Recruiting - 2021

[thetorch]

Highlight video for Nunez

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10892461/5af37f686e810e0b2c23614f

[Pistol]

Trinity Bell, 2021 F from Albertville, AL.

[Pistol]

Trinity Bell - F, 6-7, 230 - Albertville, AL (Albertville) - Twitter: @OfficialTrinnn

Offers: SLU, UAB, Samford, Jacksonville State.

Interest: Alabama, Auburn.

Latest News: Bell received an offer from SLU. (8/22/18)

Scouting Report: Bell is an athletic, versatile forward with great ability at both ends. He has a long, strong frame for a rising sophomore and finishes at the rim through contact. He's also got good hands and awareness and blocks/alters shots. He's an excellent rebounder at both ends, too. Not just strong and explosive, he displays nice footwork around the basket. He's smart and extremely motivated, and he's a great communicator on the floor.

-Extremely high ceiling on this one. Looks like he's got a college frame already and he's not old enough to drive yet. He played varsity as an eighth grader and should probably have a true breakout season this year even though he had a nice year as a freshman. He played this AAU season for Team Carroll (like new 2020 offer Dallas Howell), so I wonder if SLU is going to start recruiting that program more now. There are some local players on the squad, too.

Matthew Nunez - C, 6-10, 220 - Newport News, VA (Woodside) - Twitter: @mtthwnunez

Offers: SLU, VCU, Georgetown, Florida.

Interest: Pitt, Old Dominion.

Latest News: Nunez received an offer from SLU. (8/22/18)

Scouting Report: Nunez is a skilled, polished big man for a rising sophomore. He's got great size and length and runs the floor well. He's an efficient scorer and patient, sound defender who rebounds and blocks/alters shots. He has a ton of smarts and great instincts. He is comfortable facing the rim or with his back to the basket and has nice touch. He can also score over either shoulder and hits a consistent hook shot with either hand. He can shoot it out to the perimeter.

-Really good looking big man prospect whose abilities are beyond his years. Florida was the first to offer, then Georgetown, then VCU. He plays AAU ball for Boo Williams; SLU has sent out plenty of offers to Boo Williams kids but hasn't gone very far down the road with any yet. His HS coach is Stefan Welsh, who played at Arkansas, and he says Nunez is the hardest, most consistent worker he's ever been around.

[Pistol]

We have 9 offers out to the class of 2021 so far. Per the new Prep Hoops class of 2021 rankings, those players are rated 1, 8, 12, 19, 28, 33, 51, 69, and 90 in the class.

[TheChosenOne]

7 minutes ago, Pistol said:

We have 9 offers out to the class of 2021 so far. Per the new Prep Hoops class of 2021 rankings, those players are rated 1, 8, 12, 19, 28, 33, 51, 69, and 90 in the class.

Nice.

Didn't someone say that Harmon is a kid we could have a shot at landing? Kid is fun to watch.

[Pistol]

1 minute ago, TheChosenOne said:

Nice.

Didn't someone say that Harmon is a kid we could have a shot at landing? Kid is fun to watch.

That has been said, yes. He's a western Kentucky kid. Of course, a lot can change between now and the time he goes to college (and he's probably a candidate to reclassify to 2020, too), and Harmon is also facing some eligibility questions going into this season because he has transferred each year so far.

[Pistol]

Speaking of Harmon, he was ruled ineligible to play for Marshall County this season by the KHSAA. He won a state championship for Bowling Green in eighth grade, transferred to Adair County last season (same region as Mickey Pearson's John Hardin HS), and is enrolled at Marshall County currently. He played varsity (I think) for Lighthouse Christian School in Tennessee as a seventh grader.

His family is going to appeal the decision.

Harmon was ruled ineligible by the KHSAA due to Bylaw 6, which states that student-athletes have to sit out a year for transferring but provides a multitude of exceptions to allow for family circumstances, a bona fide change of residence, and other exceptions that can often be out of a student’s control. 

