Sunday, May 04, 2008

Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (5/5)

By Bruin Basketball Report


Prep News Roundup is published every Monday.


Commits


Pump N' Run Elite featured a balanced attack led by 6-foot-8 Tyler Honeycutt who finished with 18 points, while Tarpley added 16 points, and Tyler Lamb 11 points. They also got solid support from Elijah Johnson and 6-foot-2 Kendall Williams who rounded out their double digit scoring with 10 points each. Utah Pump N' Run's top gun was Tapasoa who finished with a game high 20 points, while Davies added 15 points and Skler Halford added 11 points in the loss. CSTV 4/28


There isn't a program in the country that wouldn't love to add Jrue Holiday, a 6-3 guard headed to UCLA. For Holiday to develop his package of athleticism, selflessness and burgeoning skill into an NBA-ready package will require a minimum of two years, possibly three if he is to grow into what should be his best pro position: point guard. "These are multiyear people," Telep says. "You pick up your media guide and see, 'This school signed the No. 4 player in America.' Automatically, you're expecting what you've seen the past two years. You have to take off your school-colored glasses and look at the big picture." Sporting News 4/30


Drew Gordon, Archbishop Mitty track and field: Saturday at the Avis Kelley Invitational in Gilroy, Gordon won the discus with the longest throw in the Central Coast Section this year (179 feet, 6 inches). He also won the shot put (55-9). Mercury News 4/30


Recruits


Jordan Hamilton- Thompson's teammate slowly worked his way into this same game, passing up shots early in the game. It didn't take Hamilton long, however, to pick up a few baskets with zigzagging muscle drives to the rim and stamp his presence on the game. Then in the second half he nailed a couple threes with his vintage stroke to break the game open. Matching Hollis' efficiency, Hamilton went 9-12 from the field (2-3 from behind the arc) for a total of 23 points 2/3rds through the game. Rivals 4/28


A day after Hasheem Thabeet announced he would return for his junior season instead of making himself eligible for the NBA Draft, UConn received more good news today. Ater Majok, a 6-foot-10 forward who was the center of their recruiting efforts, made an oral commitment to attend UConn. Majok, who visited campus last week, is expected to sign a national letter of intent in the next few days. Courant 4/29


According to Rivals, KU is "very much in the mix" for forward Renardo Sidney (Los Angeles), the No. 1 player in the class of 2009. I couldn't tell you what "very much in the mix" means. But Sidney's favorites are UCLA and USC. Topeka Capital Journal 4/29


As part of UCLA's last-ditch search to find a center for next year's recruiting class, assistant coach Donny Daniels recently flew to Spain to see 7-footer Philip Wait, a native of Manchester England now playing at the Gran Canaria Basketball Academy. Daniels had been tracking Wait through director Rob Orellana, an assistant under Daniels at Cal State Fullerton. While I've been unable to track down Orellana thus far, I did reach Wait's former high school coach at Proctor Academy in New Hampshire. Gregor Makechnie said Wait has received interest from UCLA, Arizona State, Kentucky and Nebraska among others, but he also might opt to play professionally in Europe instead. Wait needs to work on his strength, footwork and toughness, according to Makechnie, but his upside is high. The 21-year-old wants to go to a school where he would be challenged academically and feel comfortable. "The thing UCLA has to determine is if he's a guy who comes in and makes an immediate impact," Makechnie said. "Two years ago he was a work in progress. I haven't seen him this year, but now he might have developed further." Press Enterprise 4/29


Over 50 teams from Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma will compete in the tournament, which is separated into 15-under, 16-under and 17-under divisions. Each division is split into three pools, with the top team from each pool advancing. Oklahoma’s own Athletes First will be competing in the 17-under bracket. The team features several of the state’s best players like Bishop McGuinness’ Daniel Orton and Putnam City’s Xavier Henry. Norman High’s Kyle Hardrick and Terrance Boyd are also on the team. Norman Transcript 5/2


