Ricky Council II Moravian Prep (Hudson, NC) 2015 6'4 SG

[VegasWarrior77]

Marquette Hoops ‏@MarquetteHoops  24m24 minutes ago
#mubb RT @JamieShaw5: Marquette made the trip down to catch 6'4 Post Grad Ricky Council of @MoravianPrep today

Moravian Prep retweeted
Carolina Prep Hoops @SC_NC_PostGrad  ·  Nov 20
Ricky Council has really improved his stock at Moravian Prep.

Ricky Council II Moravian Prep 2015 6'4 SG - Scores 53 Points at Pioneer Swanny Classic!!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oV0Sbyi3Pk

Looks like another great shooter with range!  Was a 3*. Maybe he's on the rise...?  Had a 3.8 GPA his senior year of high school.

He was nominated for the 2014 McD's AA team but didn't make it.
http://www.heraldsun.com/news/showcase/x1385733157/McDonalds-snub-motivates-Northern-High-star-Ricky-Council

[tower912]

Never stop recruiting, but unless Wojo knows somebody is leaving, I don't see what need this guy fills.    JJJ, Haanif, Dawson, NN, Deonte, WEllenson, Cohen.

[jsglow]

I know the scholly table says '1' for next year because of the assumption that all prior years are fully filled but if I'm not mistaken they have 2, correct?

Edit.  I miscounted.  There's 12 committed right now for next year as it stands.

[VegasWarrior77]

I think there is a good chance one of those players leave.  Not unusual in today's current NCAA BB environment.

[nyg]

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Ricky-Council-141047

[VegasWarrior77]

The schools on his list aren't majors.  As I was researching him I couldn't figure out why a player nominated for the McD's AA game and a 3.8 student wasn't garnering more interest.  Maybe Wojo's on to something?

[w0bbie]

The schools on his list aren't majors.  As I was researching him I couldn't figure out why a player nominated for the McD's AA game and a 3.8 student wasn't garnering more interest.  Maybe Wojo's on to something?

I'm pretty sure the only thing required to earn a McDonald's AA "nomination" is for someone to fill out the form on your behalf. This topic came up a few years ago when someone posted a breakdown of nominations by state and Iowa had way more than Illinois and other states.

[thehammock]

Yep...there were over 800 players nominated in 2013.

[VegasWarrior77]

That explains it.  But why would MU make the effort if they weren't interested?

[NersEllenson]

That explains it.  But why would MU make the effort if they weren't interested?

Because MU is probably going to have a transfer.  Surprised to see we are recruiting yet another 2 guard for next year.  Logjam at the position as it is.  Would much prefer to see us targeting a pure PG if we are going to be bringing in a player for 2015.

[VegasWarrior77]

I stated above that I thought we would have at least one transfer.  I would also prefer a pure PG who can also shoot it.  More of a need.

[NersEllenson]

I stated above that I thought we would have at least one transfer.  I would also prefer a pure PG who can also shoot it.  More of a need.

Sorry - missed that.  Whatever the case this kids game must have blossomed a ton since prep school as the list of schools he had offers for out of HS was about as underwhelming as it gets.

[VegasWarrior77]

The player is from NC so I'm thinking Wojo got some good info about him. Anytime you can pour in 53pts (mostly from long range) - even against lower competition - and you're 6'4" that's a good start!

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The schools on his list aren't majors.  As I was researching him I couldn't figure out why a player nominated for the McD's AA game and a 3.8 student wasn't garnering more interest.  Maybe Wojo's on to something?

Wake Forest was recruiting him at one point IIRC. Not quite at our level, but another high major. Could be a late bloomer.

[4everwarriors]

Gotta respect the process, hey?

[jsglow]

As it stands right now, I guess I'd expect to see Duane at the PG next year.  So glad he seems positioned to get starter minutes this year.  The experience will be valuable.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

As it stands right now, I guess I'd expect to see Duane at the PG next year.  So glad he seems positioned to get starter minutes this year.  The experience will be valuable.

The question is will we be better with Duane at PG and Johnson/Cohen/Cheatham at SG or finding a PG to let Duane stay at SG.  Duane is our leading scorer right now, will almost surely be our leading returning scorer next year, and quite possibly be our #1 scorer next year.  Personally, I think an offense runs smoother when the PG is not the primary scorer.  Yes, I want my PG to be able to shoot and score off the bounce.  But I'd prefer that PG distributes first and gets his picks his spots to score.

