Coys stock on the rise

There is a secret slipping out of St. Joseph, Mo. Junior prospect John Coy of Benton High School can play. The 6-foot-7, 195-pound small forward has a Pac-10 school trying to wrap up a commitment before Coy hits the spring circuit with the Kansas City Pump N Run.

Arizona State has beaten most of the country to the punch when it offered Coy after watching him play last week. Coach Sendek is scheduled to watch Coy practice this Thursday.

According to Coy's brother Richard Coy, who is a high school coach in the Kansas City area, Missouri, UNLV, Wichita State and Creighton are also making a push for Coy.

"UNLV and Missouri watched John on the same night and liked him a lot," said Richard Coy. "Missouri hasn't offered yet, but (Assistant) Coach Watkins said he was determined that he wouldn't let John leave the state. Wichita State is on him hard, but they want him to come to a game first, and then I think they will offer."

Averaging 27 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks and four assists per game, Coy is putting up bigger and bigger numbers as the season rolls along. In his last outing he just missed a triple-double with 35 points, 13 rebounds and nine blocks.

Quite skilled for his size, Coy grew up playing the point guard position until a recent growth spurt. He has deep range, shoots it well from the mid-range especially going left, passes the ball well off the dribble and is a presence around the rim.

Whether or not Arizona State can lock down an early commitment, the Sun Devils will go into the spring as Coy's leader.

"Arizona State told John that they were going to recruit him as hard as if he were a McDonald's All American," said Richard Coy. "The effort they have put forth recruiting him has them out in front of everyone else. We just think that John can play right away at Arizona and fit in. The Pac-10 is more of a finesse league with big guys who can handle the ball.

"We also like that Coach Sendek built a program from the ground up at North Carolina State. By John's freshman or sophomore year, Arizona State should be competing for a spot in the tournament."