The Aggies have been working out

UC Davis athletics has a video up about what the basketball team has been doing since the end of the 2012-2013 season.

Just a question

Would Jean-Micheal Mudiay be an SMU Mustang had younger brother Emmanuel Mudiay not committed to Larry Brown and Company? Mike DeCourcey doesn't seemingly address that issue (or maybe he does despite not doing so directly).

How age is changing LeBron's game

Ethan Sherwood Strauss writes about Father Time having caught Dirk Nowitski plus how such is chasing LeBron James, who is reacting by expanding his game and effectiveness.

The joke not employed in the article is that Lebron looked 35 when he was 21.

Not Nor Cal-related but an interesting read

Alejando Danois provides the fascinating background on the rise and fall of Riverside Church AAU.

Hoops Factory

Check out Hoops Factory which offers Nor Cal and West Coast hoop coverage. Here's their Twitter account:

Three Nor Cal talents at Cal Poly

Just noticed that Cal Poly Coach Joe Callero has a trio of northern California players on his 2013-14 roster. The Mustangs are coming off an 18-14 overall record, including a defeat of UCLA, and a Big West Conference 12-6 third-place finish:

* 6-foot-0 Kyle Odister will be a senior. Out of Rio Americano High, he averaged 6.5 points per game last season, shooting 37% from three-point range.

* 6-foot-0 Markel Leonard, out of Salesian High, is a freshman point

* 6-foot-7 Anthony Silvestri, a junior frontcourt walk-on out of Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, is in his second year with the program.

D.J. Wilson and Cal (plus others) recruiting

From John Foletta (a Rivals sub is required):

...a second visitor, D.J. Wilson, is still mulling a visit.

"I have S.A.T. tutoring on Saturday, so I'm talking to my mom tonight to see if I can make it," Wilson told Golden Bear Report on Wednesday...

...Official visits to Columbia, Michigan, and Gonzaga are on the books, and "Stanford, San Diego State, Harvard, Princeton, and Washington State have been recruiting me pretty hard, too," said Wilson.

A UC Davis hoops note

From Aggie Sports Talk, it looks like ex-Leland High big Justin Dueck is no longer with the UC Davis basketball team.

When the time comes to move on

Brendan Quinn covers intriguing territory: when does an college assistant coach call it quits? Mark Pancratz is the subject here but this will be a familiar dilemma for many other individuals.

Here is the blog entry from Pancratz.

Dawkins being eyed by Nevada

Per Dan Hinxman, former Palo Alto High wing Aubrey Dawkins, who is back east this year, has Nevada very interested.

AAU versus high school

Thankfully it isn't one versus the other (although how many assistant coaches make it up to Fortuna High -- 250 miles above San Francisco -- to catch Nate Ambrosini during the season? They should, got to get that plug in there, but it's not likely.) So what are the positives and negatives of evaluating talent during high school play versus that of club team action?

Yes, the lame stereotypes are present and accounted for: no defense is an AAU prerequisite, as is three games in three different gyms in one day. On the flip side, the high school coaches roboticize their players and freelancing is verboten.

But if you are a college recruiter, it's important to see prospects in both elements.

On one hand, high school ball presents real rivalries, multiple games of meaning and it's important to witness who rises and who sinks to the occasion. The likelihood of viewing defensive rotations, let alone full out effort at that end, is much more affirmative here. Double and even triple teaming shows up so seeing how a target handles such both physically and mentally is critical to note. The use of actual offensive plays is visible so the learning process of when to be at which spot (as well as where your teammates will be on the court) and the decision about what is the best next movement is a must have skill for succeeding at the next level.

But talent levels can vary dramatically and thus there can be multiple games of no real physical or skills challenge for a prospect. A player who will be a backcourter in college might be stationed in the paint due to his team's lack of size, thereby limiting what can be evaluated. Travelling a couple of hundred miles and then finding out Prospect A isn't playing because he has the flu is a maddening winter season phenomenon.

+++++

On the other hand, talent levels in club team matchups are usually enormously higher so the individual challenge is greater. This is important in determining who rises and who shrinks when finally challenged. The effort supplied in that third game of the day is something to watch for -- is someone going at 75%, or less, because they are tired or does the competitive fire stay constant in each contest? A scorer whose game is primarily dribble-drive penetration can finally be challenged via a 6-foot-10 shotblocker standing between him and the basket so is there adaptability displayed?

However, the importance of winning is lessened because there is always another game to play. Cohesion is often absent as a small percentage of the teams actually ever practice together and that limits guys who benefit from performing in a true team concept. Plus, you get to see a "coach" living large, adorned with sunglasses and Bluetooth while barking out in-game desecrations of his players and their shortcomings.

Finalized - Where did the Nor Cal All State JUCOS go?

It's complete -- below are the northern California portion of the All State JC honorees of 2012-13 and their four year destinations.

Player of the Year: Delon Wright (San Francisco)  - Utah 

First Team:

* Alex Perez (Fresno) - Southern Mississippi
* Colin Gruber (Cabrillo) - UC Riverside
* Akachi Okugo (Yuba) _ Grand Canyon
* Bobby Sharp (Santa Rosa) - Portland
* Charles Jackson (Lassen) - College of Southern idaho
* Charles Standifer (Cosumnes River) - UC Riverside
* Bill Borekambi (Sequoias) - Germany
* Stephen Grosey (Foothill) - Concordia
* Chris Read (Ohlone) - Cal State Stanislaus
* Quincy Smith (San Francisco) - Hawaii
    
Honorable Mention:

* Gabe Aguirre (San Francisco) - Pacific
* Devin Bay (Lassen) - Bemidji State (Minnesota)
* Drew Brandon (Sierra) - Eastern Washington

The Menlo Oaks are Nor Cal heavy

Coach Jon Surface has loaded his 2013-14 Menlo Oaks roster with northern California talents.

