Eye On College Basketball Recruiting : CBSSports.com Blogs

Maryland nabs third top-100 commitment

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:08:22 EST

By Jeff Borzello

It was a good day for Maryland basketball. The Terrapins hammered Wake Forest in the first round of the ACC tournament, but Mark Turgeon’s program picked up some more momentum on Thursday morning.

Charles Mitchell, one of the dozen top-100 prospects still on the board, committed to Maryland.

Mitchell, a 6-foot-7 big man from Wheeler (Ga.), chose the Terrapins over Tennessee, Florida State, Georgia, Seton Hall and Cincinnati.

Ex-Arkansas signee Aaron Ross pops for Texas Tech

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:11:22 EST

By Jeff Borzello

Despite recruiting taking a back seat to conference play, Texas Tech has made a killing on the recruiting trail in recent weeks. In mid-February, the Red Raiders nabbed two commitments from top-100 forward Wannah Bail and strong guard Michael Carey.

On Wednesday morning, Billy Gillispie picked up another commitment, from former Arkansas signee Aaron Ross.

The news was confirmed to CBSSports.com by St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy (Wisc.) assistant coach Bryan Clayton.

Derby Festival Classic announces rosters

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:27:48 EST

By Jeff Borzello

In a game that is quickly becoming a national staple of the all-star game season, the Kentucky Derby Festival Classic is quite popular in the region. The game will take place at Freedom Hall in Louisville on April 6. 19 players were chosen, with two spots still available.

Team One

Steven Adams, Pittsburgh

All-American Championship releases rosters

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:07:15 EST

By Jeff Borzello

The All-American Championship started up last year, and it includes four teams and two games, separated by region. This season, 31 seniors and seven juniors were selected, with two spots still available. The games take places in New Orleans during Final Four weekend.

East

Nate Britt, North Carolina*

Five-star junior Al Freeman down to two: KU, Nova

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:29:13 EDT

By Jeff Borzello

In October, five-star junior Allerik Freeman “trimmed” his list to a top 12. After a couple quiet months on the recruiting front, Freeman cut his list on Thursday afternoon.

Freeman, ranked No. 14 in the class of 2013, is down to two: Villanova and Kansas.

“Great coaches, great programs,” Freeman told CBSSports.com. “They’re recruiting me the hardest and I feel the most comfortable with these two.”

No. 1 prospect Nerlens Noel talks recruitment

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:56:18 EST

By Jeff Borzello Nerlens Noel's recruitment has heated up since he reclassified to 2012. (MassLive.com)

Since Nerlens Noel announced a few weeks ago that he was reclassifying to the class of 2012, he’s been the most talked-about recruit in the country.

Noel, a 6-foot-10 Massachusetts native who plays at Tilton (N.H.), immediately moved to the No. 1 ranking in the nation. Moreover, the schools pursuing him have really turned up the heat.

“Recruiting has gone crazy all of a sudden,” Noel told Jeff Goodman on SiriusXM’s Inside College Basketball on Thursday afternoon. “I just need to plan out some visits to get out to all these schools. Keep talking to coaches, build better relationships with them.”

San Diego State lands top-50 Winston Shepard

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 0:21:20 EST

By Jeff Goodman and Jeff Borzello San Diego State got arguably the nation's best on-ball defender in Winston Shepard. (Adidas Nations)

Looking ahead to next season, San Diego State was missing just one key ingredient: a lockdown defender on the wing who could guard multiple positions.

The Aztecs got what they needed on Thursday, as top-50 senior Winston Shepard committed to Steve Fisher’s program, a source told CBSSports.com.

Shepard is a 6-foot-8 small forward from Findlay Prep (Nev.) and one of the best defensive players in the country. He has terrific athleticism and is very difficult to contain in the open floor. Shepard has improved his jumpshot over the past year, and he loves to crash the offensive glass for tip-ins and putbacks.

