Recruiting Features

MERNAGH: ADAMS WILL BE FINE

Steven Adams is almost 7 feet (6’11″ after checking with his coach).

Steven Adams runs like a deer and rebounds out of his area (he tracked one 17 feet before grabbing it). He has incredible raw instincts defensively, knowing when to keep his feet with his arms straight up, when to jump and when to body his man.

Steven Adams makes hard catches look routine.

Steven Adams threw a 75 foot outlet pass to Myles Davis that led the Xavier bound guard perfectly for a breakaway dunk.

Steven Adams attempts to dunk everything he catches within a foot of the rim.

Steven Adams has a nice stroke on his outside shot.

The things that Steven Adams has to grasp about basketball will be easily taught and learned by a kid with so much enthusiasm for the game.

Steven Adams will be fine.

Plus, he’s quite refreshing to talk to.

Rest easy Pitt fans, the kid can play.

Bosworth: Friday’s National Prep Showcase Breakdown

By Brian Bosworth, National Recruiting Analyst

The National Prep Showcase kicked off Friday morning at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven. One the premier prep events in America on a yearly basis, the showcase features the top prep teams from the Northeast along with a sampling of the strongest teams from around the country. This year had a little bit of added anticipation as it was announced approximately a week prior to the event that NBA scouts would be allowed to attend. If any were on hand Friday they witnessed a performance worthy of a future lottery pick selection.

Top Performer of the Day:
Ricardo Ledo (South Kent Prep 2012) – committed to Providence – There is no debate over the top performer of the day as Ledo put on an offensive clinic in a 20 point South Kent victory. He scored 37 points including 7 three pointers and did so with his usual freewheeling style. Ledo keeps the ball on a string and almost toys with defenders as he routinely broke ankles and got into the lane or used his patented step back move to create space and bury long range shots. At one point on the break Ledo even through it to himself off the backboard and hammered down a dunk contest worthy jam without breaking a sweat. His offensive talents are immense and they were on full display Friday night but perhaps even more impressive was the way Rick carried himself on the court. Often labeled a head case or a moody player, Ledo showed real maturity coaching teammates on the floor and still getting others involved despite that fact that he had it working so well. South Kent head coach Kelvin Jefferson told me after the game that Rick has really progressed as a leader both in the locker room and on the court and that was evident in his play on this night.

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MAJOR CANADY – 6’3 2013 PG – HIGH ON WAKE FOREST; PLANNING MORE VISITS

Major Canady was raised in ACC Country.

The 6-foot-3, 195 pound point guard prospect has long dreamed of suiting up and playing in the league he grew up watching in North Carolina. “I would really like to play in the ACC,” says Canady, “growing up in Carolina that’s all I saw.” Canady, if the interest he’s receiving — along with his athleticism and body — is any indication, will probably get that chance when the time comes for him to make a college decision.

This summer’s Grassroots circuit will go a long way towards Canady reaching that goal, with coaches from the ACC — not to mention the Big East, Big Ten and A-10 — all ready to be courtside to see if Canady can handle his business on the court at a projected high major level.

Wake Forest‘s staff is said to love him and most of the assistants on the Demon Deacon bench have already seen him play. Canady says that come July, head coach Jeff Bzdelik also plans to watch him play for the BSA U-16 squad (Canady will play with the 17′s at Bob Gibbons). In fact, Canady recently spent some quality time on the scenic campus of Wake Forest with his father and sister. And all of the Canady clan came away from the trip extremely impressed.

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Q&A With Pgh Bball Report’s Steve Brodzinski

Steve Brodzinski has a wealth of basketball coaching experience for a young guy and he’s been using it over the last few years to coach high school and AAU ball in and around the Pittsburgh area. Brodzinski also started the Pittsburgh Basketball Report website, which provides good information on players from the area, and helps get the word out about them to coaches at all of the different college levels. We caught up with Steve for a Q&A and here’s what he had to tell us.

In addition to the site you also have some coaching duties with Kiski School and BSA AAU correct?

