JP Tokoto

[texaswarrior74]

From "Inside Carolina"

"According to sources close to the situation, UNC has been in recent communication with the camp of J.P. Takoto, a 6-5 wing from Menomonee Falls (Wisc.), who is considered one of the top prospects in the rising sophomore class.

As IC first reported last month, UNC watched Takoto on multiple occasions during the second July evaluation period. The Tar Heel staff has now reached out to Takoto's camp and communicated that he's going to be one of UNC's top 2012 targets and they want to meet with him ASAP. And that's going to happen, as IC sources report Takoto has scheduled an unofficial visit to Chapel Hill for Aug. 21. After the UNC visit, Takoto is headed over to Durham to attend Duke's elite camp.

We watched Takoto at the Tournament of Champions earlier this year and were impressed by his athleticism and feel for the game, but we'll leave the scouting to the experts. Here are a couple evaluations from the Scout.com team to give you a feel for Takoto's game...

"He's got the look of a natural small forward at 6-5, plus we'll assume he's going to get bigger. Lots of bounce, an assortment of mid-range shots and a player's approach. Once he tightens the handle (and we're being picky because he's a stud) he'll begin to be recognized as an elite player nationally." -- Dave Telep, May 2009

"Already this 6-foot-5, 180-pound wing has a strong reputation, especially in the Midwest, and in the second half of his 15 and under evening game he proved why. After a so-so opening half, Tokoto turned it up and exploded, scoring bucket after bucket at the rim. He's a solid athlete, with a decent handle and a unique ability to finish at the basket. Tokoto appears to be one of the elite wings in the 2012 class."

[Skatastrophy]

So... UNC is recruiting players for 2012?  Sweet.

[texaswarrior74]

Apparently they just started communicating with those in the class of 2012 but Roy will not make any offers until next year at this time unlike others (KU, UK, IU) who are already giving verbal offers to 2012 kids. Roy actually just gave out his first 2011 offer (PJ Hairston) last week and got the commitment over the weekend.

[BrewCity83]

UNC doesn't recruit.  They select.

[sellit07]

Well MU has also given JP a scholarship offer so are in the same boat as KU,IU, and UW. I just think with all the national attention that this kid is getting already that it will be very difficult to keep in Wisconsin let alone Marquette. I saw him play in WIAA tournament and I guess didn't see where all the hype was coming from. Maybe he has gotten better since or it was an off night.

[nyg]

UNC doesn't recruit.  They select.

Nice

[77ncaachamps]

UNC doesn't recruit.  They select.

I want MU to select.

Tokoto's stock has been on the rise for some time now.
Hate to see a home-stater leave...but I'd rather him end up in Tar Heel Blue than Rodent Red.

[willie warrior]

I do not know if this guy is a stud, but if he is, we should not be losing these in-state guys to out of state schools, whether it is UNC, Loserville or any other place.

[GGGG]

I do not know if this guy is a stud, but if he is, we should not be losing these in-state guys to out of state schools, whether it is UNC, Loserville or any other place.

Why do we care if he is in-state or not?  I mean, yes that should make it easier for us, but if he were in California, we probably wouldn't be in the equation at all.

The best players in the history of Marquette basketball have not come from the state of Wisconsin.

[texaswarrior74]

Article about Tokoto was posted today.

http://northcarolina.scout.com/2/887586.html

If you can't open it, let me know.

[Lighthouse 84]

I can't open the story.  any other way to send it?

[texaswarrior74]

North Carolina is ahead of schedule with its 2011 recruiting class, so the Tar Heels have begun peaking at 2012 prospects. J.P. Tokoto is at the top of the list.

The Tar Heels were among a number of high major programs that watched the Menomonee Falls (Wisc.) High standout, who averaged 21.6 points and 9.1 rebounds a game during the evaluation periods in July.

"I was out in Vegas and we were playing the Texas Blue Chips, and Coach [Roy] Williams was at my game with one of his assistants," Tokoto, who plays with the Wisconsin Playground Warriors, told InsideCarolina.com. "Duke was there also."

Both sets of coaches must have liked what they saw, as Tokoto, a 6-foot-5, 185-pound wing, is set to visit UNC and Duke during August. The plan is to swing by North Carolina on Aug. 21 and then head to Duke's elite camp on Aug 22-23.

According to Tokoto's AAU coach, Ritchie Davis, the Tar Heels are already planning a trip to see Tokoto workout during the next evaluation period and will attend a game as well. The Heels told Davis that he'd be the only 2012 prospect they'll evaluate this fall.

"They stated that Coach Williams would be seen at a game of his in 2009," Davis said. "So I think he'll be coming up to catch a game in November or December."

With family in the area, Tokoto is familiar with Chapel Hill and he's well versed on the program itself.

"I like the program," Tokoto said. "I've been through there. I love the school and the location and everything because I have family down there and everything, so I like it."

