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Recruiting News
Most recent coverage
BEACH BALL CLASSIC REPORT
December 31, 2008
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Arguably the granddaddy of post-Christmas high school tournaments, the Beach Ball Classic remains a fixture on the national travel circuit. As always, a defining feature of the BBC is the support it receives from the community and sponsors.
There aren't many events where someone rolls by in an electric scooter selling raffle tickets for charity or you can buy enough different varieties of junk food to make a state fair vendor blush.
But the basketball was the main event, but SDSU signee Kawhi Leonard played tremendous basketball in Myrtle Beach. more...
MIDWESTERN SWING
December 30, 2008
After spending Friday in central Illinois, we moved onto the Chicago suburbs on Saturday for the traditionally strong Proviso West Tournament. After a travel day, we were able to spend Monday at the T-Mobile Invitational on the campus of Ball State University.
Along the way we were able to witness a thoroughly dominant performance from the class of 2009's top player, Derrick Favors, along with several other notables. more...
KINGDOM OF THE SUN REPORT
December 29, 2008
OCALA, Fla. -- Known far and wide as one of the top post-Christmas tournaments in the country, the 35th version of the Kingdom of the Sun kicked off in Ocala, Florida the day after Christmas.
Coach Jim Haley does a tremendous job of bringing in teams that are championship contenders in their respective states as well as some of the top underclassmen talent in the country. This year's event was no different. more...
GLAXO INVITATIONAL REPORT
December 27, 2008
RALEIGH, N.C. -- One of our annual stops during the post-Christmas week is as the venerable GlaxoSmithKline Invitational, which over the years has produced numerous spectacular performances.
Played at Broughton High School after many years at N.C. State, the GSK Invitational now boasts the advantage of having a sold out, high-energy crowd befitting of a high school tournament. One guy who impressed that large crowd was future Memphis Tiger Nolan Dennis, who scored 30 points in his team's first outing of the event. more...
STATE FARM CLASSIC REPORT
December 27, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -- The State Farm Classic is taking place in Chicago, and there are numerous outstanding prospects in attendance. We were especially excited to get a look at some underclassmen on day one.
Only a sophomore, there's been no shortage of hype on both the national and local levels for Chicago (IL) De LaSalle's Mike Shaw. A baby faced 6-8 BF, the youngster is an immensely skilled big man with great footwork, soft touch and passing skills way beyond his tender age. more...
CITY OF PALMS: PART III
December 22, 2008
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The close of the weekend was the best action yet at the City of Palms Classic. Early on it was two of the nation's top sophomores -- Austin Rivers and Michael Gilchrist -- putting on a show, and the best game was a classic battle between high school powers Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei and Philadelphia (PA) Roman Catholic that wasn't decided until the final moments.
After one quarter, nobody in the gym could have expected that they were watching what would turn into a great ballgame between Mater Dei and Roman Catholic. more...
FLORIDA EVENTS: TAKE TWO
December 21, 2008
After spending the opening couple of days at the always loaded City of Palms tournament held on the campus of Bishop Verot High School in Ft. Myers (FL), we had the chance to split up the action during the weekend.
Getting up early, we made the trek across South Florida to check out the Kreul Classic in Coral Springs just north of Miami. After catching some games there, we crossed back over to Ft. Myers to catch more City of Palms action as well. more...
CITY OF PALMS: DAY ONE REPORT
December 19, 2008
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- There was no lack of star power on day number one of the 36th annual City of Palms Classic held on the campus of Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers. With a head to head matchup between studs like Kenny Boynton and John Wall along with a litany of other highly touted prospects taking the floor, hopes were high for a big day.
While there were certainly some nice moments, the day came and went without any signature performances. more...
HOWARD HAS MAJOR INTRIGUE
December 18, 2008
One thing any player gets at Oak Hill is exposure. For 6-1 junior PG/WG Pe'Shon Howard, however, it isn't general exposure as much as attention given to one specific aspect of his game that looms so important this season.
Howard, always tagged as a smallish combo guard, finally is getting a chance to run the show full-time as a point guard, and a lot of college coaches are in the market for floor generals -- particularly considering the weak crop that preceded him in the Class of 2009. more...
GRASSROOTS WEBBING
December 17, 2008
After Lute Olson's departure from Arizona, the Wildcats and former stud signee Jeff Withey had been warring as the latter has wanted to receive his release from the school. That controversy finally subsided last week when UofA administration granted the release, and now many major programs are pursuing the talented 6-11 big man.
One very prominent recruiter may be Kansas, which has been proactive in seeking Withey's services. more...
CHEEK TO VILLANOVA; WILL KU RE-CONNECT WITH STEPHENSON?
December 15, 2008
Trailtalk: Read more about Dominic Cheek's decision to attend Villanova from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Note the connection between Cheek and fellow VU recruit Maalik Wayns.
...Given that Kansas was one of the runners-up, might the Jayhawks become very serious with Lance Stephenson over the course of the next few months? Surely, Stephenson needs to have a good season off the court -- there's no question about his talent on it -- but he could emerge as a major prize in a senior class with so little unsigned talent for major programs. more...
WASHBURN PICKING HIS SPOTS
December 12, 2008
Few public schools in the country are as loaded as a Duncanville (TX) High. Last night, the 'Ville was on national television against Brooklyn (NY) Lincoln where they showed off their incredible depth. One guy who continues to improve each time out is Julian Washburn.
A potential top-50 player in the Class of 2010, the 6-7 forward is happy to play his role and get his points where he can on a team that has two guys going to Oklahoma State (Reger Dowell and Roger Franklin), a Texas signee (Shawn Williams) and a fellow junior who has already committed to Baylor (Perry Jones). more...
MARSHALL COUNTY HOOPFEST: PART II
December 10, 2008
In our first report from the Marshall County Hoopfest, we covered the names you already know and some who are on the rise. In this report, we've profiles a few others who deserve mention and other notes from one of the most enthusiastically supported events on the high school circuit.
Having earned his reputation as more of a scorer, Oak Hill junior Pe'Shon Howard is in the process of proving that he can be a legitimate point guard. Based on what we saw in Benton, he's well on his way. The 6-1 PG/WG has really improved his body dropping some bad weight through his legs and hips and the result is a much quicker guard from side to side. more...
MARSHALL COUNTY HOOPFEST: PART I
December 9, 2008
It's been a few years since we've been able to make it to Benton, Ky., for the Marshall County Hoopfest, but we were in the house over the weekend as a plethora of talent descended upon the Bluegrass State.
Played in impressive Marshall County gym, crowds for the event swelled to as many as 7,000 people at times. While there was no true signature performance of the event, there were still plenty of notables that delighted the crowd on Friday and Saturday. One of the impact players in attendance was UNC-bound guard Leslie McDonald. more...
"Kansas is recruiting me, Kentucky, Clemson, Memphis, a lot of schools."
December 9, 2008
-- Doron Lamb
COUSINS ONCE AGAIN OPEN
December 5, 2008
It was a quiet week on the recruiting trail (although event coverage kicks back up this weekend in earnest), but one major development was AL C/BF DeMarcus Cousins backing off officially from UAB. Cousins and those close to him had wanted a stipulation included in his letter of intent -- similar to the ones granted by Indiana last year during the Kelvin Sampson tumult -- and the Blazers' administration denied the request.
Cousins remains committed to the idea of playing for Mike Davis, and should Davis end up elsewhere, there's certainly a possibility that he'll follow. As it appears now, however, his recruitment must be considered back at the starting point. more...
WHITE MAKES EARLY CALL FOR FSU
December 1, 2008
Florida State secured a major verbal commitment from one of the Sunshine State's best juniors, WF/BF Okaro White. White has been a high-major prospect since the fall of 2007, and though up and down during the spring and summer he remained a fixture on the radar of major college programs.
White showed improvement during this past fall, although clearly he's best right now as an athlete rather than a true skills-oriented performer. The challenge for him between now and the fall of 2010 -- so obviously he has lots of time -- is to improve his dribbling and, mostly, to become stronger. more...
NATIONAL PREP SHOWCASE: PART II
November 26, 2008
This is the second part of our report from last weekend's National Prep Showcase in Rhode Island. As you'll see, there was loads of talent at this event!
Looking across the country, you won't find many frontcourt duos that are better than Southborough (MA) St. Mark's Erik Murphy and Nate Lubick. Headed off to Florida, Murphy is a 6-9 BF who is the more finesse style player of the duo. He runs fluidly, has great hands and loves to bank home soft jumpers from between eight and 12 feet. He's crafty on the glass, will block a shot from time to time and is an overall fundamentally sound player. more...
NATIONAL PREP SHOWCASE: PART I
November 24, 2008
Even though some states have already kicked off their high school basketball seasons, we usually look at the annual National Prep Showcase as the unofficial kickoff of the high school/prep season.
Run by Adam Finkelstein, the NPS has developed into a must-see event for talent evaluators and coaches alike. This year's event, held over the weekend at Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I., was no different. more...
ONE MAJOR ADD, ONE MAJOR DROP
November 21, 2008
It was good news and bad news for major college programs at the end of the week, as UCLA gained and Georgetown lost. The Bruins, capitalizing on the retirement of Arizona coach Lute Olson, won out for a former Wildcats pledge in OR WF Mike Moser.
Moser's reputation as a top-100 prospect was cemented relatively late in the recruiting cycle, because he performed so well during his senior summer. He's a good athlete who's very good in the open floor, and he'll bring added firepower to the UCLA lineup. more...
HURRICANES, SOONERS SCORE
November 19, 2008
Miami and Oklahoma became two more high-majors to earn outstanding pledges in the closing moments of signing week. Miami became the future destination of NY WG/WF Durand Scott, who chose the Hurricanes over Pittsburgh, UConn and many other Eastern powers.
Scott is a tough and athletic wing who should thrive in Miami's aggressive defensive system. He's also a capable scorer who tends to be streaky, but nevertheless has enjoyed some big moments on the national circuit the past couple of years. more...
MEMPHIS WINS OUT FOR HENRY
November 18, 2008
Memphis beat out Kansas for elite senior wing Xavier Henry, one of the most talented and celebrated members of the Class of 2009. Of course, prior to narrowing his list of finalists to a pair, Henry had attracted scholarship offers from essentially every school that thought it could land him.
Henry is a terrific southpaw scorer who drills threes yet also is very strong and is a good slasher and scorer off the dribble. Additionally, he passes and handles the ball well, and his instincts for the game are superb. He is both an excellent college and -- because he possesses the requisite size at 6-6 -- wing guard NBA prospect. more...
GATORS GAIN TALENTED JUNIOR
November 17, 2008
Now that the signing period has wound down for seniors, much more attention will be paid to the Class of 2010. Among the many schools to tap into the talent pool is Florida, which locked up in-state stud Patric Young, who chose the Gators over serious interest from a host of SEC and ACC schools.
Based on toughness and work ethic, Young was one of the most impressive players we observed this past summer. He is extremely physical and plays with a reckless style that does result in some poor plays, yet he also gets much of that back because of his relentless hustle. more...
SNAER CHOOSES SEMINOLES
November 14, 2008
Florida State gained a huge piece on Friday, getting the nod from elite CA WG/WF Michael Snaer. Snaer, who became one of the country's hottest commodities during the summer, chose the Seminoles over co-finalists Kansas and Marquette.
Snaer is the latest blue-chipper to announce for Leonard Hamilton's program. Last year FSU raised eyebrows by getting top-15 GA BF Chris Singleton, and now yet another big-timer is headed to Tallahassee. more...
FALL SIGNING PERIOD RANKINGS
November 12, 2008
The fall signing period has arrived, and we've charted out our top 25 recruiting classes thus far. As has been the case on numerous occasions throughout the past few decades, North Carolina checks in at No. 1, and this year they didn't even have a real competitor.
The Tar Heels locked up their class early and haven't looked back, gaining a quintet of high-major talent -- and two potential stars in John Henson and Dexter Strickland -- to help them revamp in what is likely to be a rebuilding year in 2009-10. more...
SIGNING DAY NEARS; QUIET PREVAILS
November 11, 2008
The fall signing period begins on Wednesday, but there isn't likely to be a ton of drama. Because most major commitments already have been announced, there are likely to be only a few more primary concerns prior to making all these decisions formal. That said, there has been a continued high rate of underclass commitments, and to be sure there will be at least some drama among seniors.
For now, though, let's take a look at the latest. Clemson became the latest ACC school to land a junior -- and the conference has done stellar as a whole with the Class of 2010 -- as the Tigers scored with GA BF Marcus Thornton, who chose the Tigers over other ACC programs Maryland and Wake Forest, among others. more...
JOHNSON, WILLIAMS DECIDE
November 6, 2008
Oklahoma State stepped into North Carolina and yanked out one of the nation's best raw athletes: NC BF Karron Johnson, one of the most physically gifted players in the Class of 2009.
Strong and athletic, he has tremendous upside provided he has his academics in order. Along with that, he plays hard and is a strong and aggressive at-range forward who eventually may be able to play the wing. In the meantime, he can count on early playing time thanks to a very mean style that will endear him to coaches throughout the remainder of his career. more...
"He's probably going to get up to Stanford for this season, and he's supposed to visit Duke around Thanksgiving."
November 4, 2008
-- Fred Benjamin, on Jason Morris
NOW IN NOVEMBER, COMMITS CONTINUE
November 3, 2008
With so few major players left on the board from the Class of 2009, it's starting to resemble a crawl as we near the finish line in the November signing period. That slowdown particularly has been caused by the determination of some prospects to wait it out until spring.
In the meantime, however, there still is news occurring throughout the land. To start, there was a pair of key junior commitments to transpire. MD BF Jordan Latham committed to Xavier, and this obvious high-major talent may find that his stock increases over the next year. Latham is a talented, fluid big man whose best basketball may be years away. more...
BOYNTON CHOOSES FLORIDA
October 30, 2008
After a lengthy recruitment that saw him consider Duke, Georgia Tech, Southern Cal, Texas and others, FL WG/PG Kenny Boynton announced on Thursday night for Florida. The Sunshine State native formed a close bond with the Gators' coaching staff over years, and that along with UF's strong national profile gave UF the nod in one of the most important recruitments of the year.
Florida continues to rank among the nation's most potent programs on the recruiting trail, and Boynton may become an additional bonus because of that fact that he's a little small for the ideally-sized WG in the NBA, yet he isn't truly a PG, either. That said, he should become one of the nation's most explosive backcourt scorers for as long as he is in Gainesville. more...
For the most part, our Class of 2009 rankings have remained unchanged since the post-summer. That said, however, we've expanded the rankings from a top 100 to a top 200, including those high-majors who may not have quite cracked the most elite group in the country.
Additionally, we've completed a comprehensive update of commitments and school lists, so feel free to click here and take a spin!
GADDY HEADS TO WASHINGTON
October 29, 2008
It didn't take WA PG Abdul Gaddy long to recover from the sudden retirement of Lute Olson. The elite guard and former two-time Arizona commitment now has backed off that pledge for good and is set for Washington.
The Huskies obviously are thrilled to gain a commitment from the Tacoma product, particularly because it appeared for months that he was a lost cause. U-W has recruited very well under coach Lorenzo Romar, and Gaddy is just the latest piece of the puzzle. more...
RUSSELL, OTHERS COMMIT
October 28, 2008
While there were have been some commitments following this past weekend's visits, the pace obviously is slowing due to the sheer dwindling numbers involved. Because so many players already have decided, it's now coming down to the wire for those major prospects who still are out there.
Likely the most significant pledge was delivered by TX WG/PG Nick Russell, who chose Kansas State over Texas Tech, Iowa and others. Russell is skilled and versatile, and he's above-average in terms of quickness as well. While he isn't a pure scorer, his multi-dimensional abilities should enable him to contribute early in Manhattan. more...
MORE NEWS, COMMITS
October 24, 2008
The obvious top story in college basketball the past couple days has been the sudden retirement of legendary Arizona coach Lute Olson. Olson's departure from the Wildcats cast great uncertainty onto 'Zona's recruiting class, at least until they name a new coach.
Namely, what will happen with WA PG Abdul Gaddy, OR WF Mike Moser and CA WG/WF Solomon Hill? Well, the first salvo was fired by Moser, who said that he was de-committing from Arizona. Gaddy also is considering his options, and Hill has said he is backing away from the program as well. more...
BATTLE OF THE RANKINGS: PART II
October 23, 2008
Our second report on the Battle for the Rankings event, held in Orlando and hosted by Team Breakdown, covers the classes of 2011 and 2012.
