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. Patrick Cassidy

Canadian basketbal and HighSchoolHoop.com are officially on a roll. First there were the Kevin Pangos high school highlights from earlier in the week, and now we introduce you to the beast that is Toronto’s Justin Jackson.

At just 14 years old, the 6-6 Jackson is destroying Canadian basketball, summer camps, AAU circuits and anything else that gets in his way. Just watch this video of Jackson banging on a kid in a U14 all-star game: MORE >

Words. High School Hoop

Did you see the highlights of Gonzaga‘s star freshman going berserk last night against Washington State, dropping 33 points on nine threes? [WATCH THE BARRAGE HERE]

We’re sure you’re not surprised that Pangos was a scoring machine in high school. The Toronto-area native (Denison Secondary School) was arguably Canada’s best high school player, and specialized in getting buckets. Watch this mix tape of some of Pagnos’ best HS work: MORE >

Words. Austin Burton

Gary Bell lives for the big moment, so it’s understandable that he would get impatient waiting three years to shine in his own city.

No matter how many buckets and accolades Bell, a 6-2, 200-pound combo guard, racked up at Kentridge High School (Kent, WA), he was always second on the marquee under All-American Josh Smith at rival Kentwood High, who cast a 6-10, 300-pound shadow over the South Puget Sound League and the state of Washington’s prep scene in general. MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

Before he was named Co-MVP of the Boost Mobile Elite 24 last weekend, Jesuit High (Portland, Ore.) forward Kyle Wiltjer committed to Kentucky during halftime of the game.

Wiltjer, who blew up this summer while running with the Drew Gooden Soldiers out of Oakland, picked the ‘Cats over Georgia Tech, California, Kansas, Texas, Gonzaga and Wake Forest. MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

Josh Smith’s word isn’t necessarily his bond.

Photo. Seattle Times

Josh Smith recently had an epiphany about the recruiting process. It’s honest and real and could’ve claimed pole position on the Straight Talk Expressway. Still, it’s bound to leave you dumbfounded.

“You know what…” says Smith, a 6-9 center who is rated the No. 5 prospect on the HighSchoolHoop top 50. “Don’t even listen to me when it comes to this stuff. Truth is I could tell you something today and then totally feel different about it tomorrow. That’s why I’m really getting tired of all of this.” MORE >