antone jarrell signs

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Antone Jarrell Signs
LOI With UTEP--(Apr. 17, 2000)

We know that this is beginning to sound like we should change our name to "OregonHoops" but there's probably some other site out there with that name (and its probably a Rivals site too:^) ). . .but we can't resist reporting on this one because it highlights how successful one of last year's SoCal-based teams was in terms of the majority of guys signing with 4-year schools. And for those who got to see Antone Jarrell (6'-6" Sr. SG/SF) in action last year with the Pump N Run "Gold" team, you know that he was a major talent, helping them reach the final four of at least four major prep tournaments, including the adidas Las Vegas Big Time Tournament last summer.

There were reports last weekend that Antone, out of nationally-ranked Portland Jefferson, had verbally committed to UTEP. . . those reports were followed by several others to the effect that Antone had not really "committed" but was leaning toward UTEP. Some of those reports indicated that it wasn't quite a done deal for UTEP's head coach Jason Rabedeaux.

Well, it's now a done deal. The University of Texas-El Paso is now reporting officially that Antone has signed a Letter of Intent to play there next season. Here's the official press release:

Antone Jarrell Signs National Letter of Intent To Play Basketball at UTEP

F Antone Jarrell (Portland, Ore./Jefferson HS) has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at UTEP, Miner head coach Jason Rabedeaux announced on Monday. Jarrell was also recruited by Pac-10 powers Oregon State, Washington State and USC.

The 6-6, 205-pound Jarrell averaged 15 points, 7.5 rebounds, four assists and three steals as a senior at Jefferson High School in Portland, Ore. Jefferson, the 2000 Oregon State 4A champions, finished the season 28-0 and was ranked fourth in the nation by USA Today.

"Antone Jarrell is rated as one of our top 100 seniors in the nation," said recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons, editor and publisher of All Star Sports. "Antone had a great year for a nationally-ranked team. He is an excellent catch for UTEP."

"Antone is a diamond in the rough," said Jarrell's high school coach, Marshall Haskins. "He has a chance to be a superstar in college. In three years people will say 'Wow, how did guys miss on him?'"

"I really felt Antone was one of the biggest sleepers in terms of the late signing period," Rabedeaux said. "After getting the chance to see him play, we were amazed that more schools were not recruiting him. Antone has a tremendous upside as a basketball player. He's 6-6, he's extremely long, he wears a size 18 shoe and he has an outstanding basketball body. As he continues to grow and mature, I have no doubt he will turn into one of the most spectacular athletes in the Western Athletic Conference. Antone epitomizes the type of freshmen we want to recruit to UTEP, as his talent level would allow him to play in any of the major conferences around the country. He is an extremely personable and intelligent young man, and will be a great representative for us in all facets of our program, the community and the university."

Antone Jarrell

F, 6-6, 205, Portland, Ore. (Jefferson HS)
Listed as one of the nation's top 100 prep players by recruiting analyst Bob
Gibbons' All Star Sports…also rated the fourth-best available wing forward in the country by Gibbons…ranked 28th nationally among all wing forwards by Hoop Scoop…averaged 15 points, 7.5 rebounds, four assists and three steals as a senior at Jefferson High School, which finished 28-0 and was ranked fourth in the nation by USA Today…led Jefferson to the 4A Oregon state championship…shot 50 percent from the field and 70 percent from the line…rated the third-best senior small forward on the West Coast by Pac-West Hoops…second team All-State choice and first team All-League pick…high point game was 32 points as a senior…played three positions at Jefferson (shooting guard and both forward slots)…attended the Adidas ABCD Camp in the summer of 1999…two-year varsity letterwinner…honor roll student…parents are Williams Jarrell and Jane
Mayes…born 8/13/82.

Here's a recap of where the rest of the seniors on the Pump N Run Gold team are currently headed next year:

Brandon Brooks (6'-0" Sr. PG)--unsigned senior--ASU (UCLA and Oklahoma are also reported to be in the mix, but we doubt it will be anywhere other than ASU)
Lou Wright (6'-7" Sr. SG)-- Memphis signee
Branduinn Fullove (6'-5" Sr. SG)--UCSB signee
Aerick Sanders (6'-9" Sr. F/C)--San Diego State signee
Antone Jarrell (6'-6" Sr. SG/SF)--UTEP signee
Gregg Guenther (6'-9" Sr. PF)--USC signee
Casey Cook (6'-7" Sr. SF)--UCSB signee
Doyle Cole (6'-5" Sr. SG)-- unsigned senior
Heath Bailey (6'-11" Sr. C)-- unsigned 5th year senior

The current word on Brandon Brooks (from Tracey Pierson at PacWestHoops, who spoke with him at the Dada Classic on Saturday, where Brandon played spectacularly) is that he continues to have UCLA express interest in him, but from what we know from speaking with Brandon ourselves on Friday, he is a done deal for Arizona State. In fact, from the first conversations we had with Brandon in the spring of 1999 until this past Friday, Brandon has consistently mentioned only one school: Arizona State. We rarely make such strong predictions, but given the academic requirements at UCLA, we'd say that Sun Devil fans can count on seeing Brandon Brooks in Tempe next season.

Heath Bailey had to sit out all of last season, since he was a 5th year senior and was not granted the extra year of eligibility by the powers that be in the State of Oregon. . .