Giant Sized Battle For Tubby D1s

There is a lot to love about New York City. If you are a college basketball recruiter, there is much, much more to love. One of the big reasons many head coaches and assistants from high division one programs will be making the trip into the Big Apple is to watch Shagari Alleyne, a 7-3, 250-pound junior center from Rice H.S. in New York, N.Y..

Alleyne is one of the more coveted big men targets in the Class of 2003. Alleyne had a tremendous finish to his junior year for Rice High School. He captured the MVP of the Catholic League playoffs, leading Rice to the State playoffs.

Alleyne has kept his options open. And schools like Kentucky, Rutgers, Seton Hall and Villanova were in this past Monday to meet Shagari and his family. There have been reports stating that Shagari favors Kentucky over a long list of schools. But Alleyne is quick to point out that it's early in his process and he remains open.

Shagari will be attending the Nike camp once again and will participate in the Vegas Big Time Tournament with the Gauchos.

Besides the statistical jump, Shagari has looked a lot less mechanical and much more fluid in the post. He is catching the ball better in the low post and has progressed with his skills. He now possesses a sweet, short jumper and a sweeping short hook.

When Alleyne had a list of schools, it included Temple, North Carolina, UConn, Miami, Rutgers, St. John's, Seton Hall, Villanova, Louisville and Kentucky.

Thus far, Alleyne has taken unofficial visits to Miami, St. John's and Seton Hall. He had a chance to visit Miami when Rice played at an event there in January, and he has been to several games at St. John's and Seton Hall in the past year.