OSU Basketball Recruiting Blog by Bucknuts44820 and Wadc45
Its been an unpredictable recruiting season for the OSU basketball program and the program has been turning some heads the last few months. Thad Matta and staff have made a major national impact by landing a class, almost virtually assured of being the #1 class in 2006 and one of the most highly rated classes in the history of college basketball. In just one year, Matta and staff have landed the kind of class only so called “recruiting experts” could dream of and Matta may not be done. Let's take a closer look at the 2006 class:
PG - Mike Conley, Jr. - <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:Street><st1:address>6-1 170 - #7</st1:address></st1:Street> PG #40 Overall by Rivals –
Wadc45: Mike is a total floor general. In one recent AAU game he had 10 assists against 0 turnovers. That is impressive. His scoring is also developing nicely. He has great basketball IQ, knowing how to put himself and his teammated in advantageous situations. With 15-20 more pounds, he is a prototypical Big 10 point guard. Conley and Oden's pick and roll game is a thing of beauty.
Bucknuts44820: He is the ultimate point guard, Conley knows how to share the ball and does a great job of putting players in excellent position to score. Very good three point shooter and can blow past defenders off the dribble. Needs to get stronger to take the physical play in the Big 10.
SG - Daequan Cook - <st1:Street><st1:address>6-4 185 - #2</st1:address></st1:Street> SG #8 Overall by Rivals –
Wadc45: Daequan is about as atheltic of a scorer as you will find in the class of 2006. He is one of those rare talents that can score from pretty much anywhere on the floor. He can shoot outside, he can drive the lane, take it baseline, draw a foul, or finish above the rim. The only knock I have heard on Daequan is that at times he can be too unselfish. I don't think that will be a problem with the likes of Lighty, Oden and Conley also in the lineup.
Bucknuts44820: A very smooth player who makes it look easy out on the court. Reminds me of Paul Pierce, can hit the jumper from deep and is an excellent finisher at the rim. Above average on the defensive end and is a good rebounder. He is physically ready to play in the Big 10 right now. Could also play SF at O<st1:PlaceName>hio</st1:PlaceName><st1:PlaceType>State</st1:PlaceType>.
SF - David Lighty - 6-5 180 - #4 SG #20 Overall by Rivals –
Wadc45: Daequan may be regarded as the top talent in the state of Ohio in 2006, but David does not have to play second fiddle to anyone when it comes to heart. This is the kind of player that every team needs. He may not show up in the box score with 30+ points, but he will get you the tough stats. David's the kind of kid who will quietly score 15 points, pull down 9 boards and dish out 5 assists and most people not even notice. Those are some of my favorite types of players.
Bucknuts44820: A tremendous athlete who could have played Division I football. Very good shooter who uses his body to get open looks, excels at finishing around the rim. Good ball handler, but needs to improve in that area. Could also play SG at <ST1:p<st1:PlaceName>Ohio</st1:PlaceName><st1:PlaceType>State</st1:PlaceType>.
C - Greg Oden - <st1:Street><st1:address>7-0 240 - #1 C #1</st1:address></st1:Street> Overall by Rivals –
Wadc45: The best player in the class...hands down. He is dominant on either side of the floor. He can change a game with his post play on offense, or alter a game's course using his superior defensive skills. His shot-blocking reminds me of Ken Johnson. Greg has a couple of tried and true post moves that he uses and will continue to use until someone learns to stop him, which probably won't be happening in the near future. He is incredibly athletic for a 7-footer.
Bucknuts44820: When you are projected as a future #1 pick in the NBA draft….one word describes you…..DOMINANT. An excellent shot blocker who as great size and a very impressive wing span. Can run the floor and is dominating on the boards. Plays with aggression and has good feet. Will need to improve on the mid range jumper in college.
Possible Options at the 4:
#1 and most likely
PF - Jamil Tucker - <st1:Street><st1:address>6-9 210 - #14</st1:address></st1:Street> SF #45 Overall by Rivals –
Wadc45: Tucker has the size to be a #4 in the Matta system. The fact that he is already familiar with playing ball with Oden and Conley is just another bonus. Tucker averaged over 24 points per game, 9 rebounds per game and 5 assists per game this past season and I expect those numbers to go up. He can knock down threes with ease, but his coach has said that Jamil has shown a new love for banging down low and rebounding. That could be his ticket to being a part of this special class.
Bucknuts44820: Tucker has seen his stock rise over the summer, has spent some time playing with Oden and Conley on the AAU circuit. Has developed a better physical presence on the court and has displayed excellent athletic ability. Is what I consider a “late bloomer”, over the summer he has shown signs of becoming a very good shooter with the ability to take it to the rim and also shoot the three. All signs point to Tucker being the logical choice to be the fifth addition to the 2006 class.
#2 and Wadc45’s sentimental favorite
PF - Raymar Morgan - <st1:Street><st1:address>6-7 210 - #22</st1:address></st1:Street> SF #85 Overall by Rivals –
Wadc45: I love watching Raymar play. He is all hustle. I love players who you can tell are giving their everything on every single trip down the floor. That is Raymar. His height may be a bit of a question to fill the #4 spot, but I think it could work in the Matta system, especially since he plays taller than he is. He is a scrappy rebounder and can also play well in transition. Our loss could be Michigan State's gain.
