Devin Coleman Commits to Clemson

Brian Snow of Scout.com is reporting that Devin Coleman (SG, 6’3″, 2011) has committed to the Clemson Tigers. Coleman has seen his stock and interest rise over his senior season but decided to play for the Tigers in the ACC instead of some of the schools closer to his home state of Pennsylvania. Coleman also had offers from Delaware, Drexel, La Salle, St. Joseph’s, Temple and St. Bonaventure.

Troy Williams Basketball Interview

BasketballElite.com has an interview with Troy Williams (SF, 6’7″, 2013), who has interest from Virginia, Virginia Tech and Georgetown. Williams is the nephew of Boo Williams, and he talks about what he’s working on his own game and what he thinks he will be able to bring to a college team.

Maryland Signs JUCO Big Man

Maryland is working hard to bring in a recruiting class that will help them continue to compete.

Yesterday, news broke that they have added another big man to their roster for next season with Berend Weijs (C, 6’10”, 2010), a Dutch player who this season played for junior college Harcum College.

According to this report on the Harcum website:

“Harcum College sophomore center Berend Weijs has signed a national letter of intent to play to at the University of Maryland in the ACC. Weijs becomes the fifth Harcum sophomore to sign with an NCAA Division I program this year, joining teammates Antonio Bumpus (Utah St.), Wilbur O’Neal (Robert Morris), Diyaaldin Kelley (Maryland-Eastern Shore), and Jeremiah Bowman (Longwood). The 6’10” Weijs set school record by blocking 119 shots this season.”

This means that Maryland is bringing in a total of six new players for next season, where Weijs will join Mychal Parker, Terrell Stoglin, Pe’Shon Howard, Ashton Pankey and Haukur Palsson from the 2010 class.

Read more about the incoming big man here.

Virginia Basketball Recruiting: James Johnson

Virginia added some interior size when they landed James Johnson (C, 6’8″, 2010) a mobile post player with shooting range. Johnson is a pure post player who will need to develop a bit more into a banger in order to play the lane in the ACC, bit his ability to move his feet, spin and get off shots is going to make him tough for ACC big men to defend.

Johnson is a pure post player, although at his size he would be considered undersized for the pro game, he will be a solid collegiate paint player and should see some court time in his first season, especially with the offense he can add. He can play facing the basket but may need to develop his post up game when he’s faced with players his own size.

ACC Basketball Recruiting: Marquis Rankin

Marquis Rankin (PG, 6’0″, 2011) is a Charlotte area player with interest and offers from several ACC schools. His offers include Virginia, Wake Forest and Clemson, and UNC has also contacted Rankin and is keeping up with him. The UNC contact is significant, in that last summer Rankin listed the Tar Heels and Wake Forest as his leaders at that time, and with an offer from the Demon Deacons on the table, it would seem he’s at least got some great options.

Rankin is a pure point guard who can penetrate the defense and dish to the open man, and his ability to shoot the three means teams can’t really play back to stop him. It’s unclear if Rankin would push the ball as hard as Roy Williams wants, but the Deacons aren’t a grind it out team either, and over the past season Rankin has worked to show his aggressive abilities and as he’s gotten stronger, shown how can finish. A sure handed ball handler, Rankin also moves his feet well on defense and has a solid understanding of what it takes to play and defend the point.

Marquis Rankin video:

McDonalds All American Game Is Wednesday

The biggest, or at least the most famous, most publicized, and most glamorous high school basketball all star game of the year is the annual McDonald’s All American games, with games for both the girls and the boys. We’ve chronicled the ACC recruits in this year’s game, which is played this Wednesday on ESPN.

There’s little defense to speak of, and the wide open play is often not a good representation of how players will be when they arrive in college. For some players, it has in the past created such hype that it solidified their position as immediate draft picks, but with the age limit of the NBA that’s far less likely. Brandon Jennings may have been able to secure an overseas deal and skip college by showing off his incredible point guard style in the Mickey D’s game.

For most players, it’s a statement simply to land on the roster of the game that serves as notice that they are likely college, and often pro, stars. J.J. Reddick shot the lights out in his 2002 appearance, landing the MVP in a game that featured Amare Stoudamire, Chris Bosh, Sean May, Rashad McCants, Raymond Felton and Carmelo Anthony. I remember watching that game in Madison Square Garden and knew he was going to be a big deal at Duke.

