo Diaz, signed with Temple after drawing interest from Memphis, Marquette, Kentucky and Illinois. Verdejo also considered heading back home to Puerto Rico and signing a professional contract. more....
BRICK: POSTSEASON ALL-AMERICAN TEAMS
May 14, 2003
It's time this spring for our annual high school All-America selections, which includes deserving underclassmen as well as seniors.
In fact, more underclass prospects than ever are on our 2003 All-America, for two reasons: (1) the Class of 2003, despite the presence of clear-cut superstar LeBron James, is just fair; and (2) the Class of 2004 appears to be genuinely outstanding, particularly at the crucial point guard position. more....
'ROOTS TOUR: JOHNSON READY TO POP
May 13, 2003
According to sources, Alexander Johnson will choose between Florida State and UConn Wednesday night at 7 p.m. back home in Albany, Georgia.
The 6-8 BF/C, who spent this past season at Bridgton Academy (Maine), still is considering Cincinnati, but the Bearcats, once thought to be on top of his list, have fallen off in the past week. more....
SO. INVITATIONAL SCHOOL LISTS
May 13, 2003
Here's a look at bunches of school lists from this past weekend's Southern Invitational in Charlottesville, Va. We compiled a very broad cross-section of school lists, ranging from those who have received scholarship offers from big-time programs to those who may simply be listing their favorite schools to watch on television.
One player who doesn't have to worry about scholarship offers is J.R. Smith. The explosive wing from New Jersey was one of the Invitational's best prospects. more....
KENTUCKY GETS ANOTHER BIG MAN
May 12, 2003
Kentucky got another seven-footer. Lukasz Obrzut, a 7-2, 245-pound Poland native who spent this past season at Bridgton Academy (Maine), will sign a letter-of-intent to play for the Wildcats.
Kentucky coach Tubby Smith also added 7-3 center Shagari Alleyne last month. more....
PLAYAZ TAKE SOUTHERN INVITATIONAL
May 12, 2003
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The Tim Thomas Playaz sought redemption for their championship loss last year at the Southern Invitational, and the Playaz took care of business in dispatching the North Carolina Gaters 79-51 in the final.
Alex Galindo, Sean Singletary, Mohamed Tangara and Tyree Evans were among those who shone brightly this weekend. more....
TOUR: GIST LEADS WEEKEND COMMITMENTS
May 12, 2003
Despite his father thousands of miles away in Korea, James Gist Jr. was ready to make a decision. The younger Gist, a 6-8, 210-pound forward whose stock has risen just about as much as anyone's this spring, decided to go ahead and commit to Maryland.
``My parents said that nothing could get better than that and I agreed," Gist told PrepStars.com. "Being at home, I'll have good support and it's a good program with a good education." more....
"I want to become known outside of Alabama ..."
May 9, 2003
- DeMarre Carroll
Read full story. ...
TOUR: NBA FOR VILLANUEVA, OR IS IT?
May 9, 2003
According to sources close to the situation, Blair Academy (N.J.) forward Charlie Villanueva is leaning toward choosing from Kansas and UConn.
The New York City native, who committed to Illinois but never signed a letter of intent, also put his name in for the NBA Draft earlier today - but is still considering attending college. more....
CLARKE IMPROVING STOCK
May 9, 2003
Devon Clarke doesn't yet command enough attention from college coaches to choose any school he wants, but the 6-6, 200-pound junior helped himself with scouts at the recent Charlie Weber Invitational.
Clarke, a star WF/WG at Windsor (CT) High, is a good athlete who loves to attack the basket off the dribble. He needs to improve his dribbling to play the wing guard spot. more....
FISHER HAS OPTIONS, LIKES HOOPS
May 8, 2003
With a strong body and physical style that inflicts damage on the hardwood and gridiron, Charron Fisher now must decide which sport he'll play in college.
Fisher, a 6-4, 230-pound junior WF/BF from Philadelphia (PA) Roman Catholic, averaged 24 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks per game this past basketball season. Fisher also excels in football as a LB/TE/WR, and said he already has offers from Virginia, Pittsburgh and Rutgers. more....
