Other Conferences

MERNAGH: KANTER CASE REINFORCES OBVIOUS

by RAY MERNAGH

Enes Kanter was somewhat of a new name when word leaked out over a year ago that the 6′9 post player was coming to the States from his home of the previous four years in Turkey. Kanter had made quite an impression prior to the announcement that he was coming over for his last year of “high school” — looking to play a year of NCAA ball and then cashing in with the NBA.

Intrigued, I immediately made two calls. The first was to a professional player in Europe, a vet of 5 years in various Euro Leagues, to ask about the kid. “He’s the real deal,” said my homeboy, “he’s a beast at about 240 pounds and he’s also very skilled.”

Okay then.

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NBE POST-SUMMER CLASS OF 2012 TOP 50

NBE spent the spring and summer constantly on the road evaluating and reporting on all of the grassroots action. This followed up a busy high school season of coverage as well. As we finally get a chance to catch our breath, we have been compiling rankings of the players in the currently recruiting classes of 2011, 2012 and 2013. Today we release our initnial ranking of the top 50 players in the Class of 2012.

1)  Shabazz Muhammad - SF 6′5 Bishop Gorman NV (uncommitted) : Strong lefty wing who can score in a variety of ways and is tough to stop going to the rim.
2)  DaJuan Coleman - C 6′8 Jamesville-DeWitt NY (uncommitted): Beast on the low block who simply overpowers opponents with his size and strength.
3)  Andre Drummond - PF 6′10 St. Thomas More CT (uncommitted): Although he spends too much time on the perimeter, he is a match-up problem and has loads of potential.
4)  Brandon Ashley - PF 6′8 Bishop O’Dowd CA (uncommitted): Long, athletic and runs the floor with the best of them. Nice touch around the basket and good finishing ability.
5)  Isaiah Austin - C 7′0 Grace Prep TX (Baylor): Could be a match-up nightmare if he puts it all together due to his wide-ranging skill-set.
6)  Ricardo Ledo - SG 6′5 South Kent CT (uncommitted): Has the size to create match-up problems on the perimeter; can score in plenty of ways and is a good passer.
7)  Khem Birch - PF 6′9 Notre Dame Prep MA (uncommitted): Really improved over the last few months; he is an outstanding shot-blocker and rebounder.
8]  Jarnell Stokes - PF 6′8 Memphis Central TN (uncommitted): Great build and strength, plays with relentlessness on the backboards and in the paint.
9)  Amile Jefferson - SF 6′7 Friends Central PA (uncommitted): Jefferson has plenty of potential if he gains some weight and muscle. He can score inside and out.
10) Daniel Ochefu - C 6′10 Westtown School PA (uncommitted): He has flown under the radar thus far, but his potential and ability to score and defend are immediately noticeable.
11) Winston Shepard - SF 6′7 Findlay Prep NV (uncommitted): Has not had to be the main man on his high school or AAU team yet, but he is extremely athletic and can score effectively.
12) Grant Jerrett - PF 6′8 La Verne Lutheran CA (uncommitted): Not flashy, but Jerrett gets the job done. He is highly effective on the inside, and is also a good shot-blocker and rebounder.
13) J-Mychal Reese – PG 6′1 Bryan TX (uncommitted): Is starting to gain his reputation back after slipping in the rankings lately; lefty can really shoot the three.
14) Jordan Tebbutt - SF 6′5 Horizon Christian School OR (uncommitted): Terrific offensive player who has the strength to overpower most wing players; can finish with contact.
15) Hanner Perea - PF 6′8 United Faith Christian Academy NC (uncommitted): Unbelievable leaper can block shots as well as anyone, and runs the floor effectively. Rebounds well.
16) Cameron Ridley - C 6′10 Bush TX (uncommitted): Versatile scorer inside, utilizing jump hooks and face-up jumpers to get points in the paint.
17) LJ Rose - PG 6′3 Second Baptist TX (uncommitted): One of the best point guards in the class, Rose has excellent vision and good size for his position.
18) Perry Ellis - PF 6′7 Wichita Heights KS (uncommitted): Developing his perimeter game, which will only make him even more dangerous at the offensive end.
19) Kyle Anderson – SF 6′7 St. Anthony’s NJ (uncommitted): Could end up being a 6-9 point guard at the next level. Anderson has all the tools to be a major match-up problem.
20) Alex Murphy – SF 6′8 St. Mark’s MA (uncommitted): Versatile forward can handle the ball and find teammates, while also running the floor and finishing at the rim.
21) Wannah Bail - PF 6′7 Trent International School TX (uncommitted): Inside-outside scoring forward who has excellent athleticism and a terrific wingspan, making him tough to guard.
22) Justin Anderson - SF 6′5 Montrose Christian MD (uncommitted): He has a non-stop motor and gets after it on the defensive end. Awesome athlete who can really finish.
