Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Derrick Favors is ranked No. 2 in the class, followed by Kenny Boynton, UAB commit Demarcus Cousins and North Carolina commit Dexter Strickland of St. Patrick of Elizabeth.
St. Anthony of Jersey City star Dominic Cheek is No. 10 and Rice standout Durand Scott is No. 30.
One of the best prep tournaments of the year is the Hoophall Classic that takes place each year over MLK weekend at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. Here is the sked for the 2009 event, which runs Jan. 16-19.
We’re told the Jan. 19 tilt between Lance Stephenson and Brooklyn Lincoln and DeMarcus Cousins (left) and LeFlore (Ala.) will be shown on the ESPN family of networks. That same day, Dominic Cheek and St. Anthony meet Xavier Henry and Putnam City (Okl.) in a game that we’re sure will draw a big crowd. Kansas is recruiting both young men.
Fresh off a visit to Providence, Lincoln forward James Padgett has a list of six favorite schools.
“Right now the schools that are still in it are West Virginia, Pitt, Maryland, South Carolina, Providence and St. John’s,” the 6-foot-8, 220-pound Padgett said by phone.
Padgett, a senior from Brooklyn Lincoln High who plays alongside Lance Stephensonon the three-time PSAL champion Railsplitters, took an unofficial to Providence on Sunday with his mother and said he enjoyed it.