"Right now Georgia Tech and N.C. State are my leaders."
May 8, 2003
- Jamal Shuler
Read full story. ...
JAYHAWK INVITATIONAL: PLAYER EVALS
May 7, 2003
Last weekend's Jayhawk Invitational provided a good setting for evaluating prospects. With a smaller field than some other major spring events, there was a nice mix of low and high-major players, many from the Class of 2005 and younger.
One of the most impressive youngsters in attendance was point guard Marcus Walker, who debuted on the national stage at the 2002 Nike All-American Camp. more....
RISE AND FALL OF THE DOLLARD
May 7, 2003
Josh Dollard believes he can play high-major basketball. He hopes that touring with the South Carolina Ravens this summer will help make his dream a reality.
But for Dollard to play at the highest level, he must prove that he consistently can produce against top competition. The good news is that the 6-7, 210-pound BF/WF from Hemingway (SC) High, who averaged 18 points and 13 rebounds per game last season, has been solid thus far on the AAU circuit. more....
"I really would like Gonzaga or Creighton."
May 7, 2003
- Conner Nielsen
Read full story. ...
'ROOTS TOUR: PRUITT CHOOSES TROJANS
May 7, 2003
Gabriel Pruitt wasn't sure if his recruitment would be hindered by the fact that he was ineligible to play his entire junior season at Westchester (Calif.) after transferring from Compton Centennial.
However, that was not the case, as the 6-3, 170-pound point guard committed to Southern Cal over interest from other big-time programs such as Oregon, Utah, Maryland, DePaul, Texas, Texas Tech, UConn, UCLA and Colorado State. more....
KURZ PLEDGE HEADLINES NEWS RUSH
May 6, 2003
This is anything but luck for Notre Dame. The Irish have done a quality job of late in stocking their roster, and New Jersey combo forward Rob Kurz is the latest addition.
The 6-8, 215-pound BF/WF, who averaged 20 points and 11 boards this past season playing alongside Sean Singletary at Penn Charter, chose Notre Dame over Indiana and Villanova. more....
"... scouts saw him as either a sleeper or a tremendous steal for Fordham."
May 6, 2003
- Whit Lesure, on Lukasz Obrzut
Read full story. ...
'ROOTS TOUR: TUCKER CLIMBS CHARTS
May 6, 2003
When Rico Tucker committed to San Diego, it was about comfort level, a chance to play close to home and to help build a winning tradition.
Now the 5-11 point guard, considered one of the most athletic players in the country, has re-opened his recruitment and the interest in the ultra-athletic Tucker continues to mount from high-majors. more....
TOP PROSPECTS TAKE JAYHAWK
May 5, 2003
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- If history holds, Ken Willingham won't get much enjoyment from Kansas' Allen Fieldhouse the next four years, but the Texas Top Prospects' coach certainly had a ball on Sunday.
Willingham's son Dez will be a freshman this fall at Kansas State, which rarely has won in Lawrence, but even without his talented son Willingham's Top Prospects defeated Kansas City Pump N' Run 59-54 to win this weekend's Jayhawk Invitational. more....
"If any big schools come in then I want to play basketball."
May 2, 2003
- Hilton Pitts, football and basketball star
Read full story. ...
All it took was one deadly shooting performance. At an open gym last week in Virginia, Brian Gilmore transformed himself from a fringe college prospect into a kid who's getting some high-major interest.
Gilmore, a 6-7, 202-pound junior WF from Chesapeake (VA) Great Bridge, caught fire and launched himself into the ring with other top-level targets. more....
'ROOTS TOUR: LATIMORE PICKS NOTRE DAME
May 2, 2003
While some other schools have tooled around with subpar spring recruits, Notre Dame has added a high-major transfer from Arizona. Dennis Latimore, a 6-8 sophomore BF who never fit in with the Wildcats, will finish his career with Mike Brey's Fighting Irish.
