Catron winning games, waiting for more offers

Say what you want about Joevan Catron. At 6-foot-6, 225-pounds, he's too small to be a power forward at the next level. He's heard it before. But make sure you note that Catron is a winner, too. The class of 2006 prospect is one of the anchors for Thornton High School in Harvey, Ill. as they sit at 24-1 going into Friday's meeting with Homewood-Flossmor, featuring Kansas-bound Julian Wright.

In the first meeting between Thornton, the No. 11 ranked team in the country by USA Today, and Homewood-Flossmor, Catron took pride in holding Wright to seven of 17 for 20 points. Playing against a player such as Wright, a future Kansas Jayhawk, is a challenge for the underclassman.

"It's a big challenge for me. I think there will be some NBA scouts and I hope Kansas is there watching, too," Catron said of their meeting on Friday.

The classic garbage man forward is a guy that will empty the tank and rebound and block shots. And he's played that way in front of a number of head coaches have this season.

He said Marquette's Tom Crean, Tom Izzo of Michigan State, Ernie Kent of Oregon and Bruce Weber of Illinois have all taken a peek at the big man in action throughout the year.

Catron said he's hearing the most from Arizona and Illinois. The Fighting Illini have offered a scholarship to the in-state prospect, Catron said. The nation's number one team and Wildcats have made a strong impression with the brute forward.

"I've talked to them the most. They write me, email me and I call them all the time," Catron said. "I'd have to say they are really stepping it up more than anyone else."

Even with all of the attention from coaches and calls, emails and letters from others, the three-star prospect is quick to point out that he isn't anywhere close to winding his recruitment up.

"I'm open right now," Catron said. "I've got to take the ACT before I take any visits, so I'm basically listening to everyone."

Catron said he is planning on taking the standardized test next month. By rule, recruits must take the ACT and/or the SAT before taking any official visits.