Palacios Downplays Recruiting Interest

One of the few top unsigned/uncommitted players in the class of 2004 is Juan Palacios, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward from Our Savior New American in Centereach, New York. Palacios, who worked out yesterday afternoon at the campus on Long Island before watching a couple of college games last night at Madison Square Garden, would not indicate a favorite or a lean in his recruiting process.

"I am open," Palacios said. "I didn't want to make a decision until my season was over. I just wanted to focus on my season before I decided to do that."

There had been some talk Palacios might consider a jump to the NBA. There was none of that talk yesterday afternoon after his workout. "I don't have a leader," he said. "Anything is possible on where I go to school."

Some of the schools mentioned by the staff at Our Savior included Louisville, Texas, St. John's, North Carolina, Connecticut, Kentucky, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Villanova, and UCLA. "I will wait until my season is over before I do anything," Palacios said. "There were many colleges that came in last spring to watch our workouts. But there are just too many of them to have a short list."

Palacios, who did not play summer AAU ball, is listed as the 27th best player in the country in the Rivals150 for the class of 2004.

Palacios, who has indicated he will likely visit Louisville, looks like he has strengthened his frame since last season. Juan displayed a soft touch and showed he can drain the three-pointer. A player of his size and strength with a touch is likely to also get some feelers from the NBA around the spring.