As a touted star at Halstead (KS) High in the Class of 2001, Latimore picked the Wildcats over serious interest from UCLA, Stanford and Kansas. more....
TWO HIGH-MAJOR COMMITMENTS
May 1, 2003
A pair of high-major programs have landed new senior recruits.
According to sources, a pair of senior forwards, Marcus Sikes and Dion Dacons, have made their college decisions. Both players will be taking their games to major conferences. more....
'ROOTS TOUR: MCIVER ON THE ROAD BACK
May 1, 2003
Robert McIver is looking to put himself back on the map. The former Georgia native, who moved northeast shortly after committing to Georgetown during his sophomore year, will attend Winchendon (Mass.) next year after spending this past season at New Haven Hillhouse (Conn.).
"I just want to play well this summer and show everybody Iím one of the top players in the country," said McIver. more....
“... the main reason was the coaching staff.”
April 30, 2003
— Jamar Jenkins, on his commitment
Read full story....
'ROOTS TOUR: SWANN MULLING PAIR
April 30, 2003
First things first for Isaiah Swann. Prep school and then college. The Baltimore native, who spent last season at Oak Hill Academy (Va.), has trimmed his list of prep schools to a pair: Hargrave Military Academy (Va.) or Riverdale Baptist (Md.).
The 6-2, 190-pound Swann, who played at Rockville (MD) Magruder as a sophomore, averaged 17 points and four rebounds in his lone season under Steve Smith at Oak Hill. more....
FROM WEBER: UPDATED SCHOOL LISTS
April 30, 2003
We made the rounds at the Charlie Weber Invitational over the weekend, and we've compiled over 20 school lists taken directly from the players themselves.
Included in that group are Tyree Evans, Cornelio Guibunda, Troy Mathis, Robert McIver, Kashif Payne and many others. more....
'ROOTS TOUR: RICH IN TALENT
April 29, 2003
While names such as Alexander "Sasha" Kaun, James Gist, Dorrell Wright and others were tossed around all weekend by coaches, fans and talent evaluators, one player stood out as the most valuable: Jason Rich.
A year ago he was considered an exceptional talent who was a jump shot away from being considered a McDonald's All-American. Well, now he's added the three-point shot to his arsenal and should be considered a near-lock for the prestigious game. more....
“I just want a school where I fit in and get immediate playing time.”
April 29, 2003
— Rudy Gay
Read full story....
WEBER REPORT: PAULUS SHINES
April 29, 2003
At Charlie Weber's newest event, held in Washington, D.C. over the weekend, Greg Paulus made perhaps the biggest impression. The 6-2, 180-pound sophomore point guard of Syracuse (NY) Christian Brothers plays the game with an intensity and enjoyment that sets him apart from his peers.
In terms of raw talent, Paulus has the quickness to get into the teeth of the defense and vision to find open shooters. He's also an excellent long-range shooter who was somewhat inconsistent at Weber, but has been known to unleash multiple bombs in a game. more....
WISE AMONG BIG NAMES TO COMMIT
April 29, 2003
Nic Wise took a couple of extra days, but he made it official when he chose Arizona Monday. The 5-9, 170-pound freshman from Hightower (Texas), who was originally slated to make the decision on Thursday after taking a visit to Austin, chose the Wildcats over Texas.
Top-five rising seniors LaMarcus Aldridge and Darius Washington also took the plunge. more....
GAUCHOS WIN KINGWOOD, TEXAS STYLE
April 27, 2003
HOUSTON -- They say everything is bigger in Texas. That axiom certainly held true on Sunday, when the New York Gauchos not only won four games en route to the Kingwood Classic championship, but they ripped through the semifinal and final by a combined winning margin of 48 points.
The Gauchos played so well that they likely could have survived the loss of any one player, but Russell Robinson came closest to playing the role of hero. more....
KINGWOOD DAY 2: PLAYOFF DUELS SET
April 27, 2003
HOUSTON -- Sixteen teams remain in contention for the Kingwood Classic championship heading into the final day of action on Sunday. Many of the pre-tournament favorites still are around, but a few were knocked off during the opening round of playoffs on Saturday.
