DeVon Hardin, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Newark Memorial High School in Newark, California, has a long list of schools interested in his service with local schools, California and USC, leading the pack.

Hardin is in the early stages of his recruitment, but it is apparent that two schools have a decisive advantage.

“California and USC are showing the most interest at this time,” Newark Memorial head coach Craig Ashmore said. “Ben Braun has come to see DeVon play several times, and you know a school is interested when the head coach pays a visit. Proximity allows DeVon to play pick-up games with players from each of these schools, so he knows quite a bit about each University.”

Quite a few schools outside the California region are showing interest in Hardin. While it’s too early to tell what schools are serious, new inquires are made on a daily basis.

“Oklahoma State, LSU, Kansas, Utah, Arizona State and Gonzaga are some of the schools that have expressed interest at one point or another,” Ashmore said. “Notre Dame and Michigan called a few days ago said they wanted to see DeVon play.”

Many coaches like Hardin because he has great upside and, more importantly, he has great height, something that cannot be taught.

“DeVon is getting better all the time,” he said. “He’s really new to the game, but he has grown a lot, has filled out and has really gotten more talented.

“On the court, he can rebound, block shots, dunk and he really has a nice touch. Because of that smooth touch, DeVon hits a lot of off balance shots,” he added. “He is a very unique player because he doesn’t have everything (skill wise) that people should have.”

A difficult decision awaits Hardin in terms of his future. He’s knows that he’ll have quite a few options, so he must evaluate each situation and make the decision that’s best for him.

“I know that DeVon will keep all of his options open and I know he respects all of the schools recruiting him,” he said. “He’ll have to ask himself if he wants to make the leap and leave the state of California, or if he wants to stay.

“His father is big on education, so that will factor into the decision,” he added. “He’s got a masters degree and works for a computer company here in town, so I know that education will play into this decision. DeVon got an 1180 the first time he took the SAT, so he is really a smart kid.”

Hardin and his size 20 shoes will have some big decisions to make in the future, but all that can wait. He and the rest of his Oakland Solider One AAU teammates are preparing for their summer schedule, which kicks off this month.