Connecticut Recruiting, Providence Recruiting, Ray Mernagh

RUNDOWN OF KING CITY CLASSIC

by RAY MERNAGH

I was talking today to a mid-major coach who was complaining about the AAU tournament he was at falling into the “last day everyone’s tired and wants to go home mode” that often leads to some of the poorest basketball you’re likely to see. The talent on hand at the just concluded King City Classic in Cleveland made that scenario impossible — even when some games turned into blowout dunk contests in the final minutes, we still had the top prep players in the whole country putting on a show of athleticism and daring for those of us sitting courtside.

Here are some of the players who stood out in the event and some of the recruiting updates we gathered. I focus mainly on prospects with some Big East interest but throw in some obvious other as well. Michael Gilchrist isn’t mentioned but word going around the event is that he wishes more schools would start recruiting him and that he’s far from a Kentucky lock. He’s a great player and young man so coaches give him a call!

DeShaun Thomas — If it seems like you’ve been hearing about Thomas for years it’s because you have. The young man was placed on the front page of recruiting lists around the age of 13/14 in basketball-mad Indiana. It didn’t take long for the backlash to happen as maybe 18 months later people were talking about him being over-hyped. Well, years later and committed to Big Ten factory Ohio State,Thomas is a PLAYER. He was unmatched here in the strength department, getting to the spot he wanted in the post every single time with a mixture of brute muscle and fine footwork and skill. Thomas also showed the ability to step out and hit shots comfortably from 20 feet. The biggest compliment I can give him is he’s totally unfazed by everything he’s been through, not the least bit jaded and never took a possession off when I was watching him. Asked about his upcoming HS season and then his journey to Columbus Thomas said, “I’m hoping we can win our third straight state title and then I just want to do whatever coach Matta wants me to do to help us win championships, I’ll do whatever they need me to to help the team win.”

Gerard Coleman — Props to Keno Davis and Providence on getting this kid. Coleman is a left-handed slasher that finishes with power at the rim. He also showed the ability to defend the point guard spot while also handling the ball well in transition. He compares favorably to Memphis commit Will Barton and a better decision maker when faced with the pass/shoot read. Coleman’s play stood out and he arguably had the best showing of any player in Cleveland.

Okaro White — This athletic 4 was all over the court all day long. Tip dunks, rebounds, steals, finishing on the break and even the occassional pullup J off the bounce. White simply made plays in every game that continually helped his team. Will be a kid that can contribute right away on the next level, plus have the ability to expand his game with solid coaching. Could see him in the future being a combination of Demarre Carroll/Udonis Haslem . Has a chance, with his work ethic and motor, to be really special.

Tony Mitchell — Trampoline-like bounce off the floor at 6-8 and 220 pounds. Plays hard and athleticism is off the charts. Raw with his skills.

Trevor Cooney — He’s a shooter. He’ll be a shooter at the next level. Didn’t stand out in Cleveland like he did in some of the drills in Akron. Tried to do too much at times but battled even when his shot wasn’t falling. Footwork will be a huge deal and what he should work on –might need to hide him on defense at the next level.

Phil Pressey — Seemed ready for the next tournament about halfway through the championship game. Ball handling and passing is at the elite level but seemed tired by the end in Cleveland (seems reasonable for every one of these kids to be tired for the amount of games they play every day on this circuit). Needs to work on his jumpshot but is still the purest ballhandling/ pass-first point guard I saw.

Marquise Teague — Great playing off ball screens. Got wherever he wanted with his dribble, nobody could check him. Ability to finish on both sides of the rim is special. Threw several beautiful passes while in traffic. Cream of the crop point guard that had his defenders asking “where’d he go?” constantly. Sick player that stood out even in this vast collection of talent. The Teague’s may very well have two kids in the NBA in three or four years.

Keala King — Seemed to come up with baskets whenever the slightest opportunity presented itself. Hit the boards on offense really strong. Made nice passes for layups/dunks on break. Was playing with Teague so played off the ball but impressed nonetheless. Had best quote of the week when I pointed out that he was from recently drafted guard Brandon Jennings’ neighborhood: “Brandon’s from my neighborhood sir.” There you go folks, Kaela King, straight outta Compton!

