Brandon Bass

Visited. Offered.

4/16/03: "Capitol High forward Brandon Bass made good on his Valentine's Day promise to his mother by signing his national letter of intent today with LSU. He joins what is widely considered one of the nation's top recruiting classes, featuring guard Tack Minor, forward Ross Neltner and swingmen Darnell Lazare and Regis Koundjia." - Insiders Hoops

2/11/03: "Bass is being recruited hard by LSU, Mississippi State, Connecticut, Alabama, USC and Miami of Florida. Bass, a likely McDonald's All-American, visited LSU, Connecticut, USC and Miami of Florida officially and had an unofficial visit to Mississippi State. He has one remaining visit left. Bass said that he plans to wait until April before making a decision. He did not mention Cincinnati when I talked to him in December, but that could change." - Chris Monter

11/1/02: "Brandon Bass is expected to arrive in the state late tonight and begin his official visit to UConn early Saturday. Bass, a 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward from Baton Rouge, La., is rated among the nation's top 25 high school players by most recruiting services. He averaged 18 points and 13 rebounds as a junior for Capital High School and was impressive this summer during Adidas ABCD camp. The Huskies have one scholarship remaining after getting oral commitments from Josh Boone and Marcus Williams. Bass has already visited Miami, LSU and USC and said he is also considering Kentucky and Cincinnati." - Hartford Courant

10/29/02: "Right now it looks it's between Connecticut, Cincinnati and Kentucky for the last two spots," he said. "I'm having a little difficulty in deciding who it will be. It's a tough decision but I'm not really in a rush. I still haven't decided if I want to sign in the early period or not." - RivalsHoops

10/25/02 Pilgrim verballed. (drop Bass to a 1)

10/22: "The finalists for the 6-7, 235-pound Bass are LSU, Cincinnati, UConn, Kentucky, Southern Cal, Miami and Mississippi State." The article also states he has yet to line up a visit with Cincinnati, but has visited 4 schools listed. - PrepStars

10/15: "Bass, who is believed to be a near lock for LSU, also has visits scheduled for Miam-FL, Connecticut, and USC. Bass' remaining visit is expected to be to Kentucky, Cincinnati, DePaul, or Mississippi State." - HoopScoop

10/10/02: "Right now Kentucky, Cincinnati, and maybe Mississippi State will get my last visit," Bass said. "I'm not positive at this point and I'm still talking to the coaches to find out which school I think might be the best fit for me." With the early signing period drawing close Bass said he was in no rush and planned to talk his time before announcing his decision." - RivalsHoops (Since the best CIncinnati can do on his present list is fifth, I'm dropping him from a 4 to a 2.)

10/9: "Taurean "Tack" Minor, the Houston point guard who has given a verbal commitment to LSU, told TigerRag.com a big reason he pledged to the Tigers was the opportunity to play with Brandon Bass, the standout forward from Capitol-Baton Rouge. According to Minor, Bass will be announcing his commitment on his birthday (within the next month). Bass has declined interview invitations from Tiger Rag." - Tigar Rag/Insidershoops (5 to 4)

10/8: "Bass transformed himself from a solid regional prospect into a national priority at the spring and summer camps. The 6-8 combo forward from Baton Rouge (La.) Capitol has a long list of schools, including LSU, Connecticut, Cincinnati, Miami, Mississippi State, Missouri, Tennessee, Southern Cal, Florida State, Georgetown and others. The stakes: Every school involved with Bass knows that snatching him out of Baton Rouge will be very difficult, which is why it's critical for the hometown Tigers to win this battle." - Harrington, PrepStars.com

10/4: "I am thinking about visiting Kentucky," Bass said. "They have a great winning program and the style of play is something I like." Bass, who has already taken trips to LSU and Miami of Florida, also lists Cincinnati, Mississippi State, Connecticut, and Southern California. "I would also like to visit Connecticut," Bass said." - www.RivalsHoops.com

9/30: "Following the trip to the Bayou, Bass went further south to Miami for a visit. "It was straight. There's excitement down there. They are saying I'll be the marquee player if I come there. The city is pretty nice." Bass said that he doesn't have any other official visits set but he's got a few in mind. "I'm going to go to maybe Cincinnati and UConn. That's what I'm thinking about. Maybe Kentucky." Mississippi State and Southern Cal are a few more schools to watch. Bass said USC has asked him to set up an official visit." - InsidersReport.com

