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ST. ANTHONY’S GUARD DUO DRAWING PLENTY OF INTEREST

As teammates with Sports U/Team Izod on the AAU circuit as well as with Hall of Famer Bob Hurley’s St. Anthony’s of Jersey City (NJ) program, Class of 2013 guards Hallice Cooke and Josh Brown have seen their recruiting profiles expand greatly over the last several months.

Brown exploded on the scene right before our eyes at the Rumble in the Bronx back in June. While many people took note of who did not show up at the Rumble, it was clear that Brown did show up and his play stood out. Brown showed he is a freak of an athlete and used his superior athleticism to make plays in all facets of the game. He’s a strong rebounder and once he grabs a defensive board it’s off to the races. An absolute blur in the open court, Brown is just as likely to dunk on an unsuspecting defender’s head as he is to make a simple bounce pass to a teammate for an easy score. In the half-court, he is simply devastating in pick and roll sets as he uses his speed to turn the corner and get to the rim and is also very adept at drawing the double team and whipping a pass to the screener for a layup.

While Brown shined in the June showing in New York, it was Cooke who impressed throughout July and was a key performer throughout in front of many college coaches. Cooke and his teammates at Sports U./Team Izod made a major splash by taking home the 16U crown at the UA Summer Jam presented by NY2LA Sports. Their championship run was culminated with a 51-48 win over the Illinois Wolves to take home the 16U Platinum Bracket Championship. Brown and Cooke want to continue their winning ways together and right now consider themselves a package deal when it comes to college recruiting.

“Recently Josh Brown and I decided that we want play in college together,” Cooke told NBE on Thursday night. “So that should shake things up a bit.”

That though was echoed by Brown just a day earlier when he updated NBE on his latest news.

“I’m wide open. but I’m also considering playing with my St. Anthony’s and Sports U teammate Hallice Cooke in college,” said Brown.

This fall St. Anthony’s has been a busy place for college coaches to stop by and watch the Class of 2013 duo work out. VCU, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Seton Hall (tickets), Temple, St. Joseph’s, Virginia Tech, Fordham and others are the schools mentioned by the pair that have come by in the last two weeks.

Brown also has a state title on his mind while he looks to progress on the court as a player as well this season.

“I’m looking forward to winning the states and improving my game,” said Brown.

Brown has previously visited Temple and plans to make another trip to the Philadelphia Big 5 program in a few weeks. Cooke is ready to embark on a more aggressive visit schedule this fall.

“I want to see as many schools as possible,” said Cooke. “I have plenty of time and who knows, new schools can call any day.”

Cooke has previously visited St. Joseph’s over the summer and now plans a visit to Virginia Tech and Richmond on the weekend of October 8th and 9th. Cooke also hopes to his St. Joe’s again as well as VCU, Virginia, Temple and “hopefully Georgia Tech” as far as visits.

While Brown declined to name any favorites or leaders, the 6-foot-3, 175-pound Cooke was more open to sharing the hierarchy of his recruitment with NBE and our readers.

“Leader is VCU,” said Cooke. “Favorites are Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Richmond, Notre Dame (tickets) and St. Joe’s.”

Neither player has a set timetable in mind for when they would like to choose and school and commit. Both hold academics in high regard in the process and Cooke explained more of what he expects his thought process to be when it is time to decide on a school.

“When I’m comfortable, I will make a decision,” said Cooke. “Factors would be the atmosphere, and I want to play with my AAU [and] high school backcourt mate Josh Brown at the next level. And most importantly ACADEMICS.”

Class of 2013 guards Hallice Cooke and Josh Brown are used to winning. Whether it is with Team Izod/Sports U on the AAU circuit or with St. Anthony’s High School, the duo finds a way to get things done. They both enjoy the success and family atmosphere both programs provide and they will look to continue that into college together. NBE will be certain to check them out this season and next year on the AAU circuit and continue to follow their progress and their recruiting story. So, even though you might be tempted to check out the Week 3 NFL Odds early and often this weekend, stay tuned right here for the latest recruiting news and notes from around the country!!