Words. High School Hoop

A few weeks ago, Pitt freshman and former McDonald’s All-American Khem Birch asked Jamie Dixon for a release from his scholarship. The rumors of the reasons for Birch’s desire to leave campus and enroll at another school are varied, from his desire to play more PF to issues off the court.

Whatever the reason, Birch’s sudden availability has set off a whole new recruiting race for the 6-9 shot-blocker, and with it, more drama. A whole slew of wide-ranging programs are in the hunt for Birch, from Florida and Xavier, to UNLV and Gonzaga.

So why the nation-wide interest in Birch? Watch this high school mix form his time at Notre Dame Prep: MORE >

Words. High School Hoop

Last week we brought you the unique case of Memphis native Jarnell Stokes – basically one of the country’s elite programs was in line to get 6-9 skilled power forward added to their lineup in January.

Among the top contenders were thought to be Florida, Kentucky and his hometown Memphis Tigers. Late today though, Stokes surprised lots of people when he announced that he’s headed to Tennessee. MORE >

Words. High School Hoop

Troy Williams is a beast. The 6-7, Class of 2013 small forward from Hampton, Va., and nephew of AAU godfather Boo Williams, is building his own legend in Virginia. The web is overflowing with Williams highlights, and it when a new mix of his clips drops, it’s kind of a big deal.

Check out this one that was just unleashed: MORE >

Words. Patrick Cassidy

One of the country’s top programs is about to get very lucky. Think of some of the top teams you’ve seen play so far this year, particularly Kentucky, UConn and Florida. Now picture those lineups suddenly infused with a 6-9 power forward with the strength to clean house and finish in the lane and the touch to knock down a 15-foot jumper. That’s what we’re looking at with the case of Memphis, Tenn.’s Jarnell Stokes and his potential to be playing for one of those programs in January.

Here’s Jarnell’s situation: MORE >

Words. Patrick Cassidy

The No. 6-ranked Florida Gators have a prime time slot on ESPN tonight against the Arizona Wildcats. Presumably, as is the case with pretty much every Florida opponent, Billy Donovan‘s ultra-entertaining backcourt of Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker will cause all sorts of headaches for Sean Miller‘s squad.

While you’re watching Boynton and Walker carve ‘em up, think about what they used to do to high school opponents not so long ago. These highlights can give you a pretty good idea: MORE >

Words. Kevin Zimmerman

While most top prospects in the Class of 2012 have already been noticed and solidified their status by elite college teams, perhaps nobody has done a better job at continuing to move up the recruiting boards than Northeast High School’s Alex Poythress out of Clarksville, Tenn. How much of a jump as he made? Poythress received an official offer from the Duke Blue Devils on July 28, alluding to just how much he’s helped himself in moving up in the Top 20 players of his class. MORE >