September 2011

RICHARD PETERS: UNCOMMITTED BIG MAN A HOT RECRUIT; HAS OFFICIAL VISIT ON TAP

There are not a lot of quality big men prospects left uncommitted in the Class of 2012. However one Canadian big man is still on the board as Richard Peters, who attends Westwind (AZ) Prep, is still looking over his options and keeping an open mind in his recruiting process.

“I’m considering every school, quite open-minded to every school that is recruiting me,” Peters told NBE over the weekend.

Since college coaches have hit the road earlier this month during the contact period Peters said that Clemson, Seton Hall (tickets), Washington State and Washington have come by to watch him work out and express their interest in bringing the 6-foot-10, 255-pound big man into their program. Peters has no favorites, but is looking to take a couple visits in the near future.
Read more

ST. ANTHONY’S GUARD DUO DRAWING PLENTY OF INTEREST

As teammates with Sports U/Team Izod on the AAU circuit as well as with Hall of Famer Bob Hurley’s St. Anthony’s of Jersey City (NJ) program, Class of 2013 guards Hallice Cooke and Josh Brown have seen their recruiting profiles expand greatly over the last several months.

Brown exploded on the scene right before our eyes at the Rumble in the Bronx back in June. While many people took note of who did not show up at the Rumble, it was clear that Brown did show up and his play stood out. Brown showed he is a freak of an athlete and used his superior athleticism to make plays in all facets of the game. He’s a strong rebounder and once he grabs a defensive board it’s off to the races. An absolute blur in the open court, Brown is just as likely to dunk on an unsuspecting defender’s head as he is to make a simple bounce pass to a teammate for an easy score. In the half-court, he is simply devastating in pick and roll sets as he uses his speed to turn the corner and get to the rim and is also very adept at drawing the double team and whipping a pass to the screener for a layup.
Read more

RUTGERS CHECKS IN ON ’14 ISAIAH WHITEHEAD AT FIRST WORKOUT

Lincoln (NYC) High School guard Isaiah Whitehead is just beginning his sophomore season but he already seems to have been a name we have been following for years. Such is life when your regarded as one of the top players, regardless of class, in New York City. The summer with Juice All-Stars playing top competition in Las Vegas, Whitehead displayed his ability to get to the basket off the dribble. His athletic ability is apparent on both ends of the floor, and Big East and other teams from across the country have taken early notice of his talents.

“Kentucky, Arizona, North Carolina, Miami, Syracuse (tickets), St. John’s (tickets), Pittsburgh (tickets), Florida, Georgetown (tickets) [and] UCLA,” said Whitehead told NBE yesterday when asked what schools he was considering that are actively recruiting him. “Rutgers (tickets) came today and it was our first workout.”

Just after the July live period ended Whitehead was able to take a visit to “Rutgers (RU Fan Shop). Mike Rice’s program has been the only school he has been able to visit and the unofficial visit impressed Whitehead.

“[The] trip was great and it’s a great school close to home that’s really looking to [become] big time within time with a good coach,” Whitehead told NBE shortly after that visit.

The 6-foot-4. 200-lb guard combines strength and athleticism into an impressive on the court package. Whitehead enters the 2011-2012 season with a City title on his mind while he also continues to work on improving his perimeter jump shot which has gotten better with his efforts.

At this stage of his recruitment Whitehead has no favorites or leaders and does not plan on ending the process any time soon. He told NBE that after his junior year and maybe around this time of his senior season would most likely be the time frame he would decide. In the meantime he looks to continue to enjoy his time on the AAU circuit with the “kids he grew up with” on the Juice All-Stars. When it is time to decide he is starting to get an idea of what he will look for in a college.

“Location,” he said of a factor in his future decision. “[I] have to fit style of play, feel like [I'm in a] family environment and just a nice campus.”

As one of the top recruits in the country for the Class of 2014, expect many to follow the recruitment of Isaiah Whitehead closely for the next two years. NBE will do our best to keep up on the updates along the way as well.

RECRUITING NOTEBOOK: ANTHONY BENNETT HOLDING LIST STEADY, CHINONSO OBOKOH TAKING VISITS & SCHOOLS WATCH YOUNG LAMONTA STONE

The big news of the college basketball recruiting world was delivered by St. Anthony’s senior guard Kyle Anderson who ended the speculation of his college destination with a simple announcement via twitter:

RT @KyleAnderson5 -Had a great family meeting. I’ve decided to be a UCLA BRUIN!!

