“I don’t have any top schools,” Tharpe, who previously decommitted from Providence, said Monday morning. “I’m basically looking at everybody until I get back to school and talk to my coach [Jason Smith] about what schools fit me the best.”

The 6-foot, 170-pound Tharpe listed St. John’s, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Minnesota, Iowa State, Marquette, Providence and Oklahoma.

“The only school that hasn’t offered is Oklahoma,” he said.

Tharpe said he models his game after Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant and hopes to bring leadership and a winning attitude wherever he lands.

“Basically I want to be a leader,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what team you play on, your point guard is supposed to be the leader of your team. I’m gonna try to bring leadership, as well as winning.”

Playing time is important, too. So schools like Rutgers and St. John’s that can offer immediate PT in the backcourt are in good shape.

“Those schools don’t have any guards,” he said. “They’re definitely high on my list.”

In September, Tharpe heads back to Brewster where he will team up with Elijah Carter, the former St. Anthony guard, and big man Markus Kennedy, who has committed to Villanova.

“I can’t wait,” he said.

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“It was Coach [Roy] Williams,” Tokoto said by phone from the NBA Top 100 Camp in Charlottesville, Va.

The 6-foot-6 Tokoto had spoken to the North Carolina coach numerous times but this call was different. Tuesday marked the first day college coaches could call members of the Class of 2012.

“I was very excited,” Tokoto said. “It wasn’t my first time talking to him so at first I thought it was just another phonecall with coach Roy. I was not expecting at the end of the conversation to get an offer, which took me by surprise and left me speechless.”

North Carolina, which also offered Las Vegas shooting guard Shabazz Muhammad in the Class of 2012, became the latest school to offer Tokoto, the No. 4 player in the Class out of Menomonee Falls (Wisc.)

Asked who was on his list, Tokoto rattled off a huge array of offers: Wisconsin, Marquette, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Duke, North Carolina, Florida, Arizona, Miami, Maryland, Minnesota and Texas.

By the end of the summer of 2011, Tokoto says, “I’ll have at least a list, if not an idea of where I want to go.”

Along with his parents, Trevor and Laurence, he visited both Carolina and Duke during the recent Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions.

Of Carolina he said: “I just liked it. It’s nice out there. I have family out there — an aunt, an uncle and two cousins — which is a plus. Weatherwise, it’s warm.”

As for Duke, he said, “It was awesome, too. We didn’t tour the whole campus. The parts I saw were very nice, very historical from what I saw.”

College coaches regularly come to watch Tokoto play in Wisconsin and for one game, both Williams and Wisconsin’s Bo Ryan attended and ended up sitting next to one another, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.

“That was funny,” Tokoto said. “When I’m in the game, I really don’t think about what coaches are watching me. I don’t let that bother me. After the game, I realized I had coach Ryan and coach Roy Williams sitting next to each other. It’s kind of fun.”

Tokoto’s grandfather, also called J.P. Tokoto, played soccer for the Cameroonian national team when he was 15 and also for “a few French teams,” the grandson said.

The younger J.P. played soccer from the age of 3 to 12 before focusing on basketball. He missed the U.S.-Slovenia game Friday but keeps tabs on the World Cup.

“I checked on the scores [Thursday] night,” he said. “I watched Brazil-North Korea.”

At the NBA Camp, his counselors include NBA players James Singleton and Mark Blount.

“I’m learning a lot from them,” he said.

Between the Carolina offer and the NBA Camp, it’s been a busy week for Tokoto, who seems inspired by it all to improve his game.

“Just to be sophomore and to even be recruited by a school of that high level it’s an honor,” he said. “For coach Roy to come out and watch me [during the season], it’s an eye-opener. This is really happening and I’ve got to excel at everything and I’ve got to get better.”

(Photo courtesy Rivals.com)

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The 6-foot-3, 170-pound point guard out of Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep chose Texas over UConn, Villanova, Minnesota and UNLV.

“Yeah, I did,” he said by phone from Toronto. “Coach [Rick] Barnes and the staff, we have a good relationship. The style of play, they go up and down. I really feel like it can excel my game to the next level there. It was the best fit for me.”

Joseph is the No. 3 point guard in the Class of 2010 and No. 7 overall player, according to Rivals.

Joseph averaged 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in leading Findlay Prep to the second of back-to-back National High School Invitational titles.

In choosing Texas, Joseph will join Findlay teammate and fellow Canadian Tristan Thompson, a 6-9 forward who signed with the Longhorns in November.

Myck Kabongo, a 6-2 junior point guard out of St. Benedict’s Prep, has also verbally committed to Texas. All three players compete for Ro Russell’s Grassroots Canada club.

