8/31/09

2012 NJ prospect has early interest

Tariq Carey is not the only 2012 prospect from Newark Eastside (N.J.) getting college interest (see more on Carey in our Class of 2012 Intro: Tariq Carey).

Aaron Bodie, a 6-foot-6 rising sophomore forward, is on the radar of several schools, and his list is undoubtedly going to grow as he matures.

“I know St. John’s asked me to bring him up this Tuesday with Tariq,” said Troy Long, Bodie’s coach at Eastside. “St. Joseph’s and George Mason have been inquiring.

“I think his recruitment will be a wait and see. It would be a big story for a public [school] to have so many D-1 kids in one class.”

Keep an eye on this young, athletic forward, who can be one of the best players in the state if he grows a couple of inches and develops his current skill set.

8/30/09

Ex-Rutgers player Corey Chandler transferring to Binghamton

Former All-State guard getting second chance at New York school

BY MIKE VORKUNOV

Corey Chandler, the former Rutgers guard who left the program earlier this month, has found a new home. According to multiple sources Chandler will be transferring to Binghamton University.

The New York school is led by 2009 America East Coach of the Year Kevin Broadus. Last season, Binghamton was 23-9 and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Duke, 86-62.

Chandler has two seasons of eligibility remaining and will have to sit out a year per NCAA rules.

After spending two tumult filled years at Rutgers, the Newark native will moveon to a school that has recently gained a reputation for giving second chances to players with not so perfect pasts.

Chandler, an All-State selection at East Side in Newark, came to Rutgers prior to the 2007-08 season as Hill's first big-name recruit. His time at the school did not play out as expected.

In the midst of two-losing seasons, Chandler's playing time wavered and so did his production. In 32 games as a sophomore, he averaged 7 points and 3.3 rebounds with 11 starts. He averaged 11.9 points and 4 rebounds his freshman year. There were also rumors of off-field problems.

CLASS OF 2012 INTRO: TARIQ CAREY

Garden state soph is one college coaches are watching already

BY JEFF BORZELLO

The state of New Jersey has several of the top players in the classes of 2010 and 2011 this season in the high school ranks, namely Michael Gilchrist, Kyrie Irving, Rakeem Christmas, Dion Waiters, Myck Kabongo and more.

But what about 2012? Who is the next to wear the crown as the marquee prospect from the Garden State?

Paterson Catholic prospect Kyle Anderson gets more attention, but Tariq Carey might be the best player in the state.

The 6-foot-1 combo guard from Newark Eastside (N.J.) is developing rapidly, and was impressive when NBE saw him at the Hoop Group HBC Metro Summer Showcase and the St. John’s Elite Camp.

Apparently various colleges have also taken notice of the rising sophomore.

“Oregon State, Villanova, Penn State, Seton Hall, George Mason,” Carey provided when asked about his current school list. He did add that he hasn’t picked up any offers yet.

Even though he does not have to decide on a school for a couple of years, Carey is already checking out potential destinations.

“I’m supposed to be heading up to St. John’s September 2,” he said. “That’s the latest on the schedule dealing with visits.

“I [also] went on a tour of SMU when I went down for their Elite Camp August 7-9, that’s about it.”

Carey’s high school coach, Troy Long, added that he was trying to set up a visit to Villanova in September as well. Long also states that St. Joseph’s and Siena are showing interest in Carey.

Carey discussed that all of the attention from colleges has come very quickly – but he is not going to rest on his laurels until he reaches all of his goals.

“It feels real good,” he said. “Only a year ago I was talking how I wanted to be on the Internet and get noticed, and a year later I’m getting a lot of recognition. I’m still not there yet because I want to try to be a McDonald’s All-American.”

Despite the number of schools currently courting Carey’s services, he’s not content with his standing nationally, and wants to become a household name across the country.

“They wont ever give [me] a chance to be ranked higher than Kyle Anderson,” he said. “I feel that, if I’m not better, we’re equal. I should be number two this year, that’s just my opinion. I mean, he’s good and all but I think the truth should be the truth. If you’re better than somebody, you shouldn’t base them off of what school they go to. But that’s how it goes.”