23) D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera – PG 6′3 North Central IN (uncommitted): Had to sit out the summer circuit due to injury, but the stocky point guard is powerful and savvy.
24) Archie Goodwin - SG 6′4 Sylvan Hills AR (uncommitted): Rising quickly up the rankings, Goodwin can score from the perimeter and while driving to the rim.
25) Ricardo Gathers - PF 6′7 Riverside Academy LA (uncommitted): Burly forward could just as easily have a future playing football. Runs the floor well and can finish.
26) Steven Adams – C 6′10 New Zealand (Pittsburgh): Physical big man with advanced skills for a player his size and age.
27) Anrio Adams - PG 6′3 Franklin WA (uncommitted): Has the ability to play both guard positions, and is at his best when driving by his defender to the lane.
28) Alex Poythress - PF 6′8 Clarksville Northeast TN (uncommitted) - Really athletic forward who runs the floor and is at his best playing transition basketball.
29) Rosco Allen - SF 6′7 Bishop Gorman NV (uncommitted): Excellent outside shooter who is developing his all-around offensive game, adding more off-the-dribble moves.
30) Kaleb Tarczewski - C 7′0 St. Mark’s MA (uncommitted): Legit 7-footer runs the floor very well and knows how to finish at the rim. Can rebound and block shots defensively.
31) Omar Calhoun - SG 6′3 Christ the King NY (uncommitted): The best player in New York City still counts for something; Calhoun can really fill it up at the offensive end.
32) Savon Goodman – SF 6′6 Academy of the New Church PA (uncommitted): Unbelievable finisher dunks with authority and is at his best when attacking the rim or playing in transition.
33) Rasheed Sulaimon - SG 6′3 Strake Jesuit TX (uncommitted): Sulaimon is constantly looking to attack the rim or shoot pull-up jumpers; constantly plays with energy.
34) James Robinson - PG 6′3 DeMatha MD (uncommitted): Strong, stocky point guard who is deceptively quick and is crafty at getting into the lane off of penetration.
35) Tony Parker - C 6′8 Miller Grove GA (uncommitted): Parker is a load for opponents right now because of his size, but his ability to step out and shoot jumpers make it even more difficult.
36) Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell – PG 5′10 Park Tudor School IN (uncommitted): Terrific getting into the lane off of penetration, and knows how to dish to teammates and finish in the lane with floaters and lay-ups.
37) Gary Harris - SG 6′4 Hamilton Southeastern IN (uncommitted) Strong offensive player needs to develop a perimeter jumpshot, but his mid-range jumper and attacking game are solid.
38) Landen Lucas - PF 6′8 Findlay Prep NV (uncommitted): His stock is still rising, and his transfer to Findlay Prep will only increase his recruiting attention next season.
39) Robert Carter - PF 6′7 Thomasville GA (uncommitted): Carter has a wide-ranging repertoire at the offensive end, making him very difficult to stop once he gets the ball.
40) Ryan Arcidiacono - PG 6′3 Neshaminy PA (uncommitted): Blew up at the Tournament of Champions; fearless point guard is a fantastic scorer and playmaker off penetration.
41) Jordan Goodman - PF 6′8 TBD TBD (Rutgers): Goodman has the size and skills to be a factor if he stays focused for an entire game.
42) Jeremy Hollowell - SF 6′6 Lawrence Central IN (uncommitted): Hollowell has a smooth touch from the mid-range, and is also able to get to the rim off the dribble.
43) Nino Jackson - PG 6′0 Ardmore OK (uncommitted): Needs to develop further point guard skills, but Johnson’s scoring ability and explosive first step stand out right now.
44) Montrezl Harrell - PF 6′7 North Edgecombe NC (uncommitted): Physical specimen down low does not back down from anyone, and is one of the better rebounders in the class.
45) Jerami Grant - SF 6′7 DeMatha MD (uncommitted) Could be the best of the Grant brothers when it’s all said and done; extremely versatile forward can do a variety of things.
46) JP Tokoto - SF 6′5 Menomonee Falls WI (uncommitted): His stock has dipped tremendously over the past few months, but his offensive potential is still there.
47) Xavier Johnson - SF 6′6 Mater Dei CA (uncommitted): Smooth prospect from the West Coast, Johnson can score from the wing and knows how to get to the basket off the dribble.
48) Braxton Obgueze - PG 6′0 United Faith Christian Academy NC (uncommitted): Underrated point guard is strong and quick; can knock down three-pointers and is aggressive at the defensive end.
49) Peter Jurkin - C 7′0 United Faith Christian Academy NC (Indiana): Still raw at this point, Jurkin is a great shot-blocker who can run the floor and finish off of alley-oops and offensive rebounds.
50) Marucs Paige - PG 6′0 Linn-Mar IA (uncommitted): Lefty prospect is known as a good shooter from the perimeter, but his ability to beat his defender and find teammates sets him apart.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (9/7/2010)

