Rutgers Recruiting

PLAYAZ NEW YEAR’S JUMP-OFF HIGHLIGHTS

By Alex Schwartz

HACKENSACK, N.J. – The New Year’s Jump-Off at Hackensack High School featured four games to bring in the year 2012. Included were some of the Garden State’s perennial powers and NBE Basketball Report was on hand for two-plus contests.

In addition to taking in the action, we were able to catch up with a couple of standout juniors for recruiting updates.

GAME RECAPS & STANDOUT PERFORMERS

NBE caught the end of the Teaneck/St. Patrick’s game, in which the Highwaymen knocked off the Celtics in overtime. Junior guard Joel Hernandez hit a buzzer beating three for Teaneck to send it to OT and knocked down two of three free throws in a tie game with one second left in the extra session. He and St. Patrick’s junior wing Jared Nickens were named co-MVPs.
Read more

MERNAGH: FUTURE ARRIVES EARLY AS RUTGERS BEATS NO. 10 FLORIDA IN OT THRILLER

Eli Carter made plays, enough plays in a pulsating second half — plus twin overtimes — that he finished with a career high 31 points.

Myles Mack made plays, 14 points 2 assists and 2 steals in 37 minutes… wait, he just hit another J as a Florida defender went under the screen on him.

Jerome Seagears made plays, what speed (“Gears for days?”) and fearlessness the young guard showed for Rutgers.

Derrick Randall was one of the few Scarlet Knights to show in the first half, as the young big man (who I’ve loved since day one) kept his squad in the game with 10 first half points, interior defense and several hustle “wins” on 50-50 balls.

All four of the above players are in their first year, young bucks ready to change the culture of Rutgers basketball forever by the time they’re done. And it all started earlier this evening with a dramatic 85-83 double overtime win over #10 Florida.

“I’m proud as hell of ‘em,” Mike Rice told Bill Raftery afterwards on national television, “they’re all freshmen, the future is bright!”

Yes Mike, yes it is.

Great win for Rutgers (RU Tickets) and just a fantastic game to watch.

Mike Rosario?

Please.

Non-story from a long ago period. Rutgers (RU Fan Shop) is moving on, led by a fresh-faced pack of baby assassins.

This group, if it plays with the edge and pace it did tonight, will make noise in the Big East this year.
—————————————————–

Your ticket to the fun awaits…

2011 CITY OF PALMS REPORT — TOP PLAYER PERFORMANCES

By Brian Bosworth, National Recruiting Analyst

Now that the 2011 City of Palms Classic has come to a close it’s time to put some measure on what I saw this week. Below are player rankings by class based on performances from this week alone. While they do impact my overall perception of these players, they are rankings strictly of what I saw in Florida this week.

Top 2012 Players:

1. Isaiah Austin (Grace Prep) – signed with Baylor – Austin was more committed to play inside on offense than he has been in the past and still rebounded and blocked shots at the highest level. He looked poised to challenge Shabazz Muhammad for top player in the class throughout the rest of the reason.

2. Shabazz Muhammad (Bishop Gorman) – It speaks to Muhammad’s talent that after a subpar week by his standards he still slots in at # 2. He was the most persistent scorer at the tournament, getting his points every way imaginable.

As for his recruitment, Muhammad told NBE on the opening day of the event that he has no timetable for a decision and sounds as though he’ll wait right up until the spring signing period to make his call. He listed an up-tempo style and a program that gets its players to the next level as the two most important factors in his decision making process. When the time comes Muhammad will be choosing from his final 6 of UCLA, Kansas, Duke, Kentucky, UNLV, and USC.
Read more

CITY OF PALMS – DAY FIVE

By Brian Bosworth, National Recruiting Analyst

The 2011 City of Palms Classic came to a close on Wednesday night with a wild day of hoops culminating in an all Texas title game between Prestonwood Christian and Grace Prep. Local fans, scouts, and college coaches packed the gym to the rafters and created a high intensity atmosphere for these young players. Even legendary ESPN analyst Dick Vitale stopped by to enjoy the action offering a few words to the crowd before the championship game. Prestonwood Christian turned the final into a laugher prevailing 62-42 with stud junior forward Julius Randle taking home MVP honors. While Randle led the team throughout the week, it was a freshman who carried Prestonwood on his back tonight while the big man sat for much of the game in foul trouble.

