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Wednesday, August 20

Horton picks Mizzou over 'Cats, 'Hawks and Hogs

By Bill Hodge
CollegeSports.com

The Missouri Tigers have pledged Class 2004 Top 100 guard Jason Horton of Cedar Hill, Tex., over Arizona State, Kansas and Arkansas.

A third player has transfered from Baylor after former head coach Dave Bliss resigned amid major NCAA rules violations. Junior guard Kenny Taylor of Sugar Land-Willowridge, Tex., who was third in scoring with 11.8 points average for the Bears last season, has decided on Texas. He would have to sit out one year and lose a season of eligibility under normal transfer rules within the conference. That would leave him with only one season of eligibility. Texas is waiting for a ruling from the Big 12 to waive the extra penalty.

Starting forward Lawrence Roberts of Houston-Lamar, Tex., chose Mississippi State over Arizona. He averaged 15.2 points and 10.4 rebounds to lead the Bears last season as a sophomore. Class 2003 Top 100 forward Tyrone Nelson of Hempstead, Tex., an incoming freshman, signed with Prairie View A&M. Nelson had also considered Georgia Tech and Memphis. Other players considering leaving Baylor include: John Lucas III 5-11 155 G JR-2L Houston-Bellaire, Tex (may consider Memphis, Rutgers, Georgetown, Arkansas, Rutgers, Georgia and San Diego State); Tommy Swanson 6-9 215 F SO-1L Fort Worth-North Crowley, Tex; and Harvey Thomas 6-8 210 F JR Fredericsburg, Va/Georgetown/NE Okla A&M.

Northwestern pledged Class 2004 guards Brandon Lee of Peoria-Central, Ill., and Gary Lee Jr. of Flint-Northern, Mich.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee has pledged Class 2004 forward Anthony Passley of Indianapolis-North Central, Ind., over Bradley, Southern Illinois, Drake and Eastern Kentucky. He averaged 14.5 points as a junior.

San Diego State denied admission to Class 2003 center Jabbar Young of New Orleans, La/Fort Washington-National Christian Academy, Md. Young, who originally signed with West Virginia, is expected to attend junior college.

Fifty-seven prospects on the early Class 2004 Top 100 have already made commitments.

Texas, Indiana and Alabama lead the very early 2004 Top Classes. Florida State led the 2003 Top Classes.

Class 2004 Basketball Database
* Search the early list of Prospects/Commitments/Schools and Conferences
* Early list of Top 100 Prospects/Commitments/Remaining Top 100 Prospects.
* More players projected to make an impact: Super Prospects.
*Bssketball Signing Periods: Early (Nov. 12-19) and Regular (Apr. 15-May 19).

* Texas, Indiana and Alabama lead the very early 2004 Top Classes.

Class 2003 Basketball Database
* Search the list of Prospects/Commitments/Signed/Schools and Conferences.
* List of Top 100 Prospects/Commitments/Remaining Top 100 Prospects/Super Prospects/Top 100 JC Prospects.

* Florida State led the 2003 Top Classes.

2003 NBA Draft:
The most heralded high school player in years, high school forward LeBron James was chosen No. 1 by the NBA. All four other preps were selected, while three junior college prospects were not picked: Forward LeBron James of Akron/St. Vincent-St. Mary, Ohio, top pick in first round by Cleveland; forward Travis Outlaw of Starkville, Miss., 23rd pick in first round by Portland; forward Ndudi Ebi of Houston-Westbury Christian, Tex., 26th pick in first round by Minnesota; center Kendrick Perkins of Beaumont-Ozen, Tex., 27th pick in first round by Memphis, then traded to Boston; center James Lang of Birmingham-Central Park Christian, Ala., 19th pick in second round by New Orleans (not guaranteed contract). Forward Charlie Villanueva of Blairstown-Blair Academy, NJ., and center/forward Sani Ibrahim of Southern Idaho CC, Id., withdrew from draft. (List).

2002 NBA Draft:
The NBA selected only one high school and a single junior college prospect: Center/forward Amare Stoudemire of Orlando-Cypress Creek, Fla., was taken 9th in the first round by Phoenix, while Portland took forward Qyntel Woods of Northeast Mississippi CC, Miss., at No. 21 in the first round. The NBA passed on three other high school/prep school prospects and seven JC players (List).

2003 McDonald's All-American Game
LeBron James scored 27 points in leading the East over the West, 122-107, in the 26th annual McDonald's All-American high school basketball game in Cleveland, Ohio. McDonald's All-American Game stories/Rosters for 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000.

2003 Parade All-America Boys Basketball Team
LeBron James heads roster.

Basketball Commitments/Signings:
OCSN: Main Recruiting Page.
Class 2004 Men: Database/Top 100.
Class 2003 Men: Database/Top 100/Top Classes.
Class 2002 Men: Database/Top 100/Top Classes/Women: Database.
Class 2001 Men: Database/Top 100/Top Classes/Women: Database.
Class 2000 Men: Database/Top 100/Top Classes/Women: Database.
Class 1999 Men: Database/Women: Database.
Class 1998 Men: Database/ Top Classes/Women: Database.
*McDonald's All-American Game stories/Rosters for 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000
*USA Men's Junior National Team.

Bill Hodge is the executive editor and director of recruiting coverage at CollegeSports.com. For daily columns on prospects, commitments and signings, plus databases, go to CollegeSports.com's Recruiting Page.

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