I’m chalking this up to more from Mike Rice, Jr. More reaching out to recruiting Philly — for 2009.
He was on top of it early on against the Bulls, scoring on three consecutive trips down the floor to keep Chester close. Then in the second quarter, Robinson combined with 6-5 sophomore Rahlir Jefferson for a 14-4 run that gave Chester a 26-18 lead.
Jefferson, who according to Chester coach Fred Pickett also has received an offer from Pitt, would wind up with 16 points to go with four blocks and seven rebounds. He also kept former Chester player and Glen Mills star Alonzo Jones limited to 11 points.
“He’s still a baby,” Pickett said of Jefferson. “He’s satisfied with being the third or fourth wheel. He’s not aggressively trying to take anything over. But he’s going to be a big-time player.”
[Emphasis added.]
This is the Chester Clippers where Nasir Robinson — a Pitt commit for 2008 — plays.
This goes along with the early verbal from another sophomore. I take these as seriously as I took Terrelle Pryor and Herb Pope’s sophomore verbals. They are nice. The kids may be talented. But I’m not holding them to it. It’s just too soon and too many things can change on both sides.
On the truly committed side, DeJuan Blair had another stellar performance.
Some have called the 6-foot-7, 250-pound Pitt recruit a great low-post scorer. Others tend to focus on his rebounding or his innate passing ability.
Last night at the prestigious Primetime Shootout at Sovereign Bank Arena, there was only one word to describe his play — dominating.
Behind a gargantuan effort from its star senior center, No. 21 Schenley (20-2) stormed to a 85-74 victory against No. 20 DeMatha Catholic (Md.), in a battle of two of USA Today’s Top 25 teams.
Despite being loaded with Division I recruits, DeMatha had no answer for the hulking Blair, who finished with 32 points, 20 rebounds, 5 blocks and 5 steals. Blair dazzled the crowd with an array of emphatic dunks, smooth footwork, crisp passes and demoralizing blocked shots.
In a tournament field littered with top-tier teams and premier talent, Blair used it as a coming-out party on the national stage.
He finished the tournament by being named the MVP.
“I love the pressure,” Blair said, “I really do.”
After the game, Blair was treated like a star. Hugs, smiles and standing ovations were abundant as he waved to fans wearing Pitt apparel.
