Nunez commits to Louisville

Although a down year is expected for Rick Pitino and Louisville this upcoming season, it won’t last long given the recruiting class the Cardinals have coming in 2011.

Pitino picked up another one on Thursday, as New York native Angel Nunez committed to the Cardinals.

“Rick Pitino is a great coach who can push me to get to the next level,” Nunez said. “They’re a school that recruited me all four years, through my hard times and down times.”

Nunez, a 6-foot-7 swingman who is now at Notre Dame Prep (Mass.), chose Louisville over Miami (Fl.), Providence, West Virginia, Kentucky and others.

Because of his length and versatility, Nunez reminds some of former Cardinals star Francisco Garcia. Nunez will mesh nicely with the style of play that Pitino runs.

“I think I fit in well because they press and get up and down, shoot threes, so I think I can fit in,” he said. “Plus the class I’m coming in with is [really good].”

Nunez is glad the process is finished; he did not want to wait any longer.

“[Pitino] was excited, but he wanted me to wait to see a practice just to see how hard he’s going to make me work,” he said. “But I wanted to do it now.

“I wanted to get it over with so I know what I have to do. I’m glad it’s over.”

Finney-Smith announces for Virginia Tech

Dorian Finney-Smith had September 28 pinpointed as his decision day for several weeks, and he stayed true to his word, announcing his commitment at a press conference at I.C. Norcom High School (Va.).

The 6-foot-7 forward is heading to Virginia Tech.

“He liked it, and he had a great relationship with coach Seth [Greenberg],” Boo Williams, his AAU coach, said in a phone interview immediately after the commitment. “They recruited him early, they got on him early. That’s where he wants to make a career.”

Williams expects Finney-Smith to make a major impact at Virginia Tech.

“He’s a well-mannered kid, a good kid,” Williams said. “Before the spring, a lot of people didn’t know about him. But the end of the summer, everyone knew about him. He is a lot better than people thought he was.”

Finney-Smith is the headliner of a four-man class that includes forward C.J. Barksdale and guards Robert Brown and Marquis Rankin.

He chose the Hokies over Old Dominion and Florida.

“He wanted to do it right now, so he can enjoy the rest of his senior year,” Williams said. “I think he’s pleased with his decision, and happy to get it over with.”

Just call him Rashad: Madden makes decision tomorrow

Rashad. That’s all it is: Rashad.

“I go by Rashad,” Rashad “Ky” Madden said Tuesday. “My middle name is Kytel so people have been calling me that my whole life. But I want to go by Rashad.”

The coaches of Baylor, Mississippi and Arkansas better be prepared to call him by his real name on Wednesday, when the highly-touted prospect will announce his college destination.

The 6-foot-5 combo guard from East Poinsett County (Ark.) is looking forward to getting the process finished.

“When I come back to school, I have a lot of work to make up, so my mom wants me to get it over with,” Madden said. “So I decided I’m going to go ahead and announce on Wednesday.”

He visited Ole Miss this past weekend, Arkansas the previous weekend and Baylor the weekend of September 11. Madden decided to cancel his planned trip to Connecticut, and will not visit Oklahoma State – the other two schools in his top five.

Each of his final three schools has something in its favor heading into the final 24 hours of Madden’s recruitment.

Baylor: “My sister [Jordan] goes there, they have good facilities and I like their coaching staff.”

Mississippi: “It’s close to home, the coaching staff is real good, and I can play immediately. I also like their style of play.”

Arkansas: “It’s in-home, I like the players, and I like the coaching staff.”

Despite the location of Mississippi and Arkansas, he says that distance will not be much of a factor. Furthermore, even though AAU teammates Hunter Mickelson and Aaron Ross are committed to Arkansas, Madden said that will not make much of a difference, either.

“I’m looking for playing time, coaching staff and style of play,” he said. “I also want to play immediately.”

Madden is a versatile guard who is long and athletic and can do a variety of things offensively. He is not a true point guard at this point in his development, but he projects as one at the college level as long as he tightens up his handle and improves his passing.

“I’m a good player, a hard-working player,” Madden said. “They’re going to be getting a player who will give everything he’s got and hates to lose.”

Although his announcement is only a day away, Madden insists he has not made up his mind yet. He’s not even sure how he’s going to eventually make his decision."

“I may just have Jakyran pick up a hat,” Madden said, referring to his nephew. “And that’s where I’ll go.”

Texas Tech gets another in-stater

If anyone doubted Pat Knight and Texas Tech’s desire to make a splash with in-state talent, the past two weeks should have eliminated any questions.

