Over a dozen commitments took place in the last week.
by Franklyn Calle
Right after posting the weekly recruiting update last week, I read reports and realized that Phil Pressey had committed to Missouri. So due to the bad timing, it’s only right that he is mentioned first in this week’s report. The 5-10 point guard from the
Episcopal School of Dallas is ranked among the best senior point guards in the country, according to just about every scouting service out there. Pressey was also considering Arizona, Baylor, LSU and UCLA before committing to head coach Mike Anderson and the Tigers after spending last weekend on campus on an official visit. He had previously visited the Columbia campus unofficially. He is the son of former NBA player and current New Orleans Hornets assistant coach Paul Pressey. And guess who was Pressey’s roommate while in college? That’s right! Coach Anderson. Pressey becomes Anderson’s second recruit in the 2010 class. Ricky Kreklow, a 6-5 shooting guard from Rock Bridge H.S. in Missouri, gave his word to the program back in July.
Jim Calhoun received a verbal commitment last Tuesday from one of Georgia’s best 
shooting guards. Jeremy Lamb, a 6-4 shooting guard from Norcross HS, gave UConn his word in person while Calhoun and assistant Patrick Sellers were in Georgia paying him an in-home visit. Lamb had previously paid visits to Texas, Marquette, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and Georgia Tech. “I think when they first saw Jeremy play, they were consistent in going after him, really made him a priority and stayed consistent with that,” Lamb’s father, Rolando Lamb, told the Hartford Courant. “When we went to visit, we saw a family atmosphere, a great tradition, and we know Jeremy is going to have a great ability to develop at UConn.” Lamb becomes the first recruit in the Huskies 2010 recruiting class.
From one Georgia guard to another. Trae Golden, a 6-1 point guard from McEachern H.S., gave Tennessee gave a verbal commitment of Wednesday night. And ironically enough, he
committed to Tennessee coach Bruce Pear in the same way the previous Georgia native did- while on an in-home visit from coach. Golden chose the Volunteers over Georgia. To make matters worse, it’s not the first time that the Vols beat the Bulldogs in recruiting a player from their own backyard. Golden will be joining Jordan McRae, a 6-5 shooting from Liberty County H.S. in Georgia, who committed to the program in the spring, as part of Tennessee’s 2010 recruiting class. It was reported that McRae was also considering Georgia when picking the Vols. “It was between those two,” Golden told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, speaking of Tennessee and Georgia. ”I just thought Tennessee would be the best fit for me. Bruce Pearl, my family loves him and I love him. There’s just a genuineness about him that I like.”
Also on Wednesday, Philly native John Johnson gave Pittsburgh a verbal commitment. The 6-1 point guard picked the Panthersover St. Joe’s, St. John’s, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Penn State. “I think that could be my home away from home,” Johnson told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I like their style of play, and it’s not too far from home that my family can’t see me play.” The Girard College HS standout averaged 21.3 points, 5.5 assists and 3.4 steals last season as a sophomore. The 16 year old already has had many accolades, including being a two-time Associated Press Class A all-state. He becomes the first recruit in the Panthers’ 2011 recruiting class.
Michigan landed one of the top shooting guards in the class of 2011 on Monday morning. Carlton Brundidge, a 6-2 shooting guard from Southfield HS, gave the Wolverines a verbal commitment after working out in
front of the staff at a 6 a.m. workout in his school gym. Brundidge, who became Michigan’s first recruit in the 2011 class, averaged 24.5 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists last season as a sophomore. “They had an entourage,” Southfield coach Gary Teasley told The Detroit Free Press, referring to Michigan’s head coach John Beilein and assistants Mike Jackson and John Mahoney, who were present at the early morning workout. As for what he was looking for: “He was looking for the best fit, with academics first and athletics,” Teasley said.
Cameron Clark, one of Texas’ best small forwards, committed to Oklahoma on Sunday. The 6-7, 200-pound big man visited the 
campus over the weekend and was impressed enough to decide end his recruitment. “It was a good atmosphere,” Clark told The Herald Democrat. “I liked the coach and the team. Coach Capel’s a real cool dude. The way they act, they’re trying to get better every day.” He was reportedly considering Oklahoma State, Florida International and Marquette. As of Monday, Clark was still scheduled to visit Marquette next month. The future Sooner’s stock rose this summer after traveling the country with his AAU team, Team Texas Elite. He averaged 20.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game last season as a junior. Clark will be joined next season by fellow AAU teammate, TJ Taylor- a 6-3 guard from Denison HS in Texas, as part of Oklahoma’s incoming freshman class.
Other notable commitments:
Trevor Releford, 2010, 5-11, PG, Bishop Miege H.S.(KS), to Alabama.
Brandon Young, 2010, 6-3, PG, Friendship Collegiate School (DC), to DePaul.
Damontre Harris, 2010, 6-9, C, Trinity Christian School (NC), to South Carolina.
Brian Richardson, 2010, 6-5, SG, Greenfield H.S. (NC), to South Carolina.
Juwan Howard Jr., 2010, 6-6, SF, Pershing H.S. (MI), to Western Michigan.
Elliott Eliason, 2010, 6-11, C, Chadron H.S. (NE), to Minnesota.
Ben Mills, 2010, 6-10, C, Arrowhead H.S. (WI), to Boise State.
Rickey Scott, 2010, 6-3, SG, MacArthur H.S. (TX), to Arkansas.
Last Thoughts: Just want to wish Tony Wroten Jr. a rapid recovery. Wroten Jr., one of the best shooting guards in the 2011 class, tore his ACL while playing in a football game. It is being reported that he might miss the entire upcoming basketball season.
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