USF Recruiting

BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: SOUTH FLORIDA

Verbal Commitment Alert: Lavonte Dority, 6’2 point guard from Chicago (IL) – Foreman High School

With three scholarships to fill on the South Florida Bulls roster in their 2010 recruiting class, one spot has been accounted for as Lavonte Dority Chooses the Big East Program (Illinois Prep Bulls-eye).

The plan for USF has been to replace seniors Chris Howard (PG), Mike Mercer (big wing) and Alex Rivas (big man) this fall and with Chicago Point Guard Dority Choosing USF (St. Petersburg Times), they are on their way.

NBE got a chance to see Dority this summer with the Full Package Chicago Elite AAU squad and was always impressed with his toughness, leadership qualities and ability to make the tough plays when needed.

Dority visited USF for their recent Midnight Madness and had also visited New Mexico State previously. He canceled planned trips scheduled for Wisconsin and Baylor after making his decision yesterday.

“I think the program is on the rise,” Dority told Greg Auman of the St. Petersburg Times Sunday night. “I love the coaching staff, and I just liked the environment. And you can’t beat the Big East.”

So, with Dority onboard, the next objective for South Florida looks to be big man Waverly Austin who recently told NBE he will be taking his official visit to check out the Bulls program this coming weekend.

Another big man USF is keeping a close eye in this fall is 6-foot-8 power forward Cleveland Melvin, currently attending Notre Dame Prep. Melvin is originally a Baltimore native and reportedly has an offer from the Bulls.

Over the summer, USF was seen following Orlando (FL) point guard Shane Larkin at several AAU events. Larkin was strong for the Showtime Ballers at the AAU National Showcase in his hometown in late July. He was the one who made everything go and he is a terrific ball-handler who can get past his defender at will, and he has a nice floater in the lane. Furthermore, he can pull up from three and knock down shots. It was not surprising to learn Stan Heath and company extended an offer to Larkin recently.

Patrick Lucas-Perry is the younger brother of Michigan’s Lavell and a 2011 point guard out of Flint, Michigan (Powers HS). Lucas-Perry has been offered by Stan Heath this fall as a potential point guard prospect.

Another 2011 target for South Florida is St. Frances Academy of Baltimore (MD) big man Greg Lewis. USF watched him work out this fall. The Bulls have also made the list of 2011 bull Grandy Glaze, a Toronto native currently prepping at Proctor Academy.

Stan Heath has extensive ties in the midwest, especially the Detroit (MI) area. The local scene also has some talented prospects and it looks like the USF staff is making a very concentrated effort to establish ties in the talent-rich Baltimore/Washington DC area. We will continue to monitor the USF efforts on the recruiting trail as we approach the early signing period next month.
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