For all of October and the first half of November, I was working on previewing the Big Sky, culminating in this long-winded diatribe about the conference. In this, I missed a lot of recruiting news. In a series of three posts over the next week or so, I will go through the teams and the recruits they have signed thus far, in alphabetical order.
Eastern Washington
The Eagles signed two recruits in the early signing period, both guys that will be freshmen next season. One is guard Michael Wearne from Australia, continuing the Eagles foreign pipeline. Last year, he led his team to an undefeated season while averaging 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists.
Coach Hayford had this to say on him - "By our evaluation and most of the people we talked to in Australia, he is one of the top two point guards in that country. We are excited to sign him because he had other options and received other scholarship offers from universities here in America. We feel very fortunate that he selected us. He's a very athletic, quick guard. He can score off the dribble and he can shoot it off the pass. He can penetrate, and we think he is capable of leading our fast-break offense."
With Drew Brandon graduating, Wearne will team with current redshirt Will Ferris to give them some backcourt options.
The other signee was 6'7'' forward Jesse Hunt out of California. He averaged 17 and 10 last year, and is a skilled forward that can drive to the basket or shoot it from the outside, similar to other EWU bigs. He was also born in Australia, but has lived in the USA for his high school career. He will continue to add more depth and versatile talent in the EWU frontcourt.
Idaho
The Vandals got a commitment from 6'4'' guard Tyler Brimhall, who hails from Logan, UT. A three year player for his high school team, Brimhall averaged 17 PPG last year as a junior. Last week, he scored 32 points on six threes in a win, showing his scoring and shooting prowess. Head coach Don Verlin called him an, "excellent shooter" while also mentioning that he "has really improved his ability to finish at the rim." He will be a shooting guard for the Vandals, and looks like a nice prospect that will score a lot of points at Idaho.
Idaho State
The Bengals have signed a junior college player in 6'2'' guard Ali Faruqbey. He is a sophomore at Arizona Western College who scored 16.3 PPG last year as a freshman. He shot 46% from the floor, and 38.6% from the three-point line. He looks like a great fit for them, as they are in need of offense and shooting. With Chris Hansen being a senior, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Faruqbey step into the starting lineup next year, though that speculation is a little soon. He should at least provide some perimeter scoring for them.
Last May, they also reportedly signed a guard named Anthony Knight, though I am unsure if he qualified or is playing anywhere else.
Montana
In Travis DeCuire's first full recruiting cycle, he has a couple of early commits coming to Montana next year. DeCuire's California roots may have helped in bringing in CA guard Michael Oguine, a 6'1'' guard from Los Angeles. He averaged 12.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG,m 2.8 APG, and 2.4 SPG, and was named a first-team selection by a couple of LA newspapers. He scored 32 points in last year's state semifinal game, and 26 in the championship, which seems to have made an impression on Coach DeCuire. He should be a nice pickup for their backcourt.
Also signed was 6'7'' forward Jared Samuelson, who averaged 18 and 6 last year playing for Billings West. He can hit from outside, ans he made 40% from three-point range last season. He is a three-year starter who can handle and pass the ball. It seems as though DeCuire is continuing to recruit forwards that can play the three or the four, and shoot the ball from the outside. Samuelson fits that mold.
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Showing posts with label Recruiting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recruiting. Show all posts
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Montana State Gets Four Committments
Brian Fish has gotten a head start on next year's recruiting class with three different commitments. I am not sure who reported these first, but I'm getting my information from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
The first recruit was Illinois shooting guard Tyler Hall, who Fish first started to recruit as an assistant for Oregon. Last season, he averaged 11 PPG, and shot 56% from the floor and 35% from downtown. Per Gidal Kaiser, he had more than a dozen DI offers, including from Nevada and fellow Big Sky member Northern Arizona.
EDIT: In my original post, I missed the commitment of JUCO guard Quinton Everett. He is 6'2'', and plays for Gillette Junior College. He played last year at Little Big Horn College. Here is a scouting report from Colter Nuanez. From reading it, Fish's desire to play an up tempo game looks even more apparent.
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The first recruit was Illinois shooting guard Tyler Hall, who Fish first started to recruit as an assistant for Oregon. Last season, he averaged 11 PPG, and shot 56% from the floor and 35% from downtown. Per Gidal Kaiser, he had more than a dozen DI offers, including from Nevada and fellow Big Sky member Northern Arizona.
Fish was on Hall’s trail for a long time, according to Hall and Quad City Elite AAU coach Darren Bizarri. Fish began recruiting Hall during the spring of 2013 — before Hall sprouted from 6-1 to 6-4, scored 31 points in a July 28, 2013 AAU championship game in Fort Wayne, Ind., or averaged 20 per game during an April 2014 AAU tournament in Wisconsin.The next recruit was small forward Sam Neumann from famous Cretin-Durham Hall in St. Paul, MN. Neumann is 6'6'', and averaged nearly 19 points per game last season. He also averaged 14 PPG as a freshman and 16 PPG as a sophomore. In his career he has made over 100 threes and shot 38% from downtown last year.
