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re: Arkansas Basketball Recruiting Thread *Muss Years Archive - do NOT delete*
Posted on 4/18/22 at 12:23 pm to RazorHawg
Posted on 4/18/22 at 12:23 pm to RazorHawg
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Smith was the best player to step foot on the court for either team today, plain and simple. He scored from all three levels and made dazzling plays as a scorer and creator with the ball in his hands. Smith dished off a ton of beautiful passes to the bigs on his team and he and Kyle Filipowski showed some nice chemistry. There was a short stretch during the scrimmage where he accounted for all of his team’s points, either off of scoring or assists. Smith’s mid-range pull-up and ability to get to the rim whenever he wanted were on full display.
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Smith, who was awarded co-MVP for the event, finished with a game-high 27 points after shooting 7-of-13 from the field and 5-of-7 from three. He also fished out four assists and came down with three rebounds. Smith’s ability to put the ball in the basket was on full display and he also showed off some flashy playmaking ability with the ball in his hands. His 27 points were very efficient and his fluidity and wiggle with the ball in his hands were very impressive.
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THE CLASS WITH THE ARKANSAS HAUL
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The surprise of the cycle, Arkansas took a massive stride forward on the recruiting trail as well as on the floor, as back-to-back Elite Eight appearances have given way to the country’s No. 2 recruiting class – a class that would rank No. 1 in some other years.
The haul will reshape the Razorbacks' roster and has also taken Eric Musselman’s reputation on the trail from “crafty recruiter that does more with less'' to “force to be reckoned with.”
Nick Smith, Jordan Walsh and Anthony Black headline the class and their talent is undeniable, but the fact that Arkansas beat out programs such as Gonzaga, Auburn, Kansas, USC and others to land its prized class is also notable.
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Posted on 4/18/22 at 12:27 pm to RazorHawg
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One of the top players in the sophomore class, Annor Boateng is an individual standout, but his team first approach has helped him develop into one of the most sought-after players in the country.
A 6-foot-6 small forward at Little Rock (Ark,) Central who 247Sports currently ranks No. 36 nationally in the class of 2024, Boateng is also a focal point of the Arkansas Hawks 16U team on the Adidas 3SSB circuit. He can be dominant at times, but never tries to do too much individually.
“As much as I want to win, I also want to make my teammates look good,” Boateng told 247Sports.”I feel like if we win and play together then we can all look good. As much as I’m involved, the next person is too. You are only as good your weakest link so I feel like if we all thrive, and we all stay focused on one goal we can all shine different ways.”
Physical, athletic, and tough, Boateng is a dynamic player in transition. He attacks the rim, plays through contact, and makes good decisions with the ball. In a half court setting, he can post some and is improving as a jump shooter.
“It is probably my jumping ability and athleticism that really stands out,” said Boateng. “I’m trying to read defenses better to improve my offensive capabilities. I’m really working on my shooting too.”
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Arkansas: “They are very welcoming, and they really try to make you feel at home. The atmosphere is crazy too. The fans, there is a lot of support there. I got to meet and know some of the players this year and go into the locker room and everything. It was just a very welcoming experience. People are constantly telling me to go commit, go play at Arkansas so I feel that presence.”
Posted on 4/18/22 at 3:21 pm to RazorHawg
National championship incoming.
Posted on 4/18/22 at 4:01 pm to RazorHawg
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You are only as good your weakest link so I feel like if we all thrive, and we all stay focused on one goal we can all shine different ways.
Posted on 4/19/22 at 12:04 pm to RazorHawg
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Rivals Rankings Week: Final Top 10 countdown for 2022
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2. PG Nick Smith
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Cassidy's Take: An Arkansas signee, Nick Smith was arguably the most impressive prospect at both McDonald's All-American and Jordan Brand Classic practices. His rise to stardom began last summer and continued through his senior season.
His quickness, three-level scoring ability and court vision have NBA people buzzing about his lottery pick potential. His decision to sign with in-state Arkansas represents a massive step forward for the red-hot Razorbacks.
