I decided to head over to the Illinois Class 4A Sectional semi-final between Simeon and Whitney Young tonight to get a look at Steve Taylor and the load of other college recruits in the game. I wasn't alone as Coach K and Tom Izzo were both in attendance and stayed the entire game (even when the game slowed to free throws in the final minutes). Obviously the main draw for them was Jabari Parker, the top high school player in the country, but almost every kid on the court has a D1 scholarship offer.
If you want to watch the game, I believe they are still streaming the game at:
http://www.highschoolcube.com/
and the game write up is here:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/highschool/ct-spt-0307-prep-bkb-4a-argo-sect-20120306,0,157289.story
Short thoughts on some of the many notable players...
Parker is somewhat of a ball hog as he put up a shot almost every time he touches the ball. He can get anything off because he's 6'8, but he was forced into some really tough looks. His game is transition and movement, and the shorter high school court really limits what he is capable of doing. There is no way we land this kid, so let's move on.
Jahlil Okafor is going to be one of the top 2 or 3 centers in college basketball in three years. He's huge (6'11 270) and has a pretty soft touch with his hook shot. He showed some powerful moves with the ball down low, and can hit a ten foot jumper if needs be. He needs to learn how to use his size to create space better down low, but that is teachable. He's never going to be explosive, but at 6'11 he doesn't need to be. I'm sure MU has inquired his way, but I've heard he wants to go to a program known for developing NBA bigs. If I had to guess, he looks destined for a program like GU or OSU. But I can dream...
Steve Taylor was donning a pair of MU socks for the game. He was also in the 3pt shooting contest (I think that means he had qualified in the regional round) before the game started but struggled. Taylor hit 1 of 3 threes and didn't score on a couple of attempts inside. He had Okafor on him all game and couldn't do much in the paint so he mainly just screened and spotted up. Didn't seem to bother him that he wasn't scoring and didn't force anything. He did miss three free throws in the final quarter. What really stood out was his defense. He and Parker started off sharing duty on Okafor, but Taylor took over the main role as the game went on. Okafor only scored 2 points when Taylor was guarding him all night. Taylor got low when fronting him and pushed Okafor off his spot. When pinned behind, Taylor fought Okafor off the block and forced him to pass out and try to repost. Taylor also had about 4 steals in the game and multiple deflections on entry passes. I feel a lot better about losing Jae's defense down low after tonight, given that Okafor is an above average Big East post player today.
Kendrick Nunn played a solid game. Hit two threes on five attempts. He has a better handle than I thought, and wasn't afraid to dribble through traffic to get to the lane. Played solid defense and had multiple deflections. The kid isn't a program changer, but he would be a solid addition at MU and reminds me a little bit of Todd Mayo.
Jaylon Tate if we had room in 2013 I would love to take this kid. He's got an excellent handle and really can cross people out of their shoes. Hit a couple threes I believe and worked as a good facilitator. The kid could definitely grow into a pass first starting PG in the Big East. That said, I just don't think we'll end up having room for him. If people start leaving town, he's one of the first names in 2013 that I would look to, but I'd guess Xavier or DePaul nabs him.
Tommy Hamilton is a fat 6'8 kid who can score from five feet, and thinks he can drive. He's big and he's D1 caliber, but beyond that I was unimpressed. Fouled quickly in the first half and made a number of bad decisions. Illinois and Arizona look like the frontrunners.
Finally, a name I haven't heard on this board, but Scout has us as offered, Paul White of Whitney Young. After seeing this kid tonight, I WANT HIM. He is a sophomore and it appears he's been overshadowed a bit by Okafor, but the kid can play. He's 6'8, lanky, can handle the ball and is super athletic. Most of the big ten schools are in on him, and the word is that he has a solid relationship with Jerrance Howard, but he would be a huge, realistic get for us. Miles Reynolds also looked solid tonight, giving WY the lead almost single handedly in the first half. Rivals has offers from Illinois and Arizona for him.
who won?
Simeon won by about 10. WY controlled the game in the first half, making it a slower, half-court game. In the second half Simeon was able to push the issue a bit more, hit a few more of their outside shots, and completely shut down Okafor.
Simeon
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/highschool/ct-spt-0307-prep-bkb-4a-argo-sect-20120306,0,157289.story
I saw the game as well and have seen numerous Simeon games this year.
Agree with your thoughts on Taylor. Didn't show much on the offensive end tonight, but he really wasn't featured. Part of that IMO is that he spent so much energy trying to guard Okafor in the post. Okafor is a load, and I thought Taylor did a nice job against him. Overall this season, Taylor has done a very good job defending the post for Simeon. In both contests against highly-touted Cliff Alexander (2014 recruit), Taylor completely shut down Alexander. Taylor holds his position well and does a nice job fronting the post.
I have to disagree with you on Nunn. He is going to be a better college player than Todd Mayo. It would be quite a coup for Buzz to land him. IMO, Nunn has the ability to be all-conference selection by his sophomore year. He reminds me so much of Jerel McNeal, in terms of his quickness, toughness and defensive abilities. Also, I think Nunn is a better athlete than Jerel and at his age, is a much, much better shooter. Nunn can really shoot the basketball. His lefty stroke looks very similar to DJO's.
I'll have to defer to your take on Nunn if you have seen him more. In terms of my comparison to Mayo I was more going off his court sense and handle rather than his shooting stroke (although I think Mayo's a better shooter than he's shown over the past month and a half). If we have the room then we take him.
Thad Matta and Bruce Weber also in attendance.
As were Coach K and Izzo.
Quote from: AWegrzyn17 on March 07, 2012, 12:36:19 AM
Thad Matta and Bruce Weber also in attendance.
Who's Bruce Weber scouting for? ;)
Quote from: Wade for President on March 07, 2012, 07:13:43 AM
Who's Bruce Weber scouting for? ;)
Touche'. Exactly what I was wondering.
When is the final game and where?
Agreed on Paul White. He seems like another Steve Taylor type in that he's overlooked because of a teammate, but really, really good. I know he's visited MU at least once, as well. Would love him in 2014.
And I think our 2014 and 2015 classes could be huge. I am thinking both will be top-ten classes.
Quote from: AWegrzyn17 on March 07, 2012, 12:36:19 AM
Thad Matta and Bruce Weber also in attendance.
Burning some of that recruiting budget for a free trip to Chicago while he still can!
Quote from: LittleMurs on March 07, 2012, 11:38:54 PMBurning some of that recruiting budget for a free trip to Chicago while he still can!
"Psst...Hey Jabari, do you know what a Saluki is?"