Player Profile: 2012 Gary Harris

Name: Gary Harris
Graduation Year: 2012, Rising Junior
Height & Weight: 6'4 195
High School/AAU: Hamilton Southeastern/D3 Heat
Position: Combo Guard
Schools Considering: Offers from Iowa, Indiana, Cincinnati, Xavier, Minnesota, Illinois, and Vanderbilt.
Timetable for Decision: No time table has been set for Harris' decision as he is just beginning the recruiting process.

Scouting Report:
A skilled combo guard with explosive athleticism, Harris is rapidly improving his game. Harris only averaged 14 points per game this season, but his potential is undeniable. He has the bounce, quickness, and athleticism to take opponents off the dribble and score above the rim. Combine that with an improving jump shot and a high level motor, and Harris has the total package needed to be a backcourt star. Although his college offers are rather modest, I expect Harris to begin stockpiling offers as the summer rolls on. The key for Harris to maximize his potential is to improve his jumper and add some strength to his thin frame.

Video (Thanks to http://www.umhoops.com/ for the highlight video):

Player Profile: 2012 Jeremy Hollowell

Name: Jeremy Hollowell
Graduation Year: 2012, Rising Junior
Height & Weight: 6'7 185
High School/AAU: Lawrence Central/Eric Gordon All-Stars
Position: Shooting Guard & Small Forward
Schools Considering: Offers from Xavier, Indiana, Iowa, Cincinnati, Ohio State Illinois, and Tennessee
Timetable for Decision: No time table has been set for Hollowell's decision.

Scouting Report:
Hollowell is a player loaded with upside. He is still growing, allowing him to be a multi-positional player and defender. Hollowell has great athleticism, a good stroke, and the handles to take opponents to the rim. Hollowell's game is improving, as he continues to grow into his body and get a feel for the game. His great length (6'11 Wingspan) allows him to be an affective defender, rebounder, and shot blocker. Hollowell can also mix it up inside, showing good touch in the post occasionally. As Hollowell continues to improve his game, he has the chance to be a very special player at the next level.

Player Profile: 2012 Kellen Dunham

Name: Kellen Dunham
Graduation Year: 2012, Rising Junior
Height & Weight: 6'4 160
High School/AAU: Pendleton Heights/Indiana Elite
Position: Shooting Guard
2009-2010 Season Stats: 22.5 ppg, 89% Free Throw Shooter, 41% 3-Point Shooter
Schools Considering: Wright State (His Only Offer), Butler, Michigan, IU, Illinois, and Purdue
Timetable for Decision: The recruiting process is just starting for Dunham, who should receive a few more offers this summer.

Scouting Report:
Dunham is a long, rail thin guard with excellent shooting touch and a great feel for using the glass. He shoots the ball well off screens, but can create his own shot off the bounce as well. Dunham also has a nice pump fake move he uses to get by defenders. He uses these ball skills to get by opponents and score tough buckets at the rim. Although he isn't very strong, Dunham still fights through fouls and finishes plays after contact. Defensively Dunham has the length to be a solid defender, although he may lack the quickness to guard some opponents. The key for Dunham is to add strength to his frame, and if possible improve his athleticism.

Video:

Player Profile: 2011 Austin Etherington

Name: Austin Etherington
Graduation Year: 2011, Rising Senior
Height & Weight: 6'6 185
High School/AAU: Hamilton Heights/Indiana Elite
Position: Shooting Guard & Small Forward
2009-2010 Season Stats: 20.7 ppg, 7 rpg, 2.6 spg, & 1.5 bpg
Schools Considering: Committed to Indiana University (Offers from Oklahoma St., Butler, New Mexico, and Xavier)
Commitment Date: 08-03-09

Scouting Report:
Etherington is a great shooter who does a lot of things well. He can attack off the dribble, extend his range past the 3-point line, and create for others. He's a deceptive athlete, able to throw down a nice array of dunks once he gets a full head of steam. Etherington is also a very good rebounder from the small forward spot, hustling and fighting for lose balls and missed shots. Defensively, his length helps him play solid perimeter defense, and frustrate opponents. One thing that really sticks out about Etherington is his passing ability. He has the smarts and skill to know when to throw passes, often setting up teammates for open baskets.

