Update on . . . DeAndre Liggins and Michael Peck

I spoke to Findlay College Prep (NV) Head Coach Michael Peck within the hour and received some good information regarding the up-and-coming prep power as a whole, and one of its top outgoing players. Coach Peck told me that he is looking into a player from Puerto Rico who thinks "may be a good fit for the program," but that the transfer is not finalized. The graduating player that I discussed with Coach Peck is 6'6 guard DeAndre Liggins '08, a Kentucky-signee. Liggins' eligibility for next year is up in the air, so I inquired of Coach Peck whether or not his star senior had qualified, to which he told me: "We're still waiting to hear." Findlay's head man does not know when he will find out about the outcome of DeAndre's situation. The top-notch guard did receive his test scores and all the information is in the hands of the NCAA. I will keep you updated on Liggins' status.

Scouting Report on Mike Spence

The Nia School (NJ) had two teams at the Hoop Group Showcase this weekend. Mike Spence, a 6'10 power forward who played with the school's Blue team, was easily the squad's best player in its game against Lakewood (NJ). In the first half, Spence dropped 10 points, and his team was in a commanding lead, that went up to as much as 18 in the second 16 minutes of play. Although Nia Blue did blow its lead, Spence still performed well. The big man was strong in the post and always took the ball up with using his strength, yet the most noticeable part of his game had nothing to do with his talent. Rather, it was his extreme intensity. Spence was vocal, and got hyped up whenever he'd score, especially when the game got tight. Some people may take this as a negative, but I definitely saw it as a psotive, as Spence was really into the game. At points, Spence did seem a big awkward on the court, but he more than made up for it with his play. Physically, the soon-to-be post grad player was lanky with long arms. He is a pure low-post player without much of an outside game. Spence isn't juts big, he is smart on the court. He post ups prior to getting the ball to get into good position, and he is aware, specifically of the three second rule. Rebounding-wise, the Nia big man was solid on the offensive glass. Defensively, Mike was, not surprisingly, a quality shot blocker, as he utilized his size and long arms well. Spence's 13 second half points gave him 23 in the game as a whole. The 6'10 post player does not seem to be particularly raw, so its likely that he may not improve all the much in his season at Nia. I'd say that Mike would nice at a low-major DI school, but only time will tell.

Update on . . . Brandon Jennings

Within the last half hour, I spoke with Arizona-commit Brandon Jennings. I asked him if he is considered with the current state of the program, and whether all the turnover--all three assistant coaches are gone and two players have de-committed--worries him. He told me that he is not concerned and and is still planning on heading to Arizona, unlike fellow Wildcat-commit Emmanuel Negedu who was released from his Letter of Intent. Jennings told me that he did not have much of a relationship with the big man, and had not even heard of the player who de-committed from the class of '09, Abdul Gaddy. As well, I asked Jennings whether or not he has heard about his eligibility for next year, which was in question after his test scores were flagged. He informed me that he has not yet heard the result on the matter, yet expects to find out next week. If he is not eligible, he is not sure what he will do next year. The Jennings situation will be an interesting one to watch, and I'll keep you posted on it.

Update on . . . Ryan Pearson

Soon-to-be George Mason Patriot Ryan Pearson was one of the top players in New York this past season. Pearson, a 6'5 senior from Christ the King (NY), has a terrific inside-outside game that will lead him to eventually become one of the best players in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). In my opinion, Pearson is one of the most underrated ballers in the nation. In fact, I asked Ryan how he would respond if someone were to call him America's most underrated player. Pearson said he wasn't sure because he hadn't heard that before, so I asked him what he thought after hearing it for the first time: "I don't feel I am the most underrated. . . . I feel I am underrated to a certain extent." The CTK star is right that he may not be the most underrated baller in the US, bit he's also correct in saying that he is underrated. Ryan Pearson is a kid that will have a major impact for GMU and will make some noise on a national level. I asked Pearson if he had been worried about George Mason Head Coach Jim Larranaga taking the job at Providence: "I was when I first heard about it, but then he kept me posted the whole time [and] told me [that] he wasn't going [anywhere]." Pearson is a player who will thrive at the mid-major level, and he will do well under the tutelage of Larranaga. Although he likely won't bring the Patriots back to the Final Four, a few CAA titles and some NCAA Tournament wins are strong possibilities for Pearson and Co. while he is at George Mason. Remember the name: Ryan Pearson.

Markieff Morris- Rasheed Wallace Without the Temper?

Markieff Morris, a 6'10 post-grad forward from APEX Academies, is the taller of the twin brothers who will be heading to Kansas next season. Markieff is a talented player with a solid all-around game, and--like his brother--is one of the premiere post-grads in the nation. Morris' Stan Jones, Inc. AAU squad was at the Providence Jam Fest a few weeks ago. As Markieff and his teammates were waiting around for their game, I took the opportunity to sit down with the big man and discuss basketball, his game, and more.

NB: What has driven you to continue playing AAU basketball? You’ve already signed with a school, . . . you’re set for college, [so] why continue playing?
MarkM: I just [get] bored, really. I work out a lot, and I . . . just wanting to get away, anticipating . . . our rival at school, so I just [am] playing, just to play.

NB: What are some of your interests outside of basketball?
MarkM: Girls, [and] I [am] with my boys all the time. That’s it really.

NB: What do you consider to be the strongest point of your game?
MarkM: I would say my post play, but I can shoot the three real [well, also]. So, I would say my post play.

NB: What [is] . . . your biggest weakness?
MarkM: Getting up and down the floor all the time.

NB: How are you going to try to work on that at Kansas?
MarkM: I [will] just run, get up in the morning, get up in the morning and run miles [and] run sprints, and do that everyday to get my body in shape so I can be ready.

NB: How do you and Marcus maintain that teammate bond and that brother bond at the same time?
MarkM: Well, we [have] been playing together . . . since we started [playing], so it always was there, so it’s nothing really.

NB: Who would you compare your game to out of all current college or NBA players?
MarkM: Rasheed Wallace.

NB: Why Rasheed [Wallace]?
MarkM: Because he can shoot the three, and he can post-up real [well].

NB: When you’re watching him play, do you try to emulate him [and] watch what he’s doing and try to do that in your game, or do you just think that your [game is] just comparable?
MarkM: I try to imitate him a little bit, but Rasheed [has] got [a] real bad temper, so I try not to lose my temper on the court, but . . . I [have] met him a couple [of] times. He’s a great role model, and that’s who I try to imitate.

NB: What was it like for you to meet him the first time?
MarkM: It was kind of big, but it was kind of [a] good way to meet him, but . . . I was really in school, so I just surprised that he was there, and I liked him.

NB: Give me one word to sum up your game.
MarkM: [Pause] Do-it-all.

