PENNINGTON, N.J. — Tyler Ennis, one of the top point guards in the Class of 2013, has eliminated Arizona from his list.

“Yes, too many point guards there,” his father, Tony McIntrye of CIA Bounce, told SNY.tv, confirming a report by ESPN.com.

The 6-foot-3 Ennis continues to consider Syracuse, Memphis and Villanova, among others.

Syracuse is in strong position with both Ennis and St. Benedict’s Prep rising sophomore Isaiah Briscoe. (more…)

PENNINGTON, N.J. — It’s no shock, really.

But St. Benedict’s Prep rising sophomore guard Isaiah Briscoe says he’s leaning toward Syracuse, the school where his sister Iasia Hemingway plays basketball.

“It’s not my dream school,” he told SNY.tv at the Mary Kline Classic. “I just lean towards it because of my sister.” (more…)

As the Nike EYBL circuit opens up this weekend in Minnesota, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim will be on hand to focus his attention on Tyler Ennis.

The 6-foot-3 rising senior point guard from St. Benedict’s Prep is squarely on Syracuse’s radar, as is his teammate, 2015 guard Isaiah Briscoe. Boeheim was at the Newark school earlier this week to watch both talented guards and has also spoken with Ennis on the phone.

“He tried to show his interest and everything,” Ennis told SNY.tv by phone. “He told me he’s going to be there this weekend at all of our games to show how dedicated he is and everything like that.” (more…)

Ohio State is the only team in this Final Four without a player from New Jersey’s powerhouse St. Basketball trio of St. Anthony, St. Patrick and St. Benedict’s.

But that’s apparently not for lack of trying.

“Well, we have recruited that area and you can see our success rate since we’re the only one that doesn’t have one,” Ohio State coach Thad Matta said Monday on a conference call.

St. Anthony product Tyshawn Taylor runs the point for Kansas, St. Patrick alum Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a major contributor at (more…)

BOSTON -- While Syracuse is here for tonight’s Elite Eight game against Ohio State, the Orange are also looking ahead to life down the road.

Assistant coach Adrian Autry and the Orange have made St. Benedict’s Prep freshman guard Isaiah Briscoe a top priority in the Class of 2015 and appear to be in strong shape.

“Syracuse is working the hardest,” George Briscoe, Isaiah’s father, told SNY.tv Saturday. (more…)

UConn signee Omar Calhoun was named the Gatorade New York Player of the Year and uncommitted junior point guard Tyler Ennis was named the New Jersey Player of the Year.

A 6-foot-5 senior guard at Christ the King, Calhoun averaged 25.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals this season while leading the Royals to a 19-8 record.

A First Team All-State selection, he was the Catholic High School Athletic Association Player of the Year and finished his high school career as Christ the King’s all-time scoring leader with 1,770 points. (more…)

Gilvydas Biruta, the most consistent and effective frontcourt player at Rutgers, has decided to transfer.

“Gilvydas is a fine young man and we appreciate his contributions to the program,” said head coach Mike Rice. “We wish him the best in his future endeavors, both on and off the court.”

The 6-foot-8 sophomore from Lithuania averaged 9.7 points and 5.3 rebounds last season for the Scarlet Knights, who finished 14-18, 6-12 in the Big East. (more…)

NEW YORK — It hasn’t been easy for Chris Smith growing up in the shadows of his older brother.

J.R. Smith was a McDonald’s All-American, a preps-to-pros wunderkind out of St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark and is now a shooting guard with the Knicks.

But on this special night, J.R. was the fan and Chris was a star when he scored 15 points to help Louisville win its second Big East tournament title in four years, 50-44, over Cincinnati at Madison Square Garden.

“To be in the Garden, a historic building, and my brother plays here, it’s the Big East championship,” Chris, a native of Millstone, N.J., said before embracing his brother on the court. “You know, for us to do this, it’s amazing.” (more…)

St. Benedict’s Prep will return to the ESPN National High School Invitational after a three-year absence.

Led by uncommitted junior point guard Tyler Ennis, freshman guard Isaiah Briscoe and Miami-bound senior shooting guard Melvin Johnson, the Newark school is 30-1 under first-year coach Mark Taylor and ranked No. 10 by ESPN Rise. Their only loss was a one-point defeat to unbeaten St. Anthony, 51-50, in January.

The Friars are riding a 61-game winning streak. (more…)

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — J.R. Smith is the best scoring guard ever to come out of St. Benedict’s Prep.

Isaiah Briscoe may be the next stud scoring guard to emerge from the Newark school.

And Smith wants to get a look at the 2015 combo guard who is considering Syracuse and UConn, among other programs.

“There’s a lot of great talent there,” Smith said Friday after Knicks practice. “We have a freshman over there that’s really talented so I can’t wait to see what he looks like.” (more…)