Potpourri May 15

News Bits

Verbal Commits D2: "2024 College of the Sequoias (CA) G Alex Argandar has committed to Alaska Anchorage."

Argandar is out of Modesto Christian High.

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Coach David Patrick and Sacramento State have signed Idaho transfer guard EJ Neal

Neal is out of Balboa Prep and CCSF.

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Joe Tipton: "NEWS: Memphis transfer forward Ashton Hardaway, the son of Penny Hardaway, has committed to St. Mary’s, he tells On3sports.

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Verbal Commits: "2024 Link Year Prep (MO) G/F Donavin Young has committed to Stanford."

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Verbal Commits: "2024 Cowley College (KS)/California commit F Jeff Nwankwo is reopening his recruitment."

This one hurts. The 6-foot-6 Nwanko is a Top 10 community college recruit this season. He committed to Cal in early May.

*** An Okalhoma City native, Nwankho just signed with Oklahoma. A better NIL payday? Closer to home?

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Verbal Commits: "Washington State F Spencer Mahoney has received an offer from California."

He's 6-foot-9, 230 and will be a redshirt freshman next season.

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PDT Scouting: "2024 Unsigned Senior Diamant Blazi is currently (May 9) conducting an official visit with San Francisco. Has done Official and Unofficial Visits with Monmouth, North Florida, Indiana, USC, Xavier, OTE and Stetson. The 6’8 wing averaged: 15.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG and 5.5 BPG at Jordan Christian Prep (FL) this season."

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Mike Pearson: "God is good!! 100% Committed."

That is to Cal State Los Angeles from UC San Diego. He played just 96 minutes this past season. A junior-to-be, Pearson stands 5-foot-9 and graduated from Modesto Christian High.

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Jeff Borzello: "San Francisco transfer Mike Sharavjamts is down to Saint Mary’s, Illinois and Utah, sources told ESPN. Former ESPN 100 recruit averaged 7.7 points and 2.7 assists this past season, shot 36% from 3. 6-foot-8 guard."

This will be his third school in three years. I also like 91 assists versus 49 turnovers.

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Verbal Commits: "Former Florida International G Petar Krivokapić is transferring to Pacific."

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Chabot Gladiator Basketball: "1st Team All Conf Gladiator Soph G Makaio Mims will take official visits to Sonoma State Univ and Western Oregon Univ in next 10 days."

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Jake Lieberman: "2025 6'5 SG Kaden Powers out of Rainier Beach HS (WA) & NW Rotary Rebels holds interest from Washington, Kansas, LSU, West Virginia, Weber State & Oregon State.

Offers: Southern U, UT Arlington, UNLV, Idaho, Montana & San Francisco"

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Randall Bessolo: "Bay Area Basketball Coaches Association is starting to promote BoysCaliLive24 to college coaches. 168 of the top HS teams in the State will play in this NCAA sanctioned event. Spread the word!"

It's happening June 28-30 up in Roseville.

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The Portal Report: "After leading the program to its second consecutive Final Four appearance in just his first season at the helm, CSU San Bernardino head coach Gus (the pride of De La Salle) Argenal and Co. have rebuilt this roster to contend once again come March!

•  5  10+ PPG Transfers
•  3  Former D1 Recruits
•  2  Top-100 Rebounders
• Multiple All-Conference Selections

• Camren Pierce, 5-11 G - CSU San Marcos
• Josh Adoh , 6-4 G - Bucknell
• Evan Oliver, 6-0 G - Chico State
• Giordan Williams, 6-5 G - Montana
• Charlie Henderson, 6-8 F - CSU San Marcos
• Nic Welp, 6-10 F - Western Washington
• Fallou Cisse, 6-7 F - CCSF
• Drew Henderson, 6-5 G - Sonoma State"

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Harp: "6’11 Tuscan Onuoha has one year of juco experience with DCCC & 3 years of eligibility. He has heard from Central Michigan, VMI, San Jose State, UT Martin, Southern Utah and UNC Asheville, Tennessee State, SMU, and many others! Stock will only continue to rise!"

San Jose State University has offered 6-foot-11, 250 2024 Tuscan Onuoha of Dodge City Community College (KS). Does he look like 250?

But Jake Lieberman doesn't have San Jose State University listed in his tweet : "6'11 250 pound prospect Tuscan Onuoha from Dodge City Junior College & Sydney, Australia tells me that he's recently heard from Butler, UT Martin, Southern Utah, UNC Asheville, Tennessee State, UAB, Idaho & Elon."

Hmmm.

