Visits to be planned for Perry

July recruiting made Coach Mick Cronin's priority list glaringly clear. He wants a power forward. Immediately.

Like fifty other schools the Bearcats would gladly take Jermaine Lawrence, but luring a five-star target can be nearly impossible.

More likely to ultimately consider the Cincinnati basketball program is Floridian Chris Perry.

Perry and his supporters plan to decide by the Early Signing Period. Last week he narrowed the list to six.

Miami, Tulsa, Cincinnati, Butler, USF, and Murray State are his finalists.

Butler and Cincinnati are leaders, though the Chris Perry won't admit as much just yet.

E1T1 17U Head Coach Edward Francis and 16U Head Coach Tony Atkins were thrilled with Perry's July play.

The powerful low post presence played in front of three difference UC coaches in July. A handful of times two coaches watched him simultaneously.

UC is in a great position to get a visit from Perry.

"We haven't set any visits," said Coach Francis. "We are getting ready to get into that. I thought I would give him some time off after a long season."

Coach Francis spoke glowingly of Perry during Peach Jam. The 6'8" powerlifting forward shocked everyone with his more than capable replacement of Class of 2014 superstar Dakari Johnson.

Without Dakari the E1T1 squad needed someone to step in. Perry did more than step in. He often absorbed two defenders and fought for countless offensive rebounds against high major prospects.

"Chris had only been averaging 10-12 minutes a game because Dakari gives us so much," said E1T1 Assistant Coach Tony Atkins. "That is shame on us. (Coach Francis) asked him to give a double-double. He took the challenge and took it upon himself. We put some pressure on him and we are happy for him. That is good for him and us."

Coming out of Peach Jam Perry collected several attractive offers. Cincinnati is the heavy favorite right now.

"Chris is almost like a foreign kid," said Coach Atkins. "They come over and just start developing. Chris hasn't really been in a training regimen like ours. He is just taking off and taking off. They (UC) are on him hard. We will see where he goes."

The visits he makes, even the order of visits will be telling with Chris.

"In about a week I will be able to sit down and talk with his people," said Coach Francis. "Then we will go from there."

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