2019 Recruiting

[Paul C]

On the most recent “AllDin”podcast, Coach R said we’d be looking to a C and a prototype SF (6-5 ish kid that can handle and shoot) for sure. And then maybe a G with the third scholly.

[tya1]

Latest offer is Hunter Cattoor, a 6'3" point guard from Orlando, FL and Bishop Moore Catholic HS. His first listed offer on Verbal Commits. Has interest from UCF, South Florida, North Florida, and American University.

Cattoor looks fast, and aggressive in his highlight video. Slashes to the basket with ease and a smooth shooter with range beyond the three point line. Good all-around game - scoring, rebounding, assists and a good defender too. He was named district player of the year.

[tya1]

Latest offer just out for Tom Welch, 6'7" forward from Napierville, IL's North HS. His recruiting has exploded the past day with at least seven offers, mostly MAC schools but also Wofford and Brown. Welch's stats aren't overwhelming at 13.5 ppg and 6.6 rebs, but he also had 3.3 assists per game- very good for a post player - and he played on a very strong team that went 26-3 this year. Video shows him to be a very good athlete with the ability to beat people off the dribble and a decent shooter in addition to being quick and strong around the hoop. Definitely looks taller and more explosive in video from this year compared to last year.

[tya1]

Cole Henry, 6'9" 205 lb. "point forward" from Oskaloosa, IA, is the newest Paladin offeree. Henry averaged about 15 ppg, 7 rebs., and 6 assists for the 3A Iowa runners-up. His assist total was 4th best in the state. There was a 6'11" center on his team so he was able to play mostly on the perimeter.

Good shooter with range beyond the high school three-point line, good rebounder, great passer. Can really dribble and drive impressively for a big man - high skill level. Pretty athletic overall too. The only problem is that it is hard to believe he won't start getting offers from Big Ten and Big 12 schools.

He was being recruited hardest by Drake, but that was when Medved was there. He has expressed a strong interest in Northern Iowa, but they haven't offered yet. Getting interest from Drake, Northern Iowa, South Dakota, Belmont, Middle Tennessee State, and Miami of Ohio among others. Has an earlier offer from North Dakota.

LINK

[tya1]

Offer today for 6'5" Darin Green, Jr. from Wharton HS in Tampa, FL. Listed at 6'4" at Verbal Commits but most sites say 6'5". Fast and smooth guard known best for his shooting. Very good leaper. Green has eleven reported D1 offers (and counting) after getting six more in the past day or so. They span the country from coast to coast - Cal. State Fullerton to Rider and Buffalo.

Comes from an athletic family. His father played at George Washington U. His mother was a player; his uncle Derek played at N. C. State; his uncle David played football at Duke; and grandparents from both sides were basketball players.

LINK

[tya1]

And... another - David Skogman, 6'10" 200 lbs. from West HS in Waukesha, WI has an offer. Other offers to date - Bucknell, Wisc.-Milwaukee, American U., Lafayette.

Skogman is another very good shooter with definite three point range and has some nice post moves. Quicker and smoother off the dribble than you might expect. Will need to muscle up as he is very thin.

Check out the video at the Verbal Commits page - LINK

[tya1]

New name for the list -

Pierce Hellums 6'2" PG from Tomball, TX, which is in the Houston metro area.

Offers from Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston State, Lamar, American, and Liberty. Quick, slick ballhandler and flashy passer with a very good outside shot. Good at getting to the hoop. Reminds me of former NBA great Steve Nash in appearance and playing style - always on the move.

His high school team went 43-1 and were state champs (private and parochial schools -6A)

His older brother was a player at Pepperdine Univ. this year but has transferred back to Texas ( UT-SA)

LINK

[tya1]

Here is an interesting interview with Tom Welch, the 6'7" forward who we offered last month. If you want to cut to the chase then go to the 1:42 mark. Welch is asked who has offered scholarships. After listing ten or so he names Furman - which seems a bit discouraging to Paladin hopes. But the next question is about who is recruiting him the hardest and he immediately names Furman and then Belmont and a few others.

He also mentions Clemson, Mississippi, and Kansas State as starting to show some interest. Sounds like we are making an impression at least.

LINK

[The Jackal]

The correct answer is C)

Being excited as heck to get to my new school in the Fall & participate in my 1st Student Tailgate before I form up with the masses to enter the hallowed grounds - my school’s football stadium - and truly become a bona fide and active part of that special majesty - College Football!

And then leave with the masses at halftime.
[/quote]

Students leaving a football game at half time is something every school deals with. Even Alabama has that problem.

I will say from Furman's perspective, you'll see a lot more interest once the team establishes itself as "good." People like hanging around to watch their team win.

[tya1]

Some follow-up info on Cole Henry, the 6'9" forward from Iowa who we offered last month.

