2016 No. 1 player in Pennsylvania, point guard Tony Carr, commits to Penn State

August 3, 2015, 11:19 am

≫ Next: Harry Giles III, Jayson Tatum and Josh Jackson dominate Best player, Best Pro Prospect polls

≪ Previous: Four ALL-USA girls lacrosse players named to World Team at U19 championships

Rising senior point guard Tony Carr, ranked as the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania by the 247Sports Composite rankings, has committted to Penn State.

Carr, from Roman Catholic High in Philadelphia, chose the Nittany Lions over a number of other offers, including four from other Big Ten schools.

The 6-3 Carr is ranked as the No. 9 point guard in the Class of 2016 by ESPN and No. 52 in the ESPN100.

Roman Catholic teammate Nazeer Bostick, a three-star shooting guard, committed to Penn State in April and their backcourt chemistry should continue in Happy Valley.

↧

Harry Giles III, Jayson Tatum and Josh Jackson dominate Best player, Best Pro Prospect polls

August 3, 2015, 12:34 pm

≫ Next: Good news on Dennis Smith Jr.'s knee injury, his father says

≪ Previous: 2016 No. 1 player in Pennsylvania, point guard Tony Carr, commits to Penn State

Friends Jayson Tatum and Harry Giles III are neck-and-neck in the race to be the nation's top overall prospect — Twitter

Harry Giles III (left) and Jayson Tatum (right) have talked about being a package deal in 2016.

Harry Giles III remains on top of the high school basketball world after claiming the No. 1 position once again, this time in Scout’s poll of college coaches on the Best Player and Best Pro Prospects in high school hoops.

Giles was ranked as the best player and pro prospect, both by considerable margins. The Oak Hill transfer received 37 of 102 first-place votes for Best Player, 26 more than second-place Jayson Tatum (11). In the best Pro Prospect poll, Giles received 46 votes, 35 more than Josh Jackson and Tatum, tying for second with 11 votes.

Duke commit Jayson Tatum came in second in both categories, solidifying himself as one of the nation’s premier talents, earning double-digit first place votes in both polls. Jackson and Malik Monk were the only other players to earn double-digit first place votes.

The most buzz, however, could be around Scout’s No. 16 and 247Sport’s Composite No. 7 De’Aaron Fox, according to the polls. The Cypress Lakes (Katy, Texas) point guard really made a name for himself this summer, even though he finished 10th in the Best Player voting (2 votes). That being said, Fox moved from No. 10 to No. 4 in the Best Pro Prospect poll, receiving nine of the 102 votes. Some are even saying that Fox may be the best point guard in the country.

↧

Good news on Dennis Smith Jr.'s knee injury, his father says

August 3, 2015, 1:11 pm

≫ Next: Elite defensive end Terrell Hall decommits from Ohio State

≪ Previous: Harry Giles III, Jayson Tatum and Josh Jackson dominate Best player, Best Pro Prospect polls

Dennis Smith Jr., the top point guard recruit in the Class of 2016, suffered a knee injury Sunday night at the Adidas Nations Global event in California.

But his father told the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer in their hometown that the left knee has no swelling and Smith has a full range of motion.

Smith was limited to 11 minutes Sunday night and left the gym on crutches. He made the most of those minutes, though, with six points, seven assists and five rebounds for Team Lillard.

Team Lillard lost to Team Wall 117-73 and will play in the third-place game Monday night.

News of the injury spread quickly and other top players around the country offered prayers and best wishes to Smith.

Put one up for my bro @Jhooper_3 🙏🏾 pray all the results come back positive. You gone be good

— Harry Giles (@TheReal_HG3) August 3, 2015

Dennis Smith with knee injury. Hope results are negative. Pray for @Jhooper_3 pic.twitter.com/sK9LiU2eIb

— Rivals Phenoms (@RivalsPhenoms) August 3, 2015

Team Wall faces Team Rose on Monday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

↧

Elite defensive end Terrell Hall decommits from Ohio State

August 3, 2015, 4:29 pm

≫ Next: 6-9 forward Mamadi Diakite commits to Virginia; will he reclassify to 2015?