The Red Raiders had already added three Texas prospects to the fold within the span of nine days, but they picked up the best of the bunch this weekend, as Toddrick Gotcher committed to Tech.

“I felt at home, the atmosphere was great and plus my family can come see me play,” Gotcher said. “Everything was great about Lubbock.”

Gotcher is a 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Lakeview Centennial (Tex.) who impressed us at the King City Classic despite being one of the lesser-known players at the event. He is athletic and can really shoot the three from distance.

He expects to immediately contribute for Texas Tech due to his offensive talent.

“I would make a big impact in the Big 12,” Gotcher said. “I believe my size is a plus and my scoring ability [helps].”

He chose the Red Raiders over West Virginia, San Diego, Baylor and USC, although he told us at King City that he had at least 14 offers.

Powell pops for UCLA

Norman Powell did not have much publicity heading into the spring, but his athleticism and scoring ability skyrocketed his stock, turning him into one of the best players on the West Coast. 

Over the weekend, Powell capped off an excellent run by committing to UCLA.

“I picked UCLA because I feel that they can help me develop and get me ready for the next level,” he said. “I feel that since they are trying to move to an up-tempo style of play, I would fit in perfect for the change they are trying to make. And they can give me a good education at the same time.”

The 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Lincoln (Calif.) chose the Bruins over San Diego State, although he also had offers from Arizona, Arizona State and others.

“I feel that I can make a huge impact in the Pac-10,” Powell said. “I feel if I go in, work hard and do everything right, I can be one of the top players in the Pac-10.”

Coleman commits to in-state Gophers

One of the lasting memories of the Peach Jam this season was the recurring scene of Joe Coleman driving to his right and finishing at the rim.

It’s something Minnesota fans will have to get used to in a couple of years, as Coleman committed to the Golden Gophers on Friday.

“This is where I wanted to be,” he said. “Feels good to get it off my chest.”

The 6-foot-3 guard from Hopkins (Minn.) chose the in-state school over Santa Clara and Iowa State.

“I had the best feeling about being here,” Coleman said.

Ambidextrous Allen commits to Drexel

Tavon Allen can shoot jump shots with either hand, but he is more than just a gimmick player. He proved that over the summer with the Connecticut Basketball Club, as his impressive performances led to high-major schools showing him interest.

However, he showed some loyalty on Friday, committing to Drexel. The Dragons have been after Allen for a long time.

“It feels more like a family than a basketball team, and I’m comfortable with the coaching staff,” Allen told me Friday. “It feels like the right situation for me.”

Allen expects to contribute immediately in the CAA.

“I think I can make a big impact in this conference by doing it all – scoring and playing defense,” he said.

The 6-foot-7 swingman from Worcester Academy (Mass.) chose Drexel over Fordham, Florida Gulf Coast, Rhode Island and St. Bonaventure.

Team Eleate has two more

When the highest-rated player in an AAU program is not getting enough notoriety, it is even tougher for some lesser-known prospects to get the attention they deserve.

That was the case for Cole Huff and Jeremy Lieberman, two players from Team Eleate, which is the travel team for 2012 stud Demarquise Johnson.

Huff excelled alongside Johnson on the U-17 team, demonstrating his versatile offensive game. He is a 6-foot-7 swingman from Campbell Hall (Calif.), where he played with James Johnson (Louisiana Tech) and Austin McBroom.

“[He’s] smooth, and can stroke it from all over,” Team Eleate coach Klinton Parks said. “Really skilled, going to be a late-bloomer, just like Kawhi [Leonard] was.”

Right now, Huff holds offers from Drake and San Diego, and will visit San Diego State this weekend. Saint Mary’s and Nevada are also showing interest.

“I think he could play at the high-major level easily, but I think he really might end up at a mid-major school where he can show his complete game,” Parks said.

As for Lieberman, he is a name to jot down for the future. A prospect in the class of 2014, he received some attention due to his performance for the Team Eleate 16s in Las Vegas in July.

The point guard will only be a freshman at Malibu (Calif.) this year, but he is already receiving plenty of college interest.

According to Parks, Leiberman is hearing from Gonzaga, Arizona State, San Diego State and Saint Mary’s. He is most interested in Gonzaga and Arizona State, and will take an unofficial visit to Gonzaga in November when it plays San Diego State. SDSU is the team of former Team Eleate stud Kawhi Leonard, who was one of the best freshmen in the country last season.