Player Profile: 2011 Michael Chandler

Name: Michael Chandler
Graduation Year: 2011, Rising Senior
Height & Weight: 6'10 215
High School/AAU: Lawrence North/Eric Gordon All-Stars
Position: Center
2009-2010 Season Stats: 14.5 ppg 7.7 rpg
Schools Considering: It's very early in the reopening process, but it's safe to assume these schools will recruit him: Louisville, Kentucky, IU, and Ohio State.
Timetable for Decision: Chandler recently opened up his recruitment after a 15 month commitment to Louisville. He has said he will continue to consider Louisville, but wants to look around and evaluate all his options.

Scouting Report:
Like most high school big men, potential is the name of the game for Michael Chandler. An extremely athletic player, the sky is (truly) the limit for Chandler. Chandler has good foot work and and strong hands which make him a lethal high school post player. Defensively, Chandler's size and athleticism make him a formidable shot blocker and shot changer in the lane. His strong hands and athleticism also make Chandler a dominant rebounder. They key for Chandler to succeed is developing a go-to move in the post so he can be a high level scorer in college.

Player Profile: 2011 Jeremiah Davis

Name: Jeremiah Davis
Graduation Year: 2011, Rising Senior
Height & Weight: 6'3 195
High School/AAU: Muncie Central/Indiana Elite
Position: Point Guard & Shooting Guard Combo
2009-2010 Season Stats: 17 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg
Schools Considering: Michigan State, IU, Cincinnati, Xavier, Ohio State, Tennessee, UNLV, Dayton, Miami-FL, and DePaul
Timetable for Decision: Davis is rumored to be deciding soon, but no announcement has been set.

Scouting Report:
As a junior in high school, Davis is already built like a college player. He handles the ball well, and his strong frame allows him to absorb contact and finish plays after fouls. Davis can also use his ball-handling ability to break down defenses and find the open teammate. Davis has good range on his jump shot, but his shot selection is questionable at times. When hot he can light you up from deep, but the key for Davis is to play within himself, and not force shots. Defensively Davis has the quickness, strength, and smarts to be a good defender. As long as he isn't too steal happy can really lock down opponents. Overall, Davis has the tools to be a contributor as a freshman, as long as he plays smart.

Pre-Summer Indiana Class of 2012 Player Rankings

With a little bit of Spring AAU action underway, I wanted to do a quick ranking of the top players in the state of Indiana for 2012. I'm keeping player potential and production in mind when doing these.


1. Jeremy Hollowell 6'7 Guard/Forward- Lawrence Central High School (Offers from Xavier, Indiana, Iowa, Cincinnati, Illinois, and Tennessee)



Hollowell is a player loaded with upside. He is still growing, allowing him to be a multi-positional player and defender. Hollowell has elite athleticism, a good stroke, and the handles to take opponents to the rim. Hollowell's game is improving, as he continues to grow into his body and get a feel for the game. His great length (6'11 Wingspan) allows him to be an affective defender, rebounder, and shot blocker. Hollowell can also mix it up inside, showing good touch in the post occasionally. As Hollowell continues to improve his game, he has the chance to be a very special player at the next level.

2. Gary Harris 6'4 Guard- Hamilton Southeastern High School (Offers from Iowa, Indiana, Cincinnati, Xavier, Minnesota, Illinois, and Vanderbilt)

A skilled combo guard with explosive athleticism, Harris is rapidly improving his game. Harris only averaged 14 points per game this season, but his potential is undeniable. He has the bounce and athleticism to take opponents off the dribble and score above the rim. Combine that with an improving jump shot and a high level motor, and Harris has the total package needed to be a backcourt star. Although his college offers are rather modest, I expect Harris to begin stockpiling offers as the summer rolls on.

