Oak Hill Academy currently has four players rated inside of our 2010 top 100. Coach Smith lost three very talented players from last season's team in Keith Gallon, Lamont Jones and Glenn Bryant. So he wasted not time in adding two of the most talented players in the nation in guard Juwan Staten and forward Roscoe Smith for the upcoming season.
Doron Lamb- He is definitely going to visit Oklahoma and Kansas. Lamb plans on committing at some point "during the school season". Lamb's list of schools are Kentucky, Kansas, Oklahoma, Rutgers, Arizona, Clemson, Marquette, St. John’s, Oklahoma State, Seton Hall, and Florida. The smooth guard currently sits at #17 overall in the class of 2010.
Peshon Howard- Recently gave us this list of schools. Harvard, Rutgers, USC, UCLA, Virginia, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Former teammate and close friend Glenn Bryant is already at Arkansas. One would think that gives the Razorbacks a little leverage. Howard is currently rated #97 overall in the class of 2010
Roscoe Smith- Smith has offers from just about every high major program in the nation. The only thing that Smith made certain during a recent interview was that he is attending Oak Hill for his senior season. "They're all the same; no different right now," Smith said of the chances for each school. "It's still a long list and everybody has a chance. I want to take some visits in the middle of the (senior season), so I can get the list shorter." Smith checks in at #25 in our class of 2010 top 100.
Juwan Staten- Recently transferred to Oak Hill. Staten is committed to Dayton and is among the better players in the 2010 class that the nation is unaware of. Staten checks in at #76 in our most recent shuffle of the top 100 in the class of 2010.
Chasen Campbell- Served as Keith "Tiny" Gallon's primary backup. Campbell fought injuries during his senior season. He is going to prep for a year and reclassify as a 2010 prospect. He already holds an offer from IUPUI.
A brief caveat, The 2009 Take 5 classic drew talent from all over the country to Cincinnati's campus. The tournament directors Criss Beyers and Mike Duncan did a marvelous job and should be commended for their hard work and dedication to the sport. Thanks guys!
One of the most popular prospects of the first day was former Louisville commit Justin Martin (pictured with his coach). Martin recently withdrew his verbal commitment to play for the university of Louisville and despite recent rumors the Cardinals are still in the running for his services. A slew of division one coaches were on hand for his games including: Rick Pitino, John Calipari, Sean Miller, Bob Huggins, Josh Pastner and a who's who list of other top coaches. Martin played a couple of very impressive games and showed flashes of being a very versatile and explosive player. He didn't stuff the stat sheet with points, but his strong overall play certainly stood out.
Full Court Preps writer David Money was able to catch up with the talented youngster for a little Q & A:
F.C.P.- Could you talk a little about how the game against the Shining Stars went?
Martin- The first half we was a little rusty. The second half we came out ready to play.
F.C.P.- Could you tell us where everything stands in the recruiting process?
Martin- Right now I'm wide open. I'm not looking to make a decision until after I take my official visits.
F.C.P.- What schools are you hearing from?
Martin- Right now I'm hearing from Arizona, Oklahoma, Memphis, Kentucky, Miami, Florida, Xavier and Marquette.
F.C.P.- With you recently de-committing from Louisville are they not in the picture anymore at all?
Martin- No their still in the picture, I still hear from them and we still talk.
F.C.P.- What about the local schools Indiana, Notre Dame and Purdue?
Martin- I haven't heard from any of them except for Notre Dame.
F.C.P.- Any time table for a decision?
Martin- After I take my officials.
F.C.P.- Do you plan on taking any visits or going to any camps soon?
Martin- Since I reopened my recruitment I have yet to take any visits. I have been focusing on summer school and things like that so I haven't really had time.
F.C.P.- You mentioned Kentucky and coach Gillispie's staff was recruiting you in the past, have they re-initiated things now that coach Calipari is there?
Martin- Yeah, they came to our open gym at Lawrence North. They were actually there to see Dominique. After I de-committed they called me and re-established things. Calipari recruited me while he was at Memphis before I committed to Louisville so we know a little bit about each other. Right now I'm just looking to build a relationship with coaches.
F.C.P.- With you and Dominique both un-committed have you two discussed the possibility of playing together?
Martin- Dominique is like my brother but, we really don't want to play for the same school. I mean if it happens, it happens. We have been playing together since the eight grade.
F.C.P.- Is there any certain style of play that would suit you best?
Martin- Run and gun, that's the style that I like best.
Eric Bledsoe is still in Lexington, Kentucky on his official visit. Word is that he will spend some time with the team today before heading back to Alabama tomorrow. Bledsoe should have his decision made by Wednesday.
John Wall skipped his visit to North Carolina Central that he had planned for last Friday.
“Didn’t go,” Wall wrote in a text. “Had SAT class.”
The No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2009, Wall said he didn’t know if he would take the visit some other time.
Wall also will put off narrowing his list of schools again. He told Jerry Meyer of Rivals.com today that he would make no decisions this week and then would narrow the list next week. Meyer believes that Kentucky and Duke are the favorites with Florida and Miami just behind.
New developments with Lance Stephenson. Word is that he will decide by the end of the week and that his likely destinations are Arizona or Memphis
The Mississippi State Bulldogs had a huge weekend signing two potential future lottery picks in Renardo Sidney and John Riek.
Top 2010 recruit Harrison Barnes led his All Iowa Attack team to the 17 and under Championship at the 2009 Jayhawk Invitational. This kid is the next big thing, a 30 point game, 7 rebounds and a couple of blocks are all in a days work. Not to mention his kind demeanor and his ambitions of being great.
After the game we caught up with Natyazhko and he told us that, "Arizona is where I want to play."
Natyazhko said that he likes the idea of playing for coach Miller and seemed really excited about stepping in and playing right away. The 6'11 center was this season's IMG Academy National Team MVP and finished the Derby Classic with 8 points 4 rebounds and 1 assist.
We have plenty more from the Derby Classic including video of the entire dunk competition that will be posted soon.
The saga is over for the Wildcats as Sean Miller will be the new man at the helm. After a night to think about it Miller has accepted and signed a 7 year deal, worth a reported 18 million dollars.
