Host of Schools Eyeing Canadian Star

Canada is becoming a hot spot for high major players in the class of 2005. Coaches of various schools have made the trip to see what lies north of the United Sports border. Maurice Joseph, a 6-foot-5, 180-pound from Champlain St. Lambert School in Ontario has been one of those players coaches are traveling to see. His name is beginning to heat up.

Joseph’s head coach John DeAngelas knows why schools are flocking north to find out what the buzz is all about. Last season at the Champlain St. Lambert, Joseph was had a strong roster around him, including players that signed with Gonzaga, Western Carolina and UMass. Even with the Division I talent in the lineup, Joseph led the team in scoring putting in 17 points a game as a junior. With the three main seniors gone, all eyes are on Joseph.

“He can play two positions for us,” DeAngelas said. “He’s a pure scorer but he adjusts to the point when we need him to. He can then shift to the two guard spot because he understands the game so well. As a shooter, he’s got such a quick release - quick as anyone. Maurice loves to compete and loves to win. He’s just a great basketball player.”

NC State, Wake Forest, Virginia, Richmond, Florida, Marquette, Boston College, Xavier, Georgia Tech, Utah, Arizona, Georgetown, St. John’s and UMass have all been involved in one way or another, DeAngelas said. A handful of Atlantic 10 schools have offered a scholarship but the coach would not comment on which schools, to be fair to the programs, he said.

For many recruits, taking the SAT is the start to the serious stages of recruiting. Joseph recently took the test and is awaiting word for his results. After receiving the score, he’ll likely hit the road.

“When he gets his scores back, I’m just he’ll visit some schools on the first chance he gets,” DeAngelas said. “I know he wanted to take some unofficial visits in July and August, too.

“He’s a good, tough kid and I’d be very surprised if he didn’t do well on the SAT,” DeAngelas said. “He’s a B+ student. In fact, I think his academics could open up some doors to schools like Stanford.”

Joseph will play at the NBA Association camp at the end of June. He will be back in the United States for the ABCD camp and the Kentucky Hoopfest with his Champlain St. Lambert team.