2013 Recruits

[HALLGATOR]

Originally Posted by don23lucia

Last weekend, I had a chance to corner Julius Randle (Dallas/Prestonwood Academy), No. 3 overall in the 2013 class, and talk to him about hoops and his recruitment. Shortly afterward, he went and won the Elite 24 slam dunk competition and was an MVP in the game.

Two days later, Randle said he was considering 10 schools (notice I didn’t say “trim” because 10 schools is a lot to have on a list in September). The 6-foot-9 power forward will decide amongst Florida, Baylor, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, NC State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas.

Here is the Q&A I had with him:

Where does the intensity come from?
"I just want to be the best player on the court. It comes from just watching great players like Kobe, LeBron and KD; you see what they do. Me as a competitor watching them it motivates me and I’m a self motivator."

There’s not much intensity out here, so what’s the Elite 24 like?
"This is more fun, it’s not too much of a reality of what basketball is. You aren’t going to face too much adversity out there. It’s more of an honor and you just want to enjoy yourself."

Over the years, who gave you the most trouble?
"Aquille Carr is always hard to play against. Andrew Wiggins, he’s tough. I’d say the player that I least expected to be that hard when we played against him was Tyus Jones. How he plays, he’s kind of like Chris Paul, he makes no mistakes on the court and it seems like he plays a perfect game. I really enjoyed playing against him."

When you look at colleges, what are the pieces that have to be there for you?
"Point guard, shooters and another big man. That’s pretty much it. I want guys who are going to play hard with me." How much has Matt Jones (Duke commit) leaned on you?
"He’s leaned on me a little bit. Matt’s a good person. He doesn’t care where I go. He’s a good person and a good friend. He wants me to come with him but down inside I know he wants what’s best for me."

Do you have a place in mind that you think is going to be hard to beat?
"It’s been like that at times but it’s changed from place to place. Then I say I want to go here and then six months later I want to go here. Sometimes I do, but my mind changes a lot. I just have to sit down and study the system."

What happens when you switch back and forth on a favorite?
"Maybe you see a player that’s gone there and done well or it’s the coach who is the hottest. You may go take a visit and say this is the place for me. Then once you sit down and think about it you have to take the emotional stuff out of it and think about a business decision."

You recently snuck up to Oklahoma State. Are they in there?
"For sure. I played with Marcus Smart on the USA Team and their coaches talk to me a lot. They kept texting Jeff Webster and he brought me up there. They have the best locker room, it’s a two-story locker room and it’s the best one I’ve ever seen."

Is the plan to wait until the spring?
Probably in the spring to see what players are going there, see what coaches leave and it gives me a last time to really study the system and see what kind of offense they run. It gives me time to look. I’ll probably save some of my visits; I want to go to some basketball games."

What’s been the best experience?
"USA Basketball. It was the longest time I was away from home. A lot of those guys are going to be freshman in college. I played for college coaches and it was the first time I went overseas. We bonded with other players and people I don’t usually hang out with. It helped me mature."
What’s the process been like?
"I’ve had fun with all of it. I don’t think I’ve stepped on too many toes. You don’t want everybody to think you don’t like them. You want to make everyone happy. I don’t want to be a jerk about it. I just want to be as civil as I can."



Reading between the lines here but it seems to work in our favor so far

Thanks for posting this. Keep up the good work.

[gatorfan12]

Obviously we are going to find a way to take 5 if Randle or Parker want in. But out of Kuran Iverson, Isaac Hamilton, and Keith Frazier which one is at the top of your list?

Just based off highlight videos, I would go with Hamilton. Would gladly take Kuran Iverson or Keith Frazier though.

[don23lucia]

I like Wayne Seldon above all those guys not named Parker or Randle. We've never had a guard like him here. He attacks the basket so hard and is big enough to do it in college as well, he's just a bull.

[gatorfan12]

Originally Posted by don23lucia

I like Wayne Seldon above all those guys not named Parker or Randle. We've never had a guard like him here. He attacks the basket so hard and is big enough to do it in college as well, he's just a bull.

So do I, but do we have a good shot at him? I know Frazier, Hamilton, and Iverson have us in there top 3 or top 5. I know we are on Seldon's top list, but I thought he has yet to narrow it down too much.

[InstiGATOR1]

Originally Posted by don23lucia

I like Wayne Seldon above all those guys not named Parker or Randle. We've never had a guard like him here. He attacks the basket so hard and is big enough to do it in college as well, he's just a bull.

Originally Posted by gatorfan12

So do I, but do we have a good shot at him? I know Frazier, Hamilton, and Iverson have us in there top 3 or top 5. I know we are on Seldon's top list, but I thought he has yet to narrow it down too much.

Yeah it is hard for me to know who among the SGs to like. This is compounded by not knowing how M. Frazier and Graham are looking and how they will look on the court. Still I would be happy with any of the SG, K. Frazier, Hamilton, Hubbs if UF is really in on him, or Seldon.

I view Randle, Parker and Iverson in another group that UF would take the first two, if they want to come and might take Iverson if neither of the other two want to come. But then I am just guessing as a complete outsider.