While there were no future superstars like an Austin Rivers to be discovered, there was certainly enough talent that projected to land somewhere on the Division I level that it demanded its own report. more...
BATTLE OF THE RANKINGS: PART I
October 21, 2008
ORLANDO -- Arguably, the most anticipated exposure event in Florida during the fall is the Breakdown Battle for the Rankings, held at the Champions Sports Complex in Orlando. Hosted by Breakdownmagazine.com, it brings players from as far away as Pensacola to the north and Miami in the south for two days of competition among some of the best high school basketball players in the state. The talent level and competition has always been top notch, and this year was no different.
In this report, we've focused on the upperclassmen from the event. more...
MAJOR WEEKEND BRINGS MAJOR COMMITS
October 20, 2008
College basketball's new year began this past weekend, and as is the annual tradition, official and unofficial visits took place throughout the country. Along with that, the annual tradition of key commitments followed accordingly.
Kansas, which during the summer had no commitments, despite its national championship, now has two potential McDonald's All-Americans in the fold. In addition to rugged NH BF Thomas Robinson, the Jayhawks now are expected to land a commitment from NV PG/WG Elijah Johnson, who chose KU over co-finalists Oklahoma and Texas.
Elsehwere, Oklahoma gained the services of tough BF Andrew Fitzgerald. more...
POWELL A MAJOR JUNIOR ATTRACTION
October 16, 2008
For high-major big man Dwight Powell, the attention comes easy. And so does the basketball. The 6-9 BF at Bradenton (FL) IMG has skyrocketed in the eyes of coaches and scouts over the past several months, and he enters the high school season competing for a spot in the national top 40 in the Class of 2010.
Powell's path hasn't been entirely typical. A native of Canada, he competed this summer for Grassroots Canada, one of the nation's most successful club teams in 2008. He also attended high-profile individual camps such as the Pangos All-American Camp. more...
DALLAS JUCO BLOWOUT: PART II
October 15, 2008
In our second and final installment of our report from the Dallas junior college event last weekend, you'll read about more new names and some quick-hitters that may evolve into major stories during the upcoming 2008-09 season.
Let's take a look! more...
DALLAS JUCO BLOWOUT: PART I
October 14, 2008
DALLAS -- While there are still some high school events that dot the landscape of grassroots basketball during the month of October, it also has emerged as the month of the juco prospect. With junior college jamborees taking place across the country, college coaches are traveling in big numbers to watch multiple junior college programs hit the floor.
No other jamboree, though, is likely to match the turnout of college coaches -- we counted at least 91 Division I programs -- and stocked junior college programs who were in the North Dallas suburbs over the weekend for Jerry Mullen and Mike Mitchell's Dallas JUCO Blowout. more...
ORTON, TYLER COMMIT
October 13, 2008
As expected, more and more big names in the Class of 2009 are making their college decisions heading into the fall signing period. However, what wasn't expected was that a top-five junior also would offer up a pledge.
Starting with the seniors, and as expected, Kentucky reeled in big-time OK C Daniel Orton, a strong and intimidating post pivot who chose UK over interest from Kansas -- which recently added BF Thomas Robinson -- and many others. more...
SOUTH FLORIDA GUARD TO 2010
October 10, 2008
Rather than waiting until the end of his senior year, Homestead (FL) South Dade's Vincent Williams has already made one decision. The quick 5-11 PG has already decided that he'll spend a post graduate year at Fork Union (VA) Military next year, making him a Class of 2010 prospect.
According to his high school coach, John Herron, the move will help his maturity on the court. more...
HAMILTON, ROBINSON PLEDGE
October 10, 2008
After recently gaining a pledge from big-time guard Avery Bradley, Texas picked off another elite talent, getting the nod from CA WF Jordan Hamilton, one of the most explosive shooters in the Class of 2009.
Hamilton long had been considered a favorite to UT, and along with Bradley he gives the 'Horns an elite wing combination. Hamilton also considered Kansas, UConn and many others in addition to UT. more...
KELLY CHOOSES DEVILS; MORE NEWS
October 9, 2008
Duke's post-Olympic momentum continues. The Blue Devils, surging in the wake of Coach K's successful stint as Team USA's head coach, have regained footing on the recruiting trail after what had been for them a somewhat quiet stretch. On Thursday, big-time NC BF Ryan Kelly chose Duke over Wake Forest, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, North Carolina and Georgetown.
Kelly's decision was one of the more protracted and carefully considered among blue-chippers in the senior class, and with added strength he should become an outstanding face-up big man for Duke. more...
"Right now he's in a holding pattern because he's waiting for Fresno State to release him."
October 9, 2008
-- Jason Smith, on Reggie Moore
LOUISIANA WORKOUT REPORT
October 7, 2008
RUSTON, La. -- The first annual Louisiana Select Workout & Exposure Camp took place last weekend on the campus of Louisiana Tech. The camp, which featured approximately 75 players, was a highly useful showcase of players from the Bayou State.
Even without the benefit of non-hurricane weather over the past few weeks, a solid number of the state's best prospects turned out for a full day of action. Backed by Nike, Louisiana Select has featured 2008 star Greg Monroe and others over the years. more...
BEASLEY RAISES PROFILE
October 6, 2008
Among the players we've watched thus far this fall, one of the most improved has been Terrance Beasley. Beasley, a 6-5 BF at Pensacola (FL) High, was one of the most impressive -- and in some aspects surprising -- players at the recent Nike Team Florida workout.
Beasley is a junkyard dog in the post, and despite being significantly undersized he uses his athleticism and impressive work ethic to compete against taller players. Additionally, Beasley boasts a strong set of hands that enable him to snag balls that elude other big guys. more...
NIKE TEAM FLORIDA WORKOUT: PART II
October 2, 2008
Yesterday we looked at players from the classes of 2009 and 2010 who participated at last weekend's Nike Team Florida Shootout in Clearwater. In our second and final look at the best prospects from the event, we've taken a stab at prospects in the sophomore and freshman classes.
These guys won't graduate until 2011 and 2012 respectively, but as always it's beneficial and fun to get an early look at emerging talent. more...
WHITE FLYING HIGH THIS FALL
October 1, 2008
With a 6-6 wingspan, a 40-inch vertical leap and a 3.9 GPA, one would think that assistant and head college coaches would be lining up at Darren White's door. But the 6-3 wing guard from Ringgold (VA) Dan River didn't play for one of the high profile club teams this past summer and getting noticed has taken a little longer than expected.
"He's been offered by James Madison, Elon, Northeastern, Radford and High Point," said Cobra All-Stars head coach Curtis Green. "Some of the bigger schools that are starting to take a greater interest in him are Oregon, Stanford, Michigan and Harvard. He's an excellent student and a true diamond in the rough when it comes to basketball." more...
NIKE TEAM FLORIDA WORKOUT: PART I
September 30, 2008
Over last weekend, the third annual Nike Team Florida Workout took place in Clearwater, Fla. The camp was divided into two distinct days: One featured players from the classes of 2009 and 2010, while the other was focused on youngsters in the classes of 2011 and 2012.
As always, the event was well-organized and featured a heaping number of talented prospects, and scouts were treated to a present-day star -- elite junior Brandon Knight -- in addition to a few who may reach that level down the road. more...
THE REAL KYRYL
September 29, 2008
Just how do foreign high school players end up here in the United States? Some are discovered at camps and brought over by a sponsor and placed at a certain school. Others move here with their family in search of a better life. But for Kyryl Natyazhko, a 6-10 big forward at Bradenton (FL) IMG, by way of the Ukraine, it was a family connection.
"Kyryl has a cousin that played with the Utah Jazz in the NBA," said Vince Walden, head of player development at IMG. "The cousin was working out here in the off-season and on a trip back to the Ukraine, he told Kyryl about it. His dream had always been to play college ball in the United States, and his family supported him in sending him here." more...
OKOYE ON THE UPSWING
September 26, 2008
Whether it's due to size, skill level, or playing out of position, there always are some players who ultimately make college coaches wish they'd recruited them out of high school. One player who could fall into that category is Stan Okoye, a 6-4 WG out of Apex (NC) Middle Creek.
"He really blossomed over the summer," said Dwayne West of the Garner Road Basketball Club. "Stan plays much bigger than 6-4. He's very athletic, has quick feet and he can guard two guards up to power forwards." more...
NOBLES HAS INCREASING INTEREST
September 25, 2008
In the Deep South, it can seemingly be football 24/7/365. But parts of Mississippi are big on hoops, with a deep pool of talent, college coaches from all levels come looking for players. One of the better guards they will find is Julysses Nobles, a 5-10 point guard from Jackson (MS) Callaway.
"Julysses is very hard to contain," said Jackson Panthers coach Chokwe Lumumba. "He is very good at breaking down the defense and gets to the rim with ease. He has a high hoops IQ, is a tremendous ball-handler and makes very good decisions. Because of his strength, he can post up other guards which unusual for his size. Julysses is also a solid defender on and off the ball." more...
TROJANS, DEACS CONNECT
September 22, 2008
Cross country travel didn't faze GA WF Noel Johnson. Johnson, an athletic 6-6 wing, committed to Southern Cal on Monday and hopes to follow in the footsteps of other successful USC wings in recent years, including O.J. Mayo.
Johnson has the size, athleticism and skills to become a college star. If there's been one consistent criticism of his game, it's that he picks his spots and blends too much for a player of his talents. That said, he has exploded on other occasions and, confronted with college-level competition and coaching, should flourish in the Pac-10. more...
SHANNON, BRADLEY, OTHERS DECIDE
September 19, 2008
There's been no shortage this week of major commitments, as more and more high-majors remove themselves from the recruiting board. Florida State picked up tough and aggressive GA BF Terrance Shannon chose the Seminoles over interest from Memphis, Georgia and others.
Shannon tore his ACL prior to July and thus missed the evaluation period, but assuming full recovery -- and these days, that's typically a good bet -- he should become one of the better rebounders and garbage men in the ACC. more...
KELLY TRYING TO GET BETTER
September 18, 2008
Coaches love players who come from successful programs. Emery Kelly falls into that category. A 6-8 BF from Jackson (MS) Provine, Kelly has been a key part of three state championship teams and has had a great deal of success on the travel circuit playing with the Jackson Panthers. He hopes to continue those winning ways at the collegiate level.
"I really want to be part of the program that is on the rise and make a difference," said Kelly. "Academics and the ability to impact a program are two of the things I will base my (college) choice on." more...
"Right now I have offers from Pitt, Louisville, Seton Hall, Minnesota, St. John's, Cal and Texas A&M."
September 16, 2008
-- Andrew Fitzgerald
Read full story...
GADDY, MURRAY OTHERS DECIDE
September 16, 2008
Arizona fans can breathe a sign of relief, as they Wildcats reeled in their most important target. WA PG Abdul Gaddy reaffirmed for Lute Olson's program after previously backing off an early commitment he had made to the Wildcats. While many other major schools tried to get involved, Gaddy ultimately trusted his initial instinct.
Gaddy's influence at Arizona should be immediate and significant, if brief. The sinewy guard is a tremendously talented scorer and playmaker who, at 6-3, has excellent size for the position. more...
DODGE FLORIDA SHOOTOUT REPORT
September 15, 2008
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- With fall now underway, that can only mean one thing. No, not football season. It's time for fall evaluation clinics and camps. From now until the end of October, there isn't a weekend where there isn't an event planned in the Sunshine State.
The 14th incarnation of the Dodge Florida Shootout moved from the campus of the University of Florida (site was under renovation) to the ICI Center on the campus of Embry-Riddle University in Daytona Beach. Along with games and workstations, there was a class on the facts and fictions of recruiting. Bob Horodyski and the Gainesville Basketball Coaches Association did a great job of hosting the event. more...nton091508.jsp">more...
HAIRSTON, THORNTON, FRANKLIN & OTHERS PLEDGE
September 15, 2008
The past few days have been huge for several major programs, evidenced by several key pledges delivered by both senior prospects and underclassmen. This pace likely will continue for several more weeks, heading into the fall signing period in November.
Duke likely was the school that benefited most, as the Blue Devils reached into the Class of 2010 and nabbed a pair of high-major talents. The biggest name is VA BF Josh Hairston, a likely McDonald's All-American who is at his best facing the basket. more...
COMMITMENT ROUNDUP
September 12, 2008
It's a busy weekend in the world of recruiting, and it's been a busy few days on the commitment trail as well. More and more players are taking officials to programs throughout the country, and each week we'll observe a few more removing themselves from the ranks of the undecided.
Among commitments, CA WG Roberto Nelson committed to Oregon State over relatively scant attention from other Pac-10 programs. Despite his abilities as a scorer, Nelson's academic situation reportedly needs upgrading, and thus other schools may have wanted to wait until spring to see if he would become eligible. more...
"For a guy like him, playing style will be a priority."
September 10, 2008
-- Kevin Sutton, on Ruslan Pateev
Read full story...
SUMMER FLASHBACK: THE BACKCOURT BATTLE
September 9, 2008
Throughout the spring, the conversation among scouts around the campfire, in front of the water cooler, at the local pub and everywhere else nearly always involved a question: Which travel team has the best backcourt? There essentially were just two choices, and both Team Breakdown and the Northwest Panthers could make a strong case.
Florida-based Breakdown walloped opponents with the one-two punch of top-five senior Kenny Boynton and top-five junior Brandon Knight. Located in the Pacific Northwest, the Panthers countered with top-15 seniors Abdul Gaddy and Avery Bradley. more...
TEAM RANKINGS: AN EARLY LOOK
September 5, 2008
OK, it's way too early. But this fall, while the nation scrambles to read daily polls covering the world of politics, we present a premature look of our own, at the early results of team recruiting efforts for the Class of 2009.
No. 1 was an easy call. Behind the strength of a quintet of top-50 prospects -- including top-five stud John Henson -- North Carolina has taken a commanding early lead over its national competitors. Meanwhile, Villanova has enjoyed a banner year already, with three pledges from top-75 prospects and two from the top 30. more...
The Class of 2011 has been an impressive one thus far nationally, as no fewer than a dozen prospects from the sophomore class demonstrated during the summer that they can compete successfully against their elders.
Much of the discussion during the summer revolved around what is perceived to be a top three: WA WG Tony Wroten, MS WF LaQuinton Ross and NJ WF Michael Gilchrist. Based on his play at the LeBron Skills Academy and elsewhere, Gilchrist enters the fall as our choice for No. 1. See the top 15...
While most of the national basketball media focus on the updated rankings for the senior class, in many respects the underclassmen rankings are more important for college basketball programs. Although the junior Class of 2010 has been an outlier in terms of the unusual number of commitments made already, the general idea is that the recruiting process isn't as far along for players at this stage, and thus as rankings change, so does the amount of recruiting interest.
Conversely, most top seniors either have decided by now or at least have trimmed their college lists substantially. Focusing directly on the junior class, slender big man Tristan Thompson moves into the No. 1 position thanks to consistent play throughout the summer. He's followed by fellow big men Jared Sullinger and Josh Smith. See the top 50...
After a summer full of non-stop hoops, we have compiled our new top 100 rankings for the senior Class of 2009. What makes the post-summer rankings more significant, of course, is that this reflects the final summer-circuit appearance for this class. While there will be changes made as a result of fall workouts and the high school season -- as well as limited input taken from postseason all-star games -- the bulk of the work for this class is finished.
Not surprisingly, GA C/BF Derrick Favors retains a hold of the top spot. He was challenged by several other big-timers throughout July, but his steady play and history of rising to the occasion in big games ultimately resulted in his continued claim of the top spot. See the full top 100...
BRUINS GET LAMB
September 1, 2008
UCLA and other programs have earned recent commitments, with the Bruins gaining the future services of CA junior WG Tyler Lamb, an established name on the West Coast who chose UCLA over interest from Arizona, Southern Cal, San Diego and others.
Lamb actually was inconsistent during the spring but picked up steam in the summer, finishing on a high note as he seems to have discovered his identity as a wing, rather than someone attempting to play point guard. He's a good athlete and scorer who possesses a frame that should enable him to gain plenty of the strength needed for college. more...
MAJOR PLEDGES CONTINUE
August 25, 2008
A handful of commitments have come through in recent days, as the official visit period draws near. Not surprisingly, some players simply opted not to deal with the time demands and stress of visit season, while some underclassmen decided to end their recruitments very early.
Here's a look at the latest: more...
