SoCalHoops Recruiting News

UMKC Receives LOI's From Jake Dederer
& Chris Williams--(Nov. 13, 1998)

We just received word from coaches Bob Sundvold & Brian Osterman at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, that Jake Dederer (6'-10" Sr. C) from Peninsula High, Rolling Hills Estates and Chris Williams (6'-8" Sr. PF) from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.  UMKC just recieved the signed letters of intent this morning from Jake, Chris, and from another local recruit, Herb Brown (6'-9" PF).

Coach Sundvold wrote, saying: "We are excited about this recruiting class. With the addition of Vince Brown (6’-9" transfer from Lamar University) this group provides us with size, athletic ability, and skills. It also addresses the present needs and the future of our program. We are pleased to add two Kansas City players to our squad and to continue a national recruiting presence with two players from Southern California."

Jake was ranked by Mark Mayemura and Dave Benezra (who also coached him at Rockfish) in their Recruiting USA Newslsetter as the No. 3 post player in SoCal. He was also ranked by WCH and SoCalHoops as among the Top "5 Men" in Southern California.  Here's what we said about him earlier: "Jake is an excellent athlete, who is just getting used to the fact that he has grown 6 inches in the last year. As a result, he still has great perimeter skills, thinks a little like a guard/forward, and has great pass & move skills. He can rebound well, but needs to hit the weight room, and his lack of bulk will mean that he will probably red-shirt his first year, and then have four great years." 

Jake passed up scholarship offers at UC Irvine, Navy and UC Riverside.  Coach Bob Sundvold said of Jake:  "He has a great future ahead of him. He will need to add strength to his frame. He has solid basketball skills and provides size to our lineup. He had had good high school coaching (Mike Boyd, Peninsula High) and gained valuable experience with one of the top AAU programs, the LA Rockfish." 

Chris Williams is one of our favorite big men, having played for a number of teams this summer, including the Valley Slam team with Jason Morrisette (6'-4" Jr. SG/SF) from Fairfax, Chris Bennett (6'-8" Sr. PF/C) from Pasadena Marshall Fundamental (who remains a target of UMKC our sources tell us),  Adam Drell (6'-6" Jr. PF), Craig Weinstein (5'-10" Fr. PG) from Harvard-Westlake and David Gale (5'-11" Fr. PG/SG) from Buckley, among others.  Chris was also among the SoCalHoops  "Top Five Men" and was rated by Recruiting USA as the #9 Power Forward in SoCal, and considered by WCH as among the top 40 power forwards.  We listed him as a "five" because that's the position he plays in high school, and here's what we said about him: "-- Athletic, runs the floor well, also plays the four spot, and has a tendency to think like a wing player rather than post player. Thin, wiry player, effective shot blocker and rebounder, can also score from medium range. Has some good moves around the post, but needs to work on the weights. Will probably play the 4 in college since red-shirting doesn't seem to be a reasonable option."

Chris is currently coached at Notre Dame by Rob DiMuro, and averaged 12 ppg and 10 rbpg last season.  Coach Sundvold said today, "Chris is a great athlete who is showing improvement throughout the fall. We are excited in adding an athlete of his size and speed. He will need to add strength to adjust to the college game."  Chris passed up on schools like CSUN and Delaware State in signing with the 'Roos.

The third recruit, Herb Brown,  is from Penn Valley JC and Kansas City. Herb is a great athlete and has been ranked a high major talent by juco scouting services!   A 6'-9", 215-pound forward, Brown played at Center High School in Kansas City, where he averaged 16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.2 blocks as a senior in 1997. If you want further information about Brown, check out  http://www.umkc.edu/athletics/news/1998/0035.html

The Roos begin the regular season at South Alabama Saturday (Nov. 14). To read  about the upcoming game, visit: http://www.umkc.edu/depts/athletics/sports/m-bb/information/southalabama.html

UMKC is still looking for one or two other players whom they expect to sign in the spring, including possibly Chris Bennett or another big man.  Stay tuned for more signings, and in the meantime, our congratulations to Chris Williams and Jake Dederer.

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