Recruiting Roundup - 11/1

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.

Tarczewski loads 'Zona frontcourt; possible defections?
 

The Arizona Wildcats made a statement on the recruiting trail yesterday, netting a verbal commitment from Kaleb Tarczewski (Claremont, N.H./St. Mark's School). The Five-Star rated 7-0 big man runs the floor very well for his size and continues to add skills to his inside scoring game. His addition, along with commitments of Five-Star rated power forwards, Brandon Ashley (Oakland, CA/Findlay Prep, NV) and Grant Jerrett (Chino Hills, CA/La Verne Lutheran) and shooting guard Gabe York (Orange, CA/Orange Lutheran), are a cause for concern for the opposition. 

"Kalaem (Kaleb) to UofA lol sheesh Pac12 gona be tough !!," tweeted future Bruin Kyle Anderson. 

Ashley took to Twitter himself, boasting in the haul.

"My boy Kaleb Tarczewski joined the wildcat fam today. It is official, we got one of the best recruiting classes in history. We are going to get this National Championship next year. BEARDOWN," tweeted Ashley.

It couldn't help to remind one of the same feeling shared by Dominic Artis (Richmond, CA/Findlay Prep, NV), a one-time UCLA commit in the wake of Kyle Anderson's (Fairview, NJ/St. Anthony's) verbal to Westwood.

"Shoutout to my man @KyleAnderson5 on committing to UCLA! Congrats man u and @ALLHAMnoturkey [Dominic Artis] gonna put work in," Artis retweeted UNC-bound Marcus Paige.

Weeks later, Artis de-comitted and is now with Oregon (see below). While it hasn't been said, one can imagine the sudden change of heart had something to do with less minutes and ball handling responsibilities with Anderson on board.

Too many cooks in the kitchen can be an issue in Arizona. Jerrett and Ashley are both power forwards, who will also be competing with current freshmen Sidiki Johnson and Angelo Chol in 2012 for the power forward spot. Tarczewski, who can be pegged at center, could see his minutes take a hit when the 'Cats decide to go smaller. Despite the frontcourt abundance, Kaleb chose 'Zona over Kansas.

"It just felt right at Arizona. I fell in love with everything - from the current players to the staff to Brandon Ashley, Grant Jarrett and Gabe York," Tarczewski said yesterday.

It's only a matter of time before Jerrett, Ashley, Chol and/or Johnson realize the glut at the power forward spot. If they stay committed to it, this team could be dancing at the Final Four in the coming years. If not, yesterday's excitement could be short-lived.  

Artis joins Soldiers teammate in Oregon
 

Speaking of Artis, he gave his verbal pledge to Oregon yesterday, officially passing on playing at UCLA. 

In basketball circles, some were excited to see how the speedy, dimunitive guard could fit in with the 6-9 Anderson, a hybrid point guard. Even Anderson was taken aback. 

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

At Oregon, he will be given the reigns at point guard with no current player on the roster being highly touted as he is at his position. Another factor is his connection to Jabari Brown, who plays shooting guard in Nike-country as well. Both played for the Oakland Soldiers.

The teammate connection might just be what the doctor ordered for Dana Altman. Artis also plays with Nigel Williams-Goss at Findlay Prep, a highly sought after 2013 shooting guard from Oregon.

Brewster duo McGary and Warren to announce this week
 

T.J. Warren (Durham,NC/Brewster Academy, NH) could be joining Tyler Lewis and Rodney Purvis tomorrow. The news would give N.C. State the best class in the state (including the Tar Heels). Warren is reportedly down to the Wolfpack and Georgetown. Mitch McGary (Chesteron, IN/Brewster Academy) tipped his Brewster teammate's hand in his recent ESPN blog.

"I would assume, and I really don't know for sure, that T.J. would like to go to one of those schools that are close to his home in N.C.," McGary wrote in his entry. "That's just my guess."

McGary is set to announce this week Thursday on ESPN. He is reportedly down to Michigan, Duke and Florida. Many believe that Michigan will grab him. He'd be joining his SYF Travel teammate Glen Robinson III if he chooses the Wolverines.

Big men off the board
 

Five-Star rated Dajuan Coleman (Dewitt, NY/Jamesville DeWitt) kept it local and committed to Syracuse last week. He also considered Kentucky and Ohio State.

Kentucky missed out on the skilled big man, but picked a much more athletic one in Willie Cauley (Speakville, KS/Olathe Northwest). Cauley doesn't possess the offensive package that Coleman has, however he's proficient at blocking opponent's shots in the paint.

Notable Commitments
 

Rosco Allen (Las Vegas,NV/ Bishop Gorman) - verbal to Stanford

Domonique Bull (Worchester, MA/Tilton Schoo, NH) - verbal to Missouri

Olivier Hanlan (Quebec, CAN/New Hampton, NH) - verbal to Boston College

Stefan Jankovic (Ontario, CAN/Huntington Prep, WV) - verbal to Missouri

Tonye Jekiri (Hialeah, FL/Champagnat Catholic,FL) - verbal to Miami

Notes:
 

• Shabazz Muhammad (Las Vegas, NV/Bishop Gorman) took an official visit to USC this past weekend.
• Andrew White (Chester, VA/Miller School) is mulling several options.
• Some big names that might declare before high school season: Tony Parker, Alex Poythress, Gary Harris and Amile Jefferson.