His Team Philly coach, Lonnie Lowry, said Baylor, UCLA, Maryland, Georgetown, Marquette and Florida have been heavily involved with the 6-foot-6, 175-pound small forward out of Philly Imhotep Charter since his decommitment.

“Those schools have all really, really, really showed the most interest, so it’s going to be up to him to pick a few schools that he wants to go ahead and visit,” Lowry told SNY.tv. “Maryland and Georgetown are pretty close [to Philly].”

Austin himself mentioned a slew of other schools that showed interest, including Ohio State, Kentucky, UConn, Temple, Syracuse, Rutgers, Xavier and Tennessee.

“I’m going to sort that out next week,” Austin said of his list. “I want to visit Syracuse, Florida, Georgetown and UCLA.”

Austin said his decommitment was not related to the Penn State football scandal and that he’s in no rush to make a decision.

“I just wanted to take my time and look at some other schools,” he said.

Penn State, meantime, landed a commitment Saturday from 6-10 Julian Moore of Germantown (Pa.) Academy. Moore chose the Lions over VCU, Temple and Villanova, among others.

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Pat Chambers

Legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and University President Graham Spanier were fired Wednesday night, and the University is at the center of the nation’s attention because of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

“It’s disturbing, you know, I’m a father,” Chambers said Thursday on a conference call. “I’m a father of two with one on the way, so it’s very disturbing and disheartening for us. Obviously, we’re going through some trying times right now here, and we somehow have to just stick together and stay positive.

“We’re all very emotional right now. I don’t think anybody’s ever seen anything like this.”

Penn State was to host several recruits for Saturday’s 4:30 basketball game against Hartford, which follows the noon football game against Nebraska.

Among those recruits is Philly Constitution point guard Daquan Walker.

Chambers can’t discuss specific recruits, but said the staff had gotten the word out to the recruits that this wasn’t the best time to visit campus.

“I think we’ve gotten it out there, ‘We’d love to have you but we understand if you don’t make it up this weekend,’” Chambers said.

The good news for Penn State was that Brandon Taylor, 6-8, 235-pound forward from Tabernacle, N.J., signed on Wednesday.

“It was really reassuring to me,” Chambers said. “They’re about Penn State and the University and the academics and what this great institution has done for many, many, many years. so that’s a positive without question.”

Chambers conceded he has no idea what the environment will be for the basketball game on Saturday.

“That’s a great question,” he said. “I’m hopeful for a good crowd. We’re Penn State, the pride will come through, but I really have no idea.”

As far as his relationship with Paterno, Chambers said he had two brothers and a sister go to Penn State.

“I grew up on Penn State football,” he said. “And when I got here it was a highlight to meet the guy that I watched for so many years on the sideline and obviously he’s done so many great things for this university.

“He was very supportive during those meetings of men’s basketball, but obviously I don’t know him on a personal level.”

Sandusky was a former assistant at Boston University, where Chambers was also the head coach.

“I really don’t know what they’re saying, what they’re expressing there [at BU],” Chambers said.

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The 6-foot-7 forward from St. Raymond’s High School in The Bronx chose the Owls over Seton Hall, Auburn and Miami, his brother, Dana Dingle, told SNY.tv.

UMass, Maryland and Missouri had also been involved.

“I just like the whole atmosphere,” Dingle said. “I’m from The Bronx where it’s pretty diverse and Temple is also pretty diverse which really  made me feel right at home.

“Also, the coaching staff and their drive and ambition to get guys better. I will bring a well rounded person, versatile player and competitor with a great work ethic.”

Dingle joins 6-5 St. Joe’s Metuchen small forward Quenton DeCosey and 6-9 Midland (Pa) Lincoln Park center Devontae Wilson in Temple’s 2012 class.

In an interview earlier this year, Dingle said he plans to make his team better — wherever he ended up.

“I think I’ll be a player that fits in, a three/four man,” he said. “I’m working right now, so probably a two longer down the line. I think I’ll be a huge impact.

“I don’t need to get 20 shots. I just want to win. That’s what I want to do . I want to win.”

New York recruiting expert Tom Konchalski said it was a “significant acquisition for [Temple], especially getting into the New York market from one of the elite programs in New York City.”

He added: “I think he’ll be a good player. His best offensive skill clearly is passing. He’s an outstanding passer.

“He wants to be a perimeter forward and right now he’s more of a hybrid because off he can do some things. He can shoot a 3 off a catch. He can start a drive. He can’t quite start a play off the dribble for other people. But his biggest perimeter limitation right now is in defending the 3.

“The more he tightens his body and really works at moving his feet away from the basket, the more he can become a truly perimeter player. But he has a high basketball IQ and he’s a terrific kid. He brings character to the program.”

THORPE TO PENN STATE

Geno Thorpe, a 6-3, 177-pound 2013 point guard from Pittsburgh Shaler, committed to Penn State.

He also considered Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Rutgers, St. Joe’s and Kansas State.

