Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (10/27)
By Bruin Basketball Report
Prep News Roundup is published every Monday.
Recruits
Elvert “Kool-Aid” Perry, the AAU coach of No. 11-rated player Michael Snaer, tells Rivals.com Snaer will take the next week to think about his five finalists — KU, Marquette, Missouri, UCLA and Florida State. If he can’t decide after a week or so, he still may visit Cal, Stanford and/or Memphis unofficially. Snaer is looking for significant playing time as a freshman. Lawrence Journal World 10/21
Lincoln High School hoops star Lance Stephenson is facing sexual assault charges after a 17-year-old classmate claimed he groped her inside the Brooklyn school earlier this month. Stephenson, a two-time NYC player of the year and three-time city champion, is currently ranked the No. 7 high school player in the country by ESPN and is the subject of his own online reality documentary site called BornReady.TV. Examiner 10/21
Harrison Barnes, a 6-foot-6 junior small forward from Ames (Iowa) Senior High who attended Late Night on an unofficial recruiting visit, travels to Duke this weekend, Rivals.com reports. Barnes has already unofficially visited Iowa, Iowa State, Florida, Southern Cal and KU. He’s the No. 4-rated player in the Class of 2010 who has scholarship offers from KU, Iowa, Iowa State, Tennessee, Florida, LSU, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas, Maryland, Illinois, Louisville, Minnesota, Indiana, USC, UCLA, Duke, TCU and DePaul. Lawrence Journal World 10/21
Xavier Henry, Rivals.com’s No. 3-rated high school basketball player nationally, was injured in a car accident Wednesday in the Oklahoma City area. Xavier’s dad, Carl Henry, told CBSsportline.com that his son suffered a fractured cheekbone that will keep him sidelined at least two weeks. CBSsportsline.com reported that Xavier will have surgery on his face when swelling subsides and will wear a protective mask during games this season.
Carl Henry said Xavier, a 6-foot-6 guard out of Putnam City High, “was feeling OK” while resting in the hospital. KU Sports 10/22
Michael Snaer's strengths are that he is capable of being a nasty competitor, can really shoot coming off screens, rebounds his position and is a multi-position defender. The weakness that I've noticed is at times he can disappear and not assert himself for whatever reason. Rivals 10/23
With the departure of Olson before the November national letter of intent signing period, Abdul Gaddy now has the opportunity to weigh his collegiate options once again. Prior to verbally committing to Arizona over the summer, Gaddy had also been considering UCLA, Memphis, and Washington. UCLA already has a star-studded 2009 class of forwards Reeves Nelson, Brendan Lane, Tyler Honeycutt, and center Anthony Stover, and the addition of the five-star Gaddy would help complete the class. The Bruins are still pursuing guard Michael Snaer, however, his recruitment has taken some time, and perhaps Gaddy, a player who can play both the point and shooting guard positions may be a better fit for the Bruins in their future plans. Bruin Basketball Report 10/23
Phoenix North High junior basketball player Daniel Bejarano told Texas coach Rick Barnes on Thursday that he will play for the Longhorns after he graduates in 2010. Bejarano, a 6-foot-5 1/2, 205-pound wing, who averaged 22 points and 9.8 rebounds as a sophomore, is ranked as the 16th overall prospect in the Class of 2010 by Rivals.com, and 12th overall by Scout.com. Arizona Stars coach and North assistant Ray Arvizu Jr., said Bejarano enjoyed his unofficial visit to Texas last weekend and was taken by the relationship between coaches and players. "The facilities are second to none," Arvizu said. Arvizu said Texas and Arizona State recruited Bejarano the hardest. He said Bejarano also received scholarship offers from UCLA, West Virginia, Southern California, Washington, Indiana, Kansas, Oregon and Memphis. AZ Central 10/23
The effects of Lute Olson's sudden retirement have been felt again and now the UA basketball team is left with no incoming players for the 2009 season. The recruiting website rivals.com reports that Abdul Gaddy, the highly-touted point guard out of Tacoma, Washington has decommitted to the Wildcats for a second time because of the instability of the coaching situation. Gaddy joins forwards Mike Moser and Solomon Hill who also pulled out on the verbal commitment to the UA after OLson's announcement. The report also indicates, the players were upset that assistant Reggie Geary's future with the program was up in the air. KVOA Arizona 10/26
(photo credit: LA Times)
Labels: Prep News Roundup
BBR :: Article Link :: 5:00 PM ::
41 comments
41 Comments:
Snaer will go elsewhere (due to playing time concerns - he is a one and done and wants to get in minutes to ensure he is a one and done). Gaddy will go to UCLA (he is a two year player so more important to be on a good team then have tons of immediate minutes).
