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 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: 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: 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:

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.

Smith-Rivera, Johnson lead North Central (Panthers) to win over Ben Davis (Giants)

Highly touted 2012 guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera scored 23 points in an 84-54 North Central win over Ben Davis. Smith-Rivera scored 13 points in the first quarter (4-4 from 3 pt. range in the quarter) and 18 in the first half to help lead North Central to the big win. Purdue signee Terone Johnson chipped in 21 points in the victory. North Central trailed after the first quarter 21-22, but used a stout defensive approach to hold Ben Davis to just 6 point in the 2nd quarter, as North Central led 40-28 at half.

In the 2nd half, North Central continued its gameplan, leading 60-46 at the 3rd quarter break. The strong defense continued throughout the half, frustrating Ben Davis and making every Giants' basket a tough one. Ben Davis was led by Sophomore Harry Wills who scored 20 points in the loss. Senior guard Bradley Elam also chipped in 10 points for the Giants.

Scouting:

-(2010) Terone Johnson- Johnson looked good, but not outstanding in this win. Many of his points came on easy layups and he struggled shooting the 3 point ball, going 1-4 in the game. He also struggled from the foul line only shooting 50% (4-8), an area where he is usually strong. Johnson looked strong with the ball, and was aggressive attacking the basket, shown by his 8 free throw attempts. He had several attempts at "3 point plays", absorbing contact and finishing after hard fouls. Johnson looked good rebounding the ball, grabbing 6 boards and showing toughness going for loose balls. Overall, Johnson did not play his best game, but still impressed me and showed he can score even when the jumpers are not falling.

-(2012) D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera- Smith-Rivera looked outstanding in this performance, showing confidence and improvement in his jump shot. Smith-Rivera was 4-5 from the 3 point line, showing nice touch from behind the arc. Smith-Rivera excelled at handling the ball and attacking the rim, doing a great job getting to the foul line, shooting 5-7 from the charity stripe. Smith-Rivera used his strength and toughness to absorb contact and finish plays after the foul. Now listed at 6'4, it is possible Smith-Rivera has grown a slight amount since last season. He also looked great on the defensive end, snagging 4 steals and applying constant pressure to the Ben Davis guards. If he can shoot the ball consistently like he did tonight, Smith-Rivera looks the part of a top 30 recruit.

-(2012) Harry Wills- This Ben Davis guard looked great in the loss to North Central. Even though he was knocked out of the game late in the 3rd quarter with cramps, he looked great, scoring 22 points. He shot the ball well from 3 point range, knocking down 3 from behind the arc. Wills also showed good athleticism and touch, finishing well around the rim. A solid defender, Wills will be a prospect to watch over the next two years. Wills looks to be a good combo guard, with room for improvement in his ball-handling and passing.

Patterson Scores 24 in Broad Ripple's 2nd half comeback

After scoring just 4 points in the 1st half, Ron Patterson erupted for a 20 point outburst in the 2nd half, leading Broad Ripple to a 62-59 win over Beech Grove. Patterson also tallied 9 rebounds, 5 steals, 2 blocks, and 1 assist in Broad Ripple's win. Beech Grove was led by senior guard Cody Atherton who scored 16 points for the host Hornets.

After getting out to a 9 point lead at half time, Beech Grove saw their lead slowly dwindle throughout the 3rd quarter. Midway through the 4th quarter Broad Ripple took a one point lead after a Ron Patterson basket. Broad Ripple never looked back after they took the lead and fended off Beech Grove to win the game 62-59. Junior forward Lamont Pruitt also scored 10 for Broad Ripple, knocking down key free throws in the last two minutes of the game.

