The 2011 Recruits Thread

[Quickzips]

Since there seems to be a lot of chatter on here lately about what recruits are on the horizon next year for the Zips, and it looks as if there was some misinformation floating around out there, I thought it would be nice to start a comprehensive thread for potential 2011 recruits. Feel free to add to this with whatever information you all find.

Zips Verbals:

Nick Harney: 6'7" 215lb - SF - Benedictine High School - Cleveland Ohio - Rivals.com no rating - Scout.com unlisted - ESPN.com unlisted. 2010 Senior will take a greyshirt year to work on academics, hoping to become eligible for 2011. Described as a long and athletic combo-forward.

Deji Ibitayo: 6'3" 175lb - SG - Rich Central High School - Chicago Illinois - Rivals.com unlisted - Scout.com no ranking - ESPN.com unlisted. Considered a late blooming breakout star in the Chicago area. Athleticism to spare from the wing, but still working at becoming a more complete player. Had reported offers from Army, Chicago State, Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Blake Justice: 6'3" 180lb - SG - Peebles High School - Peebles Ohio - Rivals.com no rating - Scout.com unlisted - ESPN.com ranking of 84. Only a Junior and already the Peebles High School all-time leading scorer. Averaged 22 points per game as a freshman and 24 as a sophomore. Plays for the CBIZ AAU team. Described as maybe the best pure shooter in the Ohio 2011 class.

Demetrius Treadwell: 6'7" - SF - Euclid High School - Euclid Ohio - Unlisted by all major recruiting services. 2010 Euclid High School graduate. Will walk-on as a Prop-48 with the Zips in 2010 in hopes of obtaining a scholarship for 2011. Academics and attitude issues kept him out of his first three years of high school ball. Has since turned his life around, and earned second-team all-state honors in his only season of high school ball as a senior. Alleged to have high-major talent, but his academic troubles kept him completely off the recruiting radar.

Transfering to the Zips:

Chauncey Gilliam: 6'5" 220lb - SG Brewster Academy - New Jersey - University of Maryland Baltimore County - Was the leading scorer and averaged 13.3 points per game as a sophomore for the Retrievers. ESPN.com 2008 Recruiting Page lists him with a Grade of 89. Below is a link to a high school game in which he put up 44 points.

Brian Walsh: 6'4" 205lb - SG Moon High School - Coraopolis Pennsylvania - Xavier University - Highly recruited out of high school, but didn't see much time at Xavier. ESPN.com 2008 Recruiting Page lists him with a Grade of 88 while Scout.com and Rivals.com gave him 3 stars. Will have two years of eligibility left after sitting out the 2010-11 season.

Offered by the Zips:

Remy Abell: 6'4" 197lb - SG - Eastern High School - Louisville Kentucky - Currently has offers from the Zips, Bradley, IUPUI, Marshall, Morehead State, Ohio, Penn State, Seton Hall, UTEP and Wright State - Rivals.com Three Stars - Scout.com One Star - ESPN.com ranking of 40. Ranked by Bluegrassinsider.com as the top player in Kentucky for the Class of 2011.

VERBAL TO BRADLEY: September 16, 2010

Aaron Armstead: 6'4" - SG - Hales Franciscan High School - Chicago Illinois - Allegedly has offers from Wichita State, Valparaiso and Fairfield. Brother of fellow Zips 2012 offer Aaric. Unlisted by all of the major recruiting services.

Darius Carter: 6'6" 192lb - SF - Firestone High School - Akron Ohio - Currently has offers from the Zips and Can't State - Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com unlisted - ESPN.com unlisted.

Jehvon Clarke: 6'3" 170lb - PG - Timken High School - Canton Ohio - Currently has offers from the Zips, Can't State, James Madison, Toledo and Wright State. Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com 2 Star - ESPN.com ranking of 87.

VERBAL TO BOWLING GREEN: October 4, 2010

Markus Crider: 6'6" 205lb - SF - Wayne High School - Dayton Ohio - Currently has offers from the Zips, Dayton, DePaul, Michigan, Wisconsin and Wright State - Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com Three Stars - ESPN.com ranking of 88. High School teamate of PG-Travis Trice who is also on the Zips radar for 2011. Some consider the two to be a package deal, though this is unconfirmed.