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Cy Merrett: "I’m blessed to receive an offer from San Jose State University."

Merrett is a 6-foot-5 2025 guard out of New Orleans.

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Kenyon Aguino: "Blessed to receive my 4th Division 1 offer from San Jose State MBB. Thank you to Ed Gibson for believing in me."

The 6-foot-7 2025 Aguino is out of New Mexico.

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Stellar Hoops: "Class of 2025 6’11 (Team Trae Young 3SSB) Jax Kerr holds an offer from San Jose State. Jax uses his length to make plays everywhere inside the lane, runs the floor, valuable on the block, athletic, blocks shots, rebounds & keeps plays alive with his instincts around the rim."

He weighs 190 right now.

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Simply Basketball: "Kellen Hampton (2025 6'7) continues to improve his stock on 3SSB Circuit ! He holds offers St. John’s, Creighton, Mississippi St, Cal, Washington St, San Jose St, San Francisco, Montana, Arizona St, & more."

Early expectations were that Hampton would be a national blue chipper. That hasn't happened but he will be seriously sought by many. Out of Hayward, he plays AAU ball with Team Lillard even though he attends school down in LA.

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Potpourri, May 13

News Bits

Verbal Commits: "Former Portland F Tyler Harris is transferring to Washington."

A big get for new coach Danny Sprinkle. Harris sure likes the Pacific Northwest.

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Isaiah Hinds: "This is ALL Jesus! #Committed"

A 6-foot-4 point, Hinds has committed to Hawaii Hilo from Gavilan College.

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 Ohlone MBB: "Ohlone College Men’s Basketball Sophomore Matt Villanueva has committed to Cal State East Bay to continue his athletic and academic career. Villanueva joins the Pioneers under award winning head coach Bryan Rooney to compete in NCAA Division II CCAA competition."

Villanueva is a 5-foot-11 sophomore out of Moreau Catholic High. He averaged 10.9 points on 46%, 47% and 79% shooting respectively while grabbing 3.9 rebounds and dishing out 3.0 assists.

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Jon Rothstein: "UC Irvine transfer Derin Saran has committed to Stanford, per Egemen Onen of KIN Partners. 6-4 PG averaged 10.1 PPG and 3.4 RPG. One of the top remaining floor generals in the transfer portal."

Great size but floor general (51 assists versus 37 turnovers in 31 games?)

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Joe Tipton: "NEWS: 2024 four-star SG Liam Campbell, a former USC signee, has committed to Saint Mary’s, he tells On3Recruits."

When he signed with USC, he was ranked No. 76 on the ESPN 2024 Top 100. At 6-foot-5, could he eventually be Mahaney's replacement?

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John Bynum Jr.: "Demarreya Lewis-Cooper (Yuba) has committed to Cal Poly Pomona. Lewis-Cooper averaged 9.8 points, 5.4 assists and 3.7 last season for the 49ers."

He also earned All State status this season.

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Jake Lieberman: "6’ PG Trey Knight out of Cal State East Bay tells me that he’s committed to Tacoma Community College. Held D1 offers out of high school."

Knight is out of Moreau Catholic High.

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Corey Tita: "Extremely blessed to receive A d1 offer from the University of San Francisco. Thank you coach plank and the rest of the coaching staff."

Tita is a 6-foot-3 2025 guard out of Washington.

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24/7 High School Hoops: "2025 Top-25 recruit Tounde Yessoufou tells LeagueRDY he’s hearing the most from these schools:

• Kentucky
• Tennessee
• Arizona
• Texas
• UCLA
• USC
• Stanford

Yessoufou is a tough, physical forward who has been one of the top players on the NikeEYB through the first two sessions. A name to watch."

It will take something akin to a miracle but Kyle Smith landing the 6-foot-6 Yessoufou would be so incredible for the program, especially now that Stanford is in the ACC. Remember, school is important to the young man.

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St. Vincent de Paul College Prep Boys Basketball: "We are thrilled to announce Nick Iacopi as our new head boys basketball coach!"

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Jake Lieberman: "6'5 '26 PG Katrelle Harmon from Wasatch Academy (UT) holds interest from USC, UCLA, Arizona, Cal & West Virginia. 

Offers: Auburn, San Francisco, Seattle U, Washington, Washington State, Portland, Pacific, Bryant, Arizona State, Old Dominion, Illinois & Oregon State."

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Jake Lieberman: "Allen tells me that he’s taking a visit to Cal State East Bay today (May 7)."

A freshman, Kendall Allen is a 6-foot-point attend Harcum Junior College in Pennsylvania. 

