I checked in this morning with Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick coach Kevin Boyle and he provided the latest news on his star players, Kyrie Irving and Michael Gilchrist.
The 6-foot-2 Irving loved his visit to Duke this past weekend but still plans to take his next scheduled official visit to Texas A&M Oct. 9. After that, Irving is slated to visit Kentucky, Georgia Tech and Seton Hall.
“He’s going to Texas A&M Oct. 9 for sure. After that we’ll take it one-by-one,” Boyle said.
Multiple reports surfaced that Irving is close to committing to Duke and although that may well happen, he apparently hasn’t done so yet.
“Duke official was great! I enjoyed every single second…everything there fits me and is right for me…you never know what will happen,” Irving Tweeted after the visit.
GILCHRIST TO VISIT VILLANOVA
As for the 6-7 Gilchrist, the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2011, Boyle said Gilchrist was planning on visiting Villanova.
“I think he’s going to try to get out to Villanova this wekeend,” Boyle said.
Sources confirmed that Gilchrist will visit this weekend.
“It’s close to his house [in South Jersey] and he wants to get a feeling for how Villanova stands,” Boyle added.
Cindy Richardson, Gilchrist’s mother, previously said that her son talks about Kentucky and Villanova all the time, and Gilchrist told reporters at the LeBron James Academy this summer that those two schools were his top choices.
William Wesley, aka Worldwide Wes, is a John Calipari confidante who grew up across the street in Camden, N.J. from Richardson and remains a close family friend.
As for the Villanova connection, Villanova coach Jay Wright and Richardson have a strong relationship.
Still, Cindy told SI.com that those relationships don’t necessarily mean her son will play for either one of the Wildcats.
“There are no dots,” she told SI.com. “Wes’ relationship with John Calipari, that’s their relationship. Our relationship with coach Calipari is going to be the same relationship we want to extend to every other college coach. The difference is, coach Cal does his job. Coach Cal is actively recruiting Michael, but we want Michael to experience the same thing every other high school athlete has experienced. He has not decided on where he’s going to go.”
Meanwhile, Gilchrist is making a concerted effort to visit other schools.
He spent two days at Rutgers two weekends ago and then took an unofficial to Michigan this past weekend.
“He had an unofficial to Michigan,” Boyle said. “I know he had a good time and enjoyed it very much and got to see them workout. I know he’s impresed with Coach [John] Beilein’s ability. He’s one of the better coaching teachers in college basketball. Mike enjoyed getting to watch them in practice. At this point he’s excited going there.”
DANIELS TO WAGNER
Josh Daniels, a 6-6, 180-pound SF out of St. Patrick, has committed to Wagner. Daniels helped St. Patrick go 30-3 and win last year’s New Jersey’s Tournament of Champions.
“We’re just excited for Josh,” Boyle said. “We think Coach [Mike Deane] is an excellent coach. It’s a great fit for Josh. It’s a program that’s up and coming. He could definitely be a contributor early in his career, so we’re happy for him.”
SMITH SETS OFFICIALS
Roscoe Smith, the No. 6 small forward in the Class of 2010 out of Oak Hill (Va.) Academy, has set his official visits. The 6-foot-7, 185-pound Smith will take five visits beginning with Georgetown this weekend.
Oct. 2 – Georgetown
Oct. 9 – Duke
Oct. 16 – UConn
TBD – Florida
TBD – Kansas
BINGHAMTON COMPARISON INSULTS ZOO
If you haven’t yet read this Letter to the Editor about the Binghamton fiasco, it’s a must read.
As is this column by Gary Parrish on the Bingo situation.
(Photos courtesy Irving family, SI, Rivals)
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter.