“I knew right in the first five minutes I talked to coach Fish that he would be a guy Sam would want to play for,” Kline said Monday. “I was interested to see how they would hit it off on the in-house visit.Finally, Washington point guard Mandrell Worthy became the third verbal commit. He is 6'3'', and had offers from Seattle and Big Sky member Idaho. Last year, Worthy's team went 23-6 as he averaged 17 points, six rebounds, and five assists per game, playing as many as four positions throughout his career. He can score, but also seems quite adept at doing all the little things necessary for the team to win.
“When the MSU coaches left, I said if Sam felt comfortable and solid in Bozeman, this is going to be the place for him,” Kline said. “Trust and faith in his coaches is important to Sam, and coach Fish established that right away.”
“Out of necessity, and needing someone with his skill level to score for us when he was a freshman, I basically played him at the 4,” Liley said. “We had enough things we could do that would get him into space so that he’d be able to take advantage of one-on-ones or get off a couple screens to score.With the signees, we can perhaps see a bit of the style of team Fish will try to build - a quick, athletic squad that can hit shots from the outside. He appears to be off to a nice start in Bozeman.
“As much as he scores, his best attribute is the fact he is — he does what it takes for us to win, but he is an unbelievable passer and he makes everyone around him better. That is what Montana State is getting.”
EDIT: In my original post, I missed the commitment of JUCO guard Quinton Everett. He is 6'2'', and plays for Gillette Junior College. He played last year at Little Big Horn College. Here is a scouting report from Colter Nuanez. From reading it, Fish's desire to play an up tempo game looks even more apparent.
Film: None. Everett plays for former Bobcat great Pete Conway, the head coach at LBHCC. Last season, Everett averaged 19 points per game for Conway’s squad. He shot 42 percent from the field, 35 percent from beyond the 3-point line and 62 percent from the free throw line. If he can improve his percentages, he can average 25 points per game next season.
A scouting report on Everett reads: Ultra strong and excellent quickness and running ability. Iffy “3” shooter or he would be a high-major prospect. Gets a ton of rebounds (5.7 per game), loose balls and finishes with authority at the rim. Can make mid-range shots and 3s, but is a drive 1st, shoot 2nd type of small forward. Will play best for an up-tempo team that keeps him in the open court offensively. Mid-major “3” at lead with an outside shot to play for a higher major team if he’s in the right offensive scheme, improves his shooting.”
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Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Portland State and Sacramento State Sign Some Recruits
Recruits are starting to sign with schools now, and Sacramento State and Portland State both announced their recruiting classes.
In total, Sac State has five recruits signed (four in the current signing period, one early), and really, it looks like a very strong class.
The signees, and a quick blurb about them:
- Guard Marcus Graves - “Marcus is a highly skilled player who is a very good shooter and play maker,” Katz said. “He has a similar game to (current Hornet guard) Dylan Garrity in that he is a shooter that can drive. Marcus’ eyes are always up in the open court and in the on-ball, and he has a very good feel and understanding for the game of basketball.”
- Center James Herrick - “James is a big, strong and powerful post player,” Katz said. “He has very good hands, and is a big man that can shoot and pass the ball. He has a tremendous amount of upside, and gives us a solid player at the 5 spot that will develop and get better.”
- Forward Mason Stuteville (brother of current Hornet Eric Stuteville) - “Mason is a skilled big man with a powerful body who can pass, shoot and has good hands,” Katz said. “When we signed his brother, we said Eric’s best days were ahead of him, and I truly believe that with Mason as well. He can post, he can drive the lane, and he can shoot it. We like his versatility, and he will provide matchup problems for our opponents.”
- Guard Jiday Ugbaja - “Jiday is an athletic guard with power and explosiveness,” Katz said. “He’s 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, and with a year or two of weight training, he will look like an NFL running back. He is a driver that can shoot, and he fits the mould of what we look for in our perimeter players as guys that can dribble, pass and shoot.”
- Forward Justin Strings - "Justin has big shoulders, big hands, long arms, a big chest and he will eventually develop a very powerful body," Katz said. "He is one of those players that flew under the radar, but is extremely skilled and has the potential to become a very good player at the collegiate level. He is versatile in that he can play in the post and on the perimeter, and its not a stretch to say his ball-handling skills are the equivalent to most shooting guards."
Just as impressive, all five guys are freshmen, which is typically a good sign for a program, in my opinion.
With Portland State's roster construction, they figured to go after big men, and that is indeed what they did, signing two froncourt players, both from the junior college ranks.
- Forward Collin Spickerman - "With the loss of Kyle Richardson we needed to find someone who could replace him inside and Collin is that man," said Geving. "He brings something we are trying to add to our team, which is rebounding and defending the glass. We think Collin can step right in as a rebounder and be an offensive threat for us. His best attribute is his ability to block shots. He has great timing for a 6-foot-8 guy, he moves his feet well and can protect the rim for us.
- Forward Braxton Tucker - "Braxton is another guy that is a great athlete. The biggest thing he adds for us is his ability to rebound and defend bigger guys inside. He fills a need of adding more size and depth to our front line."
The Vikings have a deep and talented backcourt, so it makes sense that they would go for JUCO big men in this class.
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In total, Sac State has five recruits signed (four in the current signing period, one early), and really, it looks like a very strong class.
