Still no word on where or when Tyler Smith will sign his letter of intent to play basketball. According to a beat writer on the Memphis scene, it looks like John Calipari and the Tigers are looking elsewhere.
Q: Will the Tigers sign anyone late who can help next season?
A: Probably not. At one point, Tyler Smith was an option, but now it appears he’s headed elsewhere, perhaps Pittsburgh. As always, there could be a walk-on, and Calipari acknowledged Saturday via cell phone while recruiting at an AAU Tournament in Fayetteville, Ark., that he is considering taking a transfer (Oklahoma State freshman Roderick Flemings is a possibility, though at this point only a possibility).
That leaves Pitt, Iowa and Kentucky as the schools vying for Smith.
The longer Smith takes, though, the more likely that his choices will be narrowed for him. Coaches and teams don’t want to be stuck waiting too long on one kid that they lose out on others. Coach Dixon and Pitt could be moving in that direction.
University of Pittsburgh Head Basketball Coach Jamie Dixon is looking to fill his final 2006 scholarship. He, along with his staff, is currently hosting one of the top 2006 centers in the nation: 6-foot-11 inch Hamady N’diaye from Stoneridge Preparatory School in Tarzana, CA. The PantherDigest.com spoke with his coach today.
“Hamady flew into Pittsburgh on Sunday and he is set to return on Tuesday,” stated Stoneridge Preparatory School Head Basketball Coach Mike Mahoney. “He has visited Rutgers and Miami (FL). Pittsburgh will be his last visit before his final decision.”
Pitt, Rutgers or Miami are his top choices. And his decision is coming very soon. Like most HS Center prospects, he is raw but with lots of potential because of his size alone.
Coach Mahoney was quick to point out that N’diaye was equally impressive off the court. “It’s worth noting that Hamady is a great kid. He’s a high character type kid from a well educated family. He’s a solid student that won’t give you any problems off the basketball court.”
“I have five kids players heading to division one schools. We’re going to hold a huge press conference next week. Hamady will announce his decision at that time.”
If that time table holds true, Smith could be out. Pitt might prefer not to be risk being empty-handed with an unused scholarship.
N’Diaye is considered the 18th best Center prospect in the country according to Scout.com. Rivals.com lists him as the 9th best Center and 55th best prospect overall. Of course N’diaye apparently hasn’t been formally offered a scholarship by Pitt at this point.
