XJ is the kind of kid that Trent likes. Smart, versatile wing with a decent shot and good overall game. He seems to have relatively good athleticism--doesn't jump out at you, but at 6'6" 195 ish, he's the prototypical college SF. Big disparity on what Rivals reports his offers to be and what Scout does, though. Has a good number of offers from big and small conference schools. Certainly a kid that compares favorably to kids like Clyde Santee, Wannah Bail. Devonte is a purer athlete and bigger, but I'd certainly be happy with XJ too. Frankly, the question for me right now is visits. Which one of these dominoes will fall and take the visits. I like LSU's chances if we can get some visits scheduled. The second question for me is who is going to be the center recruit? I think while LSU is recruiting point guards (and I wouldn't be disappointed with them signing one, like a Jerome Hairston), I worry about the fact that we've got several post players graduating. Ideally, you'd like to see LSU get at least one kid who is 6'9" + who can play down low. Sign a SF/PF, a big and then maybe use that last spot for a PG or another wing.
I got a buddy in Baton Rouge who's saying the big rumor is that Gathers is growing cold on St. Johns & getting warm on LSU... Has anyone else herd the same? With the stuff going on at St. Johns it's possible and Morgan did say he would be in his ear (in so many words). I'm keeping my fingers crossed..If anyone has any info please share!
I don't have details but it sounds like St. Johns could find themselves in some trouble with the NCAA. Their recruits are leaving while they can. One big reason Gathers committed there is because of the guys they have recruited to play with him but with most of them jumping ship that advantage is fading away.
I watched Gathers play several times this past summer during summer ball. I guess I should have asked him. :tigerhead That said he really didn't stand out. I guess playing those scrimmages doesn't really make one go all out. If it were not for someone pointing him out I would have never have guessed who he was. Same can be said for Brian Brigdewater. I mean the kid is huge but once our guys got over the intimidation factor they kind of held him in check.
If the SJ's recruits being held ineligible wasn't enough, now reportedly SJ's coach Steve Lavin is going to have to be dealing with prostate cancer? St. John's Steve Lavin to have different prostate cancer treatment - NCAA Basketball - SI.com You never wish ill-will on anyone, but man, Rico Gathers should be seriously thinking now about reversing field on this one... and quickly. :geauxtige
More updates As the November early signing period approaches, as does the start of the season, I think the million dollar question continues to be who's hot, who's cold... who is LSU recruiting? Here's some of the feel given pub of late... Seems like LSU has cooled on Houston SF, Wannah Bail. No mention of LSU in the schools pursuing him... Multiple suitors in need of (Wannah) Bail - CBSSports.com Wannah Bail update | Jody Demling - Recruiting Could that be in favor of Clyde Santee, also a Houston 6'7"-8" SF/PF? The prize still seems to focus on MS SF Devonte Pollard. LSU still remains prominent on his named list... Funny: Star Athlete Devonta Pollard Yanked From Game By Mom | Robert Littal Presents BlackSportsOnline Ricardo Gathers' commitment to St. Johns certainly is out there, but how firm is it? Well, perhaps with all that's going on with St. Johns and the fact that folks definitely would love to see him at LSU, perhaps Gathers will realize he committed a little early? WE can hope. L'Observateur Xavier Johnson continues to be a hot name getting increasing pub... and LSU seem to be on him hard--but so are several other schools. Depending on what you believe is "current", XJ held many offers from big time programs. But, more recently, smaller schools have got on him and some of the bigger schools have backed off. In contrast, it was unclear how hard LSU was pursuing Flint MI SG Jaevonte Hawkins, who did list LSU in his top 10. But, based upon recent interviews, it does not appear that LSU would get a visit... Q&A with JaVontae Hawkins | Hemingway of the Hardwood What we do know is that Trent and his staff are pounding the pavement to look at SFs who fit the system. Even in PA, as they are now talking to 6'6" SG/SF Sheldon Jeter, as well. Recruit Report: After drought comes flood in basketball
Don't know much about Colorado basketball, but that seems a little weird - especially for a guy supposedly w/an offer from Harvard. If you are not going big time Bball program route, why not go for big time educational route and set your self up for life?
Colorado is getting some benefits of now being in the Pac 12, and for a kid from Mater Dei in L.A., that may have some local appeal. They were mid to lower tier Big 12, but generally seen as a program on the "slow" rise. Moreover, if I remember correctly, XJ has a brother who also plays college ball, but in San Diego. He was being recruited hardest by some of these "arguably" mid majors like SDSU, Colorado, and likely what happened in in the end was he picked a school that was on him, and was relatively close to home where maybe he could make a name for himself. Some of the Pac 12 biggies who might have on him earlier, like Arizona, UCLA, had dropped him. And, someone like LSU was coming in late probably and was a little bit of a hard sell given the geography. What I think I see is LSU definitely making a play for a few signees in the Spring. What we've learned is that there is certainly a mixture of very good players and sleeper players available in the Spring, and with the NBA lockout, frankly, more and more good players are just going to wait to see what's the landscape in April as opposed to signing in November.
Orlando Sanchez Here's another name to keep an eye on. Orlando Sanchez, a JUCO All-American (1st team by Sporting News), who plays in NY at Monroe College. Former under 21 Dominican Republican team member, who lists offers from LSU as well as several other NE schools and Baylor. Orlando Sanchez Narrows List | ZagsBlog.com I like what I see... one, he's a JUCO kid who could play quickly after we lose Malcolm White and Storm Warren this year. Two, he's a kid focused on playing down low, rebounding and defense with tenacity and likely has an underrated offensive game. Three, here's a kid from DR with likely some good work ethic and "want to" and brings a little international flava to the squad. Hopefully we can get him to visit and see some good southern hospitality. I'm not sure that we need these high flying, highly ranked guys, if we can sign a few kids like this to go with Morgan. Still hoping for Gathers as well to realize the error of his ways... :yelwink2: A class of Morgan, Gathers, Sanchez and maybe one other, keeps the train moving in the right direction. :geaux:
