Russ Smith

“Yes,  Sunday night at about 9 o’clock,” Russ Smith Sr. said. “We had dinner with Coach [Rick] Pitino, Coach [Ralph] Willard and Coach [Steve] Masiello.”

Smith Sr. said his son chose Louisville over offers from Wake Forest, Arizona, Houston and Baylor.

“He’s very happy and comfortable with the whole situation. He loved the atmosphere,” Smith Sr. said. “He loved the city. He toured the town, toured the new arena. He got a a feel for the players.”

A New York native himself, Pitino has had success with New York-area players before. His current roster includes former Rice guard Edgar Sosa, as well as St. Benedict’s big man Samardo Samuels.

“[Smith] loves that the coach plays three or four guards at a time. He loves the up-tempo style,” his father said.

While playing for Archbishop Molloy, Smith led the Catholic League in scoring last year. He then dropped 27 points in the Jordan Brand Regional Game back in April at Madison Square Garden and was named co-MVP of that event.

New York recruiting expert Tom Konchalski says Smith will be a perfect fit for Louisville.

“It’s a great fit in terms of he has a tremendous appetite for the game and he’s going to a program where the coach is going to work him as hard as any coach in the country,” he said. “He loves the game. He’d rather play than breathe. He has a very high skill level. He’s just to got get stronger physically.

“He’s just got to reorient his game. He’s got to trust his teammates. He can really pass the ball, especially on penetration and kick-outs. He’s a scoring point who’s got to make his teammates better. He’s got to  bulk up his frame. He has very good quickness and a tremendous dribble routine. He has the ball on a string. He has an explosive first step. He can get to the basket and dunk on people.

“It’s a good fit. He’s a basketball junkie who’s going into a program run by a basketball junkie.” 

PINKSTON TO ANNOUNCE WEDNESDAY

Jayvaughn Pinkston, a 6-foot-6 forward from Bishop Loughlin, will announce his college choice Wednesday at Loughlin.

Pinkston, considered the top prospect in New York City, is considering Tennessee, Villanova, Seton Hall, St. John’s and Marquette.

“He hasn’t decided yet,” New Heights coach Kimani Young said. “He’s going to make his decision on Wednesday.”

BLACK TO ANNOUNCE MONDAY

Tarik Black, a 6-7, 230-pound power forward from Memphis Ridgeway, is expected to pick Memphis  during a press conference Monday afternoon.

Black also considered Alabama, Florida, Marquette and Tennessee.

He is the the No. 47 senior prospect nationally and the No. 7 center, according to Rivals.

If he signs, it would give Memphis head coach Josh Pastner a seven-man blockbuster class that could become the No. 1 in the country.

Memphis now has the No. 8, 11, 12, 47, and 66 overall players according to Rivals.

MORGAN SIGNS WITH SETON HALL

Seton Hall announced that Jesse “The Takeover” Morgan of Philadelphia has signed a national letter of intent to attend the University and play basketball for the Pirates beginning in the 2010-11 season.

Morgan chose Seton Hall over Louisville, Rutgers, UMass and UConn.

Morgan’s signing is the second for the Pirates during the fall period.  Paterson Catholic small forward Fuquan Edwin signed on to play for Seton Hall on Nov. 13.

The 6-foot-5, 175-pound, shooting guard is highly regarded as an extremely versatile wing player who can shoot the ball well and score in bunches.  He and Edwin will fill the roster spots left vacant by the graduation of seniors John Garcia and Eugene Harvey.

 “We couldn’t be more thrilled to add Jesse Morgan to the program,” Pirates coach Bobby Gonzalez said.  “He’s a versatile player that can play any one of the three guard positions.  We feel he’s one of the most underrated players in the country and that he’s destined to be a future star at Seton Hall.  His long-term potential is incredible, and in the short-term, he’ll provide quality insurance for Jeremy Hazell.  He’s a big guard, who can play the point if necessary, and it’s good for us to add a kid from Philadelphia to our roster as well.”