BARNES MULLS MAJOR OPTIONS
August 22, 2008
The way he figured it, Harrison Barnes knew he'd have more than his fair share of schools to choose from after the summer was over. However, the 6-6 WF from Ames (IA) High never imagined that things would go as well as they did during a summer that saw him emerge as one of the top 10 prospects in the Class of 2010.
"I didn't imagine that my summer would turn out as well as it did," Barnes told PrepStars.com. "I had some goals and things that I wanted to do heading in, but it went way better than I could have hoped for." more...
LAWRENCE CHOOSES ST. JOHN'S
August 20, 2008
St. John's won out for one of the best senior prospects hailing New York, getting the decision from NY/CT WG Omari Lawrence, who chose the Johnnies over interest from Miami, Marquette, Pittsburgh and others. Lawrence is a native of the Bronx who is prepping this year at the South Kent (CT) School.
Lawrence is a tough, skilled wing who brings a lot of toughness and power to the court; in other words, he's very typical for a New York guard. He'll need to polish his ball skills and work harder on defense, but those areas are common fixes for young players to address. more...
PLEDGES CONTINUE TO TRICKLE
August 19, 2008
While the pace of commitments has been slower so far this week, there have been a couple of additional moves that warrant mention. Likely the most significant move occurred at Iowa, where underrated in-state junior IA WF Chanse Creekmur pledged to the Hawkeyes early.
Creekmur impressed us in the spring, showcasing good athleticism and scoring ability off the dribble. He's the kind of versatile, intelligent kid Iowa has won with in the past, and the Hawkeyes certainly are happy to have him locked up early. more...
MARSHALL, SPURLOCK, OTHERS DECIDE
August 15, 2008
Though we haven't yet reached the time for official college visits, many prospects are choosing to make their school choices prior to the beginning of their senior seasons. Given that many of these guys have been pursued avidly for several years, in some cases there simply isn't a need to lengthen the process any further.
Starting in the West, UNLV was able to keep Las Vegas product Anthony Marshall at home. more...
"I see myself making a decision before next summer."
August 14, 2008
-- Will Spradling
Read full story...
PLEDGES CONTINUE TO ROLL
August 14, 2008
As prospects around the country begin to schedule their official visits and prepare for the start of school, the commitments have started to roll in.
Included in the group are some relatively under the radar high major guys, a mid major steal and a youngster deciding very early on in the process that he'd like to go ahead and stay at home. more...
REDBIRDS GET EKEY
August 12, 2008
When he started to play on the club basketball circuit, Jon Ekey thought that there was a chance that he would end up playing division one basketball. Now, the 6-7 BF/WF from Independence (MO) William Chrisman realized his dream, committing to a Missouri Valley program after a weekend visit.
"I called Illinois State and talked to Coach Jankovich and that's where I've decided to go," Ekey told PrepStars.com. "I talked to a lot of schools, but Illinois State seemed to be the best fit for me." more...
AAU 14-UNDER REPORT
August 11, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The 14-under AAU Nationals took place last week and over the weekend in balmy Florida, hosted at Disney's Wide World of Sports. A unique characteristic of this event is that nearly every major AAU team competes, something that doesn't occur in the older AAU National age divisions.
The 14-unders primarily consist of rising high school freshmen (Class of 2012), although some younger 2011 prospects also suit up, and a smattering of middle-schoolers take the court as well. more...
COLEBY HAS SEEN IT ALL
August 8, 2008
At 18-years-old, Kadeem Coleby can be considered a world traveler. The 6-8, 230-pound BF is originally from the Bahamas. He lives with relatives in Toronto during the summer, and he plays his high school ball at Christian Life Academy in Humble, Texas.
Add to that his travels with Grassroots Canada on the travel circuit, and you have a kid with more frequent flyer miles than some sales reps. more...
CALLISTE INCREASING HIS OPTIONS
August 7, 2008
One player who really made his mark in Las Vegas was Jason Calliste. The 6-2 combo guard excelled for Grassroots Canada as they marched thru the field to claim the title of the Adidas Super 64 event. Last year he played at Durham (NC) Mt. Zion, and this season he is moving to Quality Education School in Winston-Salem.
"He has a real chance to be a top-100 player in the country," said Grassroots Canada's Ro Russell. "He's a low-key kid from a good family background. I really believe that he'll improve dramatically in college. Once he gets to that level he will really stand out." more...
CHENNAULT, PENN, MORE DECIDE
August 5, 2008
The early part of this week has been a busy one for commitments, as several more high-major programs have won out for key targets. The mix has been distributed among frontcourt and backcourt players, as well as among seniors versus underclassmen.
Some of the players involved in the news are Ray Penn, Tony Chennault and Joe Burton. Clearly, then, some pretty heavy -- in some cases, literally -- hitters have removed themselves from the recruiting race. more...
POWELL, MORRIS, OTHERS PLEDGE
August 4, 2008
More commitments have come down the pike in recent days, in the relative lull at the conclusion of the summer evaluation period. At least one prospect from the Class of 2009 top 100 made his decision, and arguably another -- though he may be to 150 -- pledged as well.
Players included in the news are VA BF Marshawn Powell, CA PG Darius Morris, FL Jr. WF James Bell and others. more...
YOUNG READY TO TAKE NEXT STEP
August 1, 2008
Despite criticisms, sometimes the system actually works. In the past, someone such as Patric Young may not have gotten the chance to go to the Reebok All-American Camp this past July.
Most likely, he would have had to wait for another year and hope for an invite. But after dominating a Reebok Headliner Camp designed to find hidden gems, the 2010 6-8 BF from Jacksonville (FL) Paxson got to Philly and made the most of it. more...
DIXON CHOOSES TIGERS
July 31, 2008
For the past couple of summers, Missouri head coach Mike Anderson has been very determined in his pursuit of a point guard from the Class of 2009. Late Wednesday night, Anderson and his staff's hard work paid off when their primary target decided to end things and commit to Mizzou.
Shortly after wrapping up his summer basketball career, Lee's Summit (MO) West PG Mike Dixon went ahead and solidified his future with a phone call to Anderson. more...
COMMITMENT ROUNDUP
July 30, 2008
Although official-visit season won't take place for several more weeks, the nearly-post summer pledges roll in at the end of July. Along with the new pledges, of course, are a handful of guys who chose to back off their early commitments and re-explore their options.
Some of the recent players to remove themselves from the market were CA BF Greg Smith, CA WG Solomon Hill and IL BF Meyers Leonard (2010). more...
AAU 17-UNDER NATIONALS: TAKE ONE
July 29, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Directly on the heels of the AAU Super Showcase events at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando is the final big event of the summer, the 17-U National Championship.
Many of the teams that participated in the Showcase stayed for the Nationals, and they were joined by teams that played in events in Las Vegas or elsewhere. One player who jumped out to an impressive early start in Disney territory was VA BF Deshawn Painter. more...
SUPER SHOWCASE: TAKE TWO
July 29, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. -- In our second look at the AAU Super Showcase, we've brought forth some of the established talents from the event but also found some hidden gyms.
One key component from the event was that top-10 AL C DeMarcus Cousins -- who had reverted to his younger, less consistent form earlier -- finished on a very high note. more...
AAU SUPER SHOWCASE: TAKE ONE
July 28, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The final "live" viewing period in July brings plenty of players and coaches to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. This year, The Jostens' Center has opened, adding another six courts to the campus and bringing the number to twelve overall. Being only twenty five yards from the original Milk House, it makes it very easy to get from one venue to the other. With the additional courts, the AAU has expanded its list of events. The 15U Super Showcase was added this year to the 16U and 17U Showcases, and the 16U Nationals and 17U Nationals are being played here now as well.
Throw in the 14U Nationals the first week of August, and that is nearly three weeks of non-stop hoops which make this the "happiest place on earth" for hoops junkies. more...
LAS VEGAS: FINAL REPORT
July 26, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- The Las Vegas tour is now finished, and the weekend served up some of the best and most dramatic moments of the week. On these days we spent the bulk of our time at the Main Event, while also hitting a few gyms from Reebok's and Adidas' respective events.
Some of the day's best players were Michael Snaer, Duce Bello and Meyers Leonard. more...
LAS VEGAS: DAY THREE REPORT
July 24, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- Pool play ended throughout the city's events on Thursday, and the early rounds of playoffs began. Prior to the first eliminations, we made a point to cruise around to each event in order to check out guys from teams we thought had a chance to get bumped out of contention.
In addition to that, we parked ourselves at the Super 64 and were able to get a close look at some of the best teams in attendance from that event. Among those was the Atlanta Celtics, which benefited from outstanding play by senior wing Noel Johnson. more...
LAS VEGAS: DAY TWO REPORT
July 23, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- After spending all of Tuesday at the Reebok Summer Championships, we canvassed the entire city on Wednesday. Thanks to a late night stop for a 16 and under game at the Adidas Super 64, we managed to take in games at all three major events with time also spent at Reebok and the Main Event.
Much like Tuesday, many of the big name guys were putting together big outings and justifying their lofty status on Wednesday. However, the continued ascent of white-hot big man Thomas Robinson may have been the story of the day in Sin City. more...
LAS VEGAS: DAY ONE REPORT
July 22, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- The second leg of the summer evaluation period opened on Tuesday, and as usual, most of the nation's heavy-hitter college programs were represented in the Fabulous Las Vegas.
The week will be highlighted by three events: Reebok's Summer Championships, Adidas' Super 64 and Vision Sports' Main Event. We'll attend parts of all three events over the next several days, and on the first day we focused much of our coverage on Reebok's stellar tournament. more...
VEGAS SET TO TIP OFF
July 21, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- The conclusion of the summer evaluation period draws near, but there's still lots of hoops to play before we're ready to call it a summer. While the first segment of July is reserved largely for the major shoe camps designed to bring together talented individuals, the second half of the month plays entirely to team events.
At the heart of the team action is Las Vegas, where three major events take place concurrently. We'll be out in full force at all three, including the Reebok Summer Championships, Adidas Super 64 and the Main Event. One of the top talents scheduled to be on hand is TX BF John Henson. more...
"He's drawing serious interest from some high-major schools."
-- Robert Icart, on Bak Bak
Read full story...
BREAKDOWN FESTIVAL REPORT
July 17, 2008
MIAMI -- After a one-year hiatus in 2007, the Breakdown Hoops Festival returned to Miami with an excellent field. The Atlanta Celtics, Worldwide Renegades and D.C. Assault, along with the host team and some of the better travel teams in Florida, came together for a three day event that brought out the crowds on the first day.
While it was disappointing that Derrick Favors of the Celtics struggled with an ailling back, there was still plenty of talent to make the event a very good one. more...
PEACH JAM: FINAL REPORT
July 16, 2008
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- The Peach Jam wrapped up on Tuesday night, and not surprisingly, the powerful Boo Williams All-Stars defeated Boston-based BABC by a score of 62-55. What was more of a surprise was that Florida-bound BF Deshawn Painter led the victors in scoring in the title tilt, going for 14 points as part of a well-rounded attack.
BABC was led by UConn pledge Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, who led all players with 18 points. Present and future (in Storrs) teammate Alex Oriakhi added 12. more...
BEST OF THE SOUTH REPORT
July 15, 2008
Taking over from the T-Mac tournament of last season, The Best of the South took place at the end of the first segment of this month's live period.
With four divisions (17U, 16U, 15U, and middle school) each having a venue of its own in the Tampa Bay area, college coaches were able to come to one place and check out the players on their recruiting lists. more...
PEACH JAM: MONDAY REPORT
July 14, 2008
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- Nike's annual Peach Jam is taking place over the next few days at its customary place in North Augusta, and as always the quaint venue and traditional Southern community make for a refreshing change from the more clinical environment of the LeBron James Skills Academy.
With its walkaround area up top and the long rows of chairs inhabited by college coaches at courtside, the setup and vibe of the event are very distinct. In terms of the basketball itself, and despite the fact that we watched most of these guys last week, there have been numerous surprises so far. more...
KENTUCKY HOOPFEST REPORT
July 11, 2008
LOUISVILLE -- Next stop after the LeBron Skills Academy was Eddie Ford's Kentucky Hoopfest.
While not quite as well known as some other prime July events, the Hoopfest offered a large field and a chance to watch several prospects under the radar as well as a few of the more well known prospects. Thick with college coaches searching for talent, here's who stood out during our day at the Hoopfest. more...
REEBOK CAMP: FINAL REPORT
July 10, 2008
PHILADELPHIA -- Another year, another week concluded at the Reebok All-American Camp. The final day of action took place on Thursday, and keeping with the theme of guard play and youth, more plotlines emerged on the final day of shoe week.
All in all, it was another good, and somewhat chaotic, week on the travel circuit. Reebok was the larger of the individual camps and had the greatest focus on youth, Nike's LeBron Camp featured the most elite talent in the senior class, and the It Takes 5ive team tournament in Cincinnati sponsored by Adidas was the competitive event of the three. At Reebok, top-10 senior Renardo Sidney tantalized on the final day, using his power and skill to dominate. more...
REEBOK CAMP: GUARDS TAKE COMMAND
July 9, 2008
PHILADELPHIA -- The Reebok All-American Camp underwent a name change for 2008, as last year it was called Rbk U, but this year's more written-out version still sports a great deal of high-major talent. Like last year, the first time that the camp -- formerly known as ABCD -- moved to Philadelphia University, there are approximately 150 campers in attendance.
While that number is a little high for our tastes, there's no question that most of these guys are easy calls for Division I basketball. Among the very best guards at the camp, and there are several blue-chippers, unsigned senior Avery Bradley may be the best prospect. more...
TUESDAY AT LEBRON
July 8, 2008
AKRON, Ohio -- The final day of action at the LeBron James Skills Academy featured some rugged moments with fewer college coaches in attendance. There was, however, plenty of Rodney Williams flying through the air for jams. An added bonus was Alex Oriakhi going toe-to-toe with DeMarcus Cousins. One last day of coverage gave us an opportunity to mention some guys that we hadn't yet covered during the event.
LEBRON CAMP: DAY TWO REPORT
July 7, 2008
AKRON, Ohio -- Moving into day two at the LeBron James Skills Academy, there were more highlights from the nation's best players on the Nike circuit. The games were more fiercely contested overall on Monday, something that was a nice change from a couple of the all-star exhibition-type contests on Sunday night.
Some of the camp's most impressive players have been Harrison Barnes, John Wall and Phil Pressey, although there certainly were more standouts than those three. more...
LEBRON CAMP: DAY ONE REPORT
July 6, 2008
AKRON, Ohio -- In its second incarnation as the LeBron James Skills Academy, the event formerly known as the Nike All-America Camp tipped off on the opening day of the July evaluation period. Held at the University of Akron, the event was moved here from Indianapolis as a nod to James, who himself hails from Akron.
As always, the emphasis at Nike's flagship individual camp features quality over quantity, and that's certainly the case again this year. Typically, a lot of what we see is what we've seen before, because many of these guys have been big names on the national circuit for a long time. more...
IT TAKES FIVE: DAY ONE REPORT
July 6, 2008
CINCINNATI -- The July evaluation period got off to a sizzling start in Cincinnati on Sunday at the Adidas It Takes 5ive. With the majority of Adidas' top programs on hand, college coaches were running amok in search of talent.
While a few big timers put on impressive displays, young guys ruled the day's action. There were great games, new names and a host of guys who showed more court nastiness than they had in the past. more...
DENNIS, OTHERS DECIDE
July 4, 2008
On the eve of the summer evaluation period, there are a handful of commitments to report. Memphis scored a commitment from talented TX WG Nolan Dennis, a talented shot-creator off the dribble who has been compared by some to Chris Douglas-Roberts.
While that comparison is patently unfair, Dennis definitely does have solid ability to score off the bounce, either finishing at the rim or getting to the foul line. more...
"I think the thing about me is that I play hard and I'm a team player."
July 3, 2008
NOTHING MEEK ABOUT LAMB
July 3, 2008
Heading into the spring, there were some scouts and fans who were familiar with the game of Doron Lamb. But by the end of June, the 6-4 WG from Brooklyn (NY) Bishop Loughlin -- who may transfer to Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill for his junior season -- had become a household name on the recruiting trail.
Even though he's hailed by most as one of the top players in the country, Lamb says he's doing his best not to let rankings go to his head. more...
ARMWOOD, MOSER COMMIT
July 2, 2008
Isaiah Armwood wanted to get everything taken care of prior to the July evaluation period. The slender 6-8 combo forward at Rockville (MD) Montrose Christian ended his recruitment, selecting Villanova over Syracuse, Texas and many others.