“I’m telling you, he can play with Tyus Jones,” Parks said, referring to arguably the best point guard in the class of 2014. “He played 16U all summer and held his own. I firmly believe it’s just another case of him not playing on Double Pump or Cal Supreme.”

Parks is already comparing him to one of the more popular high school guards in the country.

“He plays like Tyler Lewis, with a better jump shot.”

Notre Dame nabs 2012 prospect

Cameron Biedschied blew up at the NIKE Hoop Jamboree in the spring, going from a mid-major prospect to a player with plenty of high-major interest.

Biedschied took advantage of the notoriety in a major way on Thursday, ending his recruitment by committing to Notre Dame.

“It’s a great school and they want me do a lot for them,” the 2012 prospect told me via text on Thursday.

Biedschied is a 6-foot-5 wing from Cardinal Ritter (Mo.) who held offers from Detroit and Saint Louis, but had interest from Minnesota, UCLA, Missouri, Cincinnati, Illinois, Marquette, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oregon State, UNLV and Butler.

He said Notre Dame impressed him when he visited the campus two weeks ago.

"I can see myself playing there,” Biedschied told IrishIllustrated.com at the time.

Now everyone will get to see the Show Me State star in South Bend.

Vandy gets in-state point guard

With Tennessee and Memphis targeting the same in-state recruits as Vanderbilt, it is tough for the Commodores to get the state’s top prospects to Nashville.

On Wednesday, Kevin Stallings picked up a big recruit, when point guard Kedren Johnson committed to Vanderbilt.

Johnson confirmed the news to me in a text message.

He is a 6-foot-4 Marshall County (Tenn.) product who can get to the rim using his strength and ball-handling ability. He has good size for his position, and can overpower smaller guards and finish with contact.

Johnson chose the Commodores over Louisville, Florida and Alabama. 

Rutgers picks up another one

Rutgers has been recruiting two basketball hotbeds – Washington D.C. and New York – very heavily in the spring and summer, and it continues to pay off.

On Tuesday, a third player from the DC Assault program committed to new head coach Mike Rice, as Jerome Seagears popped for the Scarlet Knights.

“It was the right time, it was a great situation, and I felt confident with the coaching staff,” Seagears said.

Rice has picked up five recruits since the beginning of August, with Seagears joining 2012 commit Jordan Goodman and 2011 prospect Malick Kone from the famed DC Assault AAU team. South Kent (Conn.) forwards Kadeem Jack and Derrick Randall, two New York natives, and New Jersey guard Myles Mack form the rest of the recruiting class.

“I was always looking forward to being part of a highly-ranked recruiting class,” Seagears said. “Just because with Mike Rice, with his passion and motivation, he’s going to be successful. And athletes want to be successful, too.”

Seagears, who chose Rutgers over Cincinnati, is a physical and athletic 6-foot-2 guard from Flora MacDonald Academy (N.C). He can play both guard positions, and is an effective playmaker and tough defender.

He said his relationship with Rice and assistant coach Dave Cox were the biggest factors in his commitment.

 “They really did a great job recruiting me,” Seagears said. “I had a great relationship with the coaching staff, from Mike Rice to Dave Cox to the managers.

“[Cox] is from the DC Assault program, so he’s family to me. I’ve known him a long time. But I have a great relationship with Mike Rice too.”

Although Rutgers has struggled mightily in the Big East the past several years, the influx of talent could give the Scarlet Knights a chance to compete in the conference.

The addition of Seagears is another piece to the puzzle.

“[Rice] just kept saying ‘You are the man.’ It made me feel great. The love is there.”

BC double-dips in California

When Ryan Anderson committed to Boston College Monday afternoon, he hinted that Lonnie Jackson might be joining him on the Eagles at some point.

It turned out to be sooner rather than later, as Jackson committed to Boston College a few hours later.

“The reason I picked Boston College is because it’s the best of both worlds, academics and basketball-wise,” Jackson said. “The coaching staff, campus and the style they play was a perfect fit I couldn’t pass up.”

Jackson, a 6-foot-3 guard from Valencia (Calif.), chose the Eagles over reported offers from UTEP and Arizona State.

Anderson, Jackson and fellow Boston College commit Kyle Caudill all played on the same team in their native California.

“I’m beyond happy,” Anderson said.

Anderson will switch coasts at BC

Boston College has done well with California prospects in the past, and it picked up another good one from the west coast on Monday, as Ryan Anderson committed to the Eagles.

