In Demand: Duke, UNC, others want Wisconsin player

[Sir Lawrence]

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2010/jun/16/in-demand-duke-unc-others-want-wisconsin-player/sports/

By Bill Cole

JOURNAL REPORTER

Published: June 16, 2010

CHAPEL HILL

J.P. Tokoto has just finished his sophomore year of high school, but he's already acquainted -- by sight at least -- with some of college basketball's top coaches.

And the number of coaches will continue to grow because he is considered one of the nation's top young players. Still, NCAA rules prohibit college coaches from having personal contact with recruits until they start their senior year.

Duke and North Carolina are recruiting Tokoto, and Duke is one of eight programs known to have already offered him a scholarship.

Tokoto, a 6-6 swingman at Menomonee Falls (Wis.) High School, near Milwaukee, was anticipating an offer from North Carolina yesterday, the day that NCAA rules allow coaches to contact high-school sophomores by letter.

At least 26 other schools are also interested, including Kentucky, Kansas, UCLA and Wisconsin.

"It's nothing new, really," Tokoto said at last month's Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions in the Research Triangle area.

"They're showing their interest in me, and want to see if I have interest in them."

On a night in late April, coaches went to Menomonee Falls to watch Tokoto in an open-gym workout at his school.

Coach Roy Williams of North Carolina was there, making another of his frequent trips that have residents joking that he's now eligible to vote in Wisconsin.

John Calipari of Kentucky was there, along with Tom Izzo of Michigan State, Bruce Weber of Illinois and Buzz Williams of Marquette.

During the last high-school season, Williams and Coach Bo Ryan of Wisconsin showed up at the same time at one of Tokoto's games, which everyone thought awkward until they sat together.

Tokoto (J.P. stands for Jean-Pierre) averaged 18.6 points and 10 rebounds and led his team to 21 wins. He can shoot jump shots, but can also slice through a defense on drives.

Some of his athletic ability is in his genes.

He started playing soccer when he was 3, with help from his grandfather, also J.P. Tokoto, who made Cameroon's national soccer team as a 15-year-old and was a longtime soccer coach in Rockford, Ill.

Tokoto is hoping to make his college decision by the end of summer 2011.

His father, Trevor Trimble, said that the family considers the growing recruiting process a very humbling experience.

But he also hopes that the traditions of the programs recruiting his son will drive J.P. to become a better player and better student, even though he already has a 3.5 GPA.

"Our challenge as parents is to encourage him to find what he can do with it," Trevor said. "We don't want him to reach the end of the road and look back and say, 'I wish I coulda, woulda shoulda,' and have regrets.

"I'm telling J.P., 'Let's not take this for granted. You've got to seize the opportunity, and you've got to work.'"

North Carolina was one of the teams that Tokoto follows. Tokoto likes a fast style of play and feels he would fit easily into the uptempo pace that Williams favors.

"I like it here. It's nice," Tokoto said as he visited the Smith Center. "The first time I was here I was thinking, 'Wow!' I've seen it on TV, but I never thought it would be this big. It looks like it's a mile high. The banners and retired jerseys are awesome to see. It shows the history of the program."

Duke also holds a prominent place in his recruiting plans, and he had a visit planned during the Gibbons tournament to look at Cameron Indoor Stadium and around campus.

"I'm not playing any favorites right now because it's so early in the process, but I like Duke a lot also," he said. "I really like the school. I like the way they play. Duke's coming off a great year. Winning the (NCAA) championship was awesome.

"I believe North Carolina is going to make a run at it this year, too. They're playing with some guys who have some experience now. So that would be nice, also. I like both schools a lot."

bcole@wsjournal.com

[mugrad99]

"Bo Ryan said to Sam (Tuesday), 'I'm telling you the truth when I say I have been waiting for a player with your ability for the past 30 years, and now I have one,'

http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20100615/SHE0101/100615150/Sheboygan-Lutheran-s-Sam-Dekker-commits-to-Wisconsin

[Hards Alumni]

"Bo Ryan said to Sam (Tuesday), 'I'm telling you the truth when I say I have been waiting for a player with your ability for the past 30 years, and now I have one,'

http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20100615/SHE0101/100615150/Sheboygan-Lutheran-s-Sam-Dekker-commits-to-Wisconsin

until he decommits

[madtownwarrior]

JPT going to be a badger,  one very knowledgeable on Buckyville poster has said so many times, including the following:

"I wouldn't worry about Marquette....or the "big boys"....to much. " with a wink...


http://buckyville.yuku.com/topic/19701

[4everwarriors]

From the video I've seen, JP "glides" on the court. Moves so smoothly through the defense. Needs to get stronger and also work on his J. But, will be an elite college performer if he remains dedicated. Love to see him in a Warrior uni.

[HoopsMalone]

Looks like UW signed a wing for 2012 in Sam Dekker:  http://rivals.yahoo.com/wisconsinpreps/basketball/recruiting/player-Sam-Dekker-113453

http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20100615/SHE0101/100615150/Sheboygan-Lutheran-s-Sam-Dekker-commits-to-Wisconsin

Looks like the Badgers signed a wing player in the same class as Tokoto.


Also, notice the jab at Bo's recruiting style and the rip on Tom Crean on the #6 post here:  http://buckyville.yuku.com/topic/31476/t/Dekker-to-UW.html

[GOMU1104]

They didnt sign anyone, they got a verbal commitment.

