Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (8/2)

By Bruin Basketball Report

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday.

Recruits

Josiah Turner (6-foot-3, Sacramento High), Jabari Brown (6-4, Oakland High) and Nick Johnson (6-2, Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev.) were nothing short of outstanding each time I watched the team play. Turner likely rates as a consensus choice as the top point guard prospect in the west and one of the top five or so at the position, nationally. Brown is the best pure jump shooter in the region and Johnson - a son of Joey Johnson and nephew of the late Dennis Johnson, a recent Hall of Fame inductee - is the most spectacular jumper in this class. Press Telegram 7/26

Despite reports that he’s leaning toward committing to Duke, Austin Rivers said following Tuesday night’s AAU Super Showcase that he’s still open to a number of schools, including Florida. Rivers committed to UF as a ninth-grader before re-opening his recruitment last April. Rivers has listed his top three schools as Duke, Florida and North Carolina in no particular order. Gainesville Sun 7/27

Julian Royal - He didn't get off to a fast start, but Royal really picked it up late. The power forward showed off his complete game. He scored from three off the catch, he hit from the mid-range, and then he played with his back to the basket and finished with spin moves in the paint. Royal put all of his natural talent on display and showed a fire to help his team win the game that doesn't always seem to be there. Jackets Online 7/27

Cezar Guerrero (Belmont Shores, 2011)- Once considered a right hand dominant gunner, Guerrero has significantly improved the weaker areas of his game. He is making plays going left, distributing the basketball to teammates and overall playing a much more mature floor game. Surprisingly only Colorado has offered this talented lead guard. UNLV, Auburn, St. John's, Oklahoma, Oregon, Oregon State, Long Beach State and UCLA are showing interest....Norvel Pelle might have as much upside as any post player in the country. The long, super athletic post player is poised to move up the rankings and will be hearing from a bunch of schools. Section Sports 7/28

In an interview with Andy Katz of ESPN.com, Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers talked a little bit about his son, Austin Rivers, a prized hoops recruit in the Class of 2011. "At this point, Austin pretty much doesn't know where he's going," Rivers said. "There are three or four schools he likes but he wants to see how they play. He's gone the other way and wants to slow it down and wait. That's the new trend and I think it's pretty smart." Rumors have swirled all offseason about where the younger Rivers will end up playing college basketball. Earlier in July, Doc Rivers told Zagsblog.com that Duke, Florida and "probably a couple other schools" are on Austin's list. USA Today 7/28

The highest profile recruits abide by the rules. While waiting for his mother in the lobby of the Las Vegas Bishop Gorman gymnasium last weekend, Nick Johnson came face to face with Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford. It was an obvious awkward moment, but Johnson was as cool as he was on the court. NCAA rules dictate that a coach can not communicate with prospective recruits at evaluation events such as the Fab 48 in which Johnson and the Oakland/Drew Gooden Soldiers competed. Ford walked by and the two exchanged only a smile. Minutes later, after media entered the lobby, Johnson, a high-profile Class of 2011 recruit from Henderson (Nev.) Findlay reportedly favoring Arizona, said in an interview that Oklahoma State was one of his suitors. Say this for Ford: He made himself seen. Did he time his walk-by with Johnson? Maybe so, but does it really matter? Tucson Citizen 7/29

Norvel Pelle (Compton Magic, 2011)- It looks like Pelle is finding his stride as a basketball player. That is a frightening thing for his future opponents. Pelle is a big time talent with top of the line athleticism for a prospect with his size. He effortlessly blocks shots with either hand, finishes with either hand and runs the floor like a gazelle. The primary task for Pelle in order to put together his talents as a productive and winning basketball player is to crystallize his mental focus. A number of schools are poised to make a big push for Pelle after witnessing his abilities in July. According to Pelle, the entire Pac-10 has offered along with St. John's, Texas, UNLV, UConn, Miami, Kansas and North Carolina. Scarlet Nation 7/29

Austin Rivers, 6-3 rising senior combo guard, Winter Park (FL): Rivers’ scoring ability–he has almost unlimited range, the ability to get past multiple defenders with his terrific handle and has excellent court vision, to boot–has been written about ad nauseum on this site and plenty of other places, but with added strength, a better understanding of how to involve his teammates and at least a partial commitment to playing D, he’s in the process of taking his game to another level. SLAM Online 7/30