South Florida Recruiting

BIG EAST ROSTER UPDATE: SOUTH FLORIDA

Incoming Transfer Alert: Augustus ‘Gus’ Gilchrist, 6′9 C from Maryland

Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Mobalaji Ajayi (BF), Jesus Verdejo (G/F), Aris Williams (BF)

Juniors: Chris Howard (PG), Mike Mercer (G), Alejando Rivas-Sanchez (C)

Sophomores: Dominique Jones (SG)

Freshman: Dwan McMillan (PG), Eugene Teague (BF/C), Eladio Espinosa (F), Gaby Belardo (G), Teeng Akol (C), Augustus Gilchrist (C)

Early 2009 Commitment: Shaun Noriega (G)

With a recent run of transfers leaving the South Florida program, Stan Heath and his staff have turned the tables and have added a transfer to their roster as Augustus ‘Gus’ Gilchrist has chosen the Bulls after a recent visit. Gilchrist, ranked Nation’s No. 9 Center, Transferring to USF (Tampa Tribune) from Maryland.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/28/2008)

Time to hit the news and notes from around the Big East basketball conference after a long Memorial Day weekend. Exciting news for St. John’s and Marquette as each school picks up a 2009 commitment in recent days. There is a late qualifying player for the class of 2008 that Marquette is trying to get involved with. Adam Zagoria takes a look at two upstate NY prospects that could be in the Big East starting with the 2009-2010 season, one has already committed to Rutgers and the other has been considered a Syracuse commit at times, but that is not the case. Also, updates on Dashonte Riley, the latest Georgetown commit, Durand Scott, who has many in the Big East interested in his skills, Ryan Kelly, a fast progressing North Carolina big forward, and an introduction to Meyers Leonard, a virtually unknown player from Illinois that is sparking some Big East interest.

Also, we look at Van Coleman’s top 40 recruiting classes of 2008. Kentrell Gransberry and Joe Alezander continue to work the NBA draft process from different angles and we give a little love to a couple Big East assistants as they prepare to do much of the legwork this summer bringing in the new talent to the conference for the future.

Hopefully everyone got a chance to check out Alex Schwartz’s interview with Donyell Marshall: One of the NBA’s Good Guys.

Later today, Doug Ferguson will take a deeper look at the 2008 NBA draft prospects from the Big East conference.

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IS8 SEMIFINAL PLAYER REVIEWS

Brian Crownover set out from Philadelphia early Saturday morning for Long Island to check out the action of the GBOA East regional basketball tournament. Looking forward to seeing teams such as the NY Panthers, Gauchos, Team Philly, Grassroots of Canada, Juice All-Stars and others, Brian drove to Half Hollows Hills West High School in anticipation of catching the early action, however, a late scheduling change moved the tournament play to Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, but no notices were posted.

Not to waste a trip to the Big Apple, the ever resourceful Brian decided to catch the exciting action of the IS8 semifinals instead and he filled us in on the performances of some of the better 2008 Big East recruits as well as some younger talent that could fine their way to the Big East in the future…

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/15/2008)

Today’s hot news centers around the Memphis Tigers and the reports from Fox 13 in Memphis that the University is in serious talks about joining the Big East. The news brings up more questions that answers, especially with recent remarks from Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese on the topic of expansion of late, which indicated the subject is not even on the table at all.

In other news, a Pitt assistant could be on the move and it might help his new school with a big spring target. South Florida continues to rebuild their roster as they pick up another later period commitment.

We will be back later today with more…

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SPIECE RUN ‘N SLAM REVIEW

2008 Speice Run ‘N Slam Bill Hensley Memorial
By Doug Ferguson

America’s basketball heartland was at a fever pitch this past weekend as the city of Fort Wayne, IN hosted the 2008 Bill Hensley Memorial Run N Slam AAU Tournament. While games were strewn in gyms all across the hub of Northeast Indiana, a majority of the action was held in the tradition-rich Spiece Fieldhouse. This museum disguised as a collage of eight courts is littered with memorabilia that is enough to keep basketball lovers in awe for days. Indiana legends from Larry Bird to Greg Oden and John Wooden to Bob Knight just begin to account for the jerseys hanging from the rafters.

Fans got to see all of this, and that was before a whistle blew or a buzzer sounded. The action overall was outstanding, however slightly disappointing for fans of the Big East. A few late scratches for various reasons left many of the conferences followers doing a lot of scratching in their own right. Only they were scratching their heads instead of a lineup card as two of the conferences top early recruits were unfortunately absent from action this weekend.