Here they are:

* Charles Barnes, SR, G, 6-3, Pittsburg, CA, Ohlone College

* Austen Brooks, FR, G, 6-3, Sacramento High

* Jordan Collier, FR, G, 6-foot-4, Vanden High (Fairfield)

* Malik Dunbar, SR, F, 6-2, Fairfield, CA, James Logan HS

* Mikey Eggleton, FR, G , 5-11, Pleasant Hill, CA, College Park HS 

* Carlos Monroy, SR, G, 6-0, Concord, CA, De La Salle HS

* Mandip Rai, SR, G, 6-3,San Jose, CA, Bear Creek HS

* Daniel Romero, FR, G, 5-11, Granite Bay, CA, Granite Bay HS

* Dylan Severson, SO, F, 6-5, Sonoma, CA, Sonoma Valley HS            
* John Smith, SR, G, 6-2, 165, Tracy, CA, Saint Mary's HS

* Colin Wan, JR, G. 6-0, San Jose, CA, Canada College

A trio of Falcons moving on

Tim Roe/The Reporter reports on a trio of Solano College basketball players moving on to four-year schools:

* Lequan Gomes, a 6-foot-1 shooting guard out of Fairfield, is heading to Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts. He averaged 10.9 points per game last season.

* James Givens is a 5-foot-9 point also out of Fairfield who will be attending Maine-Fort Kent. He totaled 9.5 points per contest alongside a team-leading 44 assists.

* Mike Stockton stands 6-foot-3, hails from Granite Bay and is moving north to Humboldt State. He put up 6.9 points an outing with 4.9 rebounds each time out, which led Solano.

The Top 50 national JC talents

Next Up Recruits is offering the Top 50 available recruits in the community college ranks throughout the country. Northern California names listed:

* 21.) Gary Payton II  Soph  6’3/ CG  Salt Lake CC

* 24.) Dulani Robinson  Soph  5’11/ PG  San Francisco CC

The list sure seems Florida-centric but maybe there is a lot of talent at the Sunshine State JCs. 

It's a guarantee that the site proprietors have never heard of CCSF's Sami Elerky.

Where did the Nor Cal All State JUCOS go?

Trying to nail down the last few destinations of the northern California portion of the All State JC honorees of 2012-13. There's one more to go.

Player of the Year: Delon Wright (San Francisco)  - Utah 

First Team:

* Alex Perez (Fresno) - Southern Mississippi
* Colin Gruber (Cabrillo) - UC Riverside
* Akachi Okugo (Yuba) _ Grand Canyon
* Bobby Sharp (Santa Rosa) - Portland
* Charles Jackson (Lassen) - College of Southern idaho
* Charles Standifer (Cosumnes River) - UC Riverside
* Bill Borekambi (Sequoias) - Germany
* Stephen Grosey (Foothill) - Concordia
* Chris Read (Ohlone) - Cal State Stanislaus
* Quincy Smith (San Francisco)- Hawaii
    
Honorable Mention:

* Gabe Aguirie (San Francisco) - Pacific
* Devon Bay (Lassen) - ?
* Drew Brandon (Sierra) - Eastern Washington

Polite back in CA

From William Jessup Head Coach Lance Von Vogt: "Welcome Saajid Polite, 6-2, G, John Merritt College. To the William Jessup University Warrior Basketball Family"

A transfer back from the University of Sioux Falls (South Dakota), Polite came out of Grant High and then attended Merritt for a couple of years. It looks like he redshirted in 2012-13 but played in the season before that so he should have one remaining go-around of eligibility.

Erik Rush news

A tweet from Montana State Coach Brad Huse: "Congrats to former Bobcat Erik Rush on making Swedish National Team and will be playing in European championships in September"

Rush is out of Milpitas High, having played for Coach Steve Cain.

Here's some background:

"Erik, born in the USA, has a Swedish mother and has had dual citizenship since birth. He made his debut for the Swedish national team during the Nordic Championships in 2011 and quickly showed that he is a player to be reckoned with. Erik is athletic, plays fundamentally very sound defence and is versatile in offence, being able to really get out on the break and finish around the rim. Leave him open and he can make three-pointers too. After a solid first year as a professional in Cyprus he played last season for Varese in Italy, a club that took champions Montepaschi to seven games in the Italian domestic semi-finals. In EuroBasket 2013 Erik will probably come off the bench to provide defence and energy."

The Seawolves have six newcomers

Sonoma State athletics writes about Coach Pat Fuscaldo's incoming Seawolves. The unknown signing: backcourter James Davis out of Arroyo High and Northern Colorado.

Eggleton on the Peninsula

5-foot-11 guard Mikey Eggleton, who graduated from College Park High in 2013 and was a Lakeshow Pump N Run member, is attending Menlo College in Atherton and will be playing for Coach Jon Surface.

Everly coming to WJU

(Everly signing in April with Peninsula)

San Marin High's Noah Everly has changed plans -- instead of heading to Washington to play at Peninsula College, the 6-foot-3 guard will be attending William Jessup University in Rocklin.

