by Ron Bailey

July 15, 2008 – Last weekend, the Agent Zero to Hero Invitational took place at Chantilly, VA’s Hoop Magic Sports Academy, with close to forty college coaches in attendance. (Click here for championship round coverage and here for 17 and under all star teams)

Expectantly, Big East schools dispatched recruiters, as Pittsburgh and Providence were front and center. Joining that duo were representatives from the SEC, Big 12, ACC, MEAC, Patriot League, CAA, NEC, America East, and other leagues.

Following are brief scouting blurbs (and pictures for some) of participants being recruited, to various degrees, by Big East Schools.

Thomas Robinson – Times have changed quickly for the rising senior Robinson, who before the spring travel team season was lightly recruited (see Thomas Robinson Update from 195ballerz.com). Now he has offers from Pittsburgh, Providence, Marquette, Seton Hall, West Virginia and South Florida from a Big East perspective. Outside of that league, the likes of Georgia, UMass, Virginia, Boston College, plus Maryland previously offered, while Memphis, Oklahoma State, the Big East’s Louisville and a few others recently did so.

Their interest is little wonder, as Robinson, who at 6’8” and just under 220 pounds is a rugged player who relishes battling down low, attacking the tin, and defending. He’s a ‘beast’ to say the least, and will likely take his show to Brewster academy for his senior year after previously attending Riverdale Baptist.

Chris Braswell – Upon recently de-committing from Georgetown, a school he decided to attend over a year ago, Braswell is now hearing from a boatload of schools, including Villanova, Connecticut and institutions from virtually every major conference in America. It’s no wonder, as he is still an excellent passing/skilled big man, who at 6’8” and 225 pounds runs the floors, rebounds, and posts. Chris is returning to Hargrave Military Academy for a post graduate year, which will undoubtedly further advance his recruitment.

Talib Zanna (pictured on left) – Villanova, plus Virginia, BC, and Virginia Tech – the last three being ACC schools, in addition to the Big 12’s Colorado have all offered the 6’8”, 220 pound Zanna scholarships. A rising senior, Talib has developed into a solid post product, who runs the floor well, posts, and battles.

Daryl Traynham – If you judge the 5’9”, 165 pound Trayham on size alone, you do him and yourself a disservice, as this pure point guard is one of the best pure set up guys on the East Coast. Syracuse has offered the rising junior, with Xavier, Clemson, Fordham, UMass, Maryland and Kansas State following suit.

Jamal Olasewere – Mostly recruited by mid-majors such S. Alabama, Siena, Radford and Boston University, Villanova has contacted the 6’4”, 210 pound guard/forward, and with good measure, as Olasewere is one of the most competitive kids in the Washington, DC area – he battles inside and outside the paint, against whomever. A rising senior who is young for his grade, Jamal is a prime prep school candidate.

Derrell Person – The long reach of NBE Basketball Report strikes again, this time in a non-hoops way, as Derrell Person is highlighted: A 6’3”, 215 pound senior forward, Person is an energy man on the hardwood, but a standout in football. Just ask Syracuse, Georgia, Illinois, Penn State, Maryland and Akron who have all offered him a schollie to play wideout. Nicknamed T.O. because of his physical likeness and similar playing style to Terrell Owens, Person, a rising senior attacks the boards with abandon.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 at 1:18 pm and is filed under Connecticut Recruiting, Georgetown Recruiting, Louisville Recruiting, Marquette Recruiting, Pittsburgh Recruiting, Providence Recruiting, Seton Hall Recruiting, Syracuse Recruiting, USF Recruiting, Villanova Recruiting, West Virginia Recruiting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.