Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
OSUBucks22;1208583; said:Most feel that Josh is heading to Duke, FWIW...
Hairston ponders a pair of Tigers
High school notebook
Date published: 8/7/2008
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.
Josh Hairston already boasted a scholarship offer from NCAA men's basketball champion Kansas.
He's now being courted by the runners-up, too.
Memphis joined a host of other college basketball powers when it recently offered the Courtland High School rising junior basketball star a scholarship.
But unlike Kansas, the Tigers actually have a shot to land the talented 6-foot-8 power forward.
In July, Hairston narrowed his final five choices to Virginia, Virginia Tech, Georgetown, Duke and Ohio State.
But Hairston said yesterday that he wants to visit Memphis and Clemson soon.
Hairston has been a fan of Memphis, particularly former forward Joey Dorsey, since he began following college basketball closely a few years ago.
So when Memphis offered a scholarship, he listened. He began listening closer to Clemson recently as well. Clemson offered a scholarship some time ago, but head coach Oliver Purnell dramatically increased his pursuit when Hairston was taking part in an AAU tournament in Cincinnati last month.
"They're definitely in [the race]," Hairston said of Memphis and Clemson. "I've slid both of those two in there."
Hairston said he plans to announce a college decision in November. He said there is no front-runner for his services, although his mother, Natalie, is a Virginia Tech alum.
"She said she's not, but probably deep down, she's pulling for Tech," Hairston said. "It doesn't have that big of an influence, but it's nice to have a relative who can tell you about a school."
July, 2008: Josh is a skilled high post player. He is effective in the low post but sometimes succumbs to players stronger than him. He has solid range and is a good shooter out to 19 feet. He is an average rebounder for his size. Josh is an OK defender. He needs to get stronger in order to better handle proficient low post players. He is an above average athlete that can block the occasional shot. Josh aspires to become a wing forward at some point in his career (and it shows). He is better as a mis-match 4 man because he is generally quicker and more athletic than most posts. He is a little soft right now but that does not prevent him from being one of the top prospects in the 2010 class. Josh is a top 25 prospect in the 2010 class.
LitlBuck;1254224; said:Even if this is coming from the Duke site on Rivals, I have felt for some time then he has been leaning toward Duke ever since he visited there.
Rain aids Duke's hunt for Hairston
High school notebook
Date published: 9/11/2008
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.
The University of Virginia men's basketball program thought it was going to get the first crack at wooing Josh Hairston early in his junior year.
But Tropical Storm Hanna had other ideas.
The 6-foot-8 Courtland High School star power forward postponed his unofficial visit to Charlottesville this past Saturday because of the rainy weather.
This weekend, he'll take a trip to Durham, N.C., and perennial power Duke.
Hairston's father, Keith, said his son will likely visit Virginia for its next home football game, Oct. 4 against Maryland, if he doesn't orally commit to the Blue Devils this weekend.
At a minimum, Keith Hairston said he hopes Josh leaves Durham with his final two choices in mind.
One school not likely to be in that final two is Ohio State. The Buckeyes have courted Josh Hairston from the beginning, but his father said Columbus, Ohio, may be too far for his family members who live in Martinsville to travel.
Duke captures outstanding 2010 forward Joshua Hairston
Joshua Hairston, rated No. 14 overall in the ESPN Super 60, has given a Class 2010 commitment to the Duke Blue Devils.
The 6-foot-8 power forward also considered Georgetown, Ohio State, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
In a huge recruiting day, Duke also gained a 2010 commitment from guard Tyler Thornton of Gonzaga College HS (Washington, D.C.). Hairston and Thornton join guard Andre Dawkins, rated No. 11 overall, of Atlantic Shores (Chesapeake, Va.) in the Blue Devils' class of 2010.
2010 forward Hairston opts for Duke
Eleven months ago, Josh Hairston was among six hotshots from the recruiting class of 2010 who visited Ohio State for the homecoming football game against Michigan State.
Others attending that day, which included an open practice in Value City Arena, were forwards Jared Sullinger of Northland and DeShaun Thomas of Ft. Wayne, Ind., who already had made oral commitments to sign with the Buckeyes, forward Adreian Payne of Dayton and guards Cameron Wright of Cleveland and Trae Golden of Powder Springs, Ga.
Coach Thad Matta obviously hoped to strike it rich quick again with another deep class like those he signed in 2006, ?07 and ?08. This has proved tougher, though.
Cont...