[Rosiak's Blog] Recruit wrapup: Jeronne Maymon

[ToddRosiakSays]

Recruit wrapup: Jeronne Maymon
               

Pressure is nothing new to Jeronne Maymon.

In fact, it's all part of the deal when you're the best high-school player in the state of Wisconsin for two years running, and you publicly predicted your team will win the WIAA Division I championship.

"It comes with the territory, I guess you could say." Maymon said. "When you’re the best player in the state, all eyes are going to be on you anytime you step out on the court. So you’ve just got to go out there with that mind set that you’re going to be in attack mode, and also get your teammates involved.

"So that’s just what I did."

Indeed, the 6-foot-7 senior forward delivered in every way possible this past season for his Madison Memorial Spartans.

He averaged 17.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 steals while shooting 50.8% from the floor in helping lead Memorial to a 26-1 record and the aforementioned title that he'd promised right after his Spartans fell in the 2008 title game to Wauwatosa East.

Maymon's all-around game was on display at the Kohl Center in Madison during the Spartans' three-game run at state there last month.

In an 86-73 victory over Germantown in the quarterfinals Maymon scored only 11 points, but still led Memorial with nine rebounds and seven assists. In a 64-60 overtime victory over Bay Port in the semifinals, he put up 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

Maymon saved his best performance for the championship game, a 25-point, 12-rebound masterpiece in a 56-41 dismantling of Racine Horlick and fellow Division I recruit Jamil Wilson.

He's since been named the Associated Press' player of the year for the second consecutive season, as well as Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association.

"It was a rough season," Maymon said. "We had a lot of ups and downs along the way to the state tournament. We lost some players, had to look at things in a different way as far as the way we play. It was a trying season, but we all came together and accomplished our goal, so I guess it worked out for the best in the end."

Maymon had a tough act to follow after averaging 21.0 points and 11.7 rebounds as a junior, but in the opinion of his coach, Steve Collins, did that and more despite both his scoring and rebounding averages dropping as a senior.

"If I was grading him, I’d give him an A-plus," he said. "Just look at how he played in the three games in the state tournament. He did whatever it took for us to be successful. In last year’s state final, we needed him to score for us and he did that. We needed him to rebound and he did that. He’s a very unselfish kid, he’s about winning, and that’s the reason I think we won it all – because he’d do whatever it took for us to win. And I think the other kids fed off that a lot. I think he averaged 17 points a game.

"He could have averaged 30 if he wanted to. But he knew if we were going to win this thing, we needed other weapons. We needed Vander to score and Junior and Tre…we needed some other things to happen for us to win it. He tried to do it by himself last year and he almost pulled it off. But he knew he needed other weapons, and he did that all year, to be honest with you. When you needed him to step up, he would. Be he would try to get everybody else involved."

Maymon seemed rather ho-hum when asked about his selfless attitude on the court.

"It’s just what I’m about – trying to get the wins," he said. "Being the stats leader and all that…I can score, but I’d rather have the win than the points."

Maymon did accomplish a few personal goals he'd laid out for himself prior to the season, however. He became Memorial's all-time leading scorer, moving past MU's Wesley Matthews, and Memorial's all-time leading rebounder, moving past Wisconsin's Keaton Nankivil.

He also became the all-time steals leader for good measure.

But again, the key word with regard to Maymon has been unselfishness.

"He’s been unselfish his whole career," Collins said. "That state final was the first time in probably 10 games he had one guy guarding him. In most games he had 2-3 guys on him. So that’s why he was able to do some of the things he did – because they only put one person on him.

"His development, he’s gotten so much stronger and he’s a better shooter than what he was as a freshman. I don’t know if he has a weak part in his game, to be honest with you. He’s going to play a lot for Marquette next year."

Maymon played almost exclusively at center for Memorial and as a result only attempted 30 three-pointers, making six. Maymon also shot 66.4% from the free-throw line after leading the team in attempts (91 for 137).

Nonetheless, Collins listed Maymon's shooting as one of his most improved areas since he joined Memorial's varsity.

"I would say free throws, defense, I think his range has extended," Collins said. "When he started out as a freshman he was probably at 10-12 feet consistently, and now he can hit the college three-pointer pretty easily, I think. The problem is when you’re a big kid in high school, you play center. He played center for me. He’s going to play the 3 in college. He can handle the ball very well. But that’s kind of the burden of being on a high school team – if you’re big, you’re going to be down low.

