Kentucky

LaQuinton Ross leaning toward Syracuse

Words. Jason Jordan

It’s been more than a month now since junior swingman LaQuinton Ross transferred from Murrah High School (Jackson, Miss.) to Life Center Academy (Burlington, N.J.) to concentrate on bettering his grades and focus.

At Life Center he is playing alongside guard Dion Waiters, a McDonald’s All-American who is signed with Syracuse. We’re hearing from a reliable source that the move has not only benefited Ross, who’s averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds, but also helping Syracuse’s chances of landing him. MORE >

Terrence Jones will decide this spring

Words. Jason Jordan

Jefferson (Portland, Ore.) forward Terrence Jones isn’t just holding out on picking a college because he doesn’t know where he wants to go. That’s only part of it. The other reason is because he wants his teammates to get the exposure they’ll need to land scholarships.

“It’s only right,” said Jones, ranked No. 31 in the HSH national top 50. “Coaches may like what they see while they’re coming to look at me. We all help each other out like that.” MORE >

C.J. Leslie Diary: Coach drop-ins & Final Four picks

Words. C.J. Leslie

Word of God Academy (Raleigh, N.C.) star forward C.J. Leslie is the #10-rated prospect in the HSH Top 50. Previously committed to N.C. State, Leslie recently re-opened his recruiting and has opted to wait until the spring to decide on a college. That alone makes his one of the most intriguing stories in the 2010 senior class, and Leslie also happens to be one of its most exciting players.

C.J. has agreed to give HSH exclusive access and chronicle his thoughts in this bi-monthly diary where he’ll talk about everything from his season with Word of God to the recruiting process as he inches closer and closer to a decision. MORE >

“The next John Wall” switching AAU teams

Words. Jason Jordan

Upper Room Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.) point guard Rodney Purvis has decided to switch from the CP3 All-Stars AAU to the Boo Williams Summer League for the upcoming AAU season, because BWSL is allowing him to run the point exclusively.

“At this point, I want to concentrate on being a point guard full-time,” said Purvis, who will run with the 16-and-under team. “I just think it’s important for me to continue to develop.”

That might sound a bit extreme since Purvis is just a 15-year-old freshman, but when you’re good enough to be dubbed “the next John Wall” things have a way of taking off fast. MORE >

Ross transfers to New Jersey

Words. Jason Jordan

It’s been a week now since highly-touted prospect LaQuinton Ross left Murrah High (Jackson, Miss.), his hometown school, to play at Life Center Academy (N.J.) alongside Dion Waiters, a Syracuse signee.

How has the move been working out? In two games, both wins, Ross, a junior small forward and the 19th-rated player in the HSH national top 50, is averaging 22 points and 13 rebounds. Waiters, ranked No. 21, is averaging 21 points and 10 assists. MORE >

On the record with Terrence Ross

Words. Jason Jordan

Now THIS is how Terrence Ross always envisioned the scenario playing out: Big-time schools putting the full-court recruiting press on him, calling countless times, giving sales pitches, telling him how well he’d fit into a system.

“It’s what I’ve always wanted,” said Ross, a 6-6 wing from Montrose Christian in Rockville, Md. “At the same time, I didn’t know it would be this hectic. Maaaan it’s crazy! But I love it.”

Ever since Ross de-committed from Maryland two weeks ago, Kansas, Kentucky and Duke have jumped in, trying to make the Terps’ loss their gain. MORE >