http://yourseason.suntimes.com/boys_bask...ll.article
I'd be interested in knowing if a program like WMU is clued into this kid. Unfortunate personal issues he had no control over and the typical bureacratic mess of adult run athletic/educational systems.
One could argue, why not involved in AAU hence a portfolio of info? Suspicous? Nope. Not if Mom and Dad were in the midst of a bitter separation and junior is slightly distracted and caught in the "adult" behavior.
Go JC and we'll see. So will everyone else and if the kid is the real deal and has an upside he will likely wind up at Kent (Gates).
Reach out, ask and evaluate. Bring him to campus and let him play with the others. Reportedly 6'6 wing with skills and not on the radar.
WTF!
I feel really bad for that kid. Probably worked his ass off most his life to get a scholarship and then THE MAN screws him over. Someone should send this article to Hawk. I wish him luck.
This guy deserves a look-see at the one game tape.
Then some kind of trial/workout somewhere if the tape shows promise.
Why not WMU?
The principal, Shingles deserves sh*t.
And in the world of college buckets he is yesterday's news, if he even had any recognition.
So point is that because he is not a part of the guilded AAU phenomanon with his name "out there" it by no means he can't be a quality student athlete.
And in the cess pool known as the Chicago Public League, if your'e not on the street making me coin why should I front you running the risk of losing guaranteed cabbage.
Now, I have no idea as to the kids character, if his parents split is such that he true North is out of whack, but that would be the point of meeting and getting to know the kid. If he passes that, bring up to campus for a visit. Play with the boys and make a determination. It's not that the kid has much leverage but would likely relish the opportunity. Now his HS coach is one of the famous Irvins of Chicago. One runs the Chicago Fire or something like that AAU team. Another is an assistant somewhere out in D-1 and if I am not mistaken there has been a bit of a pipeline to SIU (though I could be mistaken). So, if anything, it allows WMU to eval a kid with talent, touch skin with a mover and shaker and still not be beholden to the slime of AAU.
I'm not saying I'm just saying.
Sounds like time for his AAU coach to earn his pay.
I wonder why he didn't play in the second game of the state playoffs? Sure are a lot of question marks surrounding this person. I would definitely want to know a whole lot more before bringing him into WMU. We have a lot of high character players on the team so you would want to make sure he is going to fit into WMU's culture both athletically and personally. Sounds like a year of solid prep school might be exactly what this kid needs to prove himself out on and off the court and position himself for a nice D1 or D2 scholarship.
(04-02-2010 12:57 PM)rolexexpert Wrote: [ -> ]I wonder why he didn't play in the second game of the state playoffs? Sure are a lot of question marks surrounding this person. I would definitely want to know a whole lot more before bringing him into WMU. We have a lot of high character players on the team so you would want to make sure he is going to fit into WMU's culture both athletically and personally. Sounds like a year of solid prep school might be exactly what this kid needs to prove himself out on and off the court and position himself for a nice D1 or D2 scholarship.
First, I'm not lobbying for the kid. Just stumbled on the article this morning. But considering the divorce, needing to go from private to public (CPS no less) I can imagine this kid couldn't even pretend to have a remotely idyllic life on the outside let alone at it's core.
But if the kid can play, he doesnt appear to have a "record" and just was falling through the crack what's a phone call and meeting worth?
With no knowledge than what I got out of the blurb, he would likely be an immediate redshirt. If Hawk is looking at athletic length with some skills and the kid passes the smell test, red shirting him and allowing him to acclimate in both academics and playing you may walk away with a steal.
Again, Hawk and staff know what they are looking for and I am sure it is plotted out as to what type of skill set and when. Assuming Dean is as advertised you now have three 5's. Flen and Hutch make two 4's. Hutch, Howard, Brown and Ward make four 3's but two of which are undersized and capable of playing at least one of the other perimeter spots. Hutch is no guarantee at the wing but as I have advocated I think it's just there waiting to be brought out and honed. This kid would make two certain wings with length.
Me thinks the team needs a frosh 5 before another frosh wing.
(04-02-2010 04:14 PM)okgc Wrote: [ -> ]Me thinks the team needs a frosh 5 before another frosh wing.
I think at this late date considering what is in the barn and what is left in the corral I'm inclined to pocket or go with someone who has the best upside. HS bigs left out in the corral are going JC, one and done or very raw.
Recently Jon Gac of Mount Carmel in Chicago chose the Ramblers. In one article of which I did not link, the schools mentioned were EIU, WIU, Loyola, Indiana State with a host of D II.
Earlier in the year we were mentioned front and center. Not sure who chose differently here but even at Loyola they are talking RS in public front and center.
The kid read to be long, bouncy, good hands and improving on finishing around the rim. Ran the floor like a gazelle. Played with a junior (commit to U of I) and a freshman phenom with offers already from 30% of the top 25 programs. So I imagine Jon was overlooked both internally and from those looking in.
6'8 195 with a RS year and practice dummy he would be coming in around 6'8 210 the next year playing mop up, but thereafter likely getting into the 220-25 range with same athleticism and your all good.
An elite student too.
Seems to be some quality plays holding out on committing this year.
Not to start a rumor but........
Noticed Trey Zeigler is supposed to be taking a visit to UCLA and UCLA just had an assistant depart for Gonzaga. Are they making room for Ernie to join his son out west?
Didn't he leave UCLA for CMU? Why would he go back?
(04-03-2010 08:55 AM)Tommyboy Wrote: [ -> ]Didn't he leave UCLA for CMU? Why would he go back?
Because now that he knows what MP is like?