Recruiting Notes (1.23.12)

By: Drew Brucker

Commitments

• 2013 G Derrick Randolph committed to Fresno State

• 2012 F Brad Glison verballed to Columbia

• 2012 G Joe McDonald committed to George Washington

• 2013 PF & former Purdue commit Derek Willis (Bullitt East - KY) committed to Kentucky

• 2012 G Gabe Dos Santos committed to Detroit

• 2012 F Jarred Jones verballed to Loyola - MD

• JUCO C Mike Samuels committed to Indiana State

Other Recruiting Rumblings

• Peyton Allen, Nate Taphorn, Darius Austin, AJ Riley, & JaQuan Lyle were all in attendance for the Wisconsin/Illinois game on Sunday along with Illini commits Michael Orris & Malcolm Hill

• Duke is making a strong push for 2012 Amile Jefferson (Friends Central - PA) who is down to considering the Blue Devils along with NC State, Ohio State, Kentucky, Villanova, & Temple (of whom Coach Dunphy watched on Sat.)

• Xavier was in to watch 2014 G Darreon Reddick (Belleville East - IL) on Friday

• North Carolina was in to see Andrew Wiggins, Jahlil Okafor, Wayne Selden, Troy Williams, Nick King & Austin Nichols among others this weekend

• Wisconsin offered 2013 guard Matt Thomas (Onalaska - WI) 

• 2012 PF Chris Obekpa (Our Savior New American - NY) & 2013 PF Gavin Schilling (De La Salle - IL) were both in attendance for DePaul's game against USF on Sunday

• West Virginia was in to see Huntington Prep's (WV) Xavier Rathan-Mayes & Andrew Wiggins

• 2012 SF Devonta Pollard (Kemper County - MS) went on an official visit to Texas

• 2013 G Kendrick Nunn (Simeon - IL) was in attendance at the Memphis game against SMU

• Arizona transfer Sidiki Johnson visited Providence over the weekend

• 2014 SF Theo Pinson (Wesleyan Christian - NC) took in the Duke game against Florida State

• 2012 Anthony Bennett (Findlay Prep - NV) was in attendance at Saturday's UNLV game; UNLV is in Bennett's Top 5 

McDonald's All-American Nominees Unveiled

The annual McDonald's All-American game returns on March 28th, 2012 as it returns to Chicago for the second straight year.  Here's the breakdown by state of this year's nominees.

Quick Dish: 2013 Jermaine Lawrence Transfers from Cardozo to Pope John XXIII

By: Drew Brucker

Here's the latest on Jermaine Lawrence's transfer decision:

• Per ZagsBlog, Cardozo High coach Ron Naclerio told SNY.tv he feels like a “failure” after junior Jermaine Lawrence suddenly left Cardozo High in Queens and landed at Pope John XXIII in Sparta, N.J

• The 6-foot-9 forward with 17 major Division I offers from St. John’s, Florida, Virginia Tech & Xavier among others will enroll at Pope John XXIII in Sparta, N.J., effective immediately, his mother, Marcia Lawrence, said in an emailed statement to NYPost

• Pope John XXIII's Athletic Director had this to say to NYDailyNews about Lawrence's transfer to her school, 

"To my knowledge, he came here for academics, though I'm sure there are family reasons why he came here. To me, he's just a student, not a basketball player. He seems like a wonderful young man. To be honest, I have not seen him play. I don't know too much about him."

• Lawrence averaged 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Judges in eight league games this season

• Jermaine will not be able to suit up immediately to play basketball for the Lions and will be forced to sit out 30 days, as per New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association rules
  
  

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Who's in the Driver's Seat for 2012 Phenom Shabazz Muhammad (Bishop Gorman - NV)?

By: Drew Brucker

Being crowned as the cream of the crop in the 2012 class sounds like every senior ball-player's dream but it isn't easy.  Sure it comes with its own unique sense of entitlement and notoriety but it's a double-edge sword.  When you're #1, everyone is gunning for your spot.  More importantly, when you're on top like 2012 Shabazz Muhammad (Bishop Gorman - NV) is, your every move is observed by media, scouts, and coaches with a high-powered microscope.  Fortunately for Muhammad, there's not many holes that exist in his play on the court.