Basically, KHSAA determined that he had no legitimate reasons to transfer to MCHS and that it was just a basketball-motivated move. There are some good quotes from his dad in this article, like how he answers the question "Why so many transfers?" by saying it was the path God has sent his son on. But the key part is:

So now the Harmons sit and wait. The Board of Appeals could overturn the decision and Harmon, who would be a sophomore this year but is expected to reclassify to the Class of 2020, could play for a Marshall County squad that finished 19-12 last season and advanced to the 1st Region semifinals.

But if the Board of Appeals decides to uphold the ruling, the next steps are unclear. Harmon could opt to go out of the state of Kentucky, he could attend a prep school, or he could sit out the year and play for Marshall County for the 2019-2020 season (although that would seem unlikely for a player of his caliber).

His dad's statement in a separate link is something (especially the bolded part):

First of all, we would like to thank God and the great fans of the State of Kentucky for two wonderful years. There are truly no fans like Kentucky Basketball Fans. Thank you for your fan support and true love for the game. In the 2 years, Zion have represented the State well, collecting a State Title as an 8th grader, made The 16u USA Basketball Team, collecting a Gold Medal, 17u Nike Peach Jam Final Four. 9th Grade year, lead the State in scoring, assist, free throw percentage. 1st Team All State and Max Preps National Freshmen of the Year. He was the only player from the State to play on the prestigious Nike 17u Circuit. (7th and 8th grade). #1 Point Guard Ranking in the Country ESPN National Ranking. I do not believe any player in the State has ever accomplished the things that Zion has let alone in their 8th and 9th grade years. As a freshman at Adair County High School, Zion had a great year academically and athleticially, one he will remember forever. Zion took six core classes as a freshman and finished his freshman year with a 3.70 grade point average. I do not know if you can pack anything else within a two year period. I say again, Zion has represented the State well.

We will sit before an appeals committee and whichever way they rule (eligible or ineligible) we will not complain. We are grateful for all that God has allowed Zion to experience and accomplish in these two years. Zion has a plethora of opportunities available to him.

They say that we are being penalized for a transfer rule violation. I say they are penalizing Zion because he has violated the accomplishment rule. He has accomplished too much in two years and they have never seen anything like him in the state of Kentucky. Including his 7th grade year at Lighthouse Academy in Nashville, Zion has already surpassed over 2000 points at the varsity level. He is a threat to the record books in Kentucky and nationally.

People are uncomfortable and complain to the KHSAA. They have to try to find a way to slow him down. You are not supposed to be able to do what he has done. Especially as a 5’10” Guard. The Glory goes to God. GGP

[Cowboy]

-I'll just comment on three things, as he is playing on these teams and winning these awards and having these accomplishments how is he representing the state? could God also be guiding the appeals board if they rule him ineligible? they won't complain about the ruling, we'll see

[brianstl]

I have a feeling we all might have a much shorter drive to see Harmon in person this season.

[cgeldmacher]

I found it interesting that his father equates stats and personal, and to be fair team, accomplishments with representing the State of Kentucky well.   I'm willing to bet there are players who are far below his son's skill level who also represent themselves, their school, and, I guess, the State of Kentucky well.  I'm not saying that his son doesn't represent well.  I just don't think that the things that his father cited automatically equal representing the State well.

[Pistol]

 

[Pistol]

Listed at 6-11, 170!

Has a VT offer. Bio coming sometime this weekend when I have a little free time.

[Pistol]

As promised, but long overdue (didn't find time before vacation):

John Butler, Jr. - C, 6-11, 170 - Greenville, SC (Christ Church Episcopal) - Twitter: @JohnBut24713192

Offers: SLU, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Baylor.

Interest: NC State, Wake Forest, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wofford.

Latest News: Butler visited South Carolina this weekend. (9/10/18)

Scouting Report: Butler is a very, very long and lean post player who is 6-11 with a 7-3 wingspan. He's an elite shot blocker and rim protector with natural timing instincts. He posts up and can finish with either hand. He can knock down 3-pointers consistently off the catch and the bounce. He hasn't filled out at all yet, but he has a polished game for his age and a high-level feel and understanding for the game at both ends. His mother played at South Carolina and his dad (who runs the Twitter handle listed above) is his high school coach. Rankings: Prep Hoops - 21, 247sports Composite - 12, ESPN - 16.