9/22/02: Ranked the 13th best player in his class in a consensus list. - RSCI

9/20: "We also believe that LSU is the on the verge of landing 5'10 Tauren Minor from Houston (Washington) TX, who is ranked #44 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP. If they also manage to get 6'8 Brandon Bass from Baton Rouge (Capital) LA, who is ranked #11 in the senior class nationally by the HOOP SCOOP, their class would move all the way up to #3 behind Louisville and California." - HoopScoop

9/19: "University of Kentucky coach Tubby Smith was in Baton Rouge, La., on Wednesday to visit. Bass and point guard Tack Minor of Houston made their official visit to LSU last weekend. Both are considering the Tigers but may not commit until the spring." - InsidersHoops

9/19: According to RivalsHoops, bass is on his way to Miami for a visit. He has already had in-home visits with Connecticut, Cincinnati and Kentucky (yesterday).

9/16: "We also understand that Indiana is no longer in the hunt for 6'8 Brandon Bass from Baton Rouge (Capital) LA, but hear that Duke may make a push for Bass." - HoopScoop

9/15: DeCourcy says: "Dave Telep of TheInsiders.com has 6-7 small forward Regis Koundjia of Laurinburg Institute far too low, at No. 43 in the senior class. Koundjia, who has committed to LSU, is a spectacular athlete who plays with energy and should be in the top 25 neighborhood. He is not a great shooter, but his effort level will make him a valuable college player."
- The point in listing this comment is why would LSU sign effectively the same type of player in Bass, after already having Koundjia ? This could give Bass a reason not to go to LSU. - Randy Shinkle and Mike Ryan

9/14: "The biggest (UConn) target of the upcoming week is power forward Brandon Bass from Baton Rouge, La. (Coaches) Calhoun and Moore will make an in-home visit with Bass and his family either Tuesday or Thursday. There are also tentative plans for Bass to be at UConn for an official visit next weekend. Bass, a burly 6-foot-8, 234-pound prospect, averaged 18 points, 13 rebounds and nearly nine blocks as a junior last season at Capitol High in Baton Rogue. He is also drawing interest from hometown school Louisiana State, Cincinnati, Mississippi State and Miami. Duke and Arizona have also gotten into the Bass sweepstakes in the past week." - NewHaven Register

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

9/12: "I am hearing most now from LSU, Mississippi State, Miami, CINCINNATI, UConn, Arizona and now Duke," Bass told PrepStars.com."

9/10: "I have many schools that I am interested in," Bass said. "I don't know when I might make a decision. I could wait until the Spring." - Bass, per RivalsHoops

9/6/02: "Bass transformed himself from a solid regional prospect into a national priority at the spring and summer camps. The 6-8 combo forward from Baton Rouge (La.) Capitol has a long list of schools, including LSU, Connecticut, Cincinnati, Miami, Mississippi State, Missouri, Tennessee, Southern Cal, Florida State, Georgetown and others. Every school involved with Bass knows that snatching him out of Baton Rouge will be very difficult, which is why it's critical for the hometown Tigers to win this battle." - Harrington, PrepStars/USA Today

9/4/02: "(Cincinnati is) seriously involved, but it's tough to pull a hometown kid out of Baton Rouge." - Harrington, PrepStars

8/31/02: " A number of schools, including Cincinnati and Indiana, are mentioned for Bass, but we'd be surprised if he gets away from LSU." - HoopScoop

8/28: "Brandon Bass is content moving at his own pace. The Baton Rouge (LA) Capitol 6-8, 235-pound BF has yet to narrow down his list to a manageable handful. For now, it appears that CINCINNATI, LSU and UConn will receive official visits while Tennessee, Miami, Mississippi State, USC, Florida State and Georgetown will likely battle for the final two visits. "My list is so long, but I think I’ve made progress" Bass told PrepStars.com. "I just haven’t had time to narrow it down yet. I want to sign in the second signing period." Bass is considered more of a big forward, but he’s working on his ball-handling and perimeter shooting in order to be able to also play wing forward in college. He said that playing time and an up-tempo game that suits his own playing style will be two primary factors when it comes down to him making a decision. "I don’t want to go to a school where you have to set screens to get open," Bass said. Bass had a solid summer, but he wasn’t completely satisfied with his play. "It was alright," he said. "I played OK. I just thought I could have done a lot better, though." Bass has a 2.7 GPA, but that should be boosted this year when he will re-take certain classes that he didn’t do well in the past." - PrepStars

