Basketball Recruiting: Paige will take his time

By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com Publisher

It seems like everybody who is anybody in the world of college basketball is now interested in 2012 Linn-Mar point guard Marcus Paige.

Among others, Kansas has offered. North Carolina is reportedly now showing heavy interest. But Paige is going to do this thing his way. That’s according to his AAU coach and leader of the Martin Brothers program, Hank Huddleson.

“I see him doing it this summer and if he does anything before that, it would absolutely shock me,” Huddleson told CycloneFanatic.com on Sunday evening. “Really nothing has rattled him. It is kind of the epitome of his game. Stuff doesn’t get to him. I figured if Kansas squeezed him, I didn’t know what he would do. After today, I don’t think they can get an answer out of him.”

Huddleson said that Kansas is recruiting one other point guard in their 2012 class in addition to Paige. That is L.J. Rose, who Rivals.com ranks as the 28th best prospect in that class. Paige is currently ranked 37th by the publication.

“I know that he hasn’t ruled anybody out,” Huddleson said.

So now that the big names are in on Paige, where does that leave Fred Hoiberg and Iowa State? They are still in the hunt, much thanks to Hoiberg’s NBA pedigree.

“I think there is a thing about playing for a guy who played in the NBA and is from the home state that McCaffrey (Fran) cannot offer,” Huddleson said. “I think that Fred brings that piece that others can’t offer.”

But don’t count out the University of Iowa.

“McCaffrey has been a breath of fresh air and a complete difference in what the coach prior to that was as far as how they handle in-state recruiting, his person ability and I will say this. Iowa has been the most diligent staff all summer. They were at every one of our 16 and under games. It didn’t matter where. They were at everything,” Huddleson said. “With kids, a new coach coming in and showing that they want you and they’re going to be at everything, to make that kind of a statement, they sincerely, honestly want those kids.”

Paige averaged 13.9 points per game as a sophomore at Linn-Mar. He shot 57.6 percent from the field, while going 16-of-41 from 3-point range. Paige also recorded 83 assists and 52 steals on the season.