Don't know if others have noticed this, but Scout has a slick new feel to their recruiting sites, and particularly, their basketball coverage seems far better than it had been. http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=7...=2015#/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=4&cfg=bb&pid=88&yr=2015 provides a link to the top Scout 2015 recruits and provides a quick comprehensive view of Scout's top 100 players for that class. Interestingly, folks like Melvin Frazier, Noah Dickerson or Alex Owens are not present on Scout's list. Folks showing interest in LSU, or vice versa, that are on the list include folks already highlighted on our thread, Malik Newman, Brandon Sampson, and Antonio Blakeney. A new name that hasn't been mentioned is Prince Ali, a 6'3" SG prospect out of Florida that has an offer to LSU according to Scout (although it seems Louisville is recruiting him the highest): http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=7065533#/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=7065533 According to Scout and others, however, it seems the LSU staff is really focusing now on Blakeney. http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=6910258#/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=6910258 http://louisville.247sports.com/Article/Pitino-LSU-put-fullcourt-press-on-Blakeney-29812243 The Florida 6'4" SG seems to be getting the attention from the staff right now... while LA target, Brandon Sampson, has racked up another big-name offer (UCLA, yesterday) and has given some indications of his visits to come: http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=6674258#/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=6674258. Looks like it's really becoming a Blakeney (who has favored staying in Florida) and Sampson horserace, at the SG position.
Excellent write up about Ben Simmons. http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2014/07/ben_simmons_story.html#incart_river
Thanks, Paradise, great article! Just noticed this thread did not have video on Antonio Blakeney. The dude is LEGIT. He has all the athleticism and skill and can drive to the hoop with vigor and hops and hit the long jumper. Now I understand all of the attention paid to him by the staff, as he may be slightly more skilled that Newman, although Newman's physicality is impressive. Imagine a Ben Simmons, Blakeney and Noah Dickerson line up. You're game changer "point forward", your big man down low and your perimeter threat. Let's hope....
Blakeney tweeted his SEVEN finalists.... and LSU makes the list! "My final 7 : FSU, Louisville , Mizzou, Kentucky , Oregon , LSU and USC . No order . Thanks to all the other schools who recruited me!!"
Finally, LSU offers a scholarship to a player from Peabody HS in Alexandria, a perennial power program in class 4A. They've had a lot of D1 players over the years and like Coach Smith said, LSU for some reason just didn't seem interested in recruiting those players. Glad to see that seems to be changing with Coach Jones. http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/...ball-star-Russell-gains-LSU-scholarship-offer
Would agree that LSU has missed out on some talent from Peabody, which has produced some decent talent. Passing on Markel Brown (and Langston Galloway), and favoring the Derenbecker/Ludwig/Country Day connection may have been a recruiting call that cost Trent. But, we'll see if Russell reciprocates the offer with some love to LSU. Certainly sounds like he'll play the field... Also, nice piece in Bleacher Report on the Blakeney situation... piece would make it sound like it's a Louisville UK race, although some reports are that Louisville may also be looking at other options and UK came in late. The chance to continue playing with Ben Simmons will be the LSU factor... http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...in-state-fight-coming-over-5-star-sg-blakeney
So, for those just consumed with football starting, we forget that summer and early fall dominate college hoops recruiting, as summer camps lead way to offers, which lead to unofficial and official visits. In JUCO news, according to the Twitter world, LSU has shown interest in a 2015 Neosho CC (Kansas JC) center/forward named Joseph Acuil. What do you know, another Aussie, who also happens to be 7', 210-ish. He might be visiting LSU this week, and is looking at us and Baylor... http://goneosho.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=831&path=mbball Youtube video and twitter news on this kid from some years ago can be found at: http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/joseph-acuil Stats in JC: http://stats.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2013-14/div1/players/josephacuilyfps Gotta hand it to David Patrick and the Jones staff. This is guy may be considered "under the radar", but he is a legit 7 footer and can really play the "stretch" four, while being an athletic shot blocker, who can drive the ball at 7 feet. Also hit 30+% on his threes in JC. The Aussie connection also can't hurt--probably is known to Ben Simmons. I'd love to see another 15-20 pounds on this kid, but he's got some very interesting raw potential. Is this an "early" commit you take to put some pressure on kids like Noah Dickerson? I continue to like the mixing in of JUCOs who fit the need!
Jones and staff are hitting the recruiting trail hard, but I'm afraid if it doesn't translate into victories on the court soon recruiting will get much harder quick. LSU basketball has been irrelevant so long that the new wears off coaches really quick. I'm really liking Jones, but IMO the window will be closing fast. He needs some success sooner rather than later.
Ben Simmons is actively recruiting Dickerson & Blakeney... I like our chances http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2014/08/04/lsu-commit-ben-simmons-attract-more-talent "We talk about it a lot," Dickersontold the Times-Picayune. "Ben was in Atlanta for his birthday and he was in my ear the whole day about LSU. Every time we see each other, we talk about it. He loves that place and he wants them to be great when he gets there."
https://mobile.twitter.com/DMcDonaldHoops Just tweeted 5 star Elijah Thomas cut his list down to 5 & LSU made the cut. Also has a link to his Rivals page where he states Thamas said SMU is his leader & LSU is second.
