Matt Whitfield

DANNY HURLEY TALKS RECRUITING, RUTGERS WITH NBE

Coach of national power St. Benedict’s Prep spends time discussing a few topics during Newark Invitational

St. Benedict’s Prep annually churns out some of the top prospects on the college basketball recruiting scene. Currently, some of the players that have come through the program and landed in the Big East include Samardo Samuels, Eugene Harvey, Lamar Patterson and Corey Stokes. On this year’s current team Gilvydas Biruta is committed to Rutgers on the class of 2010 and Myck Kabongo is verbally committed to Texas in the class of 2011.

While playing host to the Newark Invitational recently, an event held at the Prudential Center benefiting the Brian Doherty Scholarship Fund, the Gray Bees coach Danny Hurley took time to discuss the recruitment of several of his uncommitted players with the NBE Basketball Report as well as give some of his thoughts on Biruta and the current situation at Rutgers where head coach Fred Hill’s job status is a much-talked about topic.

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MYLES DAVIS: LOOKING OUTSIDE OF THE GARDEN STATE?

2011 NJ guard discusses recruiting options, desire to play college ball with friend Tyrone Johnson

by Matt Whitfield

At the recent Newark Invitational, St. Peter’s Prep junior (class of 2011) guard Myles Davis put on quite a show on a pretty big stage. Playing in the Prudential Center, aka ‘The Rock’, Davis poured in a game-high 31 points during an overtime loss to Christ the King.

Davis showed off his sweet shooting stroke from deep, burying four three-pointers on the afternoon, including two straight to pull his Jersey City team to a 57-all tie with 4:24 in the fourth quarter. His 12 points in the final quarter basically carried his team and willed them to overtime. Davis was forced to miss more than two minutes of OT while suffering from leg cramps and CTK was able to take advantage and hold on for the 75-72 win.

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QUINN COOK GETTING LOOKS FROM NCAA’S ELITE PROGRAMS

College basketball mega-powers have been in to see him this season with offers from top programs

By Matt Whitfield

Quinn Cook is universally regarded as one of the elite point guard prospects in the high school class of 2011. With his silky smooth handle and great court awareness, Cook, when it’s all said and done will likely be enshrined with former DeMatha Catholic guard greats of recent vintage such as Keith Bogans and Joseph Forte to come through the storied program. This season, even with the attention of being recruited by many of college basketball’s glory programs, Cook still has his eye on the prize and wants to win another City Championship with his teammates.

“I’m just focused on winning another championship this year,” stated Cook after Dematha’s gut-wrenching loss to St. Anthony’s of Jersey City in the recent Newark Invitational.

Cook also took the time to speak to the NBE Basketball Report after the game on his recruitment, the season to date and the recruiting process that has seen him become one of the most coveted players in the nation.

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OMAR CALHOUN PICKING UP ELITE RECRUITING INTEREST

2012 NYC prospect seeing UK, UNC, UCLA, ‘Zona, etc joing Big East schools on his trail

by MATT WHITFIELD

The 2010 Newark Invitational at the Prudential Center drew some of the top teams from Jersey and destinations far and near. One team that traveled from over the river to compete in Newark (NJ) was Christ the King of NYC. CTK was matched up against Jersey City (NJ) power St. Peter’s Prep and the game lived up to expectations as the boys from New York City came away with a 75-72 overtime victory.

Also living up to expectations was Christ the King sophomore forward Omar Calhoun. The 6-foot-4 sophomore guard put on a show in his match-up against highly regarded St. Peter’s Prep junior (2011) guard Myles Davis, both showing why they have bright futures on the basketball court.

For his part, Calhoun finished with 23 points, displaying a high basketball IQ for a young player and showed off an accurante and picture-esque jump shot, extending out past the three-point arc where he was four of eight on the afternoon. Calhoun has a solid size and a good frame to add more weight before getting to college. His lack of strength and weight made some of his opportunities in the lane more difficult to finish in this contest.

