Recruiting rankings mean about as much as the paper they are printed on. That is not to say LSU coach John Brady minds the numerous accolades being bestowed upon his 2003 class.
Baton Rouge Capitol High School’s Brandon Bass, a 6-foot-8, 245 pound forward who averaged 19 points and 14 rebounds his senior season, completed LSU’s five man recruiting class when he signed a national-letter-of-intent April 16 at a small ceremony at Capitol High School.
Bass, who participated in the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game and scored 14 points before a national television audience, is the crown jewel in what many recruiting experts are calling a Top 10 recruiting class nationally.
“With the signing of Brandon Bass, it brings to a close an outstanding season for our basketball program, both on and off the floor,” Brady said in a statement. “At the same time, it begins a new era by allowing us to have one of the top recruiting classes in the country and ensures the continued growth and progress of our program.”
Rob Harrington, a writer and recruiting analyst for Prepstars.com, a high school recruiting Web site, calls the signing of Bass a huge catch for the LSU basketball program.
“The signing of Bass is incredible for LSU,” Harrington said. “He is a talent along the lines of [former LSU star] Stromile Swift. He is that kind of impact player who can do some of the same things. He is the type of player that can lift up a team and a program.”
Harrington calls Bass a combo forward who can do many different things on the court.
“He is comfortable on the low block, and he is a very good rebounder,” Harrington said. “He handles the ball well, and he has an outside shot that has to be respected.”
Brady said Bass’ impact will be felt rather quickly.
“Brandon choosing to stay home and play at LSU is a significant accomplishment for us, and his impact on our team will be felt immediately,” Brady said. “He is a multi-talented player, a versatile player and one that will fit in and compliment our returnees along with our group of outstanding recruits.”
Harrington said the signing of Bass will definitely catapult the LSU class to the top ten on Prepstars.com.
Along with Bass, LSU has four recruits coming to Baton Rouge next fall to join the basketball team.
Headlining that group is point guard Taurean “Tack” Minor of Booker T. Washington High School in Houston. Minor is the No. 2 point guard in ESPN.com’s rating.
Regis Koundjia, a native of Africa who attends the Laurinburg Institute in North Carolina, is a high flying forward joining Bass and Minor.
Also, Darnell Lazare, a member of Woodlawn of Baton Rouge’s undefeated, Class 5A State Championship team, and Ross Neltner, the recent winner of the Mr. Basketball Award in Kentucky where he played for Highlands High in Ft. Thomas, are part of the recruiting class.