UNION, N.J. — Doron Lamb’s college list seems to be expanding.
And that is good news for the schools still in the mix for the 6-foot-4 Oak Hill Academy senior guard.
The newly-minted McDonald’s All-American from Queens, N.Y. scored 18 points, including the game-winning foul shot with 9.4 seconds left, to lift the Warriors to a dramatic 79-78 victory over Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick in an ESPNU game at Kean College’s Harwood Arena.Â
“We’ve been thinking about this game for like two weeks now because it was on ESPNU, so we just had to come out here and play ‘D’ and win off of the offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds. We lost that today but we finished out strong at the end. I made clutch foul shots,” Lamb said.
He broke a 78-all tie with 1-of-2 foul shots for the final points of the game.
St. Patrick junior guard Derrick Gordon missed two free throws with .4 seconds left.
That capped a traumatic day for St. Patrick, winner of three of the last four New Jersey Tournament of Champions titles.
Earlier in the day, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association banned St. Patrick from the state tournament and suspended head coach Kevin Boyle three games for holding out-of-season workouts last October.
Lamb was named a co-MVP in front of his parents and friends, and then said his college list now consists of five schools.
“I got Kansas, Arizona, Kentucky, UConn and West Virginia right now,” Lamb said.
Lamb had recently listed only the four schools besides UConn, but confirmed the Huskies were now in the mix.
UConn also has a verbal commitment (but no signature) from Lamb’s 6-8 teammate Roscoe Smith. who scored 14 of his 18 in the second half. UConn assistant Pat Sellers was at the game, one day ahead of head coach Jim Calhoun’s return from medical leave to coach against Cincinnati. UConn has also offered a scholarship to 6-6 St. Benedict’s Prep senior guard Mike Poole, who scored 12 points in an 82-38 rout eof Lakewood.
A New York native, the Big East would seem to make sense for Lamb. If he chose either West Virginia or UConn, his family could watch him play numerous times each year in the New York area.
Still, he’s open to all five schools.
“It doesn’t really matter if it’s close to home. I just want to go somewhere that it fits me and fits my family and it’s the best decision for me. That’s where I’ll go,” Lamb said.
Lamb visited West Virginia last month when Oak Hill played in the state.
“It was a good visit. I talked to Bob [Huggins], he told me a lot about how I’d fit in the offense next year and that it will be a great look for me next year. So I have to sit down, wait until spring break and talk to my family because I don’t really talk to them that much at Oak Hill. So I’ll wait…and make a decision in April,” he said.
Lamb also visited Arizona in January, just before Lake Baltimore (Md.) guard Josh Selby hit the desert.
“We talk about [playing together] sometimes but Arizona only has one scholarship left so it’s gotta be one of us that goes there,” Lamb said.
Lamb played for the New York Gauchos, the same AAU program that produced Arizona assistant Book Richardson and Arizona freshman guard Lamont “Momo” Jones. A fellow New Yorker, Jones played alongside Lamb last year at Oak Hill.
“I went out there, had a good time with Coach Book, coach of the Gauchos, and Momo played with me last year and Kevin Parrom played AAU basketball with me. I know a couple of the players on the team, but I had a great visit out there. And the weather’s nice. And the coaching staff. Sean Miller, he knows how to coach. He just told me that I’ll fit into the system next year and I’ll play a lot as a freshman. He said if you play a lot as a freshman, you could do a lot of things and you maybe can go pro early,” Lamb said.
Lamb is one of four elite uncommitted 2010 guards, along with Selby, Brandon Knight and Cory Joseph.
Kansas, Kentucky, Arizona and UConn are in the mix for at least one of those players, but Lamb says he won’t be influenced by their decisions.
“No, I’m not even going to worry about them right now. I’m just worried about where I’m going and where it fits me the best,” he said.
“Everything’s open right now.”
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bosybillups / February 13, 2010
Thanks Zags! My logic:
UConn seems like a good choice due to proximity but it’s clearly a program about to face some major challenges, no matter what is said.
WVU and Huggy Bear? Naa, not enough confidence in the leadership over there.
Kansas too crowded and would probably get lost in the mix for a year or two.
Kentucky same as Kansas
Arizona although far from home, they have the most genuine coaches, system, and opportunity to dominate a rebuilding PAC-10 conference. If both Selby and Lamb commit, room will be found.
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RockChalkWoody / February 13, 2010
Nice try, bosybillups, but programs like KU & UK are never “too crowded” when it comes to guys like Lamb. Can honestly say that if Selby and/or Lamb commit to the Jayhawks they’re not going to see serious minutes next year?
The only reason that UA has a shot at these guys is because they pulled a Scott Drew (i.e., hiring an AAU coach in order to build a pipeline). It’s also working pretty well at K-State with Delonte Hill.
