Some of you have wondered about Remi Barry who UCLA, ASU, and St. Johns were all trying to recruit.  Barry is the 6'7" inch forward from Paris that on the upside looks like Matt Barnes and on the downside could be another European style Drago.  Part of the problem with Remi is he has not been able to play against "real" competition and has had a bizarre basketball career. 

Remi has a tough run.  First he came to Florida to play basketball but left because, according to him, his African American host family abused and neglected him and were racist.  He found a happy situation at a California High School but the CIF ruled him ineligible. 

Now, the NCAA is trying to decide if he is eligible.  If he can't even academically qualify for ASU then his chances for UCLA seem slim.  Which may lead him to St. John's.  It seems likely Lavin would take him if at all possible as he would love to crow about "beating" UCLA and his buddies at ESPN will serve as an echo chamber.   A few excerpts from the ESPN Blog post:

[T]he NCAA that has yet to clear him while it scrutinizes an academic record involving high schools spanning two continents.

"It's killing me," Barry said Friday in between games at the Nor Cal Summer Tip Off. . .  Barry said he has yet to decide in part to avoid a personal letdown should the NCAA not rule in his favor. He especially does not want to disappoint coaches from the programs he's considering.

On UCLA's Ben Howland: "He's a nice guy. He won't lie to you. If he tells you something, it's true."

On St. John's Steve Lavin: "He knows everybody. He's like a big daddy. You can trust him."

The Lavin "daddy" comment makes me wonder if Lavin is again taking advantage of a young naive kid and, in this case, preying on someone who is likely vulnerable.  Keep in mind, if Barry selects St. John's it may be in part due to him failing to live up to  UCLA and ASU's academic standards

In any case, it seems likely that Barry will not be able to meaningfully contribute to any team this season as he will need to get use to top competition , regular practices, etc.  He may be best served by going to a JC.