dean_siu
08-21-2006, 01:34 PM
I'm not sure how strongly the Braves were after this kid, but I noticed this in today's Las Vegas Review Journal and thought I'd share.....
Rebels add Rutledge to backcourt for '07
Juco guard, 23, gives basketball second chance
By MATT YOUMANS
REVIEW-JOURNAL
It took Mareceo Rutledge two years to figure out his future was not looking so bright. He was working in a furniture warehouse, loading trucks and punching a time clock.
After graduating from high school in Sacramento, Rutledge moved to Atlanta with his girlfriend and got a blue-collar job.
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"I was not really taking basketball very serious," he said. "I was basically working and making no money at all.
"I didn't want to find myself working at a furniture store the rest of my life. I wanted to give myself an opportunity."
Rutledge broke up with his girlfriend, moved back home and eventually enrolled at Yuba College in Marysville, Calif. He started taking basketball and school seriously.
And his work is paying off. Rutledge has given an oral commitment to attend UNLV, and the 6-foot-3-inch, 225-pound guard will be eligible to play as a junior during the 2007-08 season.
Rebels coach Lon Kruger, prohibited from commenting on recruits because of NCAA rules, has three more scholarships available for next season's class.
Lamar Roberson, a 6-7 forward, announced in July his plans to transfer from Houston to UNLV. Roberson is expected to practice with the team this season and will be eligible as a sophomore in the fall of 2007.
Rutledge, 23, starred at Natomas High School in Sacramento, but at the time he was not interested in college.
"I knew I was good," he said. "My high school coach told me some schools were calling, but I never saw any letters or anything like that."
He spent three years in low-wage jobs before going to Yuba College.
As a freshman, he averaged 22.7 points for a 23-10 team. He hit 119 3-point shots to break the school record of 109.
"I can shoot and go to the basket. I guess you can say my specialty is the 3-point shot," Rutledge said. "Honestly, my defense was lacking a little bit last year, but this summer I've been working on it to improve."
He said UNLV was the first major program to show interest in him last year, with assistant coach Greg Grensing the primary recruiter.
Rutledge said it is important to him to stay close to home and he chose the Rebels over Bradley and Long Beach State.
"I wanted to make it convenient for my mom to come see me play," he said.
Rebels add Rutledge to backcourt for '07
Juco guard, 23, gives basketball second chance
By MATT YOUMANS
REVIEW-JOURNAL
It took Mareceo Rutledge two years to figure out his future was not looking so bright. He was working in a furniture warehouse, loading trucks and punching a time clock.
After graduating from high school in Sacramento, Rutledge moved to Atlanta with his girlfriend and got a blue-collar job.
Advertisement
"I was not really taking basketball very serious," he said. "I was basically working and making no money at all.
"I didn't want to find myself working at a furniture store the rest of my life. I wanted to give myself an opportunity."
Rutledge broke up with his girlfriend, moved back home and eventually enrolled at Yuba College in Marysville, Calif. He started taking basketball and school seriously.
And his work is paying off. Rutledge has given an oral commitment to attend UNLV, and the 6-foot-3-inch, 225-pound guard will be eligible to play as a junior during the 2007-08 season.
Rebels coach Lon Kruger, prohibited from commenting on recruits because of NCAA rules, has three more scholarships available for next season's class.
Lamar Roberson, a 6-7 forward, announced in July his plans to transfer from Houston to UNLV. Roberson is expected to practice with the team this season and will be eligible as a sophomore in the fall of 2007.
Rutledge, 23, starred at Natomas High School in Sacramento, but at the time he was not interested in college.
"I knew I was good," he said. "My high school coach told me some schools were calling, but I never saw any letters or anything like that."
He spent three years in low-wage jobs before going to Yuba College.
As a freshman, he averaged 22.7 points for a 23-10 team. He hit 119 3-point shots to break the school record of 109.
"I can shoot and go to the basket. I guess you can say my specialty is the 3-point shot," Rutledge said. "Honestly, my defense was lacking a little bit last year, but this summer I've been working on it to improve."
He said UNLV was the first major program to show interest in him last year, with assistant coach Greg Grensing the primary recruiter.
Rutledge said it is important to him to stay close to home and he chose the Rebels over Bradley and Long Beach State.
"I wanted to make it convenient for my mom to come see me play," he said.