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.
NEW YORK — Gilvydas Biruta can’t make a move until the Fred Hill mess is cleared up at Rutgers.
Biruta, a 6-foot-8 forward originally from Lithuania, has asked to be released from his Letter of Intent at the Big East school, but it has not been granted.
Rutgers is apparently waiting to either officially fire Hill or reach a financial settlement with him before proceeding with the St. Benedict’s Prep forward.
“I’m just waiting for my release from Rutgers,” Biruta said after putting up a double-double of 10 points and 14 rebounds as the Suburban Team beat the City Team, 137-133, in the Jordan Brand Regional Game Saturday at MSG.
Biruta has taken only one official visit — to Rutgers — and is considering a number of other schools for his college destination.
“Seton Hall, Maryland, Creighton, Georgia Tech, Arizona State, these are the schools,” he said.
NCAA rules prohibit players from signing two National Letters of Intent in one year, so Biruta would either have to sign a financial aid agreement with his second school or get his Rutgers NLI declared “null and void.”
He said the experience is frustrating because he cannot do anything until Hill’s status is resolved.
“A little bit because I can’t really do anything. I can’t go to official visits, I can’t talk to people,” he said. “All I can do is wait.”
He added that he was disappointed about the Rutgers situation, which also includes the transfer of sophomore guard Mike Rosario, who visited Florida this weekend.
“I’m disappointed because players are leaving, coaches and the coaching situation, so I’m disappointed,” he said.
ROBERTS LIKES ST. JOE’SFormer St. John’s signee Ronald Roberts met with St. Joe’s coach Phil Martelli Friday night.
“It was good,” said the 6-7 Roberts, who scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds for the Suburban Team. “He clarified everything about the school. It was really good.”
Roberts asked for, and received, his release from St. John’s after Steve Lavin replaced Norm Roberts last month.
Roberts has three official visits left and is considering Oklahoma and Georgia Tech.
“Since I have three left, I might as well take the visits, see what happens,” Roberts said.
He added: “I still want to check out the other schools, but I think St. Joe’s right now is on the top of my list.”
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**Terrences to announce together
**Calipari a factor for recruits
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**Kadeem Jack weighing optionsFollow Adam Zagoria on Twitter.
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
NEW YORK — Gilvydas Biruta can’t make a move until the Fred Hill mess is cleared up at Rutgers.
Biruta, a 6-foot-8 forward originally from Lithuania, has asked to be released from his Letter of Intent at the Big East school, but it has not been granted.
Rutgers is apparently waiting to either officially fire Hill or reach a financial settlement with him before proceeding with the St. Benedict’s Prep forward.
“I’m just waiting for my release from Rutgers,” Biruta said after putting up a double-double of 10 points and 14 rebounds as the Suburban Team beat the City Team, 137-133, in the Jordan Brand Regional Game Saturday at MSG.
Biruta has taken only one official visit — to Rutgers — and is considering a number of other schools for his college destination.
“Seton Hall, Maryland, Creighton, Georgia Tech, Arizona State, these are the schools,” he said.
NCAA rules prohibit players from signing two National Letters of Intent in one year, so Biruta would either have to sign a financial aid agreement with his second school or get his Rutgers NLI declared “null and void.”
He said the experience is frustrating because he cannot do anything until Hill’s status is resolved.
“A little bit because I can’t really do anything. I can’t go to official visits, I can’t talk to people,” he said. “All I can do is wait.”
He added that he was disappointed about the Rutgers situation, which also includes the transfer of sophomore guard Mike Rosario, who visited Florida this weekend.
“I’m disappointed because players are leaving, coaches and the coaching situation, so I’m disappointed,” he said.
ROBERTS LIKES ST. JOE’S
Former St. John’s signee Ronald Roberts met with St. Joe’s coach Phil Martelli Friday night.
“It was good,” said the 6-7 Roberts, who scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds for the Suburban Team. “He clarified everything about the school. It was really good.”
Roberts asked for, and received, his release from St. John’s after Steve Lavin replaced Norm Roberts last month.
Roberts has three official visits left and is considering Oklahoma and Georgia Tech.
“Since I have three left, I might as well take the visits, see what happens,” Roberts said.
He added: “I still want to check out the other schools, but I think St. Joe’s right now is on the top of my list.”
RELATED CONTENT:
**Brandon Knight to Kentucky
**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
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter.
