Todd Washington, an advisor to Fontan, said the Maryland staff reached out about the 6-foot-1 Fontan, who received a conditional release from Fordham that prevents him from playing in the Atlantic 10 or the tri-state area.

Washington said the current list of schools involved with Fontan includes Miami, USC, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Maryland.

He also mentioned Virginia Tech, Alabama and UCLA but said there has been no contact.

Fontan visited Miami last weekend and will hit USC this coming weekend for the Tennesssee-Southern Cal game Saturday.

“The USC and Tennessee visits, along with Miami, should provide a solid baseline for Jio and Jorge [Fontan] to determine if they want to do another visit,” Washington said.

“They are three great schools in great conferences so really Jio is in a no-lose situation. He’s blessed to have so many schools interested in him.”

The Miami visit went very well, according to both Jorge Fontan and Washington.

“Miami raised the bar in terms of honesty, integrity and communication with Coach [Frank] Haith. They clearly did a great job so now the others need to clearly communicate why their school is the right place for Jio,” Washington said.

Washington has heard the questions about whether Fontan can play in a big-time conference, and he has no doubts.

“Jio knows that some people question whether or not he can play at the ACC, SEC or PAC 10 level. But that is part of why he has a chip on his shoulder,” Washington said.

“I watched him in Puerto Rico all summer. A lot of people doubted he could compete against the best 19U players at the World Championships [in New Zealand]. He did more than just hold his own. He was one of the top point guards in the world. The brighter the lights the better he plays.”

CANDIDATES FOR PENN JOB

Sources say there are three leading candidates for the Penn job vacated by the recent firing of Glen Miller.

Andy Toole, the associate head coach to Mike Rice at Robert Morris, is the leading candidate, sources say.

A Red Bank, N.J. native, Toole was a co-captain of the 2002-03 Penn team that finished 22-6. He helped Penn reach the NCAA tournament in 2002 and ‘03.

Cornell coach Steve Donahue, who has led the Big Red to back-to-back NCAA tourney appearances, is also a candidate, as is Philly native Fran O’Hanlon, the Lafayette head coach.

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NEW YORK –

The 6-foot-1 Fordham just received his conditional release from Fordham and said he plans to visit Indiana this coming weekend and USC the following weekend.

“Those two visits are the only ones set,” Fontan told me. “Indiana this weekend and USC the following weekend.”

Indiana hosts John Calipari and No. 4 Kentucky on Saturday at 12 on CBS.

Fontan also hopes to visit Tennessee, Miami, Kansas State and Oklahoma State in coming weeks. (He called me Wednesday to add that Tennessee had just offered and he was hoping to visit.) 

Fontan’s release prevents him from playing for another A-10 school or any program in the tri-state area.

One Atlantic 10 coach told me it was unfair of Fordham to prevent him from playing locally, but Jio doesn’t mind.

“I’ll take the release if I can get it,” he said.

FORDHAM WINS BEHIND GASTON’S 25

Speaking of Fordham, the Rams got a huge 93-77 victory Tuesday over Stony Brook for just their second win of the year.

Freshman big man Chris Gaston, a former St. Anthony standout, scored 25 points and grabbed 11 boards and Brenton Butler,who now takes over for Fontan, added 25 points.

Alberto Estwick, yet another former Bob Hurley player, tallied 16 points and onetime Paterson Catholic standout Lance Brown put up 15 and 6.

Fordham (2-5) was playing its second game under interim head coach Jared Grasso.

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Jio Fontan

Southern Cal, Miami, Indiana, Oklahoma State and Kansas State have reached out to the Fontan family and Jorge Fontan said they may visit USC this coming weekend.

“Yeah, we’re probably gonna go,” Jorge said. ”USC already called and offered him a scholarship. They want us to go out this weekend.”

Jorge said the other schools have already called, and he expects that Arizona may call as well.

“We want to try to take every visit we can,” Jorge said.

According to the conditional release Jio cannot play for any other Atlantic 10 schools or any schools in the tri-state area.

Fontan must sit a year before suiting up in December 2010, at which point he will have a year and a half of eligiblity left.

Asked what the timetable was, Jorge said: “Obviously, before the end of the month.”

(Photo courtesy Fordham Athletics)

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I had several long and friendly chats with each of them and will have stories and blogs on them next week after I recover from tonight’s AC/DC show at Giants Stadium. In the meantime, here are a few quick notes:

**Tennessee’s Pearl and assistant Steve Forbes flew up on a private jet just to watch 6-6 senior forward JayVaughn Pinkston of Brooklyn Bishop Loughlin. Marquette, Arizona, Villanova, St. John’s and Miami are also in the mix for Pinkston, who dropped 19 on Grassroots Canada in Vegas. Pinkston said he won’t decide until the fall.

