Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (11/17)

By Bruin Basketball Report

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday.

Commits

Four 2009 high school seniors signed national letters of intent to play next fall at UCLA, Head Coach Ben Howland announced today. The heralded recruiting class, ranked in the top 10 nationally, consists of Reeves Nelson, Brendan Lane, Tyler Honeycutt, and Anthony Stover. All four student athletes are from California high schools. UCLA is likely not done with their recruiting of the 2009 class. The Bruins may sign at least one more to the class. Mike Moser, who recently withdrew his verbal commitment to Arizona, has UCLA high on his list but he may not sign until the spring signing period. Bruin Basketball Report 11/12

Recruiting

UConn recruit Durand Scott, a senior guard out of Rice High School in New York, has said he is nearing a decision on what school he’ll attend. If he’s close, he’s not letting on to UConn freshman Kemba Walker, one of his good friends and a former teammate at Rice. “We’re trying to get him to come,” said Walker, who joked he’s been told he’s doing a poor job recruiting. “I always talk to Durand. But I think it’s down to us and Miami. We’ll have to see. We’ll have to wait it out.” Norwich Bulletin 11/10

On Monday, a source told The Daily Progress that Virginia has a legitimate shot of reeling in one of the jewels of the 2009 class — Renardo Sidney, a 6-foot-10, 250-pounder out of Los Angeles’ Fairfax Senior High. Sidney, considered by many to be a “one-and-done” type player — meaning he will likely turn pro after just one college season — is rated as a 5-star recruit by Rivals.com and as the 10th best prospect in the nation. “He’s the best player in the country,” said Franklin Harris, a NYC-based recruiting guru. “The only reason he’s not [rated] No. 1 is because he can be lazy at times and can sometimes be disinterested. High school basketball is just not competitive for him. “I’ve seen him play maybe 10 times. He can score inside, put it on the floor. He’s a prototypical NBA 4-man.” Charlottesville Daily Progress 11/10

The prize of the local high school basketball scene probably won't be delivered on the first day of the NCAA's early-signing period for sports other than football. Renardo Sidney, Fairfax High's star 6-foot-10 center, is not expected to sign today, his father, Renardo Sr., said in a text message Tuesday night....USC was the early favorite to land Sidney, but Renardo Sr. said last month that the Trojans' attention seemed to be wavering. USC landed a commitment from Derrick Williams, a power forward from La Mirada High whose presence could help cushion the blow if the Trojans lose Sidney.Sidney Sr. said the leading pursuers of his son are St. Louis, Kansas State, Kansas, Oregon State, Mississippi State, Washington and Connecticut. Playing professionally in Europe might also be an option. Sidney and his father had said they were not interested in following the path chosen by Brandon Jennings, a standout who played at Compton Dominguez High and Virginia's Oak Hill Academy before bypassing college to play in Italy. However, sources close to the family -- who were not authorized to comment on the situation publicly -- said pro ball lately has emerged as a viable option. LA Times 11/13

Ever heard of a national signing period where nobody signed? If not, get ready, because it's here, folks. And it's wild. Or tame. Or just plain weird.
"It's not normal, especially compared to last year when there seemed to be a bunch of guys flying off the board on signing day," said Scout.com recruiting analyst Evan Daniels. "There will still be a few guys pop, but it appears the top dogs will wait it out."....Four of the top five products from the Class of 2009 -- namely Derrick Favors, John Wall, Xavier Henry and Renardo Sidney -- seem set to let the period pass without a development, because after pondering their possible college decisions for at least two years they clearly need just a little more time. No sense in rushing things, not in this era. And though I can't honestly say I blame any of them, I do find it all to be a little ridiculous given how pretty much every major decision made in a normal human's life -- which job to take, what person to marry, whether to go with DirecTV or Dish Network, etc. -- is made in less time and with less back-and-forth. CBS Sports 11/13

With the Marbury and Telfair eras long gone, 6-6 senior all-purpose man Lance Stephenson has already built his own. City Champs in all three years of Sir Lancelot’s tenure–and three of the four years prior to his arrival–Lincoln resembles a PSAL version of the 90’s Bulls. This year will be no different for Lincoln and their man-child. Lance is the best high school ball player in New York, as well as one of the Top 10 in the nation, and proves it almost every time he’s on the floor. SLAM 11/13

Michael Snaer thanked coaches from Kansas, Marquette, UCLA, Missouri and Florida State for recruiting him, then ended months of suspense by announcing for FSU one hour into Friday’s two-hour ESPNU College Basketball Signing Day Special. “I think all those schools are really great choices. That makes this decision even harder, but I think the one I’m going to end up playing with is Florida State,” said Snaer, a 6-foot-4 senior shooting guard from Rancho Verde High in Moreno Valley, Calif. “I really like coach (Leonard) Hamilton. I like the atmosphere there and being around all the players and coaches,” added Snaer, Rivals.com’s No. 11-rated player. Lawrence Journal World 11/14

Michael Snaer has the prototypical offensive skill set for a two-guard. His forte is scoring, and he can do it off the dribble or with his smooth jumper -- he can make defenders pay for giving him room; he can hit open or contested shots deep behind the arc. Snaer's shot preparation is tight with very little wasted motion. He comes off screening action ready to shoot, and his great size (6-5) allows him to shoot over defenders. His range extends beyond the 3-point arc, where he seems comfortable shooting in catch-and-shoot situations. He also can take one or two hard dribbles into his jumper. Snaer displays a quick first step on his way to the basket and uses dribble penetration to score or make the assist. As a scoring guard, he is unselfish. This makes him dangerous because he can draw defenders and pass to his teammates for open buckets. ESPN 11/14

The question: What do you think when kids go on TV to sign (letters of intent) and make kind of a big deal? Self's answer: "Recruiting, in large part due to (the media), has gotten totally out of control from a media standpoint and all the recruiting services and scouting services and all that stuff. I'm fine with it. I have no problems with it." I do. I don't think an 18-year-old kid choosing a college should be a nationally televised event. And I don't think the list of schools a 15-year-old kid is considering attending should be news. But I, like Self, am a realist. That's the way it is....I feel bad for basketball recruit Xavier Henry for what probably is going to happen to him when he finally chooses Kansas or Memphis. I realize the message board people are the vocal minority, but there are a lot of them who will think of Henry as a bad person for not choosing their school. They anonymously will write terrible things about him. People who have never met him will attack his character. They will do this because some people say he is the best high school basketball player in America. Instant target. Topeka Capital Journal 11/14

(photo credit: SLAM)