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Jake Lieberman: "Thomas Tut out of Garden City Community College has taken recent visits to Idaho State & Robert Morris. The 6’10 sophomore who averaged 14.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 32 games. He has also recently heard from Jacksonville State, UMBC, UMBC, San Jose State, UTSA, +.

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"If they don't go pro, elite basketball recruits are more likely to transfer than stay put

Congratulations, you just signed a ballyhooed freshman! Good luck keeping him around in the portal era"

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Jeff Goodman: "There were 22 Players of the Year in low and mid-major leagues this season.

• 10 exhausted their eligibility
• 3 went pro with eligibility left
• 8 transferred elsewhere
• 1 returned to his school

The lone player to return is Princeton's Caden Pierce."

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"YAP JR. SIGNS WITH MEN'S BASKETBALL"

Former Fresno State guard Donovan Yap has signed with San Jose State University. This is the Spartans first portal transfer signing.

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"West Coast Conference Adds Grand Canyon University and Seattle University as Members"

Seattle has been talked about as an addition for years.

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Jake Lieberman: "2025 guard Semetri Carr from Branson HS (CA) & Oakland Soldiers 17U EYBL tells me that the following programs are in touch:

• Michigan
• LSU
• Colorado

Offers: USC, Stanford, Wichita State, University of San Diego, CSUN, Washington, UNLV, +."

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Derek Murray: "2026 Justin Román (6’7 W) of the academy cfl & Jet Academy has earned an offer from California."

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The Division I Basketball (Regular Period) began on April 17 and concludes on May 15. 2024.

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Dayton Magana Chooses Linfield

The term twofer is fairly well known, threefer not as much. Count 5-foot-7 sophomore Dayton Magana of San Joaquin Delta College as affiliated with the latter. Coach Levi Sieg is aware of what he is getting as Magana has committed to Linfield College (OR): of being a basketball talent with multiple hoops skills, also an ace in the classroom plus a team leader on and off the court.

Why the choice of Linfield? "I was super excited after my visit as I've never been to Oregon and the scenery was great," Magana recalled. "I had a good experience with the guys on the team and the coaching staff was locked in on me. It was fulfilling and somewhat relieving" after he made his choice. Magana's decision came in late April.

Although he is a big scorer, Magana will be positioned at the point. As he put it, "it's sort of a given considering my stature."

Magana has always been underrated due to his size

Away from the court, Magana sports a 3.67 grade point average, he has earned Big 8 Academic All League honors and at the end of this semester he will have earned three AA degrees in science and mathematics, physical education and a basic associate degree during his three-year tenure in Stockton. A wrist injury unfortunately severely limited his playing time his regular sophomore season so he was able to return in 2023-24 still designated as a sophomore.

Magana will be a bit older as a transfer and feels confident that his experience will be beneficial. "I lead by example everyday, on a daily basis. But what I say, I back it up with what I do on the court."

He may look like a choir boy, but he buries opponents with no malice aforethought

Magana averaged a team high 18.7 points per game this past season alongside 3.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds. Add in a team-leading 42 steals and it's easy to see how critical his efforts were to Delta finishing with an 11-5 Big 8 Conference record. His production earned him a First Team All Big 8 Conference inclusion this season.

Two years earlier, Magana earned a spot on the California Community College All State Team, the sole sub-six-feet player chosen. He also was named the Big 8 Conference Most Valuable Player. 

Magana shines when things get tough

Asked to name his goals for next season, Magana offered, "win our conference and either make a deep run in the D3 national tournament or win it."

Magana will major in kinesiology. But first comes his plans for this summer. "I'll be working out with Calen Coleman of the Versus Hoop Academy. I want to improve my athleticism."

That doesn't bode well for Linfield's opponents in the next two years.

Potpourri, May 10

News Bits

Skyline Basketball: "Congrats to Milandev Chatha. Out of Fremont HS in Sunnyvale, Dev was top 10 in scoring (14.8 ppg), rebounding (6.5 rpg) & FG% (52.2%) for the Coast-North. He's a committed student-athlete, earning a 3.86 gpa this Fall, studying engineering. Fierce competitor & fantastic teammate."

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Jonathan Givony: "NEWS: Washington State's Jaylen Wells has been invited to attend the NBA Draft Combine, a source told ESPN. Wells, ranked No. 54 among ESPN draft prospects, was initially invited to the G League Elite Camp, making him a surprising omission from the first Combine list."

