Syracuse fans should get to know Rashad Vaughn because he’s being courted by the Orange as well as a number of other basketball giants. The 6’5″ shooting guard decided yesterday to play his senior season at national power Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada (meaning extra frequent flyer miles for Red Autry and Mike Hopkins).
He has offers from SU, as well as Arizona, Georgetown, Kansas, Louisville, UNC and UCLA (among others). He’s rated by many as the best 2-guard in the country and Rivals as the 7th best overall player for the Class of ’14, ¬†His height and length is perfect for SU’s 2-3 zone, and his jumper is silk. Vaughn has a terrific handle, and tremendous step to get by defenders.
Clearly Vaughn was already looking at his potential NBA Draft stock, because Findlay Prep has recently produced two top 5 picks. UNLV’s Anthony Bennett went first overall last month, while Tristan Thompson was selected 4th in ’11. Assistant ¬†coach Andy Johnson said:
“Given our past success of being able to help develop players and help them achieve their goals and recently with Anthony Bennett going first in the draft and other pros we have, I think (Rashad) saw all that.”
He is currently playing AAU with Playground Elite, averaging 19.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game on the EYBL circuit. His recruitment is wide open, but as a Minnesota native many are watching how Richard Pitino begins his tenure with the Gophers.
From Minnesota Daily:
Troy Vaughn said his son‚Äôs decision to leave Minnesota doesn‚Äôt rule the Gophers out as his college choice. He said he loves the direction new head coach Richard Pitino and his staff are taking the program. ‘That would be a dream for me that I could watch him in my own backyard,’ Troy said. (Assistant coach Pete)¬†Kaffey also disregarded the notion that Vaughn‚Äôs decision to enroll in a prep school eliminates the Gophers from contention.
It doesn’t appear Vaughn has whittled down his list, and if he has he’s keeping it private. He’s got an AAU season to complete and then head into his senior season before he has to make a decision. But the nation’s elite is after him, and Syracuse is in that hunt.
Posted: D.A.
