Andrew Lavender

Offered per Ohio Preps & Insiders

9/15/02: "Columbus Brookhaven point guard Andrew Lavender and small forward Brandon Foust visited Oklahoma this weekend. The visit altered the course of their recruitment. "They committed in Coach Sampson's office this morning," Brookhaven coach Bruce Howard said." - InsidersHoops


9/14: Interview with ANDREW LAVENDER, PG, COLUMBUS BROOKHAVEN, OHIO:
JH: You and your teammate Brandon Foust are visiting OU this weekend, are you looking forward to it?
AL: I am excited about it right now. Brandon and I can’t wait to get there and see what OU is really all about. We want to just hang out with the guys, talk with the coaches and see what life is like for the players at OU. We want to get a feel for what the program is really all about.

JH: This isn’t your first official visit is it?
AL: We went to Pittsburg two weeks ago. It was real nice and we had a chance to hang out with Brevin Knight. who was visiting his brother, Brandon, who plays on the team. Plus, there were a couple of guys from the Philadelphia 76ers hanging around and we had a real solid time.

JH: What are thoughts on Oklahoma as you get set to visit?
AL: Brandon and I talk about Oklahoma a lot. We want to go to the same school together and Oklahoma would be a good fit for that. We've won a lot of games at our high school and we want to go to a program that is winning. We really like Oklahoma’s style of play and the way they get after it on both sides of the ball.

JH: What do you feel about your possible playing situation at OU?
AL: They have Blake Johnston and they have a commitment from Lawrence McKenzie, who is a combo guard. So potentially, if I signed with OU that would be three point guards and I guess we would have to battle it out to see who the best man is.

JH: What kind of chance do the Sooners really have this weekend?
AL: Our decision has really come down to OU and Pittsburgh . Brandon and I have talked and we have decided that if we have a lot better time at OU, or really just as good a time at OU, then it is pretty much locked up for OU.
(This info is copyrighted by OUInsider.com and TheInsiders.com. All rights reserved.)


9/12: Listed as th 22nd best player in his class. - Bossi, PrepStars

9/11/02: "Pittsburgh could absolutely hit the jackpot, if they also get 5'7 Andrew Lavender from Columbus (Brookhaven) OH, who is ranked #10 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, and 6'7 Brandon Foust from Columbus (Brookhaven) OH, who is ranked #74 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP. Remember, Lavender and Foust are planning on going to the same school as a package and right now the Panthers appear to be the heavy favorite." - HoopScoop (moved to inactive)

9/10/02: "They've (Lavender and Foust) already been to Pittsburgh, they plan to visit Oklahoma this weekend, and they plan to visit Mississippi the first weekend in October. Johnson thinks the Panthers are the leader right now, but that could change if Oklahoma or Mississippi knocks their socks off when they get Lavender and Foust on campus." - HoopScoop

8/26: "Some folks close to the Columbus, Ohio, Brookhaven High duo of point guard Andrew Lavender and forward Brandon Foust believe they are leaning toward signing with the University of Oklahoma." - FoxSports, Burlison

8/21: Listed as the 29th best player in his class. - Insiders Hoops

8/20: "For a little guy, he sure did make a big impact. Maybe it’s his size or his will to win, whatever it is, you just gotta love Lavender. The mighty mite was on a mission over the summer to prove to the world that he is for real. "I thought (Andrew Lavender) accomplished so much. Not that he was the best college prospect but I thought what he got out of what he had was better than anyone around him,” Fox Sports’ Frank Burlison said. "He understands what a point guard should do. He doesn’t over penetrate. He doesn’t do crazy things. If he were only 5 inches taller, he’d be the ideal point guard." That seems to be the common thread amongst every major NCAA coach as well. His size is a bit troubling but his game just got better as the summer progressed. Lavender knows how to get into the lane with his speed. He has a nice one handed floater that he used every time he got into the paint. He sees the floor well and involves his teammates around him. Surprisingly enough, Lavender was much more of a scorer than you’d believe. He won’t be a NBA player because of his size. Hopefully that statement doesn’t ring true but realistically, size does matter in the league. Lavender is currently looking at Clemson, Marquette, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Pittsburgh. All of these schools have offered a scholarship. Lavender will be making his five official visits between now and the beginning of October." - NBADraft.net

8/15: ". . .Seton Hall is out of the hunt for 5'7 Andrew Lavender from Columbus (Brookhaven) OH, who is ranked #10 nationally in the sneior class by the HOOP SCOOP. Apparently the Pirates only have one scholarship remaining and that precludes Seton Hall head coach Louie Orr from taking Lavender and 6'7 Brandon Foust from Columbus (Brookhaven) OH, who is ranked #74 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, together as a package. If you will recall, Lavender and Foust have expressed a strong desire to go together to the same school as a package and the five schools that are on both players' lists are Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Marquette, and Clemson. Johnson's guess is that it will be Pittsburgh and we tend to agree. As a matter of fact, Pittsburgh head coach Ben Howland spent most of July focusing on these two players...." - HoopScoop

8/14: "Each school is bringing the players in together for their official visits. "People still call about one or the other," Brookhaven coach Bruce Howard said. "They are definitely going together." Apparently, the pair will visit Pittsburgh the weekend of August 30. Next up will be Clemson the weekend of Sept. 5, followed by Oklahoma the weekend of Sept. 13. Marquette bats fourth with the Sept. 20 trip and Mississippi goes 5th on Oct. 5." - InsidersHoops

8/13/02: Listed as the 25th best player in his class. "No one controls a game better than Lavender. He can simply do it all with the ball in his hands. A classic PG who can also score 30 if needed." - PrepSpotlight.com

8/12: "Lavender. . . has cut his list to five schools. "They are Oklahoma, Marquette, Pittsburgh, Clemson and Ole Miss," he said. He repeated that he and his Brookhaven and All-Ohio AAU teammate, Brandon Foust, will be a "package deal" for one program." - RivalsHoops

8/12/02: Listed as the 10th best player in his class. - HoopScoop

8/8: "Andrew Lavender and Brandon Foust have been friends since they were in Middle school. Both are now star players at Columbus (OH) Brookhaven H.S, and they have always talked about going to college together. Now, after a summer of outstanding play that has both players ranked in the new "Prep Spotlight Top 50 Players" list, those dreams are about to become a reality.