VERBAL TO PROVIDENCE: October 12, 2010

Dylan Ennis: 6'0" - PG - Lake Forest Academy - Lake Forest Illinois - Rivals.com unlisted - Scout.com One Star - ESPN.com ranking of 40. Native of Canada has also spent time playing in New York City. Formerly committed to the Zips, but has recently opened his recruiting back up. Still considering Akron.

VERBAL TO RICE: September 25,2010

Nyles Evans: 5'9" 155lb - PG - Hoover High School - North Canton Ohio - Currently has offers from the Zips and Wright State. Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com - ESPN.com ranking of 85. Brother plays for Wright State and Nyles will presumably follow in his footsteps.

George Fant: 6'7" 235lb - PF - Warren Central High School - Bowling Green Kentucky - Currently has offers from the Zips, Arkansas, Butler, Clemson, Cleveland State, Colorado State, Florida International, Miami(OH), Murray State, Ohio, Oklahoma State, Seton Hall, UTEP, Western Kentucky and Wright State - Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com Two Stars - ESPN.com ranking of 88.

VERBAL TO WESTERN KENTUCKY: October 11, 2010

Anton Grady: 6'8" 210lb - PF - Central Catholic High School - Cleveland Ohio - Currently has offers from the Zips as well as Dayton. Rivals.com three stars - Scout.com three stars - ESPN.com ranking of 91.

VERBAL TO CLEVELAND STATE: September 9, 2010

Pierri-a Henry: 6'4" 180lb - SG - South Charleston High School - Charelston West Virginia - Currently has offers from the Zips, Cleveland State, Delaware, Marshall, Ohio, VCU, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Xavier - Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com one star - ESPN.com ranking of 92 (listed under Perry Henry as he is on many sites). At one time was reported to have already committed to West Virginia, a report that has since been denied. It appears Henry will take his time with the recruiting process.

VERBAL TO VCU: May 9, 2010

Traevon Jackson: 6'2" 190lb - PG - Westerville South High School - Westerville Ohio - Currently has offers from the Zips, Arizona State, Cleveland State, Miami(OH), Ohio and Wisconsin - Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com one star - ESPN.com ranking of 88. The lefty is the son of Ohio State and NBA standout Jimmy Jackson.

VERBAL TO WISCONSIN: June 12, 2010

Timmy Knipp: 6'7" 185lb - SF - Elliott County High School - Sandy Hook Kentucky - Lists offers from the Zips, Duquesne, James Madison, Marshall, Radford and Tennessee Tech. Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com no ranking - ESPN.com ranking of 83. Described as a skilled and athletic wing who needs to add muscle. Kid apparently has some aggression as evidenced by this youtube video.

VERBAL TO EKU: August 16, 2010

Trey Lewis: 5'10" 170lb - PG - Garfield Heights High School - Garfield Heights Ohio - Currently has offers from the Zips, Cleveland State, Dayton, Can't State, Miami(OH), Ohio, Penn State, St. Joseph's, Wisconsin and Wright State - Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com unlisted - ESPN.com ranking of 87.

VERBAL TO PENN STATE: August 5, 2010

Delbert Love: 6'1" 175lb - SG - St. Edwards High School - Lakewood Ohio - Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com unlisted - ESPN.com ranking of 73. Described as a deadly accurate shooter with good court vision but not much off the dribble.

Jarrell McKinney: 6'3" 183lb - PF - Cooley High School - Detroit Michigan - Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com unlisted - ESPN.com no ranking. Have to believe his positional listing is a typo as at 6'3" 183lb he would be the smallest power forward in the country. Football seems to be his first choice as he is being pretty heavily recruited as an OLB.

Nic Moore: 5'9" 170lb - PG - Warsaw Community High School - Warsaw Indiana - Rivals.com three star - Scout.com no ranking - ESPN.com ranking of 87. Has offers from a lot of mid-majors and a few high majors including the Zips, Evansville, Illinois State, IPFW, North Carolina Asheville, Northwestern, Ohio, St. Bonaventure, Valparaiso and Western Illinois. Seems to be high on IPFW at the moment, but no official commitment as of yet.

Moore is #11 for Warsaw in black in this youtube video

VERBAL TO ILLINOIS STATE: August 8, 2010

Jakarr Sampson: 6'7" 190lb - SF - St. Vincent St. Marys High School - Akron Ohio - Currently has offers from the Zips, Baylor, Cincinnati, Dayton, Louisville, Michigan State, Ohio State, St. Johns and Xavier - Rivals.com four stars - Scout.com three stars - ESPN.com ranking of 92. Began his high school career at Solon.

