Ebanks Mulling School List

Devin Ebanks should have his list of potential schools cut down to between two and four by next week, but a final announcement on his future destination might not happen until early or mid-April.

The 6-foot-9 Ebanks is considering Indiana, Rutgers, Texas and Memphis, but one of those schools could be eliminated by next week, or another school could enter the mix.

"I've heard from about 25 schools," Lawrence McGugins, Ebanks' AAU coach, said Thursday by phone. "It's not going to be open recruiting. He'll let us know the 2-4 schools (he's considering) and I'll contact the schools to let them know."

McGugins said Ebanks has not de-committed from Indiana despite the recent firing of IU coach Kelvin Sampson, and that Ebanks could still end up there.

Ebanks, ranked No. 2 among small forwards and No. 13 overall in the Class of 2008, chose Indiana last summer over Miami, Rutgers and Texas.

Ebanks' season and career at the St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Conn., came to an end Tuesday night when his team lost to Hargrave Military Academy in the National Prep Championships at Fordham University's Rose Hill Gym. Hargrave will play Findlay Prep of Nevada tonight for the title.

McGugins said Ebanks would continue to discuss his options with St. Thomas More head coach Jere Quinn before Ebanks comes home this weekend to Long Island City, N.Y.. At that point, Ebanks, McGugins and Ebanks' mother, Yvonne Jackson, will work to cut down the list.

"Too manys schools are calling," McGugins said. "They've been respectful, but I have to start lettting people know."

Memphis has made a push with Ebanks, and Quinn said that might be an option. "Memphis has contacted us," Quinn said earlier this week. "I know they've contacted his AAU people." As for Rutgers, Jackson has long been a fan of the program, largely because of its proximity to the family home in Long Island City and because of the family relationship with RU assistant Craig Carter. "If he were to do something in the Big East, Rutgers is the only one he's really had communciation with," Quinn said. Texas was also a finalist before Ebanks chose Indiana last summer and Rick Barnes' program is known for being friendly to long, athletic wings. Texas got a commitment Tuesday from 6-8 sophomore forward Tristan Thompson out of St. Benedict's Prep in Newark.

After cutting his list, Ebanks will then make additional visits to the schools, but with conference tournaments and the NCAA Tournament fast approaching, those visits might have to wait until after the Final Four.

"That will probably have to come right after the (NCAA) Tournament unless we find a window of opportunity before then," McGugins said.

CHRISTIAN MORRIS UPDATE

McGugins also coaches Rutgers commit Christian Morris, a 6-8 forward who was at South Kent (Conn.) this season before leaving school and coming home.

"He's doing well," McGugins said. "He's been working out with somebody, doing a lot of stuff on his own. He can't wait until he gets to school to start."

Rutgers is also bringing in 6-5 wing Pat Jackson of Brooklyn Boys & Girls and 6-3 shooting guard Mike Rosario of St. Anthony. Rosario, a McDonald's All-American, scored 19 points in St. Anthony's 64-52 victory over arch-rival St. Patrick in the North Non-Public B title game Wednesday night at the Rutgers Athletic Center.

Read more about that game here.

(Photos courtesy Rivals and Brian Kelley)