Davidson has signed one of the top remaining recruits in the 2008 national class, the Observer has learned. Sources familiar with the process confirmed that Frank Ben-Eze, who plays at Bishop O'Connell High in Arlington, Va., signed with Davidson on Wednesday. Joe Wootten, Ben-Eze's coach, said they faxed his letter of intent to Davidson on Wednesday morning. According to hoopscoop.com, Ben-Eze is the 12th-best prospect overall who had yet to commit to a school. But Ben-Eze, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound center, decided on Davidson after an official visit over the weekend. Charlotte Observer 5/2


Hours after being granted a release from Stanford on Thursday, Miles Plumlee committed to Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils, choosing them over competing offers from Georgia Tech, Indiana, Notre Dame, Purdue, Southern Cal and UCLA. In doing so, the 6-foot-10 forward from Warsaw, Ind., will join younger brother, Mason, a 6-foot-11 junior, who gave an oral commitment to Duke in February. “It’s a wonderful opportunity and great that things played out the way they did,” Plumlee said. “We can be together in college and that’s an exciting thing. I’m really excited about Duke.” Ashville Citizen Times 5/2


Michael Snaer, a 6-4 junior from Rancho Verde, led the Inland Empire team to an impressive victory over Renardo Sidney and the L.A. Dream team Saturday at the GBOA Hoops tournament at USC. Snaer, who is being recruited by most of the Pac-10, had 29 points. LA Times 5/2


Out West, it could be argued that Tacoma shooting guard Avery Bradley was equally as impressive and dominant with his play. The 6-foot-3 guard was the talk of Vegas with his stellar play. He also shined in Colorado the week before. Avery Bradley scored 33 points on 14 of 17 shooting from the floor against EBO. He also shined on the defensive end of the floor. Ever intent on suiting up in the Pac-10, it will be interesting to see how his recruitment shakes out and who becomes a serious contender for his commitment. Rivals 5/2


Watch out world. When Xavier Henry gets back to full strength, it could get ugly. The five-star guard was great at the Boo Williams Invitational, even working on a grotesquely swollen ankle. He sprained his ankle on the first night of action but continue to light up defenses with his advanced offensive game. His recruitment continues to sing the same song: Memphis, Kansas, North Carolina, UCLA, Texas and Ohio State. Rivals 5/2


(photo credit: Mercury News and Press Enterprise)

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22 Comments:

At May 4, 2008, 5:57:00 PM, Anonymous jake said...

This says it all ...
"As part of UCLA's last-ditch search to find a center for next year's recruiting class, assistant coach Donny Daniels recently flew to Spain to see 7-footer Philip Wait, a native of Manchester England now playing at the Gran Canaria Basketball Academy."
Anybody worried yet ???

 
At May 4, 2008, 10:12:00 PM, Anonymous Dan-o said...

Not worried at all. Began to think realistically about it a few weeks ago. People should stop with the "Howland has something up his sleeve" garbage and the messianic faith they have that he will get a big man and that we'll be "marching towards a fourth final four". I love UCLA, and I am a proud 2006 alum. But I am also a realistic fan. It wouldn't kill some of the fans (including a lot of the Kool Aid fiends at Bruinsnation) to actually look objectively at the situation. Here are the facts:
-None of the recruiting services have us seriously in the mix for a big man this year and its kind of looking scant next year.
-We're losing Westbrook and Love
-We're probably getting back Shipp and Luc.
-We got a solid bunch of guys coming in next year
-Unless Keefe develops the front court is going to be way thin. Remember all the recruiting services describe Gordon "as offensively raw." In a couple of years I expect him to be a solid contributor.
-We still have an excellent chance of winning the Pac-10 due to the uncertainty in the league though I still think there is a 50% chance we finish in the top 3. AZ St. will be competitive. Stanford and Cal are in transition. Lord knows what's happening at 'Zona. We match up better with 'SC due to increased athleticism.
-The team will be a hybrid between the first final 4 team and the team in Howland's 2nd year.
-Doesn't look like that there will be any quality UCLA big man on the horizon till 2010 (either Jeremy Tyler or Josh smith)
-Realistic Accomplishments Next Year: Sweet 16 or Elite 8, 1 or 2 in PAC-10, player development in Gordon, Lee, and Keefe, strong recruiting efforts towards Smith, Tyler, and any other big men.
My long rant aside (I actually got to get back to studying) our chance will eventually come to bring home number 12, just not in the next two years. I will always be passionately rooting for the Bruins. Thanks for everything so far Coach Howland.