MLK on this special day

Let's close out today with a 17-and-a-half-minute speech from the greatest American patriot:

Look at these times

A Sean Miller tweet: "Nick Johnson, Aaron Gordon and TJ McConnell finish 1,2,3 in the Mile Run. They came prepared." Their respective times: 5:21, 5:22 and 5:23.

Gordon could have run any lesser time he wished -- just another element that ups his professional value even further.

William Jessup adds a guard

William Jessup athletics reports that Coach Lance Von Vogt has signed a southern California backcourter.

Interpreting body language

Coach Bob Walsh on body language -- here and here.

Wan to the Oaks

Archbishop Mitty High School Basketball tweeted: "Congrats to Mitty alum Colin Wan on continuing his hoops career at Menlo College"

The 6-foot-0 Wan played as a sophomore at Cañada College last year, averaging 9.0 points per game alongside a team-leading 86 assists and 31 steals.

Robinson is back

Dulani Robinson has returned to the City College of San Francisco squad -- Coach K has the scoop.

McPhail back to the Golden State

Coach K reports that Andre McPhail, formerly of Deer Valley High, is back in California.

Funeral service details for Tony Costello

Matt Schwab has the funeral service details for Tony Costello.

Hooper pops ten treys

Max Hooper scores 31 points (10-13 from long distance) in St. John's victory over Stella Azzurra in Rome.

Okugo overseas with Grand Canyon

Former Jesuit High and Yuba College backcourter Akachi Okugo is already enjoying the benefits of being at a DI college as Grand Canyon University is touring Italy and Greece right now.

In the opening game. Okugo enjoyed nine points plus six assists. In game four, he compiled seven assists.

Sonoma State Coaches Clinic

A tweet from Sonoma State Associate Head Coach Rich Shayewitz: "Sonoma State Coaches Clinic - October 6, 2013: Speakers: Randy Bennett, Rex Walters, Greg Kamansky, John Peterson"

Think you might learn some basketball wisdom by attending?

New book out on college football: "The System"

Going off topic for a moment, Dan Wetzel hails "The System" as a must-read about college football.

"At All Costs -- all about AAU basketball

Here is the trailer of "At All Costs," the film about AAU hoops.

"Linsanity"

Here's more on "Linsanity," the film.

Ferrari eligible

Per this James Stapleton feature on Frankie Ferrari, he is eligible to play for Burlingame High this season.

Fuca now playing in Lich, Germany

From Moritz Korff:

"The Licher Basket Baeren (2. Bundesliga Pro B) have completed the signing of Joseph Fuca (182-G-89, college: Master's. The point guard arrives from Regionalliga side Baskets Vilsbiburg. In his first season in Germany he averaged 22.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists a game for the Vilsbiburg team and earned Eurobasket.com All-Regionalliga South-East Bosman Player of the Year honors. He also made the Eurobasket.com All-RLSO First Team.

Fuca comes from Danville, California and has dual citizenship. He holds an Italian passport. He spent his university career at NAIA's The Master's College."   

A more than cautionary tale

This is just ugly. Kudos to Stephanie Loe and Dennis Lin for digging into this and putting together the facts.

On a separate note: not to pile on to those who believe they were cheated and were but a coach cannot 'create' interest when it isn't warranted. A basketball scholarship cannot be purchased -- it is earned. A setup such as La Jolla Prep preys upon an ignoring of reality.

Vincent pledges UCSB

6-foot-2 Gabe Vincent has made his decision: it's time to become a Gaucho.

Once he arrives in Goleta, fellow Bay Areans point T.J. Taylor will be a senior, shooting guard Mike Bryson and wing John Green juniors plus frontcourter Drew Dickey will be entering his sophomore season. It's looking like a veritable pipeline.

Ali writing from Florence

Hameed Ali writes from Italy where he and his Texas A&M Corpus Christi teammates are on an exhibition tour. The San Leandro High grad will be a junior this year.

More on the Nor Cal Clash

Frank Burlison reviews Sunday's Nor Cal Clash.

Below is Gerry Freitas' take:

Seniors Edge Juniors 90-89 in Nor Cal Clash

In a game that was close the whole way, the Class of 2014 (Seniors) edged the Class of 2015 (Juniors) 90-89 in the fifth annual Nor Cal Clash on Sunday afternoon at El Cerrito High School. The Senior class now holds a 3-2 lead in the all-time series.

There was no lead larger than seven points the entire game. The Class of 2015 lead 41-40 at the half and 68-64 after three quarters.  But 2014 used a 26-21 advantage in the final period to pull out the victory.

Trevor Dunbar of St. Ignatius was selected as player of the game by the media and scouts in attendance. Dunbar was the co-scoring leader for the Seniors, along with Jalen Canty of St. Patrick-St. Vincent's with 14 points. Dunbar also chipped in with 5 assists. DJ Wilson of Capital Christian garnered 7 rebounds to pace the 2014 team.