Top Performance of the Day:

Mickey Mitchell (Prestonwood Christian 2015) – After viewing Mitchell for 4 games this week I feel very comfortable saying that he is in the running for top player nationally in the 2015 class. Offensively, Mitchell does a bit of everything as a 6’7” guard including making jumpers, exploding to the rim, making high level passes, and crashing the glass. While all this is very impressive, it was Mitchell’s defensive ability that left the biggest mark. Over the course of 3 days he defended 5 star wing Shabazz Muhammad, 4 star big man Ricardo Gathers, and 5 star point guard Emmanuel Mudiay. It speaks volumes that Prestonwood’s coaching staff chose to use their freshman as the defensive stopper against this wide array of players. As long as Mitchell continues to work hard (which is basically all he talked about in a post game interview) the sky is the limit.
Read more

CITY OF PALMS REPORT — DAY ONE

By Brian Bosworth, National Recruiting Analyst

The City of Palms Classic got underway at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, Florida on Friday afternoon. In its 39th year of existence the City of Palms is unquestionably the top high school holiday tournament in America bringing in top teams from coast to coast. This year is no different as headlining teams span the nation including Montverde Academy (FL), Bishop Gorman (NV), Mater Dei (CA), Arlington Grace Prep (TX), and Miller Grove (GA.) Plenty of top young talent showed off on Friday and the headliners are outlined below.

Top Performer of the Day:

Anthony Perez (Montverde Academy 2012) – signed with Mississippi – Perez has long been thought of as a very talented big man who could have a very high ceiling is his skills came together. After his performance tonight, it would appear they are starting to come together. At a slender 6’9” Perez did two things very well tonight; he made long distance shots and he attacked the offensive glass. Montverde ran him through stagger screens on offense to create perimeter looks and he knocked them down with regularity. He also got countless offensive rebounds by using his length and a non-stop motor that frustrated the opposition. Perez even hit a pair of midrange jumpers after shot faking the deep ball and using a couple dribbles to create space. He looked every bit the part of an impact player for Ole Miss down the road.
Read more

SAVON GOODMAN PLANNING TO SIGN IN SPRING, STAY IN 2012

by Alex Schwartz

PHILADELPHIA – On the last day of November in 2010, Savon Goodman committed to his local school, Villanova University. Just over a year later, the 6-foot-6 combo forward is looking for a new college, after decommitting from the Wildcats just before the start of his senior year.

Soon after reopening his recruitment, Goodman transferred to Constitution (PA), leaving the school where he had spent the first three years of his high school career, Academy of the New Church (PA). In addition, rumors began to swirl that he would have to reclassify to 2013 for academic reasons.

On Tuesday, NBE caught up with both Goodman and his high school coach after his second game as a Constitution General, a 61-53 win over Council Rock North (PA) in which he had a game-high 24 points.
Read more

BOSWORTH: NATIONAL PREP SCHOOL SHOWCASE WRAP-UP (TOP PERFORMERS)

By Brian Bosworth, National Recruiting Analyst

Now that the National Prep Showcase has concluded it’s time to take a moment and digest everything that I witnessed in New Haven this weekend. One thing that jumps out is that the talent level in New England is at an all time high. While many players are imports from other areas of the country a large part of rosters on New England prep times are made up of local talent. Most notably, Nerlens Noel in 2013 and Noah Vonleh in 2014 both have a chance to become the top player in their class nationwide. These two separated themselves from everyone else at this event both with their current production and with their long term potential.

Past those top two, Ricardo Ledo deserves more recognition for his performance on Friday night. Ledo’s ability to score has never been questioned but his intangibles and whether or not he is a winner have long been debated. Against La Jolla Prep he not only scored from everywhere on the floor but he proved to be the vocal leader of a talent rich South Kent team. He specifically seems to have taken on somewhat of a mentor role for talented junior Chris Thomas. According to South Kent head coach Kelvin Jefferson Ledo has been everything he could have asked for and more both on the floor and in the locker room. He has taken Thomas under his wing in a sense and has been an incredible positive influence. If this progression continues, Ed Cooley landed an even bigger star than already thought.
Read more

Bosworth: Friday’s National Prep Showcase Breakdown

By Brian Bosworth, National Recruiting Analyst

The National Prep Showcase kicked off Friday morning at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven. One the premier prep events in America on a yearly basis, the showcase features the top prep teams from the Northeast along with a sampling of the strongest teams from around the country. This year had a little bit of added anticipation as it was announced approximately a week prior to the event that NBA scouts would be allowed to attend. If any were on hand Friday they witnessed a performance worthy of a future lottery pick selection.