≪ Previous: Good news on Dennis Smith Jr.'s knee injury, his father says

Within hours of Florida defensive end Nick Bosa committing to Ohio State on July 24, rival coaches were texting fellow defensive end Terrell Hall to see if he wanted to reconsider his pledge to the Buckeyes. Hall, who had committed in March, posted a message from Kentucky wide receivers coach Tommy Mainord that came three hours after Bosa’s announcement.

Terrell Hall's recruitment

Hall, from St. John’s College Prep, is one of the nation’s top-10 end recruits and considered the No. 2 recruit in the District of Columbia by the 247Sports Composite. He holds scholarship offers from just about everywhere, but has remained focused on Ohio State throughout the process.

That is until he announced Monday that he was decommitting from Ohio State.

pic.twitter.com/2Dh314Ovu4

— Terrell Hall (@_TrillTrell_) August 3, 2015

Hall had told USA TODAY High School Sports at The Opening regional in Virginia in the spring that he was firmly committed but he didn’t rule out taking additional visits.

RELATED: Nick Bosa selects Ohio State

↧

6-9 forward Mamadi Diakite commits to Virginia; will he reclassify to 2015?

August 4, 2015, 12:49 pm

≫ Next: POLL: Who is the top athlete to watch in the class of 2016?

≪ Previous: Elite defensive end Terrell Hall decommits from Ohio State

Mamadi Diakite, a 6-9 four-star power forward, has chosen the University of Virginia. Now the question is whether he will reclassify from 2016 and enroll this fall.

Diakite, a native of Guinea attending Blue Ridge School in Dyke, Va., is ranked as the No. 1 player in the state for the Class of 2016 by the 247Sports Composite, the No. 9 power forward in the nation and the No. 36 player overall. He chose Virginia over Washington and Southern California.

“It’s an 80 percent chance I enroll in 2015,” Diakite told 247Sports.

According to the 247 rankings, Virginia already has the top class in the nation for 2016 with commitments from guard Kyle Guy (Lawrence Central; Indianapolis); Ty Jerome (Iona Prep; New Rochelle, N.Y.); and forward Jay Huff (Voyager; Durham, N.C.).

↧

POLL: Who is the top athlete to watch in the class of 2016?

August 4, 2015, 1:08 pm

≫ Next: South Bend (Ind.) schools lower academic standards for underclass athletes

≪ Previous: 6-9 forward Mamadi Diakite commits to Virginia; will he reclassify to 2015?

Throughout the summer, USA TODAY High School Sports has been profiling the top athletes in the Class of 2016 as our “60 for ’16”. We are ranking the top 20 players and want to know who you think should be No. 1. Here are the names under consideration in the final 20 slots:

↧

South Bend (Ind.) schools lower academic standards for underclass athletes

August 4, 2015, 2:01 pm

≫ Next: VIDEO: ALL-USA Preseason Football Team - Offense

≪ Previous: POLL: Who is the top athlete to watch in the class of 2016?

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — South Bend school officials have voted to lower the academic requirements needed for students to participate in athletics.

The South Bend Community School Corp.’s board voted Monday night 5-2. Now freshmen can play sports with a 1.5 GPA, sophomores with a 1.67 GPA and juniors with a 1.85 GPA. The old policy required a 2.0 GPA. Seniors will still need a 2.0 GPA to play.

The Community School Corp. runs four high schools.

The South Bend Tribune reports that the vote came after hours of passionate testimony from both sides. The new policy originated from the superintendent’s athletic committee. Among the local residents speaking in opposition was former Notre Dame basketball coach Digger Phelps. Phelps had been a supporter of the 2.0 policy when it was phased into the district from 2009 to 2012.

The new policy requires students who are struggling academically to continue playing if they meet Indiana High School Athletic Association guidelines for eligibility, take part in study tables and show improving grades.

One parent at the meeting said the return of study tables was a key factor.

“The big thing that I’m happy about is the study tables,” parent Drew Danik told ABC57. “A lot of people would like to see the 2-0 remain,” said Danik. “The board has spoken, they made their vote, and hopefully down the line some other things will be added to it.”