For the Juniors, Bishop O'Dowd's Ivan Rabb, who returned home to play in this event after competing in the Boost Mobile Elite 24 in New York on Saturday, lead all scorers with 23 points. Rabb was also the leading rebounder in the contest with 9. Paris Austin, also of Bishop O'Dowd, turned in a fine all-around performance for 2015 with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

Scoring Totals:

2014 (Seniors)- 90: Trevor Dunbar 14, Joey Frenchwood 5, Elliott Smith 10, Frankie Ferrari 4, Gabe Vincent 13, Jalen Canty 14, Temidayo Yussuf 6, DJ Wilson 2, Jonathan Galloway 5, AJ John 9, Shon Briggs 8

2015 (Juniors) - 89: Noah Blackwell 2, Paris Austin 18, Tyrell Alcorn 9, Armani Collins 11, Ivan Rabb 23, Malik Huff 4, Marquese Chriss 6, Trey Belton 8, Anthony Townes 8

Verlin with some national press

Myron Medcalf includes Ron Verlin in his list of "Top 10: New hires positioned for success":

"Ron Verlin (Pacific): Verlin, a longtime assistant under Bob Thomason, will guide Pacific as it returns to the West Coast Conference. Three of his top five scorers return, including Sama Taku (8.1 PPG, 38 percent from the 3-point line). Brazilian center Gabriel Aguirre could help, too. Pacific finished second to Long Beach State in the Big West last season, and the Tigers could make noise in the WCC, too. The league’s hierarchy is undefined, with Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s losing key players. So there’s a chance for multiple teams to rise. Pacific could be one of them."

Chriss with another suitor

Via Josh Gershon: "Vanderbilt has offered 2015 NorCal Wildcats forward Marquese Chriss"

Chriss is a 2015 prospect currently standing 6-foot-8.

More Yuba College signings

Drom Dave Rogahn: "JC BB signings from Yuba: PG Akachi Okugo to Grand Canyon, PG/SG Achoki Moikubu to Ft Hays State & SF Yev Dyachenko to Hawaii Hilo"

The first has been know for some time but congrats to Moikubu and Dyachenko (River City High) for sewing up their next destinations.

The Nor Cal Clash outcome: the elders prevail

Per Cameron Schott: "2014s beat the 2015s 90-89. St. Ignatius PG Trevor Dunbar is named MVP after a 14 point, five assist performance"

Sad, sad news

Los Positas College Coach Tony Costello has passed. He will certainly be missed as he was an extremely nice and likeable individual, with never any lordin'-over-others-because-I'm-a-head coach' attitude. The measure of his tenure on this earth is that we are now less because he is no longer here.

Curtis Pashelka has the news.

Headin' back to 2004

Let's travel in the trusty ol' time machine back to 2004 in order to determine just who in that year's northern California basketball class has made the biggest impression in professional basketball?

Call it a lean 365 days.

2004 was a big time for East Bay hoops, what with Antonio Kellogg, Quentin Thomas, Tim Pierce and DeVon Hardin. Kellogg began collegiately at Connecticut but transferred back to USF for one season before going pro, Thomas became a four-year North Carolina Tarheel, Pierce spent a season at Arizona State before moving over to San Jose State University and Hardin chose to become a Cal Bear.

Now Demarcus Nelson was in the Bay Area for most of his high school time before moving up to the Sacramento area and then Duke.

This quintet was the Fab Five, if you will, of northern California prep hoops circles.

Since then:

Kellogg played in Sweden, Poland and Mexico -- not sure what he's up to now.

Thomas was a journeyman during his time in Chapel Hill and apparently is working on entering the music industry.

Pierce has played here and abroad.

Hardin has been on the court in Greece, Turkey, Argentina, Venezuela, Israel, Qatar, China and now Brazil.

Nelson, out of Vallejo High and Sheldon High, was the most honored 2004 prepster and he made it, albeit briefly, to The Big Show with the Golden State Warriors. Nelson has since consistently played here and abroad.

But who out of all the candidates looks like he has garnered the most attention as a professional?

Our submission is Josh Akognon, out of Casa Grande High, Washington State and Cal State Fullerton, with Nelson as his closest competitor. Akognon began professionally in Estonia and then then spent two financially lucrative years in China. He was with the Dallas Mavericks late last season and his rights are currently held by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Who would have proposed him as the one back in 2004?

Tarkanian feted in Fresno

The Fresno Bee's Bryant-Jon Anteola writes about Fresno State honoring Jerry tarkanian:

Jerry Tarkanian strolled into the Elbow Room on Saturday night and immediately was greeted by cheers and applause.

Just like old times.

Even at 83, needing a walker to move around and his speech slowed, Coach Tark still lights up Fresno.

Tarkanian, who lives in Las Vegas, visited this weekend to celebrate ahead of his induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. About 140 people packed the restaurant, rekindling the atmosphere when Tarkanian often made a postgame trip to the restaurant while he was the coach at Fresno State from 1995-2002.

Among those in attendance were Fresno State men's and women's basketball coaches Rodney Terry and Raegan Pebley, Athletic Director Thomas Boeh and a few former players, including Larry Abney.

"I'm happy to be back in Fresno," Tarkanian said. "It's a real nice event."

Tarkanian smiled and posed for countless photos and offered a few words to the crowd.

His health has worsened in the past year, son Danny Tarkanian said. He suffered a heart attack in March 2012 and had a pacemaker installed just last month...

Head here for the remainder.

The Gaels in the running for a 6-10 transfer

From Josh Gershon:

"Fresno State transfer Robert Upshaw will choose between Washington, Oregon and Saint Mary's, per a source"

St. Mary's would be a great place at which to make better choices.

