Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (1/25)

By Bruin Basketball Report 

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday. 

Commits

Kentwood big man Joshua Smith, who at 6-foot-10 is rated the No. 1 center in the nation, saw his first action in a month, scoring 10 points in a 61-37 win over Tahoma. The UCLA-bound Smith has been sidelined with a knee injury. Smith missed the next two games, including the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Spalding Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Max Preps 1/19

Ben Howland is counting down the days until Tyler Lamb arrives? If he’s not, then he should start the countdown ASAP. Lamb, Mater Dei’s senior guard, scored 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting with 11 rebounds in a 79-71 victory over DeMatha, ranked fourth in the nation, on Monday. While the present might be dark around the UCLA hoops program (last place in the Pac-10?!), the future appears to be a lot brighter with Lamb on the way. OC Varsity 1/19

Four Auburn Riverside players scored in double-figures as the Ravens beat Kentwood 72-56. Forward Joshua Smith scored 13 points for Kentwood in his second game since injuring his knee in December. News Tribune 1/19

Tyler Lamb, another highly recruited guard who has signed a national letter of intent with UCLA, will enroll in summer school so he can get started early. He loves that Howland preaches defense and has a history of sending players to the NBA. UCLA starts two freshmen, and Lamb said he’ll have an opportunity for immediate playing time as well. From his talks with current players, he’s actually encouraged.  “They’re not happy with the way things are going, but they believe in the coaches and are following the system,” Lamb said. “Things will turn around.” ESPN 1/22

Mater Dei coach Gary McKnight was recognized Friday night for breaking the California record for career victories during a 10-minute pregame ceremony....King led the Monarchs with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Gary Franklin and Tyler Lamb had 20 each. OC Varsity 1/22

Recruits

Terrence Jones, a 6-foot-9 University of Washington recruiting wish with extraterrestrial basketball powers, graced the court at Edmundson Pavilion on Monday and put on a show that made you understand just how good he'd look in a Huskies jersey. Showing no emotion, Jones didn't so much play the game as he dissected it. He influenced the action in every way imaginable, handling both the spectacular and the fundamental with ease, guiding Portland's Jefferson High School to a 62-58 victory over Federal Way, the finest squad in Washington state. Seattle Times 1/19

“I really wanted to win bad,” said Hoover center Angelo Chol. “I don’t want to lose to a team in San Diego – that’s my goal.” With 16 points, Chol was one of three Hoover players in double figures. San Diego Reader 1/19

So, Coach, how did Ray McCallum look? "Like an NBA player," Thomas said with a chuckle. "He scores when he wants to, he's a floor general. He's a great point guard for the simple fact that he involves his teammates. He understands that position very well. He can shoot it, drive, score, pass ... just one of those guys who can probably go pretty much anywhere he wanted (for college)." McCallum, a 6-foot-1 point guard whose father is head coach at University of Detroit-Mercy, is a top-50 recruit in the Class of 2010. Scout.com ranks him the seventh-best point guard (23rd overall) and the the top prospect in Michigan. McCallum, a physically strong player who averages 22.7 points, seven rebounds and about three assists, has yet to make a verbal commitment but acknowledged that his top four are Arizona, Florida, UCLA and, of course, his father's U-D program.  MLive 1/22

Another player generating a good amount of buzz in recent months is 6-6 forward Branden Dawson (Gary, Ind./Lew Wallace). Dawson, who moved up from No. 29 to No. 10, is as strong as an ox. A tremendous athlete, Dawson is incredibly productive around the basket. He's a relentless rebounder with strong hands and developing skill. We've been very impressed with his energy and effort. ESPN 1/22

Norvel Pelle (Long Beach, Calif./Price) is a long athletic 4 man with a lot of potential. He has all the athleticism any coach could desire in a power forward and he has the frame to add good bulk. At times, Pelle takes plays off. We'd like to see him approach the game with more intensity. Formerly ranked No. 46, Pelle has dropped out of our Super 60. ESPN 1/22