Washington Huskies: Basketball recruiting
SEATTLE -- When it comes to pitching a program, it helps when coaches have something to sell.
As far as Washington assistant basketball coach Jim Shaw is concerned, the Huskies’ No. 1 recruiting asset is head coach Lorenzo Romar.
“Coach Romar is such a high-character person, someone who is so attractive to people, we try to really sell him and what it is he really stands for,” Shaw said. “We feel that is a big magnet for our program, just having someone like him as the head coach.”
As far as Washington assistant basketball coach Jim Shaw is concerned, the Huskies’ No. 1 recruiting asset is head coach Lorenzo Romar.
“Coach Romar is such a high-character person, someone who is so attractive to people, we try to really sell him and what it is he really stands for,” Shaw said. “We feel that is a big magnet for our program, just having someone like him as the head coach.”
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SG Johnson entrusts talent to UW staff 
October, 14, 2012
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Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
For Darin Johnson it was the right time to make a decision.
After taking some time to think about which school best fit his future, the 6-foot-4, 190-pound shooting guard (Sacramento, Calif./Sheldon) announced Sunday he will play college basketball at Washington.
“They’ve got a good thing going with that staff,” Johnson said. “I’m trying to get to the next level. I feel like they’ve got the perfect plan for me."
After taking some time to think about which school best fit his future, the 6-foot-4, 190-pound shooting guard (Sacramento, Calif./Sheldon) announced Sunday he will play college basketball at Washington.
“They’ve got a good thing going with that staff,” Johnson said. “I’m trying to get to the next level. I feel like they’ve got the perfect plan for me."
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SG Darin Johnson commits to Washington
October, 14, 2012
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Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
Darin Johnson announced Sunday he will play college basketball at Washington.
"Just committed to the University of Washington!!" the senior said on his Twitter page, giving a verbal commitment to the Huskies.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound shooting guard (Sacramento, Calif./Sheldon) picked Washington over Oregon and San Diego State. He recently visited Washington with Huskies point guard commit Nigel Williams-Goss (Henderson, Nev./Findlay Prep) and forward Aaron Gordon (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty), who is rated the No. 6 player in the ESPN 100.
"Just committed to the University of Washington!!" the senior said on his Twitter page, giving a verbal commitment to the Huskies.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound shooting guard (Sacramento, Calif./Sheldon) picked Washington over Oregon and San Diego State. He recently visited Washington with Huskies point guard commit Nigel Williams-Goss (Henderson, Nev./Findlay Prep) and forward Aaron Gordon (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty), who is rated the No. 6 player in the ESPN 100.
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SG Darin Johnson looks back on UW trip
October, 10, 2012
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Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
When Darin Johnson looks at Washington’s basketball team, he sees a program that produces pros.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound shooting guard (Sacramento, Calif./Sheldon) sees Terrence Ross and Tony Wroten Jr. preparing for their rookie seasons. He sees second-year guard Isaiah Thomas playing well for the Sacramento Kings. Johnson sees the success of those players and looks at the Huskies’ coaching staff as a group that does a good job developing guards.
“They have produced a lot of pros,” Johnson said. “They develop guards that come into their program. That’s big, not only getting to the next level, but to also develop them, so when they get to the next level they actually do something.”
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound shooting guard (Sacramento, Calif./Sheldon) sees Terrence Ross and Tony Wroten Jr. preparing for their rookie seasons. He sees second-year guard Isaiah Thomas playing well for the Sacramento Kings. Johnson sees the success of those players and looks at the Huskies’ coaching staff as a group that does a good job developing guards.
“They have produced a lot of pros,” Johnson said. “They develop guards that come into their program. That’s big, not only getting to the next level, but to also develop them, so when they get to the next level they actually do something.”
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From a high school standpoint, San Jose (Calif.) Archbishop Mitty coach Tim Kennedy considers Aaron Gordon “as good as it gets.”
The 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward has the ability to take over a high school game, whether it is on the perimeter or in the post.
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'Keep your head up:' Tuckers play for dad
September, 19, 2012
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Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
Mason Kelley/ESPN.comBrothers DeeShawn (left) and D'Londo Tucker honor their father, Herman, who was killed earlier this month.The 6-foot-1, 175-pound defensive back/wide receiver had hauled in two touchdown passes during a 43-7 victory he called “one of the best games of my career.”
He wanted to share the moment with his father, Herman, who was unable to attend.
But, when Tucker walked through the front door, Herman had to leave. He told his son he was going to drop off a friend but planned to make it back in time to watch the replay on TV.
That was the last time Tucker saw his father. A few hours later -- at about 3 a.m. Sept. 7 at a Motel 6 in SeaTac, Wash. -- Herman was shot and killed.
Back at the house, before the shooting, Tucker watched a replay of his game, reveling in his prime-time performance. He started to get tired around halftime on the replay. He called his father, who said he would head home as quickly as he could.
Herman had watched the live broadcast and, before he hung up, told Tucker he had done a good job.
That was the last time the teenager talked to his father.
Basketball recruit Josh Martin transfers
August, 23, 2012
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Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
Former Seattle Prep basketball standout Josh Martin has enrolled at Bothell (Wash.) High School.
After spending his first two seasons at Seattle Prep, his parents, who own a small business, decided to pull him out of private school due to the current economic climate.
The family recently moved to Bothell, so the 6-foot-7, 210-pound power forward will play for the Cougars this season, joining point guard Zach LaVine, who committed to UCLA in June. LaVine is rated the No. 48 player in the ESPN 100. Martin is rated the No. 2 junior in Washington.
Martin, a three-star recruit who plays AAU basketball for Friends of Hoop, has a Washington offer.
After spending his first two seasons at Seattle Prep, his parents, who own a small business, decided to pull him out of private school due to the current economic climate.
The family recently moved to Bothell, so the 6-foot-7, 210-pound power forward will play for the Cougars this season, joining point guard Zach LaVine, who committed to UCLA in June. LaVine is rated the No. 48 player in the ESPN 100. Martin is rated the No. 2 junior in Washington.
Martin, a three-star recruit who plays AAU basketball for Friends of Hoop, has a Washington offer.
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Basketball prospect Josh Martin to transfer
August, 13, 2012
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Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
Highly touted basketball recruit Josh Martin has withdrawn from Seattle (Wash.) Seattle Prep, his mother, Debbie, confirmed Monday.
Martin’s family owns a small business and, after considering the economy’s current climate, his parents decided to take the 6-foot-7, 210-pound power forward out of private school.
“The reality is that it’s no longer financially feasible for us to send Josh to private school,” Debbie said.
Martin’s family owns a small business and, after considering the economy’s current climate, his parents decided to take the 6-foot-7, 210-pound power forward out of private school.
“The reality is that it’s no longer financially feasible for us to send Josh to private school,” Debbie said.
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ABOUT HUSKY NATION
Mason Kelley
Mason Kelley joined ESPN.com in 2012 and covers Washington recruiting. Kelley came to ESPN after spending three years as the high school sports coordinator at The Seattle Times. He has written about high school, college and professional sports since 2004, working for newspapers in Florida, California, Idaho and Washington. He currently lives in Seattle and can be reached at masonkelleyESPN@gmail.com.