Prior to a brief stint at South Kent Prep in Connecticut, Morgan was a First Team All-City selection at Olney High School in his native Philadelphia.  He averaged 28 points per game, the third-best total among city-league players, and led the Trojans to a 19-3 record. 

“I can come in and contribute as a freshman and get quality minutes,” Morgan said. “It’s not too far from home so my family can come up and see me play.”

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The 6-foot-5, 190-pound wing from Brentwood, N.Y. and South Kent (Conn.), verbally committed to Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA early signing period.

He chose Pitt over Big East rivals Louisville and St. John’s. He also considered Providence and Florida before trimming his list. Moore is ranked No. 107 in the Class of 2010, and No. 23 among small forwards.

“J.J. committed to Pitt,” said his mentor, Hunt Bresky. 

“I think he was very impressed with [head coach] Jamie Dixon and the coaching staff in particular,” Bresky added. “He got along very well with the players themselves and felt very comfortable there. The location also was very attractive to him. He wanted to get out of New York and go someplace different and Pittsburgh provided the opportunity to leave New York but yet not be too far away so that his family would be able to come see him play at home. I think that was an important factor for J.J.”

Moore had an in-home visit with Pittsburgh coaches in early September and then took two unofficials to campus.

“I think he can be really good,” South Kent coach Kelvin Jefferson said last summer. “He’s got great size, a great physique. He’s very athletic and he can shoot the ball. He can do a lot of different things. He can finish around the rim. He can catch off penetration and make threes.

“He can add to his game as far as slashing to the rim, as far as becoming a better defender. He’s a good 3-point shooter, but if he becomes a consistent 3-point shooter and good mid-range shooter, then all of a sudden, wow.”

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JayVaughn Pinkston, a 6-foot-6 forward from Bishop Loughlin considered the top prospect in the Big Apple, hasn’t picked a school yet and may or may not sign late.

“We cannot say definitively,” New Heights athletic director Kimani Young said Wednesday morning. “There’s still a possibility that he commits early.

“He’s still going through the recruiting process even as of this week to figure out if he’s decided 100 percent where he wants to go to.”

Pinkston, who recently led New Heights to the is8 championship by scoring a combined 59 points in the semis and finals, will choose from among Villanova, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Tennessee and Marquette.

Villanova appears to be the leader for his services.

“He’s thinking about it,” Young said of the recruiting process. “He’s not taking any more visits.”

***Doron Lamb, a 6-4 shooting guard from Queens who plays for Oak Hill (Va.) Academy, appears as if he will wait until the spring signing period. He has visited Oklahoma, Kansas and Kentucky and will visit UConn Nov. 15-16. He may also visit Arizona, but likely not until after the early signing period ends Nov. 18.

Pinkston and Lamb are among a group of elite 2010 prospects who may not sign until the spring. Guards Josh Selby and Brandon Knight and forwards Roscoe Smith, C.J. Leslie and Terrence Jones also may sign in the spring.

Selby will visit Indiana Nov. 14, while Knight will hit Florida Nov. 13. Leslie is also planning a visit to Florida, but no date has yet been set.

While that group may wait, several elite area players are poised to sign early.

***Tobias Harris, a 6-8 forward from Dix Hills (N.Y.) Half Hollow Hills West, says he will announce on Nov. 19.

Harris has visited Syracuse, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisville and West Virginia and will visit Maryland (Nov. 13-14) and Georgia Tech (Nov. 16-17) due up in the next week.

“When we finish all the visits, Tobias will decide,” Torrel Harris, his father, said recently. “Right now all of them are equal. Every one is better and better.”

***J.J. Moore, a 6-5 wing from Brentwood, N.Y., who plays at South Kent (Conn.), could announce at any time. He will choose from among Pittsburgh, Louisville and St. John’s.

**Russell Smith, a 6-2 shooting guard from The Bronx who also plays at South Kent, will visit Louisville this weekend and is expected to sign with the Cardinals once he receives a formal scholarship offer.

“They love him,” Russell Smith Sr. said. “That’s a good thing. Rick [Pitino's] been following him for a while, watching him play. They said they definitely want him.”

