2013 PF Drawing National Looks

     It is rare for a player to attract looks from schools all over the country. However, 2013 Schuyler Rimmer has. The 6’9” power forward plays with the Q6 All-Stars and attends Boone high school in Orlando, Florida. Rimmer has offers from several high-major schools including Georgia and South Carolina.
     At the beginning of the AAU circuit, Rimmer and Q6 played at Big Shots in Clemson, South Carolina. Rimmer was watched by several schools including Georgia, Penn State, Clemson, South Carolina, UCF, and Virginia Tech. Rimmer has offers from all of those schools. After the big weekend, Rimmer started receiving interest from Illinois and Tennessee offered.
     Rimmer received more interest after his performance in the Real Deal at The Rock. HE posted 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks against the Houston Defenders, one of the best AAU teams in the country. Rimmer was watched by many schools including Tennessee’s Cuonzo Martin and Georgia. Later in the week, Harvard started showing strong interest the power forward and Boston College, Southern Mississppi, and Southern California had offered.
     Rimmer is great with his back to the basket and can perform his hook shot with his left and right hands.. He can run the pick and pop out to 17 feet. Rimmer is a hard worker that can lead a team. He needs to work on his ballhandling, reading double teams, and needs to get stronger so he can handle large forwards.
     Recently, UMass offered and Virginia and LSU have shown interest in Rimmer. He has a top 5 of Stanford, Tennessee, Penn State, Miami, and Southern California in no order. Rimmer will surely make a big impact wherever he decides to attend college.

2014 Prospect Picking Up Interest After Great Showing

     @ShaneHall24

     Kentucky isn't a state that usually produces top talent in any sport. However, 2014 power forward Shane Hall is considered to be a top basketball talent and the best player from Kentucky since Darius Miller. The 6'8" power forward has looks from schools like Kentucky and Florida and more schools will be looking at Hall soon.
     Hall had a great showing at the State AAU tournament. Hall scored double digits in every game while leading his AAU team, Hoop Dreams-Maxey, to the 16U state title. The power forward also pulled down 10 rebounds and blocked a ton of shots.
     Many high-majors have watched Hall this AAU season including Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, Alabama, Mississippi, Cincinnati, Auburn, Tennessee, and Purdue. He list Indiana, Kentucky, and Florida at the top of his list. Hall has offers from Northern Kentucky(A school transitioning to D1), Miami(OH), and UAB.
     Hall is an athletic, high flyer. He owns the paint, blocking every shot that is put up. Hall has superior dribbling for a 6'9" forward and he possesses superb passing skills. Hall needs to work on his outside shot, polish his post moves, and work on his stamina to truely be considered elite.
     Hall will surely go to a great school. His recruiting will pick-up with more offers when the dead period is over. He will take an unofficial visit to Kentucky in June. Hall will definitely be a great college player.

Small Talk With Michael Frazier

     Michael Frazier is ranked and the 18th best shooting guard in the 2012 class by Rivals.com. I recently spoke with Frazier, here is what he had to say:

    Joseph Thompson: You committed over a year ago. What made you want to commit so early?
     Michael Frazier: I was born in Gainesville and I have a  lot of family there, so it was kind of like going back home. Plus, I have wanted to play there since I was 5.
     JT: Billy Donovan simply wins. How big of a factor was that in your decision?
     MF: It was a huge factor. I want to win and I know he will push me to my limits to make me the best play that I can be. He demands the best from his players, his staff, and himself.
     JT: Who played the biggest role in you decision making process?
     MF: My parents because they supported me in making my decision so early.
     JT: What are your goals for your freshman year?
     MF: I want to work hard and fight for playing time and make a run deep in the tournament.
     JT: What are your goals for your college career?
     MF: Win a national championship and get my degree.
     JT: How do you feel about the fellow members of the class of 2012 for Florida?
     MF: I feel very comfortable with them because we all have a good relationship already and I know that they will come in and work hard and we will be able to push each other.
     JT: Are you looking forward to playing with Kasey Hill again in another year?
     MF: Yes, we had a lot of success in high school.
     JT: Do you think you played a role in Kasey Hill committing to Florida?
     MF: Yes, I tried to get him to come because I think we will make a great 1-2 combination because we had so much success in high school.
     JT: What was Coach Donovan's biggest pitch?
     MF: He just wants the best out of his players and he is a proven winner.
     JT: Who is your favorite Florida player of all-time?
     MF: Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem because they play for the Heat, my favorite team.

