Rumble In The Garden, a St. John's Red Storm community

Ed. Note: I don't know that I agree with this. Nor do I think it matters; the McDonal's All-American roster spot is a sweet honor, but it matters more how a player develops, and how ready he is to make that NBA or Euroleague money.

Tom Konchalski, a recruiting analyst, said the city snub is not a surprise, with some of the best talent going elsewhere to play at prep schools.

"Basketball in New York has been on the decline," said recruiting analyst Tom Konchalski. "Kids are leaving for prep schools and not working on their skills the moment the season is over."

One such player is Maurice Harkless, a St. John's commit who played at Forest Hills HS but transferred to the South Kent School (Conn.) this year. He was on the first two ballots, but failed to make the final cut.

"If Maurice stayed at Forest Hills, he'd have been the Big Apple 2011 basketball valedictorian and seen more by the voters," Konchalski said of Harkless.

"I bring intensity on the defensive end, first and foremost," he said. "That’s what I do, that’s my game. I’m definitely going to be a leader for my team."

According to Findlay coach Michael Peck, Garrett isn’t just saying the right things.

"He’s got some things you can’t teach – athleticism, speed, explosion -- and he’s got a knack for defense," he said. "You don’t have to beg that out of him. An athlete that will get down and guard? There’s not a lot of guys who are willing to do that."

On a Findlay team with two high-major Division I guards – Texas-bound point guard Myck Kabongo and Arizona signee Nick Johnson – Garrett plays down low because of the Pilots lack of size. But at St. John’s, Garrett will play on the wing.

"He’s receptive to coaching. " Peck said. "He listens, he goes in and does exactly what you want him to do and he goes hard. That’s a big advantage. They’ll just continue to build on his skill set on the perimeter."