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Nick Smith Jr. is officially Arkansas’ highest-ranked signee of the recruiting rankings era.
The North Little Rock product moved up two spots and is No. 2 in the final Rivals150 rankings for the 2022 class, Rivals announced Tuesday.
Prior to his most recent bump, Smith had been tied with Al Jefferson — the No. 4 player in the Class of 2004 before going straight to the NBA — as the Razorbacks’ highest signee.
Moving into the No. 2 spot, behind only Duke signee Dariq Whitehead, comes after Smith went through the all-star circuit. The five-star point guard played in the McDonald’s All-American Game, USA Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic.
Although he didn’t have the best performance at the McDonald’s All-American Game, Smith did post 10 points and 3 assists against the world team at the Nike Hoop Summit and was then named the MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic after scoring 27 points, making 5 of 7 attempts beyond the arc and notching 4 assists.
A strong case could be made that Smith is not only Arkansas’ top rated signee of the recruiting rankings era, which dates back to 2003, but also its most heralded prospect in school history.
The primary competition for that title is probably Corliss Williamson, who was a two-time National Gatorade Player of the Year at Russellville before helping the Razorbacks win their lone national championship.
Williamson was widely considered to be one of the top two players in the Class of 1992, along with Jason Kidd. Some give Williamson the nod because of their head-to-head matchup in the King Cotton Classic championship their junior year — which Russellville won by one point when Williamson blocked Kidd’s potential game-winner at the buzzer.
It is unlikely Smith will have a similar career at Williamson because of the one-and-done nature of basketball in this era.
While Williamson was at Arkansas for three seasons, winning a national title in 1994 and finishing runner-up in 1995, before becoming the 13th overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft, Smith will probably spend just one year in Fayetteville before taking his talents to the next level.
He is already being talked about as a potential No. 1 overall pick, with ESPN previously tabbing him the top college prospect for the 2023 NBA Draft.
The rest of the Rivals150 is set to be announced Wednesday. The other five members of the Razorbacks’ 2022 class are expected to be included, with Jordan Walsh potentially retaining five-star status and Anthony Black potentially receiving a five-star bump.
Posted on 4/20/22 at 11:05 am to RazorHawg
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ANTHONY BLACK ADDS FIFTH STAR
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After straddling the line between four- and five-star status the better part of the last year, Arkansas commit Anthony Black has added a final star and jumped from No. 27 to No. 19 in the Rivals150. It was a move based more on potential than production, as his length, versatility and scoring ability make him a different sort of beast if his ball-handling and ability to facilitate allow him to run the point long term.
He showed flashes of improving court vision and passing during the McDonald's All-American Game and is valuing the basketball more than he once did, which is encouraging. Black is an elite prospect no matter which guard spot he plays, but thriving at the point in the SEC has the potential to make him a lottery pick.
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After signing just four in the first 19 years of the Rivals era, Arkansas now has a trio of five-star prospects in its 2022 recruiting class.
Anthony Black, who has announced he’ll sign his NLI later in the day, was bumped up to five-star status in the final Rivals150 rankings for 2022, which were released Wednesday morning.
Previously just outside of the five-star range, the Duncanville, Texas, star moved up eight spots to No. 19 overall. He actually jumped ahead of Jordan Walsh, who fell five spots to No. 24 overall, but retained five-star status.
The pair join Nick Smith Jr., who — at No. 2 — is the highest ranked Arkansas signee of the Rivals era and arguably of all-time, as five-star prospects who’ll play for the Razorbacks in 2022-23.
They are the core of Arkansas’ second-ranked signing class, which trails only Duke, but the Razorbacks also added three other high school signees.
Derrian Ford, Joseph Pinion and Barry Dunning Jr. saw slight drops in the rankings, but remained in the Rivals150 to preserve the fact that all 11 high school players signed by head coach Eric Musselman have been among the top 150 prospects on Rivals.