[tampajack1]

At the City of Palms, Seldon played the point a good part of the time. IMO, he was the best point guard at that tournament. As I said quite a while ago, Nerlen Noels was the 3rd best player on his high school team, behind Seldon and George Niiang. Of course, Noels has the big upside.

[wci347]

How about this 7th grader. 6'7"

[wci347]

Iverson quite frankly looks like he has the most pure talent of them all.

[MoscowGtr]

Originally Posted by InstiGATOR1

Yeah it is hard for me to know who among the SGs to like. This is compounded by not knowing how M. Frazier and Graham are looking and how they will look on the court. Still I would be happy with any of the SG, K. Frazier, Hamilton, Hubbs if UF is really in on him, or Seldon.

I view Randle, Parker and Iverson in another group that UF would take the first two, if they want to come and might take Iverson if neither of the other two want to come. But then I am just guessing as a complete outsider.

What is interesting (to me, anyway) is that we are the "other team" for two of the three in what is otherwise a more regional recruitment. (This is not to say that the true 'national' programs do not want them; perhaps it is down to Billy's recruiting):

Frazier is a from TX and is considering the three TX schools, Arizona Mephis and us.
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/ba.../keith-frazier

Hamilton is from Los Angeles and is considering three CA schools plus UNLV, Washington and us. http://espn.go.com/college-sports/ba...isaac-hamilton

Iverson does not fit the pattern quite so well, be he is also considering CT (in state school) and Memphis, which is somewhat closer than UF.

It will be interesting to see what happens. All three have one or more alternatives under consideration that are much closer to home and at least two of them seem to have a general preference for schools in the same region.

[don23lucia]

ST. LOUIS -- The Nike Elite 100, formerly known as the Hoop Jamboree, was the setting for a gathering of 100 elite underclassmen from around the nation. Previously, the event has been the launching pad for a number of big-time players, including former No. 1 overall NBA picks Greg Oden and Derrick Rose.

This year, Allerik Freeman (Charlotte, N.C./Olympic) and

Wayne Selden (Boston/Tilton School) emerged as candidates for top performer.


He is a big, strong power guard who is a natural scorer and a smooth playmaker. His size and strength make him an excellent rebounder for his position. Plus, he can create off the dribble and is a monster in transition. He also has excellent range on his shot and can shoot well beyond the 3-point line. Selden was perhaps the most dynamic player at the Nike Elite 100 and a definite top 10 player in the 2014 class.

from ESPN.com

[gatordd]

Selden is '13??

[don23lucia]

Originally Posted by gatordd

Selden is '13??

He re classed to 13.

[gatormann]

Originally Posted by don23lucia

I like Wayne Seldon above all those guys not named Parker or Randle. We've never had a guard like him here. He attacks the basket so hard and is big enough to do it in college as well, he's just a bull.

Just the kind of guy you want if you want to play a three guard lineup.

[InstiGATOR1]

Originally Posted by MoscowGtr

What is interesting (to me, anyway) is that we are the "other team" for two of the three in what is otherwise a more regional recruitment. (This is not to say that the true 'national' programs do not want them; perhaps it is down to Billy's recruiting):

Frazier is a from TX and is considering the three TX schools, Arizona Mephis and us.
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/ba.../keith-frazier

Hamilton is from Los Angeles and is considering three CA schools plus UNLV, Washington and us. http://espn.go.com/college-sports/ba...isaac-hamilton

Iverson does not fit the pattern quite so well, be he is also considering CT (in state school) and Memphis, which is somewhat closer than UF.

It will be interesting to see what happens. All three have one or more alternatives under consideration that are much closer to home and at least two of them seem to have a general preference for schools in the same region.

I see what you are saying though with Frazier though 'Zona certainly considers itself to be a national power in basketball. They certainly had a nice class last year and have a well thought of young coach. Also Gainesville is about 40 miles further from Dallas than Tucson. [States out west are mostly much bigger than the ones in the east.]

Also Memphis is further from Winsor, CT where Iverson plays high school ball than Gainesvile, by a bit less than 100 miles.

The good thing is with M. Frazier and Graham frosh this year, K. Frazier or Hamilton or any SG is needed but hardly a dire need for 2013.

[don23lucia]

I just had a great conversation with Sonny Parker, father of Chicago Simeon small forward Jabari Parker, who said his son is excited about the home visits, which started Tuesday night when Florida coach Billy Donovan stopped by. They continue with DePaul coach Oliver Purnell visiting on Wednesday and Kansas coach Bill Self making the trip on Friday to the top-rated senior, while other programs are working on dates to visit the Parkers.

Once the in-home visits are complete, Sonny said that Jabari could be ready to trim his list of 10 -- Brigham Young, DePaul, Duke, Florida, Georgetown, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State, North Carolina and Stanford -- down to five.

"I am looking for how the coaches explain their style of play to Jabari," said Sonny, who was drafted No. 17 overall in the 1976 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors. "I want to see how the coaches are going to set up a player of Jabari's size (6-foot-8, 220 pounds) and talent so he can handle the ball on the break and in the half court. Jabari needs to be allowed to make plays."

