Howell thinking of spring decision

Now a little over the halfway point in his junior season, Wheeler (Ga.) forward Richard Howell said he is finally feeling comfortable with his new team.

The 6-foot-7 forward made the move to the Peach State powerhouse in the off-season from Central Gwinnett High School and has taken advantage of the big stage opportunities this season.

Howell, a top 65 player nationally in the 2009 class, has shined at the Beach Ball Classic in December and was a top performer on Monday at the Tribute to a King Holiday Hardwood Classic.

"I'm feeling a lot more comfortable now," Howell said. "I was kind of nervous when I first got here because everybody can do a little bit of everything. I'm feeling a lot more comfortable now."

Part of his transition included his role as the team's top post player and interior force. Howell said his dedication to finding his fit at the four spot has helped him and his confidence this year.

"If we have a small person on the post, I can take them out to the wing. But this year against the big guys, I've been able to play them well but also I've been able to dish it out to the other guys," Howell said. "It has been easier this year. I feel like I've been a lot more effective down low this year."

Howell said his recruitment is also at an all time high.

"It's going good, going very good. I'm still open right now though," Howell said.

Michigan State, Memphis, Tennessee, Auburn, Georgia, Virginia Tech, Georgetown, NC State, Arizona, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt and Kentucky were rattled off by the four-star forward on Monday when asked who was recruiting him at the moment.

Howell said he would like to trim the list down even further and come up with a list of schools he'd like to visit and eventually choose.

"I want to make my decision right before AAU starts. I'd like to start taking some visits after the season in the spring," Howell said. "I've been thinking about a lot. I'm going to sit down and talk with my family. It will come down to the coaches and academics. Where it is located isn't that big of a factor."