Ford fell two spots to No. 78 and Dunning fell one spot to No. 134, while retaining four- and three-star status, respectively. Pinion’s ranking dropped three spots to No. 131 and dropped down to a three-star recruit.
The Razorbacks’ 11 Rivals150 signees over the last three years is one more than their total from the previous eight years combined.
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Arkansas' Rivals150 Signees
2022
No. 2 - Nick Smith Jr.
No. 19 - Anthony Black* (signing Wednesday)
No. 24 - Jordan Walsh
No. 78 - Derrian Ford
No. 131 - Joseph Pinion
No. 134 - Barry Dunning Jr.
2021
No. 117 - Chance Moore
2020
No. 56 - Moses Moody
No. 59 - Jaylin Williams
No. 65 - KK Robinson
No. 129 - Davonte Davis
2019
None
2018
No. 116 - Isaiah Joe
No. 117 - Keyshawn Embery-Simpson
No. 141 - Jordan Phillips
No. 149 - Reggie Chaney
2017
No. 31 - Daniel Gafford
2016
None
2015
No. 53 - Ted Kapita
No. 55 - Jimmy Whitt
2014
No. 111 - Anton Beard
2013
No. 15 - Bobby Portis
No. 64 - Moses Kingsley
2012
No. 129 - Jacorey Williams
No. 149 - Michael Qualls
2011
No. 25 - B.J. Young
No. 32 - Ky Madden
No. 100 - Hunter Mickelson
No. 108 - Devonta Abron
No. 143 - Aaron Ross
2010
No. 81 - Rickey Scott
No. 110 - Mardracus Wade
2009
No. 72 - Marshawn Powell
No. 146 - Glenn Bryant
2008
No. 60 - Courtney Fortson
No. 78 - Jason Henry
No. 104 - Rotnei Clarke
No. 128 - Brandon Moore
2007
No. 111 - Michael Sanchez
2006
No. 35 - Michael Washington
No. 65 - Patrick Beverley
2005
No. 77 - Cyrus McGowan
2004
No. 4 - Al Jefferson
No. 37 - Steven Hill
2003
No. 16 - Olu Famutimi
No. 29 - Ronnie Brewer
No. 66 - Darian Townes
No. 135 - Vincent Hunter
Posted on 4/20/22 at 11:25 am to RazorHawg
7 top 100 guys by Muss the last three years 
Crazy how quickly the standards are changing
Crazy how quickly the standards are changing
Posted on 4/20/22 at 1:57 pm to RazorHawg
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Osiris Grady is the No. 79 ranked player in the 2023 On3 Consensus. The high-flying 6-foot-8 forward caught many eyes during the first stop of the UAA Circuit, including the college coaches sitting baseline to watch the Arizona Select forward.
“I am an all-around player,” Grady told On3. “I get off the ground really well, my shot is improving, I’m good around the basket, and I play defense. I’ve heard I play like Jalen Wilson with our frame and how hard we both compete.”
The motor runs hot, and the explosion is icing on the cake for the Henderson (NV) Coronado junior. On3 caught up with Osiris Grady in Indianapolis to better understand the current state of his recruitment.
“I got a lot of offers, and they’re all talking to me,” Grady said. “But I have taken unofficial visits to Southern Cal and Arkansas so far. I am looking to set official visits with Arkansas, Southern Cal, and also Cal.”
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Arkansas: “I got to get a good feel for the city when I went down there. They showed me around the campus and all, and I started building that relationship with the coaches. I really like their program, and I like Coach Muss (head coach Eric Musselman).”
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“I want to go to a program that will invest in me, growing me on the court and off the court,” Grady said. “A program that will help me in life, in school. I want to go to a program where I will have the opportunity to earn minutes early.”
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It’s the bounce that immediately pops off the page with Osiris Grady. He plays with a lot of explosion, and his motor runs hot during this game. He is an active rebounder, and he is an instinctive defender. Grady needs to tighten up all aspects of his offensive game. He is most comfortable running in transition and playing as a rim runner or an off-ball cutter. Like to see him be able to create for himself. He is a good rebounder and has some toughness.