The toughest team we've seen in Houston this weekend is Team Florida, which has a stellar blend of talent (see below), balance and chemistry. But the Floridians have a very tough road ahead to take the title. more....
KINGWOOD DAY 1: TIKI GETS FREAKY
April 26, 2003
There were no chainsaws in sight, but Day One at the Kingwood Classic featured a stunning number of massacres. Thirty, forty and even fifty-point wins were the norm, as the good teams that are spread throughout the field hammered their inferior competition, taking care of business and setting up what should be some outstanding playoff matchups Saturday night.
Tiki Mayben didn't have the luxury of coasting on Friday night, and he rising junior point guard came through for the Albany City Rocks down the stretch. Arron Afflalo also was outstanding. more....
Cooke, Gilmore Shine In Richmond
April 25, 2003
Marquie Cooke was the headliner Wednesday evening at an open gym held at Richmond (VA) Meadowbrook. His Boo Williams AAU teammate Brian Gilmore stepped up and shared the spotlight, impressing a number of college coaches who were on hand for the event, causing them to scramble to ascertain exactly who this sniper was in the green gym shorts. more....
“I'm a Capricorn, so I want to start. ...”
April 24, 2003
— Kenny Hunt
Read full story....
TOUR: ARIZONA MAKING WISE MOVE?
April 24, 2003
Freshman ‚ yes, freshman - Nic Wise will make his decision today and will choose between in-state power Texas and his dream school, Arizona. According to sources, the Hightower High (Texas) 5-9, 170-pound point guard will choose the Wildcats.
The 15-year-old Wise is an intelligent floor leader who transferred from Katy Cinco Ranch to Hightower, where his father, Greg, is the coach. more....
THIS MAN OF STEEL FLYING HIGH
April 24, 2003
Ron Steele is living large. The rising senior won the Alabama 6A (large schools) state title this past season with Birmingham (AL) Carroll, leading his team to a perfect 36-0 record.
And not surprisingly, Steele's stock has risen as a result of his stellar season. He's now ready to strut his stuff this summer and keep the momentum going. more....
CASTLEBERRY COMMITS
April 24, 2003
Seven-foot Dixie (UT) JC center Steve Castleberry deliberated for days. Maine or Rider? Rider or Maine? In the end, however, the prospect of good old fashioned home cooking won out.
"I signed my letter of intent to play at Rider," said Castleberry, who lives approximately one hour from the New Jersey school. "It was down to Rider and Maine-they'd been around all year long- and it was pretty much a tie breaker. more....
FLORIDA WING RICH IN TALENT
April 22, 2003
Contrary to its previous reputation, the state of Florida has produced more than amusement parks, citrus fruits, and Heisman hopefuls the past several years. In terms of basketball prospects, a whole lot more. One of the junior class' best is 6-3 WG Jason Rich.
Rich, an exciting run/jump athlete from Orlando (FL) Phillips, joins fellow Floridians Darius Washington, Taurean Green and perhaps others who have top-50 talent in the upcoming class. more....
“I've always played on the perimeter ... until my growth spurts changed
things.”
April 22, 2003
— Jonathan Huffman
Read full story....
GRASSROOTS TOUR: PINNOCK, HOOKS MAKE DECISIONS
April 22, 2003
A couple of late signings have gotten overlooked, but guard J.R. Pinnock has chosen a new school and Mississippiís Kenny Hooks got plucked out of the South.
Pinnock, a 6-4, 200-poind wing guard at Virginia Beach (VA) Coastal Christian who de-committed from Wichita State a few months back, is headed to Atlantic-10.
Hooks, meanwhile, is taking his talents west to the Pac-10. more....
WALKER'S DECISION RAM-TOUGH
April 22, 2003
For B.A. Walker, it all came down to comfort. Walker, who had narrowed his school list to Virginia Commonwealth and Rutgers, chose Jeff Capel's Rams.