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UAWildcat / February 13, 2010
I agree with you that talented players like Lamb and Selby will find minutes no matter which program they pick but didn’t KU hire Chalmers’ father to land him?
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RockChalkWoody / February 13, 2010
Chalmers actually picked KU over Zona so I know your feelings are hurt. It worked out pretty good for the Jayhawks. I guess Lute didn’t have any room on his staff at the time.
Does Book have any talented kids playing ball or is Miller just relying on his Gouchos connection to turn your program around?
By the way, why did UA vacate their 1999 NCAA tourney appearance? Just curious. All this talk about the streak ending has me wondering (since it technically ended in ’99).
My guess is Knight to UK, Selby to KU, and Lamb to UA.
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UAWildcat / February 13, 2010
I was making a point that you spouting off about other programs hiring AAU coaches to get recruits is like the pot calling the kettle black. The NCAA recgonizes UA’s 1999 tourney apperance so techincally the streak is still going.
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JessieWildcat / February 13, 2010
AZ,
Good stuff.
Like Books said…the scholarship situation is not a concern.
WE would agree on JS,DL, KJ.
The THREE AMIGOS would be a great Wildcat addition.
Can not wait for the Package of Doron and Josh.
Note:
Good to hear about John C.
Nice words from D.Lamb and adding the school to the list.
Class act by R. Smith and Coach Smith , as well.
Arizona is TOP2 for D L…..?
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CATintheAZ / February 13, 2010
Bosy, you basically hit the nail on the head. Really, both Selby and Lamb know that at UA, instant playing will be given. As you also pointed out, they know that they will lift the PAC10 title next year, should they commit.
This is really a three (UA, KU, and UK) team race for these guys. UK will have Knight and Bledsoe next year. True question pending is whether Lamb and Selby will choose Miller or Self?
As Lamb addressed in this article, Miller said playing time will be given to him upon arrival, which will prep him for THE LEAGUE. This should be a no brainer at this point. Based on logic, Lamb will be a 1 at the Pro level. He will not be a 1 at KU. He will be a 1 at UA. Book IT!
Selby will be the real toss up between UA and KU.. Though, to give my two cents, we have much better weather not to mention women (cali girls that couldn’t get into in-state schools) a plenty!
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RockChalkWoody / February 13, 2010
UAWildcat, you call it “spouting off” so what did I say that wasn’t true? Just because you don’t like what I say doesn’t mean I’m wrong. You UA guys need to settle down & just let it all play out. And this “Three Amigos” scenario is an absolute pipedream.
By the way, there was just a Selby sighting in Lawrence. He’s kickin it with Sherron & loving it.
How does the NCAA recognize your 1999 tourney appearance when you vacated it? You mean UA fans recognize it.
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UAWildcat / February 13, 2010
It’s not just UA fans it’s the NCAA and all of the media outlets that recongize the streak. My comments about your first post was just pointing out the hypocrisy of said post. Please do not lump me in with Jessie with the stupid “amigos” crap because I know the UA will only sign one maybe two more players and that Selby is from Baltimore not NYC.
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RockChalkWoody / February 13, 2010
FYI I really do think that UA will get Lamb, but I think Selby knows that he steps right in for Sherron next year at KU.
Still not sure what my first post has to do with any of this. Are you really saying that Book isn’t using a NY Gauchos pipeline like Delonte Hill has at K-State with the DC Assault? I’m not sure why that bothers you so much (never said he shouldn’t do it).
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UAWildcat / February 13, 2010
Maybe I took it the wrong way. I took as you putting other programs down for hiring coaches that could/would bring in players in a package type of deal when KU has done it in the past. I’m not sure which guard will come to UA but I agree with you that one goes to KU and the other to UA.
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RockChalkWoody / February 14, 2010
Wow, Oregon State beats UA at home? Jessie, you need the “Three Amigos” to suit up right now. That’s embarrassing.
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CatsFan1 / February 14, 2010
RockChalk. I’ve been reading this site for a while and have seen first hand the arguments you and jessie wildcat get into. As a UA fan, i learned to not pay attention to what jessie says. And i really think your obsession with UA is kind of weird considering your a Kansas fan. Yes, a loss to OSU at home isnt good. But, its a rebuilding year. Having two interim coaches in two years will put a dent into a program. So lay off the UA comments junior and worry about your own team.
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RockChalkWoody / February 14, 2010
Wow, my obsession? FYI I’ve had to read a lot of crap on this board from UA fans (i.e., $hit like “Gansta U”) so I feel pretty justified in pointing out the shortcomings of your program. I feel that it’s only fair to respond when I feel like your fans are just throwing out random crap because they’re worried that Josh Selby might’ve had too good of a time in Lawrence tonight. I’ll worry about my team, but you better worry a little more about yours.
