Cali point guard has attention from Marquette, South Florida and others

One of the new names that Ron Bailey introduced NBE Basketball Report readers to in his NBA Camp Top 100 Thursday Player Views was California point guard Darius Morris. The Windward High School and point guard of the Belmont Shores AAU program has quite a variety of schools interested in his talents on and off the basketball court.

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COMMITMENT ALERT: Liam McMorrow, 7′0 Center from Toronto, Canada

Buzz Williams and staff have to be among the busiest in the entire nation. Not only do they seem to be involved with every 2009 and 2010 recruit we come across, but they are also crossing international borders for the class of 2008. Liam McMorrow, a 7-footer, has joined the MU program as the Center is the Final Recruit for 2008, Williams’ first class at MU.

Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Wesley Matthews (WG), Dominic James (PG), Jerel McNeal (SG), Dwight Burke (BF)
Juniors: David Cubillan (G), Lazar Hayward (G/F), Maurice Acker (PG)
Sophomores: Trevor Mbakwe (PF), Patrick Hazel (F), Joseph Fulce (SF), Jimmy Butler (G/F)
Freshmen: Chris Otule (C), Liam McMorrow (C)
Early 2009 Commitments: Erik Williams (F), Jeronne Maymon (F), Dwight Buycks (JUCO G)

For a complete synopsis of the Golden Eagles’ recruiting under Buzz Williams, please visit our Marquette team page and see the latest updates.

By Ray Floriani

NEW BRUNSWICK , NJ – A final look back on the Hoop Group Showcase with a few notes and observations.

A few of the traditional New York City powers as Rice and St. Raymond’s were among the missing. Regardless, it was a competitive field with some local schools as Plainfield (NJ) and the Nia School stepping up and getting attention.

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Ray Floriani offers unique perspective on championship game as one of the referees

By Ray Floriani

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – St.Pat’s served notice that last March’s season ending loss to St.Anthony’s is behind them and they are primed for another TOC (Tournament of Champions) title. The Celtics captured the Hoop Group High School Showcase defeating Windsor of Connecticut 54-17 in the championship game.

The tournament was held June 21 and 22 on the campus of Rutgers University with games at the Livingston campus and the College Avenue gym, better known as ‘The Barn’. The way St.Pat’s dismantled the competition on Sunday was reminiscent of another great team that actually called the Barn home, the ’76 Rutgers Final Four team. Pat’s defeated Seton Hall Prep in the quarterfinals before dismantling St.Benedict’s 61-35 in the semis.

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Younger brother of Ashton Gibbs ready to step out of brother’s shadow

BY JEFF BORZELLO

Even though he is still a freshman in high school, Sterling Gibbs is quickly becoming a household name across the country – and it’s not because of his brother.

The 5-foot-10, 160 lbs. Seton Hall Prep product is the younger sibling of Pittsburgh signee Ashton Gibbs, but has been creating his own path recently.

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