2016 Recruiting

[Mason2005]

We offered him very late.

He's visiting Richmond this weekend. Already took an official to Hofstra.

Unless he schedules a visit to Mason, I'm assuming we're not really in the game.

We might have some kind of IMG connection so who knows

 

[MasonFanatic]

I'd kind of like to see us use that last spot on an immediately eligible transfer with 1-2 years of eligibility remaining, just to give us a little more experience and balance. But I would only bring in someone who would be a good mentor for the young guys.

I wouldn't be too surprised if we just sit on that last scholarship for a year and even out the class sizes.

 

[p8triotfan4life]

we've offered Jalen Jenkins and Jaire Grayer late into the summer in the past. They've turned out pretty decent.

 

[MasonFanatic]

we've offered Jalen Jenkins and Jaire Grayer late into the summer in the past. They've turned out pretty decent.

Sherrod Wright as well, I believe, although he wasn't quite as late.

 

[gmujim92]

I'd kind of like to see us use that last spot on an immediately eligible transfer with 1-2 years of eligibility remaining, just to give us a little more experience and balance. But I would only bring in someone who would be a good mentor for the young guys.

I wouldn't be too surprised if we just sit on that last scholarship for a year and even out the class sizes.

With the way kids transfer these days, we're probably better off letting the class size issue take care of itself.

If all 12 of these kids are playing well enough -- and seeing enough court time -- to keep them happy at Mason by the end of next season, that probably means we have a lot better team than anyone is predicting.

Not to be a pessimist, but I don't expect that to happen. There are only so many minutes to go around and the cream inevitably rises to the top.

 

[JBiggs]

Some accolades for a few of the incoming guys from USA Today's ALL-USA State teams.

Karmari Newman was put on the ALL-USA Michigan First Team:

http://usatodayhss.com/2016/2015-16-all-usa-michigan-boys-basketball-team

FIRST TEAM

Player of the YearCassius Winston, PG, University of Detroit Jesuit (Detroit), 6-1/180, Sr.
Michigan’s Mr. Basketball winner and the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year, Winston was the driving force on a U-D Jesuit juggernaut that steamrolled its way to the Class A state title. The future Michigan State Spartan averaged 22.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this past season.

Austin Davis, C, Onsted, 6-10/230, Sr.
Davis, a Michigan signee and the state’s Associated Press Class B Player of the Year, produced 25.3 points, 14.3 rebounds and 4.9 blocks per game to lead Onsted to the Class B regional final.

Kamari Newman, SG, East English Village (Detroit), 6-4/180, Sr.
Newman, with a 28 points-per-game average, earned First Team All-State honors while leading East English Village to the Class A district semifinals.

Corey Allen, G, Ypsilanti, 6-2/160, Sr.
The University of Detroit Mercy signee averaged 23.5 points per game for Ypsilanti, which reached the Class A quarterfinals.

Spencer Littleson, G/F, Adams (Rochester), 6-4, 190, SR.
Littleson, who will play his college ball for Duquesne, averaged 25.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for Adams, which earned a spot in the Class A regional final.



Ian Boyd made the North Carolina First Team:

http://usatodayhss.com/2016/2015-16-all-usa-north-carolina-boys-basketball-team

FIRST TEAM

Player of the YearEdrice “Bam” Adebayo, F, High Point Christian Academy, 6-10/260, Sr.
A 2015-16 American Family Insurance ALL-USA Boys Basketball Third Team selection and the nation’s No. 4 recruit by ESPN, Adebayo lived up to the hype as a senior, averaging 18.9 points and 13 rebounds per game for the Class 3A finalist Cougars (25-6). For his efforts, the soon-to-be Kentucky Wildcat was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year in addition to being selected as a McDonald’s All-American and a Jordan Brand Classic invitee.

Davion Mintz, PG, North Mecklenburg, 6-4/175, Sr.
A Creighton signee, Mintz earned Player of the Year honors in his conference after producing 20.4 points and 6.3 assists per game and leading North Mecklenburg to the Class 4A semifinals.

Sage Surratt, G, East Lincoln (Denver), 6-4/200, Jr.
An explosive scorer and an all-court contributor, Surratt poured in 31.1 points per game along with 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.2 steals, leading East Lincoln (28-1) to the Class 2A state final.