Yes. I work with Basketball Stars of America, doing player development work, coaching, and as the co-director. Last season I coached the 17u Nike team for for BSA, and we had a really successful spring and summer. We competed in some of the top tournaments on the east coast including King James, the Pitt Jamfest, West Virginia Jam Fest, and Nationals in Orlando, and ended up finishing 41-10. I am also the associate head coach at The Kiski School, which allows me to be around some of the top talent in the area. We play a national schedule, and have played against some really good competition.

Can you give the folks a little background on your experience at the D-1 level also? After I coached at Clarion University for two years, I was fortunate enough to get an assistant coaching position at New Jersey Tech, which at the time was in its second year of Division 1 competition. Essentially we had a roster full of Division 2 recruits competing against a schedule that included 10 different Division 1 conferences. We opened up our season against Washington from the PAC-10 in the pre-season NIT Tournament, and would go on to play schools like Rutgers, Central Florida, LaSalle, and Fordham. That was the year where New Jersey Tech didn’t win a game all season, and they ended up firing the head coach at the end of the year. You are allowed to play up to three non-division 1 opponents, and we could have started our season off with a couple of wins, and avoided alot of bad publicity and possibly our head coache’s firing, but the administration decided that they wanted us to play a full D1 schedule. The new guy brought in a new staff, and after one year I was searching for a new coaching job. The experience was great though, scouting against big time teams like Rutgers, and really hitting the recruiting trail hard. I made alot of friends in the Division 1 world, and the season really helped my understanding of the different levels of college basketball. I got the opportunity to coach against the Big East, Conference USA, Atlantic 10, America East, NEC, Patriot League, Ivy League, Big South, MAAC, and Great West, so I really saw varying levels of Division 1.

What is it you hope to do with the site, what made you see a “need” and fill it and how has the response been to it?
After living in areas like Philadelphia, New Jersey, and NYC, I saw how recruiting, summer leagues, and AAU basketball were covered on websites similar to mine, for those respective areas. Also, as a college coach, I used multiple recruiting websites to stay on top of what was going on with some kids we were recruiting, and even get some new names of kids to recruit. So when I moved back to Pittsburgh about 18 months ago, I saw that there really want any player rankings, or coverage devoted specifically to high school basketball and AAU basketball. Last year, I was coaching at Mt. Lebanon and the coaching AAU, and so I got to know alot of the top players in the area. I know that talent in the area was good, and that AAU basketball had taken off in the area, so I thought it would be a good idea. The main reason is that no one was promoting the talent in the area to college coaches. Division 1 schools have the resources to find talent no matter where it is. So for the couple of Division 1 kids that Pittsburgh was producing, they would still be discover. However, I feel that there are twenty to thirty kids in each class that are good enough to play either Division 2 or Division 3 basketball, and the website really helps them. I get calls from college coaches almost daily asking me about a certain player from my rankings, or if I had seen a certain kid play.

The response from college coaches has been great. Since there are already a lot of guys at each level of college basketball that I know either through my father or from when I coached, my website was pretty much legitimized in their mind from the start. My website is getting about 11,000 unique hits a month now, so the response is good. Like any website, you will have people who like what you are doing and people who don’t like what you are doing. I got some pretty viscous emails when the website first started, but those have really died down. I really want to take an unbiased approach to the website and the rankings. That is the only way it will be successful with the college coaches.Even though I work with BSA, I have become friends with people in the other AAU programs like CRONS, Caveman, and Drill 4 Skill, so it has really helped me get a lot of different input on players in the area.

Who are some of the top players in the 2011, 12 and 13 classes around Pittsburgh?