The signees, and a quick blurb about them:
- Guard Marcus Graves - “Marcus is a highly skilled player who is a very good shooter and play maker,” Katz said. “He has a similar game to (current Hornet guard) Dylan Garrity in that he is a shooter that can drive. Marcus’ eyes are always up in the open court and in the on-ball, and he has a very good feel and understanding for the game of basketball.”
- Center James Herrick - “James is a big, strong and powerful post player,” Katz said. “He has very good hands, and is a big man that can shoot and pass the ball. He has a tremendous amount of upside, and gives us a solid player at the 5 spot that will develop and get better.”
- Forward Mason Stuteville (brother of current Hornet Eric Stuteville) - “Mason is a skilled big man with a powerful body who can pass, shoot and has good hands,” Katz said. “When we signed his brother, we said Eric’s best days were ahead of him, and I truly believe that with Mason as well. He can post, he can drive the lane, and he can shoot it. We like his versatility, and he will provide matchup problems for our opponents.”
- Guard Jiday Ugbaja - “Jiday is an athletic guard with power and explosiveness,” Katz said. “He’s 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, and with a year or two of weight training, he will look like an NFL running back. He is a driver that can shoot, and he fits the mould of what we look for in our perimeter players as guys that can dribble, pass and shoot.”
- Forward Justin Strings - "Justin has big shoulders, big hands, long arms, a big chest and he will eventually develop a very powerful body," Katz said. "He is one of those players that flew under the radar, but is extremely skilled and has the potential to become a very good player at the collegiate level. He is versatile in that he can play in the post and on the perimeter, and its not a stretch to say his ball-handling skills are the equivalent to most shooting guards."
Just as impressive, all five guys are freshmen, which is typically a good sign for a program, in my opinion.
With Portland State's roster construction, they figured to go after big men, and that is indeed what they did, signing two froncourt players, both from the junior college ranks.
- Forward Collin Spickerman - "With the loss of Kyle Richardson we needed to find someone who could replace him inside and Collin is that man," said Geving. "He brings something we are trying to add to our team, which is rebounding and defending the glass. We think Collin can step right in as a rebounder and be an offensive threat for us. His best attribute is his ability to block shots. He has great timing for a 6-foot-8 guy, he moves his feet well and can protect the rim for us.
- Forward Braxton Tucker - "Braxton is another guy that is a great athlete. The biggest thing he adds for us is his ability to rebound and defend bigger guys inside. He fills a need of adding more size and depth to our front line."
The Vikings have a deep and talented backcourt, so it makes sense that they would go for JUCO big men in this class.
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Wednesday, November 13, 2013
JC Washington Decommits from Northern Colorado
In September, dynamic wing man JC Washington verbally committed to Northern Colorado, and he was seen as a great athlete as a high school big man, making it a pretty nice coup for the Bears.
On Wednesday, he showed why these things are just verbal commitments, and nothing is final until they actually sign the letter of intent, as he recommitted, per Texas Boys Basketball:
Obviously, it it stinks for the Bears. I am sure that Washington was seen as a key cog for them in the future, and certainly if he re-committed, they would be thrilled. However, I simply can't fault Washington.
All the time, you hear of coaches changing their mind. Scholarships get offered, and then rescinded. More commonly, coaches leave for better jobs with no recourse, while players have to sit out a year if they decide to transfer. This is commonly accepted practice. Thus, a guy needs to make sure that where he commits to, that is where he wants to go to school. If Washington had doubts, he was within his rights to change his mind, because things become a lot more difficult once you sign that LOI. So to that end, I understand his decision, and I can't fault him for it.
But it's still a tough break for Northern Colorado.
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On Wednesday, he showed why these things are just verbal commitments, and nothing is final until they actually sign the letter of intent, as he recommitted, per Texas Boys Basketball:
Per source J C Washington 2014 6'6" 3/4 has decommitted from Northern Colorado @ReggieRankin
— texasboysbasketball (@TXboysbasketbal) November 13, 2013
Obviously, it it stinks for the Bears. I am sure that Washington was seen as a key cog for them in the future, and certainly if he re-committed, they would be thrilled. However, I simply can't fault Washington.
All the time, you hear of coaches changing their mind. Scholarships get offered, and then rescinded. More commonly, coaches leave for better jobs with no recourse, while players have to sit out a year if they decide to transfer. This is commonly accepted practice. Thus, a guy needs to make sure that where he commits to, that is where he wants to go to school. If Washington had doubts, he was within his rights to change his mind, because things become a lot more difficult once you sign that LOI. So to that end, I understand his decision, and I can't fault him for it.
But it's still a tough break for Northern Colorado.
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Sunday, October 6, 2013
Cole Stefan Joins North Dakota Program
Late last week, it was announced that former Wisconsin Green Bay (and former LaSalle) guard Cole Stefan had joined the North Dakota program. I first saw it made official by Tom Miller.
Out of high school, he committed to LaSalle, and also had offers from schools like Auburn, Northern Iowa, USC, Utah State, and Nevada, a nice collection of schools. He left LaSalle after one season, citing medical reasons. He joined four others who transferred out of UWGB after last season, after an investigation in their head coach.
