Francis03
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My favorite time as some of you know in the recruiting season is the spring/summer circuit. This is when everything heats up and every coaching staff in the country gets on their grind to lockdown their recruiting targets. Below I'll just share some thoughts and opinions on various stuff.
1)Thank God Hop is still around. If he would've landed the USC job and took Red with him our recruiting would've definitely took a step back. Besides Rak and Grant, Hop was responsible for the rest of our final four roster this year. Plus he's the point man for Joseph and Goodluck's recruitment.
2)Overall quick thoughts on the 2013 class. Ennis will be a good player and leader at the point from day 1. Roberson will be a fan favorite and has ridiculous upside. Patterson has improved a lot and could be a pleasant surprise(this coming from somebody who wasn't a fan when he first committed). BJ is the biggest wild card and I'm looking forward to seeing what will role and position he'll play. Chino will pick up where BMK left off at, but fans will need to be patient and give him a few years. Heard nothing but things about Mike G for awhile now, but I take practice reports with a grain of salt and can't wait to see him with my own eyes.
3)The most important recruit for 2014 imho is Kaleb Joseph. Our teams are at best imho when we have three guards who can handle the rock. If Ennis and Mike G are the real deal and have a year to develop and play together, then you add this kid with his abilities OMG. Plus having multiple ball handlers is a big help against the Louisville press, who we'll have to deal with on a regular basis again in a few years. Add in whatever contributions that we'll get from Cooney, Buss, and BJ as well. Talk about being deep
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4)I think most know who the main targets for 2014 and 2015 are such as the likes of Joseph, Goodluck, Briscoe, Bryant etc. So here goes a look into the future of 2016 names to look out for this spring/summer. Tyus Battle SG/SF(Team Final), Rodney Miller PF/C, Kassoum Yakwe PF(Team Scan), Devonte Green(Team Scan, Danny Green's lil brother), and Unique McLean PG/SG(Team Scan).
5)Everybody talk about Kentucky next year but the team that I really like and think could be dangerous is Zona. They will have all three of those freshman bigs back and are adding Aaron Gordon and Rondae Jefferson. Both will fit in lovely. If the Duquesne transfer can play well for them at the point, then I think your looking at a championship caliber team if all gels well.
6)Speaking of Kentucky, out of all of their top recruits I expect Aaron Harrison to be their go to guy next year. He's the best pure scorer out of the group and in the 2013 class. Issue I see for them is that the Harrison twins dominate the ball a lot and it will be interesting to see how Cal will deal with all of the egos. Only one ball and he has 10 players(not counting possibly Wiggins) expecting to play plenty of minutes with lots of touches. Only 2 things can happen, either they'll dominate or it'll be a train wreck like this past season.
7)2014 overall watch list of players that I have to see during the circuit that I haven't seen yet is the following.
1)Tyus Jones-Considered the #1 PG, who sadly I haven't seen yet but looking forward to.
2)Ben Bentil-Cuse have shown interest in this PF from Africa. Looking forward to seeing how good his game is.
3)Paschal Chukwu-Raw big man from Connecticut, with lots of upside.
4)Dorian Pickens-SG from AZ that came on a visit at the end of last year.
8)The open evaluation period where coaches can go out and watch players play starts next weekend. Big events will take place at LA, Dallas, Vegas, Pittsburgh, and NJ. I'll have updates for that next weekend. Interesting note is that Joseph and Goodluck will play together on the Adidas circuit for Mass Rivalss(the single s will get the word deleted lol:noidea. McCullough will play alongside 2015 target Cheick Diallo for Team Scan Nike EYBL team, and possibly Thomas Bryant, if he gets bumped up from the 16u division.
9)Sleeper alert. If things for whatever reason goes south with Joseph, remember the name Sterling Taplin from the Buffalo area. He's playing with the Albany City Rocks and should make a name for himself during the EYBL season. Heard nothing but good things about him and he attended the SU elite camp last summer.