"He played a little more 3 last year and when we had Keaton we were able to move him out to the wing more. He was our biggest guy this year at 6-7, and really had to have his back to the basket at times. Not that it’s not a strength, but he’s better with the ball in his hands and is able to create. He’s a college 2-3, I think."

Coming into almost a completely remade MU program next season, Maymon said he's pinpointed his jumper and ball handling as areas he'd like to improve upon heading into his arrival on campus this summer.

He also wants to "get stronger", which has got to be heartening for coach Buzz Williams to hear, considering Maymon will arrive with arguably the most ready-made body for play in the Big East.

He'll add much-needed size and athleticism to a forward position that already boasts one of the Big East's best returning players at the 4 in Lazar Hayward, as well as burgeoning sixth man Jimmy Butler.

Joe Fulce will be expected to make more of an impact next season, and another incoming freshman, Erik Williams, is sure to get plenty of looks at the 3 as well.

"We’re starting over and Marquette University’s going to look different," he said. "Without Dominic James and Wesley Matthews and Jerel McNeal it’s going to be a whole new thing, so I’m definitely excited to see what happens. Hopefully we can win a lot of games. It’s going to be fun.

"I just want to help the team in the best way possible, get wins and still keep Marquette University as a powerhouse."

While Maymon's academics were an issue when he committed to MU last May, he seems to have gotten everything in order in the classroom to this point.

"Everything’s good," he said. "Everything’s peachy."

Maymon also said he's already taken the ACT and that he "definitely" feels he did well on it.

Added Collins: "He had a great year academically at school. I don’t think school’s going to be an issue."
               

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/42693582.html
               

[redbirdwarrior]

Reading this and all of the stuff on DJO REALLY makes me excited about next year.  Hopefully I'm not just drinking the Kool-Aid, but I think the Warriors have a great chance to surprise next year.  Makes the loss of Wilson seem rather insignificant.  Conservatively I'm guess a Final Four (but of what I have no idea).

GO WARRIORS!!!

[ToddRosiakSays]

Recruit wrapup: Jeronne Maymon
               

Pressure is nothing new to Jeronne Maymon.

In fact, it's all part of the deal when you're the best high-school player in the state of Wisconsin for two years running, and you publicly predicted your team will win the WIAA Division I championship.

"It comes with the territory, I guess you could say." Maymon said. "When you’re the best player in the state, all eyes are going to be on you anytime you step out on the court. So you’ve just got to go out there with that mind set that you’re going to be in attack mode, and also get your teammates involved.

"So that’s just what I did."

Indeed, the 6-foot-7 senior forward delivered in every way possible this past season for his Madison Memorial Spartans.

He averaged 17.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 steals while shooting 50.8% from the floor in helping lead Memorial to a 26-1 record and the aforementioned title that he'd promised right after his Spartans fell in the 2008 title game to Wauwatosa East.

Maymon's all-around game was on display at the Kohl Center in Madison during the Spartans' three-game run at state there last month.

In an 86-73 victory over Germantown in the quarterfinals Maymon scored only 11 points, but still led Memorial with nine rebounds and seven assists. In a 64-60 overtime victory over Bay Port in the semifinals, he put up 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

Maymon saved his best performance for the championship game, a 25-point, 12-rebound masterpiece in a 56-41 dismantling of Racine Horlick and fellow Division I recruit Jamil Wilson.

He's since been named the Associated Press' player of the year for the second consecutive season, as well as Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association.

"It was a rough season," Maymon said. "We had a lot of ups and downs along the way to the state tournament. We lost some players, had to look at things in a different way as far as the way we play. It was a trying season, but we all came together and accomplished our goal, so I guess it worked out for the best in the end."

Maymon had a tough act to follow after averaging 21.0 points and 11.7 rebounds as a junior, but in the opinion of his coach, Steve Collins, did that and more despite both his scoring and rebounding averages dropping as a senior.

"If I was grading him, I’d give him an A-plus," he said. "Just look at how he played in the three games in the state tournament. He did whatever it took for us to be successful. In last year’s state final, we needed him to score for us and he did that. We needed him to rebound and he did that. He’s a very unselfish kid, he’s about winning, and that’s the reason I think we won it all – because he’d do whatever it took for us to win. And I think the other kids fed off that a lot. I think he averaged 17 points a game.

