While Steve Lavin is taking a look at a number of Canarias Basketball Academy prospects in northern France to fill out the Red Storm's many scholarship slots, some recruiting tidbits on some current targets, and a new player of interest - Phillip Nolan.
We've updated the recruiting sidebar on the main page and have some notes; read on, below the fold.
Decision coming?
April 11th is the beginning of the Spring signing period in basketball - conveniently, a day after the NCAA deadline for a player to declare that he is not in the draft*. The signing period ends on May 16th.
The action will be fast and furious, and coveted center Chris Obekpa is expected to decide near the beginning of the signing period. He is expected to choose between St. John's and Cincinnati.
*(It is still possible for a player to go pro until late April - the NBA's entry deadline, which is the one that matters.)
Increasing competition
New York City guard Thaddeus Hall is fielding offers from the University of Dayton and South Carolina. New Gamecocks coach Frank Martin has the 6'5" scoring guard ready to take a visit to South Carolina, possibly next week; Hall says he is "definitely" going to qualify.
Meanwhile, versatile Dominican forward Orlando Sanchez has interest from Louisiana State. The Tigers are losing seven-foot center Justin Hamilton a year early, and Trent Johnson is looking at big men to fill the gap. Of course, Texas Christian's interest in Trent Johnson - and Johnson's precarious status in the Bayou - could toss the southern competition into turmoil.
Phillip Nolan interest?
Rivals mentioned that St. John's was looking at Milwaukee center Phillip Nolan ($), and we have confirmed that interest.
"St. John's just recently started recruiting me," Phillip told the Rumble. "I spoke with the coaches, and they want me to come on a visit. I also expressed interest in St. John's so we'll have to see what happens."
Due to transfer rules, Nolan sat out much of the past season at Riverside High School in Milwaukee, WI; he had played at St. Benedict's Prep in his junior year season, and has also attended Huntington Prep.
The recruitment's in the early stages. There was some worry that Nolan would not qualify, but Nolan says "my grades aren't an issue." Nolan is a thin and athletic post player, so it makes sense that Steve Lavin and his staff would target him.
Nolan has interest from Tenneessee, Oklahoma, Memphis, Missouri, Minnesota, and Providence.
Highlights:
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