[Cracked Sidewalks] Buzz Williams update, new potential recruit emerges

[CrackedSidewalksSays]

Buzz Williams update, new potential recruit emerges

Written by: NY Warrior

According to this report from a K-State blog penned by a reporter from the Wichita Eagle, it appears that MU is in pursuit of 6'2" combo guard Varez Ward from the Patterson School in Lenior, NC.  Marquette is in good company with Ward -- Texas, Arkansas, K-State and FSU have also offered according to his coach.

Also today -- Buzz Williams sits down with Todd Rosiak for a thorough overview of the program.  Among the most interesting nuggets:

• Regarding the last open scholarship -- Williams indicated it could be used for either the 08 or 09 classes;
• Williams expects Butler and Fulce to be 'ahead of the curve' as compared to true freshmen next season;
• David Cubillan will have surgery on his left shoulder soon.  He recently had surgery on his right shoulder and has not had an individual workout yet this off-season.
  
• Williams took the high-road on the Tyshawn Taylor situation. Smart.
• There are no updates on McNeal's NBA process in the report
  
• Varez Ward is not mentioned in the Rosiak update.
  

BTW, here is a YouTube clip of what appears to be Varez Ward from his junior year in high school --against Nick Williams' LeFlore Rattlers, no less.

http://www.youtube.com/v/BJD7CwFoeV8&hl=en

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2008/05/buzz-williams-update-new-potential.html

[Thomas' Danish Delight]

Wow...that was SICK!

[1990Warrior]

I found this:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?page=briefingroom&recruitId=44986

Apparently he has issues at home (sounds familiar) - I don't think we are closer to ala than cinci.

It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

[Daniel]

I'm sure there is more to the Cinncy thing than we know about or that they are alluding to in this piece.  Maybe he does have home issues, etc. and wants to be closer.  But I don't think we can know that jsut from the spin that sometimes is put on these things.  If you have to fly home - that is, you are not within driving distance of home - then an hour flight or 2 is not much difference.  Another "wait and see" for us!

[Ready2Fly]

"With Ty, how that unfolded was a story in and of itself, but I wasn't going to hold him - regardless of what was being said or how it was being said."

This makes me even angrier at the way Hurley handled everything.  He trashed the program in the media and all of what he said was complete bullsh*t anyway.

[MUCrew]

Wow...that was SICK!

Took the words right out of my mouth.  Real explosive and fearless play. 

[MU Chi_IL]

Varez Ward conversation from the Bearcatnews
http://forums.bearcatnews.com/showthread.php?t=1720

A few others I found
http://blogs.kansas.com/kstated/2008/05/01/varez-ward/


http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/labels/Varez%20Ward.html

http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=47320&Sport=2

http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=3291635

http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=661484

[MU Chi_IL]

Found some more links (slow day)...


"Varez Ward – Patterson School: With Patterson getting very little inside from
Matt Simpkins, it fell on Ward on the rest of the backcourt to pick up their
games. The unsigned senior certainly did that as his quick first step and
powerful frame allowed him to get into the lane and finish against contact."

http://www.bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?p=69922

Hoopscoop ranking of 114
http://collegehoopsupdate.com/html/player_info.php?recordid=6828

FREE Gibbons article on ESPN Scouts Inc says:

"One of the best still available backcourt players is Patterson's 6-3 combo guard Varez Ward. Ward was a senior last year, along with teammate Courtney Fortson, at Sidney Lanier High (Montgomery, Ala.). He has the versatility to play both guard positions, and is a very hard-nosed, aggressive player. Chaney told us that Kentucky may now be the favorite for Ward. He is still considering: UAB, Missouri, South Carolina, West Virginia, Mississippi, South Carolina and UTEP, among others."
http://forums.bearcatnews.com/showthread.php?t=1486

[77ncaachamps]

Get the kid.

Looks like Jerel with DJ's hops.