NY2LA SPORTS MIDWEST INSIDE DISH
By Antonio Curro - NY2LA Sports
May 5, 2008
Covered the Jayhawk Invitational last weekend in Lawrence, Kansas and it was another quality event. Got in about midnight last night and lots of things to talk about this morning.
Obviously one of the stories of the weekend was the early commitment of Evan Anderson to Wisconsin. The 6'11" Class of 2010 prospect from Eau Claire North is headed to Bo Ryan and the Badgers. Congratulations to Evan and the Badgers. Only question I have is, was there ever really a question? We've been reporting since last spring that he was headed to the Badgers and while it's an excellent get for Bo and a great situation for Anderson, gotta feel for all the college coaches who spent time in the gym this past April. April is such an important time for colleges to evaluate prospective athletes that wasted time with one recruit costs another kid a chance to potentially realize their dream and/or be evaluated. There was never a question in my mind that Anderson was headed to Wisconsin so why report anything else or even report that anyone else out of the state had a shot. I feel for other writers who put themselves in that position. Anderson and the Badgers were always a perfect fit and in the end, Evan decided to do what everyone in the know already knew he would do and what we reported months ago he would do and that's play for Bo. I congratulate Evan on being the one to step up and show maturity and put this thing to rest.
While the Anderson commit wasn't a major surprise, a bit of one surfaced this weekend down in Illinois as 7'0" Center Kyle Rowley of Lake Forest Academy switched gears a bit and committed to Northwestern...as an 08' prospect. Rumors surfaced for weeks last winter that he was debating on this and after a decent April showing with the Full Package Select as an 09' prospect, Rowley decided to head to Northwestern and should be on campus this summer. That's a major grab for Northwestern as a bunch of big boys were looking at Rowley who was one of the top 2009 prospects in the Midwest.
6'0" Class of 2009 G Jordaire Jett of St. Bernard's (MN) picked up an offer from Big 12 power Baylor last Friday, according to his summer coach Brian Sandifer of Grassroots Hoops. Jett is one of the top Class of 2009 prospects in the state of Minnesota and a dribble penetration type guard who can really attack the rim. Jett continues to emerge as one of the top 09's guards around and should see his stock continue to elevate in the coming months.
Congratulations to the Mac Irvin Fire 17U team as they headed to Bill Hensley Memorial tournament last weekend and walked away with the championship. When you look at the fact that they have 4 young guys (Shaw, Smith, Mills, Head) playing major minutes, that's pretty scary for a lot of team next year. While the continued progression of those four has been huge, when I tell you that 6'4" SG Tony Nixon of Seton is the truth, that's a major understatement. He has the length, athleticism, and pure stroke to become an excellent player at the next level and anyone not in on him at the mid to even high major level is sleeping in a major way. The kid popped 20+ in the championship yesterday and he's still got tons of room to grow as a player. He's definitely worth a look this July for anyone looking for a quality SG prospect in the 09 class, both on and off the court.
Speaking of the truth, 6'5" SF Eric May of the All Iowa Attack 17U team continues to pick up steam with his recruitment. Last week Butler showed interest and Missouri State is rumored to be looking at the young SF prospect as well. May is a tough hard nosed SF who can shoot it, elevate, and make positive things happen when he takes the floor.
Some 08's still on the board include 5'11" G Chris McHenry of Bradley Tech and 6'4" SG Carrington Tankson of Osseo (MN). Tankson was sensational this past weekend for the Pulley Black 17U team at the Jayhawk invitational as he put on a shooting clinic in the first half against the Compton Magic. As for McHenry, he can shoot it, dribble penetrate and pull up, and is a solid athlete. Biggest problem with McHenry is he was labeled a SG for the first 3 years of his high school career, once he made the transition to PG this past December he ran off a string of double doubles (assist/points) during the high season. He can play and play well at the low to mid level and schools looking for a PG who can hit big shots and knows how to play, should inquire about McHenry.
6'5" 09' SG Nik Garcia of the Illinois Rising Stars 17U team grabbed an offer from SEC power Alabama last week. Southern Illinois is also heavily recruiting Garcia who is "electric" to quote a friend of mine, when he gets it going.