Wannah Bail & Michael Carey headed to Texas Tech

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:17:21 EST

By Jeff Borzello

It’s been an exciting couple of days for Texas Tech basketball. On Saturday, the Red Raiders finally won their first game of the Big 12 season, beating Oklahoma by 18.

Things got even better on Monday, as Billy Gillispie picked up commitments from Wannah Bail and Michael Carey.

Bail and Carey are seniors from Lamar Consolidated (Texas), and were being pursued by Houston, Oregon, Florida State and others in the past few months. The two Bahamas natives had said they would announce their decisions back in October, but it seems that scholarship issues prevented them from committing to Houston.

Penn State lands top-75 junior Brandon Austin

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:25:58 EST

By Jeff Borzello

First-year Penn State head coach Pat Chambers already made a major impact in the class of 2013 with guard Geno Thorpe committing to the Nittany Lions in November.

On Thursday night, Chambers pulled off another junior coup. Brandon Austin, a top-75 wing from Imhotep Charter (Pa.) pledged to Penn State.

He made the announcement on Twitter: “I just committed to Penn State!”

McDonald's All-American Game rosters released

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:49:58 EST

Georgia Tech-signee Robert Carter was the only top-25 player -- besides the recently reclassified Nerlens Noel -- left out of the McDonald's All-American game this season. (ESPN)

By Jeff Borzello

High school All-American games are usually filled with plenty of questionable selections and interesting inclusions. With so many varying opinions and players to choose from, it’s not surprising to get some surprises.

With that said, the McDonald’s All-American game just announced its rosters for this year’s game – and did a really good job.

Ricardo Gathers pledges to Baylor

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:13:13 EST

By Jeff Borzello

It looks like Scott Drew has locked up yet another top-10 recruiting class. He was on the verge of breaking into that vaunted group, but Monday cemented Baylor’s position.

Ricardo Gathers, a former St. John’s commit, made his pledge to the Bears.

The news was first reported by Dave Telep of ESPN.com, and confirmed to CBSSports.com by Greg Gathers, Ricardo’s brother.

Jordan Brand Classic releases its rosters

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:56:58 EST

By Jeff Borzello

Jordan Brand released its rosters on Thursday for the Jordan Brand Classic, their high school All-American game.

There are some question marks immediately.

First of all, North Carolina-signee J.P. Tokoto was selected. I understand that North Carolina is Jordan-affiliated and therefore gets preferential treatment, but Tokoto is barely a top-75 player in the class. Another Jordan-affiliated school, Syracuse, also received some love with Jerami Grant, who is a borderline top-50 player in the class.

Nerlens Noel reclassifying to class of 2012

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:42:13 EST

By Jeff Borzello

It’s been a possibility for awhile, but it became official on Wednesday night: Nerlens Noel is reclassifying to the class of 2012.

Noel, a 6-foot-10 center from Tilton (N.H.), has been a member of the class of 2013, but he is heading back to his original graduating class, according to Dave Telep of ESPN.com.

Noel told Telep he would take his first official visit the weekend of February 11, to Syracuse. He also said Providence, Connecticut, Kentucky, Florida, Georgetown and North Carolina are in the mix. “I’m ready to do it,” Noel told ESPN.com. “It’s a short window of time to pick a school.”

7-foot-5 high school prospect gaining attention

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:22:14 EST

By Jeff Borzello

It’s hard enough for 7-foot-5 high school basketball players to become fluid enough to become legitimate factors on a consistent basis during games.

It’s even harder when said player has only been living in the United States for two years and recently had a tumor removed from his pituitary gland.

Those are the circumstances for Mamadou Ndiaye, a mammoth 2013 prospect from Brethren Christian (Calif.). He came over from Senegal two years ago, enrolling at Stoneridge Prep (Calif.) and obtaining a student visa. When that school couldn’t afford his aforementioned surgery, enough money was raised through charitable donations to cover two operations. A couple near Brethren Christian – more than 80 miles from Stoneridge – became Ndiaye’s legal guardians.