Muhammad is currently considering UCLA, Kentucky, Duke, Arizona, UNLV & Kansas. 

To some, the Bruins have long been considered a favorite for 'Bazz.  That's great for Ben Howland and company after they've already nabbed highly-touted 2012 G Kyle Anderson (St. Anthony's - NJ), but UCLA's season has been a roller-coaster ride.  Struggles have haunted the Bruins ever since dropping their first two games of the season against inferiors Loyola Marymount & Middle Tennessee.  To make matters worse, Shabazz is taking a close look at the Bruins season and it hasn't exactly been pretty, or consistent.  Muhammad is looking for a winner and a team that can compete for a national crown.  Currently sitting at 9-7 (2-2 in Pac-12), now is the time for UCLA to make their move.  But is it too late? Maybe.  So that begs the question, is every game a "must win" for the Bruins?  Not in regard to making the March tournament but rather in terms of winning over Muhammad.

UNLV has fortified its position in the 'Bazz sweepstakes after landing Pittsburgh transfer Khem Birch and remain alive for Findlay Prep stud Anthony Bennett as they are listed in his Top 5.  The Bennett situation could also provide relevancy to Muhammad's recruitment process as well.  The Runnin' Rebels are the "hometown" school and a verbal from Shabazz to be an instant game-changer.

You also cannot ignore Coach K and his staff's ability to pluck elite talent late in the recruiting process either.  Duke gets players, great ones, every year.  It's about as consistent and reliable as four seasons are in middle America.  The question is whether or not the Blue Devils stand apart from the competition in this specific recruiting battle.  They're up against a local rising program in UNLV, a rich-tradition program in UCLA, and an NBA draftee team in Kentucky.

Kentucky, moreso than any other on his list, remains in great position for Muhammad and UCLA's biggest threat for his services.  Not only do the Wildcats send players to the league year-in & year-out, they compete for national titles with inexperience.  They make deep tournament runs under Calipari and that's ultimately what intrigues Muhammad.  It also doesn't hurt that Kentucky commits Archie Goodwin & Alex Poythress are doing their best to recruit 'Bazz to Lexington.  

“It’s just one of those things where I’d love for him to come, and if he wants to come, i’ll tell him to do it. But at the same time, I don’t want to persuade someone to do something that they’re not comfortable with doing,” Goodwin said. “That’s why I let family members and coaches take care of that. Me being a recruiter is not what I’m doing. I’m a basketball player right now.", said Goodwin - (VaughtsViews)

According to C2Crecruiting, they talked to someone close to the Shabazz recruitment told them that Kentucky is making the strongest push for him right now and he felt if he had to decide today that Shabazz would pick Kentucky.  Which also bodes well for BBN.

As Spring approaches, the number of uncommitted recruits will dwindle but there's no recruitment being more hyped and followed than the one of Shabazz Muhammad.

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Recruiting Notes (1.11.12)

By: Drew Brucker

Commitments

• Pittsburgh transfer Khem Birch landed on UNLV as his transfer destination spot

• 2012 DeMarcus Holland (Garland Naaman Forest - TX) verbally committed to USF

• 2012 Zach LeDay (The Colony - TX) also committed to USF

• 2012 Jalen Ross (Greensboro Day - NC) committed to Eastern Michigan

• 2013 Aquille Carr (Patterson - MD) committed to Seton Hall

 Other Recruiting Rumblings

• Duke & Villanova were both in to see 2012 Amile Jefferson (Friends Central - PA) yesterday

• 2014 Jahlil Okafor (Whitney Young - IL) received a North Carolina offer

• 2014s Larry Austin Jr. (Lanphier - IL), Malik Yarbrough (Zion-Benton - IL), Tyler Ulis (Marian Catholic - IL) & Keita Bates-Diop (Normal U - IL) were all in attendance at last night's Ohio State / Illinois game; all of which are on the Illini's recruiting radar