“I chose PSU because Pat Chambers has a great coaching staff that will turn the program around,” he said by text. “I’m just a point guard who wants to get everyone involved as well a scoring the ball.”

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Taylor chose the Lions over Miami, Drexel, Temple, Richmond and South Florida, his father, Byron, told SNY.tv.

“Proximity is one of the reasons,” Byron Taylor said. “He wanted to be close to home where his family could go see him play.”

Byron said his son may elect to redshirt his freshman because he’s only 17.

“He’s a younger kid,” his father said. “He’s very versatile. He can pass, he can shoot , he can post .He gives you that skill set.”

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Newbill, who averaged 9.2 points and 6.2 rebounds as a freshman, also considered Temple, Drexel and La Salle, among others.

He will sit out next season as per NCAA transfer regulations before having three years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2012.

“He felt a real good family-oriented vibe,” said his mentor, Donte Adolphues. “It seemed like they cared about the kid. They want to bring big time basketball to Penn State and the Big 10 Conference.”

Adolphues said the Philly native “wanted to be a little closer to home so mom and the family can come to his games.”

Newbill initially committed to Marquette in 2010 but the school reportedly rescinded the offer.

“He’s going to be a big-time point guard,” Adolphues said. “I compare him to Deron Williams. He’s 6-4 point guard who can shoot the basketball and is an excellent teammate.”

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NEW YORK — Jarelle Reischel wrestled hard with his college decision before announcing Wednesday.

The 6-foot-6, 208-pound wing from Point Pleasant Beach (N.J.) High had narrowed his options to Penn State, Rice and Seton Hall before ultimately choosing Rice.

“They really believe and care about me,” Reischel told ZAGSBLOG.com. “I think it’s an opportunity where I can play right away in Conference  USA.

“Coach [Ben] Braun is a great coach. He’s had a lot of success. He’s had 21 pros through his years. He has the experience. He knows the position I have to be to make it to the next level.”

Reischel joins 6-5 Washington, D.C. shooting guard Julian DeBose and 6-2 point guard Dylan Ennis of Illinois in Rice’s 2011 class.

“Ben Braun has done a really good job coaching players like him and I think he’ll do a good job with him,” New York recruiting guru Tom Konchalski said.

“He has a lot of potential. This past year he was catching up basketball-wise. He played for the Metrohawks in the spring and summer. I think that helped him. He has good skill. He needs a level of better competition. He’s a guy who’s nose has got to calcify. He has to get tougher.”

Reischel averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.5 steals last season for head coach Nick Catania.

“[I'm] somebody that competes day in, day out every day,” he said. “Somebody that’s going to play every day and just give everything he has. With my versatility, I can shoot, I can score, I can defend, I can rebound. Just an overall complete player.”

Said Catania: “His biggest asset is that he does everything well. He doesn’t do necessarily one thing great. But he can post it, he can shoot it, he can drive it, he can handle it. He can rebound it. He plays one through five for us.”

Reischel was born in Germany and lived there until he was 16 because his father was in the military. He previously played on the German U16 team and said he learned to play a more fundamental style there.

“The European style is a little different,” he said. “More cuts and screens and off-the-ball stuff. When you go to America, you have guys who really dominate.

“That’s what I have to learn, to really come over and dominate and become a complete player.”

WILLIAMS TO OHIO STATE

Amir Williams, a 6-9, 220-pound center from Beverly Hills (Mich.) Country Day, chose Ohio State over Florida, according to reports.

The No. 7 center in the Class of 2011, Williams reportedly also had offers from Michigan, Arizona, Duke, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Texas, Wake Forest and Wisconsin

“I felt very comfortable with coach [Thad] Matta, his coaching staff and the players,” Williams told ESPN.com. “They were like a family. “My parents liked everything better than I did. They loved the school, the academic support and the basketball program.”

If superstar frosh Jared Sullinger bolts to the NBA after one year, Williams can step in to the spot.

“Coach Matta told me they needed an athletic center that can play right away because of the graduation of power forward/center Dallas Lauderdale and the possibility of Jared Sullinger being one and done,” Williams told ESPN.com.

(Photos courtesy JohnnyJungle.com, Rivals.com)

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Freddie Wilson

Wilson, who averaged 21 points, eight assists and five rebounds, also considered Fordham and Drexel.

“He’s a combination guard,” New York recruiting expert Tom Konchalski said. “Very high energy. Quick, very aggressive. Never takes a step backward. He attacks the basket and is always in attack mode. Not a pure point, not a pure shooter, but very high energy. He can be a very good press player.”

Said Sullivan: “He’s a pass-first point guard but if you need him to score he can do that also.”

Wilson joins 6-2 point guard Aaron Cosby of Northfield (Mass.) Mount Hermon and 6-6 shooting guard Haralds Karlis of the Canarias Basketball Academy in Seton Hall’s 2011 recruiting class.

The Pirates have up to six scholarships to give and head coach Kevin Willard said he will make an announcement when the fall class is complete.