“I fell in love with everything about the school on my visit this last weekend,” Anderson said. “The coaches really emphasized my importance as the foundation of their recruiting class and I didn’t want to miss the chance to play in the ACC.”

Anderson is a versatile 6-foot-7 forward from Long Beach Poly (Calif.) who can score in a variety of ways, either behind the arc or in the paint, and is also a solid rebounder.

He is not concerned about the distance factor, going from California to Boston.

“It wasn’t a problem because I have some teammates that I’m already friends with that are going there with me,” Anderson said. “I also have family in Boston.”

He mentioned how he played on the same team with California natives Kyle Caudill, a Boston College commit, and Lonnie Jackson, who visited BC this weekend and could commit in the near future.  

Anderson chose Boston College over San Diego State and California.

He has high expectations for his time in the ACC.

“I want to be the next Kyle Singler-type player. I want to become a game changer.”

McAfee commits and decommits within 24 hours

Sunday was filled with commitments, and Cedrick McAfee joined that party by choosing Florida International.

However, he turned around on Monday and opened up his recruitment.

“They’re still my number one,” McAfee said, referring to FIU. “But my family wants me to take my other visits to Auburn, Baylor and FIU, then make the choice.”

McAfee, a 6-foot-2 guard from Melrose (Tenn.), chose the Golden Panthers after an in-home visit with head coach Isiah Thomas, but he never visited the FIU campus.

Connaughton calls it for Notre Dame

Patrick Connaughton did not have a Division-I basketball offer prior to July. On Saturday, he completed his meteoric rise with a commitment to Notre Dame.

Connaughton, a 6-foot-5 swingman from St. John’s Prep (Mass.) who played on the AAU circuit with Middlesex Magic, is also a star baseball player. He said his ability to play both sports at Notre Dame contributed greatly to his decision.

“It just was the right fit. It has the best of all worlds – academics, basketball and baseball,” he said. “Those three are what I want and they have it all and are perfectly fine with me playing both sports so that was huge. And when I figured that out, I wanted to make the decision and get it over with.”

Connaughton chose the Fighting Irish over Boston College, UCLA, Miami (Fl.) and Vanderbilt.

Before Connaughton blew up at the AAU Nationals in Florida, there was little chance he would be committing to play basketball at a high-major school. In fact, Notre Dame was the only team that even keeping an eye on him.

“I honestly had no idea,” he said. “I could have ended up going somewhere for baseball if it didn’t work out. Or maybe Harvard or Princeton would have been the right fit.”

Connaughton is also excellent in the classroom, as he sports a 3.6 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Balancing two sports and academics might be difficult for some, but Connaughton does it just fine.

“That’s because my parents brought me up that way so it’s become second nature,” he said of his focus on academics. “I’m more focused on the sports aspect.”

On the court, Connaughton is a tough player with solid athleticism and a versatile offensive game.

“Hard work, playing smart and the competitive nature to win,” he said when asked what he brings to the table. “If you can’t win, then it’s no good.”

Head coach Mike Brey’s hard work paid off with Connaughton, and he had to be excited about his first 2011 recruit.

“I think he was happy,” Connaughton joked. “I hope, at least.”

Boatright looking Big East, down to five

No, he doesn’t play for the Mac Irvin Fire AAU program. Nor is he on the Anthony Davis-led Mean Streets team.

Despite garnering less attention on the summer circuit than his Chicago-area peers, Ryan Boatright has established himself as one of the top point guards in the class of 2011.

The 5-foot-10 Aurora East (Ill.) product played for the Derrick Rose All-Stars, demonstrating throughout the summer his ability to get to the basket at will and finish.

“I bring speed, quickness, I’m a scoring guard,” Boatright said. “I’m a winner and a competitor. I’ll be whatever I have to be.”

To read the rest of this article, check out the NBE Basketball Report.

Darion Atkins commits to UVA

Notre Dame and Virginia went head-to-head for Wisconsin product Paul Jesperson back in July, with Tony Bennett and the Cavaliers coming out on top.

Earlier this week, Darion Atkins announced he would be choosing between the same two schools. On Friday, Virginia won out again, getting a commitment from the 6-foot-8 Landon (Md.) forward.

Keith Stevens, Atkins’ coach with Team Takeover, confirmed the news to the NBE Basketball Report.

Atkins will make an immediate impact at the defensive end of the floor, with rebounding and blocking shots. He is an athletic player who can hit face-up shots and run the floor. He is the third member of the Cavs’ 2011 class, joining Jesperson and Malcolm Brogdon. 

