RECRUITING: Findlay Prep seniors begin taking official visits

Cory Joseph and Godwin Okonji could be weeks or even months away from picking their college basketball programs.

But the Findlay Prep seniors are taking important steps in the recruiting process as their tours of official visits get under way.

Joseph, a point guard, made his first official visit to Texas last weekend. He plans to schedule other trips after cutting down the list of schools he is considering this weekend.

“I’m looking for style of play, relationship with coaches and the best situation for me,” Joseph said. “The best situation for me, that’s where I’m going to go.”

Joseph said an “up and down, quick style” would best suit him.

Joseph said Connecticut, Villanova, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Texas, Kansas and UNLV are among the schools he is considering.

He was joined on his visit to Texas by Findlay Prep senior forward Tristan Thompson, who gave an oral commitment to the Longhorns in March 2008.

Findlay Prep’s first McDonald’s All-American, guard Avery Bradley, signed with Texas last year.

“Me and Tristan went down there and saw Avery, we had a great time,” Joseph said. “The visit went well.”

Rivals.com ranks the 6-foot-3-inch Joseph the No. 7 overall prospect in the class of 2010.

“Cory is a true point guard,” Findlay Prep coach Michael Peck said. “He’s got a lot of intangibles that make him special. He’s a leader, he’s a winner, and he’s got the athletic skill set to go with that.”

Okonji, a power forward, is scheduled to visit New Mexico this weekend and Hawaii from Oct. 10-11.

“Basically I just want to go there and get the feel of the school, see how they are basketball-wise and academics as well,” Okonji said.

Okonji said Texas Tech also is recruiting him, though it is yet to offer. UNLV is not in the mix.

“Godwin is versatile,” Peck said. “I envision him at the next level being a three or four. He just continues to get better every single day.”

Findlay Prep is coming off a 33-0 season in which it won the inaugural National High School Invitational on the way to a No. 1 ranking in USA Today’s final poll.

The Pilots are scheduled to play three local schools this season, including defending Class 4A state champion Bishop Gorman at the Orleans Arena on Dec. 12.