Josh Barr's Recruiting Insider Archive by Category

Niagara nabs another local

Colleague Mark Giannotto has this report: Just got a call from Mount Vernon boys' basketball coach Alfonso Smith concerning star player Skylar Jones. A first-team all-region selection as a junior last year, Jones will officially sign with Niagara University this Wednesday. He picked the Buffalo school over Mount St. Mary's,...

By Josh Barr | November 6, 2009; 03:56 PM ET | Comments (1)

Coolidge guard joins the A&T rush

Coolidge senior point guard Jeremy Underwood is joining the Washington contingent heading down to North Carolina A&T. Underwood committed to the Aggies after taking his official visit over the weekend, according to Coolidge Coach Vaughn Jones. Underwood averaged 10.6 points per game last season, after transferring from Paul VI, and...

By Alan Goldenbach | November 3, 2009; 10:54 AM ET | Comments (1)

Roosevelt center headed to CAA

Eleanor Roosevelt basketball coach Brendan O'Connell reports that 6-foot-8 center Alex Bates has committed to play for Northeastern. Bates averaged 1.1 points last season while playing for St. John's. Bates spent three seasons at St. John's before deciding to transfer back to his neighborhood public school. "I figured Roosevelt is...

By Josh Barr | October 20, 2009; 11:42 AM ET | Comments (0)

Some Gonzaga Lemmon-ade For Robert Morris

Gonzaga forward Malcolm Lemmons has orally committed to sign with Robert Morris. He becomes the third member of the Purple Eagles' senior class to make a college decision, joining guard Tyler Thornton (Duke) and Cedrick Lindsay (Richmond). According to Gonzaga Coach Steve Turner, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound Lemmons took two official...

By Alan Goldenbach | October 15, 2009; 01:45 PM ET | Comments (1)

Anderson, Cook Selected for National Duty

DeMatha junior guard Quinn Cook and Montrose Christian sophomore forward Justin Anderson are among the 20 players invited to the USA Basketball National Developmental Team's mini-camp Oct. 9 to 11 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The camp is slated to help the team prepare for next summer's under-17 world championships in...

By Josh Barr | September 29, 2009; 10:22 AM ET | Comments (0)

Arledge Picks Mason, Young Headed to DePaul

Two D.C. charter school basketball players have made their college commitments. KIMA forward Jonathan Arledge, scheduled to visit Georgetown next weekend, went ahead and committed to George Mason, a huge get for the Patriots, who have been after Arledge for some time. Also, Friendship Collegiate guard Brandon Young, who had...

By Josh Barr | September 24, 2009; 12:01 PM ET | Comments (0)

DeMatha Guard Picks North Carolina A&T

DeMatha senior guard Justin Black has committed to play for North Carolina A&T. He averaged 1.2 points per game as a junior last season. The Aggies' roster already includes three players from the WCAC: guard Marc Hill and forward Lawrence Smith from Bishop McNamara and guard R.J. Buck of St....

By Josh Barr | September 24, 2009; 10:08 AM ET | Comments (0)

Another DeMatha Player Heading to the Hoosier State

This one will play for Notre Dame. DeMatha forward Jerian Grant, a 6-foot-4 senior, on Wednesday committed to play for the Fighting Irish, who are coached by DeMatha alum Mike Brey. Grant's father, Harvey, had a lengthy NBA career and his brother, Jerai, now plays for Clemson. Grant had been...

By Josh Barr | September 9, 2009; 06:47 PM ET | Comments (0)

DeMatha Forward Picks Indiana

DeMatha forward Victor Oladipo took his first official visit this past weekend to Indiana and liked it so much that he verbally committed to play for the Hoosiers. Oladipo, a high-flying 6-foot-5 senior, would be the first DeMatha player ever to play for Indiana. Former Indiana Coach Bob Knight famously...

By Josh Barr | September 9, 2009; 02:31 PM ET | Comments (0)

Web Sites Present New Dynamic in Recruiting

Colleagues Steve Yanda and Eric Prisbell have a good story in today's paper about how Web sites are changing recruiting. The problem? There is no way to regulate - for recruits, colleges or the NCAA -- these sites. Sure, a school could decline to provide credentials for home games, but...

By Josh Barr | August 25, 2009; 12:17 PM ET | Comments (1)

Gonzaga's Lindsay Picks Richmond

Get ready for some more basketball commitments as seniors try to firm up their scholarship plans before school starts. The latest to make up his mind is Gonzaga guard Cedrick Lindsay, who on Sunday accepted an offer to play for Richmond, Eagles Coach Steve Turner reported. Lindsay, who is 6...

By Josh Barr | August 23, 2009; 10:36 PM ET | Comments (3)

Cook Holding Court, DeMatha Seniors Mull Offers

Caught up with DeMatha basketball coach Mike Jones as he drove home from Chris Paul's CP3 Elite Guard Camp in Winston-Salem, N.C., where Jones noted the Washington area was well represented. DeMatha junior Quinn Cook, O'Connell senior Kendall Marshall (North Carolina), Georgetown Prep senior Markel Starks (Georgetown) and Gonzaga All-Met...

By Josh Barr | August 17, 2009; 03:24 PM ET | Comments (6)

Bennett's First Recruiting Class Growing

New Virginia men's basketball coach Tony Bennett has said he wants to make inroads recruiting the Washington area but his first recruiting class is drawing players from across the nation. The latest to pledge for the Cavaliers is guard K.T. Harrell of Montgomery, Ala. He joins guard Joe Harris of...

By Josh Barr | August 6, 2009; 03:42 PM ET | Comments (0)

Courtland's Hairston to Transfer to Montrose

Correspondent Stephen Ball checks in from The Rock summer league, where all the talk is about Duke-bound All-Met Josh Hairston transferring from Courtland to Montrose for his senior season. Turns out, as the Fredreicksburg Times-Mirror reports, it's more than just talk -- Hairston is taking his considerable skill set to...

By Micah Pollack | July 9, 2009; 03:45 PM ET | Comments (2)

With Floyd Out, Recruits Will Scatter

You have to wonder why Tim Floyd picked yesterday to resign as USC's coach. With the start of the summer recruiting period coming up and the recruiting class of 2009 pretty much set on where they're heading, all of a sudden things are in limbo. It will be interesting to...

By Josh Barr | June 10, 2009; 12:44 PM ET | Comments (1)

DeMatha, Montrose Players Selected to National Team

DeMatha guard Quinn Cook, a rising junior, and Montrose Christian forward Justin Anderson, a rising sophomore, were selected for the under-16 national team that will participate in the FIBA Americas under-16 championship in Argentina later this month. Former Montrose Christian coach Kevin Sutton is one of the assistant coaches for...

By Josh Barr | June 9, 2009; 05:07 PM ET | Comments (0)

Olasewere Ready to Hit the Big Apple

Sort of. Springbrook All-Met forward Jamal Olasewere, who blossomed as a college prospect late in the season and led the Blue Devils to a second consecutive Maryland 4A championship, has signed a letter-of-intent to play for Long Island University. Here is the school's official release, though I'm still looking for...

By Josh Barr | June 2, 2009; 04:15 PM ET | Comments (3)

Top Hoopster Heading to the CAA

One of the nation's top basketball players will take the court in the CAA next year. Elena Delle Donne, a 6-5 guard, originally signed with Connecticut before saying she was burned out and enrolling at hometown Delaware and playing volleyball as a freshman. Now, she will join the Blue Hens'...

By Josh Barr | June 2, 2009; 10:27 AM ET | Comments (0)

Too Early to Say Where UK's Haul Ranks

While John Calipari seemingly got all the players he wanted since being hired at Kentucky - including former Eleanor Roosevelt All-Met Darnell Dodson - it's too early to start thinking of the incoming group of Wildcats as one of the best recruiting hauls ever. For while basketball recruiting can be...

By Josh Barr | June 1, 2009; 12:59 PM ET | Comments (0)

New Virginia Coach Looks Toward Recruiting

Virginia's new basketball coach had three priorities when he first took his new job. Nearly all tied into recruiting. Tony Bennett wanted to keep two recruits in the fold, including second-team All-Met Tristan Spurlock from Word of Life Academy in Springfield. He wanted to hire coaches who knew the region,...

By Josh Barr | May 27, 2009; 12:49 PM ET | Comments (3)

Howard Player of the Year Heads for the Midwest

Dave Yanovitz reports: Hammond guard Chris Baker, Howard County's second-leading scorer this past season and the county coaches' Player of the Year, has signed with Division II Missouri Southern. Baker's 20.7 points per game as a senior helped the Golden Bears to a remarkable turnaround this winter: Hammond won 20...

By Josh Barr | May 22, 2009; 04:10 PM ET | Comments (1)

Top Point Guard Picks Kentucky

So hotshot point guard prospect John Wall chose to play for Kentucky and new coach John Calipari. No surprise there. Here's the interesting part of the story -- interestingly, never mentioned in this story: Wall, who must still gain academic eligibility, faces one other minor hurdle. He is due in...

By Josh Barr | May 20, 2009; 10:56 AM ET | Comments (2)

Another Local Player Bound for Division II Power

Colleague B.J. Koubaroulis is on top of things in Fairfax County and passes along that Lake Braddock guard Dominic Morra is bound for NCAA Division II power Augusta (Ga.) State, which is coached by W.T. Woodson grad Dip Metress, whose brother, Brian, is the coach at Lake Braddock. Augusta's roster...

By Josh Barr | May 15, 2009; 10:03 AM ET | Comments (0)

This Will Come Up in Recruiting

The Washington area already is a hotbed for division I-AA coaches looking for lesser-known talented players or others who perhaps slipped through the cracks. With many top teams in the region -- James Madison, Richmond, William & Mary, Delaware, for starters -- I am certain this new item will be...

By Josh Barr | May 13, 2009; 02:15 PM ET | Comments (0)

Will Power Schools Recruit Gonzaga Guard?

Gonzaga guard Cedrick Lindsay enjoyed a breakout junior season, averaging 16.7 points and establishing himself as a significant scoring threat. While plenty of mid-major college programs have taken notice, but it remains to be seen whether schools from the power conference will get involved in his recruitment. His backcourt mate,...

By Josh Barr | May 12, 2009; 04:54 PM ET | Comments (4)

Former DeMatha Standout Transferring to Arkansas

Former DeMatha guard Jeff Peterson is transferring to Arkansas from Iowa. Peterson started 25 games as a sophomore this past season, averaging 10.4 points and 4.2 assists before missing the season's final seven games because of a hamstring injury. He said he wants to play for a team that plays...

By Josh Barr | May 11, 2009; 10:37 AM ET | Comments (1)

Notre Dame, Marquette Pushing for DeMatha Juniors

It's a basketball update kind of day. DeMatha Coach Mike Jones, en route to a speaking engagement/round of golf in the Shenandoah Valley, reports that Notre Dame and Marquette have made recent visits to Hyattsville to recruit the Stags' talented junior forwards, Jerian Grant and Victor Oladipo. "Notre Dame came...

By Josh Barr | May 8, 2009; 01:26 PM ET | Comments (3)

Good Counsel Center Detouts to Winthrop

Good Counsel center Julius Francis is no longer bound for Southern Methodist and instead is bound for Winthrop. It's unclear why Francis and SMU parted ways, with the school granting a release from his letter-of-intent; former Good Counsel coach Mike Hibbs was not immediately reachable. When that happened, Winthrop apparently...

By Josh Barr | May 8, 2009; 11:43 AM ET | Comments (0)

Star Player Left with Few Options

Insider special contributor B.J. Koubaroulis passed along this link that will leave you shaking your head. One-time Georgetown target Renardo Sidney was pursued by UCLA and USC and at one time even verbally committed to play for the Trojans. Now, though, he is bound for Mississippi State after both USC...

By Josh Barr | May 4, 2009; 03:56 PM ET | Comments (1)

Top Recruit Runs Afoul of Law, Will Colleges Care?

It will be interesting to see how colleges deal with their pursuit of hotshot guard John Wall after he was cited with breaking and entering last week. While breaking the law isn't necessarily what colleges want to see from potential students, the guess here is that some top 25 programs...

By Josh Barr | May 4, 2009; 12:02 PM ET | Comments (3)

Paulus Visits Nebraska, Decision Soon?

Might this be the one time to really believe that a recruit is serious about a school's academic facilities? Or is it just a bizarre recruiting tale? Either way, soon-to-be former Duke basketball player Greg Paulus plans on playing football in the fall and he took in Nebraska'a campus last...

By Josh Barr | May 4, 2009; 09:44 AM ET | Comments (5)

Hibbs Resigns at Good Counsel

Will be interesting to see how this reverberates around the area. Good Counsel basketball coach Mike Hibbs has resigned to take a similar position at a Pennsylvania public school. The general consensus among local coaches is that Good Counsel puts a significant emphasis on building winning sports teams. While Hibbs...

By Josh Barr | April 29, 2009; 10:21 AM ET | Comments (4)

Clarke Lands at Drake

Former Good Counsel standout Jordan Clarke will transfer to Drake. Clarke played sparingly as a freshman this past season at Vermont. He visited Drake this past weekend and committed to play for his new school. "I got along great with the coaches and players, it is a real good school,...

By Josh Barr | April 28, 2009; 02:20 PM ET | Comments (0)

All-Met Junior Guard Commits to Terps

Big news! Montrose Christian All-Met junior guard Terrence Ross has committed to play for Maryland, Montrose Coach Stu Vetter reports. "As of noon today," Vetter said. "Maryland did a good job recruiting him. They recruited him hard this spring and during the season. Throughout the year, he told me he...

By Josh Barr | April 24, 2009; 03:24 PM ET | Comments (5)

High Schooler Skipping Senior Year to Turn Pro

Don't look now, but is a new trend starting? A teenager from San Diego, who just happens to be 6-11, will skip his senior year of high school to pursue a professional basketball career. Wow. Jeremy Tyler had committed to play for Louisville, but it appears that won't happen now...

By Josh Barr | April 23, 2009; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (2)

Former All-Met Signs With U-Mass.

Heard about this one but had too much to post yesterday. Former Montrose Christian All-Met Terrell Vinson signed with Massachusetts. He played this season at St. Frances of Baltimore and had signed with Loyola Marymount before a midseason coaching change....

By Josh Barr | April 22, 2009; 10:57 AM ET | Comments (0)

Big Get for Mason

Sorry that it took a while to get this post up, George Mason fans, but the Patriots appear to have gotten quite a recruit in guard Sherrod Wright, a senior from Mount Vernon, N.Y., who gives Mason a six-player recruiting class. Credit Mason's Final Four run and the success of...

By Josh Barr | April 21, 2009; 04:28 PM ET | Comments (6)

Marshall Inks Former National Christian Standout

Forward Antonio Haymon, who spent the past two seasons at Cecil (Md.) Community College, has signed a letter-of-intent to play for Marshall. Haymon, who is 6-6, averaged 20 points and nine rebounds this past season. "Antonio will bring explosiveness, athleticism and toughness to our program," Marshall Head Coach Donnie Jones...

By Josh Barr | April 21, 2009; 04:16 PM ET | Comments (0)

Coach Says Benimon Just Waiting on Paperwork

Just got off the line with Fauquier Coach Wayne Brizzi, who says that Jerrelle Benimon is simply waiting for Georgetown's letter-of-intent to arrive. "We haven't signed any papers, it's not official, but they're sending papers out today or tomorrow and he's going to sign them and send them back in...

By Josh Barr | April 21, 2009; 01:54 PM ET | Comments (0)

Hoyas Adding a Local Forward

And it's not who you might think. Multiple sources are telling me that Fauquier fourth-team All-Met Jerrelle Benimon will sign with the Hoyas. Wow. Former colleague Matt Stanmyre, a noted Benimon fan, wrote in in late January about how the 6-8 Benimon being largely ignored by college recruiters despite putting...

By Josh Barr | April 21, 2009; 12:58 PM ET | Comments (0)

Georgetown Adds Point Guard

Around local basketball circles, Georgetown's roster next season is a much-discussed topic. With only seven returning scholarship players and one recruit signed to a letter-of-intent, the Hoyas have plenty of openings. It had appeared that All-Met forward Jamal Olasewere might end up on the Hill, but now I think that...

By Josh Barr | April 21, 2009; 11:39 AM ET | Comments (1)

Locals Shine in Return to D.C.

Spent Saturday night at the Reebok All-American Game at American U., where the theme of the night was former local stars returning to play at home. Kansas recruit Thomas Robinson, who played at Eastern and Riverdale Baptist before heading to a New England prep school for his senior year, was...

By Josh Barr | April 20, 2009; 11:37 AM ET | Comments (0)

H.D. Woodson Duo Bound for Kentucky

Alan Goldenbach with some news: H.D. Woodson seniors Jeniece Johnson and Bernisha Pinkett signed letters-of-intent Wednesday with Kentucky, according to Warriors Coach Frank Oliver. Both players took official visits to the Lexington campus last weekend and came away very impressed. "The new $30 millon facility doesn't hurt either," Oliver said...

By Josh Barr | April 16, 2009; 10:21 AM ET | Comments (1)

Spurlock Set for Virginia

Second-team All-Met forward Tristan Spurlock tells the Charlottesville Daily-Progress that he will play for Virginia next year. Spurlock had been reconsidering his options after the Cavaliers' coaching change but apparently decided to play for incoming coach Tony Bennett. More to come......

By Josh Barr | April 15, 2009; 12:46 PM ET | Comments (0)

Spring Signing Period Begins Today

It's the start of the spring signing period for basketball, which promises to be busier than usual. Locally, the two top players with things to decide are Springbrook All-Met forward Jamal Olasewere and Word of Life second-team All-Met forward Tristan Spurlock. Olasewere has been courted by Georgetown in recent weeks...

By Josh Barr | April 15, 2009; 10:02 AM ET | Comments (0)

Updating Some Transfers

Prolific guard Josh Selby, a junior who has committed to play for Tennessee, has transferred from DeMatha to Maryland 3A champion Lake Clifton of Baltimore. The move is not terribly surprising, given that Selby was suspended for the season's last two months for a violation of team rules, but I...

By Josh Barr | April 13, 2009; 12:24 PM ET | Comments (2)

Former Local Standout Transfers to Loyola

Former Annandale forward Erik Etherly, who played this past season at Northeastern, is transferring to Loyola. Etherly averaged four minutes in the 12 games he saw action in this past season as a freshman. He will have to sit out next season, but could make an impact when he returns...

By Josh Barr | April 10, 2009; 01:43 PM ET | Comments (0)

Locals Win, Villanova Recruit Shines

Straight out of central casting: The name on the front of the jersey doesn't mean a thing, as the Capital All-Stars proved with their 31-point win last night in the Capital Classic. Montrose Christian All-Met center Mouphtaou Yarou snagged MVP honors with 20 points and eight rebounds in just 16...

By Josh Barr | April 10, 2009; 11:44 AM ET | Comments (0)

Looking Back at the NHSI and Future of High School Hoops

Colleague B.J. Koubaroulis looks at this past weekend's National High School Invitational, talking to folks who were out at Georgetown Prep about the future of high school basketball....

By Josh Barr | April 9, 2009; 02:35 PM ET | Comments (2)

NHSI Gets High Marks

Give this past weekend's inaugural National High School Invitational an A-minus or B-plus, says one of the event organizers. "That's where I would lean," said James Brown, senior vice president for ESPN RISE, the cable network's division dedicated to high school athletics. "I wouldn't give it the total A." There...

By Josh Barr | April 7, 2009; 01:42 PM ET | Comments (1)

Time for More All-Star Games

With the NHSI in the books, the high school basketball season winds down with more all-star games. The Capital Classic is Thursday at American University's Bender Arena and next week, on April 18, the Reebok All-American Game will be held at Bender. The Reebok main game features several players with...

By Josh Barr | April 7, 2009; 12:41 PM ET | Comments (1)

Terps Still Rate for Recruits

Here's an interesting entry on Phoenix junior guard Terrell Stoglin, who late last week committed to play for Maryland. Stoglin, who plays for Santa Rita, apparently caught Maryland's attention while playing in Good Counsel's season-opening tournament that included many top teams and players, with plenty of college coaches making the...

By Josh Barr | April 6, 2009; 09:55 AM ET | Comments (3)

Texas Recruit Shines as Findlay Wins NHSI

Congratulations to Findlay Prep of Las Vegas, which beat Oak Hill, 74-66, to win the National High School Invitational. Texas recruit Avery Bradley, a talented guard from Tacoma, Wash., was named the tournament's most valuable player. Not a bad week, considering only a few days earlier he won the slam...

By Josh Barr | April 6, 2009; 09:46 AM ET | Comments (0)

Findlay 76, Mountain State 55

Not terribly exciting. Findlay was impressive throughout and folks already are anticipating a Findlay-Oak Hill final on Sunday (sorry, Stu)....

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2009; 07:09 PM ET | Comments (0)

Findlay 39, Mountain State 24 at the Half

It's not terribly exciting ,a bit of a mismatch. Findlay is impressive, Mountain State junior guard Noah Cottill, already committed to West Virginia, is pretty tough, too. Otherwise, not much notable. I'll check in afterwards......

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2009; 06:45 PM ET | Comments (0)

St. Benedict's Post Players Heating Up

Just caught up with St. Benedict's Coach Dan Hurley to talk about his two junior post players, 6-10 John Paul Kambola and 6-8 Gilvydas Biruta, who are receiving college attention. Biruta, a native of Lithuania, had bounced around Europe before coming to St. Benedict's this school year, Hurley said. The...

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2009; 06:26 PM ET | Comments (0)

Junior Center Impresses for St. Benedict's

With the game on the line in the fourth quarter, 6-10, 235-pound junior center John Paul Kambola was the difference for the Gray Bees. He scored 10 of the team's 12 points during a key stretch to lead St. Benedict's to a 74-65 victory over St. Frances. More in a...

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2009; 05:46 PM ET | Comments (0)

St. Benedict's Back in Front

End 3rd quarter: St. Benedict's 47, St. Frances 43. Junior forward Gilvydas Biruta, who is 6-8, had consecutive powerful dunks for the Gray Bees, while Coach Dan Hurley is confined to the bench after picking up a technical foul....

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2009; 05:19 PM ET | Comments (0)

Vinson Has St. Frances in Front, Still Undecided

St. Frances fell behind 14-2 early on, but took its first lead, 25-24, on a Terrell Vinson dunk and leads 29-24 at halftime. Vinson had all 14 of his points in the second quarter. Vinson, an All-Met last year at Montrose Christian, is looking for a new college after Loyola...

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2009; 04:46 PM ET | Comments (0)

Former Va. Tech Recruit Looking for a Home

Just talked to Oak Hill guard Lamont "MoMo" Jones, who had 20 points in the Warriors' 83-64 victory over Pinewood Prep in the first round of the National High School Invitational. He had been committed to play for Virginia Tech but decided recently to open things up and consider other...

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2009; 04:00 PM ET | Comments (0)

Dunk. Block. Dunk.

Just in case anyone isn't watching on TV, Oak Hill center Keith Gallon just showed why he is considered one of the nation's top players. He drives and dunks, blocks a shot then runs the court and dunks in transition....

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2009; 03:14 PM ET | Comments (0)

Carroll Hires Michael Adams

There were rumblings about this earlier in the week and today comes the official announcement: Carroll has hired former NBA guard and Maryland assistant Michael Adams as its boys basketball coach. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. It can be difficult to recruit players to Carroll,...

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2009; 03:07 PM ET | Comments (0)

Busy Times for Clemson Recruit

It's a busy time for Pinewood Prep forward Milton Jennings. The 6-9, 215-pound forward flew from Charleston, S.C., to Miami last Saturday to participate in the McDonald's All-American Game on Wednesday. Thursday, Jennings flew from Miami to Washington, where a representative of the NHSI picked him up at Dulles International...

