This Past Week In Recruiting

The latest in the recruiting market from the past week.

by Franklyn Calle

Class of 2009 recruit David Chadwick has been release from his letter of intent to Washington State, as announced by the program on Thursday in a news release. The 6-8 forward attends Charlotte Latin School in Charlotte, North Carolina. Chadwick asked for a release after head coach Tony Bennett left to take over as head coach at Virginia. “The situation with David Chadwick is unique in large part due to the close friendship between the Bennett and Chadwick families,” Cougars Athletic Director said in a press release. “Considering this special circumstances, I have allowed David to be released from his commitment to Washington State.” The Cougars have three signed players in the 2009 recruiting class in Xavier Thames—a 6-3 shooting guard from Pleasant Valley HS in California, Anthony Brown—a 6-5 small forward from Shadle Park HS in Washington and Brock Motum—a 6-9 power forward from Australian Institute of Sport in Australia. According to espn.com, Valparaiso, Rice, George Mason, Tulane and College of Charleston had shown Chadwick interest before signing with Washington State in November.

Lets hope the third time is a charm for Cully Payne who committed to Iowa on Thursday, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Illinois native had previously committed to DePaul as an 8th grader and then committed to Alabama last November but re-opened his recruitment not so long ago after the head coaching change at Alabama. “It’s like a sigh of relief for me,” Payne told the Trib.”I’ve come to a place where I’m welcomed and wanted. I’m proud to say I’m a Hawkeye. I visited Iowa last week and really liked the coaching staff. The arena is awesome, the campus is beautiful, and people—even strangers—kept telling me I should pick Iowa.” The 6-1 guard who attends Schaumburg HS will join Eric May, a 6-5 small forward from Wahlert Catholic HS in Iowa, and Brennan Cougill, a 6-9 center from Bishop Heelan HS in Iowa, as part of the Hawkeyes’ 2009 recruiting class.

According to multiple reports, junior Evan Smotrycz gave Michigan a verbal commitment on Thursday. The 6-9 power forward who currently attends The New Hampton School in New Hampshire picked the Wolverines over the likes of Big East powerhouses such as Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Notre Dame and Providence. Smotrycz becomes Michigan head coach John Beilein’s first commitment for the 2010 recruiting class.

The Florida Gators will grant DeShawn Painter his release from the letter of intent he signed with the program back in November. Florida spokesman Fred Demarest confirmed the decision to Florida Today on Friday. Painter, a 6-9 power forward/center from Hargrave Military Academy, is rated as one of the top big man in his class by most scouting services. According to espn.com, Painter originally picked the Gators over Virginia, Louisville, Duke, Kentucky and Florida State.