Recruiting: 2020

[VU2014]

Valpo is showing interest ina  2020 Shooting Guard from Chicago named Josh Holmes.

https://twitter.com/teamyandr/status/923626847975477248
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hGkTRMJlSs

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/DerranceL/status/886390538915778562

Tre Coleman
Status: Undecided
Year: 2020 (HS SO)
Position: SG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 175
Hometown: Jeffersonville, IN
High School: Jeffersonville High School
Rank: NA
Offers: New Orleans
Interest: Miami Oh, Evansville, IUPUI and Valpo (as of July)

https://www.hudl.com/profile/5186008/tre-coleman/videos

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/preps/indiana/2017/07/24/jeffersonvilles-tre-coleman-nabs-scholarship-offer-brother-jaden-gets-looks/483272001/

[M]

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/boys-basketball/calumet-s-davion-davis-has-grown-up-on-the-basketball/article_623fbada-d37f-5c76-a012-2ba39c69c64d.html

If you can get past his HS coach's baloney comments taking credit for everything I did for this kid it's a decent article.  He can flat out score the ball, has incredible range, great character and gets it done academically.  He also loves the university, and I'm hoping he will grow another couple of inches (he's 5'10'' currently) and maybe catch their eye.

[VU2014]

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/boys-basketball/calumet-s-davion-davis-has-grown-up-on-the-basketball/article_623fbada-d37f-5c76-a012-2ba39c69c64d.html

If you can get past his HS coach's baloney comments taking credit for everything I did for this kid it's a decent article.  He can flat out score the ball, has incredible range, great character and gets it done academically.  He also loves the university, and I'm hoping he will grow another couple of inches (he's 5'10'' currently) and maybe catch their eye.

Pretty cool to hear his connection to the University and the program. I'm all for adding as many talented Region guys as possible. He sounds like a talented young high school player. I'm sure he's on the Coaching Staffs radar.

[vu72]

It amazes me as to all the non-stop effort needed to recruit for a D1 basketball team. 2020 sounds like a long way off but obviously it come quickly. As Homer Drew used to say, "recruiting is like shaving.  Miss a day and you look like a bum" 

[VU2014]

"recruiting is like shaving.  Miss a day and you look like a bum" 

Love that quote and it's so true.

[M]

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10358544/5aa7d9a190eed10c145a2b81

Ignore the spelling error on the title screen. #4

[VU2014]

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10358544/5aa7d9a190eed10c145a2b81

Ignore the spelling error on the title screen. #4

He looks like a nice player but it's going to be tough to get over that size. I hope he grows a little more because that will allow him to get more looks from D1 coaches. At 5-9 or 5-10 you need to have elite level athleticism  (ex: Daniel Sackey, Marlain Veal at SELA, Kay Felder Oakland) to succeed at this level or you need to be true point guard with some insane court vision, passing and handles.

He still has plenty of time to grow and get better. We'll see what happens.

[M]

LOL, we've been trying to stretch him out for a few years    He wears size 13 shoes and has huge hands so the rest of him has to catch up at some point! At least I hope.

Loyola is going to have their hands full with a 5'7'' pg in the next couple of days.

[VU2014]

A recruit indicated that Valpo is showing interest.

https://twitter.com/shon12_/status/978476576831664128

Shon Robinson
Status: Undecided
Year: 2020 (HS SO)
Position: PF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 170
Hometown: Chicago, IL
High School: Higley High School
Ranks: 3 star (Scout)

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/profile/10349006/Shon-Robinson/videos

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/TheMacIrvinFire/status/986684459402645505
https://twitter.com/chilandprephoop/status/986706810303369217

Status: Undecided
Year: 2020 (HS SO)
Position: PG
Height: 5-10
Weight: 0
Hometown: Chicago, IL
High School: Morgan Park High School
Rank: NA
Offers: Valparaiso, Chicago State

