Harrellson: probably SLU or Kentucky
Among the interested observers at the Riverwar high school all-star game at Chaifetz Arena on Saturday was Josh Harrellson. He’s the 6-9 center/forward from St. Charles who played last season at Southwestern Illinois College and has finally gotten a release from the letter of intent he signed with Western Illinois.
Harrellson’s release isn’t yet official — he expects to get through the NCAA clearinghouse on Monday — but when it is, he said he’s looking at Kentucky, SLU, Missouri, Purdue and Indiana. He was going to make his SLU visit on Saturday, but had to push it back because he hadn’t been cleared yet. So he’ll go to Kentucky next weekend, then SLU the week after that. He said he wasn’t sure if he would make any trips after that.
He said he likes SLU because he wants to play close to home, but likes Kentucky because he thinks he can play at the top level. He likes Rick Majerus and he likes Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie. (fixed the typo in his name; betting that happens to him a lot.) “I guarantee you it will come down between those two,” he told me. “I’ll make the decision based on what’s best for me.”
He was impressed by Chaifetz Arena and the potential teammates he was watching on the court.
SLU could use Harrellson because with so many freshmen coming in, anyone with any experience will be valuable, and Harrellson - who averaged 15 points and eight rebounds at SWIC – is a good talent to boot. He’ll have three years of eligibility left.
I asked him if SLU had recruited him out of high school. He said Brad Soderberg came to one of his games, but then no more. “I wish he would have come to more,” said Harrellson, who instead went to Western Illinois. It’s apparent from the schools showing interest that he has developed into a significant talent.
I’ll have more on the all-star game later. But it looks as if SLU has a decent shot at getting a pretty talented player.
Josh: PLEASE come to UK. We need a good big man to play with Patterson and Stevenson and you would be perfect here. Just imagine playing in front of 24,000 crazy die hard fans every home game and furthermore you will be treated like a celebrity here in Lexington, Ky. UK’s legacy speaks for itself and I (along with MANY others) hope you become part of it!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your name is a VERY hot commodity around the state of KY and fans already love you brother!!!!! Come and wear the blue and white!!!!!!!!!
GO CATS
Do the math Josh. You’re a great player with a very bright future and we need a good big man at UK. You’ll have more nationally televised games at UK in one year than you would in 20 years at St. Louis. You’ll also get to play against top tier talent, which will make your NBA stock much higher.
We’d love to see you become a UK Wildcat Josh.
2008-2009 Kentucky Wildcats starting lineup:
PG: Derrick Jasper
SG: Jodie Meeks
SF: Darius Miller
PF: Patrick Patterson
C: Josh Harrellson
Reserves
F: Ramon Harris
F: Perry Stevenson
G: DeAndre Liggins
F: Kevin Galloway
F: AJ Stewart
G: Michael Porter
Bench Warmers
C: Jared Carter
C: Mike Williams
F: Mark Coury
The new RUPP ARENA Chant will be: “Harrellson” “Harrellson” “Harrellson” “Harrellson”
Josh,
If you want to spend the next 2-3 years with a bunch of babbling idiots and uptight morons then make your way to Kentucky cause they are all there.
Tennessee would be the best choice.
That really wasn’t necessary Mr. Olton. I have lived in many places but none nicer than Lexington, KY. It’s a beautiful city with the nicest people you will find anywhere.
Wow,
Mr. Olton you are the exact reason why he should choose UK. Just like many others you have no clue what the Big Blue Nation is about. We love our basketball and we would love Josh to become a Kentucky Wildcat. It is his future we are talking about and we have alot of great reasons to say choose Kentucky. I certainly wish you had something good to say about your team instead.
GO CATS!!
Josh,
I think you have a great opportunity at Kentucky and have a good chance at being a national championship contender next year. I hope you choose Kentucky but what ever school you choose best of luck to you!
Do any of you guys really think Mr. Harrelson is going to read this story?
Don’t you trust him to be intelligent and mature enough to make the RIGHT decision for himself and his future?
(meaning, of course, the Josh Harrelson will be a Wildcat next year)
C’mon people!!!!!!!!! We’re UK!!!!!!!!!!! We don’t “beg” anyone. I remember Adolph Rupp would go to player’s houses and tell them straight up, “It’s UK son. If you wanna come we’ll be glad to have you but if you don’t then we’ll easily find someone else just as good if not better.” By the way, Rupp won nearly 900 games!!!!!!!!