But the game’s wide open style often puts certain players at a disadvantage. While many teams would love to have a guy like Jennings or John Wall streaking up and down the court, a team also needs guys who know how to rebound, defend, set picks and pivot in the post. The All American game won’t always tell you the player who will be able to hit big shots at the buzzer to get to the Final Four, or the player who will set the record for most steals in a career in the NBA. It might, but it probably won’t.

What the game will show you is a few minutes of free flowing offense and give a glimpse, if you’re lucky and the players get a few balls to bounce their way, of what players can do. It can show you ballhandling skills or how a big man can run the court.

And, of course, it’s fun to watch and fun to dream.

Wake Forest Recruiting: Tony Chennault

Wake Forest’s loss in the NCAA Tournament this season wasn’t just the end of the season for the Deacs, it also marked the end of Ish Smith’s career for the black and gold. Since his freshman season, Ish has been the dominant ballhandler for the Demon Deacons and now they will have to find someone who can step up and run the offense. While C.J. Harris is a competent, smart guard, he isn’t the pure point guard that Smith was, and it’s probably going to fall on the shoulders of Tony Chennault (PG, 6’2″, 2010) to organize the offense.

Chennault isn’t the blistering speedster that Wake fans are used to from Ish Smith, but he brings toughness and scoring that will likely fit in well with the style the Deacs play. Wake fans will love Chennault’s toughness as he moves to the hoop, it’s a bit like watching a gifted running back tear through gaps in a defensive line. He also is an excellent passer and can finish in the lane or with running floaters. Double teaming Chennault is a dangerous ploy, because his court vision is strong enough for him to quickly find the open man.

With Harris returning the SG spot, the Deacons should benefit from smart, competitive basketball from the backcourt.

UNC Recruit Reggie Bullock Wins AP POY

Reggie Bullock (SF, 6’6″, 2010) capped his senior session at Kinston High School with another state title, and in the process landed the 2009-2010 AP Player of the Year award for the state. Bullock’s been a UNC commit for some time now, and had current UNC players like John Henson rooting him on as his team played the championship in Chapel Hill.

“I just stayed humble with it,” Bullock said. “I didn’t want to try to let it get too overwhelming and be like, ‘Yeah, I’m that dude.’ I tried to stay low-profile when I walked in the gym.”

Bullock is a big, smooth small forward with a lot of shooting guard skills and potential. He can shoot from deep and that opens up for opportunities to slash to the hoop. He also is effective in transition because of his poise and size, making him difficult to guard. If he could develop a mid range floater, he’d be a deadly offensive player and definitely has a lot of potential.

ACC Recruiting: Round Up, March 25, 2010

Lorenzo Brown (PG/SG, 6’4″ , 2010), one of the two solid guards coming in for the Wolfpack, continues to communicate with current players as they made a small run in the NIT. Brown was encouraging his future teammates with text messages, a sure sign that he’s already mentally on the roster.

Video of Lorenzo Brown:

Tyler Adams (C, 6’8″, 2010) now has an offer from the Duke Blue Devils. He was already being recruited by Clemson, Alabama and Memphis, but with Duke in the picture, he now says Duke is his leader.

C.J. Leslie (SF, 6’9″, 2010), down to the NC State Wolfpack and the Kentucky Wildcats, has a nice write up on HoopDoctors, although there’s no new information regarding his recruitment.

Austin River (PG/SG, 6’4″, 2010) is still considering Duke as well, even though he says he’s committed to the Florida Gators.

Papa Samba Ndao (SF, 6’8″, 2010), a commitment for the Boston College Eagles, not only has the best name for a 2010 recruit but also adds size for the Eagles on the wing. Look for Ndao to help shore up BC’s graduation losses.

Brandon Knight Creates New Duke Recruiting Battle

Brandon Knight (PG/SG, 6’3″, 2010) is no longer considered an ACC prospect, having eliminated the Miami Hurricanes a couple of weeks ago, but that doesn’t mean he can’t affect the ACC in terms of recruiting.

The Florida Gators, one of Knight’s final schools, have pulled themselves out of the running and are no longer recruiting the star shooter, which means that even more signs are pointing towards Brandon ending up playing for the Kentucky Wildcats, although all bets are off.

But. it also means that Florida can focus more energy on Austin Rivers (PG/SG, 6’4″, 2010), a player who originally committed to the Florida Gators but has since visited Duke and says they are in the running. Don’t believe Rivers when he says he’s committed to the Gators; Duke is definitely in the mix and now that Florida is pulling off of Knight, expect the full court press from the Gators to finalize Rivers’ decision.