by Alex Schwartz

- According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the reason for Oklahoma-commit Tommy Mason-Griffin '09 not attending Oak Hill Academy (VA) this year as expected is that he had second thoughts and wanted to be closer to home with his family and friends.

- I spoke to Steve Marcucci of APEX Academies (NJ) yesterday regarding Khalil Murphy ’09, an incoming transfer from Life Center Academy (NJ) who has just begun classes at APEX. While right now Murphy does not have a specific list, Marcucci said that he is drawing interest from a large number of schools, “from Rider to Virginia Tech.” He said that he will sit down with Khalil and they will have a “list of 10 or 15 schools in about two weeks,” so stay tuned for that.

- LeBrent Walker ’12, one of the up-an-coming New York City phenoms, will not be in the Big Apple for high school ball. Rather than attending Lincoln (NY) as some expected, Walker is currently at Our Savior New American (NY) according to Shawn Simms, a person close to Walker who I spoke with yesterday. LeBrent was a memeber of the Long Island Lightening (NY) AAU team that won the U-14 National Championship.

- Speaking of class of 2012 phenoms from New York City who played for the U-14 AAU National Champion Long Island Lightening, I got word today that Nkereuwem Okoro is attending St. Raymond's (NY) for high school. That is huge for the program, which is losing St. John's-commit Omari Lawrence '09 and Kevin Parrom '09 who is transferering (South Kent in Connecticut) in addition to the outgoing seniors.

- The Northstar Basketball Top 120 College Showcase is beginning to fill up. Thus, if you want to participate, make sure you sign up soon at www.northstarbball.com.