***Rod Odom, a 6-8 wing from Long Island who plays at Concord (Mass.) Middlesex, will sign with Vanderbilt Wednesday. He initially committed to Arizona and then changed his plans.

***Fuquan Edwin, a 6-6 wing from Paterson (N.J.) Catholic, signed with Seton Hall Tuesday night and faxed in his papers Wednesday morning.

**Rutgers recruit Austin Carroll says he will sign Thursday. Was too busy Wednesday with classes and road game 3 hours away.

**Ashton Pankey, a 6-9, 225-pound forward from New York who plays at St. Anthony, will visit Houston this weekend and will then decide between Houston and Maryland, which he visited last weekend.

“He really liked Maryland and I know he wants to be able to compare Maryland to another school,” St. Anthony coach Bob Hurley said.

“He’ll make a decision right after his visit,” Young added.

**Three other St. Anthony players have already committed and are expected to sign early: Devon Collier (Oregon State), Derrick Williams (Richmond) and Eli Carter (St. Bonaventure).

Hurley said the school likely will host a signing event for all four players next Tuesday.

**St. Patrick senior guard Kyrie Irving  signed Wednesday with Duke and his teammate, Derrick Gordon, chose Western Kentucky.

**St. Benedict’s senior guard Aaron Brown will sign with Temple Wednesday, while his 6-8 teammate Gil Biruta will visit Rutgers this weekend.

**As first reported here, Rice senior guard Shane Southwell has committed to Kansas State and will sign Wednesday.

“I just received my papers,” he wrote by text.

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Devon Collier,

“He called [head coach] Craig Robinson and committed,” said New Heights director Kimani Young. “That’s where he felt most comfortable.”

Collier, a Bronx native ranked No. 134 in the Class of 2010 and No. 25 among power forwards by Rivals, chose Oregon State over Big East schools St. John’s, Seton Hall and Providence.

“I think Devon really liked the players, the coaching staff and I think at the end of the day he wants to create his own legacy for himself,” Young said.

“He’s very comfortable with Craig Robinson,” added St. Anthony coach Bob Hurley. “He seemed very sure that it’s the right move for him and I feel good for him because he was very comfortable that he had made the right decision.”

Robinson and his staff flew East to watch Collier several times during open gyms and Collier then took an official to campus in mid-October.

“Oregon State would be my top [school] because the official visit was great,” Collier said last month. “Since I officially visited Oregon State, they’re on top. I have to visit the other schools. Then I’ll decide.”

Asked if he could imagine going there, he said. “I could imagine it. Just because the area itself is nice. They’re making me feel welcome.”

He added: “[Robinson] is a cool person. He’s fun to talk to. He has a  good sense of humor. He’s smart. It’s not because he’s the President’s brother-in-law. He’s a good person in general. The staff that’s around him, they’re good, too.”

Hurley said Collier liked Oregon State’s style of play, which emphasizes the play of the forwards.

“They play with the forwards handling the ball,” Hurley said. “If he works he can become a better shooter. They like him as a kid that can move in the zone, rebound, get deflections.”

SMITH LIKES LOUISVILLE

South Kent (Conn.) shooting guard Russ Smith says he plans on signing with Louisville during his Nov. 15 visit.

“I’m going to sign on my visit,” the 6-foot-2, 160-pound Smith said Friday. “We’re still working on everything officially but I did give coach Pitino my verbal.

“I liked his resume and everything overall, the program. It’s a big-time basketball program.”

Sources said Louisville has yet to officially offer him a scholarship, but the coaches want to sit down with him during the visit and explain what his role would be.

“[He] is going on his official visit to Louisville Nov. 15. Coach [Rick] Pitino and Coach [Ralph] Willard were out here a couple weeks ago and really liked him a lot,” South Kent coach coach Kelvin Jefferson said. “I think Russ wants to sign early and I’m sure Louisville’s at the top of his list.”

Smith dropped 27 points in the Jordan Brand Regional Game back in April at Madison Square Garden and was named co-MVP of that event.

He also holds offers from Houston and Baylor and may visit Baylor Nov. 23.

