WH

A-10 Recruiting Update

Here are the signees or commitments that I am aware of. Note corrections or additional information here. I'll be updating periodically.

2005-2006 Recruiting Ratings

HS refers to HoopScoop
PS refers to Prep Stars
RV refers to Rivals
SH refers to ScoutHoops
HM refers to HoopMasters (Van Coleman)
JJ refers to Juco Junction

*PtW refers to Players to Watch, a designation used by Prep Stars for players who do not make its top 200 list in the fall.

*BoR refers to Best of the Rest, a designation used by HoopMasters for players who do not make its top 20 list.

*5YR refers to 5th year prepsters as ranked by HoopScoop, the only service to use such a designation.

(RS) refers to redshirt.


CHARLOTTE

1) Sean Phaler F 6-9 195 Fullerton JC/New Mexico – #42 2003 PS. #143 2003 HS. Best of the Rest Juco 2006 HM.

2) Cameron Tatum G/F 6-5 190 Tucker, Ga. – #140 2006 RV. #152 2006 PS. #200 2006 HM. #312 2006 HS.

3) Charles Dewhurst F/G 6-5 175 Charlotte, NC – #166 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

4) Ian Anderson PG 6-4 180 Portland, OR – PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. #508 2006 HS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

5) Carlos Williams PG 6-1 185 Wabash CC – #5 Juco 2006 HM. #7 Juco 2006 JJ.

6) An’Juan Wilderness WF 6-5 210 Dunwoody, GA – #135 2006 PS.


DAYTON

1) Kurt Huelsman PF 6-9 215 St. Henry, Ohio – #229 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

2) Andres Sandoval G 6-3 200 Sante Fe CC (Fla.)/Richmond – #182 2003 PS. #26 5thYrPlyr 2003 HS. #32 Juco 2006 JJ.

3) Marcus Johnson SG 6-3 180 Akron, Ohio – #98 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

4) London Warren G 6-2 175 Jacksonville, Fla. – $195 2006 HM. #228 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS.


DUQUESNE

1) Hernol Hall C-F 6-9 240 Costa Rica/Lon Morris College – #4 Juco 2006 HM. #4 Juco 2006 JJ.

2) Antonio DiMaria F-G 6-6 200 Pittsburgh, Pa. – #364 2006 HS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

3) Steve McNees PG 6-2 190 New Castle, Pa. – BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.
#746 2006 HS.


FORDHAM

1) Marlon Smith G 6-0 195 Bronx, NY/Penn State – #193 2003 HS. #257 2003 PS.

2) Brenton Butler G 6-2 180 Norcross, Ga. – #287 2006 HS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.


GEORGE WASHINGTON

1) Cheyenne Moore WF 6-5 Baltimore, Md./Clemson – #100 2004 PS. #10 5thYrPlyr 2004 HS.

2) Asrangue Souleyman C 6-9 – Best of the Rest Juco 2006 HM.

3) Jeremy Wise WG 6-3 Redempton (Troy, NY) – #43 5YR 2006 HS.

4) Damien Hollis WF 6-7 215 Coral Springs, Fla – PtW (201-475) 2006 PS.

5) Herman Opoku 6-8 200 Austria, South Kent prep (CT) –


LASALLE

1) Yves Mekongo-Mbala PF 6-7 220 Elizabeth, NJ – #378 2006 HS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

2) Brian Grimes F 6-7 218 Philadelphia/Brewster Academy (NH) – #85 5YR 2006 HS. BoR 2005 PS.

3) Kimmani Barrett F-G F 6-6 205 Patterson, NJ – #215 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

4) Rodney Green G-F 6-5 190 Philadelphia, Pa. – #271 2006 HS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

5) Ruben Guillandeaux G-F 6-5 175 Brooklyn NY/St. Patricks (NJ) – #103 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS.

6) Desean White F 6-7 230 Philadelphia/Providence College – #56 2004 HS. #76 2004 PS. #79 2004 RV.


MASSACHUSETTS

1) Emmanuel Tiki Mayben PG 6-1 180 Troy, NY (RS) – #17 2005 HS. #39 2005 PS. #57 2005 RV.

2) Gary Forbes F/G 6-7 210 Brooklyn, NY/Virginia – #34 2003 HS. #52 2003 PS. #68 2003 RV.

3) Luke Bonner C 7-0 245 Concord, NH/West Va. – #143 2004 PS. #158 2004 HS

4) Etienne Brower F 6-7 200 Hempstead, NY/Boston University – none. (America East All-Conference 3rd Team)

5) Ricky Harris WG 6-0 Winchendon School (MA) – #27 5YR 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. #382 2005 HS.