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Quick rundown on some of the latest news and notes from around the Big East conference, including a quick look at the three-day mini-tour of canada that Cincinnati took over the weekend. Louisville is hoping for a big weekend on the recruiting trail after hosting five recruits for their annual UL/UK football contest. Sources tell NBE one of the highly decorated recruits visiting UL last weekend is set to pop for the Cards today and would move Rick Pitino’s recruiting class for 2011 to the top of our early recruiting rankings for the class in the Big East. The UConn answer for the NCAA should be revealed today in regards to the alleged recruiting violations committed by Jim Calhoun’s staff. Providence looks to move past the trying summer as a new class arrives for the fall semester. Also, Jacob Lawson made his college choice over the weekend…

Read on below for all of the latest News & Notes around the Big East basketball conference. Sports fans should also visit StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online for tickets to any NCAA event or NBA, MLB, NHL game or UFC, WWE or concert tickets at an arena near you this spring.

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B.J. YOUNG POPS FOR ARKANSAS

By JEFF BORZELLO

B.J. Young’s rise from locally-known prospect to five-star guard culminated Sunday, as the McCluer North (Mo.) product committed to Arkansas.
 
“I felt really good about everything that was going on, and [with] players that were coming in with me, we can have something special,” Young said in a text message.
 
Young, a 6-foot-2 guard who can really fill it up, also held offers from Baylor, Illinois, Illinois State, Providence, Marquette, Indiana, Cincinnati, North Carolina State, Iowa and others.
 
“I knew I wanted to commit a while ago,” he said. “This has just been a fantasy of mine since I was little, down here with my family, they wanted me to go here.”
 
He had zero offers prior to the spring, and has only played a half-season of high school basketball due to a transfer and academic troubles.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (9/3/2010)

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We send readers off on the long holiday weekend with a News & Notes entry to close out a busy week. With college football gearing up this weekend it also means official visits are gettign under way. The biggest mover and shaker this weekend on the visit front is Louisville and Rick Pitino is taking advantage of the home football game with Kentucky to host a VERY impressive group of prospects. Other news includes UConn’s date to respond to the NCAA has been pushed back once again. One of their two German recruits has arrived on campus while the other is still on hold. Recruiting updates on Kyle Anderson and Steve Taylor, a pair of 2012 prospects, can also be found as well as news of a talented (now) 2013 prospect changing schools and a walk-on joining the Georgetown program.

Next week readers can look for NBE’s post-summer recruit rankings of players in the 2011 and 2012 classes as well as a listing of the 2013 players that have caught our eye this summer.

Read on below for all of the latest News & Notes around the Big East basketball conference. Sports fans should also visit StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online for tickets to any NCAA event or NBA, MLB, NHL game or UFC, WWE or concert tickets at an arena near you this spring.

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TARIQ CAREY LIKES ACC; HAS EARLY FAVORITE

Newark (NJ) guard in 2012 class is looking for respect as one of best in his class

by MATT WHITFIELD

Perhaps overlooked and underrated because he doesn’t play at one of Northern New Jersey’s perennial Top 25 USA Today programs, Tariq Carey feels he deserves some respect. Carey is an active guard with good athleticism and size for a rising junior. The Newark (NJ) Eastside product plays hard on both sides of the floor and has really improved his all-around. He has an ability to get into the lane and finish or distribute. Carey can score with contact at the rim and showed a much improved ability to connect from three-point range on the AAU circuit when NBE saw him with the NJ Playaz 16U team. Defensively, he is very aggressive and is adept at racking up steals and starting fast breaks.

