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The Daily OrangeMBB | Scottie doesn't go: Freshman Scottie Reynolds flourishes in Philly after decommitting from Oklahoma
By Christopher James
Posted: 3/1/07, 12:38 AM EST Section: Sports
Wright was "ecstatic" about the chance to get Reynolds, Hall said. Standing in the way was whether or not the Wildcats would have a scholarship for the point guard after most commitments had signed.
It was the same problem Reynolds faced when looking at Syracuse. Herndon athletic director Mike Mahoney, a Syracuse graduate, tried contacting the Orange early in Reynolds' high school career. Hall said SU never could take a serious look at his young star because the point guard position was already filled with Eric Devendorf and Josh Wright.
However, when Villanova sophomore Kyle Lowry jumped to the NBA, a spot opened up for Reynolds and he signed with the Wildcats. Hall said Reynolds was able to trust Wright despite the short recruiting time.
Things worked out for Reynolds, but Hall said Reynolds' shock in April was another hard lesson in the business of college basketball. Hall doesn't blame Sampson for heading to Indiana, but he said without the coach, recruiting becomes meaningless.
"It's nice to think you're committing to the university, but really who's the face of that?" Hall said. "That's the head coach. (Scottie) committed more to coach Sampson then to Oklahoma. Whether that's right or wrong, the head coach is a big part of that decision."
It was the same problem Reynolds faced when looking at Syracuse. Herndon athletic director Mike Mahoney, a Syracuse graduate, tried contacting the Orange early in Reynolds' high school career. Hall said SU never could take a serious look at his young star because the point guard position was already filled with Eric Devendorf and Josh Wright.
However, when Villanova sophomore Kyle Lowry jumped to the NBA, a spot opened up for Reynolds and he signed with the Wildcats. Hall said Reynolds was able to trust Wright despite the short recruiting time.
Things worked out for Reynolds, but Hall said Reynolds' shock in April was another hard lesson in the business of college basketball. Hall doesn't blame Sampson for heading to Indiana, but he said without the coach, recruiting becomes meaningless.
"It's nice to think you're committing to the university, but really who's the face of that?" Hall said. "That's the head coach. (Scottie) committed more to coach Sampson then to Oklahoma. Whether that's right or wrong, the head coach is a big part of that decision."
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