Focus on #14 for the Irish

VERBAL TO ST. JOHN'S: September 16, 2010

Stevie Taylor: 5'9" 150lb - PG - Lincoln High School - Gahanna Ohio - Currently has offers from the Zips, George Mason, James Madison, Miami(OH), Ohio and Providence - Rivals.com three stars - Scout.com two stars - ESPN.com ranking of 88. Hails from the same high school as former Zips standout Nate Linhart.

VERBAL TO OHIO: 8/2/2010

Aaron Thomas: 6'4" 185lb - SG - Aiken High School - Cincinnati Ohio - Currently has offers from the Zips, Cincinnati, Clemson, Dayton, DePaul, Detroit, Duquesne, Can't State, Miami (OH). Seems to want to go to Indiana though and is only really waiting for an offer. Rivals.com four stars - Scout.com unlisted - ESPN.com ranking of 89.

VERBAL TO FLORIDA STATE: 9/22/2010

Travis Trice: 5'11" 160lb - PG - Wayne High School - Dayton Ohio - Currently has offers from the Zips, Butler, Cleveland State, Dayton and Wright State - Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com two stars - ESPN.com ranking of 85. His father is his high school coach and he is a teamate of fellow Zips 2011 prospect Markus Crider.

VERBAL TO MICHIGAN STATE: 8/4/2010

Aaron White: 6'6" 185lb - SF - Strongsville High School - Strongsville Ohio - Currently has offers from the Zips, Duquesne, Miami(FL) and Toledo. Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com two stars - ESPN.com ranking of 88.

VERBAL TO IOWA: 10/5/2010

Kirby Wright: 6'9" 190lb - PF - Middletown High School - Middletown Ohio - The Zips are his only current offer. Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com two stars - ESPN.com ranking of 85.

That is all I have for now. I'm going to try and keep this as up to date as I can. Like I said, feel free to add any information you might find.

[Quickzips]

Just thought I would throw out a few updates on this thread after all that went down last week.

http://georgiatech.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1073478

It appears from that article that at this point that the leader in the clubhouse for Jakarr Sampson is Xavier with a number of high-majors in close contention. At this point I really don't think we have much of a chance with this kid. Too bad, it would have been nice to get back into the St.V pipeline.

Also some good info in there on PG Stevie Taylor. Not sure if he is on our radar too much anymore with Abreu coming in this year and Ennis waiting in the wings next year. Seems like that would be too many PG's and not enough playing time to go around. Have to admit though, that the diminutive one has been leading some pretty impressive upsets for both his high school and AAU teams.

http://www.jjhuddle.com/blog/post-detail.php?p=4451

Pierri-a Henry was named tournament MVP for the 2010 All-Ohio NIKE Cup AAU tournament. Love the quote in here that Henry scored and rebounded at will whenever he needed to. Certainly has to be high on our list of potential 2011 recruits considering our continued need for bigger, more athletic SG's.

[Dave in Green]

I think it would be helpful in considering the 2011 recruits to list all the Zips we know will be leaving at the end of next season by position:

Centers: Bardo

Forwards: B. McKnight

Guards: McNees, Roberts

There might not be an immediate need for a replacement backup center, as Zeke should be gaining strength and endurance and playing longer minutes in his junior season. Also, Cvetinovic and Euton might be capable of handling Zeke's backup minutes at center. So perhaps 2012 is the time to be looking for Zeke's ultimate replacement at center.

But the loss of McNees, Roberts and B. McKnight represents a good percentage of the Zips PT and firepower.

I'm guessing the 2011 recruiting class will be either 2 forwards and 2 guards or 1 forward and 3 guards, depending on how the 2010 recruiting class pans out.

[ZachTheZip]

Akron recruiting two Chicago brothers

Aaron and Aaric Armstead. Both are 6'4" wing players. One is in the class of 2011 and the other is in 2012.

[ZachTheZip]

Article mentions Stevie Taylor, and also a new recruit: Aaron White

Aaron White (2011 Ohio Basketball Club 16-U) is hearing from the Horizon League, Akron, IUPUI and Wisconsin. After July, White will be hearing from a whole lot more schools. Looking every bit like a high major on Sunday, White also looked like a dead eye shooter. Whether or not he is that good of a shooter needs further research, but there is no doubt that he hit a bunch of meaningful three-pointers. The 6-foot-8, 200-pounder also moves well on defense and pursued the ball off the glass. What level he reaches as a prospect and player will depend largely on how much stronger he can get, but it isn't like he is frail.