“It was not the deciding factor,” Joseph said of his fellow Canadians committing to Texas. “I had to go where I feel most comfortable at and where I feel I could excel my game to the next level at and I just felt I could do that at Texas.”

Joseph’s older brother, Devoe, plays for Minnesota and another Canadian, 6-10 forward Maurice Walker, has committed there for next year.

“They didn’t try to force me to go anywhere because everybody would like to play with their brother and with their friends,” Joseph said. “But at the same time, you have to go where’s best for you.”

Joseph leaves two Big East programs in the lurch with this decision. UConn struck out on all the elite guards in the Class of 2010, missing out on Brandon Knight, Doron Lamb, Josh Selby and now Joseph.

Villanova was seeking a point guard to follow the graduating Scottie Reynolds and the freshman Maalik Wayns.

“There’s no seconds or thirds or fourths or fifths,” Joseph said. “The five schools were great schools. It was a very hard decision. They all have great coaches. I got to talk to the coaches, and I just felt where I could fit best was Texas.”

RELATED CONTENT:

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**Michael Gilchrist to Kentucky

**Rosario to visit Florida

**Josh Selby still mulling college options

**Doron Lamb Says He’s Decided

**Terrences to announce together

**Calipari a factor for recruits

**Jordan Brand rosters

**Cory Joseph talks recruiting

**Kadeem Jack weighing options

**Gil Biruta waiting on Rutgers; Roberts likes St. Joe’s

**Selby: ‘I’m gonna be a Kansas Jayhawk‘

**Doron Lamb to Kentucky

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Joseph is considering UNLV, Minnesota, Texas, Villanova and UConn and said he plans to announce in either Las Vegas or his hometown of Toronto sometime in the near future.

“I don’t have any official date set yet when I’m going to announce, but as soon I feel 100 percent, it should be soon,” he said.

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“Honestly, I don’t know,” Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Pine Crest coach Dave Beckerman said Tuesday by phone.

Beckerman has been away for a few days on a cruise and expects to meet again with Knight on Wednesday morning. Knight is supposed to announce on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

“We’re meeting again [Wednesday],” Beckerman said.

The 6-foot-3 Knight is expected to choose from among Kentucky, UConn, Kansas, Florida or Syracuse, but a source said it will likely be either Kentucky or UConn.

The source said if Kentucky was the sure bet everyone believes it to be, “this would’ve been done a long time ago.”

The source also indicated that uncommitted senior forward C.J. Leslie of Raleigh (N.C.) Word of God “wants to go to school with Brandon.”

The 6-7 Leslie told BoxofMess.com he is considering UConn, Florida, Kentucky and N.C. State.

“He would go to UConn if Brandon goes to UConn,” the source said.

Stay tuned for Knight’s announcement…

MAURICE WALKER UPDATE

Amid reports that Maurice Walker has committed to Minnesota, his father says nothing is set.

“No decision yet,” Craig Walker wrote Monday night in a text.

Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon called Brewster Academy coach Jason Smith Monday night to say he was still interested.

“Jamie Dixon called me last night,” Smith said. “They’re still recruiting him.”

The 6-10 Walker previously told me Minnesota and Pitt were his favorites, but it was unclear if Pitt had a scholarship for him.

Smith said other schools were also still calling on Walker.

“Virginia wants him to visit. Indiana has been in contact. Kentucky even called. I don’t know if anything’s set up yet,” Smith said.

WILLIAMS TO HIRE AN AGENT

Memphis sophomore guard Elliot Williams will hire an agent and declare for the NBA Draft, a source with knowledge said.

Williams averaged 17.9 points and 3.8 assists in one season at Memphis after transferring from Duke to be near his mother, who is battling cancer.

The story was previously reported by FoxSports.com.

RON ROBERTS GETS RELEASE

As I previously reported on Twitter, 6-7 Jersey City St. Peter’s Prep forward Ron Roberts got his release from St. John’s and will “reopen” his recruitment, per his high school coaches.

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The No. 12 center in the Class of 2010, Walker is currently on spring break from Wolfeboro (N.H.) Brewster Academy and is mulling his college options.

The 6-10, 300-pound Walker said he’s considering Rutgers, Seton Hall, Pittsburgh, Georgetown, Virginia, UConn, Marquette, Penn State, Providence and Minnesota and has offers from all of those except Georgetown and UConn.

Asked if he had any favorites, Walker listed Pittsburgh and Minnesota. He has visited Pitt and will trip to Minnesota April 9.

There has been speculation about whether Pitt has a scholarship to offer, but Walker said he was told that a scholarship would be available.

“They didn’t have one available for a while but coach called last week to say they do now,” said Walker.

