Some interesting facts on Kevin Noreen

[Sam]

While making his page on the prospect board I came across some fun facts and notes on this kid. Thought I would share them on the main board.

Has the state record of Minnesota in points and rebounds and is only 35 assists short of the state record in that as well.

Gatorade player of the year in Minnesota

Played high school ball for 6 years (ala Tweety Carter more so then guys who cant qualify)

His high school is only 1A in Minnesota (similar to 2A ball in Oklahoma based on what I saw).

I think he looks similar to Keiton Page in this picture (but a lot taller)

Yes he was player of the year this year in Minnesota

His high school coach Jon Sherman likes him for his smarts

“He has a higher basketball IQ than any player I’ve ever coached,” Sherman said. “He’s always one step ahead of everyone else on the court.”

His 4,000th career point
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ-x58D_dbE[/ame]

Based on various reports his game comes across as a "poor man's" Terrence Jones in regards to versatility and skill set.

 

[sooners123]

He does look like a 10 year old giant.

 

[CoachTalk]

Sign me up! Hardworking, decent size, flat out scorer... Count me in!

 

[Sooner Tyra]

Is this guy more of a 3-4 Guy or a 4-3?

 

[seniorsooner]

I heard he was the Gatorade Player of the Year. Is that true?

 

[Sam]

Is this guy more of a 3-4 Guy or a 4-3?

I would say 3/4 based on his frame, playing at a small level in his state and the skills described. I think he will have to be a 4 in college, but will need to beef up before being a full time contributor.

Another picture displaying his baby face aspects

 

[Sooner Tyra]

any comparisons Mike Dunleavy maybe? I would love to land this kid I think if we played big with him at the 3 and thompson at the 4 we could cause some matchup problems offensively by spreading the floor.

 

[CMSOONER]

Would Gordon Hayward be an accurate comparison? Sounds like he is pretty skilled offensively for his size.

 

[Sawyer]

I always enjoy seeing how these small school stars pan out in college. Sometimes they end up doing very little... they were just big fish in small ponds. But sometimes they're exactly what they were billed to be, and then some.

There's a junior in Missouri who plays at the smallest level. He absolutely lit up the stat sheets this year en route to a state title. He had 29 points and 35 rebounds in the title game (broke his dad's 34-year old record for rebounds in the state title... pretty cool story). I'd love to see him at Mizzou, but limited scholarships might make that difficult (officially we have just one right now, and it's already taken).

 

[CMSOONER]

I always enjoy seeing how these small school stars pan out in college. Sometimes they end up doing very little... they were just big fish in small ponds. But sometimes they're exactly what they were billed to be, and then some.

There's a junior in Missouri who plays at the smallest level. He absolutely lit up the stat sheets this year en route to a state title. He had 29 points and 35 rebounds in the title game (broke his dad's 34-year old record for rebounds in the state title... pretty cool story). I'd love to see him at Mizzou, but limited scholarships might make that difficult (officially we have just one right now, and it's already taken).

Do you know the kids name?

You're exactly right some kids are just a big fish in a small pond. I played 2A ball here in OK and played with and against guys that were really good in comparison to the competition, but were not high major college players. But there's alway a diamond in rough out there.

 

[Sawyer]

Yes... Otto Porter, Jr.

Here's a rivals article about the game (not sure if it's premium or not). In the picture he also looks like he's about 12. He'd drawn interest from several major conference schools, plus possibly Memphis. If MU had 1-2 more scholarships I don't doubt for a second he'd be getting an offer.

His team actually beat (and beat handily) some pretty good teams in bigger divisions this year, and they absolutely hammered every school of similar size. They won the state title by about 50 points, and the 2nd place team had just won their semifinal game by 30+. He definitely seems like one of the small school guys who is legit.

 

[Sam]

Would Gordon Hayward be an accurate comparison? Sounds like he is pretty skilled offensively for his size.

I am not sure on Gordon or Mike for comparisons, he appears to have similar skill sets to both but I don't think he is as good of an athlete as both guys could play the 3. I've never seen him play but I don't he is a good enough athlete to be seen as a full time 3 in major D-1 ball. I am basing that on his ESPN report claiming an average athlete (they list him as a PF FWIW) and some lurking I did on other message boards who are recruiting him. The thread on the Minnesota board I saw did not in general give favorable reviews for him (claiming he is a big fish in a tiny pond) and that is his home state. I think he will be limited to the 4/5 in college assuming he gets stronger. Still a 4 with good skills (passing and shooting) can be very valuable at this level as it could be used to create mismatches.