Markieff clearly likes Rasheed Wallace, and he is a good player to play like. 'Sheed is one of the top forwards in the NBA, and has helped lead the Pistons to the top of the Eastern Conference in the 21st century. As Morris noted, Wallace does does have a temper problem, though. As long as Markieff Morris keeps his temper in check and keeps playing like Rasheed, he might just follow him to the League.

Note- photo is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/

Update on . . . Erving Walker

Erving Walker, a soon-to-be Florida Gator, was kind enough to take some time to talk with me last week and give me an update on how he is doing. Walker is undersized for a basketball player--he stands just 5'8--but the Christ the King (NY) senior makes up for it with his talent on the court. I asked Erving about how he thinks playing for UF Head Coach Billy Donovan, a small guard in his own right when he played, will help him: "I think that it [will] help me a lot . . . [and he will be able to] give me tips." Points guards such as Walker love to have big men to throw the ball to down low, and Walker will certainly have a load of those by his sophomore year in Gainsville. Billy Donovan is putting together a monster recruiting class for the class of 2009 that includes Georgetown transfer and former high school star 6'9 Vernon Macklin, 6'10 Erik Murphy, and 6'9 DeShawn Painter. In addition, Donovan's 2008 haul includes 6'8 Allan Chaney, 6'10 Kenneth Kadji, and 6'10 Eloy Vargas. I asked Walker what he thought about the big man commitments that Donovan has already received from the class of '09 studs: "I think that [is] great, especially [for] me, being a little guy, you can never have too many big men. . . . I already have a relationship with Erik Murphy." Along with these six bigs, the Gators already have sophomore-to-be Alex Tyus on the roster. Florida will not be hurting for height while Walker is there. Walker won't have to worry about carving out some playing time from all the big men, but he will need to try to fit in the guard rotation, and with sophomores-to-be Jai Lucas and Nick Calathes there, playing time may be scarce for Walker as a freshman in 2008-09. "Coach [Donovan] told me [that] the playing is there. I just have to come in and work hard," is what Walker said when I asked him what he thinks his playing time will be like his first year at UF. Some big news about the Gators a few months ago was Billy Donovan's punishment of the squad, which included not allowing them to wear UF gear or use the practice facility. I inquired of Walker what he thought of the steps that his future coach used for his team: "At first, I though thought it was pretty harsh, but I thought, 'Coach, he knows what he [is] doing." So, it appears that Erving will be able to handle whatever Donovan throws his way. Walker will be one of the Player Diary writers here, so you will get to know him a lot better as time progresses.

Note- player information is from http://www.rivals.com/

Marcus Morris- You Can Call Him the "Better" Brother, but He Won't

Marcus Morris, a 6'9 post-grad forward from APEX Academies (NJ), and his twin brother Markieff will both be heading to Kansas next year to play for the NCAA Champions The two originally signed with the Memphis Tigers, but elected to take the prep school route prior to heading off to college. Both of them are fine talents, but Marcus is generally regarded as the better of the two, and here is some evidence that that's the thought:

http://www.rivals.com/: Marcus- #29 in class of '08
Markieff- #50 in class of '08

http://scouthoops.scout.com/: Marcus- #2 post-grad
Markieff- #7 post-grad

http://hoopscooponline.com/: Marcus- #3 post-grad
Markieff- #5 post-grad

Those are three well thought of websites, all of whom rank Marcus ahead of Markieff. The "better" brother, though, does not look at it this way. I know this, as I was able to talk with Marcus at the Providence Jam Fest a few weeks ago, where he and his brother were playing with Stan Jones, Inc. in the Open Division.

AS: You’re wearing all your Jordan Classic stuff, what did it mean to you to get selected to play in that game?
MarcM: It was a good game, it was a good honor. Somebody noticed that we [my brother Markieff Morris and I are] . . . good, so we just played in it and [I] got MVP, actually.

NB: What went into the decision for you [and Markieff] . . . to go to APEX, rather than going to Memphis, the school you’d originally signed with?
MarcM: We just thought we needed another year of prep school to get better and stronger, and just [to work on our] all-around game.

NB: What went into you guys eventually choosing to sign with Kansas?
MarcM: The style of play and the atmosphere, . . . and the coaches.

NB: Was Memphis a school that you two just didn’t consider after attending APEX?
MarcM: Yeah, yeah, . . . that’s about right.

NB: Was there ever any doubt in your mind that you weren’t going to go to college with Markieff?
MarcM: No, . . . since we were going to college, we knew we were going together.

NB: Was it, with schools, you guys were telling them ‘it’s a package deal, both or none?’
MarcM: Yeah.

NB: Why is it so important to you to be playing with your brother? . . . Does it . . . elevate your game?
MarcM: Yeah, it makes us better, playing together with each other, so we always know where each other at on the floor, and we just play a lot better with each other.

NB: How do you think that all the exits that Kansas is . . . having this year, with Brandon Rush [and other underclassmen] leaving? . . . How is that going to affect you two coming in as freshman?
MarcM: I think it’s going to affect us [well]. I just think it’s just a great opportunity to step in and play right away, so I just think that’s going to be a great opportunity for us, me and my brother.

NB: Watching Memphis play Kansas in the [NCAA] National Championship, the school the you originally signed with vs. the school you’re going to, what was that experience like for you?
MarcM: That was a great experience. . . . I actually thought about it. . . . It was a coincidence that the two schools I was going to [were] playing each other, and all I thought in my mind was [that whichever one] . . . wins is the school that I’m supposed to be at.

NB: With all the talk of ‘Bill Self [and] Oklahoma St., he’s going to Oklahoma St.,’ what was your thought on all that? Were you worried or was--?
MarcM: Bill actually called me. Coach Self actually called me and told me that he was going to stay and I didn’t have nothing to worry about. So, I thought it was just a great opportunity, and I knew, and I trusted in what he was saying.

NB: Do you ever compare yourself to your brother? Do you ever look at it that way?
MarcM: No, I never [do that]. We never compare ourselves, we just [are] both great players, and great all-around players.

NB: What do you consider to be the forte of your game, your strongest point?
MarcM: I think . . . I have a pull-up jumpshot, a great pull-up jumpshot, and I can . . . get to the hole very easily, and I can play good defense.

NB: What do you think you’re going to have to work on the most . . . in the college game?
MarcM: Playing harder, I think, getting up and down the floor.

NB: What went into your decision to go to APEX? There’s a lot of prep schools out there, [with] APEX [being] one of the lesser known schools. Why APEX?
MarcM: I just trusted in the owners, and I knew that they would get me better, and . . . just left it at that, so I put my career in their hands, and they made it happen.

NB: Do you have any goals for your college career? If so, what are they?
MarcM: I got every goal like everyone else thinks, I want to make it to the NBA, but if it don’t work out, . . . just get a degree, and maybe get a good job, a well-paying job.

