Coaching staff from five division 1 universities gathered at Antelope Valley College today in hopes to fill their final slots for the coming year and to scout the AVC players for the future.
University of Chicago head coach Howard Moore’s eyes roved over the 18 AVC players on the floor. Before coming to the U of Chicago, he was the assistant coach at the U of Wisconsin for five years and every year they played in the NCAA tournament. Now it is up to Coach Moore to build his Horizon Conference University of Chicago team into a basketball powerhouse. He may be looking for a floor leader to assist him in this goal. He spent a lot of time with freshman qualifier, PG, DaShawn Gomez who has 3 years of eligibility left. Have a feeling he might be looking as some other AVC players for the future as well.
Anthony Steward, the new assistant coach at Southern Illinois University, headed for one of his favorite places, Antelope Valley College, to look for talent for his new basketball team. As the long time assistant at Wyoming University, he recruited Mahmoud Diakite from AVC, who is a 4 year professional player in France. Coach Steward is looking toward the future and liked what he saw. He will be back later this summer for a closer look.
University of Santa Barbara, after a visit to the NCAA tournament, is looking for the talent that will take them a step beyond there first game loss. Assistant Coach Matt Stock, a 43% three point shooter U of Santa Barbara himself, probably didn’t miss the hot 3 point shooting from sophomore Jason “JJ” Johnson and freshman Josh Blaylock.
Quintin Grogan, assistant coach, for Northern Arizona University is hungry. The Lumberjacks with 19-13 record, was so close this year. NAU was very competitive in their losses and they feel with a coupe of players with size…hmm. Noticed the coach was looking at Dwan Caldwell, 6’8”, 240, George McGrew, 6’8”, 225, Reggie Murphy, 6’9”, 250, and Larry Slaughter, 6’7”, 220. Guess the other coaches were looking too.
Tarvish Felton, assistant coach, Utah State University, was doing double duty today with his visit. He continues to monitor Kyisean Reed and is excited about bringing Reed to USU. He also was watching several of AVC’s players with great interest toward the future. Utah State with one of its best years ever with a NCAA tournament visit, continues to strengthen its program.
I enjoyed the level of intensity that AVC players showed today. For many of the new players at AVC. it was was an impressive show of what their future could hold with hard work and dedication both in basketball and academics.