3. D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera 6'4 Guard- North Central High School (Offers from Indiana, Purdue, Tennessee, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Xavier)



A powerful guard with a good handle, Smith-Rivera helped lead his high school team to a state championship this season. Smith-Rivera averaged 19.5 points per game, teaming up with Purdue-bound guard Terone Johnson. Smith-Rivera excels with the ball going to the rim, where he can draw the foul and score from the line. His jumper is improving, making him a threat to score from all over the court. Smith-Rivera isn't the most explosive vertical athlete, but he has the quickness to be a disruptive defender on the perimeter. He possesses the skills to play the point guard or shooting guard position at the next level.

4. A.J. Hammons 6'11 Center- Carmel High School (Offers from Indiana, Xavier, and Illinois)

Hammons is an imposing force in the paint, weighing in at close to 260 pounds. Hammons, who once weighed in at close to 290 pounds has made conditioning a priority, keeping himself in shape to help his conditioning and athleticism. The first thing that stands out about Hammons is his ability to change and alter shots in the paint, as he averaged over 5 blocks per game this season. Hammons has strong hands and nice touch around the basket, giving him the potential to develop as a low-post scorer. His strong hands and wide body make him a good rebounder, a category in which he recorded 8 per game this past season. Hammons has all the physical tools to be a difference maker in high school and college, the key for him is to put it all together and match potential with assertiveness.

5. Ron Patterson 6'3 Guard- Broad Ripple High School (Offers from Indiana, Purdue, Cincinnati, Xavier, Tennessee, Ohio State, Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan)

Patterson is an explosive athlete with a good outside shot. Patterson does have the potential to go on streaks when shooting, but recently has been shooting at a more consistent level. Another great quality about Patterson is his ability to rebound well for his position. Patterson has a 6'10 wingspan, a trait that also allows him to be a disruptive wing defender, and formidable shot blocker for his position. He needs to improve his ball-handling, but does a great job cutting to the rim without the ball. Patterson has the athleticism to finish above the rim and create highlight reel dunks. Patterson averaged 17 points per game this season while playing for Broad Ripple High School.

6. Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell 5'10 Guard- Park Tudor High School (Offers from Butler, Illinois, Indiana, Notre Dame, Virginia, and Washington)



A speedy floor general, Ferrell plays with a mature game for a 16 year old point guard. He has the speed, handles, and quickness to get to the rim, push the break, and be an elite passer. Ferrell is a good but not great shooter, keeping defenders honest from behind the arc. He averaged 23 points per game as he led his team to a runner-up finish in the state finals. Defensively Ferrell has the speed and quickness to pressure the ball, but may struggle going up against stronger, more physical guards. Although he is undersized for your ideal point guard, Ferrell makes up for it with his smarts and playmaking ability.

7. Rapheal Davis 6'5 Guard/Forward- Fort Wayne South Side High School (Committed to Purdue)

Davis committed to Purdue as a high school freshman, a testament to his ability as a basketball player. Davis is a good 3-point shooter with the ability to get hot and really stroke the ball. His strength and ball-handling allow him to get to the rim and finish after contact. Although he's not as explosive as some of the other guards in his class, Davis is a capable athlete, able to finish plays above the rim in transition. Defensively, Davis has the quickness to be a solid defender. Davis' could play the 2 or 3 position in college, adding that versatile player that Matt Painter likes.

8. Austin Burgett 6'7 Forward- Avon High School (Offers from Butler, Cincinnati, Iowa, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio, and Xavier)

A skilled 4 man, Burgett impresses with his shooting and ball-handling ability. He is still pretty raw as a back to the basket player, but his face up skills make him a good scoring threat. Burgett can take opponents off the dribble and score at the rim, or hit the 3-point shot if given space. He averaged 15 points per game this season playing for Avon. Burgett has the skills to allow him to be a multi-positional player on offense, although his best work on defense would be done guarding the 4 spot. Austin is a good rebounder and can block shots, but adding strength to his frame will help his play in the paint.