He didn't do a lot last season, scoring 3.4 PPG, shooting 34% from the field and 33% from downtown. He played about 14 minutes per game.
He will be seeking a waiver from the NCAA to play immediately, and could play right away if he is granted that waiver, adding to UND's backcourt depth. With the high grades he got out of high school, it's clear he could be a big help, even though he has struggled through his first two years. It's a good pickup for head coach Brian Jones.
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UND basketball announces long-rumored addition of Wisconsin-Green Bay transfer Cole Stefan
— Tom Miller (@tommillergf) October 2, 2013
Out of high school, he committed to LaSalle, and also had offers from schools like Auburn, Northern Iowa, USC, Utah State, and Nevada, a nice collection of schools. He left LaSalle after one season, citing medical reasons. He joined four others who transferred out of UWGB after last season, after an investigation in their head coach.
He didn't do a lot last season, scoring 3.4 PPG, shooting 34% from the field and 33% from downtown. He played about 14 minutes per game.
He will be seeking a waiver from the NCAA to play immediately, and could play right away if he is granted that waiver, adding to UND's backcourt depth. With the high grades he got out of high school, it's clear he could be a big help, even though he has struggled through his first two years. It's a good pickup for head coach Brian Jones.
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Sunday, September 22, 2013
Spencer Mathis Commits to Northern Colorado
Last week, Northern Colorado got a commitment from forward Spencer Mathis from the class of 2014. Mathis is listed anywhere from 6'5'' to 6'7'', but is a SF that hails from Las Vegas. Mathis picked UNC over Santa Clara, Cal State Fullerton, Idaho State, and Southern Utah, per Nevada Preps.
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“UNC recruited me the hardest through this process, and the coaching staff is unbelieveable,” Mathis said. “They told me I will get better, and I honestly believe them. I believe I will grow as an individual and get better as a player just by the coaching staff.”Last season, Mathis averaged 15.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 1.9 APG. Here is the ESPN scouting report on him:
Strengths:The Bears will lose a lot of experience after this season, making their 2014 recruiting class a very important one. I'm not sure that Mathis has the ability to step in and be an impact player from day one, but certainly he is a guy that looks like he will develop and being a solid rotational player as he gets experience. He is a nice addition for the Bears, especially with his shooting ability.
Mathis caught our eye with an ideal frame that should fill out nicely for the next level. He has long arms and overall good length. The most impressive aspect of his game is his evolving skill set. He exhibited a high basketball IQ with his passing and his jump shot looked smooth. He gets nice lift on his shot and his range is solid.
Weaknesses:
Mathis is a solid athlete but not elite. He needs to continue to improve his ball handling against pressure, especially going left. In addition, he needs to get stronger while defending physical wing-types.
Bottom Line:
Mathis is a solid looking prospect for the next level. It will be interesting to see how his frame and overall game develop during the regular season as he tries to shed the sleeper tag.
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Friday, September 20, 2013
Tyler Rawson Commits to Southern Utah
Southern Utah got a commitment last week from 6'8'' forward Tyler Rawson, the first recruit for their 2014 class. Rawson's stats as a junor do not jump off the page - he averaged 9.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 3.2 APG - but his scouting reports say good things about him.
ESPN ranks him as a 3 star recruit, and there are not a lot of guys rated that highly that come to the Big Sky. Here is their scouting report on him:
By himself, Rawson is not a program-changing recruit. But he looks to have the ability to be an above average starter, and maybe even an all-conference type of player by the end of his career. He has skills and athletic ability to be an impact player, and his recruitment is a good sign for Nick Robinson in year two of his tenure. The Thunderbirds may struggle this season, but the arrow is pointing up.
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ESPN ranks him as a 3 star recruit, and there are not a lot of guys rated that highly that come to the Big Sky. Here is their scouting report on him:
Strengths:His athleticism is evident when looking at his football stats. As of this post, he was sixth in the country with almost 17 tackles per game, playing the linebacker position. Now that is impressive!
Rawson has a decent frame with good length and he is fairly bouncy as well. He has excellent timing (quick off the floor) around the basket and a nice overall feel for the game. He has good feet, nice pivot moves, and excellent fundamentals. He understands how to seal opponents and he knows how to run the pick-and-roll or the pick-and-pop. He has soft hands and a nice shooting touch out to the elbow to boot.
Weaknesses:
Rawson needs to continue to add strength. He has solid length, but he does have narrow shoulders. He needs to continue to add strength to finish through contact and while rebounding in the paint.
Bottom Line:
Rawson is a good looking 4-man for the next level. He has the skills, basketball IQ, and savvy, to be an excellent prospect for the mid-to-high major level.
By himself, Rawson is not a program-changing recruit. But he looks to have the ability to be an above average starter, and maybe even an all-conference type of player by the end of his career. He has skills and athletic ability to be an impact player, and his recruitment is a good sign for Nick Robinson in year two of his tenure. The Thunderbirds may struggle this season, but the arrow is pointing up.