For the cave dwellers: The NorCal Clash is TODAY

From Frank Burlison:

The fifth “NorCal Clash”, pitting some of the better hoops players from high schools in Northern California, is scheduled to tip off Sunday (Aug. 25) afternoon at 3:30 at El Cerrito High. Two squads represented by players from the Classes of 2014 (seniors in the 2013-14 school year) and 2015 (juniors in 2013-14) will play.

It’s the fifth version of the contest, which stands at two victories apiece for the classes. The event of the brainchild of Gerry Freitas (who runs the Hoop Review scouting service), who selects the players and coaches for the event.

The most noteworthy of the players scheduled to participate is 6-foot-9 Ivan Rabb, who is rated among very best prospects from the Class of 2015, not just in the west but nationally, as well. El Cerrito High is located at 540 Asbury in El Cerrito. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students.

The rosters:

Class of 2014
Shon Briggs (6-7/Brentwood Heritage); Jalen Canty (6-7/Vallejo St. Patrick-St. Vincent); Trevor Dunbar (5-8/San Francisco St. Ignatius); Frankie Ferrari (5-9/Burlingame); Joey Frenchwood (6-0/Newark Memorial); Jonathan Galloway (6-8/Richmond Salesian); A.J. John (6-7/Santa Rosa Maria Carrillo); Elliott Smith (6-6/Oakley Freedom); Gabriel Vincent (6-2/Stockton St. Mary’s); D.J. Wilson (6-7/Sacramento Capital Christian); Temidayo Yussuf (6-5/Alameda St. Joseph-Notre Dame).

Class of 2015
Tyrell Alcorn (6-0/El Cerrito); Paris Austin (5-11/Oakland Bishop O’Dowd); Noah Blackwell (6-1/Roseville Woodcreek); Trey Belton (6-5/Sacramento Sheldon); Marquese Chriss (6-8/Elk Grove Pleasant Grove); Lance Coleman (6-6/Stockton St. Mary’s); Armani Collins (6-4/San Francisco Stuart Hall); Malik Huff (6-1/San Anselmo Drake); Matt O’Reilly (6-2/Moraga Campolindo); Ivan Rabb (6-9/Oakland Bishop O’Dowd); Anthony Townes (6-6/Modesto Christian).

Witzel to DVC

Ray Aspuria breaks the news that now former Humboldt Lumberjack frontcourter Tom Witzel will be attending Diablo Valley College for the 2013-14 term.

The Big Dance must survive

John Feinstein warns the power leagues presidents not to ruin The Big Dance while wrangling for a better football situation:

"...If Slive, Delany, Bowlsby, Swofford and Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott — who was a tennis player at Harvard and should have an understanding that there’s more to life than football — try to stage a basketball tournament on their own, it’s no longer March Madness. It is the BCS in shorts, and that can’t be good for anyone..."

Miller down in Santa Maria

Coach K serves up the latest on former Serra backcourter Andre Miller who is now a Bulldog.

No to the Gordon/Griffin likenesses

Sean Miller nixes the Aaron Gordon - Blake Griffin comparisons.

Lumberjackin' versus Bears and the Red Storm

Danny Penza reports that Humboldt State Coach Steve Kinder has his Lumberjacks on the road versus California and St. John's this coming season.

Nor Cal's Sperisen now at Pacific

Matt Sperisen, who has worked in and resided around the northern California area for some time, is the Basketball Ops guy at Pacific.

Budreaux to the San Joaquin

Coach K has rounded up the school/basketball whereabouts of Dejon Budreaux, the former San Leandro High guard.

Interesting feature on Linn's season in Houston

Bernie Augustine writes about Jeremy Linn talking on the latter's burden of living up to Linsanity.

It's worth noting however that 13.4 points and 6.1 assists per game aren't chump numbers.

Another noting of Rabb's play

Frank Burlison has a Bay Area talent on his "Boys of the Summer 2013" lists: Ivan Rabb is a Second Team 2015 honoree.

Vincent down to three

From Verbal Commits: "2014 G Gabe Vincent has cut his list to Pacific, Portland, & UC Santa Barbara."

Coach Kinder lands a big

Via Bob Gottlieb:

Jermaine Wilson
6’10”
Morningside H.S.
Commits to Humboldt State
NCAA D2
Full Basketball Scholarship for 2013

We are pleased to announce that Jermaine Wilson, who has played for Branch West for the last three years, has been offered and accepted a full basketball scholarship to Humboldt State, one of the top 3 NCAA D2 programs in the Western USA, over the last 20 years. 

Head Coach Steve Kinder offered the scholarship last week and Germaine accepted and signed. He will begin college this fall as a freshman. 

As is the case with many of the NCAA D2 programs, they have packaged up his Pell Grant and Cal Grants with academic aid and athletic scholarship, to total a full basketball scholarship, without which, Germaine could not afford college.

Jermaine is the epitome of the term “late developer”. He started playing basketball when he was already in high school. Though it has not come easy, he has seemed an improved player, almost every time I saw him, over that period.

He has matured into a first class rebounder, on both boards. He has long arms, is relatively strong, has a great deal of heart and is a quality defender, shot blocker and rebounder at the defensive end of the court.

On offense, he is not a go to scorer in the low post. However, he attacks the offensive boards ferociously, and scores often with offensive rebound/ put backs. He is a solid B average student. He is an inner city youngster, raised by a single mom. Germaine is an extremely quiet, almost shy young man who is extremely well liked by everyone he comes in contact with.

