Has timetable changed for TCC star Scott

A decision that once appeared to be just inches away, now feels more like miles. According to Tallahassee Community College head coach Eddie Barnes, guard/forward Dustin Scott is almost certain to put off his signing until the spring, thanks in part to a recent honor.

Scott was named the nation's junior college preseason player of the year by Street and Smith in their just-released basketball preview magazine. Until the attention he's recently attracted, culminating in the Street and Smith honor, the South Carolina native said he would sign in November – with USF or Virginia Commonwealth as the likely destination. Scott visited South Florida the last weekend in September.

Now, Barnes said he'd be very surprised if a decision was forthcoming.

"He could walk into my office today and tell me he's ready to sign. That would certainly make it easier on me, but I think he's going to wait until after the season," Barnes said. "At first, he was focused on staying close to home. He still doesn't want to go out west, but I think now he sees he can increase the boundaries a little bit."

While Scott continues to talk with USF and VCU, Barnes said his star scorer is also being vigorously pursued by Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Maryland. Although all of those schools were involved at varying levels prior to Scott's Street and Smith recognition, Barnes said Scott's new status has had an impact.

"Most people saw him last year and knew what kind of a player he was, so that hasn't changed. But the big boys are all after him," Barnes said.

Scott (6-foot-8) led TCC to the championship game at the NJCAA Tournament last season. He was the team's leading rebounder, averaging 8.5 per game, and its second-leading scorer with 13.5 points per game. He averaged 8.8 points and 10.8 rebounds at the national tournament.

"He comes to work every day. He's a blue-collar guy. He's a tremendous kid and he's very humble, but I think this does put more pressure on him," Barnes said. "You have to know how to handle it. He comes from a small-town atmosphere, so you just hope it doesn't change him. He hasn't given me any indication it will."

USF has one known commitment for the early signing period – Lake Wales High School combo guard Dominque Jones. The signing period opens Nov. 8.