8/21: Listed as the 14th best player in his class. - Insiders Hoops

8/14: "The best player I played against this summer was Brandon Bass, without a doubt." - Ndubi Ebi

8/13/02: Listed as the 13th best player in his class. "Strong young man with a nice touch on his jumpers. Can play down low and bang or can step out and be somewhat effective." - PrepSpotlight.com


8/13: "He says that Mississippi State, LSU, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Miami, Missouri, Tennessee and Southern Cal are recruiting him the hardest. So who's offered? "All of them. I tell them that I just haven't narrowed the list down yet. It'll be soon, though." he also said he'd likely make a springtime decision.
- http://theinsidershoops.theinsiders.com/

8/12/02: Listed as the 11th best player in his class. - HoopScoop

8/4/02: Listed as the #21 player in the class of 2003 - Bob Gibbons All Star Report

8/4: "Monster down low on offense and defense. As a junior in high school, Bass averaged 13 rebounds and eight blocks per game. He can shoot it from 15-18 feet but his strength is on the box where he finishes with the best of them." - CatTracks (Ariz)

7/27: "Bass is a lock (to be a McDonalds All American) in my mind...." - Telep, Insiders Hoops

7/25: "His team struggled in the morning game, barely holding on for a two point win over the Colorado Kings, however, Brandon dominated the paint...Once again. With Bob Huggins and Rick Stansbury looking on, Brandon simply outmuscled everyone else, for rebounds, and easy put backs. He also stood out defensively, with a number of blocked shots." - Recruiting Nation

7/24: "With LSU coach John Brady looking on, Brandon put forth a workman like effort, helping the Jazz hold off a late rally by the Double Pump All-Stars. Brandon showed off some post moves, including a nice jump hook. He also showed an outside game by stepping out, and hitting a three, early in the game." - Recruiting Nation

7/24: "Bass says he's still open, despite the fact we think LSU, Mississippi State, and Cincinnati will be tough to beat." - HoopScoop

7/23: "In the early morning game (at the Vegas Bigtime), he dominated Emerald City on the glass. He exploded for rebounds and dunks. He's a bulldog with tremendous explosion. He's an all-conference player early in his college career....Bob Huggins and John Brady must travel together these days. The Cincy and LSU coaches were in the gym watching Brandon Bass this morning; you can also catch them at Tack Minor games on a regular basis." - InsidersReport

7/19: Listed as the 4th best PF at the ABCD Camp. - All Star Report

7/15: Bass has offers from LSU, Mississippi State, Cincinnati, UConn, Missouri, USC, UNLV.

7/14: "the LSU Tigers still are making muscular 6-8 F Brandon Bass their No. 1 priority." - DeCourcy, Sporting News

7/13: "Brandon is a physical and athletic big man who can step away from the basket with range out to three point land." - Rivals Hoops

7/11: "loses his effectiveness when he ventures to the perimeter" - InsidersHoops

7/10: "Connecticut offered me a scholarship, but I’m not committing to anybody until I take my trips and narrow my schools down," Bass said. "I think I can help a team with my power and strength. But I’m also trying to take my game outside. I’ve been working hard on my perimeter game and taking a lot of jumpshots." Bass is also considering scholarship offers from LSU, Alabama, Mississippi State, Cincinnati and Miami." - Danbury News Times

7/10: "has a revised top six comprised of Louisiana State, North Carolina (no offer), Duke (no offer), CINCINNATI, Connecticut and Miami. He also is interested in Georgia Tech, Alabama, Texas, Texas A&M, Tulane, Missouri, Southern Cal and Mississippi State. The national stock of this superb athlete rose significantly this spring." - Oettinger, ACC Sports.com

7/10: Listed as the 22nd best player in his class. - www.rivals.com

7/10: Listed as the 4th best overall player at the ABCD Camp. - HoopScoop

7/10: Listed as the 7th best PF at the ABCD Camp. - PrepSpotlight

7/9: "He weighs 234 pounds and it is all muscle. He's very hard for opposing power forwards to cover because he can bring them outside and shoot over them or break them down off the dribble. Put a smaller forward on him and he'll beat him into a paste inside. His jumpshot has a bit of a weird hitch in that he almost brings the ball back over the top of his head before he shoots it, but it seems to work for him. Someone will correct that at some point and it doesn't seem to be hindering him at the moment. The kid has the body to play college ball today and you just cannot be a better athlete. He'll be a very good college player." - post-er on the UConn board.

