Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (6/14)

By Bruin Basketball Report

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday.

Commits

Incoming Washington freshman Desmond Simmons will join sophomore-to-be Abdul Gaddy at the training camp for the USA basketball men's U18 national team.... Gaddy is the only collegiate player on the team and Simmons was one of six late additions. Eight players selected to compete in the camp have withdrawn, including Joshua Smith, the Kentwood High star who is bound for UCLA, and Terrence Jones, the former UW recruit who signed with Kentucky. Seattle Times 6/10

Recruits

It was an offer Norvel Pelle couldn't refuse. The 6-10 blue-chipper, who will be the star big man at Price High in Los Angeles this coming basketball season, got an invitation about two weeks ago to the shooting and skills camp held at St. John's over the weekend. He'd met coach Steve Lavin before and wanted a firsthand look at a program that is creating so much buzz on the East Coast. "I've heard about what they're trying to do here," Pelle said during a break Saturday at Taffner Field House on campus. "I'm getting to know Coach Lav. I wanted to see what it's like here. ... Is St. John's on my list? Yes, it is." NY Daily News 6/7

Price High School’s Norvel Pelle is one of 19 prep players invited to USA Basketball’s men’s developmental national team training camp June 18-24 at the University of Texas at San Antonio. The group will be used to choose the 12-player USA U-17 World Championship team, as well as the four players who will represent the country in the 3-on-3 basketball competition at the first Youth Olympic Games. The FIBA U17 World Championship for Men is July 2-11 in Hamburg, Germany. LA Wave 6/9

The reigning Times Player of the Year said he isn't sure where he will play basketball next season. "I really don't know," Branden Dawson said after scoring six points, grabbing seven rebounds, taking three steals and getting two blocks. "I'm looking for the best situation in everything for me right now. It's either or. It's an in-between situation. "My mom told me she is behind whatever decision I make." Dawson said he would like to stay in the Region, but only time will tell. He plans on visiting Michigan State and Georgetown in July, and he'll also be attending Purdue's team camp."I'd like to stay at home and compete for the Mr. Basketball," Dawson said. "We'll just have to see what happens." NWI Times 6/10