Talented Linn-Mar point guard in midst of recruiting process

Marcus Paige is headed to Chapel Hill.

Don't get too excited. Linn-Mar's junior point guard hasn't decided to join Ames' Harrison Barnes as a North Carolina Tar Heel.

He doesn't even have a scholarship offer from the school ... yet. A planned trip this weekend is strictly a reconnaissance mission, an unofficial visit to see what one of college basketball's storied programs is all about.

“Things have changed a little bit,” Paige said of his recruitment. “I used to say I wanted this all done earlier than later. Right now, by the end of this season, I'll probably have a list of about six or seven schools that I'll have it cut down to. I'll work from there, and whatever feels right. The timetable isn't really important.”

There are some heavy hitters after the 6-foot lefty, listed as a four-star recruit by rivals.com.

UCLA is the latest biggie to offer him a scholarship. Kansas has, too, and he was in Lawrence for its version of Midnight Madness last month. Paige also has taken an unofficial visit to Illinois.

Clemson, Virginia, Minnesota and Michigan are involved as well. Then, of course, there's Iowa and Iowa State.

Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery and Iowa State's Fred Hoiberg watched Paige last Tuesday at Waukee and McCaffery was at Linn-Mar last Saturday night when the Lions played Bettendorf. He chatted postgame with Linn-Mar coaches outside their locker room, with Paige standing about five to 10 feet away.

This is officially an “evaluation period,” so NCAA rules do not allow a coach and recruit to have direct communication unless it is on campus.

“Marcus is starting to develop (physically),” Linn-Mar Coach Chris Robertson said, calling Paige his most improved player from a year ago. “His lower body is really explosive, and his upper body is catching up. He has continued to develop, and he will.”

Paige said he has gained about 15 pounds and has a playing weight near 165. He worked hard on his jump shot over the summer in AAU ball and looked very smooth in making 10 of 12 field goals against Bettendorf.

In two games, he has hit 15 of his 19 shots from the field, including 3 of 4 3-pointers, and 15 of 18 free throws. The rest of his game has always been there: quickness and athleticism, passing, vision and leadership.

“All of us have made the right steps to get better,” Paige said with typical modesty. “For me, it was just shooting shots every day. Getting the jump shot better ... Then it was just getting stronger and quicker. Ball handling, skill stuff every day. Watching tape of my old games to see how good my decision making (was). That's one of my strengths, I guess. But you can even improve on your strengths sometimes.”