This week, Lavender and Foust let John Stovall of Prep Spotlight know who their top 5 schools were as they near a fall decision. The winners are.... Pittsburgh, Clemson, Marquette, Oklahoma and Mississippi.

Lavender is a ball handling wizard who amazes people with his ability to run an offense and be a real PG, but can still find a way to get 30 points if that's what it takes to win.

Foust is a high flying athlete who can dominate a game on both ends of the floor and can usually be found on the receiving end of a Lavender "dime." Currently, Lavender is rated by Prep Spotlight as the #3 Point Guard in the country, and Foust is listed as the # 13 WF in America." - PrepSpotlight

8/4: "Brandon Foust and Andrew Lavender still could end up going in a package, which is even more plausible if Cincy does indeed back off Minor. There are rumors that some Cincy staffers like Lavender better. To be honest, we do as well." - Bullseye, All Star Report

8/4/02: Listed as the #20 player in the class of 2003 - Bob Gibbons All Star Report

8/4: "I have no idea how he manages to put up such eye-popping point totals for a guy his size but he does it. Lavender is very quick and a tremendous ballhandler and uses the combination of those two assets to light up the scoreboard. Who am I to say that he won't be able to duplicate what he's done in high school on the college level because of his size disadvantage?" - Cat Tracks

8/1/02: You were introduced to this pint-sized wonder -- he says he's 5-7, but he's probably shorter -- in this column nearly three months ago. Since then, he has added to his credentials. He led his All-Ohio Red team to the finals of the Spiece Run 'n Slam tournament in May, to the championship of Nike's Peach Jam in mid-July and to the finals of the AAU 17-and-under national championship that ended Wednesday. In May, he mainly was attractive to schools that already had experience with small point guards, such as Seton Hall and Mississippi. Oklahoma was one school pursuing him that did not fit that category. Now, the pack has grown. There is no doubt Lavender's speed, creativity and command of his team are impressive. But in a more structured setting with his team at Brookhaven High in Columbus, he was not quite the same force. Would he be with a Top 25 college team? The last time we saw a truly small player reach this level, Calvin Rayford chose Kansas; injuries and Jacque Vaughn consigned him to a career backup's role." - DeCourcy, Sporting News

7/31: Huggins was seen in the stands watching Lavender's All Ohio team play. (1 to 3)

7/29: "Andrew Lavender is going to make some people look silly. It's not that the 5-7, 143-pound Columbus, Ohio, native doesn't have scholarship offers -- a host of schools, led by Pitt, Ohio State, Seton Hall, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Marquette and Clemson are interested. But there are still doubts. But at the Nike Camp Lavender was unstoppable on the offensive end. He then led his All-Ohio team to the championship of the prestigious Nike Peach Jam and at Super Showcase in Orlando, he had games of 47 and 40 points. This is Earl Boykins reincarnated, which should be plenty good for a college team. The problem is everyone focuses on what he can't do, namely defend a bigger guard who might back him down. But passing on him is a risk because what he can do is so impressive and he constantly leads his team to victories. It says here he is going to be a major NCAA star." - Wetzel, CBS Sportsline

7/26: "Lavender, who finished as the Peach Jam's leading scorer, poured in 27 points, 5 assists and 3 steals in the championship tilt, Lavender has the ability to slice into the lane against big bodies and score. He is also a terrific passer off penetration." - Rivals

7/26: "At the Super Showcase, Brandon Foust caught a lob pass for the winning basket as All-Ohio beat Luol Deng's team. Deng scored 26 in the loss and All-Ohio candidate for player of the summer, Andrew Lavender, scored 46." - Insiders Reports

7/23: "It's anybody's guess where Brookhaven seniors-to-be Andrew Lavender and Brandon Foust will play college basketball. Neither has compiled a list of favorites -- or even decided which schools he plans to visit beginning next month. One thing, however, is "100 percent sure,” according to the childhood chums. They're going to be college teammates. "We've made that clear with everybody we've talked with,” said Lavender, a 5-foot-6, 145-pound point guard. "We tell them, 'If you want one of us, you'd better want both of us.' Brandon's made that easier with the way he's come on this summer.”

Foust, a 6-6, 190-pound forward, even went as far as crossing Illinois off his list when recruiters indicated they weren't interested in Lavender. "I know a lot of schools have certain needs, but we made this pact before the summer started,” Foust said. "Early on, Drew was getting a lot more attention, but most people who want him want me now, too.” Oklahoma, Seton Hall, Pittsburgh, Mississippi, CINCINNATI, Clemson, Texas, North Carolina and Marquette are among the schools courting both.

After the transfer of guards Tony Stockman from Clemson and J.J. Sullinger from Arkansas, Ohio State withdrew its previous scholarship offer to Lavender.

Brookhaven coach Bruce Howard said the pact hasn't hurt either player's recruitability. "After the summers they've both had, a lot of big-time programs, knowing Drew and Brandon's desire to play together, are working that angle hard,” he said. "They see an opportunity to get two of the best players in the country.”