Anderson’s announcement came on the eve of his birthday, the planned date of his college decision. Seton Hall (tickets) head coach Kevin Willard had made one last pitch to Anderson and his family with an in-home visit, but it was not enough in the end for the Pirates to land the recruiting coup of the early Fall.

While the Anderson story was unfolding, NBE was also able to get recruiting updates on ’12 forward Anthony Bennett, ’13 big man Chinonso Obokoh and ’15 point guard LaMonta Stone II.

Read more

RECRUITING NOTEBOOK: 2013 GUARDS THORPE, LEWIS & SAMUEL CHECK IN ON RECRUITMENTS

NBE caught up with a trip of guards in the Class of 2013 as college coaches hit the road in September to get a look at prospects across the country. Geno Thorpe of Shaler Area High School near Pittsburgh and New York City guards Terrence Samuel of South Shore High School and Isaiah Lewis of Christ the King touched base late last week to give us the latest on their recruitment as the busy month of September unfolds.

THORPE SET TO VISIT KANSAS STATE; SCHOOLS COMING BY SHALER

Geno Thorpe had an impressive summer playing with the NJ Playaz 16U squad on the AAU circuit. The athletic 6-foot-3, 175-pound guard had toyed with the idea of transferring from Shaler Area High School to a few different programs in New Jersey, but he is staying put this season and looking forward to a big season in front of friends and family.
Read more

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES

By Ray Mernagh

Talk about a no news weekend with Big East basketball huh?

Yes, that first sentence is dripping with sarcasm.

As we all know by now Pitt and Syracuse have jumped to the ACC. UCONN and Rutgers are probably next. West Virginia, rest assured, has some plans of their own.

Without a doubt it’s the end of something very special. The end of an era in which Big East Basketball was synonymous with best/greatest/elite or whatever term you choose to go with to describe the league that last season saw it’s 9th place finisher win the National Title. Even Coach K, now that he knows Pitt and Syracuse (and UConn?) are coming, has admitted that maybe the ACC wasn’t as great as his comments the last few years would have led us to believe.
Read more

TYLER CAVANAUGH ENJOYS NOTRE DAME VISIT

It was a big weekend on South Bend (IN) with the Michigan State football team coming to town to face the Irish. Notre Dame (tickets) head basketball coach and staff took advantage of the big football weekend to host some key recruiting targets, including Jamesville-Dewitt (NY) High School forward Tyler Cavanaugh.

“The experience and environment on campus was amazing,” Cavanaugh told NBE’s Matt Whitfield by text this morning.

When talking about face-up four men in the Class of 2012, Cavanaugh is one of the first names that should come to mind. The 6-foot-7 power forward is a knockdown 3-point shooter with a smooth stroke and he is also a superb finisher around the basket. Cavanaugh has a great basketball IQ and rarely makes bad decisions with the ball. He is tough defensively and his motor is always running at full force. A good enough athlete, Cavanaugh can handle the ball and get to the hoop off the bounce. A great teammate who does all the little things, Cavanaugh is truly talented player. If he improves his quickness and agility, he could develop into a big-time player – traits that all have attracted the Irish staff and earned Cavanaugh a scholarship offer from Notre Dame (Irish Fan Gear).

“They say I am a basketball player not locked in a position at this time,” Cavanaugh said. “I was very impressed by the opportunity.”

Cavanaugh has also previously told NBE that he plans to take official visits to Wake Forest, George Washington and Davidson. Syracuse (tickets) also recently offered and he was expected to visit the Orange campus as well this fall. Next weekend Cavanaugh plans to take an official visit to Wake Forest.

There was some talk that the recent verbal by Jerami Grant could impact the recruitment of Cavanaugh with the Orange. Cavanaugh refuted that notion and is till very much considering the home town Syracuse (Orange Fan Shop) program.

“Yes, I am still considering SU because Jerami is a different player than I am,” said Cavanaugh. “We are players that could play beside one another.”

NBE will continue to closely follow the recruitment of Jamesville-DeWitt’s Tyler Cavanaugh as he continues the visit and recruiting process this Fall.

