On the Trail
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On the Trail Archive
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| PLAYER | NEWS | TEAM |
Jul. 3 Southfield, MI Southfield-Lathrup H.S. Scouts Grade: 85 Position Rank: 87 | Roy Marble Jr. follows dad's footsteps to Iowa Shooting guard Roy Marble, Jr., the son of former Hawkeye Roy Marble Sr., will follow his father and play for Iowa in 2010. The younger Marble turned down Providence, Michigan, Dayton and Detroit. Roy Jr. told the Des Moines Register he liked the Hawkeyes regardless whether his dad went there. "Even if he hadn't gone to Iowa, I probably would have still picked them," he said. "As far as him being the career scoring leader, that's a challenge. But it was more of a worry to my parents than to me. I'll do whatever needs to be done. I'm not saying I?m going to break his records. I'm just going to play to the best of my abilities." Roy Sr. is the career scoring leader at Iowa with 2,116 points from 1985-89. ESPN.com Recruiting Coordinator John Stovall breaks down Marble's game. "Roy is a solid wing guard with a lot of potential," he said. "He has been improving a great deal this summer and is good in almost all facets of the game. "He's a solid shooter with range to 20 feet and does have the ability to create his own shot but needs to continue to work on that area of his game." Stovall notes he has good shooting skill and could be a solid contributor down the road at Iowa. "Roy is good at the 'catch and shoot' and when he gets to the rim he has solid athleticism that allows him to finish above the basket," he noted. "He's also long and thin and has tremendous upside. He should be a good long term get for the Hawkeyes." |  |
Jul. 3 Vancouver, WA Columbia River H.S. Scouts Grade: 88 Position Rank: 35 | Steven Bjornstad lands at Washington State Former Nevada signee Steven Bjornstad has inked a financial aid agreement with Washington State and will suit up for the Cougars next season, the school announced Thursday. Bjornstad was released from his letter of intent to Nevada when head coach Mark Fox left for Georgia. "Steven adds depth to a position we really needed in the post," head coach Ken Bone said. "He has a really nice frame, is a very skilled big kid who can pass it and is an outstanding shooter. I believe he has the skill set to develop into a real nice Pac-10 player." Bjornstad is the fifth new member of Washington State's incoming class. |   |
Jul. 3 San Antonio, TX James Madison H.S. Scouts Grade: 93 Position Rank: 22 | Liberty lands touted forward 6-foot-8 power forward Stephen Baird has verbally committed to Liberty and new head coach Dale Layer, according to a source. Baird chose the Flames over high majors Texas A&M and Marquette along with Utah. ESPN.com's Scouts Inc. had this to say about this about Baird's game. "Steven is a versatile player who consistently shows the skills to be effective at the next level. At the moment, he is a face up 4-man who has the ability to stretch the defense with his shooting skill. He is not going to create a lot for himself off the dribble, but knows how to use his shot fake to create space for himself." With some hard skill work, Baird should thrive at Liberty. "As he develops athletically he should blossom into a very capable 3 man at the collegiate level. He's very sound fundamentally on both sides of the ball, has good vision and sees the next play before it happens. "Overall, he's a tough kid that battles for rebounds and is willing to fight for position in the low post." Baird joins shooting guard John Caleb Sanders (Houston/Homeschool Christian Youth Assoc.) in the Flames 2010 class. |  |
Jul. 2 Woodland Hills, CA William Howard Taft H.S. Scouts Grade: 88 Position Rank: 33 | Longhorns land fourth 2011 prospect DeAndre Daniels, a 6-7 hybrid 4-man out of Woodland Hills, Calif./Taft, recently committed to Texas according to a source close to the situation. He was receiving interest from USC, Rhode Island, UNLV, and Washington. ESPN.com Recruiting coordinator Joel Francisco has the story on Daniels' interesting recruitment. "The big question on this commitment is when did the staff of Texas have the opportunity to see Daniels in action," Francisco wondered. "Daniels was ineligible during the 2008-09 season after transferring to Taft (and reclassifying) and college coaches were exempt from viewing kids during the spring evaluation period. In any case, Daniels does have some upside and is one of the more intriguing prospects out west in the class of 2011. "Daniels has a wiry frame and his skills have improved in the past year. He handles the ball well in transition and he can knock down the 3-point shot. His stroke is smooth, but his release is slow." Francisco says DeAndre will have to add strength in order to contribute right away at Texas. "He'll need to get considerably stronger, especially on the defensive end, to bang in the Big 12 and continue to improve his skills both in the paint and out on the perimeter to make an immediate impact," he noted. "Due to his slight frame and lack of ideal lateral quickness he is a bit of a 'tweener on the defensive side of the ball at this stage. "He'll have a chance to unveil his talents during July and during the 2009-10 regular season, but he should be listed under the class of 2010 despite his reclassification," Francisco believes. "Just like Jordan Hamilton this year, I'd be shocked if Daniels gets that 5th year and plays for Taft more than one season. In other words, prep school will likely be in his future plans after the 2009-10 season." Should he stay in the Class of 2011, Daniels would join ESPNU Super 60 prospects Myck Kabongo and Sheldon McClellan, along with Julien Lewis in that Longhorn group. |  |