• 2012 Darrick Wood (Bridgton Academy - ME) has de-committed from St. John's & has re-opened his recruitment; When Wood committed to St. John’s initially, he considered Oklahoma State, USC, Virginia Tech, Seton Hall, & South Florida

• BYU was in to watch 2013 Jabari Parker (Simeon - IL) on Monday

• 2014 Dmitri Thompson (Orlando Christian Prep - FL) picked up an offer from USF

• 2013 Ben Moore (Bolingbrook - IL) received an offer from UC-Irvine 

• 2013 Kahlil Dukes (Capital Prep - CT) added an offer from Rice

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5 Schools Remain Alive for 2012 Anthony Bennett (Findlay Prep - NV)

2012 Anthony Bennett (photo cred: NationOfBlue)By: Drew Brucker

The Class of 2012 still has a handful of prominent players that remain unclaimed to this point.  So to say "the best is yet to come", wouldn't exactly be lip-service.

One of the prospects that is currently uncommitted is big man Anthony Bennett(Findlay Prep - NV).  The physically-imposing senior has said that he'll wait until Spring to make a definitive commitment to a program and it doesn't look as though his decision has waivered.  

The Ontario-native previously had a list together than included a total of nine schools before making the latest consolidation to his list.  Those schools were: Kentucky, Washington, Florida, UNLV, Oregon, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, & UConn.

• It was reported by Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog today that according to CIA Bounce coach Mike George, Bennett of is down to 5 schools including: Washington, Florida, UNLV, Oregon & Kentucky

• Bennett himself followed that by tweeting: 

"It was a hard decision but I've finally made a Top 5 #UW #UK #UF #UNLV #Oregon

Each school has their own unique situation and accommodations that they could provide Bennett.  

TheHuskyHaul breaks down each of Bennett's 5 options:

>> Washington is known as one of the schools recruiting Bennett the hardest.  He also loves the style of play that UW runs.

>> Kentucky has intrigued him for awhile and many assume the Wildcats are the favorites.  However, he has made it clear that no team is the favorite.

>> Flordia is another team that he seems to really be intrigued by.  They may also land his friend Khem Birch as a transfer.

>> UNLV is the "hometown" team, the closest in proximity to Findlay Prep.  UNLV fans are very supportive of Findlay.  Birch may also announce his decision to go here.

>> Oregon is the destination of friend and teammate Dominic Artis.  It is no secret that Artis is working hard to convince Bennett to be a Duck. 

               Considering:

_____________________________

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2012 Savon Goodman (Constitution - PA) Enjoying Himself Second Time Around

2012 Savon Goodman (photo cred: ESPN)By: Drew Brucker

After de-committing from hometown Villanova back in August, 6-6 forward Savon Goodman (Constitution - PA) has taken a so-called "mulligan" on his recruitment.  Viewed by scouts & coaches alike as a highly-coveted recruit in the class of 2012, Goodman is taking a more laid-back approach to the recruitment process this time around.

In a very detailed article, NBEbasketball spoke with Goodman last month about whether his recruitment the second time around was any different than his previous go-around.  Goodman replied, 

“Not really because I’m taking a backseat this time, just focusing on academics and trying to win a state championship. It’s actually less . . . stressful. I’m actually having fun with it.”

As far as teams involved with the Philly senior, UCLA, Arizona, Kentucky, Kansas, Memphis, USC & Temple are all actively talking to Goodman with Villanova staying in the picture as well to a varying degree.  Goodman details this further in a recent interview with Five-Star Basketball.

Goodman has been a fan of the Kentucky program for quite some time and although he may not be one of UK's top priorities, he could be a great plan-B for Calipari if he fails to land 2012's best in Shabazz Muhammad for example.  UCLA also presents a great option for Savon as AAU teammate, Kyle Anderson, is already in place for the Bruins as a commit in their 2012 class.