Posted on 4/20/22 at 6:14 pm to RazorHawg
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5-Star/McDonald’s All-American Black Completes 2022 Signing Class
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Anthony Black, a five-star guard and McDonald’s All-American, became the sixth high school signee to solidify Arkansas’ best recruiting class in program history, Razorback head coach Eric Musselman announced today.
“Anthony brings so many things to the Razorback family and makes this overall class a diverse group with many strengths,” Musselman said. “He has proven at the highest levels that he is deserving of his many accolades. His skillset for a person of his size is rare, especially at this stage of his career. He has tremendous length and can guard multiple positions. He is not only an excellent and willing passer, but he can use his athleticism to get his own shot from all three levels of the floor. Like the others in this class, he has a winning background and is a tremendous competitor.”
According to ESPN, 247Sports and Rivals, Arkansas Black’s addition to the Razorback class from this past fall has Arkansas listed as the second-best recruiting class in the nation, trailing Duke, and the consensus #1 class in the SEC.
Black is the third McDonald’s All-American to sign with the Razorbacks this year, joining fellow 5-stars Nick Smith Jr., and Jordan Walsh. Black additionally played with Smith on USA Basketball’s USA Nike Hoop Summit team and Black has been selected to play in the Iverson Classic.
Black is a consensus top 25 player – including a high of #12 nationally on the Sports Illustrated top 99 prospects list – and is rated the No. 1 point guard in the nation by 247Sports. He is additionally No. 5 on the 2023 NBA Mock Draft (No. 3 college player) by NBADraftRoom.com and No. 8 by NBADraft.net.
Black led Duncanville to the 6A Texas state championship, and he was named the finals MVP. The Panthers were 35-1 and crowned 2021-22 MaxPreps National Champions after finishing No. 1 in its final poll.
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Anthony Black
6-7, 185, G
Duncanville, Texas
Duncanville HS
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Member of USA Basketball’s 2022 USA Nike Hoop Summit Team
McDonald’s All-American
Selected for the Iverson Classic
MaxPreps All-American (honorable mention)
Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Player of the Year Watch List
#12 on the SI99 All-American list
247Sports (5 Star) — #14 nation / #1 PG
ESPN (5 Star) — #15 nation / #8 SF
Rivals (5 Star) — #19 nation / #5 SG
247Composite (5 Star) — #22 nation / #3 PG
#5 on the 2023 NBA Mock Draft (#3 college player) by NBADraftRoom.com and #8 by NBADraft.net
Rated #3 player from the state of Texas by ESPN and 247Sports (behind fellow signee Jordan Walsh)
Earned TABC All-State honors in 2022
Led Duncanville to the 2022 Texas 6A state championship … Named Texas 6A State Tournament MVP thanks to scoring 17 points in the 69-49 title game win over McKinney
2022 District 11-6A Offensive Player of Year
Played just 15 regular-season games as a senior due to transfer regulations, but averaged 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.2 steals
Duncanville was 35-1 … In the final national polls, ranked No. 1 by MaxPreps, No. 2 in both the SB Live/Sports Illustrated Power 25 and ESPN national rankings and No. No. 3 in USA TODAY Sports Super 25
Began high school career at Coppell HS where he was a second-team all-area selection as a junior … Averaged 16.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2 steals per game
Was also a 3-Star recruit as a wide receiver getting offers from Arkansas, Baylor and Texas among others
His father, Terry Black, is in the Baylor Sports Hall of Fame (2015) as a standout for the Bear’s basketball program
Posted on 4/20/22 at 6:17 pm to RazorHawg
2022 Signing Class Notes:
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Highest rated recruiting class in school history (Consensus #2 in the nation and Consensus #1 in the SEC)
Only school with six players on the Sports Illustrated All-American SI99 and six rated among the ESPN top 100
First time for Arkansas to sign two — much less three — 5-stars (Nick Smith Jr., Jordan Walsh and Anthony Black) in the same class
In fact, Arkansas now has only signed seven, 5-stars since 2004 while Smith, Walsh and Black are the only three Razorback signees to rank among the ESPN top 15 (dating back to 2007).
