The one downside to the Ireland trip for the Pitt basketball team is that it cuts into recruiting. Technically an evaluation period, but you get it. So, Coach Dixon and the staff had to be extremely busy up until they left. Coach Dixon kept a close eye on top talent at the USA Basketball U-17 practices and games.

Andre Drummond (Middletown, Conn./St. Thomas More) had a solid opening day at the U-17 nationals. The athletic big man played with good energy and most importantly concentrated on dominating the paint, instead of drifting to the perimeter too often. Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon and Georgetown coach John Thompson III were front and center for both games, while North Carolina’s Roy Williams was on the baseline for his afternoon game.

Drummond is one of the top players in the 2012 recruiting class and already considered to be a potential #1 pick for the 2013 NBA Draft.

Never stop recruiting the best possible I guess, even with a big man verbal with Kiwi Steve Adams.

…this is an email I received from Sue Pene, the Player Development Officer for Team New Zealand. I thought I would share the info she has provided.

He from my home town of Rotorua, here is some background. We have tried to get Steven to play for our Junior Tall Blacks this year, who have a FIBA Qualifying Tournament in September, unfortunately we believe Kenny has instructed Steven not to play for the JTBs – possibly due to wishing to get him into a college in the USA.

Nothing screws up eligibility for foreign students more than playing on a team that has anyone who might be paid or considered a professional. Kudos to his coach for doing what he can to protect that eligibility.

Bleed Black & Gold Blog also had a review of Adams’ performance in Vegas. It apparently went well. Source of review is unknown.

Finally, before leaving for Ireland, Pitt offered a 2013 wing player by the name of Jason Boswell.

Boswell is a native of the Bronx and like many talented NYC natives in recent years has opted for the prep school ranks. Boswell plays for Kevin Boyle’s Elizabeth (NJ) powerhouse St. Patrick’s.

“Well my cousin Kyrie Irving goes there to begin with,” Boswell said by text today from the NYC Summer Classic on why he chose St. Pat’s. “Also, it’s a top program and I feel I’m a top player, so why not play the best and against the best. Coach Boyle is a great coach and I know I will have a challenge every day in practice.”

Not only does Irving’s influence help Boswell choose a high school, but the long and athletic 6-foot-6, 185-pound forward models his game in some ways after the Duke-bound point guard, as well as Tyreke Evans and maybe a little Harrison Barnes to top it off, according to him. His ability to score inside and out and facilitate offense for others does have a little bit of each represented.

“I honestly think my one-on-one game and my [basketball] IQ [is the strongest part of my game]“, said Boswell.

Earlier in the week Boswell received his first scholarship offer as Jamie Dixon’s Pittsburgh program extended an offer. The news excited Boswell when he was told by his father, but he also realizes the long road ahead.

“I was happy when I found out I got my first offer,” said Boswell. “But it also humbled me much more and now I feel I have to work much harder.”

No actual recruiting rankings for him yet, but he is playing at a top prep school and is already 6-6. As far back as last year, Boswell had some big interest in Pitt. Listing them as one of his “dream” schools with ‘Nova and ‘Cuse. Here’s a brief video interview with him after a St. John’s camp. Lots of interest, but Pitt was the first to pull the trigger on an offer.