Matt Bracken Recaps the Top 100 Camp
No, we're not done with the NBPA camp, and Matt Bracken talked with camp director Tim McCormick to wrap the event up. One specific topic: Justin Coleman.
"Well in many ways, to be a top 10, top 15 player in high school basketball is a disadvantage for a lot of kids because they think they’ve made it," McCormick said. "They expect superstardom to eventually happen. But for a kid like Coleman, he’s a guy that you watch because he comes into the camp with a chip on his shoulder. [He thinks] ‘I know how good I am. I’m going to show everybody else.’ He can’t wait to play against the highest rated players, because he feels like he’s better. So this has been a really good opportunity to showcase his skills. And I think everyone now knows about his ability."
Tobias Harris, Glen Head, N.Y., power forward: 13.3 points per game
Michael Gbinije, Christchurch, Va., shooting guard (2011): 13 points per game
Terrence Jones, Portland, Ore., power forward: 9.1 points per game
Will Regan, Buffalo, N.Y., power forward: 6.7 points per game
C.J. Leslie, Holly Springs, N.C., power forward: 6.0 points per game
Mychal Parker, Washington, N.C., small forward: 5.7 points per game
Coleman, Gbinije on ESPN's NBPA All-Stars
ESPN started to finalize their NBPA coverage - finally - and two Terp targets were named to their all-star team. Justin Coleman found himself on the second team, while Michael Gbinije was on the third team.
SG/SF: Justin Coleman (6-4, 205)
School: 2010, Richmond, Va./Henrico County
Breakdown: Coleman has great size and athletic ability. He knocks down deep 3s and finishes above the rim in traffic. This super talented wing competes and plays with toughness.
SG/SF: Michael Gbinije (6-6, 185)
School: 2011, Richmond, Va./Benedictine
Breakdown: Gbinije has a nice midrange game and can knock down the 3 off the catch or dribble. He finishes in transition and is capable of scoring in bunches. Gbinije has great size and talent with tremendous upside
Terps offer Columbia athlete
Is this even good news at this point?
Atholton (Columbia, Md.) receiver Matt Robinson picked up some good news in the form of another offer on Saturday.
According to Atholton head coach Kyle Schmitt, Robinson picked up an offer from the University of Maryland after attending their one-day camp on Saturday.
...
The 6-foot-4, 201-pound Robinson also holds offers from James Madison and Fordham, UMass and Stony Brook.
So we're battling with JMU, Fordham, and UMass for kids, while top targets go to Pitt. I'm trying to believe and have faith in Ralph here, but all we can hope for is these guys being diamonds in the rough.
Brenda lands top recruit
Good to see Brenda out on the trail again. He recent performance has been outshone by Gary. shockingly. Never thought I say that. Anyway, the new commit is Laurin Mincy - ESPN gives her the #3 SG spot in the nation, and the #13 player overall.
Even FIU Doesn't Want Lance
Really? If anyone would roll the dice on him, I'd assume it'd be FIU. Is he really that toxic? I say this all the time, but Tyree Evans committed to Maryland and is playing at Kent State, but Lance is too tough to swallow for friggin Florida International?
At least one source close to Florida International said the Panthers aren't pursuing uncommitted prep player Lance Stephenson. FIU and head coach Isiah Thomas would seem to be a natural fit because Stephenson would give the fledgling program a name to go along with its high-profile coach. But Thomas doesn't want to take on baggage from day one, and every coach that has been sniffing around the Stephenson camp contends there could be an NCAA investigation into him as soon as he commits.
Mychal Parker recruiting update
We learned that Mychal Parker is taking a visit to Kentucky soon, and now we learn that...well, nothing really. Parker's playing it cagy in this interview, saying he doesn't know where he would go if he had to choose now, even though Maryland seems the frontrunner. The latest I heard on his timetable was in the spring, which is a long time away...the way nuGary's been rolling along recently leads me to believe that there might not be a scholarship open when he wants to commit.
Former Terp assistant Mike Lonergan could be on the move
Yeah, the only reason I saw this is because I now regularly read Zagsblog. We recruit too many guys up in NY to not read it, unfortunately. Anyway, is this even an improvement for Lonergan? It seems like Vermont's a better job anyway.
Vermont coach Mike Lonergan met with Holy Cross officials on Saturday and is the favorite to replace departed coach Ralph Willard, a source with knowledge said. Lonergan, 43, was the America East Coach of the Year in 2007 after guiding the Catamounts to a 25-8 record and an appearance in the NIT.