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2009; 02:23 PM ET | Comments (0)

NHSI Underway...

Walk into Georgetown Prep's Hanley Center and you can't miss the Nike logos -- on the glass doors, the large sneaker displays, etc. Funny, since Georgetown Prep has a deal with UnderArmour. Anyway, the National High School Invitational is underway, but the Oak Hill-Pinewood Prep opener has the feel of...

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2009; 02:06 PM ET | Comments (0)

National Hoops Tourney Starts Today at Prep

The National High School Invitational begins today at Georgetown Prep, an eight-team boys' basketball tournament and four-team girls' tournament that some consider a national championship. I'll have plenty more on the event - I'll be there all day, first game tips at 2 p.m., but here is a list of...

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2009; 09:32 AM ET | Comments (0)

Taylor Scores 15, Helps East Win

Here's the final report from National Christian star Dante Taylor, talking about playing in the McDonald's All-American Game last night: I have been dreaming of playing in the McDonald's All American Games since I was young, and today was the day. We started off the morning with a shoot around...

By Josh Barr | April 2, 2009; 11:42 AM ET | Comments (0)

Taylor Ready to Shine Tonight

Here is Dante Taylor's game-day journal as he prepares for tonight's McDonald's All-American Game in Miami. And here is a linkto my story on the National Christian star in today's paper. Below is some video. Tuesday was the last day to prepare for the McDonald's All American Game. We started...

By Josh Barr | April 1, 2009; 11:35 AM ET | Comments (0)

Spurlock Talks to Bennett, Waiting to Meet Him

Caught up with Virginia recruit Tristan Spurlock, who said he spoke briefly this afternoon with the Cavaliers' new coach, Tony Bennett, and hopes to meet with Bennett early next week. "I had a free period and he called me during my free period," said Spurlock, a forward who played this...

By Josh Barr | March 31, 2009; 05:22 PM ET | Comments (4)

Maryland, Others Will Have to Wait on Stephenson

Colleague Steve Yanda has the sort-of news of the day. Lance Stephenson won't be making his college choice just yet. It appeared the New York City star was prepared to announce his choice between Maryland, Kansas and St. John's in advance of tomorrow night's McDonald's All-American Game in Miami, but...

By Josh Barr | March 31, 2009; 04:30 PM ET | Comments (1)

An Interesting Day in Miami

Do you want fries with that? (Courtesy McDonald's) Here's the latest from National Christian star Dante Taylor as he prepares for tomorrow night's McDonald's All-American Game: Today was a great day! I had the chance to work at McDonald's and see first-hand what the employees do on a daily...

By Josh Barr | March 31, 2009; 01:09 PM ET | Comments (1)

Dante Taylor at Mickey D's

While he's in Miami preparing for the McDonald's All-American Game on Wednesday, National Christian star Dante Taylor is sending daily updates of the time leading up the game. Here's his first installment: This morning I woke up (a little bit too early!) and went downstairs for breakfast at the hotel....

By Josh Barr | March 30, 2009; 08:27 AM ET | Comments (0)

Did U-Conn Break NCAA Recruiting Regulations?

If you've got the time, here's the story that's sure to be talked about ad nauseum the next few days. Seems that Connecticut might have violated many NCAA rules in its pursuit of a player who got kicked out of school last fall before ever suiting up for practice. It...

By Josh Barr | March 25, 2009; 02:52 PM ET | Comments (13)

Cap Classic Prelim Game Rosters

Suburban All-Stars: G Stephen Griffin, Paint Branch; G Ed Jenkins, T.C. Williams; G Dominic Morra, Lake Braddock; G Bruce Massey, Seneca Valley; G Percy Woods, Crossland; G David Golladay, Wise; F Chase Hicks, Churchill; F Lasan Kromah, Eleanor Roosevelt; F Stephen Stepka, W.T. Woodson; F Frank Holloway, Lee; F Raphael...

By Josh Barr | March 19, 2009; 03:31 PM ET | Comments (3)

Cap Classic Lineups Announced

Here are the lineups for the Capital Classic, which will be held April 9 at American University's Bender Arena: Capital All-Stars: G Erick Green, Paul VI Catholic (Virginia Tech); G Derrick Washington, Coolidge; G Derrick Thomas, St. John's (Drexel); G Rashad Whack, Bishop McNamara (George Mason); G Javorn Farrell, Riverdale...

By Josh Barr | March 19, 2009; 02:53 PM ET | Comments (3)

Olasewere Will Visit Georgetown

Springbrook forward Jamal Olasewere plans to visit Georgetown either later this week or early next week and things could soon come into focus for him. Several other schools -- Long Island, Fairleigh Dickson and Hartford, among others -- have phoned Springbrook Coach Tom Crowell, asking about Olasewere's status after his...

By Josh Barr | March 18, 2009; 11:56 AM ET | Comments (4)

Kromah Talks About Choosing GW

Sometimes it pays just to keep after a player. That's why Eleanor Roosevelt junior guard Lasan Kromah committed to George Washington. "Other schools were recruiting me and calling sometimes, but George Washington was the most consistent, staying in contact and showing a lot of interest," Kromah said. "There's a bond...

By Josh Barr | March 16, 2009; 03:44 PM ET | Comments (0)

GW Lands Local Forward

I hope to have more on this soon, but Eleanor Roosevelt Coach Brendan O'Connell confirms that guard Lasan Kromah, a smooth-shooting 6-foot-4 guard, has committed to play for George Washington....

By Josh Barr | March 16, 2009; 02:03 PM ET | Comments (0)

Former National Christian Star Stands Out

Perhaps the most impressive player this past weekend at Maryland's Comcast Center was Lake Clifton forward Will Barton. The 6-6 junior, who played last season at National Christian, led Lake Clifton to two routs and the Maryland 3A championship. Barton showed the ability to handle the ball, get to the...

By Josh Barr | March 16, 2009; 11:48 AM ET | Comments (1)

Springbrook Forward Has Good Timing

Springbrook forward Jamal Olasewere didn't see who was in the crowd last night at Comcast Center, when he scored 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds before fouling out in an eventual 74-69 double-overtime victory over Walbrook of Baltimore in a Maryland 4A semifinal. And while Georgetown Coach John Thompson III...

By Josh Barr | March 13, 2009; 01:33 PM ET | Comments (3)

Top Prospect Doesn't Make All-League?

So how did one of the Washington area's top players fail to make his own all-league team? Apparently, his own coach did not nominate the player for such honors. While no one wanted to talk publicly about it - citing the confidentiality of last night's season-ending coaches' meeting - O'Connell...

By Josh Barr | March 11, 2009; 05:32 PM ET | Comments (6)

Charter School Forward Holds Offers

Colleague Alan Goldenbach, who knows everything charter-school related, filed this dispatch: After leading Cesar Chavez to its second Washington Charter Schools Athletic Association title in three seasons, senior forward Markee Mazyck is ready to give college recruiting his full attention. According to Chavez Coach Darryl Singleton, the 6-4 Mazyck holds...

By Josh Barr | March 11, 2009; 11:36 AM ET | Comments (0)

Montrose-Oak Hill Report

It was quite a scene last night at Montrose Christian. You don't see this kind of talent on the court - or in the stands -- that often. Seated behind one basket: Maryland assistant Chuck Driesell, Villanova assistants Doug West and Pat Chambers, Virginia Tech Coach Seth Greenberg (who fought...

By Josh Barr | March 7, 2009; 06:16 AM ET | Comments (0)

Montrose-Oak Hill Is Quite an Event

A rare Friday night post, but, hey, it's a rare game. The stands are packed at Georgetown Prep for Montrose Christian-Oak Hill, with Maryland assistant Chuck Driesell and Villanova assistants Doug West and Pat Chambers in attendance, along with several players from other local high schools, including Gonzaga's Tyler Thornton...

By Josh Barr | March 6, 2009; 07:03 PM ET | Comments (0)

A Shot to Remember

Not necessarily recruiting-related (or is it?) but I found this picture most interesting from last night's WCAC championship game. That's former DeMatha coach Morgan Wootten on the right and Georgetown Coach John Thompson III, a Gonzaga alum, on the left. It was noted afterward that Thompson coaches former DeMatha star...

By Josh Barr | March 6, 2009; 02:44 PM ET | Comments (0)

More Offers Soon to Come for Grant?

Jerian Grant already was on the map for college recruiters, holding scholarship offers from a list that includes Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Providence, Massachusetts and George Mason, "amongst others," according to DeMatha Coach Mike Jones. Still, one has to think that Grant's play in the semifinal and championship game of...

By Josh Barr | March 6, 2009; 02:42 PM ET | Comments (1)

D.C. Point Guard Getting Late Attention

Honorary DCIAA Board Member Alan Goldenbach passes this along: McKinley senior point guard Anthony Myers, off a strong performance in leading the Trainers to the D.C. public schools final, is starting to get some late recruiting interest. McKinley Coach Eric Brockenberry said Myers has an offer from American, and plans...

By Josh Barr | March 4, 2009; 02:10 PM ET | Comments (0)

Virginia Recruit Still Toiling in Obscurity

Man About Charlottesville Jeff White took a look at Virginia recruit Tristan Spurlock this past Friday. As you no doubt remember, the former Montrose Christian standout is attending Word of Life for his senior year, well off the map to basketball stardom. With each team wanting a tuneup before their...

By Josh Barr | March 2, 2009; 12:00 PM ET | Comments (1)

WCAC Semifinal Thoughts

Some thoughts from watching the WCAC semifinals last night. DeMatha sophomore Quinn Cook already is on the radar for many top programs and he continues to show why, playing with poise and under control while also knowing when to turn thigns up. Teammate Jerian Grant, a 6-4 junior forward, already...

By Josh Barr | March 2, 2009; 10:07 AM ET | Comments (0)

Talented Leaper Looking for Interest

Meet Travon Fifty. Anacostia senior guard Travon Smith doesn't have any scholarship offers yet, but it's possible he might after word of his incredible leaping ability spreads around. He averages 15 points and 10 rebounds and holds the school's all-time scoring record....

By Josh Barr | February 24, 2009; 01:03 AM ET | Comments (2)

Landon's Webster Is Bound for Harvard

Colleague B.J. Koubaroulis, never one short for words, files this dispatch: Landon guard Christian Webster will play for Harvard, according to his father Darryl and high school basketball coach Andy Luther. Webster, a 6-5 senior who averaged 23.3 points per game this season, has been a hot target for Harvard...

By Josh Barr | February 23, 2009; 02:20 PM ET | Comments (0)

Two Quick Reads; Williams and Malone Hit It Off?

Two quick early-morning hits, both interesting: Are Curtis Malone and Gary Williams set to become pals? That might be a bit strong, but kudos to whoever arranged last week's meeting between Williams and Malone, who runs the area's best travel-team basketball organization. While it is probably too much to suggest...

By Josh Barr | February 19, 2009; 09:08 AM ET | Comments (3)

Profiling Two Top Athletes

Two excellent pieces the past two days on college-bound athletes. Yesterday, B.J. Koubaroulis told the story of All-Met Soccer Player of the Year Given Kalipinde of Episcopal, who has signed a letter-of-intent to play basketball for Loyola Marymount. Today, Katie Carrera profiles Westlake All-Met football player Devon Smith, also an...

By Josh Barr | February 17, 2009; 12:29 PM ET | Comments (0)

Top Talent on Display Tonight

And I'll be there to see top 10 teams Gonzaga and Bishop McNamara battle it out in Forestville. Among the players: McNamara C Talib Zanna (signed with Pittsburgh), G Rashad Whack (George Mason) and F Lawrence Smith (North Carolina A&T); Gonzaga C Ian Hummer has committed to Princeton and junior...

By Josh Barr | February 13, 2009; 01:24 PM ET | Comments (0)

Looking at the Terps' Struggles

Want to know why Maryland is struggling? Read today's installment on the Terps' recruiting woes, which details Gary Williams' preference for avoiding many of the headaches that go into recruiting top players. In case you missed it, here is yesterday's story, detailing how the Terps missed on several recruiting targets....

By Josh Barr | February 13, 2009; 10:11 AM ET | Comments (3)

April Will Bring Lots of Top Recruits to Town

While the Capital Classic is in jeopardy of not being held for the first time since 1974, there won't be a shortage of top talent for fans to see locally in April. In addition to the eight-team National High School Invitational at Georgetown Prep, Reebok will hold two all-star games...

By Josh Barr | February 11, 2009; 03:51 PM ET | Comments (3)

Seen and Heard, Maryland-Style

Some kind readers report seeing Gary Williams at DeMatha on Friday night to see the Stags one-point loss to Good Counsel. The Terrapins are involved with DeMatha junior forwards Victor Oladipo and Jerian Grant. Oladipo, a 6-5 high flyer, has a terrific upside and seems to have good court awareness....

By Josh Barr | February 2, 2009; 04:05 PM ET | Comments (0)

WCAC Guard Chooses Drexel

Been a busy 24 hours on this end, but I wanted to make a quick post. St. John's Coach Paul DeStefano called last night to report that guard Derrick Thomas had committed to play for Drexel. Thomas spent last season on the Cadets' JV after transferring from a New England...

By Josh Barr | January 30, 2009; 08:17 AM ET | Comments (0)

Pointing the Finger for Terps' Struggles

It appears the blame game has started in College Park, where Coach Gary Williams and associated AD Kathy Worthington had a nice tit-fot-tat as they disagree on why Tyree Evans and Gus Gilchrist aren't suiting up for the Terps this season. Maryland's struggles are a topic of strong interest for...

By Josh Barr | January 28, 2009; 07:48 AM ET | Comments (13)

NCAA Puts Children Off Limits; Bans Paying Prospect's Coaches

No more recruiting Johnny Sixth-Grader. The NCAA yesterday passed emergency legislation that will prohibit college coaches from recruiting players before they enroll in ninth grade. Guess that also means no more decommit and recommit before 10th grade. "It was a negative trend," said Steve Mallonee, the NCAA's managing director of...

By Josh Barr | January 16, 2009; 02:37 PM ET | Comments (0)

Never a Sure Thing; Former Star Teaching Middle School

Terrific read here. Let it be a cautionary tale for every kid who thinks he's destined to play in the pros. Kevin Pittsnogle never put himself in that group, but the thought was that he certainly was destined for the NBA after shining for West Virginia. After all, how many...

By Josh Barr | January 16, 2009; 02:16 PM ET | Comments (1)

Spotlight on Georgetown Recruit

Today's Recruiting Spotlight takes a look at Georgetown Prep junior guard Markel Starks, who already has committed to play for Georgetown. Starks always has been talented and now he's adding poise and maturity to his game....

By Josh Barr | January 8, 2009; 10:34 AM ET | Comments (3)

Vetter Talks; Says NHSI Is a National Championship

Top-ranked Montrose Christian suffered its first loss of the season, 74-62 in double overtime to Oak Hill late Monday night, but Mustangs Coach Stu Vetter said his team's trip to the Iolani Classic in Honolulu was a success. Montrose nearly had the game won, but Oak Hill's Lamont Jones made...

By Josh Barr | December 23, 2008; 03:51 PM ET | Comments (3)

Nation's Best Players Coming to Town in April

Oak Hill got the best of Montrose Christian last night and the teams are scheduled to play again in March. And now they could meet again with even more on the line. ESPN and the sports marketing company that helps put together the network's high school basketball and football games...

By Josh Barr | December 23, 2008; 11:35 AM ET | Comments (2)

Montrose Falls in 2 OTs in Hawaii

Gotta scroll down to read about it, but top-ranked Montrose Christian lost to Oak Hill, 74-62 in double overtime in the championship game of the Iolani Classic late last night/early this morning. Villanova recruit Mouphtaou Yarou led Montrose with 23 points, but the Momo Jones hit a long three-pointer to...

By Josh Barr | December 23, 2008; 09:52 AM ET | Comments (2)

Behind Va. Tech Recruit's Decision to Transfer

Colleague Matt Stanmyre has a terrific read this morning on Paul VI guard Erick Green and his decision to transfer for this season from Millbrook to the Fairfax private school in an attempt to better prepare for college. It's a two-way street: Green hopes to get more rigorous practice and...

By Josh Barr | December 10, 2008; 12:35 PM ET | Comments (1)

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...

By Josh Barr | December 5, 2008; 11:58 AM ET | Comments (0)

PVI a Team to Watch

Working on preseason basketball (yeah, I know, the season has tipped already, but our previews run next week) notes, Paul VI Catholic is one team that many coaches have on their radar as much improved. Apparently, with good reason. Coach Glenn Farello has two players who have signed LOI for...

By Josh Barr | December 4, 2008; 11:14 AM ET | Comments (0)

Looking All Over to Find Players

National Christian Coach Trevor Brown looks all over to find players. He has perhaps the area's top senior this year in Pittsburgh-bound forward Dante Taylor and a talented surrounding cast. Junior Ayobeji Egbeyemi (say that one a few times) is a 6-4 guard from Nigeria who arrived in October; like...

By Josh Barr | December 3, 2008; 12:43 PM ET | Comments (0)

Making an Impact South of the Border

Just got off the line with St. John's (Md.) Coach Silas Cheung, whose team features sophomore Grandy Glaze, a 6-6, 220-pound sophomore from outside Toronto. Carroll Coach Clinton Perrow, whose team is relying on four new foreign players (three Canadians), couldn't stop raving about Glaze, who led the Vikings to...

By Josh Barr | December 2, 2008; 01:26 PM ET | Comments (0)

DeMatha Juniors in No Rush

While classmate Josh Selby already has committed to play for Tennessee, DeMatha junior forwards Victor Oladipo and Jerian Grant are in no hurry to make their college choice and likely will wait until next year to reach a decision, Stags Coach Mike Jones said. Both players have many scholarship offers....

By Josh Barr | December 2, 2008; 10:08 AM ET | Comments (0)

The Most Popular Color in Recruiting

Here's a terrific column about the most popular color in recruiting circles: gray, as in shades of gray and not black or white. Every time the NCAA makes a new rule, coaches simply find a way to work around it. Plenty of ink for D.C. Assault and its pipeline to...

By Josh Barr | November 20, 2008; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (0)

Another Voice in Favor of Turning Back the Clock

This is an often-discussed topic in this space, but I won't mind having one more person on my side. Paul Woody of the Richmond Times-Dispatch is on board with the notion that teenagers selecting their colleges is becoming way overhyped. He has an interesting idea about televising the announcements of...

By Josh Barr | November 19, 2008; 01:34 PM ET | Comments (0)

Ruffin-Pratt Chooses UNC

Colleague Preston Williams has the story in today's paper: T.C. Williams senior Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, the reigning All-Met girls' basketball player of the year, committed today to the University of North Carolina. The 6-foot guard, a first-team Parade all-American last season, chose the Tar Heels over Duke, Virginia and Rutgers, she...

By Josh Barr | November 18, 2008; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (0)

Lots of Girls Put Ink to Paper, Williams Going to UNC

Lots of local girls basketball players signing LOI today, including five at Maryland 4A power Eleanor Roosevelt: Olivia Applewhite(Dayton), Ahjah Hall (Duquesne), Elashier Hall (Syracuse) and Nikia Gibbs, (St. Francis, Pa.). Another Raider, Alexis Malloy, is bound for Air Force. River Hill's Ryann Dannelly signed with Richmond. C.H. Flowers center...

By Josh Barr | November 12, 2008; 04:56 PM ET | Comments (1)

Who's Going to Sign?

Going through the files, here is a list of basketball players who have made verbal commitments. Not all of these players will sign letters-of-intent in the week-long signing period that began today. The Ivy League and service academies do not participate in the LOI program, while some players will not...

By Josh Barr | November 12, 2008; 11:53 AM ET | Comments (1)

Virginia About to Land a Big One

Man About Charlottesville Jeff White has some news this morning: Virginia is in the running for one of the nation's top unsigned basketball players. Renardo Sidney, a well-traveled, 6-10 forward from Los Angeles, is scheduled to visit Virginia this weekend. With the early signing period set to being tomorrow -...

By Josh Barr | November 11, 2008; 12:34 PM ET | Comments (4)

GW Connection Pays Off for Local Forward

Have to say, when colleague Alan Goldenbach told me he had some news and an interesting story involving Florida Atlantic, I immediately conjured up images of crusty Howard Schnellenberger on the recruiting trail. Just not ready for basketball season, I guess, even though the early signign period is only a...

By Josh Barr | November 7, 2008; 09:53 AM ET | Comments (0)

Wow! Gilchrist Eligible in December at South Florida

Wow. Simply wow. Gus Gilcrhist somehow got a waiver to become eligible at midseason for South Florida. Have to say, I thought there was no chance this would happen for the well-traveled Gilchrist. The short story: In high school, Gilchrist transferred from Friendly to Progressive Christian for his senior year...

By Josh Barr | November 5, 2008; 05:33 PM ET | Comments (8)

Spotlight on Courtland Forward Bound for Duke

Courtland forward Josh Hairston will be one of the region's top players this season. He already has accepted a scholarship offer to play for Duke. Get to know him here:...

By Josh Barr | October 30, 2008; 12:26 PM ET | Comments (1)

Big Center Heading to Texas

Just got off the phone with Good Counsel Coach Mike Hibbs, who had the news that center Julius Omoniurhie has committed to play for Southern Methodist. Omoniurhie, a 6-11 senior who moved to the U.S. from Nigeria, visited SMU two weeks ago. He visited Binghamton this past weekend and also...

By Josh Barr | October 29, 2008; 12:27 PM ET | Comments (1)

Gonzaga Center Chooses Ivy League

Shocking news here! All right, not really. Gonzaga Coach Steve Turner calls to say that center Ian Hummer today committed to play for Princeton. Hummer, a 6-7 senior, is considered exceptionally talented and had drawn interest from all sorts of college programs. But it was pretty well known my most...

By Josh Barr | October 28, 2008; 02:59 PM ET | Comments (1)

"The Best Player You've Never Heard Of"?

Got an interesting one here. Eitan Chemerinski, a 6-9 forward at Jewish Day School, has committed to play for Ivy League defending champion Cornell, first-year JDS Coach Matt Feldman said. "He's going to be the best player you've never heard of, without a doubt," said Feldman, who previously was an...

By Josh Barr | October 23, 2008; 04:37 PM ET | Comments (0)

McNamara Sends Another Player to N.C. A&T

Got an email from Bishop McNamara Coach Marty Keithline with the news that senior Lawrence Smith has committed to play for North Carolina A&T. He will reunite there with point guard Marc Hill, the Mustangs' on-court leader the past few seasons who is now a freshman at A&T. That's three...

By Josh Barr | October 22, 2008; 04:48 PM ET | Comments (0)

Terps Land Big Forward from Connecticut

Is this a big pickup for Maryland? The Terps yesterday landed a commitment from Connecticut power forward Jordan Williams. Homestate U-Conn. Had not offered Williams, but plenty of other top teams had and he said he picked Maryland over St. John's....

By Josh Barr | October 22, 2008; 09:33 AM ET | Comments (8)

Kansas Snags Local Forward

Well, Lou Wilson told me so. The Riverdale Baptist coach told me how good Thomas Robinson was and now that the senior forward has transferred to a New England prep school, apparently others think that Robinson is pretty good too. Robinson committed to play for Kansas, choosing the Jayhawks over...

By Josh Barr | October 14, 2008; 09:29 AM ET | Comments (4)

U-Mass Plucks Pair of Local Hoopsters

Weird how these things often seem to happen at the same time, as U-Mass landed verbal commitments from two local seniors: Riverdale Baptist guard Javorn Farrell and Woodbridge forward Raphiel Putney. Colleague Matt Stanmyre chimes in with this report on Putney: Putney orally committed to play basketball for Massachusetts on...

