Las Vegas AAU tourney - rode back on plane from Vegas with OKC Hawks

[SoonerDAZE]

Daze what have you been hearing about Julius Randle and his recruitment?

Julius is still wide open. Likely will not go the route of playing the "shoe game" by jumping teams to play for one of the big shoe-sponsored teams during his final two years of AAU ball. That means he won't likely play the big shoe-sponsored tourneys either.

He's already developing a good relationship with some pretty big schools - Carolina, Kentucky, and Kansas to name a few, as well as the typical Big12 schools that all the top Texas kids talk with. In addition, he's already been invited to and played in some of the national-level camps and skills academies. In fact, he turned down the Lebron skills academy to play AAU nationals with the Titans.

He's a very grounded and intelligent kid who has been groomed for this since the fourth grade. He's very close to his mother, but I don't think that will mean he'll necessarily need to stay close to home. I get the distinct feeling from her that she'll pretty much be okay with wherever he decides to go - even if it's cross-country. Aside from his mother, the people with the most influence in his life as far as where he might play college ball go are all the Texas Titans coaches. Namely Scott Pospichal, Jeff Webster, Antonio McKenzie, and Jerome Vaden.

Like most young stars, Julius views himself as a one and done player (whether that's the case or not is an argument for a different thread). He'll likely pick the school that best supports that dream. Way too early to know what program will fit his game best, will be able to place the most talent around him, and provide him playing time. I'd be shocked if he didn't ultimately go to one of the blue-blood programs though.

 

[SoonerDAZE]

I am not sure if you are referring to the swing and misses in the 2010 class (Harrison Barnes, Doron Lamb and Terrance Jones all visited and none signed) or what happened on the court this past season with the star recruits. But I don't think for 2011 it is effecting him that much. I have seen tweets by rivals and scouts guys listing Capel as one of the coaches watching guys like Quincy Miller and Roc Christmas in this July period. So it seems like Capel is still swinging for the fences this year. But I honestly have no idea where the 2012 recruiting class is going outside of Richard Peters (already committed) and the only other news I have heard is the offering of Nino Jackson (most likely Jayhawk bound).

Also if you are referring to the attitude problems of the star recruits I think baring Marcus having qualification problems (have no idea on this, 100% hypothetical), Smart doesn't fit into the mold of the some of the recent players OU had on campus.

I was mostly referring to the "misses" he had (chemistry wise) with the 5-star guys he brought in recently.

I don't think he'll stay away from guys in the future because he's struck out trying to sign a couple of heavy hitters in the past. I actually believe every time OU is mentioned in the serious recruitment of any top-tier kid, it serves to elevate our stature in the eyes of future recruits. And, I'd be shocked if Capel didn't feel that way as well. I was more grabbing for any sort of straw I could find, to try to figure out why we weren't hot on the heels of Mr. Smart.

 

[sys]

sDAZE, does smart have a school he is waiting on? from his comment in the last rivals article, it kind of sounded that way. like he was appreciative of the attention from marquette, kstate & baylor, but had a favorite school that wasn't looking at him that hard.

 

[Seymore Cox]

Julius is still wide open. Likely will not go the route of playing the "shoe game" by jumping teams to play for one of the big shoe-sponsored teams during his final two years of AAU ball. That means he won't likely play the big shoe-sponsored tourneys either.

Titans will likely get a Nike contract so I suspect you'll see plenty of Julius in tourneys and his High School team will likely be focused in alot of national matchups.

 

[SoonerDAZE]

sDAZE, does smart have a school he is waiting on? from his comment in the last rivals article, it kind of sounded that way. like he was appreciative of the attention from marquette, kstate & baylor, but had a favorite school that wasn't looking at him that hard.

Not close enough to that situation to know for sure, but knowing Rick Roberts and that group, it wouldn't surprise me if the vibe you're getting isn't more posturing than actual reservations that Marcus has about the main suitors at this point. Posturing, meaning acting less than 100% enthusiastic trying to leverage looks for some of the other kids on the team that might not warrant serious consideration outside a package deal with Marcus.

