NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Ricardo Gathers is being recruited by a half dozen high-major programs but says St. John’s is working the hardest at this point. “As far as just being there, I speak to them like every week,” the 6-foot-8, 235-pound Gathers said after dropping 29 points and 20 rebounds as Louisiana Select lost to Boo Williams, 89-84, in double-OT at the Peach Jam. “I call them, they’ll call me. I’ll call them. I’ll email them. That’s who I’ve been speaking to the most out of anybody.” St. John’s head coach Steve Lavin and assistants Rico Hines and Tony Chiles watched Gathers play Boo Williams. That came after they watched St. Anthony point guard Kyle Anderson score 20 points, including a game-winning basket over Ricky Ledo in the paint, as the Playaz Basketball Club improved to 3-0 with a 58-57 over the Albany City Rocks. Texas coach Rick Barnes and assistant Russell Springman also scouted Gathers. Gathers said he’s also hearing from Arizona, Oregon, Syracuse and LSU. “I’m just looking at the different situations,” he said. “You never know what can happen.” He has already visited St. John’s and Texas and said he will “probably” visit Arizona and Oregon “in August.” “Oregon’s been on me since last year,” he said. “And then Arizona called me last year, but they never called back. Then when coach [assistant coach Joe] Pasternack got there, they started hitting me up again.” Gathers said Syracuse “has been calling a lot.” As far as his future, Gathers hopes to make a decision in the fall.
