Omari Israel Heads Home
Omari Israel, one of the top players in the class of 2003, told Oak Hill coach Steve Smith he is going back to Good Counsel. "He told me two nights ago he thinks he can be a three instead of a four," Smith said. "But we have Carmelo at the three. I wish him luck."
Smith said he was surprised. "Our players didn't know he was unhappy," Smith said. "But I hope he does well back home."
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A poster on syracusefan.com had pasted the information several days ago. Smith told us he had not known he was unhappy.
Smith previously told us that Israel was very impressive at Oak Hill Academy. "He was doing well in school and he looked very good on the court," Warriors coach Steve Smith told us today."
Oak Hill, which plays one of the toughest schedules in the country, also has several other top players on their roster this season such as Carmelo Anthony, Justin Gray, and Sani Ibrahim.
"So far so good with this group of players," Smith said. "Omari appeared to be as happy as a larkj as I told you. He seemed to be enjoying himself."
Omari played last season as Good Counsel High School in Wheaton, Maryland. And he will play this season at Good Counsol. He averaged 15 points and eight rebounds as a sophomore.
Virginia and Syracuse are among the schools coming in to watch him workout. Expect the list to be very long for Israel. Maryland is also expected to be a serious factor in this recruiting process.