Vega

I'm posting this major story because USF is heavily involved with many of the prospects associated with the Florida Rams, one of the 4 AAU teams banned by the NCAA. Adonys Henriquez, Dmitri Thompson, Jonathan Joseph, and Lance Tejada all recently visited USF. Due to ties with an agent, nonscholastic teams affiliated with three team administrators may not participate in NCAA-certified summer basketball events following a decision today by the NCAA. However, the individual prospective student-athletes’ eligibility has not been impacted and they will still be able to compete on other nonscholastic teams. The decision also affects one nonscholastic coach, whose team may continue to compete once it disassociates from him. The NCAA enforcement staff obtained a copy of an email sent from sport agent Andy Miller’s account imploring team administrators TJ Gassnola, Desmond Eastmond, Matt Ramker, nonscholastic coach Tony Edwards and others to more effectively recruit top draft picks for ASM Sports agency. The NCAA enforcement staff interviewed the four individuals and, based on available information, has determined there is a prohibited association between them and a sports agent. “I get tired of being the 1 guy that has to get the 1st rd [sic] picks every year. I’d be happy to help you get guys + lend support. You have to want it + have to hustle. To create situations to manifest chaos + plow down walls to open up new opp’s [sic],†the email stated. “We’re facing a summer with no revenue. Yet, everyone will expect their checks, expenses reimburse [sic], etc. I try to give a consistant [sic] platform inorder [sic] to facilitate production. Am I getting the level of production in return that I want or expect?...You decided to be apart [sic] of it on some level…Do more than just give it thought, act on it.†To ensure that agents and third parties aren’t asserting undue influence on prospective student-athletes, NCAA rules prohibit agents or their associates’ involvement with NCAA-certified summer basketball teams and events. The three affected team operators and one nonscholastic coach were affiliated with New England Playaz (17U and 16U), Worldwide Renegades (17U, 16U and 15U), Florida Rams (17U and 16U) and SEBL Elite All-stars (17U and 15U). As a result, if these teams compete in an NCAA-certified event while affiliated with these individuals, the event operator may be in violation of the NCAA basketball event certification requirements. With several certified summer basketball events scheduled for the coming days and weeks, the NCAA is communicating directly with the prospects, event operators and affected individuals to ensure these prospects have every opportunity to play. The national AAU organization has also volunteered to assist with the efforts to connect prospects with available teams. NCAA coaches and members have been very clear that agent involvement in the nonscholastic basketball environment is a major concern. The rules restricting agent involvement are designed to protect and promote the well-being of participants in these events. http://www.ncaa.org/...cholastic teams

I'm posting this major story because USF is heavily involved with many of the prospects associated with the Florida Rams, one of the 4 AAU teams banned by the NCAA. Adonys Henriquez, Dmimitri Thompson, Jonathan Joseph, and Lance Tejada all recently visited USF. Due to ties with an agent, nonscholastic teams affiliated with three team administrators may not participate in NCAA-certified summer basketball events following a decision today by the NCAA. However, the individual prospective student-athletes’ eligibility has not been impacted and they will still be able to compete on other nonscholastic teams. The decision also affects one nonscholastic coach, whose team may continue to compete once it disassociates from him. The NCAA enforcement staff obtained a copy of an email sent from sport agent Andy Miller’s account imploring team administrators TJ Gassnola, Desmond Eastmond, Matt Ramker, nonscholastic coach Tony Edwards and others to more effectively recruit top draft picks for ASM Sports agency. The NCAA enforcement staff interviewed the four individuals and, based on available information, has determined there is a prohibited association between them and a sports agent. “I get tired of being the 1 guy that has to get the 1st rd [sic] picks every year. I’d be happy to help you get guys + lend support. You have to want it + have to hustle. To create situations to manifest chaos + plow down walls to open up new opp’s [sic],†the email stated. “We’re facing a summer with no revenue. Yet, everyone will expect their checks, expenses reimburse [sic], etc. I try to give a consistant [sic] platform inorder [sic] to facilitate production. Am I getting the level of production in return that I want or expect?...You decided to be apart [sic] of it on some level…Do more than just give it thought, act on it.†To ensure that agents and third parties aren’t asserting undue influence on prospective student-athletes, NCAA rules prohibit agents or their associates’ involvement with NCAA-certified summer basketball teams and events. The three affected team operators and one nonscholastic coach were affiliated with New England Playaz (17U and 16U), Worldwide Renegades (17U, 16U and 15U), Florida Rams (17U and 16U) and SEBL Elite All-stars (17U and 15U). As a result, if these teams compete in an NCAA-certified event while affiliated with these individuals, the event operator may be in violation of the NCAA basketball event certification requirements. With several certified summer basketball events scheduled for the coming days and weeks, the NCAA is communicating directly with the prospects, event operators and affected individuals to ensure these prospects have every opportunity to play. The national AAU organization has also volunteered to assist with the efforts to connect prospects with available teams. NCAA coaches and members have been very clear that agent involvement in the nonscholastic basketball environment is a major concern. The rules restricting agent involvement are designed to protect and promote the well-being of participants in these events. http://www.ncaa.org/...cholastic teams

