BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: SETON HALL

May 16, 2007




COMMITMENT ALERT: Mike Davis, PF/C from NYC


2007-2008 Projected Roster

Seniors: Brian Laing (G/F), Jamar Nutter (G)
Juniors: Paul Gause (G), Austin Okosun (C)
Sophomores: Eugene Harvey (PG), Larry Davis (SG), John Garcia (C/F)
Freshmen: Michael Glover (F), Jeremy Hazell (G/F), Brandon Walters (BF/C), Chris Smith (G), Mike Davis (PF/C)


While many in the world of college basketball have been fixated on the recruiting battles for Jai Lucas and Patrick Patterson as the late signing period came to a close, the fans of the New Jersey Big East schools were closely following the back and forth battle waged by Seton Hall and Rutgers for Mike Davis. According to Jerry Carino's Hoops Haven blog, it looks as a winner was finally crowned as Davis is Headed to the Hall.


Read More...Click 'Read More' Below!!!


Bobby Gonzlazez, the tireless recruiter that he is, added a 6th member to his 2007 recruiting class by getting the long awaited commitment of Mike Davis, the 6'9 BF/C originally from NYC who has bounced around to four different schools since being expelled from Xaverian as a junior. Davis, who at one time looked like he could join the program sometime this January when he finally fulfilled his high school graduation requirements, finally becomes an official member of the SHU recruiting class after a late charge by Fred Hill and Rutgers that took this story right to the end. Davis is another 6'9 230 lb big man that has the ability to run the floor. The big lefty has solid post moves and offers a little more of a low-block game to Walters, so they could compliment each other well. Davis was a top-150 level recruit, but he has bounced around from class to class so much that he could give the Pirates a little more of a lift due to his advanced age than a normal top-150 big man prospect in his first season.

Davis joins Chris Smith, Brandon Walters, Austin Okosum, Michael Glover and Jeremy Hazell in the Pirate recruiting class. Smith committed to SHU a little over a week ago and is the younger brother of former Lakewood High School and St. Benedict’s Prep standout J.R. Smith, who plays for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets. Smith averaged a team-high 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.8 steals for the St. Ben's prep team last year (the Gray Beed field two teams). He can fill in at both guard spots and should be able to spell Eugene Harvey, whom Smith played with at St. Benedict's for a season, at the point next season. Walters was the 4th member of Bobby Gonzalez's 2007 recruiting class and also signed his letter of intent this spring. The NYC product from PSAL power Lincoln made his choice to be a Pirate last winter. Walters is a 6'9 BF/C with a solid skill set and enough athleticism to be a good shot-blocker and rebounder in the Big East. He is one of those players you feel has his best basketball ahead of him if he can consistently put forth the effort on the floor and the determination to improve in practice. At 6'9 and 220 lbs, he brings much needed size to the Pirate roster and he is athletic enough to fit in the style that coach Gonzalez wants to bring to the floor with SHU.

Seton Hall previously signed Okosum, Glover and Hazell last fall. Last summer Bobby Gonzalez gained a commitment for the class of 2007 when Nigerian JUCO prospect Austin Okosum committed to Bobby Gonzalez and the Pirates. As a freshmen, Okosum played at NAIA school Georgetown College in Kentucky. Georgetown College is usually a popular place for Division 1-A transfers. Okosum joined Michael Glover in the 2007 recruiting class. Glover is a native of NYC whose older brother played for St. John's in the Big East. Glover is a solid athlete that competes with a high intensity level. A little under-sized for a PF, Glover relishes that disadvantage to bang away inside and is playing for a talented American Christian Academy. The other member of the class is sharp-shooting Jeremy Hazell, regarded as one of the best shooters in the prep ranks this year. Playing for a loaded Patterson School, Hazell has prozen to be a very solid recruit with his play this fall. Also, sharp-shooting prep school wing Jeremy Hazell committed earlier in the process to Seton Hall. Hazell is regarded as one of the best deep threats in the perp ranks in the class of 2007 and will be a nice lift on the perimeter for Bobby Ganzalez's style of play.

Due to the transfer earlier this spring of Kashif Pratt, the Pirates do have another scholarship open, but they'd be wise to hold on and get moving on the talented 2008 local class. They will be looking for some scoring help in the class with the graduated of Brian Laing and Jamar Nutter and more size would be welcomed as well.

Check back often for SHU recruiting news and notes!