HS Seniors

Jelan Kendrick to me is someone who can be a one and done player.

I will go with Jereme Richmond from Illinois. He is a 6’7 wing who can score, rebound, and is a great post defender. He is the 2 time Illinois Player of the Year and is headed to the Illini next year. He is definitely not a one and done player but it is nice to see the top talent in Illinois play for an in state team for a change.

first of all J-Rich is winnin the McDonald’s dunk contest…..

Now as we go on

Best Now

1) Jared Sullinger
2) Brandon Knight
3) Kyrie Irving
4) Will Barton
5) Harrison Barnes

Best Prospects

1) Brandon Knight
2) Perry Jones
3) Will Barton
4) Jared Sullinger
5) Tristan Thompson

Tobias Harris, he’s from my area so I got to root for the kid.

Two very different type of players are my favorites. First of all, former John Wall temmate CJ Leslie, a 6-9 combo forward with big time athleticism and also shooting and dribbling skills. Another player who is under the radar is floor general Kendall Marshall, not the most spectacular but get the job done at the end of the day.

that you said that…..he for sure isn’t better than Knight or Sullinger that’s a fact….he’s not ranked number one everywhere either….you can just apologize in a couple years when everyone is saying “wow, he is overrated”…

and I actually go out and see the players and get paid for it so I really am a midwest scout I don’t just play one on message boards….

Also, don’t count out Kieth Appling

He’s 6-2. With Kalin Lucas getting hurt, he might see some time at PG next season for the Spartans.

When I saw Barnes play he looked overrated. He is by no means the hands down #1 player in the nation. You can make a case for several players this year. Any way here’s my top 5

Best right now
1) Jared Sullinger
2) Brandon Knight
3) Will Barton
4) Harrison Barnes
5) Josh Selby
Others- Joe Jackson, Kyrie Irving, Tobias Harris, and CJ Leslie

Best prospects
1) Perry Jones
2) Brandon Knight
3) Will Barton
4) Harison Barnes
5) Jared Sullinger
Others- Josh Selby, Jelan Kendrick, CJ Leslie, and Tobis Harris.

midwest seriously you are a real scout how do you go about being a scout just curious.

I peppered different websites (including this one) with my writing, notes, opinions, etc. for like 5 years until one of them liked what they saw….

Enes Kanter will be a top 5 pick in 2011. He’s that good.

Josh Smith is interesting, I wanna see him play some more. From what I seen, he’s good but needs 2 years

I saw him get worked by Sullinger twice this summer….he needs to work on conditioning but he’s somewhat of a beast….

Needs to lose about 20-30 pounds. He is a legit 6,10-6,11 and he is massive. He seems to have lost a little explosiveness, but he could easily regain it if he lost a little weight. Post moves are a work in progress. Pretty good passer out of the post and a really good teammate…Think of Dexter Pittman on Steroids and like 4-5 years younger lol.

Midwest scout…Didn’t mean to come at you like that. But as prospects are concerned, how can you possibly have Tristian Thompson over Barnes? Thompson doesn’t even have a position yet. Also, where is Josh Selby? He has a chance to be a top-5 to top-10 pick.

right on the outside…..probably 6th in both….and its cool, I just think Barnes is way way overrated…..if you look back at top ranked players of the past, I would say a good 30 or 40% of them bust so its not out of the question….

to predict those guys as one and done lottery picks when you don’t know who’s declaring yet…..many of the 2010 guys are either a) in need of some serious development (Perry Jones, Will Barton) or b) not really prototype NBA Players (Sullinger amongst others)…..idk, Kentucky might surpass them with lottery picks alone….definitely in top 5 picks…

Hey midwestbbscout….what do you think of Wayne Blackshear’s game? Where do you think he will rank among the seniors next year? Or 6’6 freshman Jabari Parker?

Look out for Jamail Jones who attended Greenforest Christian and then transferred to Montverde Academy for his Senior season. He’s physically gifted for a HS senior and should be a great fit at Marquette next season. Athletic and a good shooter spotting up. He’s sort of a sleeper prospect, but he’s got the ability to be an NBA prospect in 2 years.