Nick Smith Jr., Jordan Walsh and Anthony Black were McDonald’s All-Americans … Smith and Walsh have been selected for the Jordan Brand Game and Black for the Iverson Classic
Smith was 1 of 5 finalists for the Naismith High School Player of the Year. Smith and Walsh were Naismith All-Americans while Walsh and Black were on the Naismith Player of the Year Watch List.
Arkansas had never had a class with at least four players among the ESPN top 100 until Eric Musselman’s arrival and his staff has now done so twice (class of 2020 and class of 2022).
Since 2004, only four Arkansas recruiting classes have ranked among the top 10 and Musselman’s staff owns two of those – class of 2020 was #5 ESPN / #9 247Sports and class of 2022 ranks #2 in ESPN, 247Sports and Rivals.
Signed three MaxPreps state Players of the Year (Barry Dunning, Smith and Walsh) while both Dunning and Darrian Ford were named their state’s Gatorade Players of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Duncanville (Black), Link Academy (Walsh) and North Little Rock (Smith) finished among the top 15 in the national polls.
Smith, Walsh and Black are all rated among the top 25 prospects by both ESPN and 247Sports Composite.
The class includes three MaxPreps state Players of the Year (Dunning, Smith and Walsh).
The class includes three of their states’ top prospects (Dunning, Smith and Walsh).
The class includes three state champions (Black, Ford and Smith).
Posted on 4/20/22 at 6:50 pm to RazorHawg
If this erection lasts much longer, I may need to call my Doctor.
Posted on 4/20/22 at 7:33 pm to Hogwarts
Anthony is signed.
Posted on 4/21/22 at 10:19 am to UltimateHog
Maybe just reaching out to see but Arkansas has reached out to Memphis transfer Emoni Bates
Posted on 4/21/22 at 10:22 am to Woopigsooie20
We were apparently the first he mentioned when listing schools that had contacted him. It may not mean much, but we were the first one he thought of. It can't be a bad thing. Who knows how seriously the staff is interested in him?
Posted on 4/21/22 at 10:36 am to Woopigsooie20
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There might be more polished players in the transfer portal, but very few have the potential upside of Emoni Bates. The high school phenom and former 5-star recruit announced via Instagram that he is leaving Memphis and will enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. Bates was the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2022, according to 247Sports. He reclassified to the Class of 2021 and helped Penny Hardaway have the No. 1 class in the country.
But Year 1 just did not go well. Bates struggled to dial in his jumper, and injuries forced him to miss 15 games. But the 6-foot-9 wing has all the tools to make every shot on the floor and be a superstar.
Bates will explore his transfer options but could also play overseas or in the NBA G-League. He is not eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft as he is still 18-years old following his reclassification and will not turn 19 until the 2023 calendar year.
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ARKANSAS
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Eric Musselman and the Arkansas coaching staff can count. They know how many open scholarships they could potentially have next year. So even though Arkansas has reeled in four big-time transfers and a dazzling recruiting class, they cannot be discounted in the race for Bates. Musselman will do anything to win, even if that means maybe having awkward conversations with superstar freshmen or big-time transfers and asking them to sacrifice their personal goals for the betterment of the team. Arkansas' system is as favorable as any in the country. If Bates is fine with embracing the competition, Arkansas could be very attractive.
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EMONI BATES, SF, MEMPHIS
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Overall portal rank: No. 1
2021-22 stats: 9.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game
Latest buzz: No, Emoni Bates didn’t live up to the lofty expectations that were in place for his freshman season at Memphis. No, he didn’t often look like a generational talent that he was thought to be early in his high school career. But the story isn't over. It is incredibly important to keep in mind that Bates should have been a senior in high school last season – and he’s not somebody who was held back earlier in school like many that have enrolled “early” – and that coming out of a pandemic, skipping a year of development isn’t easy. Not even for the best players.
