Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) VEGAS. VEGAS. VEGAS. So this week started another huge week in recruiting for hoops, as there are three major AAU tourneys going on in Vegas right now. Remember back to the Brady days and this is where CJB in his infinite wisdom chose to offer the likes of Ben Voogd and Garrett Green. No doubt Trent Johnson and staff around lurking around the gyms in Sin City. Here are some early reports. http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=829609 http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=828474 The name Raymond Penn leapt off the page here. A 5'10" 2009 guard from Houston, perhaps a poor man's Tommy Mason Griffin, seemed to get his name out. Not sure if the staff is looking to add another PG, but the kid is under the radar. Expect some interesting news to come out of this week for Tiger fans. You've got a new head coach and staff with West coast/Nevada ties and perhaps a few connections here and there that do well in Vegas which is seeing plenty of West Coast recruits. Could there by another Voogd or Green in the 2009 class?
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) By the way, just wanted to let folks know that according to various sources, Tommy Mason-Griffin verballed to Oklahoma. http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recr...cker/player?page=briefingroom&recruitId=43453 This may close the door on LSU (if it wasn't already closed) definitively for this kid.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) not only is LSU going after this big guy, but LSU is making a good impression, reportedly. "Bawa Muniru, a 7-0, 255-pound center from Madison, AL Academy. Muniru, a native of Guinea in West Africa who has been in America for three years, led his team to the state title last year with 18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks a game. LSU, Louisville, Oklahoma State, USC, Tulane and Tulsa are the other major players in his recruitment, but he's said so far he likes LSU best." http://www.bayoubengalblog.com/2008/07/miles-stratospherical-recruiting.html
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) When's the last time we had a true 7 footer with type of body? I hope we can land this kid.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) :wink: Just for the record, I don't think I "exited" the bandwagon, if by that you mean I flip flopped on my support of CJB. First, I always questioned the offering of BV and GG. BV was in favor of some kids like Ryan Francis (local product), and I was never happy about that. GG was a little bit of an unknown, and it's hard to say that he can't be useful down the road, given he's the closest thing we have to "muscle" on this team. As for my support of CJB, I was always a supporter of CJB but in the past few years have been equally vocal of his shortcomings. I might not have given the guy the ax in the way we did it, but I support Trent coming on board (as any LSU fan should). I remain optimistic and supportive of LSU hoops, whoever the coach is.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) More on euro-Florida recruit, Kyryl Natyazhko, from an Orlando tourney. http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=830602 Perhaps there's more to this kid that meet the eye. Imagine though a front line of Natyazhko at PF and our 7' Maniru. Don't know if we could land both, but that would be an impressive line and immediately shore up our need for more bulk up front.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) I found out where the staff has been all this time: in Vegas recruiting Latavious Williams and trying to sway former commit Brandon Mitchell back to LSU. http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=831238 I don't like that Kentucky is after Williams. Only makes things more difficult for us.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) I guess all hope is not lost on Brandon Mitchell. The only trick here is he may want to be a two sporter and him wanting to play QB doesn't help LSU. I also thought that he might be wanting try TE? In any case, I hope the staff can turn him around. Afterall, for 2009 recruits him and Eddie Ludwig (unless headway can be made with Kourtney Roberson) are among the few LA Div I recruits it seems. The race for Williams is going to be rough. I don't know what relationship he has with the Bass'es but that seems to be our saving grace. The kid should realize though, LSU's a nice place for him to be with Tas' graduating after '09, and Graham our only other swing. LOTS of PT and in Trent's "controlled fastbreak" he's going to get to showcase his talent a lot more than Billy G's or Stanbury's offense. Plus, he's likely to have a great relationship with the PG who he played AAU ball with.
