Athletic swingman Jeff Viggiano from Suffield

Academy in Suffield, Connecticut, has generated

interest from some major conferences with his stellar

play this winter.

Viggiano, who set his school's all-time scoring

record with a 30 point performance in leading Suffield

to the Conference championship over Easthampton

Wednesday night, has heard from Clemson, Boston

College, George Washington, and UMass, as well as Iona

and Fairfield, who had been involved since the fall.

UMass extended a scholarship offer to Viggiano last

week, while Iona and Fairfield have already offered. A

member of Clemson's staff was on hand to evaluate

Viggiano recently, and will be back to check out the

high-flying swingman soon. George Washington and

Boston College also sent staff members to evaluate

Viggiano, and each came away impressed.

Viggiano took an official visit to Iona in the fall,

and has visited UMass and Fairfield unofficially. At

this point, Jeff is concentrating on his season, and

not worrying about college choices. Viggiano is fully

qualified academically, an honor roll student who has

scored in the mid-900's on the SAT, but is also

pondering a prep school year to give him some time to

think about his college choice and hone his game.

"(The prep school option) is probably my top choice

right now," said Viggiano. "But right now I'm just

concentrating on finishing my season."

Viggiano is averaging 25 points, 10 rebounds, and

6.5 assists for Suffield this winter. The versatile

6'6'' 210 lber is one of the bigger sleepers on the

East Coast, a player with legitimate Wally

Szczerbiak-like skills. Viggiano consistently knocks

down the long-range jumper, yet when defenders push up

on him, he knifes through the lane for dunks. Rivals

Hoops saw Viggiano hit the Long Island Lightning up

for seven dunks in a contest at the Connecticut Select

Tournament at Sacred Heart this fall. With a 6'10''

wingspan and springy vertical, when Viggiano gets in

the lane, he is always a threat to throw one down.

Along with legitimate inside-outside skills,

Viggiano has a good feel for the game, a crafty passer

as well as a threat to score. His rangy reach causes

trouble for defenders, and helps Jeff to snatch up

caroms in his vicinity.

Viggiano played this summer and fall for coach Kevin

Kehoe with the Connecticut Gold North AAU program.

The affable and well-spoken Viggiano also has one

of most refreshing perspectives on the recruiting

process of any recruit we've spoken to. Despite

generating interest from some high-level programs,

Viggiano's humble demeanor and down-to-earth nature

are reflective of a young guy who has kept the whole

recruiting process in perspective.