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_vnAXI-Htg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFKQWw_4Sxs

https://twitter.com/PrepHoopsIL/status/985045490327699456

"Morgan Park 2020 point guard Marcus Watson had an outstanding showing at the state tournament helping lead his team to another state title.  He is an angular guard that plays bigger than his height especially defensively because of his length.  Gets into his man and doesn't  let him get comfortable.  Watson is so smooth with the rock weaving in and out of defenders and scoring at the cup with acrobatic layups.  Lot of transition scores.  D1 prospect that needs to get more looks at the mid-major level during the live periods."

https://twitter.com/michaelsobrien/status/974752110251257856

Morgan Park beats Marian Catholic, eyes Class 3A repeat
Michael O'Brien
mobrien@suntimes.com | @michaelsobrien
March 16 3:56 p.m.

"PEORIA—Morgan Park is loaded with Division I bound, superstar players. Seniors Ayo Dosunmu, Cam Burrell and Kenyon Duling are among the best players in the state and sophomore Adam Miller is one of the top players in the country in his class.

But for the second consecutive game in Peoria, it was unheralded guard Marcus Watson that may have been the key to victory. He's the glue that helps mold all the superstars together into a team and not just a collection of talent.

"When we started the state playoffs I said to let Marcus orchestrate," Morgan Park coach Nick Irvin said. "He's been doing a phenomenal job."

Watson finished with six assists and three steals in Morgan Park's 68-51 win over Marian Catholic in the Class 3A state semifinals at Carver Arena on Friday.

Last season Watson stepped in, as a freshman, and played 14 key minutes in the title game victory against Fenwick. Dosunmu was injured and missed the game, but Watson contributed six points and four assists in a key 14 minutes of play.

Watson's six assists were more than the Spartans finished with as a team (5). He also handled the ball like a seasoned veteran, committing just two turnovers.

...."

https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/945061911112110080

"Morgan Park 2020 Marcus Watson is a 5'10" lefty point guard that is quick and shifty with the ball.  Gets penetration in the paint finding teammates in the drive and kick or with quick dishes inside.  Sound passer that is improving as a decision maker showing more true point guard skills.  Has some scoring pop as well with his ability to get to the rim and foul line.

Watson stepped up last March with Ayo Dosunmu was injured and played a big role in their state title.  How much has that given him confidence this season?

"It has given me a lot of confidence winning state last season my first year.  It has given me a lot of motivation to help my team win another one."

He spoke about July with the Mac Irvin Fire 15U.

"I think we played good.  We lost to Meanstreets in the final four.  Me, Adam Miller, and Nimari in the back court is scary."

What are the strengths of his game?

"Attacking the basket, shooting threes, and I love defense."

Only one college is in the mix early in the process.

"I have an offer from Chicago State.""

[M]

I'm more interested in #10, that dude hit a bunch of 3's in that first video. 

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/marcus3xx/status/986699584104730624

[FieldGoodie05]

https://twitter.com/marcus3xx/status/986699584104730624

Think coaches are saying another year without a vocal floor general simply won't be accepted.  Can't blame them.

Though it seems most coaches/programs aren't offering 4-year guaranteed scholarships at a high rate even though it became an option around 2011.  So taking an early recruit/offer approach (should he not pan out) isn't as hurtful.

We can always withdraw from consideration or give him a year to prove himself @ VU.  Though I don't think we offer a sophomore without some pretty high upside.

[VU2014]

Roy is a recruiting insider

[FieldGoodie05]

Roy is a recruiting insider

And Roy is....?

[VU2014]

Roy Schmidt. He has his own recruiting service that is based on recruiting for the Illinois prep scene. If you have a twitter account I'd recommend giving him a follow: @prepbullseye

[M]

I'm told this kid is going to be getting a lot more offers over the next year and a half if he keeps progressing. Could be good to be in early.

[VU2014]

Though it seems most coaches/programs aren't offering 4-year guaranteed scholarships at a high rate even though it became an option around 2011.  So taking an early recruit/offer approach (should he not pan out) isn't as hurtful.