Shabazz Muhammad keeps everyone guessing

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:11:24 EST

No. 1 prospect Shabazz Muhammad has not given any hints as to where he's headed next year. (US Presswire)

By Jeff Borzello

Everyone wants to know where Shabazz Muhammad will play his college basketball next season. As the consensus top prospect in the class of 2012, his decision has the attention of fans, casual observers, recruitniks, coaches – everyone.

Muhammad’s classmates at Bishop Gorman (Nev.) are no different.

Notebook: Balamou getting high-major interest

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:01:03 EST

By Jeff Borzello

Chris Obekpa is the marquee player on Our Savior New American (N.Y.), but college coaches have been surprised when they go to check out the Nigerian big man.

Obekpa isn’t the only high-major player on the team. Felix Balamou, a native of Guinea West Africa, has been impressive throughout the season.

“He’s one of the most underrecruited kids in the country,” OSNA assistant coach Eric Jaklitsch said. “He’s exploded his senior year.”

Notebook: Amedeo Della Valle taking his time

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:18:34 EST

By Jeff Borzello

Amedeo Della Valle didn’t emerge on the scene until about four months ago, but he’s still managed to cement himself as one of the best available guards in the country.

Della Valle, a 6-foot-5 native of Italy, has been starting for Findlay Prep (Nev.) this season. Getting a chance to play alongside top-10 guys like Brandon Ashley and Anthony Bennett has given him an opportunity to get seen by plenty of schools.

He is currently hearing from Gonzaga, UCLA, Arizona, Connecticut, Georgetown, California, Oklahoma State, Saint Mary’s, Utah and Portland.

Derek Willis is Kentucky's first 2013 commit

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 2:44:24 EDT

By Jeff Borzello

Derek Willis’ recruitment has had several twists and turns over the past six months, and he wasn’t expected to make a new decision just yet. Last week, though, the former Purdue commit said he was ready to make an announcement.

During a press conference at Bullitt East High School (Ky.), Willis made his pledge to Kentucky.

“Kentucky was just the best fit for me and that’s why I chose them,” he said.

Chris Obekpa taking his time with process

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:58:12 EST

By Jeff Borzello

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Against Mount Saint Joseph last weekend, Chris Obekpa shot just 4-for-16 from the field. He was battling illness, and had as many turnovers as made baskets.

Despite all that, Obekpa was still one of the most dominant performers at the Hoophall Classic. He grabbed 13 rebounds, eight on the offensive end, and also blocked eight shots.

A year ago, there is little chance Obekpa would have put up those kinds of numbers, especially after a rough start offensively.

Amile Jefferson could be on verge of decision

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:22:52 EST

By Jeff Borzello

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – For the past couple of months, it has seemed like Amile Jefferson was on the verge of making a decision.

This time, he might really mean it.

“It’s getting close,” Jefferson said over the weekend. “I’m hoping it’s soon. It’s day-to-day. We’re going to sit down and give each coach one more call.”

Kuran Iverson hearing from plenty of suitors

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:38:25 EST

By Jeff Borzello

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Kuran Iverson has been one of the most hyped players in the class of 2013 for several years. His 6-foot-9 size and versatile skill set have had onlookers drooling over his potential.

Over the summer, though, he put on pounds and it slowed him down. To his credit, though, he realized it and has made adjustments.

“I carried a lot of weight and it started to hurt my knees,” Iverson said. “So I cut down on my eating, worked out more.”

Julius Randle begins taking unofficial visits

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 8:24:56 EST

By Jeff Borzello

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Julius Randle is still about a year from making his college decision, but that hasn’t stopped him from taking steps in the recruiting process.

Earlier this month, the No. 3-ranked prospect in 2013 spent some time on Tobacco Road, visiting North Carolina, North Carolina State and Duke.

“They’re three programs that have great tradition,” Randle said. “It was just an honor to visit. It was a lot of fun.”

Ricardo Gathers has four favorites

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:20:21 EST

By Jeff Borzello

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Since Ricardo Gathers decommitted from St. John’s in early November, several new schools have tried to get involved in his recruitment.

