Happy Independence Day to everyone!
Just a few days after we posted that Austin Rivers (PG, 6’3″, 2011) listed UNC but really liked Florida, he pulled the trigger and has committed to the Gators.
In the same story, Nolan Dennis(SG/SF, 6’5″, 2009) is reportedly headed to Memphis. At one time UNC was heavily involved in the recruitment of Dennis, but it seems likely that once UNC signed Leslie McDonald (PG/SG, 6’4″, 2009), Dennis would go elsewhere.
Noel Johnson and Georgia Tech
Scout.com is reporting that Noel Johnson has visited Georgia Tech recently, telling GoJackets.com’s Shane Connell:
“It was great because we like Paul Hewitt as a coach anyway, but the school, the organizers, the way that they run things is a plus. They stress a lot of academic work, which is what we are looking for.”
Mason Plumlee and the U-18 team
Duke signee Mason Plumlee (PF, 6’11”, 2009) has made the cut of fourteen finalists for the U-18 USA Basketball roster.
Sean Mosley, good news for Terp fans
Finally, a bit of good news for Terp faithful: Sean Mosley( SG, 6’4″, 2008 Commit), has gotten clearance to attend Maryland, although there are things still up the air about Steve Goins.
Lance Stephenson, not born ready
So back to the U-18 trials, it turns out that Lance Stephenson apparently dented the persona that he’s the next phenom, according to this scathing story from Seth Davis. He reports that Stephenson not only played poorly – very poorly – but that he was a horrible teammate:
Even worse, after every mistake he acted like it was someone else’s fault. He barked at his teammates. He whined to the refs. He rolled his eyes and slapped his thighs. He shook his head and muttered to himself.
Davis also goes on to point out that even though Stephenson is being hyped as the next NBA sure thing, he is not:
It’s a safe bet nobody would say those things about Stephenson if he were from, say, Phoenix instead of New York. At any rate, Stephenson demonstrated quite clearly at the Team USA trials that he is none of those things — not yet, anyway.
It’s a very juicy article, but it raises a key point about the NBA and the one-year-rule. Just a few days ago we heard from Lance’s dad that if there was no rule, his son would jump straight to the league. Well, here is where the rule comes into play: if Lance is really ready for the NBA, he should have no problem proving it when he plays in the 2009-2010 season in the NCAA. But as a rising high school senior, apparently any talk of that is premature.
ACC Basketball Recruiting 
so the Nolan Dennis commit to Memphis should help the pack with Lo Brown… As i remember it, Browns top 2 schools were Memphis and the Pack… now that Memphis has gone another direction with its 09 SG/PG scholly, Brown should be all but a lock for Lowe and Co.
Florida is also a factor.
true, but i thought NCSU and Memphis were the leaders. and also, didnt FLorida already pick up a SG commit for that class?
I think Lorenzo is likely to play at State. I had not heard of an SG committing for Florida … but I still think Lorenzo is headed to State.
and i could be wrong, ive been wrong once before