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.
Ron Patterson to Syracuse; Williams to West Virginia
Ron Patterson liked his visit to Syracuse so much, he committed while on it.
“It just felt like home to me on my visit,” Patterson told SNY.tv by phone. “A lot of love they showed me. It’s a good program.”
The 6-foot-3 Patterson is a former Indiana commit who also considered Xavier, Villanova, UConn, Miami, Providence and SMU.
“I’m a two guard who can shoot it,” he said. “A regular two guard. I will be getting out in the passing lanes and I’m able to shoot it, create shots off the dribble.”
Patterson will suit up in the ACC for the Orange beginning in 2013. He joins point guard Tyler Ennis, small forward B.J. Johnson and big man Chinonso Obokoh in Syracuse’s recruiting class.
“I’m really looking forward to that,” he said. “A lot of competition, I’m looking forward to getting after it.”
A former Broad Ripple Creek High School star, Patterson reportedly failed to meet academic requirements in summer school and was then denied admission to Indiana. He then opted to spend the year at Brewster (N.H.) Academy instead of transferring.
“He’s already qualified,” Brewster coach Jason Smith previously told SNY.tv. “He’s fully NCAA qualified. He ended up here only because of the timing with Indiana. Once he was denied admission to Indiana, he had six or seven high-major Division 1 schools that wanted him this year.
“He had three days to make a decision and he opted to come here.”
Now he’s heading to Syracuse.
“Ron is an athletic guard who has shot the ball very well from the perimeter this fall,” Smith said Saturday. “He’s an excellent defender and has tremendous length, which will be very effective and beneficial in Syracuse’s zone.”
WILLIAMS TO WEST VIRGINIADevin Williams, a 6-8, 230-pound center from Montverde (Fla.) Academy, committed to West Virginia, a source with direct knowledge told SNY.tv.
The Rivals No. 11 center in the Class of 2013, Williams also considered Memphis, Ohio State and UCLA.
“Devin can play any kind of way, up and down or half-court,” Michael Duncan, Williams’ AAU coach, previously told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “He’s more successful in a half-court setting. He could play up and down, too, but he’s a hell of a dude in the half-court setting.”
He added: “He’s got an unbelievable work ethic. He works nonstop. Every day. Pool work, yoga — he puts it in. The dude knows how to compete. I think that’s important.”
Elijah Macon, another 6-8 forward who previously committed to West Virginia but then failed to qualify, also re-committed.
“A lot of things have been going on,” Macon told WVGazette.com. “But I’ll be there. I’ve got my grades together now and I’m ready to go.”
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.
Ron Patterson liked his visit to Syracuse so much, he committed while on it.
“It just felt like home to me on my visit,” Patterson told SNY.tv by phone. “A lot of love they showed me. It’s a good program.”
The 6-foot-3 Patterson is a former Indiana commit who also considered Xavier, Villanova, UConn, Miami, Providence and SMU.
“I’m a two guard who can shoot it,” he said. “A regular two guard. I will be getting out in the passing lanes and I’m able to shoot it, create shots off the dribble.”
Patterson will suit up in the ACC for the Orange beginning in 2013. He joins point guard Tyler Ennis, small forward B.J. Johnson and big man Chinonso Obokoh in Syracuse’s recruiting class.
“I’m really looking forward to that,” he said. “A lot of competition, I’m looking forward to getting after it.”
A former Broad Ripple Creek High School star, Patterson reportedly failed to meet academic requirements in summer school and was then denied admission to Indiana. He then opted to spend the year at Brewster (N.H.) Academy instead of transferring.
“He’s already qualified,” Brewster coach Jason Smith previously told SNY.tv. “He’s fully NCAA qualified. He ended up here only because of the timing with Indiana. Once he was denied admission to Indiana, he had six or seven high-major Division 1 schools that wanted him this year.
“He had three days to make a decision and he opted to come here.”
Now he’s heading to Syracuse.
“Ron is an athletic guard who has shot the ball very well from the perimeter this fall,” Smith said Saturday. “He’s an excellent defender and has tremendous length, which will be very effective and beneficial in Syracuse’s zone.”
WILLIAMS TO WEST VIRGINIA
Devin Williams, a 6-8, 230-pound center from Montverde (Fla.) Academy, committed to West Virginia, a source with direct knowledge told SNY.tv.
The Rivals No. 11 center in the Class of 2013, Williams also considered Memphis, Ohio State and UCLA.
“Devin can play any kind of way, up and down or half-court,” Michael Duncan, Williams’ AAU coach, previously told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “He’s more successful in a half-court setting. He could play up and down, too, but he’s a hell of a dude in the half-court setting.”
He added: “He’s got an unbelievable work ethic. He works nonstop. Every day. Pool work, yoga — he puts it in. The dude knows how to compete. I think that’s important.”
Elijah Macon, another 6-8 forward who previously committed to West Virginia but then failed to qualify, also re-committed.
“A lot of things have been going on,” Macon told WVGazette.com. “But I’ll be there. I’ve got my grades together now and I’m ready to go.”
