http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/ind...commitment

6'6" small forward

from Illinois Prep Bullseye -


When Kurt Hall took an official visit to the University Of Toledo during Homecoming weekend last October it ended up having special significance for him. That is because Toledo is going to be Hall's home for four years beginning next August, as the 6'6 2014 power forward from North Chicago High School in North Chicago, IL committed today to the Rockets and head coach Tod Kowalczyk.

While Hall also received offers from Chicago State and North Dakota as well as interest from Tennessee Tech and others there was never much doubt that he would ultimately end up at Toledo, as the Rockets had been the clearcut leader from the get-go. Toledo was the first D1 school to offer Hall a scholarship and once they did Kowalczyk as well as assistant coaches Jason Kemp and Jason Kalsow were relentless in their pursuit. They constantly let Hall know that he was a top priority and also showed genuine interest in his development off the court as well as on it.

Hall is a power forward right now (that is where he plays on his high school team) but could see considerable time at the 3 and possibly even play some 2 at Toledo. His realization that he would have that flexibility at Toledo, along with the overall campus environment and his strong relationship with the coaching staff made the decision a no-brainer.

Not only is Hall highly athletic, he is also physical. Hall has the ability to put the ball on the floor and simply has great instincts on the boards. He has also displayed a solid mid-range game which includes being able to spot up and knock down shots in the paint and out to the arc. Hall now needs to work on expanding his range and becoming even more consistent on the perimeter in addition to being a force inside and in transition.

Hall played on a Team NLP traveling team that won the 17-Under National Championship in Orlando during the July evaluation period. Other members of that squad include 6'2 2014 2-guard and West Virginia commit Jevon Carter from Proviso East High School in Maywood, IL; 6'3 2014 2-guard and Indiana-Purdue-Ft. Wayne commit Gage Davis from Bolingbrook High School in Bolingbrook, IL; 6'4 2015 wing forward Connor Cashaw from Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL and 6'7 2015 power forward Evan Boudreaux from Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, IL.

Another factor that proved to be huge in Kowalczyk being able to secure Hall's commitment is the outstanding relationship that he enjoys with Team NLP boss Dickey Simpkins and everyone connected with that program. And make no mistake about it--that could pay further dividends down the road, as Kowalczyk and the Rockets are also recruiting Cashaw extremely hard in the 2015 class. Cashaw currently holds scholarship offers from Toledo, UIC, Loyola-Chicago, Wright State, Northern Illinois and Binghampton.

Hall's high school team at North Chicago once again ranks among the top teams in the state of Illinois from the Class 3A ranks and is a definite threat to reach the state finals in Peoria this coming March. Besides Hall, the team includes 6'2 2014 combo guard and Murray State University commit JayQuan McCloud as well as another D1 caliber recruit in 6'4 2014 wing Javairius Amos-Mays.


http://ilprepbullseye.com/Hall_Toledo.html

Junior video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcZJHh_obTE

heard about him for while, sounds like the staff really wants him. his game is like the intersection of Justin Drummond and jd weatherspoon. about jd's size with some interior tenacity and Drummond's euro step and ggressiveness. one of those kids the big10 sleeps on cuz he seems more like an undersized forward, but is really a combo wing/forward once he fine tunes his skills. love how coach k keeps finding athletic guys who both have a little size and can still handle the ball and be versatile.

I would love to get another 6'8" - 6'10" kid, but I think you can argue that we got better with this recruiting class. Seems like we have a lot of power forward sized kids, but I think we're set for the next few years. My analysis below for next year.

At the point, Juice gets some relief from Jon-Jon and maybe Josh Lemons? At the 2 and 3 position Coach K has any number of combinations he can choose from. Drummond and Applewhite will start and then can interchange with Jon-Jon, Lauf, and Mosley. At the 4, JD is the starter and then his back ups are fuzzy? Is this where Aubrey Williams see's the floor? Maybe Applewhite slides over for a few minutes and this is where Kurt Hall see's some playing time as a freshman? The 5 position is set with Booth and Garber rotating, but Garber needs to bring a better offensive game next year. We still need another big in the rotation and for future teams. The odd man out is Angel Aparicio G 6’5”, I just have no confidence he'll ever see the floor or has the skills to crack the line up with what's around him. I'm also not sure where Josh Lemons fits. Yes he was a great defender last year, but unless he finds any offensive game, he could be on the bench after redshirting. Mabye he's our #2 point guard next year to give Juice a rest?

1. Julius Brown G 5’10”, Rotates with Jon-Jon Williams 6’3" and Josh Lemons 6'0" (still not sure where Josh fits next year?)
2. Drummond G/F 6’4" Rotates with Jon-Jon 6'3", and Stuckey Mosley 6'3"
3. Dre Applewhite F 6’5” (Penciled in to replace Rian due to experience, size and strength, we even get taller and stronger at this position next year.) Rotates with Lauf 6'5" and Stuckey Mosley 6'3"
4. J.D. Weatherspoon F 6’6", Can rotate with Applewhite, Aubrey Williams 6'7", maybe Lauf? and Kurt Hall 6'6" see's time
5. Nathan Boothe C 6’9', Rotates with Garber 6'9" and hope Garber works on his offensive game. We still need another Big in next year's recruiting class.

