Rabb sorting out possibilities
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SPRINGFIELD, MO. -- Five-star power forward Ivan Rabb and his teammates didn't necessarily bring their A game on Thursday night. But, the crew from Oakland (Calif.) Bishop O'Dowd handled their business and moved into the semifinals of the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. While trying to win a championship in Springfield and then later this season in the California state tournament, Rabb is trying to make his college choice.
The No. 7 player in the class of 2015, Rabb said that he and his teammates struggled to find energy early in what eventually turned into a double-digit win over Waynesville (Mo.) High.
"The first quarter was just bad all around," Rabb said. "So the second quarter, I realized I wasn't playing hard enough, so the second quarter I just tried to hit the glass really hard and get easy baskets and I did for the most part. I definitely tried to crash the boards because I wasn't rebounding either, so I tried to pick up the intensity.
"I don't know why it was so hard for us, but it was kind of hard to get the energy to play."
After finishing his evening with 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in the win, Rabb took some time to break down where he stands in the recruiting process.
So far, he has completed official visits to Kentucky and Arizona and he still wants to see California, Kansas and UCLA.
His visit to Lexington was first and it was a good one.
"The visit was really nice," Rabb said. "I got to see them practice and I got to see how hard they really go. I can definitely see why they put so many guys in the pros because they definitely go really hard. Everything they do is just really hard and they try to make an effort to do every single drill, no matter what it is. The campus is really nice and I liked everything about Kentucky. It was really good."
Of course John Calipari made his pitch.
"He says he needs a four who is like me and is going to play hard and finish around the basket and he knows I can score the ball when I get it on the block," Rabb said. "He told me to continue to knock that down the jump shot, because he has seen me do it all summer and especially this high school season when he's been watching me play. He wants me to continue doing those things and add things to my game."
More recently, Rabb was down in Tucson to visit with Arizona.
"The official went really well," said Rabb. "They played Arizona State, their rival, and the biggest thing that stood out to me was how the game was sold out and the students weren't on campus because it was Christmas break. So that was definitely an eye-opener. The whole city definitely came out and supported."
A member of the Oakland Soldiers program, Rabb sought out former Soldiers and current Wildcats Brandon Ashley and Stanley Johnson to get the real scoop on how Sean Miller handles his program.
"They just told me that sometimes you aren't going to have the opportunity to just go for like 25 points a game, so don't expect that when you go there," Rabb said. "Just expect to play in a system. If you are playing well, then (Miller) will definitely continue to bring the ball to you. If you aren't playing so well, he's also going to get the ball to you, but you also have to do other things to try and make your team better."
Rabb said that he had hoped to visit Kansas on his way to the Bass Pro, but his parents couldn't work it out. He still wants to set officials to the Jayhawks, Cal and UCLA. Though he hasn't visited Cal officially, he has gotten to learn a lot about the Bears new coach Cuonzo Martin and he wants to learn even more about Martin and the other coaches recruiting him.
"I see him all the time," said Rabb of Martin. "We probably have the best relationship because he's so close so I can go up there and work out and do whatever I want. I definitely like him. he's a hard-nosed coach. The guys have gotten a lot better since he's gotten there so that's definitely an eye-opener.
"I just want to continue to get relationships with all of the coaches."
At this point, Rabb isn't able to set an exact date for when he wants to make his final decision. But, he is getting eager to make a decision and once he sets and finishes his last few visits, a decision will likely be made in short order.
"I was thinking once I get my visits in," said Rabb of the decision process. "I definitely want to make the right decision and get it over with. I'm ready to be done with it."
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