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MIKE SHAW RECRUITING UPDATE

More Big East schools join Louisville on the list of talented junior big man from Illinois

by MATT WHITFIELD

Chicago (IL) De La Salle High School came East last weekend to participate in the Newark Invitational at the Prudential Center in Newark (NJ). It was a showcase game pitting the Grey Bees of St. Benedict’s in Newark against the highly touted De La Salle squad that is led by one of the top prospects in the class of 2011 nationally, Mike Shaw.

The 6-foot-8 F/C had a productive game, using his long and athletic body to accrue 19 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals in the contest. Shaw has the look of an athlete and a body that should allow him to make an early impact at the college level.

Once thought of as a package deal with Mac Irvin Fire AAU teammate and 2011 Louisville-commit Wayne Blackshear, Shaw is keeping his options open and expanding his list, looking at additional schools from the Big East in the process.

“I really don’t care where I play [at the next level],” said Shaw when asked if conference affiliation will play a role in his decision. “I’m just taking my time with it and seeing what’s out there.”

Louisville remains a school on his list and Shaw also mentioned interest in Texas, Florida, USC, Providence, Xavier, Connecticut and Villanova when talking with NBE on Saturday.

Shaw has been to Texas, Illinois, Southern Illinois amd Louisville for unofficial visits.

Shaw will be back on the AAU circuit this spring with Mac Irvin Fire and NBE will be certain to catch up with him again in the future to see how his recruiting is progressing.

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COREY EDWARDS SEEING BIG EAST INTEREST

Christ the King junior guard hopes to play college basketball in Big East

by MATT WHITFIELD

Saturday at the Newark Invitational at the Prudential Center saw some exciting basketball action. Near the top of the list was Christ the King’s 75-72 overtime win over St. Peter’s Prep.

Scoring five of Christ the King’s 10 overtime points was junior point guard Corey Edwards, who finished with 14 in the game. Edwards showed his ability to drive past defenders and find the open man or draw contact going to the rim. On Saturday, 12 of his 14 points came from the foul line. Edwards flashes the ‘NYC’ handle and has no problem going left or right with the ball in his hands.

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NEXT AT GUARD U, MAALIK WAYNS CONTRIBUTING NOW

Villanova freshman guard Wayns off to a good start in college career for Jay Wright

By Matt Whitfield

Since arriving at Villanova, Jay Wright has implemented a system that attracts high quality guards. Everyone remembers the four-guard attack and with players like Kyle Lowery, Randy Foye, Allan Ray and Mike Nardi and the tradition continues now with Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher spearheading the Wildcats attack.

A player expected to continue the tradition is Maalik Wayans, a freshman point guard from Philadelphia’s Roman Catholic High School. Wayns, a McDonald’s All American in high school, is making his impact felt early at the college level. Wayns was a priority target of Big East rivals such as Pittsburgh and West Virginia, but knew where he wanted to go and committed early in the process to ‘Nova when the Wildcats offered a scholarship in his sophomore year of high school.

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VILLANOVA GETS COMFORTABLE, BEATS ST. JOHNS IN MSG

by MATT WHITFIELD

St. John’s started it’s toughest stretch of the season Saturday when they took on No. 4 Villanova Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden. With three of their next four games, starting today, against ranked opponents, this surely could be a stretch that defines their season.

Villanova started off the game with an opening 14-5 run, led by Corey Fisher’s six points, in the first 4:34 of the contest.

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SETON HALL HOLDS OFF LOUISVILLE FOR KEY WIN

by MATT WHITFIELD

New York natives Bobby Gonzalez and Rick Pitino squared off Thursday night as Seton Hall and Louisville clashed in a Big East conference match-up at the Prudential Center in Newark (NJ). Both teams hit the floor in desperate need of a win.

The Cardinals, 3-2 in the Big East, entered the game coming off back-to-back losses to Villanova, in a game which they led by as many as 17 in the first half, and to Pittsburgh in overtime on Saturday, a game they led by five points with 40 seconds left in regulation.

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POPE, SETON HALL LOOKING TO COMPLETE REBOUND (UPDATED)

by MATT WHITFIELD

Under Bobby Gonzalez, Seton Hall has finished in the bottom half of the Big East for the past three years. With five of their top six scorers from last season returning, along with the additions of highly talented transfers Herb Pope, Keon Lawrence and Jeff Robinson, the 2009-2010 Pirates had loftier expectations.