Player movement at Pitt is expected.

Walker said he likes what Pitt has done in the past with bigs like DeJuan Blair, Tyrell Biggs and Sam Young.

**Click the Video Player at right for my interviews with Tom Konchalski, where he talks New York and New Jersey high school playoffs and recruiting**

CALIPARI MAKING A RUN AT CORY JOSEPH

Just when you thought recruiting of the high-level senior guards had settled down comes the news that Kentucky coach John Calipari is making a run at Cory Joseph.

Calipari was in Las Vegas Monday to scout the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Joseph, a senior McDonald’s All-American at Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep who had previously cut his list to Villanova, UConn, Texas, UNLV and Minnesota.

“He was out here Monday. He came to practice,” said Findlay coach Michael Peck, coach of the defending national champions.

Peck said Calipari did not explicity offer a scholarship, but he assumed that’s what the coach had in mind.

“I’m assuming this time of the year him coming out personally was a pretty clear indication, I think that’s the case,” Peck said.

Joseph could not be immediately reached for comment, but Peck said he doesn’t think Joseph has altered his list of five schools.

“I don’t think he’s opening up [his recruitment] but that’s not 100 percent,” Peck said. “You kind of feel honored to have a head coach of Cal’s caliber to come out at this time of the year to make a special tirp for that purpsoe but I think  Cory was impressed and felt flattered.”

Peck believes Joseph will choose from his orginal five but said anything is possible in recruiting.

“Cory hasn’t done anything in terms of adding anybody to the list of five,” Peck said. ”I spoke with him the other day. We end our regular season this weekend at home. He’s going to use March as his month to really isolate and spend some time thinking about his options and hopefully by the first part of April he’ll have a good idea about what he’s gonna do.”

Still, Peck didn’t rule out that Joseph would consider Kentucky, which is also involved with guards Brandon Knight, Josh Selby and Doron Lamb.

“You and I both know we’ve seen crazier things happen with kids,” Peck said. “Could that happen? Absolutely. Could a 16 seed beat a 1 seed? I don’t know and I dont’ know if I expect that.”

Calipari likes long and athletic guards and will need at least one to replace John Wall, the likely No. 1 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, and possibly two if fellow frosh Eric Bledsoe goes to the NBA.

Could his sudden interest in Joseph reveal an indication that he’s not as confident about getting some combination of Knight, Lamb and Selby?

“I just think at this time of the year they’ve probably looked at it and he probably looks at thier roster and sees there’s a good chance that there’s a few guys that are going to leave next year.

“Like the fans and the the staff, they’ve enjoyed the success and they want to continue that success year in and year out. Everybody knows you need players.”

Findlay has two games this weekend before wrapping up the season at the ESPN Rise National Invitational April 1-3.

(Photo courtesy Memphis Commercial Appeal)

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UNION, N.J.

Joseph, a 6-foot-3 senior guard from Findlay (Nev.) Prep ranked No. 3 among point guards in 2010, was not at the game but he is considering both UConn and Villanova, along with Texas, Minnesota and UNLV.

“[I'm just gonna commit] whenever I feel 100 percent. . . . I am not sure if I am gonna pick out of the [full list of] five. I have no set time,” Joseph told Alex Schwartz of Rivals.com while playing this past weekend at the Primetime Shootout in Trenton, N.J.

Also at the Primetime was Joseph’s friend and fellow Canadian, Myck Kabongo, a junior guard at St. Benedict’s Prep.

Kabongo said he and Tristan Thompson talk to Joseph “every day” about following them to Texas. The 6-8 Thompson, Joseph’s Findlay Prep teammate, has signed with Texas for 2010 and Kabongo is verbally committed for 2011.

“Every day, every day,” Kabongo said Friday night after dropping 20 points, 12 assists, 5 steals and 5 rebounds in an 82-38 rout of Lakewood at Kean College. “But obviously he’s going to do what’s best for him. That’s what we want. We wouldn’t tell him to come to Texas if it wasn’t best for him. Obviously we know each others’ games well, me, ‘T’ and C.J., so just playing with each other it’s just chemistry right away.”

Both Thompson and Joseph were recently named McDonald’s All-Americans for the March 31 game in Columbus, Ohio.

“Obviously, I want to play with C.J.,” Kabongo added. “We want to play with great players, McDonald’s All-Americans. He’s one of the first Canadians to ever play in the game. When you have someone like that that’s very talented, obviously you want to play with him.”

The three Canadians all played for Ro Russell’s Grassroots Canada club. Thompson and Kabongo were teammates at St. Benedict’s before Thompson was dismissed from the team last year and then transferred to Findlay Prep. Findlay head coach Michael Peck checked with Joseph first before admitting Thompson.