Center DaShonte Riley (high interest in Georgetown) did not travel with his team (Detroit’s “The Family). His team fared fairly well without him, going 3-0 in pool play before eventually falling in the elimination tournament leaving many to wonder if they are beatable with him in the lineup.

Team Philly, led by point guard Maalik Wayans (verbal commit to Villanova) was set to play as early as a week ago but ended up not making the trip to the Hoosier State. The show went on however, despite the absentees and there was still an extremely high level of basketball being played on the holy ground of the sport. Here are some of the highlights.

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BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: SOUTH FLORIDA

Commitment Alert: Gaby Belardo, 6′3 G from Notre Dame Prep (MA)

Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Mobalaji Ajayi (BF), Jesus Verdejo (G/F), Aris Williams (BF)

Juniors: Chris Howard (PG), Mike Mercer (G), Alejando Rivas-Sanchez (C)

Sophomores: Dominique Jones (SG)

Freshman: Dwan McMillan (PG), Eugene Teague (BF/C), Eladio Espinosa (F), Gaby Belardo (G)

Early 2009 Commitment: Shaun Noriega (G)

With a recent run of transfers leaving the South Florida program, Stan Heath and his staff still have work to do filling their roster for the 2008-2009 season, and, following the recent commitment from Pratt CC center Alejandro Rivas-Sanchez, Guard Gaby Belardo Commits to the Bulls (St. Petersburg Times).

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/1/2008)

Recruiting updates from New York and New Jersey courtesy of Adam Zagoria who takes a closer look at the recruitment of 2009 phenom lance Stephenson and of rising 2010 top prospect Tobias Harris. Jerry Carino sheds some light on another 2010 prodigy as Isaiah Epps is getting heavy interest from local New Jersey schools as well as a couple east coast powers.

South Florida picks up another spring commitment (more info to follow) and Notre Dame has one transfer coming and could be close to welcoming another…

UConn is smiling this spring and has a HIGH preseason ranking to pound their chests about. West Virginia’s preseason standing hinges greatly on Joe Alexander’s impending decision.

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KING JAMES SHOOTING STARS REPORT

The live period was in full effect this past weekend with many of the top AAU programs in the country flocking to Akron (OH) for the King James Shooting Stars Tournament. Brian Crownover, lead recruiting analysts for CAA Insider, was on hand along with coaches from all over the country checking out the action all over the Akron area. Here is a look at some of the top players throughout the weekend that Brian checked out for the NBE Basketball Report…

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (4/28/2008)

Sam Young and Hasheem Thabeet reached definite decisions about their futures since we last checked in. Jerel McNeal will leave a couple options open as he moves along with spring. With most of the NBA Draft decisions in, next year’s Big East conference looks absolutely loaded and a couple teams could be strengthened more with late commits or players returning to school rather than staying in the NBA Draft.

Elsewhere, South Florida continues their quest to fill their roster for 2008-2009, could John Riek be on their expanding radar? Notre Dame looks to be in good position for a quality transfer out of the SEC. Another SEC transfer will head to the Big East, but which New Jersey school will be call home? Bob Huggins was back at the University of Akron this weekend and he definitely took notice of Carl ‘Tay’ Jones while in the stands.

We will have more from Akron as the week unfolds and the King James Shooting Stars Classic. Also, stories and interviews from the Providence Jam Fest will be on tap as well.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (4/25/2008)

Another busy AAU weekend on tap and the NBE Basketball Report will have eyes and ears on location in Akron (OH) for the King James Shooting Stars Classic as well as in Providence (RI) for this week’s Jam Fest. Next weekend we will branch out to the Midwest as we will have a reporter stationed at the Spiece Run’N Slam All-Star Classic in Ft. Wayne (IN) and then the weekend of May 9-11 we will be hitting the Mid-Atlantic for the DC Assault ‘Take Your Best Shot’ event at the beautiful Hoop Magic Sports Academy in Chantilly (VA) as well as a contributor heading to the University of Virginia for the Southern Jam Fest the same weekend.

