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.
Guards Thomas, Wilbut Considering Seton Hall; Garland Owens Down to Final 3
Guards Jevon Thomas and Jerron Wilbut are both considering Seton Hall after visiting the Big East school for Midnight Madness Friday.
Thomas is a talented 6-foot point guard who previously committed to St. John’s and is now prepping alongside Wilbut at St. John’s Military Academy (Wisc.), the school that produced Seton Hall sophomore forward Brandon Mobley.
“He liked [Seton Hall] and really thought there was a huge opportunity to play next year,” St. John’s Military assistant Bryan Clayton told SNY.tv Tuesday.
“It’s close to home [in New York] but far enough from home where he could stay focused. He was really genuinely impressed with everything.”
Seton Hall has Texas transfer Sterling Gibbs ready to take over at the point next season and may or may not add shooting guard Aquille Carr in 2013.
Clayton said Thomas and Gibbs could potentially play together.
“I think they envision those two probably playing together,” he said. “Sterling can play of the ball a little bit and the thing with Jevon is, he’s really unselfish when he plays which makes him everybody’s favorite teammate.
“Seton Hall has a lot of guys who can make shots. If you have somebody who can find all those guys, you’ll have a lot of happy campers.”
Clayton said Auburn is also involved with Thomas and “is trying to get a visit before the early signing period.” Oklahoma State is also trying for a visit.
As for the 6-3, 190-pound Wilbut, he also enjoyed the visit.
“I loved it a lot,” he told SNY.tv. “I really liked the fans that came out and supported the team. I seen the arena [Prudential Center] and it’s a blessing to even be on a visit like that.”
The Chicago native is a shooting guard who can score the ball.
“They said they needed someone who can come in and play right away and they needed somebody that can create a shot,” Wilbut said. “They thought I can come in and be able to do that right away so that’s what they really liked about me. I can create off the dribble and free up some 3-pointer shooters on the team.”
Wilbut said he will visit Xavier next weekend and is also considering Virginia Tech, Memphis, Marquette and Wisconsin-Green Bay. His only offers are from Seton Hall and Green Bay.
He said he may wait until the spring to decide.
“I might wait until the spring, I’m not sure,” he said. “If I go and really like it, I’ll go ahead and commit then. Any of the schools.”
How well would Thomas and Wilbut play together if things fell that way?
“They play really well together,” Clayton said. “I don’t think that’s going to impact their decision at all.”
Clayton added: “Both those guys are just kind of taking it one day at a time and if they see something where they know it’s right they would have no problem committing, but they’re not in a rush, either.”
GARLAND OWENS DOWN TO FINAL THREEIn other Seton Hall-related news, small forward Garland Owens of Massanutten Military Academyconfirmed a Rivals report that he is down to Seton Hall, Boston College and UTEP. He will visit Seton Hall this weekend.
“I’m going [to Seton Hall] this weekend and I like the relationship that I have with Coach [Chris] Pomp[ey] and they have a great team,” the 6-5, 210-pound Owens told SNY.tv.
“What I like about BC is they make me feel at home,” he added. “All the coaches are involved and it’s the ACC.
“What I like about UTEP is the coaching staff has a lot of NBA experience and know what I need to get to the next level.”
Wherever he goes, Owens plays to be a factor.
“I would bring a lot of energy and a lot of momentum plays with my athleticism,” he said.
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.
Guards Jevon Thomas and Jerron Wilbut are both considering Seton Hall after visiting the Big East school for Midnight Madness Friday.
Thomas is a talented 6-foot point guard who previously committed to St. John’s and is now prepping alongside Wilbut at St. John’s Military Academy (Wisc.), the school that produced Seton Hall sophomore forward Brandon Mobley.
“He liked [Seton Hall] and really thought there was a huge opportunity to play next year,” St. John’s Military assistant Bryan Clayton told SNY.tv Tuesday.
“It’s close to home [in New York] but far enough from home where he could stay focused. He was really genuinely impressed with everything.”
Seton Hall has Texas transfer Sterling Gibbs ready to take over at the point next season and may or may not add shooting guard Aquille Carr in 2013.
Clayton said Thomas and Gibbs could potentially play together.
“I think they envision those two probably playing together,” he said. “Sterling can play of the ball a little bit and the thing with Jevon is, he’s really unselfish when he plays which makes him everybody’s favorite teammate.
“Seton Hall has a lot of guys who can make shots. If you have somebody who can find all those guys, you’ll have a lot of happy campers.”
Clayton said Auburn is also involved with Thomas and “is trying to get a visit before the early signing period.” Oklahoma State is also trying for a visit.
As for the 6-3, 190-pound Wilbut, he also enjoyed the visit.
“I loved it a lot,” he told SNY.tv. “I really liked the fans that came out and supported the team. I seen the arena [Prudential Center] and it’s a blessing to even be on a visit like that.”
The Chicago native is a shooting guard who can score the ball.
“They said they needed someone who can come in and play right away and they needed somebody that can create a shot,” Wilbut said. “They thought I can come in and be able to do that right away so that’s what they really liked about me. I can create off the dribble and free up some 3-pointer shooters on the team.”
Wilbut said he will visit Xavier next weekend and is also considering Virginia Tech, Memphis, Marquette and Wisconsin-Green Bay. His only offers are from Seton Hall and Green Bay.
He said he may wait until the spring to decide.
“I might wait until the spring, I’m not sure,” he said. “If I go and really like it, I’ll go ahead and commit then. Any of the schools.”
How well would Thomas and Wilbut play together if things fell that way?
“They play really well together,” Clayton said. “I don’t think that’s going to impact their decision at all.”
Clayton added: “Both those guys are just kind of taking it one day at a time and if they see something where they know it’s right they would have no problem committing, but they’re not in a rush, either.”
GARLAND OWENS DOWN TO FINAL THREE
In other Seton Hall-related news, small forward Garland Owens of Massanutten Military Academy confirmed a Rivals report that he is down to Seton Hall, Boston College and UTEP. He will visit Seton Hall this weekend.
“I’m going [to Seton Hall] this weekend and I like the relationship that I have with Coach [Chris] Pomp[ey] and they have a great team,” the 6-5, 210-pound Owens told SNY.tv.
“What I like about BC is they make me feel at home,” he added. “All the coaches are involved and it’s the ACC.
“What I like about UTEP is the coaching staff has a lot of NBA experience and know what I need to get to the next level.”
Wherever he goes, Owens plays to be a factor.
“I would bring a lot of energy and a lot of momentum plays with my athleticism,” he said.