“Kimani [Young of New Heights] tells me [about the schools], but I realy don’t pay attention,” Pinkston said. “I just go out there and play. IF you think about it too much then you’re not going to do so well.”

**In its search to replace the decommitted Josh Selby, the Vols are looking at Joe Jackson of Memphis and Trevor Releford, the younger brother of Kansas’ Travis Releford.

**Pitt commit Isaiah Epps says he will attend Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy this year before enrolling at Pitt. He turns 19 this year and is too old to play at Plainfield (N.J.) High.

“I decided with my mother and my uncle and we all decided to go to Hargrave,” said Epps, who leaves in late August.

Epps said he’s “very excited” about going to Pitt next year.

“I talk to [Ashton Gibbs] and [Travon Woodall] a lot,” he said. “Basically they told me I’m not going to come in there and start right away. They’re just going to work me hard so I can get ready for the next level.”

**One Division 1 head coach says Seton Hall has Top 20 talent.

“Herb Pope (pictured) will make everyone around  him a better player. That’s the type of skill-set that he has. Keon Lawrence is proven that he can score double-digits and shoot a decent percentage in a high-major league, so you would think he would be able to produce. You’re surrounding him with Nunu [Eugene Harvey] and [Jeremy] Hazell, that’s a Top 20 talent-wise lineup.”

**That same coach is also high on Rutgers point guard James Beatty of Miami DAde College.

“”James Beatty is a high level point guard that will be able to win games just by his physicality and his urgency. His sole purpose is to make winnng plays and to win.”

**Jayon James, the former Paterson Catholic guard, is listed on the roster as being from The Lawrence (Mass.) Academy, but his father said they will visit St. Thomas More and Lawrence next week. They will also go with Harold McBride, the former St. Ray’s guard who is reclassifying to 2011 and said he will pick one of those two prep schools as well.

**Derrick Williams, the 6-7 forward from St. Anthony, said he’s picked up offers from Boston College, St. Bonaventure and VCU. He previously held offers from Fordham, Virginia, Richmond and Oklahoma State.

“I don’t have any favorites. Everything is still equal,” he said.

**6-8 former Western Kentucky commit David Laury of the NIA School is here playing with Team Lucky NYC and is apparently back on the market.

**The U17 semis feature New Heights Blue-Playaz and Rise Panthers-Team Phlly.

**Happy Birthday to Howard Garfinkel who turns 80 on Saturday.

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(Photo courtesy GoAZCats.com)

The Nike folks don’t release the LeBron roster until Monday, but here are some of the players who will be at the other events.

Reebok All-American Camp - CLICK HERE FOR FULL ROSTER
2010 Class

Patric Young- Jacksonville, FL- PF,
Joe Jackson,- Memphis TN – PG
Lenzelle Smith- Zion, IL- PG
Tony Chennault,- Philadelphia, PA- PG
Marquez Luke Cathron,- Hunstivile, AL PF
Devonta Abron, – Dallas, TX – SF

Ashton Pankey- Brooklyn, NY- SF

Devon Collier- Bronx, NY- PF

Fuquan Edwin – Paterson, NJ – SF

2011 Class:

LaQuinton Ross, – Jackson, MS- SG
LeBryan Nash, – Dallas, TX -SF
Rodney Hood- Meridian, MS- SG

Myles Mack- Paterson, NJ- PG
Derrick Randall – Paterson NJ – PF

Sterling Gibbs- NY- PG

2012 Class:

Kyle Anderson – Paterson, NJ- PG

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2010 Class

Franz Massenat- Trenton Catholic
Jayon James – Paterson Catholic
Melsahn Basabe- St. Mark’s
Marcus Romain- Thomas Jefferson

Devante Cutler- Boys & Girls
Antonio Barton- Notre Dame Prep
Josh Daniel – St. Patrick

Chase Plummer- St. Patrick

2011 Class:

Aaron Brown- Penn Wood
Derrick Gordon- St. Patrick
Devante Cutler- Boys & Girls

Khalid Lewis El – Trenton Catholic

PILGRIM TO OKLAHOMA STATE

Matt Pilgrim, the 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward, who left Kentucky after John Calipari became head coach, is transferring to Oklahoma State.

He chose the Cowboys over Maryland, Cincinnati and Memphis.

