NCAA rules prohibit coaches from speaking specifically about recruiting until the prospects are signed, but Jeff Bzdelik’s smile spoke volumes. The eight-day early signing period begins today, and the Colorado men’s basketball coach must feel like a youngster on Christmas morning.
“We are extremely pleased with the way recruiting is going,” Bzdelik said. “Extremely pleased.”
Colorado’s three known oral commitments each rate three stars (out of five) by Internet recruiting services, but Bzdelik’s competition for their signatures may be more telling.
Pac-10 power Arizona also wanted 6-foot-6 Keegan Hornbuckle, a small forward at Campbell Hall in Los Angeles. Colorado had to beat out Kansas State for 6-5 shooting guard Alec Burks of Grandview (Mo.) High School. And 6-11 center Shane Harris-Tunks of suburban Sydney, Australia, also visited Gonzaga and Vanderbilt before choosing the Buffaloes.
Bzdelik has said he tries to sell recruits on his vision for the future and how Colorado’s Princeton-style offense can succeed in the Big 12. Apparently, the pitch worked.
“They painted a pretty good picture for what it would be like going there,” Hornbuckle told of being recruited by CU.
Men’s and women’s basketball programs along the Front Range are expected to take advantage of the early signing period. Recruits that do not sign during the next eight days must wait until April to sign a national letter of intent.
Colorado women’s coach Kathy McConnell-Miller had said this is an exceptional year for in-state talent. She took advantage by plucking three locals: 5-10 point guard Janeesa “Chucky” Jeffery of Sierra High in Colorado Springs and 6-2 twins Megan and Brenna Malcolm-Peck of Horizon. Each is ranked among the state’s top six prospects.
Badly needing post players, Colorado also received an oral commitment from 6-7 Melissa McFarlane of Omaha Millard North.
Two of the four known commitments received by Colorado State men’s coach Tim Miles are in-state high school players: 6-11, 248-pound Trevor Williams of Denver Lutheran and 6-5 shooting guard Pierce Hornung of Ralston Valley. The Rams also are expected to sign 6-6 Greg Smith of Ralston, Neb.
Denver coach Joe Scott received oral commitments from 6-8 Jefferson Powers of Concord (Calif.) De La Salle and 6-5 Chase Hallam of Mesquite, Texas. Hallam will join his brother, Travis, who is a 6-4 freshman for the Pioneers.
Air Force is not bound by NCAA recruiting dates. But the Falcons are known to have an oral commitment from 6-7 forward Zach Bohannon of Marion (Iowa) Linn-Mar, the younger brother of Wisconsin junior Jason Bohannon.
Northern Colorado coach Tad Boyle is adding size with 6-9 Connor Osborne of Columbine and 6-7 Emmanuel Addo of Northfield, Minn.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
Men’s commitments
AIR FORCE*
F Zach Bohannon, 6-7, Marion (Iowa) Linn-Mar HS
G Jordan Finn, 6-4, Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) Etiwanda HS
F Jordan Jahr, 6-5, Austin (Texas) Lake Travis HS
F Ethan Michael, 6-7, Toledo (Ohio) Christian HS
COLORADO
G Alec Burks, 6-5, Grandview (Mo.) HS
C Shane Harris-Tunks, 6-11, Australian Institute of Sport
F Keegan Hornbuckle, 6-6, Los Angeles Campbell Hall HS
COLORADO STATE
F Pierce Hornung, 6-5, Ralston Valley HS
G Devin McDonald, 6-1, San Jacinto (Texas) CC
F Greg Smith, 6-6, Ralston (Neb.) HS
C Trevor Williams, 6-11, Denver Lutheran HS
DENVER
G Chase Hallam, 6-5, Mesquite (Texas) HS
F Jefferson Powers, 6-8, Concord (Calif.) De La Salle HS
NORTHERN COLORADO
F Emmanuel Addo, 6-7, Northfield (Minn.) HS
C Connor Osborne, 6-9, Columbine HS
WYOMING
F Michael Dietz, 6-7, Casper Natrone County HS
G Thomas Manzano, 6-4, Garden City (Kan.) CC
F Quinton Thomas, 6-6, Greenville (S.C.) Southside HS
*Not bound by NCAA letter-of-intent rules
