Amedeo Della Valle trims list, talks final five

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2012 guard Amedeo Della Valle out of Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, has narrowed his recruitment down to five schools. The senior from Italy, who we first profiled in mid-February, said he is still talking to and interested in Michigan, Arizona, Texas A&M, Gonzaga and Ohio State. Della Valle has only taken an unofficial visit to Arizona and an official to Texas A&M, but he plans on taking the rest of his official visits in the near future.

Assistant coach Lavall Jordan has recruited Della Valle up to this point, but head coach John Beilien is now getting into the action as well. This Thursday, Beilein is scheduled to head out to Nevada to watch Della Valle play for the first time.

I spoke with Della Valle on the phone earlier today. Here’s what he had to say about each of the five schools:

• On Michigan: “I like their system and the tradition there with players like me – big guards. I like Coach Jordan, who is recruiting me.”
• On Texas A&M: “They’re going to the SEC and they’re kind of rebuilding and bringing in new players. I already took a visit there. It was nice. The campus is nice and everything.”
• On Arizona: “They might lose a guard and I have a good relationship with Coach Miller. I can see myself fitting into the program.”
• On Ohio State: “William Buford is leaving (which means there is a spot open for a guard), and they play every year to win the championship.”
• On Gonzaga: “They have the kind of players like me.”

Della Valle said Michigan has told him there isn’t currently a spot open on the team, but that could change: “I’m not sure, but I think [maybe a spot might open]. I’m not sure though. Coach Beilein is supposed to come Thursday to my game. We’re playing some scrimmages because we play in an ESPN tournament at the end of the month, so he’s going to come out to visit and watch the scrimmage.”

Though he hasn’t visited Michigan, Della Valle hopes to soon: “I haven’t scheduled a visit yet but I would like to, of course.”