BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: PITTSBURGH
By Chris Dokish
Class of 2008
After flirting with former Harvard commitment Frank Ben-Eze, the Panthers have moved on from the 6-10 230 pound center. One last possible recruit for the Panthers, however, is 6’3” shooting guard DeAndre Kane of Schenley HS in Pittsburgh. A former teammate of current Pitt star DeJuan Blair, Kane is a long shot this year to be eligible so he may be headed to prep school or junior college. If it’s the former, Kane would be out of college for one year instead of two, and will likely join the Panthers at that time. A new rule forbids high school players from joining prep school after graduating, but an exception is made for those with learning disabilities.
Class of 2009
The Panthers are concentrating on getting two big men and the top targets remain 6’9” 210 pound Dante Taylor of National Christian Academy in Fort Washington, MD, 6’9 ½” 230 pound Aaric Murray of Glen Mills in Concordville, PA, and 6’11” Zeke Marshall of McKeesport (PA) HS, though 6’8” 230 pound Dan Jennings of Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, VA has joined the top group after a stellar few months. Taylor is a sleek power forward with very good athleticism, and a top 50 prospect. Murray also has top 50 potential but does not get seen much on the national scene, a fact that could help Pitt’s chances. Marshall is a local product that is long and fast, with superb shot blocking skills and an offensive game that may be finally coming around. He is still extremely raw, however. Jennings is a bruiser who is best in the paint because of his explosiveness and broad shoulders. On the second tier is 6’7 ½” 245 pound Andrew Fitzgerald of Owings Mills (MD) HS.
The Panthers also briefly followed 6’9” Deshawn Painter of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, VA, a top 20 prospect, but are no longer involved. James Padgett, 6’7” 210 from Abraham Lincoln HS in Brooklyn, and Keith Clanton, 6’8” 210 of Orlando (FL) Christian Prep are also getting looked at.
The sleeper big man that Pitt fans should look out for is 6’10” 270 pound Maurice Walker of Toronto, Canada. The highly talented Walker can really move for his size and top colleges from the U.S. are starting to head over the border to watch him. Pitt assistant Orlando Antigua is evaluating Walker this week. Walker was a member of the Canadian Under-19 National Team at the age of 15 and has a very bright future.
While the Panthers are concentrating on big men, that doesn’t mean they will turn away a top perimeter player if one falls in their lap. Wing Maurice Creek, out of South Kent (CT) School, is a big time scorer at 6’3”, and he already holds an offer. Durand Scott, out of Rice HS in New York City, is another big time scorer and even taller at 6’5”. Both want to visit the Panthers, as do teammates Kevin Parrom, a 6’5” small forward, and 6’3” shooting guard Omari Lawrence, a top 50 prospect. Both players are coached by former Panther Oliver Antigua at St. Raymond’s HS in the Bronx.
Class of 2010
The Panthers staff are already keeping tabs on prospects that just ended their sophomore years with four prospects already being followed heavily by the staff. Local product Tom Droney of Sewickley (PA) Academy already stands 6’5”, but has great passing skills and could even play some point guard at his height. He is expected to eventually choose between Pitt and Duke, and the Panthers staff always make their presence felt at his games. One of the best point guards in the nation, even though he is only a sophomore, is 6’2” Tony Chenault of Neumann-Goretti HS in Philadelphia. The competition for his services will be fierce but the Panthers staff will continue to go all out for him. Two other electrifying guards are also being pursued heavily by the Panthers and, like Droney and Chenault, both are among the elite in the class. Doron Lamb, 6’4” of Bishop Loughlin HS in Brooklyn may be the best player in New York City for 2010 and will be among the highest recruited players in the nation. Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon and assistant coach Orlando Antigua recently stopped in to watch Lamb. They weren’t the only coaches on the move, though, as yesterday Tom Herrion paid a visit to watch 6’2” smooth lefty Isaiah Epps of Plainfield (NJ) HS, the fourth top perimeter player that the Panthers covet.
Summary:
The 2008 class appears to be done unless a scholarship comes open suddenly, and that’s unlikely. While all five of the 2008 class are not yet eligible, 6’4” Chester (PA) HS wing Nasir Robinson has the grades and must only pass his SATs, which he is expected to do. There is also a chance that Mike Cook would be back for a sixth year, and if so, 6’6” Gilbert Brown would move to shooting guard. However, while the Pitt staff thinks there is a better chance for Cook to be granted another year than first thought, they still consider it a long shot. Kane is another possibility, though at this time it’s still very unlikely.
For 2009, three scholarships are tentatively open and one will be taken by talented 6’5” wing Lamar Patterson who already committed verbally. Another will be taken by 6’7” small forward Darnell Dodson, who originally committed to the Panthers, and even practiced with the team before the NCAA considered him ineligible. Dodson redshirted this past season at Miami (FL) Dade CC so that he could have three years of eligibility for the Panthers. A third would be taken by Kane, if he goes to prep school this year and qualifies. That leaves no openings for 2009 at this time despite the Panthers wanting two big men and possibly being in the position to land a quality perimeter player. If the Panthers are in the position to grab more than three quality players in the class, they will, though two or three players over the limit could mean major changes to the current roster.
If 2009 will take some juggling, 2010 could be even more difficult considering only incoming junior college guard Jermaine Dixon would be leaving meaning, as of now, only one scholarship would be available.
Chris Dokish is a NBE Basketball Report contributor as well as a contributing editor of the Pittsburgh Sports Report where his stories are often featured in their Keystone Recruiting newsletter series, which you can sign up for free at their website.