We can always withdraw from consideration or give him a year to prove himself @ VU.  Though I don't think we offer a sophomore without some pretty high upside.

Even if he committed to us right away it would basically mean nothing because kids decommit all the time. He's only a sophomore. The only other sophomore I can think of that we've offered in recent history was Alex Hemenway who seemed like more of a "moonshot" offer at the time then this offer. It sounds like Watson is more of a under the radar recruit as of right now be he still has 2 HS seasons and 2 AAU season to improve his game and gain more interest which he no doubt will.

If Valpo offers a recruit and he signs his letter of intent that pretty much means we're not going to tell a kid he's not good enough to be on the team and force him to go elsewhere. Although there was that rumor that Bryce/Roger were trying to convince Nick Davidson to transfer because they didn't think he was good enough and AP got pissed and put the kibosh on it. That was just a rumor, but maybe others have more info then me on that. Correct me if I'm wrong but schools technically could "cut" players whenever they want in the offseason but it is very rare at the mid-major level, but at the high-major level it's more common.

Think coaches are saying another year without a vocal floor general simply won't be accepted.  Can't blame them.

Daniel Sackey might be the next vocal leader of the team in a few years. The lack of on-court vocal leadership was a issue last season. It will be interesting to see if one of those Juniors steps up next season. We need a few of them to take the reigns.

[crusader05]

vu2014 I believe your rumor was accurate as i've heard it a few times to from relatively reliable people.

As far as a vocal leader I'd hope that Bakari or Golder step up as both have the energy and vocal ability, they just need to control their emotions and direct it away from the refs

[VU2014]

Keep the Canadian pipeline going! 



https://twitter.com/Canada_Elite/status/991747045273800705

Luka Sakota
Status: Undecided
Year: 2020 (HS SO)
Position: PG
Height: 6-6
Weight: NA
Hometown: Etobicoke, Canada
High School: King's Christian Collegiate
Rank: NA
Offers: Northeastern, Tulane, Denver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOURyhgjJQg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_IXrBcuk44
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csrEh9v-JIs

Luka played in the Canadian Biosteel game with Daniel Sackey.
https://twitter.com/Canada_Elite/status/983183236128948233


https://twitter.com/Canada_Elite/status/991748068549816322

Coleman Stucke
StatusUndecided

Year: 2020 (HS SO)
Position: SF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 208
Hometown: Burlington, Canada
High School: King's Christian Collegiate
Rank: NA
Offers: Tulane, Denver, High Point

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCxUfwksGSU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJPdoXtskZ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL6cn8D4o34

[VUGrad1314]

Iowa Creighton and even more like programs are interested in these two? I can't say that leaves me overly optimistic about our chances. Hopefully they respect Sackey's opinion and he gives Valpo a ringing endorsement. That would seem like our only chance to beat out these bigger schools.

[VULB#62]

1314, I don't follow your post. What are the connections?

[VUGrad1314]

I'm presuming rightly or wrongly that Sackey has competed with these guys and has some sort of connection with them because of that sort of like being part of the same fraternity that of the athlete. I am saying that Valpo will have a tough time beating out the likes of Creighton Iowa Virginia Tech Stanford et Al unless Sackey having already committed to Valpo gets in their ear and gives a strong endorsement and the other players then act on that endorsement. Sort of like how Dwyane Wade helped recruit LeBron James and Chris Bosh to Miami back in 2010.

[FieldGoodie05]

I'm presuming rightly or wrongly that Sackey has competed with these guys and has some sort of connection with them because of that sort of like being part of the same fraternity that of the athlete. I am saying that Valpo will have a tough time beating out the likes of Creighton Iowa Virginia Tech Stanford et Al unless Sackey having already committed to Valpo gets in their ear and gives a strong endorsement and the other players then act on that endorsement. Sort of like how Dwyane Wade helped recruit LeBron James and Chris Bosh to Miami back in 2010.

I followed your logic prior