SHU the Leader for Theodore

After his visit Monday to Seton Hall, Paterson Catholic junior guard Jordan Theodore now has the Big East school as his leader.

"I think Seton Hall has emerged as the leader," said Emanuel "Book" Richardson, Theodore's AAU coach with the New York Gauchos. "Coach (Bobby) Gonzalez, coach (Geoff) Billet and coach (Dermon) Player have done a tremendous job of closing the gap and gotten ahead of the pack. I think coach Gonzalez has been dedicated in making him a priority."

Richardson and Theodore spoke while at the Atlanta airport on their way to the US Youth Development Festival in Colorado Springs, Col., where Richardson will coach and Theodore will play. Other locals invited to the event include St. Patrick guard Dexter Strickland, Rice guard Kemba Walker (UConn) Lincoln guard Lance Stephenson, Christ the King guard Erving Walker and Devin Ebanks, the St. Thomas More forward who recently committed to Indiana.

The 6-foot Theodore was a first-team Herald News All-Area and All-Passaic selection after averaging 16.9 points and 6.7 assists as a junior. A four-star recruit according to Rivals, Theodore is ranked No. 14 among point guards in the Class of 2008 and No. 92 overall.

He listed Seton Hall, Memphis, Maryland, Marquette and Gonzaga as his top five, though not necessarily in that order.

"(The Seton Hall visit) went really well," Theodore said. "I was there for about three hours with coach Billet, coach Gonzalez and coach (Kevin) Murphy. We went around the gym. They showed me the new fitness center. They showed me film of Seton Hall and of Bobby Gonzalez when he was at Manhattan. I would fit in perfect with me and Eugene (Harvey) in the backcourt playing together."

Theodore added that he "loved the idea" of playing with Harvey, the former St. Benedict's Prep standout who made the Big East All-Rookie team as a frosh.

"I guess we would alternate (at the point)," Theodore said of a potential coupling beginning in the 2008-09 season. "Sometimes he would bring it up, sometimes I'd bring it up. We can both score the basketball."

Richardson added that Theodore was getting frustrated with all of the phonecalls from college coaches, who were permitted to call beginning last Friday as per NCAA regulations.

"As Jordan gets better and better, he's realizing who's been there initially for him," he said. "I definitely think Seton Hall has emerged as the leader."

Richardson said that Theodore could announce his decision anytime. He will be in Colorado until June 24 and then return home for a few days before participating in the Steve Nash Nike Skills Academy at Kean University June 29-July 1.

Comments

[Bill Murray]

Brother! Where have you been?

[DavidC]

I think Jordan is a great asset for that powerful Gauchos team as well as for Paterson Catholic.