Seton Hall Offers Niang; Recruiting Rundown

By ALEX KLINE

About a month ago, Georges Niang had no high-major offers and was being recruited by a number of mid-majors. But he was bound to breakout.

Both Iowa and Iowa State noticed the 2012 forward’s talents and decided to offer. After visiting both schools in March and getting some recognition, schools began to inquire about Niang.

“I just got off the phone with Seton Hall; they offered,” Niang said by phone. “It feels good to have a Big East school that’s on the up rise believe in me enough to come in and help their program be the best it can be.”

Niang is a 6-foot-7, 230-pound combo forward out of the Tilton (N.H.) School. He runs with BABC on the summer circuit. His AAU coach, Leo Papile, and Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard know each other when both worked with the Boston Celtics.

Although coaches cannot watch players until July, the recruitment of the junior has taken off in recent weeks. Miami (FL), Charlotte, Florida, Alabama, Michigan and Stanford have come into the picture. He also has offers from Delaware, Drexel, Florida Atlantic, Hofstra, New Hampshire, Northeastern, Texas A&M, Providence, Rhode Island, Siena and UMass, as well as the Cyclones, Pirates and Hawkeyes.

While he still needs to take a few visits, the old George Mason staff, which now resides at Miami (FL), is very close to offering a scholarship. As the summer creeps closer, look for more schools to get involved.

RECRUITING RUNDOWN

2012 center Blaise Mbargorba of Peddie in New Jersey picked up an offer from Vanderbilt on Tuesday. The Commodores had been evaluating the developing games of the former St. Benedict’s player for multiple months. Virginia Tech, Maryland, West Virginia and Providence are among the many who are recruiting the seven-footer.

On Sunday, one of the top rising juniors in the country took an unofficial visit to Kansas. Mitch McGary of Brewster (N.H.) Academy visited the Lawrence campus and enjoyed it, according to his coach Jason Smith. A large number of schools have become involved with McGary, who is 6-foot-10. The Big East, SEC, ACC, Big 12, Pac 10 and Big 10 are all after him.

2011 shooting guard Trevor Lacey is starting to put the finishing touched on his recruitment. Over the weekend, Lacey traveled to Auburn for an official visit. Following that, he arrived in Kentucky for an official visit and will leave on Wednesday. This weekend could be his final official visit as he heads to Kansas. North Carolina State is trying to get involved, as well.

Onetime St. Joe’s commit David Bruce of Linden, N.J., signed with Hampton last week. The 6-9 Bruce, now at Harcum (Pa.) College, said Temple, Maryland and Robert Morris were also involved. “I want to bring them back to the [NCAA] Tournament but take them further,” he said by text. “I believe it’s a good position for me.”

2012 forward Terry Tarpey of Fairfield Prep in Connecticut committed to William & Mary on Tuesday over Iona, Vermont, Davidson and Lafayette, among others.

Dartmouth added a commitment from 2012 combo guard Alex Mitola of Gill St. Bernard in New Jersey on Monday night.

6-5, 190-pound combo guard Donovan Kates from Hopkinsville, Ky., is Steve Masiello’s first signee at Manhattan.

“Donovan is a versatile player with a great skill set and he can play a multitude of positions for us,” said Masiello. “With his work ethic and pedigree the sky is the limit for Donovan.”