-He's a legit 5-star big man prospect for 2021 despite his narrow frame. He's got a broad skill set and great feel for the game. His parents both have a lot of experience; his mom played at South Carolina and his dad's a long-time HS coach. His younger brother is 6-7 and two years behind him. SLU saw him at the Elite 100 event on campus in June; there are some shots of him and his younger brother touring the facilities, which his dad had nice things to say (he runs the Twitter handle listed above and Jr. doesn't have his own account yet). Plenty of ACC and SEC involvement already, and I'm sure it'll grow from here.

[Old guy]

Butler sounds really good for a kid his age, I am sure both his parents have had a great deal of influence in the development of his feel for basketball. We are in early which is good.

[Spoon-Balls]

1 hour ago, Pistol said:

As promised, but long overdue (didn't find time before vacation):

John Butler, Jr. - C, 6-11, 170 - Greenville, SC (Christ Church Episcopal) - Twitter: @JohnBut24713192

Offers: SLU, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Baylor.

Interest: NC State, Wake Forest, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wofford.

Latest News: Butler visited South Carolina this weekend. (9/10/18)

Scouting Report: Butler is a very, very long and lean post player who is 6-11 with a 7-3 wingspan. He's an elite shot blocker and rim protector with natural timing instincts. He posts up and can finish with either hand. He can knock down 3-pointers consistently off the catch and the bounce. He hasn't filled out at all yet, but he has a polished game for his age and a high-level feel and understanding for the game at both ends. His mother played at South Carolina and his dad (who runs the Twitter handle listed above) is his high school coach. Rankings: Prep Hoops - 21, 247sports Composite - 12, ESPN - 16.

-He's a legit 5-star big man prospect for 2021 despite his narrow frame. He's got a broad skill set and great feel for the game. His parents both have a lot of experience; his mom played at South Carolina and his dad's a long-time HS coach. His younger brother is 6-7 and two years behind him. SLU saw him at the Elite 100 event on campus in June; there are some shots of him and his younger brother touring the facilities, which his dad had nice things to say (he runs the Twitter handle listed above and Jr. doesn't have his own account yet). Plenty of ACC and SEC involvement already, and I'm sure it'll grow from here.

[RamJAMTIME]

4 hours ago, Spoon-Balls said:

Well done.

[Pistol]

New offer: Drissa Traore. Bio in the works.

Drissa Traore - SF, 6-7, 200 - Harlem, NY (Long Island Lutheran) - Twitter: @NextUp_Driss

Offers: SLU, Manhattan, Stony Brook.

Interest: Fordham, Seton Hall, Illinois, UCLA.

Latest News: Traore received an offer from SLU. (9/26/18)

Scouting Report: Traore is a long, athletic wing forward with a ton of upside. He has a 6-11 wingspan, long stride, and a ton of bounce. He's a good scorer and smooth finisher with either hand. He gets to the offensive glass a lot for second chance points. He was a post player as a youth player but has built out more of a wing skill set since then. He plays AAU ball with the PSA Cardinals. He transferred to LiLu this summer after spending his freshman season at Success Academy. Rankings: Future150 - 77.

-SLU has been at a bunch of open gyms up in the northeast this month, so I actually figured we'd see a few more offers than we have. This guy plays AAU ball with a ton of other SLU recruits, and he plays HS ball with Zed Key (2020). Still working on figuring out who else SLU is watching closely up there. This kid seems promising, though, and it's good to keep building out the relationship with the PSA Cardinals.

[Pistol]

Doing some recruiting refreshes today. Not much going on in the 2021 class at the moment, except one interesting tidbit: Zion Harmon's appeal to the KHSAA was denied, meaning he's inelgible to play this season for Marshall County HS. The Harmon family's options now are to either take this to court or have Zion transfer to a prep/charter school out of state. Harmon's dad is saying it's a conspiracy to keep Zion from getting any longstanding Kentucky state scoring records and that his transfer to MCHS was "God's plan" for him. I'm seeing some chatter on Twitter that a guy named Dan Hudson at Marshall County Schools has ties to DeAndre Ayton, who is named in the current court case around shoe companies paying recruits. So there's that.

