another 2010 recruit???

[gozips19]

rivals is showing another recruit for 2010 darrell blanton

[Captain Kangaroo]

Puerto Rico...Canada...JUCO...transfers...it appears a paradigm shift in recruiting has taken place?

I like it. I think the previous approach had a limited ceiling, unless we got lucky.

Looking forward to our new small forward(s).

[johnnyzip84]

Razor says he is a likely walk-on.

Link

Rivals.com is reporting that Darrell Blanton, a Chicago junior college player originally from Euclid, has signed a letter of intent to play at Akron.

A team source tells me that Blanton, a 6-foot-3 forward, will likely be a walk-on in 2010 if his grades are sufficient. This January, Blanton was named Player of the Week for his region after two games with cumulative stats of 52 points (64.7 percent from field), 17 rebounds, four steals, and two blocks.

Blanton played his freshman year at a Fort Scott Junior College in Kansas, where he scored 17.1 points per game and earned all-conference honorable mention honors. As a senior at Euclid, Blanton was Special Mention All-Ohio in Division I.

[UAZip0510]

Anybody know how good this kid's supposed to be?

[Dave in Green]

Not a lot of data available to get an idea of just how good he is. Making NJCAA D1 All-American honorable mention is not bad. It means that he's probably in the top 20 of all juco forwards. But at 6-3, he's the shortest forward of all those on the NJCAA D1 All-American list of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd teams plus honorable mentions.

There are 24 NCJAA regions. In region 4, Blanton finished the 29-game season 2nd in scoring average (18.345), 5th in free throw percentage (74.1), 5th in rebound average (6.586), and 6th in steals per game (1.345). He does not show up among the top 10 in field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, or assist average.

The Zips have already converted a 6-6 transfer from shooting guard to small forward (Diggs), so I don't know what that means for a 6-3 transfer who's already a forward. If he's got a good outside shot and can also slash, the Zips do have a need for a proven shooting guard who can score consistently and reliably. Blanton did have a fairly high juco scoring average.

He'll certainly have his work cut out earning playing time as a walk-on.

[skip-zip]

What surprises me is that a Juco All-American would move to a MAC schoool as a walk on. I would think that someone who is that kind of talent at the JC level might have higher aspirations, or would at least be wanting a D-1 scholarship.

[Zipmeister]

Sometimes a "6'3" forward" is an euphemism for "good-sized guard lacking ball-handling skills."

[Captain Kangaroo]

What surprises me is that a Juco All-American would move to a MAC schoool as a walk on. I would think that someone who is that kind of talent at the JC level might have higher aspirations, or would at least be wanting a D-1 scholarship.

You can "aspire" and "want" until the cows come home...if no one wants to offer a scholarship, you either accept being a walk-on, or give up the dream.

[Z.I.P.]

What surprises me is that a Juco All-American would move to a MAC schoool as a walk on. I would think that someone who is that kind of talent at the JC level might have higher aspirations, or would at least be wanting a D-1 scholarship.

You can "aspire" and "want" until the cows come home...if no one wants to offer a scholarship, you either accept being a walk-on, or give up the dream.

Seems to me he would be a coveted recruit. To the Penguinis of YSU!

[Dave in Green]

I can't recall the last time I saw a 6-3 forward on the roster of a highly ranked NCAA D1 team. But credit should be given that he earned an All-American honorable mention at the NCJAA D1 level. The Zips have not had a consistent wing guard as tall as 6-3, so with his proven juco performance at wing forward he sounds like a reasonable roll of the dice as a walk-on potential wing guard.

[skip-zip]

What surprises me is that a Juco All-American would move to a MAC schoool as a walk on. I would think that someone who is that kind of talent at the JC level might have higher aspirations, or would at least be wanting a D-1 scholarship.

You can "aspire" and "want" until the cows come home...if no one wants to offer a scholarship, you either accept being a walk-on, or give up the dream.

So, it doesn't surprise you that a guy with 2-years of post-high-school experience, with his accolades, was not offered a scholarship by at least a MAC-level school?

It really surprises me. 17-year-old kids with a lot of questions about whether they can perform at a higher level get MAC scholarships. Makes me wonder.

Dave...at least on paper, it seems like a pretty good find to me. We'll see.

[Dave in Green]

Skip, nothing really surprises me any more about what's happening to the Zips between seasons. KD has blown up his old system with a ton of TNT. He's trying all kinds of different strategies to fundamentally change the Zips. Some of the changes will work better than others, but we really can't know which will be more or less successful until the next season or two play out.

Blanton would be a big gamble for a D1 team to burn a scholarship on at forward because he's only 6-3 and he only has two years of eligibility. His biggest chance to succeed at the D1 level is to switch to wing guard. But with only two years of eligibility, he has limited time to learn a new position and contribute, which makes that a big gamble, too. I think that's why he didn't get scholarship offers despite putting up good numbers as an undersized juco forward.

Without a scholarship offer, his best chance lies with a team that is short on wing guards where he has more of a chance to contribute as a walk-on. If I'm Blanton without a scholarship offer, I'm looking for two things: A team that is short enough on proven wing guards to give me a chance to play even as a walk-on, and the strongest available team in that situation so I'm not with a losing team.