By Josh Barr | October 13, 2008; 01:09 PM ET | Comments (1)

Small Forward Picks Navy

Big Boss Man Dan Uthman forwards this email from the folks at St. John's (Md.): Troy King, a senior at Saint John's (Md.), has verbally committed to Coach Billy Lange and the Naval Academy to continue his education and basketball career. During the 2007-2008 season, the 6-foot-7 small forward from...

By Josh Barr | October 8, 2008; 09:50 AM ET | Comments (4)

Another Local Hoopster Makes Pick, Will Go to A-10

I'm trying to track down more information on this one, but a good source says that former Wise forward Maxie Esho has committed to play for Massachusetts. Esho, who is 6-7, did not play for the Pumas last season even though he was eligible and has since transferred to Lee...

By Josh Barr | October 7, 2008; 02:09 PM ET | Comments (2)

Indiana Done With Sanctions?

Here's one that every other school will be following closely. Indiana, in the aftermath of Kelvin Sampson's misdoings, says it expects no further penalties from the NCAA. The Hoosiers are operating four scholarships under the NCAA limit of 13 this season, but only one of those is related to Sampson's...

By Josh Barr | October 7, 2008; 12:13 PM ET | Comments (3)

Braswell, Dodson Make New Choices

Wow. Talk about a big day in local hoops recruiting. Chris Braswell and Darnell Dodson have found new homes. Braswell, who played at Suitland and DeMatha and previously committed to Georgetown, yesterday accepted a scholarship offer to play for Charlotte. His other suitors reportedly included Maryland, Virginia Tech and Indiana....

By Josh Barr | October 7, 2008; 09:31 AM ET | Comments (3)

Terps Go to NYC for a Forward

Maryland added to its future roster, getting a commitment from 6-8 forward James Padgett of New York. He averaged nine points and nine rebounds last season and reportedly picked the Terrapins over Pittsburgh, who had just taken a commitment from Bishop McNamara's Talib Zanna....

By Josh Barr | October 1, 2008; 10:23 AM ET | Comments (7)

Former U-Md. Assistant Lands Another Local

Add one more to the commitment list. Severna Park senior forward Brendan Bald this weekend committed to play for Vermont. Catamounts Coach Mike Lonergan, the former Catholic U. head coach and Maryland assistant, has made recruiting the Washington area a priority, with Good Counsel's Jordan Clarke and Georgetown Prep's Garvey...

By Josh Barr | September 29, 2008; 04:13 PM ET | Comments (1)

7-Footer Bound for the Big East

Running out the door, but just got an email from Bishop McNamara Coach Marty Keithline announcing that center Talib Zanna has committed to play for Pittsburgh. More later today......

By Josh Barr | September 29, 2008; 10:38 AM ET | Comments (7)

Local Guard Pledges for Winless Team

I'll have more about this one later in the week, but wanted to post this info. Potomac School guard P.J. Miller tonight gave a verbal commitment to play for New Jersey Tech, which last season became the first Division I team to ever go 0-29 in a season. Miller's dad...

By Josh Barr | September 28, 2008; 08:35 PM ET | Comments (0)

Nation's Top Players/Teams Coming to D.C. Area?

That's what I'm hearing. Talk has been circulating for a few weeks that an end-of-season high school basketball championship will be staged this year, and it appears likely now that the event is going to happen. Details are hard to find -- event organizers wouldn't comment on their plans. However,...

By Josh Barr | September 26, 2008; 08:51 AM ET | Comments (4)

Georgetown Gets in on the Act, Nabs Top Junior

When will the parade of top local juniors making college commitments stop? The latest is Georgetown Prep guard Markel Starks, who yesterday accepted a scholarship offer to play for Georgetown. "My phone has been ringing like crazy," Little Hoyas Coach Dwayne Bryant said. "Angry coaches. You have no idea." The...

By Josh Barr | September 25, 2008; 05:34 PM ET | Comments (3)

Terps, Cavs, Hokies in Hunt for DeMatha Juniors

Last DeMatha post this week? Junior forward Victor Oladipo holds offers "all over the place," according to Stags Coach Mike Jones: Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Providence, Massachusetts, George Mason, Auburn and a few others. "But I don't think he's anywhere near making a decision," Jones said. Junior forward Jerian...

By Josh Barr | September 24, 2008; 05:14 PM ET | Comments (1)

Top Juniors in a Rush to Decide

So what is going on with the rash of top juniors who have already decided on their college choice? DeMatha guard Josh Selby is bound for Tennessee, while last weekend Gonzaga's Tyler Thornton and Courtland's Josh Hairston pledged for Duke. "It's the trend," DeMatha Coach Mike Jones said. "I'm sure...

By Josh Barr | September 23, 2008; 11:50 AM ET | Comments (4)

DeMatha Coach Talks About Guard's Choice

As I was preparing to go on the set last night to reveal this week's football rankings on Washington Post Live, I got a call from DeMatha Coach Mike Jones to talk aboiut point guard Josh Selby's verbal commitment to play for Tennessee. Jones said that he "was standing in...

By Josh Barr | September 23, 2008; 09:45 AM ET | Comments (3)

DeMatha Guard Chooses Tennessee

DeMatha point guard Josh Selby has committed to play for Tennessee after taking an unofficial visit to Knoxville, a DeMatha official confirmed tonight. Selby had a ton of scholarship offers after a terrific summer on the travel-team circuit. I'll have more on it this week....

By Josh Barr | September 21, 2008; 09:29 PM ET | Comments (1)

More on Hairston/Thornton/Duke

Here's my file for tomorrow's paper, though it could update if I get in touch with some folks tonight: Two of the Washington area's top high school basketball players, both juniors, yesterday committed to play for Duke, according to their high school coaches. Courtland forward Josh Hairston, a third-team All-Met...

By Josh Barr | September 13, 2008; 09:07 PM ET | Comments (2)

Wow! Local Pair Commits to Duke!

Just pulled into the Outer Banks for vacation (no Insider next week), unpacked and checked my email to read that Gonzaga guard Tyler Thornton and Courtland forward Josh Hairston -- a pair of top juniors -- today committed to play basketball for Duke, according to Courtland Coach J.T. Nino. I'll...

By Josh Barr | September 13, 2008; 07:00 PM ET | Comments (6)

Basketball Player With a Football Future?

Another basketball player with a football future? How often do you turn down Michigan and other elite programs to play for Western Michigan? But that's what Flenard Whitfield did, choosing to be a college basketball player instead of playing college football. No mention of whether the Broncos football coach has...

By Josh Barr | September 10, 2008; 12:31 PM ET | Comments (1)

Calls, Text Messages Have Richmond in Trouble

Richmond self-reported NCAA violation that dealt with calling and text-messaging recruits too often. Now it appears the school and governing body disagree on just how often rules were violated. The infractions deal with men's and women's basketball. The assistant coaches who committed most of the violations have resigned. However, men's...

By Josh Barr | September 10, 2008; 11:46 AM ET | Comments (0)

Zanna Headed to the Big East?

Rashad Whack isn't the only Bishop McNamara player getting plenty of attention. Mustangs Coach Marty Keithline said that center Talib Zanna has official visits set up later this month for Pittsburgh and Providence, with a trip to Boston College in October. Keithline said that St. Joseph's, Oklahoma, Temple, Southern Methodist,...

By Josh Barr | September 8, 2008; 12:48 PM ET | Comments (0)

Whack Picks George Mason

Rashad Whack did not waste any time making his college choice. The Bishop McNamara shooting guard, on the first weekend he could take an official recruiting trip to a college campus, made the trek to George Mason and committed to play for the Patriots. Mason has been recruiting Whack for...

By Josh Barr | September 7, 2008; 11:39 PM ET | Comments (3)

Dunbar Alum Takes His Game to Top of the World

Here's one you don't see everyday. A former Dunbar High guard has transferred to the University of Alaska to play basketball. Paul Wayne played one year apiece at Salt Lake Community College, College of Southern Idaho and Cal State-Northridge before joining the Seawolves....

By Josh Barr | September 4, 2008; 05:10 PM ET | Comments (0)

Woody Hired at USF; Will Make Sure DirecTV Is On

I'm sure there won't be too much reaction on this one. Done deal. 30k a year. Terrelle Woody is now on the staff at South Florida. He'll be the Bulls' video and conditioning assistant. While Woody has been in Tampa since midsummer, working camp and running open gym for South...

By Josh Barr | August 27, 2008; 02:30 PM ET | Comments (5)

Woody and USF: A Match Made in the Employment Line?

Meant to post this one sooner. Can't wait to see the reaction. Former Maryland/Virginia Tech recruit Gus Gilchrist is at South Florida and could it be because the Bulls are about to hire his personal trainer? At a time when the school is slashing jobs in academia and elsewhere, Terrelle...

By Josh Barr | August 25, 2008; 10:26 PM ET | Comments (2)

Local Player Is A-10 Bound

Potomac School center Brian Freeman has committed to play for Fordham. He also had scholarship offers from Delaware and Northeastern and was getting plenty of other interest. Fordham assistant "Travis Lyons from DeMatha [a 1994 All-Met] had been involved all along," Potomac School Coach Sean Whalen said. "I think it's...

By Josh Barr | August 14, 2008; 05:52 PM ET | Comments (0)

Talented Guard Chooses U-Va

Oops. Tried to post this last night after getting confirmation, but for some reason it didn't publish: Tristan Spurlock, who played last season at Montrose Christian, has committed to play for Virginia. It is not much of a surprise. The Cavaliers have long been after Spurlock. It is unclear where...

By Josh Barr | August 13, 2008; 11:08 PM ET | Comments (1)

Local Forward Makes Choice

Colleague Matt Stanmyre passes along this news: Stonewall Jackson rising senior forward Samantha Jordan has orally committed to Lafayette. That gives the Raiders two Division I-bound players after rising junior guard Kyani White orally committed to Virginia Tech earlier this summer....

By Josh Barr | August 13, 2008; 11:18 AM ET | Comments (2)

Nation's Top Recruit Heading to Baylor?

Interesting item here from longtime hoops follower Gregg Doyel: Will Baylor (Baylor?) land the nation's top high school player after hiring his AAU coach? Former Clemson forward Dwon Clifton has been hired onto Baylor's staff, possibly paving the way for Raleigh, N.C., guard John Wall to head to Waco....

By Josh Barr | August 5, 2008; 11:12 AM ET | Comments (1)

Gary Williams On the Hot Seat?

Interesting discussion on rivals.com this morning: Is Gary Williams on the coaching hot seat this season? Of note (for this posting) comes this comment from the writer who says Williams should be on the hot seat: The bulk of the blame has to go to Williams. He's not getting the...

By Josh Barr | August 4, 2008; 12:07 PM ET | Comments (8)

Georgia Tech Nets Local Center

Riverdale Baptist Coach Louis Wilson always thought highly of Bassirou Dieng and now many others are going to have a chance to see Dieng on a larger stage. After one season at Norfolk State and two at St. Francis (Pa.), the 6-9 center has transferred to Georgia Tech. As a...

By Josh Barr | July 30, 2008; 02:29 PM ET | Comments (1)

Montrose Adds Talented Forward

Caught up with Montrose Christian Coach Stu Vetter yesterday and he said that 6-5 forward Dadrian Collins has transferred from Woodside High in Virginia Beach. Here's some highlights on the Division I prospect:...

By Josh Barr | July 29, 2008; 02:34 PM ET | Comments (3)

Episcopal's Kalipinde Chooses Loyola Marymount

Big Boss Man Dan Uthman, fresh off his month-long sojourn (ok, maybe it only felt that long) to Hawaii, has this contribution: Given Kalipinde, a rising senior guard at Episcopal in Alexandria, has committed to play men's basketball at Loyola Marymount. Kalipinde, whose mother and five siblings live in his...

By Jon DeNunzio | July 28, 2008; 03:34 PM ET | Comments (1)

Early Commitments Don't Mean Much

Here's a good read on how those early verbal commitments don't mean too much. "If you went back over the last five to 10 years, of the freshmen and sophomores who committed, over half of them haven't held up," said Clark Francis, editor and publisher of hoopscooponline.com....

By Josh Barr | July 28, 2008; 01:04 PM ET | Comments (0)

More Behind the Scenes with Beasley

Have to say, I've found ESPN's video series on one-time All-Met Mike Beasley extremely entertaining. It's an up-close and inside look at the star player. This week's installment takes you backstage as Beasley gets ready to go to the ESPYs, including a visit from his personal jeweler and Beasley's imitation...

By Josh Barr | July 25, 2008; 12:39 PM ET | Comments (0)

Vegas Links, Day 3

Shawn Kemp Jr. might have the most recognizable name of any player in the Las Vegas summer tournaments, but he doesn't try to meet any expectations folks have for him. He said he has scholarship offers from Auburn and Alabama. Some high scool standouts become role players on their AAU...

By Josh Barr | July 25, 2008; 11:54 AM ET | Comments (0)

Coaches Don't Much Care for NABC Request

I've been meaning to post about this one for a while. All manner of college coaches seemed to agree it was the right thing to do when the National Association of Basketball Coaches suggested it was time to curtail recruiting middle schoolers. The NABC asked - it lacks any power...

By Josh Barr | July 24, 2008; 02:58 PM ET | Comments (0)

Vegas, Day Two

The nation's top prospect in the class of 2009 likes USC, UCLA, Kansas and North Carolina. Here's a great read on a team from Quebec that paid its own way to Vegas. More interesting, AAU one coach blames the tightening economy on shoe companies pulling back their sponsorships, resulting in...

By Josh Barr | July 24, 2008; 11:22 AM ET | Comments (0)

G'town Recruit Gets Glowing Review; Braswell Update

Just got off the phone with D.C. Triple Threat guru Keith Stevens, who was rolling out of his hotel bed at 8 a.m. Vegas time but denied staying out too late last night. Triple Threat won its opening game in the Reebok Summer Championships, 85-77 in overtime over Belmore Shore,...

By Josh Barr | July 23, 2008; 11:38 AM ET | Comments (1)

Vegas Report, Day 1

Trolling the Internet for stories from the desert... Remember that line yesterday about GPS is a must-have for coaches in Las Vegas this week? Well, some rental car agencies ran out. Also of note from the first day of competition was a head-to-head matchup of two top players (scroll down)...

By Josh Barr | July 23, 2008; 10:34 AM ET | Comments (0)

Time to Hit the Road

Yep, it's that time of the year. Vegas, baby, as the summer basketball circuit converges on Sin City. With the tournament spread all across the desert, one coach makes this astute observation: "If you don't have GPS, you're in trouble," USC assistant Bob Cantu said....

By Josh Barr | July 22, 2008; 03:15 PM ET | Comments (0)

Braswell Looking Around; Hoyas Still in the Picture

So Chris Braswell is headed back to Hargrave Military Academy for another year of prep school in the fall and now he's taking another look at his college choices. The former Suitland and DeMatha player had committed to play for Georgetown but now is examining all his options. I guess...

By Josh Barr | July 16, 2008; 12:12 PM ET | Comments (0)

Pittsburgh Gets Huge Commitment

Big one here. National Christian forward Dante Taylor, a second-team All-Met has committed to play for Pittsburgh. "They recruited him for over a year now," National Christian Coach Trevor Brown said. "He likes their style of play. They get a lot of New York kids. The academic support they get...

By Josh Barr | July 15, 2008; 11:38 AM ET | Comments (0)

A Day in the Life of a College Assistant

Ever wonder about the life of an assistant coach on the road? Colleague Zach Berman spent a day earlier this week up I-95 with George Mason assistant Chris Caputo. Among the players Mason is hot after is Bishop McNamara rising senior Rashad Whack....

By Josh Barr | July 11, 2008; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (0)

Recruit Skipping College to Play in Europe

Arizona recruit Brandon Jennings is skipping college to turn pro in Europe and folks are wondering if this could be the start of a trend. I'd also kick into the discussion this thought: Will it put pressure on the NBA to relax its age restriction?...

By Josh Barr | July 9, 2008; 09:54 AM ET | Comments (3)

Vaughn Eligible to Play This Season

Georgetown put out a release (text below) that transfer Julian Vaughn will not have to sit out a season after transferring from Florida State. No reason is listed for the exception, saying that Vaughn wanted to keep things "private." Not sure how everyone feels about this, but not providing a...

By Josh Barr | July 8, 2008; 12:07 PM ET | Comments (0)

Terps Get Good News on Mosley

So Maryland recruit Sean Mosley reportedly will meet the NCAA's minimum academic eligibility standards and can then apply for admission to the university. That's great news for the Terrapins, who have had a rough offseason. A word of caution, though: Top-tier recruits like Mosley tend to be more scrutinized than...

By Josh Barr | July 7, 2008; 12:14 PM ET | Comments (0)

Vinson Opts Out of National Team Trials for Camps

This one stunned me a bit. Montrose Christian All-Met guard Terrell Vinson pulled out of the USA Basketball under-18 team trials so that he can attend a pair of Reebok-sponsored camps, colleague Stephen Ball reports, passing along this report: Vinson has confirmed that he opted out of this week's USA...

By Josh Barr | July 1, 2008; 03:33 PM ET | Comments (2)

Maryland Set to Add a Big Man

Well, Gary Williams pledged that Maryland wasn't done recruiting for next season and it appears the Terps have landed a center in 6-9, 260-pound Steve Goins from Chicago. His other scholarship offers were from South Florida and Illinois-Chicago, but his high school coach thinks Goins will only get better as...

By Josh Barr | July 1, 2008; 07:39 AM ET | Comments (3)

Another Vote Against Recruiting Pre-Teens

Bob Lipper is one of the more entertaining columnists around and today he sets his sights on Sunday's beginning of the summer recruiting period, especially the trend toward offering scholarships to players who are younger and younger. Says Virginia Coach Dave Leitao: "There's something fundamentally wrong with recruiting youngsters of...

By Josh Barr | June 30, 2008; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (1)

Armwood Out of U-18 Trials; He and Vinson ave Short Lists

Montrose Christian forward Isaiah Armwood opted out of next week's USA Basketball under-18 team trials in Washington because he cannot afford to take off from summer school as he wants to ensure he is eligible to play as a college freshman, Montrose Coach Stu Vetter said. "It's an honor to...

By Josh Barr | June 26, 2008; 01:47 PM ET | Comments (0)

An Inside Look at Beasley

In case you haven't seen, here are three entertaining videos of former All-Met Mike Beasley and his preparation leading up to tonight's NBA draft. They're pretty amusing. And while they don't have anything to do with recruiting, you can see the work required to get better....

By Josh Barr | June 26, 2008; 10:12 AM ET | Comments (0)

Locals Trying Out for U-18 National Team

Montrose Christian rising seniors Terrell Vinson (an All-Met) and Isaiah Armwood are among the 25 players who will compete at Verizon Center next week to be named to the under-18 national team that will compete in Argentina next month. Georgetown incoming freshman Hollis Thompson and Virginia incoming freshman Sylven Landesburg...

By Josh Barr | June 24, 2008; 04:33 PM ET | Comments (0)

Maze Starts Second Career Before U-T

Good god. A buddy just showed me this video of one-time Maryland recruit/eventual Tennessee signee Bobby Maze. Tough to watch the whole thing, but pretty comical. Enjoy....

By Josh Barr | June 24, 2008; 02:20 PM ET | Comments (0)

Top Point Guard to Skip College for Europe?

Keep an eye on this. Arizona recruit Brandon Jennings is keeping open the possibility of skipping college to turn pro in Europe. Jennings, a point guard who played at Oak Hill Academy last season, has yet to meet the NCAA's minimum academic standards for freshman eligibility. If he doesn't qualify,...

By Josh Barr | June 24, 2008; 12:28 PM ET | Comments (1)

Virginia Interested in Georgia Point Guard

Here's a look at Virginia's recruiting prospects, highlighting Georgia point guard Mfon Udofia's performance at the NBA Players Association Top 100 camp last week in Charlottesville. There's also a quick look at rising junior forward Travis McKie from Richmond, who already holds scholarship offers from Virginia, Virginia Tech, Maryland and...

By Josh Barr | June 23, 2008; 11:13 AM ET | Comments (0)

NABC Wants to Reverse Recruiting Trend

Here's a gem from the National Association of Basketball Coaches, which announced it opposes colleges taking verbal commitments from players who have yet to complete their sophomore year of high school. So does this mean the end of college coaches recruiting eighth- and ninth-graders and offering them scholarships? That seems...

By Josh Barr | June 20, 2008; 12:58 PM ET | Comments (0)

South Florida Release On Gilchrist

Here's the official release on Gus Gilchrist heading to South Florida. Wonder what "extenuating circumstances" the USF compliance director is talking about that would lead to Gilchrist being cleared by the NCAA to play this fall....

By Josh Barr | June 16, 2008; 03:02 PM ET | Comments (0)

Gilchrist "Very Confident" He Will Play This Fall

Gus Gilchrist says he is "very confident" he will receive an NCAA waiver to be allowed to play in the fall for South Florida. Here's a guess: Gilchrist continues to say he was never informed by Maryland of the ACC in-conference transfer rules and therefore should not have to sit...

By Josh Barr | June 16, 2008; 12:36 PM ET | Comments (1)

Gilchist Set for South Florida

Done deal, apprently, with an announcement set for this afternoon. Gus Gilchrist is transferring to South Florida. USF will petition the NCAA to make the player eligible this season, but I seriously doubt that will be successful. Of interest (and completely unrealiable) check out the first comment on this story,...

By Josh Barr | June 16, 2008; 11:39 AM ET | Comments (2)

Gilchrist to USF? WVU Seems More Likely

They're all atwitter in Tampa Bay that Gus Gilchrist might enroll at South Florida. Other possible destinations reportedly include Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia. The guess here is that Morgantown winds up being the place where Gilchrist finally takes the floor. Consider that Bob Huggins hired Dalonte Hill at Kansas...

By Josh Barr | June 10, 2008; 11:32 AM ET | Comments (0)

Where Can the Terps Find Players?

I'm surprised it took this long for someone to follow up on Gary Williams' comment that the Terps are not done recruiting for next season. Matter-of-factly, there aren't any players on the market for next season. Certainly no one who can take the expected role of Gus Gilchrist or Tyree...

By Josh Barr | June 10, 2008; 10:13 AM ET | Comments (0)

Shocking News! Recruit Backs Out on Pre-High School Commitment

Can't say I spent much time looking at this one, but I was shocked to read that a player who committed to DePaul before entering high school now says he will not follow through with the commitment and wants to look elsewhere. Shocked, I tell you, that this sort of...

By Josh Barr | June 10, 2008; 06:57 AM ET | Comments (0)

UMBC Gets Early Commitment

The one and only Dave Yanovitz files this report: St. Mary's-Annapolis guard Nick Groce, a 6-2 junior who helped lead the Saints to the MIAA-B boys' basketball title game following a season-ending injury to star guard Josh Morgan-Green, has made an early verbal commitment to UMBC. Groce, who moved from...

By Josh Barr | June 5, 2008; 06:01 PM ET | Comments (0)

Is Williams to Blame?

So David Steele says that Gus Gilchrist's transfer is no fault of Gary Williams. Don't know that I buy that line of thinking. While I wouldn't blame Williams specifically for Gilchrist's departure, it cannot be argued that Williams oversees a program that seems to be in chaos. From Bobby Maze...

