Two local big men are expected to make verbal commitments early next week.
Shagari Alleyne, Rice’s 7-foot-2 center, has narrowed his college choices to two and will announce his decision on Monday at the Manhattan school.
“Rutgers and Kentucky are the ones left,” said Rice head coach Mo Hicks. “I would like to see him stay close to home so I could get to see him play more and watch his development throughout the college years.”
Alleyne, who was named to The Post’s All-CHSAA First Team after averaging 14 points and five blocks for the Raiders, most recently eliminated Pepperdine from his list.
Also likely to make a commitment perhaps as early as Monday is former Newtown star Charlie Villanueva, who transferred to Blair Academy three years ago.
Villanueva, a 6-foot-9 forward will visit Villanova (no relation) for this weekend’s Midnight Madness. He will be met there by a slew of Villanova freshman phenoms from the area, including Allan Ray (St. Raymond’s), Bishop Loughlin’s Curtis Sumpter and Jason Fraser of Amityville, that may help him make up his mind.
He is also still considering Indiana, Illinois and Seton Hall. His decision may prove to be irrelevant, however. After impressing scouts throughout the summer, Villanueva is considering making the leap straight to the NBA, according to those around him.