The fact that Blanton sees the Zips as his best opportunity to make that transition is both bad news and good news. The bad is that it points out the Zips' weakness in wing guards, and the good is that the Zips are perceived by an honorable mention NCJAA D1 All-American as a winning program.

[ZachTheZip]

Maybe he just wanted to play near his home and family.

[skip-zip]

Skip, nothing really surprises me any more about what's happening to the Zips between seasons. KD has blown up his old system with a ton of TNT. He's trying all kinds of different strategies to fundamentally change the Zips. Some of the changes will work better than others, but we really can't know which will be more or less successful until the next season or two play out.

Blanton would be a big gamble for a D1 team to burn a scholarship on at forward because he's only 6-3 and he only has two years of eligibility. His biggest chance to succeed at the D1 level is to switch to wing guard. But with only two years of eligibility, he has limited time to learn a new position and contribute, which makes that a big gamble, too. I think that's why he didn't get scholarship offers despite putting up good numbers as an undersized juco forward.

Without a scholarship offer, his best chance lies with a team that is short on wing guards where he has more of a chance to contribute as a walk-on. If I'm Blanton without a scholarship offer, I'm looking for two things: A team that is short enough on proven wing guards to give me a chance to play even as a walk-on, and the strongest available team in that situation so I'm not with a losing team.

The fact that Blanton sees the Zips as his best opportunity to make that transition is both bad news and good news. The bad is that it points out the Zips' weakness in wing guards, and the good is that the Zips are perceived by an honorable mention NCJAA D1 All-American as a winning program.

A couple of good points here, but you might be overanalyzing something a bit. His height, what position he played, etc., really isn't a big overwhelming concern to me. I've seen plenty of guys of prototype size that can't play basketball, and vice versa. This guy has a record of accomplishment at a post-high-school level. On the surface, that doesn't even seem like a gamble to me on a scholarship, even for two years. If anyone else here has some indepth knowledge of JC basketball, you know that you see guys with a far lower record in JC play have no problems getting their last two years of college paid for, with as little as a general knowledge that they can play successfully against guys at a higher level than high school. I'll be curious to hear more about this story. And I realize this is only one example, but back in the early 80s, we had a JC All-American role through here. He was left handed, and a very thin forward. Yet, he averaged nearly double-digits in rebounds and became a conference MVP.

[Dave in Green]

What, me overanalyze?

It's worth noting that the Zips have gone from a backcourt-heavy team to a frontcourt-heavy team -- from last season's roster of 7 backcourt and 8 frontcourt players to the currently listed 5 backcourt and 10 frontcourt players.

So simple math seems to indicate that there's more opportunity for a backcourt walk-on than a frontcourt walk-on. Even at guard, Blanton would be an inch shorter than McClanahan and Petersen, and only an inch taller than McNees.

[skip-zip]

What, me overanalyze?

It's worth noting that the Zips have gone from a backcourt-heavy team to a frontcourt-heavy team -- from last season's roster of 7 backcourt and 8 frontcourt players to the currently listed 5 backcourt and 10 frontcourt players.

So simple math seems to indicate that there's more opportunity for a backcourt walk-on than a frontcourt walk-on. Even at guard, Blanton would be an inch shorter than McClanahan and Petersen, and only an inch taller than McNees.

I actually enjoy many of your analytical commentaries. My brain just needs a long rest after some of them

Yep...we'll be seeing a lot of new faces this coming year. We haven't had to deal with that for several years. As far as the backcourt is concerned, I'm really hoping for something that I really can't count on right now, which is that we'll suddenly see more out of McClanahan than what we've seen so far. I think some of the new guys are going to have to get ready really fast. And I've never felt comfortable about being in the position of having to expect production out of new people.

[zippyman23]

A couple of good points here, but you might be overanalyzing something a bit. His height, what position he played, etc., really isn't a big overwhelming concern to me. I've seen plenty of guys of prototype size that can't play basketball, and vice versa. This guy has a record of accomplishment at a post-high-school level. On the surface, that doesn't even seem like a gamble to me on a scholarship, even for two years. If anyone else here has some indepth knowledge of JC basketball, you know that you see guys with a far lower record in JC play have no problems getting their last two years of college paid for, with as little as a general knowledge that they can play successfully against guys at a higher level than high school. I'll be curious to hear more about this story. And I realize this is only one example, but back in the early 80s, we had a JC All-American role through here. He was left handed, and a very thin forward. Yet, he averaged nearly double-digits in rebounds and became a conference MVP.

I don't know anything about Blanton, but I do know that there is nowhere close to the amount of talent in the JUCO ranks as there used to be with more and more kids going he prep route instead. Rivals doesn't include Blanton on their list of the Top 150 JUCO prospects, and a lot of those guys are haven't committed anywhere, or are headed to lower D1 schools. My guess is that he could have had an offer from some Low-major, but choose walk-on at Akron and play close to home.

[Dr Z]

And I've never felt comfortable about being in the position of having to expect production out of new people.

It's the MAC, if OU can do it, why can't we?