It's also worth noting that Harmon has been saying for a while he's probably going to reclassify to the 2020 class. Not sure if this ruling will cause him to do that sooner than planned.

[Cowboy]

2 hours ago, Pistol said:

Doing some recruiting refreshes today. Not much going on in the 2021 class at the moment, except one interesting tidbit: Zion Harmon's appeal to the KHSAA was denied, meaning he's inelgible to play this season for Marshall County HS. The Harmon family's options now are to either take this to court or have Zion transfer to a prep/charter school out of state. Harmon's dad is saying it's a conspiracy to keep Zion from getting any longstanding Kentucky state scoring records and that his transfer to MCHS was "God's plan" for him. I'm seeing some chatter on Twitter that a guy named Dan Hudson at Marshall County Schools has ties to DeAndre Ayton, who is named in the current court case around shoe companies paying recruits. So there's that.

It's also worth noting that Harmon has been saying for a while he's probably going to reclassify to the 2020 class. Not sure if this ruling will cause him to do that sooner than planned.

-<blue font> Pistol, this can't be correct as you posted on Aug 31 from an article where the Harmon family indicated they would not complain about the ruling on the appeal and now with the ruling not going their way here they are....complaining, I am shocked 

[Pistol]

30 minutes ago, Cowboy said:

-<blue font> Pistol, this can't be correct as you posted on Aug 31 from an article where the Harmon family indicated they would not complain about the ruling on the appeal and now with the ruling not going their way here they are....complaining, I am shocked 

They complained about the initial ruling, appealed, and complained about the final decision from the appeal. I know, shocking.

[almaman]

5 hours ago, Pistol said:

Doing some recruiting refreshes today. Not much going on in the 2021 class at the moment, except one interesting tidbit: Zion Harmon's appeal to the KHSAA was denied, meaning he's inelgible to play this season for Marshall County HS. The Harmon family's options now are to either take this to court or have Zion transfer to a prep/charter school out of state. Harmon's dad is saying it's a conspiracy to keep Zion from getting any longstanding Kentucky state scoring records and that his transfer to MCHS was "God's plan" for him. I'm seeing some chatter on Twitter that a guy named Dan Hudson at Marshall County Schools has ties to DeAndre Ayton, who is named in the current court case around shoe companies paying recruits. So there's that.

It's also worth noting that Harmon has been saying for a while he's probably going to reclassify to the 2020 class. Not sure if this ruling will cause him to do that sooner than planned.

So dad is saying state's trying to keep son from breaking career records for HS by denying him a year of of play and the son is trying to skip a year? damn

[Pistol]

23 minutes ago, almaman said:

So dad is saying state's trying to keep son from breaking career records for HS by denying him a year of of play and the son is trying to skip a year? damn

More or less, yes. But it's complicated.

Zion played on Bowling Green's varsity team as an 8th grader. He scored 554 points, or 16.8 per game.

He played at Adair County as a freshman, where he scored 1,014 points, or 32.7 per game. This is the 17th highest-scoring season in Kentucky boys' HS basketball history; Dontaie Allen, headed to UK, had the 15th-highest this past season, with 1,019 points. Travis Ford scored 1,099 in 1988-1989, the 8th best scoring season ever.

If Zion reclassified to 2020 at some point and only played 4 seasons, he'd be within striking distance of the #2 all-time point total in the state: 3,647 by Charlie Osborne of Flat Gap HS in 1953-1957. The all-time record is Kelly Coleman of Wayland, with 4,337 points from 1953-1956. If Zion stayed a 2021 player, didn't get hurt and didn't stay ineligible, that all-time record is very much in his sights.

So his dad is speaking out of both sides of his mouth a bit, but he also believes Zion could be all over the career records - even if not 1st overall - if he continues on his pace. The plan since last fall has been to reclassify to 2020 and keep playing in Kentucky. He's been taking extra courses to get ahead academically.

[almaman]

Cool thanks as always.

