The recruiting game is a funny business. It's definitely an art, not a science. Sure, a player has to have talent to some degree but I'm a firm believer that everyone has a place to play at the next level. Everyone? Well, everyone who has kept all their options open by having above average to superior grades as well as showing they are coachable and socially adjusted. Not everyone is a D1 player but that does not mean that basketball cannot marry along with academics to allow a dedicated player to have a wonderful college experience and to build a lifetime of memories.
Congratulations to the following D1 Nation alumni who will continue on to play in college having made decisions at or near the end of this summer.
Keynan " Slim" Willis of Crosby has inked with Western Texas JC in Snyder, TX. Willis, at 6'9" is a skilled player who doesn't back down from anyone. He'll be at the high end of the mid majors, or a high major recruit at the Division One level after his two years at "Juke".
Jalen Washington of Pflugerville Hendrickson has inked with powerhouse Kilgore JC in Kilgore, TX. Washington is a 6'4" guard who can play from the one to the three position. He rebounds well, and gets to the free throw line at will. (An average of 13 times per game in his senior season. He has turned down two Division One offers (Mount St. Mary's (MD) and Southern (LA). As an academic qualifier he will move on after one year at Kilgore.
Brooks Pawsat of Austin Hyde Park will bring his game to Louisiana as he is headed to Centenary. At 6'4", Pawsat plays hard and is a deadly perimeter shooter. Centenary has recently dropped to D-3 but has an illustrious history. It's the alma mater of former Boston Celtics star Robert Parrish. Pawsat's outstanding academics has gotten him a huge chunk of money to offset the private schools big ticket.
Sterling Smoak: San Antonio Brandeis has inked with Northeast Nebraska Community College. The 6'8" Smoak is a late bloomer. If he gets that hunger their could be huge things ahead for him. His Pops played in the NBA, so the kid's got a pedigree.
Austin Jenkins (below) of Austin Hyde Park will play close to home this coming year for legendary Texas Tech and San Antonio East Central alum Coach Stan Bonewitz at Concordia University in Austin, TX. The 6'7" forward had several D1 schools flirting with him. If he can put it all together he'll be a heck of steal for Concordia.
Santiago Paredes of Austin Waldorf will head to Grinnell College (Iowa). Paredes is a heady PG who should have a nice career at Grinnell. It's particularly inspiring that when he move to Texas from Mexico he did not speak English. He applied himself, and along with a great school boy career he distinguished himself in the class room. What's wrong with our schools? Nothing that effort and commitment by a student can't solve. Good luck and vaya con Dios, Santiago!
Additional Signees: Shooting guard Jacob Palacios of San Antonio Clark has inked with Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio, TX. He'll play NAIA ball for Coach Russell Van Landingham in his uptempo offense
Kyle Rutledge of San Antonio Clark has inked with Northeast Nebraska Community College. At 6'4' he is undersized but Rutledge has major hops and has a high motor.
