Hey folks,
This has been on the message boards and reported recently by Chris Korman over at the Hoosier Scoop, and if the connection with Roshown McLeod is to be believed, these rumors have legs.
What are they, do you ask? That South Atlanta High School and Atlanta Celtics five-star power forward Derrick Favors has some interest in IU.
Favors, who I've found listed between 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-10, featured for the Hornets last season in a that saw South Atlanta run roughshod through regular season competition on the way to a 26-1 record. However, upsets at the hands of Blessed Trinity in the region championship and perennial contender East Hall in the second round of the state tournament cut Favors' junior campaign short.
Rivals has Favors its third-best prospect in the 2009 class and both Rivals and Scout have him the top power forward in the country in his class. Rivals reports a bevy of offers for Favors, including Memphis, Kentucky, Georgia Tech and Arkansas.
A friend back home (I'm from Atlanta) who knows the high school basketball scene well told me rumor is Georgia Tech is Favors' likely destination, though those are just that -- rumors. Kansas has also shown interest, but has not extended an offer yet.
More kudos to Mr. Korman, who reported that McLeod -- rumored to be the top candidate for the last assistant's job at IU - has worked with Favors in the past. McLeod spent a good portion of his pro career playing for the Hawks.
Favors will be playing in the Boost Mobile Elite 24 tournament at historic Rucker Park in New York City starting Aug. 22, along with other top recruits like Lance Stephenson of New York. Favors averaged 23.7 points, 17.1 rebounds and 9.1 blocks per game last year.