Contributing: Associated Press

↧

VIDEO: ALL-USA Preseason Football Team - Offense

August 5, 2015, 4:00 am

≫ Next: Recruit who had Michigan State offer pulled for visiting Ohio State commits to Buckeyes

≪ Previous: South Bend (Ind.) schools lower academic standards for underclass athletes

↧

Recruit who had Michigan State offer pulled for visiting Ohio State commits to Buckeyes

August 5, 2015, 4:57 am

≫ Next: Former Washington State QB commit Ian Book flips to Notre Dame

≪ Previous: VIDEO: ALL-USA Preseason Football Team - Offense

Gavin Cupp, a three-star offensive lineman from Leispic, Ohio, for the class of 2016, committed to Michigan State.

But when he went to Ohio State’s Friday Night Lights camp, it caught the Spartans’ attention. According to multiple media outlets, Michigan State pulled its offer to Cupp in response.

The 6-6, 275-pound Cupp had been hoping to earn an Ohio State offer and play in his home state. When the offer came, he moved quickly.

Cupp committed to the Buckeyes on Tuesday, becoming the fourth offensive line recruit in the Class of 2016.

http://t.co/9N9crSfftg—
Gavin Cupp (@gavin_cupp) August 04, 2015

↧

Former Washington State QB commit Ian Book flips to Notre Dame

August 5, 2015, 8:15 am

≫ Next: Report: Top 10 recruit Cheick Diallo yet to be cleared by NCAA to play at Kansas

≪ Previous: Recruit who had Michigan State offer pulled for visiting Ohio State commits to Buckeyes

pic.twitter.com/dcrbWRQoJf

— Ian book (@ian_book23) August 5, 2015

A visit to South Bend was all it took for Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills, Calif.) three-star quarterback Ian Book.

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Sanford convinced Book and his family to take a trip to Notre Dame, and that was all she wrote.

Already committed to Washington State, a two-day trip to the campus and a meeting with head coach Brian Kelly caused the No. 18 Pro-Style QB to flip his commitment.

“I just fell in love with Notre Dame,” Book said on the phone late Tuesday night to BlueandGold.com Recruiting Analyst Andrew Ivins.

“I got the whole campus tour on the visit and I went into [head coach] Brian Kelly’s office. He offered me a scholarship and I told him that I just needed sometime to think things over with my family.”

The 6-0, 193-pound quarterback said that he waited a week to flip his commitment “out of respect of Washington State.”

“I just didn’t want to not tell them. I really wasn’t thinking about visiting any other schools, but then Notre Dame popped up and with the tradition they have, it was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.”

↧

Report: Top 10 recruit Cheick Diallo yet to be cleared by NCAA to play at Kansas

August 5, 2015, 8:16 am

≫ Next: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 5-Star LB Rahshaun Smith decommits from Clemson

≪ Previous: Former Washington State QB commit Ian Book flips to Notre Dame

Our Savior New American big man Cheick Diallo took home the McDonald’s All American MVP trophy. (Photo: Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports)

McDonald’s All-American and five-star big man recruit Cheick Diallo has yet to be cleared by the NCAA to play at Kansas, according to a report from the Kansas City Star.

Diallo, a 6-9 forward from Our Savior New American in Centereach, N.Y., committed to Kansas in April. He was ranked among the top 10 players in the Class of 2015.

“I don’t anticipate this being cleared up in the near future,” Coach Bill Self told The Star. “He’s done everything that’s been asked of him to do. He’s just waiting to be cleared.”

According to the report, Self remains optimistic and it is not unusual for players to be awaiting clearance at this point. Fall semester classes begin Aug. 24.

The issues seem focused on his time at Our Savior New American after he came over from Mali to pursue a college basketball career. The Star said Diallo has been accepted by the university’s admissions office and arrived on campus in July for the summer sessions. He has taken six credit hours thus far, Self said.