9. Dejuan Marrero 6'5 Forward- Thea Bowman Academy (Offers from Indiana, Ohio State, Purdue, Illinois, and Cincinnati)



Marrero, who plays with an extremely high motor is a power forward in a small forward's body. Marrero has great athleticism, and when you combine that with his motor, he is a great rebounder even at 6'5. Marrero scores a lot of points on put backs and offensive rebounds, but continues to work on his perimeter game. His shot is improving, but could still use some work if he is going to play small forward at the collegiate level. Marrero also needs to work on his ball-handling to help him transition to the college game. He helped led his high school team to a state championship while averaging 14 points and 12 rebounds per contest.

10. T.J. Bell 6'7 Forward- Bloomington South High School (Offers from Virginia, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, and Indiana)

Bell, originally from Illinois is an ultra-athletic forward. He has good shooting touch for his size, and will knock down the jumper when left open. Consistency is the main issue with Bell, as he'll make a few plays and then disappear for entire quarters. He played JV most of the year at South because of eligibility issues, and at times struggled to produce at that level. Other than being more aggressive, Bell could really benefit from improving ball-handling and strength. One thing is for sure about Bell, he has all the physical tools to be a great player, but he needs to put it all together.

Player Profile: 2011 Branden Dawson

Name: Branden Dawson
Graduation Year: 2011, Rising Senior
Height & Weight: 6'6 205
High School/AAU: Gary Lew Wallace/SYF
Position: Small Forward
2009-2010 Season Stats: 24 ppg 14 rpg
Schools Considering: Georgetown, UCLA, IU, Purdue, Marquette, Michigan St.
Timetable for Decision: Dawson has said he will decide in the Spring of his senior year of high school.

Scouting Report:
When you think of Branden Dawson the first thing that comes to mind is his high-level motor. Dawson simply goes full speed on every play, making him a dangerous rebounder and defender. Dawson's ideal college position is small forward, but rebounds like a big man, using his long wingspan and high level athleticism to pull down boards. Another great trait about Dawson is his passing. At times he runs the inbounds plays for his team, and is a great passer out of the post. Offensively Dawson is a good ball-handler, but lacks a consistent outside shot which at times makes him one-dimensional. His best scoring is done on in the paint moving off cuts or attacking the rim. His back to the basket game is not great, but he shows flashes and good touch in the post. Dawson is an adequate free-throw shooter, but could stand to work on his free-throws along with his jumper. Defensively Dawson can guard 3 positions. He has the strength and length to handle bigger opponents in the paint, and the quickness and length to disrupt opponents on the wing. As Dawson improves his perimeter skills he will continue to improve as a player.

Player Profile: 2012 D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera

Name: D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera
Graduation Year: 2012, Rising Junior
Height & Weight: 6'3 210
High School/AAU: North Central/Indiana Elite
Position: Point Guard
2009-2010 Season Stats: 19.5 ppg
Schools Considering: North Carolina, Georgetown, USC, Xavier, IU, Tennessee, Purdue, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Louisville
Timetable for Decision: Smith-Rivera has no deadline, but has said he would like to end his recruitment relatively soon.

Scouting Report:
An advanced, physical guard, Smith-Rivera (DSR) uses his strength and ball-handling to get to the rim and finish tough baskets. His ability to drive and attack allows him to get to the foul line and also create 3-point plays. DSR is improving his jump shot, and will need to be a solid shooter as players in his class continue to catch up with him physically. Smith-Rivera is a capable, but not explosive vertical athlete, and he has the quickness to keep up with the ball-handler on defense. As he continues to develop his shooting touch, Smith-Rivera should also be able to play the shooting guard position in college.