Jul. 2 Concord, CA De La Salle H.S. Scouts Grade: 92 Position Rank: 26 | Santa Clara lands De La Salle forward 6-foot-8 power foward John McArthur verbally committed to Santa Clara on Wednesday, reports ESPN.com's Joel Francisco. He is the first recruit in the 2010 class for head coach Kerry Keating. "Santa Clara got a steal when McArthur committed after receiving interest from Stanford, Gonzaga, Pepperdine, and UCSB," Francisco said. "He's a prototypical blue-collar type that plays with a high motor. He has a Division I-ready body with fairly long arms, but limited bounce. However, his savvy, fundamentals, and toughness make up for not being an elite-level athlete." McArthur will outwork opponents on both ends. "John's a hard-nose rebounder that understands positioning and has very good hands," Francisco continued. "In addition, he has a strong drop-step move and he can hit the jump shot at the elbow with regularity. Overall, he should be very good in a screen-and-roll offensive set and/or pick-n-pop. "McArthur should see time immediately as a true freshman and has the potential to be an All-Conference performer by the time he's a junior." Francisco went on to praise Keating's recruiting prowess. "Ever since Kerry Keating arrived at Santa Clara the recruiting efforts of he and his staff have been outstanding and there are no signs of it slowing down as he already has two terrific 2011 commits in point guard deluxe T.J. Taylor (Oakland, Calif.) as well as a defensive dynamo in Dominic Taplin (Oakland, Calif.)." |  |
Jul. 2 Jeffersonville, IN Jeffersonville H.S. Scouts Grade: 40 | Wright State gains 6-4 wing Wing guard Keegan Clark verbally committed to Wright State on Wednesday after a second visit to the Dayton, Ohio campus earlier this week, the Dayton Daily News reports. Clark averaged 12.0 points and 7.0 rebounds for Jeffersonville this past season. Clark told the paper he was going to wait to commit, "but my family and I visited and we liked the coaching staff and the facilities. And they've had three straight 20-win seasons, which shows they know how to win." |  |
Jul. 1 Mundelein, IL Mundelein H.S. Scouts Grade: 83 Position Rank: 102 | Ben Brust Big Ten bound Illinois sharpshooter Ben Brust verbally committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes on Wednesday, according to the Des Moines Register. The 6-foot-2 Brust chose Iowa over Northwestern, Butler and Stanford. "I really think it's the place for me," said Brust. "It fits me basketball wise, academically, and school wise. And I'll get a chance to play in the Big Ten, compete against the best and beat the best. I believe and trust in what coach (Todd) Lickliter is doing there." ESPN.com Recruiting Coordinator Reggie Rankin got a look at Brust at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions in May. "Ben is a skilled combo guard who competes at all times and plays with great urgency," Rankin said. "He can run the wing in transition or receive the outlet and push the ball. "He is a very good open shooter with three point range and is 'shot ready' on kick outs and coming off screens." Rankin sees a nice fit for Brust in Iowa City. "Brust will fit perfectly into the Iowa spread offensive system that includes ball screens and utilizes spacing and set plays," he offered. "He'll be a shot maker spotting up and coming off screens. He will also be a great asset against zone defenses with his shooting range and will be able to help at the point as well. "He's an excellent all around guard that understands the game. Coach Lickliter will insert Brust into the system with ease." | |
Jul. 1 Wilmington, NC Miami Dade Junior College (FL) Scouts Grade: 40 | Rutgers adds JUCO point guard Miami Dade J.C. point guard James Beatty verbally committed to Rutgers this weeks, giving the Scarlet Knights four incoming recruits in the fall. The 6-foot-2 Wilmington, N.C. native averaged 13.4 points, 7.9 assists and 2.7 steals as a sophomore last season. Beatty joins Brian Okam, Austin Johnson and Dane Miller as 2009 Scarlet Knight recruits. |  |
