A Look At Villanovas Recruiting

When former Hofstra head coach Jay Wright (right) took over the Wildcats’ basketball program, the one sure aspect you knew the young leader was going to bring to Villanova was strength in recruiting the New York City metro area. Let’s face it folks – if you can make it in New York you can make it anywhere.

Wright’s first commitment in the class of 2002 was Allan Ray (left), who comes from one of the country’s top high school programs in St. Raymond’s in the Bronx. Ray is a warrior. Ray is a 6-0 combo guard who committed to Villanova while at the ABCD camp last July. He previously considered Georgia Tech, NC State, Wake Forest, Miami, Seton Hall, and Memphis.

This was a very for Wright to land one of the top players in New York at one of the top programs in the country. What attracted Villanova about Ray is that Allan is a warrior who plays against stiff competition every week and has been tested against the top players in the country. When we mention warrior there is no other way to accurately describe him. According to Russ Blake, who was covering the Big Time tournament in Las Vegas last July, Ray had internal bleeding. He was spitting up blood during one game but continued to play.

Villanova also wanted some toughness at the forward position too. They got it when the Cats landed Curtis Sumpter (right), 6-6 of Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn, New York. Like Ray, Sumpter plays against the best competition in the New York area in the CHSAA. Sumpter also plays for one of the best AAU programs in the country (Long Island Panthers). So when you evaluate Sumpter’s game, it is done against the best competition and not against cupcakes.

Sumpter does not receive the big ink that other recruits do in the class of 2002. He just does his job. He is vastly underrated as a rebounder.

Recently, Villanova added Randy Foye (left), a talented 6-3, 195 pound combo/shooting guard from East Side H.S. in Newark, N.J.. He is announcing for Villanova today at a press conference. Foye can play either guard slot, but he is most dangerous as an open court offensive threat. He has a slick handle, strong frame and the body control to finish difficult drives to the basket.

When he developes more consistency beyond the arc, he is going to be one heck of a college player. Due to his size, he is almost impossible for defenses to stop. Foye averaged 22.6 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal per game as a junior at East Side H.S. Foye said he has a 2.3 GPA but will not take the SAT until the fall.

Villanova would like to finish off the 2002 recruiting campaign by landing 6-10 center Jason Fraser (right) of Amityville High School on Long Island. Fraser is currently considering Louisville, North Carolina, St. John’s, and Villanova. Fraser has already visited North Carolina and Villanova. UNC trails while the Wildcats have the slight edge, according to Fraser. Jason is going to visit Louisville this weekend and take a trip to St. John’s the following weekend. Fraser has said he hopes to make a decision in the Fall but did not rule out signing in the Spring if he was unsure of his choice.

It’s likely Fraser will decide between Villanova and St. John’s but you can’t rule out Louisville and Rick Pitino, one of the all time recruiting wizards in college basketball. The name power that Pitino has is strong on the high school ranks. But for now, Villanova fans can dream and hope. The Cats lead but trips to Louisville and St. John’s remain. And Jason has changed his mind a bit during this recruiting process. It will be interesting to hear him talk about his trip to Louisville. Who will his leader be after his Louisville visit? We should find out sometime next Sunday or Monday.

If Villanova does not land Fraser, it’s likely the Cats hold the offer and concentrate on the class of 2003. Believe it or not, the juniors will now be allowed to take official visits starting January 1st of next year. So it might be wise to hold the offer.