by Alex Schwartz

A few days ago, caught up with recent UNC-Asheville commit Austin Alecxih '09 of Oak Hill Academy (VA). Just how did the kid who plays ball in Virginia now, but came from Pennsylvania and runs with a PA AAU team decide on this school in the Tar Heel State? "It was a lot of things. I went out on an official [visit] and I saw a really good basketball team that I could fit in with, coaches that were really good, and the opportunity to play right away." The other schools Alecxih said he considered were "Bucknell and Quinnipiac," though he did say, "I was still talking to Davidson and Rutgers. That was probably the final four [along] with UNC-Asheville." Austin said that all of those schools except RU had offered him scholarships. Clearly there are some top-notch academic schools on that list, so what is Alecxih's GPA? "I have a 3.9 right now." I also inquired of Austin, who was previously at Penn Mannor (PA), what the transfer to Oak Hill did for him basketball-wise, to which he responded, "Just as a player it took my game to a much higher level, and of course, [Head] Coach [Steve] Smith does a very good job of getting his guys exposure." There you have it from UNC-Asheville-pledge Austin Alecxih.

I also spoke with Terrance Shannon '09 of Mary Persons (GA), a future Florida State Seminole—he told me he signed November 12th—who said he also considered committing to Memphis and Georgia. What made Shannon feel like FSU was the right place for him? "From the first visit, I felt right at home. FSU develops players, they have a 100% graduation rate, [and] all of the coaches have played in the NBA, so I feel like they know what it takes to get to there [and] at the same time I get my degree." The talented Peach State star, who "tore [his[ ACL and had surgery on September 2nd," told me he is doing "pretty [well]" and will be "cleared to play [this] month," which is obviously good to hear. FSU Head Coach Leonard Hamilton is bringing in a top notch recruiting class that includes big-timer Michael Snaer '09. What does Shannon think about the incoming class of Seminoles and what they can do for the team? "I think we should be ever better next year due to the fact that we are so young. I think that Snaer will come in and be a major factor for us." Another topic I talked to Terrance about was his game and what he feels his strengths and weaknesses are, and here is what he had to say: "My strength is my rebounding ability and the way I run the floor. I have been improving my weakness since my surgery, but I would say my weakness is my ability to score away from the basket." Watch out for Shannon down the road, as he could be a real nice player for Florida State.