MEIKLE TO ST. JOHN’S

Dwight Meikle, a 6-foot-9 Uniondale, N.Y. native now playing at Quality Education (N.C.) Academy, committed to St. John’s coach Steve Lavin while Lavin was “walking the yard” at Alcatraz.

“Yes, he committed before he ever visited,” Quality Education coach Isaac Pitts said by phone. “He was familiar with St. John’s from being born there [in New York]. Dom Pointer committed and that’s his roommate. He knew a lot about it. Sometimes it’s players recruiting players.”

Pitts said Meikle chose the Johnnies over Seton Hall and Rice.

“I kind of felt like he was going to go to Seton Hall,” Pitts said. “I guess when Dominic committed and signed, they’re really good friends.”

Pitts said Meikle can help the Johnnies in the frontcourt with his skill-set. He’s averaging 17.5 points and eight rebounds as the team is off to a 5-0 start.

“He’s very, very skilled and long,” Pitts said. “He’s 6-9 and can stretch the defense and shoot the 3. He can put it on the floor. He’s got an inside/outside game. He’s a tremendous offensive skilled player.”

“Dwight is a New York native returning home,” Lavin said. “He is a long, highly-skilled athlete who really shoots it well for his size. His versatility and ability to play the power and small forward positions make him a great fit for the future of our program, in terms of our game-planning.”

The Johnnies now have seven commits for 2011: Meikle, Pointer, Maurice Harkless, D’Angelo Harrison, JaKarr Sampson, Norvel Pelle and Nurideen Lindsey.

REISCHEL TO ANNOUNCE WEDNESDAY

Point Pleasant (N.J.) wing Jarelle Reischel will announce Wednesday between Seton Hall, Penn State and Rice.

“He hasn’t made up his mind yet,” Point Pleasant coach Nick Catania said. “As of last night [Monday] he hadn’t decided. He still said he would be ready by Wednesday.

“He came over from Germany with nothing. It’s not that they’re not good enough [schools], they’re all very good to him. That’s why he goes back and forth.”

(Photo courtesy New Haven Register).

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Having already visited Rice officially, Reischel will visit Seton Hall Oct. 14, Georgetown Oct. 21, Penn State Oct. 30 and Temple at a date TBD.

“They’re all kind of equal,” he said Friday by phone. “I visited all of them unofficially. I’ll get a better feel for which school will lead after I take my official visits.”

Reischel was born in Hamburg, Germany because his father, Terry Carter, who was born on Long Island, was in the military. He is currently stationed in Kuwait.

He said Seton Hall has the advantage of being half an hour from his home in New Jersey.

“It’s close to home, definitely,” he said.

“I like them,” he added. “The new coaching staff is great. They’re trying to take over the program and turn it around and Coach [Kevin] Willard has great experience.  He coached five years in the NBA with the Boston Celtics.”

Wherever he lands, Reischel figures his versatility will help.

“I’m going to be a two guard,” he said. “My versatility and my size at the two guard position [will help]. I know how to play basketball and me coming from Germany, the European style has a lot of passing, a lot of system play. I fit into that well.

“I can play American-style basketball, shooting. I can play defense and offense. I can pretty much guard every position.”

(Photo courtesy NJHoops.com)

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He visits Rice Thursday, Georgetown (Oct. 8), Seton Hall (Oct. 14), Penn State (Oct. 28) and Temple (TBD), according to his high school coach, Nick Catania.

“They’re all in a pretty good position,” Catania said. “They’ve all worked pretty hard at it. That’s coming from him.”

Reischel was born in Germany because his father, Terry Carter, was in the military. He averaged 23 points, 13 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.7 steals last season.

“He will be a better college player than a high school player because he’s so unselfish by nature,” Catania said. “He’ll be around better players. When you’re around college players, you’re going to be around other D-1 players. People haven’t gotten to see the best of him. He’s not going to shine on the AAU circuit. He’s more of a system player. He likes to move the basketball around, get up and down the court, make the extra pass. He’s a good teammate.”

HINDS TO HIT UCLA

Mount Vernon point guard Jabarie Hinds confirmed he will take an official to UCLA this weekend. He will then visit UConn the weekend of Oct. 1 and West Virginia Oct. 14. Hinds recently tripped to UNLV.

(Photo courtesy HoopGroup)

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A year later, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Carter is one of the hottest prospects available, as evidenced by the fact that Cincinnati, Rutgers, Oregon, Texas A&M and Charlotte wanted him to attend college this fall even though he has already said he’ll spend a prep year at Brewster (N.H. ) Academy.

“He plays like Kyrie Irving,” one Big East assistant coach said, referring to the McDonald’s All-American from Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick headed to Duke. “He’s best friends with Kyrie Irving. His game is similar to his. He’s not really a point guard. He’s more of a scoring guard but he can play the point.”

Read the full story at SNY.

(Photos courtesy Eric Harrield)

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