Brandon Peterson, a senior this year at Erwin High School in Birmingham, AL, is looking for big things to happen this year. Peterson is rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals.

The 6-foot-8 small forward said, "I wanna win me a state championship." When I informed him that his buddy from the Birmingham ICE, Eric Bledsoe, was also planning on winning state, Peterson said, "Well, I hope he plays well, but in the end our team will get the best of it. We’ll just see what happens."

For those out of the southeast, or even outside of Birmingham, you may not know much about Brandon Peterson and what type of player he is. Well, Peterson is a small forward who can go inside and out. He has the ability to step outside and hit the three or get the ball under the basket and finish strong. According to Peterson, he's the kind of guy that could fit an up-tempo offense very well. "I love The University of Tennessee because I love their style of play," Peterson said. "They get up and down the court. Bruce Pearl lets his players play their style of play."

In terms of what is going to happen with Brandon after his senior season is over, he said that he is being recruited by Arkansas- Little Rock, Arkansas State, Murray State, Jacksonville University, South Florida, Tennessee, Jacksonville State, and Georgia State. "I’m a player who wants to come in and help win and to help get that team over the hump and possibly help win a national title," said Peterson.

If you ever wanted to see a guy who has flown under the radar and could be a real surprise to some lucky college coach, look right at Brandon Peterson. I will try to get out to a couple of his games this year to keep you guys updated. I may even try to get some video.

Short Q&A with Brandon Peterson

BH: What all have you been up to this summer?
BP: "Just playing in a couple tournaments, trying to get exposed."

BH: What was your favorite moment and why?
BP: "When we went to Memphis after leaving South Carolina, and we won a championship there. It was good to know that we could leave one city and go to another and win like that."

BH: Which player did you enjoy facing up against this summer the most?
BP: "LaQuinton Ross cause he was a good matchup."

BH: Tell the readers a little bit about your game.
BP: "I am a face-up forward who can step out and hit a couple threes but also get the ball under the basket and finish strong in the paint."

BH: And what are you listed at (height and weight wise)?
BP: "I am listed as 6’7, but once I remeasure I think I’ll be up to about 6’8” now."

BH: If a college coach were to read this, why should his or her school recruit you?
BP: "Because I’m a player who wants to come in and help win and to help get that team over the hump and possibly help win a national title."

BH: What aspect of your game do you need to work on the most?
BP: "Strength and speed."

BH: What is your role when you step on the floor?
BP: "To play with energy."

BH: Who is your favorite player…college and NBA?
BP: "College, was Chris Douglas-Roberts. In the NBA I like Lebron James and Tracy McGrady."

BH: What schools are you getting recruiting interest from?
BP: "Arkansas LR, Arkansas State, Murray State, Jacksonville University, South Florida, Tennessee, Jacksonville State, Georgia State…and I can’t think of anymore right now."

BH: What schools are YOU interested in the most?
BP: "Probably Arkansas State, Arkansas Little Rock, Murray State and UNC-Greensborough...because they seem the most interested."

BH: If you could go to ANY school, what school would you go to? Your dream school?
BP: "University of Tennessee because I love their style of play, they get up and down the court. Bruce Pearl lets his players play their style of play. I just love that orange."

BH: Do you have a timeline on when you’re going to make a decision?
BP: "I am gonna sign in the early period, in November."

BH: Are you more than likely going to try to get away?
BP: "Yeah, because most schools that are recruiting me are out of Birmingham."

BH: Is UAB not recruiting you?
BP: "Well, I talk to them when I see them but they don’t seem too interested."

BH: What’s your favorite part about being recruited?
BP: "Just knowing that you are going to help your parents, so you can go to school without paying for it…go to school and get a free education."

BH: What’s your least favorite part?
BP: "The phone calls. New people calling everyday."

BH: What’s in your iPod?
BP: "Gucci Mane, Little Wayne, Little Boosie"

BH: What do you like to do in your spare time (besides basketball)?
BP: "Watch TV, play on the computer and that’s about it."

BH: If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?
BP: "I would buy my folks a house, buy me a house and probably…buy a plane."

BH: What is one thing you are looking forward to the most about going to college?
BP: "Meeting new people."

BH: Tell the readers one thing about yourself that sets you apart…
BP: "I’m a nice guy…I play a lot. I’m a joker."
For another great bit on Brandon Peterson, check out his blog and bio over on GBOA Hoops.
Peterson Bio
Peterson Blog

Shumpert was highly pursued after he had a solid performance at a late-summer AAU event (Fullcourt Press All-West Camp in Los Angeles). Indiana, UAB, Oregon State, Saint Mary's and UNLV were just a few of the schools pursuing Shumpert.

The 6-foot-7 forward averaged a triple-double this past season for the Santa Rita High School Eagles (11.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 10.6 blocks per game) has seen his stock skyrocket in the past week after being named to the top 20 of last weekend's Fullcourt Press All-West Camp in Los Angeles.

According to the Tuscon Citizen, "Shumpert flew under the radar until his senior year when he transferred from Sahuarita - a Class 3A school where Shumpert starred for the Mustangs - to Santa Rita".

See video of Shumpert here:

"He's going to make his own decision like I did," C.J. said. "I didn't even talk
to him about it but I asked him if it's cool if I went to Memphis. It's 50-50,
that he goes to the same school and I'm even still there."

Scout.com describes C.J. Henry as a guard with "a nice body" and "an adept driver who does a good job of protecting the basketball on his way to the rim." C.J. was a 3-star prospect in the 2005 recruiting class on both Scout and Rivals. He averaged 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists per game as a junior in high school.

This commitment may be a sign of things to come for Abdul Gaddy. Gaddy, the number two rated point guard in the 2009 class, decommitted from Arizona in May but has continued to list the Wildcats as an option for his final destination.

"Dowell is truly a 'hidden gem' in the class of 2009," ESPN's National Recruiting Director Bob Gibbons said. "He (Dowell) is a true point guard with a high basketball I.Q. and is an outstanding playmaker. He can hit three-pointers but has a pass-first mentality."