Lake Clifton's Josh Selby focused on four
Lake Clifton point guard Josh Selby has had a busy year so far. 
On the court, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior has guided the No. 5 Lakers to a 12-3 record. Off the court, Selby has kept busy with a high-profile recruitment. Selby, Rivals.com’s No. 4 player in the 2010 class, recently narrowed his list of schools to four.
“His four schools are Arizona, Kansas, Connecticut and Kentucky,” said Maeshon Witherspoon, Selby’s mother.
Selby had previously considered Baylor, Indiana, Miami and Syracuse, along with Kansas and Kentucky. Arizona is the newest addition to Selby’s list, while UConn is back in contention for his services.
“Actually, we had a relationship with UConn first,” Witherspoon said. “They were on the list. We kind of had some miscommunication, so we talked about it and worked it back out.”
Selby and Witherspoon will visit UConn on Feb. 28, when the Huskies host Louisville.
Arizona was able to claim a spot on Selby’s list thanks in large part to Wildcats assistant Emanuel “Book” Richardson, whom Witherspoon has known for quite some time. Selby and Witherspoon have already visited Tucson.
“Arizona is an up-and-coming program with Coach [Sean] Miller,” Witherspoon said. “I think he’s a great coach and I think Arizona’s going to be great. The fans are good, although there weren’t a whole lot of students [at the game we attended] because they were out of school. But the weather was great. Me knowing Book Richardson for awhile, that’s definitely a plus.”
Kentucky has been under serious consideration ever since Selby -- a former Tennessee pledge -- reopened his recruitment last summer. Selby and Witherspoon will visit Lexington on March 7 for the Wildcats’ regular-season finale against Florida.
Kansas, meanwhile, has already hosted Selby and Witherspoon twice. They attended the Jayhawks’ Midnight Madness last fall, and took a trip to Lawrence last weekend to see KU defeat Iowa State.
“The Kansas visit went well,” Witherspoon said. “That was our second time down there. Josh wanted to get that game atmosphere, and I think we accomplished that. I think he had a good time. Kansas is a great place with a great tradition.”
Selby, who is averaging more than 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists per game for Lake Clifton, was selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game last week. It was an honor that Witherspoon didn’t necessarily expect.
“Actually, I was surprised about the McDonald’s All-American [selection],” Witherspoon said. “I mean, there’s a lot of great point guards out there. I think Josh is Top 10 consensus, but there are a lot of kids that are great guards that didn’t make the McDonald’s game. Things have a way of happening, and it’s a blessing. It’s a humbling experience and it’s an honor for Josh to be in this category as one of the elite kids.”
Witherspoon said Selby doesn’t have a timeline for making a commitment. Right now he’s focused on leading the Lakers to a Baltimore City championship and -- if all goes as planned -- a state title.
“For me as a parent, as far as Josh is concerned, I always enjoy watching Josh play,” Witherspoon said. “I think he has taken his game to a whole other level since he’s been at Lake Clifton. I think that’s mainly due to Coach [Herman] “Tree” [Harried] and the example he sets and the accountability he holds Josh and the whole entire team to. It’s also not as stressful and Josh isn’t as tired as he was last year [traveling] to DeMatha everyday. If he wins the city championship, it will be well worth it.”
Baltimore Sun photo of Josh Selby by Gene Sweeney Jr. / Jan. 26, 2009
Comments
Matt, do you know if josh selby was ever interested in attending the university of maryland?
Posted by: matt s | February 18, 2010 12:29 PM
Another stellar MD recruit leaving the state. Awesome job Gary!!!
Posted by: Sean | February 18, 2010 12:31 PM
He would have been a nice addition to the Terps.
Posted by: Paul M. | February 18, 2010 1:04 PM
But then again all of Gary Williams' Mcdonald's All Americans have been busts
Posted by: Paul M. | February 18, 2010 1:05 PM
Before he left DeMatha for Lake Clifton, the Terps tried to get involved, but spent most of their focus on the Barton bros.
Obviously the Barton's did not work out, and Selby gave his verbal to Tennessee.
When he backed out on that verbal, Maryland already had Stoglin, Parker, and Ross for the backcourt.
When Ross did not sign, Terps were not going to be able to get involved then, and moved on Howard.
There were other issues at play as well. Good-luck to him going forward, but the bashing of Gary on this is ridiculous.
Posted by: Chris | February 18, 2010 3:40 PM
I wouldn't want him anyway. It really gives me the willies when it's the mother making the announcements. IDK.