The Des Moines Register newspaper reviews the top high school basketball prospects in Iowa. Henry was ranked #9 in the state. He says that Furman is his current favorite -

"Air Force recently extended an offer to Henry, too, giving him three D-I offers from North Dakota, Air Force and Furman — which he said was his top school right now. Other schools showing interest include: Middle Tennessee, Wofford, Drake, UNI, Omaha and UC Santa Barbara. I mentioned Henry's improving 3-point shot earlier; the more range he adds to his offense, the scarier he gets. He's already a high-flying, 6-9 point-forward."

Henry has a reputation as a very good passer, a "point-forward", and a low post player but he has been working hard to improve his three point shooting.

LINK

[tya1]

There is an interesting difference about this year's recruiting. So far there have been 8 or maybe 9 players reported to have offers. That is a much smaller number than the previous few years. At the same point for the 2016 class we had 15 listed offers ; for 2017 there were 14; and last year at the same point in time there were 16 offers. It hints that we are in good shape with some good players.

One of those players, 6'7" Tom Welch from Illinois, was just named Illinois high school soccer player of the year after helping his school to a state championship. Welch is the goalie.

Kyle Rode was a star for the Kentucky junior all-star team that beat the Indians juniors in a two game series this year. He averaged about 15 ppg and 10 rebs. There was a question earlier about his height. From the team picture of the Kentucky team Rode looks to be about 6'7"

[cavedweller2]

Hakeem Olajuwon was a soccer goalie as a teen.

[tya1]

Kyle Rode committed to Liberty University after his visit this weekend.

"...he also strongly considered Lipscomb, Belmont, NKU, Winthrop, Furman, William & Mary, Bradley, and Wright State."

LINK

[tya1]

As usual, there has been a flurry of new offers after the first evaluation period of July. Furman has joined in with three new offers yesterday.
They are -

Max Fiedler, 6'10" 230 center from Melbourne, FL
Evan Bainbridge, 6'8 185 forward from Stow, OH - Stow-Munroe Falls HS
Trey Hutcheson, 6'5" wing/small forward from Marion, IA - Linn-Mar HS

From Fiedler's highlights he shows good footwork and a soft shooting touch around the basket and looks like a decent shooter away from the hoop, although he doesn't shoot a lot from there. Uses his size well to get and hold position. Not a great leaper but he runs the floor and moves without the ball very well. The most impressive part of his game is his excellent passing and ball handling. His court vision was terrific and he looked very comfortable dribbling the ball even in open court situations. Plays on the same AAU team as Hunter Cattoor. D1 offers from Army and Western Carolina.

Bainbridge looks like a good three point shooter with above average athletic ability. He is regarded as a player who has made a lot of improvement over the past year in high school and AAU. His highlights show a varied package of skills - perimeter shooting and dunks; blocked shots and tough inside play. Needs to muscle up for college but he plays with a lot of energy and intensity. He has offers from James Madison, Northeastern, and Kent State.

Hutcheson is an excellent shooter and very good athlete who has been making the switch from an inside player to a wing. He hit 43% of his three pointers last year and 87% of his FTs. The Des Moines newspaper rated him as the 4th best junior in the state last year. He is playing this summer with the same AAU team as earlier offered Iowan Cole Henry. He has earlier offers from North Dakota and Air Force. He had an offer from Drake when Medved was there but it is uncertain if the new staff continued it.

[MNORM]

As usual, there has been a flurry of new offers after the first evaluation period of July. Furman has joined in with three new offers yesterday.
They are -

Max Fiedler, 6'10" 230 center from Melbourne, FL
Evan Bainbridge, 6'8 185 forward from Stow, OH - Stow-Munroe Falls HS
Trey Hutcheson, 6'5" wing/small forward from Marion, IA - Linn-Mar HS

From Fiedler's highlights he shows good footwork and a soft shooting touch around the basket and looks like a decent shooter away from the hoop, although he doesn't shoot a lot from there. Uses his size well to get and hold position. Not a great leaper but he runs the floor and moves without the ball very well. The most impressive part of his game is his excellent passing and ball handling. His court vision was terrific and he looked very comfortable dribbling the ball even in open court situations. Plays on the same AAU team as Hunter Cattoor. D1 offers from Army and Western Carolina.

Bainbridge looks like a good three point shooter with above average athletic ability. He is regarded as a player who has made a lot of improvement over the past year in high school and AAU. His highlights show a varied package of skills - perimeter shooting and dunks; blocked shots and tough inside play. Needs to muscle up for college but he plays with a lot of energy and intensity. He has offers from James Madison, Northeastern, and Kent State.

Hutcheson is an excellent shooter and very good athlete who has been making the switch from an inside player to a wing. He hit 43% of his three pointers last year and 87% of his FTs. The Des Moines newspaper rated him as the 4th best junior in the state last year. He is playing this summer with the same AAU team as earlier offered Iowan Cole Henry. He has earlier offers from North Dakota and Air Force. He had an offer from Drake when Medved was there but it is uncertain if the new staff continued it.

Been following this kid for a few years. He has huge upside...needs to hit the weight room. I'd expect to see some more offers come in from a few MAC schools.