"I signed with VCU on Friday," Walker said. "They showed the most interest in me and I was more comfortable there." more....
'ROOTS TOUR: GEORGE BACK TO ISU
April 21, 2003
He needed a few months to make sure, but Reggie George is finally set for Iowa State. George, a 6-9 BF at Fitchburg (MA) Notre Dame who had rescinded a winter commitment to the Cyclones, turned down an offer from Texas Christian and interest from Mississippi State to stick with his original choice.
"I think it's where he's wanted to go all along," Notre Dame coach Bill Barton said. more....
BROWN STEALS SHOW AT CAP CLASSIC
April 18, 2003
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In his final game as something other than an NBA player, LeBron James put up 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists at the Capital Classic on Thursday. But even those outstanding numbers weren't enough for James' Black squad to win, as the Silver team prevailed 107-102.
For all of LeBron's exploits, however, Shannon Brown dominated the second half and deservedly won the Silver team's MVP award. The 6-2 Michigan State-bound WG scored 24 of his 27 points in the second half, hitting 12-17 of his shots (3-6 threes) and adding eight assists in all. more....
'ROOTS TOUR: CARRIER TO UMASS
April 18, 2003
Salisbury School (Conn.) senior forward Lawrence Carrier, once considered an elite prospect whose stock plummeted because of numerous injuries, committed to UMass.
The 6-8, 230-pound Carrier, a California native, chose the Minutemen over Colorado and likely will sit out his freshman season because of academics. Carrier, who averaged 20.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, was also recruited at one time or another by Indiana, Miami, Utah and Arizona State. more....
“(Creighton has) been there all along and they make things personable.”
April 18, 2003
— Corey Starks
Read full story....
TOUR, TAKE II: WHAT'S UP WITH SHAGARI?
April 17, 2003
The first day of the late signing period came and went yesterday and it was no surprise that Rutgers didn't receive a signature from Shagari Alleyne. The 7-2 Rice High (N.Y.) big man committed to Rutgers, but the rumors have been swirling ever since he have Gary Waters a verbal pledge that he wouldn't end up there.
Alleyne, who is playing in the Jordan Capital Classic tonight, is still on the fence about his commitment to the Big East school. more....
'ROOTS TOUR: PLAYSTATION BREAKS OUT
April 17, 2003
When you watch how he plays, it's understandable that his favorite player is T.J. Ford. Holderness School (N.H.) 5-11, 160-pound sophomore floor leader Greg Johnson (aka Playstation) is lightning-quick, and the Harlem, N.Y., native exhibits some of the same traits as the Texas point man.
Johnson landed at Holderness two years ago because his friend, Ezaakk Diggs (Wesleyan), was playing at the school. Johnson averaged 13 points, eight assists and six steals this past season. more....
“I really like the Big 12 and SEC.”
April 17, 2003
— Antonio James
Read full story....
FAULK LIKES NEW DIGS
April 17, 2003
After spending the beginning of his junior year at St. Paul's (NC) High and playing in 12 games, Sam Faulk transferred to Fayetteville (NC) Smith. The switch slowed Faulk a little, but he believes the experience overall has been a good one.
"It was hard to move from what I was used to doing at St. Paul's, where we played as a half court team, to Smith, where we ran and ran and ran," Faulk said. more....
BOO WILLIAMS PLAYER EVALUATIONS
April 16, 2003
The spring is the most important time of year for player evaluations, and the Boo Williams Invitational always is a great place to get an early look at the nation's top rising seniors and underclassmen.
Check out our comprehensive report on the best players at Boo, then judge for yourself who should be ranked No. 1 heading into the next wave of major events. One player who was terrific was DeMarcus Nelson, even though his stock can't rise much higher than it already is. more....
FEMI COMMITS TO TCU
April 16, 2003
Femi Ibikunle didnít get a chance to showcase his offensive skills all that much while at New Hampton Prep (N.H.) this season, but he was a monster on the glass.
The 6-8, 245-pound Nigerian native committed to TCU after taking visits to the Horned Frogs, Marquette, Oklahoma State and Iowa State. more....