“I just feel like I jelled with the team and [Travis Ford] seems like a real focused coach,” Pilgrim told the Stillwater News Press. “I really like the style of basketball he plays and I’m just the kind of player he wants. I’m a guy that’s going to give 100 percent and play hard no matter what position I play.”

RENCHER TO TEXAS STATE

Texas State head basketball coach Doug Davalos has named former Texas standout guard Terrence Rencher an assistant coach for the 2009-10 season.

“Terrence is a great addition to our new staff,” Davalos said. “He is a very driven person who has come highly recommended by people I know and respect in this business.”

Rencher comes to Texas State after serving as a graduate assistant coach at Saint Louis under Rick Majerus in 2008-09. He also was the head coach and basketball program director for the boy’s varsity team at Regents School of Austin in 2007-08. In addition to his coaching duties, Rencher served as an academic mentor for the University of Texas men’s basketball team from 2006-08.

GRADY TO MOREHEAD STATE

The 5-foot-11 Jones got his release from USC after Tim Floyd stepped down and will likely land at Arizona or Florida. Memphis is also interested but sources say he likely won’t land there.

Jones’ Godfather is on the Arizona staff.

GORDON TEARS TENDON

Drew Gordon of UCLA partially tore the patellar tendon in his right knee during tryouts for the U.S. team that will play in the Under-19 world basketball championships, the AP reported.

There were no immediate details about his prognosis, the school said.

“It is an unfortunate event, but Drew is a resilient kid and he’ll get through it,” UCLA coach Ben Howland said in a statement.

USA BASKETBALL ROSTERS NAMED

USA Basketball named the 12-man roster for the 2009 World University Games to be held July 2-11 in Belgrade, Serbia.

Named to the 2009 USA Men’s World University Games Team were: James Anderson (Oklahoma State / Junction City, Ark.); Talor Battle (Penn State / Albany, N.Y.); Trevor Booker (Clemson / Whitmire, S.C.); Craig Brackins (Iowa State / Palmdale, Calif.); Da’Sean Butler (West Virginia / Newark, N.J.); Corey Fisher (Villanova / Bronx, N.Y.); Lazar Hayward (Marquette / Buffalo, N.Y.); Robbie Hummel (Purdue / Valparaiso, Ind.); Quincy Pondexter (Washington / Fresno, Calif.); Deon Thompson (North Carolina / Torrance, Calif.); Evan Turner (Ohio State / Chicago, Ill.); and Jarvis Varnado (Mississippi State / Brownsville, Tenn.).

“It was one of the most difficult decisions we as a committee have had because the team is so balanced,” Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said. “It’s probably one of the better groups of wing players we have had and all the guys are great players. It looks to be one of our most competitive teams for the World University Games. We have good shooters and athletic wing guys, which gives this team a good chance to compete.”

University of Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan was selected head coach of the 2009 USA Men’s World University Games Team, with Frank Haith of the Miami and Rob Jeter of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee serving as assistant coaches.

U19 TEAM NAMED

In other USA Basketball news, 12 players were selected for the U19 team that will compete in the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship July 2-12 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Selected to represent the United States at the FIBA U19 World Championship were: DeAngelo Casto (Washington State / Spokane, Wash.), Seth Curry (Duke / Charlotte, N.C.), Ashton Gibbs (Pittsburgh / Scotch Plains, N.J.) , Gordon Hayward (Butler / Brownsburg, Ind.), Shelvin Mack (Butler / Lexington, Ky.), Darius Miller (Kentucky / Maysville, Ky.), Arnett Moultrie (UTEP / Memphis, Tenn.), John Shurna (Northwestern / Glen Ellyn, Ill.), Tyshawn Taylor (Kansas / Jersey City, N.J.), Howard Thompkins (Georgia / Lithonia, Ga.), Klay Thompson (Washington State / Ladera Ranch, Calif.) and Terrico White (Mississippi / Memphis, Tenn.).

“I think this is a well-balanced team. They’ll have to get the job done as a team. They may not have a star-caliber player, but they have a lot of very good players. At this stage the U19 team looks like they will work very well together. All of the U19 trials participants played very hard throughout the trials. There has been no lack of effort, and that’s a good sign,” Jim Boeheim said.

“We’re a pretty good shooting team from the perimeter and we have some big guys who can shoot the ball, so I think that’s going to be a strength,” said USA U19 National Team and University of Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon. “I’m concerned that we don’t really have experienced point guards, but I think we’ve got some wings that can make some plays.

FREE THROWS

**Stan Heath completed his coaching staff at South Florida by hiring former Kentucky assistant Jeremy Cox and former Towson assistant Eric Skeeters.