"He could have averaged 30 if he wanted to. But he knew if we were going to win this thing, we needed other weapons. We needed Vander to score and Junior and Tre…we needed some other things to happen for us to win it. He tried to do it by himself last year and he almost pulled it off. But he knew he needed other weapons, and he did that all year, to be honest with you. When you needed him to step up, he would. Be he would try to get everybody else involved."

Maymon seemed rather ho-hum when asked about his selfless attitude on the court.

"It’s just what I’m about – trying to get the wins," he said. "Being the stats leader and all that…I can score, but I’d rather have the win than the points."

Maymon did accomplish a few personal goals he'd laid out for himself prior to the season, however. He became Memorial's all-time leading scorer, moving past MU's Wesley Matthews, and Memorial's all-time leading rebounder, moving past Wisconsin's Keaton Nankivil.

He also became the all-time steals leader for good measure.

But again, the key word with regard to Maymon has been unselfishness.

"He’s been unselfish his whole career," Collins said. "That state final was the first time in probably 10 games he had one guy guarding him. In most games he had 2-3 guys on him. So that’s why he was able to do some of the things he did – because they only put one person on him.

"His development, he’s gotten so much stronger and he’s a better shooter than what he was as a freshman. I don’t know if he has a weak part in his game, to be honest with you. He’s going to play a lot for Marquette next year."

Maymon played almost exclusively at center for Memorial and as a result only attempted 30 three-pointers, making six. Maymon also shot 66.4% from the free-throw line after leading the team in attempts (91 for 137).

Nonetheless, Collins listed Maymon's shooting as one of his most improved areas since he joined Memorial's varsity.

"I would say free throws, defense, I think his range has extended," Collins said. "When he started out as a freshman he was probably at 10-12 feet consistently, and now he can hit the college three-pointer pretty easily, I think. The problem is when you’re a big kid in high school, you play center. He played center for me. He’s going to play the 3 in college. He can handle the ball very well. But that’s kind of the burden of being on a high school team – if you’re big, you’re going to be down low.

"He played a little more 3 last year and when we had Keaton we were able to move him out to the wing more. He was our biggest guy this year at 6-7, and really had to have his back to the basket at times. Not that it’s not a strength, but he’s better with the ball in his hands and is able to create. He’s a college 2-3, I think."

Coming into almost a completely remade MU program next season, Maymon said he's pinpointed his jumper and ball handling as areas he'd like to improve upon heading into his arrival on campus this summer.

He also wants to "get stronger", which has to be heartening for coach Buzz Williams to hear, considering Maymon already will arrive with arguably the most ready-made body for play in the Big East.

He'll add much-needed size and athleticism to a forward position that already boasts one of the Big East's best returning players at the 4 in Lazar Hayward, as well as burgeoning sixth man Jimmy Butler.

Joe Fulce will be expected to make more of an impact next season, and another incoming freshman, Erik Williams, is sure to get plenty of looks at the 3 as well.

"We’re starting over and Marquette University’s going to look different," he said. "Without Dominic James and Wesley Matthews and Jerel McNeal it’s going to be a whole new thing, so I’m definitely excited to see what happens. Hopefully we can win a lot of games. It’s going to be fun.

"I just want to help the team in the best way possible, get wins and still keep Marquette University as a powerhouse."

While Maymon's academics were an issue when he committed to MU last May, he seems to have gotten everything in order in the classroom to this point.

"Everything’s good," he said. "Everything’s peachy."

Maymon also said he's already taken the ACT and that he "definitely" feels he did well on it.

Added Collins: "He had a great year academically at school. I don’t think school’s going to be an issue."
               

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/42693582.html
               

[LastWarrior]

Not trying to bash TanningCream but why didn't he make Maymon a higher priority in recruiting?  Was he scared off by academics?  His dad?  What?

[bma725]

Not trying to bash TanningCream but why didn't he make Maymon a higher priority in recruiting?  Was he scared off by academics?  His dad?  What?

Crean had Wilson in the bag when he was at MU.  With Wilson, Erik Williams and Nick Williams in the fold, he didn't see a need for Maymon.

Plus, Maymon didn't really reach his potential until right around the time Crean left.

[GGGG]

Maymon was always ranked high, but really didn't prove he could play at the BE level until last year's state tournament and last summer's AAU season.  I am not sure how successful we will be next year in the wins and losses column, but I think it is going to be fun growing with these guys.