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Thursday, September 19, 2013
Idaho State Gets Commitment From Geno Luzcando
Last week, Idaho State got a commitment from guard Geno Luzcando from Utah. I saw it first reported by Michael Clay of RM Hoop Review:
Last season, he averaged 12.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.1 APG, and an astounding 4.9 steals per game. From that same link, here was a scouting report from an opposing coach:
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6'2 PG Geno luzcando/Wasatch Academy verbals 2 Idaho St. today.Great defender & very athletic. Utah PnR product chose ISU over Utah & others
— Michael Clay (@RMHoopReview) September 16, 2013
Last season, he averaged 12.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.1 APG, and an astounding 4.9 steals per game. From that same link, here was a scouting report from an opposing coach:
“Geno is one of the most athletic players I have seen this year. The first time I watched him play was against West Lake; he stole the pass at the wing and took it the length of the court and slammed it hard. I just looked at my coaching staff and said, "How do you want to guard this guy" He is another versatile weapon on the Wasatch Academy roster.”As an already excellent defensive player, he should excel playing under ISU coach Bill Evans. Evans is a great teacher of defense. With a big recruiting class coming in this season, Luzcando is another nice piece to the puzzle as the Bengals rebuild. Luzcando should be a big contributor who will fit in nicely under Evans.
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Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Ghassan Nehme Commits to Montana State
Montana State got a commitment from a guard from the class of 2014 last week, as 6'3'' Ghassan Nehme from Colorado Springs announced via twitter that he will be playing his college ball in Bozeman.
Nehne posted big numbers as a junior, per Gidal Kaiser:
He has a pure stroke, and showcased solid athleticism and passing ability (as his highlight video can attest). He's a complete player that looks like he could step in and play right away for the Bobcats. It is a big-time commitment for MSU. It makes them a bit guard-heavy starting next year, but the biggest thing is talent, and Nehme is talented. He looks like a steal for the Bobcats.
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Nehne posted big numbers as a junior, per Gidal Kaiser:
Nehme’s Cheyenne Mountain Indians went 19-7 in 2012-13 and lost to Lewis Palmer in the Class 4A quarterfinals. He averaged 18.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.4 steals. Nehme also shot 35 percent from 3-point range (44 of 124) and 79 percent from the free-throw line (88 for 111).He had offers from teams like Idaho State, Northern Colorado, and Wyoming, while Colorado and Boise State also showed interest. His father attended UNC, but that was not enough to make him a Bear.
He has a pure stroke, and showcased solid athleticism and passing ability (as his highlight video can attest). He's a complete player that looks like he could step in and play right away for the Bobcats. It is a big-time commitment for MSU. It makes them a bit guard-heavy starting next year, but the biggest thing is talent, and Nehme is talented. He looks like a steal for the Bobcats.
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Saturday, September 14, 2013
Hayden Hunter Commits to Weber State
Weber State's Texas connection has come through again, with 5'11'' G Hayden Hunter committing to the Wildcats, per Texas Hoops.
Hunter is the second Texas guard to commit to WSU for the class of 2014, as Jeremiah Jefferson decided to come to WSU last week.
Last season, Hunter averaged 14.0 PPG and 2.2 APG, shooting 33% from downtown. He also had 1.5 steals per game. He did turn the ball over more than he had assists, which will be a key point for his development as a PG. He is from Richland Hills, near Dallas, in Texas.
While Jefferson looks like a guy that will step in right away and play big minutes, Hunter looks more likely to provide depth for a Weber State that needed more bodies at the PG spot. In addition, he adds yet another recognizable face coming from Utah to Texas, where they have nabbed guys like Jefferson, Joel Bolomboy, Jeremy Senglin, and Kyndahl Hill just within the last three years.
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Hayden Hunter (Richland HS) has committed to Weber State. #ClassOf2014
— TexasHoops/GASO (@TexasHoopsGASO) September 14, 2013
Hunter is the second Texas guard to commit to WSU for the class of 2014, as Jeremiah Jefferson decided to come to WSU last week.
Last season, Hunter averaged 14.0 PPG and 2.2 APG, shooting 33% from downtown. He also had 1.5 steals per game. He did turn the ball over more than he had assists, which will be a key point for his development as a PG. He is from Richland Hills, near Dallas, in Texas.
While Jefferson looks like a guy that will step in right away and play big minutes, Hunter looks more likely to provide depth for a Weber State that needed more bodies at the PG spot. In addition, he adds yet another recognizable face coming from Utah to Texas, where they have nabbed guys like Jefferson, Joel Bolomboy, Jeremy Senglin, and Kyndahl Hill just within the last three years.
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Monday, September 9, 2013
JC Washington Commits to Northern Colorado
With Derrick Barden and Connor Osborne as seniors this season, BJ Hill and Northern Colorado need to re-stock the frontcourt. They took a big step in doing that this past week with the commitment of forward JC Washington. It was first reported by Jim Hicks:
Different sites list Washington as being anywhere from 6'4'' to 6'7'', but one thing is clear - he is a guy that brings a high motor, the ability to rebound the ball well anywhere on the court, and the ability to defend multiple positions (sounds like Barden).
Here is a scouting report from June of this year:
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JC Washington (Yates HS 2014) has committed to Northern Colorado. He played summer ball with Texas PRO. FYI that is his legal name.