Also saw a post on another board claiming he scored a perfect ACT (36) and ESPN does list him as a 4.0 student.

 

[Sooner Quick]

“He has a higher basketball IQ than any player I’ve ever coached,” Sherman said. “He’s always one step ahead of everyone else on the court.”

Me likey!

 

[bearcreekfan]

Another good article on Noreen with quotes from him and his coach about his game, competition they've played, etc. Link

Related to the basketball IQ quote from above:

“I’ve coached more than 60 Division I players,” said Sherman, who has also worked with the Minnesota Magic AAU program. “He has the highest basketball IQ of any player I’ve coached.”

The list is actually quite impressive. Former or current NBA players Kris Humphries, Troy Bell, Khalid El-Amin and Joel Przybilla all played under Sherman. The coach said he would take Noreen’s intelligence and versatility over any of them. He can rebound down low, but he can also pass, handle and shoot from beyond the 3-point arc.

 

[AdaSooner]

Another good article on Noreen with quotes from him and his coach about his game, competition they've played, etc. Link

Related to the basketball IQ quote from above:

That's quite a statement considering the caliber of some of the players he has coached over the years. Noreen sounds like somewhat of a sleeper with the skills and basketball smarts to turn into an outstanding player at some point. I hope we get a chance to see what he can do in a Sooner uniform.

 

[stanley11]

Does Minnesota have a scholarship to offer him? Really wonder why they wouldn't have offered if they do? Regardless of need or position, this is not the type of recruit you let leave your state if he has the potential of being a really good player.

I am not a believer that we should only recruit players that everyone else is recruiting. However I just can't imagine OU, OSU, KSU, NU, ISU letting a guy like this go so easily it there was any chance of him becoming a player.

If Minn doesn't have a scholarship to give then it makes more sense.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Does Minnesota have a scholarship to offer him? Really wonder why they wouldn't have offered if they do? Regardless of need or position, this is not the type of recruit you let leave your state if he has the potential of being a really good player.

I am not a believer that we should only recruit players that everyone else is recruiting. However I just can't imagine OU, OSU, KSU, NU, ISU letting a guy like this go so easily it there was any chance of him becoming a player.

If Minn doesn't have a scholarship to give then it makes more sense.

I looked at their commitment list and it is loaded up with bigs.

Regarding level of competition and what people in Minnesota were saying, there were a bunch of fans in Oklahoma (Oklahoma State mainly) who questioned what Blake would do on the next level. Is this kid Blake? No. But hew is 6'10 with what sounds like a high I.Q. both on and off the court. In short, the EXACT type of kid that you should be taking chances on at this point if you are Jeff Capel.

 

[PeteHoops]

Stanley...Or Minnesota has evaluated him in person and does not feel like he's a must get (I doubt it, just a thought)? He was committed to Boston College right? So, he must have something going for him. Who knows...

This basically reminds me of a 6-10 Minnesota version of Keiton Page or Rotnei Clarke. They played in small divisions and dominated with moderate to low success at the D-1 level (so far), but they are limited by their height. I think the class size should be taken into consideration, but those numbers would probably translate pretty well against top flight competition, even if they were taken down a couple levels. Also, you can't teach 6-10 and height is something we need. Not that the guy is Jon Hensen at UNC, but Hensen is really skinny and did pretty well as a true frosh (also looks 14).
(Blake omitted because OCS played a loaded schedule against the top big class teams, plus he's a freak)

The fact that he has such high assist totals is what intrigues me. We could really spread the floor with a guy like this, maybe not next year, but these are the kind of players I love to get on campus and let them develop (God willing) for four years.

 

[waynepayne]

I heard he was the Gatorade Player of the Year. Is that true?

Where'd you read that??

 

[allday92]

Where'd you read that??

Let's put an end to the debate: Kevin Noreen = Gatorade Playa of the Year

Source: Gatorade

http://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/assets/writable/press/2009-10_BK_KNoreen.pdf