With all that ability and an impressive list of schools involved in his recruitment, Carey is scratching his head when he looks at top 100 rankings around the internet.

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RYAN ARCIDIACONO ADDS TWO MORE OFFERS

While it has been just over three months since Ryan Arcidiacono blew up nationally with a strong spring performance on the AAU circuit with the PA Playaz, NBE has been following the class of 2012 guard out of Neshaminy (PA) for quite some time. It came as no surprise to us when Arcidiacono blew became the talk of the Bob Gibbons’ Tournament of Champions back on Memorial Day weekend with his gritty toughness and ability to raise the play of his entire team. We have been seeing him do the same time and time again since June of 2009 when we first began writing about him as one of the top prospects in this rising junior class.

Arcidiacono still might not be the household name he deserves to be, but that is definitely changing as his recruitment continues to rise toward the level of the top players in the class. Recently two more Big East offers came his way and some of the elite teams nationally are lining up to take a look at him at open gyms coming up later this month.

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read more on Ryan Arcidiacono and his recruitment. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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MICHAEL CAREY SEES RECRUITMENT HEAT UP OVER SUMMER

Texan guard has offers and interest from schools across the country as one of 2012’s top prospects

by JEFF BORZELLO

Michael Carey has had a pretty good two months – basketball in July and the Bahamas in August.

Not a bad way to spend a summer, especially for someone entering their junior year of high school.

“[I] just got back to Houston yesterday from the Bahamas, to visit my fam,” said Carey, a native of the Bahamas.

The 6-foot-5 point guard from Texas deserved the break, after turning heads on the AAU circuit during the spring and summer with the Franchize All-Starz where he showed his potential at some of the summer’s top events, including the Rumble in the Bronx last June. Carey is an offensive-minded player who has the dribbling ability to handle the point guard spot and the aggressiveness to play off the ball. He demonstrated the ability to get to the rim on most defenders, and used his length and athleticism to finish strong inside the lane, or dish it off to teammates when he drew the defense.

The combination and size has drawn plenty of looks from college coaches and some big-time offers already…

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read more on Michael Carey, his summer, his recruitment amd more. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (9/1/2010)

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Where did the summer go? Well, temperature-wise, summer is still here and brining the heat as the mercury is climbing again today in the Northeast, but we flip another page of our calendars and we welcome September! September brings us college football, on-campus official visits, coaches hitting the road for open gyms and in-home visits and we are one-month closer to the 2010-2011 college basketball season.

Of course on a day I have to head out of the country, news seemed to break every half hour or so and drained the battery on my phone early. Ray Mernagh picked up the slack reporting on the big commitments received by the new staffs at Rutgers and St. John’s yesterday with Maurice Harkless (SJU) and Kadeem Jack (RU) making their decisions public (Big Commitment for St. John’s; Rutgers Up Next).

In other recruiting news, D’Angelo Harrison is down to three school and two are in the Big East. Cincinnati picks up a commitment from a high-upside forward and more on PC’s latest commit for the 2010 season. In other news, an injury with a current Big East player saps the depth for Rutgers and a potential RU recruit, Quinn Cook, is out for an extended period of time because of injury. A couple WVU players, one who has found trouble before, are in a little hot water. Isaiah Epps is playing catch-up at Pitt in his early days on campus. UConn’s day with the NCAA is nearing, up next is their answer to the 8 charges of recruiting violations by the end of the week. Next year’s McDonald’s All-American game has a home…

Read on below for all of the latest News & Notes around the Big East basketball conference. Sports fans should also visit StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online for tickets to any NCAA event or NBA, MLB, NHL game or UFC, WWE or concert tickets at an arena near you this spring.

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ERIC KATENDA PLANNING 2 ACC OFFICIAL VISITS

Uncommitted 2011 forward has Big East, Big 10 and others in pursuit

By Matt Whitfield

Eric Katenda showed to be one of the top remaining uncommitted forwards in the Class of 2011 this spring. However, unlike most high school players entering their senior year, Katenda didn’t spend many summer days traveling around the country playing basketball, he spent them in a bed recovering after getting his appendix removed and recovering from tendinitis.

“I was in the hospital for a month,” Katends said. “I got out around July….but now my knees feeling a lot better and I’m starting to play again and I got my weight back up to 215.”

Katenda just started working out again a week ago, but he says is feeling well and he is working out twice a day.

