By Will Wise – 2011 6’9 PF out of Hun (NJ), who is signed with UMBC.

Dear Recruit Scoop,

What’s up y’all, its Big Willy from Philly. lol Just playing my name is Will Wise and I’m at senior at The Hun School of Princeton.  Originally I’m from Philly and previously attended Abington Friends School in Jenkintown PA. I am a 6’8 233Ibs and have committed to play D1 basketball at UMBC in the fall.  I played AAU with P.Y.O and NJABC. My family is fairly large extended family, I have 2 biological sister who are both older then me Kimber  and Kimmesha. I was adopted when I was 13 years old and live with my little brother Blake who is 11 and a little sister Drew who is 15 and my adopted mom Chrystie. I have two other siblings Betnijah and Shakaris they are not my blood but I grew up with them and was always around as well as my second mom Yolonda Laney she has played a huge roll in my life teaching me how to play basketball and helping get through tough stretches in my life. My sister Betnijah was a McDonalds all American this year and has committed to play at Rutgers.

I started really playing ball after I was adopted at age 13. The first camp I attended was the DeBose-Pembleton Summer Basketball Camp which was held at Finley playground I got MVP of the camp and it was the first trophy I ever received I’ve been playing ever since then.

I committed to UMBC for many reasons: one, I felt a connection with the coaches and I really like how the pursued me. Coach Monroe and those guys called and visited me the most out of any and all of the schools that were recruiting me. Another reason is I love the opportunity I have going in, I can be a key piece in changing the dynamic of the team.

Besides basketball I just like to having a good time and chilling, I love watching old 90s TV shows like Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Martin, they are both hilarious have all of them on DVD. I like listening to music all types from Drake, Jay-z, Lil Wayne all the to John Mayer and JB!

Overall I’m a well rounded dude that like making smile. This is my first journal entry of many so I guess I’ll talk to y’all later….. Deuces

P.S.. Follow me on Twitter @WillW24 lol…..

By Lucas Shapiro

Nowadays, a lot of big men like to be threats from the perimeter. Many, unfortunately, make the poor decision to start off working on their perimeter skills before they master the post. One big man out of Storrs, Connecticut, however, chose to do things the old school way. So far, for Ethan O’Day, things have worked out just fine.

O’Day is a 6’9” power forward in the class of 2012 who plays for Northfield Mount Hermon in Massachusetts. Whether he is pulling off a fake spin move or killer drop-step, O’Day manages to find a way to score a majority of the time he gets it in the post, regardless of whether it is a taller or more athletic defender guarding him.

“I’ve always had pretty good feet and hands,” says O’Day. “When I played for my old AAU team (Drive 4 Stardum), I did a lot of post move work with my trainer Donta Johnson. I also made up a few of my own moves to catch defenders off guard.”

Those post moves, along with his work ethic, have gotten him some college interest recently.

Said O’Day, “I recently got an offer from St. Joseph’s. Holy Cross and Vermont are the other offers that I currently have.”

He has also gotten interest from Davidson and UNC-Charlotte, two schools along with St. Joseph’s in which O’Day plans to unofficially visit this summer.

O’Day’s transfer from E.O Smith High School to Northfield Mount Hermon really helped improve his game. Going up against the likes of Andre Drummond and Markus Kennedy may not seem fun for some big men, but O’Day saw it as a way to improve his game.

“It’s just a whole new level in the NEPSAC,” says O’Day. “You are playing against guys that are just as big as you and just as strong as you. It’s a good challenge to prepare you for the next level.”

Speaking of the next level, O’Day recently made the move from Drive 4 Stardum to the Connecticut Basketball Club, one of New England’s finest AAU programs. He recently had a great weekend at the Basketbull Hall of Fame tournament with CBC, despite missing Andre Drummond.

“Drive 4 Stardum really helped me get things going in my basketball career, says O’Day. “Now, I’m with CBC, where I’ve been going up against a lot of Division I guys.  I really like the guys on the team. We are going to Las Vegas, Florida, and Indianapolis to play some competition. I’m enjoying it so far.”

Who knows, maybe O’Day will not have to travel so far to get noticed. Maybe, if he continues to expand his game to the perimeter (one of his goals this summer), the school in his own backyard in Storrs, Connecticut might take notice of his diverse set of post moves.

(Photo courtesy of Maxpreps)

By Alex Kline

It did not take long for Sterling Gibbs to get hooked.

The 6-foot-1 senior point guard out of Seton Hall Prep in New Jersey verbally committed to Texas on Monday night. The decision came following a weekend visit to the Austin campus.