**Steve Nash and Claudio Reyna will hold their annual 8-on-8 soccer game in New York June 24 to benefit the Steve Nash Foundation. Tony Parker, Jason Kidd, Chris Bosh, Grant Hill and Raja Bell are slated to be in attendance.

**RecruitingRumors.com reports that Oklahoma State commit Karron Johnson hasn’t qualified and will enroll at Moberly Community College in Missouri this season. James’ advisor, James Black, said Johnson was enrolled in summer school right now and had no further comment.

“We were advised not to talk to anyone right now,” Black said.

(Photos courtesy Rivals, USA Basketball)

Vincent Council

“He never made it to the Rutgers visit,” Vincent Council Sr. said. “So they’re going to reschedule another one.”

The 6-foot-2 Council plays at The Patterson (NC) School, the No. 1 prep school in the National Prep Poll, and is considering Providence, Rutgers, UCF and Arkansas. His father says he’s leaning toward Providence and could announce soon.

“He wants to see other schools,” the father said. “He wants to see Arkansas also.”

As for the 7-foot Hamga, Mark Adams, his advisor, said his flight to the Pitt-Rutgers game was “cancelled.”

“He hasn’t rescheduled it yet,” Adams said. “He’s trying to do it for Wednesday for the Marquette game.”

Hamga is transferring from UNLV and is considering Rutgers, South Carolina, Ole Miss and Oklahoma State.

Adams said Oklahoma State was a “long shot”  because they’re waiting on a high school senior, whereas Hamga will likely decide by next week.

“By this time next week he should decide,” Adams said.

Hamga, a 7-foot, 225-pound native of Cameroon, is considering transferring from UNLV to Ole Miss, South Carolina or Rutgers. He secured his release from UNLV.

“I know he’s going to visit Ole Miss and South Carolina and he’s looking at one more to visit and make up his mind,” Mark Adams, Hamga’s guardian, said by phone from Indiana. “He’s going to visit a third school and there’s a good chance it will be Rutgers.” Adams said no date had been set on the Rutgers visit.

Hamga signed with UNLV out of Decatur (Il.) Christian and redshirted his first year. He played in just five games this season before deciding to transfer. He was ranked the No. 5 center in the Class of 2007 by Rivals.

He will have two and a half years of eligibility remaining, beginning in December 2009.

“He’s a very good defensive rebounder and shot blocker,” Adams said. “He’s a very good defensive player. Like most African kids he needs to work on his offense. He’s got a nice shot. He can definitely shoot it.”

Hamga will visit South Carolina Dec. 30 for the Clemson game. The other visits have yet to be worked out.

As for the 6-10 Thomas, he has finally secured a release from Oklahoma State, according to Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com.

Thomas is considering Marquette, Cincinnati, Villanova, Kentucky, Illinois State and Rutgers.

A close friend of Rutgers junior center Hamady N’Diaye, Thomas has visited the Rutgers campus several times.

Thomas was averaging 8.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per game in seven starts for the Cowboys this season. The native of Dakar, Senegal, averaged six points and 4.1 rebounds per game last year.

Johnson, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound power forward, recently chose Oklahoma State over UAB, Memphis and Seton Hall. Loving is a 6-5 small forward. We hope to have an update later on.

Speaking of Oklahoma State, Ibrahima Thomas, a 6-11 sophomore forward, was dismissed from the team Monday.

Texas-bound junior Tristan Thompson led the Gray Bees, No. 4 in the ESPN poll, with 22 points, Rice-bound guard Tamir Jackson added 16 points and sophomore point guard Myck Kabongo scored 12. Gilvydas Biruta added 12 points and 10 boards, and Pitt-bound forward Lamar Patterson added nine points.

That followed a Friday night game in which St. Ben’s beat Jackson Provine of Miss. 72-56. Thompson had 18 and 12, Kabongo scored 12 points and Patterson 10.

Oak Hill also downed Chicago Simeon, 58-52, Saturday night.

Oak Hill big man Keith “Tiny” Gallon missed the game after landing awkwardly on his right knee in Friday night’s game.

“I have to get an MRI,” Gallon said via text message.

Gallon’s teammate, former New York City guard Doron Lamb, told Scout he is being recruited by the entire Big East, Kansas, Memphis, Kentucky and Clemson. Lamb had 14 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in Oak Hill’s win Friday over Duncanville (Texas).

OKlahoma coach Jeff Capel, Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford and Louisville coach Rick Pitino were all on hand.