RECRUITMENT OF ISAIAH WATKINS CONTINUES TO GAIN STEAM

There are a lot of new faces within the St. Benedict’s Prep basketball program in Newark (NJ) this season. From new head coach Mark Taylor to Class of 2015 must-see point guard Isaiah Briscoe and more new talent on the Gray Bees’ roster it is an exciting new era for the program in Newark. One player that still seems to be under the radar nationally is Isaiah Watkins, another member of the Canadian AAU program CIA Bounce that will look to excel this year for Taylor’s squad.

“What drew me to St. Benedict’s was the goal of becoming better,” Watkins told NBE earlier this evening. “Improving every day and hopefully being able to win at the highest level possible.”

The improvement of Watkins has been ongoing through the spring and summer according to Nolan Shulman, National Recruiting Analyst of Flagrant Fouls and Editor-in-Chief of the Ultimate Recruiting Handbook which is the authority on Canadian basketball prospects. Shulman also noted that Watkins will come to work every single day at St. Benedict’s, which should only enhance his goal of improving.
Read more

TANVEER BHULLAR POISED FOR A BIG RECRUITMENT

College basketball is becoming more and more of a guard’s game. So when a prospect comes along standing 7-foot-3 and weighing 315 pounds entering his junior year of high school plenty of debate ensues in regard to his place in the game. This is nothing new to Tanveer Bhullar who actually saw his older (and bigger) brother Sim go through the process. Like his brother, expect Tanveer to be one of the most evaluated, and debated, prospects in the country in the 2013 class.

“Obviously with the similarities in body type it’s natural that people are going to compare Tanveer to Sim,” Nolan Shulman, National Recruiting Analyst of Flagrant Fouls and Editor-in-Chief of the Ultimate Recruiting Handbook which is the authority on Canadian basketball prospects, told NBE this morning. “They both have very similar strengths. Great hands, great touch, and great size.”
Read more

2011-2012 BIG EAST TEAM CAPSULE: WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia Mountaineers
Head Coach: Bob Huggins (5th year at WVU, 101-42 record)
2010-2011: 11-7 BIG EAST, 21-12 overall, NCAA 2nd Round

Returning Players:
- Sr. F Kevin Jones (13.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg)
- Sr. G Truck Bryant (11.3 ppg)
- Jr. C Deniz Kilicli (6.6 ppg)
- rFR F Kevin Noreen

Incoming Players:
- Jr. F Dominique Rutledge (Western Texas CC)
- Fr. G Jabarie Hinds (Mount Vernon, NY)
- Fr. F Keaton Miles (Dallas, TX)
- Fr. F Tommie McCune (Saginaw, MI)
- Fr. G Gary Browne (Trujillo Alto, PR)
- Fr. F Aaron Brown (Darby, PA)
- Fr. F/C Pat Forsythe (Brunswick, OH)

Players Moved On:
- Casey Mitchell (Graduation)
- Joe Mazzulla (Graduation)
- John Flowers (Graduation)
- Cam Thoroughman (Graduation)
- Jonnie West (Graduation)
- Dalton Pepper (Transfer)
- Danny Jennings (Transfer)

Stat Notes:
- The Mountaineers return only three players with D-1 experience but all three (Jones, Bryant, Kilicli) played more than 15 minutes per game last season.
- WVU hasn’t missed the NCAA Tournament since Bob Huggins took over at his alma mater in 2008 and will look to make it five years straight in 2011-2012.

Star Watch:
- Huggins’ squad doesn’t have much experience returning but they will have one of the best forwards in the Big East in 6-foot-8 senior Kevin Jones. Jones, who flirted with the NBA Draft before deciding to return to Morgantown, led the team in rebounding last year and was second in scoring.

Newcomer to Watch:
- After finally being cleared by the NCAA in late August, point guard Jabarie Hinds could be the X-factor for the Mountaineers. Hinds is a gifted scorer and distributor who, despite not joining the program until late in the summer, could allow Truck Bryant to play his more natural position off the ball and start alongside him in the backcourt immediately.

Notes: WVU will take part in the Las Vegas Classic (12/22-12/23) where they will face off with Missouri State and Baylor, and also play non-conference games at Mississippi State (12/3) in the Big East-SEC Challenge, against Kansas State in Wichita (12/8), and at home against Miami (FL). Center Aaric Murray (LaSalle) and guard Juwan Staten (Dayton), two talented A-10 transfers, will sit out 2011-2012 and be eligible to play next season.