In the 11″ class you have guys like Josh Valentic, Jesse Reed, CJ Hester, Mike Lamberti and Devon Cottrell. Valentic is from Trinity HS and is a pure lights out shooter, with big scoring potential. At 6’3″ he has shown the ability to handle the ball and defend some pretty good players on the AAU circuit. Reed is from Greensburg Central Catholic HS and is a 6’5″ combo guard who can basically play the 1 through 3 positions. He is a very good passer and has a craftiness to his game. He uses his length to get to the basket and is a pretty consistent outside shooter. Hester plays at West Mifflin HS and is a 6’4″ lefty wing that can also really light it up. He is a very fundamental player with a high IQ, that really plays within the flow of the game. He could score 30 points and you may not even know it. Lamberti took South Fayette to a state championship last season. He is an undersized forward at 6’4″ but very athletic. He is one of the toughest kids in the WPIAL and has some versatility to his game. He can play on the permiter, as well as score and defend inside. Cottrell is from Gateway HS, and is one of the top big man in the class at 6’7″ with some pretty solid athleticism. He is very physical inside and really makes his living within 10 feet of the basket.

The 2012 class is very good. Starting with Tyler Scott, Sheldon Jeter, and Anthony Dallier, and others like Micah Mason, Devontae Watson,,Nolan Cressler, and Barnett Harris. Scott from Gateway HS, is a super athlete at 6’6″ with solid guard skills. He has nice outside shot, and can hit the pull up jumper. He is tremendous in transition. Jeter is a very similar player to Scott, also at 6’6″. Out of Beaver Falls HS, I see Jeter as more of a slasher, who really can get to the basket. However he also has nice range on his shot. Dallier is another 6’6″ wing with tremendous scoring ability. Out of North Allegheny HS, he has a really consistent three point shot, and can get to the hoop off the dribble. He has an extremely high basketball IQ and is a great passer at his size. Mason is from Highlands HS, and is another lights out shooter. At 6’1″ he is averaging close to 35 ppg this season. He isn’t just a scorer though, as he can handle the ball and sees the floor really well. Watson plays for Lincoln Park and is the best true big man in the class. At 6’10″ he is a shot blocking machine and makes his living in the paint. With a long frame and athleticism, he can really rebound the ball. Cressler is another impressive combo guard with size at 6’4″. Playing for Plum HS, he can really score the ball from the outside, and is able to break down defenders and get to the hoop. He has a nice build and solid athleticism. Harris is also from Gateway HS. At 6’10 has gotten alot of college interest thus far. He has a long frame, and spends most of his time out on the perimeter. He runs the floor well and is a solid defender.

In the 2013 Class, you have Geno Thorpe, Devin Wilson, and Tyler Roth. We have two local kids at the Kiski School Major Canady whose family lives in Cranberry Twp and Corey Stanford whose family lives in Penn Trafford. Thorpe who plays for Shaler Area HS is a big guard at 6’3″ that can play the one or the two. He is very athletic and has the ability to get to the hoop at will. He shoots a consistent three as well. Canady out of the Kiski School, is a smiliar player to Thorpe, with a big frame at 6’3″. He gets to the hoop at will and continues to increase his point guard IQ. Canady is very tough in transition, as he is very fast end to end. Wilson’s game is also similar as he is a 6’3″ combo guard. Out of Montour HS, he has tremendous scoring ability, and also gets to the basket with ease. Stanford is also from the Kiski School, and is a scoring wing at 6’4″. He can beat his man off the dribble and has really improved his three point shot. He likes to mix it up inside as he is a very good rebounder for a wing player. Roth plays at Mt. Lebanon HS, and is probably the purest shooter of the group. At 6’2″, he can really get hot from the outside. He has solid athleticism and is a very tough defender.

Do you want to get back into coaching at the college level?

It is something that is always on my mind. I am good friends with so many guys that are at that level, that it makes me constantly think that is where I should be. If you would have asked me when I got the New Jersey Tech assistant job when I was 23 years old, already having two years of Division 2 experience under my belt, I would have told you that I would have been applying for head coaching jobs by 30. However, things happen for a reason. I have really enjoyed working with high school and prep school kids over the past 4 years, and it has given me the chance to work with alot of talented basketball players, and develop even more contacts. Maybe someday soon I will get another opportunity.

We enjoyed talking to Steve and wish him well in his future endeavors.

BILL HENSLEY MEMORIAL RUN ‘N SLAM COVERAGE: CODY ZELLER & CHASSON RANDLE ARE OFFICIALLY BIG TIME PROSPECTS

by RAY MERNAGH

There’s been some deliberation about the ceiling of both Cody Zeller and Chasson Randle.

