September 2011 | Page 5 of 22 | Zagsblog
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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Articles, Notre Dame, West Virginia

The Big East added two commitments on Friday.

Elijah Macon, 6-foot-9, 230-pound power forward from Huntington (W.Va.) Prep, committed to West Virginia for the second time, doing so during an official visit to the school. A Columbus, Ohio native, Macon previously committed to the Mounties in the fall of 2009.

“It’s just the perfect place for me. They have everything I need plus a hall of fame coach that will make me a better player,” Macon, the Rivals No. 18 power forward in the Class of 2012, told WVSports.com via text message.

Macon also held offers from Tennessee, USC, Pittsburgh, Maryland and Kansas State, but was down to West Virginia Pitt.

Articles, Seton Hall


SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. — A year ago at this time, Herb Pope was lucky just to be alive.

The 6-foot-8 Seton Hall forward collapsed during a workout at Walsh Gym in April 2010. He underwent heart surgery to deal with a birth defect — an anomalous right coronary artery — that Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard said they “usually only find in an autopsy.”

“Everyone’s got to remember, this time last year he wasn’t even cleared to walk,” Willard told SNY.tv Friday after practice.

A sluggish Pope played the 2010-11 season with the Pirates, but weighed 262 pounds and was a shadow of his former self. After a stellar sophomore season in which he averaged 11.5 points and 10.7 rebounds, Pope’s totals dipped to 9.8 points and 7.9 boards.

Flash forward a year and a slimmed-down Pope looks like a new man. He has completely revamped his diet, dropped to 240 pounds and appears poised for a breakout senior season.

Articles, Seton Hall

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard can’t publicly comment on Kyle Anderson or his decision to play for UCLA instead of the Pirates.

But in his first interview since the 6-foot-8 Anderson announced for UCLA late Monday night, Willard told SNY.tv he’s optimistic about his team and its recruiting efforts going forward.

“I’m actually really optimistic,” Willard said Thursday during a recruiting visit to Hudson Catholic.

“The one thing I’ve come to discover over the last five months of talking about who’s on our roster, and people questioning our roster, is the fact that I love who’s on our roster.”

Articles, UConn

Omar Calhoun wants Rodney Purvis to join him in the UConn backcourt in 2012.

Calhoun, the Christ the King Star, has committed to the Huskies and is now working on getting his old friend Purvis to join him.

“I talk to him from time to time,” Calhoun told SNY.tv. “We have been friends since the seventh and eighth grade. He would be a tremendous addition to the UConn family. With myself, Ryan Boatright and Shabazz Napier, the legacy of UConn basketball will continue to be in full effect.”

Purvis decommitted from Louisville and has re-opened his recruitment to include UConn, Memphis, Missouri, N.C. Central, N.C. State, Ohio State, Virginia Commonwealth and Virginia.

Articles, UCLA

On the heels of Kyle Anderson’s commitment to UCLA Monday night comes still more good new for the Bruins.

Tony Parker, a skilled 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward from Lithonia (Ga.) Miller Grove, will visit UCLA the weekend of Sept. 29.

“Yes,” he confirmed to SNY.tv by text.

Parker is coming off a recent visit to Ohio State and is also considering Memphis, Duke and Georgetown.

He has taken three unofficials to Memphis and may visit Duke the weekend of Oct. 29.

Articles, St. John's

Both Norvel Pelle and his sister say a report that he decommitted from St. John’s is inaccurate.

“I didn’t decommit frm no where I’m focusing on gettn my grades rite wit the ncaa. More so I’m jus focusing on me and my fam,” the 6-foot-10 Pelle said on his Twitter account.

“It’s inaccurate information,” Cherisa Pelle told SNY.tv about the report. “He did not decommit from St. John’s.”

She added: “Yes, he does still want to go to St. John’s.”

She said her brother wasn’t available for comment because he has a private phone line, but confirmed he has enrolled at The Phelps School in Malvern, Pa.

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