Bucknuts44820: Morgan is a very interesting prospect in my opinion, its obvious he knows how to win at the high school level and comes from a very good program. Has shown the toughness to dominate in games using his physical ability, especially on the boards. Raymar is an above average shooter who can also take a defender off the dribble. His stock has risen over the summer. Does have an OSU offer, but are grades an issue?
#3 and a longshot at best
PF/SF - Thaddeus Young - <st1:Street><st1:address>6-8 205 - #2</st1:address></st1:Street> SF #3 Overall by Rivals –
Wadc45: This is the guy we would all love to have, but I think it is unlikely at this point. Like every other player in this blog, Young has tremendous basketball IQ, which obviously stems from being a great student in the classroom. Recently was passed by Kevin Durant on the Rivals Top 150 for the #2 spot. I'd love to meet the guy who made that decision, because like 44820 says, if there was no Greg Oden in this class, Young would be my pick as the top player.
Bucknuts44820: Young is a very, very good basketball player, he understands the game and takes advantage of his ability on the court. He is an exceptional student in the classroom. Can shoot the three or bang on the boards, there is nothing this prospect can’t do. If Oden wasn’t in this class, he is my pick for #1 player in the nation.
The next few months should be interesting for the basketball program as the national media start to take notice of Coach Matta and this class.
As always, in the world of recruiting, a recruiter never sleeps, so with that said lets take a peek at the prospects for the 2007 class:
TOP 7 FOR 2007
PG/SG – O.J. MAYO - <st1:Street><st1:address>6-4 195 - #1</st1:address></st1:Street> Overall by Rivals – Everyone who follows recruiting knows who Mayo is, he is considered the best prospect in any class including the 2006 right now as he enters his junior year. Can shoot the rock from anywhere and is very good off the dribble. Excels on the defensive end of the court and has that killer mentality. Has mentioned a variety of teams that he is interested in and that includes <st1:PlaceName>Ohio </st1:PlaceName><st1:PlaceType>State</st1:PlaceType>. Some believe he will never play a game in college regardless of the NBA rule.
SF – BILL WALKER - <st1:Street><st1:address>6-5 210 - #8</st1:address></st1:Street> Overall by Rivals – A very good athlete who is a highlight film around the rim. Teammate of O.J. Mayo and they feed off each other. Is a very good rebounder who does damage on the offensive boards. Needs to develop a better outside shot and improve his focus. Nevertheless, a great player. At this point, there is not a clear cut consensus on his favorites.
SG – ERIC GORDON - <st1:Street><st1:address>6-2 175 - #10</st1:address></st1:Street> Overall by Rivals – An excellent shooter who has named OSU his leader in the past but recently named <st1:State>Illinois</st1:State> the leader at this point. Can do it all, take a defender off the dribble and stop and shoot the three. Lists….Illinois, Duke, Notre Dame, <st1:State>Missouri</st1:State> and <st1:PlaceName>Ohio </st1:PlaceName><st1:PlaceType>State</st1:PlaceType>.
C – KEENAN ELLIS – <st1:Street><st1:address>6-10 200 - #13</st1:address></st1:Street> Overall by Rivals – Plays on the same high school team as Mayo and Walker. A very good transition player who is above average on the boards, needs to get stronger and I believe will develop into the best big man in <st1:State><ST1:pOhio</st1:State> for this class. A very good defender. Has shown interest in <st1:PlaceName>Ohio </st1:PlaceName><st1:PlaceType>State</st1:PlaceType>. Has listed <st1:State><ST1:pKentucky</st1:State>, <st1:State>Michigan</st1:State>, <st1:State>Indiana</st1:State>, <st1:City>Louisville</st1:City> and Xavier recently.
PF – <st1:City>DALLAS</st1:City> LAUDERDALE – <st1:Street><st1:address>6-8 230 - #16</st1:address></st1:Street> Overall by Rivals – Has unlimited potential, dominates on the boards and does a great job of finishing on the break. Could be a top 10 player in this class by his senior year. <st1:PlaceName>Ohio </st1:PlaceName><st1:PlaceType>State</st1:PlaceType> and <st1:City>Syracuse</st1:City> are the early favorites.
PG/SG – DANTE <st1:City>JACKSON</st1:City> – 6-5 185 – Not Ranked by Rivals – A very good shooter who has a scorers mentality. Can take a defender off the dribble or shoot the three. Has made it known that <st1:PlaceName>Ohio </st1:PlaceName><st1:PlaceType>State</st1:PlaceType> is the team to beat at this point. Will be a top 10 player in <st1:State>Ohio </st1:State>for this class.
C/PF – AARON POGUE – 6-9 275 – Not Ranked by Rivals – A big load inside, does a good job on the boards and has similarities to Sean May. Needs to work on endurance and keeping his weight down. If he continues to improve, he could be a top 30 player nationally by his senior year.
Be sure to check out BuckeyePlanet for future features on the OSU basketball program.
