SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Two Commits: Hayes A Wildcat,
Bowens A 49'er & Some Notes--(Oct. 21, 2000)

It is being widely reported tonight that Chuck Hayes (6'-6" Sr. PF) from Modesto Christian gave a verbal commitment to Kentucky's Tubby Smith while on his visit to the school.  Hayes turned down several offers from other schools, including St. Louis, UTEP and Kansas, and all of the guys turning Roy Williams down is, we have to say a bit surprising at this point, given the fact that he himself turned down a chance to leave Kansas, thus dispelling the persistent rumors that he might leave.  Hayes is very similar in many respects to Jamal Williams (6'-6" Sr. PF) from Corona Centennial, who is at New Mexico this weekend, and many believe that he is expected to commit there soon as well.

The other commitment which was reported today (courtesy of Anthony Ray at Arizona Preps) is the commitment of Mark Bowens (6'-2" Sr. PG) from Arizona's Cactus High.  Bowen reportedly made the commitment while on an official visit to Long Beach, just one week after visiting UC Irvine.  Bowens is ranked by Arizona Preps as the #2 senior point guard in the state, and he's an explosive scorer, with a 3.6 gpa, so there's little doubt that he'll be a qualifier.

A couple of other notes:   Isaiah Fox (6'-8" Sr. PF) from Santa Monica Crossroads, had been scheduled ot take an official visit to Oregon this weekend, but he reportedly canceled the trip, the second in two weeks (he had been scheduled to visit Arizona last weekend, but canceled that trip too).  There's a lot of speculation that he will either commit to Cal or that he may wait until spring to see how things develop.

UCLA and Jamal Sampson:  As most of you all know by now, Jamal Sampson didn't take his scheduled visit to UCLA.  What does it all mean?  Does it mean he's going to also commit to Cal, or to Kansas?  Or, is it going to be even weirder, and will Fox commit to UConn, thus paving the way for Sampson to go to Cal and Rick Rickert to take the spot at Arizona (unless of course Rickert's parents prevail and he winds up staying at home and goes to Minnesota).   If Fox commits to Cal though, is there still another scholarship for Sampson with the Bears?  The story about Sampson missing the UCLA visit this weekend is that he couldn't get out of class and couldn't afford to miss a test in school on Friday, so the visit has been re-scheduled for next weekend, Oct. 27-29. . . At least he didn't have to watch that football game today at the Rose Bowl tonight. . . .

 
©Copyright 1997-2000 All rights reserved
Questions? Comments? Need Information?
E-mail: jegesq@socalhoops.com