Top Performer of the Day:
Ricardo Ledo (South Kent Prep 2012) – committed to Providence – There is no debate over the top performer of the day as Ledo put on an offensive clinic in a 20 point South Kent victory. He scored 37 points including 7 three pointers and did so with his usual freewheeling style. Ledo keeps the ball on a string and almost toys with defenders as he routinely broke ankles and got into the lane or used his patented step back move to create space and bury long range shots. At one point on the break Ledo even through it to himself off the backboard and hammered down a dunk contest worthy jam without breaking a sweat. His offensive talents are immense and they were on full display Friday night but perhaps even more impressive was the way Rick carried himself on the court. Often labeled a head case or a moody player, Ledo showed real maturity coaching teammates on the floor and still getting others involved despite that fact that he had it working so well. South Kent head coach Kelvin Jefferson told me after the game that Rick has really progressed as a leader both in the locker room and on the court and that was evident in his play on this night.

Read more

JAREN SINA OPEN TO ANYTHING IN SECOND RECRUITING GO-ROUND

Jaren Sina looked like he had ended the recruiting process early and was off the board before college basketball fans across the country really had a chance to begin to follow his recruitment. Sina, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound point guard from Gill St. Bernard in New Jersey verbally committed to the Crimson Tide last January, during his sophomore season. Now as he is preparing for his junior season the Class of 2013 prospect is back on the open market and looking forward to going through the complete recruiting process.

“I have a great relationship with the coaching staff at Alabama, but I just wanted to have the opportunity to go through the recruiting process again and make sure that I am making the right decision and that I am 100% sure on my choice,”Sina told NBE Sports earlier this evening.

That relationship with the Alabama staff is especially true with head coach Anthony Grant and Sina is definitely still considering the SEC program.

Read more

CONRAD CHAMBERS IMPRESSED BY RUTGERS TRIP

With the Team Scan AAU program this summer much of the attention was centered around Class of 2014 forward Chris McCullough, who quickly cemented himself as one of the top players in the country in the sophomore class. When one thinks of Friends Central in Philadelphia currently, the name of one of the elite players in the Class of 2012, Amile Jefferson certainly comes to mind.

However, Chester (PA) native Conrad Chambers is a player that is quickly building his own reputation as well, even if he is in the shadows with both programs. So far this fall, after a successful run over the summer with Team Scan, Chambers is happy with how things are looking at Friends Central and looking forward to a fun season.

“Things have been going well at school [and] the team is looking good,” said Chambers. “What I feel is best about the program is our coaching staff, how hard our team plays and how we are all like a family.”
Read more

SATURDAY PLAYOFF ACTION FROM IS8 FALL LEAGUE

By Brian Bosworth

The IS8 / Nike playoffs were in full swing on Saturday with action tipping off at 9am. IS8 or Intermediate School Number 8 is a middle school in Jamaica, Queens that seats approximately 400 people and yet it is one of the most famous courts in all of New York City. The tournament means a little more than an average event as Mike Young of the Playaz Club told me in a postgame interview. “IS8 is different than other tournaments. Our program takes a lot of pride in this event and a lot of pride in winning it. It means more than other events.” The level of play on the floor spoke to that with Young himself leading a group of standout performances.

Standout Performers:

Mike Young (2013) – Playaz Juniors – Young’s game has progressed since I saw him last in July. He still possesses major athletic talents and is a force on both backboards but his offensive game has improved by leaps and bounds as he scored a game-high 20 points in a win over Kendall Madison. on Saturday he showcased a soft jump hook with both hands and range on his jump shot out to 16 feet. He played with a demonstrative attitude on the low block and called for the ball inside during crucial situations in the game. Young was very efficient offensively and cleaned up any missed shots for put backs. Already a clear high major prospect, if Young’s game continues to progress on the offensive end he has a chance to be one of the nation’s top recruits.
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: 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

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

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

WILL FERGUSON READY FOR BIG SEASON AHEAD

An intriguing point guard in the Class of 2013 is Will Ferguson of Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington (VA). A true student of the game, the DC Assault 16U standout told NBE over the summer his style is influenced by well-known point guards when it comes to learning more about the position. In a quick conversation at the Desert Duel in Arizona in late July Ferguson referenced Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Deron Williams, Steve Nash and Rajon Rondo as players with an impact on his game.

Ferguson has shown the ability as a dynamic point guard to play a little bit like each of the stars he mentioned over the summer. the extremely fast floor general has shown the ability to be an elite distributor and also the ability to score when needed. Over the summer he has worked more on the intangibles that are key to helping a point guard become the leader of his team.