And making plays is exactly what Jabari Parker can do. He has the ability to rebound, lead the break, come off screens, pick and pop to drive or shoot the 3. Not to mention, if his defender is smaller than him, he will attack from the low post, where he has the feel, moves and footwork of an NBA veteran and the basketball IQ to go with it.

It will be fun to see what schools make the cut for the most versatile and toughest matchup in the Class of 2013.

What he is looking to do offensively sounds like a perfect fit for us.

[InstiGATOR1]

Originally Posted by don23lucia

Once the in-home visits are complete, Sonny said that Jabari could be ready to trim his list of 10 -- Brigham Young, DePaul, Duke, Florida, Georgetown, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State, North Carolina and Stanford -- down to five.

Ok I wonder which 5 are likely to make this list? First can we put these teams in some times of groups? I can think of several overlapping categories:

1. Blue Bloods: UK, Duke, KU, UNC

2. Big national state universities: UF, Mich State, UNC

3. Private schools: BYU, DePaul, Georgetown, Stanford [Note I have read that he and his family are Mormon meaning maybe BYU should be in a category by itself.]

4. Broadly local programs for Parker: DePaul, Michigan State [I have read his father does not fly.]

I see UF's only advantage might be Mike Miller, Christian Drejer, Corey Brewer and Chandler Parsons. That is Donovan has the best history of playing 6'8"+ guys at the wing and letting them makes plays and take shots.

[tampajack1]

Originally Posted by InstiGATOR1

Ok I wonder which 5 are likely to make this list? First can we put these teams in some times of groups? I can think of several overlapping categories:

1. Blue Bloods: UK, Duke, KU, UNC

2. Big national state universities: UF, Mich State, UNC

3. Private schools: BYU, DePaul, Georgetown, Stanford [Note I have read that he and his family are Mormon meaning maybe BYU should be in a category by itself.]

4. Broadly local programs for Parker: DePaul, Michigan State [I have read his father does not fly.]

I see UF's only advantage might be Mike Miller, Christian Drejer, Corey Brewer and Chandler Parsons. That is Donovan has the best history of playing 6'8"+ guys at the wing and letting them makes plays and take shots.

Gators have several advantages over many of the listed schools. One advantage is Donovan and his coaching staff. A 2nd advantage is the talent that will be on the team in 2013. Parker can be a one-and-done and still win a national title at UF. Conceivably, he could be the starting 2-guard on a team with a lineup of Kasey Hill, Parker, Dorian Finney-Smith, Chris Walker and Damontre Harris. Wow!!!!!!!

[don23lucia]

Originally Posted by tampajack1

Gators have several advantages over many of the listed schools. One advantage is Donovan and his coaching staff. A 2nd advantage is the talent that will be on the team in 2013. Parker can be a one-and-done and still win a national title at UF. Conceivably, he could be the starting 2-guard on a team with a lineup of Kasey Hill, Parker, Dorian Finney-Smith, Chris Walker and Damontre Harris. Wow!!!!!!!

sounds good to me!

props now throw in Seldon and Randle and we have FAB 5 2.0

[gatordd]

Originally Posted by tampajack1

Gators have several advantages over many of the listed schools. One advantage is Donovan and his coaching staff. A 2nd advantage is the talent that will be on the team in 2013. Parker can be a one-and-done and still win a national title at UF. Conceivably, he could be the starting 2-guard on a team with a lineup of Kasey Hill, Parker, Dorian Finney-Smith, Chris Walker and Damontre Harris. Wow!!!!!!!

That lineup doesn't lose a single game when you add in the idea of Yeguete (SR) Braxton, Frazier, Wilbekin(SR), Larson, Rimmer, Prather(SR), Graham, Walker coming off the bench... And yeah that's 14 but the numbers always work out.

[don23lucia]

Florida coach Billy Donovan met with Chicago Simeon's Jabari Parker on Tuesday, and DePaul's Oliver Purnell was scheduled to meet Wednesday with the nation's top-ranked senior.

Kansas also will be one of the first schools to meet with Parker and his family.

The 6-foot-8 Parker released a list of 10 schools he was considering in July. His list featured BYU, DePaul, Duke, Florida, Georgetown, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State, North Carolina and Stanford.

Florida did not make the original list, but Donovan continued to recruit Parker and was able to secure the in-home visit.

"I hope other people take notice of that," Simeon coach Robert Smith said Wednesday. "(Other schools) may have opportunities. You kill your opportunities if you don't try. Florida was there. I don't think (the Parker family) is going to waste anyone's time now. Anyone who gets in with the home visit, they have a real big chance of getting an opportunity to be looked at."

Illinois also did not make Parker's initial list, but Smith said Illini coach John Groce has continued to recruit Parker. Smith was unsure whether Groce would be given an in-home visit.

Purnell will make his pitch to Parker and his family Wednesday. Smith thought what DePaul had especially going for it was its location.

"You never know," Smith said. "He loves the state of Illinois."

Kansas coach Bill Self will make his visit Friday. Self has had success in the Chicago area in the past decade by recruiting Dee Brown to Illinois and Julian Wright and Sherron Collins to Kansas.