2008 Men's Basketball Verbal Commitments

[Rhino]

I'll update this list as we go along and add tidbits also.

I'm closing this so posters can get info on future recruits without wading through a bunch of posts.

[Rhino]

Orlando Allen (http://oklahoma.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=40176)
Center
6'11", 275 lbs.
Paris (TX) Paris J.C.
AAU: D1 Greyhounds

Committed: 09/25/07

Allen averaged 2 points, 3 rebounds and 1 block per game last season at Paris JC. He also only played 12 minutes per game due to injuries and weight issues.

Was Seton Hall commit out of high school.

Quotables:

"Orlando has really had a good summer and he has been working with a personal trainer and playing in the Cincinnati Pro AM League. He has good energy for his size and a great work ethic."
-Ross Hodge, Paris JC coach Other schools considered:
Minnesota, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Baylor, Kentucky, Bowling Green

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/807/orlandoallen762300kp9.jpghttp://img232.imageshack.us/img232/1025/orlandoallenov1.jpg

[Rhino]

Ray Willis (http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=57989)
Small Forward
6'5", 165 lbs.
Atlanta (GA) Westlake
AAU: Georgia Stars

Committed: 10/14/07

Willis averaged 18 points, 8 rebounds per game last season.

Other schools considered:
Penn State, Temple, UTEP, Oregon, UCF, Georgia St., South Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Maryland

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4328/raywillis106200qz5.jpghttp://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5105/raywillisjl9.jpg

[Rhino]

Kyle Cannon (http://oklahoma.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?sport=2&pr_key=72156)
Power Forward
6'8", 230 lbs.
Pasadena (TX) San Jacinto C.C.
Worchester Academy (Massachusetts)
2008 JucoJunction Top 200 (21) (http://jucojunction.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=2005)

Committed: 11/15/07

Cannon averaged 15 points and 8 rebounds per game his freshman year, despite being sidelined with a broken hand for a good portion of the year. He went on to earn third-team all-region honors, leading San Jac to the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. NJCAA Basketball Preseason All-American.

Played exceptionally well during San Jacinto's pre-Christmas slate last season before suffering a broken hand in a pick-up game. He came back into action slowly and played his best basketball of the season late as San Jac grabbed second place behind his effort. (http://www.sjcd.edu/athletics/basketball_men/31.shtml)

Quotables:

"Kyle was exceptional for us in the first part of the season before his injury. Now he's back at full strength and I expect Kyle to be a leader for us. He can play inside or out at 6-foot-8, and has a great mid-range game. We need him to be a rebounder for us inside, and he has shown he can do that well. Kyle can run the floor with anybody, including all of our guards. He can play down low around the basket, or can step out and shoot the ball."
-Scott Gernander, SJC coach Other schools considered:
North Texas, Nebraska, Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure, Towson, Binghamton

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/2698/cannonmn2.jpg

[Rhino]

Willie Warren (http://oklahoma.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=42534&Sport=2)
Point Guard
6'3", 195 lbs.
Fort Worth (TX) North Crowley
AAU: Team Texas
Rivals150 for class of 2008 (12) (http://oklahoma.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=1617)
2008: Point Guards (4) (http://oklahoma.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=1619)

Committed: 10/16/07

Warren averaged 23.2 points, 4.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds as a junior.

Quotables:

"A physically imposing combo guard, Warren excels at delivering the tough pass on the move and knocking down the difficult shot. He also has the tools to be a dominant defender and rebounder if the effort is there. Best in an up and down game, Warren does need to improve his decision making in the half court offense."
- Jerry Meyer (Rivals.com) Other schools considered:
Kansas, Kentcuky, Connecticut, Cincinnati

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http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/1567/williewarren725200nr0.jpghttp://img124.imageshack.us/img124/6301/williewarren913200gp7.jpghttp://img57.imageshack.us/img57/4391/williewarren0453yb9.jpghttp://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8537/williewarrencockedbackeb2.jpg

[Rhino]

Juan Patillo (http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=37459)
Small Forward
6'7", 215 lbs.
Twin Falls (ID) College of Southern Idaho
AAU: Nevada Elite

Committed: 04/20/08

Patillo averaged 17.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals last season.

Other schools considered:
Kentucky, Oklahoma State, UNLV, Arizona, Indiana

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/7633/juanpatillo38150rj6.jpg

[Rhino]

***PREFERRED WALK-ON***

T.J. Franklin (http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=55322)
Point Guard
6'0", 160 lbs.
Fort Worth (TX) North Crowley

Committed: 12/04/07

Franklin averaged 4 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals per game his senior season.

Was a teammate of Willie Warren's at North Crowley.

Other schools considered:
Brown, Lafayette

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/2466/thedrickfranklin712150sb3.jpg