Also, Ryan Harrow should be a good fit for NC State, who hasn’t had great guard play since Atsur and Julius Hodge were in the backcourt together. I think with PG Javier Gonzalez and Harrow in the backcourt, they could be similar to the backcourt Wake Forest had with Ish Smith and Jeff Teague, very explosive, fast and small. They should be one of the better backcourts in the ACC next year.

Wayne is a beast….he has already risen a good 10 spots since the summer already and he is easy top 10 by the time its all said and done….I see the Mac Irvin Fire play more than any other team in the summer and he was the star of a loaded team as a junior that included Jereme Richmond, Mike Shaw, Ahmad Starks, Reggie Smith, etc…..here is some video I got of him in Phoenix last summer….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=395kpIhKQwY

he’s tough, he just lead his team to a state title as a freshman…..but I still like Tommy Hamilton Jr. better….

Perry Jones is a Baller…..Point blank

Nick Irvin was my favorite Chicago baller growing up. Yeah, Hamilton Jr is already 6’8 250, as a freshman! Big boy, like his pops. And Mike Shaw is getting no love. Jabari has the bloodlines as well.

Rodney Purvis I read he could be the next john Wall is that a valid comparison?
He got the size and the bounce from the clips I seen but not as quick what do you think of this kid.
I lie Knight to be the best pro out of the incoming frosh next year as well, but Barnes is going to be a higher pick. He will be given the keys to a Benz in UNC and he will have a pg that can get him the ball all day in Marshal.

lol he looks like an o-lineman now but he’s an awesome AAU coach….he managed to get 4 technicals in a game one time and he was still on the sidelines….

Thats weird that guys are hating on Harrison Barnes, cuz I’m pretty sure there are guys on ESPN who also get paid to scout, who think the guy is gonna be pretty good. Some have even ventured to say he has a little Kobe Bryant in his game.

I have no idea how good Harrison Barnes is going to be, but when you are a top 5 prospect on basically every high school prospect website or NBA prospect website…I’m guessing its for good reason.

I’m not saying this midwestbballscout guy isnt legit, but I find it kinda annoying when someone comes on an NBA mock draft site praising himself and declaring himself better than everybody because “he goes and scouts these guys and gets paid to do it”. I get paid to referee 4th grade girl basketball games…It doesnt make me a referee.

How about Cory Joseph? How good is he? Every time I hear or read about him, I hear nothing but high praise. It sounds like he’s been tearing it up for Findlay. How does he project to college? or Beyond? Better then his brother?

Who would pay someone to referee 4th grade girls basketball?!

is way better than his brother…..and I wasn’t trying to act better than anyone….dude said I “call myself a midwest scout”….I say that I am….we have since kissed and made up….ESPN has the right to their opinion….Paul Biancardi is very knowledgable and he’s a good guy….he’s just wrong about Harrison Barnes….

What don’t you like about Harrison’s game?

Fair enough. If I seemed harsh I apologize. I enjoy reading your intel on these guys.

Is Barnes good enough to propel UNC into the tourney along with the other recruits they got coming in? How good is he really? Solid starter? All ACC type guy? Larry Drew type of guy (garbage)?

I’m curious about Joseph cuz I’m a gopher fan, is there a chance he goes to Minny? I thought I heard he might have already commited to UCONN…soft comittment.

we interviewed at a holiday tourney in Illinois and he gave a final 5 of Minnesota, UNLV, UCONN, Texas, and Nova but I got the impression that UConn or Nova pretty much had it…..I got the impression that Minn (his brother), UNLV (where Findlay Prep is), and Texas (where Tristan Thompson his teammate committed) were kind of token things to say to make people happy…..he gave the reasons why he liked each school and the only ones that he really for his future were Nova and UConn…..I didn’t hear about his soft commit but I’m sure it may have something to do with waiting to see what Kemba Walker’s plans are (kind of the same for Brandon Knight and Kentucky)….also have to take into consideration that he’s from Canada and UConn is the closest school to his actual home by far…..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeT7vllhESU (Corey Joseph Interview)

What I don’t like about Barnes is that I don’t think he’s the superior athlete people say he is…..it seems like he is Michael when he’s playing in Iowa against the corn farmers….when I saw him play AAU this summer they lost just about every game…..he put up numbers and the rest of his team was weak but they didn’t just lose every game, they got KILLED….and it was against good teams but I just think that if your the best player in the country you should be able to compete with me and my 3 brothers on your team (yes, we all suck)…..His motions seem almost robotic…..he’s not moving around all fluid like Will Barton or even Tristan Thompson….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40XQ4OnqdN4 (Harrison Barnes interview at Peach Jam)

I think he can be an All-ACC player and a solid pro….I only have him ranked 5th or 6th or 7th or something…..I don’t think its that hard to conceive that 6 guys in the country are better…..I also think he is more suited to play college than pro….

