Peoria High School's 5-foot-10 star senior point guard Dewayne Russell is fresh off earning this year's 2011-2012 Arizona Republic Player of the Year award, after leading his Peoria High School program to this year's Division-II state championship after a narrow championship win over defending state-champion Amphitheater HS.
Russell led Peoria High School to this year's Division-II State Championship - after posting an impressive 27-3 record on the season. Russell is regarded as one of the very elite talents in the state after averaging eye-popping numbers this season - pouring in 27 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 3.8 steals per/game this season.
After Russell had recently verbally committed to the USC Trojans and Head Coach Kevin O'Neill late in the high school season, he recently decided to de-commit from USC and re-open his college recruitment.
Since the decision was made, Russell has heard from many college programs throughout the country for his services. With many new college programs showing strong interest as of late in Russell, I caught up with Russell's uncle and club coach, Will Roberts, recently and he advised me that Russell currently has some new scholarship offers on the table, with more to soon come.
Roberts told me that Niagara, Cal-State Bakersfield and Texas-San Antonio have each offered the talented guard prospect. He also told me that Cal Poly, San Francsico, Hawaii, Northeastern, Saint Mary's College and UTEP have all each been in hot pursuit, but have not offered a scholarship at this point. Cal Poly and San Francisco have both offered a visit to Russell, while Hawaii and Northeastern will be visiting Arizona this week (Wednesday).
According to Roberts, Russell does have a clear leader at this point in his recruitment and that he plans to take some official recruiting visits before determining his decision.
Russell was selected last summer by our Arizona Preps' staff for an invite for the Reebok Breakout Camp in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in July - a camp organized and hosted by NBA guard John Wall (Washington Wizards).
Russell advised me that he has a 2.9 CUM GPA, and achieved a 19 on his ACT college entrance examination.
Arizona Preps will continue to follow this story closely and bring you any updates as they develop.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Russell is as talented a guard prospect as there is in the state. His superior athleticism and quickness allows him to make plays most prospects his size cannot. He is a relentless driver of the basketball and has explosive quickness off the dribble, which he is able to use to create space off the dribble and finish plays. He has a nice jump shot shooting stroke, which he uses to make himself tough to defend off the bounce. Russell's shot selection can be questionable at times, but he makes up for it with his tenacious attitude on the floor - always wearing his game face. He is an excellent defender and can become a lock-down defender if he chooses to focus on it, but he has excellent lateral quickness and is known for beating his man to the spot on the floor. Russell is an excellent passer and has excellent court vision to boot, but he does gamble at times, but you can live with it. A very good penetrator that finishes plays over biger defenders, and also sets his teammates up nicely. A big-time sleeper prospect. Decommitted from USC.