Two important cogs in Brookhaven's first Division I state championship run in March, Lavender and Foust have boosted their stock significantly barnstorming the country during the summer exposure period.

The final stop on Lavender and Foust's road show began yesterday in Orlando, Fla. They are playing in the 48-team Nike Supershowcase, followed by the 17-under AAU Nationals. Both events will be held at the Wide World of Sports Complex. "Drew and Brandon and I haven't spent five days at a time in Columbus all summer,” Howard said, "but the month of July is an evaluation period. This is the time where scholarships are won.” - Columbus Dispatch

7/18: "For those pining for another great little player to fill the void left by Earl Boykins' graduation from Eastern Michigan four years ago, I am pleased to inform you that Andrew Lavender is ready for his closeup. The leading scorer at the Peach Jam, Lavender was listed on All-Ohio Red's roster at 5-10, which apparently is his height while wearing three-inch heels. Yet Lavender is an immensely entertaining player to watch, and I am convinced he will make a lot of coaches regret passing him up because of his size. A senior at Brookhaven High in Columbus, Lavender says he and 6-7 Brandon Foust, his high school and AAU teammate, have decided to be a package deal, which should only make Lavender a more attractive prospect. According to Lavender, the list of schools who have agreed to take both players includes Pittsburgh, Texas, Clemson, Oklahoma, Seton Hall and Ole Miss." - CNN SI

7/17: "Point guard Andrew Lavender's heroics led the way for All-Ohio by scoring 10 points in the final 1:10 of regulation and overtime. All-Ohio was 7-1 on their way to their first Nike Peach Jam title. Lavender, who finished as the tournament's leading scorer, poured in 27 points, 5 assists and 3 steals to lead his team in the championship game." - Recruiting Nation

7/17/02: "Andrew Lavender is College Basketball News' choice for Peach Jam MVP" - College Basketball News

7/17/02: "One of the nation's most prominent packages has All-Ohio Red in the finals of one of the nation's most prominent summer tournaments. Columbus pair Andrew Lavender and Brandon Foust -- best friends back home and (they insist) future teammates at college -- combined to score 28 points in their squad's 54-52 semifinal win over Boo Williams Tuesday night at the Peach Jam. The 5-6 Lavender tallied 10 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal. Foust, an athletic wing, had 18 points and 10 boards. "They have the ultimate confidence in each other," All-Ohio coach Bruce Howard said. "They feed off each other. It's just something they have." And something they'll take to the next level -- together. Seton Hall was the first to offer both of them. Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh and Marquette followed. "We've been playing together since elementary school," said Foust, who averaged 12 points, eight rebounds and four blocks this past winter in helping Brookhaven to a state title. "That helps us with our chemistry." They'll take visits in September and commit in October." - Basketball America

7/17: "It took overtime but Andrew Lavender finally capped off a terrific Peach Jam effort with a title. In the finale, Lavender scored 27 points as All-Ohio squeaked out an overtime win against the Houston Hoops." - InsidersHoops

7/15: "Lavender, who is incredibly quick with the ball at 5-7, led the way with 22 points, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds, knocking down 10-14 FG (2-5 from downtown)." - VolBall

7/12: "Lavender was the best guard there nobody could stop him and he was smart. Foust played very good he was the best player on his team he had a few unbelievable dunks. We all represented OHIO very well." - CJ Anderson, Winton Woods HS

7/10: Listed as the 82nd best player in his class. - www.rivals.com

7/10: Listed as the 16th best overall player at the Nike Camp. - HoopScoop

7/10: Listed as the 4th best overall player at the Nike Camp. - Burlison, FoxSports

7/10: Listed as the best 4th PG at the Nike Camp. - PrepSpotlight

7/10: Insiders reports that Foust and Lavender a "definite package deal". They will visit Pitt soon.

7/8: "Tack Minor played a near flawless game at point guard Sunday night and will continue to challenge fellow camper Andrew Lavender (5-7, 150, Brookhaven High in Columbus, Ohio) for the “best sub-six footer in the country” crown." - Burlison, Fox Sports

7/5: "Go ahead. Tell Andrew Lavender he’s too small. He won’t care. "I’m used to it,” the 5-foot-7 point guard from Columbus, Ohio, said last week. “I’m the shortest player on my high school team, and I’m the shortest player on my AAU team, but it doesn’t matter to me." And it shouldn’t to anybody else, either. Too small to do what, exactly?

Too small to win a state championship and lead Brookhaven High School to a No. 12 end-of-season national ranking in USA Today? Nope. Did that. Too small to win MVP honors at the Memorial Tournament earlier this season on the summer circuit? Nope. Did that, too. Too small to play high-major Division I college basketball? Heck no. He can and he will – and maybe for Carolina.

Coach Matt Doherty and his staff are making their interest known through the mail. They’ll monitor Lavender – along with a number of other Class of 2003 point guard possibilities – during the month’s open recruiting period. So who is this mighty mite from Middle America? “He’s a guy who’s never going to get the credit he deserves because of his height,” PrepStars.com recruiting analyst Eric Bossi said. “But the kid just gets it done.” True enough.

Lavender uses timing and savvy to loft floaters over (much) taller defenders. He uses his quickness to get into the lane and create for himself and for others. And he makes open threes. The Columbus kid did all of that this past winter in averaging 11 points, 11.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds a game while guiding Brookhaven to a 27-1 record and the Division I state title.

Lavender was arguably even better last week in Colorado Springs, Colo., against the top-flight competition at the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival. He averaged 21 points a game for the North Team and added 4.8 assists, 2.3 steals and 2.3 rebounds. His steals and assists stats both ranked fourth overall in camp standings. In a game against the West, he tallied 36 points (on 14-for-21 shooting), eight assists, four steals and just one turnover in a sparkling 36-minute performance. Against the South, he had 28 points with five assists, one steal and no turnovers.

