Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (1/14)

By Bruin Basketball Report

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday.

Commits

Drew Gordon, the 6-foot-9 UCLA recruit, learned Tuesday the extent of a foot injury that has hindered him for two weeks. An MRI exam revealed significant trauma to the second metatarsal in his right foot. Too much strain could cause a fracture. The injury should keep Gordon out of action for two weeks - at least six games - Mitty Coach Brian Eagleson said. He described Gordon as "very disappointed." Eagleson said Mitty has consulted with UCLA's medical staff and both sides agree that Mitty's season takes precedence, meaning UCLA is not dictating treatment with next season in mind or putting pressure on Gordon or Eagleson to limit playing time. Gordon couldn't recall a specific moment when he suffered the injury. However, he did get up Dec. 27, the morning after the first game of the Les Schwab Invitational in Hillsboro, Ore., and fell to the floor. "I thought, 'Oh boy, it's a good thing I signed,' " Gordon said. X-rays failed to find a stress fracture and Gordon was cleared to play by doctors, who thought the injury might have been a deep bone bruise. The only limitation, they said, was how much pain Gordon was willing to bear. Mercury News 1/9

The 2008 Pangos Dream Classic will be held on Saturday January 19, 2008 at UCLA Pauley Pavilion (Los Angeles CA). This 14th annual high school basketball event (hosted by Dominguez HS) will showcase six of California's and the nation's top boys high school squads, including the nation's #1 junior Derrick Favors and Top 10 all-americans like seniors DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday and junior Jordan Hamilton. Full Court Press 1/9

MODESTO CHRISTIAN 76, HUGHSON 44, at Modesto Christian -- Reeves Nelson followed his 52-point, 28-rebound performance Saturday night with 25 points and 22 rebounds for the Crusaders (8-3, 3-0 TVL) in their blowout victory over the Huskies (6-3, 0-2). Modesto Bee 1/9

2009 recruit Reeves Nelson of Modesto Christian High School verbally committed to UCLA last evening, as reported by Rise Magazine and confirmed today by multiple recruiting services. The junior 6'7, 220 lb forward is ranked as one of the top 30 players nationally in his recruiting class. Nelson had multiple offers from elite programs including, North Carolina, Duke, and Kentucky, but he decided on Westwood due to the coaching staff, team's history of success, and proximity to home. Bruin Basketball Report 1/10

Alta Loma High School couldn't face-guard Kendall Williams while he was shooting free throws. With more than a little help from his friends, the Los Osos guard committed to UCLA won the battle of the sophomores, scoring 13 of his 21 points from the free throw line in the Grizzlies' 69-62 victory over the Braves on Friday night at Los Osos High.Williams hit five free throws down the stretch to ice the game for Los Osos, the only miss out of his 14 attempts coming with 21 seconds to play and a seven-point lead. "Kendall (Williams) got a little frustrated against Etiwanda, but he didn't let them get to him tonight with the face-guarding and trying to keep the ball out of his hands," Smith said. "He has to deal with the pressure of taking everybody's best shot every night. With all the publicity he's gotten, people are trying to make their name against him." San Bernardino County Sun 1/11

Like many 17-year-olds, Jrue Holiday does not answer his cell phone. "You can ask my friends," he said. "I don't talk on the phone." But send him a text message, and he will reply within seconds. So when college coaches wanted to catch the attention of Holiday, one of the best basketball players in the Class of 2008, they did not bother calling. "They'd text me," said Holiday, a senior at Campbell Hall in North Hollywood, Calif., who is planning to attend UCLA. "Like, 'How you doing? How you been playing?'"It showed me that they wanted me." Still, all that attention came with a price. After coaches inundated him, Holiday had to change his cell phone plan to one that offered unlimited text messaging. CNET 1/12

