“I liked it,” he said of the visit by text. “The team was cool. I watched them work out. I like how they get after it and go hard. The campus is nice. The academic advisor seemed like a good guy.”

Hinds also had home visits last week with UConn and UCLA and both schools told him “that they really want me and all that good stuff.”

Hinds next visits UConn (Sept. 24) and West Virginia (Oct. 14).

POINTER ENJOYS ST. JOHN’S

Dominique Pointer, a 6-5 wing from Detroit and Quality Education Academy in N.C., tripped to St. John’s over the weekend.

“It went pretty good,” said Tony Nolan, Pointer’s father. “We were impresesd with the coaches and the coaching staff. They treated us 100 percent good.”

Nolan said St. John’s head coach Steve Lavin told them they would use Pointer “at all three positions, the three, two and one.”

The No. 21 small forward in the Class of 2011, Pointer visits West Virginia next weekend and Michigan Oct. 15.

“He hasn’t made a decision on what’s he gonna do,” Nolan said.

FREE THROWS

Torrel Harris says 6-8 Tyler Harris of St. Benedict’s has eliminated Wake Forest from his list of five and is focusing on St. John’s, Providence, Iowa and N.C. State. He has officials lined up to Iowa Sept. 24, N.C. State Oct. 1, and Providence Oct. 15. Monday’s home visits with Iowa and St. John’s were postponed …Nicole Louden, the subject of my first book, “She’s Got Handle,” has joined the Columbia women’s hoops staff. Read the release here. Good luck, Nicole!…6-6 James Frazier of The Robinson School has committed to Maryland Eastern Shore.

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I first met Nicole Louden in 1997 when she was a freshman at Kennedy High School in Paterson, NJ. She went on to become the all-time leading scorer — boys or girls — in Passaic County before earning a full scholarship to Auburn University. I wrote my first book, “She’s Got Handle,” thanks to the cooperation of Nicole and her family. Now she’s playing professionally for Valosun Brno in the Czech Republic. Here’s a guest blog from Nicole, who’s back in Paterson for the holidays:

Hey! It feels great to get a mental and physical break from practices twice a day, games twice a week, and my home away from home (THE GYM:). I am playing in the Czech Republic, central Europe, and the season has been amazing thus far. We currently sit at third place, behind Lindsay Whalen’s (USK Praha) and Tamika Whitmore’s (Gambrinus), respectively. Being able to compete against the likes of Linday Whalen, Swin Cash, Tamika Whitmore, and many other high caliber players makes me realize how blessed I am to have the greatest profession in the world:) I had the opportunity to watch my once cross town high school rival, Essence Carson, compete against Tamika Whitmore’s team. Although Essence’s team lost, she played very well. Then I realized how mind boggling it is to have watched her play so many miles away from the US, and I never see her in our hometown.

Initially, when I started my pro career in 2005 the transition from American style basketball to European style basketball was a bit of a challenge. Europeans seem to be married to the 3-point shot, they have a variety of moves, that Americans may consider a travelling violation, and fouls…well, lets just say HANDS OFF at all times!

I think it’s great that Europe has given women’s basketball players the opportunity to compete against players from all walks of life. Many believe that the WNBA reigns supreme. However, when the season ends most WNBA players flock to Europe to compete on a very high level, and get paid very well while doing so. Europe also allows many talented players who aren’t in the WNBA the opportunity to continue their passion and pursue their dreams of playing basketball professionally.

I often run into people who ask, “What are you doing with your life nowadays?” My response, ” I’m still married to Spalding, and divorce is nowhere in sight.”

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!