I Bleed Blue and White

Jeff Borzello of the NBE Basketball Report brings us the latest update on 2011 prospect Sterling Gibbs and it appears that Villanova is continuing to fade with the guard. Gibbs is taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to Villanova, citing he needs to see what they do in 2010 if they are to remain an option.

“Villanova is in the mix,” he said. “I am looking to see what they end up doing as far as the 2010 class. Right now I don’t have any favorites,” he added. “All of the schools are equal right now.”

This shouldn’t come as any shock considering Jay Wright and his staff have stepped up their efforts to woo 2010 combo guard Cory Joseph. While that may not work out for ‘Nova in the end, it’s a safe bet to say the ship has probably sailed with Gibbs.

…To me, Gibbs is probably the guy who goes to Seton Hall or Pittsburgh and ends up killing us for 4 years…

A couple more recruiting nuggets to ponder over concerning Sterling Gibbs and Jaylen Bond. We’ll start with Gibbs, who according to ZagsBlog, visited Seton Hall on Tuesday. Gibbs has been saying Villanova is in the lead for awhile now, but that seems to be changing. After his visit with the Pirates, Gibbs says they are making up ground.

Sterling Gibbs

Gibbs is still planning an unofficial visit to Villanova this summer, along with a host of other schools, but according to his father, Sterling is looking at making a committment to a school by the end of the summer. Then again, he’s in the Class of 2011, so there is no rush.

…This isn’t a total surprise…it appears Jay Wright is in no rush to start taking commitments for the 2011 class with targets like Mike Gilchrist and Tony Wroten still giving us a hard look…

On another front, NBE Basketball Report has a few stories from the Summer Primetime Shootout, including one with an interesting piece of information on a possible Villanova target. Jaylen Bond is a 6′7″ forward from Plymouth-Whitemarsh (PA) and claims to have a Villanova offer.

Here is NBE’s take on Bond:

“Jaylen Bond is built like someone who could take James Bond in a fight, and that is saying something. A combo forward with a huge frame, broad shoulders, large hands, and big feet, Bond just might have another inch or two in him (then again, he may not, as he has an older brother, Julian Bond ’10, who is only about 6’1). Jaylen is a phenomenal athlete, and for a player his height and build his athleticism is almost unreal. A dunking machine and a one man highlight reel, Bond’s game is actually more than just being a high flier. He can step out and take 15-foot jumpers and is quite comfortable doing so. Though he is not a fantastic rebounder, Bond does grabs boards. He runs the floor well and masks some of his weaknesses with his athleticism, but he does need to work on his overall game, and the improvement will come with time if he puts in the effort. Assuming Bond continues to progress, he has a chance to be special.”

Jaylen Bond

…It is the first I’ve heard of Bond, and sometimes you have to take it with a grain of salt when a prospect claims an offer, but it appears that at the very least he is on Jay Wright’s board…

…Maybe plan B in case Gilchrist goes to Kentucky like so many have speculated?…

With so much hype around this year’s recruiting class, the task is going to be develop these young players and build some team chemistry.  Another tough task at hand is continuing to bring in top-notch recruits to the Main Line on a yearly basis.  In a couple of years, Villanova may land a big prospect by the name of Sterling Gibbs, the younger brother of Pittsburgh’s Ashton Gibbs (who will likely start at point for Pitt next year).  Sterling is a rising junior guard at Seton Hall Prep and currently, says his favorite school is Villanova.  Gibbs says,

I just like the way that they play and how their guards play.  They’re just an open offense.  There’s not real set plays.  They just like to have players who could just make plays.

Jay Wright recruiting another guard.  Surprising.  As mentioned in the previous post, Corey Fisher was named to the U.S. team to compete in the World University Games.  Fisher spoke about his selection to the team and his play during tryouts.  Fisher, on making the team:

It was just a dream come true.  I just first want to thank the committee and everyone who selected me to be here and to try out. When I got my name called, it was a dream come true, and all I was thinking about was going out there and playing for USA, representing my country.  I wouldn’t be here without God, my parents, my Villanova teammates and my university.

Fisher, on how he played at tryouts:

I think I did pretty well.  I could have done better, nobody is perfect.  There are things that you need to work on, and there are things you are good at, but you got to always work on the things that you’re not good at.  I was just trying to come out here, compete and win some games – get my teammates involved.  I think I ran my team well.  I talked real well.  I think I was a leader.  I think I turned the ball over, but that will stop.