Niagara poaches two Philly prospects

With Siena looking like it will have a couple of down years, the top of the MAAC is there for the taking.

Niagara took the first step towards retaking the conference on Thursday, when the Purple Eagles picked up commitments from Philadelphia prospects Juan’ya Green and Ameen Tanksley.

Green, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Archbishop Carroll (Pa.), chose Niagara over Temple, Saint Joseph’s, Maryland, George Mason, Drexel, VCU and Boston University.

“I liked everything about the visit,” he said. “Players, coaches, students and the campus – I felt comfortable there.”

Tanksley is a 6-foot-4 swingman who can do a variety of things on the court, helping lead Imhotep Charter (Pa.) to the Public School title in Philadelphia this season.

“He loved his visit,” Imhotep coach Andre Noble said. “[He likes their] style of play. I think he could have been a good player in the CAA or A-10. I think he will be very tough in the MAAC. A big, physical wing that has good range.”

Noble said Tanksley chose Niagara over Austin Peay and Old Dominion.

Green is a big-time scorer with deep range and a high-arcing shot who can also use his strength to get to the rim and finish.

“I’m a good playmaker, I can shoot, I can get to the hole and I bring toughness and never let down on the court,” he said.

With the commitments from Green and Tanksley, Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich has the Purple Eagles back on the way towards the top of the MAAC. Based on his reaction to Green’s news, he is looking forward to getting the two Philly products to upstate New York.

“He was so excited and happy,” Green said. “He was kinda lost for words for a minute.”

Sampson picks Red Storm

Steve Lavin continues to make a major impact before even coaching a game for St. John’s.

On Thursday, five-star prospect JaKarr Sampson announced on ESPNU that he would be headed to Queens to play for the Red Storm.

The news was first reported by the NBE Basketball Report.

“I’m bringing basketball back to New York,” Sampson said. “I heard back in the day St. John’s had real good basketball and I’m ready to bring it back to St. John’s.”

Sampson, a 6-foot-7 forward from Ohio who will play for Brewster Academy (N.H) this season, chose the Johnnies over Tennessee, Louisville and Baylor.

Combined with the commitment of New York native Maurice Harkless a couple of weeks ago, as well as heavy interest from some of the nation’s top prospects, Sampson’s decision has Lavin and St. John’s back on the right track.

Shaw has in-home with Illinois, not ready to decide

With Macari Brooks committing to DePaul on Wednesday, rumors began circulating that Mac Irvin Fire teammate Mike Shaw could be on the verge of a decision, too.

The 6-foot-8 forward from De La Salle (Ill.) had an in-home visit with Illinois Wednesday night, and also has expressed his interest in playing with Brooks and fellow AAU teammate Jamie Crockett, both of whom are committed to DePaul. Big East schools Marquette, Notre Dame and West Virginia are also in the mix.

Is Shaw preparing to make a commitment?

“Not true,” Mac Irvin Fire coach Mike Irvin said.

Irvin added that the in-home visit with Bruce Weber and the Fighting Illini “went good.”

Shaw has no other visits, in-home or official, planned at this point.

He’s visited DePaul and has now had an in-home with Illinois – will it come down to those two?

Thompson down to two

Sam Thompson leaped – literally – onto the national scene about a year and a half ago, but the high-flying forward is close to a college decision.

Thompson cut his list to two schools on Tuesday, saying he will decide between Ohio State and Florida.

The 6-foot-6 Whitney Young (Ill.) product also told me via text that he is no longer considering Oregon State, which he originally planned to visit in October. Moreover, he had planned to visit Georgetown, but the Hoyas are out of the mix too.

Thompson visited Ohio State this past weekend.

“It was good,” he said. “I really enjoyed myself.”

As for Florida, Thompson will check out the Gators the weekend of October 9.

“I don’t completely know,” he said. “I may reschedule to an earlier date.”

Thompson won’t make a decision until he takes his trip to Gainesville. 

Sampson visits Tennessee, down to four

JaKarr Sampson was the subject of various Internet reports on Thursday morning. One stated that Sampson was set to announce his college decision today, while others had conflicting top-four lists for the rising senior at Brewster Academy (N.H.).

Sampson and Don Anderson, his AAU coach with the King James Shooting Stars, attempted to clarify everything.

Both denied the rumors that he was planning to make his college decision on Thursday, with Sampson adding that there was not even a timeline for his commitment.

“No, not yet,” Sampson said.

As far as the final four on Sampson’s list, Baylor, Tennessee and St. John’s were the constants in the reports, with the fourth spot varying between Louisville and Kansas.

