Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (2/15)

By Bruin Basketball Report

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday.  

Commits

Josh Smith of Kentwood High School joined the ranks of basketball's elite today with his selection to the prestigious 2010 McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Boys Team. Smith’s participation in the Games will help raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, which supports local children and families in need. Smith was named to the West squad, and will play with the 23 other top male high school basketball players in the country. He averages 13.4 points-per-game, 11 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Seattle Times 2/11

After trailing most of the way, the John A. Logan Volunteers took control late as they knocked off the Blue Knights 81-78 at the Dungeon....UCLA-bound floor general Lazeric Jones tacked on 13 points in the win. “Jones is one of the best point guards in the nation,” Burris said. “He dictates the game and is extremely physical.” Olney Daily News 2/11

The Conquerors (13-9) wrapped up the league’s No. 2 seed to the district tournament and will play host to Gig Harbor in the first round Wednesday. Josh Smith, a 6-foot-9 center bound for UCLA, returned from a knee injury almost four weeks ago, and Kentwood has been on a roll ever since. Smith turned in his usual double-double, finishing with 22 points and 11 rebounds, but the Conks got production from his supporting cast, too. News Tribune 2/14

Recruits

The weather outside was snowy but unfortunately for the Bay City Western boys basketball team their opponents Mt Pleasant were red hot and came away with a 71-57 victory.  Trey Zeigler led the Oilers with 20 points. James Arnold added 15 points while Josh Rathje also had double digits with 13 points for Mt Pleasant (11-3). MLive 2/10

One of the worst-kept secrets in recent weeks at Jefferson High School was released off campus Thursday when Democrats senior Terrence Jones was selected to the McDonald's All-American boys basketball team.  The 6-foot-8 wing, who is averaging 30 points and 14 rebounds for No. 1 Jefferson, became the seventh player in Oregon to earn McDonald's honors. Jones is one of 24 players chosen for the 33rd annual game, which will be played at 5 p.m. March 31 in Columbus, Ohio. Oregon Live 2/11

Keith Appling of Detroit Pershing and Ray McCallum Jr. of Detroit Country Day have been selected to the McDonald's All-America Team for 2010. Appling and McCallum will play for the West All-Stars....McCallum is averaging 22.5 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. Appling, who is averaging 27 points, has signed with Michigan State. McCallum remains uncommitted. He is considering Arizona, Oklahoma, UCLA and Detroit Mercy, where his father is the head coach. Detroit News 2/11

Jefferson (Portland, Ore.) senior forward Terrence Jones, ranked No. 13 in the ESPNU 100, isn't sure where he wants to attend college. Could be Oregon, Kentucky, Oklahoma, UCLA or Washington. But for now, he won't even say who he's leaning toward. Why? "I haven't been thinking about it like that," said Jones. "I want to focus on my team." Jones' logic is simple: As long as he's getting national attention, his team can also reap the benefits of exposure. "I just figure that if coaches are coming to see me and one of my teammates has a big game, they'll be interested in them, too," Jones said. "I just feel like we all help each other out and this is my way of doing it. ESPN 2/12

And by the time standout senior Ray McCallum Jr. was finished with his 16-point second half – which included a showtime dunk midway through the fourth quarter that had the Pioneer gym roaring – Country Day was well on its way to a 75-55 win. "I'll pick a college during the spring period, but for now we all need to be getting looks. We're hoping to all sign together."MLive 2/12