CHERRY HILL, N.J. — I drove down here today to check in with Chris Chaney’s Patterson School team, arguably the top prep program in the nation right now. Patterson improved to 19-0 by blowing out one of Apex Academy’s four teams, 108-63, in a game that featured 16 first-half dunks by a Patterson team that has Rice-bound Arsalan Kazemi, Marshall commit Hassan Whiteside, Georgia State commit Rashanti Harris and Washington-bound Clarence Trent.
Numerous Division I coaches were on hand, including La Salle head coach Dr. John Giannini, Scott Adubato and Derm Player of Seton Hall, Craig Carter of Rutgers, Chris Chaney of St. John’s and coaches from St. Peter’s, Florida Atlantic and Southern Illinois.
One of the featured uncommitted players on Patterson is DeAndre “Big Daddy” Kane, a 6-4 wing from Pittsburgh who is being courted by Pittsburgh, Seton Hall and Marquette.
He is a very athletic wing player who moved quickly and easily up the court and had no problem scoring near the basket. On one play he went coast-to-coast, grabbing a defensive rebound, dribbling the length and laying it in. He also hit a 3-pointer to show some range.
Kane averaged 31 points last year and helped Pittsburgh Schenley win its fourth straight City League title. His high school teammates included DeJuan Blair, D.J. Kennedy and Jamaal Bryant.
“I got Top three Seton Hall, Marquette and PIttsburgh,” Kane said, adding that he plans to visit Seton Hall Dec. 19.
“My boy goes there, Herb Pope,” he added about Seton Hall. “That’s my boy. He told me it’s nice. I’ve been talking to Coach Adubato.” Pope, a native of Aliquippa, Pa., is sitting out the year at Seton Hall after transferring from New Mexico State.
Kane also plans to visit Marquette, but said, “I don’t have a date yet.”
Pittsburgh associate head coach Tom Herrion placed Kane at Patterson, but Kane said: “I never committed to Pitt.”
Still, he said he planned to see the Panthers play when he’s home soon on the holiday break.
He said he will decide sometime in January. Stay tuned for updates…
pitt09 / December 11, 2008
I go to Pitt and I have seen our recruiting class being anywhere from unranked to the 15th best in the country–but losing out on Cheek hurts. I know there are a couple of four stars with Pitt on their list that are waiting to commit till late, and there is Kane. Adam, do you what star recruit Kane is and how good do you personally think he is? Also do you really know how good our class is this year?
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Adam Zagoria / December 11, 2008
Pitt09:
Thanks for the comment. DeAndre Kane appears to be unrated by both Rivals and Scout. I saw him play yesterday for the first time and he is a very athletic wing player who moved quickly and easily up the court and had no problem scoring near the basket. On one play he went coast to coast, grabbing a defensive rebound, dribbling the length and laying it in. He also hit a 3-pointer to show some range.
It was hard to get a real feel since the game was a total blowout and was a dunkfest for much of the time. He’s clearly a D-1 player and says he’s considering Pitt, Seton Hall and Marquette.
I think he could well end up at Pitt, and will visit campus next week when he goes home. But he’s also visiting Seton Hall.
With Pitt losing Sam Young and Tyrell Biggs to graduation, and possibly DeJUan Blair to the NBA, Jamie Dixon did a great job of loading up on size: Lamar Patterson, Dante Taylor, JJ Richardson and Talib Zanna. Taylor is a tremendous athlete and probably has the biggest upside.
As for Cheek, I don’t think PItt was ever really an option. It’s always been Villanova or Kansas, far as I could tell.
Pitt is also involved with some 09 point guards, like Isaiah Epps of Plainfield.
Thanks
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PittGrad91 / December 11, 2008
The feeling among Pitt fans is that Kane has always wanted Pitt. However, I believe Kane was having issues qualifying and Pitt also didn’t have room for him. Then Pitt started shooting high for Scott and Cheek, who they ended up missing on.
So, now the expectation is Kane will get Pitt’s last scholly – BUT time may have changed things and it sounds like Kane is more open to these other schools. We shall see I guess.
All I know is Pitt needs a 2 guard who can shoot the rock. It’s their only missing ingredient.
BTW – I agree with Zags about Zanna. I’ve seen video of him and he is a really athletic/active big man. I think Pitt has a steal there.
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Calhoun4Six / December 11, 2008
Epps is a Class of 2010 guard, not 09
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Adam Zagoria / December 11, 2008
Correct, that was an error on my part when banging out the comment quickly.
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