“I’m doing good now. I’m working every day, twice a day,” said Katenda.

Katenda had been a fairly highly regarded recruit who drew offers from several national powers and interest from several Big East programs. But, with his injury and lack of exposure this summer, Katenda has seen a lot of schools stop calling.

“A lot of schools stopped talking to me since I didn’t play this summer, so now I’m just looking at schools that want me and kept talking to me even though I didn’t play this summer.”

Still, it is an impressive list of schools that Katenda is considering.

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read more on Eric Katenda and his recruitment. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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BASKETBALL RECRUITING NOTEBOOK: FIVE-STAR CAMP NOTES

On Sunday Matt Whitfield of NBE ventured to Brewster (NY) for the invite-only Five-Star Super Session at the Brewster Sports Center. Top rising sophomores, juniors and seniors from the Northeast and a few high-level “out-of-towners” participated in the two-day camp which concluded with an Orange/White All-Star game Sunday afternoon.

In addition to games and skill instruction with Five-Star’s innovative and historic teaching stations, the mental aspect of the game and success was also covered as campers spent three-sessions with sports psychologist and performance coach Dr. Pam Brill who authored the book, The Winner’s Way. Dr. Brill covered strategies to players that will help them reduce mental clutter, frustration with teamates and coaches and how to perform under pressure.

In this recruiting notebook, players such as DeAngelo Harrsion (2011), Tyler Harris (2011), Myles Davis (2011?), Vaughn Gray (2011), Mike Young (2013), Jabarie Hinds (2011), Shaquille Thomas (2011) and Reggie Cameron (2013) talk about recruiting, offers, visits and more. You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read the recruiting notes on all of those players. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (8/27/2010)

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Friday edition of the Big East Basketball News & Notes has some bad news for Louisville as, not one, but two Cards expected to make big impacts this season will not be with the team due to academic shortcomings. At Cincinnati, Dion Dixon looks to turn over the page from last season’s bad memory at Madison Square Garden. Also, Rutgers and Providence add new verbal commitments. Rutgers’ efforts in NYC continues as they host another highly touted player for an unoffcial visit and are getting closer to another big man commit. The transfer of jakarr Sampson has his former high school coach annoyed with an in-state college program.

Read on below for all of the latest News & Notes around the Big East basketball conference. Sports fans should also visit StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online for tickets to any NCAA event or NBA, MLB, NHL game or UFC, WWE or concert tickets at an arena near you this spring.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (8/26/2010)

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Some interesting News & Notes around the Big East today. First, bad news for ‘Nova as an incoming freshman is out indefinitely. Another incoming frosh, CJ Fair, is poised for his rookie season at Syracuse. Andy Katz goes into detail on how the Big East conference slate is determined in regards to home and home opponents. The coaches actually vote in May on how they expect the teams to finish and the leagu breaks those results into tiers. Katz examones those tiers and the home and home match-ups. Other Big East analysis includes a best case/worst case look at all 16 teams and the news that the conference tournament will keep the same format with the double-byes another season. West Virginia’s non-conference schedule is also examined.

On the recruiting front, the latest on Amir Garrett, Mike Shaw, Ryan Boatright and Chane Behanan is looked at below…

Read on below for all of the latest News & Notes around the Big East basketball conference. Sports fans should also visit StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online for tickets to any NCAA event or NBA, MLB, NHL game or UFC, WWE or concert tickets at an arena near you this spring.

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JERMAINE SANDERS RECRUITING UPDATE

Rice High School standout setting up Big East visit, looks to make decision soon on college

The talent that has come out of Rice High School in recent years has been impressive and often times winds up in the Big East. The next Raider prospect that has colleges making their best recruiting pitch is 6-foot-5, 215-lb wing Jermaine Sanders. After a strong showing on the AAU circuit with the New Heights program, Sanders is preparing for his senior season with Rice and working throught the recruiting process. Sanders is looking to make his college decision in the near future and is looking to visit a Big East school in the coming days.

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read more on Jermaine Sanders and his recruitment. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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BASKETBALL RECRUITING NOTESBOOK (8/25/2010)

In today’s Basketball Recruiting Notebook we update the recruitment of Phil Greene, Keith Coleman and Ameen Tanksley in the class of 2011 and we give readers a brief introduction to Barnett Harris, an intriguing 2012 prospect picking up some recruiting interest of late.