That's the prediction.
What do you all think?
I concur. I think it would be better for us to have Gaddy than Snaer anyway.If its taking this long for Snaer it shows he doesnt really feel us and In return he can go screw himself. Gaddy will be a better team player (UCLA style) and Snaer can go have his one and done at a school that doesnt get past 2nd round of march madness.
I'm on the Gaddy band wagon...2 years will allow him to really improve his game...
I think its clear that Gaddy will end up at Washington. He chose Arizona because he wants playing time and a quick jump into the NBA. He wont be a starter next season a UCLA. This kid is interested in playing one season and making a jump into the draft. I really wish we were looking at guards like this years class that are looking long term and want to develop their skills for the next level.
Gaddy is a 2 year player because he it to young to jump to the NBA after one year.
I think Howland can easily cite Russel Westbrook as an example to anyone who is afraid of a lack of PT hurting their draft status. Westbrook was supposed to be the 6th man last year, but forced his way into the starting lineup and got drafted very high in the first round. If you're good enough, and you work hard you can get more PT.
"If its taking this long for Snaer it shows he doesnt really feel us and In return he can go screw himself."
Another "pearl" from "Purl." Actually, a comment like this makes a Bruin want to "hurl."
BTW, Schmurl, or whatever your name is, should Bobo go "screw himself" (as you so delicately put it) since it took him awhile to realize Pauley was the place for him?
According to the following website,
http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=2&c=805461&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fscouthoops.scout.com%2f2%2f805461.html, "Gaddy Takes Aim At A Pair. More visits may not be needed - Abdul Gaddy wasn't supposed to be school hunting in October. However, Lute Olson's retirement rocked his recruiting plan. Scout.com's No. 9 prospect in the senior class is no longer committed to the 'Cats and is considering two schools - UCLA & Washington." It seems like Abdul Gaddy will get to a decision soon. Gaddy, please follow the footstep of Jrue Holiday & Drew Gordon who committed to UCLA over Washington last year. You will get one of the best education in the world as well as get you prepared for the next level at the NBA.
Question for anybody who knows- Is there only one scholie left (for either Snaer or Gaddy)? Or do we have more?
If no one leaves early, there are 12 scholarship players for 2009 (one left)
C J'mison Morgan
C/PF Drew Gordon
C Anthony Stover
PF James Keefe
PF Reeves Nelson
PF Brendan Lane
SF Tyler Honeycutt
SF Nikola Dragovic
PG/SG Malcolm Lee
SG Mike Roll
PG/SG Jrue Holiday
PG Jerime Anderson
If anyone leaves early, that will open up a scholarship.
Is there some reason Gaddy is no longer considering Memphis?
Ya.. cuz Memphis bites. Full of punks and thugs.
My feel on Gaddy is that he is a student of college hoops, especially the PAC-10. As he grew up in the 90's-2000's the Wildcats were always around the top in producing NBA guard prospects. Lavin was another story. Gaddy said many times that he grew up a Cats fan and followed his heart to Zona. Good for him, but it didn't work out. Now he has to decide if he wants to go to the best school (all aspects) in the PAC-10, or be closer to home. They do have tradition there, and he has to be torn about turning his back on his home state over and over again. But he ultimately knows that he would complete a monster 2009 class in Westwood that could do huge things down the road. Let's wait and see what happens...
2005, it's quite possible that Gaddy could well be a starter at Ucla in '09; for sure he'd be a big time contributor if he can pick up the plays on both offense and defense.
Jrue Holiday is a team player and a great talent who will play PG in the NBA. The NBA drafts based on potential, not proven accomplishments. Jrue will be a lottery pick in '09 and it's highly unlikely he won't accept that situation and move on.