— Jim Hicks (@RcsSports) September 3, 2013
Different sites list Washington as being anywhere from 6'4'' to 6'7'', but one thing is clear - he is a guy that brings a high motor, the ability to rebound the ball well anywhere on the court, and the ability to defend multiple positions (sounds like Barden).
Here is a scouting report from June of this year:
Strengths:He should be able to step right in and contribute for the Bears. He looks like a higher caliber high school big man recruit than they have been getting in the past couple of years, which is a good sign that the program continues to be headed in a stable direction. Washington may be counted on to play some minutes right away, and he seems capable.
Tough as nails power forward rebounds in and out of area. Scores in and around the lane on put backs and short jumpers. He is a good straight line driver and dives on the floor, takes charges and blocks shots on the ball and coming to help from the weakside. Does the dirty work to help is team win. Great motor, energy and effort at all times.
Weaknesses:
Washington not only must add strength but develop his perimeter skills and back to the basket moves in addition to his ball handing under intense pressure. Continue to improve overall ball skills.
Bottom Line:
Washington is a super glue guy that does what ever he has to do to help his team. Scores in transition, around the rim or on the glass. Multiple position defender as well. Washington competes at a high level with matching productivity.
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Jeremiah Jefferson Commits to Weber State
Weber State is a little thin at PG, but they helped that out with the commitment of 2014 combo guard Jeremiah Jefferson. Near as I can tell, this was first reported by Texas Hoops:
On their website, they wrote, "Jeremiah Jefferson went on his visit to Ogden, Utah and saw first hand the player development from the coaching staff on the Weber State Wildcats. Jefferson liked the prospect of going to play for coach Randy Rahe in hopes of becoming an impact player."
From all accounts, he is an impact player, and has a chance to step in and start immediately. From Future 150:
According to a source, Jefferson has the chance to be really special. With him and Jeremy Senglin, the Wildcats have their backcourt pretty well set for the next few seasons.
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Jeremiah Jefferson of Triple A Academy has committed to Weber State.. Will chase down the details.. #ClassOf2014
— TexasHoops/GASO (@TexasHoopsGASO) September 9, 2013
On their website, they wrote, "Jeremiah Jefferson went on his visit to Ogden, Utah and saw first hand the player development from the coaching staff on the Weber State Wildcats. Jefferson liked the prospect of going to play for coach Randy Rahe in hopes of becoming an impact player."
From all accounts, he is an impact player, and has a chance to step in and start immediately. From Future 150:
Strengths:According to another site I found, Jefferson was the Triple A Academy POY as a junior, averaging 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. He can score in bunches, and should be able to impact the game immediately upon his arrival.
Jeremiah has a jump shot that is a thing of beauty. Not only does he possess good mechanics on his shot, but he is the owner of an off-the-dribble shot that is deadly. He gets great lift with his legs making him nearly unblockable, and has an extremely quick release. Also a high energy player who is skilled at finishing with either hand at the basket on aggressive drives.
Weaknesses:
Needs to get stronger. Must use his quickness to and craftiness with the ball to make his teammates better. Needs to add double moves off the bounce and improve his mid range game. Must improve his on ball defense and desire to play defense.
College Projections:
High Major
According to a source, Jefferson has the chance to be really special. With him and Jeremy Senglin, the Wildcats have their backcourt pretty well set for the next few seasons.
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Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Montana State Signs Bradley Fisher
Last week, Montana State got their first verbal commit for the class of 2014, with big man Bradley Fisher saying he will become a Bobcat.
Fisher is a seven footer from England. Gidal Kaiser from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle has a lot of good information and interviews about him here.
The Bobcats offered Fisher the scholarship in mid-July, and he accepted it on August 9th.
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Fisher is a seven footer from England. Gidal Kaiser from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle has a lot of good information and interviews about him here.
The 7-foot, 245-pound Fisher played for Culver (Ind.) Academy and the Indiana Dawgz AAU club this past season. He averaged 16 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks per game for the Dawgz and 12 points and 10 rebounds for Culver Academy.His recruitment was helped out by assistant coach Chris Haslam, a 7 footer from England in his own right. According to Fisher's AAU coach, the two have known each other for a few years. So, this appears to be a nice fit. Fisher is thin, but will have plenty of time to bulk up. If he does, he could be one of the better big men in the conference.
The Bobcats offered Fisher the scholarship in mid-July, and he accepted it on August 9th.
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Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Cam Michael Is Transferring to Northern Colorado
Former Air Force guard Cam Michael will be transferring to Northern Colorado, per The Reporter Herald.
Again, sample size issues are big (especially since his two biggest games were against Western State and Regis University), but he also scored 11 points in a late season loss to UNLV. With the great efficiency numbers, combined with a year to sit out at UNC and learn the system, he could be a star for the Bears.
Shooting guard Tate Unruh will be a senior this year, and I think BJ Hill has likely found his replacement for the next three years in Cam Michael.
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After playing for one season at the Air Force Academy, Michael chose to leave the school and informed Northern Colorado coach B.J. Hill he will transfer to Greeley in the fall. He has yet to enroll, so UNC cannot officially comment on the move.Even though Michael did not play a ton for the Falcons as a freshman (16.2% of the team's minutes), he was wildly productive when he did play. He was 13/18 from inside the arc, and shot 45% (18/40) from downtown. He also had a stellar 14.1 defensive rebounding percentage, and took good care of the basketball, with an 11.9 turnover rate (he turned it over 7 times all year).