↧

IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 5-Star LB Rahshaun Smith decommits from Clemson

August 6, 2015, 11:56 am

≫ Next: T.J. Leaf, top 10 player in Class of 2016, decommits from Arizona basketball

≪ Previous: Report: Top 10 recruit Cheick Diallo yet to be cleared by NCAA to play at Kansas

pic.twitter.com/P32YLELi4G

— Humble & Hungry 〽️ (@Nextlevel_shaq) August 6, 2015

IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) five-star inside linebacker Rahshaun Smith has de-committed form Clemson.

2016’s top inside linebacker decided to de-commit due to his desire to officially visit other schools, which Clemson doesn’t allow their commits to do.

Despite re-opening his commitment, Smith said in his Tweet that he still plans to officially visit Clemson at a to-be-determined date.

Smith will also take visits to LSU on Oct. 17 and Auburn on Nov. 14.

↧

T.J. Leaf, top 10 player in Class of 2016, decommits from Arizona basketball

August 6, 2015, 6:40 pm

≫ Next: Ohio Stadium to continue to host state football championships through 2016

≪ Previous: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 5-Star LB Rahshaun Smith decommits from Clemson

TJ. Leaf, a five-star power forward from California, has decommitted from Arizona, he announced on Twitter.

The 6-9 Leaf, who plays for Foothills Christian in El Cajon, Calif., had looked at Duke, Florida, Indiana and UCLA, among others before his commitment to the Wildcats last November.

Thank you to Arizona for the opportunity to play for an outstanding program but I've decided to reopen my recruitment pic.twitter.com/YMynXuhD6o

— TJ Leaf (@Tyleaf_22) August 7, 2015

Ranked No. 9 in the Class of 2016 by ESPN.com, Leaf turned in a dominant junior season for the Knights averaging 27.4 points and 14.2 rebounds a game while leading them to a 24-8 record and the San Diego Section Division II title.

In June he helped the U.S. Select team to a 3-0 record at the 2015 adidas EuroCamp in Treviso, Italy.

Leaf averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds a game for Compton Magic AAU (Calif.) on the competitive adidas Gauntlet. He also played for the Israeli National Team at the U18 European Championships.

↧

Ohio Stadium to continue to host state football championships through 2016

August 7, 2015, 5:37 am

≫ Next: SEC, Big Ten lead in college choices for ALL-USA preseason football team

≪ Previous: T.J. Leaf, top 10 player in Class of 2016, decommits from Arizona basketball

Ohio Stadium (Photo: Greg Bartram, USA TODAY Sports)

The Ohio state football championships will remain in Columbus through 2016 because the massive renovations at the event’s former home in Canton is not expected to be completed until 2017.

The Greater Columbus Sports Commission and Ohio State initially were awarded a contract to host the seven football championship games at Ohio State in 2014 and ’15 with the plan being to move the games back to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Stark County had hosted the games for 24 years (1990-2003).

“We are very grateful for the cooperation of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and Ohio State for working with us on this extension,” Dr. Dan Ross, the OHSAA commissioner, said in a statement. “We have been in conversation with the folks in Stark County about the timeline for the renovations in Canton. As we have said all along, we are very blessed in Ohio to have some of the best football stadiums in the country and student‐athletes will be so proud to say they played for a state title in Ohio Stadium or in Stark County.”

The OHSAA said details are being discussed as to which venues will host games beyond 2016 and in which years.

And if you really want to get a jump on the state finals: A pass for all seven games goes on sale Aug. 17.

↧

SEC, Big Ten lead in college choices for ALL-USA preseason football team

August 7, 2015, 1:36 pm

≫ Next: Super 25 football preseason rankings coming Monday: 25 teams in 25 hours

≪ Previous: Ohio Stadium to continue to host state football championships through 2016

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) DE leads the Ohio State Buckeyes top-ranked recruiting class. (Photo: 247 Sports)

22 of the 50 players selected to the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Preseason Football Team have already made college commitments, with little variation in their destinations. All but one are headed to Power 5 conferences, aside from Westfield (Houston, Texas) DT Ed Oliver, who chose to attend the hometown Houston Cougars of the AAC.