[Adman]

7 hours ago, Pistol said:

Doing some recruiting refreshes today. Not much going on in the 2021 class at the moment, except one interesting tidbit: Zion Harmon's appeal to the KHSAA was denied, meaning he's inelgible to play this season for Marshall County HS. The Harmon family's options now are to either take this to court or have Zion transfer to a prep/charter school out of state. Harmon's dad is saying it's a conspiracy to keep Zion from getting any longstanding Kentucky state scoring records and that his transfer to MCHS was "God's plan" for him. I'm seeing some chatter on Twitter that a guy named Dan Hudson at Marshall County Schools has ties to DeAndre Ayton, who is named in the current court case around shoe companies paying recruits. So there's that.

It's also worth noting that Harmon has been saying for a while he's probably going to reclassify to the 2020 class. Not sure if this ruling will cause him to do that sooner than planned.

Pistol, as always, thanks for your efforts on recruiting news. A couple questions on Zion:

- you mention he may be the #1 PG recruit in the country now, and his recruiting scores (#9-20) from the various sources seem to bear that out. however, at the moment, his offers aren't at that level (SLU, Creighton, Mizzou, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, SMU, Western Kentucky, Stephen F. Austin, Jacksonville State, New Mexico State... with interest from La Salle, Louisville, Kansas, Iowa State and Kentucky.) Of course these are good offers, but not at top point guard level. Why do you think there's been hesitation from schools like Louisville, Kentucky, Kansas and others? His dad? His 5'10" size not translating at college level? Waiting on re-classification decision? If he's that good, it's a dangerous game top schools are playing not showing him the love earlier...

- now that high school eligibility decision has been made, while he could file suit or transfer out of state, if he elects to re-classify to 2020, do you expect a mad rush of scholarship offers?

- any sense of where the Bills are in the mix? coach ford's KY connections obviously not a bad thing.

[Pistol]

1 minute ago, Adman said:

Pistol, as always, thanks for your efforts on recruiting news. A couple questions on Zion:

- you mention he may be the #1 PG recruit in the country now, and his recruiting scores (#9-20) from the various sources seem to bear that out. however, at the moment, his offers aren't at that level (SLU, Creighton, Mizzou, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, SMU, Western Kentucky, Stephen F. Austin, Jacksonville State, New Mexico State... with interest from La Salle, Louisville, Kansas, Iowa State and Kentucky.) Of course these are good offers, but not at top point guard level. Why do you think there's been hesitation from schools like Louisville, Kentucky, Kansas and others? His dad? His 5'10" size not translating at college level? Waiting on re-classification decision? If he's that good, it's a dangerous game top schools are playing not showing him the love earlier...

- now that high school eligibility decision has been made, while he could file suit or transfer out of state, if he elects to re-classify to 2020, do you expect a mad rush of scholarship offers?

- any sense of where the Bills are in the mix? coach ford's KY connections obviously not a bad thing.

He might not be #1 on everyone'e sheet, but he's a top-5 PG in the 2021 class. I'm not sure how that would change if he reclassified, but he'd still be a sought after recruit.

In terms of his offers, there are a handful of 2021 players ranked in the top 30 or so who still only have a couple offers. Harmon has quite a few, honestly. These guys will get some over the HS season, with an explosion in the spring/summer. Keep in mind they're only sophomores, and big-time programs in particular have no reason to rush. They want to make sure they're going to keep developing. His size, eligibility issue, and other stuff might be a cause for hesitation for some, but given how many players transfer once or more, it won't be enough (yet). His ultimate college eligibility does not appear to be in question, and that's what matters most. He's on everyone's radar, even if he still has many offers to go.

I don't expect a rush of offers at this point. I think schools want to see what his next move is first. But like most of the other 2021 kids, it'll start to pick up this spring/summer and thereafter.

From what I've seen/heard/read, we are still in the mix. Given the restlessness he and his family have shown with his school situation, this is definitely a very fluid recruitment and they're looking at the highest levels possible - they've talked about UK, which is indeed recruiting him, and UK fans feel like he's worthy. I like the offer from SLU, given the Ford name and connections in KY, coupled with the fact he was/is playing AAU ball for Brad Beal Elite. We had to get in early if we were going to try at all, and we'll just have to see what happens.