by Alex Schwartz

I'll be continuing my 2009 Providence Hoop Group Jam Fest now, but the focus is shifting a bit. After posting the 09 + 010 and 011 + 012 school lists I received over the past couple of days, it's now time to focus on my talks with players who have already made up their mind on their college. I spoke with four committed ballers at the event, as well as another who made his decision soon after the tournament, along with an outgoing college senior. Here's the rundown on my interviews with these six players:

Evan Smotrycz ’10, New Hampton Prep (NH), Mass Rivals, Michigan
The talented 6'7 wing made his college decision soon before the Providence Jam Fest, so when I talked with Smotrycz (pronounced Smotch-rich) he was fresh off his commitment. “Michigan was always at the top of my list, by when [Head] Coach [John Beilein] came and offered me, I thought it over and did the whole pros and cons thing. [I really] . . . thought there was no place better where I could succeed,” said the future Wolverine on how he made his decision. Evan, who helped lead his team to the U-17 title game, told me that he also "liked Virginia and Oregon State" before deciding on John Beilein's program. Interestingly, the New Englander said it was not really his plan to decide at this point: “I was honestly planning on waiting it out to see my options, but Michigan offered and to me there was nothing better.”

Andre Dawkins ’10, Atlantic Shores Christian (VA), Boo Williams, Duke
When a player is committed to a big-time school like Duke and plays for one of the best AAU programs in the nation, such as Boo Williams, you know he is talented. Well, shooting guard Andre Dawkins fits the bill on that, and he said that following on how he picked the Blue Devils: “I’ve always been a Duke fan. [Also], just taking visits and the talking to the coaches, [as well as] . . . the campus.” Dawkins informed me that his other finalists were Maryland, Clemson, and Georgetown. Duke and Georgetown are two of the best academic institutions in America, so I inquired of Andre how key that was in his decision, and he replied, “[Academics] were very important, that was a big part of the decision. [Duke is a] . . . school where I can get the best of both worlds.” Of the final four that Dawkins had, three—Duke, Maryland, and Clemson—are in the ACC, but there are two other ACC schools that have commitments from Boo Williams 2010 players: North Carolina (Kendall Marshall) and Wake Forest (Travis McKie). What does Andre have to say about playing AAU ball with two other players committed to ACC schools also in the Tar Heel State? "We all stay in the same room. . . . Kendall and I are real cool and I’ve known Travis [for a few years]. . . . I’m sure we’ll still be cool in two years.” It was funny in some ways to watch Boo Williams warm up, as the trio all wore t-shirts of their future schools, and all of them are conference and state rivals.

Travis McKie ’10, John Marshall (VA), Boo Williams, Wake Forest
Speaking of ACC-bound ballers on the Boo Williams U17 squad, Travis McKie is the most recent one to make his choice. "I made my decision Wednesday [the 22^nd of April]. . . . [Head] Coach [Dino] Gaudio made me feel welcome, [and] they have been recruiting me since day one. [Wake Forest provides] . . . a great education [and is a] great to play basketball." Travis, who also considered attending Clemson, Virginia, Alabama, Virginia Commonwealth, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina, was another kid—like Smotrycz—who was not planning on committing in April, saying, "I was going to make [my decision] at the beginning of the summer, [but I] . . . had that urge, [so I] . . . decided I was going to get it over with." As I mentioned before, McKie, Andre Dawkins (Duke), and Kendall Marshall (North Carolina) are all committed to ACC schools. Interestingly though, they are roommates on the road. "All we do is just talk about the ACC," said Travis, who added, "I’ll say to Kendall, ‘What is a Tar Heel?’ [Then] he will say ‘National championship,’ and I say, ‘We beat you,’ and he says, ‘Cleveland State." The rivalry has already begun between these kids, though they remain friends nonetheless.

Joel Wright ’10, Thomas Jefferson (NY), LI Lightning, Fordham
There has been a lot of talk as to where Joel "Air Jamaica" Wright will be attending school, both next year and once he graduates high school. The Fordham-pledge cleared the air on some of that talk when I spoke with him, saying, “I’m firm, I’m committed, I like them a lot,” in regards to his verbal commitment to the Rams, which some people though he may drop out of. As for next year, Wright said, “I won’t be at Jefferson,” as he will be ineligible to play hoops due to his age. "Air Jamaica" added, “I’m not sure about [what] prep school [I will be at].” Back to his college choice though, Joel had the opportunity to go to a high-major conference (Big East schools West Virginia, Providence, Seton Hall, and St. John's, all of which offered, were his other finalists), and he even admitted he did originally want to go to a school in a BCS conference: “I’m not going to lie, I did [want to go to a high-major school, and schools in the] Big East showed interest in me, but they didn’t show as much as Fordham [did].” It's evident that the coaching staff was the main factor in Joel's decision, as he told me the following when I asked how he picked the A-10 school: “I met the coaching staff [and] . . . they were treating me [well, and] . . . I knew that I would be in good hands.”

Preye Preyboye ’09, Winchendon School (MA), Expressions, Stony Brook
When I spoke to Preye Preyboye, he was an uncommitted player who said he was getting looks from America East, CAA, and MAAC programs, though he did not list any schools in particular, saying, “I’m just out here . . . having fun [and] . . . I don’t know what I’m going to do yet.” Well, a few days after we spoke that changed, as Preyboye is now off the board, having committed to Stony Brook, an America East school.

Jimmy Baron, senior, Rhode Island
Arguably the top three-point shooter in the NCAA this year, Jimmy Baron was on hand at the Providence Jam Fest watching his younger brother Billy play for Expressions. After speaking with the younger Baron, I had the opportunity to catch up with Jimmy, who played ball for his father Jim Baron at Rhode Island the past four years. Jimmy had a fantastic career at URI, but what personal accomplishment stands out to him looking back on it? “I’d probably say setting the all-time A-10 three-point record. [I have to] definitely give credit to [all] my teammates over the years.” As for his most memorable team accomplishment, Baron said, “[It is] tough to say. Our goal [the past two years] was to make the NCAA Tournament and we failed both times, [so] . . . I’d have to say my sophomore year when we made [it to] the A-10 Championship.” Again, Jimmy played under his father in college, something not many kids have the chance to do. What are his thoughts about the experience? “It was very tough and challenging, but we always had to be professional. . . . It took a lot away from our relationship as father and son, but I don’t regret it.” I inquired of Jimmy if he would recommend his brother to attend URI as well. “No, I don’t think so. He needs to go off and be his own person. . . . He is a lot better than I was at his age [so he will have good options],” responded Baron. The final question I asked the sharpshooter was not about his past, but about his future and what his plans are, and he told me, “I had a good [showing at the] Portsmouth [Invitational]. . . . [I am] heading out to Los Angeles to work out with my agency and see what happens. . . . Hopefully [I will] try to play in the NBA.”

Note- photo of Dawkins is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/ and photo of Jimmy Baron is from http://www.seniorclassaward.com/