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Tracking the College Basketball Stars of the Future=====

ECU & C-USA Hoops Recruiting Report Sunday, May 18, 2003 By Thad Mumau Special Correspondent

Pirates come up short in battle for tall timber

©2003 Bonesville.net

Big men made the big splash recently in basketball recruiting news involving Conference USA, with a national giant winning out over East Carolina while Cincinnati roped a mystery man from a North Carolina school.

Lukasz Obrzut, a 7-2, 240-pound native of Poland, picked Kentucky over ECU after visiting both schools last week. He was also scheduled to visit Utah, but cancelled that trip.

Obrzut averaged 12 points and eight rebounds this past season at North Bridgton (ME) Bridgton Academy. He had committed to Fordham in the fall, but did not sign, then decided to look elsewhere when the Rams did not retain Bob Hill as coach.

Kentucky has now signed two 7-footers this spring. The other, 7-3 Shagari Alleyne of Manhattan (NY) Rice, also switched to the Wildcats following an earlier commitment. He originally chose Rutgers.

Cincinnati missed a top-50 prospect and then signed a relatively unknown one.

The Bearcats added 6-9 center Asrangue Souleymane, a native of the Central African Republic. Thin at 200 pounds, he is in his first year in the United States and played at Laurinburg (NC) Institute.

Alexander Johnson, ranked No. 41 by Prepstars.com, signed with Florida State over Cincinnati and Connecticut. A 6-8 power forward/center, he is a fifth-year senior at North Bridgton (ME) Bridgton Academy.

Cincinnati also has a commitment from a junior. He is Jamar Butler, a 6-2 point guard from Lima (OH) Shawnee High School.

It’s worth mentioning that Leonard Hamilton has put together a dynamite class at Florida State. Johnson joins three November signees that include Von Wafer, a 6-5 wing guard from Cleveland (TX) Heritage Christian; Diego Romero, a 6-10 power forward/center from Lon Morris Junior College in Texas; and Antonio Griffin, a 6-6 small forward from Scottsdale (AZ) Community College.

Wafer is the No. 12 senior in the country, Romero is one of the top 25 junior college players and Griffin is among the top 100 jucos.

Marquette rounded out a five-man 2003 class with a junior college inside player who was on the rebound.

Marcus Jackson, who stands 6-8 and weighs 235 pounds, had signed with Georgia. He was released from his letter of intent along with the rest of the Bulldogs’ hoops signees following the scandal involving former Georgia coach Jim Harrick.

Jackson averaged 10 points and six rebounds this past season at Levelland (TX) South Plains College. He is the Golden Eagles’ second spring addition. The other is 6-3 swing man Carlton Christian of Orlando (FL) Evans.

Marquette signed point guard Brandon Bell, 6-4 wing guard Dameon Mason and 6-6 power forward James Matthews in the fall.

Marquette and Memphis have offered a scholarship to junior A.J. Ratliff of Indianapolis (IN) North Central. The 6-2 combo guard also has offers from Indiana, Iowa, N.C. State, Purdue and Connecticut.

Ratliff visited Marquette May 10 and was scheduled to be at Iowa May 17. He also has a trip planned to Memphis.

James Lang, the 6-10 center who committed to Louisville, has entered his name for the NBA draft. The 300-pounder from Birmingham (AL) Central Park announced for the Cardinals in the fall, did not sign, then decided to take back his commitment. He is the No. 16 senior in the nation.

Charlotte is one of four favorites mentioned by junior point guard Abdulai Jalloh. The 6-footer from Fort Washington (MD) National Christian Academy also likes Notre Dame, St. Joseph’s and Florida State.

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02/23/2007 02:40:36 PM