HS Class of 2014 Updates

[wgstl]

I haven't been keeping official tabs, but my recollection is that all of our recruits (except maybe Gillman) had solid BCS offers. It is perhaps the most telling "unofficial" stat about the rise of the program. Here is what I found:

Jolly - Colorado and TCU

Reynolds - LSU

Davell Roby - LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, MU, Arkansas, Wake Forest

Marcus Bartley - Northwestern

Milik - Auburn, Minnesota, and Iowa

Gillman committed very early and was expected to be a longer term project, so it isn't fair to benchmark his offers at the time.

Didn't miles also hold an Northwestern offer, and I remember seeing that Roby had like the ENTIRE SEC outside of Uk and florida.

[DeSmetBilliken]

Didn't miles also hold an Northwestern offer, and I remember seeing that Roby had like the ENTIRE SEC outside of Uk and florida.

I admittedly don't know which SEC schools offered Roby.. Still, consider the possibility that Roby was a high school teammate of players that ended up going to Florida and Illinois. I've generally thought that at least some of the SEC offers Roby had we're offering him as a possibility of being a package deal with Chris Chiozza (Florida) and Leton Black (Illinois).

[ACE]

I admittedly don't know which SEC schools offered Roby.. Still, consider the possibility that Roby was a high school teammate of players that ended up going to Florida and Illinois. I've generally thought that at least some of the SEC offers Roby had we're offering him as a possibility of being a package deal with Chris Chiozza (Florida) and Leton Black (Illinois).

FWIW, Rivals shows "Offers" from Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, SPUMAC, UAB and Wake.

[slufan13]

FWIW, Rivals shows "Offers" from Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, SPUMAC, UAB and Wake.

So he sucks? Great...

But seriously, I think Roby might have the highest ceiling of anyone in our recruiting class. I'm excited about all of them, but probably most excited about him or Jolly.

[RUBillsFan]

I'm not a history buff on uniform #s. Any great #4s in SLU's past?

[TheChosenOne]

I'm not a history buff on uniform #s. Any great #4s in SLU's past?

I know Josh Fisher wore #4 during my time at SLU. I would take him developing into a strong defender like Fish.

[brianstl]

I know Josh Fisher wore #4 during my time at SLU. I would take him developing into a strong defender like Fish.

Fish is still collecting a pay check playing basketball in Europe.

[kmbilliken]

Fish is still collecting a pay check playing basketball in Europe.

Dwayne Wade must be glad he is not in the NBA.

[For-DaLove]

I apologize if it was already posted, but Milik signed his letter of intent.

[JettFlight5]

I apologize if it was already posted, but Milik signed his letter of intent.

The guys are all signed, sealed, and delivered.

[DeSmetBilliken]

Assuming I deciphered his tweet from earlier this week, looks like Roby is following Jordair Jett in wearing #5.

That makes the following known jersey numbers for the freshman class:

4: Milik Yarbrough

5: Davell Roby

11: Miles Reynolds

Brett Jolly might be wearing 14, but he wasn't as clear about it on Twitter. Nothing on jersey numbers for Bartley and Gillmann.

[kmbilliken]

Anyone have a report on how Marcus Bartley looked in the Alton all star game last night?

[slu72]

Add Creighton to Bartley's list of offers. Pretty sure his parents went there, but he still chose SLU.

Sure wish we had one of those Euro/Canadian trips planned for this year, so we could get some sort of preliminary idea of which of the FR appear most ready for the rigors of D1 ball. But, of course, I wouldn't want to schedule Carlton, The Duke of Canada.

To add to the general tenor of this thread, we've come a long way from the Horace Dixons and Obi Wons of the world. God, am I glad those days are over.

[cheeseman]

Add Creighton to Bartley's list of offers. Pretty sure his parents went there, but he still chose SLU.

Sure wish we had one of those Euro/Canadian trips planned for this year, so we could get some sort of preliminary idea of which of the FR appear most ready for the rigors of D1 ball. But, of course, I wouldn't want to schedule Carlton, The Duke of Canada.

To add to the general tenor of this thread, we've come a long way from the Horace Dixons and Obi Wons of the world. God, am I glad those days are over.

Not sure if the BE can be counted as a power conference anymore. They are just a wealthy A10 now, I wonder how many more BE coaches over the next couple of years will be jumping ship.