Jerry Meyer and 247sports released their class 2013 rankings today. Egbunu is 65th of the top 100. Xavier Rathan Mayes, Malik Price-Martin and Demetrius Henry are 3 other prospects USF is trying to get out of the top 100 as well. http://247sports.com/Recruit/Top-247/2013/Basketball

I think if anybody still gave rivals any credibility before the recent release of their new 150 rankings, after today they shouldn't have any left. I stop paying for Rivals and Scout a little while ago because of many things. Their rankings of athletes that aren't going to the Duke, UNC, and UK of the world is a joke. I believe it was Digger Phelps and a couple more that said live on ESPN that kids get bumped up in recruiting just because they go to a Duke. I would love to see USF get a Jermaine Lawrence who just skyrocketed to 19th and a 5* rating. Wonder how far he would fall in the next update if that were to happen. The rankings hurt the recruitment of the less prominent programs because kids like seeing their names with high rankings and tend to favor or list the schools that will garner the attention.

Tennessee is now recruiting 2013 6-foot 8 forward Chris Perry of Bartow, Florida. Chris recently visited USF https://twitter.com/RussHoops/status/219484056121905153

Russ â€@RussHoops ‪#USFBullsEye‬ Chris Perry, 6-foot 8 class of 2013, of Bartow HS & @E1T1Elite will visit USF today. Here's an article courtesy of Memphis recruiting about Perry. This summer is Bartow High (Fla.) forward Chris Perry's first and last playing AAU basketball, so it's a good thing for him that the University of Memphis coaching staff loved him at first sight. Perry's first high-major Division I scholarship offer came in April, his first time participating in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League sessions, from coach Josh Pastner and the Tigers. "I was in awe," Perry, a 6-8, 235-pounder, said this week. "I was like, 'THE Memphis?' I didn't know what to think." For Perry, who plays with the Amare Stoudamire-sponsored Each 1 Teach 1 program, it was confirmation that AAU basketball can make a world of difference. In summers past, he had only played in local summer tournaments with his high school team, which yielded little to no exposure to college coaches. Bartow coach Terrence McGriff said he didn't feel that Perry was physically ready for the rigors of AAU basketball — constant traveling for tournaments and matching up against the nation's top talent — until this summer. "We didn't wanna throw him out there and him not be ready to play at a high level," McGriff said. "He didn't pick up basketball until late. We didn't feel that he was necessarily ready for that yet." Since he's been with E1T1, Perry, who is nowhere to be found on the nation's most-known recruiting services, has picked up offers from Memphis, South Florida, and Cincinnati. His soft touch around the rim and polished footwork, E1T1 coach Boobie Francis said, has impressed college coaches. Francis said the coaching staffs from Florida, Baylor and Miami have shown interest in Perry and plan to evaluate him more extensively in the July period. "In the (Nike) Peach Jam, everybody's gonna see the kid excel because his upside is so great," Francis said. "He just started playing. He's raw to the AAU circuit, but the kid is just a worker." With social media and the heavy scrutiny on college basketball recruiting, it's nearly impossible for a prospect as skilled as Perry to go unnoticed. That the Memphis coaches — assistant Damon Stoudamire, specifically — were the first to spot Perry as a highly talented prospect, McGriff said, shows their basketball savvy. "Damon is just a terrific guy, and a good evaluator of talent," McGriff said. "He saw Chris first. Five other schools, they saw late. He saw first. He's got a good eye for talent. Damon saw that first. That means to me he's a good evaluator of talent." Because Perry stands so much to gain from a good showing at the Peach Jam, an event overflowing with coaches from across the country, he's decided to hold off on making a college choice for the time being. But he said Memphis' early interest will weigh heavily into his decision. "(Pastner) wants me right now to commit and be a Tiger," Perry said. "My high school coach told me to just take it slow though, because there's a lot to come in July and August. I told (Pastner) I'm gonna think about him and not commit just yet, but he's made it very clear that he wants me." http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/28/university-of-memphis-high-on-aau-basketball/