“Baylor wants him to come in on the 23rd,” Jefferson said.

MORGAN WITHDRAWS FROM SOUTH KENT

Seton Hall commit Jesse Morgan has withdrawn from South Kent (Conn.).

“Unfortunately, this was not the right situation for Jesse and I wish him luck at his next stop,” South Kent coach Kelvin Jefferson said.

PANKEY VISITING MARYLAND

Ashton Pankey, another 6-8 forward from St. Anthony, is currently visiting Maryland.

“He and his mom took the train down today and it wouldn’t surprise me if he really liked the visit, he might just take one more to compare apples to oranges,” Hurley said.

(Photo courtesy Daily News)

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“The visit went great, it was a great visit,” Torrel Harris, Tobias’ dad, said by phone.

Tobias and his father met with the Louisville President, athletic director and head coach Rick Pitino. They went to Pitino’s house and had dinner with the team.

Torrel said Pitino told him it would be “a great opportunity to work with Tobias and make him better.”

The 6-foot-8 Harris has now visited Syracuse, Tennessee, Kentucky and Louisville.

He heads to West Virginia on Friday and will then visit Maryland and Georgia Tech before announcing on Nov. 19.

Torrel said there is no leader at this point.

“When we finish all the visits, Tobias will decide,” Torrel said. “Right now all of them are equal. Every one is better and better.”

J.J. MOORE DECISION LOOMING

South Kent (Conn.) wing J.J. Moore visited Pittsburgh on Tuesday while his school is out on a swine flu break.

The 6-foot-5 Moore visited with New York Panthers coach Gary Charles and his mentor, Hunt Bresky.

“The visit went extremely well,” Charles said. “J.J. enjoyed it. His mother enjoyed it and I enjoyed it also. It gave us the opportunity to see what the team looks like, how they work out and exactly how J.J. would fit in if he decides to pick that program. All our questions were answered. He had a chance to talk to the guys.

“I know he said it was a very good visit.”

Moore will now decide from among Pitt, Louisville and St. John’s.

“As far as the decision, I will say that probably in the next two weeks a decision will be made and we’ll go from there,” Charles said.

Meantime, Moore’s South Kent teammate Russell Smith plans to visit Louisville Nov. 15-16 and could verbal on the visit.

“They love him,” Russell Smith Sr. said. “That’s a good thing. Rick [Pitino's] been following him for a while, watching him play. They said they definitely want him.”

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Tobias Harris, a 6-8 forward from Dix Hills (N.Y.) Half Hollow Hills West, is on an official to Louisville with his father.

Since arriving, Harris has Tweeted that he was “Hanging with the team” and “watched the team practice.”

Harris has already visited Syracuse, Tennessee and Kentucky and still plans to visit West Virginia, Georgia Tech and Maryland before announcing.

Louisville is making serious inroads in New York. As first reported here, Russell Smith of South Kent (Conn.) is leaning toward committing to the Cardinals and his South Kent teammate J.J. Moore is down to Louisville, Pittsburgh and St. John’s.

***

Brandon Knight, the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2010 out of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Pine Crest took an official to Kansas for the weekend.

His father, Efrem, told Shay Wildeboor of Jayhawkslant.com that Brandon enjoyed the visit and that he planned to visit Florida Nov. 13-15.

“Brandon was able to do quite a bit during his visit this weekend. We all had a great time. It was a great experience for us,” Efren told Jayhawkslant.com. “The school is a great school. Kansas is a great place, and Brandon really liked his visit.”

Knight has previously visited Kentucky and UConn. He’s also considering Miami and Syracuse.

***

Josh Selby, a senior guard out of Lake Baltimore (Md.) Clifton, will visit Indiana Oct. 14, according to a report by Jerry Meyer of Rivals.

Selby previously visited Kansas for “Late Night in the Phog” and is also considering Syracuse, Kentucky and Miami.

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The 6-foot-6 Pinkston poured in 29 points on 12-for-26 shooting to lead New Heights to an 87-83 victory over the New York Panthers in the is8 championship game in Queens. Pinkston added seven rebounds, two assists and one block.