I also view Duane as a combo guard more than a PG.  Think Jason Terry.  He can slide to the point at times, he'll get some assists, but he's best starting off the ball and looking for his shot.  The PG needs to set up the offense, getting the ball to Duane, HE, and others.  Is that player John Dawson, Nick Noskowiak, or someone not on the roster?  If Wojo can add a starting caliber PG the roster shapes up nicely.

PG ???/Duane/NN/Dawson
SG Duane/Johnson/Cohen/Cheatham/Dawson
SF (3G) Johnson-Burton-Cohen-Cheatham-Wally (still a wide open race, IMO)
PF HE/Taylor/Heldt (small ball 4's Wally/Deonte?)
C Fisher/Taylor/HE/Heldt

*This assumes no transfers.  Would not be surprised if we had one.

[4everwarriors]

I'm not for sure on anoitin' Du Wil as the startin' 1 guard. Wojo and staff have a pretty keen eye on the type of playa they want runnin' the show. Don't sleep on Nick

[wadesworld]

The question is will we be better with Duane at PG and Johnson/Cohen/Cheatham at SG or finding a PG to let Duane stay at SG.  Duane is our leading scorer right now, will almost surely be our leading returning scorer next year, and quite possibly be our #1 scorer next year.  Personally, I think an offense runs smoother when the PG is not the primary scorer.  Yes, I want my PG to be able to shoot and score off the bounce.  But I'd prefer that PG distributes first and gets his picks his spots to score.

I also view Duane as a combo guard more than a PG.  Think Jason Terry.  He can slide to the point at times, he'll get some assists, but he's best starting off the ball and looking for his shot.  The PG needs to set up the offense, getting the ball to Duane, HE, and others.  Is that player John Dawson, Nick Noskowiak, or someone not on the roster?  If Wojo can add a starting caliber PG the roster shapes up nicely.

PG ???/Duane/NN/Dawson
SG Duane/Johnson/Cohen/Cheatham/Dawson
SF (3G) Johnson-Burton-Cohen-Cheatham-Wally (still a wide open race, IMO)
PF HE/Taylor/Heldt (small ball 4's Wally/Deonte?)
C Fisher/Taylor/HE/Heldt

*This assumes no transfers.  Would not be surprised if we had one.

I thought Burton was primed to lead our team in scoring, be 1st Team All BE, and head to the League after this year, hey?  Is that why Duane will be the leading returning scorer?

[MUfan12]

*This assumes no transfers.  Would not be surprised if we had one.

No inside info, but the sophomores don't seem to be grasping how Wojo wants them to play. Wouldn't be surprised if more than one looked elsewhere after this season.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I thought Burton was primed to lead our team in scoring, be 1st Team All BE, and head to the League after this year, hey?  Is that why Duane will be the leading returning scorer?

Not sure where you're going with this.  If you're calling me out, I never thought Burton was gone after this year.  I learned to temper expectations from people overreacting in the past.  People had Dameon Mason as a 1st round pick by his junior year and Jimmy Butler as a wasted scholarship after each played in one public scrimmage.  Look how that turned out. 

I thought Burton and Carlino were primed to be our two leading scorers but I saw Burton as a four year player until he proves otherwise.  Obviously Burton hasn't made the progress I and others anticipated.  Still think he's a four year player.

I also really liked Duane Wilson's skillset but he had no experience so I was in wait and see mode.  So far Duane is off to a strong start.  He's averaging 14.0 PPG. Taylor, Burton, and Johnson are all between 6.6 and 7.6 ppg.  Sure there's time for Duane to fall off and one of the other players to catch him.  But at this point he's almost doubling Taylor and more than doubling up the other non-seniors.  I guess I'll change my qualifier from "almost surely" to "quite possibly" that Duane is our top scorer among players that return next year. But if I'm right, I'll revisit this thread and post how I was right 1 million times.

[wadesworld]

Not sure where you're going with this.  If you're calling me out, I never thought Burton was gone after this year.  I learned to temper expectations from people overreacting in the past.  People had Dameon Mason as a 1st round pick by his junior year and Jimmy Butler as a wasted scholarship after each played in one public scrimmage.  Look how that turned out.  

I thought Burton and Carlino were primed to be our two leading scorers but I saw Burton as a four year player until he proves otherwise.  Obviously Burton hasn't made the progress I and others anticipated.  Still think he's a four year player.

