New York Lightning guard Jon Severe just now started attracting Big East offers. In fact, Cincinnati offered this past week. Many are sure to follow. Not that he didn't deserve them earlier.

"I think because I was injured last year and got better," said Severe. "I think I just got better."

The wrist injury prevented Severe from competing on the AAU circuit in 2011. Fortunately, if you can score the basketball in New York City they will find you.

Playing alongside Christ The King High School's all-time leading scorer Omar Calhoun, Severe managed to dump in a few buckets this winter.

Even during Calhoun's record-eclipsing night (February 17) Severe helped push the Royals to an overtime win over Burke Catholic.

"It is nothing about Omar," replied King Assistant Coach Jerel Cokley. "He is about the team. We defend and we run. The more we defend the more we can run up and down the court. As with any team guys make sacrifices for the betterment of the team."

Severe found shots in the offense.

"Jon Severe is a combo guard," said Coach Cokley. "His strength is really scoring in different ways. He attacks the basket, can finish above the rim, finishes in transition."

Midway through his junior season Jonathan Severe tied a Royals' school record for made three-pointers in a game.

Eight shots fell through the cylinder placing Severe's name atop the record book alongside Larry Davis (not that one). Amongst others this outpouring vaulted Severe to the New York Post All-Queens First Team.

Cincinnati coaches noticed. They offered. Now the evaluation process begins for Severe, who knows some not much about UC.

"I have seen them," said Severe. "I like the coaches. I like how they play."

Scholarship offers from Florida, Cincinnati, and Seton Hall might be enough for most stars. While Jon may ultimately select one of these teams Severe knows his game has more floors to climb.

It is not a finished product.

"I want to get my body big and work on my handles," said Severe. "I want to have perfect handles."

To completely evolve Severe needs more time on the ball. It will help him become the fearsome combo guard he can be.

"Jon is very, very aggressive with the ball in hands," said Coach Cokley. "He knows how to read screens. I couldn't even tell you. He is a smaller 2-guard that can really, really score. He is like Monta Ellis in a way. He scores the ball a lot of different ways."

During the first EYBL weekend in Minnesota Severe started for NY Lightning. The team features Dayshon Smith, Naiel Smith, Austin Carter, and Jason Boswell.

The Bearcats started evaluating Boswell last summer.

During the grueling, game-centric AAU season technical improvement is difficult. Generally players learn how to compete, not how to perfect skills.

Winning is emphasized over skill development in most cases. Jon's coach believes he will demand more of himself.

"Jon is in a great situation," said Coach Cokley. "The only thing he can do is get better at this point. He is a big time player, gym rat. The kid like that the sky is the limit. It makes my job easier when a guy wants it so bad."