Recruiting Commentary

Recruiting Commentary

07/17/00 Basketball Recruiting:

The following report was file with the O-Zone by Bob Weiss of Ohio Roundall Prep.

THREE IN THE FOLD

With three scholarships available for the Class of 2001, it appears that the Buckeye coaching staff has accomplished just what they had hoped for. To land three quality kids in the early period to fill their needs at point guard, wing forward and one big man. In Ohio, the OSU staff landed two talents with some size, and to get a quality point guard, they went over to Pennsylvania and landed a good one in BRANDON FUSS-CHEATHAM.

Brandon averaged 21.5 points, 4.5 assists and 4 steals last year at Blackhawk High School in Beavers Falls. The 6'0 lefthander is a super leader who loves to get his teammates the basketball. He was recently spotted by our Ohio Roundball scout Chris Johnson at the Adidas ABCD Camp in New Jersey and Chris had this to say about Brandon.

"After three steady days at camp, he led his team to the camp championship. He's also one of the few players who use the bounce pass to it's maximum advantage. If there were any questions about his quickness, he eliminated those with a matchup against lighting quick T.J. Ford from Houston. He outplayed him in the head-to-head battle, drawing 2 quick fouls from Ford in the early going as Ford tried stealing the ball. He showed a deadly pull-up jumper and penetrated extremely well. The only real question is 3 point shooting. His defense was good, getting several steals while clogging up the passing lanes."

Cheatham is one of the ten best point guards in the country and was voted the 21st best player overall at ABCD, according to the Hoop Scoop.

Two Ohio players are in the mix, Matt Sylvester and Terence Dials.

MATT SYLVESTER was ranked as our number two junior prospect in Ohio at the conclusion of the '99-2000 season. And now with the outstanding Spring and Summer he's had, he could be on the verge of number one. An opposing figure he's not at about 6-7, 190 pounds. He's more of a finesse wing forward at this stage. He's a very knowledgable and precise player who's just a tremendous all around shooter. His junior year at Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Matt averaged 21.7 points and 8 rebounds while shooting 45.2% from beyond the arc. He earned 1st team Division I All-State honors by Ohio Roundball, the only underclassmen to do so, and was chosen 3rd team All-Ohio by the AP.

He recently got knocked in the face at the Nike All-American Camp, and left just before I arrived in Indianapolis. In his latest tournament, he scored 17 points in the Championship Game of the Kentucky Hoop Fest in Louisville, as his Cincinnati AAU team cruised to the win.

As a sophomore at Moeller, he helped lead his team to a State Championship over the heavily favorite Raiders of Shaker Heights. He averaged 9.4 points that year but led the club with 16 points on 8-9 shooting in the State Final.

TERENCE DIALS is one tough cookie in the middle. At 6-9, 235, he can clean out the lane in a hurry. We might have to go back to Ricky Dudley or Perry Carter to find a similar type of space eater. But he's not just a bruiser in the paint. He can run the floor, catch well in traffic and consistantly knock down the open 15 footer. He's probably the best big man the state has produced since Jason Collier.

Last year at Boardman High in Youngstown, he averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks a game. He led Boardman to a 16-7 year and was selected third team All-Ohio by the AP and we had him as the third best prospect in the junior class at seasons end. He's a legitimate top 100 prospect according to the Hoop Scoop.

His Nike trip and the rest of the summer was cut short when he went down with a dislocation of the knee cap and will go under the knife on Thursday, although the injury is not considered to be a serious one. He should be full go by the start of the basketball season.

At OSU, I feel that Terence will be used more at the center position, although he can also fit in well at the four, should Marinchick or Radinovic really come on next year.

I got a chance to talk with Terence last night and he had this to say about OSU.

"The coaching staff is really great. I love all those guys down there. They're first class all the way. Even though I lived in Detroit until the age of 5, and grew up a Wolverine fan, I knew that OSU was really a school on the rise. Plus I know how good Sylvester and Cheatham are from playing against them in AAU. That's what made me want to go there.

Dials selected the Buckeyes over the likes of Xavier, Tennessee and Michigan State.

This would have been a good year to have four or five scholarships to give, especially since the Ohio class of 2001 is well stocked with talented big men, three of which (Elgrace Wilborn, Jawad Williams and Adam Waleskowski) were invited to the Nike All-American Camp last week. There are several good guards in Ohio too, like Aly Samabaly (Akron), J.J.
Sullinger (Columbus) and Keith Jackson from Cincinnati. Jackson and Sullinger were also invited and performed well at the Nike Camp.

COULD SULLINGER BECOME A BUCKEYE??

