Recruiting makes local college basketball a hot topic in September

Stony Brook freshman Dave Coley

It's been several years since college basketball had any real meaning in the New York City metro area.

Last year the worm started to turn a bit.

St. John's and Stony Brook both made the NIT. Stony Brook turned out to be the big story as the Seawolves, which won a school Division I record 22 games, actually hosted Illinois at the Indoor Sports Complex.

Will there be an encore? Stony Brook made a splash when it inked Thomas Jefferson (Brooklyn) star David Coley. Viewed as one of the top backcourt recruits in the area, Coley has the potential to step in for the departed Muhammad El-Amin. Coley had an excellent showing at the Empire State Games last July.

Coley joins an experienced crew led by Tommy Brenton, Bryan Dougher, Dallis Joyner, Danny Carter, Chris Martin and Marcus Rouse. All were key players on last season's American East regular season championship team. 

As for St. John's, Steve Lavin's hiring has really fired up the troops. There was a huge turnout at the initial press conference with the likes of Walter Berry and Lou Carnesecca in the house. The heat was turned up another notch last week when standout New York City high school swingman Maurice Harkless made a verbal commitment to the Red Storm.

Harkless had originally made a verbal commitment to UConn. But the 6-6 senior, who is attending South Kent Prep, reversed course last June. Getting Harkless was a major break for the Red Storm, which has failed to get top local recruits in recent years. 

You can add Rutgers to the list, too. Rice's Kadeem Jack announced his commitment to Rutgers beginning in 2011. Jack, a 6-8 standout who will also attend South Kent Prep, chose the Scarlet Knights over several Big East schools and Arkansas.