'11 MO SG Ben McLemore (Kansas Verbal)

[Buckskin86]

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Shooting guard
St. Louis, Missouri
Eskridge
AAU: St. Louis Eagles

Ht:6'5"
Wt:185 lbs
Class:2011 (High School)

April, 2010: This long armed athletic wing can simply make scoring plays with the ball in his hands. He attacks defenders off the dribble and loves to play along the baseline where he uses his quick and explosive athletic ability to finish above the rim before the help side defenders know what hit them. McLemore can also finish in the lane with great body control on both sides of the rim and with either hand. He can knock down the open three with time and space and get the ball to an open teammate when he draws a second defender. McLemore is a good ball handler and decision maker as well. He is a new addition to the St. Louis Eagles and is still finding his way but he had a scoring flurry that included a deep three on the wing, a baseline drive that resulted in a 'looking in the rim' dunk, another slam from a set out of bounds play and a mid range pull up in the second half after only playing very limited minutes the first half (Boo Williams - Nike EYBL). McLemore needs to add strength but expect this young man to make some major noise the remainder of the spring and summer. McLemore along with Florida commit Bradley Beal gives the Eagles a deadly tandem at the wing positions.

March, 2010: McLemore is a very athletic guard that spent the first two years of his high school career in the post until new coach Jeff McCaw moved him to the shooting guard position this season where McLemore has excelled beyond expectations. He plays with passion and has a great work ethic. McLemore is a terror with the ball in his hands. He can create his own shot off the dribble at will including three's to the tune of 41% behind the arc. McLemore is an excellent ball handler and passer as well. He willingly finds open teammates and makes excellent decision with the ball for such a young player. McLemore rebounds on both ends and can lead the break where he is a threat to go coast to coast and finish above the rim. He also has made his presence felt on the defensive end with his ability to block shots. McLemore can help a teammate from his help position or run down an opponent they seems to have a clear break away. He loves to create space offensively with a jab fake, swing through or crossover move mostly going to his left. McLemore can also use his size and experience as an inside player to post and seal smaller opponents. What makes McLemore special is his athleticism and versatility along with his ability to but up big numbers within a team concept. Given McLemore has only played on the perimeter a short period of time he has off the charts upside.

Ben McLemore - College Basketball Recruiting 2011 - ESPN

Ben McLemore (St. Louis/Eskridge) has really come on this spring. A post player most of his career, he is now comfortable making the transition to a dynamic perimeter force. His favorite schools right now are Kansas, Missouri, Ohio State, Tennessee and Georgia Tech.

Men's basketball recruiting: LeBron James Skills Academy breakdown - ESPN

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5HXWx7GdBs"]YouTube- Ben McLemore Highlights[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIcfVs8SyWU"]YouTube- Ben McLemore[/ame]

 

[LitlBuck]

After watching some of those videos, it is hard to believe that this kid just started playing on the outside with the ball skills that he demonstrates.

 

[Buckskin86]

Ben McLemore, SG, St. Louis Eagles- Coming off of the bench, McLemore was very impressive during a Monday morning game against All-Ohio. Playing with more confidence than he has at other stops this summer, McLemore was proactive in looking for his offense. He's been to reactive in the past and it's good to see him allowing his instincts to take over. If he gets hot from deep -- as he did Monday -- he's a load to handle. After first saying that he wasn't in a rush to make a decision, McLemore also hinted that he might actually be pretty close to making a decision. After checking around, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him pick a school before heading to Oak Hill.

IrishIllustrated.com - Peach Jam day one

 

[Buckskin86]

Ben McLemore, 2011, SF, 6?5, 185lbs, Oak Hill Academy (VA), St. Louis Eagles- McLemore, considered a big-time rising senior, rattled off a list of Kansas, Missouri, Purdue, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Provide. He noted that those are merely the ones that he could remember and that they have all offered. ?I don?t have any favorites, but Kansas is still at the top of my list, still one of my favorites,? McLemore said.

Nike Peach Jam – Day Two Rundown?|?Flagrant Fouls

Surprise player

Ben McLemore (Mouth of Wilson, Va./Oak Hill)
2011, SG, 6-5, 205 pounds | Team: St. Louis Eagles
It is tough to call a top-15 player in the 2011 class a surprise, but McLemore had been relatively quiet during most of the tournament. He exploded during the semifinals with 18 points, including four high-wire dunks. McLemore is a smooth operator who truly lets the game come to him. He is a top-notch athlete (perhaps one of the best in the class) and chooses his spots when to show it off. He is great in transition, very effective in the half court and is a good shooter with range to 20 feet. McLemore teams with Beal to give the St. Louis Eagles the best set of wings in the country.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/news/story?id=5382070

 

[Buckskin86]

Ben McLemore ?11, Oak Hill Academy (VA): Kansas, Missouri, Purdue, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Nebraska, Tennessee, Illinois, Providence, and more
Offers: All
Favorites: ?I don?t have any favorites, but Kansas is still at the top of my list, still one of my favorites,? McLemore said.

