May 15, 2001

Tobie Smith

? On Monday, The Wolverine spoke with 6-8 power forward Ricky Cornett of Homewood (Ill.) Christian. Cornett said that his list consists of the fifteen schools that have offered him scholarships to date: Purdue, Notre Dame, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Marquette, Valparaiso, Kansas State, Seton Hall, Soouthern California, Michigan State, Xavier, Minnesota, Arizona, and Wyoming. However, Cornett also said that the Wolverines have gotten actively involved since Tommy Amaker took over as coach, and will join his list once they tender a scholarship offer. "I'm interested in Michigan," Cornett said. His mother made certain to underscore that point; "He's very interested in Michigan," she told The Wolverine. Cornett's mother also said that they have family in Detroit and Lansing, and will be in the state for a family reunion next month, at which time they might make a side trip to Ann Arbor for an unofficial visit. Cornett is ranked No. 33 by The Sporting News, No. 44 by Prep Spotlight, No. 52 by Hoop Scoop, and No. 74 by Prep Stars.

? The Wolverine spoke with 6-11 center Chris Grimm of Brighton (Mich.) High on Sunday. Grimm gave a list consisting of Marquette, Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, Illinois, and Ohio State. He has unofficially visited U-M, MSU, Marquette, and OSU. Grimm said that he does not have a favorite school. He is ranked No. 6 in Michigan's rising senior class by The Bank.

? The Wolverine also spoke with 6-7 small forward Stanley Gaines of Chicago Providence St. Mel on Sunday. Like Grimm, Gaines is among Michigan's top recruiting targets in the Class of 2002 who will be profiled in next month's Basketball Recruiting Wrap-Up issue of The Wolverine magazine. Gaines listed Michigan State, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Seton Hall, Purdue, and Marquette. He has unofficially visited Purdue and Marquette. Gaines is ranked No. 57 nationally by Prep Spotlight magazine and No. 97 by Prep Stars Recruiter's Handbook.

? Last week it was rumored that an Ohio radio station was reporting that 6-4 Michigan shooting guard target Ricardo Billings of Detroit Rogers H.S. had committed to Ohio State. According to a source close to Billings who did not wish to be identified, that is not the case . . . yet. A commitment by Billings to the Buckeyes may be forthcoming shortly. Another possible in-state commitment in the near future: 6-6 small forward/shooting guard Lester Abram of Pontiac (Mich.) Northern, Billings' AAU teammate with Durand Walker's The Family, could re-commit to Michigan soon. Abram committed to U-M last summer, then reopened his recruitment in March after then-head coach Brian Ellerbe stepped down.

All of the players above who were interviewed discussed a number of other matters; those comments -- and much more -- will appear in next month's Basketball Recruiting Wrap-Up Issue of The Wolverine magazine.

Click here for a list of basketball commitments and recruiting targets.

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