Connecticut Recruiting, Seton Hall Recruiting, St. John's Recruiting, West Virginia Recruiting, Zach Smart

FAMOUS ON THE RECRUITING RADAR

Westchester CC big man has plenty of Big East attention

by Zach Smart

They would meet every Tuesday to Thursday before the sultry summer sun, like a world-class tutor educating his most promising young student.

Dave Vandiver would challenge Jarrid Famous to push his towering 6-foot-11 frame to its physical limit. He would give Famous one-on-one instruction on how to refine aspects of his game and patch up any noticeable holes that would prevent him from reaching his zenith this season.

Vandiver, the Westchester Community assistant who put Woodlands (HS) on the map in the New York Public Schools circuit, filled Famous’ head with inspirational words and gave him a two-hour cardio course on how to correct what he was doing.

“I would show him something that Tuesday, he would come back Thursday having already shown drastic improvement,” said Vandiver.

“This boy’s hungry, he’s aggressive, but he’s humble at the same time. I told him, if you buy into it, everybody’s going be knocking on your door (before the season).”

His coach’s words have proved prophetic.

Famous has ballooned. His chiseled body and added bulk are indicative of the diligent work he put in over the summer.

Now, he’s become a sought after item on the recruiting market. Seton Hall, where the sophomore center took his visit in September, seems to be the leading candidate.

Still, the list of first-class schools is longer than Manute Bol’s toothpick arms.

Connecticut likes his body and the staff will need a player of his caliber to cushion the loss of Hasheem Thabeet, who’s expected to make the quantum leap to the NBA after this season. West Virginia and St. John’s have also shown interest.

Xavier, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Arkansas have all tuned into the mountain of a man, whose presence allowed Blessed Sacrament St. Gabriel (New Rochelle, N.Y.) to flee from a tunnel of obscurity his senior year.

After being severely under-recruited following high school graduation (Hartford was the only school that offered, and they already had a go-to big man in Warren Mclendon), the neophyte opted to go to prep school.

He attended Gulf Shores Academy in Houston (where NBA high-riser Gerald Green attended), but things didn’t work out.

Now he’s back in the Westchester County landscape and ready to watch his stock mount.

“We expect him to continue to show his athleticism and to run the floor,” said Vandiver.

“His physical stuff is coming along. The sky is the limit. The way he goes, we will go. It’s a testament to his fortitude, to his work ethic, to his setting up goals and moving towards to them.”

He’s no longer a work in progress.

As a freshman last year at WCC, the big man registered his presence as one of the top JUCO players in the country.

Famous tormented teams to the tune of 20 points, 10 boards, and three blocks. His quick evolution helped lead WCC to the Mid-Hudson conference title.

Famous has all the essential ingredients that can make him…well, famous. An NBA body with an aggressive scoring attitude, he could land at major Division-I school near you next year.

Westchester Community, with a revitalized roster, are expected to make some waves this season.

See our ‘Donate to NBE’ page for more details on our site donation drive!

Be Sociable, Share!

•