NB: Do you plan on going for all four years?
MarcM: I hope not. If I have to I will, but I hope . . . I don’t have to, and if I play hard, I don’t think I will [have to].

NB: Do you have a plan for how many years you’re going to come out after?
MarcM: No, I just say ‘whatever time is good for me to come out, that’s when I [will] come out.’

For the brothers, it clearly isn't about being the better sibling. Rather, it's about being the best possible basketball players they can be. If it was all about being better, would the two be choosing to go to college together rather than making their own names at different schools? Scouting services, websites, fans, and others may think that Marcus is the better one of the Morris twins, but his mentality says otherwise. Marcus doesn't compare himself to his brother. As long as Marcus Morris keeps up this mindset and tries to be as good as he possibly can, he may well have a bright future on the hardwood.

Note- photo is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/

Update on . . . Julian Diaz

Here is a quick update on 6'3 senior Julian Diaz for you. If you'll recall, the Notre Dame (NJ) baseball star and Villanova-signee was considering attempting to walk-on to Jay Wright's basketball squad at Villanova. Yesterday I inquired of Diaz what his decision on the matter is. He told me this: “I was thinking about it, but I made my decision to not try and walk on there because it would be too hard to balance two sports and schoolwork.” Thus, don't expect to see Diaz suiting up for the Wildcats when basketball season rolls around.

Update on . . . Chris Braswell

Georgetown will have to wait an extra year to get Hargrave Military Academy (VA) forward Chris Braswell. The stud senior big man will post-grad for a year prior to heading to the NCAA. The gentle giant will stay at the same school, and his reasoning for choosing to post-grad is just to "better [himself] for another year." The decision, which was made "about two weeks ago," included input from Chris "mom, [AAU coach] Steve Stevens, and [his] grandmother." Fans of the Hoyas have nothing to worry about, though, as Braswell still plans on playing for John Thompson III for his college ball. In fact, I asked whether other players committing there in the class of 2009, such as recent commit DaShonte Riley, would impact his decision: "I'm going there, period. It don't matter if anybody else [is] going there. . . . Nobody else [is] going to change my mind on what school I want to go to." As for JT III's opinion on Chris' decision, Braswell told me that the coach thought "it would be kind of better for me . . . become more prepared for college, . . . doing another year here wouldn't really hurt me." While at Hargrave, Chris is mainly planning on getting "more moves in . . . [the] low post, stepping out a little bit. . . mid-range [game] . . . work on [his] handling." Hargave won the Prep National Championships this season, and will have a legitimate chance at repeating the feat next year, and another undefeated season may not be out of the question either. Although the squad will lose a few players, including Mississippi St.-bound Dee Bost, Head Coach Kevin Keatts' squad will be bringing in at least a couple of impact transfers: DeShawn Painter and, according to Braswell, recent Indiana-commit "Maurice Creek," will being playing in Chatham next year as well. Next season, Chris wants to "hopefully get another ring." I inquired of Braswell how it would be playing down on the post with Painter, a stud member of the class of 2009, and he told me this: "[I] can't pre-determine it too much, but it'll be a good low post area. . . . We'll make it work, we'll start becoming a family." The team certainly has the capability to repeat as national champs, and Chris Braswell will be a main part of the team's ability to do so. Then, he will try to help the Georgetown Hoyas make a run for a national title. Although Chris Braswell's choice to wait an extra year before going to college, he will only be stronger, bigger, and flat-out better.

Update on . . . Marc Miller

Marc Miller, a 6'6 senior center from North Salem (NY) has made his college choice. Miler, a third team all-class B selection in New York according to http://varsityinsider.lohudblogs.com/, will be heading to Georgia to play for Emory. "I am going to Emory University because of its strong undergraduate business school, its very active campus, and the strong outlook of the basketball program. I formed great relationships with the coaching staff and players and there is no doubt in my mind that this is where I want to be," said Miller. The big man will get a quality education at Emory, while also having the opportunity to play college basketball. Marc Miller is destined for success, whether it be on of off the hardwood.

Mike Rosario- The New Face of Rutgers Basketball

Mike Rosario, a 6'3 senior guard from St. Anthony's (NJ), will take his game to Rutgers next year. As soon as the McDonald's All-American steps foot on the RU campus, he will be a celebrity. That's part of the territory when you go to a school as one of its most highly touted recruits ever. Rosario is well equipped to handle the pressure, having played his high school ball in the Garden State, and competing for state and national titles with Bob Hurley's powerhouse program. In fact, the Friars were seemingly the unanimous choice as national champion and number one overall ranked team this past season, finishing the year with an unblemished record. I spoke with the superstar at the Playaz Spring Fling, which was not only run by his former AAU program, but took place at the RAC, Rosario's future stage to showcase his skills.

NB: What was it like for you to get selected to [play in] the McDonald’s All-American Game?
MR: It was great because it was like a dream come true. . . . It was something that I wanted to accomplish. . . . [When I was young and I was] looking at that on TV, . . . [I] was just trying to picture myself there, but I couldn’t because there [were] so many other great players in the country, so I thought I didn’t have [any] shot at making it, but once . . . I found out, it was great, it was . . . like a dream come true, and it just was great.

NB: What was it like to get the win and to play so well?
MR: It was great because . . . I knew I was going to come out and play well because my family was there, and it just was like the adrenaline was pumping through my body. When I knew I was selected, I wanted to go there and play against the best, and I had chance to do that, so I knew that I was going to have a great game, but what it felt like after that, it felt good because now all the people in the nation saw how good I am and how [well] I [can] play . . . with the rest that’s up there, so that was the experience.

NB: What went into your decision to commit to Rutgers and sign there?
MR: What made me come to Rutgers was just because I’m a loyal person to New Jersey and just because my mom [is] here, . . . and I want her to come see me play, [as well as] . . . the people that have been in my corner in New Jersey forever, . . . and they [are] going to have the opportunity to come see me too, so that why I really chose Rutgers.

NB: Why Rutgers over Seton Hall or some other schools in [New] Jersey?
MR: I just felt more comfortable at Rutgers. I felt like Rutgers was the school for me, that’s why I chose this school over Seton Hall.

NB: What’s it like being here now seeing all this AAU action going on in your . . . future school?
MR: It’s great to see all this talent in here right now, to see my young boys from the Playaz, especially Dominic Cheek, Lance Brown, and all those guys, [Tamir] “Pop” Jackson, just [to] see all those guys play [and] know that I can just come and watch them now and support them, because I can’t play no more, I’m about to get ready for college.

NB: With the season that St. Anthony’s had this year, what was your favorite part?
MR: My favorite part about the season was just to win the TOC [Tournament of Champions] this year and just be a part of St. Anthony’s history. That was basically it, and just, we just accomplished out goal our last year there, so that was a great experience.