Jul. 1 Lafayette, IN Lafayette Jefferson H.S. Scouts Grade: 87 Position Rank: 67 | High scoring guard chooses Flyers Dayton landed a commitment from Lafayette, Ind. shooting guard Jesse Berry on Tuesday. Berry averaged 27.3 points per game as a junior last season and he chose the Flyers over Butler and Ball State and was also hearing from high-majors Cincinnati and Arizona. He joins ESPNU 100 guard Juwan Staten and forward Ralph Hill in Dayton's 2010 class. ESPN.com's National Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi talks about Berry's game. "Jesse is a true combo guard with a strong set of skills," he said. "He can score from anywhere on the floor including three-point land. He also possesses a strong pull-up jumper in the mid-range and can even get to the rim and finish. "Jesse is not just a scorer as he can create opportunities for others with his dribble penetration and passing. He's dangerous because he can play with or without the ball in his hands, stretching defenses because they have to guard him." On the other end of the floor, Berry has all the tools to be an elite defender. "He has the ability to pressure the ball for 94 feet because he is a good basketball athlete," Biancardi said. "He could be a solid on-ball defender for the Flyers who already boast a strong defense. "He does need to add strength to his frame before he arrives on campus. Also, he needs to bring more defensive intensity at the next level. Jesse currently expends so much energy trying to score that he tends to lose focus on defense." Biancardi likes this commitment for the Flyers. "This is a tremendous recruit for head coach Brian Gregory and his staff," he concluded. "Berry instantly improves their ability to score from the perimeter and gives them a 'shot clock beater'. Teaming with ESPNU 100 point guard Staten they have a backcourt that's quick, can create and score. This may be one of the most potent backcourts in the A-10." |  |
Jun. 29 Miami, FL Palmetto H.S. Scouts Grade: 94 ESPN100 Rank: 93 Position Rank: 28 | Wolverines gain son of former NBA guard Michigan landed a verbal commitment from Florida guard Tim Hardaway, Jr. on Monday after the ESPNU 100 prospect spent last week at head coach John Beilein's Elite Camp, the Miami Herald reports. Hardaway is the son of former NBA point guard Tim Hardaway. The younger Hardaway held offers from Kansas State and Minnesota, and was gaining interest from Miami, Florida, Oregon, Oregon State, Virginia Tech and Georgia. ESPN's Scouts Inc. staff broke down Hardaway's game during the spring evaluation period. "Hardaway, who has obvious basketball bloodlines, displayed high-level ballhandling and passing skills at both guard positions. He is an excellent athlete who uses his quickness and length to his advantage. He also showed he is a threat from 3 if the defender backs off. "He was very good in transition pushing the ball up the floor and is a great finisher at the rim. He also had a good feel for using ball screens and also could create off the dribble. He was able to get into the paint for a midrange jump shot and did a nice job drawing the defense and kicking out to an open teammate. "Defensively, he is a smart, fundamentally sound player who understands angles and has above-average lateral quickness. He still has upside and is developing some point guard skills. As his body continues to mature, Hardaway should blossom into an excellent college player." |  |
Jun. 29 Indianapolis, IN Lawrence North H.S. Scouts Grade: 89 Position Rank: 40 | Former Purdue recruit picks Xavier Power forward Jeff Robinson is expected to sign scholarship papers with Xavier later this week after being granted a release from his letter of intent to Purdue, according to the Indianapolis Star. Robinson signed with the Boilermakers in November but was denied admission to the school due to his grades. Robinson is fully qualified by the NCAA and is waiting for admittance to Xavier. "We're waiting to see and make sure all the academic stuff works out," Robinson told the paper. If he enrolls, Robinson would be the first and only recruit for the Muskateers in the Class of 2009. |   |
Jun. 29 La Mirada, CA La Mirada H.S. Scouts Grade: 92 ESPN100 Rank: 72 Position Rank: 25 | Arizona lands another former USC commit Former Southern California signee Derrick Wiliams has committed to play next season for the Arizona Wildcat. Williams joins two other Class of 2009 recruits who originally cast their lot with the Trojans: Lamont Jones (Harlem, N.Y./Oak Hill Academy) and Solomon Hill (Los Angeles/Fairfax). ESPN.com's west coast Recruiting Coordinator Joel Francisco has the goods on Williams. "Williams is the last piece of the puzzle in what is turning out to be an outstanding recruiting haul for the newly hired Sean Miller," Francisco said. "After originally signing with USC, Williams became one of the hottest commodities around the country after Tim Floyd's resignation. The hybrid 4-man has improved immensely since his junior campaign and he is just scratching the surface of his potential." Williams has really improved over the past year, partly due to his impressive length. "His terrific frame with long arms should continue to fill out nicely in the seasons to come," Francisco added. "He also displayed a more diversified game as a senior as compared to his junior campaign where he was primarily an undersized 5-man. "His jump shot needs to continue to improve to keep defenses honest, but his ball handling and passing ability have elevated to the next level. Overall, Williams may turn out to be the diamond in the rough for the west coast class of 2009." Along with Jones and Hill, Miller has brought in two other ESPNU 100 prospects, Kyryl Natyazhko (Ukraine/IMG Academy) and Kevin Parrom (Bronx, N.Y./South Kent). |  |