By Josh Barr | June 5, 2008; 02:35 PM ET | Comments (9)

Gilchrist's Career Takes Another Bizarre Twist

So Gus Gilchrist is transferring from Maryland. It's a huge blow for the Terrapins, who are staggering through this offseason. Shane Walker is transferring. Bobby Maze is out, though some might say he was never a good fit. Then there was the mess with Tyree Evans. Now Gilchrist. And Sean...

By Josh Barr | June 4, 2008; 09:04 AM ET | Comments (3)

More on the Evans/Terps Saga

Where to start after the holiday weekend? Well, it broke on Friday afternoon, but the discussion about Tyree Evans and Maryland parting ways is still plenty hot. There had been rumors that all of Evans' criminal record had not surfaced; indeed, there was a plea to a handgun charge in...

By Josh Barr | May 27, 2008; 08:57 AM ET | Comments (0)

More on Sutton/Villanova

Here's more on Maurice Sutton's decision to go to Villanova. Nothing too ground-breaking. Yep, lots of locals on the Wildcats' roster played a part in his decision. And yes, he might redshirt next season, which seems a good bet considering Villanova brings back most of its team....

By Josh Barr | May 22, 2008; 11:43 AM ET | Comments (0)

Sutton Chooses Villanova

"You're a half hour early," Largo Coach Lewis Howard joked as we spoke just now, prior to the 3 p.m. promise he made yesterday. But I'm headed around the Beltway to watch baseball and Howard was in a good mood. All-Met center Maurice Sutton had finally made his college choice,...

By Josh Barr | May 21, 2008; 02:37 PM ET | Comments (0)

One More Day For Sutton

Just got off the phone with Largo Coach Lew Howard and he says that it will be another day before All-Met center Maurice Sutton announces his college choice. He's considering Indiana, Villanova and Seton Hall. "Three p.m. tomorrow," Howard said....

By Josh Barr | May 20, 2008; 12:19 PM ET | Comments (2)

Hokie, Hokie, Hokie High? Recruit Busted

Guess it's not a good idea to sell drugs to an undercover cop. Shocker. Virginia Tech recruit Pete Rose is facing several charges after Amherst County police made arrests following a 10-month investigation. Hokies Coach Frank Beamer pulled Rose's scholarship offer. Instead of looking at opposing offensive schemes, Rose is...

By Josh Barr | May 20, 2008; 12:09 PM ET | Comments (1)

Sutton Set to Decide; Will He Be a Hoosier?

Largo All-Met center Maurice Sutton will announce his decision on Tuesday, Lions Coach Lewis Howard said, noting that Sutton had narrowed his choices to Indiana, Villanova and Seton Hall. Sutton has visited Indiana and Villanova in recent weeks and the guess here is that it's one of those two, probably...

By Josh Barr | May 19, 2008; 01:51 PM ET | Comments (1)

Georgetown Gets a Center

Have to say, I got a kick out of reading about Georgetown's latest recuit. Center DaShonte Riley of Detroit recently committed to the Hoyas. A quick Google search for the 6-11 junior turns up a fan Web site - though it isn't too terribly developed. Guess it's never too early...

By Josh Barr | May 19, 2008; 09:00 AM ET | Comments (2)

JMU Nets Local Pivot

Heard about this yesterday, and caught up with James Madison assistant Bino Ranson today, who confirms that Friendship Collegiate center Alvin Brown has signed a letter-of-intent to play for the Duke. The 6-10, 200-pound Brown was drawing considerable interest from teams looking to add a big man late in the...

By Josh Barr | May 14, 2008; 02:22 PM ET | Comments (0)

Vaughn Running Pickup At G'town

All-Met Insider Correspondent B.J. Koubaroulis found this interesting story, with soon-to-be-Hoya Julian Vaughn running pickup with his new teammates. Will things pan out for Vaughn at Georgetown? Tough to say. He's obviously talented. And obviously well-traveled....

By Josh Barr | May 14, 2008; 12:12 PM ET | Comments (1)

Rising HS Freshman Is Highly Touted

Meet 14-year-old Justin Anderson. The Spotsylvania resident might attend Courtland High as a freshman this fall. Or he could wind up at a private school in either Washington or Richmond - perhaps O'Connell or Montrose Christian -- drawn by their powerful basketball program. Whatever the case, the 6-foot-5 Anderson is...

By Josh Barr | May 9, 2008; 09:38 AM ET | Comments (0)

Maze Says Go Big Orange, Doesn't Talk U-Md.

It didn't take long for Bobby Maze to find a new home. The one-time Suitland High standout and recent Maryland recruit is bound for Tennessee. "Stevie Wonder could see this is where I needed to be," Maze told the Knoxville News-Sentinel. "They've called me 'The Solution' here [at Hutchinson, Kan.,...

By Josh Barr | May 8, 2008; 04:27 PM ET | Comments (4)

Evans Not a Terp Yet

Maybe I'm reading too much into things. But reading between the lines of this story about Tyree Evans and Maryland and there are some pretty heady implications. With Evans still awaiting admission to the university, Maryland AD Debbie Yow tells The Sun she was unaware that Maryland was recruiting Evans...

By Josh Barr | May 8, 2008; 12:01 PM ET | Comments (0)

Cooley Signs With Niagara

Reader Tom passes along this item: B-CC All-Met guard Austin Cooley has signed with Niagara. Funny how things sometimes work. Niagara assistant Akbar Waheed was at the Maryland semifinals, ostensibly to check out Springbrook guard C.J. Garner. However, a scholarship offer apparently never materialized for Garner, but things started picking...

By Josh Barr | May 7, 2008; 11:27 AM ET | Comments (0)

G'Town Picking Up Big Transfer?

Is Julian Vaughn bound for Georgetown? That's what the rumor mill has going around. If so, it would be pretty unique to see an ACC-to-Big East transfer take place, and a serious upgrade in programs....

By Josh Barr | May 6, 2008; 03:10 PM ET | Comments (1)

VMI Gets Guard from WCAC

Paul VI Catholic Coach Glenn Farello reports that guard Ronald Burks has signed to play for VMI. Surprisingly, the Keydets' roster does not include any other Washington-area players. Burks averaged 6.8 points last season....

By Josh Barr | May 6, 2008; 02:09 PM ET | Comments (0)

Expectations Too High for Big Frank?

I think so. I empathize with Frank Ben-Eze. He was bound for Harvard, which would have been a good fit. Then he couldn't qualify academically for admission. So he picked Davidson, possibly another good fit for a player whom I think everyone would agree is still quite raw. Then comes...

By Josh Barr | May 6, 2008; 08:59 AM ET | Comments (0)

More On Hibbert/Texas A&M

Here's more on DeMatha's Naji Hibbert committing to Texas A&M. Hibbert bcame interested in the Aggies after associate head coach Scott Spinelli saw him at a summer league game last year. Then head coach Mark Turgeon started recruiting him. "They've been here as much as they were allowed to," DeMatha...

By Josh Barr | May 5, 2008; 04:35 PM ET | Comments (0)

Must-Reads On Terps/Evans

Sports Illustrated takes a look at Maryland's gamble on juco guard Tyree Evans. He can score, but he also has quite a checkered past. Personally, I think the key to the marriage between coach and school is buried at the end of this long (and good) story: Williams must hope...

By Josh Barr | May 5, 2008; 04:02 PM ET | Comments (2)

DeMatha Guard Commits to Texas A&M

Naji Hibbert, who transferred from St. Frances of Baltimore to DeMatha last summer, has committed to play for Texas A&M. The 6-5 junior swingman averaged a team-leading 13.8 points this past season with a high of 22 points. I hope to have more on this later today....

By Josh Barr | May 5, 2008; 12:52 PM ET | Comments (1)

Indiana Lands Local Player

Anyone else read about local product Maurice Creek committing to Indiana and just shake their head? The one-time Oxon Hill standout, now a junior at South Kent (Conn.) Prep, has never been to the Hoosier state, led alone on the Bloomington campus. No need, he tells the Indianapolis Star-News. New...

By Josh Barr | May 5, 2008; 10:22 AM ET | Comments (1)

Citadel Picks Up Local Hoopster

Big Boss Man Dan Uthman is hot on the trail of this nugget, passing along that Sherwood forward Bo Holston has signed with The Citadel. Here are some highlights on Holston in action:...

By Josh Barr | May 2, 2008; 11:25 AM ET | Comments (0)

Ben-Eze Bound for Davidson

I'd been hearing talk of this for a few days, and now it seems to be true that O'Connell center Frank Ben-Eze has signed with Davidson. Ben-Eze had committed to Harvard but that no longer was a viable option after a New York Times story late in the season in...

By Josh Barr | May 1, 2008; 04:04 PM ET | Comments (1)

Vaughn Leaving Seminoles, Other Hoops Items

Got a bunch of basketball items to report. First, Reston native Julian Vaughn is transferring from Florida State. He was a much-heralded recruit for Leonard Hamilton and the Seminoles. Next, colleague B.J. Koubaroulis passes along that All-Met guard Anthony Winbush has committed to play for Loyola. His teammate, guard Travis...

By Josh Barr | April 30, 2008; 04:38 PM ET | Comments (0)

Vasquez Staying at U-Md., Giving Terps Plenty of Guards

So Greivis Vasquez opted not to take the leap and will return to Maryland next season. While that news should bolster the Terrapins' lineup, it does leave a logjam in the backcourt, especially with the addition of junior college shooting guard Tyree Evans. If the current roster holds, that leaves...

By Josh Barr | April 29, 2008; 09:24 AM ET | Comments (0)

Top Big Man Picks U-Conn

One of the top remaining uncommitted prospects has picked Connecticut. Ater Majok, a 6-10 forward from Sudan who also has lived in Australia, yesterday announced he will play for the Huskies. Majok spent this past season in the hoops hotbed of Martinsville, Va., playing on a club team....

By Josh Barr | April 29, 2008; 09:17 AM ET | Comments (0)

Walker Bolts Terps; Next Move Is?

Shane Walker is out at Maryland. He's decided to transfer. More importantly, that's another scholarship opening for the Terrapins. It's probably not the last movement this spring for the 2008-09 roster....

By Josh Barr | April 28, 2008; 05:49 PM ET | Comments (2)

Sutton a Hoosier?

Read to the second part of this story and you'll learn that Largo All-Met center Maurice Sutton has added Indiana to the group of schools offering him a scholarship. New Hooisers Coach Tom Crean was interested in Sutton when he was coaching at Marquette. Sutton seems interested in Kentucky if...

By Josh Barr | April 22, 2008; 04:10 PM ET | Comments (0)

Top Prospect Chooses Memphis

Derrick Rose is going for the NBA, but Memphis started landing replacements on Wednesday, nabbing Philadelphia guard Tyreke Evans. Evans said he picked the Tigers over hometown school Villanova. Make of it what you will: Evans's signing was the lead story on the Web site of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, but...

By Josh Barr | April 17, 2008; 09:32 AM ET | Comments (0)

Terps Land Juco Guard With Spotty Past

As anticipated, junior college guard Tyree Evans is set to sign with Maryland today. Evans is considered a top talent whose off-court issues have hounded him the past few years. Coming out of high school in Richmond and prep school in Massachusetts, he originally committed to Cincinnati before the scholarship...

By Josh Barr | April 16, 2008; 09:31 AM ET | Comments (0)

More on Beasley's Choice

Here are the writeups on Mike Beasley heading to the NBA. Beasley told reporters his mind wasn't made up until last evening's news conference, but his older brother knew what was coming and Beasley's agent of choice, Joel Bell, also was in attendance. Now, though, Beasley is a basketball adult...

By Josh Barr | April 15, 2008; 08:48 AM ET | Comments (0)

Beasley Headed for NBA

Breaking news here. Mike Beasley's going pro. Stunner, I know. But anyone who thinks he should stay in college is crazy. He's ready for the NBA. Why should he stay at K-State? "I'd like to thank Kansas State and everyone on my team for giving me the love and support...

By Josh Barr | April 14, 2008; 06:21 PM ET | Comments (0)

Czyz, Mosley Shine; U-Md. Rumors Abound

Some thoughts from the Capital Classic. Olek Czyz is tough. He acknowledges needing to work on his jumper and game away from the basket, but he left everyone impressed with his tenacity and willingness to work around the basket. Most guys 6-7 prefer to play on the outside. A late...

By Josh Barr | April 14, 2008; 12:04 PM ET | Comments (11)

Another Local Bound for Wake Forest

Colleague Alan Goldenbach, threatening to take over the insider, reports that H.D. Woodson All-Met Patrice Johnson came back from an official visit to Wake Forest this weekend and committed to the Demon Deacons. The 5-foot-10 senior guard plans to sign on Wednesday, the start of the five-week spring signing period....

By Josh Barr | April 14, 2008; 09:53 AM ET | Comments (0)

Prelim Game Lacks Flash, Players Seeking Colleges

Have to say, no one made much of an impression in the layup-and-dunk prelim game as the District All-Stars beat their suburban counterparts, 131-128. Progressive Christian fifth-year guard Jasper Williams led all scorers with 23 points. He was one of only a handful of players in the game with a...

By Josh Barr | April 14, 2008; 08:52 AM ET | Comments (0)

Beasley Bound for NBA

If you're wondering what K-State (and former Riverdale Baptist All-Met) star Mike Beasley is going to say tonight when he holds a news conference to discuss his future, wonder no longer. Despite his mother, Fatima Smith, saying, "I have no idea," and Coach Frank Martin saying, "Everything's being evaluated," -...

By Josh Barr | April 14, 2008; 06:38 AM ET | Comments (0)

Could Turner Wind Up in College Park?

There are some wild stories floating around the local basketball circuit these days regarding how Maryland ended up with a verbal commitment from Sean Mosley and not Chris Turner last summer. Turner confirms that Mosley accepted the Terps' offer before he did, and he later ended up committing to Oregon...

By Josh Barr | April 8, 2008; 08:44 AM ET | Comments (0)

Mosley Shines in Charm City; Next Stop Comcast

Maryland recruit Sean Mosley and Towson recruit Troy Franklin led the locals to victory in the Charm City Challenge on Sunday. Next up is Sunday's Capital Classic at Comcast Center. Mosley will play in that game for the U.S. All-Stars, but his next in-game appearance be at Comcast seems up...

By Josh Barr | April 7, 2008; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (0)

Sutton Picks Up Kentucky, Will Visit Soon

Add another school to the list of Largo center Maurice Sutton - and he's very interested in his latest opportunity as he picked up a scholarship offer from Kentucky last week. Sutton, who is 6 feet 11 and quite athletic, plans to visit the Lexington campus during his trip to...

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2008; 12:38 PM ET | Comments (0)

GW Lands Small Forward

George Washington has picked up a commitment from Aaron Ware of Bishop Montgomery High in Southern California. Ware averaged 20.4 points and 9.7 rebounds this past season. He's a 6-foot-5 small forward and expects to contribute immediately....

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2008; 11:22 AM ET | Comments (0)

Bozeman Inks Another

Well, maybe not yet -- but the ink will be dry in two more weeks. Gwynn Park Coach Mike Glick reports that senior guard Sean Thomas has committed to play for Morgan State and Coach Todd Bozeman. Thomas averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds this past season, leading the Yellow...

By Josh Barr | April 1, 2008; 02:18 PM ET | Comments (0)

Coach Postpones Euro Recruiting Trip for Sweet 16

Davidson Coach Bob McKillop knows how important recruiting is to his program and how difficult it can be, given Davidson's rigorous academic structure and its place as one of the smallest colleges fielding a Division I basketball program. So where did he plan to be this week? In Germany running...

By Josh Barr | March 28, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (0)

Philly Player is MVP; Locals Don't Tear It Up

Philadelphia guard Tyreke Evans, yet to make his college choice, was the MVP of last night's McDonald's All-American game. He is considering Villanova, Texas, Memphis and Connecticut. Not a good night for those with local ties: Virginia recruit Sylvan Landesberg had two points, Georgetown recruit Greg Monroe one. In the...

By Josh Barr | March 27, 2008; 01:58 PM ET | Comments (1)

Coach Says Beasley Should Go

Big news here. K-State Coach Frank Martin says he expects Mike Beasley to turn pro. Ya think? Though you've got to give him credit. At least he doesn't talk about how it might be wise to stay in school another year, blah blah blah. In just a few months, Beasley...

By Josh Barr | March 26, 2008; 10:46 AM ET | Comments (0)

Agents In the House; G'town Recruit Wins Award

Former Post intern Steve Yanda advances tonight's McDonald's All-American game with a story about how agents are still wooing high schoolers even though the NBA now makes them go to college for a year before turning pro. It only makes sense. Agents are recruiting players the same way college coaches...

By Josh Barr | March 26, 2008; 09:41 AM ET | Comments (0)

All-Star Madness Starts Tonight

Yep, time for high school all-star basketball again. Tonight, ESPN2 airs the slam dunk contest from the McDonald's All-American game in Milwaukee, tape-delayed at 11:30. Tomorrow, ESPNU has the girls' game at 7, with ESPN airing the boys' game at 9:30. Maryland recruit Lynetta Kizer of Potomac (Va.) and North...

By Josh Barr | March 25, 2008; 11:12 AM ET | Comments (1)

From Averaging One Point to NCAA Stardom

More on the new sensation Joe Alexander and his road to stardom at West Virginia, including averaging one point a game during his season at Hargrave Military Academy. For those who wonder about dedication, Alexander tried to convince school officials to give him a key to the gym so he...

By Josh Barr | March 25, 2008; 09:56 AM ET | Comments (1)

Beasley Decision Soon?

Well, that might not be the right question, as the guess here is that Mike Beasley's decision to turn pro-- and almost certainly be the top pick in this year's NBA draft -- is already made. The better question is when will the announcement come? I'd think it won't be...

By Josh Barr | March 25, 2008; 09:00 AM ET | Comments (0)

Unheralded Recruits Making Big Impact

While it is easier to project a recruit's success in basketball than in football - see Beasley, Mike; Durant, Kevin - there are still plenty of reminders that recruiting is far from an exact science. Consider two of the biggest stars from the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. Beasley,...

By Josh Barr | March 24, 2008; 10:03 AM ET | Comments (0)

Greene Felt "Disrepected" By Maryland

If you don't read anything else today, take a look at this story about last night's Syracuse victory over Maryland in the NIT, where Donte Greene talks about feeling "disrespected" by Gary Williams. Talk about bad timing/planning. Maryland assistant Keith Booth brought Greene in for an unofficial visit at the...

By Josh Barr | March 21, 2008; 12:06 PM ET | Comments (0)

Locals In the Big Dance

Colleague Preston Williams, doing research for this week's Varsity Letter, has a pretty cool chart in today's paper, listing all of the local players participating in this week's NCAA Division I basketball tournaments. The list only mentions local alumni, which means that K-State's Mike Beasley, Duke's Nolan Smith and others...

By Josh Barr | March 19, 2008; 02:37 PM ET | Comments (0)

Maryland Recruit Named JuCo Player of the Year

Nope, not Bobby Maze or Ken Bowman. Women's basketball recruit Dee Liles, a former All-Met at Riverdale Baptist, was named the junior college player of the year by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Liles averaged 11.1 points and 7.8 rebounds for Gulf Coast Community College, helping the Commodores reach this...

By Josh Barr | March 18, 2008; 02:28 PM ET | Comments (0)

Cap Classic Changes

George Mason recruit Andre Cornelius, a guard from Charlotte, has been added to the U.S. All-Star roster. In the preliminary game, Progressive Christian guard Jasper Williams replaces DeMatha forward Kenny Tate on the District All-Stars. O'Connell center Frank Ben-Eze (torn ACL) will not play and Episcopal's Peter Diffley joins the...

By Josh Barr | March 17, 2008; 04:10 PM ET | Comments (1)

Good Workout for Uncommitted Players

Once again, there will be a workout for unsigned high school seniors and junior college players, Thursday night at Wise High at 6 p.m. There will be drills and scrimmages. It is closed to the public, but open to college coaches. For more information, call Wise assistant coach Steve Gerald...

By Josh Barr | March 17, 2008; 01:44 PM ET | Comments (3)

Plenty of Coaches Turn Out at Comcast

For the Maryland high school basketball championships. Less than 24 hours after guiding American U. to its first NCAA tournament berth, Coach Jeff Jones was in attendance to watch Snow Hill guard Trevon Johnson in the 1A title game. Next up was the 3A game, with Seton Hall Coach Bobby...

By Josh Barr | March 17, 2008; 09:04 AM ET | Comments (0)

Five Former All-Mets Start Big East Opener

Just tuning into Georgetown-Villanova on ESPN right now and a quick look at the starting lineup shows three former All-Mets for Villanova and two for Georgetown. 2005 Player of the Year Dante Cunningham is joined by Dwayne Anderson and Scottie Reynolds for Villanova. Georgetown has 2007 Player of the Year...

By Josh Barr | March 13, 2008; 12:05 PM ET | Comments (0)

Can USC's Latest Recruit Play Ball?

Here's a story about USC's latest basketball recruit, Romeo Miller, which raises the question: Exactly why is Master P's son getting an athletic scholarship? Because he can play basketball or because he might attract fans and/or interest in a team that probably won't have O.J. Mayo much longer? "If you're...

By Josh Barr | March 13, 2008; 08:58 AM ET | Comments (0)

Montrose Juniors Close to Decisions?

Maybe not yet, but it might not be too far off for the three elite juniors at Montrose Christian. Coach Stu Vetter isn't a fan of early commitments, but he acknowledges that Terrell Vinson, Isaiah Armwood and Tristan Spurlock have been heavily recruited for so long, that each is looking...

By Josh Barr | March 12, 2008; 09:07 AM ET | Comments (0)

Big Center Back On the Block

I heard about this from a colleague last night and here is some confirmation that O'Connell center Frank Ben-Eze no longer will go to Harvard. O'Connell Coach Joe Wootten said that "he was told he needed a certain score on the SAT and after the New York Times [original] article...

By Josh Barr | March 11, 2008; 09:21 AM ET | Comments (0)

Harvard Pushing the Envelope?

Interesting and good story in the New York Times on Harvard and its attempts to improve its basketball program, which includes recruiting two Washington-area players: Gonzaga forward Max Kenyi and O'Connell center Frank Ben-Eze. Among the revelations in the story is that Harvard assistant Kenny Blakeney played pickup ball with...

By Josh Barr | March 3, 2008; 10:50 AM ET | Comments (0)

Kenyi and Clark Are WCAC Co-Players of the Year

O'Connell All-Met Jason Clark (Georgetown) and Gonzaga forward Max Kenyi (Harvard) each received five of 10 votes in balloting by the league's coaches and shared the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Player of the Year. Other members of the all-league first-team: Carroll forward Rodney McGruder (Kansas State), Gonzaga center Ian Hummer,...

By Josh Barr | February 28, 2008; 04:22 PM ET | Comments (1)

Bozeman, Nickelberry Among Those at P.G. Title Game

Plenty of college coaches at last night's Prince George's County championship game to see fourth-ranked Laurel beat fifth-ranked Gwynn Park, 57-50. And plenty of players for them to see. Laurel center Will Alston had 18 points and six rebounds. Gwynn Park guard Harold Washington had 23 points and backcourt mate...

By Josh Barr | February 28, 2008; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (0)

Recruiters Take Notice of Kenyi

Max Kenyi's terrific season did mote than just help top-ranked Gonzaga win the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title. It also has gotten Coach Steve Turner's phone ringing again as college recruiters re-inquire about Kenyi. Kenyi committed to Harvard before the season, but since the Ivy League does not participate in...

By Josh Barr | February 27, 2008; 01:09 PM ET | Comments (5)

Sutton Picks Up Another Offer

Apparently Maurice Sutton's quick exit from last week's loss to Gwynn Park didn't hurt his future. Largo Coach Lewis Howard reports that Boston College offered Sutton a scholarship and that Seton Hall Coach Bobby Gonzalez was impressed by what he saw from the 6-foot-11 senior. Sutton is working toward meeting...