I know for a fact that Marcus believes his stock is only going to rise as he gets older (and rightfully so) leading to more interest from the national-level programs. I don't get the feeling that he's fighting the recruiting process right now.

 

[SoonerDAZE]

Titans will likely get a Nike contract so I suspect you'll see plenty of Julius in tourneys and his High School team will likely be focused in alot of national matchups.

They will not be a sponsored Nike team. There is a difference in being a Nike sponsored team and having a Nike contract like the Houston Defenders Select have. If you are not a sponsored Nike team, you will not be allowed entry in the EYBL which are the Nike "tourneys" you're referring to. As the likely number one player in his class the next couple of seasons, you'll obviously see him in the Nike sponsored positional skills academies and the big Lebron skills academy.

As for Prestonwood (his HS team), they will no doubt be invited to play in many of the big events nationwide, with Julius and Zack top-10-rated prospects in their respective classes; as well as a number of other high-level contributors. By the time Zack's a senior, Mickey Mitchell, who is one of the top players in the class of 2015 and a member of the Titans 13u national champion squad, will join the team.

Prestonwood runs all of the Titans' sets and are basically an extension of them. Because of that and the crazy levels of talent, they will be fun to watch. Looking forward to it.

 

[Sam]

Is Peters going back to the Titians? Didn't he spend most of the summer with Team Texas?

 

[Cheno]

As for Prestonwood (his HS team), they will no doubt be invited to play in many of the big events nationwide, with Julius and Zack top-10-rated prospects in their respective classes;

I don't think Zach Peters is in anyone's top 40 let alone top 10.

 

[campbest]

They will not be a sponsored Nike team. There is a difference in being a Nike sponsored team and having a Nike contract like the Houston Defenders Select have. If you are not a sponsored Nike team, you will not be allowed entry in the EYBL which are the Nike "tourneys" you're referring to. As the likely number one player in his class the next couple of seasons, you'll obviously see him in the Nike sponsored positional skills academies and the big Lebron skills academy.

As for Prestonwood (his HS team), they will no doubt be invited to play in many of the big events nationwide, with Julius and Zack top-10-rated prospects in their respective classes; as well as a number of other high-level contributors. By the time Zack's a senior, Mickey Mitchell, who is one of the top players in the class of 2015 and a member of the Titans 13u national champion squad, will join the team.

Prestonwood runs all of the Titans' sets and are basically an extension of them. Because of that and the crazy levels of talent, they will be fun to watch. Looking forward to it.

Mitchell is a beast, he looks older than your average college sophomore right now. Hopefully he isn't one of those players who peaks early and gets passed later on in HS by other rising stars (i.e. Peters).

I'm not up to date on how the shoe sponsorships work, but with Kenny Troutt bankrolling the Titans, they are not hurting for funds.

 

[SoonerDAZE]

I don't think Zach Peters is in anyone's top 40 let alone top 10.

Fair enough Cheno, you are on point with that one. :clap

 

[Cheno]

Julius is still wide open. Likely will not go the route of playing the "shoe game" by jumping teams to play for one of the big shoe-sponsored teams during his final two years of AAU ball. That means he won't likely play the big shoe-sponsored tourneys either.
He's already developing a good relationship with some pretty big schools - Carolina, Kentucky, and Kansas to name a few, as well as the typical Big12 schools that all the top Texas kids talk with. In addition, he's already been invited to and played in some of the national-level camps and skills academies. In fact, he turned down the Lebron skills academy to play AAU nationals with the Titans.
He's a very grounded and intelligent kid who has been groomed for this since the fourth grade. He's very close to his mother, but I don't think that will mean he'll necessarily need to stay close to home. I get the distinct feeling from her that she'll pretty much be okay with wherever he decides to go - even if it's cross-country. Aside from his mother, the people with the most influence in his life as far as where he might play college ball go are all the Texas Titans coaches. Namely Scott Pospichal, Jeff Webster, Antonio McKenzie, and Jerome Vaden.
Like most young stars, Julius views himself as a one and done player (whether that's the case or not is an argument for a different thread). He'll likely pick the school that best supports that dream. Way too early to know what program will fit his game best, will be able to place the most talent around him, and provide him playing time. I'd be shocked if he didn't ultimately go to one of the blue-blood programs though.