A tough early portion of the Big East schedule has left SHU 1-4 in Big East action, with all losses coming against ranked opponents. Overall the Pirates have lost six of their last eight games, leaving their NCAA Tournament aspirations very much in doubt. On Thursday night they take on Louisville at the Prudential Center in Newark (NJ) with hopes of kick-starting their season back into gear. It was just over a month ago that Seton Hall was 8-0 until a December 19th loss to Temple started their slide.

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BIG APPLE BASKETBALL INVITATIONAL: MONDAY

by MATT WHITFIELD

Just like the Hoophall Classic on Monday where the hyped main event of St. Patrick’s and Findlay Prep lived up to the hype, the showcase game of the 7th annual Big East Basketball Invitational wowed the crowd as Dix Hills West of Long Island outlasted Bishop Loughlin 75-72 in overtime. Here is the full scoreboard from Monday’s action:

Long Island Lutheran (NY) 60, Forest Hills (NY) 49
Academy of the New Church (PA) 85, Impact Academy (NV) 70
Life Center Academy (NJ) 72, Hotchkiss (CT) School 54
Plymouth-Whitemarsh (PA) 63, St. Raymond’s (NY) 54
Dix Hills West (NY) 75, Bishop Loughlin (NY) 72 OT

Below are some player evaluations and recruiting notes from the action at Baruch College on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

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2011 NYC PROSPECTS RHOOMES, TAYLOR LIKE BIG EAST

Ryan Rhoomes and Mike Taylor both like style of play in the Big East conference

by Matt Whitfield

The 7th annual Big Apple Basketball High School Invitational was held over the weekend (Saturday & Monday) at Baruch College in New York City. With many top prospects from New York City and across the prep landscape competing in one place there was plenty of recruiting story lines to report on. A pair of New York City players, both in the class of 2011, spent time on Saturday with the NBE Basketball Report and expressed a strong desire to wind up in the Big East basketball conference when they play at the next level.

Cardozo 6-foot-8 big man Ryan Rhoomes was a key contributor in the Judges’ 66-57 win over St. Raymond’s and Boys & Girls High School guard Mike Taylor, as usual, had a hand in the Kangaroos’ 53-40 win over Long Island Lutheran to close out Saturday’s action. Afterwards each spent a few moments updating their recruitment picture for NBE readers.

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BIG APPLE BASKETBALL HIGH SCHOOL INVITATIONAL: SATURDAY

by MATT WHITFIELD

The 7th annual Big Apple Basketball High School Invitational got underway on Saturday at Baruch College in New York City with four anticipated match-ups. The action drew Villanova head coach Jay Wright into NYC to see one of his 2010 commitments in action as well as a good crowd of hoop fans.

Saturday’s Scoreboard:

Wings Academy 87, Peekskill 63
Winchendon Academy 84, Impact Academy 53
Benjamin Cardozo 66, St. Raymond’s 57
Boys & Girls 53, Long Island Lutheran 40

The action picks up again today, Monday, with five big-time match-ups, highlighted by the nightcap pitting Bishop Loughlin, led by another Villanova commitment for the class of 2010 Jayvaughn Pinkston, against Dix Hills West of Long Island, led by Tobias Harris. Here is Monday’s schedule:

12 Noon: LI Lutheran vs. Forest Hills HS
1:45 PM: Impact Academy vs. Academy of the New Church
3:30 PM: Life Center Academy vs. Hotchkiss School
5:15 PM: Plymouth-Whitemarsh vs. St. Raymond’s
7:00 PM: Half Hollow Dix Hills West vs. Bishop Loughlin

Below are some notes from Saturday’s action…

Markus Kennedy, a 2010 commitment for Villanova had his future head coach Jay Wright making the trip to NYC to catch him in action as he is suiting up for Winchendon School this year. Kennedy showed the ability to find the open man out of the post, displaying good court awareness. His impact in college will be determined by his ability to improve his conditioning and his body for the Big East and the ‘Nova system.
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Another player of Big East interest with Winchendon is native New Yorker Angel Nunez.
Nunex did not start in Saturday’s game against Impact Academy but made an impact with his tenacious style and tight defense. His length (7-foot-1 wingspan) and athletic ability allows him to guard almost any player on the court and with added weight (he is still on the skinny side) the sky is the limit in terms of potential. Nunez showed good court awareness and leadership qualities by being vocal, yet composed, on the court on Saturday. The 2011 prospect played well on both ends of the floor, has a solid jumpshot and ran the floor with ease. Not afraid to go in the paint, either.

