Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (5/10)

By Bruin Basketball Report

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday.  

Commits

Graduating high school early, or "reclassifying," might not yet qualify as a trend, but it's not an underground movement, either. Once the idea came up -- Matt Carlino's father said it was first suggested by UCLA coaches once his son reopened his recruitment by rescinding a commitment to Indiana in March -- research made the family decision easier. "I don't know a lot of people with kids who would turn that down," Mark Carlino said. "You take a trip to UCLA and see what it is academically and athletically. It was an opportunity knocking, and Matt has chosen to go through that door. "You forgo your senior year, and Bloomington South is a phenomenal school and program. They would have had a very good chance to compete for the state championship, but at the same time Matt's dream has always been to play college basketball at the highest level, and there it was sitting in front of him." ESPN 5/4

Recruits

Oregon might not have won the news conference with its hiring of Dana Altman, but the new coach is reportedly victorious in a recruiting battle that resulted in an important commitment from point guard Johnathan Loyd, who is the state of Nevada's player of the year.  Signing the 5-foot-9 Loyd would give the Ducks another diminutive point guard after losing senior Tajuan Porter. But really, they're in need of players at this point after Ernie Kent didn't bring in anyone in the early signing period and three of his players received scholarship releases.  ESPN 5/3

Branden Dawson, a 6-foot-6 wing from Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Ind., flew somewhat under the radar at the star-studded Jayhawk Invitational. He didn’t make the all-tournament team, but did score 26 in one game. “I’d never been to Kansas. The atmosphere here ... I love it,” Dawson said. “The fans here ... they love to win.” He said he’d love to add KU to a list of schools that consists of Purdue, Indiana, Georgetown, UCLA, Marquette and Michigan State. “I want to say, ‘What’s up? Why haven’t you contacted me?’’’ he said with a big smile. LJ World 5/4

Signs indicate Washington will secure elusive five-star basketball recruit Terrence Jones, but it's taking longer than coach Lorenzo Romar anticipated. "We have not gone this long (pursing recruits) since we've been here, with this many options in the spring," he said Monday. "Usually we've been done in the fall." Jones, a McDonald's and Jordan Classic All-American, is worth the wait. Over the past few days, the Huskies received positive news out of Oregon, suggesting the 6-foot-9 forward from Portland's Jefferson High will play at UW next season. Seattle Times 5/5

Forwards David and Travis Wear’s surprise decision to transfer after only one season in Chapel Hill makes the Tar Heels deep on the outside and thin in the middle. "We are extremely disappointed that David and Travis are leaving the program," UNC coach Roy Williams said in a prepared statement. "I love both kids and they would have been very important parts of our team next season. It is a significant blow to our team as we had four post players and now we are down to two." Williams had met with the brothers during mid-April to discuss their off-season development plans, and the twins apparently gave no indication that they planned to return home to Huntington Beach, Calif., after exams and not return. Williams learned the news via a phone call from the Wears’ father on Wednesday night. Charlotte Observer 5/6

David and Travis Wear, twin forwards who helped Santa Ana Mater Dei High win two state championships, are transferring from North Carolina and are expected to draw significant interest from UCLA. The Wears, who are both 6 feet 10, will have three years of remaining eligibility. Both strongly considered UCLA and Arizona out of high school before signing with the Tar Heels. North Carolina announced Thursday the Wears would transfer. Their father, David Sr., said he could not comment on potential landing places for his sons until North Carolina filed paperwork officially releasing them from their scholarships, but he added, "I would imagine UCLA would be interested." LA Times 5/6

The 6-foot-6, 205-pound Branden Dawson was stellar on Saturday at Franklin High School, leading his SYF Players team into the quarterfinals of the Indiana State AAU Tournament. “I am just out here trying to get better,” said Dawson, who had games of 19 and 18 points. “I have improved a lot since last year, but I know I need to improve more.” Dawson has a solid list of schools: Purdue, Michigan State, Indiana, Marquette, UCLA and Georgetown. He said that they are “all equal” and that he likely won't make a decision on a school until next spring. “The college thing has been cool,” he said. “I am still open right now. I won't make an early decision.” Journal Courier 5/9