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.
Ibeh to Texas; Hammons to Purdue; Smith-Rivera Leaning to Georgetown; Obekpa to Visit UConn
Prince Ibeh, a 6-foot-10 center from Garland (Texas) Naaman Forest, has verbally committed to Texas.
The Rivals No. 10 center in the Class of 2012, Ibeh also considered Arkansas, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M.
He brings “great length and athleticism,” Naaman Forest coach Jeff Clarkson said by text. “He is already a great shot blocker. He needs to work on the offense but he has tremendous upside with his size and quickness.”
Ibeh is Rick Barnes‘ fourth commit for the Class of 2012, joining 6-10 center Cameron Ridley, 5-11 point guard Javan Felix and 6-9 power forward Connor Lammert.HAMMONS TO PURDUEA.J. Hammons, a 7-foot center from Oak Hill Academy, chose Purdue late Thursday night, per Warriors coach Steve Smith.
An Indiana native, Hammons is the No. 18 center in the Class of 2012.
“A.J. has improved his body and overall skill level since coming to Oak Hill last year,” Smith said by text. “He is a true center that defends, blocks shots and is developing on the offensive end of the floor. I think he will develop into an outstanding player at Purdue.”
He joins Raphael Davis, Jay Simpson, and Ronnie Johnson in Purdue’s recruiting class.
SMITH-RIVERA TO ANNOUNCE SATURDAY
Oak Hill Academy guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera will make his announcement Saturday at 5 p.m. at Westlane Middle School in Indiana, and is leaning toward Georgetown, sources told SNY.tv.
Ranked the No. 5 point guard in the Class of 2012 by Rivals, the 6-3 Smith-Rivera is also considering Louisville, Memphis and N.C. State.
OBEKPA TO VISIT UCONNChris Obekpa, a 6-9 forward from Our Savior New American, will take an unofficial visit Thursday to UConn, per Our Savior assistant Eric Jaklitsch.
Obekpa has already taken an unofficial to Providence, but cannot take any official visits until his SAT results come in from the Oct. 1 test.
Obekpa will also be at St. John’s Midnight Madness Friday night, along with St. John’s commits Amir Garrett, Ricardo Gathers and Darrick Wood. Cardozo 2013 forward Jermaine Lawrence will also be among those in attendance, per coach Ron Naclerio, as will 2013 wing Jason Boswell of Trinity (Conn.) Catholic.
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.
Prince Ibeh, a 6-foot-10 center from Garland (Texas) Naaman Forest, has verbally committed to Texas.
The Rivals No. 10 center in the Class of 2012, Ibeh also considered Arkansas, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M.
He brings “great length and athleticism,” Naaman Forest coach Jeff Clarkson said by text. “He is already a great shot blocker. He needs to work on the offense but he has tremendous upside with his size and quickness.”
Ibeh is Rick Barnes‘ fourth commit for the Class of 2012, joining 6-10 center Cameron Ridley, 5-11 point guard Javan Felix and 6-9 power forward Connor Lammert.
HAMMONS TO PURDUE
A.J. Hammons, a 7-foot center from Oak Hill Academy, chose Purdue late Thursday night, per Warriors coach Steve Smith.
An Indiana native, Hammons is the No. 18 center in the Class of 2012.
“A.J. has improved his body and overall skill level since coming to Oak Hill last year,” Smith said by text. “He is a true center that defends, blocks shots and is developing on the offensive end of the floor. I think he will develop into an outstanding player at Purdue.”
He joins Raphael Davis, Jay Simpson, and Ronnie Johnson in Purdue’s recruiting class.
SMITH-RIVERA TO ANNOUNCE SATURDAY
Oak Hill Academy guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera will make his announcement Saturday at 5 p.m. at Westlane Middle School in Indiana, and is leaning toward Georgetown, sources told SNY.tv.
Ranked the No. 5 point guard in the Class of 2012 by Rivals, the 6-3 Smith-Rivera is also considering Louisville, Memphis and N.C. State.
OBEKPA TO VISIT UCONN
Chris Obekpa, a 6-9 forward from Our Savior New American, will take an unofficial visit Thursday to UConn, per Our Savior assistant Eric Jaklitsch.
Obekpa has already taken an unofficial to Providence, but cannot take any official visits until his SAT results come in from the Oct. 1 test.
Obekpa will also be at St. John’s Midnight Madness Friday night, along with St. John’s commits Amir Garrett, Ricardo Gathers and Darrick Wood. Cardozo 2013 forward Jermaine Lawrence will also be among those in attendance, per coach Ron Naclerio, as will 2013 wing Jason Boswell of Trinity (Conn.) Catholic.
