By ALEX KLINE
What is the significance of June 15th to coaches, players and the class of 2012 as a whole?
It was the first day when the NCAA permits college coaches to officially recruit prospects. On this day, college coaches can make their first contact with members of the class of 2012 for the first time whether it’s to talk with them or even offer them. A number of top prospects in the class of 2012 and even one big name in the class of 2013 picked up offers Tuesday.
*North Carolina coach Roy Williams and company stayed up late to offer two of the best in the class of 2012. 6-foot-5 Shabazz Muhammad (pictured) and 6-foot-5 J.P. Tokoto were both offered by the Tar Heels.
*6-foot-10 Daniel Ochefu ’12 picked up his sixth offer, from Georgetown. Despite not visiting the campus yet, Ochefu previously stated to ZAGSBLOG contributor Alex Kline that he “likes Georgetown and Kentucky a lot,” but was not sure if they would offer this summer. The rising junior, who just had a big weekend at the Nike Hoop Jamboree in St. Louis, plans to “make a list of schools in two weeks.”
*While Michigan State was awaiting the word of whether Tom Izzo would return to the school, their in-state rivals, Michigan, pulled out a few offers. The Wolverines offered 6-foot-4 shooting guard Gary Harris, who took an unofficial visit to campus two weeks ago. 5-foot-10 point guard Kevin Ferrell was also offered by Michigan, as well as Billy Donovan and Florida.
*Philadelphia native Savon Goodman ’12 had a good day to say the least. The sophomore picked up five new offers from Texas, Villanova, Penn State and Pittsburgh today. Goodman, who is a consencous top 25 player in his class, is high school teammates with Rakeem Christmas and Malcolm Gilbert at the Academy of the New Church.
*2012 guard Ryan Arcidiacono of Pa Playaz picked up offers Tuesday night from Seton Hall, Tulane, Penn State and Temple. Here’s my recent feature on him.
*The Baylor Bears gave out offers like hotcakes today. The coaching staff offered Tyler Lewis ‘12 of Forsyth Country Day, Isaiah Lewis ’13 of Christ the King and Isaiah Austin ’12 of Grace Prep. The offer to Lewis was unexpected and his first. Austin, a top ten in his class, was also offered by Kentucky, Georgetown, Iowa, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Arizona and Houston.
*6-foot-9 Khem Birch, who recently transferred to Notre Dame Prep, picked up three more offers today. Birch, who left Winchendon about a month ago, picked up offers from West Virginia, Ohio State and Pittsburgh. Wondering what the connection between Birch and Pitt is? Former Providence assistant Pat Skerry now has a job with the Panthers. Birch thinks very highly of coach Skerry. Could Khem Birch be bound for the Steel City?
*2013 stud Rodney Purvis attended Wake Forest Elite camp and Chris Paul Point Guard camp last weekend. Purvis was paired on the same team as DeMatha’s Quinn Cook, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul. The Deamon Deacons offered the 6-foot-3 Purvis later.
Rumble in the Bronx Notes
*Boys & Girls’ guard Mike Taylor ’11 says he will take an unofficial visit to Rutgers once he gets out of school in two weeks.
*Thomas Jefferson’s Davontay Grace ’11 wore a bright orange Syracuse sweatshirt to the Rumble on Saturday. Grace said the ‘Cuse were not his favorite but they were showing some interest in him.
*St. Benedict’s rising senior Blaise Mborgarba told Jeff Borzello of the NBE Report that he was leaning towards Virginia Tech due to their engineering program.
*Incoming Lincoln freshman Isaiah Whitehead noted that his dream school is Kentucky. Whitehead likes Kentucky because of head coach John Calipari, as well as the school’s history.
*Notre Dame Prep wing Angel Nunez ’11 plans on taking unofficial visits to Miami and West Virginia sometime in July.
*Rice forward Jermaine Sanders will visit Villanova Friday and Rutgers “probably next week,” according to Kimani Young of New Heights.
**Lincoln guard Shaq Stokes and forward Kamari Murphy ’11 will take an unofficial visit to Rutgers sometime this week. Gil St. Bernards’ guard Jaren Sina ’13 took an unofficial to the school Tuesday.
**Rutgers offered 2012 product Nkereuwem Okoro ’12 from St. Raymond’s today.
*Soon to be St. Anthony’s point guard Myles Mack says he hopes to take an unofficial visit to UCLA in August. He will attend Marquette Elite camp during that time, as well. Mack commented on that he wants to have an undefeated season and win a national title next year at St. Anthony.
**St. Anthony 2012 guard Kyle Anderson visits Villanova today (Wednesday) before leaving Friday for USA U18 trials in San Antonio.
**6-foot PG Jaylen Beckham of Lexington (Ky.) Catholic High School will suit up for Roshown McLeod at St. Benedict’s, per Jay Gomes of NJHoops.com.
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