Mory Correa Still Open

With the dearth of big men available in the spring signing period, size is at a premium and coveted by a bevy of D-I programs.

So when 6-10 Mory Correa of Pratt C.C. in Pratt, Kan., decided to sign late, his name zoomed up the chart of available big men this spring.

And after watching Correa play this past weekend at the Jayhawk Shootout, there is a reason for Division I schools to be excited about the big Frenchman.

Correa is a fine run/jump athlete who plays exceptionally hard and is willing to mix it up in the paint. Though many European big men get a bad rap for being soft, Correa does not really fit that mold.

In fact, he's the reverse in that his shooting skills are lacking (shoots on a line drive and lacks touch) and his hands are not great. But he's a battler, he's tall and he can run and jump, and at this time of the year, that ain't all that bad.

JUCO Junction/Rivalshoops.com caught up with Pratt Head Coach Earl Diddle at the Jayhawk Shootout this past weekend, and he brought us up to speed on Correa's recruitment.

Correa took two official visits in September -- one to Texas Tech and the other to Cleveland State. That means Correa still has three paid campus trips to take in the spring should he so elect.

Diddle said he has been contacted by Duquesne, LaSalle, Kansas State, Illinois, Florida State and Texas A&M regarding his sophomore big man. He said that Texas Tech has pretty much dropped out of the picture due to its concerns over the NCAA's stance on the amateur status of foreign athletes

The Red Raiders lost one high profile recruit [Ermal Kuqo] last spring, and are currently dealing with the ineligibility status of current Tech player Pawel Storozynski.

"I think his recruitment is still open," Diddle said. He visited Texas Tech and Cleveland State. He liked both places and both programs, but still is open."

"His concentration right now is being the best basketball player he can be and playing these games," Diddle continued. "At the end of the spring, I think he will evaluate those people where he feels he can develop in, and probably visit those places and make a decision."

Diddle inherited Correa after taking the reins of the Beaver program last spring. Although there was a lot of talk that Correa might transfer and play somewhere else this year, he decided to stick it out, and Diddle is happy for that.

Diddle said that Correa has handled much of his own recruitment, but from time to time he does consult with the coach for advice.

As far as Diddle is concerned, Correa has more pressing issues than his recruitment right now -- issues that have cropped up as a result of a coaching change.

"I think Mory has done a good job of getting into our scheme, although it's been a struggle, being a new coach with a new system," Diddle said. "We are trying to expand his role all of the time, but I thought it was important for him to learn one position."

"He's a fine basketball player," Diddle continued. "He's a joy to coach and I think he could fit in a lot of different schemes, which I think makes him attractive. He's got good rhythm, good timing. Defensively, he can get better, but he has a lot of things that he is learning. We are in a learning process."