Coveted Collinses Choose Stanford

Jarron and Jason Collins of Harvard-Westlake High, among the most-coveted college basketball recruits in the nation, Tuesday made commitments to attend Stanford.

The Collinses, both 6 feet 10, also made recruiting visits to Arizona and UCLA, and were close to heading for Westwood before the abrupt firing last week of Bruin Coach Jim Harrick.

Harrick’s dismissal, however, ultimately had little to do with their decision. The twins said they wanted to attend college near their extended family in the Bay Area, especially their maternal grandfather.

“It came down to family, really,” Jason said. “It was a very difficult decision to make. A lot of factors went into the decision. We had to look at all the pluses and minuses.”

Said Jarron: “It was a tough choice, a very tough choice. Our grandfather is wheelchair-bound. We want to play in front of him. I played in front of him in the state championship, and I want to play in front of him again.”

Jason, who averaged 18.2 points and 11.9 rebounds last season, and Jarron, who averaged 14.3 points and 9.1 rebounds, led Harvard-Westlake to the state Division III championship in March in Sacramento.

“[The grandfather] came to Sacramento, and it was obviously a big deal to them,” Harvard-Westlake Coach Greg Hilliard said. “The first thing they did after we won was go up to him and give him a hug.”

The twins said they rarely have had the opportunity to play before their grandfather.

“Rare isn’t the word,” Jarron said.

The Collinses, who began their varsity careers as freshmen, have led the Wolverines to two consecutive Southern Section championships.

Pursued by several major colleges, they narrowed their choices to three before choosing Stanford. The twins informed Stanford Coach Mike Montgomery on Tuesday night and said they expect to sign a letter of intent today.

“I have the letter right in front of me,” Jarron said.

Hilliard said the twins reached their decision Tuesday evening, only minutes before calling him.

“They said it came right down to the wire,” Hilliard said. “I think a lot of people are going to be very happy with them. Mike’s a great coach, and he’s excellent with big men.”

The Collins twins are part of a highly regarded senior basketball class in Southern California.

Center Chris Burgess of Irvine Woodbridge, swingman Schea Cotton of Bellflower St. John Bosco and guard Baron Davis of Santa Monica Crossroads generally are considered among the top 10 recruits in the nation. The 6-10 Burgess is at the top of many lists.

Guard Kenny Brunner of Compton Dominguez heads another group of half a dozen players who have their choice of colleges. And there are at least another 20 local players who are being recruited by major programs.

With the NCAA’s early signing period beginning today and continuing through Nov. 20, the day of decision is here for many.

“This class has great depth at virtually every position,” said Bob Gibbons, who publishes a national scouting report from North Carolina. “The most difficult positions for college coaches to fill are center and point guard, and Southern California has all the key players at those positions.”

When many of the nation’s top players gathered at the invitation-only Nike All-American basketball camp in Indianapolis last summer to showcase their skills before college coaches, 18 of the 150 players in attendance were from Southern California.

“For years, everyone has known this was a top class,” said Brunner, who plans to sign with Fresno State this week after considering offers from Georgetown, Kentucky and Syracuse, among others. “Everybody has tried to show they’re No. 1 and prove they’re the best. I have felt this competition for a long time.”

Burgess, who transferred from perennial contender Santa Ana Mater Dei to Woodbridge during the spring of his freshman year, watched his stock rise over the summer after playing well at the Nike camp and in several tournaments. He’s expected to sign Monday with either Brigham Young, Duke or Kentucky, although he has hinted he might make himself available for the June NBA draft.

Cotton, who’s expected to join his brother James and sign with Long Beach State this week, has also hinted he might turn professional after high school. The 6-5 senior is expected to sit out this season to nurse a shoulder injury and to concentrate on his studies. He hasn’t yet met NCAA academic entrance requirements.

Despite the talent base, the local colleges haven’t fared well. USC is expected to sign guard Kevin Augustine of Mater Dei, but UCLA and Pepperdine aren’t expected to sign any of the top players in the next week.

Davis gave a commitment to the Bruins in September but probably won’t sign until the spring in the wake of Harrick’s firing. Interim Coach Steve Lavin declined comment about the team’s recruiting prospects.

Staff writer Eric Shepard contributed to this story.

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Cream of the Southland Crop

The NCAA’s early-signing period for basketball begins today and continues through Nov. 20. An update on the top seniors from the Southland, in alphabetical order.

KEVIN AUGUSTINE

Santa Ana Mater Dei: 5-foot-11, guard

* 1995-96 averages: 19 pts., 7 ass.

* College: Is expected to sign this week with USC.

KENNY BRUNNER

Compton Dominguez: 5-9, guard

* 1995-96 averages: 14 pts,, 8 ass.

* College: Plans to sign this week with Fresno State. Recruited by Georgetown, Syracuse and Kentucky but decided to stay closer to home.

CHRIS BURGESS

Irvine Woodbridge: 6-10, center

* 1995-96 averages: 26 pts., 11 reb.

* College: Canceled a visit to UCLA last week. Considering BYU, Duke and Kentucky and is expected to announce his decision Monday.

ERIC CHENOWITH

Villa Park: 7-foot, center

* 1995-96 averages: 17 pts., 11 reb., 7 blk.

* College: Expected to sign this week with Kansas.

SCHEA COTTON

Bellflower St. John Bosco: 6-5, fwd.-grd.

* 1995-96 averages: 25 pts., 10 reb.

* College: The area’s best-known player is expected to sign this week with Long Beach State, where his brother, James, also plays. Also considered Pepperdine and canceled home visits with Syracuse, Connecticut and Kansas. Hasn’t yet met NCAA academic entrance requirements.

JARRON and JASON COLLINS

North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake

6-10 and 6-11, forward-centers

* 1995-96 averages: Jarron, 14 pts., 9 reb.; Jason, 18 pts., 12 reb.

* College: The twins say they will sign with Stanford.

BARON DAVIS

Santa Monica Crossroads: 6-2, guard

* 1995-96 averages: 19 pts., 9 ass.

* College: Announced in September that he would sign early with UCLA but is wavering since the dismissal of Coach Jim Harrick. Is also being recruited by Kansas and Duke, among others, and is expected to sign in the spring.