[texaswarrior74]

http://northcarolina.scout.com/2/977422.html

[avid1010]

"Bo Ryan said to Sam (Tuesday), 'I'm telling you the truth when I say I have been waiting for a player with your ability for the past 30 years, and now I have one,'

http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20100615/SHE0101/100615150/Sheboygan-Lutheran-s-Sam-Dekker-commits-to-Wisconsin

I think this says it all to badget fans.  Either Bo is full of sh!t, or he just admitted he hasn't signed a half decent prospect in 30 years of coaching.

[madtownwarrior]

come on now, Bo just signed the next "Pistol" Pete Mavarich, only taller....


"Todd Dekker said his wife was sold on Ryan when the Badgers coach said Sam could be a taller version of Carol's favorite all-time player, former LSU and NBA star "Pistol" Pete Maravich."

[PJDunn]

I don't know if I would count Wisconsin out just yet.  If my memory serves me correctly Bo has brought more than a few high level recruits to Madison.  Heck, I also wouldn't count Buzz out yet either.  Stranger things have happened...

[texaswarrior74]

He's a Tar Heel...bank on it.

[PJDunn]

Yup, and my wife's alma mater was signed, sealed, and delivered to the Pac 10. 

We are dealing with a someone who probably can't even drive yet.  Lots of changes will take place over the next couple of seasons.

[NersEllenson]

Bo really layed it on thick for this Dekker kid with the Pistol Pete comment and stating he's been waiting for a player of Dekker's caliber in Wisconsin for 30 years.  Sounds like he told him he could play the 1-4 at UW - point, shooting, small and power forward.  I'm sure he'll turn out to be a good player for UW, and it should be very interesting to see him develop into a Pistol Pete clone. 

[PJDunn]

Hard to imagine Pistol Pete playing in the swing...

[wyzgy]

He's a Tar Heel...bank on it.

we'll just have to blow the salary cap and up the signing bonus and pay the luxary tax

[77ncaachamps]

I wonder if this recent Creaning means IU is one of the other 26 teams.

[MarkCharles]

"Bo Ryan said to Sam (Tuesday), 'I'm telling you the truth when I say I have been waiting for a player with your ability for the past 30 years, and now I have one,'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

""Todd Dekker said his wife was sold on Ryan when the Badgers coach said Sam could be a taller version of Carol's favorite all-time player, former LSU and NBA star "Pistol" Pete Maravich."

Looks like Bo isn't as above the tricks of recruiting as Badger fans would like to believe. Not saying he's dirty by any means, just not a choirboy. I wonder how it just happened to come up that the one player Bo compares a Mom's son to happens to be her all-time favorite player? (and kind of a random player to compare a 16 year old to, at that)

Bo: Who are your favorite players?
Mom: I like Shaq, Pistol Pete, and Isaiah Thomas.
Bo: Well, Mam, your son could be a taller or shorter version of any of those players!

And that quote to Sam is exactly the way to make a kid who just turned 16 get a big head. Bo may come across as (and probably genuinely is) a very nice guy, but anybody who thinks hes not as much of a salesman as anybody if fooling themselves.

[4everwarriors]

And Crean tells every guard recruit they have a lot in common with Wade. Yep, both wear sneakers on the court.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I wonder if this recent Creaning means IU is one of the other 26 teams.

Sounds a lot like what our current coach did....if a kid isn't going to play and wants to play, best to tell him early and let him go. 

Life is rough, happens in the business world all the time.  If you're not cutting it, not hitting the numbers, they'll give you your walking papers.  It's why scholarships are 1 year renewable offers.

[Daniel]

Looks like Bo isn't as above the tricks of recruiting as Badger fans would like to believe. Not saying he's dirty by any means, just not a choirboy. I wonder how it just happened to come up that the one player Bo compares a Mom's son to happens to be her all-time favorite player? (and kind of a random player to compare a 16 year old to, at that)

Bo: Who are your favorite players?
Mom: I like Shaq, Pistol Pete, and Isaiah Thomas.
Bo: Well, Mam, your son could be a taller or shorter version of any of those players!

And that quote to Sam is exactly the way to make a kid who just turned 16 get a big head. Bo may come across as (and probably genuinely is) a very nice guy, but anybody who thinks hes not as much of a salesman as anybody if fooling themselves.

___
Hey come on - some salesmen are nice

[avid1010]

Life is rough, happens in the business world all the time.  If you're not cutting it, not hitting the numbers, they'll give you your walking papers.  It's why scholarships are 1 year renewable offers.

Okay Chicos...do they get a bailout if they run MU into the ground?  Get a clue.  While some in the "business world" still seem to have ethics (and humility), I'm not interested in playing that card with these kids.  They understand the business world all to well as they watch many make millions off of their play while they recieve a tiny fraction of that $$$.  I think they get the business world...right now, it seems to be screw someone over or get screwed over.  I'm not sure scholarships are a 1 year renewable offer to promote kicking kids out of school who aren't "hitting the numbers" on the court.  Not sure how that plays with the Jesuit beliefs either.

[avid1010]

-

[reinko]

Did you just quote yourself?

[wadefan#1]

He better be playing with Marquette