No wonder he teamed with Brookhaven mate Brandon Foust to lead the All-Ohio Red club team to a spot in the finals of the Spiece Run ‘N’ Slam in Fort Wayne, Ind., over Memorial Day weekend. “He can shoot it, he passes the ball, he runs the offense,” Bossi said. “It often looks like he wants it more than everybody else. It doesn’t matter that he’s only 5-7. He’s a player."

His most glaring weakness? “Post defense,” he said. “People try to take advantage of me down there. But I just front the post.” That’s hardly all he does on a basketball court. Make no mistake: Lavender’s a multi-talented pure point guard. “I’m trying to get better and better,” he said. "You can never be too good in anything – defense, shooting, basketball IQ.” And don’t think he won’t do more of the same in the coming month – short or not. “That used to bug me,” Lavender added. “But not now. Now everybody knows I can play." - goheels.com
www.GoHeels.com

7/2: Listed as the 34th best player in his class. - Insiders Hoops

7/2/02: "If you wonder if Andrew Lavender, listed at what seems to be a very generous 5-foot-7, is bothered by almost always being the shortest player on a basketball court, you can stop it right now.
Ask the senior-to-be at Brookhaven High in Columbus, Ohio, how he manages to dominate most games he plays in despite his size and he’ll look at you as if you’re speaking in something other than English. "Even when I was a lot younger I was always the smallest guy in every game,” he said last week during the USA Basketball Youth Festival in Colorado Springs. Then he smiled. "But,” he said, “I still managed to always get the job done." And then some.

Lavender, twice an All-State selection, was able to do pretty much anything he wanted during the three days in Colorado Springs, and will be one of the most high profile players this month on the camp (Nike) and traveling team (with the All-Ohio Red program) circuit.

Naturally, he was quicker than all but one or two players at the USA Festival and was able to penetrate almost at will. But, unlike many players his size and strength (at about 150 pounds or so), he’s in possession of a legitimate long-range jump shot, knocking in six 3s in one game. And, contrary to what you might assume, none of the opposing guards — even those in the 6-3 range — had much success trying to exploit their size advantage on him in post-up situations.

Naturally, that’s something that guys have tried to do to Lavender forever. "Yeah," he said, "they almost always try to do that to me. But I just push them out of there (inside), knock the ball away from them or (step into the passing lanes) and get some steals. And they stop trying to do it."

His coach for the North team in Colorado Springs, former University of Cincinnati forward Terry Nelson, said that Lavender plays about as solidly at both ends of the floor as any “little guard” he’s seen on the high school or college level. "Most little guards always try exploit their quickness and play at just one speed — fast,” the head coach at Western Hills High in Cincinnati said. "But he plays at a lot of different speeds and that throws a defender’s timing off. When he penetrates, he’s always under control and doing it with a purpose. He doesn’t get himself into trouble too often. "He doesn’t say a lot on the court — I call him a ‘silent assassin' — but he gets so much done at both ends of the floor."

Lavender knows he’s always going to be looking up — literally; certainly not always figuratively — to anyone he crosses paths with on the court.

There isn’t any late growth spurt coming his way, not with a father (Tony Lavender) who stands just 5-4 and a mother (Shirlene Howard) who’s only three inches taller. The tallest member of his immediate family (brother Anthony) is just 5-8. But most people don’t say too much about his size anymore, he said. And, if they do, they’d best not try to guard him or post him up, unless they want a quick lesson on how really relative “size” is on a basketball court." - Burlison, Fox Sports

6/30/02: Listed as 'First Team All State'. - HoopScoop

6/29: "Andrew Lavender led the North to a 153-141 win over the West with Festival-high 36 points on 14 of 21 shooting from the field, including eight of eleven from three-point range. The 294 combined points set a new Festival record and Lavender's eight three-pointers ties the Festival record set by Melvin Scott in 2000." - College Basketball News.com

6/21: Lavender was named 'Top Playmaker' at last weekends Five-Star Camp in Honesdale, PA. - Insiders.com

5/19: Listed as the 43rd best player in his class. - PrepStars

5/10: "Brookhaven junior Andrew Lavender has been invited to play in the USA Basketball Festival on June 26-30 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Lavender, a 5-foot-7 point guard, helped Brookhaven to the Division I state championship in March." - Col Dispatch

5/9: "He is the quickest player in the gym, the quickest in any gym that does not include Allen Iverson. As a point guard and captain, he is in command of his team the way Joe Montana ran the San Francisco 49ers. He shoots a 3-point jump shot that is purer than Ivory Soap.

This is a player any Division I school should want, right? Would you think differently if you knew Andrew Lavender must stretch the truth to claim he stands 5-7?

Competing last weekend at the Spiece Run 'n Slam Classic in Ft. Wayne, Ind., he demonstrated his height was not an issue in high-level club competition. Lavender's All-Ohio Red team reached the championship game in a tournament that included top teams from as far away as Washington and Oregon. His size didn't hurt him as a high school player, either. At Brookhaven High last winter, Lavender led his team to a 27-1 record and the championship of Ohio's highest classification. "People like to think my size is a disadvantage for me, but I don't see it like that," he said. "I'm quicker than a lot of players, and really I'm smarter than a lot of players, so I use my size to my advantage."

Lavender does not suffer from a lack of major-college interest. He mentioned Oklahoma most favorably and also had very nice things to say about Seton Hall. Ole Miss and Texas also are involved in his recruitment. These are not the type of programs that recruit small-time players.

