Mario Boggan has three schools

Mario Boggan was the subject of reports earlier this spring which stated that he had chosen his future college, Florida. That isn't true but Billy Donovan's Gators are in the mix for the this top big man.

Boggan, a 6-7, 285 pound big forward, spent tha last two seasons at the prestigious Oak Hill Academy in southwestern Virginia. He will be attending Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, VA, this fall which is somewhat closer to his Durham, NC, home.

Boggan averaged 15 points and six rebounds for the number one high school program this past season.

"I am looking at three schools," he said. "They're Florida, North Carolina and Indiana." He hasn't visited any of these programs though he was on the Chapel Hill campus for Bob Gibbons' Tournament of Champions last month.

Boggan said he just took the SAT. He's heading to Hargrave to continue working on his academics. "I'm going to summer school so that will somewhat limit my activity this summer."

Asked what he gained from his experience at Oak Hill, Boggan said, "It gave me confidence that I could do the work. Because of the school's location and its philosphy, I've developed some really good study habits."

"I'm really proud of what I did," he added.

Boggan's strength at this point is in the paint -- his skills with his back to the basket. "I'm going to work on my stamina this summer; getting up and down the floor," Boggan said. He also wants to work on short and 15 foot jump shots.

"I want to decide sometime this summer," Boggan said. The coach's style of play will be an important ingredient in that decision.

"I haven't been home for two years, so location may be a factor," he added. That would apparently give North Carolina an advantage, at least when that issue is considered.

Boggan will be at USA Basketball's 4th annual Youth Development Festival next week in Colorado Springs, CO. He also will attend the Nike All-American camp next month in Indianapolis. A member of the North Carolina Gators, Boggan's schedule will allow him to participate in the Nike Super Showcase and the AAU Nationals, both in Florida later in July.