Energetic Udofia draws attention

By Whitey Reid

Published: June 22, 2008

Blazing end-to-end speed. Offensive poise. Uncanny defensive feistiness.

No, there was little doubt who was one of the most entertaining — and effective — players at the weeklong NBA Top 100 Camp that wrapped up on Saturday.

Rising high school senior Mfon Udofia, one of Virginia’s top guard targets for the class of 2009, looked like an Energizer Bunny — one who had just downed about 10 cups of coffee.

“He’s probably the best defensive guard in the camp,” said recruiting guru Bob Gibbons. “He can really play defense and is versatile.

“He can play point or second guard. He’s no [former Virginia guard] J.R. Reynolds as a scorer, but he can play like him and I think he could be one of the best defensive players in college basketball. If they could get him that would be a huge catch.”

When you look at the gangly 6-foot-2, 180-pound Udofia, it’s hard not to see similarities between the Georgia native and Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo. Udofia, who is lightning-quick, says he has heard that comparison a lot.

“Yeah, people tell me I get after it like Rondo,” said Udofia, smiling. “That’s cool because I like the way Rondo plays. He’s a good guard.”

Udofia, a left-hander with long arms, said he could see himself someday suiting up for Virginia.

“I have a great relationship with Coach Leitao and his staff,” said Udofia, who plays at Miller Grove High in Stone Mountain, Ga.. “I really like the way they play — just up and down. They let their guards go, as you can see from how Sean Singletary went off.”

Udofia is rated as a 4-star recruit (out of five) and the eighth-best point guard in his class. He is also considering Georgia Tech, Texas, Miami and Wake Forest, among others.

“I’m still wide open at this point,” he said. “I’m going to narrow my list down [soon] and then by the fall take all my visits.”

Of course, you can never put all your eggs in one basket in recruiting. To that end, UVa is also looking at 3-star point guard C.J. Harris.

Harris, a rising senior from Mount Tabor High in Winston-Salem, N.C., has offers from Wake Forest, Clemson and Virginia Tech. He said he’s hoping to get one soon from Virginia.

“They’re showing interest, but not like full-throttle interest,” said Harris, who plans on signing during the early period this fall. “They call me every now and then and stuff like that.

“I’m still wide open. [Virginia] would be a good fit. They need a combo guard and somebody who could take [Singletary’s] role. I could do that.”

Harris is known for attacking the basket. “That’s my bread and butter right there,” he said.

Andy Muse, Harris’ high school coach, said he wouldn’t be surprised to see his star end up at UVa.

“They’ve seen him play three times during the high school season,” Muse said. “I think they have high interest. It’s just a numbers game right now, but I think an offer’s in the near future.”

Barring an unexpected player defection, Virginia looks to have only two scholarships for its 2009 class. That’s why Leitao and staff have to be pretty choosy with who they offer.

Raleigh, N.C., big man Ryan Kelly is considered one of the top overall targets. Virginia also likes swingman Tristan Spurlock of Montrose Christian in Maryland.

In 2010, UVa will have four scholarships available. Targets for that class include Cummings High (Burlington, N.C.) point guard J.T. Terrell and

6-foot-6 wing Travis McKie of John Marshall High in Richmond.

Terrell sports offers from Miami and Wake Forest. McKie, who Gibbons ranks as one of the top five players in his class, has been offered by Virginia, Virginia Tech, Boston College and Maryland.

“The in-state schools are great,” said McKie, who plays AAU for Boo Williams. “They show you the most love because they’re in-state.”

How do the recruiting styles of Leitao and Tech counterpart Seth Greenberg compare?

“Leitao’s cool,” McKie said. “There’s something about him that’s just real cool. Greenberg is real funny, active. Leitao is laid back and chill.

“One is excitable. The other is cool.”

Which personality suits McKie more?

“I could be both,” he said, laughing.