By Josh Barr | February 25, 2008; 09:50 AM ET | Comments (0)

Good Thing Sutton Got Off to Good Start

Plenty of college coaches in attendance last night at Largo. Seton Hall Coach Bobby Gonzalez and assistants, Loyola Coach Jimmy Patsos, Maryland assistant Keith Booth and some folks from Boston College. But it was a quick night for the main attraction as Largo 6-11 center Maurice Sutton was ejected in...

By Josh Barr | February 20, 2008; 09:28 AM ET | Comments (2)

Fredericksburg Sophomore Quite Impressive

The trip to Spotsylvania County took nearly three hours on a Friday afternoon. But it was quickly easy to see why many college recruiters are making the same trek. Courtland sophomore Josh Hairston, a 6-8 forward, has quite a game. Comfortable shooting on the inside. Willing to attack around the...

By Josh Barr | February 19, 2008; 09:04 AM ET | Comments (1)

Good Time For a Roadtrip

So, two big games a few miles apart tonight in Prince George's: Gonzaga at DeMatha and Laurel at Eleanor Roosevelt. DeMatha is the only team to beat the top-ranked Eagles, while Roosevelt should/could threaten second-ranked Laurel's undefeated run through the Prince George's 4A. I, of course, am getting ready to...

By Josh Barr | February 15, 2008; 01:57 PM ET | Comments (0)

Will Those Extra Calls Can Sampson?

So Kelvin Sampson got a few boos and a few cheers and Indiana lost on bank-shot three-pointer. What happens next to the serial caller? Pat Forde says Indiana has four options, none of which seem too appealing. The Indinanapolis Star wonders what's ahead and lists the players Sampson called improperly:...

By Josh Barr | February 14, 2008; 09:47 AM ET | Comments (2)

New Suitor For Local Center

Just got off the phone with Largo Coach Lewis Howard. He reports that 6-11 center Maurice Sutton still has scholarship offers on the table from South Florida, Seton Hall and Marquette, with Boston College, Clemson, Kentucky and North Carolina State still showing interest. South Florida Coach Stan Heath came to...

By Josh Barr | February 13, 2008; 03:35 PM ET | Comments (0)

Bombshell: Indiana Coach Alleged Lied About Recruiting Violations

Here's today's bombshell: The NCAA considers previously disclosed recruiting violations by Indiana Coach Kelvin Sampson and two assistants to be major violations, meaning they could bring severe penalties. The NCAA alleges that Sampson provided "false or misleading information" to investigators and Indiana Athletic Director Rick Greenspan said the university views...

By Josh Barr | February 13, 2008; 12:32 PM ET | Comments (0)

Bozeman Gets Another Local

Morgan State basketball coach Todd Bozeman continues to work local recruiting circles, this time landing a verbal commitment from La Plata forward Anthony Anderson, colleague Alan Goldenbach reports....

By Josh Barr | January 24, 2008; 01:41 PM ET | Comments (0)

Amaker Watches Recruits

Spent part of halftime at last night's Gonzaga-O'Connell game talking to Harvard Coach Tommy Amaker. He was watching from behind the O'Connell bench, having brought his mom to the game. The Crimson had two recruits playing: Gonzaga forward Max Kenyi and O'Connell center Frank Ben-Eze. Kenyi was terrific, scoring 22...

By Josh Barr | January 23, 2008; 12:04 PM ET | Comments (0)

Top Point Guard Transfer to Riverdale Baptist

Got an email last night from Riverdale Baptist Coach Lou Wilson, saying that junior point guard Javorn Farrell has enrolled at the school. Farrell began the season at Bishop Ireton. The two teams play each other Saturday, though Farrell is not expected to play....

By Josh Barr | January 18, 2008; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (0)

How Monroe Landed at Georgetown

Here's a piece on Georgetown recruit Greg Monroe and what the recruiting process was like for him. Monroe says he picked the Hoyas because of Coach John Thompson III and his demeanor. I thought the most interesting part of the story came when Monroe talked about the different styles of...

By Josh Barr | January 10, 2008; 11:15 AM ET | Comments (0)

Local Team Bests Top Recruits

They played an interesting game this past Sunday over at Friendship Collegiate, not that many people saw it. With one day's notice, Friendship hosted and defeated Pendleton School, 62-58. Pendleton School is the branch of the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where Mike Beasley spent his freshman year and this...

By Josh Barr | January 8, 2008; 02:18 PM ET | Comments (0)

More on Gilchrist/Terps

Here's my story today on Maryland recruit Augustus Gilchrist. As I expected, a good source confirmed he and Maryland had appealed to the ACC for a waiver from the conference's policy that a recruit must sit out a year and lose a year of eligibility if he previously signs with...

By Josh Barr | December 14, 2007; 11:54 AM ET | Comments (19)

Gilchrist Ineligible For U-Md. Until Dec. 08? Seems So

Second-team All-Met forward Augustus Gilchrist, who clearly could give the Maryland basketball team a boost inside, will not be able to play for the Terrapins until after the first semester of the 2008-09 school year. According to ACC associate commissioner Shane Lyons, Gilchrist must sit out a season of competition...

By Josh Barr | December 13, 2007; 05:30 PM ET | Comments (21)

Former Carroll Standout Still Hopes to Qualify

Former Carroll standout Jamar Samuels is hoping to suit up for the Kansas State basketball team this season. He's one of two K-State recruits who failed to meet the NCAA's minimum academic standards and is currently taking one class at Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass. Of K-State, Samuels said:...

By Josh Barr | December 12, 2007; 11:12 AM ET | Comments (0)

G'town Recruit Will Get Some Air Time

Here's ESPN's high school basketball broadcast schedule, which includes a Jan. 10 appearance by Georgetown recruit Greg Monroe. Interestingly, but not a surprise, there are no local teams scheduled to appear in the 15 games....

By Josh Barr | December 5, 2007; 09:40 PM ET | Comments (1)

Bullis Hoopster Makes Pick

Meant to put this up last week. Bullis basketball coach Bruce Kelley passes along that forward Nick Petkovich, a 6-5 senior, signed a letter-of-intent to play for Lafayette....

By Josh Barr | December 5, 2007; 05:54 PM ET | Comments (0)

Future Hoya, Terp Battle in Baltimore

Friends off the court, Baltimore standouts Sean Mosley and Henry Sims are rivals on it this year and in the future. Mosley, who plays for St. Frances, is bound for Maryland, while Sims has signed with Georgetown....

By Josh Barr | December 5, 2007; 03:43 PM ET | Comments (0)

A Few Quick Items

Sorry, been a busy week with hoops previews and football state title games coming this weekend. Here's a few quick links: Montrose Christian forwards Isaiah Armwood, Tristan Spurlock and Terrell Vinson, all juniors, already hold many top scholarship offers. Naji Hibbert and Josh Selby made a strong debut as DeMatha...

By Josh Barr | December 5, 2007; 01:41 PM ET | Comments (0)

Someone Asked About Ray Brewer?

I've gotten a few emails asking the whereabouts of one-time Eleanor Roosevelt All-Met guard Ray Brewer. Saw his dad last week and he reports that Ray is in school at St. Frances (Pa.) and plans to join the school's basketball team next season....

By Josh Barr | December 4, 2007; 02:29 PM ET | Comments (0)

Lady Terps Pick Up a Point Guard

Fresh off its comeback victory over UCLA, the Maryland women's basketball team scored another victory today when it picked up a verbal commitment from junior guard Dara Taylor of Wilmington, Del....

By Josh Barr | November 27, 2007; 12:42 PM ET | Comments (0)

Beasley Impressive, Mason Even More So

Kansas State freshman Mike Beasley was impressive once again, matching his season average with 30 points last night. But, wow, was George Mason and its group of local players even more impressive as the Patriots knocked off No. 18 K-State, 87-77, last night in a tournament in Orlando. Here's the...

By Josh Barr | November 23, 2007; 12:25 PM ET | Comments (0)

Beasley Still Rolling, Mason Up Next

I don't think it's a stretch to say that Kansas State freshman Mike Beasley has had the biggest impact on the college basketball landscape this season. The one-time All-Met at Riverdale Baptist is only averaging 30 points and 20 rebounds in the Wildcats' first three games, all easy victories over...

By Josh Barr | November 19, 2007; 02:02 PM ET | Comments (0)

Recapping the Early Signing Period

With high schoolers making their commitments public earlier and earlier there weren't many surprises durign the early signing period for basketball that began Wednesday. Here's the list of locals that will sign or plan to sign. As for the local colleges, the Maryland men's team signed forward Augustus Gilchrist and...

By Josh Barr | November 15, 2007; 12:17 PM ET | Comments (3)

Vaughn Gives Noles Trio of Locals

At Florida State, one-time South Lakes standout Julian Vaughn is starting at forward, posting eight points and four rebounds in 20 minutes in the Seminoles' season-opening 81-58 victory over Nicholls State. With Vaughn, Uche Echefu (an All-Met at Montrose Christian) and one-time Magruder star Isaiah Swann, three Washington-area players are...

By Josh Barr | November 13, 2007; 01:04 PM ET | Comments (0)

Terps' Freshmen Getting In, Impact remains to Be Seen

Let's take a look at Maryland, where the Terps are relying on several freshmen. With a full lineup last night against Hampton - James Gist and Landon Milbourne were suspended for the opener against North Florida, Cliff Tucker led the five freshmen in scoring with six points in 15 minutes....

By Josh Barr | November 13, 2007; 12:00 PM ET | Comments (0)

Beasley Debut Is Sensational

With the college hoops season starting - and the early signing period set to begin tomorrow - let's start taking a look at how some local players are faring this season. The obvious place to start is with Mike Beasley, a one-time All-Met at Riverdale Baptist. Now at Kansas State,...

By Josh Barr | November 13, 2007; 10:24 AM ET | Comments (0)

U-Conn. Forward to Transfer, But Might Not Have Much Eligibility Left

Connecticut forward Marcus Johnson was granted a release from his scholarship and plans to transfer closer to his home in Los Angeles. Johnson was considered an elite recruit out of high school, averaged 4.9 points in his first two seasons at U-Conn. One problem with the transfer: Johnson played six...

By Josh Barr | November 6, 2007; 10:12 AM ET | Comments (0)

Hoosier Assistant Resigns Amid Probe

An Indiana University basketball assistant coach has resigned after it was found he made improper telephone calls to recruits. From an outsider's perspective, it seems as if this case is getting ready to blow wide open. Coach Kelvin Sampson, already in the NCAA's bad graces from his time at Oklahoma,...

By Josh Barr | October 30, 2007; 12:39 PM ET | Comments (0)

Dodson Ineligible at Pitt, Heads to Juco

Darnell Dodson got a lot of attention last year as one of the Washington area's top players, earning first-team All-Met honors. He signed with Pittsburgh, enrolled and began taking classes while he awaited word from the NCAA Clearinghouse on whether he would be eligible to play. The answer came last...

By Josh Barr | October 29, 2007; 10:52 AM ET | Comments (0)

Gilchrist Says He'll Be a Terp

The biggest news of the weekend comes from Augustus Gilchrist, who took an official visit to Maryland and committed to play for the Terrapins. It's somewhat of a surprise, given that Gilchrist attended Georgetown's midnight madness and it was believed that Florida was also in the hunt for the 6-9...

By Josh Barr | October 22, 2007; 09:45 AM ET | Comments (16)

McNamara Point Guard Makes His Pick

I've been slow in posting this one. Bishop McNamara Coach Marty Keithline sent along an email that point guard Marc Hill has committed to play basketball for North Carolina A&T. Have to say, though Hill is only 5-8, he's done an excellent job controlling the game when I've seen the...

By Josh Barr | October 19, 2007; 11:23 AM ET | Comments (0)

Hill Lands Another For K-State

Here's an update on former Bladensburg standout Wally Judge, who transferred to Arlington Country Day in Jacksonville for his junior year. He's committed to play basketball at Kansas State, where former D.C.-area standout Dalonte Hill remains an assistant coach. Guess the "Little Apple" is somehow appealing to Washington teenagers....

By Josh Barr | October 18, 2007; 09:15 AM ET | Comments (0)

Scouting Report on Terps' Latest Hoops Recruit

Just got off the phone with South Kent Prep Coach Raphael Chillious. He offered this scouting report on junior forward Jin Soo Kim, who over the weekend committed to play basketball at Maryland: "He doesn't play AAU here. A lot of people don't know him nationally because he plays so...

By Josh Barr | October 16, 2007; 01:47 PM ET | Comments (1)

U-Md. Goes International; GMU Gets Recruit; Local Chooses ODU

Three basketball items I'm working to get more info on. One, Maryland has gotten a verbal commitment from Jin Soo Kim, a junior forward at South Kent School in Connecticut. Here's an old profile that talks about Kim, who some basketball followers expected to return to Asia and turn professional...

By Josh Barr | October 15, 2007; 02:38 PM ET | Comments (0)

G'town Makes Big Splash

In case you missed it over the weekend, Georgetown got a verbal commitment from one of the nation's top high school seniors, 6-10 forward Greg Monroe of Harvey, La. Monroe was in attendance Friday night as the Hoyas opened preseason practice. The announcement was somewhat of a surprise, given that...

By Josh Barr | October 15, 2007; 09:58 AM ET | Comments (3)

U-Va. Lands Hoops Recruit

Center John Brandenburg of St. Louis last night committed to play for Virginia. The 6-11 senior at DeSmet High picked the Cavaliers over Stnaford. He's Virginia's second recruit for next fall, joining forward Sylven Landesberg from Queens....

By Josh Barr | October 15, 2007; 07:42 AM ET | Comments (0)

Hoopster Gives Up Scholarship for Recruit

Maybe I'm jaded. But does anyone think a player would come up with the idea on his own to give up his $25,000 a year scholarship just in case his team gets too many recruits for the following year? Did the kid know on his own how many scholarships the...

By Josh Barr | October 12, 2007; 11:27 AM ET | Comments (2)

Big Frank Bound for Beantown

Looks like local products Tommy Amaker and Kenny Blakeney are going to upgrade the Harvard basketball program. The Crimson got another commitment from a highly-regarded local player when O'Connell center Frank Ben-Eze pledged to play for Harvard. A few weeks ago, Gonzaga guard Max Kenyi committed to Harvard. Both players...

By Josh Barr | October 12, 2007; 10:58 AM ET | Comments (1)

Some Morning Reading Material

A few non-recruiting links to start the day. Ever wonder what happened to Terence Morris? Well, he's got a game tonight at Madison Square Garden. Morris now plays for Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv. Not to be an NCAA shill, but the ability to go way back in the time machine...

By Josh Barr | October 11, 2007; 09:49 AM ET | Comments (1)

One-Time Local Set For Fresh Start

Here's a good read on one-time Montrose Christian player Herb Pope. Once regarded as an elite prospect and wooed by Maryland just last year, Pope is a freshman at New Mexico State, where former D.C. area travel-team coach Chris Pompey is an assistant coach. The short story: Heavily recruited, Pope...

By Josh Barr | October 9, 2007; 04:43 PM ET | Comments (0)

Mason Makes A Splash

Point guard Andre Cornelius had narrowed his college choices to South Carolina, Toledo and George Mason before he took an official visit to Fairfax this past weekend. By the time he left on Saturday morning, the Charlotte native had made his decision. "I felt like it was the best fit...

By Josh Barr | October 2, 2007; 09:55 AM ET | Comments (2)

Good Counsel Forward Makes His College Choice

Good Counsel forward Jordan Clarke has committed to play basketball for Vermont. Clarke, a 6-7 senior, averaged a team-leading 15.3 points per game last season. "It was really a comfort level," Clarke said. "It felt right. I really liked it when I went up on the visit. I had good...

By Josh Barr | October 1, 2007; 07:39 PM ET | Comments (0)

Former All-Mets Awash in G'town Garb

Ran into Austin Freeman and Chris Wright -- among other basketball folks -- at Saturday's St. John's-DeMatha football game. While their alma maters were meeting on the football field, Wright -- with his broken right foot in a protective boot -- said there was no friendly wager on the outcome...

By Josh Barr | October 1, 2007; 04:25 PM ET | Comments (0)

Hokies Lose Freshman Guard

The interesting offseason continues for the Virginia Tech basketball team as freshman guard Darrion Pellum - already enrolled in fall semester classes in Blacksburg - had an SAT score that was rejected by the NCAA Clearinghouse and was ruled a nonqualifier, meaning he can never play at an ACC school....

By Josh Barr | September 28, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (0)

U-Va. Lands Hoops Recruit

Virginia's basketball team yesterday picked up its first recruit for next fall. Sylven Landesburg, a 6-6 guard from Queens, N.Y. said it was hard to say no to the local school, St. John's. He also was considering Georgia Tech and had offers from Kentucky and Texas....

By Josh Barr | September 28, 2007; 08:56 AM ET | Comments (0)

O'Connell Center Could Make Choice Soon

Two O'Connell basketball players have already announced their college intentions and don't be surprised if a third does before the start of practice. Center Frank Ben-Eze, a Nigerian with one year of high school basketball under his belt, has taken official visits to Virginia Tech and Marquette as well an...

By Josh Barr | September 25, 2007; 08:30 AM ET | Comments (0)

Hokies, Cavs Hoops Notes

Man About Roanoke Doug Doughty says Bob Gibbons believes Virginia Tech picked up a solid recruit in forward Victor Davila. Gibbons also thinks Virginia eventually will get a commitment from center John Brandenburg. Sylven Landesburg, who has already taken a visit to Charlottesville, is set to pick this week between...

By Josh Barr | September 24, 2007; 09:29 AM ET | Comments (0)

More On Terps/Jennings

Here's more on Terrence Jennings backing off his commitment to Maryland, which came as a complete "surprise" to his high school coach. There's plenty of speculation today about the real story behind this news, from whether Jennings' ability to get into Maryland played a role to whether opposing schools have...

By Josh Barr | September 21, 2007; 11:46 AM ET | Comments (22)

Terps' Top Hoops Recruit Wavering

Uh oh. Maryland fans aren't going to be happy about this one. Scout.com is reporting that Terrence Jennings, the standout power forward who committed to the Terps over the summer, now says he wants to take another look at other schools....

By Josh Barr | September 20, 2007; 04:29 PM ET | Comments (0)

UNC Investigating Possible Recruiting Violations

While North Carolina picked up a verbal commitment yesterday from O'Connell guard Kendall Marshall, it remains to be seen whether Chicago-area guard Iman Shumpert also picks the Tar Heels. The school is investigating possible recruiting violations concerning Shumpert after he told a Web site that he played pickup basketball with...

By Josh Barr | September 20, 2007; 10:51 AM ET | Comments (0)

Vaccaro Now a Hot Commodity

Here's an interesting yarn about a guy who used to be heavily involved in the recruiting circuit. Now that he's retired from the shoe company business, Sonny Vaccaro is in demand on the speaking circuit. He spoke at Harvard Law School yesterday and is scheduled to be at Maryland next...

By Josh Barr | September 20, 2007; 10:31 AM ET | Comments (0)

Marshall Talks About Picking UNC

Just got off the phone with O'Connell sophomore guard Kendall Marshall, who this afternoon announced he has accepted a scholarship to play basketball for North Carolina. "Carolina has always been a dream school of mine," Marshall said. "It's always been a dream of mine to go there. Getting an offer...

By Josh Barr | September 19, 2007; 04:38 PM ET | Comments (1)

Wootten Talks About Marshall's Timing

O'Connell Coach Joe Wootten said that sophomore Kendall Marshall decided to make a choice so early in high school career because he felt strongly about the choice. "If you asked them in the spring before recruiting heated up, I don't think they had any intention of this," Wootten said. "As...

By Josh Barr | September 19, 2007; 03:22 PM ET | Comments (0)

Marshall Picks UNC

O'Connell sophomore guard Kendall Marshall announced he has accepted a scholarship to play for North Carolina. I'll have more in a few minutes......

By Josh Barr | September 19, 2007; 03:09 PM ET | Comments (0)

Star Sophomore Set to Announce

O'Connell sophomore guard Kendall Marshall, who first made A1 of The Post at age 11, today will announce his college decision. Knights Coach Joe Wootten said Marshall will pick between North Carolina, Georgetown and Villanova. Am I the only one to think this is just another example of the recruiting...

By Josh Barr | September 19, 2007; 10:33 AM ET | Comments (0)

Little Hoya Heading North

Georgetown Prep guard Garvey Young has committed to play basketball at Vermont, where he'll play for former Catholic University head coach and Maryland assistant coach Mike Lonergan. Young led the Little Hoyas in scoring last season, averaging 14.8 points per game last season. "It was the best overall fit," said...

By Josh Barr | September 18, 2007; 05:18 PM ET | Comments (0)

Hokies Get Hoops Recruit

Virginia Tech's basketball team has picked up a recruit from the senior class. Puerto Rican native Victor Davila is a 6-8 forward who chose the Hokies over Wake Forest, Clemson, Iowa State and Charlotte....

By Josh Barr | September 18, 2007; 01:10 PM ET | Comments (0)

Gilchrist Gets Release, What's Next?

Augustus Gilchrist has been given a release from his letter-of-intent by Virginia Tech and now can start trying to figure out his future plans. It ought to be interesting to see how things work out. Gilchrist had planned to go to prep school and applied to one high school as...

By Josh Barr | September 7, 2007; 10:02 AM ET | Comments (5)

Gilchrist Working Out, Hoping to Enroll in January?

Much was made about Augustus Gilchrist's decision not to follow through on his letter-of-intent to play basketball for Virginia Tech, saying he wanted to go to a prep school this fall. Instead, however, Gilchrist is working out five days a week with a personal trainer, has asked for a release...

By Josh Barr | September 5, 2007; 12:58 PM ET | Comments (0)

U-Va. Hoping to Go Big

Virginia's football team could use plenty of help, but it's the basketball team that is hoping for a big pickup this weekend when St. Louis center John Brandenburg comes to campus for an official visit. He is expected to decide between Stanford and Virginia....

By Josh Barr | September 5, 2007; 09:33 AM ET | Comments (0)

Top Team Makes Clubs Off Limits

While the Memphis basketball team already has three commitments for next season, any other aspiring Tigers should know that nightclubs are off limits for team members after two players allegedly were involved in a near-brawl with police this past weekend....

By Josh Barr | September 4, 2007; 10:23 AM ET | Comments (0)

Montrose Set to Add Twin Towers?

As the school year begins, Montrose Christian has a trio of transfers and there could be news soon on two tall players waiting to be admitted to the basketball power. Coach Stu Vetter today confirmed that senior guard Kevon Moore (Spalding), junior guard Dominic Milburn (St. John's) and sophomore guard...

By Josh Barr | August 29, 2007; 02:00 PM ET | Comments (1)

Don't Believe the (Mayo) Hype

The start of the college basketball season is still three months away, but the hype around O.J. Mayo is full speed ahead. He's yet to have a college practice, but already Mayo is saying how he wants to come back for a sophomore season unless he can make millions in...

By Josh Barr | August 29, 2007; 09:55 AM ET | Comments (3)

Terps/Turner: Things On Hold?

Spoke to Winchendon Coach Mike Byrnes this morning and he confirms that there might be a minor hiccup between guard Chris Turner and Maryland. With the Terrapins getting a commitment from Baltimore guard Sean Mosley and a commitment in hand from forward Terrence Jennings, Maryland would have only one scholarship...

By Josh Barr | August 28, 2007; 12:41 PM ET | Comments (2)

More on Mosley/Terps

Here's more on Maryland's recent commitment from Sean Mosley and how he ended up picking the Terrapins. That's three Maryland recruits from Baltimore in just over a year....

