Jake Klores, the 6-foot point guard from Riverdale (NY) Country School, announced his commitment to Columbia on Wednesday.
“Academics have always been really important to my family and me, and obviously Columbia offers some of the best in the world,” said Klores on his commitment. “At the end of the day, my family just wanted me to go wherever I felt the most comfortable, and Coach Jim Engles and Coach Jared Czech really made me it an easy decision for me.”
Klores, who ran with the NY Rens on the Nike EYBL circuit last summer, joins Jaron Faulds, Myles Hanson, Randy Brumant and Gabe Stefanini as the fifth commit in Columbia’s 2017 class.
He also joins fellow Rens Jordan Nwora (Louisville), Samson George (Iona) and Jose Alvarado (Georgia Tech) among 2017 recruits. Jordan Tucker is down to Indiana and Villanova and is expected to decide in the coming weeks.
“Andy Borman and Chris Alesi from the New York Rens are two of the best basketball minds and just two of the best people that you will ever meet,” said Klores. “I was really lucky to have them and a bunch of other great people guiding me through the process.”
GABE BROWN SAYS FOUR SCHOOLS WORKING HARDEST
**Gabe Brown, a 6-6 small forward from Belleville (MI) High School, says Xavier, Michigan, MSU, and Butler are the schools working the hardest for his recruitment. He broke down each school for ZAGSBLOG:
Xavier: “A great school and a great program. They have one of the best programs in the Big East.”
Michigan: “A great school that’s close to home. It would be great to have my family there every time I play. Everyone says that it fits my game because my game is similar to that of former Michigan guard Caris Levert.”
Michigan State: ” I like them because they’re program is developing every year. Michigan and Michigan state are both close to home so people can see me more.”
Butler: “One of the best teams in the Big East. I like them because they have great upside right now. and Xavier and continue to win and trying to advance in the tournament.
Xavier: “They continue to win and try to advance in the tournament.”
Michigan Coach John Beilein was at Belleville on Wednesday to watch Brown. Brown has not received an offer from Michigan.
He currently holds offers from the Detroit, Oakland, UW-Milwaukee, DePaul, Toledo, and Loyola Marymount. Schools showing interest include Michigan State, Xavier, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Michigan, Butler, UNLV, UTSA, among others.
BRYAN ANTOINE SAYS FIVE SCHOOLS RECRUITING HIM MOST
**Bryan Antoine, the 2019 combo guard from Ranney (NJ) School, says Villanova, St. John’s, Kentucky, Duke, Maryland, Florida, Miami, Seton Hall, and Rutgers are recruiting him the hardest.
Antoine, who is teammates with five-star forward Scottie Lewis, is unsure of the possibility of a package deal. “To be honest, I don’t know,” he said. “It could happen, though.”
Both Antoine and Lewis attended the Duke-Florida game at the Jimmy V Classic earlier this month. Antoine has no upcoming visits planned but hopes to plan some more in the future.
Seton Hall assistant Freddie Hill saw Antoine and Lewis and two other Ranney players on Thursday, while St. John’s was in on Tuesday.