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UofA BJ / February 14, 2010
Woody you let jessie wildcat get the best of you on a daily basis because you banter with him like the loser you are.
What you ovbviously dont realize or cant get over is that he:
1. Knows nothing about basketball.
2.Is either 13 or senial.
3.Is online 24/7 and has no life and lives for recruiting news and that only.
I have been a Kansas fan in the past even though I’m a die hard UofA fan because I have family in Lawrence. But I’m finding it hard to root for them this year because of all the bs you post and badmouth about UofA.
Maybe you are still bitter about the 97 loss I dont know but you need to realize
everyone is tired to listening to your $hit as much as Jessie.
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beardown3232 / February 14, 2010
I am glad that there is at least one person who is not insane on this website and that is you UofA BJ. Neither JessieWildcat or Woody know anything more than everyone else that goes on this site. Woody, I agree with you on a lot of things including where you think Lamb and Selby will go but like UofA BJ said, you need to stop bad mouthing Arizona. Zona is just as respectable of a program as KU. Whether you like it or not, Arizona is the most consistent team year in and year out for the last 25 years. Does that make us the best team, no. But over the last 25 years which happens to be the amount of years the tourney has had 64 teams, not one other program has done what Arizona did. And Arizona has produced more NBA talent than any other school in that time period other than maybe Duke.//// The last Arizona game I went to happened to be in Tucson in December of 2008 and it was against your Jayhawks. And guess who came out on top. Until you beat us again, I think Arizona still has an edge over Kansas. BEARDOWN
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CatsFan1 / February 14, 2010
And just a question for RockChalk. You always talk about how much Selby likes Kansas and what they have to offer and you seem fairly confident that KU is at the top of his. Kansas can without a doubt offer national exposure over the cats because they are in a large market conference that plays the majority of their games on ESPN. UA really cannot contend with that because the majority of their games are played on FSN which is more local. But PT is one thing that cannot be overlooked. I want you to look at that roster you got for next year. You got Tyshawn Taylor and Elijah johnson both starting PG’s. These arent just roster fillers.. Both are potential NBA prospects in upcoming drafts. And at SG you have quite a few very good guards. You think he wants to go to a place where he wont start immediatly? just saying.
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UofA BJ / February 14, 2010
selby will start wherever he goes. Hope he knows about the tradition at ARIZONA.
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RockChalkWoody / February 14, 2010
CatsFan1, that’s a legitimate question regarding the PG position. KU doesn’t really have somebody running the point exclusively in Self’s system. He just has guards. Collins spends a lot of time off the ball in this offense. I wouldn’t categorize Taylor or EJ as a PG. Taylor is not the greatest ballhandler and EJ is more of a Mario Chalmers type player.
I’ve watched Selby play enough to know that with Collins graduating he would get serious minutes at KU.
beardown3232, the UA success in the tourney the last 25 years has been impressive, but so has KU’s. I think that 2 NCAA Championships and seven Final Fours puts us right up there (considering we haven’t had as much NBA talent).
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Michael / February 14, 2010
First of all, there is no way to sugercoat last night’s embarrassing loss. Rebuilding year or not, to me that was the worst game of the year for the Cats, given it was this late in the season (as opposed to the BYU debacle).
If I was Woody I would have been gloating too. It’s all in fun and it was a really bad loss. Cats fans, myself included, have a lot of pride in our program and aren’t afraid to vocalize it. Look at this board, it’s half Arizona fans even though it is NYC based.
I think it’s great we have so much pride. That said, when the Cats lay an egg, expect guys like Woody to pop off about it. Deserved in my opinion.
A couple other things…
I have noticed on this board and others (scout.com especially) that Kansas fans to seem to have a particular interest in UofA basketball. It may be a coincidence, or the result of Jessie baiting everyone, but I think it’s flattering. KU is up there with UK, UCLA and UNC as the very best in college hoops and if their fans show interest, even to talk trash, it’s a compliment in a weird way.
Also, Jessie is totally harmless. Nonsensical. Yes. Annoying at times. Yes. But totally harmless and actually amusing in my opinion. Aside from “Gangsta U” which I admit he writes all of the time, he never really says anything negative about other programs. It’s usually just about Arizona.
What I don’t understand is why programs like UCLA, UNC, Louisville, and UConn seemingly get no flack for having down years, yet everyone seems to pile on UofA. And this when UofA has had to deal with many more issues. Okay UNC won the title last year so they get a pass, but what about the others? As for UConn, I feel for them because they are about to go through a very Lute-like situation. And it is not easy on the program, regardless of the program’s success.
