High Majors Like NYC Junior Guard

Sundiata Gaines, a rugged 6'1'' 190 pound combo guard/shooting guard from Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, New York, is a member of the class of 2004 who has gotten some sniffs from some high major programs early on.

Gaines said that he has received some degree of interest from Pittsburgh, Florida, Villanova, Illinois, Seton Hall, St. John's, Miami, Connecticut, and Kentucky, among others. Pittsburgh has expressed the most interest in the early going. Gaines does not yet have any scholarship offers. His recruiting situation will likely become clearer this summer.

Gaines is a brawny guard with exceptional strength. He gets a good chunk of his points muscling in on the glass for putbacks and angling in for in-close chippees. A knock on Gaines has been what some perceive as a lack of perimeter skills. While Gaines is generally more comfortable battling inside, he has shown a very competent three-point stroke in Molloy's Catholic League tussles. Sundiata knocked down three three-pointers en route to 24 points in Molloy's 81-66 win over Brooklyn's Bishop Loughlin, featuring Kojo Mensah and Kirk Bunn, on Tuesday.

Gaines, who plays for legendary coach Jack Curran, is currently averaging 22 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. He recently impressed at The Hall of Fame Tournament in Springfield, Massachusetts for the Stanners.

Sundiata will likely play with the New York Gauchos this summer. He has not yet decided whether he will attend the Nike or ABCD camps, but is a shoo-in for either one.