Stanback staying home
As good as he is now, Chace Stanback is only going to get better. The 6-foot-7, 185-pound small forward from Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, Calif., will continue to develop his game in college in his hometown.
Over the weekend Stanback committed to UCLA just as a recruiting war was beginning to heat up for the long and versatile forward.
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"It was kind of early in the recruiting process, but quite a few other schools had been by to see Chace," said Fairfax head coach Harvey Katani. "Coach Olson, Roy Williams and Coach Romar had been in. USC and the new Arizona State staff had been in, and Gonzaga was supposed to come in today.
"But when everything was said and done, Chace just felt that UCLA was a good fit. He likes the players and feels he can fit in with them. Everything he was looking for in a college was just right here for him."
Playing on one of California's best teams, and a very balanced team, Stanback averaged 17.5 points per game. Coach Katani expects his numbers to go up next year and his game to continue to improve over time.
"I expect his numbers to be way up next year," said Katani. "One because he will have to for us and also because he is getting better and stronger.
"He is just so far from reaching manhood physically right now. But with his ball handling and outside game and with his growing ability to get to the basket and score in the mid-range, I just see so much upside in him."
Stanback, who is presently the No. 73 ranked prospect in the class of 2007, will participate in the Nike All American Camp in July.
Chase Stanback scouting report:
A very long and slender wing player, Stanback's best basket ball is ahead of him. He is a smooth athlete with a smooth shooting stroke and high understanding of the game. Strength gain will be the key to his development.