I also really liked Duane Wilson's skillset but he had no experience so I was in wait and see mode.  So far Duane is off to a strong start.  He's averaging 14.0 PPG. Taylor, Burton, and Johnson are all between 6.6 and 7.6 ppg.  Sure there's time for Duane to fall off and one of the other players to catch him.  But at this point he's almost doubling Taylor and more than doubling up the other non-seniors.  I guess I'll change my qualifier from "almost surely" to "quite possibly" that Duane is our top scorer among players that return next year. But if I'm right, I'll revisit this thread and post how I was right 1 million times.

I was just joking around because that we have some posters here who have said they would be very surprised if Burton was here for all 4 years.  I just think it's silly to expect a player who showed promise but was far from a dominant player as a freshman to leave college early.  Especially when that guy is a 6'4" power forward who isn't an awful shooter but is far from a 3 point specialist and doesn't handle the ball particularly well.

[TedBaxter]

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ricky%20council%20moravian%20prep&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=ricky%20council%20moravian%20prep&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=5611F6D62C8DF46397C05611F6D62C8DF46397C0

Shooter.  Different type of player from anyone on the roster next year.  Would like to see how he plays defense.

[NersEllenson]

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ricky%20council%20moravian%20prep&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=ricky%20council%20moravian%20prep&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=5611F6D62C8DF46397C05611F6D62C8DF46397C0

Shooter.  Different type of player from anyone on the roster next year.  Would like to see how he plays defense.

Agree.  Nice form on shot.  Nice size for his position.  Showed a good ability to get shots off of of dribble - nice step back jumper move.  Collects well off of two feet to get into his jumper.

[jsglow]

The question is will we be better with Duane at PG and Johnson/Cohen/Cheatham at SG or finding a PG to let Duane stay at SG.  Duane is our leading scorer right now, will almost surely be our leading returning scorer next year, and quite possibly be our #1 scorer next year.  Personally, I think an offense runs smoother when the PG is not the primary scorer.  Yes, I want my PG to be able to shoot and score off the bounce.  But I'd prefer that PG distributes first and gets his picks his spots to score.

I also view Duane as a combo guard more than a PG.  Think Jason Terry.  He can slide to the point at times, he'll get some assists, but he's best starting off the ball and looking for his shot.  The PG needs to set up the offense, getting the ball to Duane, HE, and others.  Is that player John Dawson, Nick Noskowiak, or someone not on the roster?  If Wojo can add a starting caliber PG the roster shapes up nicely.

PG ???/Duane/NN/Dawson
SG Duane/Johnson/Cohen/Cheatham/Dawson
SF (3G) Johnson-Burton-Cohen-Cheatham-Wally (still a wide open race, IMO)
PF HE/Taylor/Heldt (small ball 4's Wally/Deonte?)
C Fisher/Taylor/HE/Heldt

*This assumes no transfers.  Would not be surprised if we had one.

I too think I like Duane in the 2 guard.  It'll be interesting to see if he slides to the 1 out of necessity, if next year's 1 is somebody already on the roster or signed (NN or John), of if that player is not affiliated with Marquette.  Who knows, maybe Henry bring the ball up! But whatever happens I think Wojo will figure it out.  No doubt he's thinking about it even now.

Lots of you guys know way more about basketball than I do.  But next year I really hope to play outstanding on ball PG defense and distribute.  For the first time in a few years at least, I'd anticipate that we'll already have enough guys to put the ball in the hole.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I was just joking around because that we have some posters here who have said they would be very surprised if Burton was here for all 4 years.  I just think it's silly to expect a player who showed promise but was far from a dominant player as a freshman to leave college early.  Especially when that guy is a 6'4" power forward who isn't an awful shooter but is far from a 3 point specialist and doesn't handle the ball particularly well.

We agree on Burton and I don't see anyone on the roster as an early entry candidate at this point.  I'm even waiting for HE to show me what he has in college before making any projections about how long he'll be at Marquette.

[TedBaxter]

Wake Forest was recruiting him at one point IIRC. Not quite at our level, but another high major. Could be a late bloomer.

Wake Forest not at Marquette's level?  Really?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Wake Forest not at Marquette's level?  Really?

I'm honestly not sure if you are being sarcastic or questioning the post, haha

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Wake Forest not at Marquette's level?  Really?

Wake Forest hasn't been good since Chris Paul was there.

[VegasWarrior77]

Wake Forest hasn't been good since Chris Paul was there.

Danny Manning is getting paid well to change that.

