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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 / December 11.
  • With the NCAA late signing period coming to an end Wednesday, it appears that Devonta Pollard and Chris Obekpa will remain on the board.

    Neither has surfaced to say they have signed a Letter of Intent and getting quality information on either player is tantamount to prying secrets out of North Korea.

    Multiple sources told SNY.tv that the 6-foot-9 Obekpa is leaning toward Cincinnati but it is still possible he could take other visits, too. He also lists Providence, DePaul, Oregon, St. John’s and UConn.

    Former Temple guard Aaron Brown has committed to Southern Miss.

    The 6-foot-5 Hackensack, N.J., native will have two years of eligibility left after sitting next season.

    “I think it was the best opportunity for me after sitting out my year,” the former St. Benedict’s Prep guard told SNY.tv by phone following his visit to Southern Miss. “I want to take the year off to get better physically and skill-wise.”

    Former Iona shooting guard Kyle Smyth has committed to Seton Hall and expects to be eligible for the 2012-13 season.

    “I decided to make things official and commit to Seton Hall,” the 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard from Don Bosco Prep told SNY.tv by phone.

    Smyth, who averaged 5.7 points and 2.0 rebounds last season for the Gaels, picked Seton Hall over Boston College after visiting a week and a half ago.

    This will be his fifth year after redshirting as a freshman and he expects to be eligible right away, along with fellow transfers Gene Teague and Brian Oliver.

    “By all accounts, I’m going to be eligible,” he said.

    Washington, D.C. will host the 2013 East Regional and New York City won’t.

    There had been talk of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn hosting the event, but the NCAA instead announced Wednesday that Georgetown University will host the event at the Verizon Center March 28 and 30.

    “In 2009, when the committee selected hosts for the 75th tournament, there was a concerted effort to include cities with a rich history to help mark that milestone,” said Mark Lewis, the

    Hofstra head coach Mo Cassara continues to build his 2012 recruiting class with the signing of Darren Payen, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Hamden Hall (Conn.).

    Payen also considered Rhode Island, Vermont, Northeastern, and St. Bonaventure.

    “I picked Hofstra because it was the best fit for me,” Payen told SNY.tv. “It has a good combination of academics, location and it’s a mid-sized school so it’s not too big.

    “And from the additions they’ve made to their team, their basketball program should make a jump in these next couple years.”

    Maryland freshman Ashton Pankey is transferring due to family reasons.

    Pankey, a 6-foot-9 redshirt freshman forward from the Bronx, N.Y., told head coach Mark Turgeon he needed to find a school closer to home in order to aid his family.

    He is considering St. John’s, Iona and Fordham, sources told SNY.tv.

    “My mom is the rock in my life and I promised her I would take care of her like she did for me,” Pankey said. “Therefore, I am choosing to put my family first and look for a school closer to home.

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