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.
Showing posts with label Michigan Recruits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michigan Recruits. Show all posts
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Adidas May Classic 16U Saturday Recap
Today I attended the Adidas May Classic in Bloomington where I saw games played at Assembly Hall, Cook Hall, and Twin Lakes Recreation Center. 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 16U recap.
Gary Harris D3 Heat 6'3 SG- Today, my first time seeing Harris live was a real treat. I have seen televised games of him before, but watching him in person is something else. Harris had 23 points in the game I saw, showcasing his ability to score at and above the rim, knock down the 3-pointer, and knock down the mid-range jumper. To close the first half Harris had 8 straight points, knocking down two 3-pointers and taking the ball to the rack for a bucket. Physically, Harris is slender but not too skinny, able to absorb contact and finish after contact. His arms are long, and as he continues to get older he'll likely add more strength and bulk to his frame. On defense his length and quickness make him a pest on the wing, not giving up any easy shots or drives. You can tell Harris is improving his game at a rapid rate, making a real case as the top player in the state for 2012. ( I'll have an interview feature to come with Gary Harris later this week. )
D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera Indiana Elite Team Indiana 6'3 PG- Productivity is the word that comes to mind when you mention DSR. He's not the most athletic or flashy player in Indiana, but right now he's the most productive. He showcased his skill today running with Indiana Elite Team Indiana 17U and 16U. DSR hit 3-pointers, scored at the rim after contact, knocked down free throws, and passed well. He threw some great passes to athletic big men Hanner Perea and Peter Jurkin. Smith-Rivera is going to get knocked for his lack of "upside", but he's going to have a very productive junior year at North Central.
Jeremy Hollowell Eric Gordon All-Stars 6'7 SF- Hollowell's team won in an absolute blowout early in the evening, beating the team by nearly 60 points. I didn't see Hollowell play against the greatest competition, but he still showed why he's a top-notch talent. He knocked down a 3-pointer, fought for some second chance points, and had some athletic dunks in transition. He also blocked some shots and pulled down some boards on defense, truly showcasing the total package. There's not much Hollowell can't do on either side of the ball, so it will be interesting to see him challenged by equal talent when the opportunity presents itself.
Hanner Perea Indiana Elite Team Indiana 6'8 PF- Although he's not an Indiana guy, Perea is definitely worth a mention. He plays high school ball in North Carolina, but AAU for the Bloomington based Indiana Elite team. Perea may just be the most athletic big man I have seen so far this summer. In one sequence he blocked a shot, ran down the floor, and literally jumped over an opponent as he threw down an alley oop dunk. He showcased a nice array of dunks and blocks all throughout the day, proving himself as an elite athlete. He is pretty raw on the offensive game, but is expanding his jumper out to the mid-range. If he can develop a consistent mid-range jumper and back to the basket move, he could be an elite college talent.
Nick Osborne Eric Gordon All-Stars 6'8 PF- Osborne had another good showing, dominating competition in a blowout. He's got great athleticism and is developing a knack for grabbing offensive rebounds to score second chance points. Similar to Hollowell, Osborne has impressed me this summer but I've yet to see him truly be challenged. He's got to develop a better back to the basket game, but Nick has the physical tools and effort to excel.
Ronnie Johnson Eric Gordon All-Stars 5'9 PG- Truth be told, I am a Ronnie Johnson fan. He's a quick and smart guard who knows when to pass and knows when to get his points. Admittedly, his jump shot isn't great, but has been improving this spring. He throws the lob pass very well, and benefits from playing with athletic players such as Jeremy Hollowell. Since he is a bit undersized, it is key for Johnson to develop that consistent outside game to keep defenders honest. He's got a knack for hitting floaters and buckets on the run.
TJ Bell Indiana Meanstreets 6'7 PF- Bell has been coming on pretty strong this spring playing with Indiana Meanstreeets. He's a great athlete and dunker who's the recipient of some good passing by his teammates. Today he showed good touch around the rim, scoring after contact on lay-ups and turn-around post moves. Bell blocked some shots on the defensive end, showing off his athleticism on the other end of the floor. He hit a nice 15 foot turn-around jumper to tie the game with less than 30 seconds remaining. Today Bell had 18 points, and the key for him is to consistently give a big time effort, otherwise he can disappear from a game. If he asserts himself on both ends of the floor he could be a really productive player.
Peter Jurkin Indiana Elite Team Indiana 7'0 C- Another half-Indiana half-not guy, Jurkin is a teammate of Perea in high school and AAU. Jurkin is very athletic, but pretty raw with the basketball in his hands. He'll throw down some nice dunks and oops due to great passing, but he's not going to create many points for himself. That is alright though, as Jurkin has plenty of time to improve as a prospect. He blocks/changes shots on defense and hustles to get back on offense, often creating alley oop opportunities for himself. Although he's pretty raw around the basket Jurkin does have a pretty good stroke from the free throw line, converting at a reliable rate for a young big man. Jurkin does hold some high major offers, so you know he has the talent and upside, he just needs to work hard on his game.