[AZWarrior]

""He played a little more 3 last year and when we had Keaton we were able to move him out to the wing more. He was our biggest guy this year at 6-7, and really had to have his back to the basket at times. Not that it's not a strength, but he's better with the ball in his hands and is able to create. He's a college 2-3, I think."

I hope he expects to play the 4, and that his ball handling skills make him a difficult 4 to match up to.  But we need him at the 4.

[LastWarrior]

Maymon was always ranked high, but really didn't prove he could play at the BE level until last year's state tournament and last summer's AAU season. 

Fair point but when did Wilson prove he could play in the BE???   

[Skatastrophy]

I am not sure how successful we will be next year in the wins and losses column, but I think it is going to be fun growing with these guys.

That's the truth.  I'm cautiously optimistic. 

If nothing else it seems like we have a solid bunch of young men coming in to represent MU for the next few years.

[GGGG]

Fair point but when did Wilson prove he could play in the BE???   

Jamil Wilson has been the hot guy since going back to middle school.  Some people were saying then that he might be the best player *ever* to come out of Wisconsin.  I doubt that will be the case, but I think he can play at a high level...he's got to put some muscle on though.

[LastWarrior]

Jamil Wilson has been the hot guy since going back to middle school.

Wilson was the hot guy from middle school to about two years ago.  His stock has been dropping.  I still don't think he ever proved he could play in the Big East.  Wilson has his believers and detractors but I think we definitely landed the better player.

[MUWeb7]

I hope he expects to play the 4, and that his ball handling skills make him a difficult 4 to match up to.  But we need him at the 4.

I believe we already have the best returning 4 in the league...so...

If he is playing significant time he'll be playing the 3 unless Otule and Liam end up being useless.

[AZWarrior]

Zar is, in my opinion, a natural 3 that has been playing out of position, by necessity.  No way he plays in the NBA as a 4, but perhaps as a 3.  In a perfect world, I'd like to see Zar play the 3 next year.  Granted, with our current system, the 2-4 are largely interchangeable.

[Blackhat]

Wilson was the hot guy from middle school to about two years ago.  His stock has been dropping.  I still don't think he ever proved he could play in the Big East.  Wilson has his believers and detractors but I think we definitely landed the better player.

My thinking has always been this way as well.  But Wilson impressed me in certain portions of state competition.   Definitely is a high major athletically, does he have the fire is the question I think.   Glad we got Maymon though. 

[MUWeb7]

Granted, with our current system, the 2-4 are largely interchangeable.

Agreed. Offensively I suppose it won't matter much, but he'll probably be guarding the 4 on D.

[mviale]

we may need to stop thinking about 2's. 3's and 4's.  MU may just win next year

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Zar is, in my opinion, a natural 3 that has been playing out of position, by necessity.  No way he plays in the NBA as a 4, but perhaps as a 3.  In a perfect world, I'd like to see Zar play the 3 next year.  Granted, with our current system, the 2-4 are largely interchangeable.

This brings up a good topic for discussion.

The common belief for most people (including me) is that Zar is really a SF playing PF.

However, after trying to watch him objectively all season, I think he's really a true combo forward (if that was a real position).

- He's a good shooter form the outside, but not particularly quick to get his shot off. He also rarely shoots 3's off of the dribble.

- He's a very good/great mid-range shooter (fantastic out of the high post)

- He's a strong ball-handler for a PF, but probably an average ball handler for a 3

- He's quick for a PF, but probably a 1/2 step slow for a real SF

- He's very strong for his size, and a great rebounder at either position

- He's a good defender against bigger guys, I wonder how well he can defend smaller guys, still TBD at this point

- He's a decent passer (he's not a black hole), but not a creator by any means

- He has the best hands and scoring touch on the team, especially inside of 10 feet.


Anyways, I still think he's MU's best player next year, I just don't think he's a cut and dried SF. I think a big part of his game is his ability to sort of play both positions. I think strictly sticking him at the 3 will actually reduce his effectiveness.

Discuss...

[Badgerhater920]

Great points, 2002. Lazar is an undersized inside out PF. Unfortunately, his ballhandling/creating/slashing skills aren't good enough to label him as a natural SF. He's already a beast, but if Lazar was 6'8'' or taller he would be unstoppable and a complete match up nightmare. I'm excited to watch him lead these young guys next year.

