stanford signs three

socalogo.gif (8739 bytes)
SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Pac-10: Stanford Signs 3--Grunfeld,
Haryasz & Haas To NLIs--(Nov. 15, 2001)

Like the guys who signed at Cal and elsewhere around the Pac-10 who aren't from SoCal, at least two of these guys might as well be because they've spent so much time in the region. Dan Grunfeld, in addition to being the son of Ernie, the GM of the Bucks, has spent several summers playing at the Pump events with his Wisconsin Friends of Hoop team, and at ABCD Camp in New Jersey, and we also had plenty of opportunity to see him this past summer, along with Matt Haryasz, at the Big Time. We know only what's contained in the press release about Jason Haas, but it sounds good for the Cardinal again. Here's the official press release from the Cardinal on their three signings during the early period yesterday:

Three Senior High School Athletes Sign National
Letters of Intent with Stanford Basketball
Dan Grunfeld, Jason Haas, Matt Haryasz sign with Stanford
Basketball Program

Nov. 14, 2001

Stanford, Ca - Three outstanding high school seniors have signed national letters of intent to play basketball at Stanford University, according to Cardinal head coach Mike Montgomery.

The three new recruits, who will enroll at Stanford in the Fall of 2002, are Dan Grunfeld, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound forward from Glendale, Wisc., Jason Haas, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound guard from Blairstown, NJ, and 6-foot-10, 205-pound forward Matt Haryasz from Page, Arizona.

Grunfeld, the son of former NBA player and current Milwaukee Bucks general manager Ernie Grunfeld, is a 6-foot-6, 200-pound shooting guard who averaged 17.2 points, six rebounds and shot 42 percent from three-point range in leading Nicolet High School in Glendale, Wisconsin, to an 18-3 record last year and a 14-0 mark in the North Shore Conference.

"Dan is a basketball junkie," said Montgomery. "He knows how to play the game and can shoot it deep. At 6-foot-6, he can handle the pass and rebound the ball. He's learned from being around great players and his dad, and it shows in the way he plays."

Grunfeld, who gained all-league honors last year, attracted the college recruiters after scoring 45 points in a game at the adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas during the summer of 2001 and was named to the all-tournament team. Grunfeld also was named by The Sporting News as the Best Shooter out of more than 3,000 players. Grunfeld also has been named a pre-season honorable mention All-American by Street & Smith's.

"I just thought Stanford was the best fit for me," said Grunfeld. "It has good people, diversity, good athletics and good academics. I really enjoyed being around the players and coaches during my visit."

"Offensively, he brings the whole package to the game," said his high school Paul Hepp. "He can shoot the deep three, post up and slash to the basket. Dan is one of those once-in-a-lifetime players. He is the true definition of a student-athlete. Dan is a person with great character."

Haas is a 6-foot-2, 175-pound point guard, who played for Penns Valley High School in Centre Hall, Pa, last year. This year, Haas is attending the Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey. Haas averaged 24 points, and five assists per game last year as he led his team the regional semi-finals with a 22-6 record.

"He's a little underrated and really fits the bill for us," said Montgomery. "He knows how to run a club and has a toughness to him. We're real fortunate to find him. He's a great addition." Haas hit 48 percent from three-point territory, 95 percent from the free throw line. For his efforts, Haas was named all-state and all-league MVP among numerous post-season accolades. In a game against Mt. Union, Haas scored 40 points.

"Stanford is the best place for me and will help me succeed on-and-off the basketball court," said Haas.

According to his high school coach, Joe Mantegna, "Haas is a fundamentally-sound guard who has a keen eye for passing the ball, making his teammates better, having a high basketball I.Q, and scoring when needed."

Haryasz, a 6-foot-10, 200-pound forward, averaged 15 points, seven rebounds and six blocks per game last year in helping lead Page (Arizona) High School to a 22-8 record, the league and regional titles, and a trip to the Elite Eight in the state playoffs.

"This is a great opportunity," said Haryasz (pronounced HARRY-es) who shot 54 percent from the floor, and set two school records for blocked shots in a game (nine in the first round of the state playoffs) and single season blocks with 80. "Stanford has offered me an excellent basketball program along with an excellent academic environment."

In one game last year, Haryasz scored 30 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked nine shots. For his efforts during the season, Haryasz gained all-league and all-state honors.

"Since he's located in Page (on the Arizona-Utah border), Arizona, not a lot of people have had the opportunity to see him," said Montgomery. "He's an active, skilled big man with a great future. He runs the floor well and has unusual skills for a guy his size. We're very fortunate he chose Stanford."

Haryasz also has competed in the high jump and long jump on the track & field team. "Matt is an outstanding young man," said his high school coach Aaron Anderson. "He is a talented, hard-working player and he has a bright future in basketball."