5-star Vargas looking at fall decision now

A spring decision is no longer the option for five-star Eloy Vargas. Instead, a vigorous visit schedule is in place and a magnifying glass will be coming along with the 6-foot-10 forward from Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage High School.

According to Vargas's Team Breakdown coach Brionne Gillion, Vargas will likely sign in November after all and will look hard at each of the situations this fall.

Vargas will visit Florida next weekend unofficially. The week after that, he'll make the trip to Tallahassee to see Florida State unofficially. New American Heritage teammate Kenny Boynton will also make the trip, Gillion said. A return trip to Pittsburgh is also in the works for the fall for Sept. 14 or the 21st.

Vargas has also been to Louisville and Miami, where he can "go any time he wants to," Gillion says.

At this stage in the game, it appears as if the Florida schools and Pittsburgh have the upper hand, according to Gillion. There is a separating factor for the school that wins out, too.

"The key is going to be immediate playing time," Gillion said. "Will he be able to come in and play through his mistakes because I think he knows that there will need to be corrections in his game. Any freshman has to know that. But finding a place where he can grow on the court and have the people in place to help him the day he gets on campus when he finishes high school is going to be important. Individual improvement is a big part of it. It's going to be a transition but he wants to find somewhere that he can do that on the floor."

Pittsburgh is in it for the long haul and Vargas has been to the Steel City a number of times before to see the Panthers up close and personal.

"Pittsburgh has been there since day one. Before day one actually. They were on him before he even came over to the United States," Gillion said. "I'll say this, if he doesn't go to Pittsburgh, he'll have to call Orlando Antigua himself and tell him because (Antigua) has been on him harder than any other coach in the country."

The Gators have made Vargas a priority and seem to be in good shape at the moment while Florida State is working hard in the process and has made an impression with its staff.

"Florida might be the right situation because there is a need at his position," Gillion said, just an hour after Florida landed Allan Chaney. "Based on style of play, Florida is probably the best option because they are really good at using their fours as face up players and they run the floor.

"Then you look at Florida State and out of all of the schools, they might have the most advanced staff out there in terms of preparing guys for the NBA. They all have NBA experience. (Assistant coach) Andy Enfield is one of the best in the business at straight up individual improvement."

Finding that fit, and finding it before November, won't be easy. But the trek is beginning for the No. 10 overall player in the country.

"Everybody has their advantages and their disadvantages in this," Gillion said.