Leader emerges for McClain

It is still up in the air as to whether Anthony McClain, the top-ranked uncommitted center in the 2007 class, will sign in the early period or the late period, but it is becoming more clear as to whom he will sign with.

"We are supposed to go to Connecticut the weekend after this one for an unofficial visit," said McClain's high school coach Trevor Brown of National Christian Academy in Fort Washington, Md. "If the fit is right, then that is who Anthony wants to go with. You can definitely say they are his leader right now."

Connecticut is looking for McClain, 6-foot-11, 220-pounds, to replace current freshman HaSheem Thabeet while Georgetown and Pittsburgh have slacked off in their recruitment of Thabeet now that they are out of scholarships.

Several other schools with scholarships to give a working hard to make inroads with McClain.

"Florida is trying to get involved," said Brown. "It's a little late, but you have to listen to Florida. Tennessee and Mississippi State really want to recruit him also."

McClain has yet to take the ACT or the SAT and still has some coarse work to nail down, but academics are not the reason that McClain might sign late according to Coach Brown.

"Anthony still has some academic work to do, but he is going to be fine. Connecticut has offered and would love to sign him early, but there is no pressure there. Anthony is really happy about the way Connecticut has let him know that they feel he is the best big man available, but they are willing to wait on him till the spring.

"Finding the best situation is the reason that Anthony might wait to sign. We are looking hard at what type of success programs have had with their big guys, and obviously Connecticut has had a lot of success and Florida is doing a good job with their guys. But before Anthony does anything, he needs to visit and check out the situation first hand."

McClain, who has been out of a cast for around a week after suffering a stress fracture in his foot, is the No. 43 ranked prospect in the Rivals150.