By Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Ending months of speculation, former Rice High school basketball standout Kadeem Jack has finalized his plans, at least for now.
In a decision he announced on MSG Varsity television Tuesday night, Jack will attend Rutgers University in 2011, after spending a year at South Kent Prep School.
"About to start something new at Rutgers!!" he exclaimed on his Facebook page.
The announcement ends a tumultuous recruiting season for Jack, who first wavered between going to prep school, a common choice for players to either bulk up or get their grades in order, and going straight to college.
According to multiple sources, Jack's grades would have been good enough to get him into any four-year school. His advisor told DNAinfo.com earlier that he wanted to focus on getting his game better before heading into Division I hoops.
In May, he seemed to be leaning towards college with both Kentucky and North Carolina showing interest.
Then, in a text message earlier this month, Jack's advisor Damian Leslie said he was deciding between Rutgers, Arkansas, West Virginia and Miami.
While pondering his decision, Jack had been concentrating on his workouts and attending different camps and all-star games throughout the summer, according to Leslie.
He is currently in Turkey at the FIBA championships with a group of New York players, the New York Post reported.
He visited Rutgers in June, according to zagsblog.com, where Leslie has a close relationship with an assistant coach.
Jack's decision to attend Rutgers will give the Scarlet Knights a strong boost to a long rebuilding process following the hiring of Mike Rice last spring.
"I think the red wave is the way to go," Jack said in the segment on MSG Varsity. "Mike Rice [is] trying to start new things.”
He will also be joined by his South Kent teammate Malick Kone and four-star point guard Myles Mack.