 ”I have a great relationship with coach Rob Lanier,” said Gibbs by phone Monday night. ”I’ve known him since middle school. My family trusts him.”

Gibbs, who originally signed with Maryland in the fall, opened up his recruitment last week after finding out that Terps head coach Gary Williams was retiring. While he was disapointed about having to search for a new school so late, Texas was ultimatly the right fit.

Former Florida assistant Rob Lanier, who took the same spot at with Rick Barnes’ staff at Texas, was the lead recruiter on Gibbs, who previously had a relationship with him.

He will join Myck Kabongo at the point when the two incoming freshmen making it to Texas this summer. They could share the point guard duties, as well as play the two guard. The duo will replace Cory Joseph, who entered the NBA Draft and could be a potential lottery pick after only one year at the collegiate level.

The 2011 Texas Longhorns class also features Julien Lewis, Kevin Thomas, Jonathan Holmes and Sheldon McClellan.

(Photo courtesy of NY2LA Sports)

By Alex Kline

Sterling Gibbs, a 6-foot-1 senior point guard out of Seton Hall Prep in New Jersey, was recently released from his letter of intent from Maryland. Since then, his recruitment has taken off and multiple high major schools have gotten in the mix.

UConn and UCLA are the latest schools. “Both UConn and UCLA offered me recently,” he said by phone on Monday afternoon. “I’m going to try and visit UConn officially after I finish my final exams this week.”

Gibbs, who took an official visit to Texas over the weekend, is also being courted by Louisville, Providence, Seton Hall, Dayton and others.

Gibbs spoke very highly of his visit. “I enjoyed my visit to Texas,” he stated. “It went really well. It was a smooth transition and I’ve known (Texas assistant) Rob Lanier since his time at Florida.”

Lanier recruited Gibbs at one point before he left for Texas and Gibbs ended up at Maryland.

Now, Gibbs could share the point guard spot with Myck Kabongo next year and run the Longhorns. The two could potentially preplace future NBA lottery pick Cory Joseph.

(Photo courtesy of NY2LA Sports)

By Alex Kline

Georges Niang saw his stock rise in the past six months through his performance on the high school hardwood. Now, he has found his college destination.

The 6-foot-7 forward out of Tilton School in New Hampshire made the call on Sunday night. “I just verbally committed to Iowa State,” he said by phone. “I am really excited to for the Cyclones.”

“It felt like it was the right time to commit,” he went on to say. “Everything felt right and Coach (Fred) Hoiberg is a great guy and coach. The staff did a great job of recruiting me and making me feel at home.”

Niang, who was also recruited by Iowa, Miami (FL), Providence, Texas A&M, Boston and others, took an unofficial visit to Iowa State in March and enjoyed it because of his relationship with head coach Fred Hoiberg.

Now, the 2012 talent is the first Tilton player to come off the board as many other talented players will be next.

(Photo courtesy of New England Storm)

By Alex Kline

One week after being released from his national letter of intent to play at George Washington next year, Erik Copes has made his college decision.

The 6-foot-8 center out of Imhotep Charter in Pennsylvania verbally committed to George Mason on Sunday. “I love the Virginia area and what it has to offer,” he said by phone on Sunday. “The university is amazing and the campus is great.”

Copes, who originally signed with George Washington in the fall, requested for his release from the program after head coach Karl Hobbs and his staff were fired recently. The talented center’s uncle, Roland Houston, was a huge influence in Copes’ recruitment to George Washington. Houston recently accepted a job as an assistant coach under new George Mason coach Paul Hewitt’s staff.

Copes is considered one of the top centers in the class of 2011 and is a huge late season addition for the Patriots. He joins the 2011 class which features Corey Edwards and Vaughn Gray.

(Photo courtesy of ESPN)

By Alex Kline

Ishmail Wainright, a 6-foot-5 forward out of Raytown South (MO), is staying in-state.

The 2013 star verbally committed to Missouri on Sunday, Mother’s Day. Wainright, who is considered one of the top players in his grade, did not take long to find his destination after a significant coaching change.

“The new coaching staff is amazing,” he exclaimed by phone on Sunday night. “I built a great relationship with them.”

Once Mike Anderson left Missouri for Arkansas, a surprise replacement came in. Miami (FL) head coach Frank Haith took the Tiger job and added numerous star assistants to his staff, most notably former Louisville assistant Tim Fuller. Fuller did an amazing job of recruiting Rodney Purvis out of North Carolina to Louisville.

