In recruiting, Suarez's father knows best

Three decades ago, Manny Suarez was a highly recruited basketball player.

His son, Austin, is in a similar situation today. A standout shooting guard at Berkeley Prep, the 6-foot-6 rising senior has received interest from programs such as Buffalo, Holy Cross, Jacksonville, James Madison, N.C. State, Rice, Stetson, Tulsa, UCF, USF and Wichita State.

To say the least, Manny Suarez, who played at Jacksonville from 1974-78, is taking a significant role in his son's recruitment. Most significantly, he serves as a liaison between the colleges and Austin. And it's a role he takes serious.

"I don't give out his cell number," Manny Suarez said.

The reason? A math teacher at Berkeley Prep, the elder Suarez doesn't like the idea of his son being bothered during times when his focus should be on school. "Most players I talk to that are heavily recruited, that seems to be the biggest complaint," Manny Suarez said. "I don't want him getting hounded. He's still a teenager. Our main emphasis is on education. He needs to concentrate on the books."

Manny Suarez, who was recruited by Georgetown, Holy Cross and UConn before settling on the Dolphins (who had appeared in the NCAA title game a few years earlier), says the recruiting game hasn't changed in many ways through the years but has in others.

"I heard all the same stories 30 years ago," he said. "The one thing (coaches) are better at this time around is that they know how to use the teenage lingo. When I was recruited, it felt like I was talking to an adult. Now, these coaches are a lot more savvy."

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Comments

[813 hoops]

Austin would be a nice addition to a Patriot league school, i.e. Holy Cross! Good luck with your decision and enjoy YOUR senior year!

[blondbombshell]

How about a picture of the dad, I bet he is a hottie

[Mr. Suarez]

Sorry "blondbombshell" but I am over 50...nothing "hottie" about that...but I can still play a little ball...just ask the Tampa Catholic and Jesuit bball alumni who we played against last Wed. night.

[Mr. Suarez]

Thank you "Mr. Posted by"...
"egomaniac" is one of the nicest things I have been called in years...
the story is about recruiting and "Father Knows Best"... don't worry I talk about my sons all the time... they are best

[813 hoops]

Ego maniac may be a bit harsh.. but you might want to cross the Big East schools off the list. A Big East school is looking for a player who could lead his team out of the first round of the playoffs and defend on the perimeter.

[Mr. Suarez]

Good points "813 hoops"...it is tough for a 6'6" point guard to cover 5'6" quicker guys... we will see who gets more looks from the colleges... as for Big East, USF had a long way to go... but we are all Bulls fans... go Bulls !!

[SPC]

To 813 hoops,

What happened to Aaron Holmes and USF ?

[813 HOOPS]

SPC,
What does Aaron have to do with this? Aaron is a good player who led his team to many PLAYOFF victories in prep school(in the same district as BPS, I believe). He is currently at Santa Fe after realizing he wasn't a Big East (USF) or ACC (FSU) player.
As for the Bulls bball woes (I am a huge fan too, Mr. Suarez!) - does this mean Coach Heath shoudn't recruit the best athletes in the country because of USF's past? They need to get the top players in the state / and steal a stud or two nationwide - not a good player in Hillsborough County.
Just an opinion.

[SPC]

To 813 hoops,

Maybe that is why there are only 500 people in the stands at USF non-conference "HOME games".

Look at how quickly manny replies to every post. This guy has a massive ego.

"I talk about my sons all the time" Translation: I tell everyone how I'm their hero and how much they admire me!

[DII]

Come support your local ball players at U.Tampa or Eckerd. And the price is right too.

Go Spartans !!

[813 HOOPS]

Regarding the crowds at the dome SPC - USF is not a very marketable team right now and the Tampa Bay / Florida area lacks college basketball fans. UF did not even sellout "home league" games this year after back to back NC's.
Mr. Suarez,
Your son is a heck of a player but the reality is that the 6'5" guards in the Big East are quicker, more physical and athletic then any of the 5'6" student athletes on the Dunbar team!

[Clearwater fan]

Lets see how Luke of Clearwater HS does at FSU next year.

[Mr. Ken]

At 6'6", three point range, high basketball IQ, quick first step and the ability to create separation....young Austin will be just fine wherever he decides to attend college. How many shorter, slower, no elevation guards are surviving at the D-I level? Plenty!

[T]

Ya--I remmeber when Stephen Curry wasn't fast enough or good enough to be in the SEC or ACC. Don't sell any kid short even if he is a 6'6" guard

[813 hoops]

Mr. Ken,
I agree with your "rubric" for guard play at the D1 level. I hope Austin can put Hillsborough county "on the map" - I have seen him play and he has some very nice intagibles such as shooting range and elevation. He seems to be a hard worker so his defense will only improve.
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT ABOUT AUSTIN BUT A GENERAL COMMENT(DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONAL): One thing I disagree with is the slow, no elevation guards surviving in a Big East type conference. They only survive / play at schools like Seton Hall, USF and Rutgers (bottom feeders)- have you seen PITT, Georgetown, Syracue, UCONN or Louisville play live recently? I have and did not notice any slow guards who lack elevation on the floor.

[high school ballplayer]

Mr. Suarez is one of the nicest and LEAST egotistical basketball fathers I've ever known. And look at what he has done for his sons education-wise - you can't argue with that. Anyone dissing Mr. Suarez as a father is only disappointed in the success of their OWN sons and themselves.

[Mr. Suarez]

Thank you "high school ballplayer"

My older son Brandon was fortunate enough to play ball for MIT where they won 20 games his freshman year.

We hope his younger brother Austin does as well.

Education is the ticket for all our children.

If education is the ticket for all our children, then why not pick the University first and call the coach later?

Austin probably can get into any school he applies to. I am sure MIT wouldn't mind having Austin. I have seen Austin play and he is an excellent player with a great work ethic that any school would welcome to the team (and I mean any school).

What top 5 schools would Austin pick if he could go anywhere he wanted?

Have you contacted those schools?

It seems to me the schools drive the decision process rather than the other way around.

[Mr. Suarez]

Thank you "Posted by June 1, 1:06 pm"

You make a great point, but reality dictates that the schools contact the ball player.

Austin's name has been on "lists" since 8th grade when he hit 5 threes agaisnt IMG in a varsity game.

In this day and age with the internet, all a coach has to do is google a player's name and articles pop up.

By the way, Austin's AAU team Florida Elite 17U just won the USSSA State Championships. They also won the AAU States last month. Next stop, Vegas, Kentucky and then Disney for Nationals.

[Mr. Ken]

I can't disagree with you 813 hoops.
A four year ride at any of those colleges you mention would not be a bad thing. You never know when the chemistry of a team can come together.
The guards are lighting quick in D-1, yet a smart coach can get away with hiding him on a slower small forward.
Now this team on the floor has decent size at all positions.
Of course he has to get stronger...have you seen Dad lately....Austin has some lbs he will grow into....lol

[J. Caragan]

Mannie - I have enjoyed watching your children grow into the successful men they are today. I know it is the incredible opportunity you and Kathryn provided them both with excellent educations, as well as being such an integral part of the lives, i.e. coach, teacher, and parents. God Bless You Austin and good luck wherever you go! (My personal fav: USF GO BULLS!

[ctcrusader]

I wish young Austin much success with his college decision, but here is another vote for Holy Cross! Go Crusaders!

Berkeley Prep knows a lot about recuriting and offering high school "scholarships" to baseball, basketball, volleyball and football players to come to Berkeley.