Armwood is one of the most versatile players in the Class of 2009, as he can score inside thanks to his height, long arms and good quickness, or step out to the perimeter and can medium-range jump shots. Armwood also can put the ball on the floor and beat most opposing forwards off the dribble. more...
FINAL 2008 TEAM RANKINGS
July 1, 2008
In truth, the Class of 2008 won't truly be settled until school begins in the fall, but at this point in the process, almost all the relevant action for the nation's incoming freshman classes is decided. While many focus most on team recruiting rankings in the fall -- because so many of the nation's top prospects sign in November -- there were quite a few changes this year during the winter and spring, and even early summer, that affected the final results.
One easy piece of evidence is UCLA, which added top-50 TX C J'Mison Morgan in the spring, after he parted ways with LSU. more...
HARRIS, OTHERS DECIDE
July 1, 2008
Wake Forest didn't have to look far for its latest commitment, keeping it local in getting Winston-Salem WG/WF C.J. Harris, who chose the Demon Deacons over finalists Clemson and Virginia Tech, as well as other high- and mid-major programs.
Harris is a good all-around scorer who is comfortable shooting from the perimeter or attacking off the dribble. In fact, he's actually best as a slasher, and his leaping ability appears to have become more explosive over the past year. His performances against national competition by and large haven't been dominant, but he has proved he can play against blue-chippers and hold his own. more...
TAYLOR MADE FOR FOUR
June 30, 2008
As today's game changes more and more, positions are getting redefined. Big men think that they are guards, while the little guys seem to think they belong with the big nasties down in the paint. Then you have guys like Fort Washington (MD) National Christian's Dante Taylor.
An athletic and tough insider, he's a 6-9 BF who knows that he's best served out running and out-toughing other guys on the interior. more...
CHEEK IN NO HURRY
June 27, 2008
It was a good thing we were able to check out Dominic Cheek at the recent the NBPA Camp. If the 6-7 WF from Jersey City (NJ) St. Anthony has his way, we won't be seeing much more of him this summer. He's hoping to make the United States under-18 National team.
Long regarded as one of the top prospects in the Class of 2009, Cheek still feels he has a lot to prove and sees camps and a potential berth on the U.S.A. team as ways to do it. more...
DAWKINS CHOOSES DUKE
June 28, 2008
Duke became the latest to land a major junior commitment, getting a key pledge from VA WG Andre Dawkins, who chose the Blue Devils over early offers from numerous high-major programs. Not surprisingly for a Duke recruit, Dawkins is a terrific perimeter shooter who has easy range to the three-point line and the sort of college-ready release that should enable him to make the adjustment to ACC-level defenses relatively easily.
Dawkins also is a good athlete who is hardly a stand-in-place prospect. He has strong shoulders as well and, when pressured, can get to the rim and draw contact. A standout for the always-loaded Boo Williams Summer League team, he also has shown he can blend in with other highly talented teammates. more...
STOVER'S RECRUITMENT COOKS
June 26, 2008
A year ago at this time, you'd have to have been a forward thinker when evaluating Anthony Stover. A raw and lengthy 6-10 BF/C at La Canada (CA) Renaissance Academy, Stover was gawky, yet showed potential. A year later, he has blossomed into one of the more enticing big man prospects in the country.
Recently, Stover more than held his own at the NBPA Top 100 Camp and enjoyed the chance to test his skill against the nation's best.
-- Kevin Parrom
Read full story. ...
NOTHING SPORADIC ABOUT RAINES
June 24, 2008
Last week was very important for Cadarian Raines. Raines, a 6-8 BF/C at Petersburg (VA) High, has been considered anything from an elite high-major prospect all the way down to a lower mid-major. The reason for that was lack of national exposure, and the NBA Top 100 Camp enabled the slender big man to settle just where he belongs in college.
And after a week of solid play, Raines made his statement: I'm a high-major. Though not as skilled as some of the more touted frontcourt players in the Class of 2009, he has long arms, explosive leaping ability, an unselfish attitude and an admirable work ethic. more...
COMMITMENTS SLOW, BUT STILL TRICKLE IN
June 24, 2008
There's been just a slight lull in the past week of the number of commitments being made, as many players either attend the final June camps or enjoy a final week of rest prior to the opening of the summer evaluation period on July 6.
That said, major decisions keep happening from coast to coast, arguably the most notable being that made by CA BF/C Greg Smith, who committed to Arizona. Smith is undersized for the post yet is very aggressive, strong and above-average in terms of quickness and leap. more...
NBA CAMP: DAY THREE REPORT
June 20, 2008
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The third day at the NBA Top 100 Camp brought continued action, and the morning games, at least, brought surprising intensity considering that the event has been going on for several days.
Some of the best players of the day were TX BF/WF Roger Franklin, WA PG Abdul Gaddy, OH junior BF J.J. Sullinger and VA junior BF Josh Hairston. more...
NBA CAMP: DAY TWO REPORT
June 19, 2008
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The second day of the NBA Top 100 Camp was outstanding, possibly the best of the past two years. There were lots of intriguing matchups throughout the day, and we learned a little something about some guys, including a few players we'd seen a lot in the past.
Although he had a quiet performance during the evening session, blue-chip WF Jordan Hamilton has been one of the most effective players at the camp. Hamilton's scoring prowess has made him an easy call as one of the top prospects in attendance. more...
NBA CAMP: DAY ONE REPORT
June 18, 2008
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The first day of the NBA Top 100 Camp offered a very impressive group of players from around the nation. Importantly, this event is able to reach across shoe company lines to some extent, featuring players from each of the travel circuits.
There were a handful of very impressive performances on day one, and the action should heat up over the next several days as players becomes familiar with their teammates and establish a hierarchy on each team. One guy who played the role of alpha dog on Wednesday was rising junior BF Tristan Thompson. more...
NBA CAMP ON TAP
June 18, 2008
The NBA Top 100 Camp begins on Wednesday, and as always we'll be on hand to report on the action. Despite the increasing number of events for players in June, the camp has retained a very high level of talent.
A national slew of players will be on hand, mostly from the Class of 2009 but also representing the underclasses as well. The highest-ranked player scheduled to be in attendance is OK WG Xavier Henry, a top-three prospect from the rising senior class. The nation's most talented rising junior was listed on the pre-camp roster as well, CA BF Jeremy Tyler. more...
HOOP JAMBOREE: CLASS OF 2011
June 18, 2008
In our first report from the Nike Hoop Jamboree, we detailed the play of several standout members of the Class of 2010 who were in St. Louis last weekend. In our final look at the very important camp, we move on to cover those from the Class of 2011 who stood out.
Obviously, these are young guys w're talking about here and much is going to to change over the next couple of years, so in many cases these evaluations are cautiously optimistic. more...
HOOP JAMBOREE: CLASS OF 2010
June 17, 2008
Over the years, Nike's Hoop Jamboree has emerged as one of our favorite events in the country. Taking place each year in the Simon Rec Center on the campus of Saint Louis University, the Hoop Jamboree offered us a chance to get a long look at some of the very best rising juniors, sophomores and freshmen in the country.
Although this year's group was missing a guy who truly dominated the camp from beginning to end, it was another strong group. We'll start today by reviewing the play of some of the top Class of 2010 prospects in attendance, before covering the kids from 2011 and beyond later this week. more...
CP3 REPORT: GADDY TAKES OVER
June 11, 2008
The inaugural CP3 Elite Backcourt Skills Clinic, held at Wake Forest, worked out very well for both the campers and scouts, as everyone was treated to a first-class experience that was spearheaded in large part by Chris Paul himself. That kind of exposure to an NBA goes a long way, particularly with one who comports himself as well off the court as Paul.
One of the most significant developments of the weekend was the play of WA PG Abdul Gaddy, the former Arizona commitment who now -- along with teammate combo guard Avery Bradley, who say they may like to play in college together -- looms as one of the most sought-after rising seniors in the country. more...
HEADLINER CAMP: COLUMBIA REPORT
June 10, 2008
Last weekend, our run through June events continued, including a trip to Columbia, S.C., for one of Reebok's Headliner Camps, followed by a jaunt to Winston-Salem, N.C., for a day at Chris Paul's CP3 Elite Backcourt Skills Clinic.
Each event had a completely different mission, making for a very complementary experience. The focus at the Headliner Camp -- held at Columbia's Keenan High -- was to introduce unknown talent to scouts for Reebok and others such as us, with the best players to receive invitations to Reebok's underclassmen camp or their All-American Camp in early July. more...
HEELS GET MCDONALD; MORE NEWS
June 10, 2008
North Carolina seemingly had enough 2009 talent already, but TN WG Leslie McDonald gave the Tar Heels yet another stud prospect from the rising senior class. McDonald took an unofficial visit to Chapel Hill last weekend and chose UNC over Duke -- which he also visited over the weekend -- Tennessee and Memphis.
McDonald is a steady, blue collar scorer who has been a national name since he was a rising sophomore in the summer of 2006. He doesn't scintillate with athleticism or 25-foot shooting range, but he's a good scorer and defender who has improved his game off the dribble over the past year. more...
KUHLMAN GETTING GREATER INTEREST
June 9, 2008
One of the breakout players of the spring events was J.P. Kuhlman of the Jacksonville Lee Bulls. The 6-3 PG/WG from Jacksonville (FL) Providence burst onto the scene at the Real Deal on the Hill and has continued his steady play. A host of mid-majors and higher have either come calling or have indicated the will be tracking his progress in July.
"I've got offers from William & Mary, North Florida and Jacksonville," said Kuhlman. "I've also had a lot of contact from Georgia State, Richmond, Belmont, Davidson, Gardner-Webb, Butler, Marquette and St. Johns." more...
POINT GUARD ON THE MOVE
June 7, 2008
For a while, Tommy Mason-Griffin didn't think he'd have to deal with the attention and pressure that comes along with getting recruited. Having given an early commitment to LSU, his future was set.
However, when John Brady lost his job last season, the 5-11 PG from Houston who recently confirmed that he'll spend his senior year at Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill decided to open things back up. Not surprisingly, he's become pretty popular. more...
"Boston College and Marquette have been on me hard, they are on the verge of offering I think."
June 5, 2008
-- Derrick Williams
Read full story. ...
HAMILTON A MARKED MAN
June 5, 2008
When you are recognized as one of the best players in the country, there's some other things that come along with it. For instance, Jordan Hamilton has learned that each time he takes the court, his opponents are gunning for him and they don't always play fair. And as far as the 6-7 WF from Compton (CA) Dominguez is concerned, that's just fine.
"It doesn't matter, I still come out and play hard," said Hamilton. "I do what I have to do, because every night somebody is going to come at you. Sometimes I get fouled hard, I've just got to let it go and keep on playing." more...
HEADLINER CAMP: JACKSONVILLE
June 4, 2008
Now in its third year, the Reebok Headliner Camp continues to be vital component of Reebok's grassroots basketball program. While the last two years the event was held in Orlando with limited success, this year it found a new home in Jacksonville and was sold out.
Eighty players came to showcase their talents, and the top players were extended invitations to Reebok's Underclassmen All-American Camp in Chicago in mid-June, while others received a bid to the Reebok All-American Camp (best players in all classes) held in Philadelphia during the July live period. more...
FRANKLIN HAS HUGE LIST
June 4, 2008
There aren't many players in the country who can match the sheer intensity and toughness Roger Franklin brings to the court each and every outing. A strong and athletic 6-5 BF/WF from Duncanville (TX) High, the rising senior embraces his toughness and takes pride in the fact that he's one of the most intense competitors in the land.
"I guess that's just being aggressive and going through a lot of hard things during basketball," Franklin told PrepStars.com. "Just having to work hard, you get aggressive after awhile. That's where that animal comes from when I really unleash the beast." more...
COMMITMENT ROUNDUP
June 4, 2008
A handful of new decisions have transpired in recent days, including Washington gaining the services of C.J. Wilcox, a 6-5 WG/WF at Pleasant Grove (UT) High. Wilcox, led Utah's 5A division in scoring last season averaging 24 points per game, chose the Huskies over Utah, Miami and Florida State, among others.
Wilcox is noted for his three-point shooting. Along with 2008 signees Elston Turner, Isaiah Thomas and Scott Suggs, U-W should develop into one of the Pac-10's best outside shooting teams, a change from recent seasons. more...
"I'd say the main schools are Syracuse, Auburn, ECU, Kentucky and Georgia State."
June 3, 2008
-- Akeem Richmond
Read full story. ...
WILSON LIKES THE WING
June 3, 2008
About a month ago, Jamil Wilson sounded like he had it all figured out. He'd picked a list of five schools that he was planning to visit, but now the 6-7 WF from Racine (WI) Horlick has had a change of heart.
Instead, the athletic and versatile wing has decided to completely open things up and focus on his game before settling on the schools he'll most likely visit later this summer and in the fall. more...
PANGOS CAMP: FINAL REPORT
June 2, 2008
Last weekend's Pangos All-American Camp enabled us to get a close look at some of the top prospects in California, in addition to handful of select talents outside the state as well.
The camp was very helpful from the standpoint that we hadn't seen some of the players in attendance in person since last summer, and as always, it's remarkable how much progress players that age can make from one year to the next. One guy from the East Coast who has been very good for a year is NC PG John Wall, who carried home the camp MVP award. more...
PANGOS CAMP: DAY TWO REPORT
May 31, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- As expected, the talent and intensity at the Pangos All-American Camp rose on day two. Some new faces turned out, rekindling rivalries that burn hot during the high school season.
In particular, some of the best players were UCLA pledge Kendall Williams, tough combo forward Roger Franklin and explosive wing Michael Snaer. more...
PANGOS CAMP: DAY ONE REPORT
May 30, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- The Pangos All-American camp tipped off on Friday, an event hosted at Southern Cal's fine Galen Center complex. The event features talent heavily based within the state of California, but big-time prospects from Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and elsewhere also were represented.
Day one featured a light slate of only two rounds of games, but we did come away with a few thoughts. Perhaps the story of the evening was the resuscitation of Jeremy Tyler's status as the nation's top 2010 prospect, while some additional storylines emerged as well. more...
ATKINS HAS CHOICE OF HIGH MAJORS
May 30, 2008
While Derrick Favors deservedly receives most of the plaudits for the Atlanta Celtics, last weekend's unsung hero at the Tournament of Champions was GA WF/WG Manny Atkins, an intelligent and skilled wing who understands his role on a team built around a dominant big man. more...
COMMITMENT ROUNDUP
May 30, 2008
The late May commitments continued to roll in this week, as several major programs made new additions -- and there was one key loss as well.
Perhaps the most significant story was the de-commitment of Arizona commitment Abdul Gaddy, who is back on the market and will be among the most sought-after rising seniors in the nation, particularly given that he's an elite point guard in a year when there aren't many of those guys going around.
MDC: PLAYER EVALS
May 29, 2008
Just like we did with the TOC, we wanted to take some time to look back at some players we weren't able to get to during our coverage of the event. You'll see several recognizable names, but we're also going to introduce you to plenty of young guys with promising futures.
Let's have a look! more...
COOLEY HOPES TO CATCH FIRE
May 29, 2008
While the state of Florida is known mostly for producing football talent, the Tampa/St. Petersburg area is famous for producing baseball players. Because of that, basketball players in the Bay area don't get as much publicity as they would have if they lived in Miami, Orlando or Jacksonville.
But that lack of publicity hasn't prevented 6-4 WG Sheldon Cooley from being on the radar of D-I coaches at the mid and high major levels. more...
"Marquette and Minnesota are hitting me the hardest."
May 28, 2008
-- Johnnie Lacy
Read full story. ...
GALLOWAY'S MOVE WORKS OUT
May 28, 2008
No matter the age, moving is difficult. For a high school kid, it's especially difficult. And for ballers in a talent-rich city such as Philadelphia, who are forced to relocated to the football-crazed world of South Florida, let's just say there is a culture shock. But for Ramon Galloway, the move has helped him ease into the spotlight.
The 6-3 Galloway had a very successful season playing both the point and wing guard positions at Palm Beach Gardens (FL) Dwyer. This travel season he's playing with the Florida Rams and has received quite a bit of notice from mid and high-majors alike. more...
TOC: PLAYER EVALS
May 27, 2008
In addition to the players we covered last weekend at the annual Tournament of Champions, it's worth hitting up a few more guys who deserved write-ups based on their play.
Along with the names you'd expect to see here, such as Derrick Favors and Kenny Boynton, the crop of underclassmen in attendance was an exciting dimension to the field. more...
