Tobias Harris got to work quickly after Thursday’s in-home with UConn coach Jim Calhoun and has now cut his list to seven schools.
Maryland, West Virginia, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Louisville, Kentucky and Syracuse remain in the hunt for the 6-foot-8 Harris, the No. 5 overall prospect in the Class of 2010 and a senior at Dix Hills (N.Y.) Half Hollow Hills West.
Three of the four schools cut are from the Big East — St. John’s, UConn and Notre Dame — as well as Oklahoma. But three — Louisville, Syracuse and West Virginia — remain.
Harris is sorting out his visits but will visit Syracuse this weekend and is set to visit Kentucky Oct. 16 for Big Blue Madness. That would leave three other official visits for the five remaining schools on the list.
As for the Syracuse connection, Torrel Harris, Tobias’ dad, owns property in Albany and two of Tobias’ teammates with the Unique All-Stars, C.J. Fair and Fab Melo, have committed to Syracuse.
“Narrowing a list of 11 storied basketball programs would be no easy task for anyone, let alone a 17-year-old high school senior,” Torrel Harris said in a text message.
“After concluding home visits with each of the head coaches Tobias has selected seven schools from which he hopes to make his final decision. Tobias is very grateful to the many coaches and wonderful programs who have recruited him and dedicated their time and effort to the process. Tobias would like to visit these schools and weigh his options before making the ever so serious decision of selecting a college.
“We as a family will work with Tobias to help him make the decision that is best for him.”
Torrel Harris has repeatedly said the family is looking for a program that will emphasize the “point forward” position, put Tobias in a position to handle the ball and ultimately help him prepare for an NBA career.
“It’s going to come down to what school is going to be honest about letting Tobias be a point forward,” Torrel recently told me.
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DiamondbackRuss / September 26, 2009
I’m really surprised that UConn didn’t make the new list. Glad to see Maryland still in there, although I fully expect Harris to eventually commit to Syracuse.
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