North Carolina Point Guard is Receiving SEC Interest

     @im_dat_kid_dtae

     North Carolina has had some great point guards go on to represent their state in college. You may be familiar with the likes of NBA player John Wall or McDonald's All-American Rodney Purvis. One player that seems to be flying under the radar in North Carolina is 2013 PG Devonte Graham. The 6 foot guard has picked up some interest from high major schools recently.
     Graham has been called the most underrated guard in North Carolina by his AAU coach and it is not hard to believe with schools like Mount Saint Mary's, North Carolina Central University, and Appalachin State. Graham also has interested from mid-majors Eastern Carolina and Radford. High-majors like Tennessee and NC State have also shown interest.
    Graham can shoot the ball, pass the ball well, and control the tempo of the game. He needs to work on his on-ball defense, and he needs to get quicker and stronger.
     Graham's recruiting is sure to pick up. He has no offers but should pick some up soon. It just happens to be that Rodney Purvis and John Wall both played played for Garner Road.
 

Recruitment Picking up on 2013 Point Guard

 @K_Smoove05

    There was hype surrounding 2013 PG Kendal Harris going into the AAU circuit this year, but everyone wanted to know if the hype was real. Kendal had sat out the previous AAU season due to a broken ankle. The 6'4" point guard held offers from Creighton, Houston, Missouri, North Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Washington State, Marquette, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Tulane. However, Harris' recruitment has picked up since then.

      After a great showing at the Adidas VIP Tournament, new LSU coach Johnny Jones offered Harris. Harris liked Jones and LSU assistant Shawn Forrest when they were at North Texas. Soon after newly hired Kansas State coach Bruce Weber offered Harris.

     In the prestigious Real Deal at The Rock tournament, Kendal was watched by many schools including Virginia, which had just shown interest at that point. At Real Deal, Harris was watched by SMU, South Carolina, LSU, Baylor, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kansas State, Arkansas,  Tulsa, and Washington State.
     Harris is great at leading the team, handling the ball, and on-ball defense. He has great speed with the ball, which allows him to attack the basket with ease. Harris needs to be more consistent from the three point line.
     Since Real Deal, only Arkansas has offered. Kendal plays with the Urban DFW Elite along with top 100 players Jordan Mickey and Karviar Shepard. Depending on his performance, top schools like Kansas will offer Harris and he will have work on his goal of reaching the NBA with some of the top coaches in the country.

Kentucky Picks up a Commitment

     Wright State transfer Julius Mays has picked Kentucky over Purdue. The 6'2" shooting guard averaged 14.1 points to go with 2.8 RPG and 2.5 APG in the Horizon conference. Mays shot 42.4% from the three point line last year. Mays scored 21 points against Florida last year. Mays played with Kentucky PG Ryan Harrow at NC State.

Alabama Picks Up a Commitment

@J_Taylor10

     Anthony Grant and his staff at Alabama picked up a huge commitment tonight from 2013 center Jimmie Taylor. The athletic big man, from Greensboro, Alabama, chose the Crimson Tide over Arkansas, Auburn, Georgetown, Georgia, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt. Taylor stands at 6'9" and weighs 215 pounds.
Taylor's Rankings
Scout
Overall: 78
Position: 8
ESPN
Overall: 19
Position: 2
Rivals
Overall: 30
Position: 3

Small Talk with Shawn Smith

      Shawn Smith of Jacksonville, Florida committed to Texas A&M this spring. Smith is rated as a 3-star prospect and the 30th best point guard in the class of 2012. Smith is one of five player Billy Kennedy has signed for next year. I talked with Shawn today, here is our conversation:

           Joseph Thompson:What made Texas A&M standout? 

