THE OFFICIAL " July Basketball Recruit Evaluation" THREAD

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

July is one of the biggest months of the year for college basketball recruiting. It will be interesting to see who Pikiel and Staff track and watch during this important month.

 

[Russ Wood]

The South dominates July with events in Charlotte (Under Armour) Augusta, SC (Nike), Myrtle Beach (non-shoe specific), Atlanta (Under Armour & non-shoe specific events), Orlando (non-shoe specific), Milwaukee (non-shoe specific) Las Vegas (adidas & non-shoe specific events).

**Shameless self promotion**
I'll be in Milwaukee next week (where I'm sure I'll see several B1G Coaches) and Orlando for part of the week after.

 

[SkilletHead2]

Put in a good word for us, Russ! Always enjoy your posts.

 

[Mr_Twister]

Are there international events, or do international players show up at these American events?

 

[Russ Wood]

Are there international events, or do international players show up at these American events?

FIBA 17U event just ended on July 3rd. I believe the 18U FIBA tournament starts next month but don't hold me to that.

International players can't just show up at these events. They have to be a member of an AAU team and for some of these events they had to play in at least two previous AAU tournaments this year.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Very interesting, on the first day Pikiell watched a 2019 recruit. From New Jersey

2019 wing Scottie Lewis was one of the standouts on the first day of the Under Armour All-American camp, which tipped off on Wednesday.

Mark Turgeon, Jay Wright, Mike Brey, Kevin Willard and Steve Pikiell watched Lewis at the camp on Wednesday.

This is not to say that Pikiell did not make the rounds to see others...I'm sure he did.

 

[Russ Wood]

Lots of talent at the Under Armour Camp in Charlotte. I know several head coaches who were going to be there yesterday then planned to drive down to South Carolina for either the Nike Peach Jam or the adidas Gauntlet event.

It's early in Lewis' recruitment, but he likes Florida a lot (already came to a camp there) and loves Mark Turgeon.

 

[Russ Wood]

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Another Rutgers Target....not sure if he is a 2017 or later recruit.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Another Rutgers Target....not sure if he is a 2017 or later recruit.

@Russ Wood , Any insight into this guy that plays for the Showtime Ballers ? Maybe he fits the mode of being an "under the radar guy looking for the challenge of competing in the Big 10 and willing to work hard to improve his game"

 

[Jtg=04131996]

Here's my quick, amateur analysis of Reed

2017 kid, Showtime Ballers is the same team Sanders played for so we've got a connection. From his tape Reed looks raw but athletic. I'd like to know how tall he is - I'd guess maybe 6'7 but if he grows another couple inches he might blow up. Another one of those poor man's KD-types who has the potential to be very good if developed properly. Outside shot isn't the prettiest (his feet spacing is awkward) but he made quite a few which is nice to see. Looked good not great in transition, certainly could improve his handles but he's got plenty of time to do so. Would be surprised if some other other high-majors don't get involved. Lots of potential.

http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4827180/5721e28a9a91677e74b60624

 

[Russ Wood]

Reed is in the class of 2017. Last month, when UCF offered him, I posted the following on the UCF board:

------------​

Reed had a nice second session of the Adidas Gauntlet where he averaged just under 12 points, six rebounds and almost 2 blocks per game and made 73 percent of his shots from the field. I watched a lot of video on him from the first two Adidas Gauntlet sessions but my notes are on my home computer. From what I can remember he has a lot of upside. Reed scored mainly at the rim on straight line drives and he showed nice touch around the basket.

What I didn’t see was his ability to stretch the defense by making perimeter jump shots or even jump shots in the 12-15 foot range, he definitely needs to improve there. He is a pretty good ball handler for his size, this is likely due to him playing a guard position until this year. I was told that Reed has grown four inches since Spring 2015. He has long arms, good end-to-end speed and gets off the floor quickly for rebounds.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Reed is in the class of 2017. Last month, when UCF offered him, I posted the following on the UCF board:

------------​

Reed had a nice second session of the Adidas Gauntlet where he averaged just under 12 points, six rebounds and almost 2 blocks per game and made 73 percent of his shots from the field. I watched a lot of video on him from the first two Adidas Gauntlet sessions but my notes are on my home computer. From what I can remember he has a lot of upside. Reed scored mainly at the rim on straight line drives and he showed nice touch around the basket.

What I didn’t see was his ability to stretch the defense by making perimeter jump shots or even jump shots in the 12-15 foot range, he definitely needs to improve there. He is a pretty good ball handler for his size, this is likely due to him playing a guard position until this year. I was told that Reed has grown four inches since Spring 2015. He has long arms, good end-to-end speed and gets off the floor quickly for rebounds.

Thanks @Russ Wood It seems like the kind of guy Pikielll stated he would target until the program is on solid footing and he can go after Top 100 guys and have an realistic chance of getting them.....hopefully by the 2018 class.

 

[Russ Wood]

Thanks @Russ Wood It seems like the kind of guy Pikielll stated he would target until the program is on solid footing and he can go after Top 100 guys and have an realistic chance of getting them.....hopefully by the 2018 class.

No problem.

I just reviewed Reed's shot chart from his first eight AAU games. He was 1-of-12 on jump shots. The jumper he made was a short one just off of the left block. Most of his made baskets were layups or dunks. I think Reed is a really good candidate for a prep year. He grew rapidly over the past 12 months and is learning a new position/skills. If he is willing to prep and works hard at skill development, I could see his recruitment move from mostly mid-majors to mostly high majors.

 

[Jtg=04131996]

No problem.

I just reviewed Reed's shot chart from his first eight AAU games. He was 1-of-12 on jump shots. The jumper he made was a short one just off of the left block. Most of his made baskets were layups or dunks. I think Reed is a really good candidate for a prep year. He grew rapidly over the past 12 months and is learning a new position/skills. If he is willing to prep and works hard at skill development, I could see his recruitment move from mostly mid-majors to mostly high majors.

His Hudl video I linked shows a good amount of outside shots. Any idea how tall he is?

 

[dpwhite]

Pikiell and Brandin Knight were watching Jose Alvarado very closely last night, per Zagoria.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

No problem.

I just reviewed Reed's shot chart from his first eight AAU games. He was 1-of-12 on jump shots. The jumper he made was a short one just off of the left block. Most of his made baskets were layups or dunks. I think Reed is a really good candidate for a prep year. He grew rapidly over the past 12 months and is learning a new position/skills. If he is willing to prep and works hard at skill development, I could see his recruitment move from mostly mid-majors to mostly high majors.

@Russ Wood , Interesting comment about the Prep school reference. In your opinion, do you think a Red-shirt year could be just as useful as a Prep Year ? Obviously, by prepping he gets to play in actual games....but, with red-shirting at Rutgers he gets better coaching and works on his craft against better players in practice?

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Pikiell and Brandin Knight were watching Jose Alvarado very closely last night, per Zagoria.

Do you have any sense of the pecking order for guys being targeted by Pikiell ? If not all positions, Maybe, the Number 1 PG on his list ? Is it Alvarado ?

 

[dpwhite]

Do you have any sense of the pecking order for guys being targeted by Pikiell ? If not all positions, Maybe, the Number 1 PG on his list ? Is it Alvarado ?

According to his podcast and Twitter feed, Zags seems to think Alvarado is target #1. However, much like Corey Sanders kind of came out of no where (or, at the very least, when Eddie hired Shoes) I think Top Targets will become very clear this month.

 

[Russ Wood]

Do you have any sense of the pecking order for guys being targeted by Pikiell ? If not all positions, Maybe, the Number 1 PG on his list ? Is it Alvarado ?

Rich may have some insight on Rutgers top priorities.

As for the prep year vs redshirt, some kids don't want to redshirt. These kids are used to, not only playing, starting and being option one or two on their HS team. The idea of putting in the time & work lifting weights, watching what they eat, coming to team meetings, participating in practice (on the scout team) but not getting to play is a deal breaker for most kids. Especially if other schools are telling them that they will get to play early as a freshman.

I don't know Reed well enough to know how he'd feel about redshirting. But since so many kids prep these days it's like nothing to a lot of kids.