Michael said it came down to UNC and Utah State, but if he had stayed in the Mountain West, he would have had to go to a junior college first, thus giving up a year of eligibility.
"At UNC, I'm going to have to redshirt this year, but I'll be able to play for three years," said Michael, who averaged 4.1 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the field for the Falcons. "The big thing for me was being able to kind of have a career somewhere rather than having a short stint for two years."
Again, sample size issues are big (especially since his two biggest games were against Western State and Regis University), but he also scored 11 points in a late season loss to UNLV. With the great efficiency numbers, combined with a year to sit out at UNC and learn the system, he could be a star for the Bears.
Shooting guard Tate Unruh will be a senior this year, and I think BJ Hill has likely found his replacement for the next three years in Cam Michael.
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Monday, August 5, 2013
Weber State Scores Commitment from Ryan Richardson
Last week, Weber State got a verbal from big man Zach Braxton, who looks like he could step in and immediately be a solid contributor for them.
This week, they got another big-time recruit in wing man Ryan Richardson.
Richardson is a 6'6'' wing with deep deep range, as he shot 49% from three-point range last season. He averaged 16.9 PPG, shooting 55% overall. Reports also say he has a long wingspan and can finish above the rim. He is also a willing defender.
Watching his highlight video, he has a quick release, solid athleticism, and a nice floater (which is important as he will need to be more than just a shooter to excel at this level. His release could be raised a little bit to make it even quicker, but nobody in the Big Sky does player development like Weber State does, so I am sure any issues will be cleaned up. Richardson looks like he will be a big-time player in the Big Sky.
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This week, they got another big-time recruit in wing man Ryan Richardson.
Weber State just got another big commit in 2014 6'6 Ryan Richardson (Dobson HS Mesa, AZ). Great staff & top recruiter @PhilBeckner
— Chad Groth (@areacodes) August 5, 2013
Richardson is a 6'6'' wing with deep deep range, as he shot 49% from three-point range last season. He averaged 16.9 PPG, shooting 55% overall. Reports also say he has a long wingspan and can finish above the rim. He is also a willing defender.
Watching his highlight video, he has a quick release, solid athleticism, and a nice floater (which is important as he will need to be more than just a shooter to excel at this level. His release could be raised a little bit to make it even quicker, but nobody in the Big Sky does player development like Weber State does, so I am sure any issues will be cleaned up. Richardson looks like he will be a big-time player in the Big Sky.
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Will Ferris Verbally Commits to Eastern Washington
PG Will Ferris from the class of 2014 has committed to Eastern Washington, per his twitter feed:
Ferris is a 6'1'' PG out of Bellevue, WA. He is either 6'3'' or 6'1'', depending on where you look! To be honest, that is all I can find about him. Anyone else know any more?
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Officially decided to follow my dream of playing Division 1 basketball at Eastern Washington! #GoEags
— Will Ferris (@ChillFerris) July 30, 2013
Ferris is a 6'1'' PG out of Bellevue, WA. He is either 6'3'' or 6'1'', depending on where you look! To be honest, that is all I can find about him. Anyone else know any more?
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Big Sky Schools Make Offers
Within the past few days, I have found a few offers made by Big Sky teams (including two Big Sky teams offering the same player). I'll just post the info:
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Seattle & Northern Colorado have offered 2014 SG Armond Davis of I-5 Elite (OR).
— Alex Kline (@TheRecruitScoop) August 1, 2013
2014 G Zach Green picking up an offer from Northern Colorado.
— The Magic (@the_magic_az) August 1, 2013
Idaho State has offered 2014 Magic Arizona guard Zach Green, his coach announced.
— Alex Kline (@TheRecruitScoop) July 31, 2013
6'3 2014 G Geno Luzcando (Wasatch Academy) received an offer from Idaho State @eluzcandob
— Utah Pump-N-Run (@UtahPumpNRun) August 1, 2013
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Thursday, August 1, 2013
Zach Braxton Commits to Weber State
After this season, Weber State will lose big men Kyle Tresnak and Byron Fulton. So, it figured that they would target that area in recruiting, and that is what they have done, getting a commitment from Highlands Ranch 6'9'' forward Zach Braxton. Braxton announced it on his twitter feed.
Braxton had offeres from Denver, Green Bay, and Wyoming, with interest coming from the likes of Colorado, Montana, Montana State, Northwestern, Northern Colorado, and Stanford, per his Rivals profile.
Last year, he averaged 15.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game, leading his league in rebounds and blocked shots. He had impressed recently, and Northwestern seemed to be after him hard. He is described as a "two hand finisher in traffic and a solid presence in the paint."
He looks like a polished big man who could have an impact right away. Once again, Weber State shows that they are at a level in recruiting that nobody in the Big Sky is matching, at least not on a regular basis. Braxton is the beginning of another promising class for the Wildcats.
