barton

SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Burlison Reports That Lubos
Will Be A Bear--(Aug. 11, 1998)

Frank Burlison reported today in the Orange County Register that Lubos Barton (6'-7" Sr. F) from the Czech Republic, who played for the Virginia Select traveling team which played in July at the Double Pump Best of the Summer tournament, has "signed a scholarship agreement" to play for the University of California, Berkeley. Frank also believes that he "could be a key performer for the Bears this season." We saw Ben Braun watching several of the Virginia Select games at the tournament, and it's now clear who (besides a couple of Texas Blue Chip guys) he was watching. Lubos is a very good passer, an excellent defender, and has very advanced skills. We're not quite sure what a "scholarship agreement" is in this context, since he was listed in the Best of the Summer coaches packet as a "senior" which, if true, would mean that he can't "sign" until the fall signing period. However, if he has already graduated as a senior, and was attending prep school, then he would be able to sign a scholarship letter with the school now.

Barton's Virginia Select team featured some really fine players besides Barton, including Travis Watson (6'-7" Sr. F), Chris Williams (6'-3" Jr. G) both from Oak Hill Academy, and a number of players who might be imports as well, such as Morten Szmiedowica (6'-9" Jr. C) from Virginia Episcopal, Jesper Preve (6'-5" Sr. F), Semi Oddsson (6'-3" Sr. G), Raocil Heinen (6'-5" Jr. G), Darrio Scott (6'-6" Jr. ) and big Mats Nordin (7'-2" Prep. C). We saw them play four games and they were impressive. We agree with Frank, Barton will make an immediate contribution now that Sean Marks is gone.