It has yet to happen in the Sacramento area, and one organization wants to keep it that way.
The National Association of Basketball Coaches has spoken up against college programs that offer scholarships to middle school student-athletes.
The declaration comes more than a month after Lake Sherwood eighth-grader Michael Avery said he would attend Kentucky, which offered him a scholarship. According to Rivals.com, Avery, 15, accepted Kentucky's offer before deciding what high school he would attend.
The NCAA regulates college programs from contacting high school student-athletes until mid-June after their sophomore year, but there's no rule against contacting middle school students.
"If the current rules state coaches cannot offer scholarships or accept commitments from students earlier than June 15 following the conclusion of the sophomore year, it certainly makes sense that this should apply to anyone in lower grades," Minnesota men's coach and NABC president Tubby Smith said in a statement.
It was reported last year that then-eighth-grader and current Aurora East High School (Ill.) player Ryan Boatright accepted USC coach Tim Floyd's offer to play for the Trojans. Floyd also offered a scholarship to current Westchester of Los Angeles forward Dwayne Polee Jr. in 2006. Polee was 14 at the time.
At least one local coach applauds the NABC's position.
"I think it's a good decision because these kids really don't know what they want," Sheldon High School boys basketball coach Scott Gradin said. "Plus, it lessens the intensity of college recruiting a little bit and doesn't put so much on the (high school) players to make a decision when they don't have to."
Gradin has two high-profile players on his team in 6-foot-6 forward Darius Nelson, the younger brother of former Sheldon and Duke standout DeMarcus Nelson, and 6-8 forward Ramon Eaton. Darius Nelson was named State Freshman Player of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports, and Eaton was named to the All-State first team as a freshman.
• Christian Brothers promoted Bill Benford from junior varsity to varsity boys coach, the school announced Thursday.
Softball – Three local players were named to Cal-Hi Sports' 2008 All-State first team: Sheldon junior pitcher Jolene Henderson, The Bee's All-Metro Player of the Year in 2007 and '08; Sheldon junior catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt; and Elk Grove senior pitcher Allie Crump.
Henderson, who also was named State Junior Player of the Year by the Web site, won 30 games, had an 0.41 ERA and hit .400 with five home runs and 31 RBIs.
Ziegenhirt hit .446 with six homers and 47 RBIs. Ziegenhirt and Henderson helped lead Sheldon to a 32-2 record and its second consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title over Elk Grove. The Huskies also finished fourth in USA Today's top 25 national poll.
Crump was 12-2 with a 0.32 ERA, and she hit over .400 for the Thundering Herd. Crump will play at Boise State next season. Ziegenhirt and Henderson have committed to Cal.
Locals named to the All-State second team include Sheldon infielder Alexa Rivera, Elk Grove outfielder Megan Suitos, Woodland pitcher Alyssa Nakken and Napa pitcher MacKenzey Bard.
• Brittany Vacura (Franklin), Jordan Wallace (Fairfield), Danielle Henderson (Sheldon), Gabby Goyette (Oak Ridge), Simone Heyward (Rosemont) and Alex Newman (Rio Linda) were named to Cal-Hi Sports' All-State Underclass team.
Call The Bee's Quwan Spears, (916) 326-5517.
