Imported Attractions in Southern Maryland

Opposing coaches have trekked to Southern Maryland to scout St. Mary's Ryken and all have come away impressed with the Knights' latest imports, Turkish guards Gorkem Sonmez and Gokhan Sirin. The two are seniors and already drawing considerable college interest.

Sonmez, who is 6-5 and 225 pounds, holds offers from Wyoming, Radford and Jacksonville, according to Ryken Coach Dave Tallman, with Miami (Fla.) recently making the trip to see him. Sirin, who is 6-9 and 205 pounds, is being recruited by Providence and VCU.

"They're going to be very good players, nobody knows about them," Tallman said. "Once we start playing some games, they're going to be highly recruited.

"Gorkem benches 250 pounds. Gokhan has a huge upside. He's probably our best shooter and he handles it well. Once he gets some meat on himself and gets stronger, he's got a pretty good upside, no question."

Along senior guard R.J. Buck (signed with North Carolina A&T), junior point guard Kai Smith (offer from Boston U.) and guard Elijah Matthews, Tallman believes his team starrts five future Division I players.