Bulls target combo guard from Puerto Rico

As junior college standout Jeremie Simmons continues to weigh his options with other schools, USF coach Stan Heath is already looking elsewhere for guard help this spring, and it appears the Bulls are focusing on Gaby Belardo, a 6-foot-3 combo guard from Puerto Rico who played this season at Notre Dame Prep in Massachusetts.

Belardo caught the Bulls' attention with a breakout performance last weekend in the Kingwood Classic in Houston, where he led the Miami Tropics Nike travel team, averaging 18.3 points per game. Tropics coach Art Alvarez, who coached rising USF senior Jesus Verdejo (also from Puerto Rico) with the Tropics, said Heath has offered Belardo a scholarship and will be on hand in Starkville, Miss., this weekend to watch Belardo and the Tropics in another tournament.

"We're really looking forward to getting Coach Heath an opportunity to recruit Gaby, and we love what they've done with Jesus Verdejo," Alvarez said Tuesday.

Belardo transferred this season to Notre Dame Prep -- where USF point guard Chris Howard briefly attended the year before he came to Tampa -- and was at Montverde Academy the previous two seasons after coming to Florida from his native Puerto Rico. USF has two advantages with Belardo, first in geography, and as the only major-conference school competing for him right now. Alvarez said his other top suitors are Hofstra, Duquesne, Virginia Commonwealth, Florida International and SMU.

Notre Dame Prep, where Kansas State standout Michael Beasley played, already has two players bound for Big East schools, with one signed with Louisville and another bound for Syracuse. You can read more about Belardo at the Tropics' official site, including a story on his performance this weekend. Alvarez said Belardo will make an official visit to USF the weekend of May 2.

Comments

[Miles Lamoureux]

I know we are making strides in recruiting right now and that we must take what we can get while in rebuild mode. But, when our competition for a player is Hofstra, Duquesne, VCU, FIU, and SMU, I am not feeling very confident that this is a Big East caliber player. However, because of Heath's past recruiting recognition I trust his decision making.

[DELdaBULL]

This is a long way from Faber and Ben-Eze :(

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

When are we going to get a 6-11 black dude who can jump through the gym??

I am tired of 14 Chris Howards.

We need a 6-11 black guy with a big tatoo on his arm, who will take the basketball, turn around and dunk it.

I am talking high riser.

Ari - a racist

[Herman Momart]

I dont know anthing about this guy but as far as the teams we are competing with they may not be Big East teams but they are basketball schools and have produced NBA talent.

Hoftra - Speedy Claxton
Duquesne - Mike James (both Long Island guys)

VCU - has Anthony Grant who I think a lot of USF fans were begging to get him. I think Ben Wallace went there, or maybe he went to Virginia Union. One of you google guys can fill me in.

Florida International - Raja Bell and Carlos Arroyo

I trust Heath, but in a non racist way (and I know Ari personally he is far from racist) we do need a 6 11 player who can jump out of the gym, bad.

[The Champ]

Meanwhile Seton Hall has just gotten a commitment from 6-11 330lbs Center Melvyn Oliver out of Mississippi.

I have to say that I don't like such an early offer to Belardo after just one breakout performance at the Kingwood Classic.What I would have done was express strong interest in the kid, but waited to see what he does in one more tournament maybe two before I offered a scholarship.There is little doubt that sometimes around May 03 this guy will commit to USF unless something major happens before he is scheduled to visit.

However I just hope that somehow Simmons wakes up and says that he wants to play for the Bulls, but that may just be a dream now, we'll see though.

There are still a few good PFs and Centers left on the board, but if we are going to get one of the remaining few, we need to really hurry along the process the next 2 weeks.Unless there are some things that the USF coaches are keeping away from the media.

[Dave W]

Herm and Ari both expressed my sentiments, although I'll take Herm's toned-down statement as my opinion.

Stan: You have some guards. You have no size, at all. Go get it.

As far as this guy goes, I think Miles is right to point out that we are by far the biggest program to offer (we could have won quite a few in the CAA). I have doubts that this guy could make an immediate impact.