– team capsule compiled by Brian Batko

TROY WILLIAMS HAS GOOD TIME ON NORTH CAROLINA VISIT

Just like our earlier article on Davon Reed indicated, Troy Williams is another Class of 2013 prospect taking advantage of some free time to check out college campuses of schools that are recruiting him. Williams, who plays for his uncle’s Boo Williams AAU program, is a standout 6-foot-7, 200-pound forward from Hampton (VA) that is being recruited at the highest levels of college basketball. Last weekend he took the opportunity to visit North Carolina.

“It was really nice, I had a lot of fun,” Willaims told NBE last night of the visit. “Being able to play against the team in open gym [was the highlight].”

Williams is also planning to visit a couple more tradition-rich programs in the near future. He plans to make a swing to the Bluegrass State to check out both Kentucky and Louisville October 6th through the 9th and a trip to Georgetown is on the calendar for October 14th.

Williams told NBE late in the summer circuit that he holds offers from Texas, Georgetown, Virginia, Alabama, Virginia Tech, South Florida and DePaul with interest from North Carolina, Duke, Louisville, Miami and Northwestern.

Williams burst on the AAU scene this summer as a big time athlete at the wing position. He is at his best in transition where he can use his great speed to run the floor and then finish at the rim with impressive leaping ability. Williams has very long arms on his wiry frame and uses them along with his elite hops to be a high level rebounder from the wing. His jump shot needs work but his form appears to be solid so as long as Williams puts the work in he should be able to improve. He is a no doubt high-major wing and likely a top 25 player in the class when it’s all said and done and his list of offers and college interest will continue to soar.

Still, at this time, Williams is staying open in the recruiting process.

“I’m still open actualy. No favorites,” he said.

Williams has previously told NBE he will look to decide next summer and his recent visit has not changed that thought process. NBE will continue to follow his recruitment his development on the court as Troy Williams solidifies himself as one of the most highly coveted players in the Class of 2013 in the nation.

Buy Your Tickets to this Season's Biggest Games!

DAVON REED ENJOYS SETON HALL VISIT; MORE TRIPS PLANNED

While much of the attention in recent weeks have been paid to the Class of 2012 prospects hitting college campuses for official visits, several 2013 prospects have also used their free time to see some schools for themselves. One player with a very busy visit schedule the next month is Davon Reed. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound shooting guard was able to fit in a BIG EAST visit last weekend.

“I really enjoyed my visit to Seton Hall last Saturday,” Reed told NBE yesterday. “The staff was really welcoming and they seem to be have a bright future for the program! It was an excellent visit!”

Reed was surprised that the campus was bigger than he thought. He was also able to see coach Kevin Willard’s squad hit the court for a preseason workout, which he singled out as the visit’s highlight.
Read more

2011-2012 BIG EAST TEAM CAPSULE: VILLANOVA

Villanova Wildcats
Head Coach: Jay Wright (11th year at Villanova, 224-110 record)
2010-2011: 9-9 BIG EAST, 21-12 overall, NCAA 1st Round

Returning Players:
- Jr. G Maalik Wayns (13.8 ppg)
- Jr. C/F Mouphtaou Yarou (8.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg)
- Jr. G/F Dominic Cheek (5.6 ppg)
- Jr. C/F Maurice Sutton (2.4 ppg)
- So. G James Bell (2.4 ppg)

Incoming Players:
- Fr. F Jayvaughn Pinkston (Suspended for 2010-2011)
- Fr. G Ty Johnson (Plainfield, NJ)
- Fr. G Achraf Yacoubou (Bronx, NY)
- Fr. G/F Darrun Hillard (Bethlehem, PA)
- Fr. F Markus Kennedy (Yeadon, PA)

Players Moved On:
- Corey Fisher (Graduation)
- Corey Stokes (Graduation)
- Antonio Pena (Graduation)
- Isaiah Armwood (Transfer)

Stat Notes:
- The Wildcats ended 2010-11 on a six game losing streak with their last win coming over DePaul in overtime. They lost 8 of their last 10 and 10 of their last 14.
- Nova loses three of its top four scorers from last season including Corey Fisher who finished his career as the 13th all-time leading scorer in school history.

Star Watch:
- Junior guard Maalik Wayns had a breakout season in 2010-2011 and should be even better this year. The 6-2 guard from Philly will have to do a great job running the show for VU if they want to improve on last season’s late collapse.

