Player Profile: 2012 Dejuan Marrero

Name: Dejuan "Rico" Marrero
Graduation Year: 2012, Rising Junior
Height & Weight: 6'5 200
High School/AAU: Thea Bowman Academy/Spiece Indy Heat
Position: Small Forward/Power Forward
2009-2010 Season Stats: 14 ppg, 12 rpg
Schools Considering: Offers from Indiana, Purdue, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Illinois,
Timetable for Decision: No timetable has been set for Marrero's decision.

Scouting Report:
Marrero is a combo forward who plays with an extremely high motor. 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. Marrero needs to continue to improve his ball-handling and shooting to help him transition to the college game. Defensively, he is strong and will block some shots using length and great athleticism. He helped lead his high school team to a state championship while averaging 14 points and 12 rebounds per contest this past season.

Player Profile: 2011 Mitch McGary

Name: Mitch Mcgary
Graduation Year: 2011, Rising Senior
Height & Weight: 6'10 240
High School/AAU: Chesterton/SYF Players
Position: Power Forward & Center
2009-2010 Season Stats: He sat out much of the season with a foot injury and Mono, only playing in 10 games.
Schools Considering: Purdue (only offer), Indiana, Dayton, Cincinnati, and Xavier
Timetable for Decision: McGary is working to get his grades in order, and until he does so it is unlikely that he will receive anymore offers or commit to a school.

Scouting Report:
McGary is a big man with a big frame and good athleticism. Right now he's about 240 pounds, but still has room to add muscle and bulk. The one thing that sticks out about McGary is his ability to run the floor. He's one of the quickest big men up the floor, leading to easy baskets in transition. McGary has good touch in the post and can score in the paint. He's also got shooting touch out to the 3-point line, but at times can fall in love with the 3-point shot. McGary's best work is done when he spends the majority of his time scoring in the paint, and then slips out to the perimeter to hit an unexpected jump shot. McGary's biggest room for improvement is expanding his offensive repertoire with his back to the basket.

Video (Shot May 15, 2010):

Q&A with Gary Harris at Adidas May Classic

I spoke with Gary Harris this past weekend at the Adidas May Classic. The 6'3 or 6'4 195 pound shooting guard (his words) updated me on the schools that are recruiting him, his chances of playing football in college, and much more. The interview is below.

Indy Hoops: How he would you describe your game?

Gary Harris: "I have a toughness to my game, I like to get to the basket, but when people back off I like to shoot my jump shot."

Hoops: How did your high school season go?

GH: "It was a good season. We only lost 4 games, and we thought we could have gone further, but I have no complaints."

Hoops: What are your goals for your high school team next year?

GH: "Just to keep improving and not take a step back from this year. We don't want to flame out as early."

Hoops: Who all has offered you scholarships so far?

GH: "I have ten offers so far. Illinois, Notre Dame, Xavier, IUPUI, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Indiana, Ohio State, Butler, and Vanderbilt."

Hoops: Are there any other schools that are recruiting you?

GH: "Washington and Michigan State have been calling a little bit."

Hoops: Do you think you will want to stay local with your college choice or does distance matter?

GH: "I'm not sure right now I'm just still trying to take it all in. I'm going to wait a while and then during my junior year I'll sit down with my parents and really think about where I want to go."

Hoops: Your Dad said that your Mom played at Purdue. Are you hearing from Purdue at all?

GH: "No I haven't talked to them in a while."

Hoops: I understand you also play football. Do you think you might want to play football in college?

GH: "I'm not sure, it just depends on how it all plays out when I decide my college."

Hoops: What are a few things you're really looking for when deciding a college?

GH: "The relationship I have with the coaching staff and how I fit into the program as a player."

Here's my scouting report on Gary Harris:
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.

McGary Working On Game and Grades

This weekend I got the chance to see Mitch McGary play at the Adidas May Classic. I caught two of his games and he looked sharp in both of them. He had a double double in the second game I saw, a game in which he hit four 3-pointers. After his first game he talked about a number of things including his academics, recovering from an injury, college recruiting, and what he's working to improve on the court. Below is what he had to say.

When asked to give a brief update on recovering from an injury and how his grades are looking:

"Now that I have my grades and my health under control I can really focus on improving my game on the court. I broke my foot early on in the high school season and then I had Mono so I only played 10 games this year."

Talking about preparing for the college game in the weight room:

"I've been putting on a lot of weight, I weigh about 240 (pounds) right now. Hopefully I can get up to about 250 or 255, not too heavy but real jacked up. I just want to be all muscle without any fat."

