Four-star Cheatham drawing more attention

THE RIVALS150: Class of 2014 - Class of 2015

Haanif Cheatham, a combo guard from Pembroke Pines Charter (Fla.), is one of the top-ranked guards in the Southeast, coming in at No. 53 in the 2015 Rivals150. For that reason, it should come as no surprise that college coaches have been recruiting him hard hoping to eventually receive a verbal commitment.

Cheatham began the process of taking official visits this past weekend. He used his first of five free trips to see what Alabama has to offer.

"I went to Alabama this past weekend and it was great," Cheatham said. "It was a great experience. The weather was nice. The fans were really involved at the game on Saturday night. It was a crazy atmosphere. They showed me a good time there."

Along with the Tide, several other high-major programs are keeping in contact with Cheatham.

"Georgia, Murray State, Villanova, Florida, Florida State, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh and a few others have been on me lately," Cheatham said. "Florida, Florida State and Villanova haven't offered yet.

Georgia is one of the schools that seems to be in line for one of Cheatham's four remaining official visits.

"Georgia has been playing really well in the SEC," said Cheatham. "Coach Jonas [Hayes] is a great guy, and he's the coach I mostly speak to. He's very enthusiastic and sounds like a fun guy to be around. Coach [Mark] Fox came down here for one of my games in December. We couldn't really talk then, but he seems like a great guy too. They are one of the schools I'll probably officially visit too. I was thinking about visiting Georgia closer to the time when I'm going to make a decision."

Vanderbilt also has the full attention of Cheatham in large part due to the school's academic reputation.

"Vanderbilt is a great academic school, which is big for my mom," Cheatham revealed. "I love that gym because it's so unique. Yanni Hufnagel is a great guy. I've been talking to him a lot too. They came down here for a game not too long ago as well."

Cheatham maintains that no schools currently hold an edge in his recruitment. He'll likely decide on a school after he finishes playing in the Nike EYBL with Nike Team Florida.

"All the schools that I have offers from are in good shape for me right now," said Cheatham. "I'm thinking I'll decide on a school sometime early in my senior year, like in August or September. "

Cheatham says he's currently averaging 26 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists per game in his junior season at Pembroke Pines Charter.

Dan McDonald is a contributing national basketball recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.

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