Bulls get commitment from forward Teague

Having granted three reserve players releases from their scholarships this week, USF coach Stan Heath has returned to the business of adding to his roster, picking up an oral commitment Saturday from Gene Teague, a 6-foot-8, 295-pound power forward from Vineland, N.J.

"Everything seemed to fit real well," said Teague, fresh off an official campus visit. "I've been following the Big East, and the visit was a lot of fun. I like it all -- the coaches, the basketball team and the weather."

Teague, who said he would like to play at 270 pounds as a freshman, averaged 17.1 points per game as a junior at St. Augustine Prep and about 23 points this spring after transferring to Living Faith Academy. Philly.com ranked him as the No. 38 prospect in the greater Philadelphia and south New Jersey area.

It's been a whirlwind courtship for Teague, who said USF only started recruiting him about three weeks ago. He made the half-hour drive to Philadelphia to see the Bulls play at Villanova on March 5, and his family made the 1,100-mile, 17-hour drive from New Jersey to Tampa to see USF's campus this week. In case you missed it a few days back, you can watch a highlight video of Teague here.

ESPN.com's recruiting rankings list him as the No. 54 power forward in this year's class; for comparison, Eladio Espinosa, who signed with USF in November, ranks 38th. Their evaluation of Teague reads: "Eugene is a rugged post player who has a soft touch around the rim. He changes ends of the floor well for a prospect of his size. He has soft hands and finishes plays at the rim. He has a real wide body that is difficult to move when he gets good position." Having said that, they also list him at 230 pounds.

He is USF's first commitment for the spring signing period, and helps fill a major need in the frontcourt, where the Bulls had little depth this season and now must replace All-Big East center Kentrell Gransberry. Rising senior B.J. Ajayi made major strides at power forward in the second half of the season, establishing himself as a rebounder and a defensive presense inside.

The Bulls signed Espinosa in November, and guard Mike Mercer transferred in from Georgia in December. Heath has four scholarships remaining for the spring signing period, which starts next month.

Trivia question time, and no peeking at online rosters: Who were the three Big East players whose listed weights were greater than 270 pounds? Only one of them is really a big name in the league ...

(photo from Ron Cortes of the Philadelphia Inquirer)

Comments

[dantheman123]

geez that 17 hour drive sounds like a major turn off.

[Herman Momart]

Dan, I was thinking the same thing. We cant set this kid up with a flight?? Man we have no shot in the Big East. I'm not too excited about the 38th ranked player out of the Philly/S. Jersey area. They dont even have any schools listed as interested in him. This wasnt the type of player I was expecting we would be replacing our scholarship guys with.

270+ i would guess Thabeet, Gransberry and Blair??

[WITNESSES]

THIS IS A VERY BAD MOVE ON STAN HEATH BEHALF THE GUY IS 6'6 AT THE MOST 300 POUND POST PLAYER.GOOD LUCK STAN

[G.A.]

I didn't ask, but I think they'd fly him, but not his entire family. So if everybody wanted to go, they drive. Just a guess.

He's big but jusging from that vid he may not be that bad.

[RR]

Yep...no more than 6'6", and he'll get his lunch eaten every night by REAL Big East power forwards.

Definitely not the way to start this year's recruiting class.

[CR]

Some of you guys crack me up. So tell me who should USF had gotten? and please dont come with the Brumbaugh crap because the kid is obviously not interested in college.
We hired Heath as a coach and Ill ive him and his staff the time to prove it on the court wether this kids will perform or not.
Let me know when you guys get major college coaching jobs. Maybe your talents are being wasted on this blog LOL.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Mercer will be pretty good. Other then that, I have given up on USF recruits. I can't tell if anyone is going to be good and most of the guys we bring in suck.

Nobody in their right mind thought D. Jones was going to do what he did, so you just sit and wait.

I do know that mercer is solid. Jones is solid. Verdejo aint bad. Other then that, we don't have much.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

I can't believe Holmes transfered from FSU. Sat out a year.. then played like 5 games and then left. How awful is that for him? Guy's college career has been a disaster.

