SoCalHoops  Recruiting News

Arizona Signs Lattimore, Stoudamire
& Channing Frye--(Nov. 9, 2000)

Lute Olson has now received three out of four expected NLI's, and they've come from guys who all played for the SoCal-based Pump N Run/Double Pump group of teams:  Dennis Lattimore (6'-8" Sr. PF) from Halstead, Kansas, Channing Frye (6'-11" Sr. C) from Phoenix St. Mary's  (ok, so Channing didn't play for "Pump N Run" but was instead with  the "Arizona Double Pump All Stars". . . picky, picky), and Salim Stoudamire (6'-2" Sr. SG/PG) from Lake Oswego, Oregon--yes, he's former Wildcat Damon Stoudamire's cousin.  They've all sent their letters to the University of Arizona, and since the school received them, the University of Arizona can now comment on their recruits (see press release below).

The only NLI missing now is the one which everyone expected from Lattimore's buddy, Rick Rickert (6'-11" Sr. C) from Duluth, Minnesota.   Yesterday reports were circulating on the internet, chiefly from Dave Telep at Rivals100Hoops that Rickert was having second thoughts about his commitment to Arizona, perhaps in the face of some pretty intense parental and family pressure, to stay home and play for the University of Minnesota  (where his father was a standout player).   His parents have made no secret about the fact that they'd like Rick to stay home, and they've commented several times publicly in newspapers and in interviews.   Whether they succeed, and whether Rickert still wants to attend UofA, we just can't say.   We haven't heard anything new about Rickert, but it's clear Arizona didn't get a letter of intent from him yesterday or today that we've heard about.  

In any event, here's the official press release on the signings by Lattimore, Frye and Stoudamire, and this is a great class (more than just on paper, as Coach Olson suggests below):

Men's Basketball Signs Three to National Letters-of-Intent
11/18/00

TUCSON, Ariz. - University of Arizona men's basketball coach Lute Olson announced Wednesday that three student-athletes have signed National Letters-of-Intent to attend the school and play basketball. The trio will report to the school in the Fall of 2001.

Channing Frye, Dennis Latimore and Salim Stoudamire each inked letters-of-intent during the first day of the November early signing period. Each player is rated in the top 100 nationally by Hoop Scoop Recruiting Service.

"On paper, it looks like an outstanding recruiting class," said Olson. "It looks about as good as any class we've had come in here. We're very pleased with the way things worked out. I think they are the type of players that will fit very well together and fit with the type of players and teams we've had here in the past."

Frye, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound, center from Phoenix, Ariz., averaged 15.0 points, 12 rebounds and nine blocks and six assists per game for coach David Lopez at St. Mary's High School. He led the team to a 26-7 record last season, a berth in the Class 5A state tournament semifinals and a No. 19 national ranking in USA Today. Frye is a Street & Smith's High Honorable Mention All-America pick and an all-metro Phoenix selection. Frye earned MVP honors at the Arizona Preps Fall Showcase. He is a member of the St. Mary's Lettermen's Club and is active in its community service program. He is rated as the No. 98 recruit in the nation by Hoop Scoop and the No. 13 center in the country by Fast Break Recruiting Service.

Latimore, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound, forward from Halsted, Kan., averaged 25.0 points, 13.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks last season for coach Mark Fox at Halsted High School and shot 53 percent from the field. He was a Class 3A all-state selection by the Wichita Eagle, the Topeka Capitol Journal, and the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association; and an Honorable Mention All-America pick by USA Today. Latimore was the Gatorade Circle of Champions Kansas Player of the Year as a junior. He led Mesa (Ariz.) Mountain View High to the Class 5A state championship as a sophomore. He is rated as the No. 27 recruit in the nation and the No. 5 power forward by Fast Break Recruiting Service. An outstanding student, Latimore ranks sixth in his graduating class of 65.

Stoudamire, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound, guard from Lake Oswego, Ore., averaged 23.0 points per game last season for coach Mark Schoff at Lake Oswego High School in leading the squad to a state tournament semifinal berth. He was a first-team all-state selection and the Three Rivers Conference Player of the Year as a junior. Stoudamire has been an all-conference pick in each of his three years in high school. An outstanding scorer, Stoudamire averaged 28.6 points as a freshman and 21.7 points as a sophomore. He is the cousin of former Arizona All-American (1992-95) and 1997 NBA Rookie of the Year Damon Stoudamire. He is rated as the No. 66 recruit in the nation and the No. 15 shooting guard in the nation by Fast Break Recruiting Service.

 
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