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"Report: Florida guard Zyon Pullin receives invite to G League Elite Camp"

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The Circuit: "2025 Team Lillard (CA) G Jalen (Dublin High) Stokes: 22 PTS (7/10 FG), 5 REB, 2 AST in a win over NY Gauchos."

That's called making a name against a tough NYC squad.

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Jake Lieberman: "6'10 Leigh Rickwood-Pitt out of Eastern Arizona College (Juco) holds offers from the following:

• Southern Indiana
• Lincoln Memorial
• University of Charleston
• Western New Mexico
• Lubbock, Christian
• Cal State East Bay

+ receiving D1 interest."

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Jake Lieberman: "6'7 wing/forward Ben Ezeagu out of Hill College (TX Juco) tells me that he's heard from the following programs in the past week:

• UMBC
• St. Martin's
• Academy of Art U
• Kentucky Wesleyan
• Texas A&M International University

Averaged: 12.8 points (63 FG%) & 6.3 rebounds

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Jake Lierberman: "2025 6’2 SG Maguire Evans out of Cleveland HS (TN) & Hawks Elite AAU is being recruited by the following programs:

• William & Mary
• Charleston Southern
• North Dakota State
• Augustana University
• LeMoyne
• Mercer
• Newberry
• Pacific
• Penn
• Nova Southeastern
• USCB

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Jake Lieberman: "'25 6'5 PG/SG Legend Smiley out of Garfield HS (WA) & Seattle Rotary holds interest from Virginia, Utah, LSU, Gonzaga, Oregon, Cal, Boise State, Alabama, Pepperdine & Washington State.

Offers: San Francisco, Washington, Seattle U, Weber State, Montana, UNLV & Utah State."

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Jake Lieberman: "Abubakar Kromah remains available. Kromah has heard from Dominican College, Embry-Riddle, Clinton College & Park University. Averaged a double-double this past year at Juco."

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InsanenessMedia: "NVC Basketball are ecstatic to add another vandenball player! Jayden Robinson will bring shooting and defensive prowess to our program. Jayden has contributed to Vanden’s Section Championships. Please join us in welcoming Jayden Robinson to the Storm Family."

Heading to Napa Valley College, the 6-foot-2 Robinson has a rep as an outstanding defender.

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Kim English: "Type shii… To all the tampering Head Coaches and Assistant coaches and flunkies…just call me and lmk if you want to recruit our players. Leave them and their families alone. Call me. I’ll see if they want to play for your programs. Yall have my number."

English is the head coach at Providence.

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Jeff Goodman: "I miss the days when a terrific recruiter was so valuable in college sports. Now it doesn't really matter. You can be a terrific recruiter, but if you don't have any NIL, you aren't getting players. And you can be a shitty recruiter, but if you have NIL you'll still be able to get guys."

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"Lamont Butler on leaving SDSU: ‘I felt like there was not much left for me to do'

Butler said a "business decision" did factor into his move."

Greater NIL $$$ plus greater visibility at Kentucky led to his move away from San Diego State. Welcome to College Hoops 2024.

He really doesn't need greater visibility. NBA folks know of him. Fans will see more of him, that's for sure.

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Verbal Commits D2: "2024 Granada (CA) F Cortevious Taylor has committed to Chico State."

Out of Granada High in the East Bay and Team Lillard (AAU), Taylor is 6-foot-6, 235.

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Verbal Commits: "Former Nevada F/C Jazz Gardner is transferring to Pacific."

UOP lands a 7-footer but one who was overrated coming out of high school (not his fault). He'll eventually help.

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Verbal Commits: "2025 Volcano Vista (NM) F Kenyon Aguino has received an offer from San José State."

2025 seems so far off at the moment.

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Portal Updates: "DePaul transfer Elijah Fisher has committed to Pacific. The 6’6” sophomore guard started 30/32 games, averaging 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. Fisher is a lengthy guard who should do really well in the WCC."

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Jon Rothstein interviews new Stanford Head Coach Kyle Smith. It begins at the 12:15 mark of the podcast.

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Potpourri, May 8

News Bits

Ethan Kassel: "I’ve been told Saint Mary’s is blocking four-star recruit Zion Sensley’s release from his NLI. He announced his intention to decommit following associate head coach Justin Joyner’s departure for Michigan. Sensley will need to file an appeal with the NCAA for his release."

With no 'news' or even chatter on Sensley's next home, it confirms Michigan is it. Would love to be listening in on Bennett's and Joyner's post-Sensley's departure phone conversations. 

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Jake Lieberman: "Allen tells me that he’s taking a visit to Cal State East Bay today (May 7).

