Recruiting Weekend Preview up on the Front Page

[GParker]

We have already done a little breakdown on the weekend visitors that we have confirmed ourselves. We know of a few more visitors but we are waiting for confirmation before adding them to the preview.

Link.

 

[GParker]

The Harrison twins (Aaron and Andrew) have been added to the preview. They are two of the top 2013 kids in the nation, they are from the Houston area.

 

[okcsooner83]

Keep up the good work!:clap

 

[AdaSooner]

Scout.com is reporting that Shaquille Cleare, 6' 9" 280 center (class of 2012) out of Houston; Derrick Griffin, a 6' 6" 195 SF (2013 class) out of Rosenberg, TX; Xavier Thomas, a 5' 11" 165 PG (2012 class out of Richardson; Kendall Harris, a 6' 2" SG also out of Richardson, as well as Shermaine Thomas (no info available that I could find) are also visiting this weekend.

http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/1001029.html

Another web site has J'Mychal Reese, 6' 160 PG from Bryan, TX and Jarmal Reid, a 6' 7" 225 SF out of Decatur, Georgia among the list of visitors.

Jeff Capel and his staff appear to be working hard and pulling out all of the stops in recruiting for the future. Anyway you cut it, there is no shortage of talent on what is sure to be an impressive group of hoopsters on OU's campus this weekend.

 

[Will_Jennings]

Scout.com is reporting that Shaquille Cleare, 6' 9" 280 center (class of 2012) out of Houston; Derrick Griffin, a 6' 6" 195 SF (2013 class) out of Rosenberg, TX; Xavier Thomas, a 5' 11" 165 PG (2012 class out of Richardson; Kendall Harris, a 6' 2" SG also out of Richardson, as well as Shermaine Thomas (no info available that I could find) are also visiting this weekend.

Another web site has J'Mychal Reese, 6' 160 PG from Bryan, TX and Jarmal Reid, a 6' 7" 225 SF out of Decatur, Georgia among the list of visitors.

Jeff Capel and his staff appear to be working hard and pulling out all of the stops in recruiting for the future, because there is no shortage of talent on what is sure to be an impressive group of hoopsters on OU's campus this weekend.

A couple of things to add to your post Ada. Derrick Griffin is a little taller than 6'6. He's closing in on the 6'8 range. He's also about 225 and if you saw him you would think he was a football recruit. His body composition reminds you of Ryan Wright.

Kendall Harris is no stranger to anyone who has frequented AAU tournament in the state of Oklahoma. Of course he's ex-OSU guard Terrell Harris's younger brother. He's played in tournaments in this state since ten years of age. He's an outstanding scorer and will probably have a breakout year at Richardson Berkner.

J'Mychal Reese was once considered heads and above the top prospect in the nation for the class of 2012. His father is an ex-players for Texas A&M and was once considered to have Texas high on his list. Texas's ability to recruit nationally may affect this kid as Texas has landed elite PG prospects the last 3 years.

Lastly, Coach Capel recently visited Ardmore and prospect Nino Jackson. Bill Self was also in the building to visit. For 2012 prospects, coaches can visit practices, but can't talk to recruits. It appears to me that OU is gearing up for a top 10 class nationally in 2012. Texas is stacked with prospects and OU is lining up to sign a couple of the best in Texas and even OU's backup plans are very highly regarded players.

CLASS OF 2012 INTRO: JARMAL REID
January 26, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
by RAY MERNAGH

This 6-foot-7 sophomore out of Columbia High School in Decatur (GA) is a physical kid (230 lbs) who also can finesse you. He’s a wing and knocked down open shots all night against Oak Hill from beyond the arc –off the catch, off the bounce, in transition etc– every way possible. He also drove the ball very well and beat his man up in the mid-range and post area.

Jarmal Reid might be, no, check that, is the best scorer from the wing that I saw on Saturday. He’s already physically imposing as a sophomore and, as his body tightens will be even better.

Strong player — think former UConn player Denham Brown with a much more diverse skill set, maybe a modern day, bigger (albeit at this point poor man’s) Adrian Dantley. This kid is a major, major scoring talent. He was the most impressive player on a team that features a top-100 Big Ten recruit in Jershon Cobb (2010 Northwestern commit who was terrific himself).

Reid was defended most of the time by a ready to play Roscoe Smith and managed to play him to a standstill both ways. It was a fun match up pitting Smith’s high-wire game against Reid’s old-school take advantage of any inch you give me game. Reid even threw one of Smith’s shots back at him.

