The hunt for backcourt talent continues on for the Fresno State basketball program and in the Class of 2009, one point guard the coaches fell in love with was Javarez Willis. The explosive 5-foot-11 guard from Pinkston High School in Dallas, Texas turned heads on the AAU circuit with his play and the scholarship offers have flowed in as a result. Willis is currently in the process of narrowing things down and setting up visits and it appears that the Bulldogs will get first dibs on a trip.

Fresno State is just one of many suitors at this point for Willis, who suited up at both guard spots this summer for the Dallas Showtyme AAU program.

"AAU ball went decent and I was pleased with it, even though I played the two and my primary position is the one," Willis said. "I think I was a leader and I played on a team that was very familiar with leadership. So when I wasn't able to step up other people stepped up themselves, which made me a follower as well as a leader. I learned a lot playing with the team."

While playing at the two, Willis showed off his sweet-shooting stroke from beyond the arc and when he shifted over to the point, he displayed the ability to really push the ball and penetrate and distribute in traffic. Willis notes that his recruitment has been "big, really big" and more than 30 schools have offered him scholarships, but now that school has started he's assembled a list of leaders.

"I've narrowed it down and I'm really doing research on everybody, looking at what I'll be majoring in because education comes first," Willis said. "Right now I've cut it down to Fresno State, Houston, South Alabama, SMU, Louisiana-Monroe, and a couple of others. I'm seeing who they've been recruiting and how I might fit in with them."

The Bulldogs are among Willis's leaders and he's looking forward to making it to Fresno.

"I love them and I'm really excited about the season and going there on a visit to see what campus is like and what the facilities are like," Willis said. "I've seen the center that they got (Greg "JuJu" Smith) and he was getting recruited hard. I could see myself playing with somebody like that."

Willis plans on making his official visit in September to Fresno State, with the weekend beginning on the 12th as a prospective date. While Fresno State will get the first shot at hosting him, he does plan on taking more official visits, as many as needed to make an educated decision.

"They're all good schools and they've all got a good shot at getting me," Willis said. "But I could see myself visiting somewhere and committing if it's perfect and just right."



...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial