Recruiting Tidbits
by Con-T on Aug 27, 2010 2:34 PM CDT
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PrintCreepiness abounds in the recruitment of one-time MSU target JaKarr Sampson, who will be transferring to Brewster Academy prep school in New Hampshire. His now openly acknowledged academic problems were cited by his mother as the reason for the transfer, but his high school coach, Dru Joyce II, has lashed out at the colleges recruiting Sampson, specifically Xavier, for luring him away from Akron Saint Vincent-Saint Mary's to have more control: "I truly believe he still wants to be here, but they just tore him away from us." Ugh. The best I can say is that I didn't see Michigan State or Tom Izzo mentioned in any of the articles I found. Also no word on whether Sampson is reclassifying to 2012, as had originally been rumored.
UoM picked up another commitment in their 2011 class from Columbus, Ohio point guard Trey Burke, once committed to Penn State. Scout has him ranked as the #22 point guard in the class.
Gary Harris visited Indiana on Saturday and will be at Notre Dame this Sunday. His father has said nothing more to dispel the air of mystery. Here's a selection of quotes from him in the Indy Star: "We'd like for him to stay reasonably close to home so we can see him play. . .But it's not the only factor"; "Some of the places on his list are more of a long shot than others, but . . .we haven't told anybody that we're not going to consider them"; "We'll take a deeper dive into some programs and go from there". Consider yourselves informed.
Ballin' is a Habit has posted their synthesis of the three major recruiting services rankings, which includes average deviation in the three rankings. The results have Branden Dawson at #13. The weirdness of ranking players listed by one service but not others results in Dwaun Anderson and Brandan Kearney being tied at #120 (Anderson is #89 in Rivals, Kearney is #89 in ESPN and neither is ranked by the other services).
In case you were unaware (as I was), basketball at the 2010 Youth Olympics is a half-court 3-on-3 affair. Here's the description from the official website:
Basketball 3 on 3 will debut at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games as an Olympic sport. There will be two teams made up of three players each on court at any one time. This adrenaline-packed game is played on a half court, with one basketball hoop. It includes two intensive periods of five minutes each. The team to first score 33 points or is leading the game after the regular game time is the winner.Despite 10 points from MSU commit Brandan Kearney the US fell to Greece in the bronze medal game. In what was probably a bruising final, Serbia beat Croatia for the gold 22-9.
This is a FanPost, written by a member of the TOC community. It does not represent the official positions of The Only Colors, Inc.--largely because we have no official positions.
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Gary Harris
For those intrigued by the Gary Harris as football player angle, he had 8 catches for 120 yards and 4 touchdowns in his high school’s big rivalry game last night.
Yeah
I don’t know if that lends credence to the idea that he could come in on a football scholarship for a year but his skills are no joke.
Just when you thought there was no way. . .
According to the Indy Star , Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin are interested in Harris for his football skills! C’mon Dantonio, what are you waiting for?
Very interesting
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Aug 31, 2010 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions
I've been thinking about this
It goes back to our prior discussion. First. what qualifies the NCAA’s mind as a “football player” earning his scholarship?
Every two-sport player I remember played the entire football season. Would that mean that Harris would start with the basketball team in January? I suppose having him for most of the season is better than not at all, but it appears that taking him on a football scholarship would answer one big question while creating a few new ones. If Con is write that Harris “hasn’t thought about it yet,” then it’s probably not Izzo’s primary plan.
Also, from the FB side, I can’t imagine he gets offered by Dantonio as a WR until after DeAnthony Arnett makes his decision and that’s supposed to be January.
Hey Con-T
I have a post going up Monday discussing some 2011 recruiting and Sampson, too. I’ll link your post as part of mine.
I may be the only one
but im starting to think Izzo wrapped up his classes too quickly. I trust in him, and I know the national services dont hold too much water, but in the new Rivals and ESPN rankings Kearney dropped, Anderson didnt rise, Trice, Costello, Kaminski and Valentine still got no attention. Dawson really is the only “elite” prospect of the bunch.
The only thing that bothers me is that the 2012 class has no love. I come to expect a couple 4 stars every class, but so far we have a class of 3s. Once again I dont hold too much weight to what the services say, but youd think even they would take notice of these kids.
Luckily these are all verbal commits only so if one DOES bomb out there is the possibility of not signing them. Ive never heard of a coach backing out of a verbal though.
Ooonst ooonst muthafucka!
Hey Looney
Can you give us a rec to keep this thread near the top for updates?
There’s been some mischief with coaches basically pushing away a player who has verballed but it’s always messy and reflects poorly on the program. I’m not sure Izzo would want to go there.
Lastly, again, two words – Suton, Walton
or should I say: Suton, Walton.
Not worried about 2012 at all. Biggest risk, I think, is that some late developing local big man blows up. Even then, Izzo may have room by the time that happens.
MSU offers Jabari Parker (2013 Illinois forward)
According to Ilinois Prep Bulls-eye, Tom Izzo and Michigan State have offered a scholarship to Jabari Parker of Simeon Career Academy in Chicago. He is currently ranked the #7 overall prospect by ESPN, the #2 PF by Scout, and #11 overall by Rivals. Needless to say, he’s a big-time recruit in the 2013 class. Hard to say what precisely an “offer” means at this point but it’s the first time I’ve heard that word used in reference to a 2013 player and MSU.
You can check out a mixtape of highlights of Jabari in action here.
Though it’s incredibly early, Tom Izzo has shown a willingness to make early offers in the past. Most recently, Kenny Kaminski had a offer close to this point in his career. Other former Spartans like Paul Davis, Kelvin Torbert, and Marcus Taylor had offers quite early in their high school careers, IICR. Izzo must believe he is a high priority guy.
Izzo is also believed to be interested in Tommy Hamilton of Whitney High in Chicago. Already 6’9" and 235, Hamilton is ranked in the top 10 by ESPN as an exceptional frontcourt prospect. There’s yet another high profile Chicago player, Alex Foster (#35 overall @ ESPN), who has received attention from MSU.
From what I’ve heard, recruiting the Chicago area can be a bit wild but it looks like Izzo is going to be spending a lot of time and energy there for his next class.
One more recruiting note I got from Dylan's page
Trey McDonald is down to cmu, oakland, wvu, marquette, depaul, and wake forrest. Big note is no Michigan.
Anton Grady to Cleveland State
http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-8363422740711366275/cleveland-central-catholic-basketball-standout-anton-grady-commits-to-cleveland-state/
This article on his commitment mentions Izzo and MSU but it sounds like he wanted to stay close and Cleveland State was giving him the full press where maybe some other schools (like MSU) were not.
“Lately, Michigan State and Purdue have shown a lot of interest,” said White. “But Anton wanted to go to a school that really wanted him. They have a great arena and play in a very good conference.”
Said Central Catholic coach Kevin Noch said, “[Michigan State coach] Tom Izzo came to our gym when Anton was a sophomore and said he was very interested. He has received a lot of attention, but he wants to stay close to home.”
Coaches are hitting the trail and Gary Harris Fest 2010 continues
http://blogs.indystar.com/recruitingcentral/2010/09/update-on-hollo.html
Updated note: Hamilton Southeastern’s Gary Harris is in football season, but is still drawing a number of coaches in the first day allowed back on the road. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Vanderbilt and Xavier were schools that have either been in today or plan to be. HSE also has sophomore Zak Irvin and junior Jacobby Bledsoe who are gaining college interest.
Harris
Didn’t even have an open gym so as not to be distracted from football. Makes you wonder what these guys were watching – blocking drills?
by Con-T on Sep 10, 2010 4:29 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, kind of weird
According to Evan Daniels a bunch of coaches were still coming, but no open gym. Maybe they checked out Irvin and Bledsoe and then watched Harris at FB practice. Probably just wanted to make their interest known.
Yep, that's the world of recruting
No open gym, nothing really going on, but it’s the first day back on the road and you go see your number one guy.
Yet more on Travis Trice and his commitment
Really thorough new story focused on Travis Trice’s father, the kind with the level of depth you often have to pay for including how Izzo began recruiting Travis, the details of their East Lansing visit conversations, and the final choice to commit.
If you want to know precisely what Izzo sees in TT read this portion:
"Coach Izzo pulled me away for a one-on-one conversation," the father said.I’ll take those three attributes, too.
"He said, ‘I’m going to offer your son a scholarship. I’m impressed with his leadership, toughness and the way he distributes the ball.
Another great quote
From Trice himself:
"’Dad, this is where I want to be. I love Coach Izzo and the winning.’
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Sep 10, 2010 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
I’m really hoping and expecting Trice to be one of Izzo’s “three-star wonders” ala Suton and Walton – that type of guy who by his junior year seems absolutely indispensable to the team.
My favorite
Was Tubby Smith, used car salesman: “Is there any way I can get you to turn the car around and come to Minnesota?” Kind of like “What do I have to do to get you into our backcourt today?”
Seriously, things to like about Trice:
1) Coach’s son
2) 3.65 GPA
3) No per-possession numbers, but 1.2 TO/game as team’s primary ballhandler (4.6 A/TO ratio)
I wonder if Tubby was making an awkard joke
because he figured he was toast once the Trices were headed up to see Izzo. It was already game over.
Big-time FWIW, but this was too fun to not pass along
A poster on the Indiana Scout free board said this in reference to Harris:
Re: Gary Harris, playing football & basketball?
My grandson, who is a senior at HSE, tells me there were about ten coaches at HSE yesterday (Thursday) watching Harris. Izzo was one of them and students were chanting Izzo, Izzo, Izzo….
Grain of salt, but I love the idea that it’s true!
Izzo
Really gets around. He was also at Jabari Parker’s open gym the same day on Chicago’s South Side (Simeon Career Academy, basketball powerhouse that most recently produced Derrick Rose).
Austin Burgett to Notre Dame
Yet another recruiting domino falls. I’m glad; I didn’t want to have to worry about him getting an MSU offer too!
Gary Harris (continued)
MSU has apparently made his final five and he does seem to want to play with RJ Hunter, his AAU teammate who also received an MSU offer. Of course the question is, where the heck can Izzo put all these guys. . .
Tweets are protected
What’s the list of 5 schools?
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Sep 14, 2010 7:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Jabari Parker
Will be making an unofficial visit to MSU this weekend. His early top 5 are Georgetown, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan St, and Washington.
Great news
I never underestimate the value of a player and his family deciding to travel to a school on an unofficial. There’s rumors of some other big time attendees as well.
Not to mention Football
Apparently all the big remaining names for MSU are supposed to be there, including Doran Grant and DeAnthony Arnett.
OT: Somebody please rec this post
Only so it stays visible and we can keep adding to it. I think a third rec will keep it at the top for a while and I can’t rec my own.
Amir Williams has dropped MSU, UM from his list
This falls into the “no surprise” category. According to The Arizona Daily Star Detroit Country Day big man Williams will be taking an in-home visit from Arizona coach Sean Miller and is looking to go to school out-of-state. I can understand that. Not so sure why the local economy should influence you to leave the state for your college hoops, as the article has it.
Gary Harris visiting MSU for the Notre Dame football game
Con-T and I collaborated to find this info and track down a public source: it looks like Gary Harris’s AAU coach has let it be known that Gary is headed to East Lansing Saturday for the Michigan State/Notre Dame game. Evan Daniels of Scout is confirming as well.
Interesting development because Notre Dame is also one of Harris’s top 5 teams. Like I said above, it’s always a good sign when a player and his family go out of their way to visit a campus for an unofficial on their own dime and I had heard Harris might be coming. Saturday is a huge, huge recruiting day for both football and basketball.
It's a huge group
Branden Dawson
Brandon Kearney
Cha Cha Tucker
Denzel Valentine
Drake Harris
Dwaun Anderson
Gary Harris
Jabari Parker
Kenny Kaminski
Matt Costello
Steven Haney
Travis Trice
Per Scout.
Huge but
I’d almost expect to see more uncommitted guys. Then again, when you get everyone to commit early there aren’t as many guys left to invite.
Haney and Tucker are two of the big-time 2013 Michigan recruits, though with the scholarship situation and other players I don’t think either is a lock for an offer. Parker is the guy we’ve been talking about from Chicago, and Drake Harris is a athletic, sharpshooting young’n (2014) from the Grand Rapids area. Harris is supposed to be one of the best (so far) in Michigan for that class.
by intrpdtrvlr on Sep 17, 2010 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Before I forget
Most interesting absence: R J Hunter. You’d think the most recent guy to get offered who’s very close friends with another guy making the trip (Gary Harris) would be there for sure. And as far as I can discern, he doesn’t have any conflicting obligations.
So true! Good catch.
Especially if Harris is coming. At the same time, I bet there’s a least a few guys who will be there who fell through the list, especially last minute in-state players.
Steven Haney
Is a standout wing in the 2013 class who created something of a furor when he transferred from East Lansing High to Lansing Eastern after a terrific freshman season. He joins Cha Cha Tucker at Eastern. His dad, Steven Haney Sr., is a business associate of Magic Johnson and Steven Jr. is apparently a cousin of Magic’s through his mother. Seem to be pretty strong Spartan ties there, though several big programs are looking at him.
MSU connections
You would think MSU would have the inside track on both Haney and Tucker because of their rich backgrounds with the university. There’s lots of scouting to suggest that they will both be worthy of an offer next summer. However, the tight scholarship situation at MSU (1-3 in 2013) might make it impossible to take both, especially if you need a post player. Also, both could maximize their potential and be surpassed in the next year by other prospects. The 2013 Michigan class has a lot of good players.
Definitely something fascinating to watch unfold with many “storylines” to keep track of. How many scholarships will MSU have? Will local stars like Haney or Tucker see his spot go to another regional player? Will Izzo feel any off-the-court pressure to take them?
New Jabari Parker article on ESPN
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/news/story?id=5583330
“I want a hard-working head coach that will push me,” Jabari said.
Tom Izzo, come on down!
About a time for another recruiting tidbit post, eh, boys?
This one’s about to expire.
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Sep 17, 2010 3:55 PM CDT reply actions
It is
Maybe Con or I can do something if there’s some post-visit feedback and stories. There should be enough news next week, I’d hope.
Con, we’ll hash it out.
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