SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Our friend Jerry Norley has graciously contributed yet another fine Arizona-oriented report.  So what's this got to do with SoCal we hear you asking.  Well quite a lot, since most of these guys will either play in SoCal this summer or will play against SoCal guys at either the Best of Summer,the adidas Las Vegas Big time, or any number of other events. Here's Jerry's report:

Now that the summer is about to begin, I'm going to hit on the top players in Arizona for all you summer tourney hoop fanatics. Finally, the top Seniors in Arizona, some of whom will be playing college ball in SoCal.  

Donnell Knight 6ft7 SF Tempe Corona Del Sol
Every year Knight gets better and better. Last year his entire game was inside. Now, he can handle the ball, hit the three, drive in and dunk on you, and he still jumps to the moon to block shots and is active on the boards. Very talented kid who works hard to improve and has an intense desire to win. Big time player who will be playing in the DADA All Star game. Knight has signed with ASU.

John Oden 6ft8 PF Phoenix Carl Hayden
Oden will be joining the other young studs at Depaul next year and should contribute right away. This athletic insider is tough to stop with his nice post moves and aggressiveness around the hoop. This kid blocks shots, rebounds and can even handle the ball if he has to. A big time player that would have been nice for the Pac-10.

Tanner Shell 6ft5 2G Mesa Mountain View
Another ASU signee. While Lute Olson is scrambling to get involved with another wing player, Rob Evans snatched two excellent ones in Shell and Knight. Shell is an athletic wing player who likes to take the ball to the whole or pop his jumper. His jumper isn't always on, but he always plays tough D, rebounds, and can always score inside or with the midrange game. Another big time player. Won two state championships in high school

Tommy Smith 6ft9 PF/SF Phoenix North
Yep, another ASU signee. This kid blew up after a summer playing with the Arizona Stars. Another great athlete, but he also can handle the ball and has a nice shot. He needs to get stronger to play down low, and he tends to rely too much on his long arms and athletic ability on defense, but he is a very talented player that Rob Evans should be able to develop into an All-Pac10 quality player.

Kevin Woodberry 6ft PG Phoenix Trevor Browne
Woodberry is an underrated point who should start at least by his sophomore year at the University of Portland, where he has signed to play. This kid is quick, with great ball handling skills, intelligence to run the team, a deadly three point shot, and the ability to take it inside and score or dish to the open man. A heady, all around point who will impress at Portland. Also a 3.8 GPA and class president of his school. 

Hakim Rasul 6ft5 PF Tucson Pueblo
Rasul is a bull inside who will dunk on anyone. Ask Jess Pinegar. ASU is rumored to be looking at this big time athlete, but he might go JUCO as well. A kid who just needs to round out his skills to play at a big time level. I love his game and potential.

Tyler Herr 6ft5 2G Gilbert
Herr should contribute immediately at St. Mary's. Another athletic wing who can drain the three. A sleeper who could develop into a real steal for St. Marys. A definite Pac-10 level player who if he becomes more aggressive could become a top college guard.

Greg Ethington 6ft8 Gilbert
This Pepperdine signee is a tough load down low. He has nice inside skills, a nice touch, and he's strong enough to contribute right away. He's also going to play for the Pepperdine baseball team as a pitcher. A big kid with the skills and toughness to play early for Pepperdine

Donnie Jackson 6ft7 Shadow Mountain
This kid is an amazing athlete. He is a definite D1 prospect who only needs to round out his perimeter skills to reach his potential. A big time talent who will definitely land at a good D1 program.

Sammy Wade 6ft PG Tucson Pueblo
This kid is a ball handling whiz, strong, can shoot outside or take you inside, and he plays tough D. Another underrated point who might go JUCO due to grades, but eventually, he'll be a starting point at the next level and a fan favorite wherever he ends up.

Adrian Aguayo 6ft5 SF Mountain Pointe
This solid, all around forward is strong, athletic, has good skills, can hit the jumper or take you inside, and he lead his team deep into the state tourney. At one point was being recruited by teams like Utah and Pepperdine, have yet to hear where he is going.

