Brandon Bass had told me in December at the KMOX Shootout that all the schools he was considering told him that he would get playing time as a freshman and all the programs have an up-tempo offense, that suits his playing style.
Bass helped lead the New Orleans Jazz to a Final Four spot in the recent adidas Big Time Tournament. Bass also played with Belmont Shores in the Kingwood Classic in Houston and with the NE Ohio Shooting Stars with standout LeBron James at the Mac Irvin Adidas Basketball Classic in Chicago.
Bass is an athletic forward with good strength and leaping ability. Bass was named first team All-District 4A last season after averaging 18 points, 13 rebounds, eight blocked shots and three assists per game. He was also named the District 4A Most Valuable Player and Best Defensive Player. Bass was the lone junior named to the All-State 4A squad.
Capitol finished 29-3 last season and lost in the state regionals to Ellender 85-82 in triple overtime. However, Bass is the lone returning starter on a team that has had a difficult time replacing graduated seniors Brandon Jones and Oliver Lafayette, who were both named to the All-District 4A team.
LSU signed four players in the early signing period. They inked 6-foot-8 forward Regis Koundjia of Laurinburg Institute in Laurinburg, N.C. via the Central African Republic, 6-7 forward Darnell Lazare of Woodlawn High in Baton Rouge, 5-10 point guard Taurean "Tack" Minor of Booker T. Washington High in Houston and 6-8 forward/center Ross Neltner of Highlands High in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky.