By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Roy Bright's legal guardian and AAU coach has had his eye on coach Bob Huggins and the University of Cincinnati basketball program since Bright was in the eighth grade. "I always felt like coach Huggins was the best fit for Roy," David Smith said.

Bright, a 6-6, 215-pound forward from Mt. Zion Christian Academy in Durham, N.C., will have the chance to find out if his guardian was right. He made an oral commitment to UC during his official recruiting visit Saturday and said he intends to sign a letter-of-intent during the early signing period that begins Nov. 12.

Bright is the second player to commit to UC, joining Atlanta guard Vincent Banks. The Bearcats still have one more scholarship to give for next year.

"I told coach Huggins this is the right place for me," Bright said. "I think I fit in and can help the program right away."

Bright is rated among the top 50 prospects in the country by most recruiting services. PrepStars rates him as high as No. 15.

Bright and Smith both watched the Bearcats conduct a public scrimmage at Fifth Third Arena on Saturday afternoon. They also watched practice after arriving on the UC campus Friday afternoon.

"I told coach Huggins the visit was great," Smith said, "but the most important thing to us is what happens between the lines and in the classroom. He demands a lot, but at the end of the day, you know you're going to get better and you know he cares about his players. I picked up on that right away."

THE NEW KAREEM: It was only an intrasquad scrimmage, but if Kareem Johnson plays this season the way he did against his teammates Saturday afternoon, he will easily be the most improved player on the UC basketball team.

Johnson, a 6-7 senior center who struggled last year in his first season at UC, scored 15 points and pulled down five rebounds for the Black team, which lost to the White team 57-52.

The White team featured James White, Rob Whaley, Jamaal Lucas, Field Williams, Jason Maxiell and Asrangue Souleymane.

Along with Johnson, the Black team had Armein Kirkland, Tony Bobbitt, Eric Hicks, John Meeker and Field Williams. Bobbitt and White each scored 17 points, and Maxiell scored 15.

Johnson's performance was remarkable because of how far he's come since averaging only 2.4 points and 4.3 rebounds last year.

"He really worked hard," said UC coach Bob Huggins. "I don't know that we've had anybody make as dramatic an improvement with his body and his game as he's had. He's been great."

White, who doesn't become eligible until Dec. 20, was also impressive, especially in transition.

"He passes the ball," Huggins said. "He gives you another ballhandler on the floor."

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E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com