Clemson Recruiting, Oklahoma, Seton Hall Recruiting, Washington Recruiting, Washington State Recruiting

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.

“I visit Washington State September 29th [and] I’m looking into setting up one with Clemson in the near future also,” he said.

Peters does not have a working time frame at the moment of when he would like to commit, but he is forming a list of factors he will consider strongly when making the decision.

“The recruiting class…who’s coming in and who’s leaving is always a big [factor], the coaching staff, style of play and how hard the school is recruiting me,” said Peters of the factors in his decision. “I want to be celebrated to be part of a program not tolerated.”

Peters also mentioned the school having the academic program he decides to major in will play a big factor. However, first and foremost on his mind is preparing for the season ahead with Westwind, which has a daunting schedule this season. The opportunity to play such a schedule was a drawing card to the school he says, but most importantly, the schools really came through for him last year.

“Mostly loyalty,” Peters said of why he decided to finish his prep career at Westwind. “The school was there when I needed them. They enrolled me last year and I had a great time on and off the court here in Phoenix. My Prinipal, Ms. Johnson, there’s none like her.

And our schedule. Wow! We got a big time schedule [this year]!”

The big time schedule includes match-ups with Oak Hill Academy and Findlay Prep. Both schools are sure to be among the nation’s elite and Peters is looking forward to competing and succeeding in the big games this season.

Some people might have thought the program would struggle with the departure of former Director of Basketball Operations and Westwind Prep Academy head coach Gary Trousdale, who moved to San Diego to be closer to family and begin work at La Jolla Prep. Key components of the coaching staff followed Trousdale to California, however both the Prep Academy team and the Westwind Prep International squad, the program’s post-graduate program, will still be loaded with talent.

“I’m looking froward to all the hype we’re gonna stir up this winter because, I strongly believe with the departure of our coaching staff a lot people are writing us off and that is…not the case,” said Peters. “We have a great schedule and a lot of opportunities to showcase our talents and good players to win those games.”

It has long been believed Washington was in the driver’s seat for Richard Peters since he de-committed from Oklahoma last spring. Peters had previously committed to the former OU coaching staff. Now it will be interesting to see if UW can hold off the other challengers, including in-state conference rival Washington State which will get their chance to woo Peters this weekend on their campus. NBE will continue to follow this recruitment as it winds down and we will be certain to check in on Richard Peters and his Westwind teammates this season.

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