Stevie Taylor (2011 Ohio Basketball Club 16-U) has offers from James Madison, Ohio and Akron to go along with interest from Virginia Tech, West Virginia, St. Joe's and Butler. Although he is only 5-foot-10, 140-pounds, what makes Taylor attractive is that he is a clutch shot maker who is quick with the basketball.

[Quickzips]

rivals.com article indicates an offer was made at some point to 2011 PG Delbert Love from Lakewood St. Ed's.

http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/con...asp?CID=1038521

[Quickzips]

Updated to include the verbals from Harney and Justice.

I've got to say, I am liking how this class is shaping up. Even though we haven't landed the guys that were on my initial list, we are getting some really solid players and guys who fit what we are going to need.

Ennis gives us another ball-handler to go with Abreu. With those two in the fold we will hopefully have two guys who are capable of setting up the offense, assuring us that we have someone on the floor at all times who can command the point.

Harney gives us a big athletic wing forward. He might be a little duplicative of Egner, but that isn't a bad thing. I actually think he may come in and compliment Egner. Josh is more of a defensive specialist at this point in his career. Harney looks to be a little more of a polished offensive player that we will need to hopefully replace some of the offense we will lose from graduating Brett McKnight.

Then you have Justice who looks like he will probably take over that sharpshooting wing guard role that we will lose from McNees and Roberts graduating.

Of course you never really know how these kids are going to pan out. Harney especially is a question mark due to academics. Still, I like how KD is going about retooling this team.

[Dave in Green]

I really appreciate the way you're updating this list, Quickzips. One thing I see when searching for data on players is that some of the fan forums for other schools have really detailed info on many different potential recruits. It would be great if we could encourage more of that on ZN.O.

[Quickzips]

I really appreciate the way you're updating this list, Quickzips. One thing I see when searching for data on players is that some of the fan forums for other schools have really detailed info on many different potential recruits. It would be great if we could encourage more of that on ZN.O.

Kind of what I'm going for with this thread. I don't have the time or the resources to do something like what mollaut does for Miamihawktalk, but I definitly think some more healthy recruiting discussion would be a positive for ZN.O.

[MDZip]

Akron recruiting two Chicago brothers

Aaron and Aaric Armstead. Both are 6'4" wing players. One is in the class of 2011 and the other is in 2012.

If we get them both, we should change our name to Aakron for those years.

[zip37]

MDzip--- I like it!

[Quickzips]

Update to include an ESPN.com ranking for Henry as well as two more offers I found while browsing around.

[ZachTheZip]

http://cornellbasketball.blogspot.com/2010...ls-cornell.html

"Cole Crizancic (Mentor HS) Mentor, OH, 5-11, identifies the schools pursuing him as Cornell, Harvard, Yale, Akron, Miami-Ohio, Vermont, and San Diego, among others."

Must have great academics.

[zippyman23]

Pierri-a Henry: 6'4" 180lb - SG - South Charleston High School - Charelston West Virginia - Currently has offers from the Zips, Cleveland State, Delaware, Marshall, Ohio, VCU, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Xavier - Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com one star - ESPN.com ranking of 92 (listed under Perry Henry as he is on many sites). At one time was reported to have already committed to West Virginia, a report that has since been denied. It appears Henry will take his time with the recruiting process.

Henry has verballed to VCU according to sources.

[Blue & Gold]

Pierri-a Henry: 6'4" 180lb - SG - South Charleston High School - Charelston West Virginia - Currently has offers from the Zips, Cleveland State, Delaware, Marshall, Ohio, VCU, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Xavier - Rivals.com no ranking - Scout.com one star - ESPN.com ranking of 92 (listed under Perry Henry as he is on many sites). At one time was reported to have already committed to West Virginia, a report that has since been denied. It appears Henry will take his time with the recruiting process.

Henry has verballed to VCU according to sources.

Well that sucks. Just behind Remy Abell, Pierri-a Henry was the player I was most excited about possibly landing. Growing up in the Michael Jordan era, I love tall, athletic shooting guards - something we've not had in a very long time.

VCU's really got something going on down there.

[Quickzips]

Update to include the Henry verbal to VCU. Also a new video of George Fant that you should really check out. Kid has a VERY nice game. Not sure if there is room for another PF on the roster, but the kid really seems to have it all. Post moves, athleticism, size, shot blocking, finishes above the rim. Would definitly be a nice add.

