The Dan Jennings Update

Everyone knows about the talented guards on the New York Gauchos who dominated play on the summer AAU circuit: Jordan Theodore (Seton Hall), Kemba Walker (UConn), Truck Bryant (West Virginia) and Durand Scott. But one player who has flown under the radar to some extent is 6-9 junior big man Dan Jennings of Bishop Loughlin.

Jennings, who lives on Staten Island, emerged in May at the Cactus Classic when he dropped 18 points on Pump N'Run Elite, outscoring several well known big men.

I checked in Saturday with Jennings and his advisors and here's the latest on his high school and college situation.

Jennings has an application in at Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and could end up there this season, according to Book Richardson, the former Gauchos director. After that, depending upon his academic situation, Jennings could prep for a year before being a high-major D-1 player.

"He could be a Top 50 player because he works so hard and he's a sponge," Richardson said. "He's a freak of nature. He's big, he's strong, he's quick and very agile. He would probably spend a year at Oak Hill and then a year of prep if he's not academically eligible."

If he does go to play for Steve Smith at Oak Hill, folks can watch him on ESPN2 against St. Benedict's on Dec. 13 in a game that will take place in Draffenville, Ky.

In terms of Jennings' college situation, the young man said he had received offers from Rutgers, Seton Hall, St. John's, Pitt, Xavier, Memphis, South Florida and that Arizona had showed interest.

"I like Arizona a lot," he said. "I also like Memphis and Pittsburgh."

Asked about the local schools, St. John's, Rutgers and Seton Hall, Jennings said, "They're good, but I'd rather go away. They're still an option."

Added Richardson: "He needs to get away and grow up a little bit."

Craig Carter has been actively recruiting Jennings for Rutgers, while Derm Player is on the case for Seton Hall.

"He feels a strong tie with (Carter)," said Darrell Grady, Jennings' mentor. "He calls all the time and we talk. He's one of the first Big East schools recruiting (Jennings) when he wasn't even on the radar. Coach (Carter) saw something special in him."

Jennings said he is tight with Theodore, the Seton Hall recruit, and with Pitt-bound guard Travon Woodall of Paterson and St. Anthony. Both have talked to Jennings about coming to their schools to form a strong guard/big man tandem.

Grady said when decision-time came, it would be up to Jennings, Grady, Loughlin coach Khalid Green and Jennings' mom.

"I want a school that's going to take care of me and a school that I like," Jennings said.

(Photo courtesy Scout)

Comments

[matt]

the oak hill vs st. benedict's game is at Marshall County high school in draffenville, ky not lexington.