Greene recently took an unofficial visit to St. John’s of the Big East and fills us in on the first two official visits he has scheduled. Coleman is an uncommitted big man drawing a wide range of college interest at this time. Tanksley is also setting up his visits for the fall and gives NBE the latest below.

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read today’s jam-packed Basketball Recruiting Notebook for August 25, 2010. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (8/24/2010)

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Some quick news and notes around the Big East Basketball conference as things have been pretty busy, especially on the recruiting front. Rutgers adds some immediate help for 2010-2011 to their thin frontcourt, former PC signee Joseph Young enrolls in another school, Cincinnati works on their offense ahead of their trip to Canada and a look at what a Big East Sports Network could possibly bring forward in revenue. On the recruiting side, updates on Kadeem Jack, Jabarie Hinds and Angelo Chol for readers to find…

Read on below for all of the latest News & Notes around the Big East basketball conference. Sports fans should also visit StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online for tickets to any NCAA event or NBA, MLB, NHL game or UFC, WWE or concert tickets at an arena near you this spring.

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MAURICE HARKLESS PLANS UNOFFICIALS & SETS ONE OFFICIAL VISIT

NYC forward continues to see new recruiting interest, plans three unofficials and a Pac-10 Official for Sept.

Maurice Harkless certainly picked the right time to kick his game into high gear as a strong showing on the July grassroots campaign has vaulted the 6-foot-7, 190-lb forward into a new stratosphere in recruiting as the summer comes to a close. With scouts and analysts questioning his motor and dropping him down their Class of 2011 rankings in the pre-July period, Harkless quieted the skeptics in July and closed the month with a bang, taking home the (unofficial) MVP honors of the Desert Duel as he led the NY Panthers to an impressive championship in the loaded event.

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read our update on Maurice Harkless as his commitment continues to steam forward at full speed. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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UPDATE ON NJ SHOOTING GUARD MYLES DAVIS

NJ shooting guard still deciding on school and class, names leaders in recruitment

One of the most talked about recrutiing situations in the Northeast this summer has been the status of Myles Davis, a 6-foot-2, 190-lb shooting guard who ranks among the best long range shooters in the class of 2011. Davis has been contemplating moving to a new school and reclassifying to the class of 2012 for several months now. Most sources have him pegged for Notre Dame Prep this fall and moving to the class of 2012. He has also considered leaving St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City (NJ) for Montrose Christian where close friend, and Villanova-commit, Tyrone Johnson is headed this fall. While his decision is not final, Davis checks in with NBE to update his impending decision, talk about the summer on the AAU scene with the NJ Playaz and update his recruitment, where he names the four schools currently leading in that area.

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read our update on Myles Davis. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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NBE SLEEPER SPOTLIGHT: ST. LOUIS’ BRENDAN KELLY (2011 COMBO FORWARD)

by RAY MERNAGH

Brendan Kelly had just spent the better part of his day at a Big Ten school’s Elite camp making plays.

He’d hit three-pointers from the corner and top of the key. He’d finished drives from the wing through contact. He’d spun baseline from the short-corner for lay-ins, using the rim as a screen against any would-be shot blockers. He’d found the open man in transition.

He’d pursued missed shots like a shark would pursue chunks of tuna dumped into the ocean. He defended the 3 and 4’s at the camp with a physically developed high-major-like strength and he boxed out and secured any defensive rebounds in his area.

Basically, he did what he always does and as he walked off the court at the end of the day one of the assistants approached Kelly. The assistant complimented Kelly on his play, letting him know how impressed the whole staff was with it, and then he dropped the bomb: “How much more are you going to grow?”

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BASKETBALL RECRUITING NOTEBOOK (8/20/2010)

Its been a busy week on the recruiting front and things are unlikely to slow down at all from now until Letter of Intent Day in mid-November. Players are busy trimming thier lists, making unofficial visits, setting official visits and anxioulsy awaiting September 9th when college coaches can begin in-home visits and trip to watch open gym workouts at high schools and prep schools across the country.

On this Friday edition of the Basketball Recruiting Notebook, we take a look at the upcoming decision of Trey Burke, the All-Ohio guard who is looking like he will decide between one school in the Big 10 and one school in the Big East in the very near future. Another player nearing a decision is Jervon Pressley, who has a Big East school among his two favorites and another Big East school in his top three. Also, Eli Carter is on a visit right now and Chris Martin updates the status of his recruitment as he plans two visits to an Atlantic 10 school and a Big East school as they are showing new interest in him and names his three favorites.

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