Carey, whose dream school is Wake Forest, made his presence known at many of the events he attended this summer by himself and with Team New Jersey Elite, and is hoping more people begin to take notice of the competition he is outplaying.

“Everybody knows I’m good and every time I go to a camp, I do really well,” he said. “Like Eastern [Hoop Group Elite], all the big-name freshmen [were] there, include me, and I was still ranked higher than every other freshman.”

“And some of the ranking websites,” he continued, “most of the people that’s ranked higher than me, I destroyed.”

Carey is a smooth player who is not afraid of going up and finishing around the rim with contact. He gets to the basket very well, driving down the lane or along the baseline. The athletic guard also has a decent mid-range game and is crafty with the ball. Defensively, he picks up steals by playing the passing lanes well. His only weakness right now is his outside shot, as he uses his quickness to consistently drive past defenders instead.

“He is a hard-working kid who stays in the gym,” Long said. “He loves challenges and wants to play against the best so if someone is ranked higher than him, he will go at them hard.”

Long also attributes some of Carey’s growth to a current New Jersey high school superstar.

“He is like Kyrie Irving’s little brother,” Long said. “Kyrie always takes care of him and gets him into stuff. He met Kyrie when he was in the 8th grade. They were friends every since. He looks up to Kyrie and Kyrie always gives him advice. They went to the St. John’s Elite Camp together and Kyrie got him into Five-Star with him as well. He’s always giving him tips and pointers.”

While Carey is the go-to-guy on his AAU team, he is constantly honing his game to try and showcase his skills. That goal was fulfilled when he made the all-star game at this week’s Five-Star Camp.

“My coach even said that ‘Tariq is able to do the things he does when he goes to camp because he works on his game,’” Carey said.

The confident Carey is ready to put to rest any doubt that he has the talent and potential to be a big-time player.

Said Carey: “This high school season I will prove that I’m the best player in the class of 2012 in New Jersey.”

8/9/09

Big time players are expected to make big time plays

PEZINOK, Slovakia – Rutgers rising junior guard Corey Chandler (Newark, N.J.) scored 13 points, grabbed three rebounds and had three steals to help the East Coast All-Stars to a 100-95 victory over AB Cosmetics Pezinok on Saturday evening. RU rising sophomore forward Patrick Jackson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) contributed seven points and four rebound, as the All-Stars improved to 3-0 on their foreign tour of Prague, Bratislava and Vienna.

Jackson and Chandler reportedly showed up to play in the tour’s toughest contest. Jackson consistently rebounded and finished with fervor. Chandler wanted the ball in his hands down the stretch, coming up with crucial thefts and big baskets in the final few minutes of the game.

"Big time players are expected to make big time plays," said head coach Guy Rancourt. “And they certainly did not let us down tonight.”

In a charged atmosphere with more than 1,100 fans in attendance, Pezinok's Niko Milosevic, the starting point guard of the 2009 Top Division Champions, pulled up for what seemed to be a game changing shot. All-Star Chris Kehoe had other plans in mind, coming out of nowhere to block the attempt. He advanced the ball to Chandler for the exclamation point finish to seal the thrilling win.

A strong Pezinok team fought hard throughout the contest. The home squad trailed by a slim 26-23 margin at the conclusion of the opening quarter. The teams continued to battle back and forth in the second stanza as the visitors were only able to stretch their lead to 50-46 at intermission. Pezinok's veteran big man Alec Lukjanec came out in the second half with a purpose, knocking down threes and getting to the foul line. Pezinok held its first advantage of the contest, 74-73, as the third quarter came to a close. Solid guard play from the All-Stars in the final 10 minutes, however, ensured the victory.

The East Coast All Stars continue their tour on Sunday against AB Basket Levice, another Slovakian Top Division opponent.

8/4/09

Florida Nationals

Here's a nice picture of Ata Robinson with Rod Strickland.........