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July 14, 2008

For the remaining spot(s) in the class of 2009, it is clear that Pitt is focused on the front court. Dante Taylor has the love from Pitt and has Pitt in his choices, but he also appears to be in no rush to decide anything.

They came to see Taylor, who averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds last season, including the 25 he gave to Tyreke Evans and American Christian. Taylor played well at the NBA Top 100 Camp and was recently named one of the top performers at the LeBron James US Skills Academy. He is ranked No. 9 among power forwards nationally by Rivals and No. 23 overall in the Class of 2009.

Taylor said he’s looking at Pittsburgh, Memphis, Kansas, UConn and Syracuse. Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon and assistants Tommy Herrion and Brandin Knight were on Taylor all day, camping out at his games.

“The five schools are all basically the same at the present time,” said Courtney Abrams, who is helping Taylor with the recruitment process.

Said Taylor: “I want to go away from home, but I don’t want to go too far. I just want to be in between.”

If geography really means something than Pitt has a good shot. He’s actually a native of Newburgh, NY, going to school in Maryland. Some family and friends in both places. Pitt somewhere relatively close to both. Somewhere, um, “in between.”

He’s in no rush, though, to make a decision. Suggesting that he might even wait until next April’s signing period rather than in November.

SlamOnline had a rundown on top performers from the Reebok camp and listed Thomas Robinson — another top target.

Thomas Robinson, 6-8 combo forward, Brewster (NH), 2009: A DC native who is headed to prep school, Robinson’s versatility–he can post up, handle the ball well for his size and hit the occasional outside J–but his motor, athleticism and toughness on the inside made him one of the top post prospects in attendance early on.

Judging by the players Pitt is pursuing, against whom they are recruiting against and that Pitt is listed as one of the top name teams pursuing these kids, I’d say Pitt is taking another step up in the eyes of recruits. The consistency of being a top-20, top of the Big East team coupled with winning the Big East Tournament this past season has a significant impact. Pitt is not just a darkhorse competing against the blue-chip programs for top players. Pitt’s name might not be the old, established blue-chip school; but it is one of the top programs in the country and recruits know it.

Down the road, 2011 seems to be a focus on guards. We know Sterling Gibbs and Tony Cherault (2010). Another guard Pitt is already showing interest in for 2011 is Tyrone Johnson. Johnson was also at the Reebok camp.

Johnson is one of the smoothest players in his class, and looks even better when he is playing with his Plainfield teammate Isaiah Epps. However, the 6-foot-2 guard was on his own this weekend, and still held his own. He showed the ability to handle the ball effectively and run an offense, and he is certainly not afraid of driving to the basket and scoring over bigger players. He plays taller than his 6-2 size, and crashes the offensive glass. He does have to work on his mid-range game, but he knocked down multiple three-pointers. He loves driving to his left despite being right-handed, and he finishes well at the rim. Johnson also draws fouls consistently. He finds the open man regularly and has good vision.

Johnson has a couple more years, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he added a couple more inches — and a lot more suitors. Other teams already pursuing him include Georgetown and Tennessee.





Off topic, but I did not see a post on this subject: Since Walls has left ND and returned to Pittsburgh, and will not play for ND this Fall or even attend school there (for personal reasons, ND says they expect him back in the winter)…any chance that he stays in Pittsburgh, sits out the year and signs on with the Panthers?

Comment by HbgFrank 07.14.08 @ 12:57 pm

I think we get robinson and not taylor. Memphis and KU may give offers, but Uconn may be a possibility. Lets hope lamar can convince him. I am OK with a Patterson, Dodson, and Robinson class.

Comment by Wally 07.14.08 @ 1:03 pm

We are the leader for Taylor. We need to get him. No excuses

Comment by Jamie H 07.14.08 @ 1:39 pm

I think we need to get Taylor. A Patterson, Taylor and Dodson class, hype wise, would be Dixon’s best class in my opinion. Anything else you add to this class would be a role player for life, unless it’s Robinson or Lawrence. The Scholarship situation is confusing since we don’t know who will qualify and who won’t return. I am fine with a three man class and it could end up being a very good one.

Comment by Panthoor 07.14.08 @ 2:25 pm

Scout is reporting Pitt has landed Taylor:

link to pittsburgh.scout.com

Comment by Dan35 07.14.08 @ 3:34 pm

wow, that is COMPLETELY unexpected! Not that we landed him, but he had recently said he wanted to wait until Spring to decide. Let’s hope there is no wavering, this kid needs to be ours

Comment by Jamie H 07.14.08 @ 3:44 pm

Like I said, not sure we will get taylor. Opps! Way to go coach. Big for our program.

Hail to Pitt!

Comment by Wally 07.14.08 @ 3:55 pm

Effing AWESOME!!!! Jamie Dixon deserved to land a blue-chip recruit. Are you kidding. A frontcourt with Dejaun Blair and Dante Taylor!!!! I don’t want jinx anything, but can you say “back-to-back final fours!”

This is really, really exciting. We have a recruiting class of Patterson, Dodson and Taylor. That is three top-50 players with potentially one more scholarship. Pitt is on a rising player in Thomas Robinson as well. This could be a top-5 recruiting class.

Well done Mr. Dixon!

Comment by Omar 07.14.08 @ 4:22 pm

Nice!

Comment by Jeff 07.14.08 @ 4:28 pm

As for Walls, I’d like to know as well, he is only a junior, which gives hime two years of eligibility, and if he sits one year out, one and done, but I’d take that without a doubt. ….how about some football posts Chas…thanks again…

Comment by Marco 07.14.08 @ 5:29 pm

I hope we get Robinson too or would that create problems? A frontcourt with Dejaun Blair, Dante Taylor, Thomas Robinson, and Lamar Patterson. Now thats a front court and half a back court!

Scout.com reports that Taylor committed while at the West Virginia campus. I know this is small of me but I just can’t help saying that I like Mr. Taylor’s style.

Comment by shadyforpresident 07.14.08 @ 5:42 pm

If last year taught us anything its that you can never have enough talent! One more big would not be bad if Austin can not go. What is his status? Anyone know?

Comment by Wally 07.14.08 @ 5:51 pm

I wondered about Wallace as well. It’s a shame that he never got to prove what he could do. We are going to find out about his situation fast though if Dixon finds that he can land another superstar.

So is this true that he committed to Pitt at WVU’s campus? … Someone get that guy a Klondike Bar.

Comment by Panthoor 07.14.08 @ 6:01 pm

Finally some breaking news….Way to go JD!!!!

Comment by bigbat25 07.14.08 @ 9:46 pm

Bumping Herrion, and not attempting to keep Antigua, sure looks like the right move today. Obviously there is a lot of time left before he even plays a minute of college ball, but this kid is rated higher than either Taft or Blair were at this stage.

Great job by Herrion and the rest of the staff — an absolutely HUGE get and the kind of thing that gets assistant coaches jobs. I’m glad he stayed, and I’m sure Tom is as well.

Comment by Sara D 07.14.08 @ 10:47 pm

[…] made his decision much earlier than expected. In an earlier interview with Adam Zagoria (which I cited earlier today) it seemed that a choice was not going to happen anytime soon. As for when he’ll make a college […]


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