Words. Patrick Cassidy
Did you see what Illinois’ Brandon Paul did to the Ohio State Buckeyes last night?? The 6-4 junior guard went ballistic, viciously swatting shots lighting up the Buckeyes for 43 points, including an off-balance three down the stretch to drive the dagger through the hearts of the nation’s No. 5-ranked team. Watch the highlights here: MORE >
Words. Patrick Cassidy
The Kansas Jayhawks got themselves a nice Christmas present yesterday when they landed a commitment from prized 6-7 small forward Brannen Greene (Mary Persons High, Forsyth, Ga.). Greene is a Top 30-40 prospect in the Class of 2013, and is averaging 24 points and 4 boards a game this season (up from 17 ppg last year).
His most impressive stat though? MORE >
Words. Aron Phillips
If you’re not familiar with Gary Harris, the 6-4 guard from Hamilton Southeastern High School (Fishers, Ind.), you need to be. A top 20 prospect in the Class of 2012 considering Xavier, Indiana, Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State, Harris has explosive leaping ability – as you can see in the following clip from Flyin’ To The Hoop.
Words. Arie Stark
Fort Bend Bush (TX) center Cameron Ridley, a highly-touted prospect in the Class of 2012, has verbally committed to the Texas Longhorns. The 6-10, 240-pounder, a native Texan, chose to stay in-state over offers from North Carolina, Georgetown and Ohio State.
A relative latecomer to the game of basketball, Ridley didn’t start playing competitively until two years ago, so his potential is high. He said the primary factor in choosing Texas was the relationship he’s built with the Longhorns’ coaching staff, particularly assistant Rodney Terry. MORE >
Words. Jason Jordan
Xavier had a productive week, securing commitments from two of the country’s top players at their respective positions. Lawrence North (Indianapolis, Ind.) center Mike Chandler, a senior, and North Central (Indianapolis) combo guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, a junior, both committed to the Musketeers.
“I just really felt like this would be the best place for me get better as a person and a player,” Chandler told the Indianapolis Star. “It helps that it’s close to home.” MORE >
Words. Jason Jordan
Try as he may, Rodney Purvis has the darnedest time blocking out other people’s expectations of him. Still, when you’ve been dubbed “The Next Big Thing” since you were 13, the microscope is impossible to juke-out, even if Purvis is one of the craftiest guards in the country.
“It’s hard to please everyone,” says Purvis. “That’s why I’m not big on attention.”
He’s well aware that such an early anointment is as much a curse as it is a gift, often times more of the former, and on some level that worries him. MORE >
