Last Second LOI signing

[tornado]

Another top BIG MAN, from the Class of 2008,
just committed....this is a HUGE STEAL at this late phase for K-State.

6-11 Jordan Henriquez, who DePaul was very intent on landing........
verbals to Kansas State, as with the loss of so many players, he'll get some immediate playing time!

http://kansasstate.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=71046

 

[tornado]

Another decent big man just now committing.........

Maurice Bolden, 6-8, 220, from Marion Institute (AL), who had previously signed with southern Miss, now goes to UAB.
Avg-- 14.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg
http://jucojunction.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=811629

 

[Da Coach]

Bolden is a class of 2009 recruit

http://jucojunction.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=59187

 

[tornado]

Another big man just committed...

Chukwuma Okwandu just committed to UConn. He is presently at Harcum College (Philadelphia, PA) but he sat out his entire first year in junior college at College of Southern Idaho in 2007-2008 (counts as a redshirt year) , then in 2007-2008 was deemed ineligible after playing 12 games. (see link below, there were NJCAA issues of prior professional play and improper filing of letter of intent.) But since he has completed two junior college years and is getting his associate degree, he can go to NCAA D-I and still have 3 years of athletic eligibility left starting in 2008-2009.
http://jucojunction.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=812048
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20080305_Harcum_College_ineligible_for_playoffs.html

 

[tornado]

Yet another very highly rated big man has just become available...

Gus Gilchrist, a 6-10 F/C. had originally committed to Virginia Tech, then changed and signed with Maryland. ACC conference rules required the kid sit out a full year because of the issue between schools, but he initially stuck with Maryland. Now with the ruling that he'd also lose at least a full year of college eligibility, he is leaving maryland and looking to go elsewhere to regain his full 4 years of college eligibility.
In one respect it is a loss for gary williams & Maryland, but the kid wouldn't have been eligible until half way through 2009-2010 anyway.
Gilchrist was rated #55 nationally in 2007 and was the #11 rated center.
(Rivals had him #52)
"After appealing the ACC twice ...??“ he decided to find a new home and a fresh four years of playing time...
???He just got his release so that he??™ll have the opportunity to find a school where he can have his full four years of eligibility...the ACC didn??™t give him that."
http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=2&c=759440

 

[Dubl R 1]

I think Gus would fit in nicely on the Hilltop. With our young guards, and AT, Gus looks like the missing link. BBBEEEEEEEEEPPP, BBBEEEEEEEEPPP, BBEEEEEPPPPP. Well, that was a nice dream while it lasted.

 

[thefish7]

Sign him up! (Probably can't get him, but he seems like he'd fit in very well)

 

[TexasHammer]

Gus Gilchrist was initially supposed to eligible for Maryland in December of this season (2008-2009) but then it got extended until 2009. It just adds to Maryland's recent troubles with recruits committing then going elsewhere (Terrence Jennings, Bobby Maze, Tyree Evans...)

 

[tornado]

Yet another last second BIG MAN commits from the Class of 2008.

James Blasczyk, listed last year at 6-10, and an Anthony-Thompson-like 185, is now supposedly 7-ft tall and bulkier.
...he just committed to Texas A&M

Apparently both Illinois and Wichita State were also after him...
http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=3276213
http://tamu.scout.com/2/764498.html
http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/764387.html

http://www.hoopmasters.com/article.php?aid=1214293809

 

[thefish7]

Has Gilchrist committed anywhere?

 

[tornado]

yes, he is transferring to South Florida. Personally if it were me, as long as you are going to play at a school that can't beat anyone in a BCS conference, I'd pick Bradley or a top mid-major before I'd go to South Florida (12-19, 3-15 in the Big East). Remember, Bradley has done quite well against the Big East, and is presently on a 7 game winning streak against them I believe!
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=424327