Anderson cleared it up.

“Louisville, but not Kansas, [is being considered],” he said.

The 6-foot-7 small forward from Ohio visited Tennessee on Wednesday, and he enjoyed his trip to Knoxville.

“It was real good,” Sampson said.

He met the coaching staff and academic advisors, and toured the facilities and campus buildings. “[It went] great,” Anderson said.

With Sampson leaving for Brewster tomorrow, it might be difficult for Sampson to make too many visits. In fact, Anderson said nothing else is planned right now.

“Not at this time,” he said.

With so much up in the air, there is very little certainty with Sampson’s recruiting process. It seems we could get a decision in the next week or not for another month or so.

Baylor, Tennessee, St. John’s and Louisville will gladly wait.

Royal visits Georgia

Julian Royal is getting closer to making a choice about his future.

He trimmed his list down in August, and has already begun to take his three official visits.

This past weekend, the 6-foot-7 forward from Milton (Ga.) tripped to Georgia.

“His visit at Georgia went very well,” Charles Royal, Julian’s father, said. “The staff was extremely nice and attentive. We all had a great time.”

Royal went on to detail some of the visit.

“He went to a class; saw a football game; had dinner with Mark Fox and his family; met the team; met the new AD and president; went downtown,” he said.

Despite the great visit to Athens, the elder Royal claimed that the Bulldogs were still equal to the other finalists: Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Alabama. With that said, Alabama is the lone school that is not likely to get an official visit, meaning that this could be a three-team race.

Royal will visit Georgia Tech on Sept. 24 and Wake Forest on Oct. 8.

His father said a choice will likely be made in the next two months.

“No rush but we will probably make a decision before the early signing [period],” Royal said.

Lawson heading to the Big Ten

Purdue pulled off an out-of-state coup on Monday, as the Boilermakers went into North Carolina and nabbed a commitment from Jacob Lawson.

Lawson, a 6-foot-7 forward from Oak Ridge Military Academy (N.C.), chose Purdue over Ole Miss, according to CP3 All-Stars coach Tony Edwards. Lawson also held offers from Georgetown, Seton Hall, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and others.

“[It’s a] great fit for him, short-term and long-term,” Edwards said. “He is a great student.”

Lawson is an outstanding athlete whose length and speed make him a difficult player to match-up with, especially in transition. He blocks shots and rebound well, and is developing a decent mid-range game.

Edwards thinks Lawson can make an impact at both ends of the floor in the Big Ten.

“Short-term: defense,” he said. “Long-term, he will be a four-year guy whose skill set will wake up at Purdue.”

Pelphrey gets five-star guard

B.J. Young’s rise from locally-known prospect to five-star guard culminated Sunday, as the McCluer North (Mo.) product committed to Arkansas.

“I felt really good about everything that was going on, and [with] players that were coming in with me, we can have something special,” Young said in a text message.

Young, a 6-foot-2 guard who can really fill it up, also held offers from Baylor, Illinois, Illinois State, Providence, Marquette, Indiana, Cincinnati, North Carolina State, Iowa and others.

“I knew I wanted to commit a while ago,” he said. “This has just been a fantasy of mine since I was little, down here with my family, they wanted me to go here.”

He had zero offers prior to the spring, and has only played a half-season of high school basketball due to a transfer and academic troubles.

Faust trims list

Nick Faust is beginning to advance his recruitment.

“I’ve got a top six,” Faust said Thursday evening. “Maryland, Memphis, Marquette, Kansas, Florida State, Oregon State.”

He went on to add that Maryland, Marquette, Oregon State and Florida State are his main four, and have each set in-home visits.

Faust said the main thing he is looking for in a school is his ability to contribute immediately when he gets on campus.

“Just that I could come in as a freshman and make a big impact,” he said.

Interestingly enough, the only campus visit the 6-foot-4 guard from Baltimore City College (Md.) has set is not from one of his main four.

“I visit Memphis Oct. 15, set date,” Faust said.

Carey enjoying basketball and the Bahamas

Michael Carey has had a pretty good two months – basketball in July and the Bahamas in August.

Not a bad way to spend a summer, especially for someone entering their junior year of high school.

“[I] just got back to Houston yesterday from the Bahamas, to visit my fam,” said Carey, a native of the Bahamas.

The 6-5 point guard from Texas deserved the break, after turning heads on the AAU circuit during the spring and summer with the Franchize All-Starz.

To read the rest of this article, check out the NBE Basketball Report.