South Suburban College Scouting Report

South Suburban College head coach John Pigatti enters his 2nd season at the helm of the Bulldogs. Pigatti has coached at Creighton, Texas A&M, Western Michigan, St. Joe's (IN), Akron, Chicago State and St Francis (PA) before coming to South Surburban College last season. South Suburban College finished 7th in the country last year at the NJCAA D2 National Tournament in Danville, IL. The Bulldogs won the Region Championship and finished (26-10) on the season. JucoJunction had a chance to see the Bulldogs this past Monday at the Illinois Valley Community College Jamboree in Oglesby, IL.

Billy Rush: (SO) 6-foot-7 (192) from South Holland, IL. Rush played last season at Southeastern Iowa CC where he averaged 8.2 ppg and 4 rebounds for the Blackhawks.

"Rush has added some weight to his frame and has matured" said JucoJunction staff member Bret Swanson.

The small forward has already visited South Florida at the end of September. Billy has received interest from Florida International - will visit later this month, Eastern Illinois, UAB, St. Louis and Western Illinois.

"Billy is a very skilled tall guard that can play at the highest level," said Pigatti. "Billy's intensity level has really picked up and will only improve."

Rickey Clayborn: (SO) 6-foot-4 (210) from East Chicago, IL.

"Clayborn is an undersized forward who can really rebound the basketball well for his size," said Swanson.

Clayborn averaged 6.1 ppg and 7.8 rebounds last season.

"Ricky has a great knack for rebounding the ball," said Pigatti.

Elijah Cunningham: (SO) 6-foot-0 (171) from Columbus, OH.

"Cunningham is a point guard who can really get to the rim," said Swanson.

Cunningham averaged 6 ppg and 3 assists last season for the Bulldogs.

"Elijah is a great penetrator, team leader and is always competing while on the floor," said Pigatti.

AJ Mandadi (SO) and Adam Tolo (SO) round out the Bulldogs sophomores. Mandadi, 6-foot-0 (167) from Montreal, Canada averaged 8.3 ppg last year, while Tolo, (SO) 6-foot-6 (185) from Australia, averaged 5 ppg from the small forward position.

"AJ is a high energy guard who can hit the three-pointer or get to the rim. Tolo is a

finesse face up small forward who can knockdown the three," said Swanson.

Nick Carey, (FR) 5 foot 9 (182) from Baton Rouge, LA, is an academic qualifier with three years left to play after this season.

"Carey is jet quick to the basket and really brings a lot of excitement to the floor," said Swanson.

Carey played for Coach Pigatti the past three seasons at 5-Star Camp in Pennsylvania in the summer.

"Nick is a great team general and he is always making sure his teammates are in the right position on the floor," said Pigatti.

Nick played at McKinley High School in Baton Rouge, LA where he averaged 17 ppg as a

high school senior.

The South Suburban College Bulldogs plan on making some noise again this season in Region 4. Coach Pigatti wants to return to Danville, IL and the NJCAA D2 National tourney again this season.