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RECRUITING NOTEBOOK: STERLING GIBBS VISITS PITT; UPDATES ON GARY FRANKIN & JARROD DAVIS

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BY JEFF BORZELLO

Pittsburgh’s Ashton Gibbs was one of the more impressive players at this summer’s U-19 Championships in New Zealand, and could be a starter in the Panther backcourt this coming season.

But could there be another – potentially better – Gibbs running the show for a Big East program in a couple of years? Ashton’s brother, Sterling Gibbs, is a prime target for Big East schools, as well as some national powers.

The 6-foot class of 2011 prospect took an unofficial visit to big brother’s school this past weekend, and liked what he saw.

“I’ve been there a couple times for games and classes,” the younger Gibbs said. “The visit went real well; me and my family got a chance to sit down with all the coaches and talk. I got to experience the college life and hang out with the guys.”

However, Gibbs did say that Ashton being at Pittsburgh isn’t at the forefront of his mind when it comes to making a decision, as they would only have one year together.

“I don’t think it will be a big factor because me and Ashton have different games,” Gibbs said. “But him being there will also help me get through some freshman difficulties because he’s been through it already.”

Gibbs has a litany of schools under consideration for his services.

“The schools that have offered are St. John’s, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Pitt, DePaul, Maryland and Indiana,” he said. “Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Duke and Providence are also in the mix.”

Gibbs attended the Duke Elite Camp recently, and also visited Seton Hall earlier this month.

“I plan on visiting St. John’s this week, Maryland on September 11th and we’re working on other visits now,” he said.

Despite indications in the past that Gibbs’ leader was Villanova, he insists that there is no one at the front of the pack currently.

“Villanova is in the mix,” he said. “I am looking to see what they end up doing as far as the 2010 class.

“Right now I don’t have any favorites,” he added. “All of the schools are equal right now.

A report earlier in July said that there was a chance Gibbs would be making his decision before the end of the summer. However, he seems to indicate that a choice won’t be coming in the near future.

“I’m not even sure,” Gibbs said when asked about a timetable for a decision. “I plan on taking my time through the process and if the right decision comes up then I will make my decision.”
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Franklin still considering USC

Former USC commit Gary Franklin opened his recruitment up in mid-June after Trojans head coach Tim Floyd stepped down and was replaced by Kevin O’Neill.

However, Franklin is still looking at USC as a possible destination.

“Arizona State, California, USC, Utah, Baylor and Oklahoma,” responded Franklin when asked about his current school list.

Asked what would make him choose the Trojans again, Franklin laughed and admitted, “I really don’t know.”

When NBE talked to Franklin in July, he also mentioned Connecticut, Villanova, Tennessee, Washington and Stanford and recent reports also had Seton Hall in the mix as well. However, those schools are no longer under consideration.

“No, that’s my top right now,” Franklin said.

Franklin took unofficial visits to Arizona State, California and USC in August, but does not have any official visits yet planned.

“I’m still trying to decide if I’m going to take them late or early,” Franklin said, adding that he has no timetable for a decision.

Going through the recruiting process for a second time, Franklin wants to make sure he takes his time and chooses the best school for him.

He said the overall vibe of the campus and the system that the team plays will be the major factors in his decision.

Said Franklin: “The feel I get from the atmosphere of my visit on campus and the playing style that fits me best.”
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Davis expands list

Jarrod Davis is a rapidly rising prospect in New Jersey for the class of 2011, and his school list is getting larger every week.

When NBE spoke to him at the Summer Primetime Shootout in early August, Davis ran off a long list of suitors including Kentucky, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, St. Joseph’s, Rutgers, Seton Hall, UAB, Indiana, Georgia Tech, Fordham, Georgetown, Villanova, Maryland and La Salle.

The list is getting longer.

“I have Marquette now also,” Davis said. “Also Penn State, Siena, Louisville, Bucknell.”

Of the 19 schools he mentioned, only Kentucky, UAB, Indiana, Villanova, Marquette and Louisville have not offered.

Davis said he plans on visiting Fordham, Virginia Tech and Georgetown.

“Yes, those [three schools], Syracuse, Maryland and Siena are my top,” Davis said.

After taking his aforementioned visits, Davis plans on making a decision soon to get it out of the way.

“I’m going to commit early after my unofficials,” said Davis.