I'm with Blue and Gold on being disappointed by the Henry news. He was definitly in my top three on the old wish list.

I'm really starting to wonder with all the news on potential transfers if this thread isn't going to be a moot point very soon here.

[Quickzips]

Updated to include transfer of Chauncey Gilliam.

By my calculations the Zips will still have one scholarship to give for next season.

[ZachTheZip]

Updated to include transfer of Chauncey Gilliam.

By my calculations the Zips will still have one scholarship to give for next season.

Are you sure? Gilliam will be on scholarship next year while he sits, unless the UMBC coach refuses to release him.

[Zip Watcher]

One more still available for 2011-12, right?

[Quickzips]

Updated to include transfer of Chauncey Gilliam.

By my calculations the Zips will still have one scholarship to give for next season.

Are you sure? Gilliam will be on scholarship next year while he sits, unless the UMBC coach refuses to release him.

With Humpty transfering out Gilliam will take over his scholarship. With four graduating seniors (McNees, Roberts, McKnight, Bardo) that means we will still have four scholarships to give next season. Three of those have already been taken (Ennis, Justice, Harney), leaving us with one left. It is entirely possible I am wrong on this, but that is how I figure it anyways.

[Districtballer]

Update to include the Henry verbal to VCU. Also a new video of George Fant that you should really check out. Kid has a VERY nice game. Not sure if there is room for another PF on the roster, but the kid really seems to have it all. Post moves, athleticism, size, shot blocking, finishes above the rim. Would definitly be a nice add.

I'm with Blue and Gold on being disappointed by the Henry news. He was definitly in my top three on the old wish list.

I'm really starting to wonder with all the news on potential transfers if this thread isn't going to be a moot point very soon here.

Hey Zips fans!

We're pretty psyched about nabbing Henry and by all accounts he's a great person as well as a basketball player. His grandfather favored VCU throughout his recruitment despite offers from West Virginia, Xavier, Arkansas, Virginia Tech, and Dayton (per Henry). He unfortunately passed away the week before Henry made his commitment to VCU. He was one of VCU's top 3 targets for the 2011 class and is thought of as a Big East caliber guard by our staff. Coach Dambrot was recruiting him very heavily last summer as the Akron staff was at every one of his games over the summer circuit. He backed off when the big boys started calling in the fall however. Henry actually visited VCU during the Bracketbuster matchup with Akron in February and witnessed the game between our two squads which was somewhat ironic since both programs were recruiting him. Whether the outcome pushed him one way or the other I don't know, but we're glad to have him. He'll be coming to the JAR the season after this upcoming one for the return bracketbuster game. He was our highest-rated ESPN recruit (92) since ESPN started recruiting grades but was downgraded to a 90 after the commitment.

Dambrot obviously has a good eye for talent and knows how to pursue under the radar guys with big talent...it's just a matter of time before he lands one like he did with Zeke. I have more respect now for Dambrot because of what I've seen with Shaka who is recruiting his TAIL off and bringing in high-character, high-talent guys. Our last 3 recruits have been ESPN 90+ recruits, and the last 7 over the class of 2010 (5) and class of 2011 (2) are all Rivals 3 star recruits. Dambrot's starting his own coaching tree methinks. I tip my cap to you guys for that. You've got a good one there.

[Dave in Green]

Hey Zips fans!

We're pretty psyched about nabbing Henry and by all accounts he's a great person as well as a basketball player. His grandfather favored VCU throughout his recruitment despite offers from West Virginia, Xavier, Arkansas, Virginia Tech, and Dayton (per Henry). He unfortunately passed away the week before Henry made his commitment to VCU. He was one of VCU's top 3 targets for the 2011 class and is thought of as a Big East caliber guard by our staff. Coach Dambrot was recruiting him very heavily last summer as the Akron staff was at every one of his games over the summer circuit. He backed off when the big boys started calling in the fall however. Henry actually visited VCU during the Bracketbuster matchup with Akron in February and witnessed the game between our two squads which was somewhat ironic since both programs were recruiting him. Whether the outcome pushed him one way or the other I don't know, but we're glad to have him. He'll be coming to the JAR the season after this upcoming one for the return bracketbuster game. He was our highest-rated ESPN recruit (92) since ESPN started recruiting grades but was downgraded to a 90 after the commitment.

