By JOSH NEWMAN & ADAM ZAGORIA
SYRACUSE — In the wake of Steve Lavin and St. John’s parting ways, four-star recruit Brandon Sampson will re-open his recruitment, according to multiple reports.
The highest-profile recruit Lavin gained for the Class of 2015, Sampson’s high school coach, Jeff Jones, told ESPN’s Jeff Borzello that the Red Storm will still be considered.
The 6-foot-4 Sampson originally chose St. John’s over USC and Cal. The late signing period opens April 15 as the Red Storm also have commitments from Philadelphia shooting guard Samir Doughty and Arizona shooting guard Sammy Barnes-Thompkins.
IVAN RABB NEARING DECISION
Bishop O’Dowd (CA) big man Ivan Rabb is nearing a decision but hasn’t cut his list yet, his mother told SNY.tv on Friday.
“Ivan is nearing a decision but has made no statement that he has made an official cut,” Tami Rabb said by text.
California and Arizona are thought to be the favorites for the 6-10 Rabb, with sources telling SNY.tv that Rabb is expected to pick California over Arizona.
California head coach Cuonzo Martin and assistant Yanni Hufnagel have worked extremely hard on Rabb, getting him to campus several times, recently for a visit with 2015 big man Caleb Swanigan and 2015 small forward Davon Dillard, who later committed to the Golden Bears.
Projected as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft according to DraftExpress, Rabb has also had Kentucky, Kansas and UCLA on his list.
