Stone narrows list to four schools, including Pitt, Duquesne
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Tuesday, February 13, 2018 | 2:24 PM
Much-sought-after basketball recruit Brandon Stone pared down his list of possible suitors Tuesday afternoon.
Three of the colleges would bring the former Southmoreland standout closer to home.
Ahead of filling out his March Madness bracket, the 6-foot-11- 1⁄2 Stone picked his own final four: Pitt, Penn State, South Carolina and Duquesne.
“I am very happy with the four schools and what they have to offer both academically and athletically,” Stone said. “I wanted to get my list down so I can decide by late March or early April.”
Those schools made the cut among 15 Division I offers that also included Kansas State, Houston, Virginia and St. Joseph's.
Duquesne might seem strange against the other three, but Stone said the Dukes have been on his radar all along.
“Coach Dambrot is there now, a proven winner,” Stone said. “They are changing the excitement aspect in Pittsburgh basketball. They have made me a priority, and I respect that.”
Despite three of his finalists hailing from his home state, Stone said proximity was not a primary factor.
“That's not something that made a big impact,” he said. “They just happen to be closer to home.”
Stone, a combo-forward at The Christ School (N.C.), had considered “reclassifying,” meaning he could gain an extra year of prep school. But he will remain part of the class of 2018 at least as far as his finalists are concerned.
He was just named to the Carolina Athletic Association all-conference team. He is averaging 15.4 points and 11.1 rebounds through 27 games for the Greenies (22-12).
He averaged 25.3 points and 11.4 rebounds last year at Southmoreland.
— Bill Beckner
Tags: Southmoreland
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