The Gibbons Report: Monday Recruiting Updates

Monday was another busy day for college basketball recruiters with a number of top prospects signing national letters-of-intent. Among the most successful programs in recruiting today were Kentucky, Oklahoma State, and Nevada. All three of these institutions appear to have landed talented big men from the already depleted ranks of the Class of 2005. It definitely looks like our projection that as many as 95 of the national Top 100 prospects would sign during the November 10-17 fall period, will be very close to happening.

At this writing we were still awaiting confirmation that versatile 6-foot-9, 235-pound power forward Leo Criswell, Virginia Beach, Va., Coastal Christian Academy, had sent his signed national letter to Kentucky. Coastal Christian Coach Walter Webb told Rivals.com earlier today that he expected Criswell to sign with the Wildcats after his classes ended. However, Webb later told Rivals.com that Criswell was still waiting for his mother’s permission to sign the national letter. So, we will keep you informed on this one.

Incidentally, Coach Webb also told Rivals.com that he was getting two more outstanding players for his Coastal Christian team. Already on the squad is Georgia signee, 6-foot-7, 218-pound forward Terrance Woodbury, who transferred from Norfolk, Va., Granby High School. And, enrolling at Coastal Christian this week will be tenacious 6-foot-6, 200-pound guard/forward, David Jefferson, a senior this year at Norfolk, Va., Lake Taylor High School.

Both of these young men played for the Boo Williams All-Stars summer team from Hampton, Va.; and both will be on the Coastal Christian roster at the CSG National Prep School Showcase this weekend in Voorhees, N. J.

As reported on Sunday night, 6-foot-10, 245-pound center Kenneth Cooper will send his signed national-letter-of-intent to Oklahoma State today after his mother returns home from work, and adds her signature to the document. It earlier appeared that Cooper would sign with Louisiana-Lafayette; but, he was able to get his mom’s consent to attend his school of choice, Oklahoma State. Cooper is rated No. 66 nationally by Rivals.com.

The Cowboys may also end up with Rival.com’s No. 67 rated national player, 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward Gary Flowers, Dallas, Tex., Lincoln High School.

One of the nation’s true hidden gems, 6-foot-9, 237-pound center/forward Jeremy Mayfield, Irving, TX, MacArthur High School, did sign a national letter today with Nevada. Mayfield committed ten days ago to Coach Mark Fox’s, Wolf Pack program but said at the time that he did not plan to sign early. He, obviously, changed his mind, and has now officially signed with Nevada. Mayfield is rated No. 97 nationally by Rivals.com, and we project his as an “immediate impact player” for the Wolf Pack next year.

An interesting story now unfolding at Duke University. As of today, No. 25 rated 6-foot-2, 185-pound point guard Greg Paulus, Syracuse, N.Y., Christian Brothers Academy, had not signed a national letter with the Blue Devils. Paulus is rated by many as the nation’s best quarterback prospect in football; and there is much speculation that he may not sign early with the Duke to keep alive his option of playing college football. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.

Appalachian State has gone international, getting signed letters-of-intent today from two gifted guards from Puerto Rico. 6-foot-3, 185-pound one/two guard Eduardo Bermudez, a resident of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and now attending Stockbridge, Ga., Community Christian Academy, attracted interest from Southern Mississippi, Memphis, and Lamar, but chose Coach Houston Fancher’sMountaineers program.

5-foot-11, 175-pound point guard Ryann Abraham, from Moca, Puerto Rico, and now playing for Coach Kent Phillips at Boonville, N.C., Starmount High School, also, sent his signed letter today to Appalachian State. Abraham’s other top choice was Florida International. Both of these young men played for the Puerto Rico Pump N’Run team at the adidas Super 64 Tournament in Las Vegas, Nev., last July.

With these two additions, The Mountaineers’ now have four early signees. Signing earlier were 6-foot-5, 210-pound wing forward Jarvis Jackson, Winston-Salem, N.C., North Forsyth High School; and 6-foot-9 center/forward Tyler Webb, Nickelsville, Va., Twin Springs High School.

6-foot-4, 175-pound second guard Grant Suprenant, Palatine, Ill., Palatine High School, signed with St. Francis, Pa.