Jun. 29 Georgetown, KY Scott County H.S. Scouts Grade: 89 Position Rank: 53 | Charlotte nabs 2010 shooting guard 6-foot-3 shooting guard Ge'Lawn Guyn verbally committed to Charlotte over the weekend after attending the 49ers Elite Camp, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal. Guyn had offers from Western Kentucky and Dayton and was starting to receive interest from high-major's Indiana, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati and Oklahoma State. ESPN.com Recruiting Coordinator Reggie Rankin broke down Guyn's game in May at the Spiece Run-N-Slam All-Star Classic. "This combo guard has excellent size including long arms and a wiry strong body," Rankin said. "He is a good athlete that is athletic and can finish above the rim in transition and with baseline slashes to the basket. "Guyn knocked down a couple of open three's with time and space as well and found himself open outside the arc as his defender played off due to him due to his quick first step. He was also an impressive passer as he penetrated and kicked to open teammates and he also made pinpoint passes against full court pressure down the floor." Ge'Lawn also excels on the defensive end. "He's an excellent on ball defender who plays with urgency," Rankin noted. "His hands are active and his feet are quick enough to beat the offensive player to where he wants to go. His stance looks great and he has the ability and size to defend all three perimeter positions." Guyn is the first recruit in the 2010 class for Charlotte. |  |
Jun. 29 Memphis, TN Duke University (NC) Scouts Grade: 40 | Elliot Williams transfers to Memphis Duke guard Elliot Williams is transferring to Memphis, according to ESPN.com's Dana O'Neil. Williams, a rising sophomore guard, was granted his release last week from Duke because his mom is sick. He's declined to be more specific about his mother's illness. He is expected to appeal to the NCAA for a hardship waiver which, if granted, would allow him to play for the Tigers immediately. He finished his freshman season with averages of 4.2 points and 2.3 rebounds. |  |
Jun. 29 Dunwoody, GA Findlay College Prep (NV) Scouts Grade: 87 Position Rank: 43 | VCU inks Findlay guard Point guard Isaiah Grayson has signed scholarship papers with Virginia Commonwealth, the school announced on Monday. The 5-foot-11 Atlanta native helped lead Findlay College Prep (Henderson, Nev.) to an undefeated season and the No. 1 ranking in ESPN RISE's Fab 50 poll. "We're very pleased about the opportunity to add Isaiah to our program. His potential is tremendous, and he possesses elite speed and quickness, two attributes we really value," new head coach Shaka Smart said. "In addition to his playing ability, Isaiah is a quality person who has the chance to develop into a terrific leader." ESPN.com's National Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi followed Grayson's progress this season on Findlay's top-ranked team. "Isaiah is a small, quick, jet-like point guard who can shoot the 3 as well as go by people off the dribble," Biancardi said. "He's a great lead guard in terms of transition and fast-break basketball. When the game goes up and down he's at his best. "He's also good enough and has a high enough basketball IQ to run his team in half-court sets." Grayson can be a pest on the defensive end of the floor as well. "He is very disruptive on that end with his constant, on-ball pressure," Biancardi noted. "As with all good defenders it starts with ball pressure Isaiah is excellent at it. He'll certainly set the tone at VCU, defensively." Biancardi talks about this late addition for the Rams. "This is an excellent late get for coach Shaka Smart," he offered. "Isaiah comes from a winning high school program and has competed against the top players in the country so you know he's battle tested. He's a winner and will bring that attitude to VCU." |  |
Jun. 28 Brooklyn, NY Lincoln H.S. Scouts Grade: 98 ESPN100 Rank: 12 Position Rank: 4 | Lance visits Cincinnati Class of 2009 shooting guard Lance Stephenson, who remains uncommitted, took a visit to Cincinnati this weekend as he continues to look for a college destination, according to multiple reports. Questions remain about Stephenson's eligibility following his online reality series - Born Ready TV - as well as his scheduled court appearance on Monday to answer to sexual assault charges. Over the past few months, schools such as Arizona, Florida International, Kansas, Maryland, St. John's and Florida have all reportedly dropped their interest in the ESPNU 100 guard. Memphis remains a target along with a possible professional season in Europe. |  |
Jun. 28 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Pine Crest H.S. Scouts Grade: 99 ESPN100 Rank: 3 Position Rank: 1 | Top ranked PG takes unofficial to UConn ESPN.com's No. 1 point guard Brandon Knight took an unofficial visit to Connecticut on Saturday, the Hartford Courant reports. Knight is coming off a strong NBPA Top 100 Camp where he was the third leading scorer. The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. native is also considering Florida, Miami, Kentucky, Duke and Syracuse among others. |  |