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 Ryan Taylor

Name: Ryan Taylor
Graduation Year: 2011, Rising Senior
Height & Weight: 6'5 185
High School/AAU: Lawrence North/Eric Gordon Fast Break
Position: Small Forward & Power Forward
Schools Considering: Louisville Verbal

Scouting Report:
Taylor is a combo forward with a great motor. He'll fight for any rebound on the court, and can score points from offensive rebounds. Taylor has great athleticism, and can throw down highlight reel dunks. He absorbs contact well near the rim to finish plays. Taylor's improving his ball-handling, but his shooting still needs some work. Taylor will struggle to make an impact on the offensive side of the ball until he improves his shooting and ability to get to the rim.

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):

Player Profile: 2012 Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell

Name: Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell
Graduation Year: 2012, Rising Junior
Height & Weight: 5'10 160
High School/AAU: Park Tudor/Indiana Elite Team Indiana 17U
Position: Point Guard
2009-2010 Season Stats: 23 ppg, 4.6 apg, 78% free throw shooter
Schools Considering: Offers from Butler, Illinois, Indiana, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Virginia, and Washington
Timetable for Decision: Ferrell has stated the the earliest he'd likely make a decision is next summer.

Scouting Report:
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.

Player Profile: 2013 Collin Hartman

Name: Collin Hartman
Graduation Year: 2013, Rising Sophomore
Height & Weight: 6'6 200
High School/AAU: Cathedral/ Indiana Elite 15U
Position: Small Forward who could play some Power Forward.
2009-2010 Season Stats: 15 Points & 9 Rebounds
Schools Considering: Offers from Purdue, Indiana, and Notre Dame
Timetable for Decision: No timetable has been set for Hartman's decision. He's just finishing his freshman year, and I would expect him to compile more offers and be recruited by other schools.

Scouting Report:
A legitimate 6'6 as a freshman, Hartman has a mature skill set for his age. Hartman has the ball-handling and shooting touch to play the point forward role, sometimes bringing the ball up the court for his team. His 3-point shot is inconsistent, but his mid-range game is very good. Hartman defends the post in most AAU games, and can block shots and rebound on the defensive end. His above average athleticism helps him in those areas. Although his natural position is on the wing, Hartman shows a nice bit of versatility, leaving open the possibility of playing a combo forward role.

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.

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.