Was that his offer list? If so, sweet. Nice pick up. I'll have to check on UCONN, but all the other schools did offer Canady. None of those schools offered Canady according to Rivals. http://rivals.yahoo....r-Canady-140108 Both Rivals and Scout do a poor job of updating their database on offers, especially on players that aren't listed in their top 150 at last report or updating. Thank GOD for social media or recruiting would be hard to follow for USF. Of the Florida Rams trio that visited USF a little over a week ago only Henriquez has an offer according to Rivals.com. We know that that isn't true. The 6-8 kid Chris Perry that is visiting USF today doesn't have any offers according to Rivals, but Memphis offered back in April, since then USF and Cincy have offered this month.

That's an interesting question that I'm not sure I have an answer for. There are pros and cons to having Josh Heath play at USF.

Was that his offer list? If so, sweet. Nice pick up. I'll have to check on UCONN, but all the other schools did offer Canady.

**** is that Kore White over there by the doors?

We really need to break through on some of these Florida kids. The state is producing a high number of D-1 kids and if USF is to build and sustain a championship caliber program they need to get some homegrown talent on the roster. The 17u and 16u roster of the two premiere aau teams in the state of Florida are full of talent and many of them have been offered by USF but so far not 1 has committed. Heath's own son plays for Team Breakdown that features Demetrius Henry, Antravious Simmons, and Malik Price-Martin. Some of the competition for these guys are from teams we have to play or will be playing regularly in the future. These are the battles USF has to win first. Adding Henry and Price Martin to the 2013 class would be huge considering joining those two in the backcourt would be John Egbunu.

Hoops Recruits â€@HOOPSrecruits 2014 PG Lance Tejada on USF visit -- "It was great..Loved the brand new facilities and the way the coaching staff is turning things around"

Very nice pickup and an under the radar guy that has a lot of potential in college. Stan has always loved this kind of PG and he's a high character kid as well.

I think he stays committed because Linzy Davis wants his son to play High D-1. USF is probably the only elite conference school that will offer Drew Davis a scholarship in order to land Egbunu. Linzy Davis is in control here. Egbunu's development at USF will depend on the pieces around him. The key is having a team where Egbunu isn't asked or expected to carry a load offensively. I'm looking forward to seeing how he progresses throughout the summer now that everyone knows about him.

