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.
Arizona State scored twice on Saturday by landing two quality frontcourt players who took recent visits.
The Sun Devils got commitments from 6-foot-7 forward Kyle Cain of Hampton (N.H.) Prep and 6-6 wing Carrick Felix of the College of Southern Idaho.
Cain chose the Sun Devils over West Virginia, Alabama and Illinois after an official visit to the school June 2-4.
“Yeah,” said the New Hampton (N.H.) combo forward. “I like the coaching staff and the facilities they had and I always liked the campus.”
Cain said he felt a strong connection to head coach Herb Sendek, who took the lead in his recruitment and stayed in touch throughout.
“Coach Sendek and I just connected,” Cain said. “He runs an offense to suit his team. By him being smart that can help me as a person and as a basketball player. That’s the best of both worlds. He took the lead role to be the lead recruiter for me. He called me to talk to me and my mother. I could trust him.”
Cain also likes the fact that he can step in and play right away in the frontcourt for the Sun Devils.
“Everybody can look at the roster and see they don’t have a four man,” he said. “They don’t have a four man so I can make an impact. I have to go in work hard and continue to get better. Have an open mind and do what I’m capable of doing. I’ll have a chance to make an impact with the Arizona State Sun Devils.”
Felix became the first JUCO player ever to sign with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, but then decommitted.
Some 20 schools were reportedly interested in him.
After sitting out a year at Southern Idaho with a medical redshirt, Felix averaged 14.8 points and 4.7 rebounds last season.
The Devils lost seven players from last year’s team and have immediate playing time available.
Cain and Felix will join a recruiting class that includes Keala King, Corey Hawkins, Chanse Creekmur, Jordan Bachynski and JUCO transfer Brandon Dunson on next year’s team.
“He just felt that it was a perfect fit,” Southern Idaho coach Steve Gosar said of Felix.
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.
Arizona State scored twice on Saturday by landing two quality frontcourt players who took recent visits.
The Sun Devils got commitments from 6-foot-7 forward Kyle Cain of Hampton (N.H.) Prep and 6-6 wing Carrick Felix of the College of Southern Idaho.
Cain chose the Sun Devils over West Virginia, Alabama and Illinois after an official visit to the school June 2-4.
“Yeah,” said the New Hampton (N.H.) combo forward. “I like the coaching staff and the facilities they had and I always liked the campus.”
Cain said he felt a strong connection to head coach Herb Sendek, who took the lead in his recruitment and stayed in touch throughout.
“Coach Sendek and I just connected,” Cain said. “He runs an offense to suit his team. By him being smart that can help me as a person and as a basketball player. That’s the best of both worlds. He took the lead role to be the lead recruiter for me. He called me to talk to me and my mother. I could trust him.”
Cain also likes the fact that he can step in and play right away in the frontcourt for the Sun Devils.
“Everybody can look at the roster and see they don’t have a four man,” he said. “They don’t have a four man so I can make an impact. I have to go in work hard and continue to get better. Have an open mind and do what I’m capable of doing. I’ll have a chance to make an impact with the Arizona State Sun Devils.”
Felix became the first JUCO player ever to sign with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, but then decommitted.
Some 20 schools were reportedly interested in him.
After sitting out a year at Southern Idaho with a medical redshirt, Felix averaged 14.8 points and 4.7 rebounds last season.
The Devils lost seven players from last year’s team and have immediate playing time available.
Cain and Felix will join a recruiting class that includes Keala King, Corey Hawkins, Chanse Creekmur, Jordan Bachynski and JUCO transfer Brandon Dunson on next year’s team.
“He just felt that it was a perfect fit,” Southern Idaho coach Steve Gosar said of Felix.
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
