It's always funny to see local boosterism rear it's head in areas where it is supposed to be above it. Like NYC. For such a metropolitan area, their sports coverage is as bad as any podunk area when it comes to pointing out the local ties. College basketball has been harder in recent years as the talent has not stayed in the area as much; and what talent does, has really not been that great. It's a cyclical thing, but no one wants to ever hear that.Add in the marquee college basketball program -- St. John's -- has been down in the dumps for a while and things can get downright weird. Kids that are nice enough players -- and would be recruited by mid-majors and the local colleges can suddenly be elevated.
So, on its face, the news that the leading scorer of the NYC Catholic League was committing to St. John's would understandibally greeted as great news. The kid's averaging around 25 points per game. That is, until you see that Mike Cavataio's other offers were from Richmond, Hofstra and Manhattan.
It's hard to tell right now where Cavataio will fit with the Johnnies (11-8, 2-4 Big East). He's capable of getting his own shot and is an excellent decision-maker. His high basketball IQ was one of the biggest attractions. However, coaches and assistants at other Big East programs envision the 6-5 swingman as a productive role player and not someone destined for a starring role.
"He's talented and gets his own shot," said one Big East assistant coach, who asked not to be identified because it is a violation of NCAA rules to comment on a recruit. "Only time will tell about how he will develop. He's coming from a good place, a good family. But it would be a stretch to call him an impact player.",
Those other Big East programs hadn't offered him. Cavatio was not even ranked in the recruiting sites. That says more about the struggles for St. John's to get enough good recruits that they would take him for the 2007 recruiting class at this point. Kind of surprising with a decent class otherwise, that includes Power Forward Justin Burrell. Burrell is a top-100 player and top-20 PF in the 2007 class.