[NH]

Add Creighton to Bartley's list of offers. Pretty sure his parents went there, but he still chose SLU.

Sure wish we had one of those Euro/Canadian trips planned for this year, so we could get some sort of preliminary idea of which of the FR appear most ready for the rigors of D1 ball. But, of course, I wouldn't want to schedule Carlton, The Duke of Canada.

To add to the general tenor of this thread, we've come a long way from the Horace Dixons and Obi Wons of the world. God, am I glad those days are over.

As for a Euro/Canada trip, I think it's better that we get all these new guys in school and on campus. We will have the opportunity to take a trip beginning next year I believe. Hopefully that is what it takes for us to mesh together for a NCAA bid.

[ACE]

Not sure if the BE can be counted as a power conference anymore. They are just a wealthy A10 now, I wonder how many more BE coaches over the next couple of years will be jumping ship.

The 10 team NBE did get 4 teams in the Dance. The 14 team SEC only got in 3 teams. Do you consider the SEC a power conference? If so, not sure why the NBE is not.

[NH]

The 10 team NBE did get 4 teams in the Dance. The 14 team SEC only got in 3 teams. Do you consider the SEC a power conference? If so, not sure why the NBE is not.

+1 on the NBE being a power conference. Additionally, Marquette and GTown were two of the teams that didn't make it. History says they won't remain out of the tourney for long.

[Billikenswin]

Add Creighton to Bartley's list of offers. Pretty sure his parents went there, but he still chose SLU.

Sure wish we had one of those Euro/Canadian trips planned for this year, so we could get some sort of preliminary idea of which of the FR appear most ready for the rigors of D1 ball. But, of course, I wouldn't want to schedule Carlton, The Duke of Canada.

To add to the general tenor of this thread, we've come a long way from the Horace Dixons and Obi Wons of the world. God, am I glad those days are over.

No trip this summer. Next year there will be a trip and that makes sense to me. Our key players will all be in the fold including Welmer. Most of the team will be sophs and juniors with some experience under their belts and they will be able to really work on the team aspect of the defense and offense. It will be exciting to see them develop!

[VeniceMenace]

Have not seen a summary anywhere of that all star game in Alton, although I did see where SLU coaches asked him not to even suit up for a previous all star game due to it not being an NCAA-sanctioned event.

Welmer recently scored 14 in an Indiana All Star game...

[DeSmetBilliken]

Anyone have a report on how Marcus Bartley looked in the Alton all star game last night?

That game might be next weekend.

[VeniceMenace]

The All Star game in Alton, IL, featuring Marcus Bartley is in fact this coming weekend:

http://thesouthern.com/print-specific/sports-roundup/siu-hoop-recruits-will-play-in-all-star-game/article_31ac66df-c013-5066-856f-24b19eaa59a3.html

[wgstl]

Assuming I deciphered his tweet from earlier this week, looks like Roby is following Jordair Jett in wearing #5.

Fitting, roby is a physical guard who's specialty is driving yet prides himself on his defense. Slu fans will quickly love him.

[RUBillsFan]

Joe Hendrickson of the Chicago Sun Times has Yarbrough as one of his "recruiting steals" for 2014 state of Illinois prospects:

http://www.highschoolcubenews.com/news_article/show/385766?referrer_id=596370

[slu72]

No doubt Chicago metro area is a treasure trove of talent.

[slufan13]

I know ESPN's recruiting grades aren't always spot on and I know recruiting rankings don't mean everything, but here's the final grades for ESPN along with a grading scale.

RecruitingNation High School Basketball Grading System

90-100: High-major plus prospect (5 stars)
Player demonstrates rare abilities. He should have an immediate impact at a national program with the potential for early entry into the NBA.

85-89: High-major prospect (4 stars)
Player is the centerpiece to a high-major program who starts three to four years.

80-84: High-major minus prospect (4 stars)
Player has the potential to significantly contribute to a high-major program over four years.

70-79: Mid-major plus prospect (3 stars)
Player is a fringe high-major recruit who contributes or a standout mid-level recruit.

65-69: Mid-major prospect (2 stars)
Player is a multi-year starter at the mid-major level.