I forgot to give love to Mike Shaw…..his stock dropped this summer cuz he took the high road playing as an indian on a team full of chiefs….he really impressed me the way he defended and rebounded though….it seems that Louisville has pulled their offer to him in anticipation of Teague taking their last scholarship b/c he and Blackshear were supposed to be a package deal and Blackshear committed…..hopefully for their sake someone leaves early b/c he is good and a great kid…..the key for him is if he is hitting his outside shot cuz if he is he is deadly…..he seems to have lost it lately though (also a reason for his tumble in the rankings)…..

Perry Jones…Can be the best player out of them if they let him grow and stay on the perimiter
Ryan Harrow…Really like his game and can see him really improving

he could be the best you’re right…

midwestbbscout, when you look at a player what to you is the most important area. To me it is a guy’s work ethic because everyone that is playing at a high level is very athletic and talented, but what separates the good to the greats is the amount of hard work put in. What are your thoughts??

Hard work is important for sure but I have to look at size and overall physical makeup first….especially for an NBA prospect….hard work becomes more important in recruiting but to play in the league you have to be big enough….obviously there are exceptions but Allen Iverson, Tiny Archibald only come along once in a generation….

I guess what I’m saying is that I can shoot from dawn til dusk every day and lift weights all night but I will still never sniff an NBA court at 5-8 160…..but a guy like Josh Smith (jthe Atlanta one…ust the first guy that comes to mind cuz I saw the Hawks play a few weeks ago) is the laziest, whiny player I’ve ever seen still can manage to be a borderline all-star…..

midwestbbscout I should have specified college, as in playing in a major conferece, rather than the NBA because that is true I happen to be 5-8 as well and if I did the same thing as what you said I would never be on an NBA court as well.

So where does hard work rank among looking at a prospective college player.

very high…..especially on the “just below blue chip” level….it is the most important time for development of a player….its not necessary to spend every free minute you have in the gym….I guess its more about having the will to get better….it may seem like a major pipe dream for most of us but the fact is there are a thousand spots for a player to play college ball and if someone doesn’t want it then the next person will take it….

the biggest thing I look for in college players though basketball IQ…..so many guys have been ranked high out of HS but have no idea what is going on once they go against an actual game plan or what a game plan even is….

I agree about basketball IQ. You probably know this better than me, but I believe that now with the extreme pressure most college coaches experience that they want players who are ready physically and athletically when they lack that basketball IQ to be successful. Do you understand what I am saying?? Thanks.

its obvious that they do….and you are seeing the success of the mid-majors (not so much pressure) because of it….a lot of good players are slipping through the cracks…..a guy I am very familiar with is DJ Cooper from Chicago who came up big for Ohio this year….tiny little bastard but he can ball….

So you’re basing Barne’s potential because his team got blown out? That makes sense. Nobody ever said he is an elite athlete, but he is a good one. Not a great one. Tell me this, why is this guy projected as the number 1 pick next year by SEVERAL mocks (including draftexpress)? Becuase he is downright talented and has an amazing work ethic. Something that cannot be measured. Talent and a good work ethic almost alwys mean success. Being flashy means nothing. Ask B-Roy.

And to your point…Tristian Thompson is overrated. Dude is nothing but a good jumper. Everytime I’ve seen him I’ve come away unimpressed. He really needs to find a position because he is a bad tweener.

Lastly, Perry Jones is a very unique prospect. But he is far from being NBA ready. He has a long way to go. Me and Quincey both agree on this one. When I watch him play, I see someone who has unique tools, but is trying to figure it out. He seems like a pf to me now. With the ability to play the sf positon…He will be a very high pick though. He has that high risk, high reward type of potential.

Little article on Barnes.