“Ideally, I would like to play in the Big East, ACC or SEC.”
April 16, 2003
— Tajuan Bonds
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PEARSON HOPES TO RAISE PROFILE
April 16, 2003
After a junior season in which he averaged 13 points, nine rebounds and a whopping six blocks per game, Dave Pearson is looking forward to the time he'll spend with the Championship Sports AAU program.
"I think that what AAU ball does is it helps me get my name out there," Pearson said. "I feel that I'm a lot better than a year ago and I want to show everybody that I can play ball." more....
PRICE FAVORS FIVE
April 15, 2003
A.J. Price was sensational this past weekend at the Boo Williams Invitational. But you already knew that. And if you didn't already know that, then at least the high-major coaches recruiting him sure did.
Price, a quick playmaker and top perimeter marksman at Amityville (NY) High, has a top five consisting of some of the nation's best programs. more....
DOWDELL HEADED TO THE BIG EAST
April 15, 2003
Zabian Dowdell is happy to be where he is, and even happier to know where he'll be in the fall. Dowdell, a 6-2, 170-pound PG/WG at Pahokee (FL) High, recovered from a broken ankle that curtailed him last summer and has become Seth Greenberg's first recruit at Virginia Tech.
Dowdell averaged 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists per game this season at Pahokee, and had offers from East Carolina, South Florida, Jacksonville and Florida Atlantic. more....
“I felt I could come in and play right away. ...”
April 15, 2003
— Abdi Lidonde
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'ROOTS TOUR: AFFLALO TO UCLA
April 14, 2003
It didn’t take long for Ben Howland to make an impact back on the West Coast.
The former Pittsburgh coach, who took the UCLA job after his Panthers got bounced out of the NCAA Tournament in the Sweet Sixteen, landed arguably the top junior in California when Arron Afflalo committed to the Bruins on Sunday night. more....
“The best description ... is Mike Dunleavy Jr.”
April 14, 2003
— Dennis Cullinan, on Alex Thompson
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'ROOTS TOUR: PRICE LIKES DEVILS
April 14, 2003
Eric Price has a pretty good idea of where he'd like to attend college and he hopes to make his decision shortly after the summer. The Dunbar (D.C.) sophomore guard, who will attend Blair Academy (N.J.) this season, hopes to commit to Duke.
``That’s where I’m leaning," said Price, who has a 3.6 GPA. "That’ll probably be my decision. They’ve pretty much offered me a scholarship. I’m their top priority for the Class of 2005." more....
AT BOO: TEAM TEXAS TOPPLES TIGERS
April 12, 2003
HAMPTON, Va. -- When the first-round playoff matchups were posted Saturday afternoon, it didn't take long to determine the marquee matchup. The crowd gathered to take in Boo Williams Invitational quarterfinal action found themselves treated to a battle of perhaps the nation's two best junior big men, Al Jefferson and LaMarcus Aldridge.
No one left disappointed. Aldridge's Team Texas utilized withering fullcourt pressure to dislodge Jefferson's Tigers, pulling away in the second half and holding on late for a 61-56 victory. more....
ALDRIDGE STAKES CLAIM FOR NO. 1
April 11, 2003
HAMPTON, Va. -- The annual Boo Williams Invitational is referred to as the unofficial kickoff of the new senior class. On Friday night, LaMarcus Aldridge did a good bit of kicking himself in Team Texas' win over the Georgia Stars.
Read about Aldridge's dominant performance, as well as all the other ground-shakers to take the floor on opening night, plus player updates, interviews and more. more....
“I want to get my name out, definitely more than it is now.”
April 11, 2003
— Jon Lucky
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PrepStars.com is taking a crack at the first-ever, comprehensive Top 25 AAU Poll and we’re ready for all the complaints. As you can see, we did our homework but we know that anything can and does happen when it comes to summer hoop.
Who's No. 1? For now, at least, it's the D.C. Blue Devils, led by top-25 big man Brian Johnson. more....