The schools that are currently recruiting him:

"Dayton, Cincinnati, Indiana, Purdue, and Xavier right now. My only offer is from Purdue."

When asked if anyone is standing out at this point:

"Just Cincinnati, I like Coach Davis a lot, he's been calling me a lot. Coach Crean from Indiana has been calling me a lot. At Purdue Coach Paul Lusk has been talking to me a lot."

On a potential offer from Indiana and what it would mean:

"I think they're waiting to see my grades, they were a little worried about that. I've heard Coach Crean has said he really wants wants me to play here. I would love to play here, there is so much history, but I just gotta get my grades under control."

What part of his game he'd like to work on and what coaches are telling him to work on:

"My strength and probably my ball-handling. I can shoot but I don't really have to because we have a lot of shooters on our team. A couple coaches have said they want me to work on my inside game, and also my handles so when I get to college I might be able to play the perimeter."

Where he fits in the college game:

"I think I'm a power forward who can play inside and out. I just really want to work on my handles."

When asked if he knows exactly where he stands academically:

"I'm not sure right now. I just need to keep working at them and hopefully get them to the mark they need to be at."

If any coaches have suggested him reclassifying or attending prep school:

"Yeah, a couple coaches have talked to me about that, but I'm still not sure what I want to do."

On the early offer from Purdue, and gauging their current interest:

"Yeah they called me last week, they're still interested and have a scholarship for me."

If he had any plans to visit Cincinnati:

"I think I'll go to Cincinnati this summer, and then take another one to IU and Dayton pretty soon."

Top Performers: Adidas May Classic

During a loaded weekend of hoops a few players stuck out as being top players at the tournament. Although I only attended on Saturday, I wanted to highlight my top performers from the weekend. Below are my top 5 performers from the weekend.

1. Gary Harris (2012) D3 Heat- Harris had a huge weekend, pouring in games of 36, 23, and 22 this weekend. In my eyes he has cemented himself as one of the two or three best players in the state of Indiana. I believe you can make a real case for him being number one, as there's just so much he can do. He'll hit a contested 3-pointer, break down the d and score at the rim, or blow right by you for a thunderous dunk. If that's not enough he'll hit the pull up mid-range jump shot, and pester opponents all game long on defense. Harris really played phenomenal this weekend and not only did he impress me, but he was also watched by several national scouting services. Already an outstanding guard, If Harris keeps improving at this rate, he could be a truly scary talent by the time he's done with high school.

2. Mitch McGary (2011) SYF Players- I knew McGary was good before this weekend, but I had no idea he was this good. In one game I watched McGary hit four (yes four) 3-pointers and several mid-range jump shots, an impressive feat for a 6'9 big man. McGary didn't just shoot all day though, as he got the ball in the post and was able to score with his back to the basket. Mitch also ran the floor well which led to some easy baskets in transition. He had games of 23 and 18, and pulled 12 rebounds in one Saturday game. McGary also showed the ability to handle the ball, often taking the ball up the court to the displeasure of his coach. There's not a lot McGary cannot do, he just needs to refine his back to the basket game a little bit.

3. D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera (2012) Indiana Elite Team Indiana- Smith-Rivera did double duty this weekend, playing with the Indiana Elite 17U and 16U teams. On Sunday he only played with his 16U team and scored 22 points to help lead them to the tournament title. Smith-Rivera had it going all weekend long hitting 3-pointers, scoring at the rim, and getting to the free throw line. He also did a great job passing the ball to Peter Jurkin, Obij Aget, and Hanner Perea who all finished numerous DSR passes with authority in the paint. Chalk up another productive weekend for the 2012 standout.

4. Devin Davis (2013) Eric Gordon All-Stars- Watching Davis, he showed why he's already scored offers from Purdue and Indiana as just a freshman. Davis is a great athlete who excels at absorbing contact and finishing plays after hard fouls. He can score off the bounce, or gain position in the post to score a basket. This weekend Davis had games of 17 and 15, but also made an impact blocking shots (6 in one game) and hustling for rebounds. He's got a relentless motor, and game similar to 2012 Dejuan Marrero, but his ball-handling is more advanced. Since he is only 6'5, Davis needs to improve his range out to the 3-point stripe, something he has plenty of time to do.

5. Jeremy Hollowell (2012) Eric Gordon All-Stars- The 6'7 Hollowell showed off his versatile game this weekend, making it look easy from all over the court. He had a game of 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, and another game with 18 points. Hollowell scored from 3, scored on opponents off the dribble, and ran the floor well as he was the recipient of some nice alley oops passes in transition. He'll also mix it up down low on offense and defense, scoring second chance points and blocking shots in the paint.

