Sam
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We have all seen the complaints, the knocks on AAU ball especially on this board after this past season. But this young kid breaks through the stereotypes and provides a refreshing breath of fresh air onto the AAU circuit. I have only seen him play four times now but every time I have seen he has played the game the right way. I still have yet to see him play a meaningful game as they have all been in various tournaments but from what I have seen in those four games is enough for me. This kid is a competitor, loves the game and most of all loves to win and hates to lose.
Marcus is still somewhat of a sleeper in the 2012 class even in his own state behind players like Isaiah Austin, Zach Peters, L.J. Rose etc. He is picking up steam rapidly in the state, but I don’t think it has matched his game yet. I have seen Peters and Austin in person and while their physical stature and their overall talent are impressive I shudder to think what type of players they would be in they played like Marcus did. If it comes off as a knock and Zach and Isaiah I am sorry as they don’t lack desire or love of the game but they’re not on Marcus’ level. I honestly don't think many are on Marcus' level when it comes to that regard which is what makes him so special to me.
Marcus seems to just have “it” when it comes to playing the game, he is a good athlete, has good size (6’4, long wingspan), good enough handles and a decent jumper but those are just extra benefits for him. When you add his desire to his abilities he has he goes from being a good high school player to having the potential to be great. The most impressive thing about yesterday is how he appears to have grown into a leader as well. I saw him directing his teammates and after a slow start started yelling at them and chewing them out over the sluggish start. He then controlled the game the rest of the way as he scored 19 points, grabbed 12 rebounds (a handful of them were offensive boards he converted for put backs), 4 steals and 4 assists (could’ve been more if his teammates had finished in the paint or his open jumpers). He just did a little bit of everything as ran the court showcasing a high basketball IQ as he knew when to push it, slow down or make an outlet pass after he went among the trees for defensive boards. He also has improved as a passer as he did not telegraph his passes at all.
I think he is a must have for OU in the 2012 class, when Capel was talking about how he wants kid who love the game Marcus is the poster child for that. He is a good athlete and skilled enough to succeed at the Big 12 level but the way he plays and the desire he shows is what pushes him over the top.
Scouting report
Currently projects as a 3/2 player but is a tad undersized for the 3 at 6'4 but wingspan and motor make up for it. The first thing that sticks out with Marcus is how the plays the game, non stop motor, willing to do the dirty work (defense and rebound). Rebounds like a much bigger player due to knowing how to rebound and relentlessly crashing the glass (especially on the offensive end). Is willing to get after it on defense, very aggressive, quick hands when going for the steal, willing to take charges as well. Has improved as a passer and ball handler since I last saw him but still made some mistakes with passes and dribbling, but I don’t think either one are a major weakness. His shot has good form with a high release point but I still haven’t seen him make it with consistency in a game. Will hit the open jumper if left alone and appears to have a good step back move to get open in mid range but struggled with making the shot after getting open. Gets most of his points by getting into the lane and finishing through contact, drawing the foul or doing the dirty work with garbage points. Also a good free throw shooter (saw many of his game recaps during his team’s run to that state that had him hitting the free throws to tie, win, ice the game in the late stages). Not afraid to pass either on the drive to the open man. Is a young 16 (just turned it this past March) and appears to still be growing some as he appears to be more of a legit 6’4 then at 6’3 this past September. Also appears to be more of a leader as he seemed to direct his team on the court and made his team better as a whole when he was on the court. Right now I think the worse case with this kid is you get a glue guy who also would be a defensive stopper at the Big 12 level but overall I think his ceiling is much higher than that.
Video from last September (games vs Lancaster with SRs going to UTEP, Lamar and some other Texas scores and Lincoln with Lebryan Nash, Keaton Miles and Jordan Williams, all top players in 2011 Texas.)
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByQkzDLa8vg[/ame]
Marcus is still somewhat of a sleeper in the 2012 class even in his own state behind players like Isaiah Austin, Zach Peters, L.J. Rose etc. He is picking up steam rapidly in the state, but I don’t think it has matched his game yet. I have seen Peters and Austin in person and while their physical stature and their overall talent are impressive I shudder to think what type of players they would be in they played like Marcus did. If it comes off as a knock and Zach and Isaiah I am sorry as they don’t lack desire or love of the game but they’re not on Marcus’ level. I honestly don't think many are on Marcus' level when it comes to that regard which is what makes him so special to me.
Marcus seems to just have “it” when it comes to playing the game, he is a good athlete, has good size (6’4, long wingspan), good enough handles and a decent jumper but those are just extra benefits for him. When you add his desire to his abilities he has he goes from being a good high school player to having the potential to be great. The most impressive thing about yesterday is how he appears to have grown into a leader as well. I saw him directing his teammates and after a slow start started yelling at them and chewing them out over the sluggish start. He then controlled the game the rest of the way as he scored 19 points, grabbed 12 rebounds (a handful of them were offensive boards he converted for put backs), 4 steals and 4 assists (could’ve been more if his teammates had finished in the paint or his open jumpers). He just did a little bit of everything as ran the court showcasing a high basketball IQ as he knew when to push it, slow down or make an outlet pass after he went among the trees for defensive boards. He also has improved as a passer as he did not telegraph his passes at all.
I think he is a must have for OU in the 2012 class, when Capel was talking about how he wants kid who love the game Marcus is the poster child for that. He is a good athlete and skilled enough to succeed at the Big 12 level but the way he plays and the desire he shows is what pushes him over the top.
Scouting report
Currently projects as a 3/2 player but is a tad undersized for the 3 at 6'4 but wingspan and motor make up for it. The first thing that sticks out with Marcus is how the plays the game, non stop motor, willing to do the dirty work (defense and rebound). Rebounds like a much bigger player due to knowing how to rebound and relentlessly crashing the glass (especially on the offensive end). Is willing to get after it on defense, very aggressive, quick hands when going for the steal, willing to take charges as well. Has improved as a passer and ball handler since I last saw him but still made some mistakes with passes and dribbling, but I don’t think either one are a major weakness. His shot has good form with a high release point but I still haven’t seen him make it with consistency in a game. Will hit the open jumper if left alone and appears to have a good step back move to get open in mid range but struggled with making the shot after getting open. Gets most of his points by getting into the lane and finishing through contact, drawing the foul or doing the dirty work with garbage points. Also a good free throw shooter (saw many of his game recaps during his team’s run to that state that had him hitting the free throws to tie, win, ice the game in the late stages). Not afraid to pass either on the drive to the open man. Is a young 16 (just turned it this past March) and appears to still be growing some as he appears to be more of a legit 6’4 then at 6’3 this past September. Also appears to be more of a leader as he seemed to direct his team on the court and made his team better as a whole when he was on the court. Right now I think the worse case with this kid is you get a glue guy who also would be a defensive stopper at the Big 12 level but overall I think his ceiling is much higher than that.
Video from last September (games vs Lancaster with SRs going to UTEP, Lamar and some other Texas scores and Lincoln with Lebryan Nash, Keaton Miles and Jordan Williams, all top players in 2011 Texas.)
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByQkzDLa8vg[/ame]
