by Alex Schwartz

Yesterday evening I got in touch with three players ranked amongst the top 30 seniors in the nation in Northstar Basketball's Class of 2010 Terrific 125. All of the players fell between the 20 and 30 spots, led by #21 6'4 SG Justin Coleman formerly of Henrico (VA), along with #26 6'8 PF Tarik Black from Ridgeway (TN), and #28 6'1 PG Ray McCallum out of Detroit Country Day School (MI). The trio, all of whom were at the NBAPA Top 100 Camp and are high-major recruits, discussed where they stand in their recruitment.

Justin Coleman bust onto the scene at the 2009 Southern Jam Fest in a big way. He followed that up with a great performance at the NBAPA Top 100 Camp—he scored 11 points in the All-Star Game, was top 30 in scoring at 10.2ppg, won the Surprise Prospect award, and was listed by yours truly as a top 35 performer (see article here)—where he garnered major national attention. That will certainly lead to some big-time programs knocking on your door, and that is eactly what has happened. Coleman lists Marquette (offer), Florida, UConn, Arkansas (offer), Xavier (offer), Virginia (offer), Baylor (offer), Providence (offer), Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland (offer), Virginia Tech (offer), and Virginia Commonwealth (offer). Although the athletic specimen does not have specific favorites, he lists Marquette, Florida, UConn, Arkansas, Xavier, and Virginia as his top six.

Thus far the Petersburg Elite superstar says he has not visited any schools, adding, "None at the moment," when asked if he has any planned. There are some programs that he knows he does want to check out though. Florida, North Carolina, UConn, Marquette, and Arkansas are the five colleges Justin specifically mentioned that he wants to take a trip to. Interestingly, he did not list UNC as a school that is recruiting him and had actually told me back at NBA Camp that he is "still waiting for North Carolina [to get involved]," so there seems to be some affinity for the Tar Heels.

The high flying wing is still unsure of when he wants to take his name off the board. Coleman had previously attended Henrico HS in Virginia, but will be going to Christian Life Center (TX) for his senior year. "[There were] a lot of schools I was considering, but I have family close to there so I just chose that one," stated Justin.

Tarik Black does not really like discussing specific schools, as demonstrated by my talk with the big man at NBAPA Top 100 Camp, when he just listed the conferences the schools recruiting him are in. Black said yesterday, "I don't really name schools, not until I have an official set of schools that I'm looking at." The Volunteer State standout stated that he has "too many to list" when it comes to offers.

To date, Black has visited just a pair of schools. "Alabama and Marquette, [but there was] no signifigane to the visits though." By that comment Black meant that the fact he has visited them does not mean they are favorites.Tarik "has in-home visits for the next two weeks," but did not say which schools will be checking in. The solid low post player is unsure of when he will commit, but he knows it will not be for a while. "I'm going to be super late. I'm a late signer also."

Even though he will not list schools, he does know what he is looking for in one. "Great team chemistry, a great relationship with the coach, great city support for the program, and a hungry, 'do whatever it takes to win' attitude from the team." Some people think that Black and fellow Memphis native Joe Jackson '10 from White Station (TN) are a package deal. How close are the two and how serious are they about going to college together? "We're very close, but I believe that we can't base our futures off each other, so if we find a school we want to got alone, and both of us feel the same way, then it could happen."

Ray McCallum may well be the biggest name of the three players, and he certainly had the most national spotlight over the longest amount of time. UCLA, Arizona, Oklahoma, Florida, Detroit, Miami, and Minnesota are the seven schools on the floor general's list and they have all extended scholarship offers. Do any stand out as leaders thus far? "No, [they are] all pretty much the same." As far as visits are concerned, Ray has four officials already. "I'm going to Oklahoma next weekend, UCLA on October 3rd, Florida sometime in October, and Arizona on October 30th."

McCallum, the son of Detroit Head Coach Ray McCallum, Sr. has "no idea yet" when he will be committing. Speaking of his father's program, how do the Titans actually go about recruiting the younger McCallum? "He's my dad, so he just treats me like a son. He never pressures me or anything [and he] doesn't have to say anything. I'm there everyday working out, so I know how it is." Asked if he had to handicap the odds of him going high-major or playing for his father, Ray said, "I'm still not sure yet. I haven't figured it out yet." When I asked him about how serious he is about Detroit back at NBA Camp, he said the following: “He’s taught me everything I know and he knows my game the best, so it’s a possibility, but I’ve always wanted to play high-major [ball, and] I’m a high-major player. . . . I don’t really want to play mid-major.” Ray's AAU teammate with Team Detroit and fellow Michigander Trey Zeigler '10 of Mount Pleasant (MI) is in the same boat, as his father is the head coach at Central Michigan, Ernie Zeigler. I inquired if the topic comes up between the two a lot, and Ray replied, "Sometimes because we're in the same position."

Justin Coleman, Tarik Black, and Ray McCallum are three of the most coveted players in America, and only time will tell where they end up playing their college ball. I will keep you up to date on how the recruitment of the trio is coming along as time progresses.

Note- photos are from http://scouthoops.scout.com/