Coming off a 30-point outburst in a semifinal win over St. Benedict’s, Pinkston was named is8 Playoff MVP.

“Hands down, I can’t see anyone disputing that [he's the best player in the city]. He just put us on his back and willed us to victory today. He refused to let us lose today,” said New Heights coach Kimani Young, whose team was down 16 points in the second quarter.

It was the first high school title for New Heights in their first finals appearance. The Panthers were the defending champs.

Devon Collier, who, along with Pinkston, was named First-Team is8, scored 11 of his 17 points points and grabbed five of his 12 rebounds in the fourth quarter. He pulled down eight offensive boards in the game.

“Whenever we needed a big basket or a big rebound, Devon was there every step of the way,” Young said.

New Heights took its first lead in the fourth quarter at78-76 on a basket by Collier off a dish by Corey Edwards.

David Coley added 15 points and Brandon Frazier 11 for New Heights.

“Every time we were going for the knockout punch, either David Coley or Brandon Frazier would hit a big 3 for them,” Panthers coach Gary Charles said.

The defending champion Panthers were led by J.J. Moore’s team-high 22 points on 6-for-14 shooting, including 4-for-7 from 3. Russ Smith added 19 points on 8-for-19 shooting and Sterling Gibbs 14.

Moore was named is8 Player of the Year and Smith got the sportsmanship award.

In the end, Charles, whose program has won 16 titles, gave credit to Pinkston.

“I thought that JayVaughn finally played with the fire that I’ve been waiting to see,” Charles said. “I just wish it wasn’t today. I thought he played with a different vengeance in the second half of the game. I thought that him going against J.J. was an epic battle. They went at each other and they both brought out the best in each other. You could see it was two tremendously talented ballplayers out there on the floor. They were the two guys that people came to see and they didn’t disappoint.”

All-is8 First Team

Derrick Williams, St. Anthony

Aaron Brown, St. Benedict’s

JayVaughn Pinkston, Bishop Loughlin

Fuquan Edwin, Paterson Catholic

Russell Smith, Panthers

All-is8 Second Team

Devon Collier, St. Anthony

Leroy Isler, Boys & Girls

Sterling Gibbs, Seton Hall Prep

Myck Kabongo, St. Benedict’s

Jeff Short, Kennedy

RECRUITING UPDATE

J.J. Moore will take an unofficial visit to Pittsburgh on Tuesday.  He has already taken unofficials to Louisville and St. John’s, and will choose from among those three schools. South Kent (Conn.) is out of school for a while because of a swine flu epidemic.

“A decision could still be a couple week away,” Charles said.

NIA PREP WINS TWO IN GEORGIA

NIA Prep defeated the No. 1 and 3 prep teams in Georgia during the Covenant Christian Academy Showcase  this weekend in Marietta, Ga.

NIA downed Sound Doctrine Academy, 104-62, on Friday behind former University High star Devon Gibson’s 22 points and eight assists. Former Science Park star Rameel Johnson finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Shaquille Thomas scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

On Saturday, NIA Prep defeated Covenant Christian Academy, the No. 1 prep team in Georgia, 93-78. Gibson scored 20 points in the first half as NIA took a 50-24 lead. He finished with 26 points and eight assists. Isaiah Williams scored 26 points and grabbed 13 boards. Thomas chipped in with 12 points and nine rebounds.

NIA is now 4-0 on the season with games upcoming against national prep powers St. Thomas More, South Kent, Lee Academy, Bridgton Academy, MCI, Notre Dame Prep and Winchendon.

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JayVaughn Pinkston poured in a game-high 30 points on 12-of-21 shooting and added seven rebounds, and Devon Collier added 27 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks to lead New Heights to an 84-80 victory over St. Benedict’s Prep.

“It’s great,” New Heights coach Kimani Young said. “is8 is one of the premier tournaments on the East Coast. To be right there at the end, the last two out of 70 teams, it’s a great accomplishment.”

Texas-bound guard Myck Kabongo led the Gray Bees with 26 points on 7-for-18 shooting and was 10-of-10 from the line. He also had five assists, four rebounds and 10 turnovers. Gil Biruta went scoreless with three rebounds for St. Ben’s.