According to Nunez, St. John’s, Rutgers, Connecticut, Providence, Louisville, Indiana, West Virginia, Arkansas and Florida have offered scholarships with Kentucky and Wake Forest having interest.

“The list is still wide open,” added Nunez of his recruitment as he plans to “narrow it down to 7 or 8 schools during the summer.”

Nunez also added that he is projected to be 6-foot-10 and former Louisville star Francisco Garcia is a mentor to him.
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Khem Birch is a 2012 big man prospect for Winchendon School. The native of Montreal, Canada is long and lean, but has a frame to work with that should fill out nicely in time. Showed good speed, especially for a big man and solid court awareness on Saturday.

While they are many schools taking an early look at Birch, who is likely to develop into one of the nation’s most sought after recruits in 2012, he mentioned on Saturday that he has received interest from Connecticut, Villanova, Arizona State, Baylor and Providence, where he has taken an unofficial visit to.
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One of the more intriguing players to watch in the class of 2012 is St. Raymond’s G/F Nkeruwem Okoro. Okoro is solidly built and could be a powerful small forward in the future. He has a tenacious look about him and plays with that type of demeanor. Not afraid to battle with the big men in the paint, despite being just 6-foot-4.

“I think he’s projected as a wing player [in college],” St. Raymond’s coach Oliver Antigua told NBE Saturday. “He’s 6-4 about 205 [and] he can really get after it, were trying to work on his skills to develop his position. I think he’ll eventually improve his shot which will help him extend on the wing, but he’s still gonna grow.”

Okoro seldom looked to shoot from the perimeter on Saturday, preferring to attack the basket in transition for most of his offensive opportunities. He has the ability to go coast to coast with the ball, but it can also result in some sloppy turnovers.

As far as his recruiting, Okoro is receiving early interest from Kentucky, Arizona, Pittsburgh, Marquette and Villanova, as well as an offer from St. John’s.
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St. Raymond’s junior (2011) guard Devin Brooks showed the ability to lead a fast break with excellent ballhandling ability, going right or left, in transition. Brooks has a solid build for a high school junior. According to coach Antigua, Brooks has an offer from St. John’s and interest from Virginia Tech and Hofstra.
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Another of St. Ray’s young guns is 6-foot-5 sophomore forward Daniel Dingle. Dingle has an offer from Hofstra, and interest from St. John’s, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Virginia and Kentucky, according to Antigua.
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NEXT ST. PATRICK’S STAR: AUSTIN COLBERT

Bad news for opponents, St. Patrick’s isn’t slowing down a bit

by MATT WHITFIELD

While Kyrie Irving is departing this year, as is the coach’s son, Kevin Boyle Jr, the Celtics still have serious talent waiting in the wings. That is because for the next year, not only will the Elizabeth (NJ) program have the No. 1 ranked player nationally in the class of 2011, Michael Ghilchrist, but they’ll also be playing with the No. 1 ranked 2013 prospect, Austin Colbert. What’s a scary thought is Colbert could possibly be better than Ghilchrist, a player some last year called the best high schooler nationally, regardless of class, before he is done.

St. Patrick’s has a history of producing good basketball players. Current NBA players Al Harrington and Samuel Dalembert attended St. Patrick’s and current college players Corey Fisher (of Villanova0 and Dexter Strickland also highlight notable alumni of the program.

Colbert and Ghilchrist seem like a lock to continue this trend and the duo show early potential as future NBA draft picks.

“His potential is through the roof,” Irving told NBE of Colbert this weekend after the impressive frosh scored 11 points as St. Patrick’s buried previously unbeaten Trenton Catholic 78-52 at the Scholarship Fund for Inner-Children Festival at Kean University’s Harwood Arena in Union. Colbert came off the bench and in the absence of Gilchrist, who missed the contest with a knee injury, received increased playing time that he took advantage of.

