arenas, gale, bobik, fullove, collins

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Arenas, Collins, Fullove, Bobik & Gale
From LA Times' Sondheimer--(Oct. 6, 1999)

We were pleasantly surprised this morning to read Eric Sondheimer's column in the LA Times Valley Edition this morning which featured some useful information on a lot of players that we know well. The column was principally devoted to an update on Gilbert Arenas' (6'-3" Fr. SG) experiences thus far as a freshman at the University of Arizona, including how he locked himself out of his room at the dorm after taking a shower wearing only a towel, which someone managed to pull off of him, causing him to run naked through the dorm hallways. . . and who said Gilbert was going to get "serious. . . ?" Here's the excerpt about Gil:

Arenas Enjoying Leap Year at Arizona

A month into college, former Grant High basketball player Gilbert Arenas already has made a positive impression at Arizona.

Besides dunking repeatedly in pickup games at McKale Center, Arenas ran a mile with other Arizona players and won by half a lap. "He actually slowed down," assistant coach Jay John said. "It was quite impressive."

A running and conditioning program has helped the 6-foot-3 Arenas increase his vertical jump. He will play shooting guard for the Wildcats. "I think the sky's the limit," John said. "He does amazing things athletically that combined with his skills make him quite blessed."

Arenas is still adjusting to dorm life, rooming with freshman guard Jason Gardner from Indiana. "I was taking a shower across from the dorm," Arenas said. "I go in with a towel and sandals. I left my key in the room and my roommate wasn't there. I had to walk down three flights of stairs in a towel to get my key, and when I was coming up somebody pulled my towel off, so I had to walk naked all the way to my room." Arenas returned home last weekend to visit his father for a few days, but he's eager to start basketball practice on Oct. 16. "I think I'm going to get playing time," he said.

Based on his pickup-game skills, Arenas should have no problem. "I dunked six times today," he said.

Arenas usually plays against former Bell-Jeff guard Ruben Douglas, a prolific shooter himself. Asked who wins in his daily battles with Douglas, Arenas said, "We're going back and forth. We always guard each other." . . .

Sondheimer also had some other notes on players from the Valley region this morning, including this on the Collins twins, Jason and Jarron:

The Collins twins from Harvard-Westlake are still growing, even though they're 20 years old. Stanford lists Jarron at 6-11 1/2 and Jason at 7-0. Jarron is a junior and Jason is a freshman eligibility-wise after injuries sidelined him the last two seasons. Jason is finally healthy and in terrific shape. Jarron played for an all-star team in Italy in August and averaged double figures in scoring. . . .

Then there was this on Aaron Bobik (one of the many basketball Bobiks from Newbury Park):

Before Aaron Bobik of Newbury Park suffered a broken right wrist last year that sidelined him for the entire season, he was considered one of the most promising basketball players in the region. Bobik, a junior, is starting to play again after his wrist was in a cast for eight months. He has grown to 6-3 and remains a player to watch. He needs to regain his quickness and make up for lost time, but few work harder. . . .

Eric had this on Branduinn Fullove (6'-5" Sr. SG) from Simi Valley and his recruiting visits:

Branduinn Fullove, Simi Valley's All-Southern Section senior guard, has recruiting visits planned to UC Santa Barbara and Wyoming. . . .

Eric also mentioned David Gale (6'-0" So. PG) Buckley, and his participation on the LA Maccabi gold medal team this past summer, and that he's been playing well in various club tournaments (such as the Pump Fall Premier, the Fall Hoops Showcase, and the Long Beach Fall Hoops Classic) against players from "bigger schools." As a result of his performances, he's attracted the attention of two-dozen top Division I schools.