Recruiting Roundup: Alvarado Visits Rutgers; Iona Lands JUCO Forward; St. John’s Offers Big Man

Jose Alvarado, a 6-foot Class of 2017 point guard from New York powerhouse Christ the King, visited Rutgers on Thursday and is strongly considering the Big Ten school.

“The new staff made me feel so comfortable, they welcomed me,” he told SNY.tv by phone. “They had the whole staff welcome me when I came in. Coach [Steve Pikiell’s] energy is really hype, I love it. He’s a really good guy and he has good people around him.”

It’s a big week at Rutgers on the recruiting front.

Geo Baker, a 6-foot-4 Class of 2017 point guard from Proctor (N.H.) Academy, visited on Monday, and Florida transfer Brandone Francis-Ramirez takes his official Friday-Sunday.

“They showed me around the school,” Alvarado said. “I felt comfortable. It was just a great time.”

Alvarado previously said Rutgers, Seton Hall and Butler were among the schools working hardest for him.

“They’re telling me I’m their top choice right now and they would love for me to give them that answer,” he said of Rutgers. “I said I definitely would think about it and talk more about it with my parents, but I’m not giving them that decision yet. They want me there.”

Alvarado hopes to visit Butler and Miami this summer, but has no dates set.

He also has no plans to make or trim his list anytime soon.

“Not right now,” he said. “I’m really focused on going into Peach Jam and trying to win it. That’s my only goal as of right now.”

Alvarado and NY Rens will play in the Peach Jam July 6-10.

 

IONA LANDS LUCO FORWARD

Iona on Thursday landed a pledge from Jahyde Gardner, a 6-6 forward from East Mississippi Community College who averaged 13.7 points and 7.1 rebounds last season. He has two years of eligibility beginning in 2016-17.

The Philadelphia native also considered New Mexico State, Temple, Arkansas State, Cal State-Fullerton and Murray State.

“Iona knows how to win and Coach [Tim] Cluess does a good job with getting the best out of players,” he said. “I think I bring versatility to this team. A guy who can post smaller defenders, knock down open shots and beat bigger defenders off the dribble. A little bit of everything.”

 

ST. JOHN’S OFFERS YOUNG BIG MAN

St. John’s has offered a scholarship to Kofi Cockburn, a 6-10 Class of 2019 big man from Christ the King and the NY Rens who attended their Elite Camp this week.

He previously held offers from St. Louis and VCU.

“Kofi’s upside as a basketball player is through the roof,” Rens coach Andy Borman said. “He truly wants to be great. He works his butt off daily. He has a terrific family around him and by playing and working out at Christ the King, he is surrounded by a ton of people that want the best for him

“By no means is he a complete product at this point. But he is a 9th grader and has the time and the work ethic to really separate himself as a standout player not just in New York, but in the country.”

 

SCHOOLS SET TO CALL ON 2018s

At midnight on Tuesday, college coaches can begin calling Class of 2018 prospects and the phones of several local players should blow up.

Roselle Catholic’s 6-8 forward Naz Reid will certainly get his share of calls. He has listed Seton Hall, Syracuse, St. John’s and UConn, among others. His Sports U teammates Jahvon Quinerly, Louis King and Luther Muhammad — all from Hudson Catholic — should also receive a slew of calls.

North Carolina called the coach of Moses Brown, a 7-footer from Archbishop Molloy, and could follow up by calling Brown directly after midnight Tuesday.

He already holds offers from Oklahoma State, Florida, Maryland, St. John’s and Minnesota, among others.

Maryland called on Aundre Hyatt, a 6-6 Class of 2018 shooting guard from Archibishop Stepinac, and could follow by calling him next week.

He holds offers from St. John’s, Iona, UMass and St. Louis, among others.

Jalen Carey, a Class of 2018 point guard from Montclair (N.J.) Immaculate Conception, and Isaiah Mucuis, a 6-8 Brooklyn native from the St. James (MD) School and hte PSA Cardinals, also figure to get a slew of calls.

 

FREE THROWS

Rey Ona Embo, an explosive 6-4 combo guard has reclassified from 2017 to 2016, has committed to Tulane. A playmaker with a 6-9 wingspan, he also had interest from Pac-12 schools…Jason Hasson, the former coach at Sparta (N.J.) Pope John, is headed to West Catholic Prep in Philadelphia. Hasson spent five years at Pope John, compiling a 108-37 record and a Non-Public A championship in 2015. He guided the Lions to the Tournament of Champions final that seaosn, losing to Isaiah Briscoe and Roselle Catholic.

NJose Alvarado, a 6-foot Class of 2017 point guard from New York powerhouse Christ the King, visited Rutgers on Thursday and is strongly considering the Big Ten school.