Player Profile: 2012 Ron Patterson

Name: Ron Patterson
Graduation Year: 2012, Rising Junior
Height & Weight: 6'3 185
High School/AAU: Broad Ripple/Indiana Elite One 2012
Position: Shooting Guard
2009-2010 Season Stats: 17 ppg
Schools Considering: Indiana, Purdue, Cincinnati, Xavier, Tennessee, Ohio State, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan
Timetable for Decision: Ron has stated he has no timetable for his decision and is taking his time with the recruiting process.

Scouting Report:
When you talk about Ron Patterson's game the first thing that comes to mind is athleticism. He possesses incredible leaping ability and a 6'10 wingspan that allow him to block shots, rebound very well, and dunk the ball with authority. Patterson's position in college will be shooting guard, and as he continues to work on his ball-handling his ability to slash and take opponents off the dribble will only improve. Defensively, Patterson can be a lockdown defender because of his strength and quickness. As a shooter, Ron has room to improve but the defender must respect his outside shot. Although he is a little undersized for your ideal 2 guard, Patterson makes up for it with his athleticism, and with a little work on his shooting his game will continue to impress.

Video:

Player Profile: 2011 Marquis Teague

Name: Marquis Teague
Graduation Year: 2011, Rising Senior
Height & Weight: 6'1 170
High School/AAU: Pike/Spiece Indy Heat
Position: Point Guard
Schools Considering: Cincinnati, Kentucky, Louisville
Timetable for Decision: Teague said he could announce at the end of this month, but after pushing back his decision multiple times no one truly knows.

Scouting Report:
The total package as a point guard, Marquis Teague wows you with his speed, athleticism, and quickness. Teague has outstanding ball-handling, and cannot be kept out of the lane when he's in the zone. Teague has the strength and skill to finish at the rim, and will not shy away from contact. He also has the vision to deliver passes to any point on the court. On defense Teague has the speed and skill to keep up with anyone, and could be a one man full court press. Teague is still improving and developing consistency on his jump-shot, but anyone who leaves him open from 3 will regret it. As Teague continues to showcase his game he will likely become a household name in NCAA Basketball.

Player Profile: 2011 Cody Zeller

Name: Cody Zeller
Graduation Year: 2011, Rising Senior
Height & Weight: 6'10 200
High School/AAU: Washington/Indiana Elite Team Indiana 17U
Position: Power Forward/Center
2009-2010 Season Stats: 20 ppg 10 rpg
Schools Considering: Butler, IU, Michigan, UNC, Ohio St., Purdue
Timetable for Decision: Undetermined, Spring of 2011 at the latest.

Scouting Report:
A skilled big man, Zeller can score in a variety of ways. He'll take slower opponents off the bounce and to the rim and even extend his jump shot to the 3-point line. His back to the basket game is still developing, but his good footwork and nice touch will certainly help him in that regard. Zeller has a keen ability to get to the foul line and shoots free throws at a high percentage. Defensively, his athleticism and timing make him a great shot blocker and rebounder, as he also possesses strong hands. On offense, these qualities also allow him ample attempts at second chance points and extending possessions. Zeller could stand to add some strength to his frame, giving him the ability to finish better after contact and guard larger opponents. Ideally, Zeller is a skilled power forward, but possesses the tools to play some center as well.

Kellen Dunham Highlights IndyBall.com Shootout

Here is a quick highlight video of Kellen Dunham from today's game. Sorry for any bad quality/editing/transitions.

IndyBall.com Shootout Ron Patterson Dunk

This video is pretty simple but is a nice throw down by Ron Patterson in transition. I'm also going to put together a highlight tape of Kellen Dunham from today.

IndyBall.com Shootout 16 & 15U Saturday Recap

Here's a rundown of the performances by some of the freshmen and sophomores in this event. All these players were from Indiana Elite as well. I'm hoping to get a good look at the Eric Gordon teams tomorrow .