“For starters, he appears to be far more athletic than most analysts (including us) give him credit for, as he seems to be the type of player that doesn’t feel compelled to show off his explosiveness at all times, but still has all kinds of natural tools he can go to when needed. Barnes did a little bit of everything in the scrimmage we saw, playing very unselfishly, making shots from the perimeter, attacking the rim, weaving in and out of traffic, crashing the offensive glass, and making some excellent passes. Some of his finishes around the basket were extremely impressive, and he always looked calm and under control, refusing to get caught up in the playground type atmosphere that usually typifies these all-star events. His perimeter shot was a bit streaky, but this seems to be a part of his game that will develop into a great weapon for him in time. Barnes’ counterparts will be breathing down his neck all season long, but he seems to have the goods and then some to hold onto his status as the consensus top recruit in the country.”

What do you think about my boy Terrence Jones? His game is very unique and he could end up being a top-10 pick with his versatility, length/size and polished skill set.

like I said, I don’t think Barnes is awful…..he’s just not number 1 that’s all…..I like draftexpress they do an amazing job….and who knows, someone might pick Barnes number 1….I just think the team that does that will be sorry they didn’t pick someone else down the road…..not Darko/Carmelo sorry or anything…..not Morrison/Rudy Gay sorry….just kind of like “man, we shoulda took Perry Jones” or something like that……..

as for Tristan….he’s not a tweener….he is a 4….

I will reserve my opinion because I’ve only seen highlights, never a full game….

What do you think about following guys and if you have seen them play.

CJ LESLIE
REGGIE BULLOCK
KENDALL MARSHALL
RYAN HARROW

What’s the difference between CJ Leslie and Perry Jones? They seem similar.

Jones is longer and a little bit more athletic….he also has more potential as a defender I guess for the same reason….

Reggie Bullock can straight up drill…..and he’s 6-7 and athletic so not only is he not a liability on defense like most shooters, he’s an asset….Marshall is very efficient….maybe not going to be the greatest pro but he will do what they need to do which is get all the other talent involved, not turn the ball over, and be able to defend cuz of his size…..and really more than that b/c he can score too…..haven’t seen much of Leslie besides highlights….I saw like one half of him this summer and he is nice…..and Ryan Harrow I saw once for the Atlanta Celtics this year but he is obviously a huge pickup for NC State…..him and Scott Wood (indiana boy lol) and Tracy are a formidable outside trio that will make State legit in the ACC….you saw just a little taste of what they could be in the ACC tourney, add another top 40 recruit to that too as a big man (spacin out on his name) along with Harrow and NC State will be tough….

I personally don’t see Perry Jones as more athletic, I see him having more ability to utilize his athleticism (mainly via the ball-handling and slashing) where as CJ really showcases his athleticism on fastbreaks, broken plays, and rebounds. Mainly, I see Jones as having more talent and skill, but less of an idea of how to use it consistently. CJ however seems allergic to to post play, refining his post skills, and is a true competitor. He doesnt have the length, post play, ball handling that Jones has, but he’s more productive with what he has at this point.

As for Barnes, and to a lesser extent, Knight, I love their IQ. They always seem to know how the opponent is setting up against them and uses their diversified skillsets (Barnes’ inside-out game, Knight’s shoot or drive game) to best take advantage. Barnes is a natural scorer with better post skills than most high school big men, and has rapidly improved from a PF 3 years ago to a legit wing player. He definitely needs to tighten up his handles, but if he doesnt have a similar impact on UNC that Henry had for KU, I would be shocked.

midwestbbscout-..watch out for my nephew JOSH HUESTIS. when he’s done with college he will be one of the top players in his class.i promise you that

Perry Jones is a better shooter than leslie
But i dont think hes as athletic
Hes a willing Defender but still has alot to learn
Leslie needs to improve his Range because as of right now he relies purely on his
Athleticism And Long Arms to Play and Most of his shots are Layups or Dunks
He also needs to gain weight

Anyway, What about Brandon Knight?
He has good size for a Point gUard, 6’4 or 6’5,Strong
Good shooter And a Willing Passer
Also nobody talking about Terrence Jones??
Hes a great Passer Good Finisher and has Good Range
can play Both Forward Positions and the Shooting gUard Position
And He plays like a Point Forward
Potential is Lamar Odom type but I doubt he can Reach that
For josh Smith
He needs to Lose Weight and iMprove his offensive skills ,
right now hes a good Shotblocker and Rebounder but moves like a Sloth

thats another playeer i ment to talk about..c.j is not a very good shooter. right now he is a athlete. hes alot like marion. im not a scout but i see alot of these guys play every year out in vegas or when im out in florida and a couple who come down and play in utah in provo.