After watching each play multiple times this weekend I have absolutely no questions.

Both of these kids were a pleasure to talk to, but more importantly — at least for our purposes here — they both displayed a unique mix of skill-sets plus athleticism that should put to rest any talk about them taking a backseat to any big or guard in their class.

We’ll start off with Zeller, including an evaluation of his game right now and what his recruiting situation currently is — all directly from an exclusive interview done with him this past weekend — after the jump.

The next post will do the same with Randle, who for my money is the top point guard prospect, without question, in the state of Illinois right now.

Cody Zeller is all of 6’10″ and his body is starting to fill out due to a four-day-a-week lifting regimen. This 2011 prospect from Washington (IN) runs the floor the entire game — his motor doesn’t stop (or even idle for that matter).

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read more on Cody Zeller, who is a hot midwest target for some of the top schools in the region, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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DWIGHT POWELL CONTINUES IMPRESSIVE JULY

6-foot-9 IMG Academy product stars on the court and in the classroom

by ZACH SMART

One player that stood out today was Dwight Powell, a silky-smooth, 6-foot-9 forward with tremendous upside both on the court and in the classroom.

His blend of smarts and a versatile basketball package (at 6-9, he’s handling the rock and jacking up threes) has made first-rate schools such as Stanford, California, Harvard, and Georgia Teach front-runners on his list of potential Division-I suitors.

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CLASS OF 2011 INTRO: JARELLE REISCHEL

Import from Germany has gained Big East interest since coming to New Jersey

by MATT WHITFIELD

Jarelle Reischel came to this country about one year ago from Germany, but the 6-foot-6 sophomore (class of 2011) is already receiving a lot of attention from college coaches after being here such a short time.

As just a sophomore, Reischel starred for Point Pleasant Beach in New Jersey, averaging 21 points and 9 rebounds a game. Those numbers helped him earn 1st-team All-Ocean County as well as well as third-team All-Jersey Shore this past season.

Point Pleasant Beach made it all the way to the third round of the NJSSIA Tournament before being knocked out by New Egypt and their star sophomore, Desmond Hubert, who was a 2nd-team All-Ocean County honoree.

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THOMAS, FIU MAKING PITCH FOR ‘BORN READY’

Florida International The Latest In Stephenson Sweepstakes

By Zach Smart

Florida International University has become the latest team embroiled in the seemingly never-ending Lance Stephenson sweepstakes.

FIU, where Isiah Thomas recently supplanted Sergio Rouco, is supposedly a potential suitor for the coveted but controversial 6-foot-6 guard.

“Thomas is going after Lance hard,” said a source with insider information.

“He tried to get (Kentucky-commit) Eric Bledsoe as his first step to reviving that program. As of right now, Zeke has the upper hand on Arizona, Memphis and whoever else, for reasons I’m not at liberty to speak about,” explained the source.

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CATCHING UP WITH TOBIAS HARRIS

By Anthony Jaskulski

Tobias Harris brings a rare quality to the basketball court. He is a big man, with a big frame, that can handle the rock just as well as many point guards his age can.

At 6-foot-8 and around 220 pounds, Harris, a power forward from Brookville, New York, can be seen showing off a complete package, that ranges from big man qualities, pulling down strong rebounds on both ends, and garnering fantastic position amongst the biggest on the floor, as well as a string on the ball when driving the lane, and a perimeter shot that is dependable.

A part of the 2010 class, from Half Hallow (Dix) West Nigh School, Harris has shown his most dangerous attribute in his defensive skills. Tobias can play the post, as well guard perimeter players with near-impeccable status. In his weekend run at the Pittsburgh Jam Fest last month with his AAU team, the Unique All Stars, Harris exhibited tight, pressure defense on his opponents, and several times popped the ball out for steals leading to breakaway plays both on the post and perimeter.

You can expect immediate results from a defensive-minded player with such an aggressive style, and calm, precision on offense on the next level.

Here is what Tobias had to say in a Q&A segment following the Pittsburgh Jam Fest this year.

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