Golden Gophers get first visit from Alabama point guard

Ivan McDowell, Southeast/Mid-South Editor

January 14, 2007 - Tubby Smith’s southern influence continues to be felt in the land of a thousand lakes. The former Tulsa, Georgia and Kentucky head coach, now the boss at Minnesota continues to reach back into his old stomping grounds to lure some of the Southeast’s finest players.

As the summer concluded, Smith received a verbal commitment and subsequent signed letter-of-intent from Georgia big man Ralph Sampson III. Now, he’s set to host one of the south’s more underrated and best point guards in Birmingham Central Park Christian’s (CPC) Malcolm Armstead.

B’Ham’s Malcolm Armstead

The 6-foot scoring point is dropping an eye opening 31 points 11 assists per game, while leading CPC to an undefeated 17-0 season so far. High major schools are well aware of Armstead’s ability to both score and dish the rock.

“I like Minnesota, Villanova, Tennessee, Michigan and Wake Forest right now,” says the Florence, Alabama native, who moved to the Birmingham area two seasons ago.

The Golden Gophers will get Armstead’s initial visit on January 22. No other school visits have been set up at this point.

Armstead has nice handle and is quicker than he looks, consistently getting by his man off the dribble and finishes in the paint. If you sleep on his jumper he’ll pull up in your face and drill a jumper.

Many have compared Malcolm’s game to current Golden State Warrior point guard Baron Davis; citing Armstead’s lefty handle, stocky build, deceptive quickness and of course his ability to light up the scoreboard, all as reasons for the association.

Central Park Christian will look to improve to 18-0 on Wednesday when they face Bessemer Academy.

Click here for previous Armstead coverage