by Alex Schwartz

I apologize for the lack of posts lately. After my in-depth analysis of the NCAA freshman class (Part One, Part Two, Part Three) I was busy with a number of things. Thus, I'm providing a commitment catch-up below, as well as some other notes from the world of high school and college basketball.

- The best available big man in the nation made his collegiate decision, as Angelo Chol, the #68 ranked player in the NBE Post-Summer Class of 2011 Top 150 pledged to Arizona. Chol, the 13th ranked power forward in the senior class, selected the Wildcats over Kansas and North Carolina. The Hoover (CA) star had also considered Alabama and Washington. Chol is the fourth commit for Sean Miller and his staff in the 2011 class, all of whom are ranked in the top 75 in the nation. Chol joins #22 Nick Johnson of Findlay Prep (NV), #31 Josiah Turner of Quality Education Academy (NC), and #73 Sidiki Johnson of Wadleigh (NY).

- Florida doubled the size of its 2011 recruiting class, picking up a pledge from 6'9 center Walter Pitchford of Summit Christian Academy (MI), per ESPN's Dave Telep. Pitchford had signed with DePaul as a member of the class of 2010, but eventually asked for a release from his NLI some time after the coaching change. His release was not granted until late, and he ended up doing the post-graduate year. Pitchford joins #5 ranked Brad Beal of Chaminade (MO) in Florida's class.

- According to ESPN, citing a report from the Seattle Times, 6'9 JuCo center Kevin Davis of Tacoma CC (WA) committed to the Washington Huskies. He will reportedly need to improve his academic situation in order to be eligible this fall for the Pac-10 program. Davis is Washington's fourth commitment in 2011, joining #16 ranked Tony Wroten, Jr. of Garfield (WA), Hikeem Stewart of Rainier Beach (WA), and Jernard Jarreau of McDonogh 35 (LA).

- According to Alan P. Dunning's Twitter page, as well as other reports, Boston College went back to California yet again, gaining a commitment from 5'9 point guard Jordan Daniels of Etiwanda (CA). The Eagles now have six players committed in 2011, four of whom are from California. The other Golden State players are #121 ranked Ryan Anderson of Long Beach Poly, Kyle Caudill of Brea Olinda, and Lonnie Jackson of Valencia. They are joined by Dennis Clifford of Milton Academy (MA) and Eddie Odio of Columbus (FL) in BC's 2011 haul.

- Maryland was another ACC school to recently garner a commitment. Per Eric Bossi of Rivals, 6'9 power forward Martin Breunig of St. John's Northwest Military Academy (WI) pledged to Gary Williams and Co. Breunig is still a bit of an unknown, but he is joined by a pair of top 75 ranked guards in the Terrapins class in #26 Nick Faust of Baltimore City College HS (MD) and #71 Sterling Gibbs of Seton Hall Prep (NJ).

- Not to be left out, Clemson was yet another ACC program to add to its 2011 class lately. Devin Coleman, a 6'3 shooting guard from Friends Central (PA), popped to the Tigers in news also broken by Eric Bossi. Coleman is the third guard from Philadelphia in the past two class to leave the Northeast for an ACC school for college, following Tyrone Garland (Virginia Tech) and Tony Chennault (Wake Forest). Coleman is the fourth commitment for first year Clemson head coach Brad Brownell, joining #69 ranked Bernard Sullivan of Davidson Country Day (NC), Daniel "TJ" Sapp of Northeast (FL), and KJ McDaniels of Central Park Christian (AL).

- According to multiple reports, UNLV landed a commitment from 5'11 point guard Dantley Walker of Lincoln County (NV). Although unknown by most, Walker is reportedly the all-time leading scorer in the state of Nevada, an impressive feat. Lon Kruger now has two commitments for the 2011 class, as Walker joins Grandy Glaze of Notre Dame Prep (MA).

- Per Scout's Brian Snow, Purdue once again tapped into the class of 2013, landing a pledge from 6'4 small forward Basil Smotherman of Heritage Christian (IN). Matt Painter and his staff now have three commitments in the sophomore class already, as Smotherman joins Bryson Scott of Northrup (IN) and Kendall Stephens of St. Charles East (IL).

- In other news—also per Eric Bossi—Oklahoma State now has one less player committed in the class of 2011. Karron Johnson, a 6'8 JuCo power forward at Midland CC (TX), is no longer headed to Stillwater. Johnson had committed to the Cowboys out of high school, but did not qualify and went to JuCo for two years. Now he will likely be in search of a four-year college for next year as #10 LeBryan Nash of Lincoln (TX) is now the only member of Oklahoma State's 2011 class.

- Niles North (IL) 6'6 small forward Abdel Nader is no longer committed to New Mexico, according to Brian Snow. Nader will instead be reclassifying to the class of 2012 and going to prep school.

- Another player going from 2011 to 2012 is 6'6 small forward Elgin Cook of Hamilton (WI). Eric Bossi reported that Cook will be going to prep school for one year, but it seems that he remains committed to the Cyclones.

- According to Dave Telep, seniors Sidiki Johnson and Ben McLemore were dismissed from the Oak Hill Academy (VA) basketball team and left the school midseason. Johnson, a 6'8 power forward ranked #73 in the nation who has signed with Arizona, is now at Wadleigh in his native New York City, per the New York Post's Zach Braziller. Wadleigh is Johnson's third high school in two years and fourth of his high school career. He is the second Arizona-signee to transfer midseason, as Josiah Turner went from Sacramento (CA) to Quality Education Academy (NC). Oddly, the two future Wildcats are the only ranked, committed seniors to transfer during the basketball season. Per Hoopniks, Ben McLemore is now attending Christian Life Center (TX), which is his third high school in two years also. Ranked #37 in the nation, the 6'5 small forward is the second best available player in the class of 2011.

- Johnson and McLemore are not the only high-profile players to transfer in February, as elite sophomore Chris Thomas has also changed high schools. According to Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog, the 6'4 combo guard left Princeton Day Academy (MD) for Westwind Prep (AZ). A Colorado native and one of the top five players in the class of 2013, Thomas is on his third high school in two years.

- Four Division I head coaching jobs have come open already before the end of the season. Wyoming, Stetson, Monmouth, and Georgia State will all be looking for new coaches. Sports by Brooks broke the news that Wyoming had dismissed Heath Schroyer and Jeff Goodman reported that Derek Waugh was moving into an administrative position at Stetson. I saw the news of Dave Calloway's resignation at Monmouth from Adam Zagoria and of Rod Barnes' dismissal at Georgia State from Jeff Goodman.

Note- photo on the top left is of Angelo Chol and is from http://www.maxpreps.com/national/national.htm and photo on the bottom right is of Ben McLemore and is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/