Tokoto said he has not spoken to Roy Williams yet. He has, however, talked to a number of head coaches and currently holds scholarship offers from Marquette, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Tennessee, Minnesota and Indiana.

Prior to the July evaluation periods, Tokoto went to Kansas and Wisconsin's elite camps. He's also planning to see Marquette's campus during its elite camp at the end of the month.

"It's great," the 2012 standout said about his recruitment. "I love it. I'm going to keep my options right now. I'm not really looking closely at schools. I'm just honored to be recruited by any school."

[Mobot]

Rivals has Tokoto listed at #4 overall for 2012...

6-5/190, Menomonee Falls (Wisc.) High

Tokoto is the total package as a wing prospect and the top perimeter prospect in the class. He has the athleticism, skill level and basketball I.Q. of a truly elite prospect.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Rivals has Tokoto listed at #4 overall for 2012...

6-5/190, Menomonee Falls (Wisc.) High

Tokoto is the total package as a wing prospect and the top perimeter prospect in the class. He has the athleticism, skill level and basketball I.Q. of a truly elite prospect.

And likely will not come to MU or UW-Madison.

[bma725]

Let's all recall that both Jamil Wilson and Korie Lucious had similar glowing reports about them at that age, and they didn't necessarily turn out that way.  Still a long way to go here.

[Fullodds]

UW elite camp?  I was told that UW does not have an elite camp. As far as recruiting JP goes, he will get the NC offer in June and then my guess is that he goes to NC or Duke with a list that includes with MU or WI until the end. When was the last time a WI kid had offers fro Duke, Kansas and UNC (it's coming) and picked MU or UW? 

[Chili]

UW elite camp?  I was told that UW does not have an elite camp. As far as recruiting JP goes, he will get the NC offer in June and then my guess is that he goes to NC or Duke with a list that includes with MU or WI until the end. When was the last time a WI kid had offers fro Duke, Kansas and UNC (it's coming) and picked MU or UW? 

Brian Butch and Steve Novak

[Fullodds]

I don't think Butch and especially Novak had offers from all three: Duke, UNC and Kansas.

Butch had one from NC and possibly Kansas but I never saw Duke offering.

I thought Novak came had Illinois and MU

I might be wrong. 

[GGGG]

I don't think Butch and especially Novak had offers from all three: Duke, UNC and Kansas.

Butch had one from NC and possibly Kansas but I never saw Duke offering.

I thought Novak came had Illinois and MU

I might be wrong. 

If we are going to be that detailed about it then the answer is probably "never" because I can't think of a player in the history of Wisconsin basketball that has had offers from those three schools specifically.

The greater point is that players from Wisconsin, who have had offers from "elite" schools, have chosen to stay here in the past.

And to bma's point, it is a little early yet - he's only a sophomore.  Jamil Wilson at this same point in his career was looking like a world beater too.  I don't think any of us thought he would end up at Oregon when all was said and done.  And we ended up with the player that was ranked ahead of him anyway.

[MR.HAYWARD]

joe wolf would probably be the only one to fall into tht category.  the most highly rated player to ever come out of wisconsin  finally decided between UNC and MU and went to UNC. 

[Chili]

I don't think Butch and especially Novak had offers from all three: Duke, UNC and Kansas.

Butch had one from NC and possibly Kansas but I never saw Duke offering.

I thought Novak came had Illinois and MU

I might be wrong. 

Novak had UNC.

[pillardean]

Let's all recall that both Jamil Wilson and Korie Lucious had similar glowing reports about them at that age, and they didn't necessarily turn out that way.  Still a long way to go here.

I still would have taken Korie Lucious in a heartbeat. Wilson, ehhh...not so much.

That's why we have to stay on a player like J.P.
He may try to be swept up by KU, UNC's but if MU was always there and is always there-they could land him.

Likely hood of him sticking in the state (if he continues the way he is), not that likely.  Still a chance, however; 'cuz you never know a kid, he may want to stick in the midwest or be close to home before he mikes the next jump.

[GGGG]

joe wolf would probably be the only one to fall into tht category.  the most highly rated player to ever come out of wisconsin  finally decided between UNC and MU and went to UNC. 

Calvin Rayford chose Kansas ahead of MU.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Novak had UNC.

You sure?  His bio always stated he chose Marquette over Illinois and Florida (this is when Florida had not become the Florida we know about now)

[ChicosBailBonds]

Calvin Rayford chose Kansas ahead of MU.

Did Hayward really say this?   I guess it all depends on how we rate elite players.  First, none of us know if this kid will remain rated this highly, but there have been plenty of top 100 kids that have left the state and many of them recently.

Luscious
Wilson
Gaines
Smith

I would not be shocked if Blue left

The more important question, if Hayward wants to play this game, is name the last truly elite player from the state of Wisconsin that WENT to MU?  If he wants to use elite elite as his criteria --- as in a top 10 player ---- who is the last one that went to MU?   From my memory, you have to go back three decades to Chones.  Maybe my memory has faded, but I can't think of any others.