Date Posted:07:01:27 03/25/04 Thu Author: NTK's Article was from 2003 Subject: Re: Another Recruit? In reply to:
Questioner???
's message, "Re: Another Recruit?" on 23:46:52 03/24/04 Wed
I'm not sure how these things work, but isn't it unusual that a recruit of this quality(at least from the articles and ratings he appears to be a quality recruit) is still available this late in the year? I would've thought a 6'10" kid recruited by Syracuse et al would've committed months ago.
Don't know for sure but think maybe oates had a sub par senior season and bigger programs may have backed off. I read articles of his teams last couple of tournament games and it didn't appear he had big numbers. In any event he would be a great get for RW and hopefully he and Clifford could share the 5 position and free up Nate to move to 4 full time. One more thought, if a scholarship is available for Oates, does this mean Maley's not going to play next year, as it seems he would have gotten the scholarship. Maybe RW would rather have another big man?
Before we get too excited about Oates, let's think back to last year and Mike O'donnell. He also gave us a courtesy visit before signing the next week with NC State. I agree, he would be great for the program, but if all the big schools were seriously looking at him and he visited OSU, How can HC and the mightly PL lure him.
If a scholarship is available because of someone leaving, and Oates gets the scholarship, I still thing RW will go after Maley. He is already in school and paying his own way. He didn't come here for BB and wasn't looking for a free ride.
Here is the Rivals article...
March 23, 2004
Oates on Official Visit
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Jerry Meyer
RivalsHoops.com Recruiting Analyst
RivalsHoops.com caught up with 2004 prospect John Oates last night while on an official visit at Holy Cross. The 6-foot-10, 255-pound center from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, New Jersey spoke with us for a moment before his formal meeting with Coach Ralph Willard.
As of now Oates has an offer from Holy Cross, but he has also been in communication with Rutgers, Syracuse, and Ohio State.
“Right now I am on an official visit at Holy Cross,” said Oates. “The visit is going well. I am about to meet with Coach Willard.”
“Rutgers hasn’t offered yet. They are waiting on my official visit, which will be sometime after the Final Four. I am also talking to Syracuse and Ohio State. I will figure things out more after the Final Four. Starting tomorrow it is a closed period until after the Final Four. More stuff will happen after then.”
Oates indicated that he is in no hurry to make a decision and will wait till the signing period.
According to Oates, he averaged 16 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game for state runner up Don Bosco Prep. Don Bosco Pep finished 26-4, but Oates spoke of the disappointment of losing a close game in the state finals.
“We lost a close one to Seton Hall Prep in the finals,” said Oates. “I believe the score was 47 to 46. It was a heartbreaker to lose like that, since we had worked so hard. It had to end, but it was tough.”
Oates had previously officially visited Oklahoma State and had interest from South Carolina, but he said there is nothing in the works with those two schools anymore.
If we've offered, which it appears we have, John is either being offered after a prep year and everyone else is still on board the team OR someone is leaving. Those are the two options as I see it and as of right now, there is no info to show that he is being offered after a prep school year.
Maybe more to the Fingleton situation than we know right now.