John Egbunu’s name might not be known to most fans that follow basketball around the Southern Crescent, but the 7-foot McDonough resident is quickly making a name for himself on the basketball recruiting circuit. As the all-important July summer recruiting begins, Egbunu will be closely watched by national recruiting services and college coaches. The rising Eagle’s Landing High senior has already committed to South Florida, but that surely will not stop many college coaches from making their pitch. Earlier this month, Egbunu had an impressive showing at the prestigious National Basketball Player’s Association Top 100 camp in Virginia. The invitation-only camp features instruction from former and current NBA players on basketball and life skills. Many recruiting analysts left impressed with Egbunu. “He is tough as nails and he plays hard,†said Eric Bossi, a national basketball analyst for Rivals.com. “Not many people knew about him going into the camp, but I definitely left with a great impression.†Egbunu, a Nigeria native who has been in the United States for two years, is the highest rated player in the Southern Crescent by the majority of the recruiting services. He is currently at No. 141 by Rivals, but that number will likely change in the next rankings, according to Bossi. During the course of two years, Egbunu has gone from a little-known Nigerian soccer player to the eighth-ranked prospect in the state. And his stock is still rising. “He will definitely move up,†Bossi said. Egbunu said he is ready to use the skills he acquired during the camp to improve on his game. I learned a lot of things that are going to help me,†he said. “I think my game will speak for itself.†Linzy Davis, Egbunu’s AAU coach and mentor, said the rugged center will face some good competition this summer on the AAU circuit. This past season, Egbunu played a few games for Eagle’s Landing High before rejoining his elite travel team. Bossi said he had heard about Egbunu through some contacts, but wanted to see him for himself. Those contacts proved to be right. “The way he plays makes me want to see him again,†Bossi said. “He is one of those players you have to keep an eye on.†While basketball is relatively new to Egbunu, who grew up playing soccer in his native Nigeria country, Davis said his coordination and determination has quickly allowed him to become a major college prospect. Egbunu’s athleticism is what has impressed the recruiters the most. “He has great potential,†Davis said. “We are looking forward to him having a good summer. John is playing against elite competition which should excel his growth in the game.†http://www.henryherald.com/news/2012/jun/26/growth-acceleration/?sports

I see no problem with this schedule. I expect USF to finish in the top half of the BE again this season and make it to the NCAAT too.

Arriving at ‪#SouthFlorida‬ ! Steve Scorpion â€@Scorpz05 @major25canady enjoy ur visit to USF. Your gonna love Tampa too. Tell my man Coach Skeeters I said what's up and to take care of u @Scorpz05 thanks coach nd I will !

Yep.

Thanks to these 3 boys whose names are above, another thread has been ruined! P.S. please don't do the same to my thread I just started about a player that USF IS very serious about getting.

2014 Florida Rams PG Lance Tejada RT @SmackdOut_L Taking an unofficial visit to USF this Thursday... https://twitter.com/HOOPSrecruits/status/217426370974846976 The Florida Rams are in the house, or least visiting the house. .Adonys Henriquez, Dmitri Thompson & Jonathan Joseph of the 2014 class and the Florida Rams just visited last week.

AARRGGHH!!! Not another Baltimore guy, and not a very good one either. It sure is a lot of talent in the state of Florida these days...a lot of talent. Huh? If Maryland, Pitt, and X are recruiting him, he must be pretty good... Evaluating is different then saying he has been offered by those schools. I haven't seen anywhere that says Artis is a good player yet. Artis has to have a big summer and prove these schools and others that he can play on the highest of levels. 6-6 Forwards with a questionable jump shot and average athleticism has to prove that they are highly skilled in order to get offers from the Big Schools.

AARRGGHH!!! Not another Baltimore guy, and not a very good one either. It sure is a lot of talent in the state of Florida these days...a lot of talent.

CSH was raving about him. I just hope that he can get back to where he was after sitting out a year. He brings a physical nature to the backcourt that USF hasn't had since DOJO was here. I don't expect him to get off to a great start after a year off recovering from a leg injury. I also don't think it helps that he has to be the backup PG since USF wasn't able to land 1 after Holland bolted for Texas. However I love that he is here for 3 seasons instead of 2. I do believe as USF gets into BE play Abdul-Aleem will start to round into form. With his power and agressive nature the BE will be a welcom sight.

Yep Kuran Iverson lit Egbunu up on that dunk. The play of the tournament is what facial has been called.

Mama_Bull three of the top players in Florida for that class were in together. Along with Henriquez, Dmitri Thompson & Jonathan Joseph also visited. Adonys Henriquez â€@ProBound23 "Great visit it get's harder and harder when your torn between lot's of great programs."