NB: For the team, what do you think was the main role that you played on the squad this year?
MR: [My] main role was just [to] come out with a lot of energy every game, get my teammates going and just do whatever I could do to get my team to win. That was about it, that was my role really, just to come off . . . the game from the beginning with a lot of energy, get my teammates pumped up and just get them going.

NB: Coming into the season, did [the team] think there was a chance that you’d be going undefeated and being number one in the country?
MR: Yeah, yeah, we actually knew that, we actually knew that it could be a possibility of just happening . . . along as we kept or focus and kept our composure and [had] everybody on the same page, that was just basically the only thing we had to worry about, and that’s what we did. We had all our seniors step up and be leaders, and then . . . the juniors . . . on the team [had] to come out and be the same.

NB: How do you think the team is going to replace all you guys that are graduating?
MR: They [are] not going to have the same exact talent as us because we had so much talent on our team, but they still [are] going to replace us just by playing defense, . . . and just working hard everyday in practice, but as [for] talent-wise and athletic-wise and everything like that, I don’t know.

NB: What was the best moment of your high school career?
MR: The best moment of my high school was, actually, playing here in the RAC, playing here in the RAC and having the opportunity to score 30 [points] and get MVP, and just help my team win that game that I had here and just experience those games that I had here in the RAC as well, that was good too.

NB: Was that at the Prime Time Shootout? Is that what you were talking about?
MR: Yeah, the Prime Time Shootout.

NB: This year?
MR: Yeah.

NB: What do you think [is] the main way you can contribute to Rutgers next season?
MR: [The] main thing I can contribute to Rutgers is hard work, dedication, just [giving] my best at every time in the game, and just bring excitement to the team, and . . . try to get everybody going everyday.

NB: Do you have any goals for your college career?
MR: Just try to break a lot of records . . . and try to beat the scoring record . . . and try to take them to the NCAA . . . Tournament, try to take them to the NIT, whatever one.

NB: Do you feel there’s any extra pressure on you [considering that you are] coming from New Jersey and being the [caliber of a] player that you are and attending Rutgers?
MR: Yeah, there’s a lot of pressure on me because I’m selected as a McDonald’s All-American and now there’s a lot on my shoulders, and now I have a lot of people talking about me coming here and being . . . part of this in here [at the RAC], so it’s going to be a lot, it’s going to be a lot on my shoulders next year. I’m just going to have to ride out with it and show people that I can do it.

NB: What do you think [is] the biggest thing the team has the capability of accomplishing in your four years there?
MR: Of course we [are] going to get better, because I’m going to make them better, and plus, we [are] going to have a lot of kids that [are] coming to Rutgers that’s going to make it better, so basically we [are] going to improve by just getting better as a team, and we [are] going to start winning game a lot, so that’s the main thing that’s going to happen.

NB: Did you have any impact on [Greg] Echenique committing to Rutgers, or were you not even talking to him about that?
MR: Oh yeah, I was . . . talking to him . . . like two days a week . . . to try to get him to come [to Rutgers] with me, and he finally made the decision, so I got me a big guy coming with me, so it’s great.

NB: Who do you see as the next great player coming out from New Jersey?
MR: Dominic Cheek. [He is] 6’6, [he can] do everything, he’s going to be a McDonald’s All-American, he’s top 10 in the country, he’s . . . a big shooting guard, and he’s long [and] athletic, so that’s who I see as the best player in New Jersey coming out next year.

NB: Finally, what current player in the NBA or college do you think your game is very similar to?
MR: Ray Allen, Ray Allen. That’s one person that I compare my game to a lot, and just because I just got to get my release faster and that one-dribble-pull-up, and that’s about it.

Mike Rosario will enter Rutgers with the whole program leaning on his back, hoping he is the savior the school has been trying to find for quite some time now. Although he may have some growing pains, Rosario should have a big impact on the Scarlet Knights his freshman season. Fred Hill and his staff did a great job of getting Rosario to stay in-state, and now it's up to him to fulfil his potential. If he does, the Big East had better watch out, because come 2009-2010, Mike Rosario, Greg Echenique, and Austin Johnson--three in-sate players--will be a lot to handle. This is going to be Rosario's world in Piscataway the next four years, and everybody else will just be living in. After, he is the face of Rutgers basketball . . . and the hope for a bright future.

Note- photo is of Mike Rosario at the RAC with his MVP trophy from the 2008 Prime Time Shootout, and is from http://scouthoops.scout.com

Tyreke Evans- Keeping Memphis At the Top

Well, it's official, Tyreke Evans is going to be a Memphis Tiger next year. At Evans' press conference today, he picked Memphis, according to http://www.rivals.com, a site that also lists Memphis star Chris Douglas-Roberts as undecided as to whether or not he will enter the NBA Draft. Assuming CDR sticks around for one last hurrah, Tyreke Evans will have the opportunity to be Coach John Calipari's new Derrick Rose. Both players are listed as point guards, and have the ability to score, shoot, and make plays. Tyreke is similar player to Rose, Memphis' one-and-done stud this past season. Evans, a 6'6 senior from American Christian Academy (PA), also can play off the ball, as he is more of a combo guard. The Tigers also will bring in Angel Garcia and Matt Simpkins, as well as possibly Wesley Witherspoon and Devin Ebanks. Regardless of whether or not those two end up playing for Coach Cal, and even if CDR leaves school for the pros, Memphis will again be a national powerhouse. With Tyreke Evans running the point, or even if he ends up playing the two, the squad is poised to trash the rest of the C-USA on the way to a one or two seed in the NCAA Tournament, with an Elite Eight appearance--and possibly a trip to the Final Four--a strong possibility. This may seem too far in advance to be projecting how the team will fair in 2008-2009, but consider this: Memphis is losing Derrick Rose, Aundre Allen, Joey Dorsey, and possibly Chris Douglas-Roberts, yet will return Robert Dozier, Shawn Taggert, Doneal Mack, Pierre Niles, Willie Kemp, and Jeff Robinson, with the aforementioned soon-to-be freshman entering the mold. That means Memphis will be anywhere from nine to twelve deep. John Calipari is a quality coach who will keep his players focused and ready to take on the big dogs once again. If Douglas-Roberts does stay, the Tigers may well be the pre-season favorites to take home the title. Either way, Tyreke Evans will do extremely well filling Derrick Rose's shoes, and the squad should barely miss a beat on offense. The rest of the NCAA had better beware of the Tigers . . . again.

Tyreke Evans- Where Will He Go?

