justin davis update

SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Justin Davis, Dalron Johnson:
Cal Recruiting Still A Mystery.--(Oct. 27, 1998)

Last week it was reported by us, and confirmed by St. Joe's coach Gordie Johnson that Justin Davis (6'-9" Sr. PF) had backed away from his verbal committment to Cal Berkeley, and that when he had wavered a bit, Ben Braun had withdrawn the scholarship offer. Many then reported that Stanford might be in the hunt, or as we and Jim Downs noted, that UCLA was once again back in the picture.

Well, today the Daily Cal had a very interesting report in which Anil Podduturi, a Daily Cal Staff writer who is usually right more than he is wrong, writes that Dalron Johnson (6'-8" Sr. C/F) from Verbum Dei is still wavering, and favors UNLV over Cal, and that, amazingly enough, Justin Davis' recruiting with the Bears might not be over yet. In the article, Podduturi describes the visit that Dalron had with Shantay Legans, Brian Wethers and Nick VanderLaan this weekend, and Anil reportedly also spoke with Dalron who said that while he liked Cal, he still favors the Running Rebels.

"It's hard to explain, but I just feel more comfortable at UNLV," Johnson reportedly told Podduturi "That [UNLV] seems like the place for me. It would be hard to turn down the chance to play with Shantay, Brian and Nick, but I have to do what's best for me."

According to the article in the Daily Cal, Johnson plans to make a final decision on his college destination sometime before the
upcoming signing period, which begins Nov. 11 and lasts through Nov. 18.

None of that really comes as a big surprise, and it seems that Johnson has always been a bit reticent to commit to the Bears and has favored UNLV all along. After running down the usual speculation about Lavelle Blanchard and Derrick Payne from Mt. Zion, the bigger surprise in the article is the continued speculation about Justin Davis. Here's what the Daily Cal had to say about him:

Originally, Cal had obtained its fourth commitment from Davis, a 6-8, 215-pound forward from St. Joseph's High School in Alameda, but Bears head coach Ben Braun withdrew his scholarship offer to the recruit when Davis began to waffle on his commitment. Davis is widely considered a blue-chip prospect, and several recruiting experts regard him as a top-50 talent.

Although it appears Cal has turned its focus to Johnson, Davis has not completely disappeared off the Bears' recruiting map. While Davis declined comment yesterday, a source close to the recruit said that Davis has had conversations with Braun since Cal pulled its scholarship offer and that the forward has rekindled his interest to sign with the Bears.

Davis, whose parents had hoped he would commit to Stanford, learned this past week that he cannot sign with the Cardinal because Stanford admissions officials have ruled he does not possess the necessary academic status to gain entrance. With the Cardinal no longer an option, Davis must now choose from a host of schools that includes UCLA, Villanova, Boston
College, Colorado and Michigan.

Davis has reportedly attempted to renew his verbal commitment to Cal even though Braun has yet to put forth another scholarship offer. According to one source close to Davis, the recruit was surprised when the Bears stopped recruiting him last week, and is even more confused now.

"Justin's okay, obviously he's a little confused," said the source. "I would say he's even a little nervous. It's not a good situation, and it's certainly not good for any of the parties involved.

We'd be willing to bet that Davis ends up a Bear after all. Or maybe yet a Bruin. Stay tuned.