The team that lands him, though, will have to confront some issues. It might seem strange, but there will be similarities in the circumstances surrounding the NBA team that drafts 7-6 center Yao Ming of China. A player who is not of ordinary basketball size forces his teammates to make adjustments, some of them subtle and some dramatic.

With a pint-sized point guard, it can be as simple as a teammate's need to locate him as a pressure release. A ballhandler trapped by defenders commonly is rescued by a point guard who makes himself open and obvious. A player Lavender's size can be harder to find.

Teams that like to switch defenders on the perimeter have to reconsider that tactic when playing with a significantly smaller player, or they must assess it before every game in order to avoid punishing matchups.

Michigan has not had great success in its first two seasons with 5-5 Avery Queen at the point. Queen was accomplished enough in summer ball to earn the MVP award at the adidas ABCD Camp all-star game, which generally goes to can't-miss players such as Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant. However, the Wolverines are 21-36 since Queen arrived. He has yet to shoot 40 percent from the field or 31 percent from 3-point range.

Mississippi had considerably more success with 5-5 Jason Harrison, making the NCAA Tournament in three of his four seasons. He nailed the last-minute 3-pointer against Notre Dame that put the Rebels in the 2001 Sweet 16. But coach Rod Barnes did not make him the permanent starter until his senior season. Harrison was primarily a change-of-pace player; 6-1 Jason Flanigan was around the first three years when Ole Miss needed a regulation-sized point guard.

In recent seasons, perhaps the biggest star of this magnitude was Eastern Michigan's 5-5 Earl Boykins, who led Eastern Michigan to the 1998 NCAA Tournament by averaging 25.7 points and 5.0 assists. He has spent much of the past four years in the NBA, including last season with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Of the players on this list, Boykins is the one Lavender resembles most, which might be why the major schools have not been hesitant to pursue him. "I think speed kills," said his father, Tony. "That's what I've always coached him to believe: that if you're quick enough and fast enough you'll always be big enough. He has a big heart. His knowledge of the game is phenomenal for a kid that age."

Against the Inner City Players, a talented team from Portland, Ore., Lavender was almost laughably dominant. He penetrated the lane at will. He scored 31 points. In the first half, he banked in a beautiful floater out of a loose-ball scramble. He shook off a defender and dumped a pass to 6-7 wing Brandon Foust. He made another floater after blowing past a defender who appeared almost stationary.

Lavender's ease in getting into the lane engendered a bit of doubt regarding whether he owned a 3-point touch. Smaller players with great quickness often don't develop their shooting because they can penetrate so easily. As All-Ohio widened its advantage in the second half, Lavender comfortably launched two long-range shots from the left wing, each of which fell softly through the goal.

More impressive than all this was the manner in which Lavender interacted with his teammates. He kept them involved, got them the ball when and where they needed it and treated them with respect. A lesser leader might have abandoned 7-1 Josh Higgins, a developing prospect who fumbled a couple of early scoring chances. Lavender kept feeding him the ball, aware that having a 7-footer might someday reward the All-Ohio team.

Lavender has been developing his command of the game since he began competing as a third-grader. "I was playing with taller players, and I was making decisions so all the players would look up to me," he said. "I'm the captain of all my teams. I like to control things on the court."

A club tournament does not produce the kind of defense one might experience in the Big 12, but Lavender does not believe his size will hurt him at that end of the court. He claims to prefer defending bigger players because they "dribble real high" and make it easier for him to pick off steals. It's possible he is not finished growing. Lavender says he added two inches in the past year to reach 5-7, though he looks a bit shorter from my vantage point. At 5-7 1/2 , I looked down at him while he spoke. But not while he played. While he was on the floor, he looked like a giant." - Mike DeCourcy, Sporting News

5/8: "As quick of a point guard as you will find anywhere. Absolutely explosive in the open floor, but amazingly under control. He can slice in traffic, gets the ball consistently to the open man, and has a Mugsy Bogues like ability to hit running one-hand jumpers and shots against his body. Defensively, he is a pest that others hate playing against. The only concern is his strength against bigger points with similar levels of quickness, like Dupree Fletcher." - All Star Report

5/5/02: "All-Ohio Red teammates Andrew Lavender and Brandon Foust are going to school together. On Saturday, the pair - also high school teammates - told observers that they intended to attend the same college. The 5-7 point guard rattled off a school list that included Seton Hall, Oklahoma, Texas and Mississippi State." - Insiders Hoops (2 to 1)

4/17: "Played for All Ohio Red. Jet-quick floor general who is tough and stronger than he looks. Nailed perimeter shots consistently. Excellent passer and ball-handler with quick hands on defense. Size — or lack thereof — is a concern, but he was effective vs. bigger guards throughout the weekend. Very good athlete who had little trouble scoring off penetration. Ohio State, Oklahoma, Seton Hall and Cincinnati already are involved." - Basketball News.com

4/17: Texas is checking out Lavender, per Insiders.

4/12: "Played for All Ohio Red. Jet-quick floor general. Tough. Stronger than he looks. Nailed perimeter shots consistently. Excellent passer and ballhandler. Quick hands on defense. Size is a concern, but he was effective against bigger guards thoughout the weekend. Very good athlete who had little trouble scoring off penetration. High major prospect." - Al Star Report

4/11/02: "He says Oklahoma, Cincinnati, Ohio State and Seton Hall have offered and Michigan State is looking." - Insiders Hoops
http://theinsidershoops.theinsiders.com/