Asked after the game about colleges Reid mentioned VCU first and some others. There’s plenty of time for Reid to develop a list of schools interested in him and very soon the list will get very long. Reid is a talent who will expand his potential collegiate horizons exponentially this AAU season.

 

[luckyc1423]

A couple of things to add to your post Ada. Derrick Griffin is a little taller than 6'6. He's closing in on the 6'8 range. He's also about 225 and if you saw him you would think he was a football recruit. His body composition reminds you of Ryan Wright. Kendall Harris is no stranger to anyone who has frequented AAU tournament in the state of Oklahoma. Of course he's ex-OSU guard Terrell Harris's younger brother. He's played in tournaments in this state since ten years of age. He's an outstanding scorer and will probably have a breakout year at Richardson Berkner. J'Mychal Reese was once considered heads and above the top prospect in the nation for the class of 2012. His father is an ex-players for Texas A&M and was once considered to have Texas high on his list. Texas's ability to recruit nationally may affect this kid as Texas has landed elite PG prospects the last 3 years. Lastly, Coach Capel recently visited Ardmore and prospect Nino Jackson. Bill Self was also in the building to visit. For 2012 prospects, coaches can visit practices, but can't talk to recruits. It appears to me that OU is gearing up for a top 10 class nationally in 2012. Texas is stacked with prospects and OU is lining up to sign a couple of the best in Texas and even OU's backup plans are very highly regarded players.

Thanks for that tidbit!! Are we not going to sign anyone this year? Man, it sure could be a boring year of recruiting if not..unless we get a commit from a 2012 kid this early.

 

[Will_Jennings]

Thanks for that tidbit!! Are we not going to sign anyone this year? Man, it sure could be a boring year of recruiting if not..unless we get a commit from a 2012 kid this early.

I don't know that information. My assumptions are based on what programs have done in the past at other places is OU's recruiting efforts might be based on telling kids to hold off on signing with schools in case a scholarship may be available in the spring. I'll have more clearer answers after my Interview with 2011 interview with Kyan Anderson today.

 

[AdaSooner]

A couple of things to add to your post Ada. Derrick Griffin is a little taller than 6'6. He's closing in on the 6'8 range. He's also about 225 and if you saw him you would think he was a football recruit. His body composition reminds you of Ryan Wright. Kendall Harris is no stranger to anyone who has frequented AAU tournament in the state of Oklahoma. Of course he's ex-OSU guard Terrell Harris's younger brother. He's played in tournaments in this state since ten years of age. He's an outstanding scorer and will probably have a breakout year at Richardson Berkner. J'Mychal Reese was once considered heads and above the top prospect in the nation for the class of 2012. His father is an ex-players for Texas A&M and was once considered to have Texas high on his list. Texas's ability to recruit nationally may affect this kid as Texas has landed elite PG prospects the last 3 years. Lastly, Coach Capel recently visited Ardmore and prospect Nino Jackson. Bill Self was also in the building to visit. For 2012 prospects, coaches can visit practices, but can't talk to recruits. It appears to me that OU is gearing up for a top 10 class nationally in 2012. Texas is stacked with prospects and OU is lining up to sign a couple of the best in Texas and even OU's backup plans are very highly regarded players.

Thanks for the heads up, WJ! I haven't followed recruiting much lately, so some of these prospects were new to me. I'm familiar with guys like Reese, Jackson and the recruits on GP's report, but I had never heard of kids like Harris and Griffin. Griffin: Now, there's a name that gets my attention!

Thanks for that tidbit!! Are we not going to sign anyone this year? Man, it sure could be a boring year of recruiting if not..unless we get a commit from a 2012 kid this early.

Lucky, unless something changes between now and the end of the 2011 signing period, OU will only have one ship (Cade Davis) available in that class. We have a full roster of 13 scholarship players (don't forget about Romero Osby), plus 3 walkons right now. If Barry Honore' manages to work his way back into a position to claim that ship, the Sooners will not have one to give in 2011.

To be perfectly honest, I hope no one leaves and everyone on the team remains eligible for a change. We have seen more than our share of departures for one reason or another over the past three seasons. I would rather build on the players on campus now and then go all out in recruiting for 2012 and beyond.

 

[luckyc1423]

Thanks for the heads up, WJ! I haven't followed recruiting much lately, so some of these prospects were new to me. I'm familiar with guys like Reese, Jackson and the recruits on GP's report, but I had never heard of kids like Harris and Griffin. Griffin: Now, there's a name that gets my attention!



