Last time around for Ramblers' Cerasoli
As Top 100 recruits across the nation sign letters of intent this week, it's a fitting time to revisit Justin Cerasoli's cautionary tale.
"The only thing I would say to them is, 'It's a business,' " Cerasoli said. "That's something I really didn't understand coming out of high school."
When Loyola's senior guard graduated from West Aurora in 2004, he ranked as the nation's No. 51 prospect per the Recruiting Services Consensus Index.
To put that into perspective, Cerasoli ranked just four spots behind Atlanta Hawks center (and two-time NCAA champ) Al Horford.
He also ranked three spots ahead of former Michigan State standout Drew Neitzel.
Cerasoli followed former prep coach Billy Garrett to Seton Hall, but left after one season.
He transferred to Mississippi, but left after playing just seven games.
Cerasoli switched to Loyola and became eligible at the semester break last winter, which enabled him to play 22 games and average 9.5 points.
Now he's primed to make the most of his last collegiate chance to live up to his potential.
He spent many summer nights at Proviso East, where Dee Brown and Shannon Brown would open the gym and Cerasoli played and worked out with fellow Chicagoans like Luther Head, Tony Allen, Will Bynum and the Pargo brothers.
He didn't stare at them and think what might have been.
"I feel like everything happens for a reason," Cerasoli said. "I'm a better player and a better person in the long run."
"The good thing for him, this is the first time he's been in a program for an extended period of time," said Loyola coach Jim Whitesell. "I was talking with him and he said, 'I feel a lot more comfortable.'"
Most of his teammates should feel the same way.
The Ramblers lost just one of their top seven scorers (forward Tracy Robinson) and added at least four recruits who'll contribute immediately.
Led by Cerasoli and preseason all-Horizon League point guard J.R. Blount (15.1 ppg), Loyola believes it could far exceed its predicted eighth-place finish.
The Ramblers bolstered last year's atrocious 3-point shooting (27.8 percent) by adding Danville Area Community College transfer Marcus Thomas.
They boosted their post spots with 6-foot-9 freshman John Benkoske, though they'll have to go perhaps a month without starcrossed senior Leon Young (broken hand).
"Last year we didn't have the luxury of being four-deep in the post," Whitesell said.
He also feels good enough about his perimeter depth that the final starting spot for today's opener against Div. II Rockhurst could go to Thomas, junior point guard Aric Van Weelden or skywalking freshman Jordan Hicks.