Basketball: Things heading in right direction for Rudd and Van Nuys

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

There was a time, not too long ago, in fact, when Victor Rudd wasn’t sure if he was ever going to play for Van Nuys. Those days, however, are nothing more than a distant memory now, with his successful appeal to the CIF office following a transfer from Sylmar finally in the past, completely behind him. The future is front and center.

And the 6-foot-8 junior swingman is making the most of his opportunity here at home, and on the national recruiting scene. Rudd guided the Wolves to an appearance in the semifinals of the Watts Summer games a week ago and Van Nuys has to be considered one of the favorites in the War on the Floor Tournament this weekend in the Valley.

‘Victor Rudd is going to be a big part of putting Van Nuys basketball on the map,’’ Wolves coach Charles White said. ‘We’re not the Van Nuys of old with him around. We’re going to be right in the thick of things. We’ve been running through through teams in the spring and hope to keep it going this summer and when the season starts in January.’’

Rudd has plenty to look forward too, no doubt. When it comes to Division I prospects, few are hotter. Powerhouse programs from conferences such as the ACC, Big 12 and PAC-10 have been recruiting him for a while now, ever since this blog back in late January. He has scholarship offers from four schools already, the most prominent being USC.

‘We’re talking about a talented kid here,’’ White said. ‘There’s lots of colleges calling me about him. Everyone is trying to secure him. His style of play is made for the college game. Good thing about him is, he’s humble. He doesn’t get caught up in the hype. He’s just happy to put on the Van Nuys uniform and get out on the court.’’

-- Sean Ceglinsky