Dambrot obviously has a good eye for talent and knows how to pursue under the radar guys with big talent...it's just a matter of time before he lands one like he did with Zeke. I have more respect now for Dambrot because of what I've seen with Shaka who is recruiting his TAIL off and bringing in high-character, high-talent guys. Our last 3 recruits have been ESPN 90+ recruits, and the last 7 over the class of 2010 (5) and class of 2011 (2) are all Rivals 3 star recruits. Dambrot's starting his own coaching tree methinks. I tip my cap to you guys for that. You've got a good one there.

Absolutely love the part about ESPN downgrading yet another player because he went to a "little" program instead of a "big" program. This only reconfirms that those amateur sports talent evaluators have no self-confidence in their own evaluations, and with good reason.

As always, your comments are interesting, informative, and welcome here. With all due respect to the VCU program, I'd just like to see the "student" (Shaka) not getting so far ahead of the "teacher" (KD) in the volume of quality recruits to their respective programs.

[Districtballer]

Hey Zips fans!

We're pretty psyched about nabbing Henry and by all accounts he's a great person as well as a basketball player. His grandfather favored VCU throughout his recruitment despite offers from West Virginia, Xavier, Arkansas, Virginia Tech, and Dayton (per Henry). He unfortunately passed away the week before Henry made his commitment to VCU. He was one of VCU's top 3 targets for the 2011 class and is thought of as a Big East caliber guard by our staff. Coach Dambrot was recruiting him very heavily last summer as the Akron staff was at every one of his games over the summer circuit. He backed off when the big boys started calling in the fall however. Henry actually visited VCU during the Bracketbuster matchup with Akron in February and witnessed the game between our two squads which was somewhat ironic since both programs were recruiting him. Whether the outcome pushed him one way or the other I don't know, but we're glad to have him. He'll be coming to the JAR the season after this upcoming one for the return bracketbuster game. He was our highest-rated ESPN recruit (92) since ESPN started recruiting grades but was downgraded to a 90 after the commitment.

Dambrot obviously has a good eye for talent and knows how to pursue under the radar guys with big talent...it's just a matter of time before he lands one like he did with Zeke. I have more respect now for Dambrot because of what I've seen with Shaka who is recruiting his TAIL off and bringing in high-character, high-talent guys. Our last 3 recruits have been ESPN 90+ recruits, and the last 7 over the class of 2010 (5) and class of 2011 (2) are all Rivals 3 star recruits. Dambrot's starting his own coaching tree methinks. I tip my cap to you guys for that. You've got a good one there.

Absolutely love the part about ESPN downgrading yet another player because he went to a "little" program instead of a "big" program. This only reconfirms that those amateur sports talent evaluators have no self-confidence in their own evaluations, and with good reason.

As always, your comments are interesting, informative, and welcome here. With all due respect to the VCU program, I'd just like to see the "student" (Shaka) not getting so far ahead of the "teacher" (KD) in the volume of quality recruits to their respective programs.

Haha I can understand your position on that. Honestly, I'm not so worried as much anymore about the bias recruiting services show towards mid-major recruits, as they get to prove their worth on the court anyway. At the end of the day, we get the player, they can keep their arbitrary numbers. If Henry ends up being an NBA player, who cares what ESPN graded him? We have had the privilege of having 2 NBA first-rounders in the draft back to back in these past 2 years. Eric Maynor went to the Utah Jazz with the 20th pick last year and Larry Sanders is a projected mid-first round pick this year leaving early after 3 years at VCU. Maynor was a Scout two-star, and so was Larry (who also was a 78 ESPN grade). Does anyone care now? Nope. Recruits don't ask what Scout/ESPN/Rivals grades your players had when you sent them to the NBA, they just go "Wow, VCU has put out 2 NBA first-rounders the last 2 years, I can get to the NBA from there."

Dambrot got a highly-rated kid in Marshall, but when he got in the floor he had to grow like every big man out there. You don't dominate the game on virtue of a star rating. Dambrot will bring out the beast in him I'm sure and we'll have our hands full up there the season after next. Who knows? If he goes to the NBA, you may have a lot of scouting services downgrading rankings when they sign with Akron! Let's hope so; it means programs like us are doing it right!

[Quickzips]

Update to include Cleveland Central Catholic PF Anton Grady.

[Quickzips]

Updated to include Canton Timken PG Jehvon Clarke.