Indiana Elite 16U:

2012 Guard Ron Patterson- Patterson had a typical impressive performance today, showing off his strength and athleticism in both games. The sophomore guard used the bounce to get to the rim, as he scored after contact and got to the foul line. Patterson rebounded the ball very well from the guard position, recording double digit boards in his first game. The 6'3 guard also used his athleticism to finish a put back dunk off a teammates' miss. Patterson had a pretty good day from behind the arc, shooting 3-7 today. Patterson's length and athleticism allow him to block shots, recording several rejections today. Overall Patterson played well, and as he continues to work on his ball-handling and shooting he will improve as a player.

2012 Guard Kellen Dunham- Dunham, a 6'4 guard, didn't receive the early recruiting interest some of his counterparts did, but is proving he is equally talented thus far. Dunham showcased the total offensive package, taking opponents off the dribble and knocking down mid-range and 3-point jumpers. Dunham finished well at the rim, converting several layups and shots after contact. He also showed a nice feel for the glass, using it on mid-range jumpers and drives to the basket. He displayed the ability to play adequate defense, not giving his man any easy paths to the basket. Dunham could be the Indiana player to boost his stock this AAU season.

2013 Forward Collin Hartman- I was only able to watch Hartman play once, but he impressed in this game. A legitimate 6'6 as a freshman, Hartman has an advanced skill set for his age. In one sequence Hartman blocked a shot, grabbed the loose ball, pushed it down court, and then buried a mid-range jumper at the elbow. Hartman struggled from behind the arc, but showed an impressive mid-range game, knocking down several jumpers. Defensively, Hartman was impressive blocking 6 shots and forcing a few steals. Hartman was also impressive on the boards, pulling down several offensive rebounds to create extra possessions for his team. All in all Hartman did not look the part of a 15 year old on the court, and will be a player to watch not only this summer, but for the next 3 years.

IndyBall.com Shootout 17U Saturday Recap

In what was a loaded day of AAU action, I got the chance to see 17U, 16U, and 15U action today. The majority of my day was spent watching the Indiana Elite teams. I also saw a few Spiece teams play today. Tomorrow I will get the chance to see the Eric Gordon All-Stars play. Several players were attending the Adidas Nation event and will be reuniting with their teams in the future.

Indiana Elite 17U

2011 Guard Matt Carlino- Carlino had an up and down day today, showing off great range on his jump shot but also committing small mental mistakes and turnovers. Carlino hit four 3-pointers in the first half of a game, and also showed the ability to slash and finish at the rim with the ball in his hands. Unfortunately Carlino also showed the tendency to get a bit too flashy, trying to throw passes behind his back and between his legs, leading to turnovers. Matt displayed nice athleticism, throwing down a one handed dunk in the lane, and hitting another off the back of the rim. The key for Carlino is to play within the game and not force any flashy passes or plays.

2011 Forward/Center Cody Zeller- Zeller had a game that mirrored his high school season. He made fluid and smart moves in the post, showing nice touch but struggled at times to finish through fouls. His active hands allowed him to get several tip ins and pull down challenged rebounds on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Zeller is one of the best free-throw shooting big men I can recall in recent history, shooting 6-7 from the charity stripe in his first game. If Zeller is struggling with his jump shot, the key for him is to get the ball in the post and score. All in all he had a good showing today, and I will be intrigued to see how he does this summer.

2011 Guard Jeremiah Davis- Davis did not have the best showing today, as he struggled to find his jumper. Davis does a nice job of breaking down his man off the dribble, but at times can hold onto the ball too long. He does a good job at getting into the lane, and if he concentrates on attacking the basket and finding his teammates instead of falling in love with the jump shot, he should be fine.

2011 Forward Austin Etherington- Etherington showed a little bit of everything today, playing well on both sides of the ball. In the first half of the morning game he struggled with his jumper but passed the ball well and took his man off the dribble for an impressive 2-hand dunk. In the second half he found his range, knocking down two 3-pointers. In his second game of the day he hit several mid-range jumpers and 3-pointers.

