Jack leaning toward college instead of prep school; Selby talks with ‘Melo
by Javier Morales on Jan. 25, 2010, under Sports
Potential UA recruit Kadeem Jack will visit the UA Wednesday through Friday. Arizona is his only scheduled visit as of now although he is being recruited by Arkansas, Florida, Seton Hall, St. John’s, Miami, Florida International, Providence, West Virginia and UConn. (Kadeem Jack photo)
Before his official trip to Tucson this week, including an opportunity to watch Arizona play Stanford, New York City prospect Kadeem Jack has already offered the Wildcats and his other suitors some good news:
“I would say I don’t want to completely give up the prep school thing. If the right college comes along, then I’ll take it. I don’t want to just go somewhere that the coach is stuffing my head. It’s more 90/10 that I’ll go to college (next year).”
That’s what Jack told Dave Telep of Scout.com today. Just a couple of weeks ago Jack, a Class of 2010 6-8 power forward from Rice High School in Manhattan, indicated to me that he was leaning more toward prep school to better prepare himself athletically and academically for Division I basketball.
After his recent 24-point, 20-rebound performance against Jayvaughn Pinkston of Bishop Loughlin, Jack had a revelation of his rapid development on the court. He did not start playing basketball until he was in the ninth grade.
“I just realized that I took my game to a whole different level,” Jack told Telep. “I think I’m more aggressive and have more confidence. Everything feels second nature. I’m just happy to develop my game this much.”
‘Melo and Selby good friends. Another player high on Arizona’s list — Baltimore Lake Clifton point guard Josh Selby — told NBEBasketball.com that he has regular contact with former Syracuse star Carmelo Anthony. Selby told the Web site that he has Syracuse on his list along with Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana and Connecticut.
Zagsblog.com is reporting that Kansas and Arizona are his two finalists, according to “multiple sources”.
“I communicate with ‘Melo a lot with us being from Baltimore,” Selby told NBEBasketball.com, “and he tells me to focus on my high school season, take it day by day and then worry about college.”
Ellis in Wonderland. Potential Class of 2012 recruit Perry Ellis of Wichita Heights led his team to a Tournament of Champions title Saturday in Dodge City, Kansas. Ellis achieved his averages of 27 points and 12 rebounds in Heights’ 75-60 victory over Gardner-Edgerton.
Heights coach Joe Auer, who reportedly shares a friendship with Wichita native Jamall Walker, UA’s director of basketball operations, told the Dodge City Daily Globe that Ellis is “probably better than any time in his career.” Ellis, a 6-8 sophomore power forward is already being recruited by top-flight schools, including Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis and Arizona.
“(Perry) ran the floor and he was a track athlete in the middle of that floor,” Auer said. “We encouraged him to do that.”
Perry is rated the No. 1 prospect in his class by Rivals.com. Most of the talk concerning schools involved with Perry is with Kentucky and Kansas. Perry, however, told Scout.com recently that he is keeping his options open.
“I really liked what I saw then and I am sure I will look hard at Kentucky. It’s a great school with a great coach,” Ellis said. “Kansas obviously recruits me hard. I like how they play and what they do, too. I am not in any hurry to narrow down my list. I will wait and see all the options out there and not say no to anybody right now.”