As part of the Branch West “Give Back” program, he has played for Branch West at no cost for three years, and was recruited to Humboldt State, directly through the efforts of Bob Gottlieb and the Branch West Recruiting Assistance Service, all pro bono to the family.

Jermaine has been coached by Donnell Meekins, both at Morningside H.S. and Branch West Red. He is primarily responsible for Germaine’s tremendous progress as a player, these past years.

Jermaine graduated Morningside H.S. in 2012, and attended the brand new LA Prep, this past year, coached by the well-respected Mike Miller, highly successful former JC coach in the area. However, Jermaine hurt his hip in December and hardly played the entire year for LA Prep.

Jermaine is the 4th athlete to be recruited to Humboldt State on scholarship to Humboldts State through the Branch West Recruiting Assistance Service.. Ernie Spada 6’0” combo gd from Portland, OR, started all 4 years for Humboldt State. He was the starting pg on the State Championship Lake Oswego H.S. team in Portland, that featured Kevin Love, now in the NBA with Minnesota. Ryan Wilbur from Orange County, CA and Wil Petty from Northern California, were the other two.

Athletes in the Class of 2014 and 2015 interested in information concerning our assistance in recruiting may contact BG at the following. 

Bob Gottlieb
Director
Branch West Recruiting Assistance Service
(o) 714-997-0380 Cell 714-719-3080
E Mail: brwest2@aol.com Website: www.branchwest.com

A big season being prognosticated for AG

Bruce Pascoe reports on Aaron Gordon being predicted as a second Team All American in 2013-14.

Curry camping on Monterey peninsula

Glenn Cravens has the news about a basketball camp Stephen Curry held over the weekend at Stevenson School.

Chhhhhhhhanges in the Sac-Joaquin Section?

Jonamar Jacinto reports on the Sac-Joaquin Section looking at implementing changes:

"The overhaul of the Section’s postseason basketball format will be put to a vote during the Oct. 16 Board of Managers meeting held at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton..."

The Bay Area and Lassen College

Coach K writes about the pipeline blossoming between the Bay Area and Lassen College, the program headed by Devin Aye. It sure provides the opportunity to get away from local distractions.

Questionable recruits

Coach Bob Walsh writes about culture either overriding guys not buying in or forcing them to depart. The money quote: "The truth is if your culture is right it should be very hard for guys who are not bought in to survive."

A question: can it be pre-determined who will be the questionable recruits? If so, why take the chance? That is, unless the AD is dragon-flaming your neck for a better W-L record but even then who needs the probable headaches.

Carey heads to the WCC

Senque Carey is back in the college coaching ranks. The former St. Francis High backcourter has been away from the college ranks since departing Fresno State in 2010. That unusual move is still mystifying but it's good to have him back.

OJohnson interviewed

Orlando Johnson offers the latest in his life in this six minute video interview:

The return of Babineaux

CCSF Mens Basketball has the scoop on a new talent for the Rams: "CCSF Men's Basketball would like to welcome former Drake SG Kori Babineaux to the program"

The 6-foot-4 former Folsom High backcourter is returning to the Golden State after a freshman year at Drake and, before that, a prep season at Lake Forest Academy.

The latest on Sunday's Nor Cal Clash

The fifth annual Nor Cal Clash will be held Sunday August 25 at El Cerrito High School at 3:30 p.m. This one-game event will have elite players from Northern California in the class of 2014 playing against elite players in the class of 2015.

The purpose of the event is to help promote Nor Cal basketball and its’ elite prospects. A report on the event will be done by the Hoop Review scouting service in addition to websites norcalpreps.com, sportstarsonline.com, californiapreps.com and other media outlets.

Coaching in the game will be Mike Booker of El Cerrito and Devon Jones of Capital Christian in Sacramento.

Bishop O’Dowd’s Ivan Rabb headlines the list of players. Rabb is currently ranked number one in the ESPN 60 in the class of 2015.

For more information or media credentials, contact the event director Gerry Freitas via email: gerryfreitas@hotmail.com.

2013 Nor Cal Clash Rosters

Class of 2014

* Shon Briggs, 6-foot-7, Heritage (Brentwood)

* Jalen Canty, 6-foot-8, St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo)

* Trevor Dunbar, 5-foot-8, St. Ignatius (San Francisco)

* Frankie Ferrari, 5-foot-9,Burlingame High

* Joey Frenchwood, 6-foot-0, Newark Memorial (Newark)

* Jonathan Galloway, 6-foot-8, Salesian (Richmond)

* AJ John, 6-foot-7, Maria Carrillo (Santa Rosa)

* Elliott Smith, 6-foot-6, Freedom (Oakley)

* Gabriel Vincent , 6-foot-2, St. Mary's (Stockton)

* DJ Wilson, 6-foot-8, Capital Christian (Sacramento)

* Temidayo Yussuf , 6-foot-5, St. Joseph-Notre Dame (Alameda)

* Coach Mike Booker - El Cerrito


Class of 2015

* Tyrell Alcorn, 6-foot-0, El Cerrito

* Paris Austin, 5-foot-9, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland)

* Noah Blackwell, 6-foot-1, Woodcreek (Roseville)

* Trey Belton, 6-foot-5, Sheldon (Sacramento)

* Marquese Chriss, 6-foot-8, Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove)

* Lance Coleman, 6-foot-6, St. Mary's (Stockton)

* Armani Collins, 6-foot-4, Stuart Hall (San Francisco)

* Malik Huff, 6-foot-1, Drake (San Anselmo)

* Matt O'Reilly, 6-foot-2, Campolindo (Moraga)

* Ivan Rabb, 6-foot-9, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland)

* Anthony Townes, 6-foot-6, Modesto Christian (Modesto)

* Coach Devon Jones - Capital Christian (Sacramento)

Pleading guilty

Like most people who use their personal life experiences as reference points, it's always been perplexing that so many high school student-athletes don't earn the academic eligibility to play at the DI level. As an oldster would typically say, it wasn't all that hard to perform adequately, if not well, in high school. Trust me, it didn't take a brainiac to earn say a 3.0 grade point average.

