Within the past couple of hours, I caught up with recent Villanova commit James Bell. The Sunshine Star stud, who was being courted by numerous high-major programs, let me know that he picked the Big East power because of "the academics, the tradition of the school, . . . the coaches, . . . [and it] being close to [his] family." Although Bell currently attends school in Florida, he is originally from the Northeast. "I just want to get focused on the upcoming school year, the . . . [basketball] season, and getting better." James' Team STAT (FL) U-16 AAU teammate, Austin Rivers '11, decided on the Florida Gators not that long ago. I inquired of the talented inside-outside player whether Rivers' commitment edged him towards committing or if it had no impact: "[It] didn't affect me at all." Right now Bell does know of any specific kids in the class of 2010 considering Villanova, but said that he would work players to commit to the Wildcats "if that's what [he has] got to do." At the end of our conversation, the rising junior mentioned to me that he "really likes the family atmosphere . . . and the [high] graduation rate because if basketball doesn't work [he] can fall back on that." James Bell is an ultra-talented ballplayer and he will likely continue to improve. Jay Wright's squad is getting a gem.