Sparkling Guard Has Major Interest

Christ the King (NY) combo guard Mitch Beauford, a 5-11, 180-pounder in the junior class, has received interest from a slew of major programs this spring. Mitch is interested in signing early and has heard from a number of major conference programs.

Beauford, who averaged 14.3 points this past season but beefed up his scoring average to 19.0 points in the CHSAA playoffs, has heard from Mississippi St., UConn, Gonzaga, Ohio St., Seton Hall, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Nebraska.

Coaches from UMass, Boston College, Rutgers, Drexel, Holy Cross, and St. Peter's recently saw Beauford work out.

Mississippi St., Seton Hall, Syracuse, UConn, and Gonzaga are expressing the most interest. Beauford has expressed interest in taking trips to Mississippi St., UConn, and Syracuse, and there is one more suitor whom he would like to hear from more. "I'd like to hear more from Gonzaga," said Beauford.

Beauford possesses excellent body control and excels at scoring in traffic. He has a knack for hanging in traffic and converting, equipped with great leaping ability and body control. He is a reliable shot from mid-range on out.

Beauford is an exceptional athlete. One play at the IS8 league that captured that athleticism happened this spring. Beauford, despite standing only 5-11, was on the receiving end of a reverse alley-oop, which he hammered down.

Beauford had an excellent showing at the recent Spiece Tournament in Indiana, playing both the point and off the ball for Dave Edwards' Long Island Roadrunners. Beauford will participate in Gym Rat Tournament Memorial Day weekend with the Roadrunners,

but other wise will compete with the Brooklyn Queens aka Sonday Express this summer. Beauford plans on attending the Las Vegas Big Time Tournament.

He has not received an invitation to either sneaker camp. In our opinion, he is deserving of an invite, and could raise his stock considerably at either camp if given the chance. Despite playing a different position, he is as talented as his backcourt mate Japhet McNeil, who has already been invited to the Nike Camp.

Beauford carries a 3.3 GPA and has scored 840 on the PSAT. He will take the SAT on June 1st.