[VegasWarrior77]

Looks like some major schools are starting to recruit Ricky Council:

Jamie Shaw ‏@JamieShaw5  Nov 18
Providence, Clemson, & Iona are the latest to start the recruitment process with 6'4 @Phenom_Hoops alum Ricky Council of @MoravianPrep

Rick Lewis ‏@Coach_Rick57  Nov 13
Missouri and Iona are now recruiting Ricky Council of Moravian Prep.

[Pakuni]

Wake Forest hasn't been good since Chris Paul was there.

Actually, Dino Gaudio won 61 games in three seasons and produced players such as Jeff Teague, James Johnson and Al-Farouq Aminu ... then was inexplicably fired after making it into the second round of the tourney. People forget things were trending downward there in Prosser's last few seasons and Gaudio had them heading back in the right direction (i.e. winning tournament games, recruiting top players, etc.).
 It's been all downhill since.

[TedBaxter]

Actually, Dino Gaudio won 61 games in three seasons and produced players such as Jeff Teague, James Johnson and Al-Farouq Aminu ... then was inexplicably fired after making it into the second round of the tourney. People forget things were trending downward there in Prosser's last few seasons and Gaudio had them heading back in the right direction (i.e. winning tournament games, recruiting top players, etc.).
 It's been all downhill since.

The AD got rid of Gaudio because of some players off the court actions and hired a coach who didn't have a track record of college success.  A friend to boot and now they are rebuilding. 

[NCMUFan]

My brother-in-law is a Wake Forest grad.  The brother-in-law said exactly what TedBaxter said.  Gaudio was recruiting good basketball players, but a number of them had character issues off the court.  The AD did hire a friend who recruited player/students without issues, but apparently the players and coaches skill level fell short of winning.

Our last NC player was DJO.  That turned out pretty good.  

[tower912]

Ya know, this guy has already graduated HS.   He is prep school to hone his game.   Since he has already graduated, couldn't MU pick him up as a mid-season addition?    Is this theoretically possible?   (Yes, I know it won't happen, though I was told Buzz almost did it during the 09-10 season.)   Or conversely, a JUCO who is a qualifier but was in JUCO to polish his game.   Is that possible mid-year?

[Litehouse]

Does anyone know for sure about this?  If a kid was qualified out of HS and playing at a Prep school or Juco, could he come in immediately?

[brewcity77]

Ya know, this guy has already graduated HS.   He is prep school to hone his game.   Since he has already graduated, couldn't MU pick him up as a mid-season addition?    Is this theoretically possible?   (Yes, I know it won't happen, though I was told Buzz almost did it during the 09-10 season.)   Or conversely, a JUCO who is a qualifier but was in JUCO to polish his game.   Is that possible mid-year?

Possible, but rare. Might be a good time for it, but I can't think of too many mid-season impact guys other than Jarnell Stokes. Though I suppose we don't need an impact guy, just a body willing to sacrifice 10 games of eligibility.

[jsglow]

Possible, but rare. Might be a good time for it, but I can't think of too many mid-season impact guys other than Jarnell Stokes. Though I suppose we don't need an impact guy, just a body willing to sacrifice 10 games of eligibility.

Interesting.  But thought about it another way, Luke, Deonte and John all just sacrificed eligibility.  College basketball has become worse that the baseball hot stove league.

[Jay Bee]

The schools on his list aren't majors.  As I was researching him I couldn't figure out why a player nominated for the McD's AA game and a 3.8 student wasn't garnering more interest.  Maybe Wojo's on to something?

Must not only "respect the process", but *understand it*

There are literally HUNDREDS of "McDonald's AA nominees" each year. 28 others in North Carolina along with Ricky in 2014.

"McDonald's All-American nominee" carries as much weight as ZFB's gf did in high school (she was only 78 pounds, slightly smaller than him).

[brewcity77]

There are literally HUNDREDS of "McDonald's AA nominees" each year. 28 others in North Carolina along with Ricky in 2014.

"McDonald's All-American nominee" carries as much weight as ZFB's gf did in high school (she was only 78 pounds, slightly smaller than him).

Truer words were never spoken.

[VegasWarrior77]

Moravian Prep retweeted
RHoops Recruiting ‏@RHoopsRecruits  13m13 minutes ago
@Coach_Rick57 @MoravianPrep whoa. Stock is a risin'!


Moravian Prep retweeted
Jamie Shaw ‏@JamieShaw5  2m2 minutes ago
Michigan & Kansas St are now in the mix for 6'4 Post Grad Ricky Council of @MoravianPrep

Looks like he's drawing more interest!  Hope MU made a good impression!