RICHMOND

1) Dan Geriot PF 6-9 215 Springfield, Pa. – #265 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

2) Brian Morris WG 6-5 Camp Hill, Pa. – #302 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

3) David Brewster WG 6-5 Silver Spring, Md – PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. #552 2006 HS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

4) Stephen Kendall G 6-3 180 St. George, Va/Hargrave Military (VA) – #106 5YR 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.


RHODE ISLAND

1) Delroy James F 6-7 195 Brooklyn, NY/Laurinburg Prep (NC) – #17 2006 Post-grad top 25 SH. #68 5YR 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

2) Joe Mbang PF 6-6 230 Cameroon/Monroe CC (NY) –

3) Jonathan Cruz F 6-6 220, Lawrence, MA – #254 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS.

4) Terrance Grier 6-0 190 Cranford, NJ/St.Thomas More (CT) – #90 5YR 2006 HS. #412 2005 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

5) Marquis Jones PG 6-1 170 South Plainfield. NJ/St.Thomas More (CT) – #74 5YR 2006 HS. #308 2005 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

6) Keith Cothran WG 6-4 175 Winchendon School (MA) – #80 5YR 2006 HS.


SAINT BONAVENTURE

1) Jourdan Morris F 6-6 Greenbelt, Md. – #286 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

2) James Williams WG 6-5 200 Cloud County JC – Best of the Rest Juco 2006 HM.


SAINT LOUIS

1) Dustin McQuire G-F 6-5 200 Bethalto, Ill. – #379 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

2) Obi Ikeakor F 6-8 240 Houston, Texas (RS) – #276 2005 PS. #290 2005 HS.


SAINT JOSEPH’S

1) Rockwell Moody C-F 6-9 215 Arlington, Va. – #300 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

2) Darrin Govens PG 6-1 165 Chester, Pa. – #84 2006 HS. #186 2006 HM. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS.

3) Derrick Rivera WG 6-2 170 Philadelphia, Pa. – #162 2006 HM. #167 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS.

4) Jawan Carter PG 6-0 165 Wilmington, Del. – #129 2006 Rivals. #129 2006 PS. #193 2006 HS. #169 2006 HM.


TEMPLE

1) Matt Shaw PF 6-8 245 Los Angeles, Ca. – #171 2006 HM. #476 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS.

2) Mike Scott F 6-7 200 Chesapeake, Va. – #277 2006 HS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

3) Luis Guzman WG 6-2 185 Bronx, NY – #125 2006 HM. #138 2006 Rivals. #145 2006 PS. #153 2006 HS.


XAVIER

1) Charles Bronson C-F 6-10 230 Panola JC (TX)/East Carolina – #215 2004 PS. #57 5thYrPlyr 2004 HS. Best of the Rest Juco 2006 HM.

2) Jason Love PF 6-8 250 Abington, Pa. – #62 5YR 2006 HS. PtW (201-475) 2006 PS. BoR (201-550) 2006 HM.

3) Adrion Graves WG 6-4 190 Cincinnati, Ohio – #64 2006 PS. #72 2006 HS. #76 2006 SH. #104 2006 HM.

4) Andrew Lavender PG 5-7 165 Columbus, Ohio/Oklahoma – #10 2003 HS. #26 2003 RV. #30 2003 PS.

5) Derrick Brown WF, 6-7 210 Dayton, Ohio (RS) – #115 2005 RV. #119 2005 HS. #226 2005 PS.

UD40

As a Rhody fan, I can't wait too see Delroy and Mbang. I've only heard great things about Mbang, and how he can step in right away and be a key to the team.

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All Heat First Team

Dr. Jack

I feel very strongly about the Hawk group. Several were substantially higher in most rating lists until they signed with us...Phil's known for recruiting kids who want to win, know how to win, and come from winning programs.

Rockwell Moody's team won the VA State Indy Championship last weekend. He made the all-tourney team.

The Philly Catholic league does not participate in the State Playoffs, but DJ Rivera hit the game winning shot in the championship game and completely shut down nova's more highly rated recruit Reggie Redding both times they met. He might be Catholic League MVP and a lock 1st team all Philly.

Jawan Carter shattered the Delaware career scoring record, and goes in the State Championship game tonite.

D. Govens was the MVP of the PA State playoffs last year as a junior as Chester won it all. They are one of the favorites again this year, and won their district championship and are still alive to repeat...he is a lock to repeat as first team all State in PA.

xu95

I thought Xavier had all the right pieces at the beginning of this year, but I feel really good about the pieces next year.

Lavender is a HUGE upgrade from Finn, B. Cole is starting to play like he did his freshman year and while he isn't as good as Thornton will be better than Caudle was and can let Love learn his freshman year.

Graves will be a good back-up to Hammer.

