Recruiting Roundup 10/18

Visits, commitments and general recruiting news

The summer travel season is complete and school's back in session. Now, the nation’s top prospects are getting closer and closer to deciding where they will play in college. With a large number of uncommitted players left in the Class of 2012, there will be a lot of recruiting buzz going into the fall signing period and high school season. Check back here at Fivestarbasketball.com’s ‘Commitment Corner’ every Tuesday to learn more about the week’s biggest news and inside information on the recruiting trail.

Anderson shocked by Artis' decommittment

UCLA seemingly had their backcourt of the near future set. Five-Star rated point forward Kyle Anderson (Fairview, NJ/.St. Anthony) was to team with top-100 floor general Dominic Artis (Richmond, CA/Findlay Prep, NV) to create a dynamic 2012 tandem.

"He is kinda like Myles Mack [Anderson's former St. Anthony teammate playing at Rutgers]," Anderson said. "He shoots the ball well, I could have found him in open spots."

Bruins fans might not get the duo in the wake of Artis' de-committment a few week's back. The news was a blow to Anderson and Westwood as UCLA is left without any other top-100 options at point guard in the 2012 class, leaving Anderson as the sole ball handler.

"I was wondering why he did it," Anderson said. "I was surprised he de-committed but it is what it is ... he had to do what's best for him. He said he is going to weigh his options, felt like he rushed into it."

Artis is still considering UCLA along with Oregon and California.

Bruins sitting tight

Bruins fans will have to exercise some patience. Two of their top targets don't plan on making a decision anytime soon. Shabazz Muhammad (Las Vegas, NV/Bishop Gorman), fresh off a trip to Kentucky's Midnight Madness, doesn't plan on making any decision until after high school season.

“Shabazz will be a springtime decision. We still have to see Duke, Arizona, and Kansas, and see more of UCLA, USC, and UNLV," his father, Ron Holmes, told BlueGrassHoops.com.

Chris Obekpa (Nigeria/Our Savior New American, N.Y.) tells Fivestarbasketball.com that he will take his time with recruiting but does like the the idea of playing with Kyle Anderson at UCLA after seeing him multiple times this summer, "He's top-5," Obekpa said.

After only playing three years of organized basketball, Obekpa is viewed as one of the top shot blockers in the 2012 class and is adjusting to the recruiting process.

Texas stacks up frontline

It might be hard to get any inside buckets a couple years from now against the Texas Longhorns. Last Thursday, Texas Titans' big man Prince Ibeh (Garland, TX/Naaman Forest) gave his verbal committment. Ibeh, ranked No. 54 nationally by Rivals, stands at 6-10 and weighs in at 230 pounds.

What makes his verbal so impactful is that in comes on the heels of Texas adding two other frontcourt members. Five-Star rated big Cameron Ridley (Fort Bend,TX/Bush) has been commited to the Longhorns for some time now. 6-9 forward Connor Lammert (San Antonio, TX/Winston Churchill) gave his verbal a couple weeks ago. Top-100 point guard Javan Felix (New Orleans, LA/Saint Augustine) also committed to the Austin-based school.

Also considered: Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Texas A&M

Smith-Rivera off the board

D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera (Indianpolis, IN/Oak Hill Academy, VA) will be a Georgetown Hoya.

He originally committed to Xavier about a year ago, but then decommitted and opened up his recruitment. The Indianapolis native is ranked the No. 5 point guard in the Class of 2012 by Rivals.

Also considered: N.C. State, Louisville, Memphis

Notable Commitments:

A.J. Hammons (Carmel, IN/Oak Hill Academy,VA) - verbal to Purdue

Joe Rahon (Del Mar, CA/Torrey Pines) - vebal to Boston College

Grant Verhoeven (Visalia, CA/Central Valley Christian) - verbal to Stanford

Notes:

• Anthony Bennett (Ontario, CAN/Findlay Prep/Henderson, NV) indicated that he will not verbally commit to any school until the spring.

• Amir Garrett (Los Angeles, CA/Bridgton Academy, MA) indicated to Fivestarbasketball.com that he intends on playing for St. John's this winter.
  

• St. John's-commit Darrick Wood (Washington, DC/Bridgton Academy, MA) is working on bringing along Christopher Obekpa to the Queens, New York school. Both attended the Red Storm's Midnight Madness.

• Kavon Steward, Reggie Cameron (Patterson, NJ/Hudson Catholic) and Mike Young (Jersey City, Hudson Catholic) attended Rutgers' Midnight Madness together.

• For the full list of who attented Midnight Madness this past weekend, click HERE.