[VegasWarrior77]

Moravian Prep ‏@MoravianPrep  31m31 minutes ago
Moravian Prep defeats Caldwell Comm. Coll. 92-76. Ricky Council w/35. &12. Isaac Thomas w/30 & 18.

[Pakuni]

Moravian Prep ‏@MoravianPrep  31m31 minutes ago
Moravian Prep defeats Caldwell Comm. Coll. 92-76. Ricky Council w/35. &12. Isaac Thomas w/30 & 18.

Looks like Wojo is watching Council tonight.

http://247sports.com/Bolt/Steve-Wojciechowski-scouting-2015-shooting-guard-34566199

[Aircraftcarrier]

Reminds me of DJ Newbill. A scorer with a better jump shot.

[77ncaachamps]

The offense I'm seeing now, we need another shooter.

[Stretchdeltsig]

We can always use more shooters.

[Dawson Rental]

Where is Moravian Prep?  Somewhere in the Balkans?

[GGGG]

Where is Moravian Prep?  Somewhere in the Balkans?

Moravia.

[4everwarriors]

Bumblefook, hey?

[Texas Western]

I am glad to see Wojo recruiting a kid with these talents. A good athletic shooter is something we need.

[VegasWarrior77]

Moravian Prep retweeted
Rick Lewis ‏@Coach_Rick57  60 minutes ago North Carolina, US
Providence of the Big East will be in to watch NC Phenom 150 alum Ricky Council of Moravian Prep tomorrow

[VegasWarrior77]

JucoJunction @JucoJunction  ·  Jan 23
Providence HC Ed Cooley front and staff watching Ricky Council at Moravian Prep. #SwannysRoundballReview

RHoops Recruiting @RHoopsRecruits  ·  Jan 21
One of best available shooters in 15 @MoravianPrep MT @toneroth Ricky Council has a lot of offers. Providence in the mix, Tulsa, Clemson


Jamie Shaw @JamieShaw5  ·  Jan 19
Clemson, Creighton, & UConn are the latest to call about 6'4 Post Grad Ricky Council of @MoravianPrep
Clemson in tomorrow to see him

HoopSeen @hoopseen  ·  Jan 16
A post-grad year leads to more offers for Ricky Council. Quick story from @CarterTuck http://hoopseen.com/index.php/news/hoopseen-20/item/2813-council-on-the-come-up …

Council on the come up

There are times when a player going to prep school can really give a boost to a player’s maturity, skill development, & recruiting.

One of those players is Ricky Council of Moravian Prep of Hickory, N.C.

Council was courted and offered by many low major and mid major Division I schools, including Gardner Webb, Radford, & UNC Asheville among others in his high school career.

Then his season at Moravian Prep began. And improvement and big time numbers happened.

The 6-foot-4 shooting guard has had monster games shooting the ball this year, with multiple 30+ point performances, including a 53 point effort that featured 10 threes.

Putting up numbers like this had the mid major and high major schools calling.

Council has added offers from Providence and Tulsa in January, as well as Maryland and North Carolina State have been in to see him.

[brewcity77]

Council is definitely a kid I'd like to see us offer. Not sure why we're waiting. There are other options out there, mostly JUCOs, but I'm not sure there's a better HS shooter we're in on at this point.

[forgetful]

Council is definitely a kid I'd like to see us offer. Not sure why we're waiting. There are other options out there, mostly JUCOs, but I'm not sure there's a better HS shooter we're in on at this point.

I agree, we should have offered him already.  There is room for him and a JUCO.

[brewcity77]

I like Council better than the other freshman wing scorers we are in on. Anim seems like more of an athlete, which isn't bad, but we need a sniper. With Carlino leaving, someone has to be able to come in and make those shots. I have high hopes for Duane and Sandy, but we need more able shooters than that.

[Pakuni]

Ricky Council committed to Providence today.
I would guess Amin's commitment makes this kind of moot for MU, anyhow.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Felt like MU wasn't a big player in his recruitment while Anim has been the focus for about a month.  Nice pickup for the Friars and good overall for the BE.

[Nukem2]

Is Ricky related to former Friar star Vincent council...?

[willie warrior]

As it stands right now, I guess I'd expect to see Duane at the PG next year.  So glad he seems positioned to get starter minutes this year.  The experience will be valuable.

So would some experience at PG this year, instead of putting Derrick out there for 40 minutes a game.