ATHLETES FIRST TAKES MDC
May 26, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- While a champion was being crowned in North Carolina at the TOC, the kids at the Nike MDC were fighting their way to Monday's Final Four. After the dust had cleared, only the New York Gauchos, Athletes First, Wisconsin Playground Elite and Houston Hoops remained in the hunt for the trophy.
Monday afternoon, Athletes First took home the title by knocking out the Gauchos by one point. more...
CELTICS PREVAIL AT TOC
May 25, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- In a purely basketball sense, Sunday was one of the best days ever for Derrick Favors. The 6-9 big man led the Atlanta Celtics to a rousing victory over Team Breakdown in the championship of the TOC, dominating action on both ends to spearhead the Celtics' 72-62 victory.
Favors fell into foul trouble in the first half and didn't contribute much in terms of minutes or production. In the second frame, however, he flirted with a 20/20 for points and rebounds, and he added at least six blocks as well. It was a profoundly forceful impact that ranks with the best in the history of the event. more...
TOC: DAY TWO REPORT
May 24, 2008
DURHAM, N.C. -- Saturday at the TOC always has been one of the longer days of the recruiting calendar, and this year was no different. Fortunately, longer doesn't mean excruciating, given the immense talent on hand at this event.
We were able to see some of the nation's very best players in action, while also catching some fast-risers during a day that generally offered competitive games throughout the morning, day and evening. NC PG John Wall was among the most eye-catching players, as he typically is. more...
MDC: DAY ONE REPORT
May 24, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- As it always does, the Nike Memorial Day Classic waited until Saturday morning to tip off. While there wasn't necessarily a signature performance, there were countless Big Timers doing their thing.
Xavier Henry was back in action for Athletes First, DeShaun Thomas turned in a terrific performance around the hoop, and a pair of impressive freshmen traded huge shots in the 17-under division. more...
TOC: DAY ONE REPORT
May 23, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Opening night at the Tournament of Champions always brings out the most ardent basketball fans in the Research Triangle area, including fans of nearby schools North Carolina, Duke and N.C. State.
Headquartered at UNC's Dean Smith Center and also tipping off at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium and N.C. State's RBC Center, among several other venues, the TOC -- now in its 15th year -- has become one of the most venerable events on the travel circuit. One of Friday's best prospects was rising senior forward Isaiah Armwood. more...
2009 TOP THREE: FAVORS, STEPHENSON, HENRY
Out goes the Class of 2008, in comes the Class of 2009. While the new recruiting cycle actually tips off in early April, it isn't until this time every year -- at the close of the spring signing period for the outgoing senior class -- that many observers acknowledge the rising senior crop as the true focal point of grassroots basketball.
To that end, we've update our rankings for the Class of 2009 heading into the early summer, and obviously there have been a great number of changes based on spring action. In this edition, GA C/BF Derrick Favors heads the way, flanked by NY WG Lance Stephenson and OK WG Xavier Henry. To check out the full list, just click on the link! more...
After processing a season's worth of high school games, state playoffs, national tournaments and postseason all-star games, it became more and more clear that the top spot in the Class of 2008 rightfully belongs to the guy who always wanted that distinction the most: CA PG Brandon Jennings.
While Jennings may project more sizzle right now than purists prefer, he certainly backs up the hot-dogging with substance and tremendous competitive drive. Meanwhile, there were several significant changes elsewhere on the list, so check them out! more...
MORGAN LEADS OFF ROUNDUP
May 23, 2008
As expected a couple weeks ago, essentially from the moment he obtained a release from LSU, big-time TX C J'Mison Morgan now is headed to UCLA. The burly insider had expressed interest in the Bruins early during his recruitment, but ultimately signed with the Tigers in the fall.
Upon the coaching change and with several months to ponder his future, however, Morgan now will become the next featured post player in Westwood. Morgan isn't a speedy athlete but is very effective thanks to a powerful frame and soft hands, along with pretty good scoring moves. more...
EBLEN MAKES THE MOST OF SPRING
May 20, 2008
The April evaluation period was the first opportunity for players to establish themselves in the eyes of college coaches. Whether playing for a team with national recognition or a team that has yet to make a splash on the travel circuit, the opportunity is there for all. One player that seized that opportunity is Nike Team Florida point guard Ben Eblen.
The 6-2 Eblen out of Melbourne (FL) Florida Air Academy had a mostly regional reputation among schools in the mid-major category. more...
MORE LATE SPRING COMMITMENTS
May 19, 2008
As expected, the underclass commits continue to roll in the late spring. Additionally, there has been other news as well. One of the most talented players to decide was VA BF Deshawn Painter, a top-50 talent in the Class of 2009 who committed to Florida over Virginia, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Clemson, N.C. State and many others.
Painter certainly should excel in the Gators' system. The slender big man isn't a refined offensive player but is very mobile, active and the possessor of good lateral movement for a player his size. He also does a solid job on both backboards. more...
SABOUR-PINA ON THE RISE
May 16, 2008
Sometimes a team has too much talent. Players are more interested in scoring points and grabbing the spotlight than they are in doing the little things and simply winning games. With two top-10 players in their respective classes in the backcourt and a high D-I recruit inside, Team Breakdown doesn't really need another player who demands the ball.
Fortunately, they have 6-9 rising senior BF Guillaume Sabour-Pina. more...
NEW RANKINGS NEXT WEEK
Leading up to Memorial Day Weekend, we'll be releasing our updated rankings for the classes of 2009 and underclasses, and we'll also release our final rankings for the Class of 2008.
It's been a particularly difficult year to finalize the senior class, simply because there is no clear consensus on No. 1 or who the top tier of prospects are from 2008. So for that reason, expect some surprises near the top.
WRIGHT ON THE RISE
May 12, 2008
One of the more prolific programs at producing Division I caliber players is Mount Vernon High just outside of New York City. Over the last several years, Coach Bob Cimmino's program has produced players such as Ben Gordon (UConn and the Chicago Bulls) and Keith Benjamin (Pitt). The next player to join that illustrious group will be 6-4 WG Sherrod Wright.
"Last season was a pretty successful one for us," said Wright. "We got to the all-class state tournament in Glen Falls, but we came up a little bit short. This spring and summer, I'm runnin' with the New Jersey Playaz. It's a lot of fun to play with guys like Dominic Cheek and Tamir Jackson." more...
RELEFORD TAKES THE BATON
May 9, 2008
Some trends are more recent than others. While the name Releford wouldn't have meant much to many outside the Kansas City metro area until last year, Kansas-bound senior wing Travis Releford changed that for recruitniks and Jayhawk fans nationwide.
Fast forward just one year, and there's a new Releford on the scene. Rising junior PG Trevor Releford has proved to be one of the more promising floor generals nationally in his class. Standing only 5-8 a year ago, height no longer will be a problem because Releford has sprouted to a legitimate 5-11. more...
"I've heard from the new staff at Marquette, Arizona State, Gonzaga, Wisconsin-Green Bay ..."
May 8, 2008
-- Sam Dower
Read full story. ...
EDWARDS THRIVES ON DIMENSIONS
May 8, 2008
One of the more versatile players in Florida's 2009 class, 6-7 WF Ritchie Edwards of Lakeland (FL) High has the look of a player who didn't grow up on the playground. That may be because he grew up on the other side of the world in New Zealand.
"I was born in Albany, New York, but my parents are missionaries and we moved to New Zealand when I was two," said Edwards. "I got my first exposure to basketball there. We moved to the States in 2006. It was a real eye-opener." more...
COMMITMENT ROUNDUP
May 7, 2008
So far this month, decisions by significant players affecting major college programs have continued to cascade down from the top. While there still is cleanup occurring within the Class of 2008, there also have been several pledges from the Classes of 2009, 2010, 2011 and, yes, 2012.
Among the most noteworthy stories was a trio of commitments taken by Kentucky. The Wildcats most recently reached into the rising sophomore class for Vinny Zollo, a 6-9 BF at Greenfield (OH) McClain who plans to transfer next season to a different high school. more...
WALKER AMBLES TOWARD STRONG FINISH
May 5, 2008
It's been a long, uncertain road, but some Walkers were meant to travel farther than others. Demetrius Walker, a 6-3 rising senior WG at San Juan Capistrino (CA) Serra, has a story that has been told -- typically as a warning -- for more than three years.
Considered a phenom in the 8th grade, Walker was hailed as the next great high school basketball prospect -- again, while in the 8th grade. And that's the warning. But Walker has moved forward with his career and now is poised for a high-major recruitment. more...
JAYHAWK INVITATIONAL: FINAL REPORT
May 5, 2008
The Jayhawk Invitational concluded this past weekend, and we saw quite a few players during the three-day event who warranted coverage during the weekend. Along with that, however, there were several more players who deserve attention in the aftermath of the event.
The host team K.C. Pump 'N Run captured the titles in both the 17-under and 16-under divisions, and All-Iowa Attack won at the 15-under level. In all, the event affirmed that the Class of 2010 is developing solid national depth, while the crop of rising senior point guards still appears to be thin. more...
JAYHAWK INVITATIONAL: DAY TWO
May 3, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Saturday at the Jayhawk Invitational featured more in the way of top athletes and those aspiring to make their names at the Division I level. Pool play concluded during the afternoon, and playoffs started during the evening sessions.
One of the day's best players was Joe Jackson, a scoring machine of a guard in the Class of 2010 who continues to cement himself as one of the most talented backcourtsmen in the rising junior class. more...
JAYHAWK INVITATIONAL: DAY ONE
May 2, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- The 8th edition of the Jayhawk Invitational welcomed numerous major travel programs, primarily from the Adidas stable. Played in Lawrence and headquartered at the University of Kansas and fabled Allen Fieldhouse, Kansas City Pump 'N Run is hosting a strong weekend of hoops.
On Friday night, elite rising senior Derrick Favors was quietly dominant, while several other big names -- along with a few lesser lights in terms of exposure -- also made an impact. more...
POSSIBLE RECLASS FOR CARTER
May 2, 2008
This time last spring, Sampson Carter made a name for himself with his tough wing defense and ability to score. Then, the 6-7 WF from Memphis (TN) Hamilton went out and won a state championship during his senior year. Now, he must decide whether to sign during the spring or spend a year in prep school. more...
"I like Virginia, Wake Forest, Xavier, Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech ..."
May 1, 2008
-- Ari Stewart
Read full story. ...
WATFORD LOVES THE COMPETITION
May 1, 2008
Make no mistake about it, Christian Watford loves playing summer ball. That isn't to say that the 6-8 WF/BF from Irondale (AL) Shades Valley doesn't enjoy playing with his high school team. It's just that the rising senior enjoys the extra competition and chance to play in front of hordes of college coaches.
"It feels real good to get out there," Watford said. "It's way different to school ball and there's a lot of competition. I like it like that, too. more...
LATE APRIL COMMITMENTS
April 29, 2008
Kentucky reached into the Class of 2010 well to gain a pledge from big-time IN BF Dominique Ferguson. Ferguson is a top-25 talent in the rising junior class and pledged to the Wildcats over a host of other major programs.
Ferguston has been impressive this spring, performing well in front of us at both the Boo Williams Invitational and the Pittsburgh Jam Fest. Given his long frame and advanced skills -- including advanced face-up ability -- he ultimately could rank among the nation's top 10 prospects in his class. more...
VEGAS EVENTS: DAY TWO REPORT
April 26, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- Saturday in Las Vegas brought out bigger names than on day one, and by and large those boasting large reputations played to expectation. Additionally, there were more unsung prospects who made a mark with the college coaches inhabiting the stands, and a couple of additional subplots have emerged as well.
Some of the day's best players included a trio of rising senior guards: Abdul Gaddy, Elijah Johnson and Avery Bradley. more...
VEGAS EVENTS: DAY ONE REPORT
April 25, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- On Friday in Las Vegas, we spent our time at the Double Pump Spring Classic, a large tournament played at shiny new host high school Bishop Gorman, a traditional athletic power in Las Vegas.
Day one didn't feature many big names, but as always during this event, a handful of previously unknown prospects emerged on the national landscape. Because California is such a large state and vast resource for talent, it's no surprise that a handful of the guys who impressed hailed from The Golden State. more...
LAS VEGAS PREVIEW
April 25, 2008
So far this month, our travels have carried to events in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Arkansas. This weekend, it's time to ship out west, where Prep Stars analysts Eric Bossi and Rob Harrington will be attending a pair of events in Las Vegas: the Pumps' Spring Showcase and Vision Sports' Spring Classic. more...
COACHES GET EARLY LOOK AT REID
April 25, 2008
One of the less heralded frontcourt prospects we saw at last weekend's Pittsburgh Jam Fest deserving of more attention was Justin Reid, a 6-7 BF/C at Indianapolis (IN) North Central. Playing for Indiana Elite LNO, Reid showed that he has upper mid-major promise.
Reid obviously is undersized to play the post, and he's extremely undersized if one considers him a center prospect. Nevertheless, he has long arms and the muscle to hold his own despite the lacking inches. While he isn't a sensational athlete, he does show solid mobility and works hard on defense and on the boards. more...
GULLEY KEEPS IT STEADY
April 24, 2008
Ideally, a point guard's job is to run his team and provide a calming and steadying influence on his teammates. Some do, some don't. Go ahead and put Fred Gulley in the category of those who do. more...
SHANNON MUM ON RECRUITMENT
April 24, 2008
When he's on the floor, Terrance Shannon isn't above letting out a yell after a big dunk or block. The 6-7 BF/WF from Forsyth (GA) Mary Persons is a little different off the court, though, where he's guarded about what's really happening in his recruitment
He does, however, enjoy spring and summer ball in comparison to playing with his high school team. more...
"North Carolina State is recruiting me, Florida State too."
April 24, 2008
-- Gerard Coleman
Read full story. ...
SPURLOCK EMERGES AS MAJOR THREAT
April 23, 2008
It wasn't that no one knew about rising senior Tristan Spurlock heading into the recent Boo Williams Invitational; it was just that it had been a while since anybody had seen the Rockville (MD) Montrose Christian stud on the club trail.
But taking the floor with a loaded Boo Williams Summer League squad, the 6-7 WF served notice to all who watched that he's among the top wings in the Class of 2009. more...
MORE APRIL COMMITMENTS
April 23, 2008
April always is a very busy month, as late signees from the senior class make their decisions, and some underclassmen -- who are being watched by college coaches at various travel events -- also are making the call on their college choice.
One potential top-75 prospect from the Class of 2009, MN BF/WF Royce White, chose in-state Minnesota over a burgeoning list of high-major schools. White transferred into Minnetonka Hopkins this year, and that move will put him in one of the state's traditionally strongest programs. more...
JAM FEST: FINAL LOOK
April 21, 2008
The Pittsburgh Jam Fest finished up on Sunday evening, and the Indiana Elite One squad prevailed 83-76 in the final over New York-based Juice All-Stars. Indy Elite was stacked with very good prospects, while Juice got by more on the scrappiness and backcourt quickness frequently observed on New York teams.
In addition to the players we covered over the weekend, there are numerous others who deserve mention, included in this final report. more...
REAL DEAL: FINAL LOOK
April 21, 2008
Although they needed some late semifinal heroics from top-10 rising senior guard Kenny Boynton to make the final, and then overtime to dispatch a gritty Illinois Warriors team, Florida-based Team Breakdown emerged from the Real Deal on the Hill as champions on Sunday.
After traveling home, we want to take a look back at some players we weren't able to get to during our weekend coverage. Rather than use our usual daily coverage format, we'll just go with some evaluations on players that also impressed us. more...
REAL DEAL: DAY TWO
April 20, 2008
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- After a terrific opening night, the Real Deal on the Hill paraded another highly rated slew of talent onto the floor on day two.
John Henson continued his impressive play, while several other guys, young and old, made big time noise during a very entertaining day of hoops. more...
JAM FEST: DAY TWO
April 19, 2008
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Day two at the Pittsburgh Jam Fest featured the conclusion of pool play and the opening round of playoffs for the 17-under brackets, and for sure a greater number of stars saw their way to the main courts at Peterson Gym on Saturday.
One key player was Erik Murphy, a Florida-bound big man who continued to solidify a spot among the national elite this spring. But Murphy was far from the only effective big name of the day, as you'll see. more...
REAL DEAL: DAY ONE
April 18, 2008
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- There probably isn't another event in recent memory that has wasted as little time as the Real Deal on the Hill has in rising to national prominence. Judging by Friday night's action, there's a chance that the Real Deal may emerge as the premiere event of the spring for this year.