[ZachTheZip]

And I've never felt comfortable about being in the position of having to expect production out of new people.

It's the MAC, if OU can do it, why can't we?

If they can't produce at least somewhat as a freshman, then what did we recruit them for?

[skip-zip]

A couple of good points here, but you might be overanalyzing something a bit. His height, what position he played, etc., really isn't a big overwhelming concern to me. I've seen plenty of guys of prototype size that can't play basketball, and vice versa. This guy has a record of accomplishment at a post-high-school level. On the surface, that doesn't even seem like a gamble to me on a scholarship, even for two years. If anyone else here has some indepth knowledge of JC basketball, you know that you see guys with a far lower record in JC play have no problems getting their last two years of college paid for, with as little as a general knowledge that they can play successfully against guys at a higher level than high school. I'll be curious to hear more about this story. And I realize this is only one example, but back in the early 80s, we had a JC All-American role through here. He was left handed, and a very thin forward. Yet, he averaged nearly double-digits in rebounds and became a conference MVP.

I don't know anything about Blanton, but I do know that there is nowhere close to the amount of talent in the JUCO ranks as there used to be with more and more kids going he prep route instead. Rivals doesn't include Blanton on their list of the Top 150 JUCO prospects, and a lot of those guys are haven't committed anywhere, or are headed to lower D1 schools. My guess is that he could have had an offer from some Low-major, but choose walk-on at Akron and play close to home.

Now we might be gettin somewhere. I thought there could possibly be more to this story.

So, maybe he wasn't really one of the best dozen or so JC players in the country? Or, even one of the best 150? Who listed him as a JC All-American?

It would still surprise me though, with his numbers, if he didn't get any D-1 offers, even from lower level schools. But maybe he did, and he chose Akron instead. That would be nice if that happened.

[skip-zip]

And I've never felt comfortable about being in the position of having to expect production out of new people.

It's the MAC, if OU can do it, why can't we?

If they can't produce at least somewhat as a freshman, then what did we recruit them for?

Note the word "expect"

If there is a Cooper in our group of freshman recruits, I'll be celebrating right along with you guys.

[ZachTheZip]

I do expect a major contributor for next season to emerge from our recruiting class. If at least three don't step up, we're in major trouble. Abreu has to come right out of the gate and be our floor general, and we need two forwards to replace Conyers and Chris McKnight.

[Dave in Green]

I actually enjoy many of your analytical commentaries. My brain just needs a long rest after some of them

I've also found that is good for helping recover from some of my analytical commentaries.

..... So, maybe he wasn't really one of the best dozen or so JC players in the country? Or, even one of the best 150? Who listed him as a JC All-American?

Don't know how they vote on this, but the NJCAA lists Blanton as an honorable mention D1 All-American, one of 20 forwards on the total list including 1st, 2nd and 3rd team plus honorable mentions:

NJCAA All-Americans

Maybe it's true that he selected the Zips because he wanted to stay close to home. Maybe he's as good as the NJCAA rates him, and maybe he's as good as the rating services rate him. Until proven otherwise, I'm going to go with the theory that KD has latched on to a hidden gem. I generally like the kind of players he has been coming up with recently.

[skip-zip]

I actually enjoy many of your analytical commentaries. My brain just needs a long rest after some of them

I've also found that is good for helping recover from some of my analytical commentaries.

..... So, maybe he wasn't really one of the best dozen or so JC players in the country? Or, even one of the best 150? Who listed him as a JC All-American?

Don't know how they vote on this, but the NJCAA lists Blanton as an honorable mention D1 All-American, one of 20 forwards on the total list including 1st, 2nd and 3rd team plus honorable mentions:

NJCAA All-Americans

Maybe it's true that he selected the Zips because he wanted to stay close to home. Maybe he's as good as the NCJAA rates him, and maybe he's as good as the rating services rate him. Until proven otherwise, I'm going to go with the theory that KD has latched on to a hidden gem. I generally like the kind of players he has been coming up with recently.

I'm going to lean in that direction for the time being as well. When I see a guy who's had success against other 19 and 20 year olds, it shows me that he's still grown as a player since high school. The reasons why he's here?...maybe we'll find out some day.

[Dave in Green]

In the true spirit of overanalyzing, I've found a little more info on Darrell Blanton.

He does not show up in an internet search prior to 2007. At the end of his junior season in high school, he shows up on the All-Ohio D1 third team along with none other than Alex Sullivan. In their senior HS seasons, Sullivan moved up to 2nd team and Blanton fell to honorable mention.

Hoop Scoop rated Blanton the 40th best Ohio HS player in the class of 2008, and the 11th best wing forward. For comparison, Hoop Scoop rated Humpty Hitchens the 9th best player in that class and the best point guard, with Sullivan 21st overall and 3rd best PG.

As a freshman at Fort Scott Community College, Blanton averaged 18.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and an impressive 56% from the field to earn all-conference honorable mention.

That's about as much as I can find. Blanton is just not on anyone's radar, as you might expect for a walk-on junior with two years of eligibility. Expectations should be low, which means that any contributions he might make will be a bonus.