On the Bounce with Coach Meyer, vol. 2

2004 PROSPECT WATCH:

Lofton Leaning to Cincy

After leading his Mason County High School team to the Kentucky state championship game, averaging 28 points and 10 rebounds in the tournament, Chris Lofton told RivalsHoops.com that he will probably sign with Cincinnati in the spring. Arkansas, Notre Dame, and Florida are still in the mix although only Cincinnati and Arkansas have made scholarship offers. Lofton cited style of play and proximity to his home as being in Cincinnati’s favor.

Verdejo in and Nwankwo out at Arizona?

Davis Nwankwo had wanted to play for the Arizona Wildcats, but it appears that his parents would prefer he play at a more rigorous academic school. After being rejected by Stanford’s admission’s department, Nwankwo is now considering Northwestern, Princeton, and Vanderbilt. And according to Jesus Verdejo’s former AAU coach Art Alvarez of the Miami Tropics, Verdejo has been visiting Arizona and may be close to choosing the Wildcats. The former Temple signee who failed to qualify academically last year and played at The Winchendon School this season is also considering visits to Baylor and Kansas State.

FINAL NOTE FROM THE ADIDAS/EA SPORTS SUPERSTAR EVENT:

A Face in the Crowd

Most top athletes come from strong bloodlines, but none stronger than those of Jessie Elway. Elway, the daughter of NFL great John Elway, suited up for the KG Superstars in the women’s game of the adidas/EA Sports Superstar Event this past weekend.

Just like her mother and father, Jessie Elway will enroll at Stanford this fall.

“I am really excited,” said John Elway as he watched his daughter practice prior to the all-star game. “She’s excited, and that’s what’s important. I’m proud of her. She’s worked hard on the court and in the classroom to make this happen.”

Jessie said it came down to Stanford and Washington, but the presence Stanford has had in her life has her California bound.

“It definitely was a factor that both my parents went there,” said Elway, a 5-foot-10 guard from Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colorado. “It has always been a dream of mine to go to Stanford ever since we used to go watch football games there... I love California. Academically the school is amazing. I loved the coaches and players and felt comfortable there.”

Although John Elway is known as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL and a pretty good baseball player as well, his first love was the game of basketball.

“Basketball was my favorite sport when I was young,” said Elway. “As a junior, I got hurt during the season, and then my senior season I had a football injury and had to miss basketball season. It probably was a good thing.”

So what role did father Elway have in the basketball development of his daughter?

“Well, I’m a good rebounder, and I would player with her some,” he said. “She’s a tough, hard nosed, and physical player.”

TENNESSEE MR. BASKETBALL WINNERS

Corey Brewer, Jamont Gordon, and Brandon Wright were all named Tennessee Mr. Basketball for their respective classifications. Gordon, the No. 9 ranked player in the class of 2005, won the DI AAA award. Brewer, the No. 25 player in the Rivals150, won the DI AA award. And Wright, the No. 2 ranked player in the class of 2006, won the DII award.