More on that subject next post

06/20/2000 Football Recruiting:

The O-Zone just wanted to note that Bill Kurelic's stats on Andri Tyree might be a little dated. We believe everything Bill said about Tyree except his weight. At the OSU camp, Tyree weighed in at 280, not the 265 that Kurelic reported. Before you start wondering if Tyree is slow or clumsy, forget it. What made Tyree stand out at the OSU camp was the agility and quickness he showed for a man his size. Tyree was able to play credible pass defense as a linebacker in 7 on 7 drills, and was an effective receiver as well. Add to that a 280 pound blocking body, and it's easy to see why the OSU coaching staff decided to offer Tyree a scholarship.

1/27/00 Football Recruiting:

With national sighing day coming up on Wednesday, February 2nd, the OSU recruiting class is shaping up. The Buckeyes now have twenty-four verbal commitments in a class that will probably number the NCAA maximum of 25. One of those commitments is linebacker Jack Tucker, who will come in on last year's class, so the Buckeyes have room for two more players, provided everyone now committed signs and is academically eligible.

The most probable candidate to fill one of those spots are probably LB Marco Cooper. The Buckeyes now have a slight edge over Tennessee for Cooper's services, so Cooper looks like the best bet right now to become a member of this class.

The last spot looks rather iffy. The best possibilities seem to be Jim Davis, the defensive end from Fork Union, Chris Perry, the running back from Fork Union, and Carlos Perez, the wider receiver from New Jersey. Any one of those three would be a welcome addition to this class.

Also still out there but probably long shots are WR Tony Brown, WR Joseph Bruce, and DB Harlan Jacobs. Brown is leaning to Florida State and Purdue, though OSU in not completely out of the running. The Buckeyes are interested in Bruce, but grades may be a problem there, and Jacobs has not yet been officially offered a scholarship by the Buckeyes.

It is also possible that the Buckeyes might not get any of those players, and if that is the case, the Bucks could "bank" those two scholarships for next year or award them to a walk on player. The most likely scenario, however, is that the Bucks will land at least one, and possibly two more commitments. That, however, is not the end of the story.

There are at least two players on the commitment list, Terry Pogue and Corey Adams, that have some pretty serious work to do to be academically eligible. Both of those scholarships could be either available or banked for next year as well, depending on how the grade situations turn out with both of those young men.

1/18/00 9:30 AM

Football Recruiting:

With national signing day coming up, the squeeze in on.

The Buckeyes have twenty-two verbal commitments in a class that will probably number the NCAA maximum of 25. One of those commitments, linebacker Jack Tucker, is a junior college transfer that will count on last year's class, so the the Buckeyes have room for just four more players in this class.

The problem, if you can call it that, is that there are more than four top-notch players that the Buckeyes have a good chance of getting verbal commitments from. Linebackers Marco Cooper and Robert Reynolds are definite possibilities, as are defensive ends Will Smith and Nautyn McKay-Loescher. Those four blue chippers, if the Buckeyes can land them, would fill the class, and shut out two outstanding wide receivers that the Buckeyes still have a shot at. Both Tony Brown and Carlos Perez, blue chippers in their own rights, are still out there and considering the Buckeyes.

It's a nice problem to have. Too much talent for too few slots, but the Buckeyes could well be able to take all six of those prospects should they opt for the Buckeyes.

How? Simple.

There are a couple of people on the OSU commitment list that are real question marks academically. After last year's fiasco vis a vie academics and the incoming recruiting class, it is not out of the realm of possibility that the OSU coaching staff is making offers to marginal academic players that are contingent on academic improvement prior to national signing day.

If that is the case (and that is conjecture on our part) then there are several OSU commitments that stand a chance of not getting letters of intent on national signing day, thereby making room for blue chippers if need be.

Some of the players reputed to have academic shortfalls currently are RB Terry Pogue, WR Corey Adams, OL Larry Kinnard and WR Andrew Lee.

If the Buckeyes can land five or six of the blue chippers that are uncommitted and still considering OSU, don't be too surprised if there is a player or two that are on the commitment list that don't get a letter of intent and perhaps end up in prep school.

10/31/99 8:30 PM

RADINOVIC IN, McMILLIAN OUT

Yes it's true, the Bucks received a verbal commitment from 7-0, 215 pound Velimir Radinovic (Ra-DIN-o-Vitch). He's a very skilled and gifted athlete who's parents hail from Yugoslavia. He's got good hands and shoots it well for someone his size. And like many foreign kids, he passes it very well.

