SOC's Arthur cancels news conference to announce decision

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

I see someone posted a Rivals story. Here's the DMN Take

SOC's Arthur cancels news conference to announce decision
11:52 AM CDT on Monday, May 8, 2006
By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News



Darrell Arthur's long, strange recruitment continues.

The South Oak Cliff McDonald's All-American has cancelled an afternoon news conference to announce his college decision. Arthur was expected to pick between Baylor, Kansas and LSU.

"I'm just as surprised as you all are," said SOC coach James Mays II.

Mays said he didn't know the cause for the delay, but said that he had talked to Arthur and Arthur had seemed ready to make the announcement.

"I'm just the messenger," Mays said.

Most elite seniors signed letters of intent in November. Arthur, ranked the No. 16 senior in the nation and the No. 3 power forward by Rivals.com, said all along that he would wait until the end of his senior season to make his choice.

But after leading SOC to back-to-back Class 4A state titles and earning his second title-game MVP honor in March, The Dallas Morning News boys basketball Player of the Year seemed no closer to a decision.

At times, his exhaustive recruitment seemed to include everyone and favor no one. Late Sunday afternoon, Mays and Arthur's mother, Sandra, said Arthur was on the verge of making a decision and today's news conference was confirmed.

Arthur is a smooth, agile forward who can play above the rim and run the floor. He played his best in big games, which he dominated for stretches.