The Panthers beat New Heights in last year’s semifinals.

“We’ve been battling for the finals for three years,” said Collier, a senior forward at St. Anthony. “We made it to the semis three years and lost.”

The Panthers downed Boys & Girls, 85-63, in the first semi.

South Kent (Conn.) guard Russell Smith, who is planning an upcoming visit to Louisville Nov. 15, scored 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting. J.J. Moore had 21 points on 7-for-14 shooting, 5-of-8 for 3, and 10 rebounds.

SMITH LEANING TOWARD LOUISVILLE

Russell Smith said he is leaning toward committing to Louisville when he and his father, Russell Smith, Sr., visit Nov. 15.

“The chances are likely,” the 6-2, 165-pound Smith said Saturday. “It’s a big program, big coach. I wouldn’t doubt that.”

Smith dropped 27 points in the Jordan Brand Regional Game back in April at Madison Square Garden and was named co-MVP of that event.

He also holds offers from Houston, Baylor and Arizona and his father said they may visit Houston Monday and Tuesday of this week. Smith said he’s focused on taking the SAT Nov. 7 and on preparing for practice that same day and isn’t sure whether he’ll make the Houston visit.

At this point, Louisville looks like the odds-on favorite.

“[He] is going on his official visit to Louisville Nov. 15. Coach [Rick] Pitino and Coach [Ralph] Willard were out here a couple weeks ago and really liked him a lot,” South Kent coach coach Kelvin Jefferson said. “I think Russ wants to sign early and I’m sure Louisville’s at the top of his list.”

Added Russell Smith Sr.: “He’s pretty interested. He’s pretty much leaning toward them right now.”

COLLIER TALKS SETON HALL VISIT

The 6-8 Collier took an official visit to Seton Hall from Thursday-Saturday and said he enjoyed it.

“My Seton Hall visit went good,” Collier said. “We were chilling with the players. I was able to see the exhibition game [against Carleton University]. It was a good  experience.”

Collier has now visited Seton Hall, St. John’s, Providence and Oregon State and plans to decide sometime in the coming weeks.

“I’m done with all my visits,” he said. “I’m going to sit down with my father and Adam [Berkowitz of New Heights] and see what’s best for me.”

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Pinkston, a 6-foot-6 forward from Bishop Loughlin, and Collier, a 6-8 forward out of St. Anthony (N.J.), are slated to be on hand when Seton Hall plays Carleton University in an exhibition at Walsh Gym.

2010 Seton Hall commit Fuquan Edwin of Paterson Catholic is also scheduled to attend.

Pinkston and Collier were both at St. John’s this weekend, Pinkston for Midnight Madness, Collier for an official visit.

Pinkston, the top player in New York City, is considering Villanova, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Marquette and Tennessee.

Kimani Young of New Heights said that after the Seton Hall visit Pinkston will either decide to sign somewhere in the fall or wait until the spring.

He said the other day on SNY.tv that Villanova might be the perfect fit for Pinkston and other kids.

As for Collier, he has now visited Oregon State, Providence and St. John’s, and taken an unofficial to Seton Hall.

Collier will huddle with his father, Red, and New Heights coach Adam Berkowitz after the Seton Hall visit to decide his next move.

BARNES TO JOIN IRVING AT DUKE?

(Photo courtesy Chuck Liddy, newsobserver.com)

Harrison Barnes, the 6-6 forward out of Ames (Iowa) High ranked No. 2 nationally in the Class of 2010, took his official visit to Duke this weekend.

The photo above, courtesy newsobserver.com, shows fans with a lifesize cutout of Barnes in a Duke uniform during a scrimmage Saturday at Cameron Indoor. Security guards reportedly collected the cutouts before the scrimmage began because they posed a potential NCAA violation.

“If you’ve got one of these, I’ve got to have it,” a security man said, according to Ken Tysiac of newsobserver.com. “I’ve got to have all of them.”

