Cincinnati Recruiting, Connecticut Recruiting, Villanova Recruiting

CONNECTICUT, CINCINNATI ADD COMMITMENTS; JOSEPH NARROWS LIST

According to the Thursday Morning Rush of 11-19-09 of WCPO 9 in Cincinnati, Mick Cronin and the Bearcats picked up both a win last night, 92-68 over Toledo, and a commitment as 6-foot-10 center Kelvin Gaines of Ocala (FL) has signed a national letter of intent with Cincinnati.

“Kelvin Gaines is a natural born shot blocker and we are thrilled to announce his signing,” said Cronin in a statement released by the University announcing Gaines’ signing of a letter of intent. “Kelvin and his family are great people and we are excited about helping him develop as a person and a player. KG can run and jump and is going to be pushing 250 pounds once we get him in our strength program. He is very athletic, plays above the rim and has a nice jump hook. He is also a bright, mature young man that will be a great addition for our entire University.”

Gaines played last year at Heat Academy in Martinsville (VA), averaging 10 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks a game for coach Jason Niblett. This season he is attending Arlington Country Day in Jacksonville (FL).
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Connecticut also landed a commitment to close out the early signing period as athletic Notre Dame Prep forward Cleveland Melvin signed his letter of intent with the Huskies on Wednesday.

Melvin, a native of Baltimore where he played for Herman Harried on last season’s Lake Clifton state championship team, ran with the Cecil Kirk AAU program and was impressive last spring at the Southern Jam Fest when NBE saw him in action. Melvin is an outstanding athletic who plays above the rim. He is very efficient inside, whether it is on putbacks or viscous dunks. Cleveland hit a post hook, banked home another shot and also scored on a reverse when NBE watched him in action. He’s a little undersized, but he gets it done on the inside.
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While on the road last night, Ray Mernagh checked in with an update on Cory Joseph, the highly regarded Findlay Prep point guard who is one of many top players waiting until the spring to sign with a school. Joseph has continued to narrow his list and he currently has a final five of Texas, Connecticut, Minnesota, Villanova and UNLV. Joseph is planning an official visit to UNLV for the weekend of December 12th.

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