For a racist post, how's this:

We need a 6'4" white guy who shoots 40% from downtown and slaps the floor to pump up the defense. Duke has about 8 of those guys. Let's work out a trade.

[reality]

Evidently, Stan tried to get in late On Melvyn Oliver, but Bobby Gonzalez has capable assistant coaches unlike USF. Isnt that what you wanted to say Champ?

I am so sorry for all the USF fans who don't follow basketball that thought Stan was going to bring in all of these top flight prospects to replace the guys he ran off. Next year's team is going to be VERY understaffed. At this point, I would even take lower tier prospects like he is recruiting now, just to fill out the bench.

Mike Mercer should average 20 pts this season, because we have no one else to shoot the ball.

[AGW]

Champ,

I would like to know who those PF and C's are and if we have a serious shot at any of them. With Patillo, Faber, Vanderbeken, and Sutton out of the picture, who else is left? Give me more than Ben-Eze, Akol and Goins please.

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

Does Yinka Dare have a brother??

Guy was a stud at GW.

"Yinka, You Stinka."

[The Champ]

Well after a brief conversation with a friend it maybe that after Belardo commits we will have our '08 recruiting class, which is McMillian, Teague, Akol, and the guard I just mentioned.

No other way to say it if this is the final class it certainly doesn't pass the eye test or create a WOW effect from the fans.However we fans aren't the ones that are out there recruiting these kids or in charge of developing them, so it is best to judge once we see these kids in action.

As for my own opinion I like Teague and I love the addition of McMillian as a true PG.Once the coaches teach Akol how to pass or just pass to ball in general he can be pretty good while at USF.AS I said earlier I am about luke warm on Belardo.For one I know nothing about him and I hate offering guys after just one standout outing.I know Simmons has been good for a little while now, but since it isn't looking like he wants to play so far away from home, the USF coaches have to go out and find another shooter.If this Belardo guy continues to play well against good competition then this can turn out to be quite the pickup.It wil also help with future recruiting too.

Now for reality, as I have said on here many times now, Heath has basically benched his assistants(Not Hipsher)he is trying to do all the recruiting by himself.That means he is at an even more disavantage then he already was going into the process.

I think it is a good bet that things will shake up a little and Heath gets some assistants that actually know what to do and don't mind doing whatever it takes to get the job done right.Bulldogs is what is needed at USF.

BTW I hope Mercer can average 20pts a game Mr.reality.

[The Champ]

One scout's pov on Belardo: The versatile guard who may be best suited off the ball although he certainly has the capability to offer some minutes at the point guard spot from time to time. He is in excellent physical condition as he appears capable of running forever. However, his quickness and vertical leaping ability are only above average at best. He has above average strength and definition, although he would likely need to add more muscle to his frame before next season. He is a heady player who sees the floor well, gets into the lane and finds shooters in penetrate and pitch action. He knocks shots down when he elevates straight up, although he has a somewhat inconsistent release point and natural fade on his shot. Defensively, he is a hard working on the ball defender and well schooled team defender, who is only very rarely beaten by quicker players. Overall, he is a very intelligent and well-rounded player who brings a hard-working approach to the game.

[The Champ]

Gaby's workout part 1:http://www.youtube.com/v/ynCRs_ltKH0&hl

Gaby's workout part 2:http://www.youtube.com/v/oqFbAM6uS

[The Champ]

According to HoopsUSA Belardo is rated the 135th best player in the '08 class.

McMillian is rated the 71st best player in the '08 class.

At one time he was considered one of the top 5 players in the state of Florida for the '08 class.

BTW those rankings are a few months old , but still someone thought pretty highly of them.

Also Belardo was at one time being recruited by Miami, VT, FSU, and KSU.

Apparently he has really improved his stroke from deep as well, now that I like because that is what USF needs badly.

[reality]

Champ, good work son!

Thanks for the updates!

You have confirmed my fear, we have NOTHING!

Ari, you up for some ACT tutoring down in Bradenton? If Akol does not pass the test again, then USF is left with rising senior Aris Williams......and a cast of characters that rivals Constantin Popa Miami teams for worst of all time in the Big East.

