Recruiting should start picking up for TJC

Tyler Junior College is the home to a few prospects that have landed on the radar of programs across the country, but head coach Mike Marquis' group had put recruiting on hold while it focused on its 2004-05 hoops season. Now that things have quieted down around the Apache program between the lines, things should picking up on the recruiting front.

Jessan Gray, 6-foot-10, 220-pound forward that hit for roughly 11 points a game while pulling down seven boards, is one of a few players that are receiving early looks.

"He can really shoot it. He plays forward for us so he's kind of a face-up four. He transferred here from Indiana so he's a high major player," said Marquis. "He's just going to have to find the right fit to go back."

Iowa State, Texas A&M and UNC Charlotte are among the lengthy list of schools that have shown interest. ISU and Charlotte have both offered.

Theo White, a 6-6, 230-pound power forward is another prospect that's on the radar after going for roughly 14 points and 7 boards this year. White had originally committed to USC in the fall but the firing of Henry Bibby caused him to reconsider.

"He's just a warrior. He finishes everything," Marquis said. "He's an undersized post, but he's got schools like Washington State, Oregon and UAB that have already offered. He's a really good player. He's shown a lot more face-up game than he did a year ago."

The third piece to the TJC recruiting puzzle is Roald Raymond, a 6-9, 265-pounder that has places like McNeese State, St. Francis and St. Bonaventure showing interest.

JucoJunction will stay in touch with the prospects at TJC as more develops over the coming weeks.