Hood fielding calls

The July evaluation period was very good to 2009 prospect Jon Hood. The 6-foot-6, 185-pound all purpose perimeter player garnered a No. 39 ranking in his class. He also has been busy fielding phone calls from some of the top programs in the country.

"I talked to Coach Donovan from Florida," said Hood, who is from Madisonville (Ky.) North Hopkins High School. "Assistants from Louisville and Virginia have called. I've also talked with Coach Pearl, and Wojo called. These new schools have called just to check in with me, but it still is pretty exciting."

Two schools that aren't quite as new to the recruitment of Hood still stand at the forefront of his recruitment.

"I haven't narrowed down my list or anything," he said. "I just want to take it all in and compare the schools, but Georgia and Ole Miss standout the most mainly because they have offered."

Along with the offers from Georgia and Ole Miss, Hood also has offers from Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky and MTSU. New offers are likely to come in, however, as Hood takes official visits this fall.

He, along with Nashville Celtics travel team teammates Drew Kelly and Casey Prather head to Tennessee this weekend. On the weekend of September 22 he will visit Ole Miss, and a trip to Florida is planned for the Gators' Midnight Madness festivities. Then during the basketball season, Hood plans to take in a Duke game at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Hood is coming off an enjoyable visit to Georgia this past weekend.

"I went down for the football game and got to play with the guys," said Hood. "I also was able to watch the individual workouts with both the perimeter and post players. I enjoyed watching how the coaches coach. It was very hands on.

"The new practice facilities were very impressive also. The ribbon cutting ceremony was the day before I arrived, so I was one of the first to every play in the gym."

A versatile player with size, athleticism and a strong skill set, Hood is being recruited to play all three perimeter positions. A gym rat, he is focused on a couple elements of his game.

"I'm trying to correct my shot and get more backspin on it and make it more consistent," he said. "I'm also working on my ball handling and strength."