Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (12/11)

By Bruin Basketball Report

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday.

Commits

But here's what happens when you're already kind-of famous at 18 -- an idiot thinks it would be funny to impersonate you on the Internet. "Somebody faked that," Kevin Love said. "I don't have time for MySpace. I'm in school, working out, doing my homework or taking care of my little sister. I don't use derogatory words. All it takes is a minute with me, and you'll (say), 'Wow, that kid is actually a real humble kid.' I'll change your mind, I swear." Seattle Post-Intelligencer 12/7

According to the hardwood hype, Lake Oswego's Kevin Love is the most dominant big man in high-school basketball today, with an NBA-ready 6-foot-10, 255-pound body and an outlet pass that rivals anybody's in the country, professional or otherwise. Seattle Times 12/8

Kevin Love, the 6-foot-10 phenomenon from Lake Oswego, Ore., gave the Lancers all they could handle and more Friday night in the Lakers' 71-43 victory at Kennedy High School. Aside from those present for Love's one-man show of 28 points, 18 rebounds, five assists and three blocks, a legion of college basketball fans has its eyes fixed on the UCLA-bound senior. He's considered the nation's top big man, but the soft-spoken kid from the Northwest said he doesn't feel much pressure. Seattle Post-Intelligencer 12/9

Jerime Anderson, Anaheim Canyon: Junior guard scored a game-high 31 points for the Comanches (6-0), ranked No. 15 by The Times, in a 59-50 nonleague victory over St. John Bosco. Los Angeles Times 12/10

Kevin Love showcased why he's perhaps the best prospect in high-school basketball. He had enough speed to outrace Franklin's defense down the court for a breakaway dunk, and enough vision to whip a backdoor bounce pass from near the half-court line. And at 255 pounds, he had enough power and coordination to own the highlight of the night, grabbing a lob pass from teammate Ernie Spada and throwing down a reverse alley-oop dunk that capped a personal 9-0 scoring run and put Lake Oswego up 45-29 in the third quarter. Seattle Times 12/10

The much-ballyhooed arrival of UCLA all-everything recruit Kevin Love will finally occur this week. For one night, at least.  Love, the nation's No. 1 recruit who committed to the Bruins this past July, will bring his high school team to compete in the Verbum Dei Real Run Winter Classic held this Friday at Pauley Pavilion. Daily Bruin 12/11

Recruits

Drew Gordon, Mitty: The 6-9 Gordon, ranked No. 15 in the nation for the class of 2008, has a greater understanding of the game as well as improved skills, particularly with his outside shot. ``He's learning to make basketball plays rather than merely highlight plays,'' Eagleson said Mercury News 12/5

Drew Gordon (Mitty, 6-9 F): One of the top junior prospects in the country, Gordon will make an unofficial visit to North Carolina later this month. He has the body, agility and aggressiveness to play in the NBA. Last season, he averaged 15.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 4.5 blocks and earned state Sophomore Player of the Year honors.  San Francisco Chronicle 12/6

There were a lot of empty seats at Pauley Pavilion - again. Two, however, were occupied by Mater Dei High sophomores David and Travis Wear, among the top pros- pects in the Class of 2009. OC Register 12/6

"Luke Babbitt plays better every day," Mauer said. "The AAU ball takes a lot out of him. His ball-handling is better. If it wasn't for the free throws, he has an outstanding game. Defensively he played Olek well in the first half. (Czyz finished with four points). "Luke has all the pressure on him. It's like he feels he has to win the game for us. But he has four other players to help him. I think good chemistry is better than All-Stars (players). Now we have to make him believe that." Nevada Appeal 12/6

Larry Drew Jr., son of an ex-NBA player, has shown skills since childhood: It's a typical Wednesday morning at Taft High of Woodland Hills, and Larry Drew Jr. is walking around campus just like any other student. L.A. Daily News 12/7

Jrue Holiday May Not Be 'Big,' But He Is Still A Special PlayerHe paused to consider the question, glanced down at the worn, maple-lacquered bench in the corner of the gym, then shook his head like he was still trying to wrap his thoughts around something. "No," he said earnestly. "I'm not big like O.J. (Mayo). L.A. Daily News 12/7

According to CalHiSports.com, Westchester and Fairfax of Los Angeles are Division I favorites, and Artesia of Lakewood is the SoCal front-runner in Division III. Artesia features state Junior Player of the Year James Harden (signed with Arizona State) and 6-10 Renardo Sidney, who moved from Mississippi to Southern California and might be the best sophomore prospect in the nation. Sacramento Bee 12/8

Luke Babbitt scored 27 points against Westchester and 25 against Dominguez. Among those at the tournament to watch Babbitt were UCLA coach Ben Howland. UCLA is one of the final five schools on Babbitt's list. "Luke's been phenomenal," Mauer said. "He's been a great team leader." Nevada Appeal 12/9

The Galena High boys basketball managed to come out of the high-powered Westchester Tournament in Los Angeles with a win, beating Southern California's View Park 77-73 on Saturday....Galena was also able to get Tristan Hill and Brice Crook involved as Hill scored 10 points and Crook added 14. Luke Babbitt scored 25. Nevada Appeal 12/10

(photo credit: Seattle Times)