Stone Still Developing School List

Saiquon Stone, a 6-foot-5, 185-pound shooting guard from Xaverian (N.Y.) High School and the New York Gauchos AAU program, has caught the attention of college recruiters this season with his scoring and defensive abilities. He is hoping to attract even more with a solid July.

“A lot of people seeing me more this summer and it’s starting to show,” Stone said. “Miami (Fla.), UNLV, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, South Florida, Texas lately and Pitt are sending me stuff. Some more than others but I haven’t made a list just yet. I’m open to schools.”

Stone said he’s not only tried to compete with every team that has come along but he’s also competing against those that have come before him. The Gauchos were one of the most successful program last year thanks to the play of Russell Robinson, Sundiata Gaines and Ronald Ramon.

“We are just as good as they them. I think we’re showing that we are as good as them but we just aren’t winning like they did,” Stone said. “We’ve gone to three championship games but that isn’t enough. People have been getting hurt and that hasn’t helped. We’ve got to win sometime. I’m going to do whatever I can to make sure that happens.”

The Gauchos should be back to full strength in July. That’s the best time to be healthy, Stone said.

“July is the biggest month there is,” he said. “The All-American camp, Peach Jam and Orlando. It doesn’t get any bigger than that. I think we’ll do some things then.”

Stone said he’s looking forward to teaming up with his backcourt mate Levance Fields in July, too. Fields has been out with an injured ankle. The two have been teammates, both in school and AAU, since the eighth grade. The two have talked about playing college basketball for some time. Fields, a 5-foot-11 point guard, is aware of the slim odds of playing together.

“We would love to be a package deal,” Fields said. “I know it will be tough but if it can happen, we’d love to see it happen. Only South Florida and UNLV have talked about it but no Big East or ACC schools.”

The Gauchos will play at the Nike Peach Jam and the Super Showcase in Orlando this summer. Coaches can also see Stone at the Nike All-American camp.