Summer Star Beginning Visits

After dominating the AAU circuit in the month of July, Jeff Adrien has seen his recruitment take on a new life. Prior to the summer, the 6-foot-6, 225-pound power forward had interest from mid-major programs and regional schools near his Brookline, Mass., home. Now with a prep year planned at Brewster Academy (N.H.), Adrien is looking at high-majors, including the defending national champions.

Adrien went from not being ranked to seeing his name in the No. 47 slot in the recent class of 2005 rankings released by Rivals.com. The four-star prospect was a must watch by several high-major programs during the evaluation period.

“July was a good month for me,” Adrien said. “I played against some good competition and that was good for our team, not just me. I think the Peach Jam was really our best event.”

That is where UConn began to take notice. The Huskies coaching staff watched every game and tendered a scholarship officially after the event. Adrien said he’ll officially visit Storrs, Conn., on August 12. The four-star prospect said Pittsburgh and Kansas will also get an official trip before the school begins. In fact, he could be committed before the season begins.

“There is very good chance,” Adrien said. “I want to wait and see by taking my visits. If I like a school on the visit, I could commit. It’s a tough decision. I didn’t think it was going to be that tough.”

The three high-majors are his top schools, he says, and being recruited by the programs is a dream come true.

“I grew up a big North Carolina and UConn fan,” Adrien said. “I watched them all the time. With UConn, I was a fan of theirs since their first championship. I’ve always liked them and it’s pretty cool that they are really recruiting me.”

With Kansas, he knows what kind of class Bill Self and his staff are bring in.

“I know they are bringing in good recruits like Mario Chalmers and Micah Downs,” Adrien said. “They already have a good class and I could be a part of that. That’s a plus.”

Pittsburgh has made a strong enough impression with the power forward, that he’s put the Panthers into his top priority list.

“With Pitt, they are in the Big East and I like that,” Adrien said. “I think the Big East is the top conference. Why not consider that? Plus, their winning tradition is good and that is something that I like, too.”

So what is he looking for exactly in the programs?

“I’m looking for the best fit for me,” Adrien said. “The academic support needs to be good at the school because that means a lot to me. Plus, I’m looking for an opportunity, not necessarily start but where I can compete. I didn’t start until my junior year in high school and that turned out okay for me. Plus, I’m looking for somewhere that I can fit in socially. I’m going to be there for four years so that is big time.”

Four years. Now that is a sound that schools love to hear.