“I would say being a leader and my defense has picked up a lot,” said the 6-foot-2, 170-pound Ferguson when asked what he has improved the most this summer in his game. “I’m starting to knock down more long range shots [too].”
Read more

WITH NEW INTEREST, JERMAINE LAWRENCE LIKELY TO TAKE A FEW VISITS

Bayside Cardozo rising junior (Class of 2013) Jermaine Lawrence is a player full of potential. The 6-foot-8 1/2, 192-pound forward is a high-riser of an athlete but also shows a deft touch from the perimeter beyond the three-point line. His game reminds many onlookers of another past star that game through Ron Naclerio’s program, current Syracuse forward James Southerland.

Still there is almost an unknown quantity to Lawrence who does not travel the country on a high-profile AAU team, spending most of his time playing for the Positive Direction program. As one of the stand-out performers at the Hoop Group Elite Session I Camp in Reading (PA) to kick off the July evaluation period last month his recruitment has kicked up another notch in the weeks since.

“Georgetown and Xavier have most recently showed interest,” said Lawrence.
Read more

SUMMER SHOOTOUT NOTEBOOK

By Alex Schwartz

ALLENTOWN, N.J. — Although the Summer Shootout is not necessarily well-known outside of New Jersey, the event is filled with quality teams and talented players on a yearly basis. The 2011 edition was no different, as NBE Basketball Report took in some of the action on Saturday and got to catch up with a handful of Big East recruits.

Isaiah Watkins, a 6-foot-8, 215-pound power forward, really saw his stock increase this summer. A class of 2013 prospect who hails from Toronto and is in his first year at St. Benedict’s (NJ), Watkins already lists a number of high-major offers.

Watkins said that Santa Clara, Missouri, Arkansas, Cincinnati and Virginia have all extended scholarship offers to him. In addition, he is hearing from Harvard, Ohio State, Georgetown, Michigan, Elon, Lafayette, Niagara, Villanova, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Temple, West Virginia, Kansas and more.
Read more

ELITE ’14 PROSPECT CHRIS MCCULLOUGH ENJOYS UCONN VISIT

Chris McCullough burst onto the national recruiting radar this summer with a series of strong performances during the month of July, first at the Hoop Group Elite Session 1 Camp and the Hoop Group team camp playing with the Salisbury (CT) School. McCullough built up a strong following and next thing you knew college coaches were making sure they knew where his team SCAN AAU squad would be playing throughout the remaining of the month.

McCullough, who credits the work off the court with Team SCAN for helping him achieve honor roll status in school, visited Connecticut earlier this week with AAU teammate Conrad Chambers, another highly regarded player in the 2014 recruiting class. McCullough told NBE earlier today he enjoyed the trip.

“The trip was good, good experience,” said McCullough of the visit to UConn. ‘[The highlight was] chilling with Coach Kevin Ollie.”
Read more

GENO THORPE PLANNING WISCONSIN VISIT; HEARS FROM MARQUETTE

Shaler Area High School rising junior (Class of 2013) guard Geno Thorpe has picked up new scholarship offers and interest after a solid summer on the camp and AAU circuit. The 6-foot-3, 175-lb guard made the rounds with the NJ Playaz 16U team and plenty of head coaches were there to see him and his teammates play throughout the schedule. Still, Thorpe is not satisfied with himself and is working hard to improve.

“I have to get stronger and improve my shot,” said Thorpe when asked by NBE what he has improved the most this summer, showing the will to keep improving.

Currently Thorpe has an active list of schools he is considering of Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Wisconsin, Marquette, Baylor, Kansas State and Ohio.

“Marquette and Baylor are new interest,” said Thorpe of new interest and offers from the summer. “Offers are Pitt, Rutgers, Seton Halll, Kansas State and Ohio.

Marquette just recently joined the mix and Baylor is believed to be close to offering a scholarship, but hasn’t quite yet at this point Thorpe told NBE this afternoon.

“No Baylor has not offered yet until I meet [their] head coach,” said Thorpe. “I didn’t talk to any new schools this week besides Marquette.”

Thorpe still lists no favorites in the recruiting process at this time, but did mention he will be visiting Wisconsin, likely in September. Earlier this summer there was some chatter on the worldwide web that Thorpe could be deciding as early as next month, but he would not commit to such a time frame leaving the possibility a decision could come any time, now or later.

“No time period [for a decision],” he said. “It could be at any time and I think the coach[ing] staff, the style of play and academics will be the factors on my desicion.”

In the meantime Geno Thorpe will continue forward with the recruiting process and with a goal of a state title this season for Shaler to work towards. NBE will continue to follow his process closely.

« Previous Page — Next Page »