One committed, one looking at GPC
In the words of Georgia Perimeter College head coach Alfred Barney, the Alabama Crimson Tide are getting “a hell of a player.”
That would be Ray George, the four-star junior college prospect who has been committed to the Tide for a little over a month.
Advertisement
“He didn't sign [Wednesday],” Barney said on the first day of college basketball's early signing period. “We hadn't talked about it. I would assume that he would [sign early].”
George is off to a flying start in his sophomore season. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder had 28 points, ten rebounds and nine assists in GPC's season-opening win over Clinton College last Saturday. Barney wasn't kidding when he said George did everything.
The question now is where George will play at the next level. Barney said he's capable of playing the one, two or three.
“I'd play him at the point for the simple fact that he's a guy that needs to have the ball in his hands,” the coach said. “He can do so many things.”
To see video of George in action, click here.
George may be the biggest name at Georgia Perimeter, but he's not the only one attracting attention.
New Mexico State transfer Earl Calloway has kept the phone ringing at GPC. Barney said San Diego, Marshall, LaSalle, Virginia Tech and Drexel are just a handful of the schools showing interest.
“Old School, that's what they call him,” Barney said. “He's a good defender, an excellent shooter. He has a quick first step, he can guard you, he knows how to win. That's all he does pretty much.”
Calloway's biggest asset may be on the other end of the floor.
“He'll be our defensive stopper,” Barney said. “He told me he wants the challenge of having the other team's best guy. I'll have to choose because he and Ray both want that challenge.”
Led by those two sophomores, GPC stands to have a very good season despite breaking in 11 new faces out of 14 players on the roster.
“We're going to take some bumps and bruises early. I think once conference play and tourney time rolls around, we'll be pretty good,” said Barney, in his seventh season at GPC. “By January or February, we hope to be playing well and then playing our best ball come next March.”