Ohio State was initially quite impressed with the low-post moves and rebounding of Dunbar’s 6-foot-9-inch Aaron Spears.
The Buckeyes may regret that they didn’t have more confidence in Spears’ academic perseverance.
Spears, who is considered one of the fastest-rising college prospects in the Chicago area, made an oral commitment to Ohio State last fall. He wasn’t an academic qualifier at the time, and the Buckeyes lost interest.
But Spears registered an 18 on his most recent ACT score, which, combined with a 2.5 grade-point average, makes him now academically qualified to accept a Division I scholarship. But he isn’t expected to choose a college by the time the NCAA national letter of intent, late-signing period opens Wednesday.
“I’m planning on making all five of my visits before picking a college,” said Spears, who is visiting Illinois this weekend. “I’ve already gone to Iowa, and I have Oklahoma, Oregon and Miami left. I don’t have a favorite right now. All five of my final choices are all pretty close.”
The Illini coaching staff may make a strong bid for Spears in view of his post scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking ability.
“I think all five of those schools could use an inside player like me,” said Spears, who averaged 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks a game. “Even though Illinois is the closest to home, my mom said the final decision is up to me.”
Morgan Park’s 6-8 Marcus Arnold is considering Illinois, Southern Illinois, Illinois State, San Francisco and Ball State. Farragut guard Marcetteaus McGee is expected to visit Wisconsin and Marquette, while Schaumburg guard Tony Young could be headed to SIU. Leo’s 6-5 Chris Burras is looking at SIU, Illinois State, Illinois-Chicago and Ball State.
Generation gap: Some of the top high school players in the south suburbs during the 1970s and ’80s will challenge an all-star team of current south suburban players in the Legends vs. 2002 All-Stars game April 27 at Rich South. Heading up the Legends team is former Bulls guard Craig Hodges, a graduate of Rich East. He’ll be accompanied by Robert McCoy of Bloom, Roger Powell Sr. of Joliet, Lloyd Batts and Phil Gary of Thornton, Melvin Buckley of Thornridge, Bernard Campbell of Eisenhower and Ken Goff and Bob Reed of Homewood-Flossmoor. The Legends have recently added Thornton coach Rocky Hill, who played at Thornridge.
They’ll have a tough task dealing with the young legs of Brandon Cole of Rich South, Joe Chapman and Antonio Cool of Bloom, Jonathan Bell of Thornridge, Adam Dauskas of Homewood-Flossmoor, Jibril Hodges of Rich East, Shelby Taylor of Rich Central and Tom O’Brien and Bob Peterson of Marian Catholic. Tickets cost $9 and are available at Rich South and at McCoy’s Sports Pub in Richton Park. Proceeds go to Aunt Martha’s Youth Services, Project Share and the Rich South Basketball Literacy Program.
Camping out: Former Bulls guard and current Bulls radio announcer John Paxson is accepting applications for his basketball camp at Concordia University in River Forest. There are sessions from July 7-11 and July 14-18, and there’s a special father-and-son camp June 14-16, also at Concordia. For more information, call 708-824-1174 or visit the camp Web site at www.johnpaxsonbbcamp.com.