3/23: "Maybe you've heard. There's a player in the state basketball tournament who's a genuine freak of nature, a guy who has spread so much insomnia among the coaching fraternity that he's probably received a thank-you note from Sominex. There is really no good way to handle him. He's a mismatch waiting to happen, a throbbing migraine about to come your way. He's a guy who's definitely in a league of his own, a kid who can take a game into his own two hands and work it, shape it, mold it like a piece of clay. He is so strong off the dribble he makes you feel like moss-covered rock. He could find the open man in a crowded elevator or wiggle into a crack of open space and beat you with his shot. He's only a junior, but he can take his game just about anywhere he wants to: Ohio State, Indiana, Michigan State, Seton Hall, Cincinnati, Mississippi -- his coach can't even remember all the names. He's so good that Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson called his coach 10 minutes before a recent NCAA Tournament game. LeBron James? Oh, yeah. Now that you mention it, I guess he's pretty good, too. We were talking about Brookhaven point guard Andrew Lavender, the biggest 5-foot-7 point guard this state has ever seen. "I think Drew is definitely one of the top five junior point guards in the country,'' Brookhaven coach Bruce Howard said. "I always trust him to do the right thing. I'm going to win or lose with the ball in his hands.''

Yesterday, Howard put the ball in Lavender's hands in the Division I semifinals and the Bearcats won.

Brookhaven's 85-80 overtime victory over Lakewood St. Edward was a nice reversal from a semifinal bust last year, but it is hardly anything new. Brookhaven is 26-1. Lavender, the Bearcats' gnat-quick point guard, has been beating people bigger than he is since he was, well, just a little guy. "I was playing 12-and-under AAU when I was 7 years old," Lavender said. "Everybody has always been bigger than me. We went to down to a tournament in Atlanta, Ga. That's the first time I ever had 30 points." Lavender had 20 points yesterday, all but two after halftime. He finished with seven assists and three steals, but more important, molded a close game into his image, creating offense one way or another for the last 12 minutes. "Drew is very hard to guard and very unselfish and all of our kids really believe in his decision-making,'' Howard said. "I just don't want to over-coach him. I thought the best thing that we did in the latter part of the game is put the ball in his hands and let him play off whatever decision he made based on what they did defensively." Even with a great player like Lavender, this isn't an easy thing for a coach to do. Howard had several chances to set up a play and didn't. When Brookhaven got the ball back with the score tied and 23 seconds left in regulation, Howard was content to let Lavender dribble out the clock and decide what to do. That Lavender missed a three-pointer at the buzzer didn't shake Howard's faith; he had the ball in Lavender's hands all through the OT and the game was never out of his control. He scored from the foul line six seconds into overtime, penetrated and fed Dantae Patterson for a 13-footer 40 seconds later and followed a Shaun Carney three-pointer with a 15-foot runner to keep the Bearcats up by three. With 1:47 left, he drove and fed Ronald Lewis -- who was fouled and made one free throw -- then fed Patterson to run the lead to five." - Col Dispatch

3/17: "Shooting a blistering 65.4 percent from the field, Brookhaven brought its A game to the Coliseum, burying Centerville 78-61 and earning a return trip to the state tournament. Junior center Brandon Foust equaled his season high with 20 points, Lewis added 19 and senior guard Andrew Lavender chipped in 13 points and nine assists. "Defensively, without a doubt it was one of our best performances," Brookhaven coach Bruce Howard said. "That's Brookhaven fundamental basketball. We've done it all this year, playing against every type of team. We knew Centerville was an up-tempo team, and we had to match them with energy and enthusiasm. Brookhaven (25-1) broke open a seesaw affair with an 11-0 run in the second quarter." - Columbus Dispatch

3/11: "Brandon Foust hit the go-ahead basket with 38 seconds left and Brookhaven repelled two three-point shots in the waning moments to survive Zanesville 50-47 before a raucous crowd of 5,000 in the Coliseum. Brookhaven (23-1) didn't have it easy in a battle of contrasting styles against eighth-seeded Zanesville (19-4), which entered with a 16-game winning streak. "We needed a close one like this so now we know what it's like," Foust said. Junior point guard Andrew Lavender spoke as if Brookhaven weathered a mighty storm. "We saw these guys beat (Durham, N.C.) Bonner at Battelle Hall back in January and we kind of had a feeling we might see them later down the line,'' he said. "Winning the district this year maybe feels better than last year because last year we knew we were going to beat Dublin Scioto. We knew this one would be a tough test for us." Only 5 feet 7, Lavender came up big, scoring 19 points, adding six assists and even grabbing six rebounds. With the score tied 47-all, the Bearcats appeared to be playing for a final shot. Out of a spread look, Lavender passed to Danta Patterson, who suddenly darted into the lane and fed to Foust for the go- ahead score.



3/4/02: "5-7 junior point guard Andrew Lavender is leading the area with 11.0 assists per game" - Collegebasketballnews.com

2/17: "Lavender is about 5'7 or 5'8 and is the best point guard in the junior class in the country. He makes the whole team better while breaking down defenses all by himself." - CJ Anderson, Winton Woods HS

2/17: Andrew Lavender scored 13 for fourth-ranked Brookhaven (19-1) in a win over Independence.