BLOG.NORTHSTARBBALL.COM

 

[Buckskin86]

Ben McLemore | 6-5 | SG/SF | St. Louis Eagles | 2011
With Brad Beal still trekking his way back from Germany during the first few games, McLemore stepped up and was the man for this team. He?s probably the only player in the Fresh 50 who comes off the bench for his AAU team, which is moreso a testament to his fit than his actual game itself. He was arguably the illest dunker in the tourney, mixing in a handful of posters and tip dunks in with a wicked jump shot. McLemore has mad potential on the defensive end both as a man to man and helpside defender. With all this said, its easy to see why coaches from practically every high major were at most of his games in Augusta.

SLAM ONLINE | ? Sweet Georgia Peaches

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH7VtIEOghY]YouTube - Ben McLemore dunking on Kyle Wiltjer at Peach Jam[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

Hoops recruit McLemore not ready to commit
By Gary Bedore
August 20, 2010

Ultra-athletic St. Louis high school basketball guard Ben McLemore will leave for Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., a week from today as one of the top uncommitted players in the Class of 2011.

Though the 6-foot-5, 185-pound McLemore appears to remain a heavy Kansas University lean ? with no other school even close to be considered his second choice at this time ? he may remain unsigned all the way until April.

?The thing is, everything is relatively new for him. The process is he doesn?t want to rush into anything,? said Jeff McCaw, McLemore?s coach last season at St. Louis Eskridge High ? a school that had its doors slammed shut by the state last spring.

?He is not playing games. He is just one of those kids that wants to be certain about being certain. All of a sudden there are people tugging on him. There?s still a lot to be decided about what kids are signing where.

?He?s about to leave for Oak Hill. He wants to concentrate on winning a national (prep) championship right now.?

That said, McLemore ? who is planning on attending the Oct. 15 Late Night in the Phog on an official visit ? could always change his mind and commit to KU after the season-opening hoops event and sign with the Jayhawks in November.

?He has always dreamed of playing at KU,? McCaw said of McLemore, Rivals.com?s No. 21-ranked player who averaged 28.3 points and 12.5 boards at Eskridge High his junior season. ?I don?t think he sees another program. He?s not even really considering any other program. I talked to him 30 minutes ago. He said he?s not even thought about it (any other school),? McCaw added of McLemore, who also has Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio State, Marquette and Purdue on his current list of schools.

?After he takes the visit to Kansas, he might decide, ?This is where I?m going. I want to commit.?

Hoops recruit McLemore not ready to commit / LJWorld.com

 

[wadc45]

Gary Bedore's notebook: Basketball recruit Ben McLemore says he will choose either Kansas or Missouri Saturday

McLemore won't sign, but...

Prize basketball recruit Ben McLemore, a 6-foot-5 senior guard from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., said Monday night he will not sign a letter-of-intent during the early signing period.

However, McLemore, who is Rivals.com's No. 17-rated player, told the Journal-World in a phone interview he will orally commit to either Kansas University or Missouri on Saturday.

At the urging of his mother, he will return to his hometown of St. Louis on Friday to discuss his college options. It's also Thanksgiving break for Oak Hill.

"KU is still the favorite," McLemore said from his dorm room Monday night. "I'll go home Friday and commit to a school Saturday. It's why I'm going home, to talk to my mom and hopefully make a decision."

Continued...

 

[Buckskin86]

Ben McLemore commits to Kansas
By Reggie Rankin
ESPN Recruiting

Ben McLemore, one of the three remaining unsigned ESPNU 100 prospects, committed on Sunday to Kansas over Missouri during the All-American Championship.

Although Kansas was thought to be the leader for the small forward from Christian Life Center Academy in St. Louis, Missouri continued to make a strong push. But with former coach Mike Anderson departing for Arkansas and no new coach hired as of yet, Kansas took the lead for McLemore and was able to land the No. 49 overall player in the 2011 class.

McLemore is a special athlete who played inside early in his high school career but moved to the wing, where he excelled on the AAU circuit for the St. Louis Eagles and went from a virtual unknown to a top-100 player. What makes McLemore special is his athletic ability. He plays above the rim on the break and if a clear path on the baseline opens up, he will undoubtedly provide the crowd with a highlight. The 6-foot-5, 185-pounder has worked on his jumper and is a consistent open 3-point threat who loves to spot up in the corners when he is not slashing in between defenders and getting to the rim.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/news/story?id=6286420