In the meantime, we are also developing our 2009 (and 2010) Big East Recruit Database. You will see some recruit pages on the left-hand sidebar. These pages will contain summary information on Big East targets as well as links to the latest stories on the players from the NBE Basketball Report, the sites of our contributors or partners as well as local newspapers from around the country. You can also visit the team pages, either from the sidebar or from the icons above. Our team pages provide pertinent links to each University website of the Big East and up to date roster information. They also link to the recruit pages of each school’s targets. We will be populating this database aggressively the next few weeks as our writers see more and more players and get additional information. These pages also provide great sponsorship opportunities, so, if your interested, please contact us at nbeblog@hotmail.com for more information.

Elsewhere, in the Big East, Norm Roberts is waiting word from recruits and is waiting on the finalization of a contract extension with St. John’s. Georgetown gets a little jolt when one of their former McDonald’s All-Americans decides it is time to move on. UConn is awaiting the decision from their big man on the NBA draft. There are updated recruiting lists and stories on Jordan Hamilton, Stephan Van Treese, Dominic Cheek and Jamil Wilson, who is a top target of Buzz Williams and his newly appointed assistants at Marquette. Finally, a little more on South Florida’s first 2009 verbal commitment.

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JAM FEST Q&A: DANTE TAYLOR

By Anthony Jaskulski

With a solid frame and a hybrid game that brings the styles of strong rebounding and clutch scoring from any part of the floor at any moment, power forward Dante Taylor’s versatile game has made him one of the top recruits in the nation.

From National Christian Academy in the Washington DC area, the Rochester (NY) native has seen much interest in schools such as Cincinnati, South Florida, USC, Louisville and Syracuse. Two schools have seemed to be on him longer than most as Pittsburgh and Maryland have been showing the most interest.

At 6’8, 215, Dante has averaged over 11 rebounds a game for his NCA squad this high school season, and nearly as many points and is now touring the AAU circuit with the NCA AAU squad.

With just one year left of school, Taylor is garnering more spectators and east coast fans, as the question of “where will he go?” lingers around the DC area.

Here is what Dante had to say in a Q&A segment:

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BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: SOUTH FLORIDA

Verbal Commitment Alert:  Shaun Noriega, 6′4 G from North Port (FL)

Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors:  Mobalaji Ajayi (BF), Jesus Verdejo (G/F),  Aris Williams (BF)

Juniors:  Chris Howard (PG), Mike Mercer (G)

Sophomores:  Dominique Jones (SG)

Freshman:  Dwan McMillan (PG), Eugene Teague (BF/C), Eladio Espinosa (F)

Early 2009 Commitment:  Shaun Noriega (G)

With a recent run of transfers leaving the South Florida program, Stan Heath and his staff still have work to do filling their roster for the 2008-2009 season, however, in the midst of their immediate needs, the Bulls Get an ‘09 Commitment from 6′4 Guard (St. Pete Times) Shaun Noriega out of North Port (FL), giving USF a nice head start for their future.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (4/23/2008)

It seemed like a slow day on the news wire, but still plenty to discuss for Big East fans. The transfers out of the conference continues as Curtis Kelly is the latest jettisoned from the UConn program as they make room for the reinforcements. One of the most-likely possibilities is on campus today making his official visit.

South Florida, who has seen their share of players leave the program, might luck out and get a big time talent to transfer in if his Mom can get on board. Otherwise, Stan Heath is widening his net for 2008 perimeter help on the AAU circuit looking through the leftovers.

Speaking of leftovers, you won’t find any on Melvyn Oliver’s plate as the big man prepared to move into the Big East, Hoops Weiss also mentions Notre Dame is in the mix for transfer out of the SEC.

Maurice Sutton’s attention might have been taken by a Big 10 offer. St. John’s is expressing a desire to be considered by a 6’9 Serbian-native JUCO shooter and Mike DeCourcy writes about the tough job coaches face recruiting in the Big East…their coaching lives may depend on it…

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (4/22/2008)

St. John’s and Pittsburgh are seeing players leave their programs, the Panthers will plug the hole with another incoming JUCO recruit, while St. John’s still has yet to add anyone new for 2008-2009.

St. John’s is in the mix for a transfer from Florida with Seton Hall and Rutgers. Seton Hall looks to be adding more height and is still involves with another C. The Pirates and Redstorm have been hit hard by commitments not making it very long in the program since Norm Roberts and Bobby Gonzalez took over at their respective schools. This continuous game of catch-up in the spring recruiting period attributes heavily to the attrition rates at both schools.

Teeng Akol has a pair of Big East schools at the top of his list. 2010 NYC elite recruit Doron Lamb heavily favors the Big East and a couple schools seem to be separating themselves from the pack.

