Rick Pitino Coaching Puerto Rico Basketball Toward 2012 Olympics

Why in the world is Pitino interested in coaching Puerto Rico basketball, and doing it gratis? He did get his coaching start at Hawaii, so he may have a soft spot for island hoops. Other than that, Louisville is the farthest down south the New York native and former UMass guard has ever coached. Pitino says it’s because he likes turnaround projects:

The more likely answer: recruiting. The Courier-Journal’s Jody Demling reminds you the nation’s top shooting guard prospect for 2012 is Ricky Ledo, a Rhode Islander of Puerto Rican descent and a top Louisville target.