Marvell Waithe and Rutgers flirted with each other over the period of several years, but in the end the 6-foot-8, 200-pound Canadian forward will play in the SEC.
Waithe on Thursday committed to Arkansas over Rutgers after visiting both schools.
“Yes, he let [Arkansas head coach John] Pelphrey know yesterday about 3 o’clock,” Tallahassee Community College coach Eddie Barnes said by phone.
“Marvell sat down and evaluated everything and he just felt like he was a better fit for Arkansas than for Rutgers. He really struggled with the decision. That’s why coming back from his visit [to Rutgers] on Sunday he took about three days to really think about it.”
Waithe visited Arkansas the weekend of Oct. 9 and watched as the Razorbacks hammered Auburn 44-23 in football.
“It was really nice,” he told me recently. “I really enjoyed my time down there in Fayetteville. The football game was nuts, it was crazy.”
As for basketball, he said: “They want me to come and be an impact player. That’s what my plan is coming from junior college. I’m not really focusing on high major. I’m just trying to play.”
Waithe, who was recruited by Rutgers coming out of high school in Canada, visited New Jersey again last weekend for the Pitt-Rutgers football game.
“He liked the staff, he liked the players at Rutgers and everything but when everything was put down on paper, he just felt like he felt more comfortable with the fit with Arkansas than with Rutgers,” Barnes said.
Waithe averaged 17.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game last season and was named first-team Coaches’ All-Panhandle Conference. Waithe was recently named a fourth-team Super Sophomore in the Sporting News’ JUCO Report.
“He’s going to be somebody who’s long and athletic that can run the floor,” Barnes said. “He’s going to be able to defend on the perimeter but also play inside a little bit. He’ll be able to stretch defenses because of his range.”
He added: “He’s going to make money someplace.”
‘NOVA HOSTING MANIA
Villanova will host its Hoops Mania tonight and numerous players are expected to attend, including 2011 commit Achraf Yacoubou of Long Island Lutheran and 2010 guard Cory Joseph of Findlay (Nev.) Prep.
“Coach Jay Wright is a down-to-earth guy,” Joseph told The Las Vegas Sun. “And I like that staff. It should be good. I’ll get guys’ opinions on how it is. I’ll relax and chill with them and see what the real Villanova is like.”
Joseph has already visited Texas and UConn and will visit Minnesota next weekend. Devoe Joseph, Cory’s brother, is a sophomore there.
Joseph will then pick two officials from among Florida, Mississippi State and UNLV.
As for the UConn visit, Joseph was on campus when football player Jasper Howard was stabbed to death. He might have made the dance at which it happened had not a meeting with head coach Jim Calhoun run long, according to The Sun.
“It’s unbelievable,” Joseph told the paper. “Crazy. An unbelievable loss and tragedy. It must hurt.”
2010 forward JayVaughn Pinkston of Bishop Loughlin (pictured courtesy GoAZcats.com) will not make the trip to Villanova.
He is considering Villanova, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Marquette and Tennessee and New Heights coach Kimani Young has indicated Villanova might be the perfect fit for him.
“I think that Villanova is probably the perfect scenario for a kid like JayVaughn and many other kids in New York City, a place where winning has been there,” Young said. “A great academic institution. The coaching…But his options are still open.”
STEWART TO RIDER
Daniel Stewart, a 6-7 PF from Neumann-Goretti, has committed to Rider over Fairfield and Robert Morris. He was a first-team All-Catholic League selection as a junior and averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds. Great get by Broncs coach Tommy Dempsey.
(Photo courtesy Tallahassee College Athletics)
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JessieWildcat / October 23, 2009
So, Pinkston will not commit to Villa ,over the weekend?
He looks like a good fit for Villa.
Good stuff on Cory J.
And very good point on the murder which transpired.
Talk about some weird paranormal activity. – meeting runs long and CJ misses the dance.
I would say….something or someone is TELLING CJ…U Conn is not your school?
The only good thing is that U Conn is not too high on CJ list.
Villa seems to have too many guards. If two of the junior guards return for the senior year;then, Villa has too,too many guards. And STOP IT, they will not use a four guard system. Not going to happen.
(plus Cheeks and Wayne are FR.)
You may have some info on Ray Jr. ,PG?
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JessieWildcat / October 25, 2009
Looks like the Mania thing went well.
CJ is heading back.
Any truth to A.Payne narrowing his list to TWO?
We heard about AP cancelling the visit to Kansass “Gangster U”.
And eliminating Kansas from consideration. Everyone agrred with this decision.
Have the Calicat been eliminated as well.
Too much hype and more things to come..do not make UK an attractive option.
Note: I would not want to be the NCAA person(s) reviewing the WV matter.
Everyone has seen the pictures and the videos. I am sure the NCAA has obtained A.Payne’s video of the WV visit and much more.
What SANCTIONS will the NCAA imposed on WV?
(reference: Gaddy vs Memphis , FedUp CEO tampering.)
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Big Ben / October 25, 2009
Rivals is now reporting that Jones is again considering a trip to Kansas… Always a few days late out WEST.
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RockChalkWoody / October 25, 2009
“And eliminating Kansas from consideration. Everyone agrred with this decision.”
What are you talking about? Who agreed with it, you? What’s irritating is you rip KU, UK, and WVU…FYI your school isn’t even on the radar with the kid so what do you care?
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