Ian Boyd, G, Apex, 6-3/210, Sr.
Boyd, who will play his college ball at George Mason next season, was named the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year after leading Apex to the third round of the Class 4A state tournament, averaging 25.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

Grant Williams, F, Providence Day (Charlotte), 6-7/235, Sr.
A two-time Class 3A Player of the Year, the Tennessee signee averaged 15.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game for the Class 3A state champs.

 

[gmujim92]

Lake Forest (Ill.) PF Lorenzo Edwards is supposed to be taking an official visit to Mason this weekend.

Edwards has taken unofficials to Wisconsin and Purdue.

He also holds offers from Saint Louis and Evansville, among others.

The 6-7 Edwards is the son of former DePaul standout guard Kevin Edwards, and would give us yet another second-generation D-I player.

 

[GMUSig03]

Jim, our recruiting area seems to be fairly wide and not as locally focused as we are used to seeing. Not saying it's a bad thing, just wondering if you have any insight as to why that might be the case or particular connections the staff might have. Edwards would be our 3rd guy from that area of the country after Grayer and Newman.

 

[gmujim92]

Jim, our recruiting area seems to be fairly wide and not as locally focused as we are used to seeing. Not saying it's a bad thing, just wondering if you have any insight as to why that might be the case or particular connections the staff might have. Edwards would be our 3rd guy from that area of the country after Grayer and Newman.

Joe, I think it has been that way in the 2015 and 2016 classes by necessity -- the staff is finding players wherever they can until they've established relationships with AAU and high school coaches in the DMV.

That likely will change with the 2017 class. We are in with a bunch of really good local kids in that class and I would be shocked if at least one of our available scholarships didn't go to a DMV recruit.

Word is getting out around Virginia that DP is a helluva coach with a terrific young staff. Once we start winning consistently again, the players will come in droves.

 

[Mason2005]

Aleem Ford just got a Wisc offer and will be visiting them with his team mate, hes def off the board now.

 

[GSII]

6'7 makes my skin crawl bc of The Virus.

 

[gmujim92]

6'7 makes my skin crawl bc of The Virus.

Well at least he's a PF, not a wing.

Even Hewitt couldn't turn Lorenzo into a PG.

 

[Mason2005]

Any word on how Lorenzo's visit went?

 

[gmujim92]

Any word on how Lorenzo's visit went?

He just committed to Saint Joe's.

Great potential for immediate playing time available there since they lose both Bembry and Miles.

Good luck to the young man except when the Hawks are playing Mason.

 

[Dawgs99]

Staff seems to be going strong after 6-6 Wing AJ Wilson from Duval HS and DC Premier AAU. Kids has a pretty good offer sheet and great athleticism. Apparently he was originally listed as a '17 recruit but Mason is on him as a '16 recruit. Hope they can reel him in!

 

[gmujim92]

At one point a couple years ago,A.J. Wilson looked like a lock for Maryland or another P-5 school.

Glad we have Duane Simpkins out there recruiting all these DMV kids. His DeMatha roots still resonate on the trail.

It would be a major coup if the staff can land Wilson.

 

[TweederGMU]

Likes to dunk and block shots. Very lean kid, needs to hit the weight room hard

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFT4ArWOKgo

 

[Herndon]

Interesting. It seemed with Paulsen's first recruiting class that he was emphasizing skill over athleticism, but (with the exception of Newman) it appears that maybe that's not the case anymore.

 

[Mason2005]

Interesting. It seemed with Paulsen's first recruiting class that he was emphasizing skill over athleticism, but (with the exception of Newman) it appears that maybe that's not the case anymore.

After his first year in the A10 he prob realized we need to get more athletic in this conf.

Wilson seems pretty excited on the offer on his Twitter, hopefully we can lock him up.

 

[gmujim92]

A lot of Wilson's videos only show him dunking but from what I've heard, he has significantly improved his jumper over the past 12-18 months and can put it on the floor too.

Like Temara and Boyd, he is an elite-level athlete. But I don't think we'll see DP signing too many guys who can't pass, shoot and handle the ball. It's difficult to play the style he prefers if you don't have the requisite skill.