James Jones is racking up the early commitments, as High Hoops is reporting that Mike Sands of Carey High School in Franklin Square, NY, has verballed to Yale. According to a July article on Scout.com, the 6-6 forward also had received early interest from Columbia, Quinnipiac, Hofstra, St. Peter’s, St. Francis (NY), and Fordham, though in the end his options reportedly came down to Lafayette, Quinnipiac, Princeton, Siena, and Yale. Following a junior season in which he averaged 21 points and 13 rebounds, Sands becomes the third Long Island prep star to commit to an Ivy League program this year.

Slant: Sands reportedly enjoyed a strong performance at the Eastern Invitational Camp in early July, and his stock rose accordingly. Scout.com’s scouting report describes him as a “four-man who likes to play facing the rim.” That description sounds not unlike current Yale power forward Sam Kaplan, who is set to graduate this spring. Fellow Yale commit Garrett Fiddler also is a post player, but by all accounts, Fiddler is much more of a traditional low-post threat.

Meanwhile, Yale has four commitments already reported and just three seniors on the roster. Barring any defections, Jones is going to find himself with an overcrowded roster next fall if he brings in any additional recruits.