But what so many of us fail to take into account -- because it wasn't anywhere close to our narrative -- is that we didn't attend school in an area where the odds of remaining alive at the end of the day can be based on a simple twist of uncontrollable fate, where even hyper-alertness is no guarantee of survival.

Plus, this doesn't even involve the elements of having enough to eat, academic support, parental guidance and so on.

Read Jill Tucker's opening article in a series and be thankful serendipity allowed you and I a much healthier pathway. This is an opportunity to better understand the experiences of others.

DeMuynck heading overseas

Jourdan DeMuynck is headed to the land of pasta, gelato and (to date myself, Sophia Loren) as Coach K reports.

Pribble to the Evergreen State

Hoop Dirt is reporting that Alex Pribble, the former Cal player currently assisting at San Francisco State, is moving on to the staff at Eastern Washington as an assistant coach.

Great choice by Coach Jim Hayford.

U'u to Australia

Former Cal Poly and Rio Americano talent Drake U'u is playing ball in Oz for the Perth Wildcats:

Goins turning pro

Former Diablo Valley College and Cal State San Bernardino backcourter Brian Goins has decided it's time to go professional, whether it be in the National Basketball Development League here or abroad.

As a Coyote last season, Goins was a first-team All-California Collegiate Athletic Association honoree as well as the conference's Newcomer of the Year. He earned those accolades after scoring 15.7 points a game, being in double figures in 22 of his 26 contests and scoring 20 or more points in eight outings. Goins also led his squad with 42 steals.

Agents, general managers of professional teams, coaches and scouts should contact wiretowiresports@gmail.com for information on Goins' availability.

Below is video of Goins in this summer's San Francisco Pro-Am:

Coach K rolling out the signing posts

Coach K has a bevy of signing posts up featuring Doc Jones, Elijah White, Denzel Bellot, Dalvin Guy, Charles Jackson and Khalil James moving on.

Jones moves on to Kansas

From DVC Assistant Coach Derrick Jones: "Congrats to DVC soph and last yrs co-captain Damon "Doc" Jones Jr. on his scholarship to Sterling College in Kansas!...do work out there!"

Sterling is an NAIA school in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and finished 21-11 last season.

The 6-foot-2 Jones, out of St. Elizabeth High, scored 7.8 points per game in 2012-13. He also passed for 53 assists.

The abbreviated 2013 Ohlone College summer roster

Here's Coach John Peterson's 2013 Ohlone College Renegade summer roster -- obviously additions will be made:

* Marcellus Clay, 6-foot-6, sophomore, Oakland High

* Hans Esjuerra, 6-foot-1, freshman, James Logan High

* Griffen Kapulica, 5-foot-10, freshman, San Ramon Valley High

* Andy Mitchell, 6-foot-3, sophomore, Moreau Catholic High

* Casey Norris, 6-foot-1, sophomore, Newark Memorial High

* Kevin Pinheiro, 6-foot-1, freshman, Washington High

How Nike landed Michael Jordan

The headline says it all: "How Nike landed Michael Jordan"

The article isn't new but it's fascinating to read how it all went down, with luck and timing maybe being the foremost elements.

Washington heading back up the Peninsula

Former DeAnza College and Aragon High frontcourter Don Washington has moved back up the road to play for Coach George Puou and Notre Dame de Namur University.

More on Conrad heading overseas

Chico State SID Luke Reid has more on Jason Conrad's signing.

Copeland to the Lone Star State

From Rajvir Kaur, 5-foot-8 point Denzel Copeland, out of DeAnza College and Santa Teresa High, will be playing next at Texas A&M International University. As a sophomore, he averaged 8.5 points per game on 42%, 38% and 78% respectively.

The Dustdevils, members of the Heartland Conference, finished 15-12 last season.

More Argenal coverage

Matt Schwab takes a look at Gus Argenal taking over the Cal State East Bay basketball program.

Smith in the starting five

Former Mc Clatchy High and CCSF frontcourter Shawn Smith started and played 25 minutes in Marshall University's latest exhibition in Canada. He totaled five boards and three points.

What Phil Beckner has learned

Ran this before but it's worth posting again -- Weber State Assistant Coach Phil Beckner's 100 Things I've Learned about coaching at the College Level.

Meet Ballers Bridge

Here and here are articles about a new entity in the basketball recruiting field -- Ballers Bridge.

Evaluating talent

Rob Meurs goes long in articles here and here about evaluating talent -- feel for the game is a concept he covers in interesting detail.

Keep a eye on Frayer

Having just completed his freshman season under Coach Frank Knight at Moreau Catholic, Oscar Frayer certainly has the potential to become the next dominate Bay Area player:

Madoshi is heading to the Oakland hills

6-foot-5 Namuji Madoshi, formerly of Antioch High, has enrolled at Merritt College and is part of the Thunderbird basketball squad. The plan is for him to redshirt in the 2013-14 season with the goals of getting stronger and more athletic.