Newcomer to Watch:
- Jayvaughn Pinkston was a highly regarded member of the 2010 recruiting class who sat out his last season due to legal issues but will suit up for the Wildcats this year as a freshman and could very well start at the four spot right away.

Notes: Jay Wright’s bunch are part of the 76 Classic field in Anaheim (11/24-11/27) and will play at inner-city rival Temple (12/10) in the non-conference portion of the schedule. The Wildcats also went on a tour of Europe in which they took on multiple European national teams. Villanova is one of four Big East teams not participating in the BIG EAST/SEC Challenge.

– team capsule compiled by Brian Batko

ALEX CARUSO CUTS LIST TO TWO SCHOOLS FOLLOWING VISIT

One of the most impressive Class of 2012 prospects NBE came across in the early summer stage of the AAU and camp scene was Alex Caruso, a 6-foot-5, 170-pound shooter extraordinaire from College Station (TX). His strong play at the Pangos All-American Camp solidified his status as one of the nation’s top prospects and solidified his spot in the NBA Top 100 Camp later in the month. As for his play at Pangos, it’s reached a point of “what can’t he do” by day two. Caruso showed he was much more than just a lights-out shooter and he can do a number of things on the floor to help his team win. Whether it’s scoring from the perimeter, finishing above the rim or setting up the open teammate Caruso gets it done.

Now it looks like Caruso is nearly ready to get things done on his recruitment as well. This past weekend he had an excellent visit to Colorado and that followed an official visit to Texas A&M the weekend before. The trips have Caruso on the verge of making his college choice as he is not looking to make any more trips.

“No more visits,” Caruso told NBE this evening. “A&M and CU is only two left. [The are] pretty even. A&M [has a] slight, slight advantage.”

Caruso, who attends A&M Consolidated High, literally right down the street from Texas A&M, has long been thought as an Aggie lean, so it is no surprise they appear to be in the driver’s seat in his recruitment. Colorado, though, at least gave something for Caruso to think about in the process.

“Colorado was great, learned a lot and had fun,” he said of the visit. “Probably the team chemistry [impressed me the most], it was really strong.”

Caruso also mentioned the strong fan support of the CU students during the football game as standing out to him on the trip. Now that he has seen his two favorites, has the list of factors for his decision or time frame to decide changed any?

“Not totally, I just know everything I can about both schools and what they have to offer, so I’m just taking it day by day.”

Will Texas A&M lead wire to wire and close the deal by adding Alex Caruso to their Class of 2012 recruiting efforts? Or will Colorado come in late and steal the prize out from under their former conference rival? Time will tell and NBE will follow this recruitment until the very end, which might not be all that much longer!

MANY SCHOOLS STILL INVOLVED WITH ANDREW WHITE

Playing this spring and summer with Team Loaded, Andrew White saw his recruitment explode with a series of strong performances on the AAU circuit. His recruitment has not slowed one bit as top college programs have already made their way to Charlottesville (VA) and the Miller School to visit the 6-foot-6, 205-pound small forward. More schools are expected this week as well.

“I have already received visits from Virginia Tech, NC State, West Virginia and Cincinnati,” White told NBE earlier this afternoon. “DePaul, UTEP, Kansas, Wake Forest and a couple others will visit me in the next couple weeks.”
Read more

STEFAN JANKOVIC HAS A LEADER; PREPARING FOR OFFICIAL VISITS

Coming off an unofficial visit last weekend, 6’11 Huntington forward sets to begin official visits with an ACC school as the team to beat

Stefan Jankovic missed much of July because of an injury, but make no mistake about it, the 6-foot-11, 235-pound Huntington Prep forward has his share of quality suitors in the mix for his future services.

Jankovic is a sought-after recruit for good reason. Despite missing the summer and not getting a lot of publicity because in the past he has been overshadowed by the Bhullar brothers as his teammates, he is an absolute match-up nightmare due to his versatile offensive game and 6-foot-11 size. Jankovic can stroke it consistently from the arc and is also capable of posting up and finishing with a jump hook. He can get past his defender off the dribble and has a nice mid-range pull-up. He rebounds the ball well at both ends, and is very fundamentally sound.