Three days from now, the basketball world will know where American Christian Academy (PA) superstar Tyreke Evans will take his game. The finalists to land the phenomenal guard are Memphis, Seton Hall, Texas, UConn, and Villanova. Sources have told me that Evans will not end up playing ball for Jim Calhoun in Storrs. Seton Hall seems iffy, as when I spoke to Tyreke just a few weeks ago, he did not even mention the Pirates as one of his finalists. Thus, it appears to me, that signs are pointing towards Evans' decision coming down to the Memphis Tigers, Texas Longhorns, and Villanova Wildcats. That's three school from three different conferences in three different parts of the country. So, Tyreke Evans will likely either play ball in the southeast for John Calipari in the C-USA, for Rick Barnes in the southwest in the Big 12, or in the Big East for Jay Wright in the northeast. Villanova's main advantage--and it's a big one--is that they are in Evans' home state. Meanwhile, Memphis' major selling point for the playmaker is likely the opportunity to step in for Derrick Rose and play a similar role. Texas is seemingly the wild card, though Evans could do some of the things that DJ Augustin did for Barnes' team. Something that makes this story even more intriguing is that, according to http://rivals.com/, both Augustin and Rose have yet to declare for the NBA Draft. Could this bump up Villanova? The Wildcats, though, have a young point guard in sophomore-to-be Corey Fisher from St. Patrick's (NJ). Thus, it appears that all three schools are at about a level playing field. My hunch is that Tyreke Evans will go to Memphis, with Villanova finishing a close second behind the Tigers. There are numerous reasons for Evans to head to the southeast, and I just think that Evans won't be able to pass up the opportunity to play there. The team's run to the NCAA Tournament Championship Game certainly can't hurt. So, there you have my opinion. What is yours? I'll be posting a poll to get your perspective on America's best unsigned high school baller. Feel free to comment on this article to express the reasoning for your choice.

Note- photo of Tyreke Evans is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/

Update on . . . Bob Hurley, Sr. & Tyshawn Taylor

Yesterday I spoke separately to both St. Anthony's (NJ) head coach Bob Hurley, Sr. and one of the Friars' star seniors, 6'4 guard Tyshawn Taylor. My discussions with the two came within 24 hours of Marquette naming Brent "Buzz" Williams its new head basketball coach, replacing the departed Tom Crean. Taylor--who has signed a Letter of Intent to play ball for the Golden Eagles--and his coach both expressed their views on the Marquette situation. "He's going to come in Friday," said Hurley, adding that the pair need to talk about what the differences between Brent Williams as a head coach and an assistant coach will be. Williams is the coach that did Taylor's recruiting, causing Tyshawn to tell me that he feels as if he is "in a better position, . . . because he was talking about what Coach Crean was going to do, but now he's in that position, but at the same time, I asked for my release, and a lot of schools are calling Coach Hurley about me." As of now, he has not been officially let out of his LOI, though he did say that he did "expect to be released," also adding "at the same time, I might end up back at Marquette." Taylor informed me that the schools he is considering are "Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Kansas, Florida, . . . and Marquette, of course." Tyshawn, though, has not "really been talking to [the schools] a lot [because he] can't talk to them [until] he [is granted his] release." For those of you who have followed Taylor's recruitment, you may notice one school that is surprisingly not on his list: Virginia Tech. "Coach Hurley has talked to them a bit, . . . but their name hasn't popped up a lot [in conversations of who is calling]," said Taylor of the Hokies. Another school absent from his list is North Carolina, which Taylor had previously told me was one of his finalists prior to choosing Marquette. Of the Roy Williams' program, Tyshawn had this to say: "Before I had committed to Marquette, they had contacted me, . . . [but] not since asking for my release." The two wild cards on the list are Tennessee and Florida, SEC programs that Taylor had not previously mentioned as finalists for his services, yet they are now on his list because they are "just a couple new schools that called Coach Hurley." I asked the him where he would sign if he had to pick a school right then and there: "I don't know, I think if I had to choose right now, I don't know. It's tough because I like Marquette, but a lot of other teams have been [involved the process since Tom Crean left]. . . . I don't know." Clearly, Taylor is up in the air about where he plans to go, even telling me he is "going to wait as long as possible [to sign because he wants] . . . to make sure [that he makes] the right decision." Going back to what Coach Hurley was saying about Taylor and his recruitment, the living legend in the hoops world said that he has "only met the [new] head coach [Buzz Williams] one time," and informing me upon my inquiry about the subject that Taylor won't be following Crean to Indiana due to the possible "NCAA sanctions" that the Hoosiers could be handed. "I think that as soon as a coach leaves [a school], the kid [who has committed there] should be able to open up [his] recruitment again," said Hurley of his views on coaches walking out of contracts. He also added that Tyshawn "wouldn't be going to Milwaukee [where Marquette is located] to play for just anybody," regarding the player's feeling for Tom Crean. "Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech" are the two other schools that Taylor visited prior to choosing Marquette, and "he's got two visits" left now. I asked Coach Hurley what his role in the recruitment process of a player generally is: "We want everything to go [smoothly] since most of the families are only going to do this once. . . . I'll keep a tab on the schools that are reaching out [to a player]," adding "you got to see that people are coming to practice, coming to games [to see the recruit]." In addition, Hurley mentioned that he'll meet with a player to chop the player's list to around six schools and then "bring the remaining schools in for school visits and home visits, and then make the [campus] visits." It's evident that Bob Hurley is invested in his players and their future.
Let's move on to some other points regarding Hurley, his school, and his players. "It was . . . what everyone shot for. It was a great feeling. . . . Saying it's your goal and doing it can be two different things," said Coach Hurley of his squad's national title. The Friars were ranked number one in just about every ranking out there, including the USA Today Super 25, ESPN High Elite 25, rivals.com Fab 50, and MaxPreps. USA Today, EPSN, and rivals.com all had St. Benedict's (NJ) at number two on the list, a squad that is coached by Bob Hurley's son, Danny Hurley. About the impressive family one-two finish, Bob Hurley said "it's not going to happen again," also mentioning that "Danny [will] complain about the bad foul shooting in the one game they lost, . . . and I'll remind him about the [long layoff they had between games, and tell him that] . . . he should have scheduled a game in the middle." I inquired as to whether or not the two national powerhouses might ever play each other, to which the elder Hurley said "you got a better chance of games being played on the moon." On going undefeated, Hurley remarked that "it can only happen. Your goal is to get better all year. . . . You just got to go out and play the games." The coach mentioned that there is a time in every season with a stretch of tough games, and for the Friars this season "it was Paterson Catholic [in New Jersey] on a Monday and St. Patrick's [in New Jersey] on a Wednesday." The Friars are losing a lot of talent to graduation this year, with nine seniors departing, including Fordham-bound Jio Fontan, Rutgers-commit Mike Rosario, future Pitt Panther Travon Woodall, and Tyshawn Taylor. Hurley said that players will "move up from the freshman [and] JV [teams]," saying that the team will "have to build around Dominic [Cheek]," and also mentioning that "Jamee Jackson" may be a key part of the squad in 2008-2009. I also questioned Coach Hurley about the recruitment Dominic Cheek, a 6'6 junior guard: "We really haven't made a list," also saying that "the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, and even the SEC," are the primary conferences that Cheek is getting interest from. Coach Hurley even went as far as to say that "he's on just about everybody's wish list." Make sure to check back soon for an interview with Dominic Cheek that I got at the Playaz Spring Fling this past weekend.
There is a lot going on with the St. Anthony's Friars right now, and I'll try to fill you in on happenings with the players, including Taylor and Cheek.