6'7" 09' F Jon Ekey of the KC Pump N' Run 17U is a solid skilled young big with excellent range and polished skills. He put on a "pick and pop" clinic this weekend at the Jayhawk Invitational. Word is that Baylor, Clemson, and Marquette have shown some interest in recent weeks. He'll be an excellent skilled big at the next level.
One of the highly underrated PG's nationally in the class of 2010 is 6'1" Xavier Jones of Gary West Side High School in Indiana. Jones plays with the SYF Players in the circuit and he can flat out attack the rim and get to the rack on anyone. He's a tough physical PG who physically punishes opposing guards with his ability to get to the rack. Keep your eyes on him as well.
6'5" G/F Raymond Cowles of Hopkins (MN) continues to see his stock elevate as the sharpshooting Cowles is one of top available guards left in the 2009 class. He can shoot it, lock up defensively, and showed the ability to attack the rim in flashes this weekend at the Jayhwawk Invitational. He's worth a look this July as well as he competes with the Net Gain Sports program based out of Minnesota. Northwestern is one of the schools who's offered Cowles to date.
5'11" PG Terry Johnson of the Mac Irvin Fire 17U squad is now qualified according to Nick Irvin of the Fire program. Johnson was exceptional at the King James Shooting Stars Classic and a major reason for their victory over the highly touted Atlanta Celtics. Johnson is a solid floor general who can stroke the trey ball as well. Illinois State has an offer on the table for Johnson who stands as one of the top 09 prospects available in Illinois.
6'9" PF Derrick Nix of The Family...is a beast around the basket. Reminds me of a young Zach Randolph who's currently putting it down for the New York Knicks. Time will only tell on Nix but he's a beast and very strong around the rim.
Speaking of Michigan, keep tabs on Class of 2010 PG Keith Appling of the R.E.A.C.H. Legends. The 6'1" PG has the feel, skills, and flavor to become a big time PG over the next couple of years. Keep your eyes on him schools from across the country including in house powers Michigan and Michigan State are after young Appling.
Chicago Demons 16U squad is loaded with a host of sleepers. Program Director Vince Carter has done an excellent job with that group and they really played well at the 2008 Swish & Dish Spring Warm-Up across the board.
The same can be said for the Team Illinois Hawks 15U squad, which features the Gray twins, George Marshall, etc. That team has a chance to be very special if they stay together and continue to develop in the coming years.
The same can be said for the St. Louis Eagles 16U squad as 6'0" Karl Madison, 6'5" Kony Ealy, and 6'2" Julian Johnson get it done. The "sleeper" on that team is 6'9" Ryan Pierson who's got all the size and strength to become a player. If Pierson can develop his skills and lower half over the next year, that team has a chance to be very very good.
6'7" Class of 2010 Steve Carver of the K.C. Keys 16U squad is one to watch. If he can grab 2-3 more inches he's got a shot to be very very tough around the basket. Keep your eyes on him over the next 12 months.
5'9" Charles Lee of the Milwaukee Running Rebels 15U squad continues to play well and develop. The young floor leader has really improved his ability to knock down the trey ball in recent months. Lee is a polished skills PG who really has a solid feel for the game right now.
Speaking of PG's 6'4" Josh Gasser of Port Washington is as good a shooter as exists in the 2010 class in the Midwest. He's got a pure stroke and a soft touch and he continues to play well every time he takes the floor with the Wisconsin Swing 16U squad. With Vander Blue having committed to Wisconsin, Gassers the best available 2010 guard right now in the state of Wisconsin. He just grabbed an offer from North Dakota State to go with one from UW-Milwaukee already.
Add Northern Iowa to the list of schools in the mix now on 6'9" Class of 2010 Kyle Kelm of Randolph, Wisconsin. They have formally offered the young prospect. Kelm plays with the Wisconsin Swing.
Another "sleeper" emerging within the state of Wisconsin is 6'3" SG Trevor Haas of the P.C. Players organization. Haas can really stroke it from the perimeter and has an excellent feel for the game.
See you on the courts...
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Note: Antonio Curro of NY2LA Sports is the editor of NY2LASports.com and the Midwest Editor (i.e. Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota) for the HoopScoop Online