By Josh Barr | August 28, 2007; 08:22 AM ET | Comments (0)

Top Hoopsters Hit the Road

There's been a purge of local basketball talent, with three top players bound for prep schools. Hargrave Military Academy basketball coach Kevin Keatts said he expects forward Roscoe Davis to check in this afternoon. Davis, a 6-10 rising senior, was a third-team All-Met last winter at Wise High. It appears...

By Josh Barr | August 27, 2007; 12:14 PM ET | Comments (2)

Blast From the Past Could Be Done

There's a scholarship open on the San Diego State men's basketball team. Oft-traveled center Jerome Habel, a Rockville native whose high school career included stops at Paint Branch, Whitman and Marriott Charter, has been kicked off the Aztecs' roster. Habel signed with Florida State but never enrolled. He subseuqently made...

By Josh Barr | August 27, 2007; 10:16 AM ET | Comments (0)

Local Player Joins Bonnies

Former H.D. Woodson forward Delonte Taylor, who spent the past two years at Philadelphia Lutheran, will play for St. Bonaventure. Taylor was a fourth-team All-Met as a senior in 2004....

By Josh Barr | August 27, 2007; 09:17 AM ET | Comments (0)

More on Mosley, Terps' Summer Run

The kind folks at The Sun look at Maryland's recruiting efforts now that Sean Mosley says he's ready to enlist. And the experts give the Terps a thumbs-up for their recent pickups. Recruiting has been a strange thing in College Park. I was on the beat during the glory days...

By Josh Barr | August 16, 2007; 11:54 AM ET | Comments (14)

A Video Worth Watching Again (And Again)

With all of the attention on the recruiting efforts of Maryland's basketball team, I thought it would be interesting to post this video from YouTube. Let's see: Kevin Durant is a millionaire in the NBA now. Ty Lawson is at UNC. Jeff Allen is off to Virginia Tech. Greivis Vasquez...

By Josh Barr | August 15, 2007; 02:41 PM ET | Comments (6)

Mosley Gives Mom Present, Picks U-Md.

Just got off the phone with Sean Mosley, talking about his decision to accept a scholarship to play basketball at Maryland. The 6-5 swingman said he returned from a visit to Temple this past Sunday and told his father that he was ready to make his choice - in order...

By Josh Barr | August 15, 2007; 01:58 PM ET | Comments (2)

Terps Pick Up Mosley, Another on the Way?

As I anticipated yesterday, Maryland today received a verbal commitment from St. Frances wing player Sean Mosley. Mosley is the first three-time All-Metro selection by The (Baltimore) Sun. I hope to have more from him this afternoon on his decision. Meantime, it seems likely that Winchendon (Mass.) School guard Chris...

By Josh Barr | August 15, 2007; 01:01 PM ET | Comments (0)

Local Player Picks K-State

Upper Marlboro native Ron Anderson, who attended McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn., has accepted a scholarship to play for Kansas State. Anderson played travel-team with D.C. Assault. Here's a better look at Anderson....

By Josh Barr | August 15, 2007; 07:26 AM ET | Comments (1)

Terps Close to Landing Two Hoops Recruits

It's a busy time for recruiting season in College Park. Last week, the Terrapins landed big man Terrence Jennings of Sacramento. Now, it appears Maryland is closing in on two more commitments. Wing player Chris Turner, who is from Durham and attends the Winchendon (Mass.) School, has Maryland at the...

By Josh Barr | August 14, 2007; 04:43 PM ET | Comments (1)

Local Hoopster Picks Illinois

Just got off the phone with T.C. Williams basketball coach Ivan Thomas, who reports that second-team All-Met forward Mike Davis has accepted a scholarship offer to play for Illinois. Davis had planned to go to South Kent Prep for a year of post-grad seasoning, but instead took a visit to...

By Josh Barr | August 14, 2007; 12:05 PM ET | Comments (47)

Munson Off to Juco, then GW!

From the Recruiting Insider's Breaking News Desk: Point guard Nigel Munson will transfer from Virginia Tech to attend a junior college this fall, a source with knowledge of the situation said this afternoon. Munson, a 2006 All-Met at DeMatha High, plans to not play basketball in the 2007-08 school year...

By Josh Barr | August 13, 2007; 01:49 PM ET | Comments (40)

More On Mason's Latest Pickup

I mentioned this yesterday, but here's more on Forest Park's Deidre Richardson and her decision to accept a scholarship to George Mason. As the story points out, Richardson is the fourth rising senior in the county to make a verbal commitment, joining Potomac's Lynetta Kizer (Maryland), Stonewall's Gwen Washington (East...

By Josh Barr | August 8, 2007; 09:04 AM ET | Comments (0)

Coaching Hires at Ball State, Wake Forest

Much coaching news to update. Ball State Billy Taylor away from Lehigh, so I guess Deontay Twyman can finally figure out his future. Also, Wake Forest today is expected to name Dino Gaudio to succeed Skip Prosser. The Demon Deacons have a top-notch recruiting class lined up for 2008....

By Josh Barr | August 8, 2007; 08:56 AM ET | Comments (0)

Video of U-Md. Hoops Recruit

For those who are interested - and I'm guessing plenty of Maryland fans are - here are some highlights and an interview with recent commitment Terrence Jennings. The 6-10 big man from Sacramento, who committed last week, at the time of this interview listed the Terrapins as one of his...

By Josh Barr | August 7, 2007; 04:11 PM ET | Comments (0)

GMU Picks Up Local Commitment

Colleague Stephen Norris passes along that Forest Park's Deidre Richardson has verbally committed to play women's basketball for George Mason. Richardson will rejoin former Forest Park coach Chrissy Kelly, who was hired as a Mason assistant after last season....

By Josh Barr | August 7, 2007; 11:54 AM ET | Comments (0)

Twyman's Wait Soon to Be Over?

Maybe Deontay Twyman can get an answer this week with the report that Ball State is set to hire IUPUI Coach Ron Hunter. Hunter probably is best known for his bellyflop across the court after IUPUI won the Mid-Continent Conference title a few years ago to advance to the NCAA...

By Josh Barr | August 6, 2007; 01:12 PM ET | Comments (0)

Twyman Has to Wait On Ball State

Caught up with Sherwood Athletic Director Bob Cilento recently to talk about All-Met guard Deontay Twyman. Twyman signed late with Ball State and completed a session of summer school only to have Ronny Thompson resign last month as the school's coach. Cilento said that Twyman asked the school for a...

By Josh Barr | August 6, 2007; 10:33 AM ET | Comments (0)

Maryland Makes Major Splash

Sorry for not chiming in over the past week while on vacation. There wasn't much in the way of recruiting news, but there was one major splash as the Maryland men's basketball team secured a verbal commitment from forward Terrence Jennings of Sacramento. I hope to have more about Jennings...

By Josh Barr | August 6, 2007; 09:11 AM ET | Comments (0)

Vegas Summer Run Comes to an End

It was different in Vegas this summer after Sonny Vaccaro stepped away from the tournament scene. Reebok's tournament was smaller, but things went off just fine. Columnist Ed Graney, always with a sharp wit, delivers this gem as the Vegas summer run ends: Which side of the fence you sat...

By Josh Barr | July 27, 2007; 12:41 PM ET | Comments (0)

Virginia Interested in Midwest Big Man

Having missed out on North Carolina-bound forward Ed Davis of Richmond, Virginia's interest is rising in St. Louis center John Brandenburg. He plans to visit Charlottesville in early September....

By Josh Barr | July 27, 2007; 11:02 AM ET | Comments (0)

A Way For Any Player to Improve

Here's a way for any player to do wonders for his or her game: Grow 10 inches in a matter of months. That's what Indiana high schooler Tyler Zeller claims to have done late in his freshman year. Now a rising senior, these schools are in hot pursuit of Zeller:...

By Josh Barr | July 26, 2007; 12:03 PM ET | Comments (0)

Another Point Guard With Big Designs

Here's more from the kids-with-sizable-heads file. Point guard Brandon Jennings committed to USC last spring, then said he wouldn't play for the Trojans and picked Arizona. He'll be back at Oak Hill Academy this fall. Of playing in front of Arizona Coach Lute Olson this week in Las Vegas, Jennings...

By Josh Barr | July 25, 2007; 01:58 PM ET | Comments (0)

He Wants to Be Like Mike

Jeff Jordan might be the most heralded walk-on in college basketball. Michael Jordan's son will be a freshman this fall at Illinois and is enrolled in summer school. His roommate says that grown men ask for the chance to come up to their dorm room to meet Mike's son....

By Josh Barr | July 24, 2007; 02:13 PM ET | Comments (0)

Tall Nigerian Lands in Chicago

Kene Obi, a Nigerian who came to the Washington area and went to a Connecticut prep school, will play for DePaul "pending clarifications of eligibility and amateur standing by the school and the NCAA."...

By Josh Barr | July 24, 2007; 11:06 AM ET | Comments (0)

Texas Point Guard Has Long List

A 6-4 point guard from Texas is tiring of being asked about his college list. For the record, Willie Warren said, it's Oklahoma followed by Texas, Kansas, Louisville, Cincinnati, Marquette, Kentucky and Arizona. As if that means anything. He'll be attending Oak Hill Academy in the fall....

By Josh Barr | July 24, 2007; 10:33 AM ET | Comments (1)

Mount St. Mary's Adds Late Recruit

Mount St. Mary's added a last-minute recruit to its group of incoming freshmen. Forward John Schwarz from Baltimore's Perry Hall High, averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds last season....

By Josh Barr | July 24, 2007; 09:07 AM ET | Comments (0)

Polish Teen Is a Hoops Hit

Olek Czyz is a 15-year-old from Poland who has been in the U.S. for three years, going to school in Reno. Now, the 6-8, 235-pound forward is a top-tier recruit, already holding scholarship offers from Duke, Florida, Kansas and Arizona State. Wonder if hometown Nevada will be in the mix...

By Josh Barr | July 23, 2007; 12:53 PM ET | Comments (0)

Top Recruit Opts Out of Ohio St. Commitment

Forward Luke Babbitt originally committed to play for Ohio State before changing his mind and opting to stay close to home and play for Nevada. It's an unusual situation, a top prospect choosing the local school over the national powerhouse....

By Josh Barr | July 23, 2007; 12:08 PM ET | Comments (1)

Gilchrist Bound for Notre Dame Academy?

Sure seems that way, though there is no definitive word as I have been unable to reach Augustus Gilchrist and others potentially in the know, including Notre Dame Academy Coach Tim Fudd. Gilchrist was a second-team All-Met basketball player last year while playing for Progressive Christian. He signed with Virginia...

By Josh Barr | July 20, 2007; 12:39 PM ET | Comments (0)

Soph Getting Attention from U-Md., G'town, VT, others

Courtland forward Josh Hairston is a talented 6-7 rising sophomore who is already on the recruiting radar of the area's top teams. He'll be playing this weekend in Las Vegas with D.C. Assault....

By Josh Barr | July 20, 2007; 09:38 AM ET | Comments (0)

Top Hoops Recruit Chooses UNC

One of the nation's top basketball prospects, Richmond forward Ed Davis, yesterday committed to play for North Carolina, the latest top recruit to choose the Tar Heels. This news didn't have anything to do with Roy Williams nearly falling down as he left a news conference; Williams is suffering from...

By Josh Barr | July 19, 2007; 11:56 AM ET | Comments (0)

Munson Transferring and More Va. Tech Notes

Plenty of stuff about the Hokies in today's papers. The Roanoke Times confirms what I posted Monday, that point guard Nigel Munson will transfer to be closer to home. Here's more about Brooke Point LB Isaiah Hamlette and his decision to pick Tech. Coach Frank Beamer expects to soon learn...

By Josh Barr | July 18, 2007; 11:41 AM ET | Comments (0)

Twyman Taking His Time at Ball State

Got in touch with Sherwood All-Met guard Deontay Twyman, whose brief college career already has had a few bumps. Twyman enrolled at Ball State for the second summer session, which concludes Friday, and already he's having to go through a coaching change after Ronny Thompson resigned last week. Twyman, who...

By Josh Barr | July 17, 2007; 09:45 AM ET | Comments (0)

Munson Won't Return to Va. Tech

This just in, from a source close to Nigel Munson, who confirms what's been going around the rumor mill for the past month or so: The former All-Met point guard from DeMatha High will transfer from Virginia Tech and will not return to Blacksburg for his sophomore year. A Tech...

By Josh Barr | July 16, 2007; 01:32 PM ET | Comments (0)

Tech Loses Another Recruit

It's been a rough stretch for Virginia Tech basketball, with second-team All-Met forward Augustus Gilchrist preferring to go the prep school route and point guard Nigel Munson considering a transfer. Now, the Hokies have lost a commitment from a rising senior, guard Shamarr Bowden....

By Josh Barr | July 16, 2007; 11:59 AM ET | Comments (1)

Thompson Out at Ball State; Local Impact?

As I wondered about earlier this week, Ronny Thompson has resigned at Ball State, which could have plenty of local ramifications. My hunch is that All-Met point guard Deontay Twyman could try to get out of Muncie, but since he has started summer school, that could be tough to do...

By Josh Barr | July 12, 2007; 06:09 PM ET | Comments (0)

Former Carroll Standout Heading to the Q

Former Carroll guard Evann Baker has committed to play basketball for Quinnipiac University. Baker played at Maine Central Institute last season and had signed a letter-of-intent to play for Wichita State before the Shockers changed coaches this past spring....

By Josh Barr | July 12, 2007; 04:51 PM ET | Comments (1)

Shannon Bound for Texas

I missed posting this one last month, but former All-Met forward Bobby Shannon, who signed with Marshall, is now attending Angelina College, a two-year school in Lufkin, Texas....

By Josh Barr | July 12, 2007; 09:35 AM ET | Comments (0)

Rbk U. Organizer is Pleased

Here's more on the changing nature of summer sneaker camps. Surprise, surprise - the director of the new Rbk U. is pleased with his new camp in Philadelphia. One of the camp's top players was Terence Jennings, a 6-10 big man who has played high school basketball in Sacramento, North...

By Josh Barr | July 11, 2007; 10:58 AM ET | Comments (0)

Point Guard Not Going to Drive at GMU

George Mason recruit Jay Threatt, a poiint guard from Richmond, is facing charges of abduction and robbery in connection with a carjacking and a judge yesterday prohibited him from enrolling in college while he faces charges. Threatt was a late addition to Mason's recruiting class and the Patriots are believed...

By Josh Barr | July 11, 2007; 09:42 AM ET | Comments (0)

More on Johnson; He Hopes to Play Hoops Too

Here's more on Gonzaga's Cameron Johnson, who yesterday committed to play football for Virginia. He also hopes to join the Cavaliers' basketball team once the football season is over....

By Josh Barr | July 10, 2007; 12:48 PM ET | Comments (0)

Brenton Bound for Hargrave

Second-team All-Met Tommy Brenton, who led River Hill to the Maryland 3A title this past season, will play at Hargrave Military Academy next season, River Hill Coach Matt Graves said. "What was going on, his overall GPA and SAT's weren't where they needed to be to get him into a...

By Josh Barr | July 10, 2007; 10:41 AM ET | Comments (0)

Sneaker Companies Changing Their Ways

The sneaker companies have changed their ways, forgoing their massive summer camps for smaller gatherings, trying to sell their new arrangements as for the good of the sport. Don't worry, though, there will be plenty of basketball to go around in the next month....

By Josh Barr | July 10, 2007; 08:54 AM ET | Comments (0)

Dodson Set For Pitt

Caught up with Eleanor Roosevelt basketball coach Brendan O'Connell, fresh off his honeymoon to Curacao. O'Connell reports that All-Met guard Darnell Dodson met the NCAA's academic standards and has enrolled in summer school at Pittsburgh. Also, forward Sean Hawkins is looking for a junior college....

By Josh Barr | July 9, 2007; 05:25 PM ET | Comments (0)

Rising Senior Bound for Pittsburgh

Though not to play with the Panthers. Got an email earlier today from Wise assistant coach Steve Gerald, letting me know that forward Jason Burns has committed to play basketball for Robert Morris. Burns, a rising senior, played at O'Connell last year before transferring to Wise....

By Josh Barr | July 5, 2007; 03:45 PM ET | Comments (0)

Eighth Grade All-Americans? Good or Bad?

After reading this column on USC's recent recruitment of an eighth-grader, I decided to speak to a coach who had just come from being around a bunch of junior high schoolers. George Mason assistant Chris Caputo spent last weekend working the Freshman All-American Camp at Hoop Magic Sports Academy in...

By Josh Barr | July 5, 2007; 08:54 AM ET | Comments (0)

JMU Gets a Good One

Got an email earlier today letting me know that Gwynn Park forward Brittany Crowell, a three-year starter now getting ready for her senior year, has accepted a scholarship offer to play for James Madison....

By Josh Barr | July 4, 2007; 11:31 AM ET | Comments (0)

High Scorer Headed to Radford

Just got an email from second-team All-Met guard Taleia Moton of Suitland. The prolific guard, who averaged 29.6 points per game this past season, second-best in the Washington area, wrote that she has accepted a scholarship to play for Radford. Moton had signed to play for Mount St. Mary's, but...

By Josh Barr | July 3, 2007; 03:03 PM ET | Comments (0)

Carroll Adding Top Transfers

One team making noise in local summer basketball leagues has been Carroll, which continues to add to its impressive list of foreign players. Rising senior Kris Joseph, a 6-5 forward from Quebec, joined the Lions last season and has already accepted a scholarship offer from Syracuse. Nigerians Emeka Okam and...

By Josh Barr | June 27, 2007; 12:13 PM ET | Comments (0)

Top Prospect Is Busy; Has Visited U-Conn.

One of the top players in Richmond is in the midst of a busy summer. The 6-9 power forward has taken an unofficial visit to Connecticut and expects to take other college trips this summer....

By Josh Barr | June 26, 2007; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (0)

Munson to Leave Virginia Tech?

I wrote a bit about this a week ago, but here's more about the possibility of Nigel Munson transferring from Virginia Tech. Munson is likely to reach a decision this week, so I should have more on this soon....

By Josh Barr | June 25, 2007; 10:11 AM ET | Comments (0)

Eighth Grader Makes Commitment, Gets Later Bedtime?

Still waiting for the first sixth grader to commit. For the time being, I'll have to settle for this eighth grader, who has accepted a scholarship offer to play basketball for USC. Maybe I'm jaded, but don't you think that too much can change in four years that it isn't...

By Josh Barr | June 21, 2007; 05:24 PM ET | Comments (1)

Hoyas' Latest Recruit Is Finally Done

I wasn't quite sure how to handle this one. For starters, I'd blogged back in March that this was a done deal, with St. John's (Md.) forward Nikita Mescheriakov bound for Georgetown. The only holdup was certifying that Mescheriakov's grades and test score would fly with the NCAA. Then nothing...

By Josh Barr | June 20, 2007; 04:52 PM ET | Comments (0)

Explosive Forward Bound for Juco

Forward Cliff Dixon, who played as a senior at Suitland High in 2005-06 and was on the prep team at Progressive Christian this past season, has signed a letter-of-intent to play for Motlow College, a two-year junior college in Lynchburg, Tenn. After playing in just three games because of academic...

By Josh Barr | June 19, 2007; 07:14 AM ET | Comments (0)

Top Forward Goes to U-Md.

Updated: Third-team All-Met Lynetta Kizer, a forward and rising senior at Potomac (Va.) High, spent some time in Colorado at the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival and today called Maryland Coach Brenda Frese to accept a scholarship offer to play for the Terrapins....

By Josh Barr | June 18, 2007; 06:11 PM ET | Comments (0)

Mt. Vernon Guard Makes Commitment, Becomes a First

Mount Vernon point guard Marquel De Lancey, a rising senior, has committed to play at Old Dominion, which - according to the Virginian-Pilot - is the earliest a player has even committed to play for the Monarchs. He also had interest from VMI and New Hampshire. I know mid-majors typically...

By Josh Barr | June 13, 2007; 08:42 AM ET | Comments (0)

Munson Out At Tech?

It's a hot topic these days, whether former DeMatha All-Met point guard Nigel Munson will transfer from Virginia Tech, where he is slated to be the Hokies' starter this coming winter. Stags Coach Mike Jones said he's been inundated with calls seeking answers, but said he's not in a position...

By Josh Barr | June 12, 2007; 02:12 PM ET | Comments (0)

Braswell Done at DeMatha

Spoke to DeMatha hoops coach Mike Jones this afternoon (keeping up with today's DeMatha theme) and he said that standout forward Chris Braswell will not return to the Hyattsville school for his senior year. The talented 6-foot-9 forward committed to Georgetown before this past season but then played in only...

By Josh Barr | June 11, 2007; 03:59 PM ET | Comments (0)

Gilchrist's Next Stop to Be In Virginia?

Maybe, but not likely to be in Blacksburg or Charlottesville. Notre Dame Academy Coach Tim Fudd said he has been contacted by the personal trainer for Augustus Gilchrist about the possibility of Gilchrist enrolling at the Middleburg school that has pumped up its basketball program in recent years. However, Fudd...

By Josh Barr | June 8, 2007; 01:44 PM ET | Comments (0)

7-Footer Looking Elsewhere

A 7-foot rising senior from San Diego has backed off his commitment to Louisville. Jeff Withey last fall said he would play for Cards Coach Rick Pitino, but now his personal trainer - sound familiar? - says things are wide open....

By Josh Barr | June 8, 2007; 12:31 PM ET | Comments (0)

Recruits Get a Ride From Donovan

While this columnist wondered what it's like to be a recruit when the coach bolts town, it appears that Florida Coach Billy Donovan is going back to Gainesville. Talk about a rollercoaster ride for those involved. When news broke last week about Donovan heading for the Magic, I made a...

By Josh Barr | June 4, 2007; 10:17 AM ET | Comments (0)

National Christian Lands Terps'/Hoyas' Target

A top prospect from North Carolina will transfer to National Christian for his senior season. Tyree Graham, a point guard who played at Hillside High in Durham, N.C., this past year, played for D.C. Assault in a recent tournament. He once committed to North Carolina State but now says he...

By Josh Barr | June 1, 2007; 02:25 PM ET | Comments (0)

Gator Recruits Say They'll Stick With U-F

With Billy Donovan bound for Orlando, Florida's recruits say they are sticking with the Gators. Though I do wonder how a guy like Jai Lucas feels after waiting so long to make a commitment, then seeing his coach leave....

By Josh Barr | June 1, 2007; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (0)

Tech News; Greenberg Speaks (Briefly) About Gilchrist

It's been a busy week for the recruiters in Blacksburg. The football team received a commitment earlier in the week from Stone Bridge DB Jeron Gouveia and today comes word that the Hokies have added a recruit apiece in football and basketball. The basketball team added point guard Hank Thorns...

By Josh Barr | May 31, 2007; 12:11 PM ET | Comments (1)

How One Website Sees It

Here's how one observer rates the crop of local seniors: Donte Greene, Austin Freeman Chris Wright. Guess this only adds to the discussion of picking All-Met type teams. The Baltimore Sun picked Green's teammate, Virginia Tech-bound Malcolm Delaney as its player of the year....

By Josh Barr | May 30, 2007; 10:11 AM ET | Comments (0)

Wake Forest Losing a Basketball Player?

Wait! I don't normally blog about transfers from Wake Forest to Northwestern or Colorado, but... this story in the Chicago Tribune claims that a player who got into nine games last season might be the answer at center for Northwestern. He scored 10 points and had four points in 27...