The only thing that worries me about next year, its scoring on the perimeter, and perimeter defense. Mosley's d is good, but he still can't get that scoring more consistent.
It might be too much to ask Stoglin and Howard to take over on offense that early.
Bowie, to call it like it is, might actually be the most important player on the team next year. He will be the senior PG, with only the freshman behind him. He MUST start to score some points. NC STATE was a start for him, but he MUST continue. This has definitely been a down season for him.
Posted by: Ryan | February 18, 2010 4:10 PM
Gary likes guys who can play defense, which is a problem for most of these elite recruits, they don't care about 'D'!
When will the readers of this blog realize that '01 - '02 teams had 1 McDonalds All-American - Danny Miller - played D like a turnstile - and he left because Byron Mouton played like his hair was on fire and beat him out of a job.
I am sure everyone remembers the greatest recruiting class in recent history for the Terps - 2003 - Gilchrist, McCray, Caner-Medley & Garrision. How did that group end up? They showed what they could do in winning the ACC tourney in '04 and then stinking up the joint for 2 years. Or how about Mike Jones - he was rated 2nd to LeBron in that recruiting class - how did he end up.
How is Roy Williams doing this year with all of his McDonalds All-Americans?
Go Terps!!!!!
Posted by: Christian | February 18, 2010 4:26 PM
Kevin Sheehan was saying on 980 radio yesterday that one of the main reasons 5 star recruits avoid MD is that Coach Williams is "maniacal" on the sidelines. Doc Walker agreed that twenty yrs ago that wasn't a problem, but todays players are able to change high schools whenever they want and won't put up with Gary. I disagree. Five star recruits are drawn to schools for the money. I don't know AAU coaches who can develop enough of relationship with a youngster to over match the money madness the NBA offers. There is no doubt that back in my dad's day Hunter College, Fordam, CCNY, and later LIU were some of the best hoops schools in the nation. Bar none. Of course they were segregated to the extent that culture prevented blacks from attending. That is not the point. Point is that spread fixed the game and brought down that league. I have to suspect that the same game is being played today. Without naming names as if no one could guess if you're not one of the good ole' boys you're not gonna get the 5 star recruits. Public schools are nearly shut out of the game. It's all too obvious from one observer. But what do I know? Now it's your turn to complain. I'm just saying it ain't Gary Williams fault he's honest.
Posted by: Bob Smythe | February 19, 2010 6:40 AM
Matt,
Who is this guy Howard you mentioned when we lost out on Selby? I've read substantially about Stoglin and Parker (even about our losing out on Ross with the withdrawal of his commitment), but Howard is completely new to me.
Thanx for all you do to keep us informed. Your Weekly Recruiting Report is a highlight of my reading.
Jack
Posted by: jack | February 19, 2010 4:08 PM
Jack -- Thanks for the comment. Much appreciated. On Selby, Chris posted the comment you referred to. There honestly just wasn't much interest on either party's side.
Pe'Shon Howard is a combo guard from Oak Hill. He committed to Maryland in January. Here's the story.
Posted by: Matt Bracken | February 19, 2010 4:48 PM
Matt,
Many thanks for clearing up for me the recruitment ,and signing, of Howard.
Jack
Posted by: jack | February 25, 2010 6:10 PM
People can say anything they want on the internet behind made-up screen names. LOL.
But as for me, I just want to say that it's no secret that in recent years, Maryland has not done as well as the fans have hoped, and a large number of Maryland men's basketball fans have wanted Gary Williams to leave.
One of the criticisms has been his inability or unwillingness to get high school All-American players to come to Maryland. This wouldn't matter if Maryland was winning "big," but Maryland has not done so.
But then, who has on the East Coast, other than Duke, Syracuse, and North Carolina?
One publication implied that Gary Williams doesn't want to get involved with high school All-American players because so many of them are "represented" by people who aren't family members, whatever that means.
Other than this year, however, Maryland basketball HAS struggled for the past 5 years!.....in my opinion!
Posted by: Nelson | March 2, 2010 8:21 PM
Josh Selby obviously transferred from dematha to Lake clifton for the girls. He could have transferred to an even better program at Mt St. Joe 2 minutes down the street. Maryalnd is making a late push for him after beating duke. But his mom shut that down. so we no longer have a chance for him. I don't understand how no one has any hometown pride. Gary needs help recruiting.
Posted by: Anthony Baird | March 5, 2010 12:38 PM