Unless UofA wins the Pac 10 tourney I am now reserved to the 25 year streak coming to an end. What a shame because Miller will likely start a new streak next year that will last many many years. The Cats are in very good hands that I know.
I just hope Selby and Lamb weren’t watching the game last night. Probably not with the terrible TV contract. Larry Scott the new commish of the Pac 10 is finally bringing the conference into the 21st century, thankfully.
Bear down
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Michael / February 14, 2010
And sorry for the long post
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smdub213 / February 14, 2010
beardown, please tell me you are kidding when you say that Zona is a better program or even on the same level as KU… That might be the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
You just lost to one of the worse teams in D1. You can call it a rebuilding year or whatever makes you feel better, but remember last year was a so called rebuilding year for KU and we still went to the sweet 16.
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CATintheAZ / February 14, 2010
Michael, great post. I agree that this is about pride. If we let these fairweather fans get the best of us, it most likely rubs recruits the wrong way. I still have faith we can somehow get in the big dance. That is our tradition. Winning three games against average-at-best teams is definetely do-able.
Fact of the matter is we have 1 top notch recruit (J.Horne) left on this roster and he is not getting playing to his potential. Wise is playing his typical self. Fans don’t get it. His ceiling has been reached.
As delusional and obsessed as rockchalk may seem, most of his comments make sense about UA hoops. As he points out, we need the “three amigos” right now. That is the truth.
I hope that Selby, Lamb, and Jack get this message. If we were to get this package, we would be back on top of the PAC and ready to make serious runs into late March.
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RockChalkWoody / February 14, 2010
Michael, it has everything to do with the “baiting” from Jessie. Every time he pops off about Gangsta U or says negative crap about Self and the Jayhawks (which is all of the time) I feel compelled to respond with my crap (i.e., nice loss at home to Oregon State) that pisses you guys off. Otherwise, I have no problem with UA. I still think that UK gets Knight, KU gets Selby, and you guys get Lamb. We’ll all be happy.
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beardown3232 / February 14, 2010
Michael, I agree with everything you said except that half the people on these posts are Arizona. I think it is more like every single person other than Woody. And I completely understand what Woody said. Jessie Wildcat makes arrogant, untrue comments about KU and then Woody says crap about Arizona. And that just goes on back and forth.
I hope that the “3 Amigos” need to consider the impact they could have if they all went to UA next year. That can not even be a possibility though if we only have 1 scholarship. I think Miller needs to take away 2 scholarships and use them on recruiting. But I will be happy with just 1 of the 3 Amigos, specifically Doron Lamb.
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HuskiesNYC / February 14, 2010
I’m new to this site but it seems to be one of the best for recruiting updates. It is kind of funny how KU and UA fans go back and forth over who is going to land these players. This article is about Doron Lamb putting UConn back on his list. He’s already taken an official visit to Storrs and he’s teammates with Roscoe Smith. I’m not saying that he’s definitely going to UConn but they have as good a chance as your schools. If KU and UA were such “locks” he wouldn’t be considering other schools and would have commited by now. All this “three amigos” talk is funny. You are aware that Knight, Selby, Joseph, Leslie, and Lamb all have UConn on their final list, right?
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RockChalkWoody / February 14, 2010
HuskiesNYC, I think that if anybody is overlooking UConn as a viable option for a couple of these kids it’s only because of the uncertainty surrounding Calhoun. I know you guys already have 4 commitments, but if I remember right you have several to give?
I totally agree with you that nobody is a lock right now. It’s like dominoes & we’re all just waiting on the first one to fall.
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HuskiesNYC / February 14, 2010
RockChalkWoody , you are totally right. If Calhoun does retire UConn will not land these guys – too much uncertainty. But do you really see Coach Calhoun retiring after the worst year since the 80’s. Personally I think he’s too competitve. He did agree upon a 5 year extension before his medical leave, but it seems kinda up in the air now. Bottom line; Kansas, Zona and Conn are all great programs and land these type of players. UConn SUCKS this year but they did make the Final Four 10 months ago and I think the hype over the program declining is BS. Worst case us husky fans will have to wait a little bit (like Zona after Olson) after a legend leaves.
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CatsFan1 / February 14, 2010
Huskies.. You make good points about how all three schools have equal chances to land each of these players because lets be serious, these three schools are in the upper echelon of programs throughout the nation. But i saw you talked about how Jim Calhoun won’t retire after one of his worst seasons to date. It was health reasons that kept him out for those seven games. And if you remember correctly Lute was forced to retire from coaching because of poor health. So it really wasn’t a choice. Hopefully Calhoun will be fine though.
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ZonaWildcat / February 16, 2010
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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