Chris Craig 6ft2 PG Horizon
Craig is a smooth shooting point who is quick enough to handle the ball against the smaller quick points. I love his game. He can burn you with his tough dribble moves and quick release. He dunks easily and can play at the D1 level. He's being underrecruited and will end up proving a number of coaches wrong.

Jimmy Tricco 6ft6 SWING Brophy Prep
Tricco can play anywhere from the point to small forward. He's skinny, but he has good all around skills. He's a sleeper who will be developing his game at Gonzaga next year. With more strength this kid will be a steal for the Bulldogs.

Jeff Kirkeby 6ft7 Thunderbird
Kirkeby's recruiting is starting to heat up. This kid drains jumpers, is a good enough athlete to beat you off the dribble, and he uses crafty moves to get you off balance so he can get his shot off. I like his all around game. San Diego St., NAU and Air Force are all interested. 

Brady Richeson 6ft PG Mesa Mountain View
This little point is automatic from three, is quick and has the moves to take it to the hole and dish or score himself, and he plays with a confidence and enthusiasm that's catchy. He also hits clutch shots and doesn't back down against anyone. An exciting player to watch. He signed early with North Texas, if I remember right.

Ricky Luenberg 6ft9 Gilbert
Luenberg is a lanky big man with good athleticism. He needs to hit the weights, but he has solid post skills, blocks shots, grabs boards, and has the potential to be a contributor by his junior year. Good potential with the right coach.

Art Daniels 6ft7 F Thunderbird
Daniels has signed with Grand Canyon. Amazing dunker who fights for rebounds and loose balls. Needs to develop more of an outside game, but will have time to do it at Grand Canyon. Signed early, but could have gone to a better school if he had waited.

Marcus West 6ft5 F Tempe McClintock
Crafty scorer with solid hops needs to develop his outside game. Probable JUCO who should develop into a top recruit in two years.

Dominic Payne 6ft6 SF Tempe McClintock
A great athlete who might also go JUCO. Will be highly recruited in two years after he proves that he can hit the mid range shot and handle the ball more. A big time talent who will develop.

Josh Wallace 6ft10 Casa Grande
This kid looks stiff, but has solid skills. Needs to get more aggressive and gain confidence to go with his size and skills. Schools like Air Force are interested, and he could be a steal at that level.

Nate Bloom 6ft11 Mesa Mountain View
Bloom had a great summer and signed with Southern Utah, but had a frustrating year, eventually getting benched in the play offs. Kid has great offensive skills, but desperately needs to add weight to handle D1 centers on defense. However, this kid has the potential/skills to become a good offensive center and with more strength, could be a real sleeper. A definite redshirt and possible missionary.

Mike Schwertley 6ft5 F Brophy
This kid is a warrior. If he only had an outside shot or a few more inches of heigth. I'll take him anyway. He's a great athlete and can handle the ball fairly well, he just needs work on his outside shot. If he signs with a school that will allow him time to work on his skills, they will be rewarded. The kid works hard and plays hard and is a class act. Winner who will develop with the right school.

Duane McClendon 6ft2 PG/2G Tempe Corona Del Sol
This unsung guard can play the point or two guard. He is a good ball handler, solid athlete, good scorer and plays tough D. A solid all around player who just gets the job done. No flash, just effective.

Adam Baumann 6ft8 Horizon
This kid is a sleeper. Big, strong kid with decent athleticism. In three years could shoot up this list. Just needs a year or two more to refine his skills.

Josh Rebholtz 6ft6 Scottsdale Saguaro
This strong kid likes to play inside. He's tough and nasty and will battle you for every rebound and loose ball. 

Chris Walls 7ft Thunderbird
This big, lumbering kid is a definite project. He needs definite work on defense and his offensive game is limited, but he can contribute because he is a big body inside. He needs to learn how to use his feet more on defense. He's signed with St. Mary's and after redshirt year, might be better able to contribute. A project who might develop.

Well, that's the seniors. A number of these kids have yet to sign, but should be signing soon. 

 
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