 
At May 4, 2008, 11:43:00 PM, Anonymous 1&done said...

Hey Dan-o after reading your extra long post I don't even have time to write my own! I'll have to skip breakfast now too!

 
At May 5, 2008, 1:18:00 AM, Anonymous JackB said...

Great post Dan-o. Agree with most of it. The bruins will be fine next year in the Pac-10...the competition in the coference will be on the small side too.
No Lopez twins, no Hardin, Huskies have 6-7 Brockman, the Trojies have 6'7 Gibson.

 
At May 5, 2008, 1:42:00 AM, Anonymous Jef said...

I hear this morning that Morgan has asked out of his LOI from LSU and plans to sign with UCLA. I wouldn't be too shocked if this were true.

 
At May 5, 2008, 4:10:00 AM, Anonymous jake said...

I've been worried about the "pipeline" of players since UCLA signed the trio of guards and even at that point most of the quality centers had been claimed. Also shocked that the Wears opted for NC - that hurt the pipeline a bit in my opinion.
Agreed - I don't give any credence to any of the posters who claim Howland is saying this or that or sending a message or hiding things up his sleeve ... etc - all that is poster blog bs.
Recruiting is a very difficult process and I'm quite sure you don't recruit players so they can tranfer - that just isn't part of the plan. But - it is what it is. Adapt and overcome.
In terms of speculation. I see Keefe being our center (regardless of Aboya coming back or not). I also think he will contribute nicely with his skill set - certainly not like Love did - but he doesn't have to - different skill set - but he can be effective in both the high/low posts. He can shoot. He crashes the boards hard. That's all good. I just hate being so thin at that position and hope we can land some reinforcements depending on who returns from sniffing out their draft status.

 
At May 5, 2008, 4:30:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"-Doesn't look like that there will be any quality UCLA big man on the horizon till 2010 (either Jeremy Tyler or Josh smith)"
I'll have to disagree here. We have a great chance of landing a big man in next years class. Renardo Sidney? Daniel Orton?

 
At May 5, 2008, 4:30:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"-Doesn't look like that there will be any quality UCLA big man on the horizon till 2010 (either Jeremy Tyler or Josh smith)"
I'll have to disagree here. We have a great chance of landing a big man in next years class. Renardo Sidney?

 
At May 5, 2008, 5:32:00 AM, Anonymous BruinBlue said...

Huge news!
Rivals is reporting Jmison Morgan has asked for a release out his LOI, and get this, UCLA is his favorite! He wants playing time and to play in the tourney....
link to Rivals

 
At May 5, 2008, 6:13:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is great news! The No.1 recruiting class just got better...This one sick recruiting class!
PG Anderson
SG Holiday
SF Lee
PF Gordon
C Morgan

 
At May 5, 2008, 6:31:00 AM, Anonymous Dan-O said...

Egg on my face if this is true. Boy would I be thrilled to be wrong!
Now I know how the neo-realists felt when the Cold War ended. Nerdy International relations reference but analogously the same.
Would love to have you manning the post J'Mison.

 
At May 5, 2008, 7:35:00 AM, Anonymous C. Morgan said...

Oh Captain my Captain... here's to you.

 
At May 5, 2008, 9:52:00 AM, Anonymous Bruin 2005 said...

This is nuts...if Morgan comes Howland will have landed every recruit he wanted for this class...insane. What a team...I havnt seen a class like this in years for any team...
Morgan
Luc/Keefe
Shipp/Roll
DC/Holiday
Lee/ Anderson
Final a complete inside out team...

