More quotes still from Ralston Turner... this time from Rivals who got pretty good scoop and a detailed interview. Got to make sure that Andre Stringer is seeing these and reading these. And, for those that still doubt the coaching talents of Coach Trent Johnson, I'd say look at what the LSU team is saying and recruits are hearing... :wink: http://lsu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=989151 "All of the players that said anything to me basically thought he was unbelievable as a coach," Turner said. "They were so high on him. That stood out a lot to me." :thumb: :grin: :geauxtige:bball::geauxtige LSU IS A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. BE A PART OF THE TRENT JOHNSON ERA.
Now it seems that all of the recruiting focus turns to Mr. Stringer. He is coming this weekend and seems excited about it. According to Rival's recent interview, Andre is all about learning what it'd be like to be a student/athlete at LSU. He doesn't expect to commit this weekend (b/c he wants to visit 'Bama in Oct) but would completely rule out committing this weekend. Hmmm... let's hope the staff and LSU roll out the red carpet. http://lsu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=990072
So, this is just in. Trevor Releford (5'9" PG out of KS) has given Alabama his verbal. Wonder if that influences Mr. Andre Stringer's decision, eh? That's now a 2009 PG and a 2010 PG brought on by Anthony Grant since joining 'Bama. Alabama Basketball Recruiting 2010 - ESPN Funny thing is that although Grant started slow at 'Bama, he's done well recently in almost carbon copy fashion to CTJ. Started with a PF in Shawn Kemp Jr. (holdover from last year), signed a 6'5" SG in Charles Hankerson and now he's got his targeted diminutive, but speedy PG. Generally, I still think that LSU got the better picks, but now it comes down to Mr. Stringer. I hope he's enjoying the visit! :geauxtige:bball::geauxtige
Well, the good news is that Andre enjoyed his trip and felt like he learned alot about LSU and what it'd be like to play at LSU. The bad news is that he didn't commit and likely won't until after he visits 'Bama. Some good quotes about LSU being "better off" after this visit but that Andre, irrespective of Releford's recent commitment, is still committed to seeing Alabama on his official. http://lsu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=991254 I respect the decision, but as a Tiger fan you got to worry a little bit that it'll be probably October before we hear anything from what many expect will be our last recruit for 2010. I've got to be optimistic though about LSU's chances. Alabama's still got two young PGs in ahead of Stringer, and despite what Andre's saying, it's got to play in the back of his mind. There has been some skuttlebutt that LSU is also looking at a 6'5" high flying point/combo guard in Jarvis Ray, who does sport an offer. Ray is an interesting "riser" b/c of summer ball, and while there's little on him out there, he does have offers from LSU, Memphis, Ok St, and others. We may not be completely done yet, folks. Jarvis Ray - Yahoo! Sports http://pelicanpreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=984526
It seems as if CTJ and staff want to save the last spot for this years class for a pg. With that being said who would rather have Stringer or Ray? I know there is not a lot out about Ray but his highlights were pretty impressive. He doesn't seem to fit CTJ normal small fast pg but after seeing what CTJ did with Marcus Thornton in one year I have a lot of confidence in his molding skills. I'm a lot more for Stringer at this point but i must admit a lot of that has to do with the fact that we have been recruiting him longer and have seen a lot more articles on him. Just wondering what you guys think.
Well, the easy answer would be Stringer, b/c the kid is ranked, a top 100 kid, friend of Courtney and well regarded as probably a top 2 kid out of MS. But, I just watched the highlight on Youtube of Jarvis Ray and I have to say, he's not a bad prospect. Arguably comparable to a Brian Williams or Galloway in my opinion. But, this is what it comes down to. Jarvis seems like to me is a decent 6'5" tall point, but feels like to me a little bit like Garrett Temple. He's not quite explosive enough like a Derrick Rose or Tyreke Evans kind of bigger PG. He's really more of a nice combo guard, can bring the ball up like Garrett, can even break down a man off the dribble a little off the top of the key. But, can he force the tempo, break a smaller quicker guy down consistently? He's actually got more value probably at the "combo" guard spot, bring the ball up some time, but more play off at the 2 and use his versatility in different ways. Long story short, I agree with the offer but the tricky thing is where do you put the guy now that Ralston's committed and we've got John Isaac coming in 2011? What Andre brings is more quickness, and honestly the state of college basketball today is smaller, quicker up tempo play and more guard play. Andre also brings a pretty money 3 pointer with a quicker release. So, from a pure selfish standpoint who would I rather have for this team, I'd say Stringer. But, could Jarvis find a spot on this team or some other team? Yes. I think the key for him is he's got to get stronger and quicker. He's got a decent shot and uses his crossover and length to get past people, just not sure he can use that in the SEC to consistently get past folks. Sort of the same issue that Garrett ran into. Now, if Andre doesn't go with LSU, I do think Jarvis is deserving of an LSU offer, but he's a kid that you try to mold... just not sure he is a true point guard right off the bat like Andre. In some ways though, I would have been perfectly happy with Jarvis as a counter point to Ralston--Ralston's probably more of a pure shooter, but Ray seems more athletic and can shift over to point some.
Stringer's announcing his commitment at a press conference Monday. Jerry Meyer thinks he's a Tiger. Hope he's right.
I just checked rivals and Evan Washington, who is an OT in our football class is listed as a PF on our 2010 basketball recruiting. Is he playing both?