Things just keep getting better in Muskieland.

xu95

MinutemenDynasty

The reason why you will not see any true UMass fan getting on Travis Ford this year is because of what he has brought in next year. The Minutemen only lost one player this year, Jeff Viggiano. To replace Vigg, they have Gary Forbes, who as a sophomore at Virginia averaged over 9 points a game with a double-double against Duke and 23 points against then national champions UNC. They also brought in Luke Bonner, formerly of West Virginia, and brother of Toronto Raptor's forward Matt Bonner. Bonner is a seven foot center who will be a sophomore next season, and has a nice outside shot. I think he will be somewhat like Doellman from Xavier. UMass got another good transfer from Boston University. Etienne Brower was third team all America East as a sophomore. He can contribute at both forward positions. Finally, Tiki Mayben, who did not academically qualify at Syracuse came to UMass and plans to join the team next year. Mayben was a huge prospect out of high school that can both score and pass. With Tiki and Chris Lowe in at the same time, you could witness one of the quickest back courts you will ever see. I do not see any reason as to why UMass will not come close to 20 wins next season.

Mattjb34

For me, the two most interesting classes are UMass and LaSalle. Both teams are going to get what looks to be a completely revamped team that will be able to step in right away and contribute. LaSalle looks to be recieveing more young talent and athleticism than I can ever remember them having and UMass is getting experienced players that have played in bigger conferences. Combine the transfers with a stud like Mayben and a sophmore guard in Lowe and I think we will see Travis Ford work his magic. One more thing, Xavier getting Lavender is huge. The kid played well when I watched him at OU and will probably combine with Burrell for one of the quicker back courts in recent memory, if Miller chooses to play them together.

bfg

Fordham still has 2 scholarships available. Among the folks we are looking at are 2 more guards who are rumored to be very interested in Fordham. Rob Hampton is a 6'4" guard from Christ the King in NYC. He's described as a very hard worker, typical Whittenburg player. The 2nd is Herb Tanner from Catholic Memorial in Boston, now at a prep school in Cal. Also looking at GW, UMass, and JMU. If Hampton plays for Fordham, ge would be the 4th player from the NYC Catholic League (CHSAA), Dunston, Smith, and Bethel being the others. That in itself is reason for Fordham fans to celebrate --we're finally getting some of the local talent.

Although, he will be a sophomore, I look at Bethel as almost an "addition" to next year's team. He missed the 1st semester and the presseason, and played only 60 mins all season as he struggled to catch up to the other players in learning Whit's defense. He showed great flashes on offense (see LaSalle) and should be a big part of next year's team.

xu95

There is no doubt that Lavender and Burrell will be playing together. I will be surprised if there is more than 10 minutes a game when they are not playing together. Look for a starting five of Lavender, Burrell, Cage, Doellman, and B. Cole. I would put that starting five up with the top ones in the league.

Also, there is a rumor circulating, with nothing to back it up yet, that after the season is over a "high profile" player is announcing he is transferring to Xavier to complete Miller's "six pack". Now obviously someone would have to transfer out of Xavier for that to happen, but stranger things have happened.

xu95

NinerAdvocate

Tatum is waiting for grades and/or test score. I really hope we get him in, cause I think he's one that the guru's missed BADLY on. The kid absolutely filled the hoop up game after game at the highest level of Georgia HS ball. He was a threat to drop 30-40 every game. At 6'5 200, he has great size for a 2G. If he doesnt qualify, he'll go prep and come in with Beasley.

Niners may add a JUCO PF named Habel. top 5 at his position, I believe. We need some more bulk.

WH

I updated the list to include redshirts Obi Ikeakor at St. Louis and Derrick Brown at Xavier. Also made a few other changes.

ExplorerSteve

La Salle has an excellent class coming in plus an impact transfer who will play in mid-December (after first semester of classes). Looking forward to seeing Mbala and Grimes on the court at the same time.

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REF

Going by #'s alone, UMASS, URI and GW look to be adding significant quality.

On this hush hush X transfer, it seems to me he wouldn't be eligible next year anyway - unless he's sitting out now.

Mik

Umass will either mine gold or find coal. I think that class shines or fails. No in-between.

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NinerAdvocate

Don't just look at #'s. Those 5th year rankings are really misleading. A guy can be in the 300's as a 4th year prep, then suddenly in the top 50 as a 5th year, simply because there arent that many 5th year players. Anyone outside the top 20 5th year's is probably a bit of a gamble and should in no way be compared to a normal top 100 4 year kid.

That said, we went heavy on the 4 year player types - no phenoms, just kids that I believe will really mature in the college game and shine as upperclassmen. I like the strategy. Quick fixes are so dicey when you're not Duke, Kentucky, etc.

MinutemenDynasty

Ricky Harris, the number 27 5th year player, is compared to a top 70-100 senior.