7/7: Cincinnati and six other schools are still listed for the #13 ranked Bass. - Hoop Scoop

7/4: "My goal is to be the No. 2 player in the nation." - Brandon Bass, from PrepStars

7/2: Listed as the 17th best player in his class. - Insiders Hoops

6/28: "Forward Brandon Bass from Baton Rouge, La. (Capitol), said that Cincinnati, LSU, Connecticut and Alabama were his current leaders. He told us that he plans on taking all five official visits before making his decision." - Basketball News.com

6/26: Named to the NBA Players Association High School Camp roster.

6/11: "Brandon Bass is a very talented, multi-dimensional player and athlete who Cincy is after strong, especially over this past month. Cincy has a shot, and we hear that Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee and LSU are getting in strong, and Florida is trying to get in there too with an official visit later this year." - All Star Report

6/6: "Bass has a top list of North Carolina, Duke, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Cincinnati, Miami, and LSU." - RivalsHoops

6/5: "The key player in the Jazz getting to the semifinals of the 17-under national tournament, Bass played his usual hardhat game of working in the paint, clearing the boards and dunking everything he could. He's strong, tough and bouncy. Saw him clearly outplay Travis Outlaw, the 6-10 rail from the Alabama Ice in their matchup in pool play. He just keeps it simple, plays strong and stays close to the bucket. He did hit a 15-footer here and there, but it was his play inside the paint that was most impressive. Bass is physical, strong, athletic and doesn't stray far from the basket." - ESPN.com

6/4/02: "Explosive athlete. Probably about 6-7 but well built. Limited range but a beast on the blocks. Very good player, probably a late Top 25-30 guy." - Telep, BlueChip Hoops

5/30/02: "A physical and athletic big man who can step away from the basket with range out to three point land, Bass helped the Belmont Shore/H-Squad conglomerate reach the tournament quarterfinals, where it lost to eventual champion Houston Hoops at the Kingwood Classic. This past weekend, Bass played for the New Orleans Jazz. RivalsHoops.com had a chance to watch Bass play a couple of times. He showed he is tough to move off the low blocks. It appears though Bass is trying to improve his skills for perhaps the small forward slot. Several times Bass tried to take his man off the dribble from the foul line. He will need to improve his handle if he is to make it as a small forward. But Bass can certainly make it as a four. He is big and strong and he can battle with big bodies in the paint. Bass said he averaged 18 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks per game as a junior at Capital. A rugged inside player who can rebound in traffic, Bass surprised RivalsHoops.com with his outside shot at the Kingwood Classic. He's got a very nice midrange stroke and even ventured beyond the arc and knocked down some three pointers. His shot will need to be more consistent though to make it as a three man.
Bass said he has a 2.7 GPA" - RivalsHoops

5/28: "The favorites for 6'8 Jr Brandon Bass from Baton Rouge (Capital) LA are CINCINNATI, LSU, Miami-FL, Mississippi State, Indiana, and USC." - Hoop Scoop

4/29: "A physical and athletic big man who can step away from the basket with range out to three point land, Bass helped the Belmont Shore/H-Squad conglomerate reach the tournament quarterfinals, where it lost to eventual champion Houston Hoops." - Rivals, Russ Blake

4/28/02: "It was one of the most intense battles I've seen in a long time. I'm talking about the match-up between 6'8 Jr Brandon Bass from Baton Rouge (Capital) LA versus 6'10 Jr Ndudi Ebi from Houston (Westbury Christian) TX in the quarterfinals game between the Houston Hoops and the Belmont Shore/H-Squad in the 8th Annual Houston Kingwood Classic in Houston, TX early Sunday afternoon. Bass, who is one of the fastest rising players in the junior class nationally, reminds us of Kenyon Martin in many ways. Not only is he an incredible athlete and tremendous physical specimen who is almost impossible to stop whenever he decides to drive to the basket, but he also is a fierce competitor (he plays every possession like it might be his last)." - Hoop Scoop

4/21/02: "Bass' forte is facing up and penetrating. He has defined a personal goal of strengthening his shooting and ball handling this summer. He also wants to work on the mental aspect of his game. "Most of all, I want to learn the game mentally," he said. "I really want to know the game." - RivalsHoops

4/7/02: "...impressing us in both tournaments was 6'8 Jr Brandon Bass from Baton Rouge (Capital) LA, who firmly established himself, as one of the fastest rising players in the nation. We're talking about a big time athlete who is extremely active getting to the basket and on the boards. Our guess is that LSU will be tough to beat on Bass, but right now he appears to be wide open..." - Hoop Scoop