LEXINGTON CATHOLIC 59, MODESTO CHRISTIAN 57, at Lexington, Ky. -- Reeves Nelson scored 23 points, but the Crusaders blew a 37-26 halftime lead and fell to the Flying Knights in the Nissan on Nicholasville Shootout. Modesto Bee 1/13

Recruits

Once San Diego got rolling, it was nearly unstoppable, racing to a 52-36 victory in the Eastern League basketball opener for both clubs. “We were excited to play at home – maybe too excited,” said 6-foot-11¾ sophomore post Jeremy Tyler, whose 15 points shared the scoring lead with Tacoma, Wash., transfer Patrick McCollum. Union Tribune 1/9

Dons pull out a 67-63 victory over Gahr in each team's San Gabriel Valley League opener Wednesday night at Dominguez High.... Jordan Hamilton added 22 points, 16 rebounds and five assists for the Dons (12-2, 1-0). Press Telegram 1/10

At this moment, Renardo Sidney is a much better player than Jeremy Tyler. Other than explosiveness off the floor, Sidney is better in every aspect of the game. He is a better shooter, ball handler, passer, rebounder and even defender. In terms of upside, Tyler might have a higher ceiling because of his explosiveness. Sidney looked an inch, if not two inches, taller and has a higher level of body control at this point. Both are elite talents with room to grow emotionally, mentally and skill-wise. For Tyler to become a better player than Sidney, he has a lot of ground to make up in these three areas, the most being skill level. Rivals 1/10

Stephan Van Treese added 11 points in a spirited but abbreviated effort to pace Lawrence North (10-2), which advanced to the tournament final at 7:30 tonight at Southport against 4A No. 5 Warren Central (11-1). The Warriors defeated North Central 54-47 in Friday's opener. "We played great team defense in the second half, and that meant everything," said Jones, crediting Van Treese -- who converted two free throws, a crowd-inciting rebound dunk and a fast-break three-point play in the first 1:12 of the fourth quarter -- with jump-starting the decisive blitz. "When Stephan plays like that, that fires everybody up, including the fans," Jones said. "It turned the whole game around." Indy Star 1/12

What the Irish did have, though, was a steady performance that gave McGuinness the tournament championship with a 58-42 win over Class 6A's No. 4-ranked Edmond Santa Fe....Daniel Orton just missed a triple-double, with 18 points, 15 rebounds and nine blocks. Oklahoman 1/13

Renardo Sidney isn't ready to choose a college yet, but he did offer UCLA fans some hope. As he sat courtside at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday waiting for the UCLA-Washington State game to begin, the coveted Los Angeles Fairfax High junior said he does not intend to go anywhere outside California. "That's a hint for you," Sidney said. "I love it here too much to leave." UCLA is one of dozens of schools recruiting Sidney, but the Bruins have not offered the 6-foot-10 big man a scholarship yet even though many recruiting services rank him as the nation's top prospect in the class of 2009. Questions about Sidney's attitude, work ethic and conditioning have dogged him even after leading Artesia High to a state title last year before transferring to Fairfax this fall. "People say I'm lazy or whatever, but how can you be lazy scoring 30 points a game?" Sidney said. "Right now my conditioning is where I want it to be, and I'm working hard to keep it that way." Sidney, a Mississippi native, is also being recruited by Ohio State, Florida and Texas, among others. A group of UCLA students made it clear they hope Sidney dons a Bruins uniform one day by chanting his name before tip-off. Sidney acknowledged the cheer with a pump of his right fist. Then he spoke glowingly about the UCLA program. "I really like UCLA," he said. "I like the way they're an up-tempo team. They get the ball inside well and they play defense well. It's definitely a great program." Press Enterprise 1/12

Christ School 68, Providence Day: Four Christ School players scored in double figures, and the Greenies moved to 17-1 Friday. Miles Plumlee led the attack with 16 points. Lakeem Jackson added 13 points, and Mason Plumlee had 13 points and 12 rebounds. Citizen Times 1/12

(photo credit Modesto Bee)