BLAKE: New name in basketball recruiting

Kentucky may be showing interest in a player new to UK fans, a live-bodied 6-7, 210 pound forward from Deep Creek H.S. in Chesapeake, Va. The oppoprtunity opened when Temple Head Coach John Chaney announced his retirement in March. Read more inside:

Sometimes, things aren't as bad as they seem. Case in point: Mike Scott.

Scott, a live-bodied 6-7, 210 pound forward from Deep Creek H.S. in Chesapeake, Va., got a dose of bad news when Temple Head Coach John Chaney announced his retirement in March. Scott had signed with the Owls last Fall.

As a result of the impending coaching change and his uncertain academic status, Scott seriously mulled over his options. He got quite a bit of exposure this past spring playing for the Boo Williams Summer League AAU program at a number of prestigious events.

While failing to qualify academically is often looked at it in a negative light, it actually helped Scott by granting him an automatic release from his national letter of intent with Temple.

"I backed out of it and will attend Hargrave Military Academy in the fall," Scott said after scoring six points for the Blue squad in the Eastern Invitational's Top 20 all-star game. "I am looking for bigger offers."

After winning the Most Valuable Player award at the camp, it appears as if Scott will get that wish.

He said Oklahoma has offered, while programs such as Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, St. Joseph's, Kentucky and Virginia have expressed interest in the power/combo forward.

"He's very long, athletic and has bounce," noted Steve Keller of the National Recruiting Report. "He also shoots it very well along the baseline from 14 to 18 feet."

"Not only can he score inside, but he can score from 18 feet and in and puts the ball on the floor very well," Keller continued. "As he continues to mature and develop, I could see him as a high major prospect."