By DENNIS CHAMBERS
PHILADELPHIA – ON Thursday morning at the Elevate Hoops Summer Icebreaker, Andre Rafus put on a show in front of college coaches at Philadelphia University.
The 6-foot-9 Class of 2017 forward from Roselle (N.J.) Catholic scored 26 points to propel Team Melo over the Jersey Shore Warriors, 65-47.
Rafus performed well for the second day in a row in front of the contingency of college coaches on hand to see him play. N.C. State was two deep with head coach Mark Gottfried and assistant Heath Schroyer to watch him.
“So that was a blessing,” Rafus said. “They were here yesterday, too. They both came to both games as a staff.”
At the beginning of June, Rafus cut his list of schools to 15. Moving forward, the rising senior is looking to cut that number in half.
“I think most likely after this tournament is over I’m trimming my school list to seven, a final seven.” Rafus said.
While the majority of the list is still in fluctuation, Rafus knows for sure three teams that will crack the final seven.
“I know two schools that are definitely going to be next, and that is N.C. State and Butler,” he said. “N.C. State and Butler will definitely be on my next list. Kentucky as well.” (Kentucky has yet offer.)
Other schools that Rafus’ mentioned are in contact with him are Georgetown, Seton Hall, Kansas and UCLA.
Currently playing at New Jersey powerhouse Roselle Catholic, Rafus is open to the idea of staying in state for college basketball and attending Seton Hall.
“I have a good relationship with Coach Sha (Shaheen Holloway) at Seton Hall, he’s a real good dude,” he said. “He basically tells me that I can come right in, and he hopes for me to lead his team, be one of the leaders on his team coming. Him and Coach (Kevin Willard).”
With the live period kicking off for college basketball recruiting and the summer AAU circuit nearing an end, Rafus looks set on focusing his view towards the next level.
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