The hope is that his first year has humbled him and ignited a fire to show people who he really is. The G League is likely going to be a possibility and there have yet to be any schools to emerge as thought to be genuine contenders. Let this one breathe for a week or two and we’ll start to find out which programs want to be the place for Bates to come and turn things around.
Posted on 4/21/22 at 10:41 am to RazorHawg
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19) Trevon Brazile, 6-9, 215, F, Fr., Missouri – ARKANSAS
The Numbers: 6.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 33% 3-pointers (11-33)
The Scout: “Elite athlete. Very good rebounder that plays hard on both ends of the court. Ability to step out and make threes. High ceiling.”
31) Jalen Graham, 6-9, 220, PF, Jr., Arizona State – ARKANSAS
The Numbers: 9.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg
The Scout: “Excellent touch from 15 feet and in. Great footwork with an assortment of moves on the interior. Comfortable playing away from the hoop in DHO’s and pick and pop. Needs improvement on shooting range. Rotating shot blocker, but inconsistent defensively, especially away from the basket.”
Posted on 4/22/22 at 12:35 pm to RazorHawg
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Arkansas: "I really love the coaching staff. I love Eric Musselman's energy with how he changed Jaylin Williams' game. I was watching him during March Madness. Coach Muss and I feel there are a lot of similarities in the way we play. I am trying to show that I can do that out here."
Posted on 4/22/22 at 1:06 pm to RazorHawg
Looks like Shannon is likely headed to Michigan. His AAU coach tweeted out a congrats earlier, then it was taken down.
Now, Shannon just has a blue hat tweet.
Apparently the Emoni Bates thing is real and Muss is interested, but nobody knows if he will actually come to Arkansas or not where he won't necessarily be "the man" among all the new talent.
Consensus is we still have to get a veteran wing to compete for a title.
Now, Shannon just has a blue hat tweet.
Apparently the Emoni Bates thing is real and Muss is interested, but nobody knows if he will actually come to Arkansas or not where he won't necessarily be "the man" among all the new talent.
Consensus is we still have to get a veteran wing to compete for a title.
This post was edited on 4/22/22 at 1:08 pm
Posted on 4/22/22 at 1:41 pm to Jack Ruby
Michigan doesn't surprise me for Shannon. He is originally from Chicago, so he would be a lot closer to family.
I want Bates. He's a poor man's Kevin Durant. I'll take any 6'9"+ guys that can shoot with decent handles. I don't expect him to set the world on fire, but you don't turn a player of his caliber away if he is truly interested, especially for some of the mid majors guys I've heard mentioned.
From Kevin Mc along with Bates, the following are the other names to really watch for the last spot:
Landers Nolley (6-7 G, Memphis)
Dexter Dennis (6-5 G, Wichita State)
Ricky Council IV (6-6 G, Wichita State)
Nolley has already been discussed before and would be a great add if Bates were to pass. I really don't care for either of the WSU guys, but Dennis was DPOY in his conference and isn't too bad with 3 pt shooting and driving the ball.
I want Bates. He's a poor man's Kevin Durant. I'll take any 6'9"+ guys that can shoot with decent handles. I don't expect him to set the world on fire, but you don't turn a player of his caliber away if he is truly interested, especially for some of the mid majors guys I've heard mentioned.
From Kevin Mc along with Bates, the following are the other names to really watch for the last spot:
Landers Nolley (6-7 G, Memphis)
Dexter Dennis (6-5 G, Wichita State)
Ricky Council IV (6-6 G, Wichita State)
Nolley has already been discussed before and would be a great add if Bates were to pass. I really don't care for either of the WSU guys, but Dennis was DPOY in his conference and isn't too bad with 3 pt shooting and driving the ball.
This post was edited on 4/22/22 at 1:42 pm
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