           Shawn Smith: My relationship from my recruiter, Coach Sip, and Coach Kennedy, and once I committed I got so much love from the fan base and future teammates/family. That made me sign my LOI.

             JT: Did you visit?

            SS: I didn't. I know the campus is great. My main goal was developing trust with everyone and I feel that I've reached that goal.

            JT: Who played the biggest role in your decision making process?

            SS: My Mom. She loves the coaching staff and felt it was a good fir for me.

            JT: When did Texas A&M start talking to you?

            SS: Last year.

            JT: Do you think your style of play will fit into Coach Kennedy's offense?

            SS: Certainly, I watched a few games last year.

            JT: What are your goals for freshman year?

            SS: Get that NCAA title. Shock the world after we're conference champions.

            JT:   Any other goals for your college career?

            SS: Become a better player, mature my game, and be able to play on the next level.

            JT: When will you arrive on campus?

            SS: 29th of this month. (May)

The Crazy Recruiting of Anthony Bennett

     @ABennett24

    You may be familiar with a high school senior by the name of Anthony Bennett. Bennett is one of 5 players in the Scout top 100 that has not decided. Bennett is from Brampton, Ontario and played high school basketball about 2230 miles from his hometown. Bennett's recruiting has been up and down recently. Here is the breakdown:
     The news came out that Bennett had cut his list to two or three schools. Everyone assumed that the schools were Florida and Kentucky, with UNLV thrown in. Everyone thought that UNLV was not being considered, but was being listed to make his Findlay Prep head coach happy. Florida was the favorite and Kentucky was just trying to catch up with Florida.
     Friday night Evan Daniels of Scout tweeted "Who is ready for some fairly surprising/big recruiting news?" I immediately reloaded my timeline expecting it to be Andrew Wiggins reclassifying to the class of 2013. I saw the following tweet from Daniels "Anthony Bennett has informed Scout that he is down to Oregon, Kentucky, and UNLV. He has eliminated Florida from his list." This was shocking because Billy Donovan and his staff had been in contact with Bennett everyday recently. This came after Bennett took his official visit to UNLV.
     After the announcement of Bennett cutting his list, Kentucky was expected to be the favorite. Contrary to many thoughts, Dave Telep of ESPN believes that UNLV and Oregon are on the first tier and Kentucky is on the second tier.
     Bennett could wind up anywhere. Bennett's decision will leave two fan bases sad, and one fan bases extremely happy. Bennett will make his decision in about two weeks.

Recruiting Notes

Recruiting Notes from the last few days:

• 2012 Sheldon Jeter will decide tomorrow. Vanderbilt and South Carolina are on his list.
• Former Mississippi State commit Josh Gray committed to Texas Tech
• Missouri offered 2014 Stanley Johnson
• Tennessee offered 2013 guard Donte Clark
• PJ Hardwick has been released from his LOI and opened his recruitment
• Arkansas is showing interest in 2013 PG Kendal Harris
• Tennessee and Georgia were at every game of 2013 forward Schuyler Rimmer this weekend
• Florida assistant John Pelphrey has  been offered the head coach position at Morehead State. Pelphrey is from Kentucky.
• Anthony Bennett has cut his list. The only schools he is considering are Florida and Kentucky.
• Teamates 2013's Karviar Shepard and Jordan Mickey have interest from Kentucky
• LSU offered 2013 PG Tyler Ennis
• Mississippi offered 2013 PG Isiah Williams
• LSU offered 2013 SG Keith Frazier
• 2013 Jame Young thinks that Kentucky has offered him
• Mississippi offered 2014 Jakeenan Grant
• JUCO PF Colin Brochert has committed to Mississippi State
• Florida has offered 2014 SG Adonys Henriquez
• Mississippi State has interest in 2013 wing Jared Nickens
• Florida has offered JUCO PF Jameel McKay
• JUCO PG Trivante Bloodman will visit Mississippi State on Thursday
• Missouri has offered 2013 PF Torren Jones