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OMAR CALHOUN HAS “TREMENDOUS VISIT” TO PITT

Talented NYC guard in the class of 2012 has Big East offers already

by RAY MERNAGH

Omar Calhoun is a 6-foot-4 sophomore guard (class of 2012) at legendary Queens power Christ the King High School.

Calhoun’s father, Omar Sr, was kind enough to talk to me about their recent unofficial visit to Pittsburgh during which they were able to see the campus, learn about the academic side of the institution, and take in the Panthers exciting three-point win over Wofford.

“It was a tremendous visit,” said Calhoun Sr., “Coach Knight has been incredible and it was great because we were able to see what kind of emphasis Coach Dixon and their program put on supporting their players academically. Seeing that piece of the puzzle was very important to both Omar (a 4.0 student) and I. It was also really nice to see the way they still have their arms around players from the past as well as both Carl Krauser and Ronald Ramon were around, two New York guys, and still welcomed with open arms even though they’re no longer student athletes. That was impressive and definitely showed that it’s a family at Pitt. It was obvious to me they really care about the kids on and off the floor and give them a lot of individual attention.” Calhoun was also impressed with the Peterson Events Center.

“The facilities were beautiful,” said Calhoun, “and we were able to experience a true game-day atmosphere because the game was very competitive and exciting, they showed a lot of grit in coming back to win that game and their crowd was into it. Coach Dixon was gracious enough to spend time and talk to us after and expressed that Omar is a priority for them.” Asked about any list his son might have in his head Calhoun Sr. said: “After that visit Pitt has to be right at the top, it’s hard to imagine anything topping it.”

Omar Calhoun is a strong guard at 6-foot-4 and brings a versatile skill-set to the table for such a young guard. He has three-point range as well as a really good mid-range game and can use his body to get into the lane and score. His ball-handling is constantly becoming tighter, and it’s tight already especially for a 6-4 guard, as the young man continues to work on his game on a daily basis. He’s a winner and his Christ the King team will probably battle with Rice for supremacy in the fabled Catholic League this season. “They’re really going to be a lot like Pitt,” says Calhoun Sr. “they’ll need the young guys like my son to step up and some vets to provide a steady hand but they should be pretty good.”

Calhoun Sr. says that his son currently has offers from Villanova (who offered on the spot at a team camp), Pitt, Louisville and St. John’s. Calhoun Sr says that Louisville coach Rick Pitino has been in to see his son at school. He also said Pitt was his son’s first unofficial visit. “Coach Knight is the reason why,” said Calhoun Sr, “because he stayed in touch and worked hard and we set a date.”

Expect Omar Calhoun to receive plenty of other offers besides the four he has at this time, but it sounds as if Pitt has made the early impression on the young guard with good size. NBE will see him play this January at the CRC Classic in West Virginia when Christ the King will play Neumann Goretti out of Philadelphia.

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