Hoops Recruiting (2010)

Ok, Thanks, I was just wondering if DD had heard something new that wasn't posted yet.

 

More on the I-10 Elite camp trickling out from the Advocate...

Some very small tidbits on the day's results, and A LOT of other names to follow as this recruiting year develops. While folks may be concerned about Trent's recruiting, what one does realize is that there are a lot of talented players that fly under the radar until the school year starts, and it seems at least that there is still plenty of time for some of these recruits to get LSU's attention....

2theadvocate.com | Sports | Laney: Getting feedback on top basketball recruits — Baton Rouge, LA

 

a 6'4" guard in the 8th grade, wow.

 

As a follow on to this article, a couple of interesting tidbits in recent weeks in the AAU circuit. This process is somewhat of a meat market scene for sure, and so much of hoops recruiting isn't even about high schools any more but how kids "showcase" their talent in these tourney settings.

As Trent and staff "evaluate" talent from their perspective, it's a little bit of an interesting question how they do that. Case in point, Matt Derenbecker (and to be clear, I have not see a ton of this kid other than footage available online, so I can't say that he's so good or not), according to recent available information online plays AAU ball (both with Louisiana Select, but also with a Texas Ambassadors program) with two kids LSU should be watching, Ron McGhee and Shavon Coleman, who were mentioned earlier in this thread. In AAU games that I could find, Derenbecker hasn't exactly been stellar. Coleman and, in some games that I've seen written up, McGhee have had better scoring outputs consistently. So, do better prospects they make? McGhee is a skinny 6'5" 175 shooter/slasher from Istrouma, rated 89 in the ESPN rankings below, Derenbecker's 93. Coleman, who is a bigger 6'6", closer to 200 lb kid, is a very athletic kid who has shown more of a multi-faceted game during AAU-yet he's not even on national radars.

Now, in an AAU setting which is admittedly more streetball, I can see Derenbecker not getting showcased, but it also may speak to why some coaches have gravitated towards better athletes (like Pierre, picking off Williams and Markel Brown). Clearly, Trent likes Derenbecker for HIS system--Derenbecker, in a motion offense where shots are created and good shooters are a premium, might stand out for Trent. I don't know if Stanford or GA Tech offers that kind of system, but I don't think so. Georgetown, maybe b/c they run the (hybrid) princeton offense, but honestly, I don't really see G-Town being a great place to showcase shooters.

So, I guess my point is, as it relates to Derenbecker, he may want to shop around, but perhaps this AAU thing may NOT be helping his cause? Should he commit early to LSU where a coach and a system are really high on him and can fit his style of play? ... :huh:

 

Derenbecker is going to need a point guard who can penetrate and create shots for him. He is a really good shooter, but isn't going to create a lot of offense on his own. That's why getting Stringer is so important to this class.

 

Well hopefully thats where Stringer will come in handy.

 

I don't disagree with you on the importance of the point guard, but also remember that Derenbecker moves well without the ball, and if there are good passers on the team, he'll get his shots. That's in someways why Trent, given time to recruit his own guys, has been fixated on PGs like Pressey and Stringer. They remind him perhaps of Brevin Knight, one of his former recruits. A small, quick point guard who can push the tempo, break down the defense and create shots, will certainly help shooters. But, if the rest of the team is running the right stuff and Matt is picking and popping, I think he'd be fine.

I think in terms of overall importance, I'd actually say that Derenbrecker commiting to LSU is priority one (b/c at the end of the date, LSU should be in contention and landing the top players in LA, and MD from most accounts, i.e., Gatorade POY, is the top player), Stringer is second (b/c never underestimate the importance of having PGs lined up, and is tight with Courtney), and then third, I'd say Turner, but quite frankly, any other good athletic scorer/wing who can play good d, and scoring in multiple ways, would be a nice complement. So, a kid like McGhee if Trent likes him and he likes LSU, or Coleman, if he fits the bill (i.e., another LA kid) would be fine by my book.

I also found it interesting that LSU was watching this kid Crawford from Memphis closely (Memphis Roar Blog Archive Memphis Prep Spotlight: 2010 Chris Crawford). Could a "combo" guard now fit the right versatility bill... it is a shame that Galloway didn't want to go to LSU b/c he would have had the opportunity to play. :rolleye33:

 

So, Rivals had this to say about how Anthony Grant is approaching his 2010 recruiting...

http://www.lsu.rivals.com/content.asp?cid=962898

Stringer is definitely a focal point mentioned with LSU and Alabama as leaders, BUT, it appears that Grant is scouting and approaching OTHER point guards. Also, Turner is not mentioned. Another fast-rising prospect K.T. Harrell, is a 6'4" SG that has shot up in AL as a result of the AAU performances, and now seems to be Bama's top SG prospect. Where does that leave Turner opcorn:

Alot can change quickly as a result of just a few performances at these summer venues, and I think as a result some of these kids will hopefully get that their stock can rise and fall pretty quickly. I just hope that Trent and staff are really working the scene here in July. :thumb:

 

You're right, I probably underestimated Derenbecker with that quote and left out some of his other strengths.

Also, I noticed the same thing as you did with Turner in that Rivals article. I'd really like to read an update on him, but it seems like we may have a good shot there.