Recruiting and Scouting Report

Yes Virginia, there really is basketball at USC. . .(10/22/97)

In answer to the question of "doesn't anybody want to play for Henry Bibby?" Frank Burlison at the Long Beach Press-Telegram today reported that some do, and a lot more are visiting soon. Burlison reports that Quincy Wilder, (6'-2" PG Highline Community College) has "told friends" that he plans to attend USC next year. Yeah, but has he told Bibby? And why isn't Bibby talking? Well, now that Ruben Douglas has committed to Arizona, things are looking a lot better for Wilder if he does commit

According to Burlison, Wilder's 6'-8" Highline teammate, Brian Scalabrine, verballed to the Trojans in August, something that was also reported by Michael Miller's West Coast Hoops on September 11, and which Miller's site says he told readers in an August 22 column, although I didn't see any reference to a commitment from Scalabrine on 8/22 there. Never mind though, because no one (including Bibby) is denying that he verbally committed

Burlison also reports that Scalabrine's and Wilder's JC coach, Joe Callero, is scheduled to join Henry Bibby's USC staff "next fall" (presumably meaning 1998-99 season), but then follows up his report with this statement "The Highline team manager apparently hasn't decided where he'll be in 1998-99". Huh? Michael Miller's WestCoast Hoops, however, reported that Callero is coming in "1997-1998"? Oh well, somebody's right, even if Bibby hasn't said so.

Burlison also reported today that Westchester senior forward David Bluthenthal (6'-7"), the "most under-recruited prep on the West Coast", is scheduled to visit USC this weekend. Frank is probably right about this one (that he's under-recruited). Bluthenthal is a major talent who doesn't seem to be getting the attention that he probably deserves from the Pac-10, WCC, WAC and other west coast D-1 schools. He's smart, physical, and has the experience and ability to play Pac-10 ball. Burlison reported today that Bluthenthal has already visited Oklahoma State, and will be at West Virginia on Halloween Weekend. WestCoast Hoops has previously reported that they expect him to sign at Ok St. or possibly UConn, but I'd bet that he stays home in LA if Bibby offers him the rock. I agree with Miller that if UCLA or USC don't sign him, they're gonna blow it, since he'll be a major factor at a quality D-1 program somewhere.

Burlison also reports that 6'-9" center DeAngelo McDaniel, from Oklahoma City John Marshall High, is "expected to sign with USC, Xavier, Oklahoma or Tulsa." So is this good news for SC, or not? Again, Bibby isn't saying.

Left unanswered is whether Bibby will seriously pursue players such as Tayshaun Prince, Ricky Duff, Jed Hall, or David Hamilton.

Of course, there's always Jason Thomas, that is if he can survive football.

These next few bits haven't got anything really to do with USC, but they're fun ones:

Burlison also reported today that Senque Carey (Mountain View) will be visiting Washington this coming weekend, and that "he'll ultimately sign with the Huskies or George Washington." I guess this means that Carey will go to CSUN. Yeah, you read it here.

Last, but not least, Burlison also reports today that Tony Bland will visit Syracuse this weekend, and plans to be at Cal the first weekend in November. Burlison says that he'll commit sometime shortly after his visit to Cal, and my money's on Cal.

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