Connecticut Recruiting, Jeff Borzello, Notre Dame Recruiting

SIGHTS, SOUNDS & WHISPERS FROM ORLANDO

BY JEFF BORZELLO

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — As we head into the weekend — and coaches from across the landscape begin the trek from Las Vegas to Orlando — there are several noteworthy things happening at the Wide World of Sports Complex. Here are a few of the sights, sounds and whispers that have stood out thus far:

- One of the most noticeable developments was the extreme increase in attention for Georgia Stars’ Jeremy Lamb. At the Peach Jam, he had scant interest and mostly mid-major offers. Now, he has offers from Kentucky, Kansas, Connecticut, Texas and many more. His game against the Metro Hawks was packed with coaches.

- Some teams don’t get much support from fans or just have a few quiet parents in the stands. However, some teams certainly travel well, namely Team Takeover (D.C.), Metro Hawks (N.Y.) and Georgia Blazers.

- One of the non-five star recruits that stood out was Jabarie Hinds of the 16-U Westchester Hawks. His dexterity and ability to finish was eye-opening.

- Team Final looks fine without Markus Kennedy, who did not suit up for the final three games of the Nike Peach Jam and is now playing for the Hunting Park Warriors. Kennedy and Team Final parted ways after the event.

- We could be headed for another Team Final vs. All-Ohio Red championship game, which would be a rematch of the Peach Jam title game. It’s also the next time Team Final could really use Kennedy, as head coach Robert Brown said they “need someone to just lean on [Jared] Sullinger.”

- Andre Drummond is one of the big names in the class of 2011…or 2012. What do I mean? Well, there is a chance that Drummond will reclassify, but it depends on how well he does academically next year at St. Thomas More (Ct.), according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

- One high-major assistant coach thinks that Drummond is better than most of the big men in the class of 2011, and it would be a “joke” if he ended up competing against 2012 kids.

- Tobias Harris continues to impress with his slimmed-down body and improved all-around game. One Big East assistant said that he loves Harris’ feel for the game and credits that to Tobias’ father, Torrel.

- Harris’ teammate, Brice Kofane, is quickly becoming a household name due to his fantastic shot-blocking ability that we first saw at the Peach Jam. We hear that Connecticut is beginning to show some interest in Kofane, adding to the number of schools intrigued by forward. A high-major assistant compared Kofane to former Massachusetts standout Stephane Lasme.

- A couple of excellent basketball bloodlines were noticeable on Friday, as Harvey Grant was on hand to watch his son, Jerian, compete for Team Takeover, while Jim Jackson sat baseline to check out his son, Traevon, play for U-16 All-Ohio Red. Traveon Jackson is seeing interest from Notre Dame on the recruiting front.

- Imagine the talent collection in Orlando if everyone stayed on their usual AAU team…Squires Richmond would have Mychal Parker and C.J. Barksdale; Jelan Kendrick would be playing for Hoop Planet; Josh Selby and Roscoe Smith would add to Nike Baltimore Elite’s squad; Kennedy would be on Team Final; Mike Taylor would be performing for Metro Hawks U-16; and the Memphis Stallions would have sleeper Chris Crawford. Also, Each 1 Teach 1’s Brandon Knight is not playing because of a broken bone in his foot.

- And, finally, I find it interesting the way the Gold and Silver teams were chosen. For example, the New Jersey Celtics were a Gold team, while Expressions Elite was Silver? Connecticut Basketball Club and a couple of other Silver teams always seem to do well, but Youth Interlock got a Gold bid?

- One last thing: I loved the pink jerseys that Jelani Hewitt and Team Breakdown were sporting.