Freshman 6' PG Kendall Allen out of Harcum Junior College (Full Qualifier) tells me that he's receiving interest from the NEC, MAAC & D2 programs. Averaged 12.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists & 1.2 steals."

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Dave McMenamin: "The Lakers have parted ways with the entire coaching staff beyond Darvin Ham, sources told ESPN, including Phil Handy - who coached under both Ham and Frank Vogel in L.A. The L.A. Times was first to report."

Handy has no worries as the new coach will either pick him up or another team will gladly do so. He has one year remaining on his Laker contract.

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Portal Updates: "UTSA transfer Carlton Linguard Jr. has committed to San Francisco. The 7’0” senior center started 27/32 games, averaging 9.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. Linguard shot 52% from 2, and 31% from 3 (38/124). Nice addition for the Dons. Linguard is great at scoring at the rim, is a rim protector, and is a good 3 point shooter for his size."

His name sounds like the latest addition to a law firm but he will help the Dons.

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Portal Updates: "Stanford has landed a commitment from USC transfer Oziyah Sellers. The 6’5” sophomore guard appeared in 33 games, averaging 5.2 points, and 1.0 rebound. Sellers shot 49% from 2, and 43% from 3 (24/56). Lengthy guard who’s a strong defender, and good shooter."

Heard nothing about Sellers since the early days of the transfer portal opening. It's likely he committed soon but it took a while to get Sellers through the academic side of Stanford admissions. Not that he would have such a problem anywhere else. Nice pickup.

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"Stan State Men’s Basketball Announces the Signing of Fabian Reichstadt"

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Jake Lieberman: "6'10 sophomore Thomas Tut out of Garden City Junior College tells me that he's being recruited the hardest by the following:

•  Jax State	•  UMKC
•  UMBC	•  San Jose State
•  USTA	•  Tarleton State
•  Robert Morris	•  Jacksonville U
•  +

14.5 points, 9.8 rebounds."

That list of skills looks beatable for the Spartans but who knows if Tut wishes to come out west"

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Skyline College Basketball: "Congratulations to Darrin Lum (Lincoln HS) on his commitment to Willamette University. It’s been an unbelievable story for Darrin at Skyline. Really excited he has earned this opportunity…his story is not over. PROUD he represents our #SkylineMBBFam."

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Ryan Raddle: "UMKC Redshirt Malik Olafioye is in the transfer portal. Olafioye was 3⭐️ HS prospect w/ HM-MM offers out of Michigan.

Schools heard from so far:

He's a 6-foot-2 freshman guard. Those other schools are beatable for SJSU, a member of he Mountain West Conference. But have to note that Oakland made a splash by beating Kentucky in this year's Big Dance. 

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"Underhand clout: Warriors legend Rick Barry’s son Canyon eyes Olympic gold in Paris"

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Jeff Goodman: "EXCLUSIVE: Coleman Hawkins UNPLUGGED!!! His decision, the portal, NBA draft, the incorrect perception some have of him, how to fix college sports and more!!!"

Jeff Goodman interviews Coleman Hawkins of Prolific Prep and Antelope High. Hit this link.

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Philip Sanchez: "Congrats Avery Sanchez for being named Pitman HS Scholar Athlete of the Year (x3)"

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New Modesto Junior College Head Coach Brice Fantazia continues to load up on talent:

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’1 Guard Jahmaree Gonder to the Pirate family. Jahmaree is a transfer from Arizona Christian University and former all league player from Beyer High School."

and

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’7 Forward Myles Clayton to the Pirate family. Myles is a transfer from Las Positas College."

and

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’4 Guard Amare Suggs of Modesto Christian High School to the Pirate family. Amare is a two time SJS D1 champion."

and

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’ Guard DaeLeon Neal of Venture Academy the 2024 D4 CIF SJS Champions to the Pirate family."

and

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’3 Guard Rolando Bazan of Riverbank High School to the Pirate family.

and

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’3 Guard Marquise Greene to the Pirate family. Marquise is a transfer from West Hills Lemoore."

and

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’4 Guard Malachi Miller to the Pirate family. Malachi is a transfer from University of Redlands."

and

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’8 Guard Marques Greene to the Pirate family. Marques is a transfer from West Hills Lemoore where he averaged 13 points and 9 rebounds a game for the Golden Eagles last season.

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The Portal Report: "Quinnipiac forward Rihards Vaver has also heard from:

•  Saint Mary’s

•  Pacific"

He just signed with Washington State.

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