Update on . . . Tony Bergeron, Tyreke Evans, & Lamont Jones

Tony Bergeron, the head coach of American Christian Academy (PA) has had his name tossed around regarding a job at Seton Hall, by media outlets including Hoop Scoop. Bergeron, who I spoke with earlier today, says that there is "no truth to any of that," adding that "there's not even an open job at Seton Hall." Even if an offer does come around to head to SHU, Bergeron's history says he may turn it down, as he told me "I had a chance to go [to the college level] three times already, and haven't yet." The coach's reasoning: "Each year I have a new kid that I [don't want to leave]." Coach Bergeron said that it would need to be an "unbelievable situation for [him] to leave," even mentioning that he hasn't "updated [his] resume in eight years," pointing to the fact that he has no plans of leaving ACA. "Any time there is an opening with Bobby Gonzalez, my name is going to come up because of my relationship with him," said Bergeron. This led me to asking whether it was this relationship that got The Hall involved with ACA superstar senior Tyreke Evans: "He got involved with Tyreke because of my relationship with him, but they have done a good job recruting [Evans]." The coach told me that Evans will "announce [his decision] April 16th on ESPN." According to Bergeron, Evans is considering heading to either Memphis, Seton Hall, Texas, Villanova, or UConn. The Huskies may be a longshot though, as I have heard from sources that UConn is Evans' last option. The only school that stands out as missing from Tyreke's list is Louisville, a school that he had previously been seriously considering. "He's not going there," said Bergeron of Louisville, adding that "they have backed off," and "Louisville is officially off by both sides," meaning that the two sides have agreed to no longer stayed involved with each other in the recruiting process. So, Tyreke Evans will NOT be a Louisville Tiger. Meanwhile, Bergeron informed me that Lamont "MoMo" Jones is "wide open," and that the two "won't make a list [of schools] . . . until September." It appears we will have to wait a while to see where the former Louisville-commit will be headed.
"I had a great group of kids. . . . I loved my team. . . . You never had to motivated them. . . . The national title [was the] . . . only part that was missing [from the team's season]," said Bergeron of his squad this year. The coach told me that the school's recent change to being a prep school had "nothing to do with athletics, " and that now the school's official name is "American Christian Academy and Prep School, . . . ACAPS." Coach Bergeron informed me that his team will "be like St. Benedict's," in the fact that the team will be playing high schools but can also "play prep schools," adding that he "won't be recruiting fifth year players for [the] team," yet these kids can still go to ACAPS. I asked Coach Bergeron how not having many young players on this year's team will affect the squad for next year, to which he said" "We had . . . a small amount of underclassmen [this season]," adding "Lamont Jones and Ashraf Yacoubou." Bergeron raved about Yacoubou, saying that "the only thing that held him back [this season] was that Tyreke Evans played the same position." By the way, that is the correctly spelling of his name, as this is how Bergeron told me it's spelled: Ashcraf Yacoubou.
People, just eight days until we find out where Tyreke Evans will take his game for college, and assuming my sources are right, it will not be Connecticut. Do not expect to see Tony Bergeron anywhere other than American Christian next year. He and his team will continue to compete at a high level. I'll try to keep you posted on news involving Evans, Bergeron, or Jones.

Marc Miller- Spectacular Student, Amazing Athlete . . . In That Order

Marc Miller of North Salem High School (NY) is a 6'6 senior center who I recently caught up with to discuss recruiting, AAU basketball, his high school season, and more. Marc's squad had an outstanding season, and he had a terrific year in his own right, being named to numerous all-star teams. Miller is not only a quality basketball player, but a top-notch performer in the classroom. He took some time out of his day yesterday to fill me in on his life both on and off the hardwood.

NB: What was your high school team's record this season?

MM: 23-2

NB: What schools did the team lose to?

MM: Horace Greeley High School [from New York] and Malverne High School [from New York].

NB: Talk about the team's accomplishments this year. What did the squad accomplish?

MM: This was undoubtedly the best basketball season in North Salem basketball history. We won two tournaments during the year, including our own. We won the league championship and clinched the number one seed in the Section 1 Class B Tournament. We won the championship over defending champion Briarcliff in overtime for the first time since 1991. We set school records for winning streak and wins in a season, both at 23 games. We beat perennial powerhouse Red Hook in the Regional Semi-finals.

NB: What [did you say] . . . that win streak [was]?

MM: 23 games. Our wins were sandwiched by losses on the first and last games of the season.

NB: The loss to end the season, what tournament or event did that come in?

MM: The loss came in the New York State Southeast Region Championship. A win there would have sent us to the State Final Four in Glens Falls, [New York].

NB: What did you accomplish on a personal level this year? What about in your career as a whole?

MM: This season, I was named All-League and All-Conference, and, although it has not been released yet, I have a good feeling that I will be named All-State as well. I scored the 1,000th point of my career during a game in January. I finished my career with 1,307 points and over 1,000 rebounds. I was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Carmel High School and Somers High School Tournaments. I was named Most Valuable Player of the North Salem High School Tournament. I was named Con-Edison Scholar Athlete . . . of the Week. I was named to the Westchester County Basketball Coaches Association Court of Excellence, an award for the ten best scholar-athletes who plays basketball, with an emphasis on [the] scholar [part]. I was named Second Team Preseason All-Class B by the Journal News. I was named Class B Player of the Year by the Journal News, [which was] a nice improvement from the preseason. In terms of my career, I will graduate third on the North Salem All-Time Scoring List. I will also graduate as my school's All-Time Leading Rebounder. . . . I was also named to the Westchester County Basketball Coaches Association Exceptional Seniors Game.

NB: What was the best moment of your high school career?

MM: The best moment of my career was winning the Section 1 Class B Championship in overtime in front of a packed house at the Westchester County Center. My team, despite being the #1 seed, entered the game as underdogs to the reigning Section Champions, Briarcliff, which made the win more enjoyable.

