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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Wednesday / May 8.
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    • Baylor, Duke, Florida, John Wall, Kansas, Kentucky, Manhattan, Memphis, Miami, N.C. State, Providence

    John Wall, the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2009, has been charged with breaking and entering by Raleigh police, according to WRAL in Raleigh.

    Authorities said Wall, 18, was charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering in connection with an April 27 break-in at an unoccupied home in Raleigh.

    An officer saw Wall leaving from the rear of the house and detained him, police said. There was no forced entry and nothing was taken from the house, police said.

    The home in question is vacant and for sale, meaning Wall and his friends could have just been guilty of hanging out in a spot where they were not allowed.

    “I wouldn’t jump to conclusions,” Dave Telep of Scout told WRAL. “It’s a misdemeanor. It could be nothing more than a mistake.

    Cincinnati, Mississippi State, Providence

    Just a few days after getting Renardo Sidney, Mississippi State has landed another big man.

    John Riek,  a 7-foot-2 native of the Sudan, has chosen to play for the Bulldogs over Cincinnati and Providence. Riek initially committed to Cincinnati last August.

    “I just talked to him today he said he went and visited the school,” Winchendon (Mass.) School coach Mike Byrnes said. “He liked it. He felt very comfortable with Mississippi State’s ESL program and is hoping to start summer school in early June.”

    Florida International, Georgetown, Memphis

    Latavious Williams, a 6-7 wing ranked the No. 6 power forward in the nation, has postponed his college decision until next week.

    Williams initially planned to choose from among Memphis, Georgetown and Kansas State. But he took a weekend official visit to Isiah Thomas‘ news stomping grounds at Florida International and that school is now in the mix.

    “I’m going to decide by next week,” Williams said Sunday night by phone. “I’m down here visiting Florida International now.”

    Williams said Thomas, the former Knicks GM and head coach, had reached out to him last week about coming for a visit.

    Arizona, John Wall, Lance Stephenson, Maryland, Memphis, St. John's

    Lance Stephenson could make a college decision by the end of this week, according to a source close to the situation.

    “I think by the end of the week they’ll make up their mind between Arizona and Memphis,” the source said.

    The Stephenson family has kept a low profile in recent weeks, avoiding contact with the media, but it has become clear that St. John’s and Maryland, two longtime suitors, are out.

    “It’s more than rumors,” the source said. “They’re not going to Maryland, they’re not going to St. John’s. And he ain’t going to Europe.”

    Arizona, Lance Stephenson, Maryland, Memphis, Pittsburgh, St. John's, Xavier

    Kevin Parrom enjoyed his official visit to Arizona so much he made up his mind about college.

    “I committed just now,” Parrom said Sunday by phone. “It was a great visit. I got to see the campus and see the fans and meet the academic advisors. It’s a great place to be.”

    A New York native playing at South Kent (Conn.), Parrom chose Arizona over Pittsburgh, where he visited last Sunday. He previously eliminated Xavier and Virginia Tech.

    The 6-foot-6, 200-pound Parrom, the No. 25 small forward in the Class of 2009,  initially signed with Xavier, but obtained a release after Sean Miller left Xavier to take the Arizona job, bringing his whole staff, including New York native Book Richardson.

    “He can be a terrific player,” recruiting analyst Tom Konchalski said of Parrom when he committed to Xavier in September. “I don’t think he’ll ever be a primary scorer, but his strong suit is his versatility. He’s a terrific offensive rebounder. He can pass the ball, he can handle the ball. He’ll hit an occasion moonball three, but he’s not a consistent perimeter threat. He does so many things. He has so many little wins. He’s an all-court player, he can can handle the ball, he can pass, he can rebound.”

    Rock 'n' Roll

    It was a big week in the New York/Philly corridor this week as both Bruce Springsteen and The Dead played at The Spectrum, which is slated to be demolished later this year.

    Bruce played the venerable arena Tuesday and Wednesday nights.  You can catch the setlists here. Bruce played ‘The Wrestler’ on Tuesday and later played ‘London Calling’ by The Clash. If you haven’t seen Mickey Rourke in ‘The Wrestler’ — which was nominated for an Oscar — you really should.

    ***The Dead, who played a tremendous show at Madison Square Garden last week that featured ‘Sugaree,’ ‘St. Stephen, ‘Ship of Fools,’ and ‘Brokedown Palace,’ moved down to the Spectrum for shows Friday and Saturday nights.

    No band has sold out the Spectrum more than The Dead, who played 53

    High Schools

    Tyreak Johnson, a 6-foot, 180-pound point guard from St. Raymond of The Bronx, signed with Howard University.

    Johnson was a second-team All-CHSAA selection who averaged 14 points and 4 assists. He chose Howard over Central Connecticut, Stonybrook, Holy Cross, Marist and Bowling Green.

    “When he went on his official visit he really got along with Coach [Gil] Jackson really well,” Ray’s coach Oliver Antigua said. “They got a good feel for the kid when he went on his visit two weeks ago. They got a lot of young talent on the team.

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