Mike Chandler is headed to prep school at New Hope Academy in Landover, Md., and plans to attend Central Florida in 2012, his uncle told SNY.tv.
“He’s going to prep school and it depends on how things are,” Allan Chandler said Friday by phone. “He may end up in school in December or if not he’ll be going back to college next year.
“But he will be going to Central Florida.”
Former Patterson (N.C.) School coach Chris Chaney is the basketball coach at New Hope, but could not comment because Chandler has yet to complete his paperwork.
Chaney has coached 14 NBA players, including Shawne Williams, Renaldo Balkman, Hassan Whiteside and Joey Dorsey.
The 6-foot-10 Chandler committed to Louisville and Xavier before deciding on UCF. Because he is not currently enrolled at UCF, his letter of intent is no longer binding. Head coach Donnie Jones has said the school would continue to recruit him.
“He will be at UCF next year,” his uncle said.
As a senior at Lawrence North (Ind.), Chandler averaged 19.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 2.0 assists per game. He earned Indiana Basketball Coaches Association All-State First Team honors and a spot on the Indianapolis Star Super Team.
Yet he struggled with his academics.
Asked if his nephew planned on focusing on his academics and taking care of his coursework, Allan responded, “He has no choice. He has to.”
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