Poor kid.

[The Champ]

Well looks like my source was right again as predicted Teague commited to USF.

He also said that the big fellow looked damn good going against USF players in the pickup games as well.

The kid has size, strength, great hands(which makes him better then any of our Bigs with the exception of Gransberry),nimble feet and can shot the ball from mid range.The only thing that he needs to do is get down to 270-275lbs and he will do very well for USF.

RODFLMAO at any and all you jokers that think Heath would get rid of guys that can't play major D-1 basketball only to sign a guy that can't play major D-1 basketball.Come on that makes no sense what so ever.Heath and his staff's action this spring tell me they are convinced that Teague can play and that is good enough for me.

BTW how many of you so called wise guys remember Rodney Carney?Well he had 0 stars by his name and ranked in the 300 area if Rivals went down that for.Well that unranked player went on to have a hell of a college career playing for Memphis and now is enjoying a good NBA career with the 76ers.

[BasketBull.]

I think this is a decent replacement for one of the departing guys, for example, Sakka.

Teague's probably going to be good for about 8-15 minutes a game and maybe 5-8 points. He's certainly not a starter in the Big East, yet, at least not from the video.

The important thing here is size: we need to eat up space inside and not get pushed around. It would be very nice if he were a great rebounder like Hakim Shahid.

[Jake Ryan]

Good pickup to fill a major need. He might not be the team's leading scorer, but has the skills to contibute. I like his body, hands, and touch.

[The Champ]

G.A. whats' the word on McMillan? We need this guy just as much as anyone we are recruiting this spring.He appears to be the perfect compliment to the games of Jones, Mercer, Verdejo, Espinosa, and Chin.

chin well not be around next seasons I can assure you of that. 99% of you guys don't have a clue what your talking about on this blog. I've witness everything with this program from a firsthand experience.the kid is miserable,he's playing out of position, and frankly doesn't want to be here.the kids were pretty much forced to leave the program! im sure they will do very well wherever the decided to continue there careers.

[mike]

9:46, leave your name when posting instead of wussing out. what you say is laughable

[Reality]

9:46 am has finally spoken the truth. I knew the kids were forced out, but had to put on a nice public display or Heath would badmouth them.....

and Champ, of course Teague dominated the returning team......who is there to stop him? That is why we are bringing in a guy like teague, because we have no frontcourt.....

[BA]

Those of you 'Bulls' knocking Philly remember, this is a major city with lots of hoops talent. Trust me when I tell you the 1,000 rated kid here would own the courts in Florida.

Great 'get' Coach Heath. Nice to see USF recruiting outside of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Go bulls!

[witness]

of course the kids were forced out,what program in america has five players released in a matter of 2 weeks? stan heath told the kids that changes were going to be made if they liked it or not. aris want be around coach is just holding on untill he gets more bigs if not aris is on the team and will be no more than a practice player.trust me teague is a reminiscent of zaron cann playing the post just an inch taller.

[702JV]

CR, you said it best! It would appear that there are several unemployed Division One coaches on this blog!!!

[Ken]

I'm very impressed that he and his parents did that drive--TONS of commitment there. They wouldn't have done that unless they were serious. Thus, regardless of his merits as a player that others are debating, I predict he won't flake off and go somewhere else. (I'm sure Greg is right about the flying--we paid the mileage for the drive, and they could all come for the price of the parents' meals and hotel room.)

[AGW]

G.A., Is it Hibbert, Grans, and Wesley (the center from Depaul).

[AGW]

Also, I hope that person with no name is right about Chin. I think he is very athletic, but not really a 3 or 4 kind of a tweener. He camt dribble at this point. So I wouldnt mind him going elsewhere and us using that scholarship on another player this year or carrying it over for next year.

[AGW]

Ditto for Aris Williams put him on medical scholarship or dismiss him to free up the scholarship. And do it soon. What are we waiting for.

[Herman Momart]

Champ, Rodney Carney is like 6'8 and 200 lbs and jumps out of the gym. I think his surprising breakthrough is alot more believeable than this guys. Plus when Calipari wants someone I dont care how many stars he has, im sure he is worth it.