NB: What schools recruited you to play ball in college?
MM: Bates, Bowdoin, Brandeis, Clark, Colby, Emerson, Endicott, Middlebury, Tufts, Wesleyan, Wheaton, Clarkson, Union, SUNY Geneseo, Hobart, SUNY Plattsburgh, Rochester, Skidmore, DeSales, Drew, Johns Hopkins, Swarthmore, Emory, Oberlin, Pomona, and Occidental.

NB: Where will you be headed?

MM: If I had to put money on it, I would [have to say that I'll] be at Emory. It is between Emory and Swarthmore and I am waiting to hear from Harvard, [where] I was waitlisted.

NB: Why those three? What makes them stand out to you?

MM: I have been dreaming of going to Harvard since I was about [five years old]. Although it has a Division I program, I may have the opportuntiy to walk-on. I like Emory because of its size and location, along with its outstanding academic reputation. Emory plays in the University Athletic Association, which is the most competitive conference in Division III. Swarthmore offers me a chance to play immediately at one of the best small liberal arts colleges in the country. It is also relatively close to home.

NB: Have you had any contact with Harvard about walking-on, or with [Head Coach] Tommy Amaker or one of the assistants?

MM: I had been in contact with an assistant, Will Wade, but that was over the summer, when I was considered a legitimate recruit. I figure that I need to focus on getting in first, then I'll establish communication with the basketball coaches.

NB: What do you mean by "when I was considered a legitimate recruit?"

MM: I had been on Harvard's recruiting list. That changed after they saw me play at Eastern Invitational.

NB: Why is that?

MM: The coach who saw me did not think that I would be a good fit for the program. . . . Coach Amaker also attracted better recruits.

NB: What was your reaction to hearing that?

MM: It was very disappointing, but it made me [become] more realistic. I had always thought that I had a chance to play in the Ivy League because it was not as competitive as other conferences. It was at that point that I realized that Ivy League or not, it is still Division I and the talent in Division I is in rare air.

NB: Has the [recruiting] scandal [involving Tommy Amaker] at Harvard affected your perception of the school or changed your desire to walk-on there instead of playing DII or DIII?

MM: No, it has not affected my ideas of the school because that does not affect the academic quality of Harvard. It has not even affected my view on the basketball program because I would not be taken in as a recruit. It may affect the team, but how badly? If the NCAA bans Harvard from the tournament, then so be it; Harvard has not made the tournament since the 40s. They can't take away scholarships, so I do not see any potential decision changers for me. I try not to let my college decision be swayed by athletic factors.

NB: You previously told me that you gave up playing AAU ball a while back. Explain that decision.

MM: I am not a fan of the AAU style of play. It is very scrappy and out of control. There is no coaching, strategy, or teamwork. These are generalizations and there are many good coaches coaching AAU, but I feel that they are in such a rare quantity that I do not wish to become a part of it.

NB: Do you think that decision hurt you recruitment-wise?

MM: It definitely did. I would have had the ability to be seen on a weekly basis, but instead I have a healthy conscious, which I value more. Although it hurt my recruiting value, I am still in a place that I am happy with and the exposure that I received in making that happen occurred at a few showcase camps. Camps, unlike AAU, involve top-level coaching and forced teamwork, which makes that style best [suited] for me when playing in front of coaches.

NB: You were very tall in your early teenage years. When did you hit the six-foot mark?

MM: Age 13

NB: Being so tall at such a young age, how did that affect you, both positively and negatively?

MM: It was the main reason that I was introduced to basketball. Other than that, it just drew comments and looks.

NB: Do you feel it helped you progress as a player, or stunt your development basketball-wise? Or did it not have an impact on how you are now [as a basketball player]?

MM: It hurt me in that I began working on ballhandling and shooting later than most others. It helped me earn spots on teams of higher levels, [such as making] my varsity team as a freshman. Playing with and against the high-caliber players that were involved with those better teams helped to progress my skills faster.

NB: Academics seems very important to you. What do you want to do down the road as a career? As well, do you know what you will be majoring in?

MM: I want to major in economics with the goal of being involved in sports business, [and] possibly [be] an agent.

Miller is a nice guy with good aspirations, both on and off the basketball court. Marc's perspective on basketball, academics, and life is quite refreshing, and it's nice to see that he is making his decision primarily based off academics, knowing that this is what will take him further in life. He has talent, a positive outlook, a healthy conscience. Marc Miller is destined for success, whether it be with a basketball, a calculator, or in another field all together.

Update on . . . Tyshawn Taylor

Marquette's Head Coach Tom Crean is leaving the school for Indiana, according to numerous media outlets, including ESPN.com and Rivals.com, and this obviously has an impact on the Golden Eagles' class of 2008 recruits, including 6'4 guard Tyshawn Taylor of St. Anthony's (NJ). I just spoke to Taylor about the breaking news regarding the Marquette program, and about what his future will be. "It was a shock to me, . . . I'm kind of shocked. . . . I didn't really know [that this was going to happen]," said Taylor of Crean's departure from the university for IU. I inquired as to whether or not Taylor would seek a release from his Letter of Intent to the school, to which he replied "I don't know, . . . I'm not sure. . . . I didn't have a lot of time to think about it. . . . I'm going to talk to my coaches about it. . . . I have no idea, . . . I want to see what coach they bring in. . . . If a coach comes in and changes the style [of play, that would not be something I'd like]. . . . I want to go to Marquette. . . . I love Tom Crean." I followed that up by asking him if he'd consider following Crean to Indiana, and he said, "I don't know, . . . I just want to see what he's thinking." Tyshawn told me that he "hasn't talked to [Crean] yet." I questioned Taylor about what schools he would look at if he was let out of his LOI, and he answered saying "I don't know. . . . I don't know what schools are really interested." He informed me that prior to choosing Marquette, his other finalists were "Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, . . . North Carolina and Kansas," and that "those were the five schools [he] planned on visiting," though he only got to check out "Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech," along with Marquette. Taylor's response to my inquiry of whom he would like to see hired by the university was: "I don't even know. . . . That's what separated [Marquette] from all the other schools that were recruiting me, the coaching staff." I followed that up by asking the New Jersey star if he would like to see one of the assistants hired, to which he said: "I think that would be nice. . . . I fell in love with those guys. . . . I doubt that any of the assistants would get hired, but it would be nice." He specifically mentioned Brent Williams, the coach that recruited him along with Crean. Taylor, who described his initial reaction as "upset and confused," said "honestly, . . . I don't even know what guys are out there," answering my question of what coach he would select of all realistic candidates. "I didn't know this was [going to] happen. I didn't even know," Taylor said. I asked him if the other Marquette recruits' decisions of whether to stay or go would affect his choice: "Probably, . . . I have a good relationship with those guys. . . . If they leave, I'm probably going to [as well]," adding "that [it] would a good chance" of him going elsewhere should other players do so. The "style of play" at Marquette was a main drawing card for Taylor, so it is important to him that whoever the new head coach at the school is does not have a completely different coaching philosophy from Crean. I will let you all know with happens with Tyshawn Taylor once Marquette selects a new coach, and maybe even before, should the search take a while. Stay tuned!