REALTED: ALL-USA Preseason Football Team – Offense

The SEC and Big Ten are tied atop the list, each earning the pledges of seven preseason team members. LSU and Georgia lead the SEC with two commitments each, with the Tigers gaining commitments from Wakulla (Crawfordville, Fla.) QB Feleipe Franks and IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) DB Saivion Smith and the Bulldogs commitments from Lake Stevens (Wash.) QB Jacob Eason and McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) DT Julian Rochester.

Meanwhile in the Big Ten, with little to no surprise, Ohio State leads with four commits in DePaul Catholic (Wayne, N.J.) RB Kareem Walker, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) DE Nick Bosa, Gahanna Lincoln (Columbus, Ohio) DE Jonathon Cooper and LaSalle (Cincinnati, Ohio) P Drue Chrisman.

The ACC comes in second with four commitments, as Miami (Fl.) gained two pledges from Oakleaf (Orange Park, Fla.) LB Shaq Quarterman and St. Thomas Aquinas WR Sam Bruce, Clemson picked up Spartanburg (S.C.) ATH Tavien Feaster and Florida State landed Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, Va.) DB Levonta Taylor.

The Big 12, Pac 12 and AAC bring up the rear, each earning one recuit from the preseason squad. Independent powerhouse Notre Dame also gained a verbal commitment.

Paramus Catholic (Paramus, N.J.) DT Rashan Gary, Allen (Texas) OT Greg Little and Wake Forrest (N.C.) DT Dexter Lawrence, the top three recruits in the Class of 2016 according to 247Sports Composite, are all still uncommitted and up for grabs.

↧

Super 25 football preseason rankings coming Monday: 25 teams in 25 hours

August 7, 2015, 5:19 pm

≫ Next: Wesleyan Christian (N.C.) adds top 100 junior wing David Caraher after Harry Giles' departure

≪ Previous: SEC, Big Ten lead in college choices for ALL-USA preseason football team

USA TODAY High School Sports will announce its Super 25 preseason football rankings beginning Monday at 8 a.m. ET with one team being revealed each hour.

Each post will contain analysis and key players from USA TODAY Sports’ Jim Halley, video highlights, schedule and more.

To join the Super 25 conversation on social media, use the hashtag #Super25.

MORE: Take our fan poll — who should be No. 1?

This season also marks the return of regional high school football rankings with the top teams divided into five regions: Northeast, Midwest, South, Frontier and Pacific. The preseason regional rankings will be published Thursday.

The Super 25 has been a staple of USA TODAY for more than 30 years and highlights the best teams around the nation.

↧

Wesleyan Christian (N.C.) adds top 100 junior wing David Caraher after Harry Giles' departure

August 8, 2015, 10:33 am

≫ Next: Josh Jackson goes off for 50 points in Big Strick Classic in New York

≪ Previous: Super 25 football preseason rankings coming Monday: 25 teams in 25 hours

David Caraher (Photo: Twitter)

The Wesleyan Christian basketball program in High Point, N.C., has been in the news of late because No. 1 overall player Harry Giles III has decided to transfer to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va.

But the program recently added 6-5 wing David Caraher from Chapel Hill (N.C.) High. Caraher, who will be a junior, is ranked among the top 100 players in the Class of 2017 by Scout.com.

Excited to announce that I will attend Wesleyan Christian Academy for my Junior year of high school! pic.twitter.com/G52Ku4hkSQ

— David Caraher (@CaraherDavid30) July 28, 2015

Caraher recently decommitted from Butler, telling Gannett partner The Indianapolis Star that he “jumped the gun a little early on it.” He had committed in February and it is rare for Butler to offer a scholarship to a high school sophomore. The decision to separate appeared mutual.

Wesleyan Christian went 30-5 and was the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 3A runner-up. The team finished at No. 18 in the final Super 25 rankings of the season.

↧

Josh Jackson goes off for 50 points in Big Strick Classic in New York

August 9, 2015, 5:27 am

≫ Next: La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.) adds five-star small forward and four-star center as transfers

≪ Previous: Wesleyan Christian (N.C.) adds top 100 junior wing David Caraher after Harry Giles' departure

#bigstrickclassic director Bobby Bates with MVP Josh Jackson. Jackson sets #BSC record with 50 points. pic.twitter.com/lO8aF4uNCc

— PoP (@PremierBall) August 9, 2015

Josh Jackson, among the top three players in the Class of 2016, went off for 50 points in the Big Strick Classic on Saturday night. The total sets a record for the annual showcase event.