Obviously at just 215 pounds, he'll need to get considerably stronger as he matures at OSU. Considered to be a center, Radinovic can also play at the four spot without a problem. Last year at T.A. Blakelock School in Oakville, Ontario he averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 6 blocks per game. He was considered to be one of the top 12 centers at the prestigious ABCD Camp last July, and a top 100 prospect according to recruiting analysis Bob Gibbons.

Radinovic chose Ohio State over St. Bonaventure and St. Joseph's. He adds to a nice recruiting class which already includes 6-10 center Matt Marinchick from Hudson, OH and 6-7 forward Zach Williams from New York. Six-five G/F Sean Connolly will also be available next season as a transfer from Providence College. Now 6-8 Jeff McMillan from St. Thomas More in Oakdale, Ct is out of the picture and will not visit this weekend. We're hearing reports that not only UConn and has dropped McMillan from their list, Fordham may do the same shortly after his Connecticut visit last week.

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October 28, 1999 10:00 AM

Hoops:

IT'S CRUNCH TIME FOR THE EARLY SIGNING PERIOD

The Buckeye basketball recruiting efforts is nearing its end, at least for the early Fall signing period, and the time is now to make or break this recruiting class. With 6-10 Matt Marinchick and 6-7 Zach Williams in the fold, along with shooter Sean Connolly who's sitting out waiting to play next season, the Bucks efforts have nearly been satisfying. With two, possibly three scholarships left to give, one more big center and one more backcourt player would suit me just fine.

The situation looks like this: Mike Southall, the 6-10 center from Salem, Wisconsin has committed to Kentucky, and it appears that 6-8 T.J. Cummings is no longer interested in the Buckeyes. That leaves 6-10 Derek Dawes out of Salt Lake City, Velimir Radinovic from Ontario, Canada, and 6-8, 255 pound Jeff McMillan out of St. Thomas More in Oakdale, Connecticut.

Dawes and Radinovic have already made their way through Columbus on visits, and McMillian will take his turn November 30-31. He's generally ranked as the third best player in Conneticut and a top 100 nationally. And just like the battle for Kentucky transfer Michael Bradley, the Villanova Wildcats may the team to beat for McMillan. Fordham appears to be the other school heavily involved.

Dawes is down to four schools going into the signing period, OSU, Arizona St., BYU, and San Diego St. Don't be too surprised if Dawes lands in Arizona.

Radinovic, who's parents hail from Yugoslavia(**), recently dropped Notre Dame as the Irish just got a commitment from a seven-footer. Last year at Blakelock H.S., Radinovic averaged 16 points, 12 boards and 5 blocks. He visited Columbus two weeks ago, and the OSU coaches made a home visit September 21st. He could be very close to making a decision, with the leaders looking like OSU, St. Bonaventure and St. Joseph's.

The guard situation might have to wait. Romain Guessagba-Sato (Dayton Christian) made his decision earlier this month (Xavier), and now Medina (OH) guard Tony Stockman has given Clemson the OK. Those two are currently ranked 1 and 3 in our Ohio Roundball senior rankings. Stockman can play a shooters role at the next level, but his size at just 6-1 may be one of the reason's that the Bucks didn't lay down an offer.

In the Spring signing period, the OSU staff may continue after Julius Johnson, a high scoring big guard up in Cleveland, or possibly take a chance on 6-6 Erik Daniels out of Cincinnati Princeton H.S., currently ranked #6 in Ohio according to our system. Daniels is very thin with long arms and alot of knees. He can play the two or the small forward spot, and providing that he can add to his lean frame, Daniels could turn out to be super.

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September 28, 1999 2:30 AM

COMMITMENT

Media reports are saying that Christ the King High Schooler ZACH WILLIAMS made a verbal commitment (to OSU) shortly after returning home from his Ohio State visit this past weekend. At about 6-6 1/2, 220, Williams is a bit undersized for a power forward, but down low he becomes a man. Playing for the Riverside Church AAU team, Williams is well recognized as one of the best big men in New York. He averaged 14 points and 9 rebounds at King last year as a junior and is currently #91 in the senior class by Hoop Scoop, and is considered the 28th best power forward in the senior class according to Midwest Hoops. Williams has already qualified academically and should be a very nice addition to the Buckyes front line next season.

NEXT UP - DERRICK DAWES

Despite a few disappointments lately as far as losing out on a few big time prospects, the Bucks are still in position to pull in a very solid recruiting class. And word is that six-ten Derrick Dawes from Salt Lake City has narrowed things down to BYU and Ohio State. Dawes averaged 16 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks last year at Cottonwood High where he was still a bit raw for his age. Now his stock has shot up this summer after several impressive outings in AAU ball. We understand that he'll be in town for a visit this weekend, so hopefully he makes it up so we can catch a big one.