NO RUSH FOR KANSAS CITY STAR
April 11, 2003
One of the most recognizable names in the history of grassroots basketball is Rush. During the mid-to-late 1990s, brothers JaRon and Kareem took the nation by storm and led Kansas City (MO) Pembroke Hill to national prominence. Recognized for both their prodigious basketball talent and the non-basketball controversy that followed them everywhere, they passed on quite a legacy to the third member of their clan, Brandon.
That's Brandon Rush, a 6-6 WF at Kansas City (MO) Westport, who is one of the most talented -- and least exposed -- underclassmen in the nation. more....
REICHEL'S RECRUITING ISLAND GROWING
April 11, 2003
Craig Reichel is a big guy and this year he played that way. The 6-8, 225-pound junior BF/WF realized that his ticket to scholarship offers is proving that he can -- and will -- compete on the low block.
"Instead of going outside away from the basket, ,I stayed in close and banged inside," Reichel said. more....
“It's down to Rutgers and VCU.”
April 10, 2003
— B.A. Walker
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'ROOTS TOUR: BRANCH WON'T FALL FAR
April 8, 2003
Don’t expect Stanley Branch to go too far from home. The St. Benedict’s (N.J.) junior forward, who will split his time this summer between the Tim Thomas Playaz and the Jersey Cyclones, wants to stay close to his mother for college.
The 6-8, 200-pound Branch, who averaged a double-double this year for Dan Hurley’s club, favors a certain Big East school. more....
“I'm only 5-9 or 5-10, but I use my height to my advantage.”
April 8, 2003
— Justin Dick
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KINGWOOD, VEGAS ARE MARQUEE EVENTS
April 8, 2003
The AAU season really starts to get underway this weekend with the Boo Williams Invitational, but Vision Sports' Hal Pastner is the key figure for a pair of tournaments later this month.
Pastner has taken charge of the Las Vegas Easter Classic, which runs from April 16-20 and is "live" on the 19th and 20th for college coaches. However, the biggest tournament in the early portion of the AAU season may be his Kingwood Classic in Houston from April 25-27, with the final two days sanctioned for college coaches to attend. more....
NATIONAL TITLE GAME: ONE MAN'S PERSPECTIVE
April 8, 2003
Monday night’s national final drew the rapt attention of diehard hoop fans and millions of other more casual sports viewers. Needless to say, description and analysis of the game itself can be found at just about any newspaper website.
But my take is a little different. Whereas the mainstream media concentrate solely on the college season and the development of players after they arrive on campus, I watched last night's game as someone who has greater familiarity with the young players. more....
MORROW HAS WIDE-RANGING INTEREST
April 8, 2003
When a kid who lives on Tobacco Road drains an imaginary game-winning shot from his driveway, he frequently does so while pretending to be the star of an ACC school.
But not only will outstanding 6-5 junior wing Anthony Morrow almost definitely have a chance to play in the ACC, plenty of other schools remain hot on his trail this spring. more....
ADRIEN HOPES TO CONTINUE TRADITION
April 8, 2003
BABC doesn’t have a big-name big man as in the past. There’s no Torin Francis. No Courtney Sims. However, Leo Papile does have underrated -- and undersized -- 6-5, 220-pound BF/WF Jeff Adrien.
The Brookline High (Mass.) junior is a Florida native who has spent most of his life in New England. He averaged 17 points, 12 boards and five blocks per game this past season for the 22-2 Warriors. more....
MR. COOPER ONE TO WATCH
April 7, 2003
Of the players who have been brought to the Laurinburg (NC) program in the past year, Kareem Cooper gets less attention than he deserves.
Cooper, a 6-11 junior big man, will play for the Charter team (one of three teams at Laurinburg) next year after moving over from Raleigh (NC) Bonner Academy. more....
NELSON TO MISS SUMMER CIRCUIT
April 4, 2003
Things were looking up for Eric Nelson. The 6-3, 185-pound WG at Tallahassee (FL) Leon had injured his left knee in his team's first game this year, but he returned to play in 15 of the last 28 games and averaged 12.5 points per game.