Jelan Kendrick — Elite small forward who showed the ability to handle the point here in Cleveland. Got into the lane on penetration and created for himself and others. Slasher supreme. Equally adept when forced left by defenders at the urging of opposing coaches. Big-time talent.

Tobias Harris — Scored every which way you can think of for a skilled 4 man — jumphooks, one-footed runners and on pullup J’s. An offensive juggernaut who contnues to improve as his body catches up to his superior skills. Has a chance to be one of the big-time players to come out of his class. Showing an increasing ability to attack off the dribble as well. Extremely versatile kid who continues “working on everything from my body to my speed to my game.”

CJ Leslie — Those of you who read my reports from the LBJSA know I fell in love with this kid out of Carolina. Leslie is a shot blocking rebounder extraordinare who makes plays. Goes and gets the ball in traffic and runs the floor tirelessly. Told me Connecticut and Jim Calhoun is tracking him. I imagine a lot of other programs are as well after the week of work he did in Northeast Ohio.

Quincy Miller — When he has a hard time it’s because of his strength (he needs to improve it). But I could see the elite skill-set in Cleveland that has others comparing him to Kevin Durant. Needs to get a lot stronger though.

Roscoe Smith — Really like his edge, but it also gets him in trouble when he tries to do too much. Played really well when he let the game come to him instead of trying to force the issue. Will benefit from elite coaching when he gets it. Still raw and needs to work on his decision making.

Terrence Jones — Big lefty (6-8, 220) that does everything well. Scored, rebounded, passed and blocked shots. Playmaking forward, almost a point-forward. Special type player.

Jared Sullinger — Like his future teammate at Ohio State Thomas, “Sullie” dominates physically. He goes through you. He decimates you. He kills you. Like DeJuan Blair, Sullinger reacts to his shot getting blocked with a grin and goes right back at his man. Nasty, nasty player (in a good way). Will be an automatic 14 and 10 for Ohio State the minute he gets there.

Adreian Payne — Will be a monster get for whatever program wins this battle. Probably got the better of the younger Rakeem Christmas in their head-to-head. If Payne plays hard, I’m not sure there’s a better post prospect in any class. Crazy athleticism for his size.

Rakeem Christmas — Game improves every time I see him. Now showing more confidence on offense besides dunking (which he does remarkably well). Fantastic shot-blocker. Still seems to be filling out and could be the best player out of the last three when all is said and done. Said his Aunt “handles everything with my recruiting, I don’t even worry about it.”

Kyle Witjer — 6-9 with skills from Kevin Love’s high school. Needs to get stronger but has exceptional feel for the game and requisite fight to be a player. Did I mentioned he’s skilled?

Nick Johnson — Freak athlete at 6-4. Looked to get his own most of the time and had tendency to take some bad shots. Decision making and perimeter shot need work. Gets up in the air as well as anyone I’ve seen at that height. Defends and blocks a lot of shots that make you go “wow” — finishes strong, particularly on lobs and in transition. If his skills catch up to his athletic ability he’ll be downright scary.

Achraf Yacoubou/Ashcroft Youcoubou–I believe the first name is corrct but the second was how he was listed in the program. He was also listed as still at American Christian in PA (but that’s been closed for a hot minute I believe) and found some stuff indicating he played at Long Island Lutheran HS last year. This kid is kind of a throwback. Reminded me of Antonio Gates at Kent State with a better jumpshot and better feel for the game — and that’s saying a lot because Gates was a stud in college basketball. Very long arms and always makes correct decision. Sticks the deep ball with regularity, rebounds against much bigger kids and makes plays passing the ball once he gets in the lane. Every mid-major that wants to get a leader that will win games for you from day one should offer this kid today and hope all the high majors mistake the routine/flow/pace he plays with, and the fact that he relishes going inside and battling at 6-3, as a negative somehow.