GSU Offers Rockdale County SG Bernard Thompson

According to Rivals.com's Daniel McDonald, we are the latest to offer the 6'3, 180lbs shooting guard out of Conyers.  He is currently averaging  18.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.  He averaged 13.5 ppg as a Junior for the Bulldogs of RHS.

ESPN Scouts, Inc. ranks him as the 84th best SG in the country and Mike LaPlante had this to say earlier this week:

"It seems that every year after the holiday tournaments there are a handful of players that emerge with an increased profile and major recruiting buzz. Count Rockdale County (GA) High School's Bernard Thompson, who has gone from a relative unknown to one of the most talked about names on the recruiting circuit, as one of them.

I got the chance to watch Thompson compete in three different tournaments during the later part of December and I came away impressed with his basketball IQ and upside. He is a long, rangy guard that can shoot it from 3 and is deceptively athletic. He attacked the lane in transition at the Chick-fil-a Classic and finished with a left-handed jam that caught everyone off guard and had the college coaches in attendance buzzing.

Thompson's stock continues to rise each time he takes the floor and, as the always adventurous late-signing period approaches, many high-major programs are making the effort to take a look at the 6-foot-3 shooting guard that had mostly Division II schools recruiting him in the fall."

ESPN Scouts, Inc. Profile

Florida Kicker Benvenuto Verbals to Georgia State!

Dome Bound!

Photo Courtesy of the Dayton Beach News Journal

According to the Daytona Beach News Journal, Matanzas HS (Palm Beach, FL) Kicker Christian Benvenuto has verbally committed to the Panthers.  Rivals.com lists him as their #14 kicker in the country.  We were his only confirmed offer with Auburn, Florida and Georgia Southern showing interest.  The 6'2, 190lbs Benvenuto is now the 6th commitment of this recruiting cycle and 3rd HS prospect to verbal.

Christian at UF's Friday Night Lights

The most amazing thing? He can kick with both feet! "

When I punt with my left foot, I'll roll out and hit the middle of the ball, and it takes off, whichever way it wants to," the 17-year-old said. "If I kick with my right foot, I can hit it longer. When I punt with my left foot, it probably goes 20 yards in the air. Once it hits, it takes off and goes."

Another blast unleashed by Benvenuto

2010 Stats: 5/8 on FGs and 25/26 on Extra Points.

For comparison sake, we signed Patrick Baker out of Vero Beach in 2009 and ESPN Scouts, Inc. rated him the #66 Kicker in Country.  Baker was booted before Fall practice for violation of team rules.

Benvenuto's Rivals.com Profile

YouTube Highlights #1

YouTube Highlights #2

Daytona Beach News Journal Interview

ESPN's #24 PF Jervon Pressley commits to GSU!

Tremendous get by Barnes and his staff as the 6'7 PF out of Charlotte, NC verbally committed last night.  Right now our only scholarship to give unless someone moves on.

From AllMetroSports.com: "In speaking with Jermaine Walker, the H.S. coach at Waddell stated, 'Pressley developed a great relationship with the staff and especially connected with Coach Rod Barnes'. He went on to say that 'the proximity to Charlotte and the city of Atlanta sold him on his decision'. When asked what he was adding to his game this season Walker commented, 'We're working on his footwork and his perimeter skills, Jervon is tough and physical but we think he needs to round out that part of his game.'

I have watched Pressley over the last four years, as a spectator and opponent, and he has gotten better every year. Georgia State Assistant Sceptor Brownlee has been working hard and landed State a key recruit on the heels of a successful 2010 class.


Link

ESPN Scout's Inc. Profile

Scout.com Profile

Rivals Profile