 
At May 5, 2008, 9:55:00 AM, Anonymous Brew In said...

I was wondering why I didn't put my rum back up in the cabinet and was keeping it on the counter... Hopefully Morgan is the reason I was hoping to get a little Captain in us!!!
Need a little change up from all these brewskis I've been chugging down, drowning my sorrows...not getting enough "Love" anymore!

 
At May 5, 2008, 10:02:00 AM, Anonymous Bare Gunner said...

Now you boys ain't B.S.ing me? It seems like Morgan has changed his mind more times than Renardo Sidney has thrown temper tantrums on the court!
I won't believe it until I see it "officially" stated on BBR!
Then I'll rejoice!

 
At May 5, 2008, 10:02:00 AM, Anonymous 1&done said...

Hey BBR, what's your take on the Morgan story? My Captain Morgan is on hold until he's officially a Bruin! I'll just drink my Sierra Nevada's until then. Where ya at Brewin? Morgan to UCLA = final 4 again and maybe banner #12!!!

 
At May 5, 2008, 10:25:00 AM, Anonymous Rome 06' said...

Very interesting to see what happens to say the least.

 
At May 5, 2008, 11:47:00 AM, Anonymous jake said...

To be honest I don't get the J'Mison Morgan situation. Trent Johnson takes over the LSU job AND smartly retains Butch Pierre. The last I heard this was enough for Morgan to honor his LOI. So - what has happened since to change Morgan's mind ??? I believe part of his reasoning is that he wants to be the first option (ie not on a 3 point shooting team). Interesting that half of the folks on the boards want just that.
I have not seen Morgan play in person so my only observations are from video which hardly reveal what sort of player he is on the court. My first impressions were that he plays a bit soft. That may be unfair because he also looked to be playing with/against a bunch of smaller players in a scrimmage.
Anybody have first hand info on his skill set up/down the floor - and not just in highlight/lowlight film shots.

 
At May 5, 2008, 12:27:00 PM, Anonymous Bruin 2005 said...

I think the change of heart has alot to do with Kevin. We really put the push on J'mison when Brady was fired and it was clear that Kevin was gone.

 
At May 5, 2008, 3:51:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

he officially asked to be let out of his letter of intent earlier today, which gives him the option of UCLA or KU

 
At May 5, 2008, 4:24:00 PM, Anonymous b ball said...

South Oak Cliff star asks out of LSU
12:25 AM CDT on Tuesday, May 6, 2008
By DAMON L. SAYLES / The Dallas Morning News
dsayles@dallasnews.com
South Oak Cliff senior center J'mison Morgan on Monday confirmed that he has asked for his release from LSU.
Morgan (6-11, 255) said he submitted the release papers to LSU on Sunday and is considering attending UCLA in the fall.
"It was a real hard decision for me," said Morgan, an all-state center. "My comfort level was at LSU, but I felt like UCLA was a better fit for me as far as exposure."
Morgan said he hopes to hear back from LSU by the end of the week and will make his college decision after receiving the official release.
Morgan signed a national letter of intent with LSU in November, but John Brady was fired as LSU's head coach in early February. Morgan originally said he planned to stay at LSU.
LSU assistant coach Butch Pierre was one of the names considered to replace Brady. Former Stanford coach Trent Johnson, however, got the job, which led Morgan to contemplate his release.
"I felt like I had a better bond with Coach Pierre," Morgan said. "Coach Johnson is a good coach, but I didn't feel all that comfortable with him. I just didn't want to go into a newer situation."
Morgan averaged 13.5 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots for SOC and was a first-team all-area selection last season.

 
At May 6, 2008, 12:05:00 PM, Anonymous Don said...

According to Dohn who says he spoke with his brother, it is a done deal. Will believe it when I see it in writing.... Still, not going to be the impact player Klove was.. but a good big to have for sure

 

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