Scouting:

-(2012) Ron Patterson- Patterson showed the two extremes of his game during this contest. A streaky shooter, Patterson missed both 3 point attempts he took in the 1st half, but nailed both 3 point attempts in the 2nd half. Patterson knocked down two 3 pointers off the dribble, showing confidence in his shooting ability. Patterson also missed all 3 of his free throw attempts, an area that needs improvement. Defensively, Patterson looked sluggish in the 1st half letting his man by him many times, attempting to go for the steal instead of sticking to his man. Though he did rack up 5 steals, Patterson let his man by him many times leading to easy baskets and penetration. Playing with renewed energy in the 2nd half, Patterson stuck to his man, applying pressure and forcing turnovers. When playing with energy and effort, Patterson improves his production on the offensive end too. Too often he jogs up the court calling for a pull up jumper instead of hustling back in the open court, where he can do the most damage. When Patterson gets the ball in the open floor his speed and strength allow him to get many easy baskets, while also absorbing fouls to score tough buckets. An electric finisher, Patterson can finish above the rim, and that great athletic ability also makes him a formidable shot blocker at the guard position. His athleticism also helps him to get many rebounds, an area that he exceled in tonight, grabbing 9 boards. All in all Patterson is a player with tremendous upside and potential as a college player. The keys to Patterson succeeding are giving effort on every possession and improving his shooting consistency.

-(2011) Steven Jamison- After coming away impressed by Jamison in a performance earlier in the year, I wasn't able to come to a good conclusion tonight. Jamison is a versatile wing who has a nice shooting stroke, and good handles, but did not play much tonight. If I watch Jamison play again in the future, I hope to get a much better handle on his game.

Attending Tomorrow Night's Game: Broad Ripple @ Beech Grove

Check back tomorrow night for a report on the Broad Ripple vs. Beech Grove game. I'll be attending the game and scouting Broad Ripple stars (2012) Ron Patterson and (2011) Steven Jamison. Expect a report sometime around 10 PM EST tomorrow night.

Marquis Teague scores 22 in Pike victory

Marquis Teague scored 22 points in a 64-48 victory over Muncie Central Saturday night. Teague had a strong 1st half, helping Pike start out with an 11-0 run. Teague had a hot night shooting the ball going 9-11 from the field, 2-4 from behind the arc, and 2-3 from the foul line. Teague also tallied 1 steal, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Pike Senior guard also chipped in 17 points for the Red Devils. Pike was too much for the visiting Bearcats, leading the entire game and appearing extremely cohesive as a unit.

Jeremiah Davis led the visiting Muncie Central Bearcats with 16 points, shooting 3-5 from the 3 point line and 1-2 from the foul line. Davis pulled down 7 rebounds and also dished out 3 assists. Muncie Central also got 16 points from Sophomore big man Nick Osborne. Muncie Central simply didn't have the fire power or chemistry to match a hot Pike team.

Scouting:

2011 Marquis Teague- Teague had an extremely hot night shooting the ball, and seems to have improved his stroke. A noted streaky shooter, the sky is the limit for Teague if he can consistently knock down the outside jumper. Teague also shot the mid-range jumper very well off the dribble, knocking down several challenged looks. Teague showed off-the-charts athleticism, blowing by a Muncie Central defender and dunking over 2 more for a true "poster" finish. Also, don't blame Teague for only having 2 assists, as he was looking to find teammates, and they missed open looks, or made the extra pass themselves. Teague also looked solid defensively, always staying in front of his man. Teague looked nearly flawless in this outing, and if he can shoot the ball like this consistently he will be an almost unstoppable lead guard.

2011 Jeremiah Davis- Davis had a good night shooting the ball, but I would like to see him be a more agressive shooter and scorer. Davis shied away from contested lay-ups, often forcing bad passes to his teammates, and causing turnovers. He possesses a great handle on the ball, and can get in the lane at will. If he were more assertive going to the rim, he has the frame to absorb contact and get opportunities at the foul line. Defensively he was solid, rarely letting his man past him, and making plays on the ball when possible. Watching Davis, you can tell he has a great shooting stroke and the biggest thing missing from his game is confidence.