Odom looking at all options

Concord (Mass.) Middlesex School junior Rod Odom is starting to emerge onto the national recruiting radar. The versatile 6-foot-8, 195-pound wing is also emerging as a top priority for the academic schools.

The class of 2010 prospect enjoyed a strong summer with the Expressions 16 and under program. He impressed a wide variety of schools and is now seeing his recruitment take off.

Odom said he has visited Columbia, Penn, Harvard, UMass, Boston College and Providence unofficially to date.

Odom said Stanford and Holy Cross (offer) came by already to see him at Middlesex.

"All of the visits went well. At Providence, they have that new stadium. It's crazy. That went well. I didn't get to see all of Boston College's campus but from what I saw, it was a beautiful campus. All of the academic schools all speak for themselves," Odom said.

Odom said he is also hearing from West Virginia, Louisville, Georgetown, Arkansas, Marquette, Rutgers, Seton Hall (offer), Memphis, Xavier and William & Mary (offer).

The struggle now, he says, is trying to weigh the plusses and minuses of each program and trying to figure out if he wants to pursue the academic route or high-major route.

"That's what I'm trying to do," Odom said. "It's great to go to the Ivy League schools and it's great to go to a high-major school. I have to make a decision that will help give the best of both worlds to me. You can't sacrifice one for the other. It's rough but I'm trying.

"It's really wide open right now and weigh my option. I have to keep an open mind to everyone."

The Central Islip, N.Y. native will certainly be a player worth watching this season. Odom is a classic case of a point guard that blossomed in size but maintained his backcourt skills.

"I think what I do best is a little bit of everything," he said. "I think I pass the ball really well. But I've also really worked on my jump shot this summer so I can be a threat with range. Once I start to hit jump shot, it forces the bigger guys to come out and guard me. Then I can start to create for my teammates better."

Just like his game, Odom's recruitment will be versatile and ever-growing. For now, he says, he is just enjoying the ride.