Lots of interest in 2006 Wallace

The No. 142 ranked player in the class of 2006, Blake Wallace still has quiet a long school list. Several schools have shown an interest in staying on that list by watching the 6-foot-7, 190-pound play this season. And two of the schools on his list have offered Wallace, who is from Servite High School in Yorba Linda, Calif.

"Right now I like Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, California, UCLA, Hawaii, Connecticut, Syracuse, Georgetown, Wake Forest, Kansas, Oklahoma State and Gonzaga," said Wallace. "Coaches from Connecticut, California, Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA, Washington and Hawaii have been to either practice or a game this year."

A strong student with a 3.2 GPA, Wallace will closely consider academics when he narrows down his list in April.

"Academics are very important," he said. "I also really want to go to a school that will contend for a national championship, and I'd like to be a factor in that."

Already with offers from California and Hawaii, Wallace is averaging 21 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks for his 11-7 team.

Wallace, who runs with the Pump N Run AAU club during the summer, excels at filling the lanes in transition and either attacking the basket or pulling up for three-pointers. As indicated by his 4 blocks per game, Wallace has the length and jumping ability to be a presence on defense although there is room for improvement in his lateral quickness.

"I definitely need to gain weight and get stronger," commented Wallace on his game. "Also, my ball handling could use improvement."