It's not exactly the Year of the Center in the prep basketball ranks. Only two of FastBreak's top 25 national prospects are centers, making it the least-represented position. The best big men keep roaming out to the perimeter (such as Eddie Griffin and Jared Jeffries), with a face-to-the-basket game complementing inside power. But there are some gems in the pivot; you just have to look a bit harder.
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FASTBREAK RECRUITING |
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FastBreak Recruiting provides exclusive interviews, highlight footage and an extensive database of the top prep players in the country as well as hosting the official sites of the National Basketball Players Association Camp, the adidas ABCD Camp, and the adidas Big Time Tournament. Sports America, Inc., produces FastBreak and is the founder of the McDonald's All American Game and the Reebok Capital Classic.
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Our top center prospect is from the Deep South -- York, Ala., standout Mario Austin (6-9), who blew up the summer scene with his play on the Alabama Ice AAU club. Austin, who has the complete package with a combination of power and soft hands, committed to Alabama in July along with AAU teammate Gerald Wallace. But this workhorse still has some ground to make up in the classroom and has been rumored to be taking a look at Mississippi State. Austin is nearly unstoppable when he gets the ball in the paint and is among the best finishers in the class.
At No. 2 is another summer standout, North Dakota's Jared Reiner (6-11), who shined at the Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas. Reiner, who might have Kansas and Iowa at the top of his list, is athletic, runs well and also has nice hands. He teamed with another of our top 10 centers to lead the Dakota Schoolers AAU club this summer in numerous tournaments. Illinois, Notre Dame, UConn and Utah are also in the mix.
Moving back East, our No. 3 pivot man is another fast-riser, Rockville, Md., standout Mohamed Diakete (6-11), who will be coached by veteran Stu Vetter at Montrose Christian this year. Diakete has given a verbal commitment to St. John's and reminds of us of a young Dikembe Mutombo, with a quick learning curve and great desire for the game. Diakete's game has improved dramatically in the last year, and he will soon become one of the Big East's dominant shot-blocking big men.
At No. 4 we like Marquette commitment Scott Merritt (6-9) of Wisconsin. Merritt had some breakout games this summer, including a domination of Michigan State-bound PF Zach Randolph at the Nike Super Showcase in Florida. He's thin, can play away from the basket and has a nice hook shot with either hand.
The tallest prospect of the class -- 7-6 British import Neil Fingleton -- has a great upside and put some of his skills on display at the adidas ABCD Camp in July. Fingleton has soft hands as well and a smooth stroke from the foul line. North Carolina has made a big push for him, while Wake Forest, UConn, Ohio State and Boston College are in the mix for this prep giant. He moves well for someone of his stature.
At No. 6, we head back to the Midwest where Reo Logan (6-10) is one of the top prospects. Logan can play either center or power forward, and is very strong and aggressive with his back to the basket. Logan, one of two members of the Illinois Fire AAU club in our top 10 center list, likes in-state schools Illinois and DePaul, among others.
Out West, Andrew Zahn (6-9) of Redondo Beach, Calif., is a little less athletic than the aforementioned pivots, but has a wide body and is effective in the blocks with his size and skill. Zahn likes Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford and UCLA.
At No. 8 we like another Dakota Schooler, seven-footer Jon Godfread of Grand Forks, N.D. Godfread is similar in style to his AAU teammate Reiner, but not quite as athletic. N.C. State is emerging as a possibility, while Godfread also likes Iowa, Utah, Northwestern and Stanford.
Another African import, prep school standout Modibo Diarra (6-9) of Fitchburg, Mass., is a developing center prospect not quite as far along as Diakete. He will block some shots for you, and he remains busy refining his offensive game. Louisville and a mix of others are checking him out.
Finally, at No. 10 is the second member of the Illinois Fire AAU club, athletic Chris Alexander (7-1) of Harvey, Ill. Alexander was also impressive in Vegas with his ability to get up and down the court and swat shots, but will require continued improvement on his schoolwork to move onto the college ranks next fall. He also likes DePaul and Illinois, in addition to Memphis, as he pares his list of schools.
More early commitments
FastBreak's No. 20 prospect, super-smooth wing Scooter McFadgon (6-5) of Memphis, Tenn. (Raleigh-Egypt H.S.), committed to the hometown Tigers.
At No. 28, WF Bernard Robinson (6-5) of New Hampton, N.H. Prep, gave a commitment to Michigan, who made it two-for-two last week by grabbing the point guard they coveted, playmaker Avery Queen (5-9) of Maine Central. Robinson, the 6-5 wing forward from Washington, D.C., whose game is on the rise, chose the Wolverines over New Mexico, Syracuse, Temple and others.
New Mexico missed out on Robinson, who coach Fran Fraschilla thought had committed last month along with PG Cliff Hawkins (who did), but gained a verbal from junior college center Malcolm Battles (6-9) of Okaloosa-Walton C.C. in Florida.
Oklahoma gained a commitment from Minnesota PF Johnnie Gilbert (6-8) of Minneapolis (Henry H.S.). Gilbert is a top 100 prospect.
Auburn landed developing center talent Kyle Davis (6-9) of Blakely, Ga.
Xavier got a sharpshooter in WF Romain Guessagba-Sato of Dayton (Ohio) Christian.
Maryland early commitment Tamir Goodman, the Orthodox Jewish guard from Baltimore, backed out of his verbal to the Terps and is considering several lower-level programs like Towson, Bowling Green, UMBC and Yeshiva. Goodman's religious schedule, which prevents him from playing and traveling from Friday to Saturday night, and his questionable summer performances at the national camps, led to a falling out with the Terps' staff. Both parties agreed it would be best to go elsewhere, though Maryland was still willing to honor its scholarship offer.
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