Note- photo is of Tom Crean, and is from http://espn.go.com/

Update on . . . Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Evans of American Christian Academy (PA) has been one of the most highly touted and sought after players in the class of 2008 throughout his high school career. I chatted with the 6'6 senior guard last night. Evans is widely considered the nation's best uncommitted player, and his outstanding MVP performance at the McDonald's All-American Game, supported this idea. Evans informed me that he is considering "[Villanova], Texas, Memphis, and UConn." Evans would not identify a school to beat of the four, saying "no, I have no leader." I asked Evans if the Texas/Memphis NCAA Tournament Regional Final (Elite Eight) game had any added impact on his decision, but he told me it did not: "It's just a game. . . . Just because they win it doesn't mean they are moving up on my list." For those of you that do not know, the Tigers defeated the Longhorns. I inquired as to whether or not Tyreke has a relationship with any recruits headed to any of the four schools, and I mentioned a few players. He let me know that he "[knows Memphis-commit] Matt Simpkins. . . . [He] doesn't really talk to [any recruits]. [He] just talks to [his] friends and [his] family. . . [He has] to make the decision [himself]." For a player who has been bombarded with attention throughout his teenage years, Evans has seemingly handled all of the attention quite well, and he said that the pressure is "not too much. I think I handle it [perfectly and] . . . don't worry about any one the hype." He will certainly have to ignore the hype of the next few weeks as he prepares to select a college. He told me that he "[wants] it to have a . . . good coach. [The school should] not [be about] just basketball, but education-wise [should be strong too]. [He wants] to learn something new [in school]. [As well, he wants to] just go out there and have fun," also adding that he is watching the NCAA Tournament to see is any of his possible future schools "do anything new," during the Big Dance. Evans said "hopefully [the school he picks] will be the right place for me."
I brought up the McD's game to Evans, and he told me that it "was a great experience. . . . Wayne Ellington, Kevin Durant, LeBron [James], [and] Carmelo [Anthony have all played in the event]. . . . It was a dream come true, . . . especially [to win] . . . MVP." Evans, who had a double-double on the biggest stage in high school hoops, said he was "playing [his] game, . . . but [he] was also pumped up." His East squad came into the game considered the underdog, and I asked him if that perception affected him and his team: "Definitely. Everybody wanted the West to win. . . . We had a lot to prove, and we showed them that we have as much talent as they do." Tyreke's team completely shut down Greg Monroe, yet he informed me that they "didn't have a strategy on [anybody]. . . [The team] went out there and played hard."
I brought up the NBA age limit to Tyreke to get an opinion from someone who was actually affected by the rule, and his view was "it is what it is. I'm going to go to college [and] do what I got to do." Evans did tell me that "if [he] could have went [to the NBA] straight out of high school, [he] would have." Although he may have the skills to take his game right to the League, it's nice to see that Evans is accepting the rule, and not complaining, as some members of the class of 2007 did.
I asked Evans a few interesting questions, just to wrap things up. I started by inquiring whether AAU or high school ball is more fun. "AAU is more fun because you travel a lot. [It's a] fun time," responded Tyreke. By the way, he told me that he played his AAU hoops with "Team Final." Evans has played with a number of great players at American Christian, so I asked the star who he felt was the best of all, and he told me it was "Nasir [Robinson]." Although Robinson is currently at Chester (PA), he did spend some time at ACA with Evans. I asked Evans if he knew why Nasir left the school, and he simply said "no." Now to the important stuff: I wanted Evans' guess on the NCAA national championship. He first said "North Carolina," though after I mentioned something else, he said "North Carolina or Memphis." We'll just have to wait and see about who does come away with the title. We will also have to wait for Tyreke Evans' college decision, but the wait won't be too long, as Evans confirmed that he plans to choose a school on April 16. Get ready!

Update on . . . Chris Braswell

Yesterday I spoke with Georgetown-commit Chris Braswell of Hargrave Military Academy (VA). Braswell, a 6'8 senior power forward, has yet to officially sign with the Hoyas. Lately, he has been "talking to [his] mom and Georgetown," and is planning to "probably [sign on] . . . the 16th [of April]." Chris' reasoning for not signing his Letter of Intent earlier, was becasue he "wanted to keep [his] options open, [and although he] . . . wanted to sign when everyone else did, [he wanted to] . . . keep [his] options open." The big man told me that he has "a good friendship with Austin Freeman . . . and Henry Sims, . . . and Jason Clark." Freeman is already a member of the Georgetown team, while Sims and Clark are Georgetown commits. Chris "went to DeMatha [Catholic High School in Maryland for his] . . . junior and sophomore year." His opinion regarding the well-renowned basketball factory was that it "was [in] a competition league," while at "Hargrave, it was playing for colleges. . . . It was more competition." Braswell informed me that he has been selected to the "Capital Classic." As a Hoya, Braswell feels that he can help the squad by "rebounding [and] playing [his] role." I'd just like to add that Chris Braswell is an awfully nice young man, with a lot of class, and great manners. He is the epitome of what an athlete should be like. If you happen to get the chance to meet Chris, I'm sure you'll feel the same way.

Update on . . . Omar Smith

Omar Smith, a 6'1 senior guard for Piscataway High School (NJ), has seen colleges' interest in him pick up recently. I just spoke with Omar, and he informed me that he has been receiving interest from Felician, Monmouth, Fairfield, Rider, College of Staten Island, Ramapo University, Southeatern Louisiana, and Philadelphia University. Although none of the schools have extended a scholarship offer for basketball to Smith as of now, Philadelphia U has offered him a "[partial] academic scholarship." Smith's GPA is "3.0," which explains the impressive offer he has received from Philadelphia University, which is a Division II program. This is only school which Omar has gone on an official visit to thus far, and he "liked it." Smith told me that over the past month, he has been "getting a lot of interest" from Southeastern Lousiana, which is a DI team. The school found out about Omar because his "AAU coach told them . . . about [him]." The AAU program is "Surprise Athletics, out of Newark, New Jersey." Smith let me know that "next weekend [he will] . . . visit Southeastern Louisiana. . . . [The] is talking about doing some things with an offer." As of now, "Monmouth, Southeastern [Louisiana], and Philadelphia U," are at the top of Smith's list, and "they are all equal . . . now." Smith applied to Southeastern Louisiana, Philadelphia University, Rider, Felician, and Monmouth, though he has "not yet" heard back from anywhere other than Philadelphia U, which is the school that offered him an academic scholarship. Omar will "probably [make his decision] . . . on the 15th." I'll let you know where Smith ends up.