[bma725]

He was a very good on the ball defender in HS, even defended some very good point guards and had no problem staying with them.  But he's not as quick as he used to be and likely would have problems defending the three now.  He used to be a fairly good ball handler, at least when he got here.  But as the 4th option he hasn't really had to do it in three years so who knows if it is still there. 

In short, I think Hayward was a natural 3 when he got on campus, and he could have gone the other direction and become an oversized 2.  Instead he bulked up and became an undersized 4.  With how he's changed his body, I think he's lost some of the things that allowed him to be a 3 in favor of picking up things that allow him to play the 5.

[radome]

I know that this is probably heresy on this board after the year that we just went through without an inside presence but can Maymon possibly play the 5?  There is a lot to happen between now and November.  The 5 candidates are McMorrow, Otule, and Roseboro.  We don't know about McMorrow's health nor development - I am optimistic but we don't know.  Otule seems like he needs more development.  That could mean nothing since I have heard that the most rapid development happens between Freshman and Sophomore years.  I honestly don't know enough about Roseboro but doesn't appear to be as highly rated.  So ... could it be Maymon @ 5, Hayward @ 4, Johnson-Odom, Butler, Fulce, Buycks, Williams @ 2/3, and Cadougan/Acker @ 1?  I think that Hayward @ 3 and Maymon @ 4 is a more natural line-up but what is our best line-up?  It is probably our most athletic line-up.

[MarquetteDano]

I know that this is probably heresy on this board after the year that we just went through without an inside presence but can Maymon possibly play the 5?  There is a lot to happen between now and November.  The 5 candidates are McMorrow, Otule, and Roseboro.  We don't know about McMorrow's health nor development - I am optimistic but we don't know.  Otule seems like he needs more development.  That could mean nothing since I have heard that the most rapid development happens between Freshman and Sophomore years.  I honestly don't know enough about Roseboro but doesn't appear to be as highly rated.  So ... could it be Maymon @ 5, Hayward @ 4, Johnson-Odom, Butler, Fulce, Buycks, Williams @ 2/3, and Cadougan/Acker @ 1?  I think that Hayward @ 3 and Maymon @ 4 is a more natural line-up but what is our best line-up?  It is probably our most athletic line-up.

I don't think this is heresy at all.  Buzz has proven he can be unconvential on the defensive end.  The fact that Hayward had to the play the "5" against Big East competition proved that.  I think you are right.  Acker/Cadougan @ 1, Buycks/Odom/Cubblian @ 2, Fulce/Buter/Williams @ 3, Hayward @ 4, and Maymon @ 5 could happen for stetches next year.  Will Maymon get 30 minutes at the 5?  Absolutely not.  But it would not surprise me to see him play 5-10 minutes a game there given our "5" deficiencies.

[bma725]

Maymon cannot play the 5.  If MU goes small Hayward would be the one playing 5, not Maymon.

[MarquetteDano]

Maymon cannot play the 5.  If MU goes small Hayward would be the one playing 5, not Maymon.

BMA,

  You follow the recruits so much closer than I do.  Just wondering your reasoning... he has more size than Hayward.  Obviously this isn't the key determiner.  Does he not have the strength the play the 5?

[bma725]

BMA,

  You follow the recruits so much closer than I do.  Just wondering your reasoning... he has more size than Hayward.  Obviously this isn't the key determiner.  Does he not have the strength the play the 5?

It's got very little to do with physical attributes IMO and more to do with mindset.  When you are going undersized, the only way to not get yourself killed is if you're smart.  You need a guy that understands how to use his size disadvantage to his advantage.  You need a guy that understands proper positioning, proper spacing, how to guard his man depending on where the ball is etc.  Maymon doesn't have that, at least not yet.  He's not been a post defender at Memorial except on rare occasions, and I don't think a few months is enough time to teach that.  He's better off guarding on the wing where he can put his quick hands to use.

Plus, Maymon is most certainly not a 5 offensively and to put him in the post would be a disservice to him and the team.

[Thomas' Danish Delight]

I agree with bma...Lazar had to learn how to play at the 4 before he did it effectively.  Maymon played the 5 in high school against smaller dudes.  To throw him at Big East centers right away would be expecting way too much from him (although I'd love for him to prove me wrong.)

On the other hand though, doesn't Maymon's arm span equal Yao Ming's height?