More schools coming to see Bay

Good fundamental basketball is something of a dying breed but Kalvin Bay, a 6-foot-2, 170-pound point guard from Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe, Ariz., is trying to keep the endangered species alive. In the process, some of the top programs in the country are trying to get Bay to come to their respective schools.

Louisville assistant coach Kevin Willard recently made the trip to the Tempe to see Bay in action. Cardinal head coach Rick Pitino was also scheduled to make the trip but fell ill prior to the visit. According to Bay, a class of 2006 prospect, the visit was a step in the right direction.

"(Willard) just told me what they are basically looking for. He was a real nice guy," Bay said. "I thought I did well when he was here. Coach Willard said he'd like to come back in February with Coach Pitino. Then, he said, they'd like to sit down and talk again and discuss things even further."

Bay, a hot prospect this season, has been the subject of many recruiting meetings in coaches' offices. They are attracted to his game management, keen scoring ability and overall toughness. And cities across Arizona has been a popular destination for the end of Mapquest directions as coaches make the trek to the desert to see the cerebral floor general.

Outside of the Cardinals, several others have been in. Iowa, Gonzaga, Oklahoma State, Texas and Wichita State. Arizona State, Texas A&M and others were in attendance at a tournament were Bay's Marcos de Niza team was playing in. Bay scored 26 points and dished out nine assists.

"I feel like I'm beginning to peak. I'm almost there. The team is really playing well and I'm trying to do whatever it takes for us to win basketball games. I'll score when I need to score but I'll pass when I need to pass, too. I just want to play like that so we can win and get to state."

Bay, a consummate gym rat, said his current top choices are Georgia Tech, Iowa, Louisville and Oregon. Expect his recruitment to heat up even more as word spreads.