Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (8/20)

By Bruin Basketball Report

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday.

Commits

For the 2008 American team, Cali combo guard Jrue Holiday was on cruise control–and since he gives 100-percent effort every time out, that’s a good thing. The UCLA commit is strong as an ox, unselfish to a fault, gets to the rack and finishes at will and best of all, takes great pride in his D, which may be second to none among 08 guards. SLAM 8/13

However, what if the NBA guys weren't allowed to play in the Olympics?
Like it was before The Dream Team in 1992 when college players had to
carry the American flag. Here's our 12-man team comprised of college players — if we couldn't throw our pro guys out there. C — Kevin Love — I know he hasn't even played a game in the collegiate ranks and most would take 7-footer Roy Hibbert over the UCLA frosh, but there's no better passing big man than Love. He'll make sure perimeter guys get easy looks and he can also score around the basket and from mid-range. He's extremely skilled and is a terrific positional rebounder. Fox Sports 8/14

Recruits

"It was a lot of fun playing with Ray Allen and against (Caron) Butler,
and it's been a real good experience playing with all these college
guys," Jeremy Tyler said. He is trying to stay out of the whole recruiting process for as long as he can. "Right now, I'm just going to be 16, play ball, and just know that
there's a college out there for me," Tyler said. "I'll make my decision
in the near future. Every college in the country has a chance. You have
to keep your focus, don't think you made it already, and keep working
hard from Day One. I have to get better at everything, I'm not great at
anything yet." Journal Inquirer 8/14

Lute Olson All-Star Classic: Center Jeff Withey of San Diego, a 2008 UA commitment, will attend the
camp along with several other young players to whom the Wildcats have
offered scholarships: forwards David and Travis Wear (2009) of Santa
Ana, Calif.; wing Hollis Thompson (2009) of Los Angeles; point guard
Abdul Gaddy (2009) of Tacoma, Wash; forward Jeremy Tyler (2010) of San
Diego. Arizona Daily Star 8/15

Hype aside, seeing a 6-foot-10, 250-pound high school player like Renardo Sidney shoot feathery-soft 3-pointers is akin to seeing your sister dressed up to go to the prom with your best friend. You may have braced yourself ahead of time, but you are still not ready when it happens. I’m not entirely sure any of us are ready for Sidney, a junior-to-be from Artesia High School in California who is considered the top player in the class of 2009. His rise to fame is linked to summer camps and the A.A.U. circuit. He did not even play high school basketball as a freshman. New York Times 8/16

Hollis Thompson was one of the exciting finds of the summer. He has all the physical tools of a top prospect. He has good length and athleticism at his wing position. His skill set is diversified: he can post up to score, shoot from 3-point range, make the quick pass and rebound. Thompson's maturity and intelligence are attracting most of the major programs in the country. UCLA, USC and Georgetown have already offered scholarships. Duke and many others have made the five-star 2009 prospect a priority. Rivals 8/17

In comparing Hollis Thompson to fellow 2009 five-star prospect Jordan Hamilton, Thompson just isn't as physically strong or as polished a player as Hamilton at this point. Thompson is 6 feet 6 and weighs 180 pounds. Hamilton is 6-7 and weighs 210. That extra 30 pounds makes a lot of difference when rebounding and scoring in a crowd. With crafty moves, a smooth shot, and physical strength, Hamilton has an extremely mature scoring game. He also shows great poise with the basketball. Rivals 8/18

(photo credit: New York Times/Chris Johnson)