By Josh Barr | May 23, 2007; 02:38 PM ET | Comments (0)

Bonnies Get Another Local Hoopster

Former Friendly standout Hilary Haley has signed a letter-of-intent to play for St. Bonaventure. Haley signed with East Carolina out of high school but spent this school year at North Atlanta Prep....

By Josh Barr | May 21, 2007; 12:07 PM ET | Comments (0)

Montrose Guard Picks Georgia

Montrose Christian guard Troy Brewer, who blossomed late in the season, signed a letter-of-intent to play for Georgia. Brewer's recruitment picked up during the season. He averaged 15.1 points and 5.3 rebounds....

By Josh Barr | May 21, 2007; 10:44 AM ET | Comments (0)

Big Blue Nets Big Recruit

High school prospect Patrick Patterson wants to be "the savior" for Kentucky basketball. Good to know kids these days don't have egos. Jerry Tipton also chimes in with the particulars of Coach Billy Gillispie's recruiting pitch....

By Josh Barr | May 17, 2007; 10:54 AM ET | Comments (2)

Top Recruit Set to Pick Today

Huntington, W.Va., star forward Patrick Patterson is expected to announce his college choice this afternoon. Yesterday, one of his teammates announced his choice of a Division III school and Huntington officials used the opportunity to stage a mock new conference because of the anticipated circus. Personally, I think this shows...

By Josh Barr | May 16, 2007; 12:14 PM ET | Comments (1)

Columnist Wonders About Gilchrist/Hokies

Dave Fairbank of the Newport News (Va.) Daily Press weighs in on Augustus Gilchrist's decision not to go to Virginia Tech, putting his name on a column I'm sure many will find controversial, even though it's where everyone seems to be talking about in hushed voices. Given the unusual circumstances...

By Josh Barr | May 15, 2007; 03:05 PM ET | Comments (0)

Gilchrist Speaks/What's Next?

I caught up with Augustus Gilchrist on Saturday and he confirmed that he won't be a Hokie this fall. However, Gilchrist did nothing to clear up the situation, adding that he had yet to "directly" ask for a release from his letter-of-intent. This would go along with a statement by...

By Josh Barr | May 14, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (0)

More On Gilchrist/VT

Just got off the phone with Augustus Gilchrist's personal trainer Terrelle Woody. It was a bizarre interview on all fronts, starting with Woody stating that Progressive Christian Coach Van Whitfield -- who this afternoon sent out a statement on Gilchrist -- wasn't authorized to speak for Gilchrist or release information...

By Josh Barr | May 11, 2007; 05:31 PM ET | Comments (0)

Prep Coach Says Gilchrist Not Going to VT

Just got this statement from Progressive Christian basketball coach Van Whitfield: Due to the tragic and historic events of April 16, 2007, at Virginia Tech University, Progressive Christian Academy senior forward Augustus Gilchrist will respectfully request to be released from his National Letter of Intent. In this time of mourning...

By Josh Barr | May 11, 2007; 04:58 PM ET | Comments (0)

Gilchrist Seeking Another Destination?

Spoke to second-team All-Met center Gus Gilchrist last night and he confirmed he is uncertain what he plans to do next season but declined to say more. Gilchrist, who was home schooled and played for Progressive Christian this past season, signed a letter-of-intent to play for Virginia Tech in November....

By Josh Barr | May 11, 2007; 11:35 AM ET | Comments (0)

Twyman To Be A Hoosier?

Not quite, but if Sherwood All-Met guard Deontay Twyman can make the NCAA's initial academic eligibility standards, he will play in the Hoosier state. While no one was ready to confirm anything last night, a source with knowledge of the situation said that Twyman will sign a national letter-of-intent to...

By Josh Barr | May 10, 2007; 06:53 PM ET | Comments (0)

K-State Gets Local Player

Former Carroll standout Jamar Samuels, who played at Patterson (N.C.) School this past season, is bound for Kansas State. Chalk one up for the D.C. Assault-Dalonte Hill connection. Weird item though: The Kansas City Star reports that Samuels will skip his senior season to enroll this fall. This was Samuels'...

By Josh Barr | May 9, 2007; 12:34 PM ET | Comments (0)

Twyman Gets Scholarship Offer

Sherwood's Deontay Twyman, the first basketball-football first-team All-Met since Lawrence Moten finally has a scholarship offer. Sherwood AD Bob Cilento reports that Twyman took an official visit to Ball State late last week and the Cardinals -- coached by Ronny Thompson -- offered Twyman a basketball scholarship. No word yet...

By Josh Barr | May 7, 2007; 10:50 AM ET | Comments (2)

More on Sims/Georgetown

Getting a verbal commitment from Baltimore center Henry Sims was a terrific get for Georgetown. Sims, who is 6 feet 11 and 215 pounds picked the Hoyas over Maryland and Virginia. "He felt like that was the right situation for him," said Pat Clatchey, Sims's coach at Mount St. Joseph....

By Josh Barr | May 1, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (0)

Jordan's Son Staying In The Midwest

As I mentioned in a post earlier in the month, Michael Jordan's oldest son, Jeff, will play at Illinois. Jordan will be a walk-on, but I think his dad might be able to cover the cost of in-state tuition. Jordan had scholarship offers from Valparaiso and Loyola (Ill.) and also...

By Josh Barr | April 30, 2007; 12:02 PM ET | Comments (0)

New Kentucky Coach Lands a Good One

New Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie picked up a high-profile recruit, signing Oak Hill guard Alex Legion, a one-time Michigan recruit. But when Michigan dismissed Tommy Amaker, it allowed Legion out of his letter-of-intent. According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, Legion averaged 19.5 points and shot 41 percent from three-point range this...

By Josh Barr | April 30, 2007; 08:22 AM ET | Comments (0)

McClain Is Big East Bound

Softball commish extraordinaire passes along this link: National Christian center Anthony McClain is headed to Cincinnati. No surprise there. Speculation had been that the 7-footer was bound for Cinci or U-Conn....

By Josh Barr | April 23, 2007; 11:04 AM ET | Comments (0)

Don't Believe the Hype?

This press release takes hype to a new level. Romeo Miller, a teenage rapper and junior guard at Beverly Hills High (no, not making any of this up) has committed to play basketball at USC. His PR group says the son of Master P already signed, which can't happen until...

By Josh Barr | April 23, 2007; 09:28 AM ET | Comments (0)

Joseph Heading to Syracuse

I missed posting this earlier in the week. Carroll guard Kris Joseph, who made quite a splash in his first year locally after moving from Montreal, committed to play for Syracuse. He also considered Georgetown and at one time Maryland also was thought to be very interested in Joseph....

By Josh Barr | April 20, 2007; 02:39 PM ET | Comments (0)

The Next Jordan?

The Washingtonian last month wondered whether Michael Jordan's son was going to play for Georgetown. Today, though, the Chicago Tribune - which perhaps has a better handle on the subject? - reports that Illinois might be Jeffrey Jordan's destination....

By Josh Barr | April 20, 2007; 01:27 PM ET | Comments (0)

Tribe Loses Recruit

William & Mary assistant coach Antwon Jackson is as visible as anyone (save maybe Mason's Chris Caputo) when it comes to scouring the D.C. area for players. And now the Tribe is looking for one more recruit after losing a once-committed 6-5 forward to Mississippi State. Scroll to the fourth...

By Josh Barr | April 19, 2007; 02:33 PM ET | Comments (0)

Early Signees Beware

Got a phone call the other day from former Potomac (Md.) High and Bowie State basketball coach Taft Hickman, now the coach at Kempsville High in Virginia Beach. Hickman was calling to voice his displeasure with Wichita State University, which refused to release one of Hickman's players from a letter-of-intent...

By Josh Barr | April 19, 2007; 02:24 PM ET | Comments (0)

Fallout From LSU/Pokey?

Here's an interesting story on girls' basketball recruiting (sorry, NYT registration required) that looks at any possible backlash for coaches that are homosexual after LSU and Pokey Chatman went separate ways last month....

By Josh Barr | April 19, 2007; 12:38 PM ET | Comments (1)

Peterson Finally Makes a Call

No surprise here. After getting the okay from his parents, DeMatha guard Jeff Peterson accepted Iowa's scholarship offer....

By Josh Barr | April 18, 2007; 03:47 PM ET | Comments (1)

Hokies In the Market?

Virginia Tech has another scholarship opening after backup center Robert Krabbendam decided to head to Europe to play professionally. He sat out this past season because of a knee injury....

By Josh Barr | April 18, 2007; 12:57 PM ET | Comments (0)

Peterson to Iowa?

The story that seemingly never ends looks like to wrap up, possibly as soon as tonight and all indications are that DeMatha point guard Jeff Peterson will sign with Iowa. He had been waiting to meet the Hawkeyes' new coach, Todd Lickliter, before making a final decision. That happened yesterday,...

By Josh Barr | April 17, 2007; 04:20 PM ET | Comments (7)

PW Point Guard Gets D-1 Ride

Freedom-Woodbridge point guard Jaren Haley has signed a letter-of-intent to play for Wagner....

By Josh Barr | April 17, 2007; 12:56 PM ET | Comments (0)

Peterson Decision This Week?

Been down this road before. The Des Moines Register reports that DeMatha guard Jeff Peterson is close to making a decision between Iowa, Princeton and St. Louis. Many ways to read this one. Does this mean Princeton, believed to be talking to Georgetown assistant Sidney Johnson, is close to making...

By Josh Barr | April 17, 2007; 10:53 AM ET | Comments (1)

All-Met Gives Huggins the A-OK

New West Virginia Coach Bob Huggins traveled to Southern Maryland last Friday to meet with Mountaineers recruit and St. Mary's Ryken All-Met forward John Flowers. With John Beilein moving on to Michigan, Huggins brings a completely different style to Morgantown. However, after meeting with Huggins, Flowers said he intends to...

By Josh Barr | April 17, 2007; 10:15 AM ET | Comments (0)

More on Williams/Kentucky

Here's more on Ireton's Mike Williams and his impression of Kentucky's new coach, Billy Gillispie....

By Josh Barr | April 16, 2007; 06:02 PM ET | Comments (0)

G'town Adds a Good One

I had alluded to this possibility over the winter and now it appears to have happened. With Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert NBA-bound, Georgetown has scholarship openings and the Hoyas will use one on St. John's (Md.) forward Nikita Mescheriakov, according to a person close to the player. Mescheriakov, a...

By Josh Barr | April 16, 2007; 02:22 PM ET | Comments (2)

Big Man Gets a Kick Start

It didn't take long for Bishop Ireton center and Kentucky recruit Mike Williams to get acquainted with the ways of the Bluegrass State. When he took the court at Louisville's Freedom Hall during pregame introductions, Williams kicked a stuffed cardinal into press row....

By Josh Barr | April 16, 2007; 02:12 PM ET | Comments (0)

More On Terps' Latest Get

I had a small blurb in Saturday's paper on Maryland picking up a basketball commitment from guard Cliff Tucker of El Paso. Here's how the El Paso Times and Baltimore Sun saw it....

By Josh Barr | April 16, 2007; 01:55 PM ET | Comments (0)

One-Time Sorta Local Hoopster Signs!

Big Boss Man Jon DeNunzio passes along this big tip, from his pal Rob Daniels in Greensboro: North Carolina A&T has signed guard Ed Jones of Butler County (Kan.) Community College. Jones once played at Notre Dame Academy in Middleburg, Jon reports....

By Josh Barr | April 11, 2007; 05:36 PM ET | Comments (0)

Basketball Time to Sign

Today is the start of the spring signing period for basketball players, but there isn't expected to be much news for local teams, who signed most of their recruits in the October early period. Maryland could land El Paso guard Cliff Tucker today, with guard Jai Lucas a longshot. Forward...

By Josh Barr | April 11, 2007; 11:54 AM ET | Comments (0)

More Cap Classic

Man About Charlottesville Jeff White writes about the Virginia and Virginia Tech recruits from last week's Capital Classic and talks to Jeff Jones about his cool reception from the Comcast Center crowd....

By Josh Barr | April 9, 2007; 09:15 AM ET | Comments (0)

Beasley Going to K-State

Weekends aren't premium blogging hours, but here's a must-read item. Mike Beasley will go to K-State. The Wildcats named promoted assistant Frank Martin head coach and promoted key recruiter Dalonte Hill to associate head coach, which was the key to keeping Beasley bound for the little apple. KC Star columnist...

By Josh Barr | April 7, 2007; 01:23 PM ET | Comments (1)

Big Times for Twyman

It's been a big week for Sherwood's Deontay Twyman, the first basketball-football All-Met in nearly 20 years. Here's some video and here are the All-Met teams, which are in today's paper. Gazette columnist Brian Heard also weighs in. As for Twyman's future, while he says he prefers football, my bet...

By Josh Barr | April 6, 2007; 01:22 PM ET | Comments (0)

More Cap Classic...

All-star basketball games are about seeing who can score the most points. Witness the 48-point first quarter for the Capital All-Stars last night, a performance that had Man About Charlottesville Jeff White shaking his head about how bad the U.S. team defense was "even by all-star game standards." That said,...

By Josh Barr | April 6, 2007; 12:10 PM ET | Comments (1)

Cap Classic Reviews

Here are the links, I'll have my two cents up shortly: Virginia Tech recruits had a big night, led by MVP Augustus Gilchrist. A lesser-known player hopes a strong effort in the prelim game will get him some college looks. Here's how the DC Times saw things....

By Josh Barr | April 6, 2007; 11:55 AM ET | Comments (0)

No Love in Huggyville

It's Good Friday, but plenty of recruiting news to talk about today. Bob Huggins is headed to West Virginia, but it is uncertain what that means for Mike Beasley. As I wondered yesterday, a 27-year-old with ties to Beasley and other recruits could be K-State's choice. Huggins said he will...

By Josh Barr | April 6, 2007; 11:42 AM ET | Comments (0)

Can a Player Land a Job for a Coach?

Ok, it's 6 p.m. and things are really heating up here at Comcast Center for the Capital Classic. Gotta be at least 100 folks here for the prelim game that tips in two minutes. It's also way past premium blogging time. But... I wanted to post for all the loving...

By Josh Barr | April 5, 2007; 05:56 PM ET | Comments (0)

Hokie Recruit Getting Ready

Here's a story I wrote in today's paper about Prorgressive Christian center Augustus Gilchrist, a 6-foot-9, 230-pound senior who has signed with Virginia Tech....

By Josh Barr | April 5, 2007; 02:49 PM ET | Comments (0)

Interesting Coaching Method

DeMatha's Mike Jones will coach the local team in Thursday's Capital Classic. And he found a unique way to select his starting five: Best 2-of-3, 8-minute games at yesterday's practice, winners start. The White team won, as Pittsburgh recruit Darnell Dodson hit a game-winning three-pointer from the left wing. So...

By Josh Barr | April 4, 2007; 02:33 PM ET | Comments (1)

Nickelberry Keeps Hitting D.C.

Seems that I failed to follow up on this last week. Largo G Kwame Morgan, who averaged 27.5 points this past season, will play for Hampton. Lions Coach Lewis Howard said Morgan picked Hampton over Northeastern. Hampton Coach Kevin Nickelberry, who has plenty of D.C.-area ties, had five local players...

By Josh Barr | April 4, 2007; 11:41 AM ET | Comments (0)

Peterson In Limbo

Caught up with a few players, including DeMatha point guard Jeff Peterson, yesterday after the local team practiced for Thursday's Capital Classic. Peterson said he has narrowed his college choices to Iowa, St. Louis and Princeton, but is not near reaching a final decision. He has yet to meet new...

By Josh Barr | April 4, 2007; 09:48 AM ET | Comments (3)

Top Recruit Shot

Man About High Schools Preston Williams has an item up about Pittsburgh-area standout Herb Pope, who played for Montrose Christian as a freshman and had been a target for some local colleges. Pope was shot four times at a party and is in a hospital recovering....

By Josh Barr | April 3, 2007; 01:17 PM ET | Comments (2)

Terp Recruit Likely to Miss Cap Classic

Maryland recruit Braxton Dupree, on the national team roster for Thursday's Capital Classic all-star game at Comcast Center, likely will miss the game after spraining his ankle in the Charm City Challenge....

By Josh Barr | April 2, 2007; 10:58 AM ET | Comments (0)

Delaney Shines in All-Star Game

Virginia Tech recruit ">Malcolm Delaney scored 27 points as the Baltimore team won the Charm City Challenge all-star game, 116-113 over their national counterparts on Sunday....

By Josh Barr | April 2, 2007; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (0)

C.H. Flowers Hoopster Makes Surprising Commitment

C.H. Flowers boys' basketball coach George McClure emails to say that center Daniel Thompson, who many opposing coaches believe was the Jaguars' most important player, has committed to play for Mount St. Mary's and will sign a letter-of-intent next month....

By Josh Barr | March 30, 2007; 02:02 PM ET | Comments (0)

Beasley Tears It Up

Former All-Met Mike Beasley was the star of last night's McDonald's all-American game. No surprise there. O.J. Mayo was 4 of 17. Oakton's Jasmine Thomas was MVP of the girls' game....

By Josh Barr | March 29, 2007; 12:32 PM ET | Comments (2)

Peterson Willing to Wait on Iowa?

That's what this story says about DeMatha point guard Jeff Peterson. Thanks to Justin Hayward for passing this along....

By Josh Barr | March 27, 2007; 11:56 AM ET | Comments (0)

Peterson Visits the Arch

Not sure if DeMatha guard Jeff Peterson really did visit the Midwest landmark -- I actually went there with DeMatha's entire team back in the days of Keith Bogans and Joe Forte -- but Peterson did take an official visit to St. Louis this week. Stags Coach Mike Jones said...

By Josh Barr | March 23, 2007; 06:35 PM ET | Comments (2)

Things Heating Up for Twyman!

Sherwood guard Deontay Twyman led the Warriors to the Maryland 4A final in football and championship in basketball. He had always said his desire was to play college football, but maybe that is about to change. He's been added to the local roster for the Capital Classic all-star game on...

By Josh Barr | March 23, 2007; 11:51 AM ET | Comments (1)

Coaching Carousel Has Ramifications

Wow, big day yesterday in the coaching ranks. Tubby left Kentucky for Minnesota. Alford split Iowa City for Albuquerque. Both moves have local ramifications. Bishop Ireton center Mike Williams, considered a project by many, signed with Kentucky in the fall. He's still committed to Kentucky but that could change once...

By Josh Barr | March 23, 2007; 11:09 AM ET | Comments (1)

Cap Classic News...

Sherwood guard Deontay Twyman, whose future may be brighter in basketball than football, has been added to the locals' roster for the April 5 game. Also, here are the rosters for the preliminary games: District Roster Name Pos. Ht. School College Jeremiah Bowman G 6'2 Notre Dame Academy Marist Aaron...

By Josh Barr | March 21, 2007; 03:56 PM ET | Comments (2)

All-Star Game Roster

Here's the P.G. public school roster, I should have the private one soon... G Chris Tolson, Laurel -- signed with Hampton C Milade Lola-Charles, Laurel -- signed with Hampton F Daniel Thompson, C.H. Flowers -- likely going Division II or III G Jordan Brooks, C.H. Flowers -- likely going to...

By Josh Barr | March 21, 2007; 03:51 PM ET | Comments (1)

Good All-Star Games Friday...

There are a pair of all-star games Friday night at Riverdale Baptist, featuring top players from Prince George's County public schools against their private school counterparts. Girls at 6, boys at 8. I should have rosters soon....

By Josh Barr | March 21, 2007; 01:38 PM ET | Comments (1)

Good Read on Mayo

Much has been written about Huntington, W.Va., standout O.J. Mayo, but here's a new look at how he chose USC. For those who don't want to register, the story talks about how Mayo picked the Trojans out of the blue....

By Josh Barr | March 21, 2007; 10:37 AM ET | Comments (1)

Largo Scorer Hoping for Offer

After scoring 27.5 points per game and leading Largo to the Maryland 3A semifinals, Largo forward Kwame Morgan is looking for a scholarship offer. He said Northeastern is scheduled to make a home visit today and Hampton next week. "Hopefully something good will come out of it," Morgan said, adding...

By Josh Barr | March 20, 2007; 01:51 PM ET | Comments (2)

Xavier Makes Its Pitch

After pushing top-seeded Ohio State to the brink this past weekend, Xavier makes its pitch this week for DeMatha guard Jeff Peterson, with a home visit scheduled for Wednesday. Stags Coach Mike Jones said Peterson plans to visit either Xavier or St. Louis this weekend....

By Josh Barr | March 19, 2007; 01:08 PM ET | Comments (2)

Big Tourney This Weekend

The Alhambra Catholic Invitational starts this afternoon in Frostburg, Md., with plenty of top individual players. Here's the schedule of games. In case you can't make the trip, CN8 is televising Saturday's third-place and championship games....

By Josh Barr | March 15, 2007; 12:41 PM ET | Comments (0)

More Chances to Be Seen

There are several upcoming camps for unsigned seniors. Here are two. The Eastern Invitational will hold a Top 100 Tour stop at Hoop Magic in Chantilly on Saturday and Sunday. Go to www.hoopgroup.com to register. Another event will be held Tuesday at Wise High in Upper Marlboro....

By Josh Barr | March 15, 2007; 11:51 AM ET | Comments (0)

T.C. Forward Has Options

T.C. Williams forward Mike Davis seems to have plenty of choices for next year, according to Titans Coach Ivan Thomas. Davis, who averaged 16 points per game for the Virginia AAA Northern Region champions, holds a scholarship offer from Auburn, with Maryland, Illinois and Kansas State also pursuing him, Thomas...

By Josh Barr | March 15, 2007; 10:00 AM ET | Comments (0)

Peterson Decision Imminent?

Not really, says DeMatha Coach Mike Jones. Instead, point guard Jeff Peterson might be scheduling another official visit. Peterson last week said he really enjoyed his trip to Iowa and now another Big Ten school might be in the mix: Illinois, according to Jones. Xavier and St. Louis also are...

By Josh Barr | March 14, 2007; 01:14 PM ET | Comments (0)

Twyman to Play Point Guard?

Deontay Twyman led Sherwood to its first basketball state championship in 28 years, but the All-Met quarterback remains unsure what sport he wants to pursue in college. While Twyman obviously prefers to play football, I think most observers would agree that his size - 5 feet 10 - makes basketball...

By Josh Barr | March 13, 2007; 10:08 AM ET | Comments (0)

River Hill Star Hoping For Looks

I've gotten quite a few emails during the season about River Hill forward Tommy Brenton, a 6-4 senior, asking what the future might hold for him. That question might begin to clear up this week, after Brenton led River Hill to the Maryland 3A title. Brenton scored 28 points and...

By Josh Barr | March 12, 2007; 11:26 AM ET | Comments (0)

Top Hoopsters on TV

Anyone wanting a glimpse of some top basketball seniors can tune in Comcast's CN8 cable channel next Saturday when it airs the third-place and championship games from the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament. The eight-team event features DeMatha (Austin Freeman and Jerai Grant), St. John's (Chris Wright), Towson Catholic (Donte Greene),...

By Josh Barr | March 9, 2007; 01:48 PM ET | Comments (0)

Maryland Tournament Thoughts

Looking back at yesterday's state semifinals at Comcast Center, here are a few thoughts on some top prospects: B-CC center Maurice Pearson certainly got up for the challenge of playing Largo's 6-11 junior Maurice Sutton. If he plays like that at Ohio U., the Bobcats have a player. As for...