Could Barnes end up following his close friend Kyrie Irving of St. Patrick to Blue Devil country?

“The process for him has been very methodical,” Ames High coach Vance Downs told charlotteobserver.com. “He’s just very patient, takes his time, looks at all his options and then will eventually find the right fit for him.”

Barnes has already visited North Carolina, Oklahoma and Kansas and is slated to see UCLA next weekend and take an unofficial to Iowa State.

Downs told charlotteobserver.com Barnes plans to announce by the start of the season Nov. 16.

“Harrison, he’s like a big brother to me, and we talk all the time,” Irving told ESPNU. “Mainly, it’s not about Duke. He’s his own man, and he’s going to make his own decision, and whatever decision he makes, I’m going to be happy for him.”

NOVA DRAWS RECRUITS FOR ‘HOOPS MANIA’

According to the Villanova blog VUhoops.com, the Wildcats had several elite prospects on campus Friday night for its ‘Hoops Mania.’ The group included newly minted 2011 commit Achraf Yacoubou of Long Island Lutheran; 2010 commit James Bell; 2011 St. Patrick wing Michael Gilchrist; 2011 Seattle Garfield guard Tony Wroten Jr.; and 2010 guard Cory Joseph of Findlay (Nev.) Prep.

The Philly Inquirer also reported that Gilchrist, Yacoubou and 2010 commit Markus Kennedy of The Winchendon (Mass.) School attended Villanova’s 36-7 football victory Saturday over Rhode Island.

HARRIS HITTING LOUISVILLE NEXT

Tobias Harris and his Unique All-Stars lost to the New Jersey Playaz Juniors 69-63 on Saturday in the is8 playoffs, according to NYCHoops.net.

Harris, who scored 19 points in a losing cause, still plans to visit Louisville next weekend, followed by visits to West Virginia, Georgia Tech and Maryland.

He has already seen Syracuse, Tennessee and Kentucky.

Harris plans to announce on Nov. 19.

(Photos courtesy Rivals.com & GoAZCats.com)

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“The list is three schools: Louisville, Pittsburgh and St. John’s,” said Gary Charles, Moore’s AAU coach with the New York Panthers. Moore made the trip with Charles and Moore’s mentor, Hunt Bresky.

Charles said Moore, ranked No. 23 among small forwards in the Class of 2010, is tentatively slated to take an official to St. John’s the weekend of Oct. 30 and to Pitt the weekend of Nov. 6.

Florida is out after getting a commitment from Jackson (Tenn.) small forward Casey Prather.

At Louisville, the 6-foot-5 Moore spoke with New York and New Jersey guys Edgar Sosa and Samardo Samuels.

“He had a very good visit at Louisville,” Charles said. “He really liked it. He got a chance to speak to the New York guys like Edgar and Samardo and Terrence Jennings [who played with the Panthers]. It was good. He got a feel for the coach. He hung out with the crew.

“We got a chance to go see the new arena that they’re building. We more or less just watched practice. He got a good feel for the way [head coach Rick] Pitino runs his practice. He got a chance to see these guys work.”

After visiting St. John’s and Pitt, Moore will be ready to announce a decision.

“The goal is for him to see everyone in the same exact element that he saw Louisville in,” Charles said.

MILK TO FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL

Matt Milk, a 6-8, 240-pound forward from Long Island now playing at Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Pinecrest alongside Brandon Knight, is “95 percent” sure he will verbally commit to Florida International head coach Isiah Thomas after weekend visit.

“He was offered a scholarship and we’re still making our final decision,” Mary Milk, Matt’s mother, said by phone.

“We told them that we’re very interested. We didn’t make a solid commitment. We’re like 95 percent sure that we want to go there.”

Mary said her son would like to visit some other schools, but wasn’t sure which ones.

Gary Charles, Milk’s AAU coach, said he would be a solid contributor.

“He’s a low post player who will do all the little things that will help you win,” Charles said. “He will hit that 10-foot jumper, he’ll do a nice job rebounding. He’ll set the pick. He’ll be a chemistry player. He’s a kid that you need to win games. He’ll be solid for them for four years.”

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