Long Island's Mike Sands Makes Decision

Scout.com's Brian Towey has an update on Michael Sands ...

Mike Sands, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound power forward from H. Frank Carey High School in Franklin Square, New York, gave a verbal commitment to Yale University.

"He committed going on a month ago," said Bobby Sands, Mike's dad. "But we hadn't told anybody because we wanted to make sure he had gotten in. He decided it's where he wanted to be."

Mr. Sands added: "He's just always wanted to go Ivy. He just loved the university. And we all loved the coach."

Sands, who improved his standing as a Division I prospect with his play at the Eastern Invitational Camp at the College of New Jersey in July, is a solid prospect for the Ivy League.

Sands, a rising senior, is a four-man who likes to play facing the rim. In addition, Sands can knock down the mid and long-range jumper and take bigger players off the dribble. He runs the floor well, has a strong basketball body, and does a nice job of attacking the rim, with the body control to convert close to the goal.

"He is big and strong," Mr. Sands said. "I think they like the fact that he's only 16 years old and he's not even close to being physically mature. He's66-7 and 210 pounds of solid muscle."

Michael also seriously considered Princeton. He had offers from Lafayette, Siena, and Quinnipiac but he had decided to go Ivy. He took visits to Princeton and Yale.

Sands averaged 21 points and 13 rebounds as a junior at Carey. Sands is an excellent student, possessing a 93 average.

"It was his dream to go to Yale," Mr. Sands said.