TU coaches hit recruiting trail

University of Tulsa Head Coach Doug Wojcik and his staff will continue to travel across the country in search of outstanding basketball prospects on July 6 -- the first day coaches can hit the road again. One player that TU will likely evaluate is Rydell Brooks, a 6-foot-1 and 160-pound combo guard from Akron (OH) Buchtel High School, who recently told our staff of his interest in Tulsa.

"I think (Assistant) Coach (Dave) Wojcik was looking at me when he was an assistant at Dayton," said Brooks. "I know my high school coach, Steve White, told me that Tulsa had called and was interested in me."

"Right now, I have offers from Dayton, Xavier and West Virginia. But I'm also interested in Tulsa, Purdue, Cincinnati and Cleveland State. My favorite at this time is Dayton, because they have been recruiting me the hardest and the longest. But I'm interested in some other schools, including Tulsa."

"My coach told me that the Tulsa coaches were straightforward, and if they asked me to visit their campus, I would definitely be interested."

Brooks was an all-league selection as a junior, after averaging over 26 points a game. Although this smooth lefty is developing his outside shot, most of his scoring comes off the dribble, as he has a quick first step.

"I score most of my points off the dribble," explained Brooks. "I have a very quick first step and can get to the basket and finish. I have good overall quickness and am starting to play good defense."

"I've been working hard on my outside shot and can shoot it pretty well from long range, either off the dribble or off screens. I'm also spending a lot of time working with my off-hand. I'm a really hard worker and think my biggest strength is breaking people down with my dribble. Although I'm a combo guard, I feel like with the right coach, my position is at the point guard in college."

Buchtel Head Coach Steve White also gave us some insight into Brooks' abilities and the schools that are recruiting him.

"Rydell is a very hard worker," said White. "I was looking for him the other evening and I went to the local park at 11:00 pm and Rydell was there shooting under the lights. He's that kind of kid."

"His main strength is his scoring. He can score inside and outside, but he's best at going to the basket. He hasn't gotten the publicity that he deserves, and I'm trying to get that changed."

Coach White feels that Brooks will stay close to home, but says the new Tulsa coaching staff has made contact.

"I know some of the schools that have offered are Dayton, Akron, Wright State, Youngstown State and Kent State. I think he would like to stay in Ohio and believe at this point that he'll end up at Dayton or Akron."

"Tulsa has called me about Rydell. (Assistant) Coach (Dave) Wojcik had come by open gym to watch him when he was an assistant at Dayton. Since he became an assistant at Tulsa, he's called about him. I don't really know how much interest they (Tulsa) have in him, but he's a good player and very under-rated."

Brooks is playing summer AAU ball with the Cleveland Basketball Club, but is heading out soon for a big camp in early July.

"I've been invited to the Adidas Camp in Atlanta, Georgia next week," Brooks concluded. "I'm leaving this Sunday to travel down there and hope to impress some coaches with my play."

Coach White also thought that Rydell would have a great opportunity in Georgia to showcase his talents.

"It will be a chance for Rydell to gain some exposure and I know he'll open some eyes down there."

A Tulsa coach will likely be in attendance at the Adidas events in Georgia next week, which run from July 6 to July 15. The Adidas Superstar Camp runs July 5-9, followed by the Adidas Top Ten Camp from July 10 to July 12, and finally the Adidas Showtime Nationals on July 12-15.

Other events this week that will probably see TU coaches in attendance are the Great American Shootout in Denton, Texas, the Reebok ABCD Camp in Teaneck, New Jersey, and the NIKE All-American Camp in Indianapolis.