(01-30-2014 09:11 AM)emanoh Wrote:  I would love to get another 6'8" - 6'10" kid, but I think you can argue that we got better with this recruiting class. Seems like we have a lot of power forward sized kids, but I think we're set for the next few years. My analysis below for next year.

At the point, Juice gets some relief from Jon-Jon and maybe Josh Lemons? At the 2 and 3 position Coach K has any number of combinations he can choose from. Drummond and Applewhite will start and then can interchange with Jon-Jon, Lauf, and Mosley. At the 4, JD is the starter and then his back ups are fuzzy? Is this where Aubrey Williams see's the floor? Maybe Applewhite slides over for a few minutes and this is where Kurt Hall see's some playing time as a freshman? The 5 position is set with Booth and Garber rotating, but Garber needs to bring a better offensive game next year. We still need another big in the rotation and for future teams. The odd man out is Angel Aparicio G 6’5”, I just have no confidence he'll ever see the floor or has the skills to crack the line up with what's around him. I'm also not sure where Josh Lemons fits. Yes he was a great defender last year, but unless he finds any offensive game, he could be on the bench after redshirting. Mabye he's our #2 point guard next year to give Juice a rest?

1. Julius Brown G 5’10”, Rotates with Jon-Jon Williams 6’3" and Josh Lemons 6'0" (still not sure where Josh fits next year?)
2. Drummond G/F 6’4" Rotates with Jon-Jon 6'3", and Stuckey Mosley 6'3"
3. Dre Applewhite F 6’5” (Penciled in to replace Rian due to experience, size and strength, we even get taller and stronger at this position next year.) Rotates with Lauf 6'5" and Stuckey Mosley 6'3"
4. J.D. Weatherspoon F 6’6", Can rotate with Applewhite, Aubrey Williams 6'7", maybe Lauf? and Kurt Hall 6'6" see's time
5. Nathan Boothe C 6’9', Rotates with Garber 6'9" and hope Garber works on his offensive game. We still need another Big in next year's recruiting class.

Applewhite can't play until the end of the first semester. Agree that we need a big (6-8/6-10).

Correct, when he's eligible he'll be in the starting line up. Until he's eligible we have 3-4 guys who can rotate between the 3-4 spots. Lauf is probalby the most interchangeable. Nice catch, thanks.

I think Aparacio plays. In spite of our MAC leading 3 percentage we don't really have a true outside threat. I'll be very surprised if Aubry Williams ever contributes.

My guess is that Mosley doesn't play much next year given our depth. As far as Applewhite starting over Jon Williams, Lauf, and Aparicio, I have no opinion since I've never seen him play. I know he started some games for Mississippi State, but I think that Jon Williams and Lauf are good enough to start on a lot of teams as well. No clue about Aparicio.

You can see Coach K's emphasis on offense over defense by the fact that Lemons is red-shirting and Lauf is seventh (virtually tied for sixth) on the team in minutes. You would never see the team's best two offensive players in that situation. Not that I'm criticizing, because the program's turnaround speaks for itself. Just observing.

Good point about Mosley? maybe the rotation will be between Drummond, Jon-Jon, and Lemons. Maybe Lauf rotates between 2,3 & 4? The same combo minus Lauf could also spell Juice at the point.

I'm guessing Dre's experience, height, strength and maturity will have him in the starting line up by January. Teams will have the same problem next year with "who do you guard?"

Yes, huge question marks for Aubrey Williams and Aparacio. I can't imagine Coach K would be that far off on giving Williams a scholie if he didn't have some serviceable skills? He is still young in age and school status, so he could contribute something in next 3 years? I feel like Aparacio has been her for 3 years and aside from being a warm up coat hanger is he really a DI player? Has anyone ever seen him practice?

(01-30-2014 10:45 AM)Dwight Wrote:  My guess is that Mosley doesn't play much next year given our depth. As far as Applewhite starting over Jon Williams, Lauf, and AparBackfield dribbling for thirty seave no opinion since I've never seen him play. I know he started some games for Mississippi State, but I think that Jon Williams and Lauf are good enough to start on a lot of teams as well. No clue about Aparicio.

You can see Coach K's emphasis on offense over defense by the fact that Lemons is red-shirting and Lauf is seventh (virtually tied for sixth) on the team in minutes. You would never see the team's best two offensive players in that situation. Not that I'm criticizing, because the program's turnaround speaks for itself. Just observing.

I get frustrated with the lack of defensive acumen and ( sometims) effort but yahoo gotta admit they're entertaining. I' d rather see a 85-78 game with a win that a 48-45 win with Larry Bastfield dribbling for thirty seconds while Jake Barnett runs through six screens. Not that we won any games like that.

c'mon, we only ran 5 screens for jake the next coming barnett

Hall had 32 points and 14 rebounds in his team's victory last night.