Big East Recruiting: Villanova adds heralded Pinkston

The talented Jayvaughn Pinkston will play at Villanova this season. (Icon SMI)

By Ken Cross

This is the last of four Big East basketball recruiting columns on our way through the league and preview the diligent work of some of the nation's finest coaches and staffs. The final column concerns Villanova, Georgetown, St. John's, Notre Dame.

Losing Scottie Reynolds obviously concerns Jay Wright for his Villanova backcourt, but the Wildcats have only been able to add to major players up front in 6-4, 217-pound James Bell of Florida's Monteverde Academy and Bishop Laughlin (NY) power forward Jayvaughn Pinkston.

Pinkston is an extraordinary finisher inside the paint and will add to a Wildcats frontcourt that had its woes a year ago. Remember Omar Samhan and the St. Mary's Gaels took the 'Cats post game apart in the NCAA tournament. Pinkston also has range on the perimeter as he can step out and stroke the three.

With his 6-6, 220-pound physique, he will be a tough assignment his first year around in Big East play. He averaged 25 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists at Bishop Laughlin last season. Interestingly, he is the sixth McDonald's All-American on Wright's squad.

Bell is versatile with an NBA three and he can create off the dribble, especially on the baseline. He was ranked No. 73 in the Rivals top 100, so like Pinkston, he can be an asset in his first year as a Wildcat.

Wright already has three signees ready for the 2011 class, but a Final Four run this season could be a reality if someone steps up to accept Reynolds leadership and playmaking skills.

In D.C., Georgetown coach John Thompson III seems to have added a major recruit in power forward Nate Lubick of St. Mark's (Mass.) School. Lubick is powerful inside and has a lot of post attributes. Internet rumors have stated that Lubick could de-commit; however, nothing has been officially confirmed from the player or the Hoya staff.

Moses Abraham is Thompson's other major signee in the middle. At 6-9, 240, the Progressive Christian Academy (Md.) center is known more for his defense, but has a huge offensive upside that is sure to take off once the Hoyas staff starts working with him in individual drills.

In the backcourt, the Hoyas nabbed a top 20 point guard in Georgetown Prep star Markel Starks and then took Aaron Bowen from the Quality Education Academy in Winston-Salem, NC. Starks gets to the rim with seeming ease and should be a nice complement to returnee Chris Wright.

Meanwhile, Bowen is an inside-outside player who is good off the dribble and the pull-up jumper. The key for JT3's recruiting class, though, will be for the rumor on Lubick leaving the program to be just that — a rumor.

Losing a player of the caliber of Luke Harangody can cause the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to fall in this league as he was near the top of the Big East with 21.8 ppg, and 9.1 rpg. Mike Brey signed three guards in 6-4, 175-pound Jerian Grant from DeMatha (Md.) Catholic, 6-1 point guard Eric Atkins of Mount St. Joseph's in Maryland and then shooting guard Alex Dragicevich, a versatile 6-7, 210-pound player.

Grant is listed as a small forward at 6-4, but is probably more of a shooter. He is the son of former Chicago Bulls star Harvey Grant. Brey likes his ability to attack in transition and in the half-court. He is also enamored with Grant’s defensive skills.

Atkins is also an attacking guard with outstanding dribble penetration skills within his team's offense. Brey likes to play four-out, one-in scenarios with an aggressive big man, so Atkins and Grant should benefit well in that system.

Dragicevich is a scorer as well and was named the Central Suburban League Player of the Year after his junior season at Glenbrook North (Ill.) High School.

Hiring former UCLA coach and ESPN analyst Steve Lavin was a coup for the St. John's Red Storm. Now the ascension begins as heralded Westchester (Calif.) High School small forward Dwayne Poles is Lavin's first recruit. Poles is extremely athletic inside and can pick up a lot of second and third offensive rebounds.

Lavin has already started recruiting for next season. Class of 2011 member Davontay Grace has given a verbal commitment. St. John's has nine seniors on the current roster for the upcoming season, so a top eight finish and an NCAA berth is in the offing.