Fastbreak Friday: Set to sign
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National Signing Day is quickly approaching, as is the high school basketball season.
In this week's edition of Fastbreak Friday, we handicap the field on which players will sign early and take a brief look at what is going on across the country.
The early signing period opens next Wednesday and continues until Nov. 21.
As the period approaches, a handful of players are still on the board and under close watch.
Eight of the 20 uncommitted players from the class of 2008 Rivals150 could potentially sign during the open period. We handicapped the field on whether the remaining prospects will sign this fall, or wait until the spring signing period.
Tyreke Evans, American Christian (Pa.) – The nation's top uncommitted college-bound player has yet to visit Memphis officially, and wants to do that before he makes his decision. A visit to Louisville is also likely. He has been to Texas, Connecticut, Seton Hall and Villanova as well.
Chances to sign in the early period: Doubtful, but there's a slim chance that a surprise could happen – a very, very slim chance.
Chris Singleton, Dunwoody (Ga.) – It is down to Florida State and Kentucky. Who will it be? The world will found out when he announces his decision on the first day of the signing period.
Chances to sign in the early period: 100 percent.
J'Covan Brown, Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial – The four-star guard is taking it down to the wire. He is bringing Texas, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Kentucky, Auburn and Cincinnati with him.
Chances to sign in the early period: 75 percent.
Kevin Jones, Mount Vernon (N.Y.) – The four-star forward will announce his decision and sign on the first day of the signing period. He is considering Indiana, Pitt, West Virginia, UMass, Rutgers, Seton Hall and St. John's.
Chances to sign in the early period: 100 percent.
Rotnei Clarke, Verdigris (Okla.) – The outstanding shooter has been to Arkansas, Oklahoma State and Oral Roberts multiple times and is down to the wire with his decision. All indications point him to signing early.
Chances to sign in the early period: 85 percent.
Devoe Joseph, Pickering (Ont.) – The Canadian star is contemplating interest from Kansas, Vanderbilt, Minnesota and Virginia Tech. He is visiting Minnesota this weekend.
Chances to sign in the early period: 50 percent.
Verdell Jones, Champaign Central (Ill.) – With visits to Kentucky and Minnesota under his belt, the Rivals150 guard would still like to wait before he makes a decision. More high-majors are calling and taking interest, most notably North Carolina, Marquette and Texas. Oklahoma is also in the picture.
Chances to sign in the early period: 20 percent.
Storm Warren, Monroe (La.) Richwoods – The former Baylor commitment is visiting LSU this weekend, and the Rivals150 big man said he is leaning heavily to the SEC school. A decision is likely after the weekend trip to Baton Rouge.
Chances to sign in the early period: 100 percent.
It seems like we were just packing up our stuff and driving to McCarran International Airport, leaving Las Vegas and the summer travel circuit behind in July. Now the high school season is here.
The season is under way in some states, most notably in Alabama and Mississippi. Marquette commitment Nick Williams scored 32 points to start LeFlore (Ala.) off on the right foot with a 85-47 win over Vigor in the season opener. New teammate DeMarcus Cousins, one of the top juniors in the nation, added 19 points.
Cousins moved to Mobile from Birmingham after it was ruled that he would be ineligible at Clay-Chalkville. He played last season at Irwin High School. Cousins was to play alongside Christian Watford, another Rivals100 junior, at Clay-Chalkville. However, Watford has since transferred, too.
Watford has emerged at Shades Valley High School in Birmingham, according to the Birmingham News. However, he has yet to be cleared by the Alabama High School Athletic Association.
Rivals.com will hit the road next week for the National Prep Showcase in Boston at UMass-Lowell.
The National Prep Showcase is the premiere prep school event in the country and serves as the tip-off event for the high school season nationally.
FRIDAY, NOV. 16
1 p.m. – St. Thomas More vs. Massanutten Military Academy
2:40 p.m. – Notre Dame Prep vs. Fork Union Military Academy
4:20 p.m. – Maine Central Institute vs. Summit Prep
6 p.m. – Winchendon School vs. Hargrave Military Academy
7:40 p.m. - Bridgton Academy vs. Patterson School
SATURDAY, NOV. 17
9 a.m. – Maine Central Institute vs. Massanutten Military Academy
10:30 a.m. – Notre Dame Prep vs. Hargrave Military Academy
12 p.m. – St. Thomas More vs. Lee Academy
1: 30 p.m. – Brewster Academy vs. Fork Union Military Academy
3 p.m. – Winchendon School vs. American Christian
4:30 p.m. – Northfield Mount Hermon vs. Champlain St. Lambert
6 p.m. – New Hampton vs. Patterson School
7:30 p.m. –Bridgton Academy vs. Summit Prep
9 p.m. – South Kent vs. Findlay Prep
SUNDAY, NOV. 18
10 a.m. – Worcester Academy vs. Lee Academy
11:30 a.m. – Brewster Academy vs. Patterson School
1 p.m.– Tilton School vs. Champlain St. Lambert
2:30 p.m. – Northfield Mount Hermon vs. American Christian
4 p.m. – South Kent vs. Summit Prep
5:30 p.m. – New Hampton vs. Findlay Prep
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