Russ Smith

Reportedly just verballed to UA. 2009 C he's about 6'8" but has really improved has a college ready body, big feet, some think he might still grow an inch or 2. He's from Fresno but the family moved to Vallejo for this year.

UCLA was really working hard to get him before they got J'Mison Morgan and I'm pretty sure they were still actively recruiting Smith now although there were concerns about his academics.

Very good get for UA.

__________________
“Your expectations always exceed outside expectations. I feel like you just can’t stop working, can’t stop getting better, because I’ll be a failure in my eyes before I’m a failure in someone else’s eyes.” -- Arron Afflalo

MaoTosiFanClub

Just another reason I'm not concerned with the future success of the UA program. It's nice to know that despite the coaching changes, player mutiny, underwhelming performances on the court, rise of other schools around the conference, and bizarre commentary by Lute not to mention his age that Arizona can still land top 50 players without much of an issue. It's why Arizona will be able to land an elite coach when Lute finally steps down. Coaches want to coach good players while getting paid - Arizona Basketball provides both.

Lefty

That is great news. Big pickup. With Hill and Fendi gone after this year, Greg should have no problem starting right away.

Skkorpion

Nice. Good for UA. This surprises me.

MaoTosiFanClub

I'll eat crow as well. I honestly thought the 2009 class would be a mess after Lute passed on the AAU character in favor of Reggie Geary. Geary was this kid's lead recruiter as well.

overseascardfan

I noticed they have C Keith Gallon and C Daniel Orton as being offered, do their offers come off the table? I would love to have Orton, but so would the rest of the country. What are our chances, Russ?

Mr. Boldin

Gallon wont be coming to Tucson.

AZBALLER

Both funny and true until you mention au landing an elite coach...If the cats had a real athletic director, then maybe...

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"I am not hard to please. I'm satisfied with the very best." - Fernand Point.

Russ Smith

Don't know much on either kid. Gallon is from Texas, Orton Oklahoma I think. UCLA is on both lists too I don't think they have a prayer at Gallon. Orton I read has grade issues so he probably won't be on UCLA's radar much longer if that doesn't change.

FYI there's a story today that really talks up how good Smith is, a bit of hyperbole(calls him the new Mailman) but I think it's a terrific get for Arizona.

A lot of UCLA fans are a bit disappointed they were hoping Smith would be the guy after Morgan and before 2010 target Josh Smith from Washington who is UCLA's top big target in that class.

__________________
“Your expectations always exceed outside expectations. I feel like you just can’t stop working, can’t stop getting better, because I’ll be a failure in my eyes before I’m a failure in someone else’s eyes.” -- Arron Afflalo

Lefty

Recruiting has never been a problem with the Cats. The program almost sells itself, that's why I am not worried on who replaces Lute. There is even a rumor with some credible sources that said Callipari would take the job when Lute leaves.

As for Smith, do you know Russ if he will get in academically? I read he might be a risk. I sure don't want to go through another Jennings scenario.

MaoTosiFanClub

Different situations. Jennings' handlers responded to him getting a 600 on his first SAT by shipping him across the country to a school that increased his exposure by traveling throughout the States during half the school year. Smith's guardian is forcing him to transfer to a school whose basketball program went something like 1-26 last year so he can get his grades up and get into college.

Children (we sometimes forget these are kids) really are a product of their environment. Jennings is surrounded by some LA criminal defense attorney and Sonny Vaccaro both of whom are pushing him 5,000 miles away to be the guinea pig for this European experiment. Smith's guardian is making him go to the basketball outhouse of the San Joaquin Valley so he can work on his grades.

Russ Smith

Smith moved from Fresno to Vallejo for allegedly better competition but I'm with Mao I think it was academic. The story has always been UCLA really liked him but they weren't sure if he'd make it academically. When he moved everyone said good should be a better academic situation.

Vallejo is not exactly top flight competition, for example Demarcus Nelson moved from Vallejo to Sacramento to get better competition when he was in HS, but it's apparently a school with a better academic reputation than the one Smith was at in Fresno. Impossible to judge but I don't think Smith has the same situation Jennings did you have to remember Jennings was attending an inner city school in Compton that doesn't have much of a rep for academics plus he was touring the country playng ball, I don't think it's a surprise his academics weren't very good.

Oak Hill was a much better environment academically the problem is as Mao said when you're stated goal is to improve the kids academcis(right on Oak Hill's website they say that's their mission), you have to then question how you do that by playing road games all season and having the kid travel more than college players do?

I suspect in the end it was a mutual blame thing, Jennings should have worked harder, and Oak Hill should have realized he was in danger a lot earlier.

__________________
“Your expectations always exceed outside expectations. I feel like you just can’t stop working, can’t stop getting better, because I’ll be a failure in my eyes before I’m a failure in someone else’s eyes.” -- Arron Afflalo

Skkorpion

A 600 score on his SAT? Is this fact, Russ? If so, this kid has should not be given an admission to any Arizona public University over any in-state better qualified student who can't afford out-of-state costs elsewhere.

Educators, term used loosely here, often forget that local tax payers pay to provide higher education opportunies to the residents and children of residents of our state.

Lefty

Looks like Jennings will have to wait another week. I am leaning more to hoping he does not come. I know he is a great player but I don't want to see another Marcus Williams or Chris Rodgers attitude on the team. It is more detrimental than beneficial.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3474579

Mr. Boldin

Considering the last few disappointing years we have had... we need Jennings next year. The program will be fine with or without him, but without Jennings the expectations fall from a conference title and elite eight birth to a 2nd-3rd place finish and a 6 seed.