Gary Harris D3 Heat 6'3 SG- Today, my first time seeing Harris live was a real treat. I have seen televised games of him before, but watching him in person is something else. Harris had 23 points in the game I saw, showcasing his ability to score at and above the rim, knock down the 3-pointer, and knock down the mid-range jumper. To close the first half Harris had 8 straight points, knocking down two 3-pointers and taking the ball to the rack for a bucket. Physically, Harris is slender but not too skinny, able to absorb contact and finish after contact. His arms are long, and as he continues to get older he'll likely add more strength and bulk to his frame. On defense his length and quickness make him a pest on the wing, not giving up any easy shots or drives. You can tell Harris is improving his game at a rapid rate, making a real case as the top player in the state for 2012. ( I'll have an interview feature to come with Gary Harris later this week. )
D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera Indiana Elite Team Indiana 6'3 PG- Productivity is the word that comes to mind when you mention DSR. He's not the most athletic or flashy player in Indiana, but right now he's the most productive. He showcased his skill today running with Indiana Elite Team Indiana 17U and 16U. DSR hit 3-pointers, scored at the rim after contact, knocked down free throws, and passed well. He threw some great passes to athletic big men Hanner Perea and Peter Jurkin. Smith-Rivera is going to get knocked for his lack of "upside", but he's going to have a very productive junior year at North Central.
Jeremy Hollowell Eric Gordon All-Stars 6'7 SF- Hollowell's team won in an absolute blowout early in the evening, beating the team by nearly 60 points. I didn't see Hollowell play against the greatest competition, but he still showed why he's a top-notch talent. He knocked down a 3-pointer, fought for some second chance points, and had some athletic dunks in transition. He also blocked some shots and pulled down some boards on defense, truly showcasing the total package. There's not much Hollowell can't do on either side of the ball, so it will be interesting to see him challenged by equal talent when the opportunity presents itself.
Hanner Perea Indiana Elite Team Indiana 6'8 PF- Although he's not an Indiana guy, Perea is definitely worth a mention. He plays high school ball in North Carolina, but AAU for the Bloomington based Indiana Elite team. Perea may just be the most athletic big man I have seen so far this summer. In one sequence he blocked a shot, ran down the floor, and literally jumped over an opponent as he threw down an alley oop dunk. He showcased a nice array of dunks and blocks all throughout the day, proving himself as an elite athlete. He is pretty raw on the offensive game, but is expanding his jumper out to the mid-range. If he can develop a consistent mid-range jumper and back to the basket move, he could be an elite college talent.
Nick Osborne Eric Gordon All-Stars 6'8 PF- Osborne had another good showing, dominating competition in a blowout. He's got great athleticism and is developing a knack for grabbing offensive rebounds to score second chance points. Similar to Hollowell, Osborne has impressed me this summer but I've yet to see him truly be challenged. He's got to develop a better back to the basket game, but Nick has the physical tools and effort to excel.
Ronnie Johnson Eric Gordon All-Stars 5'9 PG- Truth be told, I am a Ronnie Johnson fan. He's a quick and smart guard who knows when to pass and knows when to get his points. Admittedly, his jump shot isn't great, but has been improving this spring. He throws the lob pass very well, and benefits from playing with athletic players such as Jeremy Hollowell. Since he is a bit undersized, it is key for Johnson to develop that consistent outside game to keep defenders honest. He's got a knack for hitting floaters and buckets on the run.
TJ Bell Indiana Meanstreets 6'7 PF- Bell has been coming on pretty strong this spring playing with Indiana Meanstreeets. He's a great athlete and dunker who's the recipient of some good passing by his teammates. Today he showed good touch around the rim, scoring after contact on lay-ups and turn-around post moves. Bell blocked some shots on the defensive end, showing off his athleticism on the other end of the floor. He hit a nice 15 foot turn-around jumper to tie the game with less than 30 seconds remaining. Today Bell had 18 points, and the key for him is to consistently give a big time effort, otherwise he can disappear from a game. If he asserts himself on both ends of the floor he could be a really productive player.
Peter Jurkin Indiana Elite Team Indiana 7'0 C- Another half-Indiana half-not guy, Jurkin is a teammate of Perea in high school and AAU. Jurkin is very athletic, but pretty raw with the basketball in his hands. He'll throw down some nice dunks and oops due to great passing, but he's not going to create many points for himself. That is alright though, as Jurkin has plenty of time to improve as a prospect. He blocks/changes shots on defense and hustles to get back on offense, often creating alley oop opportunities for himself. Although he's pretty raw around the basket Jurkin does have a pretty good stroke from the free throw line, converting at a reliable rate for a young big man. Jurkin does hold some high major offers, so you know he has the talent and upside, he just needs to work hard on his game.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
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.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
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.
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.
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