Leading the pack was an impressive performance turned in by a future North Carolina Tar Heel, but other big timers such as DeMarcus Cousins, Christian Watford and many more also shone. Not only did the established guys play to their rep, there were plenty of new guys making noise as well. more...
JAM FEST: DAY ONE
April 18, 2008
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Unlike the first weekend of the travel season, when the Boo Williams Invitational dominated the national landscape, this weekend -- the first opportunity for college coaches to scout at travel-team events -- is highly divided among several different venues.
This report comes to you from the Pittsburgh Jam Fest, while we'll also be chronicling the events from the Real Deal on the Hill in Arkansas. In Pittsburgh, a range of Adidas, Reebok and unaffiliated teams from the Northeast dominate the field, and the competition should become especially on Saturday, when college coaches sit in the stands and the best teams begin to battle in the playoffs. more...
ACTION JACKSON
April 18, 2008
Some guys talk a good game, and some guys even back it up. Even better, though, are the guys who just take the floor, ball out and let their talent speak for them. One of those guys who prefers the silent approach is 6-4 WF Lakeem Jackson.
The rising senior from Arden (NC) Christ School doesn't see any need to thump his chest or bump his gums, he just lets his actions take care of it for him, whether he's playing in front of friends, family, coaches or scouts. more...
BOYD BACK ON THE MAP
April 17, 2008
As a freshman at Norman (OK) High, Terrence Boyd exploded onto the scene putting up huge numbers. For his sophomore season, the muscular 6-5 WF transferred to Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill.
After a year at Oak Hill, Boyd decided to return home this past season, but the state athletic association dealt him a tough blow ruling that he was ineligible to ever play high school ball in Oklahoma. more...
SIGNING WEEK MOVES
April 17, 2008
The spring signing period has begun, and although most elite seniors signed back in November, there still are a handful of players -- some uncommitted all along, others newly freed after obtaining releases from their prior schools -- still set to decide.
The most anticipated decision was authored by top-five PA WG Tyreke Evans, who as expected committed to Memphis over Villanova, Texas and others. Evans was one of the very early poster boys for the Class of 2008, a role he never relinquished in scoring points at a furious clip both in high school and travel settings. more...
"UNLV, Arizona State, Oregon, Arizona and a lot of West Coast schools are on me."
April 16, 2008
-- Jerry Brown
Read full story. ...
BOO EVALS: PART II
April 15, 2008
In our second and final installment of player evaluations from last weekend's Boo Williams Invitational, readers will continue to learn about the best prospects from the Class of 2008 and underclassmen as well.
We've focused more heavily on the youngsters in this update, and certainly this won't be the last time we cover these kids moving forward. more...
BOO EVALS: PART I
April 14, 2008
Now that the dust has settled and the Boo Williams Invitational has concluded for another year, it's time to look back at some of the players we didn't cover during the weekend. Because the event was played at the sparkling new Boo Williams Sportsplex, it was easier to get a look at more teams both in the 17-under and 16-under divisions.
For certain, we'll need to see all of these players more than one weekend -- and there still were teams that didn't get a long look -- but Boo provided a good foundation heading into the remainder of the spring and summer. more...
BOO WILLIAMS: DAY TWO REPORT
April 12, 2008
HAMPTON, Va. -- The marathon day two of action at the Boo Williams Invitational tipped at 8:00am and ended around Midnight. That's basketball bliss for recruitniks, and for the second in a row we were treated to most of the best players from within the Nike system.
Overall, we can't say there have been any breathtaking leaps into the national top 25, nor any catastrophic crashes from grace. Much of the intriguing action here has occurred in the 16-under division, where aspiring classes of 2010 and 2011 hope to steal some of the thunder this spring and summer from the Class of 2009. more...
BOO WILLIAMS: DAY ONE REPORT
April 11, 2008
HAMPTON, Va. -- As always, the annual Boo Williams Invitational serves as a launching pad for the travel season. This year, however, the event has exchanged its working class duds and modest apartment for a new suit and a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Now played at the Boo Williams Sportsplex -- a first-class facility that was financed by the city of Hampton in appreciation for the event's legendary namesake -- a total of eight courts host games under one roof, while the traditional outlying gyms are dedicated to some of the underclassmen games. more...
SPRING SEASON IS HERE!
April 11, 2008
Out goes the Final Four, in comes the traveling season. Just four days removed from Monday's national championship game, the opening weekend of the all-important spring period is set to tip off. For the next several months -- including the live evaluation periods for college coaches in April and July -- we'll be attending and reporting first-hand from all the prime national events.
While July carries the most tradition, in many respects April has become the most important evaluation month of the year. The rising senior Class of 2009 has many questions to answer, as it has yet to offer an established superstar or strong top-100 caliber depth. more...
MORRIS GETS MORE OFFERS
April 10, 2008
While most of the pressure in the upcoming weeks will directed at the nation's rising seniors, players from the Class of 2010 are drawing increased scrutiny as well. One example of that is Jason Morris, a 6-5 WG/WF at Lakeville (CT) Hotchkiss, a talented wing who has been a touted name on the travel circuit since the summer of 2006.
As a sophomore at Hotchkiss, Morris improved his production while also rounding out the weak points of his game. Playing primarily the big forward spot for the Atlanta Celtics 16-under squad last summer, he now is a full-fledged wing and is anxious to prove that in the upcoming weeks, while keeping in mind the lessons he learned during the season. more...
COMMITMENT ROUNDUP
April 9, 2008
Clemson beat out numerous high-major schools to win a key in-state commitment, getting the spring nod from SC junior BF Milton Jennings, a talented face-up big forward at Summerville (SC) Pinewood.
We've watched Jennings extensively over the past couple of years, and he has improved at a gradual yet steady pace throughout that time. Jennings is a good (not great) athlete with the kind of frame that should enable him to add college-level muscle, yet he also is a fine jump shooter to as far away as 20 feet. He'll need to strike a balance between facing and manning the paint, and surely he'll get the proper instructions at Clemson. more...
DEWITT EMBRACES SECOND CHANCE
April 8, 2008
It's always refreshing to hear anyone step up and demand accountability for their actions, much less a high school basketball prospect intent on seizing the day.
One such example is 6-11, 201-pound junior BF/C Keith Dewitt of Goldsboro (NC) Charis Prep. Dewitt leaves no doubt about his excitement at his second chance, as well as accepting responsibility for previous actions. more...
MAJORS CHASE AFTER MAYMON
April 7, 2008
With junior season averages of 22 points and 15 rebounds, Jeronne Maymon was considered by some to be a solid, mid-major prospect in Wisconsin. But when he put up averages of 30 points, 17 rebounds, and 8 blocks in the state tournament leading, Madison Memorial to a second place finish after a last second shot rimmed out, the 6-7 combo forward's recruitment increased in line with his performance.
"I seriously thought about committing to Baylor earlier this past season," said Maymon. "I also have scholarship offers from UW-Milwaukee and UW-Green Bay. My parents wanted me to wait and see how things progressed this season and also the spring and summer. I'm glad we did." more...
THOMAS: TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME
April 4, 2008
After transferring schools this season and unable to play varsity basketball, Derrick Thomas realizes that the summer takes on a greater importance for himself as college coaches will be scurrying to assess where his game lies after a somewhat dormant winter.
Thomas, a 6-4, 185-pound junior WG now attends Washington (DC) St. John's after two years at Northfield (MA) Mt. Hermon. Although unable to suit up for varsity ball due to his late transfer, Thomas was able to nonetheless work on his game while still logging some junior varsity time. more...
TIDWELL HOPING TO EMERGE
April 3, 2008
For Terry Tidwell, the spring and summer travel season means changing uniforms and positions, while hoping to eventually increase his appeal among college coaches.
"AAU is a lot different (than high school basketball) and all the games are competitive and you play the best players around the nation," the 6-8, 225-pound junior BF/C from Conway (AR) High told PrepStars.com. "I get to see where I am on the national level, get better and with the (Arkansas) Wings, I get to do more high post stuff and use my speed to take people off the dribble." more...
KIRK HAS SUMMER PLAN
April 2, 2008
The spring travel season on the AAU circuit nearly is upon us and, like most, Donnavan Kirk is not only looking forward to it, he has certain goals that he will be looking to attain.
"In the summer you're playing with better and more talented players and you just want to prove yourself out there, and our team (The Family) just wants to win a tournament," the 6-8, 215-pound junior BF from Beverly Hills (MI) Detroit Country Day told PrepStars.com. "I really want to do big things this summer. I want to get into all the camps and make it to all of the games, like everyone else." more...
HOPSON DECIDES; MORE NEWS
April 2, 2008
Proving that winning games and gaining profile counts for a lot in recruiting, Tennessee out-dueled Kentucky, Mississippi State, Texas, Cincinnati, Louisville, Wake Forest and others for big-time KY WG/WF Scotty Hopson, who committed to the Bulldogs last year but never signed.
Hopson is an elite scorer who recently earned a spot in the McDonald's All-American Game, and he projects as an excellent prospect for both college and potentially the NBA. Hopson's game is built around scoring, but his length and athleticism enables him to compete on the glass and on defense as well. more...
CAROLINA CHALLENGE: JUMBO REPORT
April 1, 2008
CARY, N.C. -- Last weekend, the second annual Carolina Challenge took place at Cary Academy, featuring 80 of the best prospects in the state of North Carolina. For the second straight year, the Challenge featured a very strong allotment of players in a tight, organized format that enabled us to see every team at least once, and most teams twice.
The Challenge benefited from a very strong in-state crop, filling spots within the classes of 2009, 2010 and 2011. In particular, the Class of 2010 in North Carolina is very strong and should produce a couple dozen Division prospects. more...
NELSON READY FOR SPRING PERIOD
March 31, 2008
Roberto Nelson is eagerly awaiting the spring travel season as he hopes to further enhance his national reputation, while at the same time finding challenges that might have been missing during his high school season.
"Playing AAU is a lot more important (than high school basketball) because you get to play in front of all the coaches, and especially if you want to get your name out there to McDonald's (All-America Game)," the 6-3, 190-pound junior combo guard from Santa Barbara (CA) High said. more...
WITHERSPOON STILL THINKING
March 28, 2008
One of the nation's top unsigned seniors is GA WF Wesley Witherspoon from Lilburn (GA) Berkmar. After a successful stint with the Georgia Stars AAU program, Witherspoon continued his solid play his senior season.
He averaged 20 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists on the year, which earned him invites to the FL-USA All-Star Game in Orlando and the Jordan Brand Classic in New York City in April. more...
OLSEN ENJOYS BANNER SEASON
March 27, 2008
Jeremy Olsen is coming off a strong junior season at Suwanee (GA) Collins Hill where he broke the school season rebounding record, as well as breaking the school season and career shot blocking records.
The 6-10, 220-pound BF/C feels that he knows the reasons behind his success on the floor this year. more...
MCDONALD'S RECAP
March 27, 2008
The East squad prevailed over the more touted West team at the McDonald's All-American Game on Wednesday night by a score of 107-102. In a characteristically sloppy affair, unsigned guard Tyreke Evans scored 21 points and added 10 rebounds for the East and walked away with the MVP award as a result.
Meanwhile, CA PG Brandon Jennings and TX WG Willie Warren were stars for the West, and UCLA guard signee Jrue Holiday also played a strong all-around game. more...
ROBERTS HAS FIVE FAVORITES
March 26, 2008
After a subpar live period last July, Quincy Roberts lost national steam. The 6-5 senior WG from Harrisburg (PA) High had committed to Miami in June, but in September the Canes felt that he might not be a good fit in Coral Gables, and they amicably parted ways. No problem for Roberts, as a host of other schools jumped on board in a hurry after a strong senior season.
"My final five are Virginia, Michigan, Georgia Tech, St. Johns and Temple," said Roberts. more...
WALKER HEALTHY, READY TO GO
March 26, 2008
Georgia continues to grow in stature as a basketball hotbed. It isn't just Atlanta that's producing big-time talent, either, as the rest of the state is getting into the mix to an increasing degree as well. In Columbus, junior big man Torrin Walker of Northside High is getting set to make his mark this travel season.
"Torrin is a big, strong kid that has come a long way," said Georgia Blazers coach Tony Adams. "He's getting in better shape so that he can play longer minutes and stay away from cheap fouls that happen when he gets tired." more...
JUCO NATIONALS: PART II
March 25, 2008
During our first report from last weekend's Junior College National Championships, we covered the teams from regions one through eight. Today, we move on to cover the other eight regions -- there is one team per region at the national tournament -- that were represented in Hutchinson.
As Indian Hills (IA) prepared to take the floor, there was quite a buzz among college coaches. In particular, coaches were excited to see coach Jeff Kidder's impressive group of freshmen featuring 6-2 PG/WG Dwight Hardy, 6-1 WG/PG Dwight Buycks, 6-8 BF LaRon Dendy and 6-7 BF/WF Leon Powell. more...
FLORIDA VS. USA GAME REPORT
March 25, 2008
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 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.
A new event this year featuring the top players in Florida against some of the nation's top players took place in Orlando this past weekend, and if the results from this weekend were any indication of future success, this event may become one of the top postseason events in the country very soon. more...
-- Rashad Whack
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KNIGHTS, DAWGS GET PLEDGES
March 25, 2008
Top-50 NJ C Greg Echenique made his college commitment on Monday, choosing Rutgers over Miami, Duke, Maryland, Memphis, Penn and many others. The beefy junior insider is one of the most physically ready centers in the Class of 2009, and his toughness and competitive drive match his raw size.
Echenique teamed at St. Benedict's with elite senior big man Samardo Samuels, and while the native Venezuelan may not be as athletic or skilled as his older teammate, he's a true five-man and one of the most promising interior defenders in the junior class. more...
JUCO NATIONALS: PART I
March 24, 2008
After years of losing talent to the prep school ranks had slowed junior college's production of division one basketball prospects, new NCAA rules designed to curtail abuse of the prep school system were expected to benefit junior college's across the country.
Late last week, we spent two days in Hutchinson, Kan., watching all 16 teams at the National Junior College Division I Nationals, and it was clear that the rules were already helping the talent level at the event, which was won by South Plains (TX) JC, a team that wasn't even ranked in the final top 20 poll. more...
SOUTH, OTHERS ALL OVER WATFORD
March 20, 2008
This summer will be an important time for Christian Watford as he works toward fulfilling several goals that he has set for himself on and off the floor.
"Summer basketball is definitely different than high school basketball, the biggest difference that the talent and just the night in-night out that you go up against," the 6-8, 215-pound junior WF from Irondale (AL) Shades Valley said. "Personally for myself, I want to try and make the McDonald's Game, get better and work toward making a final selection on my schools." more...
JOHNSON HAS BIG PLANS FOR SPRING
March 19, 2008
Game on as far as Elijah Johnson is concerned when talking about the upcoming spring travel circuit, and Johnson isn't at all bashful about drawing a line in the sand.
"Honestly, from my point of view, I'm going after some of these guys who are ranked higher and not as good as me," the 6-4, 205-pound junior PG from Las Vegas (NV) Cheyenne said. "I ran through and destroyed some of these guys, and they know who they are, so I really want to make a scene this summer." more...
ROUNDUP: PRYOR, OTHERS ANNOUNCE
March 19, 2008
Called by some the most eagerly anticipated announcement in football recruiting history, PA QB Terrelle Pryor announced for Ohio State over a slew of big-time programs, including co-finalist Michigan. The Pennsylvania native gets mentioned on this site for his basketball exploits, however, because he's also a top-50 talent on the hardwood.
In fact, if Pryor were a full-time hoopster, he likely would have made a run at this month's McDonald's All-American Game. The tremendous athlete and physical specimen draws even greater raves for football, considered by many to be the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2008. more...
SMITH PICKING UP OFFERS
March 18, 2008
The Class of 2009 is waiting in the wings to take center stage, starting the second weekend in April. While there are several players who are already well known and have made verbal commitments, there are many more that will use the spring and summer as a launch pad for their recruitment. One such player is Shaunessy Smith, a 6-6 WG/WF from Macon (MS) Noxubee County.
"I get excited when talking about the play and potential of Shaun," said Smith's travel team coach, Danny Pritchett, of the Birmingham Storm. "He can play all of the perimeter positions well and if the match-up is favorable, he can play the big forward spot. more...
HARRIS GETTING HIGH, MID ATTENTION
March 17, 2008
Dannin Harris is the type prospect that one sees frequently in basketball. He is a team-oriented kid who brings intangibles to the table in abundance and isn't concerned with his personal accolades, just whatever he can do to help his team win games.