Rutgers was HORRIBLE last year and Fred Hill still could go out and recruit like crazy! Stan better be out recruiting 09 players now! And if he really is wasting time with Kenny Boynton, then he should be fired right now! Go out and get kids that USF can actually sign.

[Herman Momart]

So if Akol does pass his test, is it pretty much set in stone he is coming to USF? Because I dont think I can handle rising star Aris Williams being our PF.

[What?]

Is John Riek really a possibility?

[Josh]

Last I heard is that Reik is a very real possibility. If he's not drafted, and with Thabeet staying another year I think we are the frontrunner for him...at least I hope so. Ajayi and Williams at C and PF respectively just sends shivers down my spine.

[reality]

John riek is coming to USF? You cannot be serious......did Stan pay off the African mob? He has the inside track on Akol, and now Riek??? Go Stan Go!

What about Rob Robinson?

[Dave W]

I really can't believe that John Riek would ever consider us.

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

Who the hell is John Riek.

[mike]

if you actually did a little research ari, then you'd see riek is the 2nd ranked center on rivals with a 6.0 rating. 7'2, 240lb big black dude that can jump out of the gym

[DELdaBULL]

Read this Ari:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/the_bonus/12/05/john.riek/

[reality]

If you did a little background work on John Riek, his handlers run the show, just like many of the Africans that are now flooding the market. If Stan is paying them, then he is doing what he needs to do. Good Job Stan!

Riek's reading could be on level with many of the Pearl River guys, so he should fit right in academically.

[DJ]

Mercer will average 16-20 points per game. Jones will average 18-22 points per game.

[DJ]

Champ and Reality make this blog fun to read!

[The Champ]

Shaun Noriega, a 6-foot-4 class of '09 SG has committed to USF according to BM.

[reality]

Well, at least Stan keeps a kid home if the Noriega signing comes to fruition.

We lose Dago Pena to FAU, but at least we get the guy that could never beat Dago.....

Noriega can shoot the 3, so that helps a little bit for the loss of Simmons. He is 100 times better than Belardo!

Thanks DJ, Keep the positive press about Champ and Reality coming! I can't really comment too much on the football team, so hopefully Cee comes back to keep that part of the year interesting, or else the summer and fall could get real boring. Almost as boring as the tbo.com blog. Shudder.....

[DELdaBULL]

They played some great BBall down in Charlotte county (PCHS, CHS) this year. 5A-11 is the best!
Yes, I am a PCHS homer!

[AGW]

Where did the Riek info come from and how reliable is that source b/c that would be the biggest signing both literally and figuratively in USF history. Pair him with Akol down low and we will have the most athletic frontline in the Big East. Then, you bring Teague and athlete supreme Espinosa off the bench and you have the makings of something. Ans as everyone has stated we have great scoring gurads in Mercer and Jones. Add McMillian or Howard when we play Mercer off the ball and Verdejo when he is at the point and we will be very good. I hope we get both Akol and Riek b/c if we do Coach Heath will never have to worry about job security at USF.

[AGW]

Also, Patrick Beverly wants to come to USF according to tbo.com.

That would give the Bulls the Best backcourt in the Big East come 09' when Mercer will be a senior, Jones a junior. Mercer at PG, Beverly at SG and Jones at SF will give teams misfits. Add that to Akol and Espinosa at PF, Riek and Teague at C. Now, that would be a lineup that will def. make the NCAA tourney.

[mike]

AGW, beverly aint coming here because his mommy doesnt want him to

[AGW]

I know, but I heard that Coach Heath was trying to work on that. He wants to so we will see.

[mike]

basically echoeing your post above agw but just imagine, if somehow it all comes together for not this coming season but the season after that - mercer, beverly, riek, akol, d. jones. that would be sick. not only a legit ncaa tourney team, but a top seed tournament team

[reality]

Ok, everyone, especially Mike put down the drugs. Your scenario haa no chance of happening, and even if those layers arrived, you would not be a top seed in the tournament.

Arkansas with Beverly and alot of better players barely made the dance.

[mike]

maybe you should learn to read reality. if you knew how to then you would see the word IF. meaning IF it happened, i didnt say it was going to happen. you dont sound too intelligent