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SETON HALL HOLDS OFF CINCINNATI RALLY

by MATT WHITFIELD

Although the Big East is early in conference play, Saturday’s game meant a lot to both Seton Hall and Cincinnati. The Pirates 9-5, and 0-3 in Big East play, and the Bearcats, 11-4, and 2-1 in the Big East, each needed a win Saturday to strengthen NCAA Tournament hopes.

Cincinnati was the aggressor early on Deonta Vaughn scored 9 of his team’s first 17 points and the Bearcats would have as much as a ten-point lead. Seton Hall, despite going on a nearly a four-minute scoreless run, answered Cincinnati with a 13-0 run and took their first lead of the game with a made Jeremy Hazell free throw at the 5:53 mark, to make the game 27-26. Seton Hall then went on their own run, outscoring Cincinnati 12-4, which included a pretty looking alley-oop from Eugene Harvey to Jeremy Hazell, as the Pirates walked into the locker room up nine, 39-30, at halftime.

The teams went back and forth to start the second half. Lance Stephenson, who had a relativity quiet first half with only five points, had six of his teams first ten and helped the Bearcats barely keep their foot in the game, still being down 12 points, 52-40. The Bearcats kept scoring led by the hot hand of Cashmere Wright, but the Pirates used Hazell’s seven straight points to hold a 60-48 lead near the twelve minute mark. From here the Bearcats went on several runs, including trimming the SHU lead to just four with just under a minute left, but the Pirates lead by their solid interior play and scorching hot hand of Jeremy Hazell did not back down. The Pirates went on to win 83-76.

Jeremy Hazell led the Pirates with 33 and Deonta Vaughn led Cincinnati with 20. Herb Pope was also key in this game with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Additional game coverage from Newark to follow…

STERLING GIBBS LOOKING TO CUT LIST, VISIT SCHOOLS

by MATT WHITFIELD

One of the most highly touted players of last weekend’s ‘New Year’s Jump Off’ hosted by the Playaz Basketball Club AAU program, run by Jimmy Salmons, was Seton Hall Prep point guard Sterling Gibbs. While scoring 27 points in the Prep’s 73-56 win over High Tech, Gibbs certainly lived up to his advanced billing.

SHP used a 19-3 run in the fourth quarter that broke a 46-all tie to claim the victory over the Lasercats. Gibbs added five assists and four rebounds to his stat line and was supported by 6-foot-5 SHP senior John Caprio, who exploded for 23 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists as the Pirates turned back a High Tech squad coached by Steve Ricciardi, a former SHP star.

In this contest, Gibbs displayed his fancy and quick ball-handling skills as usual. Sterling looked very composed on the floor and displayed good court awareness as well with the defense keying on stopping him first. He was very, very aggressive, capable of taking it hard to the rack and splitting defenses like the Red Sea. These traits helped Sterling make 13 trips to the foul line where he cashed in 11 times as part of his 27 points. Although he did not connect on a three-pointer in this contest, he showed his excellent range. Still just a junior (2011 class), Gibbs has time to add some weight and strength which will be needed at the high-major 1-A level.

Sterling, the younger brother of Pitt sophomore guard and NBE’s reigning Big East Player of the Week, specifically mentioned to NBE he has scholarship offers from Pittsburgh, Indiana, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Rutgers and Virginia, among others. Gibbs also told NBE he looks to cut his list down after this season.

Gibbs has taken visits to Pittsburgh, Villanova, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Rutgers and is looking to visit Wake Forest and Maryland this winter for games.

Other ‘New Year’s Jump-off’ Coverage:
-Lakewood’s Jarrod Davis Impresses at Playaz Event
-Bosco/Plainfield Contest Thrills at Playaz Event
-Paterson Catholic Beats St. Peter’s Prep in Playaz Headliner

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LAKEWOOD’S JARROD DAVIS IMPRESSES AT PLAYAZ EVENT

by MATT WHITFIELD

Last weekend Teaneck (NJ) High School played host to the ‘New Year’s Jump Off’ hosted by the Playaz Basketball Club AAU program, run by Jimmy Salmons. The exciting event drew some of the area’s top high school programs and the day’s first game got the event off to an exciting start.

