Tevin Baskin, a 6-foot-7 forward out of Stamford (Conn.) Trinity Catholic, committed to Quinnipiac on Wednesday, choosing that school over Manhattan and New Orleans.

Baskin said he chose Tom Moore’s program because of its proximity to home and because of the size of the school.

“It’s big, but it’s not huge,” Baskin told his hometown Stamford Times. “It’s small, but it’s not tiny.”

He added: “I’m just happy I got this process out of the way and now I just can just relax.”

Baskin initially drew interest from Big East and other high-major schools, but then said he hadn’t heard back from some of those programs.

Last season, Baskin averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds for Trinity Catholic, which finished 24-2 and was upset by eventual state champ Bulkeley in the Class L quarterfinals.

UConn point guard Kemba Walker of New York and a pair of players from Bob Hurley’s storied St. Anthony program — Villanova commit Dominic Cheek and Kansas freshman Tyshawn Taylor — have been selected to attend the 2009 USA U19 National Team Trials.

The 12-man team will compete in the U19 World Championship later this summer in New Zealand.

Walker, out of Manhattan Rice High School, was named MVP of the 2008 FIBA Americas Championship that qualified for this year’s World Championship. He averaged 13.4 ppg., 5.0 apg., and 4.6 rpg. while leading the USA to a silver medal in the 2008 FIBA Americas.

The 6-5 Cheek (pictured), a McDonald’s All-American who will join Jay Wright’s team this summer, also played on the U18 team last summer in Argentina. Taylor had a breakout year at Kansas but did not play for the USA last summer. (more…)

Jarrid Famous wants out of his Letter of Intent to South Florida, multiple sources said Tuesday.

“Jarrid Famous is trying to get out of his letter,” one source with direct knowledge said.

The 6-foot-11 Famous chose South Florida last month over Arizona, Missouri and Seton Hall and could end up at one of those places if he gets out. Arizona appears to be a likely destination.

Famous’ father, however, told the St. Petersburg Times that his son would attend South Florida.

“Jarrid is going to South Florida. He’s not switching schools,” the father said. “He’s going to South Florida, no doubt about it.”

Famous is reportedly upset because he hasn’t heard from USF head coach Stan Heath. He also wasn’t notified of the coaching changes at USF which saw the departure of Byron Samuels, who helped recruit Famous, and of Dan Hipsher, now at Alabama. (more…)

Memphis coach Josh Pastner finally landed a big fish.

Latavious Williams, a 6-foot-8 combo forward out of Humble (TX) Christian Life Center who averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds, committed to the Tigers Tuesday, choosing them over Georgetown, Oklahoma, Kansas State and Florida International.

“I went home this weekend and made [the decision Monday],” Williams said by phone. “I have a real good relationship with Coach Pastner.” (more…)

Jose Canseco brought a baseball bit to the ring for his Mixed Martial Arts debut with Hong Man Choi.

The only problem?

He wasn’t able to use it.

Choi knocked the former Bash Boy out in 1 minute, 17 seconds.

“That’s a big man,” Canseco said of the 7-foot-2, 330-pound Choi. “I ran into one of his left jabs and that almost knocked me out. You have no idea how scary it was facing a man that big.” (more…)

Great story out of Manhattan College where coach Barry Rohrssen has signed Kevin Laue, a 6-foot-10 center born without a left hand.

“For all the right reasons, Kevin deserves this chance,” Rohrssen told The New York Times. “He’s someone who won’t take this for granted.”

Laue is part of a three-man recruiting class that also includes 6-4 guards Rico Pickett and George Beamon.

(more…)

Latavious Williams, a 6-7 wing from Humble (Texas) Christian Life Center ranked the No. 6 power forward in the nation, pushed his college announcement until Tuesday in Houston.

“About 2  o’clock [Central Time]. I didn’t do anything today,” he wrote in a text.

Williams will decide between Georgetown, Memphis, Oklahoma, Kansas State and Florida International. He previously told me Memphis was his leader.

Dan Wolken of The Memphis Edge is also reporting that 6-7 forward Noel Johnson will ask out of his Letter of Intent to USC because of the
NCAA investigation in the wake of the O.J. Mayo and Reggie Bush cases. Memphis could be one possible landing spot for Johnson if he gets his release.

TEAM FINAL WINS BOB GIBBONS

Team Final, a Pennsylvania-based AAU team coached by Rob Brown, beat the CP3 All-Stars to win the Bob Gibbons U17 Tournament of Champions bracket on Sunday.

“The kids played hard, the kids played real well,” Brown said.

Syracuse commit Dion Waiters of Burlington (N.J.) Life Center Academy scored a game-high 27 points to win MVP honors. The 6-3 Waiters is ranked the No. 6 shooting guard in the Class of 2010. (more…)

Jio Fontan will not return to Fordham next year and is considering a number of other options, including spending the year in Puerto Rico training with its National Team or attending a junior college.

If Fordham continues to deny the 6-foot-1 Fontan a release, he and his family are prepared to go a non-traditional route.

Jorge Fontan, Jio’s father, is in favor of his son spending a year in Puerto Rico training and taking classes. Jio, whose mother is Puerto Rican, will play this summer with the Puerto Rican U19 team.

“Right now if I had to choose and we could work something out, he could take whatever classes he could get credit for [in Puerto Rico] to transfer to a regular college and have a trainer and be working out as much as possible,” Jorge said. (more…)

The Florida Gators are in the news on two fronts today.

First off, sophomore point guard Nick Calathes will bypass his final two years of college eligibility to play professionally…in Greece.

Calathes, who holds a Greek passport and has dual citizenship, has agreed to terms with Euroleague champion Panathinaikos , the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Calathes will reportedly earn $1.1 million in addition to home, car and tax credits. As part of the deal, he will have to pull out of the NBA Draft by June 15. (more…)