Great tidbit, mctiger. Interesting. Certainly reminds me of potentially a Tyrus Thomas kind of signing. 6'8" 215 lbs forward who seems pretty athletic. Only all-district last year despite some pretty decent averages. Could be a case of just not playing on a good team or not being too active in the AAU "meat market" circuit that folks like Rivals, Scout, etc. hound. In any case, playing for the Louisiana Select AAU team over the summer turned some heads, and perhaps word is just now getting around with the big schools. Louisiana Select AAU Scout.com: Catching Up With Shawn Long LSU probably wasn't on him for 2011 b/c they didn't have the room, but now that Harris' schollie is available, we can be. What's interesting though is we have JOB signed to play big man, but he's more of a 4/5. Can Shawn be more of a 3/4? I like the stats though, 6'8" (if he grows another inch or two, look out) and a nice 215 lb (already heavier than CJohnson or Harris ever were) and seems to be a beast on the glass. Not a lot out there on him, but I'm in favor of signing a kid in 2011 as opposed to waiting. You never know who's going to be around in a year to 18 months, and I'm in favor of cultivating more big men, as Green, Warren and White are seniors next year. Also, would like to see some good LA kids on the roster. All this said, of course, not having seen the kid play.
Ok, for the die hard hoops recruiting nuts, check out this Youtube clip on him. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRuLUFNVU4A]YouTube - Shawn "TwoOne" Long 2009-2010 Highlights[/ame] He strikes me as an intriguing prospect. Pretty skilled kid and apparently has gotten bigger. He's more like 6'8" 240 now, and really a true power 4, although he shows some range. Frankly, I like some of his low post moves with this back to the basket, and he seems like he's got a good "motor" (which was one of O'bryant's only criticisms). Could we play JOB at Center and Long at 4? Possibly. Also could Long still be growing and maybe get to 6'9-10"? He's not a guy that jumps out the gym and a lean 225 like T-train. But, he's got a kind of a wide body for rebounds and a good instinctive defender with some decent wing span. Will be interesting what Trent does in the Spring no doubt. Does he need more frontcourt depth for down the road development or try to land immediate help at a guard spot, like a JUCO or highly ranked, but unsigned, point guard? Given that after 2011-12, you basically have one year of Hamilton left and possibly one or two from JOB, and not a whole lot after that (maybe Courtney and whatever big you sign in 2012), front court depth that you develop for 2012 might make a lot of sense with Long....
After watching the UK game, I think we need more perimeter help FAST. Wow, it's hard to watch knowing that Turner is hurt, but so much of the college game these days just seems predicated on athletic, skilled guards that can drive, penetrate, pass and hit Js. Big men just need to be big, strong, get rebounds and clog the middle. I know that Trent would like the ability to have the 7 footer down low to initiate the offense, but wow, right now, we just need more horses in the backcourt to create offense for us. Maybe this is simply reactionary, but Bass and Stringer at point at least right now, is a weakness. I'm not saying Stringer can't be good, b/c I think he can be, but boy, if his shot is not falling, he has a hard time doing other things... playing D, creating assists. If he can get some of his shooting mojo back, other things will be easier. But I am VERY curious now how good ISAAC really is. Can he play point, play stick-em d on the 6'3-5" guard in the SEC and make good solid passes of some dribble penetration? With a line up of Turner/Derenbecker to hit more spot up shots, we need a point guard that scares the other team off the dribble. Bass, as hard as he tries, has some quicks but lacks the vision. I'd vote for scouring the planet for an athletic point. Then, go the bigs route.
Issac could play the point and be very succesful. he has the size and speed. but after watchin him alot this year, I dont see him as a true PG. he will still be a scoring PG, only difference is he is more of a slasher type whereas Stringer is a pull up jump shooter. Needless to say things should get better next year cause if JI does play the 1, then his ability to drive should open up the jump shots from the rest of the guys.
Like the sound of this. Everything I read about the kid is that he has a good basketball IQ, good passing skills and good vision. If he can take some of the pressure off Bass and Stringer to bring the ball up and he's got a bigger more strong body taking the ball to the basket, he will indeed open things up for a lot of this team, both on the inside and outside. Surprising as well that folks don't throw some footage of Pickering up on Youtube. Seems like many of the recruits do that these days. You'd think that Anthony Davis would want to get his name out...
I'd think they might I will have to check on it. Also, as far as AD goes i was his Traveling Team coach, so recently I have been fielding a few calls for him. So, i do know his name is getting out there. I also know his parents are working on a tape for him. If I find anything out there on youtube I will post them.
Not any youtube videos that I have found yet. However, here is the latest article. Pickering slams Pleasant Hill; Rosepine rolls - Leesville, LA - Leesville Daily Leader Pickering plays East Beau, tonight and should probably be there toughest 2A contest this season in all honesty. But, being high school basketball you never know.
Trent hits the recruiting road... with the Dennis Harris situation, we speculated about whether Trent would go 2011 or 2012. we still don't know, but it was reported that he was hitting the road again after the Bama game to visit recruits. Who knows what it will lead to, but there's been speculation (and Trent has openly stated this) that his goal is to bring in better and better players at LSU (it should be!). If Bass goes off scholarship, they can add one more in 2011. Or, they could be saving the schollie for 2012. Trent, if you're exploiting your West Coast ties, get on this kid. Probably the best unsigned HS PG in 2011. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPvJprQE4TU&feature=related]YouTube - Cezar Guerrero-Top PG On The West Coast[/ame] Cezar Guerrero from Southern Cal. It could be the second coming of CJ (CG). Think about it. :thumb:
Isaac - 23 pts 11 brds Pickering loses this week, despite 23 points and 11 rebounds from John Isaac. Like to see the things like 11 rebounds from a shooting guard. Fifth-ranked Rosepine downs Red Devils, 65-56 - Leesville, LA - Leesville Daily Leader