"For myself, I had a strong season, a very good season. What made me happy was how hard I worked to be the best player I could to help my team," the 6-4, 185-pound senior WG from Houston (TX) Westside said. more...
FEATURE: 2004 CLASS AN ELITE GROUP
March 14, 2008
By now, even casual basketball fans are familiar with Dwight Howard. The rising Orlando superstar amazed onlookers at the NBA's Slam-Dunk Contest during this season's all-star weekend in New Orleans.
Howard also has generated a lot of conversation among more dedicated observers, boasting improved scoring ability and sensational rebounding numbers. The Magic had the first pick of the 2004 NBA Draft and considered selecting either Howard or Emeka Okafor. While Okafor is a solid player, they made the correct decision. more...
BURTON STILL LOOKING
March 14, 2008
As the point guard of one of the best teams in the country, Chester (PA) High's Karon Burton is certainly in the spotlight. And while he may only stand 5-8, the senior playmaker still casts a long shadow on the game.
"Karon has great will and determination to win," said Chester coach Fred Pickett. "He believes in himself and his team and wants to take the big shot when the game is on the line. Karon is the type of player that can break the other team's will." more...
COMMITMENT ROUNDUP
March 14, 2008
There have been a handful of commitments and other news this week to cover heading into Selection Sunday on the college side. For starters, Kentucky found backcourt help in the form of Kevin Galloway, a 6-6 WG/WF at Southern Idaho (ID) JC.
Galloway, who began his college career at Southern Cal, transferred from the Trojans and went on to average nine points, nine assists, four rebounds and three steals per game this season at CSI. His assist numbers led the entire NJCAA. more...
FEATURE: CLASS OF 2005 STRUGGLES
March 13, 2008
The spring and summer of 2004 featured more groans and sighs from college coaches than any other class covered in these features -- by far. The Class of 2005 was considered a dud from the moment it first received close scrutiny and, unfortunately, its performance hasn't caused any significant reappraisal.
In better news, Monta Ellis has developed into one of the most talented young guards in the league, while many NBA scouts regard Andrew Bynum as a potential force in the middle, and Tyler Hansbrough will be remembered as one of the best players in school history at UNC. more...
KELLEY A SOLID SPRING OPTION
March 13, 2008
A critical need in any successful college program is clear and steady direction in the backcourt. Teams looking for a spring signing to fill that need have Ryan Kelley as at least one attractive option on the table.
"I felt like I continued taking on more of a leadership aspect this year. I was the oldest (player) on the team, so I wanted to teach them and be able to take over at the end of the game," the 6-5, 190-pound senior WG/PG from Pomona (CA) Diamond Ranch said. "I played mostly at the two (guard) but also played some at the point (guard). I've been playing point most of my career, so it really doesn't matter which position I play in the future." more...
UNSIGNED SENIOR BIG MAKES HIS MOVE
March 12, 2008
Finding a senior big man at this stage of the year can be a very arduous task for programs still looking to fill an interior need next season, but Steve Goins, a 6-9, 245-pound C/BF at Chicago (IL) Curie, is starting to emerge as a legitimate under-the-radar prospect.
"I was pretty pleased with my individual effort this year," Goins told PrepStars.com. "By not playing very much over the past three years and having had a broken leg that kept me out of the entire summer in 2006, this year was the most playing time I have ever had." more...
"(College coaches) haven't really put pressure on me, but they do want to know if they really have a shot."
March 12, 2008
-- Mike Dixon
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VINCENT TO MISS SPRING AND SUMMER
March 11, 2008
As the high school season winds down across the country, the spring travel season is beginning to gear up. Most players look forward to this time of the year, as it will offer them a chance to play before college coaches from all levels. Unfortunately, that will not be the case this year for James Vincent, a 6-10, 262-pound junior C from Columbus (GA) Northside.
"James tore a meniscus and ACL in his knee," said Coach Tony Adams of the Georgia Blazers. "He had surgery two weeks ago and is expected to miss the entire spring and summer." more...
FEATURE: ODEN, DURANT SPEARHEAD 2006 CLASS
March 11, 2008
The prep class of 2006 marked a point of historical significance for college basketball. For the first time this decade, the nation's elite prep talents attended college out of high school, rather than a half-dozen or more declaring for the NBA's annual draft. This was the first class affected by the NBA's age minimum, mandating that high-school players in the United States wait at least one year after graduation to apply for the pro draft.
In real-world terms, the rule forced Greg Oden, Kevin Durant and others to make a one-year pit stop in college prior to taking their talents -- and their wallets -- to the pros. more...
"I have Texas, Baylor and Arkansas as my top three right now."
March 10, 2008
-- Shawn Williams
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HILL SHARPENS SKILLS
March 7, 2008
Seeing that his team would require him to fill multiple roles, while logging time all over the court, Donte Hill is now ready to focus on his combo guard skills that he hopes will help him solidify a place among the best 2009 backcourt prospects.
"I think that I really improved a lot this year on my outside shooting, and my decision-making has gotten a lot better," the 6-3,190-pound guard from Norfolk (VA) Collegiate told PrepStars.com. "I lived in the weight room during pre-season and that has helped because I have played a little bit of everywhere this season, and even some point guard once our point went down with an injury at mid-season." more...
FEATURE: RANKINGS REVISIT PART I
March 6, 2008
It's only natural to question the validity of prep rankings. In a country populated by more than 300 million people - with a number easily greater than 100,000 competing each year in high-school hoops - constructing a hierarchy of athletes based on projected long-term ability might seem futile, if not downright silly.
And that process would strike an absurdist note, were it not for the grassroots basketball culture that has made recruiting a national process. In this first installment of a four-part series, we take a look back at the high school Class of 2007, including Kansas State super-stud Michael Beasley. more...
UNDERCLASSMEN DECIDE
March 5, 2008
While a handful of talented seniors and juniors have committed in recent days, this week has seen its share of the spotlight shift over to the even younger sophomore and freshman classes.
The biggest name to make his decision was Tristan Thompson, a 6-8 sophomore BF at Newark (NJ) St. Benedict's, who opted for Rick Barnes and Texas. Thompson, drawing a few comparisons to former Longhorn Kevin Durant based largely on their thin and long body types, is a talented young forward who may end up becoming a tall wing player. more...
SHERMAN ON THE MARCH
March 4, 2008
Garrick Sherman finished his junior season with impressive numbers and gained the confidence to go along with those cartoon-like stats. The 6-10, 230-pound BF/C from Kenton (OH) High posted 23-point, 16-rebound and 5-block numbers that reflected the work Sherman has put into his game.
"I think the area where I improved the most was in getting stronger and finishing better around the basket," Sherman told PrepStars.com. "I didn't get any and-ones previously, and this year I was a lot stronger and quicker with the ball. I did some weight room work, but mostly it was natural development." more...
A FEW MORE MAJOR COMMITS
March 2, 2008
High school seasons are ending everywhere, but while playoffs are beginning and concluding for many, there still have been a couple of noteworthy commitments to track heading into the new month.
The biggest name to go was junior AL C DeMarcus Cousins, who pledged to Mike Davis' UAB program over a host of major programs. Cousins represents a huge recruiting score for the Blazers, which obviously aren't accustomed to getting top-five national talents. more...
BIG TEN, OTHERS CHASE PROSSER
February 29, 2008
The Big Ten conference is showing a lot of love toward Jordan Prosser this year, and the big man is feeling reciprocal himself, without ruling out other programs anxious to stay in the mix.
"I've had a lot of the Big Ten schools come up and watch my games, and most all of them are interested," the 6-8, 220-pound junior forward from Eureka (IL) High told PrepStars.com. "I'm (also) talking a lot to Texas A&M, California ..." more...
"St. Joe's, Temple, Xavier and Rhode Island are a few of the schools that have offered."
February 28, 2008
-- Carl Arrigale, on Andre Gillette
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NO RUSH FOR JOHNSON
February 28, 2008
The good ones know they can play and they don't mind letting others know it. But the really good ones know they can play and don't need to be the show all the time, only when the situation calls for it. One such player is Noel Johnson, a 6-7 junior WF at Fayetteville (GA) Fayette County.
"He just knows how to play," said his high school coach, Andre Flynn. "He's not fazed by the big name coaches that come to see him play. Noel likes the challenge of the big game. He likes to get his teammates involved but knows he's the one we need to get the bucket or the rebound when it's crunch time." more...
MORE COMMITMENT ACTION
February 28, 2008
Another of the nation's most promising frontcourt talents, Mason Plumlee, has made his college decision. Joining a growing list of players who have ended their recruitments prior to the spring evaluation period, Plumlee chose Duke over numerous other major offers.
Plumlee had an up-and-down summer in 2007, but he has made significant advancements since that time. This season he showed greater toughness and confidence in the post, and he remains a capable standstill shooter from the perimeter. more...
BRADLEY GETTING PAC-10 LOVE
February 26, 2008
Avery Bradley comprises a dynamite backcourt along with junior teammate Abdul Gaddy for Tacoma (WA) Bellermine, and they both run during the spring and summer with the Northwest Panthers.
Bradley has helped lead Bellermine to a 22-3 record, averaging 25 points in the process, and his floor game has been the primary aspect of improvement. more...
JAYHAWKS, OTHERS SCORE
February 26, 2008
Kansas added backcourt help this week, getting a pledge from Midland (TX) JC guard Tyrone Appleton. Appleton, a 6-3 PG/WG, signed with Virginia Tech out of high school prior to making the detour to junior college.
In high school, Appleton impressed us as a good athlete who can defend either guard position, as well as a pretty good scorer off the dribble. His jump shot always has been inconsistent, but it's his athleticism and versatility on the defensive end that make him a safe bet to factor into the rotation at KU. more...
"Definitely, the Big Ten is the one conference that I would love to play in."
February 25, 2008
-- Nik Garcia
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RAINING POTENTIAL IN PETERSBURG
February 23, 2008
One indication of his improvement is being named last week as Co-Player of the Year in the Central District. A further indication is that his basketball coach at Petersburg (VA) High School feels that he is just scratching the surface of his potential.
Things indeed are on the uptick for junior forward Cadarian Raines, after leading Petersburg to an unblemished district record and 20-2 regular season mark. more...
COMMITMENT ROUNDUP
February 23, 2008
Louisville received a commitment from 6-5 junior WG Mike Marra from Northfield (MA) Mt. Hermon. Marra long favored the Cardinals and was considered a likely commitment for weeks.
Marra solidified himself as a national recruit at the recent National Prep School Invitational. He's an excellent long-distance shooter who will have no troubles extending his range to the new (for next season) college three-point distance. He's also a capable passer and handler who competes at a high level. He'll need to get stronger for the Big East. more...
PELAGE A BIG MAN WITH UPSIDE
February 21, 2008
At nearly 6-9, 245 pounds, it's hard to fly under the radar in this information age of basketball. However, that is just what happened to unsigned senior Jeff Pelage, a center for Fort Lauderdale (FL) Pine Crest.
"The kid didn't play summer ball," said Coach David Beckerman. "Jeff did what most kids do in the summer and got a job. It was important to him and his parents that he did that. It might have set him back a little bit in his recruitment, but with the way he's been playing, it should pick up." more...
PRESSEY LOOKING TO SPRING
February 20, 2008
Matt Pressey is accustomed to getting overshadowed. The son of former NBA star Paul Pressey, the unsigned 6-2 senior WG at Ashburnham (MA) Cushing also gets less publicity than his sophomore teammate -- who also happens to be his brother. But while Phillip Pressey has drawn more national raves, the elder Pressey offspring has brought his game forward as well.
After an up-and-down summer on the travel circuit, Pressey has played much more impressively this season. He's a good shooter off the dribble who has a nice frame as well, and he's a talented -- if sometimes erratic -- passer. With athleticism that also is above-average and solid academics, one would assume Pressey is a solid mid-major recruit. more...
MCDONALD'S BREAKDOWN
February 20, 2008
In high school basketball, there are few, if any, individual honors higher than that of being selected to the McDonald's All-American team. Thus, the yearly announcement of the team has turned into an event that is highly anticipated by the nation's top prospects, and the coaches, family and friends that support them. The 2008 edition has been officially unveiled, and as usual the team features its fair share of no-brainer picks and somewhat surprising selections.
While the game won't be played until March 26 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, we'll go ahead and take a team by team look at each of the East and West squads. more...
BIG EAST ELUDES JACKSON SO FAR
February 19, 2008
There are some things that are just hard to explain: Calculus, Chemical Engineering, and Clemson never having won in Chapel Hill are just a few things that fall into that category.
Another item to add to the list for Tamir Jackson is the lack of a strong Big East recruitment. Jackson, a 6-2 junior combo guard at Newark (NJ) St. Benedict's Prep, has high- major interest and some offers, but not a whole lot of attention from the Big East. more...
"Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Memphis, Kentucky and Tennessee, those are pretty much my top five."
February 18, 2008
-- Kevin Galloway
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JEFFERSON A STRONG REGIONAL PROSPECT
February 18, 2008
One of the best high school teams in the country this season is Chester (PA) High. With four seniors on the team all having Division I talent, it's difficult for underclassmen to get the opportunities to get noticed. But that isn't the case for Rahlir Jefferson, a 6-5 junior WF/WG whoh is the only underclassmen starter for the team.
"On this team, he's averaging around ten points and two or three blocks a game," said Chester head coach Fred Pickett, "but we ask him to do a lot. He guards the best player on the opposing team, no matter what the position. more...
HIGH MAJORS PURSUE PATTILLO
February 15, 2008
Just a cursory look at the recruiting list of Juan Pattillo tells you all you need to know about what level interest colleges have in this energetic junior college forward , rated by some as one of the top juco prospects in the country.
"I have a lot of schools looking at me at this time," the 6-7, 210-pound sophomore forward from Southern Idaho (ID) JC told Prepstars.com. "Indiana, Arizona, South Florida, San Diego State, Kansas, Fresno State, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Colorado State are all schools interested. Recruiting is going very well, and all of those that I mentioned have offered." more...
CAPOBIANCO DRAWING HIGH LOOKS
February 14, 2008
With the primary portion of his regular season complete, and a week off before playoffs begin, 6-8, 235-pound junior forward Bobby Capobianco of Symmes Township (OH) Loveland ruminated on the just-completed portion of his schedule with his thoughts on how different this year was on the court compared to last season.
"Overall, I would say that I am real pleased with this year," Capobianco said. "I did a lot of different things, I have gotten better athletically and I am jumping a lot higher. Last year coming in, no one knew who I was and I had an easier time scoring. I wasn't doubled. This year teams are changing defenses, doing things to stop me and that was an adjustment." more...
COTTO EMERGES AS A SLEEPER
February 13, 2008
Ruben Cotto has managed to keep a relatively low national profile this season, but if he keeps putting up the kind of lottery type numbers that he has to this point, he can expect things to change there.
"This is Ruben's first year here, and he transferred in here before the season from LaSalle High School in Miami," said Head Coach Lane Bennett of Alton (IL) High. "He is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico and this is his third season playing in the states after playing (at LaSalle) his sophomore and junior years." more...
MORRIS TWINS SHINE AT NPSI
February 11, 2008
KINGSTON, R.I. -- While the high school season is winding down, there are some key events still remaining to be played outside of the various state playoffs beginning to take place. One of the most loaded each year is the National Prep School Invitational, played at the University of Rhode Island's Keaney Gym.
The prep school ranks this year have been changed to an extent because of the number of players who either re-classified forward (to be members of the Class of 2007) or entered junior college because of the NCAA's new rules regarding initial eligibility and the number of courses that can be completed in a fifth year. That said, two players who stood out were, in fact, fifth-year players: Marcus and Markieff Morris. more...
JACKSON AIMING FOR SPRING OFFERS
February 8, 2008
It's the system. If a player doesn't get out on the circuit in the spring and summer, he goes under the radar and sometimes even off it. He does what the critics have been howling for: get in the gym and work on your skills instead of traveling around the country, playing game after game, and not develop.
The result sometimes is a better player, but also one without concrete scholarship offers. Such is the case for Devon Jackson, a 5-11 point guard from Milwaukee (WI) Rufus King. more...
THE ROADS LEAD TO ROME
February 7, 2008
It's been a dazzling season thus far for Rome Draper from a team and individual standpoint. He's the leading scorer for a Etiwanda (CA) High team that has posted a 24-1 record, with two remaining games before playoff time.