While he doesn’t seem to be in a rush to finish the process, Gathers has shed some light on his suitors.

After his Riverside (La.) team lost to Gonzaga (D.C.) on Saturday at the Hoophall Classic, the No. 52-ranked player in the class of 2012 said he had been hearing from Baylor, LSU, St. John’s, California, North Carolina State and Florida.

Connecticut joins race for Tony Parker

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:12:30 EST

By Jeff Borzello

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – It seems every time Tony Parker discusses his recruitment, another school enters the picture.

This time, it’s Connecticut.

“[Jim] Calhoun called me recently,” Parker said after his team’s loss to St. Anthony (N.J.) at the Hoop Hall Classic. “I’ll sit down with my dad. They’re one of his favorite schools.”

Updated Class Rankings: Who's Up, Who's Down?

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 16:26:32 EDT

By Jeff Borzello

With commitments slowing down during the school season and most of the top 100 players off the board, we felt it was time to update the team rankings for the class of 2012. While Arizona stayed at No. 1 with its five top-35 players, there were plenty of movers and shakers elsewhere.

Click here for the Top 25 classes of 2012 (as of Jan. 10) Notes

- Kentucky moved up to No. 2 in the rankings, right behind Arizona. The Wildcats added a commitment from Alex Poythress (above), the No. 12 prospect in the country, since the last time the rankings were updated. If they are somehow able to nab another top-10 player (Shabazz Muhammad, maybe?), Kentucky could surpass Arizona for the top spot.

Aquille Carr commits to Seton Hall

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:46:46 EST

By Jeff Borzello

Aquille Carr has made a name for himself over the past few years due to his diminutive stature, tremendous athleticism and ridiculous scoring exploits.

In a couple of years, the 5-foot-6 guard will be taking all of that with him to Seton Hall.

He announced his commitment to the Pirates via his Twitter account just before 2:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The decision was confirmed to Joe Davis of scoutsfocus.com by Carr’s high school coach. After some debate on whether Carr actually committed, a source close to Seton Hall confirmed the commitment to CBSSports.com.

St. John's loses another: Darrick Wood decommits

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:35:56 EST

By Jeff Borzello

St. John’s continues to take hits.

After losing two members of its vaunted recruiting class from 2011, the Red Storm also received a decommitment from top-50 2012 prospect Ricardo Gathers. Now, both 2012 commits are gone.

Darrick Wood, a 6-foot-5 guard from Washington D.C., rescinded his pledge to St. John’s on Thursday.

Notebook: Kasey Hill commits to Florida

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 0:18:39 EST

By Jeff Borzello

While everyone was focused on their New Year’s Eve plans, Florida snuck in and grabbed a commitment from the class of 2013.

Kasey Hill, a 6-foot-1 junior from Montverde Academy, committed to the Gators on Saturday evening. Hill chose Billy Donovan over Kentucky, Louisville, Florida State, North Carolina State and others.

Florida Rams AAU coach Matt Ramker confirmed the news to CBSSports.com.

Five-star junior Troy Williams trims list to five

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:50:31 EST

By Jeff Borzello

Five-star junior Troy Williams celebrated his birthday on Friday. He also trimmed his list to five schools.

Williams announced on Twitter that his final five choices were North Carolina, Kentucky, Georgetown, Virginia Tech and Villanova.

“They’re schools that play my style of play, and they’re also not that far for my family,” Williams told CBSSports.com in a text message.

Torian Graham and NC State part ways -- again

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:51:11 EST

By Jeff Borzello

UPDATE: Torian Graham has again decommitted from North Carolina State. "Something came up . . . I don't really want to talk about it," he told PackPride.com. "But, no sir, I'm not committed anymore."

It’s not often a player recommits to a school after parting ways only months earlier.

North Carolina State lucked out on Thursday, though, when Torian Graham decided to pledge to the Wolfpack – again.