Jackson, a Michigan native who plays for Prolific Prep in California, added 16 rebounds and five assists as Team USA, made up of many of the top players in the nation, beat Team NYC 159-137 at the Gauchos Gym in Bronx, N.Y. The annual showcase is dedicating to the memory of street ball legend John “Franchise” Strickland.

“It’s my first time playing in this event and I really like it and I wish that I could play again,” Jackson told ZagsBlog.com. “I came out here and made the best of it.”

On the recruiting front, Jackson told ZagsBlog that Villanova, Arizona, Maryland, Michigan State, Kansas, Duke, Kentucky, UNLV and UCLA were still under consideration. Jackson recently visited Michigan State and is likely to visit Maryland in the next few weeks before he returns to New York for the Under Armour Elite 24.

Billy Preston (Prime Prep, Dallas) added 28 points and Edrice “Bam” Adebayo (Northside; Pinetown, N.C.) added 24. He also won the dunk contest before the game. Gary Trent Jr. (Apple Valley, Minn.) added 15.

For Team NYC, Myles Powell (South Kent, Conn.) finished 28 points and won the 3-point contest before the game. Trevon Duval (St. Benedict’s Prep; Newark, N.J.) added 20 and shared Team NYC MVP honors with Powell. Mustapha Heron (Sacred Heart; Westhaven, Conn.) added 10.

@j_josh11 50 Tho Bro 😩👀🔥🔥

— TheLifeOfCheese CBG (@Myles_MBP_23) August 9, 2015

↧

La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.) adds five-star small forward and four-star center as transfers

August 9, 2015, 8:12 am

≫ Next: Pennsylvania high school football coach faces DUI charges

≪ Previous: Josh Jackson goes off for 50 points in Big Strick Classic in New York

La Lumiere in LaPorte, Ind., has had a big few days, adding a pair of elite level basketball prospects to its program.

Coach Shane Heirman has announced that 2017 five-star small forward Brian Bowen and 2016 four-star center James Banks have transferred.

Bowen is ranked No. 14 nationally in the class by Rivals. He is a 6-6 small forward who played at Arthur Hill in Saginaw, Mich.

I want too thank Arthur Hill High School for all that they've done for me but this year I will attend La Lumiere High School in Indiana📚🏀

— Brian Tugs Bowen (@20tugs) August 7, 2015

Banks is ranked among the top 10 big men in the nation by a number of recruiting services and holds offers from a number of SEC schools. A 6-10, 230-pound center who drew attention on the AAU circuit this summer, he played at Mount Vernon Christian in Stockbridge, Ga.

I would like to thank @342coachberry and #MVPS for an amazing junior year but I will be spending my senior year at #LaLumiere #LakersNation

— ⬆️Next (@32jbanks) August 8, 2015

La Lumiere finished 24-3 last season and was ranked just outside the Super 25.

↧

Pennsylvania high school football coach faces DUI charges

August 9, 2015, 8:40 am

≫ Next: What's the status of Gary Trent Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr. package deal?

≪ Previous: La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.) adds five-star small forward and four-star center as transfers

The football coach at Littlestown High in Pennsylvania is facing two counts of driving under the influence after a traffic stop in June, according to the Hanover (Pa.) Evening Sun.

Mike Lippy, who has been the coach for 12 seasons and has a record of 95-42, will be arraigned Aug. 20, according to the report.

According to court documents, he failed a field sobriety test after being pulled over for failing to use a turn signal. His blood alcohol content was found to be .139; the state’s legal limit is .08.

His attorney, Jeffery Cook, told the Sun that Lippy plans to plead not guilty. As a first-time offender, he could enter a pre-trial program intended to rehab the accused without having to plead guilty or face trial.

“The district has addressed the situation and we are moving forward,” Littlestown Athletic Director Jeff Laux told the Sun, declining to add additional comment.

↧

Latest Images