60-64: Mid-major minus prospect (2 stars)
Player is a role player at the mid-major level.

50-59: Low-major prospect (1 star)
Player is a low-major Division I prospect.

Brett Jolly: 75

Strengths:
Jolly is a skilled big man who can provide an inside-out scoring presence. He shoots the ball well to the three-point line and is very productive in pick and pop action. He moves very well without the ball on the interior and excels at ducking in for deep post catches where he can quickly catch and finish. He also has an equally soft shooting touch with his back to the basket. He;s an intelligent player who knows how to play in offensive structure and brings the physical toughness necessary to defend bigger players on the block.

Weaknesses:
Jolly isn't a naturally explosive athlete and so he%u2019ll be given up some quickness and leaping ability in certain match-ups and will be more of a positional team defender than shot-blocker. He's more comfortable facing the basket from the perimeter, tends to rely on fade-aways from the low post. Because he's a jump-shooting big man that lacks a go-to low post move that takes him toward the basket, he also doesn't get to the free-throw line very often.

Bottom Line:
Jolly is a skilled outside-in big man who is physically tough and fundamentally sound. He can defend both frontcourt positions and is beginning to develop enough of a low-post presence with his ability to seal and score.

Davell Roby: 74

Strengths:
He is long and crafty, can play the two-guard spot and will be a killer when the confidence in his shot rises to the level it needs to become. He is dynamite in transition and will finish drives with a flourish. He plays defense using his length for deflections but lack of strength keeps him from pushing up on bigger guards.

Weaknesses:
He needs to add strength in a major way to not only increase his range but to make him more efficient off the dribble when he drives to the cup.

Bottom Line:
Outstanding athlete and competitor with major upside.

Austin Gillmann: 71

No report

Milik Yarbrough: 70

Strengths:
Milik is a power wing. He can "big body" most kids in his age group and take them wherever he wants on the court and then score. Yarbrough has a solid skill set. He has a decent handle and is a streaky shooter with range to 20 feet. He is an average basketball athlete right now. He is tough and can be dominant when motivated. Milik is versatile and can play small forward, power forward or shooting guard. He is a natural scorer and is a tremendous post up player with his skill and strength.

Weaknesses:
Milik needs to get in a little better physical condition. His physique does have some roundness to it. He plays hard most of the time but could increase the consistency of his effort. He is a good rebounder for a wing. Defensively Yarbrough is average right now but he has the intensity and physical prowess to be much better.

Bottom Line:
Milik kind of puts you in the mind of a young Mark Aguirre. He can score and has some warrior in him. Once he gets in better shape and learns to be consistent in his effort he will be one of the best scorers in the 2014 class.

Miles Reynolds: 69

Strengths:
Reynolds is a combination guard that can be very production off and on the ball. He can push off the pass or dribble on the break or run the wing. Reynolds attacks with his head and eyes up and he is always ready to make the next play. Reynolds is one of the few guards that consciously looks to feed the low post.He can get to the rim where he can finish or drop off. He is a pretty good rebounder for a guard as well. He can hit the open jumper with range to the arc when he is set and in the flow or a rhythm. Reynolds also is capable of defending both guard positions.

Weaknesses:
Reynolds will need to continue to work on his perimeter jumper because he is very streaky. He can be streaky bad or good. He will also need to pick his spots on defense and not gamble for steals which exposes the defense when he doesn't come up with the steal. Adding strength must also be on his to do list.

Bottom Line:
Reynolds is a versatile combination guards that can makes plays off the bounce. He can play off and on the ball on both ends of the floor and is a guard that can be an X factor during the game and completely change the outcome.

Marcus Barley: 69

Strengths:
Bartley is a long and thin point guard that has a great feel for the game. He is an excellent passer in the open court, when running a set play and when he needs to create at end of clock situations. Bartley really does a nice job of controlling the game and involving teammates. He can make open shots with time and space with range to the arc. Bartley plays with his head and eyes up, has good court vision and really puts pressure on the defense with his willingness to advance pass up the floor.

Weaknesses:
Bartley will need to add strength and work to make his perimeter jumper a more consistent weapon.

Bottom Line:
Bartley is a true point guard that can control the game with his feel for the game and passing. He is a guard that is a good decision maker that keeps it simple and is very productive.