BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: CINCINNATI

August 16, 2007



VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Cashmere Wright, 6'0 PG from Savannah (GA) Urban Christian

Josh Katzowitz of the Cincinnati Post updates his blog with good news for Bearcat fans as Cashmere Wright Commits to the Bearcats. Along with Yancy Gates, Wright is the second UC commitment for 2008.



Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Mike Williams (PF)
Juniors: Deonta Vaughn (PG)
Sophomores: Larry Davis (SG), Rashad Bishop (G/F), Kenny Belton (F/C), Alvin Mitchell (G/F), Anthony McClain (C), Darnell Wilks (F)
Freshmen: Yancy Gates (BF), Cashmere Wright (PG)
Early 2009 Commitment: Danny McElroy (F)



Read More...Click 'Read Rest of Article' Below!!!



last February, Cashmere Wright pulled the trigger and made a verbal commitment to the Clemson Tigers. After playing the summer circuit, Wright re-thought that commitment and decided he had pulled the trigger too early and decomitted from the Tigers. With Cincinnati, Tennessee and Clemson involved until the end, Wright ultimately decided the best fit for him was at Cincinnati, where he would join a roster where Deonta Vaughn would be a junior and the only other point guard in the program, meaning Wright could have a chance to see some early playing time his first two years and have the chance to run the show in his final two seasons.

Wright, a 6'0, 170 lb PG, joins a 2008 Bearcats class with Withrow High School standout Yancy Gates. Former 2008 Bearcat commit Darnell Wilks has already enrolled in school and is now part of the 2007 class, an opening caused by Jason Henry failing to quailify. Bearcat coach Mick Cronin still has three scholarships available in the class of 2008 if he chooses to use them, but he still has a large incoming class of Alvin Mitchell, Larry Davis, Rashad Bishop, Kenny Belton, Anthony McClain and now Wilks that will likely have to sort out their strengths and weaknesses within the program. Already possessing one 2009 commitment (Danny McElroy) and one senior on the projected 2008-2009 roster (Mike Williams), a scholarship or two could be set aside for the 2009 class as well.

Wright, like Deonta Vaughn, is a talented scorer in the lead guard position. he is quick to the rim with an impressive first step to help him finish with athleticism and has the confidence to knock down the open jumper when the opportunity presents itself. At his size, he will have to continue to develop the playmaking skills to transition to a full-time distributor, but with the presence of Vaughn, he will have time to make the transition. He loves to have the ball in his hands and has no fear heading into the lane and will make frequent trips to the foul line. The increased talent of the opposition in the future will force him to be better at picking his spots, but the offensive talent is there right now.

Some other names to keep track of on the recruiting trail as we move from the summer to the visit season for the Bearcats are 5th-yr prep player 6'7 Eric Frederick, originally from Texas, who will spend this season at Lenoir (Patterson School) NC. 6'4 Willie Warren from Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA also lists the Bearcats, but he looks to be a lean for Oklahoma, but his lists seems to grow longer each time out. Speaking of long lists, 6'8 Renaldo Woolridge from North Hollywood (Harvard-Westlake) CA has Cincinnati on his, along with half of the schools from BCS conferences. Philip McDonald, the 6-foot-3 shooting guard of the T-Mac All-Stars and Tyshawn Taylor, 6'4 guard from St. Anthony's also list the Bearcats. Unsure if Wright's commitment will lessen the interest from the Bearcats in another guard. As for big men, J’Mison Morgan, a 6-foot-10, 275-pounder from Dallas South Oak Cliff High, has listed cincinnati this summer. Canton (Ga.) Cherokee forward Chris Singleton and New London (CT) forward Allan Chaney have also been contacted by UC this summer.


A great resource on UC recruiting can be found at Bearcat News. They have the possibility of another large class for 2008 and already have a commitment from Withrow HS standout Yancy Gates, who got the ball rolling earlier in the spring.