'10 VA PF Joshua Hairston (Duke Verbal)

[OSUBucks22]

Most feel that Josh is heading to Duke, FWIW...

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by OSUBucks22

Most feel that Josh is heading to Duke, FWIW...

I agree...

[MD Buckeye]

Rivals $

8/4

By Snow....Has added Memphis (recent offer) to his list of top schools. Says Ohio State is still at the top of his list. Talks about his constant contact with Jared Sullinger.

[LitlBuck]

Says Ohio State is still at the top of his list.

We might be at the "top of this list" but I do not think we are at the very top, as in #1, but I could be wrong. Hope I'm not but I just don't think so.

[Buckskin86]

Hairston ponders a pair of Tigers
High school notebook
Date published: 8/7/2008
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.


Josh Hairston already boasted a scholarship offer from NCAA men's basketball champion Kansas.

He's now being courted by the runners-up, too.

Memphis joined a host of other college basketball powers when it recently offered the Courtland High School rising junior basketball star a scholarship.

But unlike Kansas, the Tigers actually have a shot to land the talented 6-foot-8 power forward.

In July, Hairston narrowed his final five choices to Virginia, Virginia Tech, Georgetown, Duke and Ohio State.

But Hairston said yesterday that he wants to visit Memphis and Clemson soon.

Hairston has been a fan of Memphis, particularly former forward Joey Dorsey, since he began following college basketball closely a few years ago.

So when Memphis offered a scholarship, he listened. He began listening closer to Clemson recently as well. Clemson offered a scholarship some time ago, but head coach Oliver Purnell dramatically increased his pursuit when Hairston was taking part in an AAU tournament in Cincinnati last month.

"They're definitely in [the race]," Hairston said of Memphis and Clemson. "I've slid both of those two in there."

Hairston said he plans to announce a college decision in November. He said there is no front-runner for his services, although his mother, Natalie, is a Virginia Tech alum.

"She said she's not, but probably deep down, she's pulling for Tech," Hairston said. "It doesn't have that big of an influence, but it's nice to have a relative who can tell you about a school."

Fredericksburg.com - Hairston ponders a pair of Tigers

[buckeydoptimist]

Wherever he's headed, it is not tOSU, IMO! The continued adding of suitors and pushing back a decision ( at one time it was GTN or tOSU before the start of summer ) are MAJOR signs that he wasn't enthralled with either of his first two choices. When in doubt go with MOM which means VA TK gets him. Just an educated guess.

[osugrad21]

PalmettoSports

Clemson Now A Factor With Virginia Standout

By Phil Kornblut
Clemson has become a major player for 6-8 Josh Hairston of Fredericksburg, VA according to his hometown newspaper. In July, Hairston narrowed his choices to Virginia, Virginia Tech, Georgetown, Duke and Ohio State. But he told the Free Lance-Star that Clemson and Memphis are now part of his thinking and he wants to visit both soon. Hairston has had an offer from Clemson for some time, but coach Oliver Purnell turned up his interest after scouting Hairston at an AAU event in Cincinnati. Hairston said there is no favorite and he plans to sign in November.

[LitlBuck]

ESPN
Evaluation

July, 2008: Josh is a skilled high post player. He is effective in the low post but sometimes succumbs to players stronger than him. He has solid range and is a good shooter out to 19 feet. He is an average rebounder for his size. Josh is an OK defender. He needs to get stronger in order to better handle proficient low post players. He is an above average athlete that can block the occasional shot. Josh aspires to become a wing forward at some point in his career (and it shows). He is better as a mis-match 4 man because he is generally quicker and more athletic than most posts. He is a little soft right now but that does not prevent him from being one of the top prospects in the 2010 class. Josh is a top 25 prospect in the 2010 class.

This article has him considering Duke, Virginia Tech, and the Buckeyes.

[OSUBucks22]

Scout $ (Duke site)

Hairston will be at Duke for a visit on 9/13 with his parents. Hairston's AAU teammates and good friends Tyler Thornton ('10 PG, Duke offer) and Andre Dawkins ('10 SG, Duke commit) will also be on a visit at the same time.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Rivals.com$ (Duke site)

Hairston will be visiting Duke this weekend and says it is possible he could verbal. Duke, Georgetown, Ohio State, Virginia and Virginia Tech are his final schools.

[LitlBuck]

Even if this is coming from the Duke site on Rivals, I have felt for some time then he has been leaning toward Duke ever since he visited there.

[OSUBucks22]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

Even if this is coming from the Duke site on Rivals, I have felt for some time then he has been leaning toward Duke ever since he visited there.

With Dawkins already committed and Thornton a possible weekend verbal as well, it's likely just a matter of time...

[Buckskin86]

Rain aids Duke's hunt for Hairston
High school notebook
Date published: 9/11/2008
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

The University of Virginia men's basketball program thought it was going to get the first crack at wooing Josh Hairston early in his junior year.

But Tropical Storm Hanna had other ideas.

The 6-foot-8 Courtland High School star power forward postponed his unofficial visit to Charlottesville this past Saturday because of the rainy weather.

This weekend, he'll take a trip to Durham, N.C., and perennial power Duke.

Hairston's father, Keith, said his son will likely visit Virginia for its next home football game, Oct. 4 against Maryland, if he doesn't orally commit to the Blue Devils this weekend.

At a minimum, Keith Hairston said he hopes Josh leaves Durham with his final two choices in mind.

One school not likely to be in that final two is Ohio State. The Buckeyes have courted Josh Hairston from the beginning, but his father said Columbus, Ohio, may be too far for his family members who live in Martinsville to travel.

Fredericksburg.com - Rain aids Duke's hunt for Hairston

[Cavfan89]

Duke captures outstanding 2010 forward Joshua Hairston
Joshua Hairston, rated No. 14 overall in the ESPN Super 60, has given a Class 2010 commitment to the Duke Blue Devils.

The 6-foot-8 power forward also considered Georgetown, Ohio State, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

In a huge recruiting day, Duke also gained a 2010 commitment from guard Tyler Thornton of Gonzaga College HS (Washington, D.C.). Hairston and Thornton join guard Andre Dawkins, rated No. 11 overall, of Atlantic Shores (Chesapeake, Va.) in the Blue Devils' class of 2010.

As expected.

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

2010 forward Hairston opts for Duke

Eleven months ago, Josh Hairston was among six hotshots from the recruiting class of 2010 who visited Ohio State for the homecoming football game against Michigan State.
Others attending that day, which included an open practice in Value City Arena, were forwards Jared Sullinger of Northland and DeShaun Thomas of Ft. Wayne, Ind., who already had made oral commitments to sign with the Buckeyes, forward Adreian Payne of Dayton and guards Cameron Wright of Cleveland and Trae Golden of Powder Springs, Ga.
Coach Thad Matta obviously hoped to strike it rich quick again with another deep class like those he signed in 2006, ?07 and ?08. This has proved tougher, though.
Cont...