2011 Forward Vinny Zollo- This former Kentucky commitment impressed me in his first game. He was the most active player on the floor, pulling down 9 rebounds and using offensive rebounds to score second chance points. Zollo ran the floor very well and was the recipient of some good passes into the paint. He also buried a mid-range jumper and a 3-pointe. The one weakness to his game was that he struggled to finish some plays after contact, but still maintained aggressiveness. Zollo is a player I will be continually watching as the summer rolls on.

2011 Center Cheir Ajou- Ajou is a project in the true sense of the word, but is making strides as a player. A legitimate 7 footer, Ajou blocked multiple shots each game, and pulled down most rebounds in his vicinity. He hit a nice 15-16 foot jumper and a hook shot in his first game. When he got to the line Ajou knocked down both free throws, showing a nice stroke for a big man. Ajou needs to time his jumps a little better when rebounding and blocking, but certainly has the potential to be a difference maker on both ends of the floor.

Q&A Interview with 2012 Standout Ron Patterson

On Saturday I caught up with Broad Ripple sophomore Ron Patterson. The 6'3 guard is playing AAU basketball with Indiana Elite this summer, winning their first two games this Saturday. Patterson had 10 points and 10 rebounds in his first game, and 17 points and 4 rebounds in the second game. He showed off a versatile game shooting the 3, pulling down rebounds, blocking shots, and breaking opponents down off the dribble. Patterson had perhaps the highlight of the day with a 2-handed put-back dunk in his second game. I did a brief interview with Patterson, and here is what he had to say.

Indy Hoops: Describe yourself as a player and tell me a little bit about your game?

Patterson: "I can shoot it at times, get to the lane, pull down rebounds, and be a good defender."

Indy Hoops: What would you say you need to work on this summer to improve your game?

RP: "Ball-handling."

Indy Hoops: Do you want to play a certain position in college?

RP: "It really doesn't matter to me, I just want to play."

Indy Hoops: What schools are you looking at?

RP: "Indiana, Purdue, Cincinnati, Xavier, Tennessee, Ohio State, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan"

Indy Hoops: Are all of the schools on an even level or are any sticking out?

RP: "Not really they're all even."

Indy Hoops: Do you have a timeline to make a college decision?

RP: "I'm just playing it as it goes."

Indy Hoops: Have you visited a lot of schools?

RP: "Not anywhere recently, but I may do that this summer or in the fall."

Quick scouting report on Patterson:

When you talk about Ron Patterson's game the first thing that comes to mind is athleticism. He has incredible leaping ability that allows him to block shots, rebound very well, and dunk the ball with authority. Patterson's position in college will be shooting guard, and as he continues to work on his ball-handling his ability to slash and take opponents off the dribble will only improve. Defensively, Patterson can be a lockdown defender because of his strength and quickness. As a shooter, Ron has room to improve but the defender must respect his outside shot. Although he is a little undersized for your ideal 2 guard, Patterson makes up for it with his athleticism, and with a little work on his shooting his game will continue to impress.

IndyBall.com Shootout Preview

With AAU season finally upon us, it's time to start looking at the travel circuit. The first stop for me is North Central High School, home of the 2010 IndyBall.com Shootout this weekend. In what should be a loaded event, I'm excited to see who makes their preliminary mark on this AAU season. There will be teams from all over the state playing in this event, and a few from surrounding states as well. Here is a quick rundown of the talent I expect to see this weekend:

-2011 F/C Cody Zeller

-2011 C Marshall Plumlee

-2011 G Jeremiah Davis

-2011 G Matt Carlino

-2011 F Austin Etherington

-2011 C Michael Chandler

-2011 F Ryan Taylor

-2012 G Ron Patterson

-2012 G Jeremy Hollowell

-2012 G D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera

-2012 F Hanner Perea

-2012 C Peter Jurkin

-2013 Collin Hartman

This is definitely shaping up to be a loaded event. I could be wrong with a few of the out-of-state guys, as they may not make it, but they are listed on rosters of teams attending the event. There also may be a few guys there who I am not expecting, but be sure to look for full coverage of the event this weekend. I'll look out for any surprises, as this could be the start of "coming out parties" for any number of prospects.