Rutgers search for a big man has led the Scarlet Knights staff to become involved with Petras Balocka, a 6-foot-8 forward from Pensacola (Fla.) Community College who is originally from Vilnius, Lithuania and spent four years with the Junior National Lithuanian Team.
Balocka, who transferred from East Tennessee State, is averaging 13.9 points and 11.2 rebounds for Pensacola, which plays in the Panhandle Conference, the same league as Chipola (Fla.) College. Chipola features 6-8 big man Gary Flowers, who could wind up at Seton Hall.
Pensacola head coach Paul Swanson said Balcoka enjoyed his recent visit to Rutgers for a basketball game, and still plans to visit Kent State and Hawaii. Van Coleman of CSTV.com reported that Balocka has also had interest from SMU, James Madison, Idaho, Iowa and Arkansas Little Rock.
"He's got a host of others," Swanson said Tuesday by phone. "Some other high-majors are calling. We have a whole lot of people calling.
"I know he enjoyed his visit to Rutgers."
Asked to describe Balocka's game, Swanson said: "He's an explosive rebounder. He has the ability to score inside. He can shoot from outside. He's made 3 -point shots. He's shooting a fairly decent percentage. He's a strong inside player."
Swanson said there was no specific timetable on when Balocka might decide.
Rutgers returns sophomore center Hamady N'Diaye and junior forward JR Inman and brings in 6-8 center Christian Morris from South Kent in Conn., but surely needs at least another big man to help win more games in the Big East next season.
Adam, any update on Dan Jennings recruiting? And I know he hasn't played very big this year, but JR Inman (6'9") should also be returning for his senior year to the RU frontcourt--unless you know something we don't in not mentioning him?
Posted by: RUrising | March 04, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Thanks for updating your story Adam re: JR Inman. I can understand how easy it is to overlook his presence and potential next season based on his completely underwhelming performance this year with 9.6 pts/game in BE play.
Posted by: RUrising | March 05, 2008 at 04:54 PM