After an MRI showed no major damage, Nelson was believed to have suffered a less serious ligament tear. But he later learned the more serious truth, and he'll be out of action for several months. more....
“I'm going to visit Ohio U. ... and then after that I'm going to visit
East Carolina the next week.”
April 4, 2003
— Japhet McNeil
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MAXWELL COMMITS TO UMASS
April 3, 2003
On the heels of the news that freshman guard Mike Lasme wants to transfer from UMass, the Minutemen might have filled his spot with another wing guard.
Maurice Maxwell may not be quite as athletic as the 6-1 Lasme, but he brings more versatility and size to the table. more....
FOUNTAIN'S PEN GETS ALL A'S
April 3, 2003
Daniel Fountain's season this year at Woodbridge (VA) High was an up and down ride that saw his team make the state playoffs, only to later forfeit nine games. Individually, Fountain also battled some inconsistency.
However, he ended the year on a high note and is an excellent student who will attract prestigous academic schools on the recruiting trail. more....
“I don't want to go to a school where I start right away.”
April 3, 2003
— Andrew Reed
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STARS, SLEEPERS DOT FINAL FOUR
April 2, 2003
When Kansas, Texas, Marquette and Syracuse wage war in this weekend's Final Four, they'll share more common traits than having made a deep run through the NCAA tournament.
Taking a closer look at all four teams, they each show why it's critical to have big-time talent in college basketball. For a recruiting publication like ours, this angle backs up the idea that a school's recruiting effort is a critical gauge for its program. more....
'ROOTS TOUR: SOUTH KENT LOADS UP
April 2, 2003
There’s a new player among the prep schools. South Kent (Conn.), looking to bring its basketball program to a new level, has brought West Nottingham (Md.) coach Raphael Chillious aboard.
Chillious, a former player at Lafayette, will not only take West Nottingham junior star Cheyenne Moore with him to Connecticut. He also will add Lake Clifton (Md.) star Tavon Nelson and Oxon Hill guard Rashaud Nixon among other players. more....
“I just want to find the best situation ... you can't put a mileage marker
on that.”
April 2, 2003
— Bryce Husak
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TAYLOR READY TO LACE THEM UP
April 2, 2003
Justin Taylor's traveling season will begin this weekend, when he suits up for the Kentucky Hoopstars in Louisville at the Kentucky Shootout.
Taylor, a 6-2, 183-pound junior PG/WG, hopes his improved mental approach will pay off on the recruiting circuit. more....
'ROOTS TOUR: MORE SPRING DECISIONS
April 1, 2003
A pair of Florida front-line players chose their destinations as did a northeast floor leader.
Miami Northwestern (Fla.) 6-10, 220-pound Greg Killings committed to Rice over interest from Marquette and Stanford while Lakewood (Fla.) 6-7 forward Brian Ligon chose Butler over Central Florida and Florida Atlantic. Blackhawk High (Pa.) 6-2 combo guard Ryan Evanochko committed to Wisconsin-Green Bay. more....
“Mississippi State is my leader.”
April 1, 2003
— Jamar Jenkins
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FINAL TOP 25 HIGH SCHOOL POLL
April 1, 2003
In our final look at the nation's top 25 teams, only one of our top 25 was in action last week. That team, Indianapolis Pike, made its unbeaten run to the state championship.
Pike was led by junior Robert Vaden, who transferred in this year from Indianapolis Cathedral. While everyone knows about LeBron James and St. Vincent-St. Mary, Minnesota-bound Wesley Washington propelled Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei to the No. 2 position. more....
BIG MAN STILL UNDECIDED
April 1, 2003
Talented but inconsistent center Steve Castleberry transferred from Marist in the hopes of resuscitating his ailing career. Unfortunately, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence.
Castleberry received a rude welcome to the junior college ranks, and he did not live up to expectation at Dixie Community College. Throughout this past season, Castleberry struggled to play with the consistency necessary to get heavy minutes. more....
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