That leaves Lee, Anderson and Roll at guard - plus Gaddy. Gaddy and Anderson could be a very strong starting backcourt with Lee playing SF in place of the graduated Shipp as well as subbing in the backcourt (same for Mike Roll). If Ben Howland wants to go big, he has other options, of course - move Lee to SG and go with Lane, Honeycutt or Dragovic at SF. But I think Gaddy will get a lot of minutes and, if he's good enough, could very well start alongside Anderson.
Completely agree BarryA...Gaddy is more of a scoring PG. He may not be as athletic as Westbrook but he is a big time scorer and the perfect backcourt partner to Jerime Anderson. Gaddy fits perfectly into Howland's style of play. He loves combo guards!
Gaddy.....just look where Westbrook is now - playing next to Kevin Durant. That may be your future!
with one scholarship left, it might come down to who pulls the trigger first. i can't remember exactly, maybe one of you can help me out, this seems a lot like when larry drew jr. reportedly wanted to say yes to the bruins, there wasn't a ride left because someone else beat him to it.
i'd hate to be the player looking in the window on the day after xmas and all the scholarships are gone.
http://ucla.scout.com/a.z?s=12&p=2&c=805522&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fucla.scout.com%2f2%2f805522.html
Gaddy has narrowed his options... I wonder what's on his mind right now.
Hey... sounds like Lance will make a PERFECT addition to USC - up for sexual assualt charges. What's that all about? Glad UCLA took away the initial offer.
am I the only one that thinks that snaer looks a lot like levance fields of pitt?
Time to play Coach everybody:
1. You've got one scholarship left...Do you take Gaddy or Snaer?
2. Why?
ANSWER: See all the comments above.
Abdul Gaddy - PG 6'3"/170
Strengths
Ability to Create
Impact Player
Instincts for Position
Tremendous Passer
Great Feel and Vision
Ability to Find Teammates
Graceful on the Court
Pure Floor General
Areas For Improvement
Big-Time Scorer
Shooting Off Dribble
Strength, Needs to Bulk Up
Michael Snaer - SG 6'4"/185
Strengths
Above Average Athlete
Size, Solid Frame, Good Length
Deadeye Perimeter Shooter
Handles and Passes Ball
Willingness to Compete
Defensive Prowess
Good Feel For Game
Areas For Improvement
Wants Immediate Playng Time
I think it is a matter of these factors:
*Longevity, How long may they stay?
*Do we need a PG or SG more?
*Who's the better shooter?
*Do we need a floor manager or a lock-down defender
May not have answered your question, but hopefully provided more insight!
We'll be lucky to land either of them, so don't go out and buy their jersey yet. Snaer is a long shot, 15% and Gaddy is 50%. The question is who could grab the last spot if they don't.
I think if you want to win a national championship, you go with one year of Snaer with Anderson at the point. I'm not thinking PAC-10 championship or Final Four. I'm thinking 6 wins in a row during March Madness. I think the way to win is to build a solid team, then throw in a Derrick Rose or Kevin Love for a year to get you over the top. One-and-dones have their place. Maybe Gaddy represents two final fours and no national championships. We need a "go to" scorer who can consistently drain the three.
Will everyone who doubted what I wrote this morning realize that is Gaddy is not about developing his game or competing for playing time.
Gaddy is gone to UW:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cbasketball/385455_gaddy29.html
Bummer. I could never fault a kid for picking his home school.
WOW - I am really surprised. Too bad. This would have been the feather in the cap. Would have completed a perfect recruiting class - probably ranked #1. Seem Gaddy wanted immediate playing time too. Too bad Ben made a trip up that same day to see Gaddy practice.
You can't blame the kid for picking his home school. I wish he chose UCLA more than anything but you can't land them all. If we get Snaer we should definitely compete for a national title in 2010. It's still a good day to be a Bruin baby !!!
at least he's in the Pac-10 conference.... can't blame the kid staying close to home....Coach Howland is still the man.... the season is around the corner!!!
Hello Mr. Snaer, ever heard of the UCLA basketball tradition?? A stud who plays d-fense is always welcome in blue n gold...let's hang a banner
Oh well. So much for the question of whether you want Gaddy or Snaer. How 'bout this....Saner or Moser? Yes, Moser would be a 2nd SF, but what they heck...he's available now!
