By ALEX KLINE & ADAM ZAGORIA
In its search to replace NBA-bound point guard Cory Joseph, Texas will host two former ACC guards this weekend.
After obtaining his release from Maryland, Seton Hall Prep point guard Sterling Gibbs will visit Texas beginning Saturday with his parents.
“I really like Texas and their style of play,” Gibbs said. “Coach [Rick] Barnes does a great job of letting his guards run the offense.”
“I plan to visit there and see what they have to offer. I will tour the campus and also talk to the coaches.”
Added Gary Charles of the New York Panthers AAU program: “Rob Lanier recruited him when Rob was at Florida so he has a relationship with Rob Lanier already.
“They still have [Findlay Prep point guard] Myck Kabongo who’s going out there, but you can’t win games with one point guard.”
Meantime, former N.C. State point guard Ryan Harrow is currently at Texas with his mother, Fern Matthews, following a visit to Kentucky.
“The University of Kentucky was very impressive,” Matthews said by text. “I am currently with the University of Texas.”
Harrow will also visit Louisville, Georgia and St. John’s.
His mother previously said “St. John’s is our home,” because both parents grew up in Queens.
Charles said the Gibbs family was aware of the Harrow situation.
“Ryan Harrow is out there visiting [Texas] also,” he said. “If he decides to commit to Texas, then it’s not Texas [for Gibbs]. They’re aware of that.”
Louisville, Notre Dame, Seton Hall, Providence and Dayton have also contacted Charles about the 6-1 Gibbs, but no other visits are yet set.
“They spoke to [Providence] Coach [Ed] Cooley last night also,” Charles said of the Gibbs family. “They also have spoken with Seton Hall. Obviously, Seton Hall they know really well. They do know Seton Hall.
“That’s good and bad. Seton Hall might be the last one if they get the visit because they’re down the block and they already know him.”
Charles said Texas Tech assistant Chris Walker had also reached out to the Gibbs family, but no visit is set.
“Texas Tech has gotten involved also,” Charles said. “Chris Walker knew the family from his days at Villanova.”
Charles said he encouraged the family to take a visit this weekend, since the NCAA dead period runs May 19-28.
Still, Gibbs could theoretically wait on picking a school through the summer, although there’s a risk in waiting.
“He could do until September, once schools starts,” Charles said. “But if there’s a school that he really likes, all these schools are also looking at other point guards.”
Meantime, Maryland still remains on Gibbs’ list.
“Absolutely,” Charles said. “It’s a matter of they have to get to know the coach there. Maryland is still very high on their list.”
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