Amazingly, the week Haith got the job, he watched Wainright and offered him on the spot.

While it was a bit early and unexpected to see Wainright commit this early, he felt it was right. “Why now? I think it was time,” he stated. “I’m hooked on Mizzou! It’s my hometown.”

A day before his commitment, on Saturday, Missouri picked up it’s first commitment of the weekend. Tyrek Coger, a 2013 center out of North Carolina, chose the Tigers. Now, less then 24 hours late, Coger will know who one of his teammates is three years from now.

(Photo courtesy of Rivals)

By Alex Kline

Olu Ashaolu, a 6-foot-7 forward out of Louisiana Tech, has decided to withdraw his name from the 2011 NBA Draft, according to his brother, John.

“Olu is taking his name out of the draft,” said John Ashaolu by phone on Sunday afternoon. “He got great feedback from the Nets workout yesterday. He will return for his senior year and transfer. Olu will be able to play right away since he graduated in February.”

The talented wing who earned numerous acheivments while playing in the WAC this season averaged 14 points and 9 rebounds per game this year to lead the Bulldogs to a 12-20 record.

Now, Ashaolu must decide where he will spend his final year of school. He is considering “Texas, Oregon, Xavier and San Diego State,” according to his brother and will make a decision in the near future. The talented junior is from Canada and played under Ro Russell at Grassroots Canada. That AAU program has produced a number of players who have gone to Texas, including Cory Joseph, Myck Kabongo, Tristan Thompson and Kevin Thomas. Could Olu Ashaolu be next?

(Photo courtesy of Louisana Tech site)

Press Release by Alex Kline

The Mary Kline Classic is an elite charity basketball showcase featuring twenty-eight of the best high school basketball players from around the Mid-Atlantic region. The Mary Kline Classic is a charitable event to raise money to fight cancer.

All of the money from the event will be donated to the American Cancer Society and the National Brain Tumor Foundation. Big East, ACC, Big 12, Pac 10, CAA, A10 and many more big conferences will be represented. Come out and see the future of March Madness.

The event will be held at the Pennington School in Pennington, New Jersey on Saturday, May 28th at 6pm. The address is 112 West Delaware Avenue. Admission is $10 at the door.

The Black & Red Game

Red Team

Tavon Sledge, Half Hollow Hills West (NY), Iowa State

John Johnson, Life Center (NJ), Pittsburgh

Jabril Trawick, Abington Friends (PA), Georgetown

Angel Nunez, Notre Dame Prep (MA), Louisville

Khem Birch, Notre Dame Prep (MA), Pittsburgh

Todd Mayo, Notre Dame Prep (MA), Marquette

Moussa Kone, Frederick Douglas (NY), Hofstra

Chandler Fraser-Pauls, Pennington (NJ), Lafayette

Jayson Johnson, Life Center (NJ), N/A

Shaq Duncan, Robinson School (NJ), Morgan State

Jordan Allen, Long Island Lutheran (NY), Hofstra

Erik Copes, Imhotep Charter (PA), George Washington

Eric Fanning, Perkiomen (PA), N/A

Ramon Johnson, Newark Central (NJ), N/A

Black Team

Sidiki Johnson, Wadleigh (NY), Arizona

Maurice Harkless, South Kent (CT), St. John’s

Tyler Harris, St. Benedict’s (NJ), NC State

Derrick Randall, South Kent (CT), Rutgers

Aaron Brown, Pennwood (PA), West Virginia

Anthony Gaffney, Pennington (NJ), N/A

Derek Johnson, Atlantic Christian (NJ), Philadelphia

Isaiah Williams, Robinson School (NJ), Marshall

Devin Coleman, Friends Central (PA), Clemson

Khalid Lewis, Trenton Catholic (NJ), Delaware

Bruce Brittingham, Perkiomen (PA), N/A

Jerrell Wright, Dobbins Tech (PA), La Salle

Will Wise, Hun (NJ), UMBC

Shakore Grant, Appoquinimink (DE), Duquesne

And one guest player to be announced the day of the game…

Here is a rundown of the event

6-6:15 – Opening Statements & Player Introductions

6:20-6:50 – Three Point Shootout

7:00-7:40 - Slam Dunk Contest

7:50-8:10 – Team Warm-ups, Layup Lines & Meeting

8:10-8:15 – National Anthem sung by Erin Murphy

8:15-9:30 – Classic Game & Halftime Entertainment

9:35-9:45 – Award Ceremony & Conclusion