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COPYRIGHT 2006 Sporting News Publishing Co.
The first day of the NCAA's July recruiting period has become one of America s sporting rituals, although not as universal--and certainly not as much of a spectacle--as baseball's opening day or the NCAA Tournament's first 48 hours.
In gymnasiums across the country, college coaches were permitted to begin observing and evaluating prospects who will be part of recruiting classes for the next several years.
Some of us spent those first few hours of an absurdly pleasant Midwestern summer day on the campus of IUPUI at the Nike All-America Camp.
First player to 'blow up'
In the peculiar version of the English language spoken by prep recruiting analysts, "blowing up" is a good thing. On Day 1 at Nike, 7-1 center Solomon Alabi, a native of Nigeria who attends Montverde Academy in Florida, did just that.
Alabi averaged only 8.2 points and 6.3 rebounds last season and was ranked at the low end of the top 100 by scouts. But Vince Baldwin of regional service PrepSpotlight counted 13 blocks for Alabi in the day's first game, and Alabi closed out his night shift by snuffing an attempt at a game-winning layup by gifted wing Chris Wright.
Alabi mentioned Florida State, Saint Joseph's and Virginia were recruiting him. Kentucky also has noticed. Those programs will not be alone.
First coach in line
The...
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