6′10 2009 Ukrainian Natyazhko still looking at Pitt, ASU and Arizona

by Chris Dokish

DeJuan Blair is moving on to the NBA and left in his massive wake is a gaping hole at center. To help fill that hole, Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon and his staff are looking to IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. where 6′10″ 250 pound center Kyryl Natyazhko (pronounced KAH-rill NAT-yaz-ko) is located. The Ukrainian import, reached by phone this afternoon, disputes a recent national article in which his coach at IMG, Vince Walden, stated that his decision will come down to Arizona or Arizona State, and that his decision will likely come this weekend.

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NY Gauchos 17-U team loaded with Big East prospects head on travel trail

By Zach Smart

The New York Gauchos are back. They’re ready to stake their claim as one of the top AAU programs in the country this season. That process begins in earnest this week at the Boo Williams Invitational and will continue throughout the spring and summer.

The storied New York-based AAU program that’s produced the likes of Geoff McDermott, LeVance Fields, Edgar Sosa, Curtis Kelly and Weyinmi Efejuku, to name just a few, has reloaded and is looking to make waves with a new, front-loaded 17U team.

“That team is going to be very talented,” said Rice HS (Harlem, N.Y.) coach Moe Hicks.

“The team is stacked with players like Shane Southwell, Doron Lamb, Jason Morris, Sandro Carrisimo…Some kids from Connecticut, they just have a school of other kids that are going to be major contributors.”

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Mike Poole shines at Hoop Group Elite event on St. John’s campus with his play

By Zach Smart

Queens—An army of tri-state area talent filled St. John’s University Wednesday night, as the Hoop Group Elite concluded the tail end of their national tour.

The event unfolded with stations, drills, and routine 2-on-1 sets, getting the young guns limber before tight, fierce competition emerged.

Big ups to the Hoop Group Elite, who bills themselves as the ‘Largest Basketball Instruction Organization in the World’, for running a program successfully and in organized fashion given the time they had. The nucleus of New York/New Jersey area players honed their skills in the ultimate proving ground landscape.

Players from local NYC powerhouses like Boys & Girls HS (with head coach Ruth Lovelace in attendance) to New Jersey ballers to Connecticut prep boys all made their presence felt.

Parents took part in the event, learning about the true nature of the recruiting process.

Most of these inquiring minds walked out of the Jamaica, N.Y. campus having learned that the Division-I bound player is not a me-first player. The intangibles are a huge factor that can make or break a promising young player.

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by Ron Bailey

April 8, 2009 – The high school basketball world is still buzzing about last weekend’s National High School Invitational, an event that ended up pitting ESPN Rise’s first (Findlay Prep) and second (Oak Hill) ranked teams in championship battle. Players attending Findlay Prep (NV) - chock full of talent and the eventual winner - were featured here on NBE Basketball Report, along with those of three other schools in Part 1.

To this writer’s subsequent chagrin, the best player in the NHSI tourney was regrettably overlooked (my head needs to be examined). Maybe it had to do with a sense of envy, wishing Avery Bradley, a 6’3”, 185 pound guard was headed to the Big East. He’s not, as Texas will enroll the high school senior next year, to the entire Big 12’s consternation, as he can defend, shoot, drive and pass. Oh yeah, he can defend…really defend.

Oak Hill’s longtime coach, Steve Smith, labeled him “the best guard I’ve ever coached against”. That’s really ‘nuff said, though it stands to mention Bradley, a native of Seattle’s Rainer Beach neighborhood earned i95Ballerz.com NHSI MVP honors.

Speaking of Oak Hill (VA), a number of their players interested in the Big East or of the league’s caliber will be presented in Part 2 here; along with student athletes from Montrose Christian (MD), and St. Frances (MD), in addition to one player from Friend’s Central (PA). Be sure to access the links for more information; the all star teams were chosen impartially, with attention paid to position congruity.

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There is a lot going on these days around the Big East basketball conference. Of course, the immediate aftermath of the final four brought a quick surge of recruiting news and stories here are some of the recruiting and event stories from the last several days:

NBE Prep Corner w/ Pat Stevens (news on an upcoming visit to St. John’s for a prep school guard)
National High School Invitational Review (Part I) (A look at players from Findlay, St. Benedict’s and Mountain State Academy).
Playaz Spring Fling Review (Phase II) (article loaded with player reports and recruiting info)
Class of 2010 Intro: Kadeem Jack (Rice HS PF/C has Big East schools looking)
Class of 2010 Intro: Derrick Williams (St. Anthony’s big forward seeing some Big East schools looking)
More Talent at God’s Academy (Texas prep school has several on Big East radar, including KC Ross-Miller)
Class of 2011 Intro: Jermaine Sander (Rice HS guard getting early Big East interest)
Class of 2011 Intro: Marquis Teague (Louisville a possible destination for elite ‘11 guard)
Class of 2011 Intro: Jordan Allen (Bay Shore HS in Long Island forward receiving Big East interest)
Class of 2011 Intro: Mike Taylor (NYC guard has Big East schools lining up already)

In today’s update, there are also recruiting updates and notes on Terrell Vinson, Jonathan Graham, Jarrid Famous, Tom Droney and Kyrie Irving, as well as a look at the impact the NCAA’s decision to eliminate the April live evaluation period for Division 1-A coaches.

This time of year also brings with it player and coaching movement. Assistants are candidates for head coaching jobs, players are declaring for the NBA draft every day and early looks at next season are beginning to circulate and articles looking at high expectations, and questions, ahead for UConn, ‘Nova, Syracuse and West Virginia.

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