Scottie Reynolds will definitely return to Villanova next season. The annual Lance Thomas spring rumors are alive again. Tom Crean continues to raid Marquette and Mitch Albom takes a look at the one and done phenomenon in college basketball.

We will have another one-on-one interview with a Big East prospect from last weekend’s Pittsburgh Jam fest this afternoon…so, check back for all the latest news regarding the Big East basketball conference.

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PITTSBURGH JAM FEST: DAY ONE

By Anthony Jaskulski

As the Hoop Group’s Pittsburgh Jam Fest kicked off its weekend of anticipated basketball from highly-touted recruits Friday, D-1 coaches could not be found in the scarce faces in the crowd.

Despite the small turnout from recruiting-hungry coaches of other levels, the early action of the tournament festivities did not disappoint, as the main floor of the Petersen Events Center became center-stage for many of the nations rising stars and top recruits.

The hectic schedule—which had three teams playing on all three courts of the Pete simultaneously—showcased such AAU teams as National Christian Academy, Cecil Kirk, South Jersey Select and the hometown team Pittsburgh Storm to start the weekend off.

Here is a look at the top action of the first day of the Pittsburgh Jam Fest.

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BIG EAST RECRUITING NOTES (4/9/08)

We have a week until the Spring Signing period begins and the April evaluation period kicks off this weekend as well, so look for recruiting coverage to spike in the next few weeks.

Unsigned 2008 seniors such as Chris Turner, Maurice Sutton, Ater Majok and Teeng Akol are getting plenty of attention, as is JUCO Roderick Flemings. Tyreke Evan’s much anticipated decision is a week away as well. Tyshawn Taylor will meet with Marquette’s new head coach. His high school coach Bob Hurley continues to reload his St. Anthony’s roster.

Read all these and more in our Big East Recruiting Update.

Later today we will have our News & Notes Update from around the Big East which will include the latest coaching rumors that pertain to the Big East.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (4/7/2008)

The Providence job search crawls into another week, but it should be completed sometime this week. Marquette seems to be narrowing their focus and with everything quiet on the coaching front, maybe a decision is forthcoming.

There seems to be a storm brewing at Seton Hall, could another Big East position be opening?

Earl Clark is making his name available for the NBE Draft. Tyreke Evans’ process in picking a school continues. With his recruitment and Memphis’ success, more and more attention is being paid to World Wide Wes. A couple recruiting notes with a couple key visits happening this coming weekend.

Will Joe Mazzulla become the latest two-sport athlete at WVU? Will the NBA tweak their age limit and increase it to 20?

Read all about these issues and more from around the Big East on this Championship Monday!!!
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BIG EAST RECRUITING NOTES (4/3/2008)

Connecticut might have one Rice High School alum leaving the program, but one is arriving this fall and a current Rice junior is looking in UConn’s direction as well. UConn is also looking on the west coast for a top win, who would also like to visit Syracuse in the near future as well.

So far two Marquette signees from November have publicly stated they will look for a release from their letters of intent. DeShawn Painter has a couple Big East schools on his list as he looks to make a move to Hargrave Military Academy for next season. The Booker T. Washington junior talks to a current Georgetown player on his future direction.

Also, updates on Maurice Sutton, Paris Bennett and Devin Ebanks from around the web this morning.

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BIG EAST RECRUITING NOTES (4/2/2008)

Connecticut is busy trying to fill the possible hole that Hasheem Thabeet leaving for the NBA draft could create and three big men are expected to be making official visits in April to Storrs. could one be the next Thabeet?

The AAU season kicked off last weekend with Triple Threat and the NJ Playaz hosting events. College coaches are out hitting the recruiting trail in the DC-area, making stops at Montrose Christian and showing strong interest in a National Christian Academy big man that had a strong showing this past weekend at the Triple Threat Super Spring Showcase. A couple Big East teams are looking at a Owings Mills big man and Maurice Sutton has several Big East schools interested, including one that will be looking for a new coach.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (3/31/2008)

The end of March is here…

A couple recruiting updates that center around Seton Hall and Florida also have mention of an upcoming visit for DePaul and a player interested in St. John’s. The Providence coaching search seems to becoming into focus this week as a front-runner has definitely emerged.

Also, Louisville, Marquette, Notre Dame, Villanova and West Virginia head into the offseason optimistic about their futures, but still have questions to answer before the preparations for next year can be concentrated on in full.

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