RecruitRecon lists Savon Goodman as the #24 overall prospect in the 2012 class

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2013 SF Troy Williams (Phoebus - VA) High on UNC & Kentucky

2013 Troy Williams (photo cred: ESPN)By: Drew Brucker

Troy Williams is not only rated as one of the top small-forwards in the nation, but he's also considered an upper-echelon player in the entire 2013 class as well.  The talented junior recently put out a Top 5 list of schools he's considering.  Among them?  North Carolina, Kentucky, Georgetown, Virginia Tech & Villanova.

• RecruitRecon lists Troy Williams as the #4 overall prospect in the 2013 class

• CBSsports: "Williams, a 6-foot-6 small forward from Pheobus (Va.), is one of the best scoring wings in the class. He has deep range on his 3-point shot, and he has a very solid mid-range game as well. On the defensive end, Williams’ length and athleticism are assets in the passing lanes."

• Williams had this to say when speaking with TarHeel Illustrated

"Right now for the No. 1 spot, it would be UNC and Kentucky. Then after that it would be Georgetown, then after that it would be Virginia Tech, and then it would be Villanova"

• TarHeel Illustrated also confirmed in their interview with Williams that he would consolidate his list to 2 or 3 schools sometime around April

• Kentucky Sports: Williams said he picked those colleges because,

"They're schools that play my style of play, and they're also not that far for my family."

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Seton Hall Plucks Big Commitment From 2013 Aquille Carr (Patterson - MD)

By: Drew Brucker

Several sources have confirmed today that 2013 Aquille Carr (Patterson - MD) is the newest member of the Seton Hall Pirates family.

The 5'7 junior is one of the nation's most dynamic prospects in high school.  His skill set that accompanies his small stature is a big reason why and unless you've seen him play, you'd have a hard time fathoming him up matching up against guards 6 feet or taller.  But he does it, time and time again.

Carr chose the Pirates over offers from Memphis, South Florida, & Baylor among others.

• CBSsports: Carr announced his commitment to the Pirates via his Twitter account just before 2:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The decision was confirmed to Joe Davis of scoutsfocus.com by Carr’s high school coach. After some debate on whether Carr actually committed, a source close to Seton Hall confirmed the commitment to CBSSports.com

• SportingNews: Carr became a sensation last summer with his quickness and ballhandling skills -- and following an erroneous report that he’d been offered more than $700,000 by an Italian pro team

• The newest member of the Pirate family will be playing in the Brandon Jennings Invitational in Milwaukee this weekend according to SlamOnline

• SouthOrangeJuice: Seton Hall has appeared to have finally found their point guard of the future, after a long search that included the Kyle Anderson saga. This is a huge 'get' for Coach Willard and the staff, as they have nabbed a player that is sure to be in the ESPN-100 next season.  Carr is a player that Pirate fans will love to watch play in Blue and White

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Quick Dish: Latest Recruiting Notes (1.5.12)

By: Drew Brucker

• Jabari Parker, Alvin Ellis, Tommy Hamilton Jr., & Paul Turner Jr. among those in attendance for last night's Illinois @ Northwestern game

• According to Joe Davis of ScoutsFocus.com, 2012 SF Devonta Pollard will visit Kentucky & Texas sometime this month.  Pollard also lists in-state Mississippi State & Alabama in his Top 4

• Virginia Tech, Rutgers, St. John's & Xavier are recruiting 2013 Forward Jermaine Lawrence (Cardozo - NY) the hardest, per AdamZagoria of Zagsblog.

• 2012 SG Torian Graham (Arlington Country Day - FL) has been hearing a lot from Memphis as of late after committing & later de-committing to NC State a few weeks back according to Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog.com 

• Pitt transfer Khem Birch seemed to enjoy his Florida visit on Monday & will finish his remaining visits before trying to make a college decision by early next week

• 2015 PF Karl Towns (St. Joe's Metuchen - NJ) was in attendance for Temple's win over Duke last night

• 2013 Illinois commit Jalen James is transferring to LaLumiere (IN) & will start class there today; also I will have an article with James' thoughts on the transfer posted later today

• 2013 SF Troy Williams (Phoebus - VA) was visited by Kentucky's John Calipari at practice last night; UK is in Williams Top 5