by Alex Schwartz

With the July Live Evaluation Period now well in the rear view mirror, class of 2011 prospects are beginning to trim their lists and inch closer to college decisions. In about a week and a half, these players will also be allowed to start taking official visits to colleges and the commitments could come in large numbers, just as they did right after July.

I reached out to a number of uncommitted seniors today to get updates on where things stand in their recruitment. Today I focused on point guards, and over the next several days I will get recruiting updates from some of the top players at other positions as well. Below are the updated recruiting statuses of Trey Burke, Chasson Randle, Jabarie Hinds, Kedren Johnson, and Shane Larkin.

Northland (OH) 5'11 point guard Trey Burke was at one point committed to Penn State, but reopened his recruitment prior to the start of the July Live Evaluation Period. The #99 ranked player in the NBE Class of 2011 Pre-Live Period Top 100 is now down to just two schools, and while one is in the Big Ten, it is not PSU.

"I narrowed my list down to two. [It is] Michigan and Cincinnati," Burke said. Asked what he likes about each school, Burke began with Michigan, saying, "Michigan is a great opportunity for me, not just when I'm there, but after college and after basketball and I loved the campus. The coaches were cool."

As for Cincinnati, Burke remarked, "I have been interested in Cincinnati for some time now. They were one of my first and it's also close to home. They are in the Big East, which is a great opportunity for me."

Will Burke take official visits to both schools still on his list? "No, I probably will just end up visiting where I commit," said the All-Ohio Red AAU standout. He has already visited both schools. "I went to Mich this past Wed and Cincy about a month ago," Burke said by text.

"I plan on committing here in a couple of days," Burke said. As for what the deciding factor in his choice will be, he said, "Wherever I feel most comfortable at and see myself living for the next couple of years."

Ranked as the #37 player in the NBE Class of 2011 Pre-Live Period Top 100, 6'2 Chasson Randle of Rock Island (IL) is a true, consummate point guard. Randle confirmed reports that he is down to just three schools in Illinois, Stanford, and Purdue.

"No leader, but yea, that's my 3," said Randle via text. He noted that he has set up official visits to all of the schools remaining on his list. "Yes, officials to all 3. Purdue [is on] Sept 25th, Stanford [is on] Oct 8th, and Illinois [is on] Oct 15th," said the Prairie State star.

Randle is not positive on when he will make his college choice, but does have a point that he would like to have it out of the way by. "Not sure," he said. "Hoping before the high school season."

While Randle did not say specifically what he likes about each of the trio of schools still remaining, he did describe what they all possess that he likes. "I can say that in general that each school has recruited me very hard and I have gotten the chance to start to build a relationship with each head coach and their staffs," Randle said.

"How [is] my comfort level with each school, and the players who will be my teammates," Randle said of what the key factors in his decision will be. "Also the opportunity that is out there, and the vision the coaching staff has for the team and how I fit into the system."

The #50 ranked player in the NBE Class of 2011 Pre-Live Period Top 100 is 5'11 Jabarie Hinds of Mount Vernon (NY). Like Randle, the New York native is down to just three schools.

Oklahoma State, West Virginia, and UNLV are definitely the final three schools on Hinds' list, he confirmed. While he plans to take official visits to all three, "none [have been] scheduled yet," he said.

Hinds, who does not have a favorite of the trio, discussed what he likes about each program that still has a shot to land him. "Oklahoma State has a very nice campus," Hinds said. "It's located in a nice, chilled atmosphere and I like the style of play the team runs."

"UNLV, Vegas tells it all lol [lough out loud] and the head coach knows what it takes to get players to the next level," said Hinds via text. "Great style of play also."

"West Virginia [is a] very nice place," Hinds remarked. "Coach Huggins cares about his players and after 2011 a true point guard isn't gonna be there and they need one."

Asked when he plans to make his commitment, Hinds responded, "Wanna make it before the season starts." As for what the prime factor in his choice will be, Hinds commented, "Basically when I go on the visit and whichever school I really can see myself playing for and being comfortable with it."

Although not ranked in the NBE Class of 2011 Pre-Live Period Top 100, 6'4 Kedren Johnson of Marshall County (TN) will debut in when our top 150 is released shortly and he is one of the better floor generals in the nation.

Louisville, Florida, Alabama, and Vanderbilt are the schools that remain on Johnson's list. He has "no favorites" at this point and "all of them have offered" scholarships.

That list of four has a slight change from the one Johnson provided in early July. Why is that? "Louisville made a big effort to get back on and Memphis didn't," Johnson explained.

As for whether this is his final list, Johnson remarked, "Yea that's it, but Georgia Tech [is actually] coming in on a home visit to try to convince me to take an official [visit there]." Asked if the Yellow Jackets have a shot, Johnson replied, "I mean, they know it's slim, but they [are] still trying."

Jonson has has "all four set up" when it comes to official visits to his finalists. "Vandy [is on] Sept 4, Bama [is on] Sept 11, Florida [is on] Sept 24, Louisville [is on] Oct 8," Johnson said by text message.

"Before my high school season starts in Nov," said Johnson on when he plans to commit. On what the primary factors in his decision will be, Johnson said, "Who I will be playing with, my relationship with the head coach and just a gut feeling." He added, "And who I feel can help me get to the next level."

Dr. Phillips (FL) 5'11 Shane Larkin was also not ranked in the NBE Class of 2011 Pre-Live Period Top 100, his fantastic summer with the Showtime Ballers will change that when out top 150 is released.

"No list, [I am] still open," said Larkin of where things stand with his recruitment. He does not have any favorites at this point and said "maybe January" when asked when he plans to commit.

The son of former MLB star Barry Larkin, Shane claims offers from a plethora of schools. He listed Alabama, South Florida, Central Florida, Florida State, Colorado, Wright State, George Mason, DePaul, Penn State, Temple, and Boston College as the programs that have extended offers.

While Larkin has yet to schedule any official visits, there is one school that he knows he will for sure take a trip to. "I'll definitely make one over to Colorado to see how it is over near the West Coast," Larkin said.



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