Russ Smith, a 6-foot-2, 170-pound postgraduate point guard from Brooklyn who plays for South Kent (Conn.), officially committed to Louisville on Sunday.
“Yes, Sunday night at about 9 o’clock,” Russ Smith Sr. said. “We had dinner with Coach [Rick] Pitino, Coach [Ralph] Willard and Coach [Steve] Masiello.”
Smith Sr. said his son chose Louisville over offers from Wake Forest, Arizona, Houston and Baylor.
“He’s very happy and comfortable with the whole situation. He loved the atmosphere,” Smith Sr. said. “He loved the city. He toured the town, toured the new arena. He got a a feel for the players.”
A New York native himself, Pitino has had success with New York-area players before. His current roster includes former Rice guard Edgar Sosa, as well as St. Benedict’s big man Samardo Samuels.
“[Smith] loves that the coach plays three or four guards at a time. He loves the up-tempo style,” his father said.
While playing for Archbishop Molloy, Smith led the Catholic League in scoring last year. He then dropped 27 points in the Jordan Brand Regional Game back in April at Madison Square Garden and was named co-MVP of that event.
New York recruiting expert Tom Konchalski says Smith will be a perfect fit for Louisville.
“It’s a great fit in terms of he has a tremendous appetite for the game and he’s going to a program where the coach is going to work him as hard as any coach in the country,” he said. “He loves the game. He’d rather play than breathe. He has a very high skill level. He’s just to got get stronger physically.
“He’s just got to reorient his game. He’s got to trust his teammates. He can really pass the ball, especially on penetration and kick-outs. He’s a scoring point who’s got to make his teammates better. He’s got to bulk up his frame. He has very good quickness and a tremendous dribble routine. He has the ball on a string. He has an explosive first step. He can get to the basket and dunk on people.
“It’s a good fit. He’s a basketball junkie who’s going into a program run by a basketball junkie.”
PINKSTON TO ANNOUNCE WEDNESDAY
Jayvaughn Pinkston, a 6-foot-6 forward from Bishop Loughlin, will announce his college choice Wednesday at Loughlin.
Pinkston, considered the top prospect in New York City, is considering Tennessee, Villanova, Seton Hall, St. John’s and Marquette.
“He hasn’t decided yet,” New Heights coach Kimani Young said. “He’s going to make his decision on Wednesday.”
BLACK TO ANNOUNCE MONDAY
Tarik Black, a 6-7, 230-pound power forward from Memphis Ridgeway, is expected to pick Memphis during a press conference Monday afternoon.
Black also considered Alabama, Florida, Marquette and Tennessee.
He is the the No. 47 senior prospect nationally and the No. 7 center, according to Rivals.
If he signs, it would give Memphis head coach Josh Pastner a seven-man blockbuster class that could become the No. 1 in the country.
Memphis now has the No. 8, 11, 12, 47, and 66 overall players according to Rivals.
MORGAN SIGNS WITH SETON HALL
Seton Hall announced that Jesse “The Takeover” Morgan of Philadelphia has signed a national letter of intent to attend the University and play basketball for the Pirates beginning in the 2010-11 season.
Morgan chose Seton Hall over Louisville, Rutgers, UMass and UConn.
Morgan’s signing is the second for the Pirates during the fall period. Paterson Catholic small forward Fuquan Edwin signed on to play for Seton Hall on Nov. 13.
The 6-foot-5, 175-pound, shooting guard is highly regarded as an extremely versatile wing player who can shoot the ball well and score in bunches. He and Edwin will fill the roster spots left vacant by the graduation of seniors John Garcia and Eugene Harvey.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to add Jesse Morgan to the program,” Pirates coach Bobby Gonzalez said. “He’s a versatile player that can play any one of the three guard positions. We feel he’s one of the most underrated players in the country and that he’s destined to be a future star at Seton Hall. His long-term potential is incredible, and in the short-term, he’ll provide quality insurance for Jeremy Hazell. He’s a big guard, who can play the point if necessary, and it’s good for us to add a kid from Philadelphia to our roster as well.”
Prior to a brief stint at South Kent Prep in Connecticut, Morgan was a First Team All-City selection at Olney High School in his native Philadelphia. He averaged 28 points per game, the third-best total among city-league players, and led the Trojans to a 19-3 record.
“I can come in and contribute as a freshman and get quality minutes,” Morgan said. “It’s not too far from home so my family can come up and see me play.”