BA, Philly isnt NYC (sorry MB) but the 38th highest ranked player out of Philly means he is an average player but no big east caliber.

I mean we stole him from St. Peters (Jersey City), Delaware, Wright State, Quinnapec and a few other no name schools. What a steal!! NOT A GOOD PICK UP.

All this means is we still need big men.

[G.A.]

AGW has two of the three: Georgetown's Roy Hibbert is 7-2, 278; DePaul's Wesley Green is 6-9, 295. Nobody's going to get the third: Villanova sophomore center Casiem Drummond, who's 6-10, 280. Gransberry and a ton of others weigh in at exactly 270. ...

[Herman Momart]

I forgot we stole him from Nebraska too. another basketball powerhouse.

[G.A.]

Champ, I'll get more on McMillan. He did not commit, but Teague said he seemed to enjoy his visit.

Witness, there hasn't been five players in two weeks. There's five in the past year, but three in the past week.

As far as Chin and Williams, my understanding is that the ball is in their court. Individual workouts start this week, and their showing there -- more attitude with Chin, more health with Williams -- will go a long way toward deciding whether they're back next season.

[The Champ]

Thanks G.A. because usf needs a player like McMillan badly and his commitment will enhance the game of players around him.That type of player takes a lot of pressure off Jones, Verdejo, and Mercer and it allows Heath to play the style of ball he wants.

BTW if Teague is as dedicated as his father seems to be then the kid will serve his purpose while at USF.

[pancho]

I have seen the video of Teague and I have difficulty believing that he is as heavy as they say. He looks a lot smaller than Gransberry, and he moves pretty quickly for someone who is 295 and only 6'6" to 6'8".

[RR]

So we're signing Teague, huh?

Has anyone told Coach Heath we're not in Conference USA anymore?

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Just got back from the second round of the NCAA at the forum.

1.)Scotty Reynolds is absurd.
2.)That kid Lee from from Western Ky is better then anybody we have including jones.
3.) Size Size Size. Seems like everyone has two kids that are 6-10 and can jump through the roof.
4.) can't believe the talent level that Villanova has.

[Reality]

If you guys are interested in some basketball news regarding Gene Teague, I thought you might appreciate this gem. It might explain why the parents needed to drive the 17 hours to see the school with their son.....Paul Rodio by the way is a South Jersey institution.......Stay classy USF

Teague leaves St. Augustine
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
By KEVIN MINNICK
Courier-Post Staff

Gene Teague, one of South Jersey's top big men and a bonafide contender for All-South Jersey honors, officially withdrew from St. Augustine Prep on Monday morning and is expected to enroll at Living Faith Christian High School.

"We came up to the school and my wife went to Father Paul (Galetto) and had him sign the withdrawal papers," Gene Teague Sr., the player's father, said Monday night. "It wasn't like we were running from anyone or hiding. We're just concerned about our son. St. Augustine was great to my son and we appreciate all they did.

"The main reason is that we want to get him prepared for the next level. I wasn't happy with his conditioning and knew that would be a primary concern. The style of play wasn't looking good.

"Coming into the season, I saw a lack in effort and he wasn't happy with the situation with the team. He didn't like the way it was looking. He wasn't getting the touches and was playing less. He definitely wasn't impressing anyone and it should be a big year for him."

Teague was anxious for his senior year during summer league play, but said "things just got a lot worse."

Teague, a 6-foot-8, 265-pound senior forward/center, had an interview with Living Faith officials late Monday afternoon. According to Rich Marcucci, vice president of Apex Academies, Teague will not be admitted to the school or train with the basketball program until Living Faith has his official transcripts.

Living Faith is the academic partner to Apex Academies and its basketball program is a part of Apex.

"We can start the process (family interview, placement test) and be ready to go, but he cannot be admitted until the transcripts come," Marcucci said. "We made it very clear that there are a lot of places he could go and play without the transcripts. We wanted to be very clear that he wanted to come here. We can't do anything until St. Augustine is in position to release his transcripts."

