NOTES: Gorman’s Zimmerman won’t rush decision on college

Stephen Zimmerman has been methodical in his approach throughout the recruiting process.

With less than two months remaining until signing day, the 7-foot senior center for Bishop Gorman’s boys basketball team is not about to change.

“Me and my parents are trying to be really patient with it and make sure that I make the right decision,” Zimmerman said this week. “It’s really just wherever I feel comfortable. Whenever I commit, I don’t plan on decommitting. I feel like I’ll stay loyal to my word and go where I commit.”

Zimmerman and his family had in-home visits during the past two weeks with the coaching staffs from each of his seven finalists, beginning with UNLV on Sept. 9. In addition to Rebels coach Dave Rice and his staff, Zimmerman hosted coaches from Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina and UCLA.

Zimmerman also met with Notre Dame’s staff, but said he is not currently considering the Fighting Irish.

Now that Zimmerman has met with the coaching staffs, the next step is his five official visits.

”Once I get done with those, hopefully I’ll have a very good clue of where I want to go,” he said.

Zimmerman’s first visit is scheduled for Kansas on the weekend of Oct. 11, followed by Kentucky (Oct. 18), UCLA (Oct. 25) and Arizona (Nov. 7). He is in the process of rescheduling his visit to North Carolina after being one of 53 players invited Tuesday to the USA Basketball men’s junior national team minicamp.

Gorman teammate Chase Jeter and Centennial sophomore Troy Brown Jr. also were invited to the camp Oct. 4 and 5 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Zimmerman said he is familiar enough with UNLV that he doesn’t need to take an official visit to the hometown school.

The early signing period for basketball runs from Nov. 12 to 19, and if Zimmerman does not sign a letter of intent then, the soonest he could do so is April 15, 2015.

Zimmerman is ranked as the No. 10 player in the class of 2015 by ESPN.com and Rivals.com and No. 14 by Scout.com. He is the lone uncommitted player from the trio of local top-25 recruits; Jeter (Duke) and Las Vegas High small forward Re’Kwon Smith (Arizona) made oral commitments this summer.

“I’m really happy for them, happy that they found the school they like,” Zimmerman said. “I’m just waiting for my turn, waiting till I find the school that me and my family believe is the best for me.”

■ AREA SOCCER TEAMS RANKED — The Eldorado and Las Vegas boys are each ranked in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America Region VIII poll.

The defending Division I state champion Sundevils are No. 4 in the region, while Las Vegas is ranked ninth. Eldorado (8-0) also received votes in the NSCAA national top 25 poll.

In addition, Bishop Gorman’s girls are ranked No. 7 in the Region VI poll, and Coronado is tied at No. 15. Neither team received votes in the national poll.

■ GAELS STAY PUT — The Bishop Gorman football team remained at No. 2 in the USA Today Super 25 rankings, setting up this week’s showdown against top-ranked St. John Bosco (Calif.). The game is at 6 p.m. Friday at Gorman and will be televised on ESPN (Cox Cable 30).

Contact reporter David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidSchoenLVRJ.