While the college basketball world waits for Shabazz, Nerlens and Tony to name their college choices, another potential diamond in the rough remains uncommitted.
Bradley Hayes, a 6-foot-11 center from Jacksonville (Fla.) Sandalwood with a very high ceiling, has yet to pick a school.
“The kid can run like a deer, has soft hands and has finally embraced his size and gifts,” Todd Washington, a Hayes family friend and founder of the Puerto Rico Playmakers, told SNY.tv. “He didn’t always take basketball seriously but he is focused and prepared.”
Antwan Tennell, Hayes’ AAU coach with the Dwight Howard Warriors, said Memphis, Arkansas, Texas A&M Georgia, Mississippi State, Florida and Georgetown are involved to various degrees. Memphis has offered and Arkansas comes for a home visit Saturday. Georgetown comes in for a home visit next week.
“He has a chance to be a pro,” Tennell told SNY.tv. “He actually grew seven inches in like five months a year and a half ago. He has finally caught up to his size. He moves like a guard. He runs the floor rim-to-rim.
“[In one game], he contested a shot from the 3-pointer and got back in there and got the rebound. He can hit the 15- to 18-foot jumper.”
(Here are some additional video highlights of Hayes.)
Tennell said Hayes might prep a year at IMG Academies, but that he would play on the AAU circuit this month with the Dwight Howard 17-under team and then go from there.
“He’s wide open,” Tennell said. “He’s a diamond in the rough.”
Tennell also coached Arlington Country Day guards Ian Baker and Carlos Morris and says both remain open after they decommitted from South Carolina.
Baker’s high school coach, Rex Morgan, previously said the player had committed to Providence, but Tennell said it’s not a done deal yet and that Baker was reevaluating his options after Providence point guard Vincent Council opted to stay in school and not enter the NBA Draft. Providence also has McDonald’s All-American point guard Kris Dunn coming in.
“It’s not official yet,” Tennell said of the Baker commitment. “We’re still leaning that way.”
Tennell said Baker visited Seton Hall, which needs a guard, this past weekend.
“Yes, he did,” Tennell said.
He added that Carlos Morris, also of Arlington Country day, is “wide open” and is hearing from Texas A&M, South Carolina, UConn, Seton Hall, St. John’s and Xavier and was waiting to take the SAT later this month.
“He might be one of the best available wings right now,” Tennell said.