In short, right now it's about riding that perfect wave, something Draper has discovered. more...
"UCLA, Kansas, all the Pac-10 schools, Virginia and Kentucky are coming the strongest, along with U-Dub."
February 6, 2008
-- Avery Bradley
Read story...
HUNTING FOR THE RIGHT FIT
February 6, 2008
It wasn't necessary for Dario Hunt to make a move to Goldsboro (NC) Charis Prep this season -- and that move was totally unrelated to academics -- but he decided to try to capitalize on his latest and newest travel spot in hopes of finding the right fit.
After playing last year for Colorado Springs (CO) Pine Creek, the 6-8, 220-pound senior frontcourt prospect has yet another home, something he has become very familiar with throughout his life. more...
MONTVERDE INVITATIONAL REPORT
February 5, 2008
Now in its fifth year, the Montverde Academy Invitational has become a high-profile eight team tournament with national appeal. more...
SMITH COMFORTABLE WITH ATTENTION
February 4, 2008
Though he hasn't even completed his sophomore season of high school, Josh Smith has received plenty of attention and accolades. The 6-9 C at Covington (WA) Kentwood is one of the top young big men in the country and already carries himself like a much more seasoned player.
According to Smith, Washington and Washington State first started showing up at his games when he was in the 8th grade. Now, he says that helpful advice from his father has enabled him to feel comfortable playing in the spotlight. more...
GRIFFEY MAKES DECISION
January 31, 2008
MO BF Tyler Griffey ended his recruitment, selecting Illinois over a host of interested high-major programs. The slender big man from Wildwood (MO) Lafayette was one of the most impressive underclass frontcourt players last summer, showing excellent skill and a consistent workrate around the basket.
Griffey is just the latest solid recruit to join Bruce Weber's program, giving the club a recruiting boost and legitimate Big Ten talent looking forward. more...
PEREZ DRAWING LOOKS
January 31, 2008
Many college coaches are starting to view the state of Florida as fertile ground for recruiting basketball players. One reason for this is the number of players that come from Caribbean and Latin American countries to get a better education and enhance their opportunity to play collegiately.
Chris Perez, a wing guard in the Class of 2009 playing at Oldsmar (FL) Christian, is playing at a level that ensures he will be a success story. more...
"I would say UCLA, UNLV, Illinois, UConn, Texas, Gonzaga, Portland, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Oklahoma ..."
January 31, 2008
-- Joe Burton, on his favorite schools
Read story. ...
CASSITY LOOKING FOR A MATCH
January 30, 2008
There are always a handful of prospects who for one reason or another fly under the radar. Kyle Cassity has watched as that fate has fallen upon him this season, but the strong student is just focused on his final high school season and will let things percolate at their own speed.
"Early on I was hearing a lot mostly from Arkansas State and UM-Kansas City. As of late, St. Louis is starting to recruit me and Michigan came to one of my games the other day," the 6-4, 185-pound senior guard from Pinckneyville (IL) High told PrepStars.com. "Saint Louis and Michigan have been the most active recently, so I will see what I have and take what's best for me at the end of the season." more...
"The top schools I like right now are Louisville, Arizona, Kansas and Washington."
January 29, 2008
-- Peyton Siva
Read story. ...
SHANNON PRACTICING GAME, PATIENCE
January 29, 2008
Terrance Shannon has adopted a very laissez-faire attitude when it comes to recruiting. It isn't that colleges aren't hitting him up, because they certainly are, as his list attests. It's simply that Shannon is in no rush at all and is almost apathetic about the process at this juncture.
"I don't have a favorite conference and I don't have a list of schools," the 6-7, 220-pound junior BF from Forsyth (GA) Mary Persons said. "I'm gonna think about all that next year and wait until my senior season before looking hard at schools." more...
TAYLOR GAINING MOMENTUM
January 28, 2008
Year after year, the Washington D.C. area and the Beltway region overall produces a bevy of talented basketball players. Among the more recent standouts have been Ty Lawson, now at North Carolina, and last season's player of the year Kevin Durant, now starring for the NBA's Seattle Sonics. Another talented prospect to keep an eye on is Dante Taylor of Fort Washington (MD) National Christian Academy.
A 6-8, 230-pound junior BF, Taylor is very athletic and aggressive on the interior. An excellent offensive rebounder, he continually get caroms out of his area because of his length and desire to get the basketball. Taylor's offensive range is consistent out to the foul line. more...
GREEN CHOOSES HOKIES
January 28, 2009
Virginia Tech stayed within the state in picking up their second verbal commitment in the 2009 class, locking down 6-2, 180-pound point guard Erick Green of Winchester (VA) Millbrook.
Green joins 6-3 junior guard Ben Boggs of Roanoke (VA) Hidden Valley, who earlier pledged to the Hokies. more...
ONE STANDS OUT FOR HAMILTON
January 25, 2008
When you are one of the premier juniors in the country, it isn't that tough to get attention. Not surprisingly, Jordan Hamilton has been getting plenty of that during his junior season. In hopes of staying focused on preparing for the state playoffs, the 6-7 WF has already narrowed down his list of schools.
"I've kind of narrowed it down a little bit already," Hamilton told PrepStars.com. "My top five are Texas, UConn, USC, Cal and Kansas. My sixth school is Syracuse." more...
"He's been contacted by Memphis, LSU, UNC Charlotte, Georgetown, Virginia, Duke and Kansas, just to name a few."
January 24, 2008
-- Kevin Johnson, on Karron Johnson
Read story. ...
SEATTLE HOOPFEST REPORT
January 24, 2008
Over the past couple of years, the Martin Luther King holiday weekend has turned into kind of the unofficial ending of the holiday hoops event season. With several fine events having popped up across the country, we found ourselves in Seattle for the King Holiday Hoopfest taking place on the campus of the University of Washington.
With a fine lineup of local stars including guys like Peyton Siva, Abdul Gaddy and Josh Smith on hand, the event also featured Renardo Sidney and offered us our first good look this season at heralded freshman Tony Wroten, Jr. more...
WOOD BREAKING RECORDS, GETTING OFFERS
January 23, 2008
Scott Wood has already taken down two school records in the midst of an outstanding season, but his focus remains on removing any doubts about his versatility on the court.
"My season started slower than I wanted, but my shooting during the last four or five games has gotten a lot better," the 6-6, 165-pound junior guard from Marion (IN) High said. "If I've improved on any one thing, it has been my strength and getting to the foul line a lot more." more...
JONES SIFTING THROUGH INTEREST
January 22, 2008
Jarrod Jones knows that uncommitted big men have very full dance cards during their senior season, and he hopes to capitalize on a strong season on the court to entice deeper interest in his game.
The 6-9, 220-pound Jones, who attends Michigan City (IN) High, indicates that he is getting the most interest from Indiana State, Ball State, Iowa State, Penn State and Wyoming. more...
BASS PRO TOC REPORT
January 21, 2008
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- This past weekend, we were able to attend the opening round of the incredibly well-supported Bass Pro Tournament of Champions held on the campus of Missouri State.
The Bass Pro has long been a favorite of ours because of its annual mix of nationally known stars and competitive local teams, and the 2008 edition was no different. One of the best players of the day was Florida-bound mighty-mite Erving Walker. more...
HALL ADJUSTING TO CHANGE
January 18, 2008
Because of his decision to move from Memphis (TN) University to White Station, Ferrakohn Hall has had to spend his junior year watching from the sidelines due to transfer rules. While the 6-7 WF/BF wishes that he could be playing, he also understands that he can still work on his game and that there's lots he can do for his team even if he can't suit up for games.
"I try to pump them up to play," said Hall. "Before the games I try to help them warm up and get things wherever they need to be, I'm just trying to do whatever I can do." more...
MINNESOTA WING IMPROVING
January 17, 2008
This time a year ago, many who watched Ray Cowles walked away with mixed opinions. On one hand, they loved how the athletic and strong 6-4 WF/WG from Hopkins (MN) High competed, but on the other scouts and coaches were worried about his ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter.
Fast forward to the present and watch him now, and you'll see that the junior has changed that weakness to a strength. The improved jumper didn't come easy either. more...
MURPHY PICKS GATORS
January 17, 2008
Florida picked up a key piece to its 2009 class, getting MA BF Erik Murphy to join the Gators' program. Murphy also considered Duke, UConn, Boston College and others.
Murphy is a legacy recruit from the big leagues of college basketball, as his father Jay played a starring role his father played at Boston College in the 1980s. He's at his best facing the basket, where he lofts in soft jump shots and makes good passes to cutters. For college, he'll need to continue to get stronger. more...
BROWN ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL
January 16, 2008
Not to be confused with the mercurial, fiercely independent former Governor of California who shares the same namesake, CA junior WF Jerry Brown is starting to gather more constituents himself, in the form of college coaches eager to add his burgeoning talents to their program.
The 6-7, 198-pounder is off to a strong start this season at Atherton (CA) Sacred Heart, as his 23-point, 12-rebound and 4-assist averages attest. more...
YOUNG GUARD IGNORES STATUS
January 16, 2008
While some of his counterparts are scurrying to the nearest computer to see what might be written about them on the Internet or where they are ranked, Joe Jackson is taking a different path. Despite only being a sophomore, the 5-11 WG/PG from Memphis (TN) White Station has already seen his reputation for putting up big numbers grow beyond his home town.
As far as the soft-spoken Jackson is concerned, being ranked and being considered among the top prospects in the Class of 2010 isn't much to worry about. more...
"My recruitment is still open, I don't have a top five ...."
January 15, 2008
-- DeMarcus Cousins
Read story. ...
OLIVER SEIZES OPPORTUNITY
January 15, 2008
When opportunity knocks, it generally does so with a short shelf life. Talented junior Brian Oliver is hoping he answered his door in time, with the result hopefully being an improvement in his overall game.
The 6-7, 215-pound Oliver recently made the sometimes problematic in-season transfer, leaving New Castle (DE) Penn for Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill Academy, where he hopes his decision will benefit his career trajectory. more...
TOC MLK CLASSIC REPORT
January 14, 2008
MIRAMAR, Fla. -- The 13th Annual Tournament of Champions MLK Classic took place this past weekend in Miramar, just southwest of Fort Lauderdale. The event annually brings in the top players and teams in talent-rich South Florida, and this year was no exception.
Arguably the most impressive player at the event was sophomore guard Brandon Knight. more...
UNC GETS ANOTHER STUD
January 14, 2008
North Carolina's sensational recruiting winter received yet another boost over the weekend, when elite junior NJ guard Dexter Strickland chose UNC over numerous high-major programs. The slender, ultra-athletic guard became the Tar Heels' fourth recruit from the Class of 2009, and he is but one of six underclassmen to become a Tar Heel pledge.
Strickland has been a national fixture for a couple years despite his youth, thanks to key performances at various Nike circuit events and as a fixture for the powerful Metro Hawks travel team. Though he is not yet an elite shooter and also is not a natural point guard, he boasts the size (6-3) and athleticism to defend either backcourt position and is an improving scorer. more...
HAMLET EMERGES FROM SHELL
January 11, 2008
It's always interesting to watch a player with his high school team as opposed to his travel team. This serves to give coaches and scouts a better overall feel for the talent and potential of recruits.
One player who caught our eye this past summer while playing for the Gauchos was 6-6 junior BF/WF Trevon Hamlet from Brooklyn (NY) Bishop Laughlin. We had a chance to watch him again when Laughlin played in the McDonald's Tampa Bay Hoops Classic in late December. more...
PLEDGER LOOKING FOR OFFERS
January 11, 2008
The Steven Pledger that people became familiar with on the traveling circuit and the Steven Pledger who attends Charlottesville (VA) Miller school might look like very different players on the floor, a fact that Pledger acknowledges and points out.
"I'm driving to the basket a lot more, getting to the basket a lot and am happy that my game has evolved from the summer," the 6-5, 215-pound junior guard told PrepStars.com. "My rebounding still needs to improve, but I think I'm proving to people that I am not just a shooter out there." more...
"Miami, Pittsburgh, Indiana and Texas A&M are probably a little ahead of the others."
January 10, 2008
-- Keith Clanton
Read story. ...
CADOUGAN WANTS TO BE NEXT
January 10, 2008
Over the past few years, our Canadian neighbors have sent some pretty good players south to the United States, with Steve Nash becoming the most successful in the NBA. And even if he never becomes an MVP, another Canadian hopeful is 6-1 PG Junior Cadougan, who is prepping at Humble (TX) Christian Life.
"Junior has really made a transformation in his body and game at Christian Life," said Cadougan's travel team coach, Grassroots Canada's Ro Russell. more...
MORE MAJOR PLEDGES
January 10, 2008
Over the past couple days, there have been several more major commitments to be issued to high-major programs. The most recent was offered by talented CA junior BF Reeves Nelson, who chose UCLA over serious interest from national programs on both coasts.
Despite that widespread interest, most believed all along that the Bruins led. Nelson is a strong, aggressive insider who lacks height (6-6) but competes with toughness and is a very good athlete as well. UCLA is aiming toward a big Class of 2009 haul, and he's a great start. more...
TIMBERWOLVES SHOOTOUT REPORT
January 9, 2008
As the home of the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Target Center is no stranger to NBA talent. Last weekend, the Target Center was full of high school talent that included a few potential NBA'ers taking the floor at the annual Gatorade-Timberwolves Shootout.
With plenty of high-level talent on hand, nobody played better than UCLA-bound guard Jrue Holiday, who looked mighty comfortable playing in an NBA arena as he continued a terrific senior season. more...
"Bruce Pearl came to my last home game before Christmas, so Tennessee is interested ...."
January 8, 2008
-- Drew Kelly
Read story. ...
DAVIS ROCKS SLAMFEST
January 7, 2008
ASHLAND, Va. -- While the primetime matchup between Norfolk (VA) Booker T. Washington and Richmond (VA) Benedictine might not have quite lived up to advance hopes, Slamfest, the Tour, still was a successful event.
Held this past weekend at Crenshaw Gymnasium on the campus of Randolph-Macon, Benedictine's Ed Davis certainly did his part- while filling the leftover holiday eggnog glasses of the many Tar Heel blue fans in attendance- with the dominant performance of the event. more...
EARLY YEAR COMMITMENTS
January 7, 2008
Memphis is enjoying its position this season as one of the nation's most athletic teams, and the Tigers made another addition over the weekend who will help them maintain that reputation. CA BF Matt Simpkins, a mercurial-but-talented big man with a very fluid stride and bouncy athleticism, pledged to Memphis over interest from California, Washington and others.
Simpkins' reputation has fluctuated a great deal over the past year, because of some up-and-down performances at national events. At times, he has pulled something of a disappearing act, yet on other occasions he has been a dominant offensive rebounder and transition finisher. more...
BASKIN FILLS A VOID
January 4, 2008
After a rocky start for his Stamford (CT) Trinity Catholic team, Tevin Baskin is feeling the chemistry kick in, with his own game reaching a level that he is comfortable with.
"Actually, I'm really happy with the way that I'm playing," the 6-6, 198-pounder junior -- who is averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds per game -- said. "We lost two seniors from last year and we didn't initially adjust to playing with each other, but we are coming around." more...
HALL LOOKING FOR EARLY PT
January 3, 2008
It's very early in the recruiting process for Kenny Hall and while he doesn't have a short list of schools, favorite conferences or even area of the country that he is locked in on, Hall does have one large, looming factor that potential suitors might keep in mind.
"Academics is one thing I will be looking at, then after that playing time, because I want to start as a freshman so that is going to be very important to me," he said. more...
HENSON CHOOSES TAR HEELS
January 3, 2008
North Carolina added a commitment on Thursday from talented 6-10 BF John Henson of Round Rock (TX) High. The slender big man had attracted widespread attention from in-state and national programs, and it's obviously something of a coup to grab a touted Lone Star prospect out of Texas.
Henson lacks bulk and may be as many as three years away from adding the bulk necessary to compete consistently at the ACC level, yet he's a mobile athlete who changes ends of the court well and possesses good hands and a nice touch around the rim with either hand. more...
HOLIDAY EVENTS: FINAL LOOK
January 2, 2008
Last weekend and early this week were so valuable on for scouting, we decided to take one more look at our Texas trip and evaluate some remaining action from the post-Christmas week.
While we can't say the state of Texas is No. 1 in the country when it comes to high school hoops, one could certainly make a pretty strong case for it. Facing highly rated teams from all over the country at the Houston vs. the Nation event in the Aldine Campbell Center, the home standing teams continued to hold court.
more...
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