10)Last but not least, just wanted to say I love this forum and all of the good people in it. With the ups n downs and the constant negativity that can take place on the main board. I'm glad that I could always come here and enjoy good b-ball talk and opinions from you guys. Thanks for making this place fun and a must read daily for me
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1)Thank God Hop is still around. If he would've landed the USC job and took Red with him our recruiting would've definitely took a step back. Besides Rak and Grant, Hop was responsible for the rest of our final four roster this year. Plus he's the point man for Joseph and Goodluck's recruitment.
2)Overall quick thoughts on the 2013 class. Ennis will be a good player and leader at the point from day 1. Roberson will be a fan favorite and has ridiculous upside. Patterson has improved a lot and could be a pleasant surprise(this coming from somebody who wasn't a fan when he first committed). BJ is the biggest wild card and I'm looking forward to seeing what will role and position he'll play. Chino will pick up where BMK left off at, but fans will need to be patient and give him a few years. Heard nothing but things about Mike G for awhile now, but I take practice reports with a grain of salt and can't wait to see him with my own eyes.
3)The most important recruit for 2014 imho is Kaleb Joseph. Our teams are at best imho when we have three guards who can handle the rock. If Ennis and Mike G are the real deal and have a year to develop and play together, then you add this kid with his abilities OMG. Plus having multiple ball handlers is a big help against the Louisville press, who we'll have to deal with on a regular basis again in a few years. Add in whatever contributions that we'll get from Cooney, Buss, and BJ as well. Talk about being deep
.4)I think most know who the main targets for 2014 and 2015 are such as the likes of Joseph, Goodluck, Briscoe, Bryant etc. So here goes a look into the future of 2016 names to look out for this spring/summer. Tyus Battle SG/SF(Team Final), Rodney Miller PF/C, Kassoum Yakwe PF(Team Scan), Devonte Green(Team Scan, Danny Green's lil brother), and Unique McLean PG/SG(Team Scan).
5)Everybody talk about Kentucky next year but the team that I really like and think could be dangerous is Zona. They will have all three of those freshman bigs back and are adding Aaron Gordon and Rondae Jefferson. Both will fit in lovely. If the Duquesne transfer can play well for them at the point, then I think your looking at a championship caliber team if all gels well.
6)Speaking of Kentucky, out of all of their top recruits I expect Aaron Harrison to be their go to guy next year. He's the best pure scorer out of the group and in the 2013 class. Issue I see for them is that the Harrison twins dominate the ball a lot and it will be interesting to see how Cal will deal with all of the egos. Only one ball and he has 10 players(not counting possibly Wiggins) expecting to play plenty of minutes with lots of touches. Only 2 things can happen, either they'll dominate or it'll be a train wreck like this past season.
7)2014 overall watch list of players that I have to see during the circuit that I haven't seen yet is the following.
1)Tyus Jones-Considered the #1 PG, who sadly I haven't seen yet but looking forward to.
2)Ben Bentil-Cuse have shown interest in this PF from Africa. Looking forward to seeing how good his game is.
3)Paschal Chukwu-Raw big man from Connecticut, with lots of upside.
4)Dorian Pickens-SG from AZ that came on a visit at the end of last year.
8)The open evaluation period where coaches can go out and watch players play starts next weekend. Big events will take place at LA, Dallas, Vegas, Pittsburgh, and NJ. I'll have updates for that next weekend. Interesting note is that Joseph and Goodluck will play together on the Adidas circuit for Mass Rivalss(the single s will get the word deleted lol:noidea
. McCullough will play alongside 2015 target Cheick Diallo for Team Scan Nike EYBL team, and possibly Thomas Bryant, if he gets bumped up from the 16u division.9)Sleeper alert. If things for whatever reason goes south with Joseph, remember the name Sterling Taplin from the Buffalo area. He's playing with the Albany City Rocks and should make a name for himself during the EYBL season. Heard nothing but good things about him and he attended the SU elite camp last summer.
10)Last but not least, just wanted to say I love this forum and all of the good people in it. With the ups n downs and the constant negativity that can take place on the main board. I'm glad that I could always come here and enjoy good b-ball talk and opinions from you guys. Thanks for making this place fun and a must read daily for me
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