Academics. It's a word uttered quite a bit by recruits but is probably used more for "showcasing" during an interview than actually taken seriously.
But in the world of education, a recruit making a commitment to an Ivy League school is benefitting from a future great education. And make no mistake about it, those who graduate with degrees from an Ivy League school, have a tremendous head start in their careers.
It's why this site takes very seriously the commitments of area players to an Ivy League school or to any school that respectfully garners a great reputation on the educational end.
It's why we highlight the commitment of a 6-foot-7, 210-pound power forward Mike Sands from H. Frank Carey High School in Franklin Square, New York. As reported a few weeks back by Brian Towey of Scout.com, Sands gave a verbal commitment to Yale University.
Mike was a player that didn't have a big name heading into the summer. But during the month of July, he impressed several division one coaches with his play at the Eastern Invitational Camp at the College of New Jersey.
Sands will likely play the four spot on the college level. However, his offensive game is diverse enough to score facing the basket. He is athletic enough to beat bigger bodies down the floor in transition.
Only 16 years old, Sands has more time to grown physically too. There were other quality educational schools that pursued Mike as well, including Princeton, Lafayette, Siena, and Quinnipiac. But Sands made it clear he was going to the Ivy League. Mike decided to take the challenge academically.
But Sands is not only a quality student, but a solid player. He scored 21 points a game last season as a junior and grabbed 13 rebounds per contest.
But Mike's career will extend well beyond the basketball world. He took one of life's toughest challenges -- an Ivy education.