corey joesph is very very good. right now hes more of a scoring pg but he’s still very good

josh smith has a nice game but plays lazy and is over weight. suprisingly he can still get off the floor. has very good hands as well

not as sold as some on tristen thompson. he is very good and has nice skills but im just not as high on his as some

the kid to watch out for is tobias harris.. straight monster who is very very skilled

perry has the most potential but dont expect him to be as dominate as some think. he has problems when being pressured by a true guard or sf his jumper isnt consistant and he tends to coast sometimes

Heres His rebound and point average in high school
couldnt find his assists and block etc
Perry Jones Stats:
15.8ppg
11.3rpg
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quxsxSe1YTo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAQUc3eCUtA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8ELeCywtDY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v2Abi_Rtxg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE0Bee4CF3E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3QtdtEk3Cw
the first one is just dunks,
but shows some highlights of his ball handling and shooting
i would watch the other ones to see his skills better
hes a great ball handler, runs the floor well,
has a good range on his jumpshot, but still improvable
not that dominant, good unselfish passer
not yet at the level t-mac or Durant was at high school
Currently plays the Center and Power Forward position in high school,
when he becomes a better perimeter shooter, he will play the 3
at College

he’s not 6-4…..like 6-2 maybe…..he’s tiny…..a lot like Jennings but a little less razzle dazzle….

yeah Josh Smith gets tired really easily but I’m sure UCLA has the kind of s & c program that it won’t be a problem after his freshman year…..definitely not one and done though…..very similar game to Daniel Orton except Orton plays harder…

dude who says he’s in Florida all the time…..have you seen Austin Rivers play???? I know this thread is supposed to be about Seniors but that dude is somethin to talk about……2011 so much > 2010 recruiting class….

Gilchrist, McAdoo, Rivers, Teague, Miller, Nash

Gilchrist and Rivers are both guaranteed one and dones barring injury….like I don’t like to use the word lock but those 2 are locks…..Gilchrist is probably the best HS player regardless of class….

knight is more like 6’3 not 6’2..been to a couple of his games out here in florida and hes not much shorter then me. also wetn to 2 of jennings games in hs..hes not as small as jennings at all

i also dont see rivers as a lock. maybe gilchrist. love rivers game but just dont see him as a lock one and done. its possible though but to me not a lock

yeah he’s a little bigger but they play the same type of game….everyone is bigger than Jennings….

he’s alot more physical then jennings at the same stage. what i like about him is he can be just as effective without scoring alot of points( knight) he’s a very very smart player. and has good court vision but it isnt shown as much because of all the scoring he has to do. when i watched him last year during some aau games i was very impressed with that court vision and hes a pretty good defender. i think he can have a bigger impact then alot of the other guys because of his basketball iq plus talent. i feel the same about barnes even though ive only seen 2 of his games

another player who ive seen who is a sleeper is dwight powell. hes going to stanford with my nephew next year and he should be starting as well. he will get plenty of chances to put up nice numbers since he will get the ball alot( anyone who has watched stanford knows other then green and fields they have no real talent and fields is gone now. dont be suprised if stanford has 3 guys on the national all freshman team( first second or third) (dwight poweel,josh huestis, the bright kid or anthony brown) each will get plenty of looks

on the same team is deadly…….I only got to see them play together for a game in a half at Peach Jam last year but they were unstoppable……they both had 20 at half when Knight got hurt…..

I finally got to see him play at a thanksgiving tourney this year…..he had a sorry team and he still put it down on some GOOD teams like Findlay and Brehm prep….very versatile big and smart as a whip too…..

from this fall thanxgiving tourney in Peoria….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QSixTcEczA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x0HqO_AYvk&feature=related

yeah his teamleaves alot to be desired..lol…he will make the all freshman first team in the pac-10. stanford is getting players they havent gotten in awhile… players who have high basketball iq’s and smart yet they also have very very good basketball skills. this years class will return themto the top of the pac-10 and a national force in 2 years or less