Lucky, unless something changes between now and the end of the 2011 signing period, OU will only have one ship (Cade Davis) available in that class. We have a full roster of 13 scholarship players (don't forget about Romero Osby), plus 3 walkons right now. If Barry Honore' manages to work his way back into a position to claim that ship, the Sooners will not have one to give in 2011.

To be perfectly honest, I hope no one leaves and everyone on the team remains eligible for a change. We have seen more than our share of departures for one reason or another over the past three seasons. I would rather build on the players on campus now and then go all out in recruiting for 2012 and beyond.

I follow what you are saying and that makes since. I just wish we could do a better job of spreading the recruits around classes. I didnt think we should have signed that many last spring....I think 3-4 per class is perfect...I think signing 8 guys or whatever in one class requires everyone to have to step in and play immediately....if they dont step in and play immediately they may never see the court and might transfer.

But given our situation last year I guess we didnt have much of a chioce. I just think waiting till 2012 to sign abunch will require everyone to jump in right away and play...because we will be loosing all our jucos

 

[SoonerDAZE]

Scout.com is reporting that Shaquille Cleare, 6' 9" 280 center (class of 2012) out of Houston; Derrick Griffin, a 6' 6" 195 SF (2013 class) out of Rosenberg, TX; Xavier Thomas, a 5' 11" 165 PG (2012 class out of Richardson; Kendall Harris, a 6' 2" SG also out of Richardson, as well as Shermaine Thomas (no info available that I could find) are also visiting this weekend.

Kendal is the lead guard for the Dallas Mustangs very talented 15's team. As I've said here before, he is not as long as his brother, but is a much better ball handler and more aggressive to the paint and boards than his brother was at this age. Kendal is a former football player and it shows. He already has the body of a senior and uses it to his advantage. One of the most physically aggressive players in the 2013 class in the state.

Speaking of aggressive, Derek Griffin is a man-child. He is head and shoulders the most physically imposing player in the state in the class. He plays hard and rarely takes plays off. He has some limited skill on the offensive end, but has great instincts and timing on the defensive end and is a thoroughbred in the open floor. Scores most of his points on dunks and put-backs. He's played with Andrew and Aaron Harrison on the Houston Defenders since he was in the 5th grade. If he ever develops a modicum of skill on offense, he could end up in the top 10 or 20 in the country by the time graduation rolls around.

Back to the Dallas Mustangs 15's. That team played up in 17's most of this past summer and did very well. There are a number of special players on that team: Kendal, Shirmaine Thomas, and Jordan Mickey to name a few.

Shirmaine plays at Dallas Skyline HS. He's a wing type player right now who gets to the paint consistently and is smooth and fluid in doing so. Nothing really rushed or hyper about his game on offense. Doesn't play the best defense, especially given how long he is for his height. He doesn't have an elite skill set yet and needs to develop a perimeter game. If he doesn't grow, he'll really need to work on his ball control under pressure defense.

Jordan might be the player on that team with the most potential with a TON of upside. He's close to 6'7" and is long to boot. He's athletic and is actually getting better every time I see him play. Something that CANNOT be said about most players of this generation with his type of physical gifts. Keep an eye out for him.

 

[AdaSooner]

Great stuff, SoonerDAZE! Clearly OU is in on some talented players in your area, so I hope you will keep us updated on their progress this season.

Is the talent base in that area unusually high, or is that a figment of my imagination because Coach Capel and his staff have stepped up their efforts to recruit Dallas and surrounding cities like Richardson?

 

[Seymore Cox]

Yeah Daze, you are resource. What do you know about the kid from Ennis?

 

[SoonerDAZE]

Yeah Daze, you are resource. What do you know about the kid from Ennis?

Are you referring to Jordan Mason? If so, I've always heard good things about him. Heard he's a good shooter and can flat fill it up, but struggles on D with athleticism. Small for an off-guard, but his game is better suited for that right now. I've not seen him myself, just what I've heard. Will dig a little deeper and post if anything comes up.

 

[SoonerDAZE]

Great stuff, SoonerDAZE! Clearly OU is in on some talented players in your area, so I hope you will keep us updated on their progress this season.

Is the talent base in that area unusually high, or is that a figment of my imagination because Coach Capel and his staff have stepped up their efforts to recruit Dallas and surrounding cities like Richardson?

I've been in the area a long time, but paying close attention to the elite HS scene the last 8 to 10 years. In that time, there has been some VERY elite talent come out of DFW (both college and pro), but I'd say the sheer numbers of elite talent has been greater over the past few years and is seemingly peaking over the next few graduating classes. Overall quality may not be better but quantity of quality seems to be...if that makes sense?