Words. High School Hoop
Rule #1 in rebuilding a once-proud college basketball tradition: You have to get talent.
For new St. John’s coach Steve Lavin, that wouldn’t seem like a huge hurdle, since he’s right in the heart of the always-deep talent pool that is New York City. But for a program that has fallen on hard times, convincing high school stars who want to win to sign a Letter of Intent is challenging, no matter the location. MORE >
Words. Jason Jordan
Before he was named Co-MVP of the Boost Mobile Elite 24 last weekend, Jesuit High (Portland, Ore.) forward Kyle Wiltjer committed to Kentucky during halftime of the game.
Wiltjer, who blew up this summer while running with the Drew Gooden Soldiers out of Oakland, picked the ‘Cats over Georgia Tech, California, Kansas, Texas, Gonzaga and Wake Forest. MORE >
Words. Jason Jordan
Victory Christian (Charlotte, N.C.) forward Montarius Hall had never played a second of AAU ball before this summer. But when his high school coach approached him about a new team he was starting, Hall was immediately intrigued.
“I had always wondered what AAU was like,” said Hall, a 6-7 rising junior. “I figured it could only help me out.”
He figured right. As his stock continues rising thank to his run with Team Charlotte this summer, Hall has Clemson, LSU, Xavier, VCU and East Carolina courting him. MORE >
Words. Jason Jordan
Brandon (Miss.) High School forward Tyler Adams said the rumors about him wavering in his commitment to Duke were “crazy” and “not true.”
“I don’t know what’s been going on,” said Adams, a rising senior who committed to the reigning national champions in late-April. “I’m solid to Duke.”
A Mississippi State fan site posted an article recently saying that the Bulldogs were still recruiting Adams, along with Georgetown. MORE >
Words. Casey Mack
After a summer where the AAU scene has been more controlled than ever, there is speculation that legendary high school power broker Sonny Vaccaro may come back to the grassroots basketball landscape.
According to Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com, Vaccaro will possibly join his fourth sneaker company upon his return. Sonny declined to name which company, but Li Ning, the Chinese sneaker giant that has endorsement deals with Baron Davis and Evan Turner, is reportedly supposed to meet with Vaccaro at some point after Labor Day.
With Sonny back in the fold, this could mean the return of ABCD camp. MORE >
Words. Jason Jordan
Life Center Academy (Burlington, N.J.) forward LaQuinton Ross and Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) guard Nick Johnson, both seniors, ended their recruitments this week.
Ross picked Ohio State and Johnson opted for Arizona. Ross averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds this past season. He also considered West Virginia and Baylor. He now joins Milton High (Alpharetta, Ga.) point guard Shannon Scott in the Buckeyes’ 2011 class to this point. MORE >