Teague Sr. said he expects his son to be enrolled by Friday.

"I'm really excited to go there," Teague Jr. said. "They're going to have me working out, where (at St. Augustine) it seemed like they didn't care. It's going to be more strict."

Contacted early Monday afternoon, St. Augustine coach Paul Rodio said: "I don't know where he is going or what he's doing. I never spoke with his parents.

"The father came in and pulled his records with the mother. They have a bill of balance to the school, but I don't know anything else about that. We won't release his transcript until the money is paid." Once enrolled at Living Faith, Teague will be eligible to play immediately at the non-NJSIAA sanctioned school based in Cherry Hill. A four-year varsity player, the Vineland resident played in five of St. Augustine's first seven games -- averaging just under 13 points.

Rumors of Teague's status at St. Augustine began circulating heavily over the weekend. He was suspended for the final game of the Augustinian Shootout against St. Rita of Chicago on Dec. 30 for missing a practice and did not start against Middle Township on Jan. 3.

"I wasn't getting the ball. I just wasn't really into it this season and then I got suspended," he said. "Coach Rodio is still a good coach and it's still a good school, I just couldn't take it."

By the time last Saturday's game against Northwest Prep rolled around, Teague Sr. said he made it clear that his son was finished at the Atlantic County school.

"I called Rodio that Saturday morning and told him that Gene was emotionally drained, that he didn't want to play anymore," Teague Sr. said.

"He never had an issue about missing practice. Rodio took it personal and did the right thing by suspending Gene for one game, not playing him at that time. I agreed with him. But the following game, why didn't he start? He paid his dues but Rodio sat him almost the whole game.

"It should have been over. Gene was in the program 3-4 years. To treat him like he's dirt and the lack of respect he gave my son triggered the decision also."

Said Rodio: "There was no phone call, nothing and he was a captain. We won a big game without him. After that, he played against Middle Township and played most of the game. I don't know much after that. He didn't come to school Friday and I have not seen him.

"On Saturday, the father called me and said his kid was quitting the team. I told the father to come in and we could talk about it, but the father never came in. I reached out to him but he never called back."

Less than four weeks into the season, it's beginning to be memorable for all the wrong reasons at the Prep.

"I like the kids that we have," Rodio said. "We're a little young, but I'm not going to change the way I coach because other kids are upset. It's the way things have to be done. It's my job to educate and teach the right things, and I'm not going to change what I do.

"I still think we'll be OK. We'll play hard and do all that we can. I think we'll be good in the future, as long as they know this is how it's done. If I were to change, I'd leave."

[The Champ]

G.A. when you talk to McMillan or his coach ask him about his feelings toward UCONN as I hear rumor that they are now interested in him.

Hopfully it is to late for UCONN and USF gets this kid.

[CR]

Nothing that I havent seen nor read from top players and their parents. Its a business to them. Here in Miami you had a kid that transfer to THREE HS in three years because his parents wanted more exposure.
If you think this is an isolated case you are mistaken

[Reality]

It is not isolated and these kids all seem to bomb out due to the pressure that their parents place on them.

Ask Champ about Sean Mccurdy....

[The Champ]

Yes Cindy McCurdy is one of those mothers.

Sean McCurdy from suburban Connecticut whose mother moves him to Jersey City in the belief that Hurley can attract the Division I college scholarship that she seems to think is Sean's birthright. Cindy McCurdy is every youth coach's nightmare, the quintessential little league parent.

Just buy the book, Miracle of St. Anthony:A Season with Coach Bob Hurley and Basketball's Most Improbable Dynasty. It is a good and interesting read. Anybody can pick up the book for less then $5 from Amazon.com

[USF/uconn fan]

I'm both a Uconn and a USF fan, and I wouldn't be too worried about McMillan going to Uconn. Uconn is looking for a big man (Ater Majok) and once they get that commit they would have to free up 2 scholarships. If Thabeet goes pro and someone else transfers they would still have no scholarships. Even if another guy transfers they would probably go after a big man before a guard.

[Reality]

Greg,

Sorry to scoop you, but McMillan has verbally committed to USF.