Here's a December 2010 feature on Madoshi.

He was at City College of San Francisco last season.

Clayton moving on

From Cameron Schott: "Tough loss for Castro Valley basketball as 2014 F Derrick Clayton will attend prep school in Florida for the upcoming year"

Smith already playing at Marshall

Former McClatchy High and City College of San Francisco frontcourter Shawn Smith is participating in Marshall's current tour of eastern Canada. In 21 minutes of play, he earned nine points and a trio of rebounds during the Thundering Herd's most recent victory.

Berry & Richardson to lead the Wildcats

In Joel Welser's Weber State preview, former West High guard Jordan Richardson is written about as well as listed as the starting point:

"...Running the show will be Jordan Richardson. The 6-1 senior point guard has yet to miss a game in his collegiate career. He started all 37 in 2012-2013, averaging 7.2 points and 2.8 assists..."

Plus, Davion Berry, out of Hayward High, is also highlighted:

"...Davion Berry led the Wildcats with 15.2 points per game and added 3.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals. The 6-4 wing can shoot over smaller defenders and drive right past bigger, slower opponents. When Weber State needs to make a big shot, it will be Berry who takes it..."

Vann Victorino moves up to Dominican

From the West Valley Basketball Club Facebook page:

"Congratulations to Daniel Vann Victorino who committed to Dominican College!, entertaining offers from Oklahoma City University, Cal State East Bay, Virginia Union and Ithaca. Daniel comes from a very supportive family and we personally wish to thank his Mom, Kim and his Grandmother for being the guiding influences in his life. Daniel joins current Penguin and West Valley Alum Jessy Marshall."

The now 6-foot-7 Vann Victorino played at North Salinas High and was at Impact Academy this past season. He is a two-time Tri-County Athletic League selection.

Crisosto to the Sunshine State

Former Foothill High and Feather River College backcourter Devin Crisosto will be attending St. Leo's College in Florida on a full ride basketball scholarship this coming academic year. At 6-foot-3, he was a two-time All Golden Valley Conference honoree. Crisosto averaged 14.3 points per game in 2012-13, shooting 43%, 35% and 80% respectively and he also led the Golden Eagles in assists with 107.

Arenas leaving Riordan

Per Jack Murphy, backcourter Bobby Arenas has departed from Riordan High.

Vandermeer is back

Danny Penza reports on the addition of Cy Vandermeer to the Humboldt State coaching staff. Coach Steve Kinder must be going Gangnam Style in 2013-14 ;)

Unfortunate news on Adenrele

UC Davis athletics is reporting that JT Adenrele will miss the upcoming season due to a knee injury.

Washington State/Junior Longrus projection

Joel Weiser offers his take on Washington State basketball in 2013-14 and sophomore Junior Longrus in particular:

"...Longrus was pretty much thrown into the fire as a freshman when he averaged a touch over ten minutes per game. He was not asked to score, but he did do a decent job on the glass and defensively. If he can take that next step, a starting job awaits..."

Williams still listing Pacific and Santa Clara

Via Verbal Commits: "2014 F Jack Williams has cut his list to LBSU, Pacific, San Diego, Santa Clara & UCSB"

Poaching

There's poached eggs, fish, chicken and pears, poaching of crops and rhinos and elephants (tusks) and also, alas, the poaching of basketball talent. A player succeeds and someone closes in wanting to all of a sudden be best buds.

Unfortunately, this also applies to some coaches at all levels.

Now any player has the right to move on, just as coaches, athletic directors and college presidents do.

That, of and by itself, is not necessarily condemnable. However, circumstances can be.

Any such movement should begin with the individual and have an honest and factual basis for doing so rather than the proverbial lure of greener pastures. Turning one's back on someone who took a chance and offered a spot, with no clear cut justification for reneging, is small.

Negative recruiting, while personally demeaning to all involved, is one thing. Getting into the head of an established talent and then getting him to transfer takes breaking bad to a whole different level. The term 'coaching fraternity' is something bandied about but there is no handholding and no choruses of "Kum-ba-ya" sung in Coach-ville.

Granted, graduate your guys and you can still find yourself at the unemployment office. Coaching is a business, defined by Ws and Ls. That can't be sugar-coated.

But calls and other contacts made to players on other rosters?

Not good.

Coaches just might have to resort to employing bullmastifs around their player corral as were used in England to fend off interlopers? If dogs can sniff out cancer, siren calls shouldn't be all that difficult to detect.

Now some will say it's not a big deal. That the coaching profession is just like any other, with the full spectrum of good and bad on display. That's true. But it doesn't make it right.

This piece will produce no Paul on the road to Damascus conversions but at least reiterates that it is a choice.

Keep an eye on Hermanson & Lemar

Myron Medcalf lists Calvin Hermanson/St. Mary's and Brynton Lemar/UC Davis as "Five Freshman To Watch" (scroll down, it's on the right).

National hoops transfers

Jason Hickman checks in on national basketball transfers. Check one to keep the meme going: epidemic or pandemic?

Vandermeer returns home

Former Lumberjack player and coach Cy Vandermeer is returning to the Humboldt State basketball program

Golson is back

Coach K has word on the return of Vincent Golson to the Bay Area.

More on Cameron to the Pioneers

Bill Paterson catches up with Aaron Cameron's Cal State East Bay signing.