2/1/02: "When word leaked out recently that Ohio State had offered a scholarship to Brookhaven junior point guard Andrew Lavender, it provided some meaty debate fodder. Some can't envision a 5-foot-7, 140- pounder thriving amid the thick-limbed oak trees of the rugged Big Ten. "I took that approach with Mike Davis of Indiana just for fun," Brookhaven coach Bruce Howard said, "and he spent 25 minutes convincing me that Drew's not too little to play in the Big Ten. These guys have seen him play in the summer for years. They know he can play against anybody." Ohio State isn't the only major program interested in Lavender. CINCINNATI, Seton Hall and a handful of Mid-American Conference schools already have offered. Clemson, Mississippi, Xavier, Iowa, Iowa State and other top-20 fixtures have shown strong interest as well. Yes, he can be a defensive liability at times. No, he isn't an explosive scorer, averaging just 11.0 points per game and an area- high 11.2 assists for the balanced Bearcats (16-0), who are ranked No. 1 in Ohio and and No. 10 nationally by Student Sports. But what Lavender brings to the table is a knack of lifting a team with his unique ball- handling, penetration, passing and decision- making skills. "I've been watching him play since he was 4 years old and I guarantee you he'll lift any program to new heights because of his expertise with the ball," said Jerry Watson, director of the All-Ohio Summer Basketball Program. "Sure, he's small, but you've got to guard him on the other end, too. He has the knowledge and savvy being a 14-year veteran of the game to just destroy defenses. He can get around anybody. If he needs to score, he can. He's outplayed all the big-time guards in the Midwest for years on the AAU circuit. Believe me, he can play at any level he wants." As a coach in Watson's summer program, Howard, too, has watched Lavender blossom. "The first time I saw him play was as a first-grader, and we put him in a league with fourth- through sixth-graders," Howard said. "By the time he was in fourth grade, he was so developed skillwise, we had to put him with the eighth-graders. In all that time, I've never seen him fail." Lavender learned the game from his brothers Anthony, a senior at Ohio University-Newark, and Antwain, a sophomore at Shawnee State. "I watched them a lot when I couldn't get into little league games and took bits and pieces from them," he said. "Ever since I was young, my goal was to play Division I. I never considered my height a disadvantage because I considered myself quicker than people guarding me. I've tried to develop some skills, like my floater in the lane, to compensate for the fact that I'm small." One national publication compared Lavender's style with that of former NBA sparkplug Calvin Murphy, a jitterbug type with a deadly running jump shot. "Drew has always been a big scorer in the summer, but we have so many weapons on our team, he would rather serve more as a playmaker and quarterback,'' Howard said. "That shows me you're secure with your game when you accept the fact you don't have to score to help your team win." John Stovall III, vice president of Prep Spotlight magazine, admits he was among Lavender's early skeptics. "But the more I saw him play against the best players across the country, the more I realized that he can hold his own with anybody," Stovall said. "He's a major college prospect, no doubt about it. The key for him will be finding a program that puts him out there and just lets him do what he does best. He won't be a role player; he'll be running the show for somebody." - Columbus Dispatch

1/24: "The popular saying, "Good things come in small packages" is applicable to 5-foot-7 junior Andrew Lavender, who is helping lead Columbus (Ohio) Brookhaven to a very successful season. The toast of the state definitely is LeBron James, but Lavender is proving worthy of serious recruiting attention. "He played real well," coach Bruce Howard said. "He's averaging a triple-double; 12 points and 11.5 assists. He doesn't score as much but we get a lot of dunks." That sounds a lot like the style of game Texas freshman T.J. Ford played in high school. "He's a tough kid and a gamer." Last week, Brookhaven knocked off Midwest City and Shelden Williams. Lavender might be 5-7 but that hasn't stopped some top programs from not only recruiting him but also making early offers. According to his high school coach, Ohio State, Seton Hall and Cincinnati have made scholarship overtures. So have most of the MAC schools in the area. Mississippi and Clemson like him too. "He has schools in almost every conference on this side of the country," Howard said. "He's just a junior. We don't really get into [recruiting] and we are focusing on our high school season. We go to visit but we try to teach our kids to make an educated decision by watching practices and talking to kids." Lavender is what we would call a throwback by today's recruiting standards. In the evolving recruiting process, it's almost the exception rather than the rule that kids take all of their visits. "He wants to do everything that he worked for," Howard said. "He wants to make all of his visits." Lavender attended the Nike Camp last July, but it was later in the month where he did most of his damage. "He really blew up this past summer at the 71-and under AAU nationals when he averaged 23 points a game," Howard said." - Insiders Hoops and CNN SI (4 to 5)

1/19/02: "Just heard on CH 4 in Columbus a quick interview with A Lavendar. Said OSU is his favorite right now." - unknown post-er on All Star Report

1/12/01: "Lavender had 12 points and 13 assists in a win over Beechcroft. Lavender did not play until the second quarter because of a sprained ankle. Brookhaven is now 9-0 and ranked #1 in Ohio, in Div 1.

1/3/02: "Andrew Lavendar is an excellent player. He is small, but lightning quick, and fearless penetrating in traffic. We saw him at the NIKE Camp this past summer. He helped Columbus Brookhaven beat Farragut earlier this season. A top 100 junior for sure." - Bullseye, All Star Report

12/29: "Three years ago my partner John Stovall took me to see a 4'10 eighth grader from Columbus Ohio. Since that day I have been trying to tell people all over the country just how good 5'7 PG Andrew Lavender really is. Last night, he showed the Detroit crowed and 6'2 Senior Anthony Roberson just what I meant. Columbus Brookhaven's 5'7 Junior PG Andrew Lavender completely controlled the game and dazzled the crowed with his amazing ball handling and passing skills, as Brookhaven knocked off previously unbeaten Saginaw High 59-55. Lavender was just incredible as he repeatedly drove to the basket and either scored or made the assist for a basket. His ability to control the tempo and make the right decision's was a thing a beauty, and should be a guide to how a Point Guard should play the game. Lavender finished with 23 points and 11 assist, and only 1 turnover." - PrepSpotlight

12/27: "Lavender has...offers from Seton Hall, Louisville, CINCINNATI and Indiana at this point." - Ohio Preps (1 to 4)

12/26/01: Listed as the 7th best player in Ohio, regardless of class. - Ohio Preps

12/15/01: "No point guard in the country has more control of a game than Lavender. Lighting quick playmaker with a great feel for the game. Hits amazing shots too." Listed as the 12th best Junior in the Midwest. - PrepSpotlight.com