Another top notch player who may visit this weekend is Ohio's #2 prospect, JULIUS JOHNSON. Ohio State looks to be the leader for Johnson at this stage, but an early signing from Johnson looks to be a long shot. He still needs to get situated academically, and thus has transferred to Warrensville Heights for this, his senior year. Johnson, like his older brother Sonny who was selected Mr. Basketball two years ago, is a scoring machine. He dropped in nearly 30 points per game as a junior at Garfield Heights, but now injuries have kept him off the gym floor for much of the past six months. He's a legitimate 6-5, 190 pounds, and can really go to the hoop.

Even if Dawes should give us the nod after his weekend in Columbus, the Bucks could still have a scholarship for T.J. CUMMINGS out of Chicago. Rated as one of the top forwards in the country, Cummings included OSU in his final 5 schools. And even though earlier reports said that he wants to get away from Chicago and out of his dad's shadow, we now hear that DePaul could be the team to beat.

Get the most In-Depth information on Ohio Basketball and Recruiting, order your subscription today. Get 3 issues for $ 9.99 or 5 issues for $17.00. Check or money order made payable to: Ohio Roundball Prep - Mail to 304 E. Benton St. - Wapakoneta, OH 45895

September 22, 1999

BUCKS NEED A SCORE

The recruiting trail continues to stifle as two of the top players in Michigan, Ricky Paulding and Aurthur Johnson have both given a package deal commitment to MISSOURI. Thought to have been the leader at this stage, Mizzou beats everyone to the punch with a very impressive one-two, scoring Paulding, an athletic two-guard, and Johnson, a beefy 6-9 handfull in the middle. Both are considered national top 50 prospects. If there was another school that they were considering going as a package, it would have been Ohio State.

That news comes just after learning that Ohio's top prospect, Romaine Guessagba-Sato, committed to Xavier in a close race with Ohio State. Romaine, who speaks six different languages, has yet to qualify academically and still has a ways to go as far as the english language is concerned.

Others recently lost include 7-6 Neil Fingleton from Worchester, Mass. He's thought to be looking at North Carolina, Kansas, Notre Dame and a few others. He cancelled his visit to OSU earlier this month.

Johnny Gilbert (Minneapolis) committed to Oklahoma and Scott Merritt (Wauwatosa, WIS) gave his verbal to Marquette. Both had been considering the Buckeyes.

Keep your eyes and ears open this weekend as Ohio State brings in ZACH WILLIAMS from Middle Village, NY, Christ the King High School for a visit. Williams is about 6-6 1/2, 220 - averaged 14 points and 9 rebounds at King last year as a junior. Ranked in the top 100 by Hoop Scoop, and is considered the 28th best power forward in the senior class according to Midwest Hoops. He's got offers from Iona, Hofstra, Manhattan and well as OSU.

Also narrowing down his list to four schools is 6-11, 215 pound VELIMIR RADINOVIC from Blakelock H.S. in Ontario, Canada. "He's still a bit raw yet but has a great deal of uptapped potential" says one college coach we talked to. His list in down to St. Bonaventure, St. Joseph, Notre Dame and Ohio State, who made an in home visit on September 21st. He averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds last year along with 5 blocks per game. He's already qualified academically, scoring a 1180 on the SAT. His folks are from the former Yugoslavia and signs say he could fit right in at Ohio State.

Get the most in-depth information on Ohio basketball and recruiting, order your subscription today. Get 3 issues for $ 9.99 or 5 issues for $17.00. Check or money order made payable to: Ohio Roundball Prep - Mail to 304 E. Benton St. - Wapakoneta, OH 45895

Interested in seeing the best high school players in Ohio? Visit our Ohio Roundball Scrimmage Festivals, Free of Charge. See 12 of the top 20 seniors, including top prospect Romaine Guessagba-Sato, and check out many of the best underclassmen in the state, including top sophomore Robert Hite of Winton Woods H.S. - Friday and Saturday, November 26th and 27th. (Friday at The College of Wooster - Westerville North, Solon, Struthers, Olmsted Falls, Mansfield Senior, Clev. St. Josephs, Worthington Christian, Col. East, Barberton, Central Hower, Medina, and East Cleveland Shaw) - (Saturday at Springboro H.S - Springfield South, Oak Hills, Winton Woods, Purcell Marian, Western Hills, St. Xavier, Princeton, Kettering Alter, Colonel White, Portsmouth, Dayton Christian, Springboro, Grove City, Lima Sr, and more)

Yesterday's Recruiting Commentary

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