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Decisions made: Stukes to Albany, Hall to St. Catherine
By Zachary Braziller May 1, 2009
Forest Hills forward Alex Hall will go to NAIA St. Catherine College in Kentucky.
Most high school basketball players go to prep school to enhance their college recruitment. James Stukes wanted his to be over with before arriving at South Kent (Conn.).
He got his wish.
The Rice forward verbally committed to the University of Albany on Friday just after returning from an official visit. He is the first member of their 2010 class.
“I wanted to get it over with,” said Stukes, who helped Rice win the CHSAA Class AA intersectional city championship and the State Federation Class AA crown, Rice’s first since 2002. “I just want to focus on getting better for next year. I feel relieved, stress-free. I don’t have to worry about anything.”
The 6-foot-5 Stukes, who will be joined at South Kent Prep by city products such as Archbishop Molloy guard Russ Smith, Wings Academy guard Mike Buffalo and possibly Thomas Jefferson guard Keith Spellman, said he needs to improve his ball handling and defense. He will likely be a small forward at Albany.
The Bronx resident, who averaged 13.3 points per game this year, said he felt an immediate bond with the coaching staff, his future teammates and the surroundings in the state’s capitol.
“I felt at home,” he said. “I think Albany is a great fit for me. They’re not too close to home and they’re not too far from home; that was a big factor in my decision. It’s perfect for me.”
His future coach, Will Brown, and teammates told Stukes that it was his hustle, more than offensive skills and strength that drew the interest of the program.
“That’s what he loves about me,” Stukes said. “I’m going to try my best to do that when I get there.”
Hall good for Alex, as Forest Hills forward chooses St. Catherine: When Alex Hall was suspended from the Forest Hills boys’ basketball for breaking undisclosed schools rules, he didn’t only miss a month of the season, he thought he has ruined a lifelong dream to play college basketball.
“I thought I lost my chance,” he said.
He didn’t.
After leading the Rangers to the PSAL Queens borough crown and the PSAL Class AA quarterfinals, St. Catharine College, a NAIA school in Kentucky, came calling. Friday, the 6-foot-5 Hall verbally committed there.
“It was an easy decision,” he said. “I wanted to get out of New York, see what the rest of the country is like. … They say that I can contribute as a freshman. They think I’ll be a valuable asset to the team right away. I’m very happy about it. It was my goal forever to play college basketball.”
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com
He got his wish.
The Rice forward verbally committed to the University of Albany on Friday just after returning from an official visit. He is the first member of their 2010 class.
“I wanted to get it over with,” said Stukes, who helped Rice win the CHSAA Class AA intersectional city championship and the State Federation Class AA crown, Rice’s first since 2002. “I just want to focus on getting better for next year. I feel relieved, stress-free. I don’t have to worry about anything.”
The 6-foot-5 Stukes, who will be joined at South Kent Prep by city products such as Archbishop Molloy guard Russ Smith, Wings Academy guard Mike Buffalo and possibly Thomas Jefferson guard Keith Spellman, said he needs to improve his ball handling and defense. He will likely be a small forward at Albany.
The Bronx resident, who averaged 13.3 points per game this year, said he felt an immediate bond with the coaching staff, his future teammates and the surroundings in the state’s capitol.
“I felt at home,” he said. “I think Albany is a great fit for me. They’re not too close to home and they’re not too far from home; that was a big factor in my decision. It’s perfect for me.”
His future coach, Will Brown, and teammates told Stukes that it was his hustle, more than offensive skills and strength that drew the interest of the program.
“That’s what he loves about me,” Stukes said. “I’m going to try my best to do that when I get there.”
Hall good for Alex, as Forest Hills forward chooses St. Catherine: When Alex Hall was suspended from the Forest Hills boys’ basketball for breaking undisclosed schools rules, he didn’t only miss a month of the season, he thought he has ruined a lifelong dream to play college basketball.
“I thought I lost my chance,” he said.
He didn’t.
After leading the Rangers to the PSAL Queens borough crown and the PSAL Class AA quarterfinals, St. Catharine College, a NAIA school in Kentucky, came calling. Friday, the 6-foot-5 Hall verbally committed there.
“It was an easy decision,” he said. “I wanted to get out of New York, see what the rest of the country is like. … They say that I can contribute as a freshman. They think I’ll be a valuable asset to the team right away. I’m very happy about it. It was my goal forever to play college basketball.”
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com