11/22/01: Listed as third best junior in Ohio - Hoop Scoop

Oct 01: One of the most talked about underclassmen in the Midwest in recent weeks has been 5'6 Junior Andrew Lavender of Columbus, OH. Lavender, the little dynamo Point Guard who starred for Jerry Watson's All-Ohio Red AAU teams this summer, is also the starting PG on Bruce Howard's powerful Columbus Brookhaven H.S. team. Brookhaven will be ranked as one of the top 20 high school teams in the country this season and Lavender is the leader. Lavender combines extreme quickness,a deadly jumper, and fantastic ball handling skills to just destroy defenses. He can get to any spot on the floor almost at will and he is an outstanding passer. Despite his size, Lavender is also an excellent penetrator who can get to the basket and finish in traffic due to his outstanding body control. Lavender has a wide range of shots that seem to defy gravity and challenge physics. One observer who watched Lavender at the Prep Spotlight event last week said "it's like watching Calvin Murphy play all over again. His running one-hand floater is straight out of the Calvin Murphy play book. It's amazing to watch him play." Lavender said that it's real early in his recruiting process and he will look at a long list of schools over the next year but he did mention Iowa, Michigan State, Seton Hall, Indiana, Louisville, Kentucky, Iowa State, Boston College, Missouri, and Ohio State. Lavender is ranked by Prep Spotlight's John Stovall as the #1 Junior Point Guard in the state of Ohio and one of the top 20 Point Guards in the Country in the 2003 Class. Remember the name Andrew Lavender. You'll hear a lot about this outstanding Point Guard in the months to follow." - PrepSpotlight

6/28/01: Led the Nike Hoop Jamboree camp in scoring with a 20 ppg avg.

http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/brookhaven/b-balldule.html
Brookhaven's team is known as the 'Bearcats'.

5/9/01: "Lavender is extremely small, but this small quick point guard was instrumental in leading All-Ohio Red into the semi-finals, as he scored 131 points in seven games and was the leading scorer in the Juniors-To-Be Division." - HoopScoop

3/24/01: Elder beat Brookhaven in the state playoffs to put Elder in the title game (which they won). Lavender had 11 points. Foust had 6. - Enquirer.com

7/27/00: Was voted the top playmaker and playoff MVP in the Developmental League at the adidas Big Time Tourney.

4/25/00:
http://www.dispatch.com/news/sports00/prep/00/apr00/256530.html

"At that time, we put in Andrew Lavender (of Brookhaven) and he hit three consecutive three-point shots and four in the last three or four minutes to pull it out for us." Lavender's team Ohio won a tournamnet in Italy. - Team Ohio Coach Miller.

1/28/00:
http://www.dispatch.com/news/sports00/prep/00/jan00/port0128.html

1/11/00:
http://www.dispatch.com/news/sports00/prep/00/jan00/hoop0111.html

Following in the footsteps of his talented brothers, freshman Andrew Lavender is turning heads at Brookhaven. Depending on whom you believe, Andrew Lavender stands somewhere between 5 feet 3 and 5 feet 6. Does size really matter? Certainly not to Brookhaven's freshman point guard, the third Lavender to make a name for himself in what generally is regarded as a big man's game. "I learned from my brothers Anthony and Antwain that being small can't keep you from doing anything on the basketball court," said Andrew, who is averaging 11.3 points and 6.1 assists for the Bearcats (5-2). Through his involvement with summer basketball, Brookhaven coach Bruce Howard has known for some time that the youngest Lavender was something special. "By the time he got to fourth grade, he was clearly advanced," Howard said. "He was on my Nike summer team playing against sixth graders and excelling. "He was so far out of their league, it wasn't until he got to start playing against eighth-graders that he really received the challenge he deserved." Growing up with Anthony, now at Ohio University-Newark, and Antwain, now at Southeastern Iowa Community College, proved valuable in itself. "They didn't want me to beat them and they roughed me up whenever we played," Andrew said. "I'm a better player because of it. It toughened me up." Howard said, "More importantly than anything, he grew up watching those two. He got to see two kids with real high basketball IQs doing things the right way." Lavender already is wise beyond his years. Each of the last two summers, Lavender, freshman Kevin Anderson of Thomas Worthington and two Lima residents won Gus Macker three-on-three national titles in the 14-15 division. Their two-year record is 80-0. Even more amazing, the tallest of the four is Anderson at 6 feet. "All the teams we played were taller than us and tried to post us up, but quick hands and quick feet can go a long way," Lavender said. Howard didn't hesitate elevating Lavender straight to the varsity, then into a starting role. He also has another talented freshman in 6-2 guard Brandon Foust, who many believe could become the next big-name player from this area. He leads the Bearcats in rebounding and dunks. "What people might not realize is that Drew played more than 450 games in the AAU circuit before he even got to high school,'' Howard said. "He's been to Florida twice, Atlanta . . . all over the place. I really didn't want to rush him, but this is a pretty seasoned kid you're talking about. "Really, with Drew just being a freshman, I think he's holding back. He's just fitting in and playing a setup role. He's only taking six or seven shots a game. He's been very proficient and selective with his touches." Fans will be delighted to see flashes of his two older brothers in Andrew's game. He scored 10 points and dished out 11 assists in a 90-65 victory over Centennial on Friday. "He can break you down off the dribble, he can shoot from the perimeter and handle the ball exceptionally well," Howard said. "He hardly ever forces things. "The thing I like best about him is how he sets people up and makes his teammates better." - Columbus Dispatch

10/99: Visted Dayton's Midnight Madness (along with Keith Jackson, Waleskowski, teammate B Foust, Carmona and M Sylvester)