June 6, 2009

Leroy Watson
TigerSportsReport.com Managing Editor

Despite a looming date with the NCAA Infractions Committee, Josh Pastner continues to hit the recruiting trail with a vengeance.

Pastner has signed Martin Ngaloro to a binding National Letter of Intent, and has a commitment from Latavious Williams, pending the results of the meeting with the NCAA. Both young men are expected on campus in the Fall.

The Tigers reeled Ngaloro in from Grenoble, France.

With so few roster spots filled going into the 2009-'10 season, one would think that Pastner, Glynn Cyprien, Jack Murphy and Willis Wilson would be at a fever pitch signing more kids for the upcoming season.

Anyone thinking that way would be dead wrong.

Memphis has scored yet another recruiting coup, perhaps the most impressive one yet, securing a commitment from Will Barton, the top-ranked scoring guard in the class of 2010, according to Rivals.

To sweeten the pot, the Tigers also received a verbal from Will's younger brother, Antonio, a three-star point guard in the class of 2010 and projected to be a high-major selection.

The brothers play high school ball at Baltimore (Md.) Lake Clifton High.

Will, who is 6'6" and weighs 170, is one of the most sought-after talents in next year's class, ranked No. 7 overall. His list of potential schools included Kentucky, Kansas, Louisville, Indiana, Maryland, Virginia, Texas, Florida and Miami.

Most of those schools also offered Antonio. This is where the story gets interesting, and how Memphis turned the tide in the recruiting battle.

It is no secret that Will had long favored Kentucky. His godfather and advisor, Roland Cox, convinced him of the wisdom of waiting a while before committing.

"I'm just encouraging them not to be one of those prospects that commits and then decommits," Cox said in an interview with Jerry Mayer. "This past season, Will wanted so badly to commit to Kentucky. But we told him it was too early. If he had committed, he would have committed to a coaching staff that isn't there anymore."

The brothers have also long made it clear that they would prefer to go to college together. When Will had Kentucky as his undisputed leader, but the Wildcats had not offered his younger brother, it made for an uncomfortable situation at the Barton household.

"The first option we are looking at is for them to play together," said Cox. "It's a strong bet that they go to the same school, but they are also considering the option of going to different schools.

"Their mom really wants them to play together, but the boys will have room to make their own decisions.

"The perfect scenario is for Kentucky to offer Antonio, but I think they are really trying to get Brandon Knight."

That offer was not forthcoming.

So, when the Bartons visited the Memphis campus this week, and Pastner was willing to offer a scholarship to both of them, it all fell into place.

Pastner had his first recruiting victory over his old boss, John Calipari.

Before the trip to the Memphis campus, this is what Cox had this to say about the boys' immediate plans:

"We're headed down to Memphis this weekend to visit," Cox began. "When we get back we will call Kentucky and set up a visit. We are going to look at those two situations and see what is best."

After their arrival and successful stay, the story had changed dramatically.

"Me and my brother decided to choose Memphis because it was a great family atmosphere," Will told Adam Zagoria. "We just went down there [to the campus] and saw it for ourselves, man."

Glynn Cyprien is already paying dividends and living up to his reputation as a crack recruiter.

"We had a great relationship with Coach [Glynn] Cyprien and Coach Pastner," Will said.

The Bartons are pleased that they will continue their basketball careers together.

"That'll be great getting to play with him," said Will. "We've been together all my life and we're trying to take it to the next level and be successful as we have been."

The Bartons were sure to speak with the coaching staff about the charges hanging over the U of M. Apparently, they are satisfied with the reassurances they were offered, and went on record as being unconcerned.

"Yes, all is settled so we're good," Will Barton said.

As befits his stature as a Top-10 national recruit, Will Barton specializes in filling up the basket, describing himself as "very versatile big wing at 6-6, a scorer. I can do a lot on the floor, get my teammates involved and make them better."

At 170-lb., he has plenty of room to fill out his long frame.

Antonio is 6 feet 2, 165 pounds and 10 months younger than Will. He began making a name for himself with his play at the Pangos All American Camp. He is quick, skilled with the basketball, and shoots his best off the dribble.

The two promise to be exciting additions to the 2010-'11 edition of the Tiger basketball team.