Duquesne gets first recruit for 2002-03
Duquesne's first year head coach Danny Nee (right) has scored a recruiting coup by picking up Western Pennsylvania's top prospect for 2002-03, Bryant McAllister, a 6-3, 180 pound point guard.
McAllister averaged 18.5 points, 6.5 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 3 steals a game as a junior at West Mifflin High School. He was the only underclassmen named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Fabulous Five and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Terrific 10. He also was named by the Associated Press to the all-state fifth team in the big schools division (Classes AAAA and AAA).
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McAllister was recruited by Duquesne's previous coaching staff as well as by Coach Nee when he was head coach at nearby Robert Morris College. Nee continued to recruit McAllister after he took over at Duquesne.
He picked Duquesne over Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, North Carolina-Wilmington and Pittsburgh. All but Pitt had offered scholarships.
Reporter Mike White of the Post-Gazette, writes that McAllister made the commitment Monday after visiting with Nee and his coaching staff on the Duquesne campus. McAllister told White:
"(Nee's) background [before Robert Morris] was a big reason for my commitment. I know Duquesne hasn't done well in the past, but if you look at Coach Nee's background, you have to understand that he's going to get it done. I decided I wanted to be part of that."
"Duquesne has been there the whole time. Pitt was just coming on lately, so I'd rather roll with Duquesne. Even if bigger schools would have the opportunity to see me play in the future and offered me a scholarship, I still would rather go to Duquesne."McAllister said he is also aware that the Dukes are thin at the point guard position. In fact, this season the current roster includes only one true point guard, Tyler Bluemling from nearby Mt. Lebanon High School. The coaching staff has indicated that Bluemling will redshirt and expect him to be a role player with the Atlantic 10 school.
West Mifflin head coach Lance Maha told White:
"The thing about him is he does a lot of things pretty well. He's not super in one area, but he can rebound, defend, he shoots it decently and he can get to the basket. He can do a lot of different things for you."
On Monday, the school also announced the transfer of thin 6-8, 180 pound combo guard Jimmy Tricco (right) from Gonzaga. Tricco has grown four inches since he left high school.
Tricco was a reserve for the Zags for his first two seasons. He will have two years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the upcoming season per NCAA rules. Tricco, who prepped at Brophy High School in Phoeniz, AZ, also has a local connection: he was born in nearby Sewickley and his father and DU assistant coach John Mahoney both worked for US Airways. Tricco's mother and sister still live in the area.
One of Danny Nee's announced tasks, upon taking over at Duquesne this spring, was to encourage the top local talent to stay in the area and attend Duquesne. His recruitment of McAllister is a huge step in that direction.
His predecessor, Darelle Porter, had recruited Drew Schifino, the area's top player in 1999-2000, and had a verbal commitment from the Penn Hills High School star in the summer of 1999. However, Schifino took back that commitment. He eventually signed with Gale Catlett at West Virginia. There was good news for Catlett too last week. Schifino is now fully qualified after a tumultous season at two prep schools this past year. (Last year's Western Pennsylvania Player of the Year, Brian Fuss-Cheatham, is headed to Ohio State.)
Nee has one more scholarship available for the upcoming season and will have three more openings for 2002-03. The ability to provide a full roster will depend on the NCAA's reconsideration of the '5/8' rule in the next couple months.
Photos: Duquesne University Sports Information Department