ROUX: Chris Gradnigo commits/signs with UL

[Pirogue]

This might be our biggest HS signee since Kevin Brooks.

I don't disagree.... but I remember hearing the same thing [x2] when we signed Chris Manuel and Kelvin Price...

[NewsCopy]

Chris Gradnigo just took his name off the best availables board. The 6-foot-6 small forward, rated No. 30 at his position by Scout.com, is headed to a Sun Belt program. Robert Lee’s Louisiana-Lafayette program received a boost on the perimeter this week. Highly regarded wing Chris Gradnigo selected the Cajuns after visiting Notre Dame and Arkansas. The rest of the story Chris Gradnigo By Dave Telep National Recruiting Director Scout.com

[Kal]

This can't be a surprise to you guys. I mean, who wouldn't want to play in the Cajundome. You've got roudy Ragin' Cajun fans with a brew or two in their bellies cheering you on. You get an awesome entrance. You've got the one and only Jay Walker calling your game on the radio and the legendary T.D. Smith calling the action live over the P.A. system. Don't forget a great band behind the goal and some very HOT cheerleaders on the other side. It just don't get any better than that!!!

[Just1More]

I don't disagree.... but I remember hearing the same thing [x2] when we signed Chris Manuel and Kelvin Price...

Weren't they the twin towers from New Iberia? That was in the Butch Pierre recruiting days. I would say that any Brooks, Manuel, and Price comparison is a strong compliment.

[Pirogue]

Weren't they the twin towers from New Iberia? That was in the Butch Pierre recruiting days. I would say that any Brooks, Manuel, and Price comparison is a strong compliment.

You are correct...
and I agree

[NewsCopy]

Gradnigo ranks among nation's top high school small forwards The UL men's basketball team received a huge jump-start for this year's recruiting class Wednesday, getting a verbal commitment from forward Chris Gradnigo of LaGrange High in Lake Charles. The 6-foot-7 Gradnigo, a Class 3A All-State selection last year at St. Louis High, is rated No. 4 four among state prep players by the New Orleans Times-Picayune and No. 7 by Rivals.com. The Scout.com service ranks Gradnigo as the No. 30 small forward in the nation. "I felt really comfortable with all the coaches there," Gradnigo said Wednesday. "I like the group of young players that are there. I played AAU ball with a lot of them, so I think it's a good fit for me." Gradnigo took official visits to Arkansas on Sept. 23 and to Notre Dame on Sept. 30, and canceled a visit to Cincinnati in mid-October. He took his official visit to UL last weekend. Tulane, South Florida and Colorado State had also reportedly extended offers. The Cajuns have five freshmen and seven newcomers on this year's roster and anticipate having two local products for next season in Carencro's LaRyan Gary and Northside's Randell Daigle. The rest of the story Dan McDonald dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com

[NewsCopy]

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns men’s basketball program signed one of the nation’s top prep forwards to a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday. Chris Gradnigo, a Class 3A All-State selection last year at St. Louis (La.) High School, signed to play for head coach Robert Lee’s Ragin’ Cajuns in 2007-08. Gradnigo averaged 20.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists helping lead St. Louis to a No. 1 ranking in Class 3A last year. The 6-foot-7 forward is rated No. 4 among state prep players by the New Orleans Times-Picayune and No. 7 by Rivals.com. The Scout.com service ranks Gradnigo as the No. 30 small forward in the nation. The Lake Charles American Press picked Gradnigo as southwestern Louisiana’s player of the year following his junior season. He was invited to attend the national Reebok A-B-C-D camp in New Jersey – a camp which featured the Top 120 players in the nation – this past summer. Gradnigo transferred to LaGrange High School in Lake Charles for his senior season where he will play for the Gators of coach Cary Collins. Gradnigo will be the only signing for the Ragin’ Cajuns men’s basketball program during the NCAA's early signing period. LOUISIANA SI

[weareLOUISIANA]

For all of you who thing Lee is a terrible recruiter....you should think again. I wouldnt call this guy a terrible recruit. And I also dont think that this season will be as bad as everyone thinks. These guys are making improvement.

And just wait until next years starting five arrives:

David Dees
Chris Gradnigo
LaRyan Gary
Randell Daigle/Willie Lago
and a big man to be named later.

Not to mention, Brandon Dison, Damon Forest, Corey Bloom, Wallace, Barksdale, and others that will be out there...lets just call this season.....
"The calm before the storm"

[NewsCopy]

UL men's basketball coach Robert Lee called Wednesday the third-happiest day in his decade-long career on the Cajun staff. He has one of the South's premier prep forwards to thank for that. "The first was when I was hired (as head coach) and the second was when we won the (Sun Belt) championship," Lee said. "Chris Gradnigo made this one of my best days I've had at this university." The 6-foot-7 Gradnigo, who averaged 20.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists in leading St. Louis High in Lake Charles to the state's top ranking in Class 3A last year, inked a national letter of intent with the Cajuns at an 11 a.m. ceremony Wednesday. "He was our number one target," Lee said. "His signing has the same kind of impact as when Kevin Brooks signed here. He's that level of player." The rest of the story Dan McDonald dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com