hernandez commits to stanford

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Chris Hernandez Commits To Stanford--(June 15, 2000)

Both the Fresno Bee and PacWestHoops have confirmed that Chris Hernandez (6'-2" Sr. PG) from Clovis West has given a verbal commitment to Stanford. Bee writer Terry Betterton spoke with Hernandez on Tuesday, and here's the story, which was in yesterday's Bee (it can also be found, at least for a while, at this link on the Bee's own site, which by the way, is definitely worth visiting for tons of news on Central California players and teams):

Golden Eagle sets future at Stanford

By Terry Betterton
The Fresno Bee

(Published June 15, 2000)

Chris Hernandez has game. The Clovis West High senior-to-be has brains, too.

Combining the basketball talent that made him an all-state selection with his accomplishments in the classroom -- straight A's -- Hernandez has taken a bold step into the future.

The 6-foot 2-inch guard who led the Golden Eagles to the state Division 1 championship game last season, said he will accept a scholarship to Stanford.

"Stanford is one of the top schools in the nation, if not the top, and, in the past few years, has been a top-5
basketball team," Hernandez said. "What more could you ask for?"

This is what is considered a oral commitment. Players cannot sign with a school until November. Hernandez said he chose the Cardinal over UCLA, USC, Utah, Purdue, Kansas and Notre Dame. But Stanford had the edge all along. "The Stanford coaches were the first ones to show interest in me, when I was a sophomore," Hernandez said. "I decided when I found out this week that I qualified academically."

He made an unofficial visit to Stanford last spring and, during a tournament in Indiana, also visited Notre Dame and Purdue, according to his father, Jose, a Clovis West assistant.

By NCAA rules, coaches are forbidden to comment on recruits until they sign. But Clovis West coach Vance Walberg said Hernandez was the heaviest recruited player he has ever had. A starter at Clovis West since he was a freshman, Hernandez was the spark in a team that tied a state record with 39 victories. He averaged 13.7 points and 6.7 assists last season. But, it's more than statistics that attracted college scouts. "Chris gives you everything he has in the classroom, in the weight room and on the basketball floor," Walberg said. "There just aren't a lot of pure point guards around. Sometimes you have a point guard who can slash, or a point guard who can pass off, or a point guard who can score. Chris can do it all."

Plus, Walberg said, Hernandez is a proven winner. In three seasons, he has helped the Eagles win 101 games.

Next up for Hernandez is a trip to Colorado Springs as one of 48 high school players selected for the Olympic Festival.

In the five day event that begins Saturday, he will play on the West team that also includes 7-foot shot-blocking whiz Tyson Chandler of two-time state Division 2 champion Dominguez (Compton). Hernandez said he looks forward to playing with Chandler after playing against him last season. "It will be kind of nice throwing passes to him rather than having him throwing my shots back at me," Hernandez said.