Read more

2011-2012 BIG EAST TEAM CAPSULE: SYRACUSE

Syracuse Orange
Head Coach: Jim Boeheim (36th year at Syracuse, 856-301 record)
2010-2011: 12-6 BIG EAST, 27-8 overall NCAA 2nd Round

Returning Players:
- Sr. F Kris Joseph (14.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
- Sr. G Scoop Jardine (12.5 ppg, 5.9 apg)
- Jr. G Brandon Triche (11.1 ppg)
- Jr. F James Southerland (4.9 ppg)
- Jr. F Mookie Jones (3.5 ppg)
- So. G Dion Waiters (6.6 ppg)
- So. F C.J. Fair (6.4 ppg)
- So. C Fab Melo (2.3 ppg)
- So. C Baye Moussa Keita (2.2 ppg)

Incoming Players:
- Fr. C Rakeem Christmas (Philadelphia, PA)
- Fr. G Michael Carter-Williams (Hamilton, MA)
- Fr. G Trevor Cooney (Wilmington, DE)

Players Moved On:
- Rick Jackson (Graduation)
- DaShonte Riley (Transfer)

Stat Notes:
- The Orange won seven of their final nine games in 2010-2011 with their only losses coming to UConn in overtime and Marquette in the NCAA Tournament.
- Jim Boeheim’s squad returns every major contributor from last year except big man Rick Jackson, who averaged 13.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game and started every contest since his junior season.
- Last season Syracuse did not lose a game to a non-BIG EAST foe. The Orange was undefeated in non-conference games and their season-ending NCAA Tournament loss came at the hands of conference rival Marquette.

Star Watch:
- Scoop Jardine was chosen as a member of the USA team for the World University Games in China and should be the leader of a crowded Syracuse backcourt. Jardine came into his own last season as a scorer and a distributor and should be productive at either guard spot.

Newcomer to Watch:
- Every player on Boeheim’s loaded roster will have to earn playing time and minutes will be precious but the 6-9 Rakeem Christmas is talented and athletic enough to help out on the interior early on, especially if sophomore center Fab Melo’s struggles continue.

Notes: The Orange will take part in the Preseason NIT (11/14-11/16, 11/23, 11/25), play at N.C. State (12/17), and host Florida in the BIG EAST/SEC Challenge (12/2). Follow the link HERE for tickets.

– team capsule compiled by Brian Batko

STEPHEN VASTURIA ENJOYS NOTRE DAME VISIT; PENN STATE TRIP UP NEXT

It might be tough to label Stephen Vasturia as a point guard or a shooting guard, but there is no mistaking the St. Joseph’s Prep High School standout as a sure-fire high major recruit in the Class of 2013 out of Philadelphia. This past Labor Day weekend Vasturia made an unofficial visit to Notre Dame, one of the schools that has been long on the trail of the 6-foot-4, 180-pound guard.

“I really enjoyed my visit to Notre Dame and learning more about the school and basketball program,” Vasturia told NBE Basketball Report last night. “The thing that made the biggest impression on me was the overall combination of success they have had over the years on the court and in the classroom.”

Vasturia, who won the Unselfish Player Honor at the Rasual Butler All-City Classic in Philadelphia this spring, is a very good long range shooter with nice form on his jumper and he can also hit shots from midrange. In addition he possesses a quality handle to go along with superb court vision, passing ability, feel for the game and overall basketball IQ. The consistency of his long-range jumper will improve with experience and his defense will also improve as his physical stature matures.

Mike Brey’s Notre Dame club has had a lot of success with similar backcourt talents in their system and Vasturia seems to be very interested in the Irish program and the visit only enhanced those feelings.

“Nothing about the trip really surprised me,” he said. “I was just really impressed with everything at the school.”

Notre Dame is just one of the schools currently involved in the recruitment of Vasturia. He will take another unofficial visit this coming weekend and continue to look at the other options that are coming available in his growing recruitment.

“I will be visiting Penn State this weekend,” Vasturia said. “Schools that are recruiting me are ND, Georgetown, Boston College, Villanova, Penn State, Northwestern and Temple.”

NBE will continue to monitor the development on the court of Stephen Vasturia this season at St. Joseph’s Prep High School in Philly and any recruiting developments off the court as the 6’4 guard is sure to be one of the most highly recruited backcourt talents in the 2013 class on the East Coast.

DANUEL HOUSE IMPRESSED WITH VISIT TO HOUSTON; CONSIDERING LIST OF SIX SCHOOLS

It was a big weekend on the University of Houston campus last week as head coach James Dickey and his staff welcomed highly regarded Texas PRO AAU teammates Danuel House and Danrad ‘Chicken’ Knowles to campus for visits. The Cougars’ football team held on for a thrilling 38-34 win over UCLA and the basketball program made a strong impression on their visitors.