Hackensack High School took on Lakewood High School in the noon showdown on Sunday afternoon. A low-scoring affair saw Hackensack claw their way back gradually to tie the score at 45-all sending the contest into overtime. Lakewood’s star player Jarrod Davis ignited a 10-0 run to start the extra period with a three-pointer and the Piners held off Alex George’s barrage of three three-pointers in the extra session to hold on for a 58-56 win. It was Lakewood’s (1-3) first win of the season for the school from New Jersey’s Shore Conference in Ocean County.

Davis finished the contest with 16 points and 14 rebounds. As a junior forward, Davis has an adequate frame but will need to hit the weights to contribute right away at a high-major program. In this contest, Davis displayed a knack for grabbing offensive and defensive boards, rebounding in heavy traffic as well. He was able to use his size to his advantage under the boards in this contest.

Davis also showed decent court awareness with the ability to handle a defense that double-teamed him at times and knew where to go with the basketball. Mixed with fair speed and a handle not blazing, but Jarrod turns it on when he needs too. On Sunday, Davis didn’t take too many outside shots, as when he did shoot he looked to drive or get close to the rim, but showed the ability to step outside with the overtime three-pointer that started the game-clinching run for the Piners.

Always known for a lenghty college list, Davis did not disappoint as following the contest he told NBE he has offers from Providence, St. John’s, St. Joesph’s, Siena, Seton Hall, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, and Maryland. Davis also mentioned interest from North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Penn State and Marquette. Told NBE he has visited Fordham as well and he grew up liking John Calapri’s, “dribble-drive offense.”

On the AAU circuit, Davis was a running mate of St. Partrick star and Duke-commit Kyrie Irving with the NJ Roadrunners.

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BIG APPLE BASKETBALL CHALLENGE: SUNDAY

by MATT WHITFIELD

This past weekend on the campus of Baruch College, Big Apple Basketball hosted their 6th annual Big Apple Basketball Challenge where eight NYC teams from the Catholic League (CHSAA) took on eight opposing teams from the NYC Public School Athletic League (PSAL). With bragging rights on the line, the results were split right down the middle with the PSAL and CHSAA representatives each winning four games. NBE Sports was at Baruch College for the action on Sunday, and here is our report…

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HOOP GROUP FALL JAM FEST RECRUITING NOTES

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There was some hoops on this basketball Saturday courtesy of the Hoop Group who welcomed teams to the RAC on the Rutgers campus (as well as a couple local high school gyms) for their 2009 Fall Jam Fest.

NBE was represented by Matt Whitfield who spent a good portion of the day getting caught up with some of the local talent that made this another excellent event put on by The Hoop Group.

Below are the recruiting notes Matt gathered during his time Saturday at the Fall Jam Fest…

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DESMOND HUBERT RECRUITING UPDATE

Class of 2011 NJ Playaz big man is seeing recruiting stock soar

One of the fastest rising players in the eyes of college coaches is the NJ Playaz big man Desmond Hubert. He has quickly become of one the most highly recruited post players in the 2011 class and he told NBE’s Matt Whitfield Saturday at the Hoop Group Fall Jam Fest at the RAC that he has “about 10 offers” and named Villanova, Pittsburgh, Miami, West Virginia, Penn State, Cincinnati, Xavier, St. Joe’s, Virginia Tech, Providence and St. John’s as the offering schools.

Hubert is also getting “medium interest” from North Carolina, who is sending an assistant to his high school on Monday to watch him workout, and Duke. In early November, he will make an unofficial visit to both schools along with North Carolina State and Wake Forest, two schools showing “high interest.”

Hubert also has a trip planned to Maryland coming up as well as November 7th to Penn State for their football game with Ohio State and then the following weekend he is planning to visit Pittsburgh when their football program hosts Notre Dame.

Additional schools showing interest in Hubert include Harvard, Princeton, Texas, Connecticut, Kansas, Georgetown, Kentucky, Rutgers, Purdue, Indiana, Clemson, among others.

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