Shoes May Play A Part
Want to know where O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker end up playing college
basketball at? Look at the shoes on their feet and the sponsorship of the D-I
Greyhounds for the answer. Reebok and "Hoop Guru" Sonny Vaccaro may play a part
in their choice. Vaccaro, now Reebok's senior director of grassroots basketball
has influenced the likes of Michael Jordan (Nike) and Kobe Bryant (Adidas) over
the years, but it's his way of getting into the click of high school players
like O.J. Mayo that could be part of the answer of where Mayo and company end
up. Reebok, now owned by Adidas could be in the running to replace the shoe and
clothing deal at the University of Cincinnati. It's no secret UC will see the
end of their basketball deal with Jordan and be looking for one company to
provide all sports with equipment. While the school has a Nike contract in place
for football and other sports, a change may be coming with Reebok and Adidas in
the running.
RUMORS AT STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Dayton Dunbar who won the Division Two Championship this weekend may see star
"Big Man" Aaron Pogue looking to transfer from Dayton to Cincinnati and North
College Hill High School. It looks as if Pogue has built a solid friendship with
Mayo and Bill Walker and will play for the D-I Greyhounds during the upcoming
AAU season. If true then what Pogue was saying over the past week of going to
the same school as the two North College Hill stars may hold some merit.
Bearcat Head Man Turing Heads
Look for new Cincinnati Head Coach Mick Cronin to turn heads when he starts
showing up at high schools and junior colleges across the state and country.
With a six-year contract under his belt, recruits will know who will be calling
the shots in the Bearcats program. Talking with our sources at the state
tournament it seems Coach Cronin made sure he was at the Championship games on
Saturday.
2nd Championship
Talking about North College Hill. They won their second straight state
championship this weekend defeating Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph in grand
fashion. Mayo who returned for the championship game showed no ill effects from
missing a game. Combined Walker and Mayo would score 56 points and pull down 18
boards in helping the Trojans to the victory 90-72 over Ohio State recruit David Lighty. Over 16,000 fans attended the championship game. The fans saw early what
was ahead in this game as O.J. hit a three pointer to start the game followed by
a Walker dunk.
Still Open
One player that showed interest in Cincinnati before the coaching change back
in the fall was Ramar Smith. Smith who gave an early verbal to UConn and then
changed his mind has taken one visit so far and that was to Arkansas. Other
programs Smith has said are showing interest are Arizona, Tennessee and
Illinois. Don't be surprised if Coach Cronin gets into this race and finds Devan Downey the perfect running mate. One reason Smith may still be open are
academics and home sickness. A Detroit native he might find Cincinnati to his
liking over other programs.