His chances of being sent to the NBDL went down a notch with Golden State’s release of power forward Rodney White. Taft will be given every chance to stay with the Warriors to provide bench depth.

Taft is a strong shot blocker — he had 110 in his two years with the Panthers — and rebounder. He has an improving midrange jumper as well, and while he is an outstanding athlete, scouts questioned Taft’s work ethic before the draft. With Golden State releasing Rodney White on Thursday, Taft should get an opportunity to stick.

“I can’t wait to show everybody what I can do,” said Taft, who will also play for the Warriors’ summer-league team. “It’s disappointing I didn’t get picked in the first round, but this is a very, very good fit for me.”

It’s not like Taft has never shown motivation. He did in his first year. It is about maintaining the energy and levels.

Okay, let’s face it. There isn’t going to be a lot of news over this weekend. So here’s what I can scrape.

Pitt is either repackaging, replacing or supplementing its Pitt athletics magazine. This one is called “Panther Eyes.” It is being produced by ISP Sports, with whom Pitt signed last November. They seem to be doing a good job in producing media content for Pitt.

A Big East Notes article observes that Tyler Palko is the most likely BE player to be in the running for the Heisman. The only other would by Louisville QB Brian Brohm.

Top recruiting target Darin Walls is now saying (at least to the ND Recruiting site) that he hasn’t narrowed his choices to simply Pitt or Michigan.

“That’s not true,” said Walls. “I think something was misunderstood or misquoted, I’m not sure.”

“Notre Dame, Michigan, Florida, Pitt and Penn State area my top five. I’m still open to everyone, but those are the schools I’m giving the most attention to right now.[“]

I’m inclined to believe this. He indicates he is in no rush to decide, and wants to take his visits.

Not to worry, there is plenty of recruiting happening for Pitt, especially from the new commits.

Now that he’s committed to Pitt, Jason Pinkston has become a recruiter. The star defensive tackle wants other WPIAL stars to follow him.

Almost daily, Pinkston phones blue-chip recruits and tells them to hop on board the bandwagon. Pitt is it.

“I asked Jason, ‘Are you working for Pitt now? Are you on their payroll?’ ” said Mike Silianoff, Pinkston’s coach at Baldwin High School.

“He’s telling everyone, ‘Pitt is too good to pass up.’ ”

And some of the area high school coaches seem to be drinking the kool-aid.

“Kids who are still unsigned are feeling pressure,” said Gateway coach Terry Smith, Aaron Smith’s uncle. “Do they want to go somewhere else and miss out what might be a very special time to be at Pitt?

“Or will they commit to Pitt just like so many of these (recruits) are doing?”

Encouraging. Very encouraging.