Thanks for the info. Just curuious but is that the Jerome Vaden from Beggs?
Everything I hear about Randle is he's unbelievable and probably the best prospect in all grades right now.

 

[SoonerDAZE]

Is Peters going back to the Titians? Didn't he spend most of the summer with Team Texas?

Zach has never been with the Titans. The Titans (as the public knows them, i.e. Kenny Troutt, fully funded, travel on Mavs jet, 4-star hotels, etc.) have only ever had two teams: 2013 and 2015. Zach's association with that group of people stems from his long-term relationship with Jeff Webster. He played with Pro-Skills for years, then, as time went by with Jeff being the top asst with the Titans, there was some overlapping; but he's never played for them.

Scott Pospichal's (Titans head coach) son has played with Zach for many years as well, both with Pro-Skills and with a 2010 team back in the day that called themselves the Titans; but that was not the Titans as referenced above. They used the name and Scott was the guy who put it together, but that's where the similarities ended.

Yes, Zach played with Wes's Team Texas this summer. Zach's season was injury-filled. Spent more time off the court than on. Most recently, he was dealing with a concussion that kept him out of all the July open period. Team Texas basically fell apart and had a tough time fielding their normally competitive team toward the end of the season. We'll see if Zach plays with TT next season.

Here's a heads up and a possible twist to the story: The Texas Titans 2013's have every intention of playing 17's next year, which would make Zach eligible to play with them. I could very easily see him playing with them next season under that scenario.

 

[SoonerDAZE]

Mitchell is a beast, he looks older than your average college sophomore right now. Hopefully he isn't one of those players who peaks early and gets passed later on in HS by other rising stars (i.e. Peters).

I'm not up to date on how the shoe sponsorships work, but with Kenny Troutt bankrolling the Titans, they are not hurting for funds.

Mickey is a grade exception, but at a full 6'5", blessed with athleticism, and real perimeter skills; he will have to almost totally change toward the negative for him to end up slipping to any real degree.

The difference between Mickey and most other early dominant players is WHY he's dominant. Most players who are dominant at a young age, are dominant because of some physical gift - size, length, quickness, explosiveness, strength, etc. That is not the case with Mickey.

Though he is much bigger and stronger than most he plays against at this young age, like Julius he is also dominant because of his skills and bball I.Q. His skill set does translate to older ages, even if he doesn't grow another inch. I'd be surprised if his ranking over the years doesn't track much like Julius' has/will. Should definitely have staying power - depending on his continued interest level and barring injury.

 

[SoonerDAZE]

Thanks for the info. Just curuious but is that the Jerome Vaden from Beggs?

Not that I know of. Jerome played ball at Oregon State and is currently the main skills coach for the Titans.

 

[SoonerDAZE]

Not that I know of. Jerome played ball at Oregon State and is currently the main skills coach for the Titans.

LOL! I just looked it up, and low and behold, it looks like that is where he's from! Small world.

 

[campbest]

Mickey is a grade exception, but at a full 6'5", blessed with athleticism, and real perimeter skills; he will have to almost totally change toward the negative for him to end up slipping to any real degree.

The difference between Mickey and most other early dominant players is WHY he's dominant. Most players who are dominant at a young age, are dominant because of some physical gift - size, length, quickness, explosiveness, strength, etc. That is not the case with Mickey.

Though he is much bigger and stronger than most he plays against at this young age, like Julius he is also dominant because of his skills and bball I.Q. His skill set does translate to older ages, even if he doesn't grow another inch. I'd be surprised if his ranking over the years doesn't track much like Julius' has/will. Should definitely have staying power - depending on his continued interest level and barring injury.

I have only seen him play once or twice, but you can tell he has a lot of the physical tools to be successful, good to hear he has the mental game to back it up. Thanks for clarifying the grade exception, makes since because he looks so old.