By Josh Barr | March 9, 2007; 12:56 PM ET | Comments (3)

U.S. Team in Cap Classic

Here's the U.S. Team for the Capital Classic, set for April 5 at Comcast Center: Pos. Ht. School College Solomon Alabi C 7-1 Montverde Academy (Fla.) Florida State Gary Clark G 6-4 Montverde Academy (Fla.) Undecided Malcolm Delaney G 6-2 Towson Catholic Virginia Tech Braxton Dupree F 6-8 Calvert Hall...

By Josh Barr | March 8, 2007; 03:59 PM ET | Comments (0)

Largo & B-CC Big Men...

Largo 6-11 junior Maurice Sutton and B-CC 6-8 senior Maurice Pearson are going after each other pretty good in the first half of their Maryland 3A semifinal. Sutton, excellent around the basket, has a couple putbacks. Pearson, committed to Ohio University, clearly is relishing the challenge of going against a...

By Josh Barr | March 8, 2007; 03:25 PM ET | Comments (0)

Point Guard Eyes Iowa

Caught up with DeMatha point guard Jeff Peterson as he returns from his visit to Iowa; he's stuck at Chicago O'Hare waiting for his delayed flight to Washington. And I wouldn't be surprised if Peterson, who hopes to make a decision before the Stags play in the Alhambra Catholic Invitational...

By Josh Barr | March 8, 2007; 11:18 AM ET | Comments (1)

DeMatha Guard Serious About Iowa Too

Earlier this week, I wrote about how Iowa Coach Steve Alford was at the City Title game to watch DeMatha guard Jeff Peterson. Well, with the Stags taking a brief break from practice this week -- they play in the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament that begins March 15 -- Peterson...

By Josh Barr | March 7, 2007; 06:33 AM ET | Comments (1)

Iowa Serious About DeMatha Guard

Guess that Iowa is pretty serious about DeMatha point guard Jeff Peterson. While Xavier and St. Louis had assistant coaches at last night's City Title game to see Peterson play, Iowa Coach Steve Alford was at Verizon Center last night. Peterson had a splendid game, with eight steals and eight...

By Josh Barr | March 6, 2007; 11:10 AM ET | Comments (0)

Monday Morning Point Guard

For anyone not yet convinced, Eleanor Roosevelt senior Darnell Dodson continues to show why he should be considered one of the area's top recruits this season. The 6-foot-6 forward scored 31 points and had 13 rebounds as the Raiders won the Maryland 4A South Region title on Saturday. I said...

By Josh Barr | March 5, 2007; 02:04 PM ET | Comments (2)

DeMatha's Peterson Still Undecided

Caught up with DeMatha point guard Jeff Peterson after the Stags' WCAC championship victory last night. While Princeton is still in the mix - he verbally committed to the Tigers last fall before deciding last month to examine other options - Peterson does not expect to make a decision for...

By Josh Barr | March 1, 2007; 11:23 AM ET | Comments (0)

A CAA Convention

Quite a crowd last night at American U. for the WCAC semifinals. Aside from Niagara Coach Joe Mihalich, it was almost like a CAA convention with George Mason assistant Chris Caputo, William & Mary assistant Antwon Jackson and Virginia Commonwealth assistant John Brannen were among the crowd, with the two...

By Josh Barr | February 27, 2007; 12:28 PM ET | Comments (0)

Wise Big Man Getting Looks

It was a busy weekend, starting with last Thursday's Prince George's County championship games that saw Largo pull off a clean sweep. I stopped by the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference tournament for a bit on Saturday and DeMatha All-Met guard Austin Freeman again showed why he is so highly regarded....

By Josh Barr | February 26, 2007; 01:05 PM ET | Comments (1)

Monday Morning Point Guard?

Maryland's 89-87 victory over North Carolina could not have hurt the Terps' chances to land highly-regarded prospect Jai Lucas, who was in attendance and had a front-row seat. Lucas, whose father, John, was a Maryland standout in basketball and tennis, plans to announce his college choice next month. Meantime, Normad...

By Josh Barr | February 26, 2007; 11:01 AM ET | Comments (0)

Big Man Stands Out

Largo 6-11 junior Maurice Sutton is attracting plenty of top college attention and if he continues to play like he did in last night's Prince George's County championship game, there seems little question Sutton will be a top recruit. Sutton finished with 10 points, 19 rebounds and eight blocks as...

By Josh Barr | February 23, 2007; 11:29 AM ET | Comments (0)

Prospect Blooming Late

There are several seniors yet to make basketball commitments. St. John's (Md.) forward Nikita Mescheriakov and Kennedy guard Jeremy Herring are among the group of players who have helped themselves in the eyes of recruiters with their play this season. However, it is possible that no player has helped himself...

By Josh Barr | February 21, 2007; 11:12 AM ET | Comments (0)

Tar Heels Make Big Local Pickup

The North Carolina women's basketball team today received a verbal commitment from Brooke Point junior Chay Shegog, a 6-foot-4 post player who was heavily recruited by most of the nation's top programs, including defending national champion Maryland....

By Josh Barr | February 20, 2007; 02:33 PM ET | Comments (0)

Turn Back the Clock

They dominated the Washington area on the hardwood last winter and now All-Met Player of the Year Kevin Durant and two-time All-Met Scottie Reynolds are getting it done in college. It will be interesting to see what impact this season's top players - DeMatha's Austin Freeman and Chris Wright of...

By Josh Barr | February 16, 2007; 12:04 PM ET | Comments (0)

More for Monday

ALTHOUGH DeMATHA guard Jeff Peterson has decided to re-open his recruiting process, it doesn't mean going to Princeton is out of the question, Stags Coach Mike Jones said. In the past week, Peterson has heard mainly from schools in the A-10 and CAA and also one Big Ten school, Jones...

By Josh Barr | February 5, 2007; 05:40 AM ET | Comments (0)

Five for Friday....

1) Forestville All-Met LB Devonte Campbell is set to announce his college choice this afternoon. Knights Coach Charles Harley last night said that he considered Maryland "the leader" but that Illinois and Mike Locksley are making a strong push. I'll have the update this afternoon. 2) I don't have any...

By Josh Barr | February 2, 2007; 06:39 AM ET | Comments (0)

More Honors for Local G'town Recruits

All-Met guards and Georgetown recruits Austin Freeman of DeMatha and Chris Wright of St. John's today were named to play in the Jordan Brand All-American Classic on April 21 at Madison Square Garden. Former Riverdale Baptist All-Met Mike Beasley, now playing for Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass., and signed...

By Josh Barr | January 31, 2007; 01:05 PM ET | Comments (0)

What's Up for Wednesday

Today's top five list: 1) Georgetown recruit Chris Wright continues to do it right for St. John's, scoring 36 points in a 65-59 victory over Carroll. That's nine 30+ games in a row and 12 of 13 for the two-time All-Met guard, who has scored more than half his team's...

By Josh Barr | January 31, 2007; 07:57 AM ET | Comments (0)

More Potential Trouble for O.J.?

I was just re-reading the O.J. Mayo Cleared to Play/Great Day in Huntington news when I noticed this passage: Mike Woelfel, Mayo's attorney and an assistant coach for the Highlanders, said Mayo was on his way to Durham, N.C., but it's unknown if he will play or not. And it...

By Josh Barr | January 30, 2007; 03:10 PM ET | Comments (0)

Big Woo is Back

I caught up with Morgan Wootten on Friday night at the St. John's-O'Connell game. On the road back from kidney transplant surgery in September, Wootten said his health is well and a recent checkup prompted doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to transfer care of Wootten back to his...

By Josh Barr | January 30, 2007; 02:23 PM ET | Comments (0)

O-Mazing! Mayo to Play Tonight

O.J. Mayo went to court yesterday afternoon (see the video here) and today a judge granted a temporary restraining order allowing him to play in Huntington High's game tonight against Artesia of Lakewood, Calif. The order allows Mayo to play until Feb. 9 - including Saturday's game against the top-ranked...

By Josh Barr | January 30, 2007; 12:22 PM ET | Comments (0)

Three For Tuesday

Three for Tuesday 1. One of the nation's top recruits, O.J. Mayo might not be seeing the floor anytime soon. Huntington (W.Va.) High, which earlier this season beat No. 4 DeMatha, plays Artesia of Lakewood, Calif., tonight at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium, but it is unlikely the USC-bound (for...

By Josh Barr | January 30, 2007; 09:57 AM ET | Comments (0)

More For Monday

1) All-Met Defensive Player of the Year Marvin Austin, a lineman from Ballou, plans to reveal his college choice on Feb. 7, the first day of the college football signing period. Austin has kept things pretty quiet; his last official visit was to Florida State. 2) Maryland's Gary Williams, Georgetown's...

By Josh Barr | January 29, 2007; 06:29 AM ET | Comments (0)

Montrose-T.C. Williams Game Is Postponed

Saturday's game between No. 1 Montrose Christian and No. 3 T.C. Williams has been postponed after a Montrose eighth-grader collapsed and died during basketball practice on Thursday. School chaplain Chris Adams said the 13-year-old Carson Wise was a member of the school's eighth-grade basketball team. The team was practicing Thursday...

By Josh Barr | January 26, 2007; 12:45 PM ET | Comments (7)

Five for the Weekend

1) Not that it needs any more promotion, but the doubleheader on Saturday night at American's Bender Arena is near must-see for those wanting to see the area's elite players. The 7 p.m. game features No. 4 St. John's with All-Met guard Chris Wright (Georgetown) and forward Vlad Moldoveanu (George...

By Josh Barr | January 26, 2007; 06:49 AM ET | Comments (0)

More Nigerians on the Way???

The whispers about Carroll adding a pair of 7-foot Nigerians might be true. "It's a possibility," Carroll Coach Clinton Perrow said this morning. "A strong possibility." Perrow confirmed that two Nigerians - alleged to be very tall -- have applied for admission to the school but have yet to arrive...

By Josh Barr | January 25, 2007; 01:14 PM ET | Comments (2)

Two (Three?) Big Games Coming Up...

Given the choice, which do you go to: No. 1 Montrose Christian at No. 3 T.C. Williams? Or the Battle of the Beltways, with No. 3 DeMatha vs. Towson Catholic (#1 in The Sun) and No. 4 St. John's vs. Mount St. Joseph (#2 in The Sun)? It's a tough...

By Josh Barr | January 24, 2007; 04:44 PM ET | Comments (0)

Quite A Night!

So the editors sent me to cover the Wootton-Damascus girls' basketball game on Tuesday night. And while I got to see something I hadn't seen at a boys' game in a while -- the victorious Patriots made 18 of 19 free throws, all in the fourth quarter, including 10 of...

By Josh Barr | January 23, 2007; 11:42 PM ET | Comments (2)

Lots of Stuff

It's been a busy couple days, so here's some catching up: Stone Bridge RB Devon Brown committed to play football at Wake Forest, reports Stephen A. Norris. Colleague Jeff Ermann passes along that Friendly All-Met WR Vinnie Hill has changed his commitment from Akron to Virginia. It's not much of...

By Josh Barr | January 23, 2007; 04:55 PM ET | Comments (1)

Garner Shoots and Scores

George Mason assistant coach Chris Caputo was in attendance this past Friday to watch Springbrook junior guard C.J. Garner score 31 points in a victory over Blake. Garner could be an interesting prospect to watch. He's excellent at getting to the basket, drawing fouls and finishing, but I'm sure college...

By Josh Barr | January 16, 2007; 03:03 PM ET | Comments (0)

High Scorer at Kennedy

One other player to watch in Montgomery County is Kennedy guard Jeremy Herring. The 6-foot-2 senior, a three-year starter, is being by several colleges. He does not yet hold any scholarship offers, Coach Diallo Nelson said, but that might be only a matter of time. "Loyola is probably recruiting...

By Josh Barr | January 12, 2007; 01:18 PM ET | Comments (0)

Springbrook Player Getting Looks

C.J. Garner worked his way into a role as Springbrook's sixth man last season and this season this lefthanded junior guard is developing as a college prospect. George Mason and Towson are recruiting the 6-foot Garner, who scored 38 and 31 points this week in victories over Walter Johnson...

By Josh Barr | January 11, 2007; 11:49 AM ET | Comments (0)

Tough Night for Big Frank

You had to feel for O'Connell center Frank Ben-Eze last night. The 6-foot-10 Nigerian has obviously made a quick impression in his few months in the U.S. Maryland, Georgetown and Virginia were the schools recruiting him the hardest, with Clemson also in the mix. So Maryland Coach Gary Williams and...

By Josh Barr | January 10, 2007; 12:23 PM ET | Comments (0)

Montrose Trio Getting Plenty of Looks

I saw Maryland assistant Keith Booth on Friday night at Montrose Christian. Booth, who I covered during his final seasons as a Terrapin player, was pulling double duty: Maryland has signed two Montrose seniors, guard Adrian Bowie and center Shane Walker, leaving the main attraction for college recruiters a trip...

By Josh Barr | January 8, 2007; 10:49 AM ET | Comments (2)

Quite a Night

It was a see-and-be-seen kind of crowd last night for DeMatha-St. John's. Among those I saw: Georgetown Coach John Thompson III and assistant Kevin Broadus; George Mason Coach Jim Larranaga and assistant James Johnson; Paul VI Coach Levi Franklin, who watched from the upper concourse after arena officials allowed overflow...

By Josh Barr | January 5, 2007; 11:47 AM ET | Comments (1)

An Interesting Night...

In the gym last night at Bishop McNamara were William & Mary Coach Tony Shaver and assistant Antwon Jackson. The Tribe, which plays tonight at George Mason, had previously offered a scholarship to Gonzaga junior forward Max Kenyi. Good Counsel Coach Mike Hibbs and O'Connell Coach Joe Wootten also were...

By Josh Barr | January 3, 2007; 10:55 AM ET | Comments (0)

It's Hoops Season... (With a Little Football Too!)

The football signing period is one month away, beginning Feb. 7. And basketball season is heating up with conference play, including Thursday's showdown between No. 1 St. John's and No. 3 DeMatha at Trinity University at 6:30 p.m. (Anyone else think Georgetown Coach John Thompson III might be in attendance...

By Josh Barr | January 2, 2007; 12:17 PM ET | Comments (2)

Canadian Interest Heating Up

It didn't take for college coaches to start calling once Kris Joseph enrolled at Carroll this past summer. "The next day after he got here, we got calls from Gonzaga and Arizona State," Carroll Coach Clinton Perrow said. "They were already on him." Since then, several suitors have been added...

By Josh Barr | December 20, 2006; 01:05 PM ET | Comments (0)

What Do Folks Think of This One?

I've been meaning to post this for a week, since colleague Jeff Ermann asked me about it. What does everyone think about All-Met , Bobby Shannon, now playing at Patterson Prep in Lenoir, N.C., signing with Marshall? For those not familiar with Shannon, he was a standout at Potomac (Md.),...

By Josh Barr | November 22, 2006; 02:05 PM ET | Comments (2)

Mayo Pulls the Trigger

O.J. Mayo, one of the nation's top-ranked high school basketball players, signed a letter-of-intent to play for Southern Cal. Why Mayo waited until the last day of the early signing period to send in his paperwork is a good question. Mike Beasley, an All-Met in 2005 as a sophomore at...

By Josh Barr | November 16, 2006; 10:18 AM ET | Comments (0)

Pretty Quiet, But Here's A New One

While almost all of the signings during the the early period that starts today had been previously announced, one new commitment is DeMatha guard Marlin Cribbs to Mount St. Mary's. Cribbs had been expected to accept a scholarship offer to the Mount, but it was uncertain whether he would sign...

By Josh Barr | November 8, 2006; 04:44 PM ET | Comments (0)

Where Are They Now?

With the basketball early signing period beginning today, I'll have a chart in tomorrow's paper with the local players expected to sign Division I letters-of-intent. In the meantime, here's a look at some players who have left the area and are expected to sign: F Jeff Allen, Hargrave Military Virginia...

By Josh Barr | November 8, 2006; 04:33 PM ET | Comments (0)

An Exception to the Rule?

As players move to announce their college choices earlier and earlier, National Christian center Anthony McClain likely will wait until the spring to sign a letter-of-intent, Coach Trevor Brown said. "O.J. Mayo didn't [commit] yet, there's a lot of kids who haven't committed yet," Brown said. A third-team All-Met last...

By Josh Barr | November 1, 2006; 01:44 PM ET | Comments (0)

Hoya Paranoia!

O'Connell guard Jason Clark, a third-team All-Met last season, has verbally committed to play for Georgetown, according to Knights Coach Joe Wootten. Clark is the third local player in the past two weeks to say he will accept a scholarship to play for the Hoyas, joining DeMatha junior Chris Braswell...

By Josh Barr | October 19, 2006; 03:02 PM ET | Comments (0)

Another Marylander Going to Mason

St. John's Coach Paul DeStefano just called to say that forward Vlad Moldoveanu, a 6-foot-10 Romanian, has committed to play for George Mason. Earlier this week, as two-time All-Met Chris Wright announced for Georgetown, some teammates were joking with Moldoveanu about how he was going to Mason. Well, it didn't...

By Josh Barr | October 12, 2006; 09:59 AM ET | Comments (1)

More Hoops News

Just got a call from DeMatha basketball coach Mike Jones, who said that senior guard Jeff Peterson has committed to play for Princeton. Peterson was scheduled to visit Penn this week but scratched that trip when he reached a decision. Peterson averaged 3.9 assists and two steals while shooting 43...

By Josh Barr | October 11, 2006; 04:41 PM ET | Comments (1)

Wright's a Hoya

Two-time All-Met guard Chris Wright of St. John's today announced he has committed to Georgetown. I'm not sure which was more amusing: 1) St. John's Coach Paul DeStefano, in front of a few TV cameras and an assortment of Wright's friends and family, saying: "I'm more nervous now than before...

By Josh Barr | October 10, 2006; 04:23 PM ET | Comments (0)

Wright To Announce Tuesday, G-Town Bound

Two-time All-Met guard Chris Wright of St. John's has a news conference scheduled for Tuesday afternoon to announce his college decision and I'd be surprised if he does not choose Georgetown. Wright's three final choices are the Hoyas, North Carolina State and Pittsburgh. He had committed to the Wolfpack last...

By Josh Barr | October 9, 2006; 09:31 PM ET | Comments (2)

Another Recruit for the Foxes

Bishop McNamara guard Jayde Gavin has committed to play basketball for Marish, McNamara announced today in a news release. Gavin, a 6-foot-2 senior, averaged 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game last season. He is the second local player to recently commit to Marist, joining Progressive Christian guard...

By Josh Barr | October 6, 2006; 11:23 AM ET | Comments (0)

A Hoops Commitment

Varsity letter guy Preston Williams passes along that Chantilly guard Ben Wheeler committed to play basketball for Lafayette. The 6-foot-4 Wheeler averaged 17 points and four assists last season. Lafayette's roster this season includes freshman guard Michael Gruner from Whitman High....

By Josh Barr | October 6, 2006; 09:25 AM ET | Comments (0)

UCLA Gets a Local

My colleague Preston Williams files this report: All-Met Edison girls' basketball guard Doreena Campbell verbally committed to UCLA Tuesday. The Bruins, the defending Pac-10 Tournament champions, won out over Vanderbilt, Virginia and George Washington, where she also took official visits. The 5-foot-10 Campell, regarded as a composed player who...

By Josh Barr | October 4, 2006; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (0)

Bowman Going to Marist

Got an e-mail from Progressive Christian Coach Van Whitfield, reporting that fourth-team All-Met guard Jerimiah Bowman has committed to Marist. Bowman averaged 19.9 points last year at Southern Maryland Christian, before moving with Whitfield to Progressive Christian. The Camp Springs school this winter will field a basketball team for...

By Josh Barr | October 3, 2006; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (0)

A Tall Addition

While guard Jason Clark and center Zack Crimmins have garnered much of the attention from college coaches visiting O'Connell this fall, the Knights' newest player also is catching their eye. Frank Ben-Eze, a 6-foot-11 Nigerian, should prove to be an interesting addition to O'Connell's lineup, joining the 7-foot Crimmins...

By Josh Barr | September 27, 2006; 11:25 AM ET | Comments (0)

A Wright/Freeman Backcourt?

Could Georgetown land two of the Washington area's top guards? It seems possible, if not likely. All-Met guard Austin Freeman of DeMatha committed to the Hoyas before last season and two-time All-Met guard Chris Wright of St. John's has narrowed his choices to Georgetown, North Carolina State and Pittsburgh....

By Josh Barr | September 20, 2006; 01:30 PM ET | Comments (2)

7-footer Taking His Time

National Christian center Anthony McClain, a third-team All-Met last season, entertained coaches from Connecticut and Pittsburgh during home visits over the past week, Coach Trevor Brown said. Virginia Tech and Charlotte also remain in the mix for the 7-foot senior, Brown said. McClain has yet to take any official...

By Josh Barr | September 20, 2006; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (1)

Mason-Bound

Freedom-Woodbridge guard Cameron Long has committed to play for George Mason, the D.C. Examiner reported today. It shouldn't be too big a surprise: Freedom Coach Ahmad Dorsett played at Mason for Coach Jim Larranaga. Here's a link to the Freedom Web site, which also has the news....

By Josh Barr | September 19, 2006; 12:56 PM ET | Comments (0)

A Sly Fox?

Got an e-mail this morning from Progressive Christian basketball coach Van Whitfield, who writes that fourth-team All-Met guard Jerimiah Bowman has received a scholarship offer from Marist. Marist plans to visit Bowman next week and it is expected that Bowman will then commit to the Red Foxes, Whitfield said....

By Josh Barr | September 5, 2006; 04:49 PM ET | Comments (1)

More on Grant...

Oops! I had Jerai Grant's schedule of college visits in my notebook for more than a week before posting the information. Then, a few hours later, I get a call from DeMatha Coach Mike Jones, giving me the news that - during the first of those five visits --...

By Josh Barr | September 4, 2006; 08:53 AM ET | Comments (0)

A Busy Month...

Does anyone have a busier schedule this month than DeMatha forward Jerai Grant? The son of former NBAer Harvey Grant, Jerai is spending this weekend on an official visit to Clemson. Next weekend, it's off to Notre Dame, which just happens to be hosting Penn State in football. The...

By Josh Barr | September 3, 2006; 03:39 PM ET | Comments (0)

Hokies Get a Hoopster

Virginia Tech has two commitments from Washington-area players and the Hokies apparently have added a forward from Georgia to their next recruiting class, the Roanoke Times reports. Forward Gus Gilchrist, who played last season at Friendly and has transferred to Progressive Christian and former DeMatha forward Jeff Allen (transferring...

By Josh Barr | August 17, 2006; 10:39 AM ET | Comments (0)

From the Big Apple to the Little Apple

Guard Ray Brewer, an All-Met guard in 2004-05 at Eleanor Roosevelt who spent last season at Patterson (N.C.) Prep, will enroll at Kansas State this fall, the Kansas City Star reports. Brewer committed to Manhattan over the winter, but did not follow through with the Jaspers after Coach Bobby...

By Josh Barr | August 14, 2006; 09:36 AM ET | Comments (0)

Hoop Talk

For those who put believe in recruiting rankings, rivals.com today updated its list of 150 top basketball prospects and there are plenty of local players on the list, starting with No. 1. Forward Mike Beasley, a first-team All-Met in 2004-05 while playing at Riverdale Baptist, is the new No....

By Josh Barr | August 8, 2006; 06:05 PM ET | Comments (1)

On the War Path

He no longer coaches in the Washington area, but Leonard Hamilton is coaching plenty of local players at Florida State. Former Magruder standout Isaiah Swann is entering his junior year in Tallahassee and forward Uche Echefu, an All-Met at Montrose Christian in 2005, will be a sophomore. But the...

By Josh Barr | August 3, 2006; 10:47 PM ET | Comments (6)

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