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.
The way Phil Colicchio sees it, Desmond Wade would be a perfect fit at Rutgers.
The 5-foot-8, 150-pound Wade was a three-time All-State performer at Linden (N.J.) High School and owns career wins over point guards Jonny Flynn, Tyreke Evans and Corey Fisher.
Wade just received his release from the University of Houston and is looking to transfer “closer to home,” according to his father, Jeff Wade.
“I think it would be a no-brainer for Rutgers to come get him but I’m not the coach at Rutgers,” Colicchio said, referring to new Rutgers coach Mike Rice. “These guys gotta decide what they want.”
Rice just took over officially at Rutgers and is still assembling a staff and getting recruits onto campus.
As reported here earlier, 6-8 Cleveland Melvin and 6-3 Antoine Myers of Notre Dame Prep will visit Tuesday-Thursday.
As a sophomore at Houston, Wade started 31 of 35 games last season. He averaged 5.7 points and 4.8 assists per game and helped lead the Cougars to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1992.
Although he is undersized, Wade helped senior guard Aubrey Coleman average 25.6 points per game.
“What more do you want this kid to do?” Colicchio asked. “Houston made the tournament for the first time in 19 years. He was the point guard. He must have gave him [Coleman] some assistance. He had an amazing year.”
Wade, who helped Linden win two Group 4 state titles in high school, is also known as a strong on-the-ball defender, something Rutgers could use, Colicchio said.
“Who’s a better on-the-ball defender than him?” Colicchio asked. “Find me one.”
Wade will have two years of eligibility remaining, so Rutgers, or any other school, would only be investing two years in Wade.
“You’re bringing home a Jersey All-State kid,” the coach said. “If it’s a mistake, it’s only a two-year mistake.”
(Photo courtesy Houston Athletics)
Follow 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.
The way Phil Colicchio sees it, Desmond Wade would be a perfect fit at Rutgers.
The 5-foot-8, 150-pound Wade was a three-time All-State performer at Linden (N.J.) High School and owns career wins over point guards Jonny Flynn, Tyreke Evans and Corey Fisher.
Wade just received his release from the University of Houston and is looking to transfer “closer to home,” according to his father, Jeff Wade.
“I think it would be a no-brainer for Rutgers to come get him but I’m not the coach at Rutgers,” Colicchio said, referring to new Rutgers coach Mike Rice. “These guys gotta decide what they want.”
Rice just took over officially at Rutgers and is still assembling a staff and getting recruits onto campus.
As reported here earlier, 6-8 Cleveland Melvin and 6-3 Antoine Myers of Notre Dame Prep will visit Tuesday-Thursday.
As a sophomore at Houston, Wade started 31 of 35 games last season. He averaged 5.7 points and 4.8 assists per game and helped lead the Cougars to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1992.
Although he is undersized, Wade helped senior guard Aubrey Coleman average 25.6 points per game.
“What more do you want this kid to do?” Colicchio asked. “Houston made the tournament for the first time in 19 years. He was the point guard. He must have gave him [Coleman] some assistance. He had an amazing year.”
Wade, who helped Linden win two Group 4 state titles in high school, is also known as a strong on-the-ball defender, something Rutgers could use, Colicchio said.
“Who’s a better on-the-ball defender than him?” Colicchio asked. “Find me one.”
Wade will have two years of eligibility remaining, so Rutgers, or any other school, would only be investing two years in Wade.
“You’re bringing home a Jersey All-State kid,” the coach said. “If it’s a mistake, it’s only a two-year mistake.”
(Photo courtesy Houston Athletics)
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter.