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Proud and excited to say that I've committed to play basketball at Weber State University! #college #blessed
— Zach Braxton (@zach_b34) August 1, 2013
Braxton had offeres from Denver, Green Bay, and Wyoming, with interest coming from the likes of Colorado, Montana, Montana State, Northwestern, Northern Colorado, and Stanford, per his Rivals profile.
Last year, he averaged 15.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game, leading his league in rebounds and blocked shots. He had impressed recently, and Northwestern seemed to be after him hard. He is described as a "two hand finisher in traffic and a solid presence in the paint."
He looks like a polished big man who could have an impact right away. Once again, Weber State shows that they are at a level in recruiting that nobody in the Big Sky is matching, at least not on a regular basis. Braxton is the beginning of another promising class for the Wildcats.
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Thursday, July 11, 2013
A Few Recruits
There have been a few more recruits over the past month or so that I have so far failed to talk about on this blog! Let's take a look at them.
- Jake Lopez commits to Montana - He is an Australian shooting guard that stands at 6'5''. He seems to have a lot of international experience, and Wayne Tinkle thinks he may be able to help this year. "Jack is a 6-5, athletic wing who can really shoot the ball, and I think that once he gets his feet wet he might be able to help us as a freshman," Tinkle said. "He has a ton of international experience, so he will add great maturity to our team even though he is a true freshman.
- Anthony Johnson commits to Northern Colorado - According to Decatur Central High School Athletics twitter account, Johnson has committed to play for Northern Colorado.
It looks like this is a verbal commitment right now. He put up some big point totals in his senior year, and appears to have a real ability to get to the free throw line. Here is a scouting report on him:
- Christian McDonald commits to Weber State - According to his twitter profile, McDonald will be playing for Weber State.
McDonald is a 6'4'' guard from Lake Oswego High School in Oregon. It looks like he averaged nine points per game for a very good team there. I am not able to find too much more information on him right now.
- JC Kennedy commits to Weber State - Kennedy will be a walk-on at Weber State. He averaged 11 points per game last season.
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- Jake Lopez commits to Montana - He is an Australian shooting guard that stands at 6'5''. He seems to have a lot of international experience, and Wayne Tinkle thinks he may be able to help this year. "Jack is a 6-5, athletic wing who can really shoot the ball, and I think that once he gets his feet wet he might be able to help us as a freshman," Tinkle said. "He has a ton of international experience, so he will add great maturity to our team even though he is a true freshman.
- Anthony Johnson commits to Northern Colorado - According to Decatur Central High School Athletics twitter account, Johnson has committed to play for Northern Colorado.
Congrats to Hawks' Anthony Johnson on committing to the Northern Colorado basketball program! #D1studentathlete #hawkpride @Ant24bball
— DC Athletics (@DCHS_Athletics) July 8, 2013
It looks like this is a verbal commitment right now. He put up some big point totals in his senior year, and appears to have a real ability to get to the free throw line. Here is a scouting report on him:
Anthony Johnson: 6’3” Small Forward, Decatur Central H.S. (2013) This was my first look at Johnson in a while, and I could not have been more impressed. He is simply an all-around scorer. He handles the ball very well and can create his own shot off the dribble. Anthony was very effective going to the rim, but also is a good mid-range shooter. He does a good job of getting to the foul line too, where he was 9/9 on the night. At the next level he can play either the 2 or 3 spots. I think Anthony is one of the best “sleepers” in Indiana. A good Division II or low-major prospect.
- Christian McDonald commits to Weber State - According to his twitter profile, McDonald will be playing for Weber State.
It's been a crazy ride but I'm officially going to play ball and attend weber state university thanks to all who have been there for me!
— Christian McDonald (@ccmac22) July 5, 2013
McDonald is a 6'4'' guard from Lake Oswego High School in Oregon. It looks like he averaged nine points per game for a very good team there. I am not able to find too much more information on him right now.
- JC Kennedy commits to Weber State - Kennedy will be a walk-on at Weber State. He averaged 11 points per game last season.
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Wednesday, May 22, 2013
North Dakota Lands Chad Calcaterra
North Dakota's weakness heading into next year was in the frontcourt, but perhaps that is a little stronger after last week's apparent signing of big man Chad Calcaterra. Calcaterra is a 6'10'' center that played last season at Western Nebraska Community College after spending a year at Colorado State.
He has good athletic skills, but doesn't really seem to have developed that into strong basketball skills. He will have two years at North Dakota to do it, and will provide quality depth at the very least.
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Calcaterra then transferred to WNCC, where he saw limited playing time. Calcaterra averaged 8 minutes and 3.6 points per game as a sophomore.Last year, he averaged 3.6 points per game in eight minutes. His freshman year at CSU, he averaged 3.5 minutes and 1.4 points per game in 15 games.
“He’s a phenomenal athlete who possesses the height and strength,” Beck said. “He can finish on the rim. He’s also a great student and person. I think he can have a lot of success there — maybe even more than he had here.
“At a JuCo, sometimes teams don’t have 6-10 players and matchups become difficult. I imagine (at UND) he’ll see more players his size and play more extended minutes.”
He has good athletic skills, but doesn't really seem to have developed that into strong basketball skills. He will have two years at North Dakota to do it, and will provide quality depth at the very least.
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