News Bits
Melvin Bell: "Cali wassup 🌴 #committed #gospartans"
Playing at a prominent prep school in Indiana this year, 6-foot-4, 175 Melvin Bell visited Brown University on September 5 so he has academic chops. He hit San Jose State University on September 13 and committed on the 17th. Pending trips to Murray State and Ball State are cancelled. A trip to DePaul in late June didn't produce a love match. Bell was offered on July 16 by the Spartans.
His recruiting timeline in interesting. Stanford offered in February 2023 (academics again). Bell went on unofficial visits to Illinois, Michigan and Missouri in 2022 prior to his leg woes and received offers but matters apparently cooled post injury as those level of schools don't wait around, they simply move on to other prospects. Bell's NIL prospects also likely diminished.
From his signing article: "...Before I went on the visit to San Jose I started to build a relationship with Coach [Tim] Miles and Coach [Ed] Gipson,” Bell said. “But then when I got on campus everything just felt genuine. The coaches kept it real with me and when I watched practice and film I saw that I’ll fit in perfectly. Plus it was just a good opportunity...”
From an earlier article: "...They said they love my game and how I play with a chip on my shoulder since coming back from my injury. They think I can be a good fit and factor to their team.”
Bell shattered his tibia and ruptured his patellar tendon during 15u AAU ball in the spring.
“I was out for like a year,” Bell said. “I’m feeling real good now..."
"...At Peach Jam, Bell averaged 14.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game to help Meanstreets to a 6-2 record in the PIT. The guard also shot 61.9% from the floor and 50% from 3-point range. “I’m a dog,” Bell said of his game. “I pick up full court. I can get downhill, shoot the ball a little bit. And I help my teammates make a play...”
“...Melvin has been one the staples of our programs for the last few years,” Meanstreets 17u head coach Jerel McNeal said. “He is one of the best and most underrated two-way players in the country. Has great positional size, good athlete, and skill set. Off the court he’s a really smart kid, hard working and loyal!...”
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Derek Murray: "Oregon is in tonight for ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2025 Winters Grady of Prolific Prep."
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Derek Murray: "2026 Caeden Hutcherson (6’4 G) of Archbishop Mitty & Team Lillard has earned an offer from California."
and
Derek Murray: "2026 Caeden Hutcherson (6’4 G) of Archbishop Mitty & Team Lillard has earned an offer from UNLV."
Does he want to stay home (SJSU) or very near home (Cal) or go for the bright lights on the Vegas Strip? The Spartans have a chance if SJSU Coach Tim Miles can get the Spartan program stabilized and successful but Cal and Coach Mark Madsen in the ACC will be a mighty mountain to climb. Bet on Hutcherson heading to Berkeley.
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"Why On3 is higher than the industry with 2027 C Obinna Ekezie"
Ekezie is with Prolific Prep and Team Lillard.
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Derek Murray: "2026 Elias Obenyah (6’4 G) of Salesian Prep (CA) & Team Lillard has earned an offer from California."
Hallelujah, the great Nor Cal drought is over! Obenyah now has an offer from from an ACC squad that plays just up 80 for about 45 miles. This one makes it nine offers for Obenyah.
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DePaul Prep Men's Basketball: "Congratulations to Rykan Woo who was offered by UC Davis HC Coach Jim Les this morning."
Woo is a 6-foot-1 point out of Illinois and GuardU seem like a match.
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Rose City Ballers: "UC Davis, Sac St and Jessup (D2) checking out 2025 Chase Rawlins."
Who will break the ice first on the 6-foot-5 guard and possibly gain an advantage?
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Derek Murray: "St. Mary’s (HC) & UC San Diego (HC +1) are in for 2025 Trent MacLean today SoCal Academy."
Gael Coach Randy Bennett has interest in the son of former UCLA big Don MacLean.
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Jalen Stokes: "Montana wtw?!🐻 #officialvisit #GoGrizz."
Former Dublin High guard Jalen Stokes (now at Dougherty Valley High) tripped to Montana recently. The Grizz nabbed backcourter Money Williams out of Oakland High last year and he performed superbly as a freshman. Will that impress Stokes or make him feel Montana is set at shooting guard for two more seasons after he arrives?
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