“We played AAU together so that’s all we always talk about, just playing together,” Kabongo said.

Joseph has said he doesn’t have a favorite at this point, and that’s what Kabongo believes as well.

“I don’t think so,” Kabongo said. “He’s just enjoying the process and he’s really taking his time. As soon as he feels 100 percent he told me that’s what he’s gonna do [decide]. Right now he doesn’t have a favorite.”

GILCHRIST, PINKSTON VISIT NOVA

PHILADELPHIA — Uncommitted junior Michael Gilchrist of Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick and Villanova-bound senior forward JayVaughn Pinkston of Bishop Loughlin both attended the UConn-Villanova game.

The 6-foot-7 Gilchrist was named co-MVP Friday night when St. Patrick lost to Oak Hill Academy, 79-78, at the PrimeTime Shootout at Kean College. He and Duke-bound guard Kyrie Irving of St. Pat’s both scored 28 points in the loss.

Gilchrist declined to speak with the media after the game, telling reporters, “I’m good.”

Villanova and Kentucky lead for Gilchrist, the No. 1 junior in the nation.

Pinkston was recently named a McDonald’s All-American and is the first player from his high school ever named to the game.

The Wildcats currently feature five former McDonald’s All-American: Scottie Reynolds, Corey Stokes, Taylor King, Dominic Cheek and Maalik Wayns.

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Brandon Knight, Doron Lamb, Josh Selby and Cory Joseph are all headed toward a spring signing bonanza and college coaches and fans are anxiously waiting to see how the dominoes fall.

The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Joseph of Findlay (Nev.) Prep is still considering the same five schools that have been on his list for some time: UConn, Villanova, Texas, Minnesota and UNLV.

“Cory still has the  same five on the list. There’s nothing new or different,” Findlay coach Michael Peck said.  “I don’t know that he’s made any movment.”

Joseph’s older brother, Devoe, plays at Minnesota and his teammate and fellow Canadian, Tristan Thompson, has signed with Texas. Still, many observers speculate that Joseph, the No. 3 point guard in the Class of 2010, could also land at UConn or Villanova because of their relative proximity to his home in Toronto. UNLV remains the long shot, but has the advantage of being the closest to Findlay.

“I do feel pretty confident that it will be one of the five,” Peck said.

Joseph is tight with Thompson and St. Benedict’s Prep junior Myck Kabongo, who has also verbally committed to Texas.

Yet Peck pointed out that when Thompson and Kabongo went last summer to play at the Nike Global Summit in Portland, Ore., Joseph went to the adidas Nations event in Texas.

Playing with Thompson and Kabongo does “have it’s own appeal to it but Cory’s his own guy,” Peck said. “Cory’s his own guy and he’s not afraid to do his own thing and be on his own.

“That being said he does have a great relationship with those guys and a great feel for them on the floor.”

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**Cory Joseph — Despite published reports that the Findlay Prep guard is down to UConn and Villanova, Joseph insists he’s still also considering Minnesota, Texas and UNLV.

“No, I still have all five schools,” Joseph wrote in a text.

Asked if he had a timetable on deciding, he said: “No timetable, just whenever I feel 100 percent about it.”

Joseph posted 23 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists against St. Patrick Monday in a 71-70 victory to earn Most Outstanding Player honors at the Hoophall Classic.

**Josh Selby — Kansas and Arizona lead for the talented 6-3 guard from Baltimore (Md.) Lake Clifton, sources close to the situation said.

Selby recently visited Arizona. Next up are trips to Kansas (Feb. 13-14), UConn (Feb. 28) and Kentucky (March 7-8).

Syracuse and Indiana are also in the mix.

**Brandon Knight — Kentucky coach John Calipari was on hand Monday when Knight dropped 39 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists as Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest downed Cincinnati Jefferson, 68-61, in Dayton.

Michigan State-bound Adreian Payne had 16 points and 13 boards for Jefferson.

Knight lists Kentucky, Kansas, Florida, Miami and UConn and will sign in the spring.

“Those schools are still in the mix,” Knight told Jody Demling of the Louisville Courier Journal. “They’re still pretty even.”

He has one visit left and is expected to visit Miami.

“He does have one visit left. I do believe he will take a visit to Miami,” Beckerman said.

Pine Crest coach Dave Beckerman said Knight was in no hurry to decide and that it was a bad idea to consider Knight a “replacement” for John Wall at Kentucky.

USA JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM CHOSEN

Serving as head coach for the USA will be Bob Cimmino, who has been the head coach at Mount Vernon High School (N.Y.) since 1994, compiling a 324-57 overall record.

(Photo courtesy Courier Journal)

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