Sports

A Severe wait for top recruit

Reporters, friends, classmates, opponents — they all ask Jon Severe the same thing: What college is he going to pick?

The talented shooting guard from national powerhouse Christ the King in Queens smiles sheepishly and gives everyone the same answer: “When I feel comfortable.”

After deciding not to commit during the early signing period, eschewing offers from Atlantic 10 programs Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure, Duquesne and George Washington, the 6-foot-2 Severe’s recruitment is on the rise. Alabama recently offered him a scholarship and Florida State, Georgia, Rutgers and Virginia Tech are heavily involved.

“Everybody wants to play at the highest level, but it doesn’t matter to me,” said the Brooklyn native, the top unsigned senior in the city. “I just want to play. I want to make an impact.”

Severe said Duquesne and St. Bonaventure are “recruiting me the hardest,” but he doesn’t have a timeframe for a decision. Severe is focused on his high school season, looking to lead Christ the King to a bounce-back season after the Royals shockingly fell in the CHSAA Class AA quarterfinals a year ago.

“I’m focused on my season, winning a state championship,” said Severe, who won a city title as a sophomore but fell in the state tournament.

Severe was overshadowed by a stellar freshmen class when he came to Christ the King. His sophomore year, talented teammate Isaiah Lewis was the one drawing all the attention from college coaches. But they often left impressed by Severe, Royals coach Joe Arbitello said, and now as a senior he is the team’s unquestioned leader, the key to their solid 5-1 start.

“He’s exceeding expectations,” Arbitello said. “He’s doing everything for us.”

Like everyone else, Arbitello has “no idea” what Severe is waiting for. The coach’s phone has blown up in recent weeks, besieged by college coaches interested in Severe.

“I’ve never coached anyone who can play like him,” Arbitello said. “He can really get to the basket and score it and he can really shoot it.”

For all of the sharpshooting guard’s talent, Severe’s greatest asset may be his character, said one college coach familiar with him. Severe said he has played the entire season with hamstring injuries, and last year, though the team struggled at times, he never changed.

“His life is the game of basketball,” the college coach said. “He’s addicted to winning. He cares about winning every game. He wants to be the best at every practice.”

* Bronx native Angel Nunez, a skilled 6-foot-8 wing, opted to transfer from Louisville to Gonzaga last night, according to Eric Martinez, Nunez’s advisor.

Bishop Loughlin junior shooting guard Mike Williams is drawing heavy interest from Iowa, Iowa State, Villanova, Rutgers and Long Beach State.

New Jersey product Tyrone Johnson, a 6-foot-3 point guard, transferred from Villanova to South Carolina. He will be eligible to play next December.

Syracuse commit Chris McCullough, a 6-foot-10 wing from The Bronx who attends Brewster Academy (N.H.), will remain in the Class of 2014.