“It was good and it was very fun,” House told NBE yesterday, adding the highlight was “how I and Coach Dickey talked the moment they have when you walk in the school.”

House would be a huge get for Dickey’s Conference USA program, pushing 6-foot-7 and weighing 195 pounds, House has good size for the small forward position to go along with big-time athleticism. A high-flyer, House is an explosive finisher at the rim who can produce highlight reel dunks. He has good length and a strong build. House can connect from long range, though he is still improving his consistency with his perimeter shot. He handles the ball well and gets to the rim off the bounce. He has a good motor and could become a superb perimeter defender if he works at it. House was one of the spring’s biggest stock boosters and his development is by no means finished as he only started playing basketball in the 8th grade and has recently hit a growth spurt which pushed him from a mid-level prospect to one of the nation’s elite in a few short months.

House has visited Houston before so he continues to build the relationship with the staff and school. He also previously visited Baylor and he updated NBE the current list of schools he is considering that are active in his recruitment.

“U of H, Baylor, Georgetown, Ohio State, Kansas and Texas,” said House of the schools recruiting him, adding that there are “no favorites right now.”

House has previously told NBE during the AAU Super Showcase that he was looking to decide towards the end of the early signing period around November and that he “might sign early”. Despite the excellent visit to Houston last weekend the time frame for his college decision has not changed. However, there are reasons for the Cougar fans to be optimistic as the factors that will play the biggest role in his decision seem to bode well as he continues to develop a strong relationship with Coach Dickey and the UH staff.

“A coach that’s going to reach out and teach me more about the game,” replied House when asked of the factors most important in his pending college decision. “Schooling and my relationship with the staff [also].”

With some of the elite programs in the nation after Danuel House Houston definitely has their work cut out for them in landing the electric 6’7 Class of 2012 small forward. NBE will continue to follow the recruitment of House and other Texas PRO athletes to see if the Cougars can pull of the coup and rekindle memories of Phi Slamma Jamma in the Lonestar State.

2011-2012 BIG EAST TEAM CAPSULE: ST. JOHN’S

St. John’s Red Storm
Head Coach: Steve Lavin (2nd year at St. John’s, 21-12 record)
2010-2011: 12-6 BIG EAST, 21-12 overall, NCAA 1st Round

Returning Players:
- Jr. G Malik Stith (3.3 ppg)

Incoming Players:
- Jr. C/F God’s Gift Achiuwa (Orchard Park, NY)
- So. G Nurideen Lindsey (Philadelphia, PA)
- Fr. F Amir Garrett (Los Angeles, CA)
- Fr. G/F Dom Pointer (Roseville, MI)
- Fr. F Maurice Harkless (Queens, NY)
- Fr. C Norvel Pelle (Long Beach, CA)
- Fr. G D’Angelo Harrison (Missouri City, TX)
- Fr. F Jakarr Sampson (Akron, OH)
- Fr. G Phillip Greene (Chicago, IL)

Players Moved On:
- D.J. Kennedy (Graduation)
- Sean Evans (Graduation)
- Justin Brownlee (Graduation)
- Malik Boothe (Graduation)
- Dwight Hardy (Graduation)
- Paris Horne (Graduation)
- Justin Burrell (Graduation)
- Dele Coker (Graduation)
- Dwayne Polee (Transfer)

Stat Notes:
- Last season, Steve Lavin led SJU to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002.
- Obviously, the Red Storm will be the youngest team in the Big East by far and return only Malik Stith, who played 12 minutes per game last year.

Star Watch:
- It will be interesting to see which one of Lavin’s highly touted recruits is most ready for the big time. Dom Pointer, a 6-6 wing with elite athleticism, already has a Big East-style body and may be the best of the bunch.

Newcomer to Watch:
- In addition to Pointer, sophomore junior college transfer Nurideen Lindsey should be another focal point for the Red Storm. Lindsey’s journey to St. John’s has been a long and rocky one but he was a prolific scorer in high school and should be a very intriguing story this year in the Big Apple and the Big East.

Notes: Lavin’s crew will be tested early in the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament (11/17-11/18), travel to Kentucky for the BIG EAST/SEC Challenge (12/1), and host UCLA (2/18) in the non-conference.

– team capsule compiled by Brian Batko

Next Page »