Only two schools remain for 2006 Brooks

It appears that Rydell Brooks is in the final stages of his recruitment. After taking a visit to Akron last weekend, the 6-foot-1, 160-pound combo guard from Buchtel High School in Akron, Ohio, will likely make a decision about his future on Monday. With a decision looming, two programs have emerged as the teams to beat for Brooks.

"Rydell took an unofficial visit to Akron on Friday," said Buchtel head coach Steve White. "He told me that the visit went very well. Rydell is from Akron, so he knows all of the players and coaches. He has a pretty good feel for the program and the players."

After taking an official visit to Niagara several weeks ago, Brooks wanted to take one final visit to Akron to speak with the staff and spend a little more time with them. Marist, Robert Morris and Long Beach St., had recently begun to show an increased interest in the combo guard, but it does not appear that any additional visits will take place.

"No, I don't believe that Rydell will be taking any additional visits," said White. "None have been planned that I know of. Rydell will probably make a decision on Monday. I do know that Akron and Niagara are the two schools that he is considering right now. Those are the two schools remaining on his list."

During his senior campaign at Buchtel, Brooks was simply sensation for most of the year. The team did not advance as far as they had originally hoped, but Brooks and his teammates still had an outstanding year.

"Rydell played very well for us this year," said White. "He averaged 27-points per game and was the two time player of the year in our league. As a team, we were 23-1 and lost in the district finals.

"It was a tough way to end the year, but we had a great season," he added. "Rydell was definitely a key to our success and he really had a fine year."