H.S. Hoop Recruiting Diary: Rose drops North Carolina, adds UCLA

Second Baptist School (Houston, TX) junior L.J. Rose is one of the most gifted point guards in the country. Despite suffering from nagging foot and ankle injuries last summer that limited him in the crucial AAU/camp season, he still has everyone from Kansas to Kentucky to Arizona trying to lure him to their schools. Rose has agreed to give Dime and High School Hoop exclusive access by chronicling his thoughts in a regular diary. Here’s an excerpt from his newest entry:

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… A lot of people were asking me about the situation with UNC and them getting a commitment from (fellow 2012 point guard) Marcus Paige a few weeks back. Most people don’t know this, but North Carolina was actually my leader at the time. I had visited there for “Late Night with Roy” and I really liked them. I just wasn’t ready to commit yet.

The commitment (from Paige) was a surprise to a lot of people. I knew that they’d offered him a while ago, but I didn’t think he was gonna commit because he hadn’t to this point. I haven’t seen him play, but a lot of people were surprised by the whole thing. From what I’ve heard it’s a good fit for him and I wish nothing but the best for Marcus and UNC in the future.

But I’m not considering North Carolina anymore. They’re not on my list.

I’m still very happy with my list: Texas, Kansas, Kentucky, Baylor, Georgetown, Florida, Miami, Florida State, Michigan State and just recently I added UCLA.

Of course y’all know that my boy Rasheed Sulaimon recently committed to Duke, and I think that’s a great situation for him! I’m really happy for him. He always wanted to play at Duke and now he’s living out his dream of playing for one of the best coaches ever. I don’t think we’ll be teaming up together or anything, but I’m happy for him. …

… A lot of guys that are committed to the schools on my list are definitely recruiting me, trying to get me to join them. Of all of them, I’d say Mike Gilchrist (Kentucky) and Cameron Ridley (Texas) are the hardest recruiters. I talk to Cameron every day, and at some point in the conversation Texas always comes up. I’m tight with Mike, and ever since he first committed to Kentucky he’s talked to me about coming out there and seeing what they’re all about. He doesn’t pressure me, though. …

Click here to read the rest of L.J.’s diary, where he talks about his planned recruiting visits and gearing up for a state championship run.

– Follow L.J. on Twitter @Lboogie_5
-Follow High School Hoop on Twitter @HighSchoolHoop

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