Adidas May Classic 17U Saturday Recap

Today I attended the Adidas May Classic in Bloomington where I saw games played at Assembly Hall, Cook Hall, and Twin Sportsplex. Over the course of a 10-hour period I watched team after team sand saw at least 2 dozen division one prospects. I saw games in the 17, 16, and 15U divisions. Below is my Saturday 17U recap.

17U:

Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell Indiana Elite Team Indiana 5'10 PG- Ferrell looked great today, running the team and knocking down jump shots. Ferrell is on a loaded AAU team, so his scoring role isn't as big as it is during the high school season. Ferrell ran the break, played good full-court defense, and found open teammates, things all great point guards should do. You can really tell his jump shot is improving as he progresses throughout his career.

Cody Zeller Indiana Elite Team Indiana 6'11 PF/C- Zeller had a typical productive day at the office this afternoon. He ran the floor well, receiving good passes from Ferrell and Jeremiah Davis, which led to easy baskets. He showed good touch around the rim, scoring out of the post and while facing the basket. Cody also rebounded the ball very well, pulling down boards with toughness.

Jeremiah Davis Indiana Elite Team Indiana 6'3 PG/SG- Davis was pretty quiet scoring-wise when I saw him, but along with Kevin Ferrell he ran his team quite well. You can tell Davis is starting to improve as a passer, making smarter plays with the ball and not forcing any action. Davis did have a nice breakaway dunk, showing off above-average athleticism to make the play. As usual, he played good defense and didn't give his man any easy opportunities.

Mitch McGary SYF Players 6'9 PF/C- With Branden Dawson playing elsewhere this weekend, McGary had an increased role for his SYF team. In his first game of the day McGary did a good job scoring around the basket and roaming the paint. McGary perhaps had the "ooh" moment of the day when he grabbed a defensive rebound, took the ball down the floor past several defenders, and threw down a one handed slam from the volleyball line. In his second game McGary showed off excellent shooting touch, knocking down four 3-pointers and several mid-range jumpers. He scored 23 points in that game, while pulling down 11 rebounds.

Travis Trice SYF Players 5'11 PG- Trice impressed me last weekend at Franklin, and cemented himself to me as a quick lead guard with the shooting touch and athleticism to score all over the court. He will need to add strength to his frame, but Trice is proving to be a realiable scorer, defender, and passer game in and game out. In the two games I saw today he hit seven 3-pointers and did a great job drawing fouls in the lane. Trice has the quickness and ball-handling to break down defenses, finding the open man for a shot or scoring at the rim. He had games of 17 and 15 today.

Slight Editors Note- D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera played both 17U and 16U for Indiana Elite. I will put him in my 16U recap.

Q&A with Jeremy Hollowell

I caught up with Jeremy Hollowell after his game Saturday afternoon, and he talked about his game, the schools recruiting him, and his eventual college decision.

Indy Hoops: How would you describe your game?

Jeremy Hollowell: "I can mix it up, go inside or out. I like to attack the basket and when the defense backs off I can knock down the open three, and I can post up if I need to."

Hoops: What's one thing you would say you'd like to improve on this summer?

JH: "My ball-handling."

Hoops: What are the schools that have offered you scholarships and you're considering?

JH: "IU, Ohio State, Tennessee, Xavier, Illinois, Iowa, Cincinnati, and Indiana State."

Hoops: What schools have you visited?

JH: "Ohio State, IU, Butler, Illinois, Cincinnati, and Xavier."

Hoops: What schools are recruiting you the hardest? Does anyone stick out as really recruiting you hard?

JH: "Ohio State, IU, and Xavier."

Hoops: What are some things you really like about Ohio State?

JH: "Well I'm from Ohio so I like it there, and I've liked Ohio State since I was little. I've been there on campus 3 times. I like the campus, the players, and I talk to Evan Turner a lot."

Hoops: What do you like about IU?

JH: "Even though I'm from Ohio I have lived in Indiana my entire life and I like it here too. Me and Coach Crean have been talking a lot lately. I haven't been down to see the new facilities, but I think I'm going down there next week."

Hollowell indicated he's in no big hurry to decide where he will go to college. "I'll probably decide on a college next AAU season, the summer going into my senior year", Hollowell said. Hollowell indicated he'd know when it was time to make his decision, "I'll know it when the time is right" he said. Jeremy is currently playing for the Eric Gordon All-Stars 16U team.

Here is a quick scouting report on Jeremy Hollowell:
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.

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: 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.