RE: NIU Hoops Recruits for 2022-23
NIU Recruiting Update (JUCO):
Something is up because Burno (already 7 players committed for next season), is still making offers to JUCO players (this time..he's back to the guards...he loves guards). The latest...
Kieves “Deuce” Turner - JUCO Freshman - 6’2” - SG - 2* recruit from South Plains College (JUCO - Levelland, TX) - Malvern Prep School (Malvern, PA) - born in Coatesville, PA - Deuce started his career at Bucknell where he played in 11 games (1 start) and averaged 8.3 ppg and 19.9 minutes but transferred out and apparently was able to call last year a red shirt because he’s listed as a freshman at South Plains College. At SPC, Turner has played in 28 games (23 starts) averaging 18.5 ppg and 23.1 minutes shooting 44.2% from the field (38.2% 3PT - 71 of 186) and 89.4% FT (144 of 161). He’s not that big but is strongly built. He can go to the basket if need be but his bread and butter is on the perimeter. He’s got a compact shot and can dial it up from a really long distance stretching the defense out well beyond the arc. Otherwise, it’s hard to tell much. He’s getting a lot of attention, I will say that. In addition to his offer from NIU, Turner has additional offers on the table from IUPUI, UTRGV, McNeese, and Tarleton. Obviously, playing JUCO in Texas is going to get some Lone Star State attention, but now he’s getting it up north as well. The offers from NIU, IUPUI, UTRGV, and McNees all came in today (3/15/22).
Drake Allen - JUCO Freshman - 6’4” - SG - 2* recruit from Snow College (Ephriam, UT) - Westlake HS (Saratoga Springs, UT) - born in Eagle Mountain, UT - Allen is getting a lot of attention right now. He’s played 1 season at Snow and has played in 33 games (all starts) averaging 30.2 minutes and 12.9 ppg/2.21 steals/4.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists shooting 53.8% from the field (28.6% 3PT - 24 of 84) and 62.9% FT (73 of 116). When I watch him, the word “clever” comes to mind. I bet he’s a pain in the ass to play against. He’s not that big and not overly fast. He is quick and is a good jumper though. He just seems like a guy who would annoy the other team. I didn’t see video of him diving on the floor but I bet that’s part of what you get with him. He had a lot of Tyler Cochran things about him with his steals (sneaking up behind guys and poking the ball away…stuff like that). His outside shot is average and he doesn’t light it up from outside but he can make a shot from there. His instincts tell him to go to the basket. It appears he makes about 99% of his points from about 1 foot from the basket. He’s clever in getting around defenders (ie, he doesn’t blow them away as much as he just tricks them…which may very well not play at the D-1 level). Again, he’s a good jumper and can easily dunk the ball (he does it a lot…) but his size concerns me. At least he’s kinda tall for a guard. To play more inside, he’d definitely have to put on bulk. In addition to NIU, Allen has offers on the table from IUPUI, Radford, FIU, SIUe, Bowling Green, Southern Indiana, Western Illinois, Southern Utah, Northern Arizona, and NJIT. The offers from NIU, IUPUI, Radford and FIU all came in today (3/15/22) and the offers from SIUe, Bowling Green, Southern Indiana, and Western Illinois came in yesterday (3/14/22). So, interest in him has heated up real quick.
I am perplexed by this. I can't figure out the roster. My best guess is we have to have 1 (probably 2) guys leave the team just to get what we have coming in on the roster. But now Burno has made two more offers. And I can't believe this is for next year (both guys could play one more year at JUCO) since they're both getting a ton of offers right now.
So, your guess is as good as mine as to what is up.
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