Actually, it really doesn't matter. Coach will mode whoever we get into awesome competitors.
Snaer would be great. And he will start at the 2 as holiday is also one & done. It's a perfect fit.
Though I agree Snaer would be a good fit, is there any chance BBR that Coach H could try to sway any of the uncommitted over to Westwood?
The top point guard for 2009 John Wall is still undecided. And although he is from Raleigh NC, he did list Oregon as one of his schools of choice so he's not too afraid to think West Coast I take it.
But back to the Bruin guard situation if Jrue leaves after this year along with DC graduating.
This leaves Anderson at point, Lee at the 1,2, or 3 postition, and Roll at SG. I think we need to fill the potential vacuum there.
Or course all would take care of itself if Holiday stayed, but not even DLove (who appreciated the UCLA tradition and loved John Wooden) could not stay away from a lottery pick.
There is also SG Durand Scott from NY who had listed UCLA as a choice. Curious to know if he is still interested is us or we in he? He would make a good fit as his strengths are:
Extremely Competitive
Big-Game Player
Competitiveness
Toughness
Desirable teammate
Hard-nosed attitude
(Sounds like Afflalo Jr.)
Areas For Improvement:
Ballhandling
Catch and Shoot
Decision Making
(All things Coach H can correct)
You guys got to relax about kids wanting to go elsewhere. There is nothing wrong with someone wanting to go another school to get more playing time. It is their choice afterall.
These kids and their parents need to just find whatever is best for them and face the results of their decisions. They owe nothing to UCLA nor does UCLA owes anything to any athletes coming here.
It is a two way door. Both are using each other to benefit themselves as seen fit plain and simple.
Opportunities come once in a lifetime so each need to make whatever decision they think is best.
I believe Jrue's going to end up being a 1 and done too. I see Lee sliding into the #2 and maybe Tyler Honeycutt could earn a starting job as a frosh. He's a high IQ player and shouldn't have trouble with the intricacies of Coach Howland's D.
DB, pull out that incense and start burning aromatherapy candles!
As for the likes of guys like me, BruinFan, and others, we'll pull out our brewskis and nachos, and get indigestion watching every minute of the Bruins running up and down the court. I like the crazed passion, and with that comes our obsession to haul in the best team to bring us back to the Final Four every year!
We all have our way and unfortunately some of it does not include relaxation during the off season. It usually takes 5 or 6 brews for that.
But the PASSION by everybody here is what makes this website great. I only feel bad when we ask too much of BBR, cause though he's "the man" we can't expect him to pull information out of some magic hat!
In the meantime, blow some of that sage our way my friend!
Am just wondering who exactly on this site said that a kid does not have the right to "go another school to get more playing time." I would think that it goes without saying that any kid has that right. However, there is nothing wrong with fans opining that, in their opinion, a kid is making an ill-advised decision. That is not disrespectful or unreasonable. It is a fan stating an opinion. And, by the way, if a point guard is truly committed to improving his game and working to become as successful in the NBA as he can possibly be, one can make a damn good argument that BH is the coach to get 'ur done over Herrick's stooge and Lavin's colleague the one the only throw the ball into Aboya's face and not apologize for your player dude up in Huskie country. Now DB just relax before having a heart attack. This is just one man's (albeit a great one) opinion.
Am just wondering who exactly on this site said that a kid does not have the right to "go another school to get more playing time." I would think that it goes without saying that any kid has that right. However, there is nothing wrong with fans opining that, in their opinion, a kid is making an ill-advised decision. That is not disrespectful or unreasonable. It is a fan stating an opinion. And, by the way, if a point guard is truly committed to improving his game and working to become as successful in the NBA as he can possibly be, one can make a damn good argument that BH is the coach to get 'ur done over Herrick's stooge and Lavin's colleague the one the only throw the ball into Aboya's face and not apologize for your player dude up in Huskie country. Now DB just relax before having a heart attack. This is just one man's (albeit a great one) opinion.
testing
Well said George!
Dear Mr. Snaer,
I envision you in a U.C.L.A. uniform!!
Don't wait until it is too late!!!
Bruin Nation:
Monday is quickly approaching.....Join me @ Westwood Brew Co @ 6pm to kick-off the season....
ask the bartender for BruinFan
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